Penguins, Pot & Other Stuff

Staff at the Black Forest just sent me the picture they took from my birthday get-together.  Very nice.  You can see everyone in the crowd is having a good time.  It’s an excellent picture except for the section on the middle right hand side, beside the lovely Liz.  I would recommend you avoid looking in that general vicinity!

April is a very busy month when it comes to birthdays.  Of course, mine was on Saturday-the best day of the year so far.  But "Happy Birthdays" are also in order for 2 more.  Sunday was my lovely ex’s birthday-Happy Birthday Tree.  She would always remind me that for one day, I was two years older than her.

 

Then there is Dickhead.  His birthday is today: Happy Birthday Charles (can’t believe I said that!).  He was actually kind enough to spring for my birthday meal at the Black Forest Restaurant.  In return, I was going to buy his ticket to the Hamilton Bulldogs playoff hockey game tonight but alas, they have been eliminated from further competition.  Too bad Dickhead!

 

Seriously, Happy Birthday to you both.  Unfortunately though, not everyone can age as well as I do!

Yesterday was the day.  Hit the big 56!  And it turned out to be a simply wonderful day.  Woke up to the best day of the year so far weatherwise.  Sunny, warm with a comfortable breeze blowing.  Decided it was time to go talk to Anita, my tattoo lady.  Got the Aquilina crest done a while back so now I figured it was time for Sciberras to make an appearance.  That’s my mother’s maiden name.  Fortunately, Anita was in.  She owns the Aardvark Tattoo Shop on King Street East, just around the corner from me.  Anita is from Columbia; tall, slender, tanned with long long long dark hair.  And she’s so nice!  We caught up on things and the appointment has been made-Saturday of next week at 1 PM.  After that, Aquilina & Sciberras together forever on my arm.

 

Then, the weather was feeling so good, I decided to wheel down to Dundurn Street to get the license sticker for my van.  A lovely little trip!  On the way back, I cruised through Hess Village to check out the patio scene.  Just in case Claudia Schiffer or Angelina Jolie or Brooke Burke was looking for me.  Don’t want to disappoint the ladies!  Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be seen so off to Jackson Square I went.  Checked out the new Farmer’s Market location in the mall.  Picked up some grapes, veggies & Cajun catfish fillets for dinner.  Grabbed a coffee at Pam’s and sat back with the minced meat tart I picked up at the market.  Simply delicious.  Gave me a chance to enjoy the scenery in the mall!

 

Then it was back home.  Unfortunately I had missed Brother Joseph who had dropped in with my birthday card while I was out.  Not only that, he had some goodies from the Lady Kathryn.  Thank goodness Jeannine & Paulo were here to let him in!  No sooner had I settled when the phone rang-my friend Sherri wanted to meet at Jackson Square for a coffee and a catch up.  Off I went where I spent the next hour or so with her.  Quite an interesting get-together as Sherri is always full of "unique" conversation!  Then, back home.

 

Earlier in the week I got a call from Dickhead (okay, he was so nice I’ll call him Charles-but just this once!).  He was actually offering to take me out for birthday dinner (his treat) along with his lovely wife Liz & Trish.  Free food, even from Dickhead, is something I can’t turn down.  I figured he would also offer to cover for Paulo and Jeannine (2 very very dear friends) but this was not to be.  Being the good guy that I am though, I sprang for them & Kaleb and the deal was done.  It was decided we would meet at the Black Forest Restaurant on the evening of my birthday.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature stuck her nose into things by sending us a deluge to deal with while getting there.  Eventually though, we were all seated at our table.  It was a great get-together.  Good food & good friends.  Even the presence of Dickhead could not bring things down!  My scotch was good and my dessert was even better.  Kaleb on one side of me, Trish on the other-I would have been in heaven if it wasn’t for the fact that Dickhead was right across from me.  Oh well!

 

We got the staff from the restaurant to take a couple of pictures (I forgot my camera) but I don’t have them yet.  When I do, I’ll let everyone know.  Thank you all, it was a great day.  Hopefully I’ll have at least 56 more!

Went to see the Bulldogs play last Saturday.  The Dickhead came along with me.  Unfortunately we saw a stinker of a game.  Hamilton lost to Grand Rapids 3-1.  That put them down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.  Fortunately though, Hamilton won last night in Grand Rapids.  They have to take at least one more there to have another game back home.

 

Gold Bulldogs!

Don’t know what to say about the boys this year.  Simply awful!  I know injuries played a part in their demise but there are so many other things going on "behind-the-scenes".  I hear that the goaltender, Carey Price, may be in trouble at the end of the season over a statutory rape charge that is being held back until then.  Ouch!

 

Oh well, hopefully we will have Vancouver versus Pittsburgh in the finals.  Will do wonders for my hockey pool team!

Tomorrow is the big day for my brother Mike.  He has some major surgery coming up-very major.  This is something he and the family have known is coming for a while now.  Never a complaint, never a "woe is me" from him.  Yet, I can just imagine what is going through Mike’s head.  Be strong brother Mike, you will have to be.  You have led a good healthy life and that will certainly help you during recovery.  Your family & friends will be there for you.

 

Be strong Brother Mike!