Ode to Mannie

Such a lot has happened in the past week.
 
There will be a blog posted about our experience at the Medieval Faire soon, but for now I must dedicate this blog to wholesomeness that is . . . Mannie.
 
Last Tuesday we were due to rehearse, however due to Bridget having the Black Lung we decided against it. Besides, Tasmanian legend and all-star Sunas member Helen was in Brisbane, so plans were made for Mannie, Paul & myself to catch up with her at our favourite venue, the Three Monkeys.
 
Anyone who has visited the Monkeys knows that sometimes you have Buckley’s chance of finding a vacant table. Fortunately we managed to find one in the beer garden next to the water fountain. The moment we all sat down, the laughs started. They always do. For some reason the boys are extra immature when around Helen (don’t be fooled, she’s just as naughty as they are). Our laughter attracted a lot of curious stares from people using the water fountain. Mannie gets particularly animated when retelling a story, and was in his element all night. We let him go; Mannie loves nothing better than to be the centre of attention.
 
Tonight was no different.
 
While we were waiting for our beverages, we were entertained with a dramatic retelling of naked Tassie moonlit frolicking fuelled by 8 ciders (it’s true!). Mannie paused to what appeared to be to catch his breath. But no. Instead, a look of intense concentration appeared on his mischievous face. Mannie looked directly at me, took a deep breath, leaned forward in his chair . . .
 
. . . and farted.
 
This was not your standard fart. This was a long, loud, split-your-pants-to-kingdom-come fart. We’ve never heard anything like it. As is the usual reaction to Mannie’s arse performances, we fell about laughing hysterically. What made it even more hysterical was that a man was standing directly behind Mannie at the water fountain when it happened, and without even revealing he’d heard this abomination, continued stoically filling up his cups with water while we were crying with laughter. Let me digress. This fart was so loud that several tables of people not only heard it, but laughed along with us, then stopped and watched the four of us nearly fall out of our chairs with hilarity for the next 10 minutes. One guy called out, ‘Gimme 5 minutes and I’ll match your efforts!’ Our waitress chose this exact moment to bring us our drinks – she had heard it too!
 
It took us quite a while and a second order of drinks for us to calm down.
 
I know I’ve said it before, but damn, I love this band :)
 
 
Listening to: ‘Santiago’ by Loreena McKennit