Today is Janurary 6th, which also means it is the Epiphany, which also means that Italians get to celebrate La Befana!

 Christian legend had it that Befanawas approached by the biblical magi, (as we all known as the Three Wise Men or the three kings) a few days before the birth of the Infant Jesus. They asked for directions to where the Son of Godwas, as they had seen his star in the sky, but she did not know. She provided them withshelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village, withthe most pleasant home. The magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart, and tried to search out the astrologers and Jesus. That night she was not able to find them, so to this day, La Befana is searching for the little baby. She leaves all the good children toys and candy (“caramelle”) or fruit, while the bad children get coal (“carbone”), onions or garlic.^[3]

As kids La Befana use to bring us stuff, but I guess now since I’m married that doesn’t happen any more. LAME! On Sunday the Italian group we are all involved in celebrates La Befana with all the little kids of the members.

 So in celebration of La Befana, I thought I would post some pictures from our New Years Eve festivities.

Just a quiet night out in South Surrey at Steve and Ashleighs place.

Steve was the bartender for the eveing and bought 16 Red Bulls for the occasion.

Our first shot of the evening. A little Fireball. I thought it might clear out my sinus’. WRONG.

I really thought this would be the magic medicine. I mean it is produced by a Doctor!

Discussing the health benefits.

The WHITE boys in the Kitchen.

We lost Ryan for a minute. He blended into the walls so well.

Demis, Hoda, and Candice joined us later in the evening.

MEN

My drug of choice. After one shot and one cooler I felt like crap thanks to my head cold. The Ashleigh fed me some Advil Cold & Sinus and a glass of water and I was right as rain. Couldn’t drink anymore, but I felt way better.

Demis is such a classy man, considering he Pile Drives his cat into the couch.

Something weird is going on here.

Oh wait, it’s not weird, Steves just getting drunk!

The “Steve Tang Hang”.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! I think the count was off by a minute.

Dario trying out Steves massage chair. That thing hurts like a bitch if you have a boney back. I can attest to it.

Steve and Ashleigh setting up Wii Fit for us.

No one could beat Steves Wii Hoola Hoop Score. 301!

Chad sucked at everything. Mainly because it didn’t involve shooting, war, or death.

Over all it was a great night! Hanging out with friends in a casual atmosphere is my kind of party. It just sucked big time that I was sick and couldn’t fully enjoy myself. I was dead by 2 and pulled the shoot shortly after that.

My cold sore has slightly gone away. All thats left is redness and scabs. Gross I know. Because it is right under my nose it kind of makes me look like Hilter. Especially with my side part. I really REALLY hope it heals up for the weekend. I don’t want to go on a date with my red Hilter nose. Le sigh.

So Christmas Eves Eve was spent at the Barn. Not as many people showed up as were expected, but that’s almost expected to happen so close to Christmas, isn’t it now?

Alicia turned the living room into a dance floor and the eating area into the living room. We spent most of our time sitting on couches chatting away. There was a lot of people there we didn’t know because Alicia’s roommates invited all of their friends so we kind of just stuck to ourselves. So anti-social.

The theme of the party of Christmas (obviously) so that meant anything related to Christmas. Christmas colours, sweaters, party dress, the works.

Elise oppted for her Moms favorite sweater as her ‘ugly Christmas sweater’. Her Mother was slightly offended by that. It was funny just how much she looked like her Mom that night. We kept calling her Mrs. Ehman.

I chose my ‘Aspin’ sweater, a red necklace, and ornaments for my hair. That is what you call last minute planning.

Alicia was being all Russian with her fur hat.

She also had a huge penis going on all night.

Ryan’s back in town for a month from Finland. He brought with him his Euro fashions. I still haven’t seen his whole collection and I think he needs to do a fashion show for me.

We were the last ones to leave, as per usual when it comes to parties at Alicia’s house. Its just so damn hard to tear the boys away from a house party. It’s like they are trying to re-live their youth or something.

On the way home we were tempted to stop for a late night snack but quickly realized there are NO food joints open late at night in the Metrotown area. Actually there are no fast food joints in the Metrotwon area PERIOD. I guess they figure since all the food stuff in actually IN Metrotown Mall, there is no point putting them OUTSIDE the mall for people who want to eat when the Mall is closed. Nice planning McDonalds. You just lost two Double Cheeseburger sales. We were going to drive out to Denny’s for food, but then I realized how far away it was and how tired and lazy I was so I nixed it.

No Meat Lovers Skillet for you.

Another year, another balls party. You would think that since this was my fourth year I would have learned a few things by now. Apparently not.

Mental Note for next year…

• Do not host a dinner party for 5 an hour before the party is suppose to begin (this was a big reason for my mental break down this year)
• Do not wait until the afternoon of the party to buy food
• Prepare all food BEFORE party starts
• Skip dinner all together and make sure that food is nicely arranged around the room ready for when your quests arrive
• Use the oven less

Because I wasn’t 100% ready when people started to show up I totally lost it (mentally) and forgot half the appetizers in the fridge. I was beyond pissed at myself when I realized this at 11pm. The room wasn’t set up the way I wanted and there was stuff everywhere and I panicked. I definitely started the night off on the wrong foot.

I love that Dario loves group pictures and always remembers to take them. I think he gets that from his mother. Warms my heart.

For some reason, I thought I always posted the Make Love to My Balls portraits, but after looking back at my archives I realized that I never do. Oh well, this year we change it up.

Dario was our Master Photographer of the Party.

Yes, my shirt says Merry Crystal Methmas. Me and the little worker guy be smoken some meth. Meow.

I saved the best for last. Ryan honoured us with a speech and special prop. Tiger Woods use to be his Idol, but after all this mistress business he has fallen off the pedestal. Therefore, Ryan wanted to send Tiger off in a special way. A little Ball Licking and then into the FIRE!

“Tiger, you can SUCK MY BALLS!”

A very EPIC way to kick off a Balls Party.

CLEARLY Ryan is pretty upset about this whole Tiger scandal.

Elises job that night was to maintain the fire. It was probably the most entertaining part of the evening.

Comparing fires.

Hottest couple EVER!

As you saw above, through the magic of technology, Pat didn’t have to miss this years party. Dario spent a lot of time talking to the computer.

Ahh webcams!

A picture of what the perfect couple looks like. They were awarded title of ‘The Perfect Couple’ because of how ‘perfect’ they are as individuals.

Instructions on how to get here. I thought she would have memorized it by now!!!

Soooo Happy!!!

Over all the party was a success.

I, of course, would have felt better about the whole thing had I actually been prepared. I don’t know why I always do this to myself.

Thanks for another successful year guys!

The stomach is in a bit of a tiff after this weekends adventures. My eating habits were all over the place and my body does not appreciate this.

Went out to the Tyrrells on Friday night to watch the game and munch on Pizza. We had to drive out there in terential rain with a side of snow, lots of Thunder and Lightning, and major flooding. The HWY was insane. Thank God Chad was driving.

We watched the Canucks with Dario & Mike upstairs and then headed down to the basement after the game once the boys had left. We all just sat on the couches and talked about scotch and family.

I then came to the realization that I need lounge pants that can be worn out of the house. When I am at home I have a pair of sweats that I wear from time to time, and of course my PJs, but I don’t really have anything in the ‘comfortable’ category that can be worn out of the house. Friday night was a perfect example. All we were going to do was hang out in Ryan’s basement watching TV and doing nothing. It would have been the perfect night for some out of the house lounge pants, but I did not have any. So I had to sit all uncomfortably in my skinny jeans while Elise lazed around in her Lulus. Dammit, I need a pair of Lulus. I’VE BEEN CONVINCED! Too bad everyone’s already bought all my Christmas Gifts.

GROVE PANT PLEASE

While channel surfing Elise and I came across the Exorcist, which neither of us had seen before, and which I never had planned on watching ever, but for some reason we though why not watch the last half of the scariest movie of all time!? The Boys were not impressed and attempted to talk loudly about Bitches & Shit while we hid behind pillows. Smart idea girls, smart idea. Thankfully neither of us had nightmares, but I could not stop thinking about the movie all night.

We got home at 1:30 and we were both out like a light. We slept in on Saturday until 11 and it was glorious.

I didn’t get out of bed until 12. The Real Housewives of NY was on.

Damn I love me some Memphis Blues. The MEAT, the SAUCE, even the SLAW, all of it so good. Not to mention the Corn Bread, Fries, and Potato Salad. I can’t handle it. I’m drool right now.

Pat made a special request to stuff his face full of pork and we obliged.

It was just before this photo that Chad went to sit down after ordering the beer and blew out his knee. He is an invalid now.

SWEET SWEET GLORIOUS PLATTER OF MEAT AND EVERY GOOD THING!

My first plate. Notice the Lemon Aid in the background that has Jack Daniels in it. So hardcore.

Devoured. For some reason we never eat the chicken though. Thankfully we found out that we can actually substitute the chicken for more pulled pork if we want next time. Excellent!

Poor Miss Chicken.

Andrea and Tania joined us after we had already finished every speck of meat on the plate (aside from the chicken) and ordered up their own mini plates of goodness.

We then spent the majority of the evening talking Mad Men and thinking of baby names for Elise and Ryan. Long story short, Ryan & Chad have made a bet on when Elise & Ryan will have their first child. Chad is betting on soon. We then discussed how much Dario looks like his Dad with his new moustache is sporting for Movbember and how Pat likes to CHEW Advil. Yes, you heard that right. We were all quite grossed out by that.

After dinner we went home because Patrick had a headache from having too much fun for 4 days straight (Vancouver will do that to you). So he and Chad cuddled up on the couch and perpared themselves for 3 hours of War related TV watching. Look at him all wrapped up in the yellow blanky! So cute!

From this picture it actually looks like my house is clean, but that’s a big lie.

Tonight, more adventures. Tomorrow, maybe some relaxing?

You are going to have to be patient. Pat has returned and as a result of that, this blog post is going to be 10 times longer then usual.

I mean, you can’t really cut back on photos when the photo King comes to town can you?

So the evening started off with a dinner party of sorts.

While it was all cooking, the boys decided to dig up the videos from our camping trip. We were pissing ourselves laugh. I mean actually on the floor. I think Pat has a picture of me rolling around somewhere.

“Hardy Hard Hard…”

“The Dodge Ram”

Dinner consisted of…

Lemon Oregano Potatoes
Mediterranean Couscous
Greek Salad
Marinated Pork Tenderloin

God its good to have these two back together again!

As you can see in the corner of this picture, Krista joined us just as dinner was over, so we had a shot in celebration and then backed up and headed over to the Cambie.

You can always count on Dario for the politically incorrect offensive photos.

Cambie Time

EPIC

Krista had not eaten dinner yet so Chad secretly stole some of Elises for her.

Should I be offended that I made Elise dinner and then she bought more food at the Cambie?

Ok, well I stole some fries too.

So related.

Oh God. This is where the singing of Bohemian Rhapsody took place.

My feelings exactly.

This was probably our first time in two years since we’ve had a drunk Cambie heart to heart. I can’t believe its been that long.

The T-Shirt should probably say ‘The Cambies Bitch’.

Dario has the best faces of all time.

This is me ready to go home. Pat has some pictures of me actually trying to fall asleep on things…

Ticket Time…

HAHAHAHA.

It is really too hard to go through 200 hilarious photos and pick out the best for a post. I am just not that picky and want to show everything.

Pat has his pictures up but they aren’t in a specific album so I can’t link it (make a friggin album already Zaph!) but you can look through them here.

This was such a good night. Such a good night on so many levels. It was actually the first time we didn’t get a picnic table all to ourselves but having everyone stand up just allowed us all to mingle more. Haha we all got drunk and I tried to get a guy to by me a song by Eazy E on the Jukebox but it never played. Bastards.

You can view all my shots here.

Now we are off to Memphis Blues for lots and lots of meat!!!

This whole Chad working 12 hours business is not my cup of tea. Dinners are screwed, bed times are all out of wack, and everything is just all over the place. I can’t really plan anything because I don’t know where hes going to be at any given time, and I have a feeling the weekend is going to be somewhat the same.

So I really don’t know what this post is suppose to be about, all I really wanted to do was post some pictures, but the News is on in the background and I can’t help but be distracted.

But anyways, Schanks Sports Bar, yes we went there again. I think this was the first time we ever got a group of friends together to watch a sporting event where our team actually one. Ok, maybe that’s a lie, but we loose a LOT of the time, so it feels like this was the first time we won.

I love this photo.

These two, they got a bromance going on I swear.

Oh Boo Boos, when will you be home?

We were given pucks with numbers on them and if that player scored your table got free beer. Our table had two pucks with two of our top scorers and NOTHING. The White Trash table beside us won, twice. Bastards. Friggin press on fake nails, blond streaks, and smoke breath.

Did I just witness a goal!?

This is Chad and Ryan imitating Elise and I. Apparently we do everything the same. Especially yawing at pubs with sports on.

Ryan and Chad kept whispering about everything Elise and I were doing that was the same, and they didn’t think that I could hear them, but I could, and they got busted BIG TIME. They don’t call me Eagle Ears for nothing. Top Notch Snoop.

The night was good. I actually loved that there were literally 3 million TV screens with 2 million different games going on. The sweet thing is that if you want to watch a specific game on a specific TV close to you, all you have to do is ask the “TV DJ” and the will switch it for you. I know, amazing.

Now I am drinking a glass of wine and realizing I have to leave in 10 minutes. Damn.

Ok, I can’t think anymore.