Sunday, April 01, 2001
First Day of Being 35
Birthdays are such a great excuse to go out and have some fun. Erika volunteered to stay with Vanessa all day today, giving me the opportunity to go "play" with Bill. So I met Bill at his place, where we chatted for a bit, and played a few games of Quarto -- which I had picked up for him for his 35th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Then he gave me his presents to me: DVD copies of Thunderbirds (Vol.1), and Space: 1999 (also Vol.1). This is a man who knows me all too well -- and who probably also knows I wouldn't normally have picked up such a thing for myself. What can I say? I gave the big lug a hug -- and then we commenced our "sluggy" day together. It started with a trip to Playdium, which is a short walk from Bill's place. Ended up having the most fun playing some vintage games located there, and having an air-hockey grudge match (Bill won the tournament, though only just). Wanted to try Mech Warrior 4, but the whole game set was down, presumably (and notably) because half of the Microsoft joysticks were broken on the game units. After that, we went to Hooters, which is just down the street from Playdium. My first time there, suggested primarily out of curiosity, and well in keeping with the "sluggy" theme. Basically, it's young, cute-to-vavavoom!-looking women in outfits at least one size too tight for them. Everyone sits at rough wooden tables, napkins come from a roll of paper towels, and some miscellaneous sports channel showed stock car racing from a half-dozen TVs. All deliberately tacky. Food came in generous portions, and seriously watered-down beer (had a Hooter burger with the works, plus a side order of curly fries and poutine; a heart-attack special). In between furtive glances at the waitresses Bill and I chatted, and had copious amounts of artery-clogging food. Eating there was fun in an adolescent sort of way, though I felt guilty for being in a place which is ultimately degrading to women, and conflicted for enjoying it, leavened by its hokeyness. Headed to the Chapters store just up the street (all of the places Bill and I went to are located on a single block), where we both browsed, found a copy of my CSS book still around in the computer section, looked for a book I couldn't find, and ultimately just got a copy of the latest KMT, an Egyptology magazine I like. We then headed out for Bay Video on a DVD hunt, ultimately frustrated by lack of parking spaces due to numerous film crew trucks and trailers taking up available free spots. Settled for a well-stocked Jumbo video instead, where I was tempted by the Criterion release of Life of Brian, but $63.99 is just too much for a single DVD. Ended up getting a cheap, used copy of Bless the Child instead (more of that later). Headed home, and found Erika and Vanessa both sound asleep, having a mid-afternoon nap. Soon after Erika woke up, I went upstairs to stir a groggy Vanessa, who gave me a tired hug and kiss, and then woke up at the idea of decorating the dining room for my birthday. With a "come on, Daddy", she dragged me downstairs, and we started making decorations while Erika made dinner. The meal was great, and the cake was both chocolate and insanely high in calories. Yum! While the time "gallivanting" with Bill was fun, I only really felt whole and happy when I was with my family. I guess I really am 35, after all. ;-)
Birthdays are such a great excuse to go out and have some fun. Erika volunteered to stay with Vanessa all day today, giving me the opportunity to go "play" with Bill. So I met Bill at his place, where we chatted for a bit, and played a few games of Quarto -- which I had picked up for him for his 35th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Then he gave me his presents to me: DVD copies of Thunderbirds (Vol.1), and Space: 1999 (also Vol.1). This is a man who knows me all too well -- and who probably also knows I wouldn't normally have picked up such a thing for myself. What can I say? I gave the big lug a hug -- and then we commenced our "sluggy" day together. It started with a trip to Playdium, which is a short walk from Bill's place. Ended up having the most fun playing some vintage games located there, and having an air-hockey grudge match (Bill won the tournament, though only just). Wanted to try Mech Warrior 4, but the whole game set was down, presumably (and notably) because half of the Microsoft joysticks were broken on the game units. After that, we went to Hooters, which is just down the street from Playdium. My first time there, suggested primarily out of curiosity, and well in keeping with the "sluggy" theme. Basically, it's young, cute-to-vavavoom!-looking women in outfits at least one size too tight for them. Everyone sits at rough wooden tables, napkins come from a roll of paper towels, and some miscellaneous sports channel showed stock car racing from a half-dozen TVs. All deliberately tacky. Food came in generous portions, and seriously watered-down beer (had a Hooter burger with the works, plus a side order of curly fries and poutine; a heart-attack special). In between furtive glances at the waitresses Bill and I chatted, and had copious amounts of artery-clogging food. Eating there was fun in an adolescent sort of way, though I felt guilty for being in a place which is ultimately degrading to women, and conflicted for enjoying it, leavened by its hokeyness. Headed to the Chapters store just up the street (all of the places Bill and I went to are located on a single block), where we both browsed, found a copy of my CSS book still around in the computer section, looked for a book I couldn't find, and ultimately just got a copy of the latest KMT, an Egyptology magazine I like. We then headed out for Bay Video on a DVD hunt, ultimately frustrated by lack of parking spaces due to numerous film crew trucks and trailers taking up available free spots. Settled for a well-stocked Jumbo video instead, where I was tempted by the Criterion release of Life of Brian, but $63.99 is just too much for a single DVD. Ended up getting a cheap, used copy of Bless the Child instead (more of that later). Headed home, and found Erika and Vanessa both sound asleep, having a mid-afternoon nap. Soon after Erika woke up, I went upstairs to stir a groggy Vanessa, who gave me a tired hug and kiss, and then woke up at the idea of decorating the dining room for my birthday. With a "come on, Daddy", she dragged me downstairs, and we started making decorations while Erika made dinner. The meal was great, and the cake was both chocolate and insanely high in calories. Yum! While the time "gallivanting" with Bill was fun, I only really felt whole and happy when I was with my family. I guess I really am 35, after all. ;-)
Labels: birthday, Bless the Child, Chapters, DVDs, Hooters, KMT, Playdium, Space: 1999, Thunderbirds
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