PhreakNIC 9 Weekend

It is Sunday (October 23) and the last two days have been event filled. I left work early Friday and went to Edwin Warner park to run/hike before sunset. It is a great place to go because of the rugged and varied terrain. After the running I hit the gym for a nice workout.

Later that evening, I went to meet some friends at the Days Inn. There was a hacker/computer geek convention (PhreakNIC 9) that Aaron and Carey were attending. It was great seeing Aaron again. He is now permanently based in Austin and has great job there. When I got there it was evident that just about everyone was more than just a little bit inebriated. Needless to say, those geeks can party. The hotel was teched out and people were walking around with booze in one hand and their laptops in another.

Jessica had a friend in town who wanted to go clubbing. So Adam, Jessica, Emily, Maria (from L.A.), Kaz and I hit downtown. We went to Decades (80 and early 90's music), Bar Nashville (Top 40), Graham Central Station (multilevel entertainment complex) and Envy (two dance floors - Dance/Techno & Hip hop). It was a wild night. After all the bar hopping, we went back to the hotel to chill before heading home.

The next day started out slow. I met the group down at Fido's and then went to Ken's Sushi for lunch. Robb and I hung out for a while and then took Aaron and his buddies back to the Days Inn. I was not in any condition to do this but, Jessica, Adam, Robb and I, went to the Y for an hour of really bad Racquetball. Thank god there were no cameras there. Especially when Jessica and I were attempting to hit the ball. I think she and I got our abs worked out more from all the laughing.

I had dinner that night with Caleb, Heather and Robb. We had Chinese at my favorite Chinese restaurant (on Gallatin Road). The food was delectable. Heather and Caleb had big plans that night (I hope you guys had a blast!!), Robb had to get home to take care of the animals and I had to go back to the convention to hang with Aaron and the gang. It was a low key night for me, but being the last night of the convention the Days Inn was much wilder than the night before. It was good to spend some time Aaron before he headed back to Austin.

That night, I had a really nice surprise - Rica called from Chicago. She lives in Singapore now and is visiting with her family. Rica is one of my best friends (high school years) and I haven't spoken to her in years. She has 2 little girls now (2 & 10) and I am godfather to her oldest. Rica sounds so grown up, but she always did - even when we were kids. Her brother called Thursday to let me know she would be there. I would have flown up, but I didn't have enough notice. It was blessing enough just to hear her voice.

The weather here in Nashville is getting cooler and the leaves are falling. Winter is fast approaching. I am looking forward to Christmas. I will spend part of my holiday celebrating with my family in Florida. Well it is Sunday morning, the weekend is not yet over and the day is just beginning. Today, I am going to attempt to find a new dining room set. I'll post pictures when I get something. I've looked before and I have to say, it hasn't been easy finding something I really like.

Birthday Weekend

The following are shots from my birthday weekend (October 15). Friday started with a surprise from my buddies at work. This what my desk looked like when I got in to work.

Thanks Nicole, Ida and Patrick. I love you guys!!

Several friends also had their birthday on this weekend. I was not able to celebrate with everyone, but I did get to share this special time with Irene and Muhammad Jamal.

October 14 is Muhammad Jamal's birthday. We went to Anatolia's for dinner.

After dinner.

Irene and I (celebrating our birthdays). We met up with her at Bosco's.

Hanging out with Irene and her friends.

After Bosco's, we headed to Mirror's for Stephanie's (the bartender) special seasonal drink, Crack. Then we went clubbing. It was lots of fun!!!

Saturday started with Emily, Adam and Jessica picking me up at home and taking me to Shelby Park for a birthday picnic. After that we headed to the Chocolate Festival at this little shop in Greenhills. Then, we met Carey at his home were Jocelyn gave me a beautiful broom.

The group took me to the top of one of the hills at Centennial Park to do a meditation at sunset.

As always, Aja is amazing with his drumming.

This was special gift and a blessing on my birthday.

Chanting with the Shruti Box.

We had dinner at Buca di Beppo. It was the first time for several in the group. There was a long wait, but it was well worth it.

Mural over the table, everyone was commenting that it just does not look right.

Look at all that food. Yum!!

It is not everyday that you get the Pope's head on the table.

Getting ready to blow out the candles and make a wish.

Thanks guys!!! It was a great and very special weekend.

2nd Annual Storey Telling Party

On October 1st we had our 2nd Annual Story Telling Party here at Stratford Avenue. Everyone who attended had something to share. We started the night with a delectable meal and friendly conversation.

Barry Bonifay, our resident story teller, was the host of the night. As usual, he told the most delightful story.

It was nice to have Cayne with us before she left. She is now in California.

My story involved my first trip to Vegas, an item I purchased there for a dear friend, and ended on a resort called Paradise Island in the Philippines. Sorry, no details - most of many of the stories told that night are best not repeated on the web.

I have to hand it to Kristen for having the guts to share her extremely embarrassing and very funny account of an unfortunate and comical situation that she experienced in San Francisco.

Kristen, I will never forget what you shared. It made the whole night worth it.

Story telling is an art. Some of the stories told were embelished or simply made up but told as if they were actual events.

Gary telling his story.

Later that evening we sat on the side porch and Gary treated us to a very dramatic reading of the script he has been working on.

Barry and Cayne listening intently.

Emily's Surprise Birthday Weekend

We started the night at Jackson's, 2 blocks from where I work. It was a perfect night to begin Emily's birthday weekend celebration (Friday, 9/23/05) .

Charlie's Angles.

2 redheads.

Emily's big surprise, she's thinking we are taking her to some club. Instead, we are going to Loni's farm northeast of Nashville for the weekend.

Shopping for our weekend supplies at Wal Mart.

Friday night, Loni had the grill all ready to go when we got there.

Spicier girls. We did some karaoke right after dinner.

"Been spending most of our lives living in the gangsta's paradise..."

With feeling.

Sing it loud baby!

Our portable karaoke machine. My Laptop has over 5,000 songs.

Jessica, Caleb, Jeff, Linda, Emily, John & Nicole.

Roasting marshmallows over the fire for some yummy smores.

Hot babe on the 4 wheeler. There were two of these (4 wheelers, there were several hot babes) that everyone got to play with Friday night.

We also played Twister both nights. Heather brought the game. It was my first time. Definitely fun and challenging... especially after a few drinks.

Hey Em, can you touch your toes?

Ready, set, go!

Hey Jess!

What's with the sneaky grin Jeff?

Waking up Saturday morning. Love you Linda!!

Our ride to the canoe drop off point.

Emily, Adam, Jessica, Jeff, Nicole & I canoed the Buffalo River on Saturday.

Making our way to the rope swing.