Got some sad news last night. Rona called to inform me that Manhattan’s has closed it’s doors(1). No more wing nights boys. For the last 4 or 5 years we have been meeting there, sometimes with a purpose and other times just to sit around and catch up. They have sponsored our roller hockey team for the last three years, not to mention the mug club. Rona grabbed as many of our mugs as she could carry. Thanks Rona. This is truly sad, sad news.
Last nights Survivor was a great one. Gould and I bought dinner this time which felt good and the kids got to stay up late and watch the whole two hours. Nolan and I had our money on Ethan(2) so we took the jackpot in the end.
This weekend will be a shaker for Vern’s b-day. Not sure yet where we will end up but it will be good I assure you. We are going out Saturday night so that we don’t have hockey hangovers for Nolan’s. Friday night I am playing hockey with Steve and Sunday moring with the Ratte’s.
(1) – Truly a sad day for all. We never really recovered from it. I go to TAPPS now for wings but it’s not the same. Super expensive even on Wing Night and the wings are not as good. Still good company there but we used to go multiple times a week at “The Hats” and usually with 6 or more people. Man I miss that place.
I figured it was time to write something current. It’s been a blast (mostly for me) going back and posting some old blog entries from the early 2000’s. Life was sure different back then. I can’t believe how many times I wrote about going for wings and going to the movies with friends.
I still love to do all that stuff, it just looks different. Over the break we binged the last season of “Stranger Things” and I thouroughly enjoyed it. I have read the reviews from the haters and can admit there are some gaps but overall I was satisfied. People online complaining about the things that don’t make sense, like Max graduating despite missing 2 years of school in a coma. How the heck did Dipshit Derek fit through that little hole? – These same people could suspend reality when it came to poking a hole in another dimension and climbing through on a radio tower from the “Upside Down”. Have you seen Vecna? The ending was perfect in my opinion. I think 011 is dead only because they would never stop pursuing her if she lived and nobody wants to see the sequel when this cast turns 50. If I had to criticize anything it would be the way they force fed Wil’s sexuality. More specifically how it was his kryptonite, his deepest, darkest, secret that Vecna was using against him. Seemed really forced given the circumstances. But who knows, it was the 80’s.
We made it out to Cooks Creek for our annual gingerbread decorating with Larissa’s parents. Our kids are on the older side now but still love the tradition. We also didn’t host Christmas dinner for the first time since the kid were born. We went to Gerrie’s for a nice dinner and then had dinner with my family on Boxing Day. Both great visits.
NYE was also a little different. Grant’s had some other plans so it was just Morrison’s over. We did the usual Chinese food and World Juniors. The Jets played as well. It was nice to just chill and keep things low key.
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone, looking forward to an amazing 2026.
Tom: One more day in this paradise and I am just starting to get the hang of things. I am now throwing around money like Johnny Big Balls just because I have just learned how to use it! I even corrected one of the waiters here because he gave me back too much change!
The food is not as bad as everyone thinks. All the exotic food you hear about is really just spelled wrong on the english menu. For instance when we first arrived here in Koh Samed we sat down for a bite. I went exotic and ordered up the ‘Glub Sandwich’, which I have to say is very close to our own ‘Club Sandwich’ back home. Last night we ordered a cheese burger and got the equivalent to what looked like a McRib.
This morning we woke up before the sun and decided to watch it come up on the beach. Before we could even brush our teeth it was almost light out so we ran to the beach which is 20 seconds away. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen…whoops sorry Shan was standing in front of me…the sunset wasn’t bad too!(1) At 6am the surf is just huge and before I could finish ‘I wish I had my bathing suit’ Shan was already in T-Shirt and underwear heading for the water and I quickly followed suit. Or no suit to be more precise.
Nice to see this spontaneous side of Shan I have known and loved at home. What I have not been used to lately is her insane jealous behaviour. She is so afraid that I am going out tan her that she is constantly squirting me with sunscreen and telling me to cover up. hope she lets me go outside today.(2)
(1) – It’s funny to look back at this after 20 years of marriage at how I used to talk like that! I still think Shan is as beautiful as ever but I was so corny back then. Now I just say “Of course I think your beautiful” or get some choreplay going.
(2) – One of the great things about having kids is that once they were born I could do a 3 minute spin in the microwave while Shan was busy making sure the girls were all lubed up.
Last night I got a call from Tana’s letting me know I didn’t have to come in. It was nice to have a night off with Shan because our schedules have been completely opposite for the most part. So we tried to fit everything into one night. My mom finally came over to check out our place. I think she liked the female influence of the home because she seemed really excited about it and hugged Shan. From there we met my folks, my grandma, and my sister and John at the Garwood(1) for dinner. Shan and I put on our boots and walked through the field(2) to get there. It was so nice to trundle through the snow on such a nice night. Big thanks to grandma for dinner.
From there we decided to take advantage of the gift certs we got for the movies! We saw “Love Actually”(3), and it was actually a really good movie if you can get over Hugh Grant as himself again. Got a call from Gould after and we met him and Toph at G-Wood to watch Bry’s game(4). Nice to hang out with Toph somewhere we could sit and talk. We said our goodbyes to Toph who heads back this morning and called it a night.
As far as I know there will be a get together at the Vernon’s this year for New Years. Shan and I are going to hang out with Tara and Paul for dinner and go there sometime after. Should be a doozie.
(1) – I think I posted this already but possibly the best milkshake in the city.
(2) – One of the coolest things about living with Shan on Scotland Ave, is that I spent my childhood in that area visiting my grandma. There was so much nostalgia just walking around Earl Grey and skating at the rink there as an adult. Even just walking through the field there on the way to the Garwood brought up so many memories. You can see my grandma’s old house from the field there. My mom grew up in that house and likely spent so much time in the field there.
(3) – I would guess this is Shan’s favorite Christmas movie. Thought it was cool to pinpoint the exact date we first saw this one together.
(4) – No idea what game this was? Normally I would be playing if Bry was playing, especially at G-Wood.
Lexi has been asking for steak so last night I gathered up the gift cards and we went to the Keg for dinner. Ashlyn, not so interested so it was just the three of us. I should also add that heading over to the Keg on a typical Wednesday for dinner is not how we roll, but I had some gift cards burning a hole.
We all had a nice steak and the bill was $220 and I left a tip of $20, which I thought was fair considering we saw our waitress 4-5 times over the hour we were there for a total of about 10 minutes total time on our table, if that. She was on the refills and even gave Lexi a refill on her fancy drink which I think prompted Shan to ask how much I left. Feeling guilty I gave her another $10 cash money, bringing my tip from 9.5% tip to 13.5%. But it really got me thinking on the way home…what if we all just ordered a burger ($25) instead of the steak ($45) and said no to the appetizer ($16)? That would have knocked $96 off our bill bringing the total to $124 and I would have tipped the exact same amount ($20). That’s a 16% tip and all of a sudden I am back in the societal good books? Because I ordered less expensive menu items? “Girl, I know we all just ate like we have a big house in Bridgewater but see what you can squeeze out of these gift cards wouldja?”
Society – “Well these poor staff only make minimum wage.”
Let’s try to figure the math on that. I would assume a typical shift is 4-5 hours and a server might have 4-5 tables in their section. Number of guests and duration of stay is hard but if you average it out based on our visit that is about 4 tables every hour spending about what we did ($220). If each of those tables tipped the 15% societal norm that is $33 x 16 tables over a 4 hour shift. That’s $528 non-taxable income. I am told that each server needs to share about 7% of that to the kitchen and the bar. So $528 – $36 leaves that poor server with only $492 on the night in un-taxed tips. They also made $15.80/hour minimum wage so add another $63 to that total and you have $555 on the night, or $138.75 /per hour worked and most of it is tax exempt.
Society – “Well not all servers work at the Keg.” – EXACTLY, so why would 15% of the bill even be a thing?
Tipping 15% at Subway or McDonalds is not the norm and the kid making minimum wage there is working way harder, and taking more shit from customers, than any server I ever had at the Keg. When the prices go up at Subway to balance the cost of providing that sandwich people get pissed. No tip.
I also don’t like tipping people who are already getting paid for what I am getting. When did we start tipping for haircuts? I pay over $40 these days at Tommy Gun’s for shave on the sides. In and out in 15 mins, do I need to make it $50? A massage? You rubbed my back for an hour and it cost me $120, now I need to pay another 15% on that? Is my insurance going to pay 80% of the extra 15% because I can only afford to go for a massage because it’s covered. None of it makes sense to me. I’ll give a bouncer at the club a tip for letting me bypass the lineup. The hairdresser who stayed a little late to fit me in…tip. The mechanic who gave my car a wash before giving it back. Those above and beyond type things. Half of the time I go to a restaurant these days and the food is shit and we pay for it anyway, and leave a tip.
When I go for wings at Tapps I make sure the wings are on special and my bill with an iced tea is usually around $20. Usually I tip $10 but sometimes $8 if my drink is empty for a considerable time, or I get charged for ranch dip. 50% in this situation because I am not going to leave $3 on the table to someone who has been serving me food for the last hour. Is it still the same 15% expectation on a bill for $20?
I am not saying don’t tip, I am not an animal. I just think $8-$10 dollars per person at the table is LOTS at a restaurant where you are being served. It should be the new norm regardless of the bill total. These 15% tarrifs will not stand.
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.
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.
