My Lovely Wife...

Nicki had a birthday a week ago, We spent the day celebrating in Edmonton, The entirety of Ellerslie Rugby Club sang her happy birthday, started by Lika, and MJ bought her Cheesecake at Overtime that we enjoyed at Earl's - We were even Able to raise the Sleeping O - to join us at the Iron Horse, Nic had more fun than anyone, with the exception of Wader or Simon. This was the first good birthday that my lovely wife had in awhile, because usually on Victoria Day weekend I'm playing rugby (which I was) but this time she was with me enjoying herself.

She is quite a lady, a wife and a mother - so happy b-day pretty girl - We Love you!

Neemy and Sophes

The Birthday Fairy

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda...

It's been sometime since my last post - Our Rugby team went to Edmonton, to take part in the first ever National Championships, we had a good draw actually, we Played the UBCOB Ravens - they were alright, but we dominated the play and were quite unfortunate to not come away with the win, They next game was against The Strahcona Druids from Edmonton, they are the Alberta Champs and quite a good squad - we had some behavioural issues and ended playing the game with 14 men - All our younger Loyalists got in and played great, but we were a little behind on the scoresheet and lost 23-18 (We had actually thought the score was 20-18, and I was devastated as I pushed the Conversion right on full time) - anyways we were 0-2, not the start we envisioned for our squad - we continued to do the right things - The entire team went across the highway and discovered the phenomenon known as Earl's , we watched the Oilers wrap up the West Semi Final and had an early night. Bring on the weekend - Our game on Saturday was against the U of Winnepeg Wombats - we won our first game by a score of 27-0 and were in a better mood - Nic and I spent the Afternoon at the Grey Nuns Hospital, as I had been hit in the eye and my pupil wouldn't constrict (Still won't) - I was given the all clear to play on Sunday and there was no chance of further vison issues, except an aversion to bright light, as it will produce headaches. So Sunday morning bright and early we tyook on the Balmy Beach Rugby Club - The Ontario Provincial Champs - we were there early and warmed up, raring to go - they showed up at kick off and looked less than spectacular - we beat them 57-17 (they had a very quick winger) - we proceeded to have a Great Sunday and Nicki really had a good Birthday - We (Nic and I) stayed in Edmonton with our friends the Ayottes -We went to the mall and enjoyed a great evening of food, fun and conversation - we got up early and headed for the airport - although we weren't scheduled to leave until Midnight, we thought we'd give it a shot afterall we had been missing Sophie since the previous Wednesday - The Air Canada Lady in Edmonton was super nice and got us out ASAP - unfortunately we ran into some upper Canadian attitude in Hogtown and we got to "Enjoy the City" - we got home as scheduled on Wednesday and we were met by Malcolm - who was eager to get us home so that we could see Sophie.

All in all it was a great trip - it had been too long since I got to spend some quality time with some of my favorite people - We had an adjoining room to them for most of the trip.

So back to the Malcolmism - It's not his, but as a youngster I was all about blaming someone else for the things - and making excuses why things didn't go my way - Dad would look at me and say Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda - simply put, that if I didn't like the way things were going, do something to change them, but excuses are weak - There were alot of excuses flying around on Thursday night and Friday, but we made the most of it and accepted the responsablity and kept on going, not content to simply accept our fate, we worked to change it. While other teams made excuses (they were missing this many players, or they had been drinking since Thursday) for their choices - in the end we are all grown up and get to make choices based on what we want the outcomes to be...

Mini Rugby 1978 - 2006 Edition

Mini Rugby 1978 - 1978 Edition

On a sad note : Matty Thorpe Who is in both pictures above, ended his Rugby playing career after the Game Vs. The Druids, apparently he had been carrying a knock for awhile and his body had finally said enough. It was very fitting that he was able to end it back where it all began with those of us that are still at it after all these years.

Matty it's been my pleasure, Godspeed...

No Need to be Poor and Look Poor...

This is a great expression that dad says every now and then - On the surface it sounds like - the addage "Fake it until you make it" when I think of it it is more of an attitude adjustment. I guess it could mean that it doesn't matter where you come from, you should act like you belong where you are.

I'm taking it with me out west Tomorrow, The Loyalists are ready to rumble, and we have worked hard to get where we are going and we will make the most of the opportunity that we have earned. We have been doing lots of fundraising, as the $30000 price tag to compete for the national title is quite steep. We have almost all of our big boys on board - we are missing a couple to Work (Wally and Eagers) and a couple to injury (Cammy and Dusty) - but we are also welcoming a few Loyalists of Old back into the fold - Fudgey, Thorpe, Kelso and MJ. So it evens out.

Reminds me of a Tennyson Poem as well...

Tho' much is taken, much abides;

and tho'We are not now that strength which in the old days

Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;

One equal-temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

So now the Loyalists are heading out west all polished up - we don't look poor and we won't act poorly - we are expecting big things from ourselves...

Many are Cold, But few are Frozen...

This is a punch line that Dad used to deliver to make my sister and I laugh in Church - as it plays off a famous remark- I was reminded of it today - This morning our Daughter Sophie was baptised, it was very cool - She cried a little and got everybody's attention in the church, but she is a showboat like her father - but was quiet as a mouse as the water was poured over her head - she is quite a little lady.

We were joined afterwards by family at Fort Awesome - there was a great spread of food put together by Nanny Mac, Gramie Lou, Auntie Meghan and Great Aunt Judy. There were two Great Grandmothers, Three Great Aunts, Four Great Uncles, Four Grandparents, Two Aunts, an Uncle, a Godfather two Parents and Sophie (Two Mutts and a Cocktail Weiner Dog) - What a Morning - Lots of laughs and much Love.

It was also Nic's first Mother's Day - Sophie bought her a book (Sophie you owe me some cash, I'll add it to your bill) and she had a wonderful day.

I even think there was some fresh Sqozen Orange Juice...

Godspeed...

I started writing this Blog many months ago - When My Uncle Mike died - so Saturday the MacAfees (and Breens) headed up to Victoria County to say goodbye to one of our own - it was a burial in every sense of the word - Friday Timmy, Kevin and Malcolm dug the grave (with emotional support from Judy) and on Saturday Morning, WE all buried him - He would have liked it that way - there was something very personal and real taking a shovel full of Plaster Rock's finest soil to bury one of Plaster Rock's finest Souls. My cousin Margaret is doing great, she is an accomplished Mathelte and can hit a mean fastball - she has an old soul and the heart of a child - alot like her dad.

After we were all done, and the grave was raked - we were ready to go, we raised a glass to Micheal and dad poured him one more for the road...

Godspeed Uncle Mike... See you at the Sarsfield...

Shit or Swim...

This is an original Malcolmism - in fact the only time I've ever heard it was 10 minutes ago on the phone - it is an unintentional combination of two more familar expressions "Shit or Go Blind" and "Sink or Swim" - Either way the message was clear - it was decision time.

The conversation surrounded putting our "collective all" into this National Invitational Club Championship, and that we've already invested too much money to do any of it half assed.

Which reminded me of another lesson that my father had imparted to me at some point - Don't correct people! that is to say don't correct people if you know what they were trying to say, or if being correct doesn't really matter. You know what they were trying to say - you won't make anyone feel stupid or silly and the relationship is almost always more important than the details.
On the Sophie Front - she is growing and doing well, she met Jenn's dog Basil on the weekend and was quite impressed.

The Nutritional Value of Moth Droppings...

This is a good expression - Probably not Malcolm's but he said it enough that it is forged into my subconscience - The food stuff that he most often connected to this wonderful expression was white bread - We very rarely had it in the MacAfee household. Everytime I seee white bread I am reminded that you might just as well be eating Moth Poop - and I also know from my childhood that moths eat old clothes (and they like flames) so their poop would most likely be old eaten clothes - doesn't sound too healthy.

But wait - there is now whole grain (all the nutrition of Whole wheat) bread that looks and tastes like white bread - interested? Yes I am - It is also 3 times more expensive than the Moth refuse bread - so my curiosity has subsided for the moment.

Dad also saw some other things in that same light - Fluff comes to mind, also Fruit Loops - I think today's youth are more health aware - at Mini Rugby for instance - When I stated 28 years ago we were weened on a steady diet of Mini Sips (ancestor of the drinking Box), Mrs. Dunster's Doughnuts and Hot Chocolate - Since I now run the Mini rugby show I tried to stay old school - and provide them with the same snacks - only problem is - kids want to eat healthier - so now we also have bananas, Apples, Milk and Water - I think this bodes well for the youth of tomorrow.

I used to eat Caramel spread between two pieces of White bread...

Red Sky at Night...

This is an expression that is shrouded in contrevacy - All I know for sure is that one night on the way home from rugby, it was hot and one of the little known world famous Saint John River Valley Sunsets was working itself down the river - the sky was red and Someone (I think it was me) said Red Sky at night - Nice Freakin day Tomorrow (the language was stronger) and it was and the expression stuck. Other versions of this are - Pizza Delight (Winston would bring Slippy to Pizza Delight), Sailor's delight - was going to be smooth sailing the next day. Both Jackman and Aaen claim ownership of this littl gem - although I believe it predates 1996, so I think it is between Jackman and I.
Who cares really, as long as I know who really said it.

He Had Muscles in his Face...

Dad uses this expression to describe someone that is very tough, funny most of his friends could be described as tough guys. Here's a poem that I must have read a hundred times growing up at my house - It was what I came to think of when I thought of tough guys - not those guys that get in fights or act all tough - but the people (lots of tough women) that keep on going when normal people would quit - that's tough.


The Quitter

When you're lost in the Wild,
and you're scared as a child,
And Death looks you bang in the eye,
And you're sore as a boil,
it's according to Hoyle
To cock your revolver and . . . die.

But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can,
"And self-dissolution is barred.
In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . .
It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard.

"You're sick of the game!" Well, now that's a shame.
You're young and you're brave and you're bright.
"You've had a raw deal!" I know — but don't squeal,
Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.
It's the plugging away that will win you the day,
So don't be a piker, old pard!
Just draw on your grit, it's so easy to quit.
It's the keeping-your chin-up that's hard.

It's easy to cry that you're beaten — and die;
It's easy to crawfish and crawl;
But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight —
Why that's the best game of them all!
And though you come out of each gruelling bout,
All broken and battered and scarred,
Just have one more try — it's dead easy to die,
It's the keeping-on-living that's hard.

Comfortable as an Old Boot...

Well - 35 years have now passed since I first entered the world - I was born and a very early age, I was 7lbs, 7oz (I'm significantly heavier now) early that Saturday Morning at the Hotel Dieu in Chatham, my folks were visiting My Nanny and Grampie Flynn in St. Margaret's when the time came.

35 years seems like a long time - I spent last week recounting stories from my past to the youth of Charlotte Co. It was a great experience - I probably got as much out of it as they did. maybe more. Anyways looking back - I've done some good living, had alot of laughs and met some great people - I guess that's all any of us can ask for.

So as far as I'm concerned today is Mother's day and Father's day all rolled into one - As we are currently going through the very same sleep deprived stage that My parents must have gone through all those many nights ago - It takes alot of work to raise a child (and alot of People), and I was a handful - so thanks Mom and Dad for the guidance, the unending support and for always telling me that "good things come in small packages" - I always thought I understood, but it seems a whole lot clearer now.

I didn't feel old this morning - I felt comfortable, what a wonderful feeling.