Return of the fat bastard - They're not really bagels.

July 29th, 2016

What the ????

      Jet lag. That's what we're putting it down to. The morning started out at a snails pace. Michelle formerly of the one L now the Cellar Troll was first up and I wasn't far behind. She has a new toy. It looks like a perculator but it's really a French press. Personally I didn't care for the coffee. I don't think it's because it was a French press. I just think she put in too much coffee or let it french press for too long. You know those French! They're so.....French!
      Slowly the house came alive. Dr Dan was in the shower first because he had a meeting downtown. He was going to borrow the lovely Lisa's car and go to his meeting then meet us for lunch and do the Fly Over Canada ride down at the Convention Centre. I had the toaster up and going full out on the Bagel Toasting. They were bulk Bagels bought from Stuperstore. They're not really bagels. They appear to be just dense buns. Bagels are supposed to be boiled then baked. These were definitely not boiled though they were baked and by the way so was I. Joan is from Brooklyn but has lived in New Jersey for many years. Her and the lovely Lisa have something in common. They both have to explain "what's wrong with your man?!" A lot!
      Bagels and cream cheese, washed down with coffee that I made in my drip coffee maker and that tasted really good! Just saying. While the rest of the gang was distracted by the food I was in the shower. With 6 adults and 1 bathroom you gotta take the bull by the horns when the chance presents itself. Unlike the other sleepy time cowboys I knew that Dr Dan and Michelle with one L had already showered that meant I was in third and would still have lots of hot water. I was last yesterday and the water was tepid to say the least. Fortunately it's been screaming hot around here, 43 degrees on the front deck at 4 pm. So a cool shower was not the worst thing to happen. It was still warmer than the pool. I did come close to setting a land speed record for the quickest shower by a guy not in prison!
      We sauntered our way through the morning. Fueled by coffee I managed to do the watering, front and back, trim my tomato plants and download our passes for the Fly over Canada. We were out the door just after noon.
      If you haven't done the Fly Over Canada thingy you should. It's a little pricey at $23 per, but it is what it is. Joan definitely enjoyed it. "I could have stayed on it for an hour." she said with her Brooklyn Accent thick as an east coast fog. The lovely Lisa and I have done it before. We did it when they had a double header, Fly Over Canada and Chasing the Dragon over China. They showed us a movie in the round first. Some people jumping on stuff and climbing walls and doing flips set to some really loud music. "I hope that's not it" I heard in a voice strangely reminiscent of Fran Dresher. We were taken into the loading area where we were told to stand on dots on the floor where we watched a short safety video that was quite funny. Into the ride and put on our seat belts and the show was about to start. It takes you on an aerial trip across Canada from the Frozen North to the Left Coast. It's amazing how big, beautiful and diverse this country is. We came out of the show with smiles on our faces and a renewed love of this amazing country.

The Convention Centre on a beautiful day

Stanley Park and the Lions

       We took our time getting to the Tap and Barrel where we were going to have lunch. Walking around the perimeter of the Convention Centre marveling at the pace of activity on the harbour. Float planes, ferries and pleasure craft all competing for space set to the backdrop of the North Shore Mountains. We sat on the patio outside with a great view of the harbour and had lunch. When I was doing security at the Convention Centre I always wanted to eat there. The food looked so good but I never had time during my lunch break and I always wanted to just go home after my shift. The food was as good as it looked. Pizza , Mac n Cheese x 2, a Cobb Salad for the lovely Lisa and I had a burger that was excellent. Every entree on the lunch menu was $15.95. A little steep for Mac n Cheese but it does come with a view!

Tap and Barrel

       Dr Dan had left my car parked over where his meeting was and walked from Broadway and Granville to meet us so now we drove him back to the car. Dr Dan and the lovely Lisa wanted to go to Locarno Beach where they grew up. Papa Dawg and Joan where done. I took them home where Joan's feet had swollen up tremendously. "It happens all the time" She said "I have bone spurs in my heel" Ouch! I got her an ice pack and had her put her feet up. Papa Dawg was in his bed and sleeping before I got the kettle on.
      I played a little guitar, warming up for the party at Jerry's place tonight. Jerry is a sax player and I really like playing with him. I save several songs I play, including 3 or 4 originals, that are great sax songs until Jerry joins the stage. I had made some Squatch baked chicken but when you have lunch at 3 pm you're not really hungry at 7 when Dr Dan and the lovely Lisa got back to the house. I decided to take the chicken to the party, minus the 3 pieces that Dr Dan liberated. I guess that walk on the beach must have stimulated his appetite.
      We were at Jerry's about 8 and the music was going full bore with the Ukelele ladies at center stage. We wandered through the crowd introducing Joan and Papa Dawg then I hit the stage.

George far left Steve , and Linda with the Ukelele

Okay,  I hit the part of the lawn where the PA was set up. Mike set up his bass and a guy named Steve had another guitar. We had a lady drummer who though not fancy was rock steady. I'm so bad with names.

The lovely Lisa and Danielle, great voice!

 Not as bad as the lovely Lisa is with taking pictures of which she took 7

Bill and Linda. Though not in this picture I was on stage at this time.

....none of me. "I know what you look like" she said when queried about the lack of me. "Do you recognize me now?" I said as I dropped my pants to my ankles and mooned her. Okay, I didn't do that because I like being married to the lovely Lisa, but I thought about it!

Dr Dan and  ?????

By 10 Papa Dawg was on his second bottle of Vino and was getting a little too philosophical for a music party. I pulled him away from Steve when I heard him telling him that he knew a guy who knew a guy who could have cured his wife's cancer. She died over 2 years ago. Steve was not impressed. I ended up being on stage most of the night, sometimes leading sometimes following. I sat in with Bill Frew, a hard core country guy with an amazing baritone voice. Next thing you know it's 5 to 11 and the Cops are circling the party. Shut down the PA and move the music inside and acoustic. It was at this point I decided we should leave. I love Jerry but 35 people with guitars crammed into his tiny house was not something I really wanted to do. I went into the house to say goodbye to all and it was already 1,000,000 degrees in there.
      We were home by midnight a late snack of boiled eggs and ice cream cones and we were in bed by 1:30. I tried to write but was too tired to focus. I got up at 7 and wrote this for your reading enjoyment. Once again lamo in the picture department!

That's all I've got
Till next time
Peace out Y'all