Must be Home console advantage

It started off great! I had car troubles earlier that morning after playing pick up and heading to the Sweet and Samosa Factory. That meant...It was swim meet weekend. Except we weren't attending.  Kieran was just recovering from an illness and didn't think he had the strength to compete.  Which I think is a good thing.  He's evaluating his own ability and is becoming familiar with it and understands what it takes.  It's experience.  The choice was his.

Tresa too, has been hit with illness over the holidays.  It's been recovery for several weeks now.  For both of them.  Lucky for me I've been spared the worse. 

From what I understand I can still get the flu, but the symptoms will be less harsh.  I was feeling a bit of this last week.

So Tresa and Kieran didn't come with me this year.  For the first time in a ages.  Too bad.  They missed the new kiddie.  She was so looking forward to seeing the kids and everyone.  But a sick baby sucks.  For the parents.  They could've come I suppose.  It's only Hong.  Payback for playing keep-away. LOL.

Then my car broke down. For the first time in 16 years.  Guess it's time to start looking for a replacement.

Man things weren't looking good for me this time.  But it's ok.  These things happen. You just have to look past it and not let it get you down.  I was actually pretty lucky.  It happened when I exited the highway.  I tried calling for a tow truck company when I couldn't get it going.  I figured I needed a jump.  Thinking it might be my aging battery and alternator.  But when I found out how much to just get a boost I hung up. I called Tresa to find out where she was and if she could come.
And about 5mins later a tow truck guy just happened to exit and he helped me out.  He also didn't charge me the full amount.  I was just grateful.  He told me that if the police had showed up it would have cost me more.  Because I was blocking an exit.  But Martin Grove exit was not busy at all at 9:30am Sat.  We tried to boost it, but the engine idled roughly and couldn't get going.  So it wasn't the alternator.  Had to be something else. Fuel pump? Filter?  I got it to my mechanic and lucky for me he was there!  I didn't think he'd be there on a Sat morning.  So it's there.  May seem like an unfortunate morning.  But it was fortunate too.

But glad I wasn't sick to come visit my buddies.  We've been playing this game for 14 years.  Before the trophy.   Seems like Tony and I haven't had our name on it for ages.

I'm gonna blame my car, just because it's inanimate and won't care.  I could also pin it on my knee because it was sore from pickup hockey.   I could always blame Derrick, cuz we've doing that since we were kids.  Can't even spell our names right.
Who's Antaro? and Raj. I'm not East Indian.  What are you trying to say dude? Just cuz I work in IT? Say it to my FACE!

But it was close.  Except for the 1st game.  Which we got blown out.  Cuz we sucked.  And the 3rd game, cuz I was trying so hard to lay a crushing body check on Hong for playing keep-away and pissing us off.

Yep we lost again.

I could say I don't mind losing.  It's great we just get together and have fun.

But it sucks to lose.  Winning feels much better. Next year we're going to have to find a way to cheat.  I could bring samosa's again and eat a bunch before and just let it go during the games.  To throw them off.

Or I could teach the kids to block the TV when they are in our zone trying to set up for the 1-timer.  Or throw the soft squishy ball at them when we are in their zone trying to jam the puck.  Or throw something hard like shiny metal truck.

Kids like throwing things around.  As long as it's at Derrick and Hong!  ha.

The pre-game Lupper was great.  Donna goes all out. The company was great.  Even the Re-Gifted Parting Gifts were great.  

Gonna have to Febreeze these.

Smells like Tony.

Or I'll wear them next year.

We gotta do this more often than 1x per year.
Except no need to re-gift.
Although the wrapping is nice.  I won't need to even unwrap.  I'll just have to cross out my name.

Maybe it's time to get an XBox just to practice.

 You know I made that darn CUP.  Frig man.  I want my name on it again.  And Again.  Dang it.