Day 7: Mon. November 25, 2013
I awaken thinking about how lucky/spoiled I am. You see, today is my birthday and Bong has already given me more than one present, gift, favor, fantasy…call it what you will…lol… A day beginning with simultaneous release is a day full of magic…
Read on…
Morning plans need to be amended since Barney’s is not a Cup entrant. A verdict to go to Green Place is made as we are deciding on what to wear. The weather looks wet and chilly and we dress accordingly. Bong layers on his shirts and soon the last detail is to twist up the ginger braid. We can pick up the Green Place entry and have our coffee too! Before we stop there, however, Albert Heijn helps out with milk and bananas.
Funny thing is, when I read my notes, we choose to fill the bong this morning with some Shoreline and I don’t even mention the Cup entry... hmmm... As we snap tubes, chat with Mo behind the counter, and drink our lattes, MJ and Lion of Judah pop inside. Since we are unmistakable at the first table, and since we saw each other through the window, we consolidate our layers and make room for them to slide onto the benches and join us. They order coffees and begin construction. As is their modus operandi, they take great care in de-stemming and rolling a beauty of a joint. Of course, the entire time, Bong is teasing them as to how long it takes. It is always, I must say, worth the wait. Today they have crunched and rolled some Kuchi, and we all love it. Coffees are enjoyed together and when the cups are drained and the joint is but a wee roach, the song of the Bluebird calls and we invite them to join us, to which they agree.
Except for the sound of the tires on wet brick, the scooter silently rolls the familiar route past the toy store and ultimately rests outside Bluebird. The familiar bouncer-dude we met last year, James, is right inside the door. He remembers us and we say and enthusiastic, “Hello!” to each other. I dig into my bag and grab a caramel for him. He is so happy that he asks what he owes me. “A story,” is what I tell him. “Oh, I’ve got a GREAT story to tell you later!” We let him get back to work and proceed to climb the stairs to roost with others already up and enjoying their own morning wake and bake.
Kees, as always, is at the top of the stairs and today is waiting for us. He remembers today is my birthday because I share the same birthday as his wife…I am greeted with a giant hug from the giant Dutchman and he then orders both Bong and I coffees. Awwww…Thanks, Kees! Jessie is busy getting the Volcanos ready to give vape-bag hits to judges yet he still leans in for a “Happy Birthday” hug. A couple drags off the bag and
wheeee!!!
Bong knows I love their Kali Mist so he gets a couple grams and brings it back. I crunch it up and fill the bong a couple times. When MJ and Lion of Judah arrive, we move our stuff into the tobacco room, again since there are only a couple people in there. Once we are settled, Jessie strolls inside with another full vape-bag. We all get nice hits before he moves to the other side of the coffeeshop. Thank again, Jessie! The entire time, MJ and Lion of Judah are again constructing. This time, when they are done, we share an S.O.G. joint, perfectly rolled, of course. The joint smokes beautifully, but the strain, however, gets a less-than-enthusiastic,
“meh…” from all. A bit more time ticks away before we pack up, say our farewells, and descend out of the treetops back outside into the cold…
According to the clock, Voyagers should be well open by now. This is confirmed as we roll up and see a crowd inside. We hurry inside when we see there is actually an empty table. The two steps are expertly climbed (
) and the table is conquered. Bong heads to the budcounter to order coffees and check out today’s menu. I check out today’s crowd: towering over everyone is the aptly-named Treetop; sitting by the candy machine is Czechish Pete; MJ and Lion of Judah show up along with my (and their) friend, Stephanie; phil is at a table feverishly twisting up a goody.
I’m left with the “chore” of breaking up something to put in the bong. I decide (no-brainer) on some more Kali Mist. Czechish Pete has some outdoor Silver Kush by which I draw a “
” so I’m thinking I like it! Stephanie has offered up a nugget of something she grew and we add it to the mix. I don’t note which strain she gives me…phil sparks his cone and tell us it’s Flower Bomb + Lemon Crystal…yeee hawww!!! When the door opens next, Matty and Domina Haze (without cousin, Sam Seed) walk in and join the festivities without missing a beat.
A big cheer escapes me as Winnie arrives! The cheer becomes a squeal of joy when she hands me the curiously-rectangular box I’ve come accustomed to receiving…MY CHOCOLADE LETTER!! It’s one of the really beautifully decorated letters…not the ones from Albert Heijn! Lol… She has one for Bong as well. THANKS, WINNIE!! It takes all my willpower not to open it and start munching! Dapper Kushler shows up and shares some puffs and laughs…nice to see you! This place is PACKED!!!! Wow! I look around see everyone in deep conversations…LOUD and deep…and realize I can’t even hear the music! It doesn’t matter because the atmosphere is happy, happy, joy, joy!
Matty steps inside after having gone out for…a cigarette? Not sure, but when he does come inside, he says he’s going to his hotel to change jackets “because it will rain.” Bong tells him it won’t rain. I say we wait and see… lol…
Did I mention today is my birthday? Well, it is, and I’m hungry. Other days, I’ll hold out until it’s unanimous. Right now Bong and Domina Haze are game to go eat. Highly Blessed suggests a different pasta place than Julia’s. This one is Pasta Pasta on Warmoesstraat. Bong likes pasta and Domina Haze says he does too, so we all decide to walk on over. I can’t help myself…here are some pics along the way:
We find the place in a flash and we are seated quickly. I order the Spaghetti Bolognese and it is heavenly! I have not one clue what either of the boys order, but there is nothing left when all is said and done. Lol. It is a very nice and satisfying meal indeed. As the plates are being cleared, we collectively choose to go to Stones after we leave since it’s right up the street a bit. Lucky for us the tables near the door have our names all over them and we take heed. I kind of get into snap-happy mode and continue:
Kushdee is the purchase we all make. Domina Haze says, “It smells great…” He then, after twisting, hits the joint and says, “Wow! A better example than what Voyagers had…” It’s unanimous—all 3 of us like it. Bong gives it 8 ½ out of 10. Bong actually gets pretty stoned from it as he fucks up the rotation…there are three of us…how does that happen??? …lol…stoner… We laugh a while and finish our joints and drinks before heading back to Voyagers. Bong wants to take the scooter down to exchange for a freshly-charged one. Our belongings are packed back up and we head back to Voyagers…pics follow…lol…
A quick run upstairs to use the facilities and we are quickly on the scooter and headed towards Overtoom:
A broken scooter is all they have left…it runs, it’s just cosmetically broken:
Talk of Mexican Haze points the scooter towards Dampkring and past the Torture Museum:
As the 4:20 hour approaches, we take our Mexican Haze and the Dampkring entry, Daniells Haze, and roll on down to Barney’s Lounge. Since Utopia Haze is on the menu and since Utopia Haze is one of my faves, Bong gets a gram for us to enjoy. Mary Lou, the girl from Barney’s that fell down the stairs, comes into the Lounge as today is her day off; she really liked the cannamel so I give her another one. The weed is crushed and cremated as the 4:20 alarm goes off on my phone. Coughing seems to echo throughout the Lounge as others have their own celebrations…
When the call of Voyagers becomes too loud, goodbyes are said to those still here and soon Bong is pulling “my chariot” up to the curb for easy mounting…
(…teeheehee…I said “mounting”…) The scooter is pointed towards Centraal Station and we are off! Only we stop at the crest of the bridge. Bong twists around and kisses me and says, “Happy Birthday, baby!” Aww…sweet… I smile the rest of the ride back…
When we finally do get back to Voyagers, the place is, once again, happening! Andy-that-used-to-be-at-Barney’s (let’s call him Andy2) is working alongside Danny. MJ and Lion of Judah are sitting with Stephanie. Stephanie tells about all the places she’s been…She’s in heaven!!! MJ is madly de-stemming some Perfect Pick from Grey Area and when she’s done, Lion of Judah rolls a mean joint, backflipped of course, and paints it with some Canadian oil. As all this is going on, Bong is making his rounds in the coffeeshop, social-butterflying if you will. The dude who looks like my friend, Ryan, is here. Ravine and Treetop are also twisting, smoking, and laughing.
Matty entertains all within earshot as he re-tells the story of Trashcanman’s whitey the other day. As he recounts the action, he starts twitching. It is so hilarious and Bong is so amused, he has Matty re-enact his re-enactment. LOL… It’s funny to hear everyone’s version of the story… When he’s done with his storytelling, Matty has me write something in my notes:
“Matty went to De Pijp to get de pipe.”
Lol…stoner…
Before he actually goes to De Pijp, everyone’s attention is gathered by Bong. He tells everyone that today is my birthday. We are all sitting at the middle-of-the-room table. “We” being me, Bong, Ravine and his friend, Matty, and Treetop. Right when everyone collectively says, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” the ALARM GOES OFF! As if on cue!!! LMFAO!!!!!!!! Even the Voyagers building gets in to the celebration!
Ravine kindly buys me some Loudband that’s on the menu, as a birthday gift. THANKS, Ravine!! Matty shares a Kosher Kush joint that has been painted with Spoon. THANKS, Matty!! The smoking and partying continues until someone asks where I’ll eat my birthday cake. Good question!! Hmmm…where to go???
Bong has a GREAT suggestion: Waffles and Crepes! YES!!!!!! We invite others to join us, but everyone declines and says we should celebrate alone. Aww…thanks… Since we’re just going for dessert and it’s not too far away, we leave our bong and our de-stemming tray with MJ and Lion of Judah. I’m so excited about dessert, I’ve already decided what to order, even before we get there. I order it and it is BRILLIANT!!!
Wanna see??
I savor every morsel and drip on my plate and when there is no more, we waddle (lol) back to Voyagers. On the way we’re entertained by this guy:
Ok then! Lol… We continue our stroll to our ultimate destination, enjoying the night scenes:
In mere minutes we reach Voyagers:
I need to use the bathroom, so we go upstairs for a bit. A short while later, after checking messages and freshening up, we decide to go back downstairs.
But
Voyagers has closed at 10. It is now 10:20. Bummer. We left our bong and our de-stemming tray inside… The only thing this does for us is make our what-to-do-now decision much easier. We decide to go upstairs and finish out my birthday the exact way it started out.
Except I got three this time.
Sleep well…I will…
Re: FIVE Years of Weeded Bliss or Birthday Adventures in AMS
Pretty sure matty picked you up after that...and you were as lost as I've evr seen any human being ever...
