365 Pink Feather Boas All in a Row - Day 134 (Saturday 15 May 2010) : Party On Ian.....

Wayne and Garth were nowhere to be seen tonight when my gorgeous guy and I (after a day of sleeping in, brunch and a quiet-ish afternoon....sort of) joined Fahmi, Waz, Ingo and Ian in at King Street Wharf - off the beautifully named Lime Street - for a fun birthday night out!

Admittedly Ian didn't celebrate his birthday for a few days but we weren't about to let that stop us. I mean, I am an extrovert and celebrate a birthday week (soon likely to be a birthday fortnight if I have my way) so starting the celebrations early is nothing unusual for me.

First up on the epic birthday night out was drinks at James Squires Brewery, where surrounded by niche beers I had ...WINE! Yes of course I did contrary beasty that I am. Truth is I don't drink beer, don't like it, and when it's pointed out by people that it makes me look gay to be drinking wine all the time in pubs (not by close friends I'd point out), I calmly respond that I am gay so why it does it matter if I look gay, assuming that I even do? Clearly not an issue for me. It was wonderful just kicking back for a couple of hours and catching up on life, and in effect farewelling Ingo who goes back to Germany for an indeterminate period of time (though he hopes to be back by September, job gods willing).

Feeling mildly sloshed on empty stomachs, we walked without any discernible tilting just around the corner to Chinta Ria, one of my favourite Asian restaurants in the Cockle Bay complex. We managed to score a seat outside which was delightful on what was just a mildly cool evening, ate a delicious meal of Beef Rendang, Sassy Duck (didn't give us lip once so unsure where the name comes from), a few other dishes and yummy, flaky, soft Roti bread.Then full up to pussy's bow (one of Waz's sayings that I love), we somehow managed to squeeze in a yummy gluten-free birthday cake that Ingo had made for Ian....we even managed a not entirely off key version of Happy Birthday. Ian loved it, and better still, loved the gifts we gave him! Success all around.

But wait! There's more! Stuffed like turkeys at Thanksgiving - a wholly culturally inappropriate reference but work with me - we waddled down to the Lindt cafe, got a table (miracle of miracles!) at 10.30 and had the most decadent hot chocolates imaginable, made from real Lindt chocolate. Not content with the fat content so far, I threw in 2 Lindor Balls each - Peanut Butter, Mint, Jaffa etc - all the flavours you can't get in the normal stores! Double, Triple YUM!!!!

Of course it meant we bounced home on sugar highs but the main thing was that Ian loved it all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IAN!