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The Stick: Sandy Grandkids for the Win

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Ah the Stick, where we ditch our cares about everybody else in the world.

The Stick always provides a much needed respite from the real world. Though we started our visit during memorial day weekend (a big no no), the week was awesome. By Tuesday the beach was empty again.

The grandkids were a great joy to have around, especially Iulie who is a complete waterbug. Iulie spent more time in the ocean than in the house.

Our time was a great family-oriented mix. From reading on the porch, through baby care, to a cocktail or seven.

The view is calming.

Baby Leiden presided on his picnic table throne during meals. He was a hoot.


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Many mornings, Iulie walked the dogs with Nonno and Bubby. Nights too. This is a study in how to stay dry while in your PJs.


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A reminder of our post wedding Euro visit of 2025.

Iulie in her own world.

Wine on the porch

Rainbow (sent to the neighbor Pam).

Morning with the dogs.


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Can you spot the waterbug in this picture? Nothing like an entire ocean to yourself.

Cactus flower.

One of the highlights of the trip (and a cause of all the grandparents gaining five pounds) was our visits to mootown on Sunset.

Leiden had his very first ice cream.

Somebody had too much sugar!

Moonshine and Leiden became fast friends.

About that waterbug (very brave for 7). Romey’s smile when she was bodyboarding with Iulie was so very bright.


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Leiden a ham? We will never forget his “how” greeting.

The jenga towers got smaller as the dogs destroyed various pieces.


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A girl and her dog (with the puppy zoomies).

The whole little family introduces Leiden to the great big ocean.

I believe we have a second waterbug on our hands.

Spaghetti monster.


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Moonshine in the morning inspecting the completely empty beach.

No more ice cream?

Gin and tonic (jacques style).

Out for dinner.

Man o’war.

In for dinner (Micheal beef).

Leiden’s first cow.

This is the start of a new tradition.

Challenge Accepted: Make a Proper Japanese Waitress Belly Laugh at Yamazato

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Dinner at Yamazato is exceptional, even 15 years on from the first visit. Absolutely world class. And Japanese service to boot.

The question is, can you make a proper Kimono wearing Japanese waitress belly laugh? Well, yes…if you are us. We had so much fun.

I mean, maybe the martinis we started with at 23 had something to do with it?

Or maybe it was mr big nose? No one knows.

But wow.

Who us? Goof off?

Happy Birthday gem-san.

A Blast From the Software Security Past on 23

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Who are these people? Madou? Florence? McGraw? Noelie? All together? No fucking way.

A nice way to turn 3C is to gather the geeks in Amsterdam for a photo shoot.

Best Banana Birthday

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Romey always finds the very best cards.

3C is 60 to you and me

3C Minus One Banana

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Caroline made a cake

Artichokes and Hollandaise

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When I was around 3 or 4, my pappy—mom’s dad, who was a flying ace in WWI, started the peruvian air force, and taught us how to mislead mom—died. Well meaning neighbors from all over our East Tennessee suburban neighborhood of Colonial Heights brought endless cassaroles and other dining monstrosities.

At three, I found this insanely not good. So after a few too many days of grean beans soaked in campbell’s mushroom soup topped with dehydrated onions, I went crying to mom and asked her when she would please cook for us again.

Touched, she said. “Oh honey, I will cook you anything you want for dinner. What would you like?” To which she expected a reply suitable to a three year old like “hotdogs” or “hamburgers” or “tacos” (remember, 1971 predated the chicken nugget).

What did I reply? “Artichokes and Hollandaise” of course. This caused some consternation, because finding artichokes in those days at the local A&P was nigh on impossible. Somehow, mom prevailed.

To this day, I love this meal. Thanks mom, for developing my palate properly.

Sidekick Gets a Sidekick

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Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden)

Every good metal band needs a fiddle to keep it real. Right?

One of the most fun things this Christmas was sitting in with Sidekick. Tuned down 1/2 step?! Whatever, man. We’ll begin with coverage of the three violin songs which were, in actuality, widely dispersed in the sets.

First there’s Ozzy’s Crazy Train


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Then there is Don’t Stop Believing by Journey. 8th grade rides again!


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But honestly, the coup de grace was Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.


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I mean, damn that was fun.

Lets get chronological.

Romey throws the horns.

Sidekick takes the stage

Oh hell yeah!

Higher by Creed


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Breaking the Law


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A little AC/DC perhaps?

You Shook me All Night Long


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Paradise City by Guns N Roses.


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One of my personal faves, Killing in the Name Of by Rage


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In the End by Linkin Park


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Some ceiling work…


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The opener featured some 16 year olds kicking it.

Nirvana

One hell of a great time.

Heidelberg at Sunset

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Who knew that the Christmas market was still going. After Christmas even!

The gang’s all here.

And the sun sank.

And the lights glowed.

27 Guitars and One Fiddle

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An ideal room for some practice. Metal fiddle!


Crazy Train


Don’t Stop Believing


Nothing Else Matters

Mattress Factory

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We visited the Mattress Factory for the first time on our zillionth trip to Pittsburgh. This time we had our dear friend Betty along for the ride.

The upstairs rooms have some excellent stuff…they also have this.

But you can skip right over it and get to this.


Betty is still in Billy mode
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Yayoi (without the wait)

These illusions were incredible. They have something to say about human perception.

Our surveillance monitor

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