The LTGs on the lake

The LTGs on the lake, a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

All the G Boys in the world... on a dock my Dad built

All the Guzofski Boys in the world..., a photo by Guzilla on Flickr.

Baby's First Boat Ride!

New Hampshire Fellas

"Who let Daddy dress himself?"

NH Boys

NH boys...chillaxin'.

New Hampshire Families

Young Russell

Leighton & Sydney

Skynyrd Style

Pickup, Budweiser cooler, Skynyrd. God bless America.

As my Mom said, "All you need is the gun rack, a rifle, and a dog and you could pass for a real redneck!" Thanks, Mom! Getting closer!

And on the Final Day...

He rested...

And Then... Late Night.

No words can adequately describe the sight of a fire-breathing Cajun:

Just Some Good Ol' Boys

And there was a terrific band. Many thanks to TJ & the guys for coming by and here's me sitting in with them. As The Wife astutely yells out, I did flub half a line. But I think that's okay as - as I TOLD HER - it was to be a medley and I really wanted the NEXT song recorded on video. So I guess we're even as she choked on the camera work.

However, I am pretty sure that we'll be performing again and some day we can get the now infamous "Dukes of Hazzard" / "Fall Guy" theme song medley on video... Real New England country.

Day 3: The Actual Party

It was fantastic. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING and a special thanks to Mom for hosting what was a thermonuclear explosion. The weather held, the band was great, and the food was UNREAL. Had a lot of people travel in from pretty far away, and I was thrilled:

There was boating:

and jet-skiing:

and water sports:

Night 2: Raisin' Hell In Brattleboro

So we decided to go in to Brattleboro to see TJ's band the "Truckdrivin' Neighbors Downstairs" play my favorite southern Vermont dive, the Mole's Eye Cafe. The ladies showed up midway through so we ended up closing the place and dancing up a storm. There were several highlights but I enjoyed the lead singer asking over the mic during a Johnny Cash song, "Hey Lee, what happens next?" Happily, I provided a hint toward the forgotten lyrics. I then joined them onstage for the last song, where we rehearsed our medley to great acclaim.

We returned to the house where some peeled off to bed, while some stayed up playing throw pong. It has to be said, after well over a decade of my dominance, Sugarpants RULED the table. Well done Chris. The band ended up coming over and staying on the porch with us until 4:00am.

Day 2: The Storm Before The Storm

We woke up a little sluggish on Friday morning and started prepping the house for the weekend. The Admiral came and we started getting the boat ready. We put the boat in the water and I drove the truck & trailer back to the house, forgetting I was dressed like a total jackass in a black Captain's hat and Baton Rouge PD shirt. I slowed down to pull in to our driveway and let a bicyclist by who looked at me and nervously asked, "Uh... Are you slowing down to talk to me about something?" "Nope. Carry on."

In the event of rain, Mom wanted us to put a tarp up which is where Gano's talents really stood out (to this point). As Chris & Matt helped him he assembled a truly remarkable example of Cajuneering that kept everyone dry, replete with gutters. I had Lynyrd Skynyrd playing in the background and he remarked, "Southern music for a southern project."

That completed, we sat under the tarp and enjoyed tapping the brand new keg with Sugartex on his faithful horse, "Saw" (having hitched a life preserver saddle).

Birthday Recap - Day 1: The Odyssey

We have pretty well documented the first day previously on the blog. Gano & I had a meeting Wednesday night that ended late with us meeting some friends. Which also ended late. Missed our morning train and stranded poor Matt at Penn Station before getting another. Had a couple drinks on the train, startled some fellow passengers and got to Hartford where we took a taxi to Mom's house to pick up the Mustang. This Gano drove to Bradley airport to leave for Chris to pick up when he arrived from Texas. Then we repaired to the Cloud Nine lounge for lunch and more beers.

Mom got us and drove us up to NH, with a quick run through the Yankee Candle Company.

Got to Spofford, went out to dinner at The Pub, went to watch a little Patriots preseason football at Elm City Brewery and then home, where Chris / Sugarpants had arrived from Texas. Naturally more frivolity ensued, including a broken table, before we all limped off to bed.

2008 LTG Lake Birthday Recap

Will be forthcoming... Have been thrown back in to the meat grinder workwise and haven't had a spare moment. Will do a full recap of what was truly an incredible weekend shortly. Stay tuned...

A Very Happy Co-Birthday Weekend

Had a very nice & relaxing time up at Lake Spofford for a Co-Birthday Party. Momma did a great job in getting the house ready (including monkey balloons) as well as in restaurant selection. We had truly an EXCELLENT meal at Luca's Mediterranean Cafe. A lot of laughs, music & bocce. A very good time was had by all -- thanks Momma! Shenanigan photos HERE.

A Beautiful Day on Lake Spofford

Despite a dreadful weather forecast, the sun is shining & the lake is gorgeous. A wonderful setting for a low-key celebration of The Wife & Marvelous Matt's birthdays.

Helmet Memories

Many years ago, on eBay, I purchased my brother a tie-fighter pilot's helmet from "Star Wars" that was made from the original mold used in the movies. Geeky? Perhaps. But at least it has survived "the troubles..."