Lockdown Diary - Saturday 19th June 2021

It's my birthday today (is that worthy of a 'yay'? Not sure, as I'm a year older, well, OK, a day older strictly speaking, and acutely aware that 18 months of my life has been lost to the pandemic, when I should have been out there making big changes) but it is also Saturday, so the usual chores still have to be done, starting with shopping accompanied by son #1.

[Note to self: next year, maybe I should plan in advance to have no shitty chores to do, though it will be on a Sunday and presumably coincide with Father's Day.  Mind you, next year 'Ulysses' will be 100, and the place will be Dublin for Bloomsday week. Can I arrange that?]

Shopping all stowed away, son #1 and I sat and ate breakfast together, briefly visited by son #3, though son #2 is still in his pit and, no doubt, son #1 will be returning to bed, once his breakfast has settled.

Around 1:30 p.m., whilst son #3 and I were making lunch, my elder sister called to wish me a happy birthday and have a general catch-up.  Apart from the cards that had arrived in the post, at this point my birthday had not properly begun.

Lunch eaten, I started reading the papers, only to be interrupted by the phone again, this time by my mother-in-law, who thought it was my birthday yesterday, so initially asked how it had been, which confused me a little and so my initial response was that it hadn't really got started yet, which made her realise her mistake.  Usual chit-chat, but shorter than normal as she didn't have much news and I didn't either, not that she's that interested.

Call with their grandma over, the boys assembled for the card and present ceremony, which was fun. They had written some thoughtful words in their cards to me.  Cards and presents unwrapped we then moved to my wife's bedroom where son #2 gave me a card and presents to open from my wife, though of course that he'd arranged.  Despite the circumstances we do try and include my wife in things though we don't really know how much she takes in. I kissed her and thanked her for the presents and card any way.

The boys informed me that a taxi would arrive at 7 p.m., to take us to the restaurant they had booked, though the details are still a secret from me.

A little later I had a call from a friend from book club. I was expecting to hear something this weekend as I knew plans for his wedding to another book club member had been affected by the latest lockdown plans.  It transpires that the current restrictions mean that the venues can only take less than half the planned number, with the result that sadly I could no longer come.  I had been expecting it and when I heard the news about the restrictions I had messaged the bride to say I'd not be offended if they had to rescind my invite, after all the most important thing is that they get married. I think it had been postponed three times already over the past 18 months.

Early evening the phone rang again and it was my younger sister wishing me happy birthday.  The usual catch up and suggestion of meeting soon.

Around 7 p.m. the taxi duly arrived and we all piled in and headed to town.  Even when we arrived in town, I was still none the wiser. We past several restaurants and I'm thinking, which one are we going to? We crossed the river and found ourselves at a Lebanese restaurant, which I'd never eaten at.

We were taken to out table and seated.  Drinks and food ordered we settled back to enjoy the evening.  We shared a mezze platter to start with each of us ordering different main courses.  It being my birthday I had to drink wine with the meal, after all it would be a waste of a taxi not to drink!

Whilst inside the restaurant the rain returned after what had been a mostly dry but grey day, but after a fun and enjoyable meal, we were pleased to see the taxi was waiting for us outside the casino ready for the return journey home.

My sons have done a wonderful job organising my birthday celebrations and I'm really grateful for it.  I am a very lucky man.

Once indoors we chilled and watched some TV before boys dispersed to do their own things.  Father's day tomorrow!

The usual things leading to sleep.

girl in red / 'You Stupid Bitch' / 'if I could make it go quiet'



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