That was a long break between posts. For your enjoyment, let me describe Christmas day.

Got up, did the present thing. Lowlight : Once again I got a pair of size Large boxer shorts, in spite of repeated insistence that my butt is not that big and they aren’t very comfortable. I know some people got nothing, but it happens every year and if it’s the thought that counts, then somebody thought I was someone else.

Highlight :
Awesome Meccano Set!!! After the present opening, Mon went to the playroom to do some secret business I wasn’t allowed near.

We went over to Mon’s parents’ house. That was great even though they’d more or less seperated. Fi and Bean were there. I had a couple of beers while operating the BBQ. I was the appointed Tong Master, and I was chuffed. Special Christmas bonus was Mon’s secret business, a bunch of marinated tiger prawns. The Tong Master was a little disconcerted by these, but Mon relayed instructions to cook them for just a few minutes till they turn pink, and lo they did so and they were extremely tasty. Mon doesn’t like prawns so this was an especially generous present :)

I had lifted a very nice bottle of Penfolds Somthingorother Shiraz from work’s Christmas vendor booty, so me and Marika drank that while we ate. We sat around, chatted, played with the kids Christmas presents and drank beer as the afternoon waned.

Fi and Bean then came back to our house where only Gilli and I kept up our end, drinking several more beers and the bottle of wine she won off us when England won the Rugby. Poncey field goal girly.

Mon cleverly went to bed, leaving me to entertain our guests. I did so by chain smoking half a pack of cigarettes and rolling out a bottle of bourbon. Last drink I had I remember Bean poured and said “I think I made it a little strong.”

They got a taxi home, I threw up and passed out with my head on the toilet seat. Next thing I remember is Mon coming in, dropping my pillow on me and saying something like “Well if you’re sleeping in here you may as well be comfortable”.

I’m sure throwing up used to be more fun. I must be out of practice. Clearly trying to take on backpackers is way beyond me now.

Boxing Day we went over to some friends who have a daugher in Ashleigh’s year at school. Had a couple of recoveries and some BBQ and we played some guitar and sang a bit and felt better.

New Years by comparison was tame, went to Mark and Bern’s and played board games. Ash went the distance and was very cool playing games, I was proud of her for being witty and intelligent and also for staying up too late. Meanwhile I was introduced to chocolate coated coffee beans, and had about 30 on top of a fair to middling amount of bourbon.

One word : CRRRAAAZZYYCAFFEINERUUUUUUSH!!!

I dunno about anyone else, but damn I had fun!

Next : Gonna sell our house…