Well, it’s the first day of Summer, and I’m off on a business meeting in Nashua, NH.
There were no chairs provided, so we made due as best as we could.
Actually, there were plenty of chairs….
But what I really needed was a bed.
What company function would be complete without drinking….
Shooting pool….
And eating.
Luke, I am your father.
We left the bar and went back to the hotel for some more drinks….
And a competitive game of darts.
Then we pinned the tab on the bosses.
Next day, some of us decided to head into town for some eats.
Exciting downtown Nashua, NH.
So, merrily we walked along the streets.
They should really be sporting an “L” on the forehead.
We were going to eat here….
But the wait was too long, so we ate at another restaurant instead.
I think we made the right choice.
Afterwards, we went to get some ice cream.
Which homemade ice cream would you choose?
I went for Cookies N Cream.
The next day, we went over to the corporate head quarters for a small tour.
CEO Chuck Moran and I go way back.
We also sell e-Learning for the general idiot.
Later that evening, more drinking, this time with the bosses Tom and Mark.
James and Tim also joined in the fun.
Check out the action on this hand dryer. Now that’s some serious power.
This is Gabby’s dirty martini….
Apperantly not the only thing dirty about her.
This picture was much better from the front…
I knew you would agree.
On the way home, there was no room for me in the front…
So I rode in the back.
I was however, unable to shut the door and had to ride like this.
Upon my arrival at home, I found Kelli and Kristi washing my car. Aren’t they great!!!
This series of shots was taken in Ellicott City one morning…..
There’s nothing special about them, I just was messing around with the features on my camera.
One really cool feature, is I can switch from black and white…..
To color with the flick of a switch.
Many a drunkin’ night spent in this bar.
Looking up Church Street at the firehouse museum.
Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, my favorite watering hole.
I prefer the black and white of this one…
While Kelli prefers the color.
This was my favorite shot of the day.
Color, while still good, doesn’t have the mood of black and white.
The entrance to the courthouse. I think the sign says, “Monica Lewinsky was here.”
Look at the texture in that flower.
I love the depth of picture here.
Looking down the hill from in front of the Patapsco Female Institute.
Tongue Row.
These people were doing some reenacting of old firemen.
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The phone number seemes to be one digit short.
Switch, as seen from the point of view of the about-to-be-eaten mouse.
Kelli and Erin hang out at Missy and Rachel’s first going away party.
Laurie tells of her adventures in the Amazon while Kelli and Mary listen.
Missy and Erin discuss how they’ve heard the “Amazon” story one too many times.
Denise makes some new friends…
And is clearly uninterested in what the old ones have to say.
Kelli and I volunteered for Penn Oaks Winery at the Great Grapes wine festival.
The Festival was held at the Maryland State Fair grounds.
The general rule is, one for them, one for you.
Owner of Penn Oaks, Maura Luigard.
Enjoying some wine on our break.
This is Catherine from Elk run Winery. She always takes good care of us.
Our least favorite MD winery, Linganore Wine Cellars.
There was a guy there with a big barrel for crushing grapes….
We all walked around in the barrel, and stepped on the grapes.
Gross, messy, and fun.
Kelli and I hang out after having some food…
Then go back to Penn Oaks and say good by to the other owner, Maura’s husband Jan Luigard.
Yes, it was a good day.
You can’t leave with wine in your glass, so Kelli makes sure it’s empty.
On your mark, get set, go!!!!
That night, we went down to the pub, where we ran into Sean…
And Vic.
Kelli and I wen to the Doobie Brothers concert, but you couldn’t take a camera in.
But from the traffic leaving Wolf Trap, you can see there were quite a few people in attendance.
Four days later, and we went to a Jimmy Buffet concert.
Howard County’s finest, Chris Stavrou, there to make sure we don’t get out of control.
Good times were had by all.
So much so, that lines at the bathroom were getting longer with every beer.
But hey, as long as you have a beer while you’re in line, you OK.
Yes, and loser driving.
Mark and I dressed for the occasion…
While Scott and Jen did not.
Guess what she’s about to do…
Too bad for you that camera wasn’t quick enough.
But I got laid anyway.
Look ma, one handed.
The horses came for the grass, not the margaritas.
We had a quick bite to eat….
Then got ready and went into the show.
Unfortunatly, no camera’s allowed here either, so you’ll have to take my word that it was a great show.
The fourth of July, and we’re at Oregon Ridge State Park for the fireworks.
We arrived at the park to find a beautiful day.
The event is quite popular in the area.
It did rain for a brief time (that’s my shirt drying on the right).
But that didn’t keep us all from having a good time.
Kelli’s shirt was a little wet and needed to be wrung out.
Yes, the whole family came along.
Not only do we get to see fireworks when it gets dark, but the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was performing as well.
We’re all ready to see the fireworks….
And we didn’t have to wait long!!!!
I’d never taken pictures of fireworks before….
But I managed to get the hang of it after a few tries.
The colors in this one seem to fit the celebration quite well.
I actually left the shutter open for about 6-8 seconds for most of these.
I took about 40 pictures of the fireworks in all….
But I’ll make this the last one I show you….for now.
Going to the ocean that weekend, and it looks like this woman didn’t think about the bikes on top before pulling into the parking area.
A car full of kids can be just as distracting as a cell phone…..should we ban children?
Ok, I wasn’t fast enough this time to get back for the posed picture.
But I moved a little quicker this time.
This is the wallpaper on my computer right now. I love this picture!!!
That scrape is where the woman’s bikes hit our building.
What, you ask, am I doing at Chauncey’s Surf Shop?
Buying an accesory for the roof of my truck, of course.
So while Kelli rested on the beach…..
And the tourists wasted their money….
I slipped into the ocean to master the art of surfing.
With patience….
Determination….
And a few falls….
I was able to get up.
Of course it took me about 10 tries and a lot of energy, so I came in for a break.
Upon re-entering the water refreshed, I found it quite easy to get up on the board in a pretty consistant manner.
That night Kelli took me to dinner at Adolfo’s.
OK, I was trying to get this ride in the background with Kelli smiling in the foreground.
Usually she’s a good subject….
But for some reason she felt like being a pain this time.
Everytime I took the picture she was making a funny face.
The worst part was I had wait 4 minutes in between shots for the ride to be at the right place.
I finally gave up, and let her win her little game….but next time!!!!
Chauncey’s favorite hiding spot.
Going out for drinks with Rachel and Missy for yet another one of their going away parties (their second).
Puffin’ Pete showed up to say hello.
Kelli wore pink because she wanted to be just like Missy.
Why yes, three woman are a great time!!!
I told Denise She could join in the fun too!!!
OK, Really, this is the third and last time doing a “going away ” thing with them.
Does anyone besides me see the symbolism?
We’re on our way to Eastern Market in DC for some shopping.
Various artists (and wanna-be artists) come to pawn their wares.
Can you find Kelli?
Can any woman go through a market without buying something?
This is the inside area where a lot food items are sold.
At this stand, they sell nothing but cheese…
Look, she’s cutting the cheese!!!
Rachel tries to ignore the cock, but I think she secretly wants to take it home.
Cookies + Cream is popular, they had to list it twice.
No, I don’t need a bag, I’ll just carry it all with my hands.
Beautiful East DC.
For those of you who were wondering, the hot tub gets emptied and refilled every four months.
Wow, just look at the colors and light in the clouds!!!!
I think this is the guy eating my strawberries.
Name your flowers…..This is clover.
Daisy.
Tomato, of which we now have several ripe ones!!!!
Green Pepper.
Basil.
A weed.
These were flowers in my neighboors’ yard.
Same here.
Dandelion.
These are ants, and their eggs, that were found in my bird box.
The bush in front of my house.
A daddy long leg.
While I was out one day, I drove through the neighboorhood I grew up in.
This, being the house I lived in from ages 5-13.
I lived on Bright Plume.
We went to Jeff and Sarah’s for dinner one night, check out their mailbox!!
No it’s not their mailbox, but it is at the end of their street.
We enjoyed a relaxing evening on the deck….
While watching the dogs try to bite the trees.
Later, Sarah attended to her womanly cleaning duties….
While Jeff and I worked on setting up the stereo.
At any minute, this could get really good!!!
With the stereo wired…
and everything seeming to be in working order…
It was time for Sarah to take our food orders.
The grill was ready to go!!!
Messing with the shutter speed again.
But now it’s time to eat…
But it seems we have an unwanted guest.
Jeff got soooo hammered, that all the color washed out of his face.
Long hair is quite the “in” thing these days.
See how many chics it gets you!!!
Wouldn’t you look too?
An update on my garden. Click here to see what it looked like from Spring
Jeff Nauman came to town, so we hung out at the brew pub.
Kelli acts interested while Jeff acts cool.
It’s not the dress as much as it is the way she wears it.
Birthday/Birthday/Father’s day belated celebration.
Mike making sure the mopeds work before selling them.
Of course my Mum-in-law had to get in on the action too.
The cover of my new book, “101 ways to spot a nerd”.
A day over at Drew’s house finds grapes growing…
And people playing in the pool.
This was the “I didn’t bring a bathing suit” crowd.
This sign can only mean one thing….
Another party at Moe and Val’s.
Sarah and Jeff getting in some practice for when they have their own children.
This seems to be a popular spot each year for people to hang out.
I know what you’re looking at!!!!
Last year we cleaned out this box (click here), this year it seems that a bird has made a nest.
Kelli poses for a nice shot.
This dog loved to play frisbee.
“OK, let go..let goooo…..”
Jeff, Kelli, and I kick a ball around.
Thrilled, absolutely thrilled to be here.
Darin demonstrates proper use of a club…
While Jeff demonstrates proper use of the retrival system.
Drinking and riding can lead to…..
Getting a little crazy.
Jeff, shows how it’s done.
Kelli enjoys a private moment with Chauncey.
A hummingbird comes to drink from my feeder.
With Julie out of town, Ryan thought he would get out for a bit and come have some beers with me.
Mmmmmm, beer.
Rob stoped by too, and it looks like he brought a friend.
All in all, it was a good night.
The next day, I met with Ryan and a friend of his to go for a ride.
We then met with a few more people…
And a few more for a total of 17 bikes.
We went for a ride to southern MD.
It was a beautiful day for a ride….
And it seems everyone enjoyed themselves.
We stopped off at the turn-around point, and had some lunch…
Then took one more picture before heading home.
That night we hung out at Ryan’s house (remember, Julie is out of town)….
And tried not to get into too much trouble.
Well, so far the first part of the summer has been a real bang!!! Hope to see you in the second half!!!!