Fifty Five Shades of Grey

I told R I did not want a fuss for my birthday, but what has he done? He has closed down St Kilda Road for a procession to celebrate my birthday. Some of my minions look very attractive.

Last night we celebrated my birthday at the Dick Whittington Hotel. I find restaurants hard going for a decent number of people. Pubs are much better if it is more than a few. Staff at the Dick are fantastic, perhaps acknowledging that over many years, we and our friends have spent rather a lot of money there.

Noted that The Dick has turned 150 years old. I must check that out.

All but one partook of Dick liquor. As usual, no one chose the Dick cheese platter. I've never seen anyone have the Dick cheese. I can't imagine why.

Off to a family bash lunch now for my birthday at the Cardinia Club. It sounds much grander than it actually is.

It was going to be me, R, Mother and ABI Brother and Tradie Brother for lunch. The Bellarine Family are busy. The kiddies are normally too busy. But no, Chainsaw Niece, renamed No Make Up Niece and Teacher Niece, renamed Make Up Niece have invited themselves and their partners, and asked Non Dreaded Nephew to come. 

What is going on? Why the sudden interest in Uncle Andrew?

I can only put it down to a remark I made a few months ago when before a show, when we dined with Ex Sis in Law and her daughter Make Up Niece. 'We'll pay for dinner'. 'No no, we will pay our share.' 'It's ok Make Up Niece, it is coming off your inheritance. You get it now or later'. I said nothing about the reverse mortgage that I plan for my old age.

Of course the above in nonsense. Non Make Up Niece found out from her father, Tradie Brother, that he was coming to my birthday lunch and she obviously had nothing on, and nor did Make Up Niece.

Well, the day has begun sunny and with little wind, a good omen to begin my fifty sixth year on planet Earth.