Had a great time over at the Tam’s residence this past weekend to celebrate George’s 50th. How about those meatballs hey fellas?
I have known George since about grade 10 but we really started hanging out after high school. I have had so many good times with drunk George that I can’t remember them all. I am sure he can’t either. Great memories of George passed out, and the redness in his face just before that happens. The angry rants that he could drop about just about anything, and who could forget handing out beers to kids at Halloween (not his fault). George always has the best halloween costumes.
I think George may even have met Rachelle in the upstairs bedroom at my parents place on Handyside during a pre-game.
We have had many years of Nolan’s Hockey together, roller hockey, the countless camping trips. I am grateful for the years of friendship George, and I hope you had an amazing 50th birthday. Glad we could be a part of it.
Peeverpalooza is officially over and now I can officially blame everything on my age. You know I will. I remember when I wanted to buy a Jeep and I told Shan “I don’t want to be 50 years taking the roof on and off a Jeep. I need to buy it now while I am 46, young and spry”. Pretty soon she will be putting on my socks.
It started by booking off Friday and heading out to Pat and Carla’s cabin for some chill time with the fam. Shan and Lexi were already there so Ash and I drove out with Pat so that we could help him launch the boat. Pauly met us there on Friday and we had a couple of nights to hang out and go fishing with Pat. Actually got in a good swim with Ashlyn just before we left. It would have been such a shame to be at that gorgeous lake and not jump in. Big thanks to Pat and Carla for having us, and extending our invitation to Paul as well. You guys always make us feel so welcome, care for our kids, and make the visits so easy and fun.
Saturday we drove back and we went to Tyler’s for a swim and some poker. Shan and Al had organized a little get together with Tyler and Mandy so we all arriveda little bit early to swim. Shan ordered a bunch of wings and then we played poker well into the morning. Big thanks to Mandy and Tyler for hosting – the cupcakes, the decorations, and of course the taco dip! Thanks to Al for organizing the poker and getting the guys together. Thanks to the guys who could make it out, I know how busy summer can be.
Sunday Paul and I went and watched Haddon play soccer and then got ready for a nice dinner at Frankie’s. If you haven’t been there, Nonna Maria’s Lasagna is to die for. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their dinner and desert for some, but it didn’t stop us from hitting up the Krispy Kreme right after. It felt good to get out for a nice sit down dinner with the kids.
Tuesday Paul had to head out and I had to work. After work Mom ordered up some Five Guys and Marcy and John met us at our place for a nice birthday dinner. It was great to have a night with family and take it all in.
50 feels different and I would be lying if I said otherwise. Its the age I would use if I was describing someone who is older than me and I wasn’t sure just how old they were.
“Aren’t they like, 50?” I would say.
I am a little slower getting out of bed, even slower on the ice, and I take note of all the little aches and pains. Each time wondering if they are here to stay like the grey in my beard and the puffiness under my eyes.
Still lot’s to accomplish and so much more to reflect on.
Mike and I started hanging out shortly after high school. He was living with Ponch on Osborne for stint and we were over there a lot back in the day. When I think about Mike back when I first met him it’s like a whole different person. This guy had the long skater hair and liked to party. When you went to the bar with Mike back then you travelled together, but once you actually got inside he was gone! I really don’t know where he went but I would catch a glimpse of him talking to a group of girls, or he would join the circle if we were out dancing to the Hip, but other than that I still don’t know where he would disappear to. On one of these nights he literally bumped into Tara and the rest is history for them.
We got a lot closer over the years and as we spent more time together I also fell in love with Mike’s family. I was invited to many dinners, camping trips, and parties at JD’s. In the morning JD would make us all breakfast. I was always treated like one of the family.
On the ice not so much. Mike and I have always clashed at hockey. He’s a good aggressive forward and I am a less skilled, heavier defenceman who doesn’t like to be walked. We have had some good battles over the years and luckily charges have never be pressed.
After hockey one day Mike informed me that Shannon was moving out of her apartment and subsequently the relationship that came with it. I was single at the time and responded simply “does she know me?” – I ended up helping Mike and JD move Shan out and now we are brothers! There was a little more to it than that and I respectfully asked Mike’s permission to pursue things with his sister that night she seduced me on the dance floor at the Tiajuana Night Club. But that is a story for another time.
Today, Mike is 50 and last week Tara lined up a wicked party at the Times Change Outdoor Patio. It was great to hang out with him there and celebrate his 50th birthday in style. Mike, I am so proud of the person you have become and wish you nothing but the best to come on your 50th birthday.
Gary and I go waaaaaaaaay back to family birthdays in Charleswood slamming pool balls around the table in his basement to Sunday night dinners on Hector. I always looked forward to having him there to hang out with. It was back in the days where if you left the house your parents had no way of knowing where you were, or when you would be back. We would disappear to the park to at the end of the street to play catch or chat up the Fort Rouge kids.
I remember a time I was sleeping over at his place and he took me “frogging”. I think it was a little place in Charleswood called Beaver Creek or something like that. It was the first time I had ever caught frog to be honest and it seemed like old hat for Gary. Must have been a Charleswood thing.
Now we are 50 and birthdays look a little but different. Bo and the kids did an amazing job putting together a casino themed event that was spectactular. There was Blackjack and Roulette tables, amazing food and drink (thank you Julia), and it was great to see so many family members, and friends. Shannon and I had a blast. Who would have thought we would be working and playing hockey together after all these years.
Happy 50th Birthday Gary! So proud of all you have accomplished over the last 50 years and I can’t wait to see where it takes you.
Al and I took off for Thunder Bay this past weekend to attend Paul’s 50th birthday.
We took off early Saturday morning and it was nothing but blue skies and open highway. We did the usual stops for bathroom breaks and gas station egg salad. Of course Slurpees in Dryden, the last 7 ELEVEn this side of Thunder Bay. We stopped at the Subway in Ignace instead of the bar this time mostly because we were in a hurry and didn’t want any chance encounters with “The Newt” to hold us up.
We didn’t have much time when we arrived for visiting because it was almost time to roll out. We donned our “snaps”, threw on some baby powder and Gun Barrel, and headed out to On The Links. Charski reserved a section for all of Paul’s Thunder Bay crew along with a few golf sims to add to the fun. We had a blast so hat’s off to Melissa for putting the night together it was awesome. It was great to see the Ratte kids (who will always be kids to me) and also to hang out with Paul’s Mom and Pops who also made the drive out.
I can’t remember the last time we were all out until 3am but it might as well be Paul’s 50th! I think he had an awesome time. He has a really good crew of people out in Thunder Bay and it’s nice to know he is so well taken care of out there. It’s no suprise knowing how much we miss him around here.
Ratty and I have been besties in my eyes since Grade 5, when I first moved over to GWood. We grew up playing street hockey, sneaking out at sleepovers, and riding the bike trails by the Seine River. We were joined at the hip through high school, got our licenses, started jobs, got married, had kids, moved away, and somehow grew even closer together.
March 26, 2024 – Happy 50th big buddy! Not even a blizzard could keep us from this one.
It’s a big year for 50’s and what better way to start things off than with Scott Vernon!
I started hanging out with “Vern” in grade 11 or 12. We had a couple of classes together that we often skipped to go driving around in his Mom’s Nissan Pulsar NX. He showed me how to “bang shift” in that little red chick magnet with the T-Tops off. Shifting gears without the clutch for all you perverts reading this. We listened to Bootsauce full blast and drank slurpees (go figure).
Hanging with Vern came with all kinds of perks like afternoons by the pool and talking to girls way out of my league. After highschool he got a job at the Canad Inns and was literally our ticket to U4IA. I remember we would be getting to the bar late and seeing lineups out the door. We would ask for “Mr. Vernon” at the front desk and soon after Scott would be leading through the kitchen and into the club. He always took care of his friends and still does.
In fact, Scott’s parent’s used to own a Sooters Photography and it wasn’t uncommon for him to come in with friends for some professional portraits. This was a little before my time but it’s a pretty good indicator that Scott takes his friendships quite seriously.
One of the original members of the Three Pistols Vern might be one of the best hockey players I have ever played with. Hands all day and it often looks like he isn’t even trying. My favourite is waching him double tap the puck with the toe of his stick before unleashing a howitzer slapshot. Classic!!
It was actually at one of Scott’s birthdays (maybe his 28th?) that I was first seduced by my wife at the Tiajuana Yacht Club.
It’s been 36 years of friendship and now we share Dad stories and meet up for the occassional plate of wings when life permits us. Some might even say we work together.
January 12th, 2024 – Happy 50th Vern, it was a pleasure and an honour to celebrate with you.
Chistmas has come and gone and it’s time to open our arms and welcome in 2024.
My new years resolution as always is to write more and wash my legs below the knee. To stretch more, harness patience with my people, and give less f*cks about the things I can’t control.
We had an awesome holiday break and Christmas morning was awesome. It was the first time for this family that we opened presents in daylight. The kids slept in until almost 9AM. This year Ashlyn is back on the gecko train so after some thoughtful considerations we decided to open that door…again. It was hard to conceal a big terrarium so I did my best to convince her the big present under the tree was Mom’s (just like last year). Lexi had her heart set on some kind of insoles that make you jump higher that cost way too much so we said “Noooooope”. Actually we kind of talked her out of it by letting her know that we could satisfy much more of her PowerPoint presentation if we went without the gimmicky insoles.
It was also fun to shop for a Gecko after Christmas with Ashlyn. We ended up connecting with the person who bought Ashlyn’s gecko (Charlotte) who works at a pet store. She sent me a couple pictures that peaked Ashlyn’s interest and we went down to pick him up. Everyone, this is “Cricket”…
Sometimes you’re sitting at a beach and you have no idea how lucky you are to just be sitting on a beach.
Winter comes with a darkness for me in both the literal and physical sense. Going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark 5 days a week seems to take it’s toll on me. Ironically it’s this darkness that brings the troubles of the world into the light. A certain vulnerability washes over me in the cold months that I find hard to justify but it turns on like survival mode. Let’s call it “winter anxiety” because I usually don’t feel like this.
Others around me have it too. They wear it on their faces and they speak it with every deep breath they take in when you ask them how it’s going. It’s days without hearing from them and wondering what you can do to help. Can you do more? Do you have more?
Reaching out feels good. Getting out feels good. New socks feel good.
Just before the holidays I met a couple of the “OG” (original Glenwood) crew for a nice dinner and drinks at the Brazen Hall. I saw a picture last year of them out for dinner on the Facebook and remember thinking “man, I would love to get together with those guys and catch up” and this year I got the invite.
It was Corrine, Kelly, Melanie, and Dave. All people from the neighbourhood where I grew up. If you are doing the math I would have introduced Corrine and Kelly as my friends over the last 42 years. Dave and Mel I met when I moved to Glenwood from Varennes in 1985. Here we all are in 2022, sitting in the Brazen Hall sharing a gender-neutral bathroom and reminiscing about old times.
It was so cool to learn about who everyone still had contact with especially since we all kind of went our own way for high school. We all went to Glenlawn but up until grade 9, we were like family. I would see these people for 8 hours a day. We would funnel down Des Meurons and walk to school together. We hung out on the weekends and after school at the rink, or at someone’s house. Once we hit high school we all branched out on different paths but those formative years at Glenwood would connect us forever. Not just those who could make it this night, all of us I think.
Corrine lived on my street so I was hanging out with her the earliest. I would get in trouble for crossing Des Meurons by myself to get to her place. I was fascinated by her Smurf collection (she had all 100+) and we (I) would play Air Sea Battle on her Atari. My first exposure to video games, thank you very much! I am sure my wife thanks you as well.
Kelly, I met through Corrine I think and we all started hanging out after school in the same circles. She was the one I talked to the most about stuff. She lived a street up from me so I would often catch up to her on the way to school, or the way home, and have good talks.
Melanie, we met at Glenwood when we started there and she and I shared some good times out in Rushing River over a couple of summers. One of my most vivid memories of Melanie was the time I was “doubling” her home on the handlebars of my gold Kuwahara and thought I could go “no hands”. Needless to say, that didn’t end well and I don’t think Melanie got on too many handlebars after that.
Gold “Kuwie”
Dave and I played ball together and for me, that was some of the best times of my life as a kid. I was never an athlete in school but in baseball, I could hang with these guys and Dave was a big part of that time in my life. His brother Ray coached us for one year and he could really motivate me. I went to my first concert ever with Dave and Ray in 1986 at the Winnipeg Arena. It was AC/DC, the “Who made Who” tour and I remember it was so LOUD my ears were still adjusting the next day.
Glory Days
So there we all sit 40 years later talking about our families and our kids. People I haven’t spoken to outside of social media coming together after all these years just to appreciate that time in our lives when we couldn’t have known we were making friendships that would last a lifetime.
Obviously, my NY resolution is to write more. Also, yoga. I need more flexibility in my life.
In 2022 I moved peever.org over to a new secure host because I had all kinds of issues with GoDaddy and vowed I would write more. The end result was 3 posts. The positive spin on that is in 2023 I really only need 4 posts to achieve my new goal.
For my mental and physical health this year my intention is to take up yoga. Not any of that extreme hot yoga but the kind where you get down to your underwear in the basement and do some Yoga with Adriene.
Back in October, I suffered a hamstring injury playing hockey and it was a nothing play. I was just skating backward trying to keep the puck inside the blueline and “POP”. The guys had to push me off the ice and roll me out of the gate. Some yoga will prevent some of these injuries, and I think making some time in the evening or a Saturday morning will be good for mental health too.
I was all healed up just in time for the Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament in December. This would be our second year as a team and for me, it was a little harder to raise the money. Timmy G and Bry did an amazing job putting on a fundraiser and without them, I may not have made it! Once again the tournament was top-notch. We drafted Russ Romaniuk this year and he proved to be a class act on and off the ice. Unlike Garbutt who was out there playing like he was hoping to get another chance to play with the Ducks. Once again we won best dressing room.
Next thing you know it’s Christmas and WTF, we are all healthy! Last year I spent 10 days in the basement over Christmas with the “vid” and watched the kids open gifts from a distance. This year it was nice to have some normalcy over the holidays. It was nice to get my mom over for dinner and around the kids as well without worrying about her getting sick from us.
NYE we ordered up some 4 Seasons (damn the ginger beef is good) and spent the evening with the Grants and Morrisons. Fun Shan got some games going, we watched some hockey, had a few slurpees. Again, it was nice just to be together and have the kids together.
Lexi and Ashlyn head back to school on Thursday for 2 days. Ashlyn is into horseback riding and Lexi will be starting Volleyball later this month. Lexi is still playing soccer as well so we are busy during the week with activities and such.
I will do better with updates in 2023 so that I am less overwhelmed with summarizing an entire Peever year. It hardly does it justice.
