What a great day ! ! !
Not Wednesday but today, Saturday...
...I had to nip out early in the morning to pick up the first part of Squidly's birthday present, something she already knew about, so the day started off pretty well. As I'm not around for the actual day and she needed them straight away I gave her trainers to her as soon as I got back in. Fortunately she loved them so that was a result :-)
I had brought myself some new trainers and some cricket boots too ready for the trip to Tasmania. A quick trying on session proved that they all fitted OK and we wore them out as we made our way to Reading...
...or Basingstoke as it turned out. Exiting the M4 at Junction 11 was a nightmare so we redirected and found oursleves in Festival Place just 25 minutes later. Shopping has never been a favourite past time of mine and I usually limit it to dashing in to pick up the things I know I need. Today however was a departure from that approach as we wandered round the shopping centre eyeing different shops and picking up those bits we were after. I have been looking for a new pair of jeans recently and I found the perfect pair in French Connection in their sale. I also found another pair of trousers and superb T-shirt so they went in the shopping basket too. More T-shirts added to the load in River Island; the quick "nip-in and get some jeans" had become a long shop but I was enjoying myself so rolled with it.
We had Spanish Tapas for lunch in La Tasca, the food was fantatsic and the Sangria even better! I'm a newcomer to Spanish food but recently I have aquired a taste for it.
Squidly had been looking for something to wear to the annual dinner dance and was getting a little nervous as the date was looming but she found her perfect dress before we left to go home so all in all we had a very successful trip.
We ordered a taxi for 19:15 and then dashed about the flat getting ready to head out. Fortunately the cab didn't appear until 19:30 so we were able to apply the finishing touches, jump in and head over to Lorretta's to pick her up on the way. We were meeting Tutts at the pub before heading in to see the band.
After couple of beers and a brief introduction to the lead guitarist we made our way into the club to catch the end of one of the support acts. They were pretty impressive but were unfortunately followed by a poor band who clearly had a high opinion of themselves. I'm sure that they would have faired a little better if they had got their soundcheck right, as all you could hear was heavy guitar and no vocals.
The headline were called Big Wednesday and absolutely rocked the place. An unsigned Indie band with a perfectly polished live set. I'm no music buff but their sound is awesome and it would surprise me if they don't make it. If they don't then both record labels and music lovers everywhere are missing out! Check out their MySpace page to sample their music and head over to iTunes or IndieStore.com to download their EP "Don't Let Go".
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Monday, 16 July 2007
Playing Catch Up
Having not been able to get to see P on her birthday and with all the events of recent months it had been quite some time since I had been able to speak with the gang and find out how they are doing and how the kids are.
I went over at lunch and took her presents. We chatted for ages over a good cuppa and informed each other of all the latest developments, some good and others not so. The point had been made though that nothing was to prevent our all keeping in contact. Chief had already made that clear to me on a number of occasions but it was encouraging to hear it from P too.
One at school and the other fast asleep, the kids were not to be seen but arrangements were made to visit again and soon, there is also a massage in the offing ! ! !
Happy birthday P, albeit a few days late...
I went over at lunch and took her presents. We chatted for ages over a good cuppa and informed each other of all the latest developments, some good and others not so. The point had been made though that nothing was to prevent our all keeping in contact. Chief had already made that clear to me on a number of occasions but it was encouraging to hear it from P too.
One at school and the other fast asleep, the kids were not to be seen but arrangements were made to visit again and soon, there is also a massage in the offing ! ! !
Happy birthday P, albeit a few days late...
Friday, 13 July 2007
Happy birthday P!
There were a number of things which stopped me seeing her to celebrate her birthday with her. The details are neither interesting nor important. The fact is I didn't get there. A message was sent but I always view this as a cheap way out. So I planned to see her on Monday.
Saturday, 16 June 2007
Happy Birthday Skip!
For a 30th birthday not a great dal had been planned. It's funny how those are usually the days that you remember though isn't it? :D
Skip had hired a minibus to take us to the ground for today's game, we all chipped in a fiver to cover costs and then set off to play a league game that we had high hopes for. As the rain hammered onto the metal roof of the bus we all knew the likely outcome of todays match. Shared points and a long journey home. Our league have applied a rule which forces sides to travel to away games before a match can be called off. So we had to make the journey and in an amazing turn of ridiculousness the umpire made us wait until 4:30pm before calling the game off.
A beer or two at the oppos ground whet the appetite so we picked up a few crates for the journey home. 2 of the other players weren't able to join us on the bus so they were treated to some interesting views from the window as they followed or passed us on the motorway!
A detour via a well known local watering hole gave us a chance for the calls of nature to be answered and a few more beers to set us on our way. I think we got back to the Club by 7:00pm by which point we were beyond salvation. The 2nd XI were just wrapping up their match so we all got yet another beer and took a turn around the boundary hurling abuse at both the players we know and those that we didn't. Umpires were not excluded either as we all barracked them for their "poor decisions" :-)
It was a terrible mistake to bring his new girlfriend down to the cricket club on a night like this and Teed had tried to avoid it but she was adamant that she wanted to meet his mates. They walked toward the clubrooms with us all seated outside getting further toward a comatose state and my brother's heart must have sank. I stood up and shouted "F**K OFF!!!" at our club Vice Chairman for no good reason and then when Herman advised me that he wouldn't of known that it directed at him particularly I followed up with "GPS F**K OFF!!! Owzat Herm?". It was at this point that a) GPS ignored me (thankfully) and b) Teed said "Casper, this is my new Girlfriend."
Whoops.
The drinking continued unabated and Teed's new lass didn't let the side down. A new big drinker is just what the family needs. So off to the local nightclub herein referred to as JB's for some crazy dancing and more drinks.
Skip had hired a minibus to take us to the ground for today's game, we all chipped in a fiver to cover costs and then set off to play a league game that we had high hopes for. As the rain hammered onto the metal roof of the bus we all knew the likely outcome of todays match. Shared points and a long journey home. Our league have applied a rule which forces sides to travel to away games before a match can be called off. So we had to make the journey and in an amazing turn of ridiculousness the umpire made us wait until 4:30pm before calling the game off.
A beer or two at the oppos ground whet the appetite so we picked up a few crates for the journey home. 2 of the other players weren't able to join us on the bus so they were treated to some interesting views from the window as they followed or passed us on the motorway!
A detour via a well known local watering hole gave us a chance for the calls of nature to be answered and a few more beers to set us on our way. I think we got back to the Club by 7:00pm by which point we were beyond salvation. The 2nd XI were just wrapping up their match so we all got yet another beer and took a turn around the boundary hurling abuse at both the players we know and those that we didn't. Umpires were not excluded either as we all barracked them for their "poor decisions" :-)
It was a terrible mistake to bring his new girlfriend down to the cricket club on a night like this and Teed had tried to avoid it but she was adamant that she wanted to meet his mates. They walked toward the clubrooms with us all seated outside getting further toward a comatose state and my brother's heart must have sank. I stood up and shouted "F**K OFF!!!" at our club Vice Chairman for no good reason and then when Herman advised me that he wouldn't of known that it directed at him particularly I followed up with "GPS F**K OFF!!! Owzat Herm?". It was at this point that a) GPS ignored me (thankfully) and b) Teed said "Casper, this is my new Girlfriend."
Whoops.
The drinking continued unabated and Teed's new lass didn't let the side down. A new big drinker is just what the family needs. So off to the local nightclub herein referred to as JB's for some crazy dancing and more drinks.
Sunday, 29 April 2007
Swingball
We all went over to Chief's place to celebrate j's birthday this afternoon. He turned 8 today but he is a boy beyond his years. After we got there he started to open a mountain of presents from friends and family and looked genuinely delighted with each and every gift. The atmosphere was great and we spent our time drifting in and out of the house and the back garden enjoying the sun and birthday cake.
We all took it in turns playing the swingball that had been installed, I was soundly beaten by j on a number of occasions. Watching J and his brother Chief, both 6' 4", smashing the ball round the pole to each other had us all in stitches. Each and every strike seemed to be harder; the ball was just a blur. Next up was Babe and P producing some long rallies and as many laughs.
Happy Birthday j !!!
This morning had been a happy time too. It was our youth team's first cricket match ever, pitting a very young side against a strong local team 2 to 3 years their senior. Our boys aquitted themselves very well and making me and their club very proud. Our seamers were making the ball swing and caused some of the opposition's good batsmen a bit of trouble at times. All the kids were buzzing after the game, thrilled to have been a part of it no matter how heavily they had got beaten.
We all took it in turns playing the swingball that had been installed, I was soundly beaten by j on a number of occasions. Watching J and his brother Chief, both 6' 4", smashing the ball round the pole to each other had us all in stitches. Each and every strike seemed to be harder; the ball was just a blur. Next up was Babe and P producing some long rallies and as many laughs.
Happy Birthday j !!!
This morning had been a happy time too. It was our youth team's first cricket match ever, pitting a very young side against a strong local team 2 to 3 years their senior. Our boys aquitted themselves very well and making me and their club very proud. Our seamers were making the ball swing and caused some of the opposition's good batsmen a bit of trouble at times. All the kids were buzzing after the game, thrilled to have been a part of it no matter how heavily they had got beaten.
Friday, 20 April 2007
Happy Birthday Dad!
I hope you had a great day Dad, you deserve it! I really enjoyed our chats this evening and later on and I hope you understand that I was just doing my duty by pinching an oinion bhajee. I know you'll like your main present and I'm sure that the second will go down well.
My Father shares his birthday with Adolf Hitler. This in itself is quite a scary thing but couple that with my Mother sharing her birthday with Eva Braun and the coincidences take on a sinister feel.
I dare not check who I may share a birthday with :S
My Father shares his birthday with Adolf Hitler. This in itself is quite a scary thing but couple that with my Mother sharing her birthday with Eva Braun and the coincidences take on a sinister feel.
I dare not check who I may share a birthday with :S
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Happy brithday Big Ted!
Today was Big Ted's birthday and it coincided with a chance to see my niece before she went away again.
I found a suitably funny card for Big Ted involving flatulence which made him roar with laughter. Toilet humour has always been his forte.
I managed to raise another laugh when I imparted my story of the day whereby my arm had become a little too familiar with a hot cup of tea and the offending receptacle and it's contents were spread across my trousers, shoes and the lift floor! The culprit's face at various points during the meeting was a picture as he repeatedly apologised for his misdemeanour :-)
Back on the birthday theme I had, with one thing and another, been unable to spend the promised day shopping with my niece to make up for her not being here for her special day. She departs tomorrow so it's an opportunity missed but before I left she proudly gave me her e-mail address and mobile number so I promised to get in touch to find out what she wanted.
Chelsea won to see them through to the semi-final of the UEFA Champion's League which topped off a really good day for all these reasons and much more.
I found a suitably funny card for Big Ted involving flatulence which made him roar with laughter. Toilet humour has always been his forte.
I managed to raise another laugh when I imparted my story of the day whereby my arm had become a little too familiar with a hot cup of tea and the offending receptacle and it's contents were spread across my trousers, shoes and the lift floor! The culprit's face at various points during the meeting was a picture as he repeatedly apologised for his misdemeanour :-)
Back on the birthday theme I had, with one thing and another, been unable to spend the promised day shopping with my niece to make up for her not being here for her special day. She departs tomorrow so it's an opportunity missed but before I left she proudly gave me her e-mail address and mobile number so I promised to get in touch to find out what she wanted.
Chelsea won to see them through to the semi-final of the UEFA Champion's League which topped off a really good day for all these reasons and much more.
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
12 Years!
Here's wishing my Niece a very happy birthday! I cannot believe that it has been 12 years since she was born. I can remember the day as clearly as if it was yesterday.
I was woken early by Mum with the news that I had become an Uncle. T's daughter was born early in the morning after a labour that had started at midnight. In what has become the norm in recent years, she was leaving hospital to be taken home at 10:30.
A few days earlier I had been watching a video of Jack Dee where a particular gag centred around the birth of his first child. At it's funniest point Jack is perplexed to find that his firstborn emerges into the world looking blue! This had stuck in my mind and I spent the whole day at school wondering whether I would discover a blue niece when I finally got to meet her.
Obviously she was a beautiful pink bundle lost in her father's arms as I walked into the flat. I remember being stunned by her paper thin fingers and in awe of how small yet perfect she was. Distance prevents me from sharing today with her but when she comes over we will get together and head for the shops.
I was woken early by Mum with the news that I had become an Uncle. T's daughter was born early in the morning after a labour that had started at midnight. In what has become the norm in recent years, she was leaving hospital to be taken home at 10:30.
A few days earlier I had been watching a video of Jack Dee where a particular gag centred around the birth of his first child. At it's funniest point Jack is perplexed to find that his firstborn emerges into the world looking blue! This had stuck in my mind and I spent the whole day at school wondering whether I would discover a blue niece when I finally got to meet her.
Obviously she was a beautiful pink bundle lost in her father's arms as I walked into the flat. I remember being stunned by her paper thin fingers and in awe of how small yet perfect she was. Distance prevents me from sharing today with her but when she comes over we will get together and head for the shops.
Friday, 23 March 2007
Happy birthday D!
Many happy returns D.
Tonight we got together and had a few drinks amongst friends to celebrate. The evening ended with a marathon poker match which I was happy just to watch. I'm not a big fan of poker as a game, I find it unsociable and I don't really enjoy playing it. I guess I don't like losing money or maybe I just lose money because I don't like playing the game. With everyone else taking part I sat and watched N's hand and each round I listened as reasoning was given for each play he made. I enjoyed this more than I think I ever would playing.
I popped in to see Mum and Dad earlier. We enjoyed a cup of tea together and chatted away. Mum produced a newspaper article which had tickled her during the week, I laughed heartily and almost instantly thought of it as material. Unfortunately it will have to wait for tomorrow's post as I left it behind. It was nice to spend some more quality time with my parents, especially after last weekend. As I was heading off I gave Mum the ritual hug and kiss, the embrace lasted that little bit longer, conveying everything I needed to know.
Tonight we got together and had a few drinks amongst friends to celebrate. The evening ended with a marathon poker match which I was happy just to watch. I'm not a big fan of poker as a game, I find it unsociable and I don't really enjoy playing it. I guess I don't like losing money or maybe I just lose money because I don't like playing the game. With everyone else taking part I sat and watched N's hand and each round I listened as reasoning was given for each play he made. I enjoyed this more than I think I ever would playing.
I popped in to see Mum and Dad earlier. We enjoyed a cup of tea together and chatted away. Mum produced a newspaper article which had tickled her during the week, I laughed heartily and almost instantly thought of it as material. Unfortunately it will have to wait for tomorrow's post as I left it behind. It was nice to spend some more quality time with my parents, especially after last weekend. As I was heading off I gave Mum the ritual hug and kiss, the embrace lasted that little bit longer, conveying everything I needed to know.
Saturday, 17 March 2007
Birthdays, Cricket and Sobriety
Happy birthday firstly to T. I'm so sorry that we didn't catch up today but there is a hangover in the making, it's just a matter of timing :) Happy birthday also to R. I had a wonderful time celebrating your big day and can't wait to see you in our present. May the luck of the Irish be with you both throughout your lives!
Talking of the Irish I cannot post an entry on St. Patrick's day without extolling their cricket team's performance out in the Caribbean. Today a team whom most regard as minnows overcame a strong Pakistan side (currently rated fourth in world cricket) to place themselves as strong contenders for progression to the next round. Pakistan, with one game left to play against Zimbabwe, are booking their tickets home.
I must put my hand up as a critic of the ICC for allowing the smaller cricketing nations to play in the world cup. I shared the view of Michael Atherton (which he aired on Sky Sports during England's tour of Australia), that their involvement would lower the quality of the competition and have an adverse affect on the popularity of the game. How wrong can I be? Ireland have produced one of the most thrilling one day matches I have seen with their pulsating tie against Zimbabwe (another minnow) and have now caused the biggest upset of the tournament. Bangladesh also caused an upset today by defeating India, their win spearheaded by a stunning innings from 17 year old Tamim Iqbal. Congratulations to these two teams. I hope that I am proved wrong about this world cup again for I predicted that England wouldn't win it ;)
It's football for me tomorrow morning and I'm going to approach it in a better frame of mind than most weeks. Who knows I might even add to my scoring tally? It helps when you spend Saturday night driving and sober.
Talking of the Irish I cannot post an entry on St. Patrick's day without extolling their cricket team's performance out in the Caribbean. Today a team whom most regard as minnows overcame a strong Pakistan side (currently rated fourth in world cricket) to place themselves as strong contenders for progression to the next round. Pakistan, with one game left to play against Zimbabwe, are booking their tickets home.
I must put my hand up as a critic of the ICC for allowing the smaller cricketing nations to play in the world cup. I shared the view of Michael Atherton (which he aired on Sky Sports during England's tour of Australia), that their involvement would lower the quality of the competition and have an adverse affect on the popularity of the game. How wrong can I be? Ireland have produced one of the most thrilling one day matches I have seen with their pulsating tie against Zimbabwe (another minnow) and have now caused the biggest upset of the tournament. Bangladesh also caused an upset today by defeating India, their win spearheaded by a stunning innings from 17 year old Tamim Iqbal. Congratulations to these two teams. I hope that I am proved wrong about this world cup again for I predicted that England wouldn't win it ;)
It's football for me tomorrow morning and I'm going to approach it in a better frame of mind than most weeks. Who knows I might even add to my scoring tally? It helps when you spend Saturday night driving and sober.
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