An Evening with the Captain and the Bear

Sounds like some kind of screwed up nursery rhyme really doesn't it? *ahem*

Anyways, yesterday was the 22nd of March, notable for two things:

1) It is my Sis's birthday. 24 years of age. She's getting old, bless her. Good job she doesn't read this. xD

2) It was Mr Southall's birthday bash.

The bash began at around half 8 in the evening. I made the mistake of downing about 1/3 of a glass of passoã and cranberry before we left, but I figured I'd start as I meant to go on anyways. It was so very VERY cold as Mr Jones and myself walked up the road, and for the second time in as many days I actually had to button up my jacket (good job I've lost weight. It’s been about 5 years since I've been able to do that). The Princess pub, our first port of call, was absolutely heaving, and was so incredibly warm than I would have divested myself of most of my clothes if it hadn't been a public place and if there had been anywhere to put them. So I just stood there, wearing Spence's hat (which I really wish I'd got a pic of myself wearing actually, ‘cos apparently it suited me!) and tried not to let my skin crawl too much. Cold to Hot just doesn't work for me.

Mr Southall, AKA the Bear, was in fine spirits, drinking vodka and lemonade and generally having a good time. This was good. I then realised very shortly that I was the only person without a drink in my hand. Obviously this would not do, so after some gentle prodding from Leeann ("Burrage you don't have a drink, go to the bar. Now!") I went and said hello to the Captain.

I like rum. Never used to, but I am quite a fan of it these days. I blame my mother for this. The Princess serves proper Captain Morgan rum. They also serve doubles in small glasses, which I don't particularly like. I prefer my rum a bit diluted by my coke. It lasts longer, and it doesn't get me as drunk. Still, my intention for the evening was to get hammered and I had plenty of cash on me for more drinks, so who cared! :D

Had 4 shots in the Princess and there was much merriment, jesting, and silliness in such cramped confines. Soon it was creeping on for 10pm, at which time we vacated the Princess for a trek down to the Cottage where we partook of a shot of something warming before continuing down the hill to the main venue for the evening, Katie Fitzgeralds.

It had been a long time since I'd been to Katie's, probably 12 months or so, and it was a lot darker in there than I remember. Mind you, I don't remember it being quite so "rocky" either, so shows what my memory is like. It was very warm in Katie's too, probably because they had a fire roaring and our gang had chosen to sit/stand next to it. Good plan guys ¬_¬

Drinking began in earnest then. As did silly conversation. If I'm honest I can't remember a huge amount of what was talked about, but I certainly haven't laughed that much in quite some time. In-between stories about Sean's "Gary Gygax D&D tribute game" and the Rape Golem, various ideas about Cthulhu scenarios, and other bits and pieces that I shan't repeat here for fear of embarrassing various people, I managed to consume another 12 shots. Not of Captain Morgan though. This was Lamb's Navy Rum, which is not as sweet as the Captain but has a certain kick to it that I also quite like. 12 shots, in doubles, of Lambs is a bit dangerous tbh, especially at the speed I drink. Even for a man of my considerable size, it gets to you quickly.

But again, that was the point!

At some point around...midnight maybe?!... The Bear took his lady back to the Bear Pit for alternative celebrations and this left the hardcore drinkers sat round a table mercifully away from the fire. I'm not sure what we actually talked about actually. But the hours literally slipped by. It must have been getting on for 4am when the guy from the bar came over and said that they were all knackered and would we mind if they shut up shop. Bless.

There was definite talk about coming back to mine for more drinking, but I think everyone was a bit too tired for that in the end. Either way, myself and Mr Jones left the warm confines of Katie's and began the trek home. From searing fire in the pub to searing cold wind outside. Probably. I don't know, I was warm from rum so I could have been naked in the Arctic and not noticed. For about 30 seconds anyways. Then I'd be dead.

I don't really recall feeling that drunk at the time, and when I got home I was still coherent enough to change my Facebook status to something gushy about loving everyone, as well as sending drunken texts to Amanda, ‘cos I promised :P

It took me a couple of minutes to notice there was someone lying on the sofa all snuggled up under my pink teddy bear blanket. Took me two or three goes walking past her to realise it was actually my sister…. So yeah, I can type coherently, but I can’t recognise my own sis. >.<

Mind you, didn’t exactly expect her to be on the couch. Anyways, I rolled around on the floor for a bit after hugging her because getting up seemed to have become oddly difficult, then made myself a huge glass of water and went to bed with happy thoughts.

All in all, an excellent night! Here’s to many more birthdays I say! xD

There may be some photographs somewhere. I didn’t take any, but I know Helen took some, so maybe they’ll appear over the next couple of days.

Toodles.

~Jon