Hong Kong Chronicles Goes to the Altar!


The big news out of the Big Island is that on February 1, 2007, Allison and I were married. At the age of 96, I’ve finally given up bachelorhood. Obviously this will lead to the recall of the latest edition of The Guinness Book, but I think it’s worth it. For everyone who’s ever asked me what I was waiting for, the answer is – my wife, the incomparable Mary Allison Despard. As much as fun as we had at the wedding, we’re far more excited about the marriage. Today is our 3-week anniversary – and they said it wouldn’t last! Take that, National Enquirer!

Huge thanks to everyone who was able to make the trip to the Kohala Coast to celebrate with us. We forced these poor suckers to travel to Hawaii in the middle of winter and submitted them to a grueling regimen of luaus, snorkeling, hiking to volcanoes, watching whales (or trying to), eating, drinking, and dancing – yet they put up with it all! Our vision for our wedding was just to have a blast with our friends and family on the beach. That vision might have been challenged by the sometimes topsy-turvy weather that week, if not for all of you -- but having you with us made it all perfect.

Special thanks to: my brother and Best Man Jonathan – for everything, including the best Best Man toast ever; my new outlaws Barbara and Turk, for their great kindness and hospitality; my sister Lisa, along with Charlie (the newlyweds) for bringing the whole family; my new sister Liz for her grace and presence; all my new relations in the Despard-Brubaker clan for their warm welcome; our friend and minister B.J.; and last but not least, special thanks and badges of shame all around for messieurs Blackwood, Corr, Costigan, Keefe, and Neisler, for their inspiring re-interpretation of The Mikado. Heads are still being scratched, and laughter is still ringing, from Lancaster to Lan Kwai Fong. And, the remains of shattered wine glasses are still being swept up in Waikoloa. No charges will be filed by the authors of How to Get a Straight Date, but I can’t speak for the estates of Gilbert or Sullivan.

We're still working on gathering photos -- if you've got 'em, can we get 'em?

To all who weren’t able to attend – we love you, and we know that you were (and are) with us in spirit.

I’m now officially retired from my career as a wedding planner, and trying to get seriously back on track with writing – though I might need to stop traveling for a couple of days! Allison and I are in The Philippines right now, for a combination of work and scuba, as part of our continuing festival of honeymoons. And yes, I do know that I’m the luckiest man in the world.

Check out the links to, as usual, way too many photos – as they say in certain circles, “take what you like, and leave the rest.” Readers of my wife’s blog are excused from this assignment. The rest of you – get busy!


Official photographer slideshow (he did an amazing job): eyeexpression.com/slideshows/davidandallison.html

Wedding ceremony reception: kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.a3574ba5&Uy=4v8dtg&Ux=1

Rehersal/Tommy Bahamas:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.3dlxtyhp&Uy=-oikhr1&Ux=1

Girls party: kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.545baqil&Uy=-qbj5bv&Ux=1

Fun in the sun: kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.7psx1xi5&Uy=-fmxb14&Ux=1

Hawaii diving /snorkeling:
kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.c8xcgap9&Uy=-anyr3e&Ux=1