September 26, 2011
Another reason I came home was it’s my brother Tom’s birthday today. So we’re all going out to eat and you’re all invited.
Here we are at the Fish House. One of our families favorite restaurants in Peoria. It's been here for decades.
Let's go in.
A dark wooden hallway leads to the dining room.
And here's the whole family. Clockwise from the head of the table: My niece, Mary Beth, my sister Terry, Bartender Jerry, Hostess Anne, Tom, the birthday boy, Yours Fooly, my nephew Greg and my brother-in-law, Phil. Let the party and dinner begin!
And the waiter was nice enough to take another shot of us from a different angle. There's always a wise guy in the picture and it's usually me. Dinner was great, I probably should've taken more photos, but hey, I'm on vacation here!
And here's the birthday boy with a slice of birthday cake. Happy birthday, Tom!
And now I have to make a quick trip to the bathroom. As the old saying goes, you don't buy the beer, you just rent it. This trip can only lead to...
Obligatory bathroom mirror shot! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
Fish House
4919 N University, Peoria
309-691-9358
Further reading and watching: menupix.com, Peoria Restaurants and City Search.
I would like you to dance (Birthday),
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (Birthday).
(Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!)
------------------------------
Bonus Photos From The Family Archive!
Here's some shots of myself and my brothers and sisters when we were wee little folks.
From left clockwise: My brother Jim, Terry, Tom and me. I refused to wear a jacket and donned a turtleneck instead.
Another shot of the four of us in our childhood years.
And here's a real early shot of me at ten months old. Note the punk rock hairdo! A foreshadowing of things to come.
--------------------------------------
Bonus Cartoon by Jaws!
My comment about dinosaur Walkman days inspired Jaws to do this cartoon. Nice one, Jaws, thanks!
22 Comments
Reader Comments (22)
Happy Birthday Tom! Congratulations to the happy couple and check your e-mail Marty, yesterday's comment concerning the prehistoric days of the Sony Walkman gave me an idea...
@Jaws: Just posted it, thanks!
Happy Birthday to your brother! Love the ol' family photos!! Awwww!! Looks like you are having a great time with family, so glad!!
Very nice family photo's. Anytime there's a reunion, with your family, its something never to miss. Those old pictures when you and your siblings were young remind me of the all American family. I am willing to bet that sister Terry told you guys what to do and you did it,,,am I right? That restaurant hallway, dark with wooden walls,,,,invites a tall, big cocktail, like something Jerry would make at home. Happy Birthday Tom.
So, like...uh....when's Mary Beth coming to visit Uncle Marty in NYC?
@MAD: I'm expecting a Lynch dwarf to burst into that hallway, speaking backwards.
@Jaws: I can tell it's an old dinosaur because he wears his belt so high.
To Tom, and not that former My Space fucker.
Awww sweet.. nice pics..
Tom looks the same as when he was a kid..
hope the visit is going well.. send my love to your folks:)
Where's the Surprise Link?
Was thinking of you last night. I was speaking by phone to an old friend, Brenda, who now lives in Waukegan, Ill. For years she lived on 20th Street and 8th Avenue in NYC. Married an old friend, also named Marty, who passed away a few years ago. We all worked at Grove Press on 11th St & University in the late 60s, early 70s. Can you imagine how different the area was at the time? Me and Brenda sure did a lot of sighing as we reminisced. Wish I shared a drink with you, skoal!
Der. Found it.
@Lindsay: Thanks, it's been a nice trip! Back to NYC tomorrow!
@Al: Sometimes Terry would tell us what to do, but we did not always follow rules! And yes, the Fish House does invite cocktails and they were had last night.
@JAZ: She was here this summer for my niece Casie's wedding. A good time was had by all!
@csp: Lynch dwarf? Once again I need to Google your comment! And the surprise link is there, but yours was very scary, first Cardboard Box Man sighting since I've been to Peoria. Aaaahhhh!
@Gidget: The trip's going great, I will indeed send your love to my folks!
@Mykola Mick Dementiuk: Glad you had a nice phone visit with Brenda. Cheers from Peoria!
Your turtleneck photos rock. I want to be adopted into your family..they seem sooo nice and sane. Glad you are having a good time. I also like fish.
Oh my-I love babies with cheeks! Too adorable. Happy Birthday Tom!
Fantastic!! Good, NYC misses you!! Safe travels!!!
Love the family photographs! That turtleneck is pretty cool. My family was the reverse (three girls, one boy) & I was the rebellious youngest. Was usually trying to wear trousers instead of a dress at that age. If you were the youngest, it was always easier to get away with stuff - parents were mellower/too worn out to care by that stage.
Have a safe trip back to NYC!
That turtleneck will fetch top dollar today on Bedford Ave.
Thanks for sharing the family photos!
@Melanie: My folks are drawing up the adoption papers now, I'll meet you in LaGuardia for the return Christmas flight to Peoria!
@Britta: I'll pass on your birthday wishes to Tom! Thanks!
@Lindsay: Thanks, even if it's not safe, I'll feel no pain as I'll be heavily medicated during my flight, if you know what I mean!
@onemorefoldedsunset: I hear you about being the youngest, my parents were worn out by the time I hit my teens and it was a lot easier for me too!
@EV Grieve: I gotta find that turtleneck, my rent's due soon! Glad you enjoyed the photos! Back to NYC tomorrow!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM and hello to everyone in your family Marty. Sportin' a turtle = refusal to conform. Ahhh you started young!
Happy birthday, Tom!
@Green Monkey: Thanks for the greeting and yes, I did start young!
@meleah: Thanks for the birthday wish to Tom, I'll pass it along!
I tried to comment yesterday, but was shut out of the site. What I said was: a) Happy Birthday to Tom; b) Great pictures - you were a fashion icon even as a small child; and c) The Fish House looks nice. What'd you eat?
@Biff: Sorry you got shut out and thanks for trying again! I got the shrimp platter which is stuffed shrimp, fried shrimp and blackened spicy shrimp. I also had a pasta salad and augratin potatoes. And about four beers. A delicious dinner!