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Crap it’s almost been a whole week without an update…where to start?

Last week (thurs) I picked up a paper on the way to work to check the 6/49 numbers. I never pick up the paper but on this day I decided to because of this new pool I am in at work and because Brittany was on the cover. After checking my numbers I decided to check out the apartments section to see what was out there, seeing as one day soon I may have to fend for myself again. I notice this 2 bedroom place in Fort Rouge right in my price range and think it’s too good to be true so I call up “Ginette”⁽¹⁾ and make an appointment to check this place out. On Friday night Shan and I check out the place and decide it’s a great value for the money. Small but liveable and rent is month to month so we are not locked into any extended time frame. On Saturday we did some looking around and couldn’t find anything that even came close to this place in price or location. On Sunday we were having lunch at the Garwood⁽²⁾ and we got the call that it was ours if we wanted it. I looked at Shan and she gave me the nod and the smile so we accepted right there and exchanged high fivers at the table. Hope all my buds aren’t too sick of moving me all over the place. Al, book your trip to Brandon⁽³⁾ now or you won’t have any excuse.

Friday night played hockey, and Saturday was Nolan’s hockey. Saturday night we went to see “Intolerable Cruelty”⁽⁴⁾ with Gould and it wasn’t too bad. Sunday night I went to JD’s and watched the Grey Cup⁽⁵⁾. I enjoy the food and company more than the football itself when the Bombers aren’t involved. Lost $5 to my dad on the game.

Gould messaged me today to let me know Messier has been confirmed for the vintage Oilers game⁽⁶⁾ happening this coming weekend in Edmonton. My uncle Ralph is going so I made sure to call him and told him to say HI to Mess for me. He used to work with the Oilers and will have access to all the players. Uncle Ralph takes good care of me at these events too so I can’t wait to hear all about it next week. Where are we watching game?

(1) – This was our first place on Scotland Ave and we moved in soon after Shan got back from Thailand. You can see in the picture that I was still allowed to have my posters up. Ginette owned the house next door and her son Derek lived in the basement of the house we were in. I think there was someone upstairs too but we never really saw them much. Ginette was super kind and Derek was awesome. He had a rugged looking beard and used to sneak up and scare Shan all the time and kill himself laughing. He had the best laugh. Sidenote: Gould lived there for a while after we moved out and I stopped in to poop after Carnival one time.

(2) – The Garwood Grill has one of the best Chocolate shakes in the city. I have been going there my whole life and always thought I would end up there to have breakfast with the guys one day like that scene in Beautiful Girls. Husky Pete, Rizzo, and Sammy Bean.

(3) – Classic Al move when someone needs help moving…book a trip to Brandon.

(4) – I have no recollection of this movie so I had to look it up. I still don’t think I have seen this.

(5) – Nobody does a Grey Cup party like JD.

(6) – This was the first ever NHL Heritage Classic starring the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens.

Went and played snooker with my dad last night.⁽¹⁾ We haven’t been out like that in a long time. It was great to go out and hang out doing something we both enjoy. My dad (I am told) used to play lot of pool. My mom told me a story that when they were first married he used to spend so much money playing pool that she had to take his cheques to limit his habit!⁽²⁾ We didn’t talk too much about that but we had a blast.

(1) – We played at Gary’s Billiards on Pembina and started back when I was 15-16 years old. This is where he taught me that “it’s not what you take, it’s what you leave” and that has stuck with me all these years. I remember hanging out at Gary’s and after pool my dad would get a handful of quarters and we would play video games in the arcade there after. Man what I would give to have a time machine.

(2) – My parents were married young and I think this was make it or break it for them. They would stay together until death did they part.

The Halloween pics are up.

One thing that I forgot to mention in this section was the events that occured the night prior to Halloween. It was about 3am⁽¹⁾ and Mike and I had just dropped off George. Neither of us were tired and somewhere in the conversation the events of “gate nights” past were brought up. Being mature adults⁽²⁾…it had been some time since we had stirred up any trouble and decided tonight was the night. We thought hard of possible victims and finally found ourselves crouched down in the dark pulling on the black touques whispering the game plan on Timmy’s⁽³⁾ street. We worked our way up along the house, breaking the sticky edge on the toilet paper roll as we approached. Then we struck. Circling our path around the car with precision seen only in the movies. We dodged the headlights of each passer by becoming the shadows around us. Our hearts sped with every second wasted trying to find the start to the saran wrap before it squealed around the torso of the car, luminance from the nearby street light flared in the cars new skin. The flash from the camera sent us running like a starting pistol in the 100m dash.

(1) – What the hell was I still doing up at 3am? Nowadays that’s about when I wake up to pee.

(2) – We were 24 years old.

(3) – I remember Timmy G being a super good sport about this. We were excited to see him at hockey so that we could listen to him tell the story. Instead it was just like any other day for Timmy. It was like it was the 3rd time it had happened to him that week. Mike and I were like “anything crazy happen on the weekend Timmy?” – Timmy was like “Oh ya…”

Oh sweet poetic justice. This morning it was -30 and the fire alarm went off at work. We were able to grab our jackets and I have been taking a lot of flak becasause of my Eskimo jacket⁽¹⁾, or Inuit as Shan likes to correct me. I think Eskimo sounds cooler. Anyway the guys at work really give me the business over this jacket and the big furry hood, but not today. Today they just stood there shivering and wishing they had a big comfy Eskimo jacket to wear.

Last night Shan and I ordered up some pizza and watched Survivor. I really like that Savage guy who got voted off. After Survivor we went and picked up Shan’s mom and Ken from the airport. They are coming back from a week in Toronto to visit Ann and Bill. Somehow Shan is all better after being sick for almost 2 weeks. I took good care of her during that time and now for some reason I am the one who is sick. I think the fastest way to a speedy recovery is to pass it on to someone who thinks they are immune. Nevermind staying home in bed with the sniffles, call someone up and go for a drink. Make sure you ask them for a sip of their drink while you are there and use their straw. You’ll be better in no time. Another thing I don’t understand is why people don’t like it when I drink cough syrup from the bottle? What, you don’t wanna get sick? If you are using the cough syrup you are sick already so what is the difference⁽²⁾?

For those who care, my feet have now beaten my new shoes. It took 4 days of sheer horror but the rubbing and grating from the steel toe has ceased. Or maybe my feet have changed in some way because of the stress they have been under in those shoes. Like those little Asian women who wrap their feet to make them smaller. Maybe I have been walking around with little fists in my shoes for the last two days and not noticed⁽³⁾?

(1) – I have always been really good at picking out jackets, especially from Value Village. My big brown jacket from the GAP was not thrifted and even though it’s awesome I still get flak for that one. It’s like walking around in a big bed and the hood is fantastic.

(2) – This is one of those great ideas I had like chapstick made out of acorns and normalzing pajama shirts.

(3) – This is when Shan and I moved in to our place and I had to go back and work in the warehouse at NWC.

Let’s back track to the weekend with a big happy Birthday Bry.

For those who don’t know Friday was my last day at ITX. These life decisions always seem better when you are planning them. In the planning stages there are no people to say goodbye to and no immediate consequences. Why did I leave⁽¹⁾? The biggest, most important reason is simply because I don’t like what I see in my five year window. Looking into that window and all I see is a reflection of the last three. Where I want to be in life is a place that most people already are and take for granted, a place I should have been years ago. Anyway, everyone in the office took me to lunch and it was a great way to remember everyone.

I left early, picked up a bottle of Jager, and went right to Bry’s to eleviate some stress and it worked. That night was the Halloween/Bry’s birthday celebration. I was late getting back to Bry’s because of “the Puncher”. Melissa (the Dancer) was there right on time so I can’t even say it’s a girl thing. We had a few early drinks at Bry’s and Joce’s and then made our way to the social. Costumes were great. George and Rachelle were a socket and plug and won best costume even though you barely hear the DJ over the chant “GO JETS GO”. Nice to see Amber back to old tricks…nine months without a drink OR at least an epidural is enough to give anyone the shakes! Went to Perkins for the best meal in Canada⁽²⁾ after the social. We cleared out just before Bry and Chris cleaned up!

Saturday morning Ponch and I met at Bry’s early to pick him up for breakfast at Gabe’s⁽³⁾. When he answered the door he had a(nother) big cut over his left eye. He explained that after we left a brawl⁽⁴⁾ broke out in Perkins and tables were flying! He is OK and we had to laugh when he told the story because I kept getting an image of Bry in his Elvis costume running through the Perkins parking lot!

Sunday morning I had a coaching clinic in Steinbach. Attending this clinic allows me to be on the bench with a team for league play. Where as without it I can only be useful in practice⁽⁵⁾. It was a long day. 8 hours total with 2 on the ice. The ice time is what impacts you the most because you understand what it is like for the kids first hand. Going in I thought I was a good skater, leaving the ice I realized the difference between someone who can skate and someone who can skate that well.

(1) – When I left Intrinsix I hadn’t been paid in almost a month. It was also not the first time I had to ask for payment. They had some problems with big clients and were waiting for money to come in. I wasn’t in a position to be able to wait all the time. I did love that job and the guy who owned the company was a really interesting guy. Lot’s of creative flow there and I do miss that feeling of exploration that I had there. I met so many talented and interesting people there that I am still in contact with.

(2) – Perkins had the best patty melt, even though it was grey sometimes. It was second to Albert St. Burgers at the time which I was also visiting quite often. When I worked at ITX I would pair that with a banana shake from a little Asian place in Winnipeg Square.

(3) – Gabe’s? I don’t remember this place…was it on St. Annes in between Imperial and Pilgrim? I remember there was a place there you could get bacon and eggs breakfast for like $4.99.

(4) – I don’t have much details from this but I remember Bry telling me about it like it was no big deal.

(5) – I don’t think I ever worked on the bench during a game but wanted to be certified in case Nolan needed me there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Big Bry.

Saturday I went to play hockey with Sully and Sigs against a bunch of ex pros⁽¹⁾. The only guy I came close to recognizing was ex Jet Perry Miller. For a bunch of old guys they really took it to us and our team wasn’t that bad. We had a couple weak lines I quess but it was fun to get out especially on a Saturday without Nolans hockey.

After hockey, Sully dropped me off at home and I went and picked Up Bry for dinner. We went to Montanas where we met up with JD, Timmy-Dee, Ponch, Mike, Tara, Kaelyn, Al, Nat, George, Rachelle, Scott, Amanda, Sigs and Steve. It was nice to see everyone all in one place and it was relaxing to just sit and watch the game. It was even better to see Bry get the horns and the whip cream birthday pie⁽²⁾. I left a bit early to bring Shan some supper because she has been pretty sick all week and wasn’t up for going out. Besides, I had to get the CRV back home before Mike started asking too many questions⁽³⁾.

Worked at the Tana’s⁽⁴⁾ last night and it was hell. I got thrown in early and a little unprepared. I tend to get flustered if I am out of my section and running around all over the place.

After work I met Shan, Carla and JD for some Thai food⁽⁵⁾. JD presented Shan with an early Christmas gift. He had taken all of her journal entries from her website while she was overseas teaching English in Thailand⁽⁶⁾ and made a book out of it. It is an amazing collection in a homemade wood cover that will last forever. JD never ceases to amaze.

(1) – I don’t remember this very well. Unlike the time at The RINK when Sully brought out Dale Weise and he got to play with Ratty and I.

(2) – All good things have to come to an end. The old horns and whip cream in the face on your birthday was the the bees knees on your birthday and now you can’t do anything fun. Stupid covid. Stupid health regulations and lice.

(3) – CRV? I don’t remember this either. I will have to ask Mike about this and update.

(4) – Yes at 29 I was working a second job at Montana’s. I used to get great tips from old people because I would bring them a little ice cream cone dessert at the end on me. My manager was always shocked at my tips, especially from old people. I also never charged extra for sauces like we were supposed to and if food was taking a long time I would bring out soup on the house. Ice Cream and soup was the only thing I had access to without punching it in so it was my go to. I had a great time there.

(5) – I think we went to Sawatdee on this particular occassion but Siam Thai on St. Annes is the best Thai Food I have had in Winnipeg. The Massaman Curry is to die for.

(6) – This was an amazing experience for Shannon and I am sure there are many more posts we will talk about Thailand. This book that JD made is taken from the website I made for her to journal while she was there. It’s long gone but it was called shantalksthai.com.

Big weekend coming up. Bry’s birthday on Saturday and he has confirmed that after hockey there will be a preference⁽¹⁾. We will be going to bad Vernon’s first and then making our way to the Tijuana Yacht Club⁽²⁾. Rumors suggest that the pick up line for the night is…”you down with O.P.P.”⁽³⁾

Took Erin out trick or treating last night. She really like Halloween but what she didn’t like much was anything scary (she was a witch), her hat falling off, staying with the group, when the other kids don’t say thank you, and all that walking. Everytime we came to a house that was remotely done up with the cob webs and the music I had to coax her to go to the door. We started at 6:30pm and by 7:30pm she was already to pack it in…by 8:30pm I was dragging her up people’s steps⁽⁴⁾. The smile on her face when we dumped out her bag was worth it.

Tonight is Survivor night at Nolan’s. The kids transform the living room into a theater and at 7:30pm the nachos⁽⁵⁾ come out! How can you beat that?

(1) – In 2001 we were still playing Nolan’s Hockey at the Highlander at like 3pm on a Saturday. Afterward we would go for “dinner” and most times is was an easy pick on where to go but sometimes, someone (usually me), would have a preference.

(2) – Tiajuana Yacht Club is also where I was first seduced by Shannon so it’s kind of a special place. Not sure if that night is in the archives but it’s around Vernon’s birthday in December so we will soon find out.

(3) – O.P.P -Naughty By Nature

(4) – I did the same for Ashlyn a couple Halloween’s ago. She hit a wall and I pushed her to the finish line and in the end she thanked me. It’s the same athlete mentality parents have when their kids are playing sports and you want them to succeed the same way you did.

(5) – My reputation for loving nachos came from working trade shows with Nolan. One time they had free nachos and I shut the place down.

Mike and Tara really know how to throw a Halloween party⁽¹⁾, it was awesome.

Friday night I worked the Moose game and caught up with Al afterward. We went to the Pony Corral⁽²⁾ for some wings. We are destined to find something that can compare to the Hats one of these days. The wings were pretty good. Crispy and big but Al didn’t like the kind he got. I still think we need to go on a Monday night when they are a steal at $0.25.

Saturday was Nolan’s hockey and I was good for two. One on a beauty feed from Gould in the slot. I was a little worried coming out of the first two games with an empty basket. A much better skate than 2 weeks ago when we just got slaughtered. From hockey I went right to the arena for the Moose game. They lost.

After the game Kris met me at my place and we went to Mike and Tara’s for the Halloween party. The place was decked right out and the costumes everyone had were awesome. Bry as the King, Scott as a Hooters girl, George as the Hamburgler, Timmy as Benny the Jets old mascot. Jack and Diane were wizards and summoned up all kinds of edible treats. Big thanks to the Jordy and Bryce for the Ghost Pops! The house was incredible, complete with cobwebs and spooky lighting but the biggest scare of the night was a spill in the livingroom…zoiks Scoob!

Sunday I had practice with the kids⁽³⁾. Nolan was back and we had two other dads helping out which was great. Nolan is so effective out there it’s unbelievable. It’s hard to appreciate that until you actually face to face with 16 kids armed and padded and try telling them what to do! Last night my Grandma and Pearl came over to watch Shan and her mom’s “Slumber party in Thailand” tape⁽⁴⁾. They really enjoyed it.

You can count on the white stuff for Halloween every year. The ground is finally white which means outdoor ice is just around the corner.

(1) – Mike and Tara love dressing up for Halloween and used to host a party almost every year. In fact I am pretty sure they still make a point to get dressed up and head out to a social or something to party it up. That’s fun. Not for me, my butthole puckers at the thought of getting dressed up but I always have fun once I am there.

(2) – This is actually Pier 7 and my 3rd favorite place for wings still. It goes Manhatten’s, Tapps, then Pier 7.

(3) – One year Nolan asked me to help him coach Andrew’s team. I think the third practice in I was skating backwards in a drill and one of the kids fell behind me and I smashed my elbow on the ice. It puffed up into a big bulbous and I had to go to emergency to get it drained. They basically poked a hole in it and blood poured out of it like a fountain. It was nuts.

(4) – This was when Shan’s mom had just gotten back from Thailand and I couldn’t wait to hear all about her trip and see actual footage of Shan and their trip. Seems like forever ago.