They all gathered ‘round on a scorching Sunday to look at a hopping, green bug.  Perhaps that was the understanding, when instead it was the other kind of cricket - a friendly of the English favorite bat and ball game!

Instructions on play were given by April, complete with dry eraser board, and the game commenced at 2:30pm.  Batting (verbal) trophy was awarded to the man in whites, Keith Maglinger, and Tom Busby took the fielding prize.  Phil managed to ump, play, and, well, win.  (The ump would win, eh?)  All hits, runs, errors, and other stats were kept by April on an official cricketer’s score sheet (see album).

Burgers, beer brats, and lots of sides followed after shifting to a shady part of the park.  Alcohol was prohibited, but young Coops Allen managed to somehow bathe in a smuggled beer.  A boxless box of wine also provided hydration to the females in the stands during the match.

The night progressed for the Duncansons, Piepers, Hale, & Tom at The Monkey’s Tale in Broad Ripple.  Karaoke ensued, and the birthday boy had a great go at U2’s “Beautiful Day” (see below).  A few High Lifes later, Monkey Idol ’08 began, complete with judges’ panel.  Our Phil gave his best “When You Were Young” by The Killers, quick-wittidly changing “...but he walks like a gentleman” to “....talks like an Englishman,” winning the crowd and judges over.  Ultimately, dipping his toe into the beer puddle (he himself had caused) during “you can dip your toes in every once in a little whi-i-i-le” earned him 2nd place!!!!!!

Getting home at 1:00am, thanks to Derek & Hale, the Duncansons retired willingly just after Phil declared best birthday ever.

Proof of karaoke:

Please enjoy all our pics from the event on the Event Pics page of Our Anecdote.

the scorecard: