The Big Two-Eight

My birthday always falls on Reading Week, as does the birthday of my friend Jenn, and for the last two years we've celebrated together, always on the first Friday of Reading Week. Most people are still in town that day (including the birthday girls) and everyone's up for a well-deserved night out. Also, we go to a bar where birthday boys and girls get $50 bar tabs each, though any communal food or drink does not count.

This year was no different.

Me and Jenn, collectively turning... um... 40. The night's theme was "barely legal."


Those who have gone drinking with me before might wonder how I went through a $50 bar tab without a) falling over b) throwing up or c) both. The key was to stay away from the beer and to pace myself. The total for the night: one burger, one Alabama Slammer, two Singapore Slings, five shots (Liquid Cocaine, bourbon, B52, China White, Crispy Crunch), an order of chicken wings, and then an Electric Kool-Aid. And lots of water. Money-wise, I'm not sure what that added up to (other than a good time, I mean). Everything was fine, except that I had to get up for 9 a.m. on Saturday to catch my ride back to Calgary. I slept all the way to Calgary, and then slept some more in the afternoon.


It was an eventful, fun evening that included Trina doing her first shot, Orion spilling a pint into his lap when he gestured too broadly as the waitress was putting the drink onto the table, a startled Jenn informing us not to use the ladies' room downstairs because two people were having sex in one of the stalls (and, oddly, the other, empty stall was locked from the inside), and someone underpaying on the tab (we know who you are, even though you might not).

For more photos, click on the "28th Birthday" album here.