Okay, first off, I must warn you: I think you might feel a little let down.
So what does Chris Schryer, torontobeerblog.com founder, offical non-irish irishman, and general man-about-town do for St Pat’s? He makes a great dinner, then tells his wife to go out and enjoy herself with friends. Stays in. Probably writes a review of Russian Gun Imperial Stout. Considers a bath.
Indeed, I had such a great time last night, I didn’t think I could top it (and my body didn’t want me to try). So, all that being said, let me tell you about the last 26 hours (or so).
Last night, as planned, I headed off to Ceili Cottage to play celtic music. Sitting around the table by the piano, the band happily welcomed me to the fray. In case you haven’t been following along, I should remind you all. I’m an okay guitarist. I might even say good. I have had a mandolin for years, but have never really taken the time to practice with it and get good. So I thought I’d jump in at the deep end. The people who were playing were very good at their instruments. Like, very very good. I probably still would have been the worst musician there if I was playing guitar. But Brian, the banjo/fiddle player happily called keys to me, so I could follow along, and nobody gave me dirty looks when I totally messed up. A few pints in, and with a bit of time playing and I was actually feeling comfortable. They played till 11:30, and I sat-in most of that time, though I did take 30 minutes off to eat a plate of oysters. Short of sitting-in at a traditional session in Dublin, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a St Paddy’s day then at a bar run by a modern-day St Patrick, eating oysters, drinking Guinness (and in fairly good shape for Toronto, too), playing music and basically enjoying the craic. Even if it was the day before St. Pat’s. For the sake of nomenclature, I will dub yesterday as “St Patrick’s day in New Zealand”. I had a really wonderful St. Patrick’s Day in New Zealand (hmmm, I might need to work on that. It sounds like I’m suggesting I was in New Zealand).
Ceili rings the last call bell at 12 during the week, so I hopped the rocket back to the Beach, and went into Castro’s for a bit more action, though the place was actually nearly empty. I did have a few pints of Duggan’s #9, and also consumed my only green beverage of the night (absinthe). At that point I might have walked home, though it’s hard to say with certainty. I know that I woke up in bed, wearing pjs, with my coat hung up and my mandolin in it’s place, so I think perhaps I came home.
Today was a normalish day (once rehydrated), though my sister brought the neices and their dog down for a run on the beach. I must say, it’s a good feeling standing barefoot in the sand on March 17th, watching Bentley playing with the pebbles and the dogs running up and down the shore.
After an afternoon nap with Ben, We headed up to buy some gluten-free ingredients for dinner, and to get some fish. Dinner went off well, indeed, and I drank a Steamwhistle, which, as you might know, comes in a green bottle. Then yeah, I hopped on board the fun train, kissed Erika goodbye and goodnight, put Ben to bed, and did the washing up. Maybe it is because Erika and I started dating on March 17th, and so I spent 5 years celebrating our anniversary instead of St Pat’s (good reason to get married, btw), but I actually have no problem bailing on the actual day. With a trip to the Zoo tomorrow with Erika’s cousins and Bender, a quiet evening in is pretty much perfect. I think Padraig would agree.
Well, if I’m going to review this Stout, I’d better get on it. I’ll publish it tomorrow.
Hope your St Pat’s has been fun and fulfilling. As my friend Andie posted on facebook:
“May the best day of your past, be the worst day of your future”.
