Clare's Eighteenth

Last night was Clare's (youngest's) eighteenth birthday party. I do not have photos yet. If any turn out well, I might put a few up.

It was nice.

It was a James Bond Casino Royale evening. Helen (eldest) arranged for some of her friends to act as croupiers. They all dressed up. We had a proper poker table, black jack and roulette.

On arrival, along the red carpet - my wife who has a genius for small touches arranged this - each guest was given a packet of imitation money to exchange for chips. Then Helen with Jenny, a friend, gave them a cocktail.

We had to watch this a bit. One guest was allergic to pineapple juice. So she had to be looked after separately. Then some did not drink. This is Sydney, so we had to take into account both religious and family prohibitions. Then, too, we did not want anybody drunk.

Again, this is Sydney where getting smashed is a right of passage among some. Eldest, who works as a barmaid just up the road, handled this very well. People could get as many drinks as they wanted. But she used half shots, thus spacing the drinking out. Some girls brought in their own, but there were no problems.

I wore a white tux to fit in. The first part of the evening was spent in taking as many photos as possible. The second part in playing black jack.

At various times I wandered outside for a smoke, taking to the two security guys. This is another feature of modern Sydney. You really do need security - and it costs - because if you get 2-3 people SMSing party details it build like a chain letter.

I enjoyed my chats. The chief security bloke was a Malaysian Chinese from Ipoh, a town that I knew. The second a Lebanese of Muslim faith who, while now a pharmacist, still helped his friend out from time to time. I fear that that I was a bit inquisitive with the second, since I am presently trying to find out things about the the Lebanese community in Australia since the lunch at Fatima's.

Towards the end, and this will please Neil (Ninglun), I watched the second half of Australia-Wales in the Rugby with a group.

Why will this please Neil? Well, Neil taught at Sydney Boys High and wrote a post on Sydney Boy's High and Rugby.

Neil, three of the group including Clare's current friend play Rugby with Sydney Boy's High, none in the first, so there you are. The fact that I played for TAS (The Armidale School) against High provided an immediate link. There are some YouTube videos on matches this year between the two schools: I should post them.

And, Neil, you are clearly remembered!