Loading ...10 years ago, Burlington VT had one of the coldest winters on record. I know because I was there.
10 years ago today, it was so cold that a water main in downtown Burlington burst and killed the power for a couple blocks of the city. I know this because I was supposed to meet a girl at a rock show that night. I had met the girl a couple-three (I used to hate that phrase, but it?s growing on me) weeks earlier at a party. She was nice and all, I was really drunk?I even tried a pickup line on her?something about little dots in the iris? of her eyes. It went over surprisingly well. I had been told by a third person, that this girl wanted to see me again, and a good neutral meeting ground would be this show, at this club on feb 10th, 1994. The club was called club toast. The band was called Wickerman, made up of friends of a friend of mine. I had played a little bit with a couple of members of wickerman, er jammed-as we would have said at the time. So going to a show of theirs would not be a strange thing for me. Plus rumor had it they were having 3 kegs at their house after the show.
I arranged to get a ride with my friend Chuck-in fact it was chuck that had introduced me to the boys in wickerman. Chuck was (and could still be) one of the strangest and most unique people I have ever met. I couldn?t begin to explain it here. He was just strange. Not in a bad way or anything, just a bit odd. Chuck used to not towel off when he got out of the shower, he would ?air dry??just stand there with a towel wrapped around him, but he would not actively towel off. Just shit like that.
Having arranged my transportation to the club, I decided to start boozing. I believe I was on the OFC back then. OFC-Old Fucking Canadian whiskey. 8 bucks a 1/5th good shit, I may have to get some for old times sake. In an effort to jinx myself, I even straightened up the dorm room?just in case.
Slightly drunk, er ok pretty drunk, I met up with chuck and headed down to the club. When we got there, I noticed the mood lighting was a bit more moody than usual. Well see that?s because the club had no power. Thus the gig was cancelled, and well I didn?t see the girl so the night was a wash. No biggie. 3 kegs back at the wickerman house. I told chuck to hold on for a minute and I went to use the bathroom, which was rather romantic?all candle lit and shit. When I exited the bathrooms, she was there–the girl had shown up.
Apparently she had been then earlier, and then left and then came back, or something. I asked her if she wanted to go to the kegger. She said yes. Ok cool. We found chuck?s jeep Cherokee and headed to the wickerman house. After finding a parking spot we walked toward the house. I promptly slipped on ice can fell flat on my back. Yes that?s right, always making a good impression-I am.
The promises of multiple kegs of beer had been exaggerated, for very soon beer ran out and runners were sent to the liquor store for backups. I ordered a 6 pack of natural light. The girl did not scoff and the cheap beer…this was a good sign. We sat in a basement room while the band played their demo over and over again. The 6 pack arrived and we drank it and it got late. Chuck was heading back to campus, I invited her to come back with us, as there might be late night parties we could go to? I knew there would be no parties, as my college was small, pretty much lame and I was not very well connected. Alternatively we could drop her back off at her dorm. To my delight, she accepted the offer to come back up to campus. Prolly not the smartest thing for a girl to do, leaving to go somewhere with a long haired grunge boy. Oh well.
Once back at campus, I went into rico sauve mode and lit some candles and put on some music. I don?t think it could have been any cheesier if I tried. Fade out-
The next morning, a Friday, the girl had to get out of a test that she had, I remember her calling her professor and telling him she was sick. Cool, I thought. I had a gig that following night at a house party. She agreed to come along? cool I thought, now I?ll really impress her, with my rock and roll. I think we got a pizza, and hung out. And at some point I dropped her off at her dorm to change clothes etc.
I picked her back up for the gig. I remember as I was setting up, I left her in the kitchen of the house, where she was playing drinking games and meeting people. Cool, I thought. I don?t have to worry about her, she is taking care of herself. Our performance was incredible per usual (I joke). I remember that I had set out to finish the bottle of whiskey that had be started the night before. For our big finale, I went in to my jimi Hendrix/kurt cobain rolling on the floor with the guitar feeding back routine. Which was great, until I rolled to far, and unplugged the guitar from the amp?noise became silence-I was just a boy all tangled up in cords on the floor. Yep, making a good impression again.
After that night the girl stayed for a few more, and then some more, and then some more after that. Gradually we began to build a life together. 10 years later, we?re married, have a house and all sorts of memories.
Happy fake anniversary Natasha
Love
Jefke
29 responses so far ↓
1 Lou Ferrigno // Feb 10, 2004 at 10:46 am
Now you did it. All the Hells Angels at the gym laughed at me getting all teary at the squat rack. Happy anniversary you crazy kids.
2 rcg // Feb 10, 2004 at 12:01 pm
Sniff.
Not crying… it’s just cold here and my nose is dripping.
Happy 10 jefke and natty, from crazy uncle richard.
3 Wawa // Feb 10, 2004 at 12:14 pm
I’m not sure which one has been more of a saint in this one, but it’s close. I’ve barely stood myself for 27 years, so I can only imagine standing someone else for 10 and on! Congratulations you crazy kids!
4 jefke // Feb 10, 2004 at 2:09 pm
what’s with all the ‘crazy kids’ stuff
5 Natty // Feb 10, 2004 at 4:55 pm
Jefke is the best!!
Love,
Natty
6 Jenni // Feb 10, 2004 at 5:54 pm
Hm. My husband told me our fake anniversary (Jan. 21) doesn’t count anymore since we have the wedding one. Maybe you could talk some sense into him, jefke?
7 wawa // Feb 11, 2004 at 12:28 am
Jenni, Jefke did call it a fake anniversary . . .
8 Natty // Feb 11, 2004 at 11:01 am
Wawa, try and pay attention. She’s not talking about him calling it the fake anniversary. Her point is that he says that it no longer counts.
9 Wawa // Feb 11, 2004 at 12:28 pm
But once you get married, that’s the real anniversary, right? So Don’s right, this one shouldn’t count. Hence the term, fake. Alas, if you guys want to celebrate it, hey, that’s cool too.
10 Jenni // Feb 11, 2004 at 12:51 pm
Wawa, as a single man, you don’t get a vote on this one. I’m saying he should still be glad he met me, and he should still want to pause and celebrate that momentous evening when he bumped into me on the dance floor on the anniversary of its occurrence. I didn’t see any mention of me on his blog January 21. Score 1 for jefke and 0 for Don.
11 Wawa // Feb 11, 2004 at 1:10 pm
I’m sure you wouldn’t be singing that tune if I backed you, Jenni. I actually read that story about how you guys met on the Kitchen site. I’m picturing the disco from scarface for some strange reason . . . But a very nice story, though. No, really, I mean that seriously.
12 Natty // Feb 11, 2004 at 1:15 pm
Wawa, I’m with Jenni. You’ve never been married, so you don’t get to vote on this one. The day that it all actually started is very significant to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m gald I married Jeff, but the wedding is a planned event. The spontaneity adn newness of the actual start of the relationship gives it so much value. Both dates are important, for different reasons. I still celebrate my birthday even though I’m married. Parents still celebrate theirs after having kids.
13 Wawa // Feb 11, 2004 at 2:00 pm
Hey look, I’m on Jenni and Natty’s shit list again! Don’t you 2 know it’s my job to be all bitter single guy??? Christ . . . why won’t you let me have my misery, huh?
14 Don // Feb 11, 2004 at 2:06 pm
I’d have to say I’m with Jenni and Natty on this one too! Wawa, you suck!
Hey, wait a minute…
15 Jenni // Feb 11, 2004 at 3:55 pm
Wawa, I didn’t say you were on my shit list. I just said you didn’t get a vote since you haven’t been there. Kind of how we don’t let Russians choose our president. You hafta live it to have a say in it.
I also need to give props to Natty for backing me up on this one!
16 Wawa // Feb 11, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Of course she’s going to back you on this one . . . I think Natty has agreed with me once on this board (that was just recently, actually . . ah yes . . . Uncle Buck).
17 Natty // Feb 11, 2004 at 6:34 pm
Uncle buck, yes…and I also liked fried calimari (sp?), but I only like mine with lemon wedges, no sauce.
18 B // Feb 11, 2004 at 8:47 pm
Never in a sauce!
19 Natty // Feb 11, 2004 at 9:09 pm
That is the Spanish way, isn’t it? With lemon? I miss all the great food in Spain. Brendan, could you send some to me please? Thanks!
20 jefke // Feb 11, 2004 at 9:18 pm
all that, and that’s your comment brendan…?
RIP OFF
21 B // Feb 12, 2004 at 2:18 pm
I’m sorry jefke, I wasn’t aware I owed you anything. If you like, you may register your grievance at the complaints department, just straight up and to the right of your ass.
Now, where were we Natasha? Ahh yes, our favorite Spanish restaurant. Forget mail-order food. Shall we make it 21.00, Saturday evening? We’ll get an assortment of finger foods (pinchos) - tangy olives, spicy peppers, red wine - and spend the evening picando con los dedos.
22 Wawa // Feb 12, 2004 at 4:34 pm
hehehehe . . . Brendan makes me laugh . . .hehehehhehe
23 Wawa // Feb 12, 2004 at 4:34 pm
And Christ, ALWAYS IN SAUCE!
24 jefke // Feb 12, 2004 at 4:49 pm
jefke.com does not charge membership, does not show ads to it’s vistors, nor places cookies, spyware, or any shit on their computers. we do not gather your email address and send it to spammers, (though they may gather it themselves. i dunno).
So the least you can do, is post something interesting…hell and a superstar like you brendan, i mean come’on, you have to admit that was not in your leauge…shameful. shameful.
i don’t ask for much.
25 B // Feb 12, 2004 at 6:19 pm
jefke, if you do not see the defense of pure seafood cuisine as a worthy and interesting topic, then go buy a Micky D fishburger and stuff it instead. There is nothing shameful about sizzling, crispy calamari steaming with the warm vapour of freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you do not appreciate this delicacy, then I am afraid it is you, sir, who are not in my league.
26 jefke // Feb 12, 2004 at 7:59 pm
oh i’m in your league, hell i started your league. i think the point is you in theory, just read a missive about the start of a relationship, and being the type of guy you are, there were no comments about the actual content of the post, but rather the content of a comment that was, as i see it far removed from the post. no matter. i can’t force the number one show poodle through the hoop. i can only set up the hoop, light it ablaze and hope said prized poodle jumps though, delights the crowd and does not incur damages that would prevent said poodle from repeating the act again.
27 Natty // Feb 12, 2004 at 10:52 pm
Forcing oneself to revert back to the original topic, whether warranted or not, interrupts the natural flow of conversation (posting). Jefke, you have to let it go. We’ve moved on to other topics, so just let it go. And Brendan, please forgive Wawa. He is a simple creature who knows nothing of the joys of delicate flavors on the palate. He is more of a chicken mcnugget sort of guy (er, at least he wishes he were). Zzzing!
28 wawa // Feb 13, 2004 at 12:11 am
It’s so go time, Natty . . . GO TIME!
28 posts. Jefke, this is a record, right? It’s gotta be.
29 B // Feb 13, 2004 at 8:53 am
jefke, don’t ever call me a poodle again. If you do, then I’ll have to show you the real meaning of forcing number one through the burning hoop.