Monday, August 01, 2005

Jersey Wedding, Home Again, Home Again...

So, I made it back from New Jersey in one piece, more or less. (Although I think I left a pint of blood behind with those giant bastard mosquitos on my niece's deck. Those suckers aren't called the New Jersey Airforce for nuthin'...) I really did have a good time, and I laughed myself sick about a dozen times - and I genuinely needed that. The trip up was easy and uneventful, but the return found me nearly missing my exit for the New Jersey Turnpike, and I started to panic when I realized the Manhattan skyline was looming ahead of me. I had been cruising along, listening to some old Thomas Dolby, singing out the window, when the panic set in and I started screaming, "EMPIRE STATE BUILDING?!?! EMPIRE STATE BUILDING?!?!? NOOOOOOO!"

Fortunately, I did not end up in Manhattan. That would have added a truly unexpected dimension to my Sunday morning. As it was, I hit tons of weekend traffic and it took me all damn day to get back. I was dead to the world when I finally hit Maryland, and I've never been happier to see the Beltway. (You'll never hear me say anything pleasant about the Beltway again, I can assure you.) I was so zonked, I slept through my tire appointment with Manny, Moe, and Jack this morning. Guess those new tires will go on tomorrow morning, eh?

I went to the WAMU studios this afternoon and recorded my second commentary for the Metro Connection show. (Yay!! More on that in an upcoming post!) And then, I ventured into the Rockville offices of Comcast (aka, the 7th level of Hell) to exchange cable modems. That took a good 30 minutes of standing in line, and was followed by the Comcast rep laughing his ass off at the crappy oooooold modem I had. Long story short - new modem is in place, and I'm rocking and rolling high-speed again.

I just finally sat down and looked over the handful of photos I took at the wedding. I have none of the ceremony, as my position in the room did not really grant me a good vantage point. Plus, I'm a really crappy photographer. So, the number of passable photos I ended up shooting is pretty low. (I look forward to seeing the real stuff.) Nevertheless, here's a few random pics from the event.

World, meet my family (well, part of it, at least):


The reason I was there: the bride and groom. (They make a very spiffy couple.)
The groom is my nephew and my godson. The bride is really cool, gorgeous, and
has a wicked, wicked sense of humor. My kind of girl.


Bella, the flower girl.


Jordan, the ringbearer, and the ladies.


My bro-in-law Bob looking devious with my niece Stacy.


My oldest sister tries to master her digital camera. Without success.


The Chicken Girls demonstrate their fine rural Illinois upbringing.


But, they clean up pretty good...


My brother looking like someone just goosed him.
He'll kill me when he finds out I posted this moronic picture.
Seriously, he looks lobotomized.



My sister Nurse Rachet and her eldest child, Tori.


My adopted German bro, H-J, and Maddie.


First dance.


Awfully photogenic, even with my crappy shootin' skillz.


Drew, Heather, and Heather's demented mother (another of my seesters)...


Nurse Rachet and Mike enjoy the open bar.


The groom's mom, yet another of my sisters. She actually posed for this. I swear to god.


Groom's mom (sans apple) and me.


The groom's parents dance.


The Mr. and Mrs., finally cutting the cake, 'round midnight.


Shoes off, duties over, time to dance!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the photos! Esp. the apple one - not your usual wedding feast food!! Ahhh weddings & family. Makes me almost wish I had one to go back to Illinois for, but all my nieces, nephews and cousins are either married or confirmed loners.

Glad you had lots of laughs in Jersey.

Merujo said...

My sister killed me with the "luau pig" pose!

It really was a good time. Glad I went.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing that, how many years ago?, they could clone your mother (the photo of your oldest sister FREAKED ME OUT!).