Ghouls, Goblins and Roller Coasters

Hi all. I am happy to report that Susan and I survived the hurricane just fine. The winds were a bit stronger than expected but we only lost power for a few hours and there was only minor damage in our area. Well…some rich guys yacht blew up onto the Causeway road near our apartment…but does that person REALLY have any problems. The county had the ‘chain gang’ prisoners out cleaning up promptly the next day following the storm, complete with horizontal black striped uniforms and all.

Went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios last night with some friends (Above are Susan, Steve, Alison and Stu). It was definitely something to see. The atmosphere was creepy with fog machines, chain saw wielding hooligans and motorcycle riding zombies. The lines for the haunted houses were long, but at least they had bars set up for cocktails and beer. We rode the Incredible Hulk roller coaster in the dark (those who have been know how cool THAT is), the Spider Man ride and basically wormed our way around the park. We got into four of the ten or so haunted houses. I’m happy to report that even I wasn’t too scared…although I did have a death grip on Steve and/or Stu through the entire ordeal. Below are some pictures that didn’t come out too well due to the darkness, the pictures don’t do the characters of Death and his Mistress justice as they were on about 8 foot stilts and very impressive.

WIIILLLLMMMMAAAA!!!

Fred is dancing because Wilma is near. They say that Wilma is 'slingshotting' towards Florida. Brevard county is directly in her path, luckily it will have slowed down over land since it is coming from the West. Below is a picture I took of the beach near my apartment this morning...'The Calm Before the Storm'. We'll keep you updated!

Redskins, Wolfpack and Guns

Redskins

O.K., Ali and I went to the Purple Porpoise to watch the Redskins Vs. the Chiefs last Sunday. Her being from K.C. made for some fun exchanges between the two of us. Unfortunately she got the last laugh. Note to Alison: 1) Rock the K State Wildcat clearly was on the take. 2) Sean is cute isn't he...I just wish he would tone down his enthusiasm for Skins...by the end of the game even I was rooting for the Chiefs.

Wolf Pack

I ventured up to Coasters last Thursday to watch the N.C. State Wolf Pack play the purple panted Clemson Tigers. I have a new name for the 'Wolf Pack'...'Puppy Litter', because that is what they played like. Now is not a good time to mention to Stu that Va Tech beat N.C. state in men's soccer over the weekend....not that anyone cares about soccer but me....had fun and I learned that there is at least one cool person that works at Boeing, Alison's friend Richey Rich.

Guns

Now I didn't mention this before, but I am officially a handgun owner. I purchased the S&W .38, 'double action only' weapon last month. Thanks to Russ for taking some of us through an NRA course and lesson. I'm convinced that Russ will one day retire in Montana to run a compound and write deliriously long letters to major newspapers about our oppressive Government. Seriously though, once you sift through the right wing propaganda (what does the second amendment say anyway???!!), the course was extremely informative. I am now eligible for my concealed weapons permit...watch out old foes. Cathy's most used line during target shooting, "Did I even HIT the target?!". Cathy's most embarrassing moment, "Russ: Let's set up a special target for Cathy that is only 15 feet away". Best shooter, Alison "deadeye" Denny by far...I wouldn’t cross her Stu. Catalog picture of my gun below:

Don "Scoop" Reeder

...I wonder what they were talking about?

Livestock

OK., here is an introduction to the most important members of the household. The three furry felines are a constant reminder to Cindy that she USED to have the house to herself...she is always trying to eat them and we must keep them separated by a baby gate, rotating allotted times for outside their respective abodes (Cathy and Susan's bedrooms). From the top to bottom are: Cindy - she is the true ruler of the house. She is none to happy with me for allowing the three little furry felines into her home and she never misses an opportunity to try and eat one of the home invaders. She usually goes after Judy, the old slow one....she is a real mean albeit not brave dog....next is Chaplin (a.k.a. Harry Cottonballs), he lets out a girly hiss whenever Cindy gets anywhere near him, but is a real sweetheart. Then fat Mickey (a.k.a. Butternut Man), he has never met a meal he doesn't like. Below him is Finally, Judy (a.k.a. squeaky), she is a true bitc* and in the tradition of cathood she is ungrateful, unaffectionate and downright moody. I honestly can't figure out why I haven't thrown her into a locked room with Cindy yet...

Bella's

Had a great meal at Bella's on Tuesday night. It is an Italian Restaraunt in downtown Melbourne. Big props to Cathy B. for footing the bill. She is awesome. Us ladies are going to make it a monthly outing. I got to have dinner with some old friends and some new. Thanks Gail, Alison, Cathy B. , Kimberly and Susan The French restaraunt is next (yah, I know...ugh the French) and, yes Gail, you're invited!! Hopefully Kathy C. can make it next time.

Girls Night Out

As promised, Here are a couple of pics from our night out a week ago. Here are some crazy girls from left to right: Christine, Heather, Alison, Cathy and Jon. Jon had TWO boyfriends there...of course her husband was out of town...This was at City Tropics in Indialantic where we went after a meal of Sushi in Melbourne.






Here is the 'old' guy hitting on Heather. Of course, Heather is a young twenty four so the 'old' guy is my age. Notice that although Heather claims the poor guy didn't have a shot, it didn't stop her from letting him buy her and her friend Stacey some drinks...ah to be young again.

My two favorite Dudes

Mitchell and Matthew Hoag...our nephews from Vienna...they are two cool cats.

Musings

O.K., Alison and I went to the FL Tech Volleyball game last Friday and let's just say that they weren't exactly good. But our friend Janelle, who is a coach, was happy to see us support her team.

Sunday was Football day up at the Purple Porpoise Beachside....let's just say that what was intended to be a couple of beers and half a game ended up to be two games and too many beers to count. I believe Stu and Alison are a bad influence on me (o.k. nobody in my family believes that, I'm sure).

But, hey, good news...Susan got out of the house and came with me. I'm sure the vampire gods were seething with contempt, but she even laid out at the pool with me before hand. I explained to her that the big orange thing in the sky is what our humble tiny planet revolves around... she was reluctant to believe me and still thinks the world revolves around TV Land...baby steps.