Happy New Year!

I went to a New Year's Eve dinner in honor of Jerry and Leanna Pries, who got married earlier in the day. There were 16 of us there, including the bride and groom. A good meal, and good company.

Best wishes for happiness and success in 2009 to you all.

The Happy Couple

Mr. & Mrs. Coats

Mr. & Mrs. Maki

Mr. & Mrs. Boblett

Jerry's Kids

Leanna's Mom & Sister

"I Guess You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks!" - Leah

I bought this nice sewing machine a few months back but haven't done anything with it. Since I've got some time on my hands now, I went over to Thatcher and had my sister Kathy teach me how to sew. When I e-mailed the picture of the first shirt I made to Leah, she called me back and gave me the title for this post.

My wonderful new Singer.

Here I am in action.

My first creation.

My second attempt.

We spent a lot of time aligning the pattern on the pocket. I'm very proud of my pocket.

So I still need to find a new job, but at least I have a new skill I can use! I have some ideas in mind for my next project.

'Tis The Season

This is killer! I mean, this is The Killers.

A timeless classic.

Noli Nothis Perittere Te Terere

Today is officially my second day of unemployment. I got laid off for Thanksgiving, so I get to start over again tomorrow morning. The job wasn't as much fun the last couple of months as it had been, but it paid the bills. I'm not looking forward to having to go out looking again, especially in this economy. Maybe I can get a government bailout...

Happy Turkey Day!

I would be remiss if I let the day pass without counting my blessings. Mostly I am grateful for my amazing family and quirky friends. Sometimes they are one and the same. My life would be much poorer without them. Thanks to you all for just being you.

I spent Thanksgiving with my friend Maria. Her ex-husband Russ and their son Falcon joined us. A good time was had by all.

This is my new electric turkey fryer.

Only 40 minutes to cook!


Looks mighty tasty, eh?

Maria made everything but the turkey. It was great! Thanks, Maria.

Since the temperature had dropped way down into the upper 60's or lower 70's we had to build a fire to ward off the chill.

Winter Wonderland

I live in the Valley of the Sun. Sometimes known as the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Temperatures have been in the mid-70's to low 80's during the day, dipping down into the

mid-60's overnight. So I'm bicyling home after work the other night in my polo shirt and jeans. It's probably in the low 70's or upper 60's. Coming the other way is a guy on a bicycle in a parka. With the hood up. Blowing into his cupped hands at the red light.

Halloween

I went to a Halloween party a couple of weeks ago. I was in the minority there. I'm straight.

Maria and I were The Spider and The Fly

Jennifer was a French Maid. Her girlfriend was a Fire Fighter, but the pictures of her aren't suitable for a family blog. Jennifer's mother kept lifting Jennifer's skirt to show everybody how cute Jennifer's butt is. This struck me as more than a little strange.

There was a lot of speculation about Rose. The final consensus was a Dominatrix Disguised As A Librarian. I have a crush on Rose, too.

Chris and Steven were a Banana Gone Bad and Slim Jim.

It's Been A While

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. It's been kind of crazy for the last 3 weeks and I haven't taken the time I should have to keep up on this thing. I've even been lax in the snarky comment department on my family's blogs.

Part of it is that I don't have an internet connection at my new place yet. I hope to have that remedied soonest. Part of it has been trying to make sure that Dan's missus, Nok, has been looked after properly. Part of it I have no excuse for.

I'll try and do more better in the future.

Requiescat In Pace

When I went to work in Oregon in 1996 I gained a good friend. We've kept up on each other over the years, no matter where our seperate paths took us. For the last 3 years or so we've both been in Arizona. For the last 2+ we've been working together again.

My boy Dan, the dude in the Cowboys jersey in the Rocky Point pictures, took his life about seven hours or so ago. I don't know why.

Dan was a good and true friend. He had a good nature and would do anything for a friend. On a trip to Las Vegas for a wedding a couple had a wreck in Wickenburg, AZ. They called Dan, who was already in Las Vegas. Without hesitation he said "We're coming to get you." About an hour into the rescue he asked "So how far is Wickenburg, anyway?" That's the kind of guy Dan was.

Goodbye, my friend. You will be missed.

My Sweet New Digs

A friend offered me a smokin' deal on his place. 3x the room for just a little bit more than I was paying before. Now I'll have room if somebody comes to visit me!

More Derby Dames

The playoffs were last week. Emotions ran high and tempers flared. Mayhem ensued. Don't worry, I'm all right! I'll get some better vids next month at the championship.

Oh, and did I mention that I have a crush on Gabby?

Save The Boobs!

Everybody knows somebody that has been affected by breast cancer. I'm walking on November 8th to raise money and awareness. If you can find it in your heart (and pocketbook) to donate to this worthy cause, please go to: www.main.acsevents.org/goto/bww and give what you can! The boobs thank you.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - 2008-2009

Happy Birfdays!

Today both Jason and Lou celebrate. Wednesday, it's Natalie's turn. Happy Birfday, one and all!

A Blast From The Past

When Natalie went away to Texas, I signed up on FaceBook to keep up with her antics. I haven't used it very much since. I'm too old (and grumpy) for these social networking sites. So I was goofing off at work today and I had an e-mail from a girl I knew on my mission lo these many years ago. She saw my Simpsonized avatar on FaceBook and just knew it had to be me. After 30 years? Do I really look like this? I was surprised, and now we have some catching up to do.

My Sweet New Ride

I picked this up cheap at Tempe Bike because it's last year's model. Last year's model? For a bike? This is like the Schwinn I had when I was 12! Last year's model?

More Rocky Point!

There's nothing like the sand and the surf coming together. Even for a desert rat like me!

Roller Derby!

I'm a volunteer security guy for the Arizona Derby Dames at their bouts once a month. Speed, mayhem, and women who kind of scare me. What could be better?

Roller Derby draws an interesting crowd.

This is Gabrihella Gauntlet. I have a crush on her. I think that makes her nervous. No restraining order yet.
It's always a good time.

Cancer, anyone? Anyone?

I was in Safeway one day and they had posters all over for a "Prostate Cancer Raffle" drawing. I asked the checker "Why would I want to win cancer?"

Rocky Point

My boy Dan and I found this custom ride in Rocky Point, Mexico. You can't buy them like that off the showroom floor, people.