What Did I Do on My Summer Vacation

For the first time in almost 22 years Terry and I spent almost the entire summer in the absence of children.  Amanda has moved from school in Pittsburgh across the state to a new job in Philly.  And between camp, vacations, and a trip to the beach with big sis, Caroline has been gone since just after school let out.  

So what did Terry and I do?   We dug deep into our youth and became groupies.  That’s right, we pretty much followed one of our local bands around from bar to bar dig’n the great music. Hang’n with old and making new friends. Basically, enjoying our new found freedom. 

On this particular night I brought along the camera equipment and shot a few for the band.  Pretty simple two flash setup; one on camera with a CTO gel to help warm things up and a remote flash with a blue gel to provide just a hint of color.  

Meet Chickenhawks Rock

     

Double Wide Grill

Very cool place up in South Side Pittsburgh.  Took the family, including Dan and Jim, this evening and we all had a great time. 

Check out the video…  I thought it was pretty funny.  :)

What could be better on the 4th of July

Having a back yard cookout with life long friends. 

Jim, Paul, Mike and Me

Paul has been having a 4th of July party since we were all in high school together.  Through the years we’ve all done some crazy things and seen our lives change and mature as we got older.  But when you boil it all down we’re all still the same people we were way back then.  We might not see each as often but when we get back together its like we’ve been together every day since High School.  

Of course some do still see each other once a week but they’ve gone from Basket Ball to Tennis.  What's up with that?  An age thing? ;-)  

Thanks to Terry we have some fantastic photos to share. Enjoy.

“You’re going down!!!” it was a pretty intensive round of pool Badminton.

Cool shades Linda…  are they yours or Terry’s? 

What can we say about Joan…  She always has a smile.

Michael, who would have imagined him being such a good father to such lovely daughters.  It verges on Irony.  Can’t wait for the boy friends to start coming by.  Call me Mike I’ll give you some pointers. 

Jim, the “Gentle Giant.” Went from blowing up crabs with firecrackers so many years ago, to throwing little girls into the pool.  She asked of course and Jim happily obliged not once but twice.  I think that was about all he could muster…  After all we are getting “old.” 

 

It was a great time and Terry did a great job of capturing everyone's personalities… except mine…  No pictures of me other than the group pic.  I guess that show where I rank in the social structure.;-) 

To everyone else who was there, thanks for a fun day and here’s hoping for another one next year.  Of course thanks to Paul and Linda for putting up with us all and I can’t forget Paul’s mom and dad…  they put up with us way back when we were a much more… well lets just say… adventurous bunch. 

Happy 4th of July

Old Friends, Good Bar, Great Band

What else could be finer? 

Last night Terry and I went out, yes by ourselves without the kids, to The Old Brogue in Great Falls, VA to see some old friends and to hear a band with a lead singer that we were promised was great.  Well great isn’t the word…  Any group that has the guts to cover California Dreaming is great in my book but Mary you were fantastic. Oh, Brian and Neal, you guys were fantastic too and thanks for letting us borrow Mary between sets.  ;-)      

It was great to see Mary, Maureen and Terry together again after so many years; you guys clearly had a good time and need to get together more often.  

BTW: Mary, next time Terry and I see you perform we’ll be sure to bring the entire complement of camera gear.  ;-)  

A few more photos