The Last Word - Spring 2011

Tom says...

It certainly wasn’t the original plan, but somehow I ended up in Mexico for 31 days over the first two months of 2011.

The Tom and Joe World Tour to Mazatlan was already planned for February, where we took over 50 winners down for a week of all-inclusive rockin’ and rollin’. That was a blast–besides almost falling off a cliff on one adventure. Without getting into all the details, had I fallen off, the last words I would have ever heard would have been those from my partner, Stacy, who exclaimed to me, “You’re not climbing up there with just flip-flops on, are you?” But of course I did. Thankfully a kind young Mexican shrimp fisherman saved me, when I blew out one of the flip-flops as predicted.

Now for the rest of the time I ended up in Mexico. I got a call last fall from my brother John in Toronto, announcing that he wanted to celebrate turning 50 by going on a trip with all the friends and family he could gather up who might want to join him.

I let him know that Stacy and I would love to join him for a week. One thing led to another, and we ended up renting a house in Bucerias, Mexico, up the coast from Puerto Vallarta. With some friends joining us, it was a very cheap rental per person. Of course, we decided we would save so much money, we should go for two weeks. But that still did not remain the final plan.

While searching for flights to get to the rental house, I discovered that it was really quite expensive to book just a flight and not an all-inclusive vacation. By expanding my search, though, I found that we could leave nine days earlier on a really inexpensive charter. We were off work over the Christmas week, so we had the time. That was great, but we had nowhere to stay until the house was available. Since I like to do things backwards and worry about the consequences later, I booked the flight and told the ever-patient Stacy that I would surely find suitable accommodations for us for those extra days. 

I eventually booked an all-inclusive room that seemed like a deal too good to be true.You know what’s coming next, don’t you? When we arrived in Mexico on Christmas Day at the resort, they wouldn’t accept our reservation, claiming that we hadn’t paid enough!

Suffice it to say, some good old Irish stubbornness, patience and a few Coronas from the corner store later, and we were in. That began 24 days of the best vacation I have ever had! That was until we returned in February with our Tom and Joe World Tour winners!

You would think after 31 days, I would have learned more of the language than just “Hey amigo, cerveza por favor.”

Stacy and I love the beach, so we spent much of most days there. You run into all sorts of interesting people–both tourists and locals–including countless merchants. Every time we were approached by someone trying to sell something, he would roll out his wares for Stacy to examine and then glance over at me and whisper “Weed?” I don’t indulge, but we thought that was hilarious every time. I had been down there long enough, I guess, that I looked like some dope-smoking beach bum!

Joe says...

This spring I hit the 45-year mark and for some reason, this birthday had more of an impact than turning 40. The general consensus would be that you celebrate marquee numbers like 30, 40 and 50, but I somehow feel like 45 is a magical point in my life. God willing, maybe the halfway point! You see, I still have two grandparents alive–my Nonna is 94 and my Grandpa Joe is 98! I was hoping to just make it to 90!

Maybe 45 seems to be a pinnacle time for me because mentally you don’t seem so young, yet you don’t consider yourself old. Physically might be a different story. Now, an old injury in your youth might be biting back or maybe your body hinges are getting a little creaky. Hey, let’s just be happy that in the morning, when you wake up, your front is still stiffer than your back. 

At this midlife point, you also start noticing things that you could easily obsess about: more lines around your eyes; the hair coming out of your nose and ears is growing at a faster pace than on top of your head. Speaking of which, at an age when you have to watch your salt intake, you see a lot more salt than pepper on your noggin. 

I know some guys who have gone through a mid-life crisis. Some found it very costly! I can honestly say I have never had the urge to buy a Harley or a sports car. Not even going the cheaper route of an earring or a tattoo. There’s no point–I’d have to shave my arm daily just so the artwork would be visible. 

Lately, I have found myself reflecting back on my life and trying to figure out what I still want to accomplish. It’s time to put together my bucket list or my to-do wish list. It would include: 

• A trip to Italy (I’ve never been)…with no  family left in the homeland, I would love  to go see the small town my parents  came from.
• I have to take a trip to Boston to see two  of my favourite teams, The Bruins and Red  Sox, play at home.
• Go to Vegas…and actually win!
• Own a restaurant. Sure, this list will continue to grow and it will take a lot of money to check things off.

Hmmm, that reminds me, at what age are you too old to hope for cash in your birthday card?