Bloggity Dates: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald!

All this week, Mike’s Bloggity Blog will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special series called Bloggity Dates. Every day, some of the biggest names in Canadian entertainment will be dropping by to share stories of their best, worst and most embarrassing gifts that they’ve gotten from a loved one. If I were you, I’d take notes to ensure you have a perfect Valentine’s Day. Just be sure to invite me to the wedding.

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, musician.

I’ve been thinking over the last day or so, about various gifts that I have given and received. One exchange stands out. A few years ago, I was eager to date a certain girl, and so before courting her at all I suggested that we have a date competition. Over the course of a week we would take the other out for the most extravagant and original night possible. At the end of the week each contestant was to be judged and a winner crowned. On her date we went ice skating while drinking spiked hot chocolate, saw zoo lights, had photos taken with Mall Santa, built a bear and finished the night off at the marquee room in matching shirts that said Christmas. The shirts did not both say ‘Christmas.’ Hers said ‘mas’ and mine said ‘Christ’. I seem to remember a make-out session in those shirts in some dark corner of the establishment.

Not to be outdone, I picked her up at eight, told her to dress fancy. I had a friend of mine drive us downtown for dinner. I most certainly pulled out her chair and after dinner finished I presented her with one present. It held her favourite treats; a comfy pair of sneakers for dancing, a disposable camera, bubbly and two glasses. Then a man I had never met before asked if my name was Michael. To a mystified look on my date’s face I replied yes and the stranger said he would be waiting outside. We left the restaurant and got into the stranger’s beautiful white limo, took a tour of the city (might have passed make-out point) and ended up at my favourite bar, the Hifi Club. Dancing ensued, until the time came to drop my date off and say goodnight.
A tumultuous and at times, a wonderful relationship ensued.

We eventually broke up.

I eventually wrote “Care For You.”

Lately, I have been striving to give gifts that are not material. A dinner out or gift certificates for some activity (bowling, movies). Something that the recipient and I can do together. Everyone on my list seems to love lululemon. So sometimes I take the material gift route. I don’t give Valentines day gifts, but I would be happy to give a hug to anyone that asks.

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF) will soon be launching a new concert series called “YES” and it promises to be an evening adventure with a live band of 200.  So far shows have been announced in Calgary (February 28th) and Edmonton (February 29th).  He’ll also be releasing a new album this spring.