Cousin Fest at O’Flaherty’s Pub

The O’Malley cousins – and siblings – and aunt – and spouses – all got together at O’Flaherty’s Pub last night for my cousin Emma’s birthday.

An amazing feat. We are all so busy – and to coordinate even CHRISTMAS takes unbelievable planning – nobody’s schedule is set … but dammit, we organized the entire thing over 10 minutes of frantic emailing that very morning. We were all VERY proud of ourselves.

Of course my dear aunt Regina keeps saying stuff to us like, “I don’t know how to email.” We all were like baffled by this, like: “What the hell are you talking about?? You don’t know how to email? Ya press send …”

But then of course, Emma (her daughter) said something about the 25 emails in her mailbox from all of us later that day – and she said, “I wrote to Liam – cause I didn’t know how to reply to everybody.”

So perhaps there really are some email issues here. Kerry said patiently, “You just press ‘Reply All’.”

heh heh Anyway – we all couldn’t get over how easy it had been to plan this dern gathering! The email was essential.

We sat around a long table by the roaring fire at O’Flaherty’s and we all talked at once. 5 conversations going on simultaneously.

— My cousin Ian’s band just had a show recently – and nobody told us about it. Regina said she didn’t know how to email us the information. We all were like: “What?” Then Regina said, “I know you’re all busy …” Kerry said, “Yes. We are all too busy to support our cousins. That’s very true.” Anyway – next time, Ian – we will all be there!!

— Liam and Lydia had a helluva fall – what with her insane job, and his pneumonia and his jury duty. His birthday is coming up … so I already need to gear up for another karaoke extravaganza which will obliterate me for about 3 days. I still don’t think I have fully recovered from last year’s party. Also – Liam is reading The Count of Monte Cristo and is absolutely looooooooving it. I’ve never read it – or maybe I did in 10th grade required reading, which kind of doesn’t count – so now I think I have to give it a shot, based on his recommendation.

— Emma is busy in her film class yet again – and has a SERIOUS case of senioritis!! She’s such an awesome girl. We’re already planning to drive up for the film festival again this year. I think it made her happy that we all got together to celebrate her birthday.

— It was wonderful to see Adam and Kerry – it’s been a long time. The last was at their apartment for a Red Sox game this fall – when Kerry served us ice cream in small Red Sox helmets. heh heh heh It’s always good to see those two. What a pair. Kerry with her FABULOUS phone that can basically do everything for her – unbelievable. “Okay, and look here … see what it can do here?” Kerry, Siobhan and I all just raved at each other about Bill Simmons’ book and how great it is.

— Oh, and I was requested to “do the ‘Break it Up’ lady” for the group. Which I did – to thunderous laughter. hahahaha It was fun – I haven’t done that imitation in a long time. It’s fun to be evil.

— Siobhan is having a great time recording her new CD – everyone is really excited about it – we already are counting the days to the CD release party. I’m so proud of her. She’s really worked her ass off to get to this point.

— We heard that Seamus’ first word was “Ted”. As in Ted Williams. Yup. This is my family.

— And Regina informed me (and I have no idea how I didn’t know this before) – but when she performed at the Kennedy Center Honors show in the early 1980s, she was introduced to Cary Grant. What??? She was taken over to meet him – and he was old – with the white hair – the big thick glasses – and spectacular looking. He shook her hand, saying, “Very nice to meet you” in that classic Cary Grant voice. I am blown away by this information. I was like: “How on earth did I not know this? Tell. Me. Everything. Right. Now.”

Much laughter, and eating, and toasting and we sang Happy Birthday to our dear cousin Emma.

Being a cousin in the O’Malley family is not something to be taken lightly. It’s a commitment. It’s kind of gorgeous, actually, if I really think about it.

Family. Family is IT.

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15 Responses to Cousin Fest at O’Flaherty’s Pub

  1. brendan says:

    so sad i wasn’t there! happy birthday emma! the count of monte cristo keeps coming up. gonna have to read it. jealous that i wasn’t there.

  2. red says:

    We missed you, bren. :)

  3. Emily says:

    You’re going to have to give us a heads up when Siobhan’s new CD comes out. I loved the first one. Can’t wait to hear her new stuff.

  4. red says:

    Yeah – she has a recording contract now and everything.

    I will definitely let everyone know. It’s so cool!!

  5. Patrick says:

    So, are you all like talented and crap?

  6. mitchell says:

    *objective voice here*…hey,Patrick…YES THEY ARE!!! Its revolting(and delicious)!!!!

  7. Alex says:

    I LOVE The Break It Up Lady! I demand the impression when you get out here. Like, on the way home from the airport.

    I want your cousins in my family.

  8. Patrick says:

    Wow, I was just addressed my Mitchell.

  9. Kerry O'Malley says:

    That was such a fun night. And if only everyone who read this blog could see the Break-It-Up Lady in person. Completely hilarious. So fun to see everyone, and once we teach Regina how to use e-mail it should make it easier to do this more often. What a blast.

  10. Aunt Marianne says:

    What a great review of the night. It is so wonderful to see the second generation supporting each other so wholeheartedly. Tony and I wish we could have been there. Especially to see the Break It Up Lady! Being an O’Malley is an awesome thing. Keep the words flowing. We love it.

    Love, Marianne

  11. mitchell says:

    sheil…we should make a short film of the Break-it-up-Lady..just film the moment…could be bril!!! I so want to be an O’Malley cousin..it kind of hurts!

  12. siobhan says:

    i am so glad i saw theh impression of the Break It Up Lady…i pictured the demeanor of the witch a little differently…i think it was the smile on her (well..your) face that made it allt he more funny and scary. the smile did it for me. so funny.

  13. jean says:

    I wish I had been there! Any O’Malley function that I miss makes my heart ache and I actually physically get a little jealous. Happy Birthday Emma – you rock and will soon Rule the World! I have no idea what the Break-it-up-lady is, but I am laughing just pondering her very exsistence. Thanks for the overview, Sheil, I can just picture it (although it in no way compares to the actual experience of five O’Malley conversations churning at once – ah! what bliss!)

  14. red says:

    Siobhan – Yes, it is that little smile that truly sends a chill to my heart.

    Jean – I promise I will do it for you when next I see you. We missed you!!

  15. Just1Beth says:

    Mitchell- I’m with you on that cousin-front. Don’t tell anybody, but when no one is watching, sometimes I pretend to be an O’Malley. Shhh.

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