After only experiencing a couple weeks of this new year of 2006, I have to say that so far it has been pretty crazy.

I think since my Xmas holidays have ended, I have had only one day off from work and I am beginning to feel totally exhausted both physically and mentally. And in speaking with a couple of friends this past Saturday night, it is not only me that is feeling this way.

I had arranged to meet my buddies John and Rich down at the pub late Saturday afternoon since I had to work during the day and all of us were taking Sunday off. We figured since we all had not seen one another since New Year's eve, we would have a night out and get all liquored up and just enjoy ourselves.

When I arrived I quickly spotted Rich sitting alone at the table beside our usual booth. As I approached him I noticed that his left foot was in a cast and propped up on the chair across from him. A pair of crutches were leaning against the railing.

"What the Hell happened to you?", I asked starting to laugh at Rich's newfound injury.

"My ankles broken", Rich responded miserably. "It happened last week at hockey. I was trying to get off the ice and some huge guy just smoked me against the boards. I went one way and my  !@!@&^*@  ankle went the other way."

I immediately started laughing, not only at the imagery he painted but also the fact that Rich sounded so despondent. It was even more humorous because Rich has always been known for his quickness and speed in hockey and it was that ability that made him such a good player.

"Not as quick as you thought, eh" I replied, trying to take a quick jab at his unfortunate predicament.

Still sounding miserable he looked over at me and just replied "I guess I am just getting too old and don't have the wheels anymore over the younger guys like I once did."

I realized from his anemic response that Rich was clearly depressed over things. I thought it best to quickly change the subject by offering to go get us both a round of Guinness which he readily agreed to. At least his thirsty guts were in working order tonight and not feeling too discouraged.

As I was returning to our table with the drinks, I noticed John had just arrived at the bar and sat himself down at the table. As he looked around I immediately noticed he was sporting a very noticeable black eye.

Before I continue my story, I should point out that John is a rather large & muscular individual who usually does not get into too many fights since most people are not foolish enough to take him on. Being that he is also a police officer here in town may also contribute to the fact that he is rarely challenged. Seeing him today with a black eye is definitely a first in the many years since I have known him.

Before I could utter the line of "What the Hell happened to you?" for the second time within ten minutes, Rich blurted out that very phrase.

It would appear that Rich's spirits were visibly lifting now that he wasn't the only physically injured party at our table.

John looked at us both for a second and was just shaking his head.

"I think that I am getting too old for this crap, boys", he began. "Thursday night I am just ending a very long & tiring shift when we get a call about two drunks beating the Hell out of each other about two blocks away in an alley. Me and my partner Jeff arrive there within one minute and see these two big goons really smashing away at each other. I quickly jumped out of the car and separated the two guys. After a few minutes I thought I had calmed them both down".

"As I stepped away from between them, they all of a sudden went at each other again and one of them swung and connected with me instead of their intended target. This black eye is the result of me letting down my guard after a long shift which is a real unforgiveable rookie mistake. As I said, I am feeling old today."

Trying to cheer John up I piped in "Well I hope you gave the guy some payback for what he did to you and taught him a lesson with your fists."

"Nah", John responded in a very weary voice "He was way too drunk and too high to feel any pain. I would have probably just hurt my hand more than hurt him. We just cuffed them both and took them in."

I am not sure if John is such a good cop as a result of his laid back and easy going demeanour or if being a good cop gives one a laid back and easy going nature. Either way I can honestly say that I would definitely not have the tolerance nor good sense to react in the same manner as John did and told him exactly that.

"That's nice to know", John responded finally starting to cheer up. "My throbbing black eye and myself thank you for your kind words".

He then looked over at Rich and demanded to know his story about the broken ankle. As I had already heard his unfortunate narrative, I once again jumped up to grab another round of drinks.

The Guinness was going down especially smooth and fast this evening. This was a night out that was very much overdue and one that I definitely needed.



We sat around over the next couple of hours discussing all our usual favourite topics from sports to women to sports again when all of a sudden Rich looked over at me and asked my reason for needing a drunken night out.

"So what's your story", he demanded. "I've known you too damn long to know that something's not up, so spill it. You have heard about my  !@!@&^*@  ankle and poor old John here getting sucker punched. It's your turn to do the talking."

I realized that misery loved company and it was indeed 'my turn'.

After a few minutes of more coaxing and yet another drink (I was now drinking Jack Daniels, ole JD to his friends like me, as after 6 Guinness one tends to feel a little full) I finally told them the story about my girlfriend Rhonda leaving town to start school in the first week of February. (here is the LINK for that story)

"Rhonda and me talked it out and we are going to try and see if this relationship works out but New York City is over 2000 miles from Calgary", I remarked as I shot back my drink. "I mean as much as I want to be an optimist in this situation, I also must be a realist and understand it will probably not work out. I am beginning to feel every relationship I get myself involved in self-destructs."

It was kind of funny, in a sick sort of way, that all three of us were sitting around exchanging our own personal war stories. It was definitely nice to be around good friends to do this with.

I could now begin to feel the alcohol slowly kick in so I promptly ordered yet another one. This was good medicine.

The alcohol didn't solve any of our problems that night, but it sure helped each of us cope with these issues for those few hours.

Sometimes there is not always visible bruises or broken bones for there to be pain.