La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
San Geraldo’s birthday turned out alright. With Merchi here, we didn’t get around to lunch until 3:30, so SG asked if I would mind Burger King. He went downstairs and got it. That meant (in my mind at least) no Burger King for birthday dinner. So, we finally decided to go out for a typically late (9:15 p.m.), or typically early if you live here, dinner.
We could have gone upscale but that might have meant shaving. SG was scruffy. And, although I recently buzz cut my hair and trimmed my beard, I did not shave around the edges. So, Scruffy and I went to Goiko Grill.
It was raining steadily for our 9-minute walk. Due to it being a Wednesday night with rain, restaurants were peaceful. There was hardly anyone at Goiko. Antonio (of the dark hair, click here) and Luisa were the only ones working the front of the restaurant and there were only two on in the kitchen.
We were, as always, greeted warmly. We chatted and joked with them and SG was even wished a happy birthday by another patron, because of course I announced it was his birthday the moment we entered. At the end, the team of four arrived with a candle-lit Goiko cookie as they accompanied Marilyn Monroe on the sound system singing Happy Birthday, Mr. President.
We walked home, happily chatting, under dry skies. The sun was shining as I began to type this sentence. It’s no longer shining at the moment, but today’s supposed to be a fairly dry day. Tomorrow on the other hand: “Heavy and torrential downpours.” But all sunshine Saturday! Oh, the sun is back again.
El cumpleaños de San Geraldo salió bien. Con Merchi aquí, no pudimos almorzar hasta las 3:30, así que SG me preguntó si me importaba ir a Burger King. Bajó y lo trajo. Eso significaba (al menos en mi opinión) que no habría Burger King para la cena de cumpleaños. Así que finalmente decidimos salir a cenar, como suele ser tarde (21:15), o temprano si vives aquí.
Podríamos haber optado por algo más elegante, pero eso habría implicado afeitarnos. SG estaba desaliñado (scruffy). Y, aunque hace poco me rapé el pelo y me recorté la barba, no me afeité las puntas. Así que Scruffy y yo fuimos a Goiko Grill.
Llovió sin parar durante nuestra caminata de 9 minutos. Como era miércoles por la noche con lluvia, los restaurantes estaban tranquilos. Casi no había gente en Goiko. Antonio (el del pelo oscuro, haz clic aquí) y Luisa eran los únicos que atendían la recepción y solo había dos en la cocina.
Como siempre, nos recibieron con cariño. Charlamos y bromeamos con ellos, e incluso otro cliente le deseó feliz cumpleaños a SG, porque, por supuesto, anuncié que era su cumpleaños nada más entrar. Al final, el equipo de cuatro llegó con una galleta Goiko a la luz de las velas mientras acompañaban a Marilyn Monroe por el equipo de sonido cantando “Feliz cumpleaños, señor presidente”.
Caminamos a casa, charlando alegremente, bajo un cielo seco. Brillaba el sol cuando empecé a escribir esta frase. Ya no brilla, pero se supone que hoy será un día bastante seco. Mañana, en cambio: “Lluvias torrenciales”. ¡Pero sábado soleado! ¡Ah, ha vuelto el sol!
• Los zapatos de anoche. Los míos son los de la talla 45 pequeña (a la derecha). Y sí, les puse plantillas ECCO a mis zapatos HOKA.
Happy belated birthday to SG!!
Jennifer
Jennifer:
He thanks you!
I like the name Antonio of the Dark Hair!!
And singing Marilyn-esque to SG was perfect!!
Bob:
It was so incongruous when the music came up.
“Sounds and looks like a great BIRTHDAY was had!!
Jim:
It turned out to be so much fun.
Happy Birthday to SG, another great year. Have a wonderful day!
David:
He thanks you!
Looks like a fun party at Goiko! Jx
Jon:
They sure made it special.
Sounds like a great party. They love you there. Happy birthday again sg. Boud, size 7 medium men’s. If I put my boots next to yours, we’d have the three bears!
Boud:
We both laughed at the Three Bears image. (But SG didn’t catch your size when I was reading and asked which side of the two pairs you would be on!
Looks like a pretty fun birthday celebration! And oh, just look at your cute little wee petite shoes! Everything’s relative, eh?
Debra:
Yep, everything is relative. I realized I always think of my feet as small now.
I hate it when people call Glen and me “cute” so I’ll just say that you and SG are precious, precious, precious. Y’all are looking GOOD!
How nice it must be to have neighborhood restaurants where everybody knows your name…
I leave a pair of Glen’s work boots on the kitchen porch by the door to ward off evil-doers. This is my security system.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I agree with you about the cute thing. I know it’s not always meant that way, but it can sound condescending sometimes. Like, oh, look at the silly old people. Aren’t they cute! If we like a restaurant and go more than once and plan to become regulars, we introduce ourselves. As for leaving Glen’s work boots on the porch, don’t you worry someone might move in?
Exactly right on your thoughts about the cute thing. It is way fucking condescending. My grandfather used to say to my grandmother, “Oh, Mother, you’re so cute.” Even as a child I knew she must have hated this.
And you truly made me laugh with the boots-on-the-porch comment. I had never considered that!
Happy birthday SG! Olivia
Olivia:
He sends his thanks and regards.
That’s a great way to do a birthday… loved by all!
I love shoe inserts for extra padding and support–and you walk so much, so, woo hoo for the shoe inserts.
Judy C:
I can’t remember what inserts the Hoka’s came with. I’m sure they were good. But I had these extra Ecco ones that I like. I always have good shoe inserts.
Everyone looks happy! I have a pair of ECCO boots that I love. They are SO comfy!
Kelly:
I have one pair of Ecco sandals left, plus these great insoles.
Seeing SG’s boots next to yours reminded me of my favorite bit from Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” movie where they’re discussing what the monster would look like:
Inga: “In other vords: his veins, his feet, his hands, his organs vould all have to be increased in size.”
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: “Exactly.”
Inga: “He vould have an enormous schwanzstucker.”
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: “That goes without saying.”
Inga: “Voof.”
Igor: “He’s going to be very popular.”
TexasTrailerParkTrash:
SG would have something to say about this, but I won’t paraphrase! All I know is what they say about big feet. Big shoes.
Your shoes are size 11? What size does SG wear?! Happy birthday to him, by the way. Glad you got out for a dinner and had a relatively rain-free day. Thank goodness the weather seems to be on the upswing.
Steve:
He wears a 15 (those are the American sizes… I don’t know if you’ve adjusted to UK sizes). Supposed to be torrential at times today. We woke up to a torrent. It’s been sunny for about an hour, but is clouding up again. But, yes, this could be the end of the incessant rain.
Sounds like a good birthday celebration. Are the Burger King hamburgers the same as in the US?
ellen abbott:
I’m sure there are differences on the menu (no milkshakes), but I think everything else is pretty much the same. We have crispy chicken. I assume the burgers taste the same.
What a heartwarming first picture!!!! Nice to see familiar faces what with this week!
Mistress Maddie:
They make us feel at home. And many of us need that.
Those are some damn big shoes! So happy to know SG had a good birthday.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
Our friend Elena said she live in one. He wears a 15; she wears a 6.
Happy Birthday to San Geraldo. The photos of you both and the folk in the restaurant are great!
Frances
Frances:
Thanks. It was a great evening.
Very fun!
Rade:
It was. We’re glad we found these great people.
what a fortunate fellow he is! Happy birthday and many happy returns! May these next 12 months be marvelous for you! 😘
Urspo:
Thanks. Here’s hoping they’re better for us all.
Best Wishes to SG does not look a day over 29. You say scruffy, really? You have that dolce vita look.