Thanks Big Sis!
I had the inauspicious task of turning 33 a few days ago. I know that’s not a cue to start shopping around for retirement homes or for picking out my favourite shade of blue rinse, but it’s hardly spring chicken territory. If I were a footballer I would be described as being in my ‘twilight,’ the game of lawn bowls is becoming more and more appealing and I’m now the precise age that Jesus was when he was crucified.
I’ve finally realised that the purpose of birthday gifts is to take your mind off all of this stuff, something shiny to divert attention. My eldest Sister came up trumps in a big way this year by buying me my first ever Japanese mandolin. I must be the last person in the world to own one of these things but I’m not really a kitchen gadget sort of guy. 
A mandolin, however, is going to get its mileage in my kitchen, that’s for sure - I even inexplicably used it to make a cheese and cucumber sandwich at lunchtime. But for my Thursday evening snack-attack I’ve made something that probably all new mandolin owners make within their first 48 hours, parsnip crisps with a sour cream & chive dip.
My very generous Sister also bundled in a DVD of the Bruce Lee classic, ‘Enter The Dragon,’ so that’s my Thursday night done and dusted then! Martial arts, parsnip crisps and a couple of lager beers. You could turn me into a pig in a mud bath and I’d be less content than I am right now.
Thanks Big Sis!
GDave
PS. Hey! Bruce Lee was just a few months shy of his 33rd birthday when he died! What are you trying to tell me? 
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Watch yourself there mate, I’ve seen some tears from chefs using those I can tell you.Watch them take the tops of their fingers off and turn pearly white!!
Happy Birthday!
Miles
Comment by Miles − on Jul 17, 2009 at 11:44 pm
GDave,
.
Happy Birthday, old boy and congrat’s on your own new shiny blog. It looks very impressive and I shall be following it with interest.
BTW - Jesus was 33 when he died
Have a happy weekend
Anne
Comment by Anne − on Jul 18, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Miles,
Just the thought of the damage these things can do makes me nautious. Needless to say, the guard stays on… period.
Thank-you, Sir.
GDave
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 18, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Anne,
Hi there! Thanks for your kind comments. This place is a little bit scatty at the moment but I’m sure I’ll find some structure with a bit of experience. Enjoy your weekend too!
GDave
Oh PS. I read today that the oldest recorded Puffin is 34 years old, so that’s given me a little hope, until next year.
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 18, 2009 at 9:26 pm
GDave,
Didn’t Captain Corelli have a mandolin ?
Someone ought to tell you that the third decade is by far the best. My twenties were just mad but the thirties were fabulous…. pity I couldn’t stay there really. Mind you someone asked me recently whether my 25 yr old manager and I were a couple…. my homemade jowel reducing potion must be working
Cid
Comment by Cid − on Jul 20, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Cid,
Haha, yes Captain Corelli did have a mandolin! I think he wrote a book about it. Must have been a cookery book. Thank you for your kindness but it’s actually my fourth decade, or am I just splitting rapidly thinning hairs? But kudos to you and your 25 yr old.
I keep longing to be asked for my ID when buying beer, but I don’t think I’m fooling anyone. Take care, you.
GDave
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 20, 2009 at 8:48 pm
GDave,
I regret that I missed your birthday, but being in your late, late, late twenties, believe me, it’s no big deal. Think of it this way, 37 year old Lance Armstrong will be pushing up the Mont Ventoux in a spirit-breaking 100 mile stage of the Tour de France tomorrow, hoping to end up on the podium in Paris with a couple of fresh-faced kids.
You’ve got 4 years to get yourself ready for your Tour attempt, GDave. You’re just a kid, quit worrying.
Melissa
Comment by Melissa − on Jul 24, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Melissa,
I don’t know why, but a joke that no-one finds funny except me; “7-times winner of the Tour De France, Lance Armstrong, has never taken a performance enhancing drug in his life. Sadly, the same can be said of Armstrong’s wife, Sheryl Crow.”
I think it’s because it’s mean. It’s a mean joke. No-one likes a meany.
GDave
PS. Thank you for your well-wishes.
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 25, 2009 at 12:25 am
GDave,
You’re way behind regarding Lance’s love life. He was engaged to Sheryl Crow, but they never married and he’s had several girlfriends since, including Kate Hudson (beautiful, young American actress). He recently had a child (baby Max) with his current love (I don’t know her name).
Hey, this is a busy man. And he’s WAY older than you are, GDave. See, you’re just a kid!
Melissa
Comment by Melissa − on Jul 25, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Melissa,
I’ve always been way behind on celebrity gossip. Are Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston still together?
GDave
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 25, 2009 at 3:52 pm
GDave,
Wasn’t Lance Armstrong one of the first men on the moon?
This man’s obviously a dynamic character with or without gravity 
Cid
Comment by Cid − on Jul 28, 2009 at 8:22 pm