Robfest 2006 / New on Monday

Wow. Where to begin? The past weekend was my brother Rob's b-day. We threw a surprise party that was a blast.

Easy start: Dad. Tequila and Dad make a hilarious combo. Stumbling, slurring, sleepy, funny man. The fastest recovery from a hang over I've ever seen. I expected him to be unconscious for days. Nope, bright and chipper the next morning. Amazing.

Rob. Surprised? maybe. One friend let something slip, but surely not the magnitude of our fiesta. Humbled, certainly. He was very thankful for all that everyone pitched in to make this happen. Certainly, I am very grateful for my parents hosting the party and all the major arrangements. And thankful for Pete for bringing ice. And that I had to stop and get more.

A good time was had by most. Many, probably too good a time. Watching people fall trying to go up a hill is always funny, no matter who you are... Sunday was an ugly day for most in attendance, who made it as far as the opening of tequila maybe...

As is tradition, here is the top ten things I like about Rob:

1. He is good looking (people often think we are twins) (ok, so this is pretty much a statement about myself being good looking, but I am ok with that, because I am pompous arse).
2. He is an inspiration. Sometimes my parents doubt Rob. But he works hard, works out, and is making his life exactly what he wants it to be. You have to admire that.
3. He copied my hair cut. Or I may have copied his. I don't think either of us can do anything else with the bristly mops were were given.
4. His feet stink worse than mine. I may snore louder but you cannot deny foot stench. You always know when rob takes his shoes off.
5. He is a good uncle to my kids. They adore him. It is very cute to see this burley man cuddle up with a 3 and 8 year old...
6. He is euro. euro is cool in my book. I think it is the attitude that world is meant for exploring (I think we in America may have forgotten this and think it is for conquering, there is a real difference). He wants to go somewhere, somehow, he makes it happen. He now likes football (not euro, then read: soccer). Yeah Italy! -don't read into this that I like Speedo bathing suits or am a fan of pro cycling- those things are euro-geek in my book.
   
7. We are close. We trade more emails in a day than the number of pills my dad takes in a day (both numbers are disturbingly high...).
8. He does drive a leather-seated Volvo, what is not to like about that?
9. He takes pride in things. Whether it is superficial stuff like his car or his cooking or ideas, he takes ownership of them, like an artist does of a painting.
10. And to round out the list of things I like about Rob: He is my little brother. Sure he is taller, bigger, stronger, faster, a better writer; but he'll always be my little brother. I can still win in a fight (proof: he has not broken a single bone on me; cracked my skull perhaps). I can still guilt him into things and he usually sides with my reasoning on things. It is good to have a little brother like Rob.