Lets move backwards
Mon. Dec. 31, 2007 - Best Nerdy Party!
Brian’s New Years Party complete with head to head Guitar Hero III, Karaoke, the Times Square Ball Drop, ordureves (Cheese Quesadillas, Shrimp Quesadillas, Nachos, Quacomole, Pakoras, little Spinach an Cheese treats, Vegetables plus Dip and these Cheese, Pineapple, Marachino Cherry on a toothpic things) open bar and a 3am Jam Session.
Sat. Dec. 29, 2007 – Best Session!
The best one on one back and forth sing-song session between me and Sebastian (began semi-sober and then took it to another level accopmpanied by a 15 case of Tremblay, a bottle of Jameson and a coupla smokes).
Sun.-Thurs. Dec. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 2007 - Best Family Moments!
Dec. 23 began with some family xmas shopping with Marya (my girlfriend), her sister Vesna and her sister’s boyfriend Jeff. The highlight being Marya and I getting our first xmas tree and all the decorations. On the 24th we had a very nice supper (Sarma (cabbage rolls), Mlinci (kinda like pita bread), with Garlic Beets, Salad & Vino) at her parents place while Simon & Garfunkel played on the record player. This was followed by the opening of presents at midnight accompanied by Louis Armstrong. I got Louis Rastelli’s novel ”A Fine Ending” from Marya. A 20 year old bottle of Port from Jeff & Vesna as well as a re-formated second hand computer that was a present to both Marya & I. Also Marya’s parents got me a $25 gift card for Archambault. I gave Marya a computer version of Scrabble (she loves that game). We gave Jeff & Vesna a Simpson’s videogame for their Xbox and the first two seasons of Niptuck. Her mom a Sowing Machine and her dad a $120 gift card for Bureau en Gros. Then came xmas morning. My mom came and picked Marya & I up and brought us to their place in St. Lazare. We had a traditional english xmas turkey meal (Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Carrots & Turnips for lunch and then opened more presents. This time I got a bottle of Jameson from Marya. The Leonard Cohen Anthology, some PJ Pants, some Long Johns, A nice set of bowls and some cleaning stuff for our new apartment from my parents. I gave Marya a book on photography ”Understanding Exposure” and she also got some photoshop tutorials from my mom as well as the ”Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” Board Game. We gave Garry (my step dad) a 2 Disc set of The Doors and Supertramp’s ”Crime of the Century” and we gave my mom some bath stuff (soaps, oils etc.) and a nice box of Russell Stover Chocolates. After opening the presents we played a few rounds of ”Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” it was fun! Then it was off to see my dad & his girlfriend Marianne at my cousin Frederico’s xmas party. We were the first guests to arrive and passed the time catching up as my cousin made and fed us sushi. We had some great food & drink that night! The second course after the sushi was mussels, followed by a creamy vegetable portage all the while we were drinking a combination of my Uncle Fernando’s homemade wines highlighted by an 18 year old bottle. The main course was a Japanese dish with some partly cooked and partly raw tuna, veggies in a spicy sauce and a salad with thinly sliced apples. This was followed by wine & cheeses (Camenbert, Cambazola, Friulano etc.) on baguette slices and grapes. Capped off with dessert: Tartufo with Chocolate Sauce, Homemade Rice Pie (but no, as is common, Tiramisu), some Rosee, Digestifs, & more Wine). Boxing Day and I’m off to my Uncle Leo’s and Nana’s for Canaloni shared with Red Wine and a quiet evening by the fire afterwards. Repeat the next day with Marya except this time we had Filet Mignon with Asparagus and Baked Potatoes for supper instead and a magnum of Rufino Chianti. What a great holiday season!
Best Nostalgic Rediscovery: Mr. X – Gangster Politics
Best Legend Lost: Oscar Peterson
Best City on Tour of This Year: London, England
Best Parties of the Year: Weekend’s Never End @ Korova, Bridge Burner @ Van Horne & St. Laurent, followed by Scott’s after party on Bernard, all in one night on St. Jean (OMFG!) and the Jonathan Cummins’ NxNE POP Montreal after party @ Theatre St. Cat.
To Be Continued….
