Biker Babe

See I already got this biker babe and I have only had the bike for two days.

My new bike

Here I am on my new bigger faster motorcycle. This thing really attracks the babes.

Budge and Corina's new house -Oh yea & Hazel's

The big wedding event

This is one of my proudest moments. LK is becoming LS.

Best thing I saw on my scuba trip

This is the octapus I saw on my trip to Jameica with LR.

Cherry Blossoms

LR and I spend today walking among the Cherry Blossoms. It was a beautiful day inspite of the gray skys. We followed up the walk with dinner in Chinatown. It was only fitting since the cherry trees were a gift from the orient. Oh that's right, we should have gone to the Japanese Steak house instead.

Day at the Aquariurm

Saturday was a lovely day in Baltimore. I was lucky enough to have spent it with LR at the Baltimore Aquarium and the Inner Harbor enjoying a early outdoor dinner. The picture above was one of the many sharks. I was so surprised that it took us about 5 hours to see all the exhibits. Or maybe it was just time flying when your having a good time!

Apendix- What the hell is going on?

As you can see from the above drawing, the appendix is a tiny litttle organ that has no real function except to kill you when it explodes. I had this surgery about a year and a half ago and it was a minor inconvience. As many of you know my son had his surgery 11 months ago and nearly died. Well this week, my friend Bob S., had a bout with this little useless organ and he is still in the hospital recovering from this surgery and the one that followed it. What the hell is going on with these Doctors and Hospitals? Have Appendectomies replaced heart attacks as the #1 killer of men or are we just seeing the effects of lower standards of medical care.

Any way enough ranting, if you have a moment please think about Bob S. and give a quick prayer for his speedy recovery and exit from the hospital.

He' ll Pick you up!

My son Brendan started a new job at Enterprise rental car company. So if your need a rental car please use Enterprise. Just remember Brendan - "He' ll Pick You Up! *

*As long as you live in the Raleigh- Durham area.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go!

After 10 months of vacation, I had to return to work today. My good buddy Joe is faking a knee replacement so he can delay his return. (Only kidding he is recouperation and should be able to join me in 2 or 3 weeks.)

This is the office building that I work in. I am preparing tax returns for Gorfine, Shiller and Gardyn. http://www.gsgcpaonline.com/

A "Wicked" Thank You!

Last night I followed the yellow brick road to the Hippadrome in Baltimore to see 'Wicked". I want to say thank you to my dear friends Lee, Peggy and Lisa for inviting me and to Sean for having to go to class last night so I could go in his place. The show was totally awesome and the Hippadrome is a beautiful theater. This may be the best musical I have ever seen. The story is timeless, the customes were colorful, the actors were at the top of their game and the staging was spectulor.

Where else can you see a live flying witch and a stage full of flying monkeys!

(Above is the wise and wonderful 'OZ')
.

Joseph Hughes

My good friend Tim lost his dad (pictured) this week. I met Tim's dad briefly and did not know him that well but I must say he must have been very special because he raised one hell of a son. I assume that most of us are a reflection of our parents in one way or another. Since Tim is such a caring, giving person, I have to assume his dad was as well. I feel very sad for Tim's loss and wish there was something I could do to help. My prayers are with Tim and Colleen and their family.

On Line Dating

I just started doing online dating on Singlenet.com. It is a real experience even if nothing ever pan's out.

The service has this thing where you can send a "flirt" to others you may be interested in. How juvenile can you get, "Send a Flirt"! This is kind of like being in third grade where you had a friend pass a note to a pretty little girl saying " I like you" but being afraid to sign your name. Then the receiver can "Flirt Back" with a phrase like "I like your picture". This whole process is so lame.

The good news is other people put up with the degrading process in order to make a connection with someone they would be willing to meet with. Yet if you really analyze this, it makes no sense. If I were to walk up to a woman and say "hello would you like to go have a cup of coffee." Almost no woman would accept that invitaion. This is true even though she would be able to see you and see that you were not a bum and that the coffee would be in a very public place. Yet many men and women pay to be on these sites to "meet others". And after reading your profile (which really says very litttle about you) and sending a few superficial emails back and forth are willing to meet.

It's crazy but I must admit it is kind of fun in a perverse kind of way.

Evening in NY

I just spent a lovely evening in NY. I went to visit my daughter, Lauren: and her fiance, Tony; and my son, Jordan; and his girl friend, Adrianne. I often have wondered why two of my three children have gravitated to NYC. Being a suburbanite, it has always been a mystery, why you would give up access to a car and lower rents for the hustle of Broadway.

After several trips up there over the last two years, I now get it! I think I could get into the city atmosphere. I got to Brooklyn late in the afternoon. I had time to kill so I took my new book "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance"bought a nice cup of coffee and a polish pastry in Greenpoint and began to read my book but got caught up in the local's discussion of the recent "Smell Problem" that was blammed on NJ of course. I then met Jordan and Adrianne at his apartment. We then proceded to Lauren and Tony's apartment via the BQE. What a wonderful sight of lower Manhattan that we were treated to(see above the picture that does not do justice to the scene -I was driving and tring to take a picture with an auto camera).

Once in BayRidge, we parked and got to see L and T's new apt. We then had a nice stroll down several streets to Geno's Italian Restaurant. The walk included many wonderful aromas from all different ethnique restaurants. We had a wonderful meal and a lovely evening of easy family discussion and then a nice walk home. There we had coffee and delicious cup cakes made by Adrianne. I then got to drive into Manhattan to drop off Jordan and Adrianne. What an alive city- lights, aromas, people and energy.

I then drove back to MD thinking about what a lovely evening I had just had. I love NY!

Christmas Eve

What a wonderful night we had!

The Proposal

This is a picture of Lauren and Tony taken right after Tony proposed. The picture was taken by a bystander and then emailed to Lauren. We celebrated the entire Christmas season. I could not be more happy for the both of them.

They are both "GREAT PEOPLE!" If I do say so myself.

R&C - kicthen area w/ fam rm and screen porch in back

Ron and Carol's dream house takes shape

view from street

Something to be thankful for-baby Hannah!

Sometimes thanksgiving gets to be all about a big feast but my dear friends have something to really be thankful for - "A healthy grandbaby" born on thanksgiving day. Congratulations to Grandpa Tim, Grammie Colleen. Oh, congrats to Ryan and Joy as well, and welcome to Hannah.

Not so Easy Rider

Jordan took my bike for a spin while home for thanksgiving.

Jordan vs the Terrorist

Jordan and Lauren visited the shooting range over thanksgiving. Here Jordan reloads his Barreta 9mm. You can sleep tonight because Jordan shot him right between the eyes.

My little Annie Oakley

Here Lauren is admiring her shooting skills. She shot a 38 special revolver.

Budge and his special sandwitch

Here Budge is building his special "Budge's Special Thanksgiving Sandwich". It contains, turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, mayo, a little salt, lots of pepper and wonder bread. This is an annual event. And don't knock it till you try it.

Christmas Spirit

I got into the Christmas Spirit yesterday. Brendan , my mom and I had the opportunity to see the musical "Scrooge" in Farmville , NC. It was wonderful and it was at a quiant little theater that seats about 225 people. But best of all the play was directed by none other than Corina Rice. (see the play bill on the left) Yes, the same Corina Rice that drives a motorized cooler.

Corina did a great job on this play. I knew she majored in Drama at ECU and had been in a number of plays both in high school, college and in community theater but I had never had the opportunity to see them.

What I saw was a great play, but the more impressive thing that I saw was what the efforts of a confident young women can produce. I am extremely impressed that Corina was able to manage a play with such a varied group of actors (ages5 to 55), musicans, stage and set people, choreographer, Costume designers, etc.

It was a treat and all I can say is

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!

A Fine Example of Viking Formal Cruise Ware

Here are Captain Mike, First mate Stephanie and Cruise Director Tim.

What's that Tim with coffee? What would Tom say?

Glitz Party Goers

We had a Viking Bath* for Mike and Stephanie. The theme for the party was the Love Boat and the dress for the party was "Viking Formal Cruise Ware."

I can not remenber ever seeing more sequines at one time! We had a lovely evening of food, drinks and friends.

I hosted the party but many thanks are required. Thanks go out to LK for invitations, viking ladies for the food and drink. BK and LS for bartending. TH for being the Cruise Director. The Viking ladies and especially CH and PS for cleaning my house after the party. This was the easiest party I ever had. The food and drink were brought in, the music obtained from the library, the guests cleaned up and I just enjoy all the guests. I would also like to thank the wait staff but they are on "Double Secret Probation" for showing up late after the appitizers has already been served.( but the intent was nice- JS, JN, JP and BK)

*A bath is a wedding shower that is given after the wedding has already taken place

My New CD

Best of Tony

Featuring the hit songs:

Big Rock City
&
Got a New Spark for an Old Flame

Lady Luck has returned- (Please stay a while this time!)

I am not a "BIG" gambler but I do enjoy going to casinos every now and again to drop $50. My luck playing slots and Texas hold'em has been terrible over the last 4 months. "Bad Beats" have become common place (for non poker players a bad beat is a hand you played correctly and the opposing player won based on pure luck) But that changed last night!

I made a short stop at the Delaware ParkRace Track on my way back from taking LK and TS to Philadelphia to catch a train to NY.
And low and behold your friendly neighborhood "Retired Guy" hit the jack pot not once but twice. The first for 2,000 quarters and then an hour later for 1,440 quarters. That's right the retired guy walked away with 8 benjamins nicely folded in his wallet.

Bob and Ted's Excellent Adventure

This is Bob and Ted, our personal guide to the battlefield. He was great and very dramatic describing the battles and tactics. This picture is looking from Seminary Ridge(Confederate position) toward Cemetery Ridge (Union position). 5000 solders were killed on this field in one hour on July 3, 1863.

Sunset on a wonderful weekend in NN

I just had a wonderful time this weekend. Golf and bar hopping with great friends: drinking, sunsets , star gazing, and a gormet dinner with beautiful ladies, what more is there !
Thank you J and E for having me in your home. Thank you G and G for the wonderful meal. Thank you T, C, D and B for your most enjoyable company.

Gary's Quilt

Just Kidding

Colleen's Quilt for Baby Hughes

Gormet Diners

More gormet diners

Quilters weekend - Here Colleen and Ginny begin

Retired Guy walking the grounds of golf Mecca

The old course at St Andrews -enough said!
*photo credit goes to TH for the set of Scotland pics, my pics are still locked in memory

A Personal Rainbow

This was the first time I had ever seen both ends of a rainbow. The entire arc was only about 200 yards long. We searched for the pot of gold but were unsuccessful.

Scottish Cattle -Aren't they handsome beasts!

Our Castle - at least for a week

What a good looking Group!

This is the Scotland group outside Broomhall Castle. We stayed hear the first night.

Trip to Scotland

This is the William Wallace monument. William is the biggest patriot in Scotish history. Thank god for Mel Gibson or none of us outside of Scotland would know wh0 he was.

Jordan's Horse

This was my final picture. I pulled off the road to answer a call from Jordan. After talking for a couple minutes this horse stuck his head out the window and gave me a look that said
"What the hell are you doing outside my barn --- City Boy!"

Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid's hideout

This is the hole in the wall that the gang was named after.

UFO leaving Roswell

Two Towers

This was above the two towers Restaurant run by a Navaho Indian. The food was excellent and I got to try Indian Frybread.

Switchback from valley of the gods up to high dessert

My attempt at Artsy photos- oh what lighting!

Awesome Structures

Eagle Rock

structure in monument valley

Redrock and Retired Guy

Red Sandstone formation - Four Sisters

If you viewed this from the front it looked like four indian women.

Camp - Yes I was sleeping in the trailer

Historical Fort on San Fe trail

Church front

Me on the bike

All of a sudden I can not post pictures again. Does anybody know why. leave me a message.

All I get is "Kerplunk" after I click on the picture icon. HELP! Problem solved

Thank you Sara or the help! And the pictue you hae been waiting for ----

First Pictures from my trip west

The first pictures I too were of the church my MOM and Dad got married in outside of Ft. Riley Kansas.

And I thought my motorcycle was cool

CR has topped me on the coolness meter. Here she is riding her "Cooler". Yes that's right - RIDING HER COOLER. If only I had known, I could have gotten one of those instead of the motorcycle. It would make for a very interesting and thirst quenching trip through the desert. Whenever you get thirsty just reach down and grab a beer.

What will they think of next a "Riding HDTV".

Opening Night for Lee

Last night I attended opening night (trial run) for the new Applebee's in Laurel. My nephew, Lee, is the store manager and has been working like crazy to get this place opened and operating. This was an invitation only affair and I was lucky enough to get to go with my mom, her friend Marge and Linda, Richard and their guests. Dinner was FREE. It included drinks, appetizer, dinner and dessert.

I had chicken casidias, apple sangria, steak and ribs, and a vanilla blondie for dessert. They were all wonderful. There were a few opening night glitches but all in all, the staff did a great job under Lee's direction and watchful eye.

They open for real on Monday and I plan to take a motorcycle trip over for dinner next week. But this time I will have to pay! Dam!!

Poker bad to Poker worst

Things are continuing down hill. I played poker with KH, JB and my Mom at the beach this week and my Mom beat us all and won $24.00.

The bad part was that she could barely see the cards and was able to beat us. All turned out well because she followed tradition and took us all out for breakfast.

Poker

I have been playing on line poker way too much the last couple of days. I really thought I was getting good at it.

But today I have been brought down to earth. I played in two tournaments. In the first I finished 1753 out of 1987. I improved on the second one I was 1123 out of 2112.

I have a long way to go. I am playing in a 50 person tournament for real money on Aug 18. I had better get a lot better by then or my $40 buy in will be down the drain!

Mom don't plan on going out to breakfast on August 19. I seem to have lost my luck.
(I always take my mom out to breakfast if I win.) Hey all you players that will be at Scott's do you want my poor mom to go hungry?

My new glasses

I recently visited Dr. Daughter to get a free eye exam and new glasses. She works at a shop in Chinatown. First I got introdued to all the wonderful employees that she works with. Then the usual "Which one is better - lens 1 or 2" over and over again. After we finally arrived at a perscription, I moved to the optician to be fitted for glasses.
Well he and Dr. Daughter picked out a pair of glasses for me. I tried them on and in unison the whole staff proceded to tell me how wonderful they looked and how young looking they made me appear. I asked if this was a set-up and if Dr Daughter had picked these glasses out before I even got there.
Well I refused to fall prey to the adulation and continued to look at other pairs. I then selected my new glasses, not because they made me look younger or how wonderful they made me look, but because they were sensible. It was just a coincidence that it was the same pair that they had picked out for me.
Then I picked out a second pair for sun glasses to use when riding my motorcycle. After the order was written, they told me I had selected Armani frames. I guess fashion just seeps in when your in Manhattan!


(The picture is of my Armanti glasses )

A wonderful weekend

I had a wonderful weekend. My children and their significant others were in town for Matt and Meghan's wedding. It was so nice to have my family in the old homestead. We had sitdown meals where we talked, laughed and lingered. We all attended a beautiful wedding, reception and after party. And on Sunday we all watched that crazy World Cup game.

I was very impressed with how well everybody got along and seemed to really enjoy each others company.

It is too bad that it requires special occiassions to get families together but it also makes those moments special. My thanks to TS, AP, CR, LK, JK and BK for a wonderful weekend.

I also want to thank Matt and Meghan for a wonderful wedding and to MM & HM for hosting me and my family. It was truely a great weekend!

Happy 4th

Well I have been busy the last few weeks buying stuff and traveling.

What did I buy you may ask? First the motor cycle like the one below. Then I had to buy saddle bags to carry stuff on the bike. Then I bought a clock for the bike so I would know what time it was when riding. Then I bought trailer so that I could carry the bike.

Where did I travel to? I went to NC to work on our beach house and to start moving my son back to MD. I then went to a wedding party in Fergus Falls MN. But I also went to South Dakota and North Dakota. All three were very beautiful. Since I visited ND I now only have one more state to visit.

new toy image 3

My new toy