16 November - 27 November 2011
So, my birthday was coming up, and as I often do at this melancholic time of year, I complained about the bullish and determined march of time.
Another year had gone by and I pondered how far a soul may have stumbled.
My last birthday I had spent in Munich as my girlfriend had kindly booked us flights and accommodation to see (again) the beautiful Christmas markets.
It was amazing yet equally tearful because as wonderful as it was, and while we may have walked and dined in those familiar places plucked from our memories, it was still different.
Or rather I was different I was a few years older and I was keen to commemorate this by sulking and being generally grumpy.
This year in Vienna was no different!
Added to this annual trauma was the infamous American holiday of 'Thanksgiving' that was determined to steal my thunder complemented by the emergence of several silver hairs.
My girlfriend asked me what I was planning.
I did not know.
My friends asked what I was planning.
I did not know.
I was open to suggestions but at times I expressed feelings of general indifference to the approaching milestone.
Dietlinde had volunteered herself to host a Thanksgiving meal and safe in the knowledge that she never fails to produce a tasty and satisfying dish we jumped and down with glee, licked our lips, rubbed our bellies and gave her all manner of encouragement.
This was an opportunity not to be missed.
Dietlinde suggested Thanksgiving day itself for the meal which was Thursday 24 November.
Once at karaoke in Charlie P's I had asked a few friends for suggestions on what I could do to celebrate.
They listed off many bars and cafés.
I am not one for organising.
When I try to organise things fall apart quicker than a Vegas wedding.
After many years of trial and error and error I had resigned myself as a follower.
In the past I would sheeply suggest we, my friends and I, go out for drinks and if I was fortunate enough to have a birthday on a drinking day I found people to oblige.
I decided then, that I would organise a night out on Friday 25 November.
We agreed this to be a general social night for TAs and overall it seemed acceptable that something close to celebrations could be had.
However, just as things were looking up there was a postponement. Dietlinde announced that she was moving Thanksgiving dinner to Friday.
I was none too pleased but being the gent I am (and modest too) I complied.
Thanksgiving was to be celebrated Friday night.
I moped about until Friday people asked what I had planned I simply murmured a response or typed a cryptic one.
On Friday afternoon I had a text conversation with Kirsten.
She too although belatedly had been invited to Thanksgiving dinner.
Dietlinde had suggested a time, I believe it was somewhere around 1830.
I think I left my flat at this time.
My bahn came late as I stood relegated to the sidelines once again I text an apology to Dietlinde-she didn't seem to mind.
When I finally reached Dietlinde's flat I rang the doorbell. Erol, a fellow TA out in Wieselburg, was coming behind me. He was chatting on his phone.
I waited for a response to the doorbell-there was none.
Erol had finished his conversation at this time an we exchanged greetings.
I rang the bell again.
This time Dietlinde answered and the lock was released, we breached the dark hallway and mounted the stairs.
The door to the flat was slightly ajar.
I walked in.
The corridor was empty.
Dietlinde and Jeanine leapt from hiding blowing party poppers and screaming,
'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!'
Slow to catch on I calmly replied,
'But it's not my birthday until Sunday.'
Slower still I received welcoming hugs from all guests already in attendance until it emerged, or rather until it was explained to me that Thanksgiving was a ruse.
This dinner was in fact my surprise birthday party.
Ain't that nice?
I never had one of those before and I found myself a little embarrassed.
I am indebted to my friends.
We dined high and after a delicious dinner and cake we moved on to Café Rosa.
At the café we were greeted with chorus of cheers as a large congregation of TAs had assembled. Vic kindly presented me with a 'desperados' t-shirt and a teabag.
We chatted, had a few drinks and hugs before we decided to move on. The café was closing at midnight.
We decided on Club Berlin.
And that is where our night ended in the small hours.
Saturday 26 November
Erol and I went for a walk around the Rathaus Weihnachtsmarkt, picking through items and dropping them back. The sellers watch with eager anticipation keen to help to flog their produce.
We paused handling the items teasing the sellers before sighing and moving on.
Erol who had made plans for Krampus leaves me and we parted ways.
I return to my flat a little tired.
Dietlinde has gone to Linz but Jeanine agrees to meet up later. Kirsten, who partied till the point of exhaustion, preferred a quiet day of rest.
Jeanine and I agreed to meet for lunch/dinner. Schnitzel was on the cards and I do like Schnitzel.
With much ado I finally rendezvous with Jeanine and a friend.
Alan and a pal of his Sam meet us at the busy Schnitzelwirt.
We had already been told way our dish would be by the Kellner (i.e. Schnitzel und Kartoffelnsalat), not that I was complaining it was indeed a tasty dish.
Alan managed to resist the many advances and charms of the rugged rogue waiter despite his encouraging words and affirmative shoulder pats.
While we were told what our dinner would be the lads could not get the attention of the Kellner. In the end they gave up cracking open cans of red bull knock-off. No one battered an eyelid.
We hung out for the day.
We bought some krapfen.
Jeanine wanted to go to the pictures to see the newTwilight movie. None of us gents felt we deserved to endure this gruelling punishment we backed off but agreed to meet later.
We did not.
I accompanied the lads to Wien Mitte and we wandered back to Simmering where they deposited their luggage.
We had tea as is the custom, browsed the net and shared jokes. Alan introduced us to his cousin's blog and the many adventures they undertook all weird, whacky and wonderful.
We left to meet Jeanine.
On the bahn I received a text from Jeanine. She was sorry to say that Twilight had drained her emotionally and physically and that she would be unable to commit to aforementioned and agreed plans. We were all a little upset about this and we spammed her for a bit. But only for a little while.
We were off in search of friends amd destination our numbers were thinning but we were determined.
We met with others at Downstairs cocktail bar.
After dishing out some minor insults we drank some, the birthday girl left at 0100 for the get together was hers, we stayed on. Chatted some more and ate some more until Alan decided he had a craving for karaoke.
He whipped out his phone and after much searching amd backtracking we find the establishment Sing your song. It was choco-block. Also, alarmingly it looked as if a hen party had infiltrated the premises.
Alan and Sam sang several German and Austrian songs much to the pub's amusement. Sadly the duet Alan and I performed of unbreak my heart received a damning boo hiss.
We left a second night of celebrations under the belt and slept soundly.
Kirsten had arranged birthday/Sunday brunch at Café Prückel.
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