Unexpected Post-Birthday Celebration

As I wrote earlier, our GM and friend, Linda (the Irish Lass) planned to take me out for dinner on my birthday last week - and we know how that turned out. And over this weekend she suggested we try one more time and planned for last night (Monday) after work at the Henlopen City Oyster House a few blocks away.  I agreed to the idea and looked forward to yet another Happy Hour, and another new venue while in her charge.

But, it wasn't meant to be.  Seems the LocosGuys had other ideas. Without knowing of her plan, they dragged Linda into the office and lamented the fact that no one could have bought a drink for me on my birthday, because I was so sick, and how awful that was to miss out on my special day, and blah, blah, blah.  They wanted to make up for it, but had family coming to dine at the restaurant last evening, so would Linda mind taking me out for drinks & dinner.  It would be on them.  How nice (convenient) is that?

So, the bosses shooed us out the door as our shifts ended, and sent us to OUTBACK for a no-holds-barred dinner evening.  But first, we stopped at the Oyster House for Happy Hour and boiled shrimp. A glass of Pinot Grigio, a half-pound of spicy boiled shrimp later we're relaxed, laughing and joking with the bartender - who promptly bought another round in celebration of my birth. When he learned the reason for the late timing, he almost bought us a full bottle.  Seems he had stones in his past, too.  We talked him out of that, hit the road for my first visit to an Outback Steak House.

Our server happened to be the girlfriend of one of our DL servers (small world!) who took very good care of us. After a surprisingly good meal (and yes, a bottle of wine!) a troop of servers popped up at our table with a huge slab of cheesecake slathered in raspberry sauce. A lit candle was on top and they sang a rather bawdy rendition  of "Happy Birthday" to me then smothered me with kisses and hugs. (See the embarassing image above and notice I am alone.  Linda dislikes photos of herself even in frames with one as dazzling as myself.)

Having totally demolished the wine, a bloomin' onion, filet, lobster, and baked sweet potato, I could do little damage to the cheesecake.  Still we did our best. I haven't a clue to the total cost - I wasn't allowed to see anything.

Linda was tipsy.  She twice missed the turns while driving me home.  Maybe I was too excited; having visited 2 new places in one evening and enjoying both the company and the meal.  I didn't begin to feel a buzz until I was out of work drag and in shorts and tee shirt.

So, what was I supposed to do?  Go to bed at 8 o'clock? Nah!  Phooey on that! I made myself a festive Bombay Sapphire martini with 2 olives, listened to James Taylor, and smiled at the way things turned out.   Having today off was just another treat and I've made the most of it.

Only 5 more weeks and it's all over. Actually, 4 weeks and 6 days...but who is counting?

And so it goes.
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