Monday, February 16, 2009

Mamas Don't Let Their Babies Grow Up to Drink Newcastle

The weather in southern California has been unusual the past couple of weeks. We're not accustomed to rain in these parts and we know that we need it, but after a few days [where few equals: one] we're all, enough already. Because there are several things that southern Californians are unable to do when there is water falling out of the sky. Some of those things include but are not limited to:

  • Driving
  • Scheduled field trips
  • Walk
  • Leave the house
  • Drive
  • Handle their hydroplaning car on the freeway
  • Remember their umbrella (if they own one)
  • Operate an umbrella efficiently
  • Also, drive
We were to attend my sister in law's fortieth birthday party on Saturday. Two hours away from our house. In between storms. Storms that were dumping several feet of snow at the top of the Grapevine. The Grapevine is the I-5 that will take you to Canada if you head north and Mexico if you choose to venture due south. And when the snow covers the Grapevine the Grapevine comes to a screeching halt. It is closed. Out of order. Cerrado [my limited Spanish vocabulary made possible by Sesame Street and a grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation and other sponsors].

The storms were expected to hit Friday night and again Sunday afternoon. This was to be an overnight trip. If we left too early we'd never make it up there. If we made it up there and left too late, we'd never make it home. I'm happy to report that we scheduled our respective departure times accordingly and accurately. We were able to celebrate her fortieth year with a rousing game of Apples to Apples. And a three hour match of...quarters.

The Unknown Imbiber:


The last of which ended with one member puking in the kitchen sink. Because nothing says forty like high school college drinking games with so many rules, drunkards are bound to fail.

*Photo by Dorothy Z. ...rules made by various thumb masters.

19 comments:

Persnickety Ticker said...

Sounds like a damn good time was had by all!

Except maybe by the puker. Nobody likes to puke.

Don'tcha hate that wet stuff? When it rains here in FL people (drivers) go apesh*t and just come to a screetching halt so they can scratch their collective A$$e$ in confusion.

It's not pretty.

Jason, as himself said...

Oh, the Grapevine.

Oh, puke.

I'm just glad you posted this year.

Tyne said...

Awesome... I love Apples to Apples. My husband and I think that you could make some great t-shirts with some of the phrases that come out of that game...
"Strawberry Shortcake is lazy"
"Jamaica is lazy"
"Handcuffs are casual"
"Bald Eagles are selfish"

Ooooo, if you made A to A a drinking game like quarters, you could really come up with some goodies!

Melanie Sheridan said...

I had an hours long beer pong marathon on New Year's. Fun times. I like the rain but hate the fact that driving skills go out the window.

barbra said...

I love Apples to Apples! (And acting like a drunk fool college kid, for that matter)

Swirl Girl said...

thanks god for the Pugh Charitable Trust!

Manic Mommy said...

I'm just kind of impressed the picture was in focus. Now that's what I call quality family time!

Burgh Baby said...

I have never seen anything quite like people in Los Angeles trying to drive in the rain. It's . . . uh . . . "interesting." Yeah, we'll go with "interesting."

That's not what I was yelling out my window at them, though.

Briya said...

AHAHAHA....

and don't forget viewers like me.

Sounds like good times.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Yesterday was my day to give Mary Alice's (From the Frontlines) daughter a tour of my university. It was not a day that showcased Southern California at its finest.

Michele R said...

It's funny that you mention the beer, Newcastle, in your post's title. This past fall my second grade son was on a new soccer team called Newcastle. He told the coach that Newcastle is a beer and the logo is in blue and yellow. (we've never bought the beer but once in a restaurant they brought our drinks in glasses with the logo on them).

JoeinVegas said...

I guess the rules weren't hard enough if somebody drank that much.

The Mother said...

Apples to Apples?

You'd have to get me drunk to play that.

Too many memories of mediating seven-year-olds and explaining who Michael Jackson is in a way that doesn't offend the parents of the playees.

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Fun times!!!


Join me for thrifty Thursday this week is you can!

Unknown said...

Ohh Newcastle.. ohh the horror! *Shiver*

Unknown said...

P.S. you forgot "GLORIA'S KITCHENNNNN!" and pulling your right ear with your right hand.

Anonymous said...

Ah Quarters! I used to damned good at that game. I would roll it down my nose and get a perfect shot everytime.
How I miss those days.

Word verification: doush. No lie.

Rob-bear said...

If you followed the Grapevine all the way to Canada, and into Canada, you'd develop a whole new set of driving skills. Quickly.

Driving in Canada means going 50 mph through a blizzard, on a two-lane highway, and saying, "This isn't too bad." Been there; done that. Regularly. No big deal.

Thirty, you're makin' it sound like California drivers are wusses. Please, say it ain't so!

stephanie said...

Hey I LOVE Apples to Apples!

Quarters not so much. Because my OCD loses its edge after a few drinks...