The Guzilla Diaries

The Alligator King

2012-01-27T13:10:00.001-05:00

an important lesson , my 2 little swamp gators!

Love,

Daddy Rex

Mourning JoePa

2012-01-26T18:55:00.002-05:00

Mourning JoePa, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

watched some of the memorial service this afternoon. Tremendous eulogy by Jay Paterno. And the lone Blue Band trumpet player playing "Hail to the Lion" as a mournful funeral dirge... Well done Penn State. I know I speak for my Dad too when I quote one of the student signs that lined the funeral procession path, "WE ARE because YOU WERE." God bless Coach... and thanks.

RIP: Nicol Williamson

2012-01-26T13:36:00.002-05:00

Goodbye Merlin.

"Do nothing. Be still. Sleep. Rest in the arms of the dragon. Dream.... "

A meeting of the minds!

2012-01-22T20:37:00.001-05:00

A meeting of the minds!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Home tribute

2012-01-22T14:26:00.001-05:00

Home tribute, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

In mourning for Jo Pa.

2012-01-22T14:24:00.001-05:00

In mourning for Jo Pa., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Baby's first "circle of neglect" time. Seems to be enjoying it...trying to eat the cup.

2012-01-22T13:22:00.001-05:00

Baby's first "circle of neglect" time. Seems to be enjoying it...trying to eat the cup., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

We are... Very sad.

2012-01-22T11:31:00.001-05:00

We are... Very sad., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

God bless you, Coach. You deserved better.

Thank you for returning my father's stolen slide rule when he was a poor struggling engineering student and was embarrassed to admit he couldn't afford another one. You were a hero to my father, to me, and you will be to my sons. May you rest in peace.

We are.... Very sad.

God bless you, Coach

2012-01-22T00:55:00.001-05:00

God bless you, Coach, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Sign of the Times

2012-01-21T22:59:00.001-05:00

Sign of the Times, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

as a father, I understand the desire for safety. but as a son of the 70's... let's ride.

Leighton & Maya

2012-01-21T12:59:00.001-05:00

Leighton & Maya, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Wounded Warriors

2012-01-21T12:45:00.001-05:00

Wounded Warriors, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

sadly, we could not attend this year but Bob sent this photo along. looks
like a great turn out! our hearts are with you, but it was too much after
being away, both of us having a brutal work week, and my having to work all
weekend. but hopefully this will be the last one we ever miss.

Working out...deck 7...SAS.

2012-01-13T19:20:00.001-05:00

Working out...deck 7...SAS., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Getting ready for the lifeboat drill!

2012-01-13T16:35:00.001-05:00

Getting ready for the lifeboat drill!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

game on

2012-01-13T15:03:00.001-05:00

game on, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Nice to be home

Monkey & Banana

2012-01-11T09:44:00.001-05:00

Monkey & Banana, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Mommy's Birthday Wish

2012-01-09T20:10:00.000-05:00

Leighton Thomas, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

‎2 years ago today at 8:10pm, a small wonder came in to the world, changing everything for the better. Happy birthday, Leighton! You are the sweetest, funniest boy I know and I am blessed to be your mommy.

All I want for my birthday is....

2012-01-08T16:53:00.001-05:00

All I want for my birthday is.... a video by Guzilla on Flickr.

Mardi Gras Tree

2012-01-08T14:31:00.001-05:00

Mardi Gras Tree, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

The Final Touches.

2012-01-08T14:07:00.001-05:00

The Final Touches., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Decorating the Mardi Gras Tree!!!!

2012-01-08T14:05:00.001-05:00

Decorating the Mardi Gras Tree!!!!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Our little piano man

2012-01-08T13:36:00.001-05:00

Our little piano man a video by Guzilla on Flickr.

Joe & Leighton

2012-01-07T12:42:00.001-05:00

Joe & Leighton, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Tricia & Harrison

2012-01-07T12:40:00.001-05:00

Tricia & Harrison, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Joe & Tricia at Rolf's

2012-01-07T12:37:00.001-05:00

Joe & Tricia at Rolf's, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Direct from Baton Rouge! "Pops & Mamere!"

Mardi Gras Tree

2012-01-06T23:05:00.001-05:00

Mardi Gras Tree, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Happy Twelfth Night. As the kids are still enjoying our tree, we're
transitioning it to a "Mardi Gras Tree."

Happy at Home

2012-01-04T20:36:00.001-05:00

Happy at Home, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Welcome Home

2012-01-04T16:43:00.001-05:00

Welcome Home, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Sleepy ER time. It's not as glamorous as the TV show...let me tell you!

2012-01-04T15:52:00.001-05:00

Sleepy ER time. It's not as glamorous as the TV show...let me tell you!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Fitness

2012-01-01T17:07:00.001-05:00

Fitness, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Someone's fitness resolution kicked off early.

Texas Forever

2012-01-01T15:31:00.001-05:00

Texas Forever, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."

To dress, or not to dress...that is the question.

2011-12-28T11:05:00.001-05:00

To dress, or not to dress...that is the question., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Wintery holiday morning in the mountains

2011-12-28T11:03:00.001-05:00

Wintery holiday morning in the mountains, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

How much do I love my brother?

2011-12-28T11:02:00.001-05:00

How much do I love my brother?, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Straw bossing the help

2011-12-26T10:01:00.001-05:00

Straw bossing the help, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Baby's first Christmas

2011-12-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

Baby's first Christmas, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Little drummer boy

2011-12-26T09:59:00.007-05:00

Little drummer boy, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Christmas beers and banagrams

2011-12-26T09:59:00.005-05:00

Christmas beers and banagrams, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

The podiatrist is in.

2011-12-26T09:59:00.003-05:00

The podiatrist is in. a video by Guzilla on Flickr.

Santa's little helper

2011-12-26T09:59:00.001-05:00

Santa's little helper, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

I thought this was a phone booth!

2011-12-26T09:57:00.001-05:00

I thought this was a phone booth!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T17:29:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

So patient

2011-12-22T23:01:00.001-05:00

So patient, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Just like his father... a patient little angel.

Boys & Tree

2011-12-22T20:03:00.001-05:00

Boys & Tree, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

The Happiest of Holidays

2011-12-22T19:44:00.001-05:00

The Happiest of Holidays, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Where my Whos at? Whoville, holla!

2011-12-22T10:09:00.001-05:00

Where my Whos at? Whoville, holla!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Things 1 & 2

2011-12-22T10:08:00.001-05:00

Things 1 & 2, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Harrison gained 2 lbs. and 10 oz to 15 lbs 15 oz. and grew 10% to 26.5
inches in 2 months. (!!!)

Someone loves his baby brother a whole lot!

2011-12-20T10:40:00.001-05:00

Someone loves his baby brother a whole lot!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Brothers

2011-12-18T15:15:00.003-05:00

Brothers, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

The Red Menace

2011-12-18T15:15:00.001-05:00

The Red Menace, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Helping "Tampa"

2011-12-18T15:13:00.001-05:00

Helping "Tampa", a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

The Lee-son for The Season

2011-12-18T15:05:00.001-05:00

The Lee-son for The Season, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

LTGs

2011-12-18T12:21:00.001-05:00

LTGs, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Breakfast with the Boys

2011-12-17T11:20:00.001-05:00

Breakfast with the Boys, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Fwd: Passed out after morning bottle. Must have been some GOOD milk!

2011-12-16T09:45:00.001-05:00

Fwd: Passed out after morning bottle. Must have been some GOOD milk!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

DJ Baby G

2011-12-11T20:07:00.001-05:00

DJ Baby G, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

First Headphones

2011-12-05T15:54:00.003-05:00

Baby's First Headphones, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Quite a milestone in a young man's life.

Air Fuzz!

2011-12-02T10:45:00.002-05:00

Air Fuzz!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Baby's First Flight!

RIP: Coco Robicheaux

2011-11-29T17:01:00.001-05:00

New Orleans hoodoo bluesman Coco Robicheaux collapsed at his favorite haunt the Apple Barrel on Friday and died. To say I knew him is to way overstate it, but we did spend some time together on multiple occasions. The Apple Barrel is one of my favorite haunts as well and I have a tendency to either get there very early, or very late. Or, when the moon is properly aligned, both. One of the benefits of this is that I would often see Coco at the bar or on the bench outside and we'd get to chatting.

One time I had arrived in New Orleans a day or 2 before Charity and found myself at the Apple Barrel once again. I don't recall if it was way early or way late this particular evening, but I did notice Coco sitting at the end of the bar and said hello. We ended up talking & buying each other drinks. He had just flown in from playing a few shows in Germany and so was out of sorts with jet lag so thought he'd adjourn to the Apple Barrel.

And he kept sharing story after story with me. We talked for a very long time. And kept buying each other drinks. Finally I asked the bartender for a pen & some paper and looked at Coco and said, "Man... I'm not a reporter or anything, but I have to write some of this stuff down. Because I want to remember it tomorrow." And I still have that piece of paper that is titled "Notes With Coco" - it resides in my Soul Box.

The story I most clearly remember was when he, Jim Morrison & Jimi Hendrix were drinking an afternoon away in a San Francisco blues bar. And hippies would walk by and taunt the 3 of them by yelling, "Alcohol's an establishment drug!" Oh to have been sitting at the bar with him then...

Safe passages, Coco. In an often phony & superficial world, you were authentically & delightfully different. I am grateful for the time we spent together and at least I still have your music to go with some great memories. As the Times-Pic obituary article said:

Known for an especially gravelly voice, a swamp-blues guitar style and a fascination with subjects of a spiritual and/or mystical nature, Mr. Robicheaux lived an especially colorful life, even by the standards of a New Orleans musician.

Yep. Well done, Coco... You will be missed & I wish I could head down to your Second Line on December 12th. Am sure it will be a proper send-off for a New Orleans original.

Another good feature on Coco located HERE in which they discuss how Coco got to be featured in the lyrics to Dr. John's "Walk On Gilded Splinters."

And just stumbled across this nice remembrance site too which tells the story of how Coco hexed the bathroom door at the Apple Barrel.

"Goin' to make trouble wherever I can."

The Boys

2011-11-29T10:35:00.002-05:00

Ready to Rock

2011-11-29T08:24:00.002-05:00

Ready to Rock, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Hi Blue Eyes!

2011-11-22T18:56:00.002-05:00

Hi Blue Eyes!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

CONGRATULATIONS!

2011-11-20T22:05:00.001-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

A good group at a good show

2011-11-20T22:02:00.001-05:00

A good group at a good show, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Care

2011-11-20T13:14:00.001-05:00

Care, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

"The least that I can do is care..."

Kid Rock

2011-11-20T13:13:00.001-05:00

Kid Rock, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Working the counter at the cleaners.

2011-11-18T15:24:00.002-05:00

Working the counter at the cleaners., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

He's the professional button separator.

Military Appreciation Day

2011-11-16T08:17:00.002-05:00

Military Appreciation Day, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

At the Pats / Jets game. Thanks to Steve and our neighbors for being great hosts! Beer, bourbon, fried chicken, clams, 2 types of sausages, burgers with grilled onions, pumpkin pie... and not beating me up for being a Pats fan! Had a great time.

Relaxin'

2011-11-16T08:13:00.002-05:00

Relaxin', a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

"Virtually Everything at Stake"

2011-11-15T13:48:00.002-05:00

a nice piece on virtual worlds from a dynamic talk given at the New York Academy of Sciences.

Virtually everything at stake

A video game designer and a scientist explore the undeniable pull of virtual worlds

A new existence awaits right inside our computer screens [Image Credit: Snooze]

Li'l Mohawk

2011-11-08T21:44:00.002-05:00

Li'l Mohawk, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

The Frog Prince

2011-11-05T14:02:00.002-05:00

The Frog Prince, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

High Praise, Indeed....

2011-11-04T11:34:00.002-05:00

A wonderful quote by Comp, as relayed to me recently by Jasinski: "As Comp often says, '[Guzilla]'s friends are a collection of misfits and freaks... then you realize you are one of them.'"

High praise, indeed... To you dear friends!

Little blue-eyed bunny!

2011-11-01T14:52:00.003-05:00

Little blue-eyed bunny!, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Our Little Phantom of the Opera

2011-10-28T11:27:00.002-05:00

Our Little Phantom of the Opera, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Pilot to Bombardier

2011-10-22T07:13:00.004-05:00

Pilot to Bombardier, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Captain Leighton commences a bombing run.

Little Pouty Face

2011-10-19T16:38:00.001-05:00

Had to give Leighton a proper scolding for the first real time as he hit his brother above the eye with a toy car and it drew blood. A total accident and unsure which one of us it took more out of.

I... I'm a total creampuff.