This weekend we got to honor the man who makes Sunday hockey what is has been for the last 22 years of my life. Without him, it doesn’t happen and without him there it isn’t the same. We have become best of friends over the years and it was a pleasure to be a part of this. Love ya buddy. Big thanks to Gavin and all the guys who were eager to contribute. It’s great to have friends like this.
Category - People Props
My Auntie Nancy is gone and I never got to say goodbye. Her death was sudden and although the funeral was last week I still haven’t had a chance to remember her and grieve. It’s always on the way to work when a certain song comes on or at night when I am supposed to be sleeping. I was told that a family member would be speaking of her at the service but that never happened. I would have loved to stand up and say goodbye…
My fondest memories of Nancy take place in her living room on random weekend mornings. Not often enough I would be in the area and just pop in for a chat. She had the ability to always make me feel welcome no matter if I showed up alone or with the family. As much as she loved kids, she was “Dog People” and when I had the dog in the car she always said “well what is she doing out there…bring her in”! Her immaculate home was secondary when it came to the kids feeling at home and welcome in her house. By kids I mean Vegas too because her animals were always treated without prejudice. New visitors had to be careful not to sit in Austin’s seat. She was constantly thinking of them and one of her favorite pastimes were her walks.
When it was just the two of us we talked about many things. Some were less important than others like what we were watching on TV and the amount of storage left on her PVR. But most of the time we talked about life. Nance was quick to talk about her kids as she was very proud of them both and I was always eager to hear what they were up to. She was so happy for Crystal and Damian and the life they were building together. Damian was like another son to her and she always talked about how hard Crystal was working and how she just went after the things she wanted. You could tell she was extremely proud everything she did and the woman she has become. She was always a little more worried about Colin! She was proud of him too of course but when we talked about Colin it was more about his adventures than his accomplishments (in a good way). I think we both envied his care-free spirit and cavalier lifestyle.
Then she would ask about Shan, and the kids. “How come you didn’t bring them?” she would ask and I would say “well I was just in the neighborhood”. Not letting up how selfishly I wanted to be able to just sit and chat with her one-on-one. She would ask about my Mom and Dad, and Marcy. She would talk about all the fun things she was doing with Grandma and about her upcoming trips and concerts. She always thought of me when The Hip was in town and the last one we took in together was at the ballpark with Ratte. We were all in the suite arm in arm dancing to “New Orleans is Sinking”. One of the best nights of my life, now more than ever.
Her devotion to her family was evident in her daily routine. It’s a Peever trait I know runs deep in my dad as well. You almost have to watch what you say around them because they are likely to pounce on your slightest need or want. One of the things that stands out for me was the time I was helping my parents move into their new apartment. It was an emotional time and I remember around noon Nancy showed up with lunch…for everyone. It was one of the most thoughtful things I have experienced. I took it with me. It was just so simple and classy and her way of helping out any way she could. I can hardly fathom how many people she has touched in this way. Certainly all of us.
She passed suddenly and the last time we spoke it was a text to thank her for the gifts she sent the kids at Christmas. Of course I regret not reaching out to her more as we all do in retrospect. I would bottle up that infectious smile and laughter. I wish I could carry the feeling of comfort that came with being around her and bring it to the next family gathering where it will be missed the most.
Much love Auntie, you will be missed.
Joel & Jen got married this weekend and I could not be happier for them.
This past week was a whirlwind of wedding stuff starting Wednesday with the stag. We kept it light for most part. A few of us had to work on Thursday so we decided on a nice dinner at State & Main and then to the casino where we booked a private poker table for the evening. Dinner was awesome, I highly recommend State & Main as I have yet to try something there that I didn’t like. On Wednesdays they have .39 cent wings and most of the guys ordered this “Grilled Cheese Burger” that looked so good.
The poker was great too. The house take $1 for every $10 on the table up to $5 so the rake wasn’t too bad. I mean the casino makes money but we played for like 5 hours and I hardly noticed the rake at all. That might be because I was up though. I enjoyed having a dealer and would certainly consider doing this again.
Thursday night was the rehearsal, followed by dinner at Santa Ana. Big thanks to Jen’s parents for picking up the tab on that one. Best Caesar there but I was disappointed they were out of their lasagna which is what I usually get.
Friday night I had reserved Muddy Waters so that we could have a nice dinner and Joe and Joel could just head back to the hotel room at the forks. I made the reservation weeks ago and just to make sure it was perfect I went to the restaurant to scope things out. The manager at the time was very helpful and reserved a nice table for us that was surrounded by TV’s for the Bomber Game. This was important because this was the first time we were meeting Joel’s friends from Edmonton and the Bombers were playing the Eskimos. Anyway I got there early so that I could greet everyone there and the girl informed me that I was sitting in a reserved section. I told her I was the one who reserved it and then she asked me if I was Tony. I told her who I was and she said I was sitting over in the corner where there was one barely working TV we would all have our backs to. I told her that I booked this section and that I had even come in to confirm the reservation and the manager on duty that night wrote it into the book including the section. She suggested we go look at the book and sure enough it was all right there. She insisted someone had double booked a 20 and there was nothing she could do. I started to look around the restaurant for other good locations with TV’s and pickings were slim. She asked me again in a bitchy tone “what would you like me to do?” – I said I would like you to honor my reservation. Then she raised her voice and said “I TOLD YOU, THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE I CAN PUT 20 PEOPLE” she said “NOW YOUR JUST BEING DIFFICULT” and then walked over to another girl who I assume was the manager to tell them how difficult I was being. The other girl came over and again offered me the corner with no apologies at all. I told her I didn’t appreciate the tone from the first girl and went and sat down. I WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN THAT RESTAURANT AGAIN, PLUS THE FOOD WAS SHITE. Best wings in town my ass.
It all worked out regardless because Joel had a little mishap with the rings. As in he forget where he put them and was scrambling to find them. By the time he arrived at the restaurant everything was smooth sailing and I think he had a good time despite the Bombers loss in OT.
Saturday was game day and I picked up Joe, Jay, and Joel and we all had breakfast together at the Forks before heading to the venue. I have to say I really enjoyed hanging out with Jay and Joe. It’s not surprising that Joel kept such good company in Edmonton.
You could not have asked for a nicer day, or a better venue. It was really nice to have the ceremony and reception all in one place. We went for pictures on the grounds so everything was just relaxed and easy. It was an awesome day. Congratulations Joel and Jen on an amazing day. So happy to be a part of it.
Joel ties the knot this weekend and I couldn’t be happier for him. Here’s one from the old Handyside days. Joel’s mom sent this to me and the first thing I noticed was the Dukes cake.
Last year at this time.
Happy Birthday Mikey.
So proud of this girl.
Seems like just yesterday Erin and I were cruising around in my Cavalier listening to “Yo Diggity” and putting down slurpees like nobody’s business. Tonight we celebrate her graduation and look into the next chapter in her life. So glad to be a part of her world.