Category - OTD

Got called back to work this week on Tuesday so I missed goodbyes with the Ratte’s. Thursday was Canada Day and we were invited to Paul and Tara’s for Bronwyn’s first birthday. It was outside and the mosquitoes were torture but we lathered on the spray and it wasn’t too bad. Met some of Paul and Tara’s neighbours and relatives, ate some good food and watched Bron open all her gifts and blow out her candles. I think it was a huge success.

Worked Friday. Saturday Shan and I drove up to Royal to hang out with JD and Shan’s grandparents who are in town from B.C. We hadn’t seen them since Christmas and haven’t seen JD in almost that long so it was a great day just catching up. A highlight for me was taking the boat out for a cruise. This was the first time I have ever taken out the boat on my own with Shan. JD has offered me the keys on many occassion but I have never had the cujos to actually go on my own. It’s one thing to trust me with his only daughter but the boat…well that’s different! So now I was out on the lake responsible for both! Once we were out there it was smooth sailing (no pun intended) but I knew I still had to dock this baby with 41 people watching who knew I was a rookie out there. The dock is postitioned so that you have to drift in sideways at just the right angle, taking in account the wind speed. I had seen JD do this 100 times and not given it a second thought but it’s a little different from the captains chair. I overshot JD’s spot and all I could think about was beaching this thing. I threw it into reverse and gave it another try. It wasn’t pretty but I got her in there without a scratch and I couldn’t be happier to be on land.

We had a nice royal dinner at the lake and then went up to Sonya and Stans to see how the Italians play Bocce. They have a great little place right on the water and have made a Bocce court that is all lit up. Not like the “off-road Bocce” I am used to. Stan explined the rules and then Shan and I lost a close one on their home court. We did manage to put a whooping on JD and Jeff in the next round. Had a good sleep that night from all the fresh air.

We were up early Sunday morning to get back to the city for Kaelyn’s first birthday party. It was the biggest birthday bash I have ever seen. I only knew 3 people when I was a year old. There was so many people there that they couldn’t all park in the driveway. If you have seen this driveway you would know what I am talking about. We all had fun and most of all KK made out like a bandit and got to mingle all of her friends and relatives. It was nice to see the boys out there. I finally took Georges car for spin too! Thing is fast as snot. Mike pulled out Jordan’s scooter when we got back and everyone took a rip on that as well. Steve took Parker a couple times so I think it won’t be long before Parker is on two wheels! Shan had to be the highlight though, dragging her sandled feet the entire length of the street. I am sure I could see them smoking when she got back!

Sorry Curtis,⁽¹⁾ never made the show last night. I spent the evening helping Trish pack. It was kinda wierd because we actually got along better moving her out, than moving in. I am really unsure what the next couple months have in store. I have never really lived alone.⁽²⁾ There has always been a roomate involved, or someone there. In a way I am looking forward to it and in another way feel like I am starting a whole new life. It’s really not that dramatic but I have the same feeling like when Toph hits the reset button when I’m kicking his ass in NHL 94. One minute I’m in complete control, everything is going my way, it’s like 6-0. Then all of a sudden his foot comes out of nowhere… “oops”/reset. Then all that is left are these empty appologies that go noticed but fade away like a bad smell until they are forgotten and life just keeps moving.

(1) – ToonTown Curtis.

(2) – I loved this time in my life. That basement apartment I had on Eugenie was the absolute best. I don’t think I lived there long enough to get lonely but I ate whenever I wanted, there was never any mess, the entrance was General Lee orange, it was always cold in there (-2), I had a table top arcade game as a kitchen table, honestly I loved it there. Not in the way that I have any regrets for my choices but living alone for the short time that I did was absoloutely glorious.

Very happy to announce the release of my latest creation, in conjunction with a company called Style By Design. Finally it is here…Winnipeg’s premier source for On-line MENUS. That’s right, wanna order some Chinese food but can’t find that old menu that was mixed in with your old bills? Find it at todaysmenus.com.⁽¹⁾ Check out our on-line MENUS, contests, reviews, join our mailing list and see whats NEW this month. The site has several restaurants already contained and will be growing daily…SO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW to check it out…

(1) – Here is the first attempt at Skip-the-dishes back in 1999. We were knocking on reataurant doors and charging them to re-create their menus online and promote coupons and online deals. Groundbreaking at the time but maybe not the best design I have ever put out there! Al worked on it a little bit too with another guy named Darian that I think was Nolan’s neighbour who sold Xerox machines. So close…

I don’t even know where to start with this one…how about stag night. With all of the boys in town I was anticipating this night all week. When would we have another chance to get Ratty, Drew, Toph and Bry all in one room, let alone play hockey together. Thursday night started at Drew’s with a brief wedding rehearsal. The plan was that we (everyone) would go for dinner at Pony Coral and then the women would go their way and vice versa. I left the rehearsal about 6pm to pick up Toph at the airport. His plane was a little late but his luggage made it which is usually not the case with Air Canada, so he tells me. We made good time to the restaurant and the girls were just about to leave. The plan was to leave the restaurant and make it to the rink for game of roller hockey before finishing up at the bar. Toph and I had to play catch up at the restaurant and after he finished picking all the crap off the sandwich he ordered we left and made way to the rink.⁽¹⁾ I can’t explain the way it felt to have all the boys together. There was a familiarity there together, playing hockey that night, that made me feel like we could do this any night of the week. Hockey was amazing.

After hockey we made a B-line for Scandals. Jess and I hopped in with Mike and showered at my place. Scandals is somewhat ironic considering that is where we all began the hunt for manhood and this is where the ceremonial last night of freedom was the beginning for Drew. We were rockstars that night. The place was booming. Chris Gould assured us that he was going to get us in the back and when we pulled up there was lineup around the corner. When Jess, Mike and I came into the lounge the guys had taken over the entire perimeter of the main bar and the shots were already lined up, I mouthed the words “uh, oh” and took a seat. Once inside the bar much of the same. It’s been awhile since we’ve been to Scandals and the crowd made us all feel really old. 18 year old girls everywhere, not good! Paul ‘Rockstar’ Ratte was going hard and taking me with him, Ponch ‘lady killer’ Boissoneault was breaking up every female, male conversation in room with “HEY LADIES, YOU COMING BACK TO THE PARTY”. Toph and I just looked around the bar dumbfounded. We all spent a million bucks and carried Drew out of the bar victorious. All I remember about the after party is a number of my closest friends passed out on the floor, Ponch making a few phone calls that started out with nothing more than “how much” and lotsa pizza. I walked home.⁽²⁾

Got a wake up call from Bry about about noon on friday to remind me that we were meeting at 1pm to pick up the tuxes. I begged him for 1:30pm but he insisted 1pm so I got out of bed, grabbed a slurpee on the way and made it just on time. Bry and the others got there about 1:30pm. There is just no justice. Drew was still hurting from the stag and lied down on the floor in the tux place. I think it sent a good message to all the high school guys coming in for fittings. After the fittings Drew took us out for lunch⁽³⁾ and then Toph, Al, and I went and saw “Shaft”, oh we got Shafted all right! What a horrible movie. I felt so sorry for this 90 year old woman that was sitting there in the front row listening to all that profanity. She must’ve st’ve gone into the wrong movie or something. Friday night Vern and I helped Drew pick up the booze for the wedding and then went to the HATS as Ratty would say. We ate up and then I went home to relax. Vern and the boys hit Boogie Nights.

I have to admit I was pretty nervous on Drew’s big day (Saturday the 24th). Being the Mc and all but I felt pretty prepared. We (the groomsmen), Ponch, Bry, Toph, Ryan, and myself met Drew at Toph’s place to get the tuxs’ on. Drew rented a Miata for the festivities so Toph and I had to take er for a little test drive before the ceremony, We then went over to Drew’s for the wedding. It was a gorgeous day weather wise and the ceremony itself was short and sweet. The crowd was small and personable which I thought was great thing. We stayed after for pictures and a few Rolling Rocks and then made our way to the hall. I was pretty nervous and screwed up the head table introductions by leaving out the bride and groom but Amazing speeches by Bax and Gould then a touching “you guys are the best” from a bawling Nalini, that was really touching. It was a beautiful wedding and I want to thank Drew and Nalini for making me making me a part of everything. Look for more details soon, like the adventures of Toph ‘Jerry Lee Lewis’ in the events section as soon as I get my hands on the pics. You’l love the one’s the tophats!

(1) – I think this was the old Saints Roller Rink when it was at McPhillips and Jefferson. Gord, the owner let us play there and never really charged us any extra for all the broken lights!

(2) – I think it was Cyrs place and if I walked home I would have been living on Eugenie at the time!

We celebrated Ashlyn’s birthday this weekend with the family, Olive Garden style. We were all a little tuckered out after an afternoon of malling. Walking around the mall and navigating all those people is like walking on the sun for me. We had fun though and Ashlyn got to take care of some GARAGE credit she received for her BDay.

Last weekend the girls went to the beach. Usually I am involved in this to some capacity. They used to say “We should go to the beach this weekend” which translates “Dad can you take us to the beach?”. But this time was different. It was more like “Can we take your car to the beach?”. So they did, and it was a weird feeling of damn, they don’t need me to take them to the beach anymore!

Last night I went and saw “Disclosure Day” with Al. It was OK but I was hoping for something a little less ET if that makes sense. It came together at the end but it just took a long time to get there. I wanted to feel like I did after seeing “Fire In The Sky” and there was just too many mystical bits, if that makes sense. I did leave thinking that one day there will be some kind of “Disclosure Day” for the human race, but I am not sure it would look like this.

Oh ya, while we were at the movies the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. If I was at home Shan and I would have watched but I really didn’t care either way. Boring series to watch and I don’t care for either team. No fights. I would much rather see some fights than a bunch of high sticks and guys turning their backs to the boards every 5 mins. thought it was cool that Bussi changed the momentum for Carolina. Happy for Staal and Jarvis. Everyone excited for Ehlers, and I could care less. I guess that’s one way to win a cup. Could have been Marner if the coin flipped the other way. I have more respect for someone like Crosby for staying in Pittsburgh during the hard times than a Marner or Ehlers. I prefer loyalty all day.

Had a really nice weekend. Friday night I went over to Boychuk’s⁽¹⁾ place for a couple drinks thinking I might take in the Dutiume⁽²⁾ social that was to follow. Then I found out it wasn’t at G-Wood. Shireen⁽³⁾ was at Mark’s place when I got there so it was major deja-vu. Nice to catch up though. We watched a bit of grade 11 Spirit Week and then they went to the social and I came home to pick up Shan.

From there we went to “Coyotes” for the Puncher’s birthday. I seemed to know a lot of people there this time so it was good times. I even saw Matt from work who I have been talking about having a beer with for quite some time. He was much more drunk than I so he may not even remember me being there. Once we caught up to the Puncher I noticed she was hardly even drunk and remembered the wedding we went to a few weeks back where on wine cooler got the best of her. Poor little thing prolly only weighs a buck-o-five and can’t handle her booze. So we found Bry and Al and made our way over to perkins for the best meal in Canada.⁽⁴⁾ No better way to top off the night.

Saturday I did my chores while Shan was at work and then Al and I went to the Forks for Frozen Yogurt!⁽⁵⁾ We saw this amazing balloon animal maker guy. This guy was so good that we stood there and watched him rifle off all kinds of cool things from Spider-Man to wacky balloon hats. He was great with the kiddies too and had all these funny interactive tricks. Check out his website here.

Saturday night and and I BBQ’d a couple steaks for dinner and then Shawn⁽⁶⁾ and Lisa came over to play a round of “Chicken Foot”. I have been wanting to hang out with Shawn and Lisa since they have been back but we have both had some crazy schedules. It was a nice relaxing night with good friends and good laughs.

Sunday was a write off. Shan went to work and since all the dishes were done I stayed in my PJ’s all day and watched the “WB Superstar” Marathon on TV. If you are not aware of this program it is a lot like “Canadian/American Idol” except they are looking for the worst singers in America who think they are the bomb. It is quite sad really but I couldn’t help but watch.

(1) – Mark Boychuk (Boych) was a good friend to me in our OG (original Glenwood) days. He did well with the ladies almost to a fault. He used to have one of those motocross style bikes with shocks when we all had the BMX style. He rode the shit out of this thing in the best way possible and I can picture him always bouncing around on that thing. We played G-Wood ball together and it was the ball to me at shortstop and out to him at first base. In Grade 10-11 him and I made the infamous Spirit Week Videos that are still circulating somewhere out there.

(2) – Todd Dutiume was always solid to me growing up. A little bit older, a great athlete, and I looked up to him. Went off to play hockey in Europe, got married, had some kids, and I think he lost his wife to illness or something. I remember reading about it and feeling so bad for him. Bad things really do happen to good people and I hope he is out there slaying it right now. He deserves the best in life in my opinion.

(3) – Shireen Douma was a legend back in the day. Hottest girl in school status and still one of the nicest people you will ever meet. None of this mean girl shit.

(4) – Patty Melt Spicey Fries please.

(5) – It’s not like I was feeding it to him.

(6) – Shawn Buchanan, who I loved hanging out with and haven’t seen in a long time. I remember the Star Wars sheets in his car and hitting him hard in the nards with a slap shot playing street hockey. One of the funniest guys I ever met.

Well the stupid Tampa Bay Lightning are Stanley Cup Champions and the NHL, Gary Bettman, and Hulk Hogan can kiss my ass. The whole game has been killed by the American “product”⁽¹⁾ and the need to force hockey on people overwhelmed by sports entertainment. The offciating was horrendous not only on calls against the Flames but the Lightning as well. It was a joke. If you have any doubts just look for Hulk Hogan in the team picture around the Stanley Cup…nuff said. Hats off to Lecavalier who I thought was awesome out there in every game and Iginla for carrying the Flames not only in the playoffs but all season as well.

Big thanks to Shan who is the best playoff girlfriend ever (reason #2354). She was prepared to watch hockey every night for the past couple months and never once even pretended to change the channel. Sometimes I thought she might be more into it than I was because of how much she was yelling at the TV. There was one game where you could clearly hear one of the TB players yell “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT FERRENCE, I’LL F**K YOU UP!” This became Shan’s trademark saying everytime the announcer mentioned the name Ferrence. It was hilarious. On nights when she had to work she would call me when Leafs scored. I would pick up the phone and all she would say is “SCORES.” After game seven I called home to see if she saw the final and she was in tears on the phone. I don’t think she really wants me to write about this because she is undercover or something. Girls like this you only hear about. Girls like this you take to Vegas.

Puncher’s birthday this weekend. I think there will be some bowling and bar-ing involved.

(1) – Same thing this year. Carolina wins the cup and I could care less. Didn’t even watch.

It’s nice outside so I am going to make this quick…Thurs night went and watched the flames at Bry’s on his new 53. Nice TV. Bry had chips and dips and whatnots and Ponch brought the beer. Still hungry so we ordered up some chicken for the third period and George and Al went for more beer. Left there with a sore tummy and another month away from my speedo.

Friday night I had hockey and then I went to find Shan at an all night Cancer walk-a-thon she was doing at Red River Ex grounds. It was raining after my game so I figured her team (the Bay) might be getting pretty wet if they were not prepared so I brought another rain jacket and some hip waders. There were lots of people and it was dark and raining so it took some time to find them but they were happy to see me and the extra rain jacket so it was worth the trip. It was nice to see Shan with all her buds, especially Tara.⁽¹⁾ Tara seems like the kind of friend who always has your back. I did one lap and then took off home to do some reading for this for this challenge exam⁽²⁾ I had on Saturday.

After the exam I went and picked up Erin for a little hanging out session. We went out for lunch unch and and then to my parents place to take my mom for some flowers. Mom just got a new planter in the front yard where my dad cut down her tree. I won’t get into that battle but my mom seems excited to get this planter going to liven up the front yard so all the power to her. From there Erin and I came back home to pick up Shan and then we spent the afternoon at the Zoo. Let’s be honest, Winnipeg has the worst Zoo⁽³⁾ ever but you know what to expect when you go there and make the best of it. They’ve been hyping up these white tigers and yesterday they just looked like all the other lumps of fur clumped over in their phoney habitat. But we had fun.

After taking Erin home Shan and I met Mike, Tara, KK, Jordy and Tim for dinner at JD’s. No JD though because as soon as it gets nice he is at the lake and more importantly in his glory. Mike and Tara whipped up an amazing chicken dinner and then we all watched the big game. It was cool seeing how into the game Jordan was. Once again I found myself envious of Mike and his family. Thinking about sitting around watching a game with “the boy”.⁽⁴⁾

It’s chore day today…

(1) – Tara Kaplik has always been a good friend to Shan. The type of friend who is always there to help.

(2) – In 2004 I did the HTML challenge exam at Red River so that I could put it on my resume.

(3) – I am not sure the Zoo is that much better since 2004 but it has seen much renovation. We have also seen dinosaurs and penguins there, and BOO at the Zoo seems to make it back every year. I think it cost $60 per person last year.

(4) – Sometimes Ashlyn and Lexi watch hockey with me. When I first wrote this it was just 5 years from when Lexi was born and I am so thankful to be a girl dad. Ashlyn said she can’t picture me as a boy dad anyway.

Whoa time flies and all of a sudden I am updating my site as much as Timmy G. Just off a really nice weekend.

Friday night Shan took me to the Keg for a nice dinner (reason #1456). Can’t remember the last time a girl said “get dressed we’re going to the Keg…I need some red meat”, and I am not complaining.⁽¹⁾

Saturday I got up early to help Vern move. I ended up waking him up and found out we could not move anything because the people in the other place were still in so we went for breakfast. It was a pretty easy move to the building next-door and we were done in no time. That night I went to the ranch for a BBQ. It was nice for Shan to see everyone and a perfect day to be outdoors. Mike and I played a mean game of lawn darts. Rounded up the night by sitting around the fire in a trance and just plain relaxing. It was nice.

Yesterday I hung out with Erin and then Shan and I met Al and Nat for the end of the Ducks game at Applebees. I am on a 3 day stretch at work and already looking forward to the weekend coming up.

Big congrats to Shan to who picked up a brand new car today! She is the proud new owner of a 2003 Hyundia Accent.⁽²⁾ Black too, my favorite!

(1) – We still do this once a year but the Keg is getting so damn expensive (and I am not even getting the Megger Kegger). We save all our gift cards and make it happen. I like the mushrooms neptune and frizzled (hand gesture) onions.

(2) – This was a good little car that Shan had while I was still driving my Aveo. Loved that car. We traded them both in at the same time to buy the Nissan X-Trail, when we thought we could survive on one car. Nooooope!

Got a new deck installed last night, complete with alarm. Hopefully I don’t have to hear it in the middle of the night and go running outside to catch some punk breaking in again!⁽¹⁾ My grandpa made it through the surgery⁽²⁾ and is out of intensive care and back in his old room. The coming months are going to tough on him and the family. But that’s what family is all about.

Play Westside Riders tonight at 9:30 with stats to follow. I have a good feeling about this one.

(1) – I can’t remember what car this was in but forsure it was an Alpine pull out deck that I got installed at Brian Reimers for way too much money at the time. Wasn’t even faceplate, the whole deck came out.

(2) – Didn’t know it, but I wouldn’t see him again after our last visit.