Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wrecked by Bowzer
I once ambitiously thought I might put together a post listing my top rock shows but never got around to it. I'll leave that to the likes of The Noiseboy. Instead, I decided to write up all the shows I saw through 1987 because why the hell not? Get ready for some serious Huey Lewis freaking out.
Beatlemania, Late 70's
Like many kids, I was obsessed with The Beatles for a good long time. Luckily for me, my obsession was timed well and I got to go see the original touring Beatlemania - the fantastic Beatles tribute show. My dad took me to see it at Warner Theatre in Washington and I was besides myself with glee. I don't remember how old I was but this must have been around 1978 or '79. My souvenir program was a prized possession for years. Around this time, my mom bought me a paperback of all the Beatles lyrics. I carried it around with me and recited the lyrics to anyone who would listen. I still pity poor Conrad in 1st grade daycare who I would read lyrics to and make him guess the name of the song. I'm sure I scarred that kid for life.
Sha Na Na/Dr. Hook, 1979
I consider this my first real concert. I think it was in Constitution Hall in DC. I was obsessed with Sha Na Na at the time. In fact, I was kind of obsessed with all things 50s. Between Sha Na Na's TV show, Happy Days, and Grease, It was a glorious time of 50s nostalgia in the late 70s. In particular, I was obsessed with Bowzer and often tried to imitate him. I'd roll up my sleeves, wet my hair, make a muscle and open my mouth wide. Man, I was a weird kid. It was also during this time that I wanted to be called Danny rather than Daniel because of Danny Zucco from Grease. I also was desperate to learn how to make a jukebox start by hitting it like the Fonz did.
I remember being super tired and bored with Dr. Hook so I took a short nap underneath my parents' seats. And then I rocked it for Sha Na Na. 50s hit after glorious 50s hit. And when they closed with Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite like they closed out every TV show, I was besides myself with glee.
Rick Springfield, 1982
My first real rock show. The summer of '82 was one big lovefest of all songs Rick Springfield. I loved Don't Talk to Strangers. I loved Jessie's Girl. The 1-2 punch of 1981's Working Class Dog and 1982's Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet had Springfield on top of the world.
He was my first favorite rock star that I discovered myself as opposed to learning about him through my dad. Stone Groove scored us 2nd row seats at Merriweather Post. I'll never forget this show. 2nd row! Greg Kihn opened. I only knew one of his songs - his only hit at the time The Break-up Song (They Don't Write Em) but it was great.
The crowd was pumped for Rick. And he delivered the goods, preening and strutting for the teenyboppers the entire time. And then he jumped into the crowd. And then he was right in front of me. And then the teenage girls next to me and behind me were all over me trying to reach Rick. And he was sweating all over me. What the hell was going on? Pure early 80's rock star brilliance is what was going on.
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Crosby, Stills, and Nash
The Everly Brothers, all early to mid 80's
I don't remember much about these shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion. I remember seeing all three with my parents. I remember all the hippies at Crosby, Still, and Nash and Peter, Paul, and Mary. My dad reminded me that I said that the Everly Brothers didn't sound good anymore. I remember Paul or Mary inviting fans to come up onstage after the show to say hi and to get autographs. I was one of the first to get up on stage and then Peter yelled at me to get the hell off. Apparently, he didn't know that fans had been invited. Either that or he hated little Jewish suburban boys.
Men at Work, 1983
By the summer of '83, I had moved onto Men at Work. A good choice. I had moved from the teenybopper favorite to a more cerebral brand of rock.
Stone Groove had the chance to get us the same 2nd row seats that we had had the year before for Rick Springfield but said that his ears were still ringing from that show. I still haven't forgiven him for this transgression. However, he was quite happy that we were 30 rows back when the unanticipated feedback during Be Good Johnny happened. He would not have been able to handle that. The show was great. The band was huge. Too bad that they didn't put another album out for three years and by that point, no one cared.
In the summer of '83, I was only a few months away from the album that would change my life.
Huey Lewis and the News, 1985
My first time hearing the News live. And I was ready. 5th Grade had been a tough year. I was at a new school and I found it hard to find my place at first. Every single day I'd come home from school miserable and I'd put on the A side of Sports. After hearing The Heart of Rock n Roll, Heart and Soul, Bad is Bad, and I Want a New Drug, I was always in a much better mood.
I couldn't get enough of Sports. I couldn't get enough of Huey. I had all of his videos. I had a concert on video as well. I watched those Beta tapes over and over and over. My soon to be 2-year-old sister knew how to sing Huey songs. Huey!
I had missed Huey the summer before at Merriweather because I was at sleepaway camp. By the summer of '85, things were a bit better at school but my obsession with Huey had not abated. In fact, it was probably at its peak. The summer of 85 was the summer of The Power of Love. The summer of Back to the Future. The summer to finally see Huey Lewis and the News.
The show was perfect. Hit after glorious hit. And when he did his whole "You've just heard the News" bit and jumped off the stage with Chris Hayes and Johnny Colla during Workin' For a Livin', I could barely breathe.
John Fogerty, 1985
Great show but should have been much better. Fogerty was in the midst of a battle over CCR songs with his old label so he wasn't performing any of them. Still, he pretty much did all of Centerfield so that was good enough. Yet another show at Merriweather.
The Four Tops, mid 80's
I don't remember much about this other than my parents and I went to a Bullets game at the Capital Centre just so we could see the postgame concert by the Four Tops. This was the last time I've gone to an NBA game.
Bruce Hornsby and the Range, 1986
I remember being kind of bored by this album but his ties to Huey were enough to make me want to see him live. My friend Ben and his older sister got tickets for this midweek show at Warner Theater in DC. Somehow, I convinced my parents to let me take the subway into the city to go see this show without them. This was my first ever show without my parents and I wish it hadn't been so lame.
Huey Lewis and the News, 1987
Fore! had just come out and Huey was the biggest thing going. Tickets went onsale for his Capital Centre show on a weekday morning. I had some sort of mellow PE class that day and was able to call on the pay phone right outside of the gym over and over again for close to an hour. Finally I got through and armed with my dad's credit card, I ordered tickets. However, by the time I had gotten through, the best I could get were seats behind the stage. No matter. I had to see Huey.
The show was great of course. It wasn't that bad behind the stage considering how close we were to it. Huey did a good job coming back to us occasionally. Thanks Huey. Stone Groove bitched the entire time that the crowd never sat down during the concert. This turned out to be the last concert I saw with him for years. In fact, I don't think we saw a show together again until we saw Roger McGuinn at the Birchmere in '93 - a show where the Groove could sit.
R.E.M., 1987
The spring of 87 was the time I fully fell in love with R.E.M. In fact, my love for this band probably deserves its own post so I'll save it for later.
Document was released in the fall right as I started 9th grade. They played a show at The Patriot Center and I desperately wanted to go. My friend William had a car but my parents were hesitant to let me go. Eventually I persuaded them but by the time I got tickets, the best that I could do was in the next to last row. No matter. It was a great show. They did a couple of songs from Chronic Town, a fun cover of Lou Gramm, all the hits, and I got high from the rising pot smoke.
10,000 Maniacs opened and Stipe came out to duet on A Campfire Song. I bought a great concert T-shirt that I wore for years until it completely fell apart. I really wish this had been my first rock experience without my parents but I guess I'll always have my Mandolin Rain memories of Bruce Hornsby.
Beatlemania, Late 70's
Like many kids, I was obsessed with The Beatles for a good long time. Luckily for me, my obsession was timed well and I got to go see the original touring Beatlemania - the fantastic Beatles tribute show. My dad took me to see it at Warner Theatre in Washington and I was besides myself with glee. I don't remember how old I was but this must have been around 1978 or '79. My souvenir program was a prized possession for years. Around this time, my mom bought me a paperback of all the Beatles lyrics. I carried it around with me and recited the lyrics to anyone who would listen. I still pity poor Conrad in 1st grade daycare who I would read lyrics to and make him guess the name of the song. I'm sure I scarred that kid for life.
Sha Na Na/Dr. Hook, 1979I consider this my first real concert. I think it was in Constitution Hall in DC. I was obsessed with Sha Na Na at the time. In fact, I was kind of obsessed with all things 50s. Between Sha Na Na's TV show, Happy Days, and Grease, It was a glorious time of 50s nostalgia in the late 70s. In particular, I was obsessed with Bowzer and often tried to imitate him. I'd roll up my sleeves, wet my hair, make a muscle and open my mouth wide. Man, I was a weird kid. It was also during this time that I wanted to be called Danny rather than Daniel because of Danny Zucco from Grease. I also was desperate to learn how to make a jukebox start by hitting it like the Fonz did.
I remember being super tired and bored with Dr. Hook so I took a short nap underneath my parents' seats. And then I rocked it for Sha Na Na. 50s hit after glorious 50s hit. And when they closed with Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite like they closed out every TV show, I was besides myself with glee.
Rick Springfield, 1982
My first real rock show. The summer of '82 was one big lovefest of all songs Rick Springfield. I loved Don't Talk to Strangers. I loved Jessie's Girl. The 1-2 punch of 1981's Working Class Dog and 1982's Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet had Springfield on top of the world.
He was my first favorite rock star that I discovered myself as opposed to learning about him through my dad. Stone Groove scored us 2nd row seats at Merriweather Post. I'll never forget this show. 2nd row! Greg Kihn opened. I only knew one of his songs - his only hit at the time The Break-up Song (They Don't Write Em) but it was great.
The crowd was pumped for Rick. And he delivered the goods, preening and strutting for the teenyboppers the entire time. And then he jumped into the crowd. And then he was right in front of me. And then the teenage girls next to me and behind me were all over me trying to reach Rick. And he was sweating all over me. What the hell was going on? Pure early 80's rock star brilliance is what was going on.
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Crosby, Stills, and Nash
The Everly Brothers, all early to mid 80's
I don't remember much about these shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion. I remember seeing all three with my parents. I remember all the hippies at Crosby, Still, and Nash and Peter, Paul, and Mary. My dad reminded me that I said that the Everly Brothers didn't sound good anymore. I remember Paul or Mary inviting fans to come up onstage after the show to say hi and to get autographs. I was one of the first to get up on stage and then Peter yelled at me to get the hell off. Apparently, he didn't know that fans had been invited. Either that or he hated little Jewish suburban boys.
Men at Work, 1983
By the summer of '83, I had moved onto Men at Work. A good choice. I had moved from the teenybopper favorite to a more cerebral brand of rock.
Stone Groove had the chance to get us the same 2nd row seats that we had had the year before for Rick Springfield but said that his ears were still ringing from that show. I still haven't forgiven him for this transgression. However, he was quite happy that we were 30 rows back when the unanticipated feedback during Be Good Johnny happened. He would not have been able to handle that. The show was great. The band was huge. Too bad that they didn't put another album out for three years and by that point, no one cared.
In the summer of '83, I was only a few months away from the album that would change my life.
Huey Lewis and the News, 1985
My first time hearing the News live. And I was ready. 5th Grade had been a tough year. I was at a new school and I found it hard to find my place at first. Every single day I'd come home from school miserable and I'd put on the A side of Sports. After hearing The Heart of Rock n Roll, Heart and Soul, Bad is Bad, and I Want a New Drug, I was always in a much better mood.
I couldn't get enough of Sports. I couldn't get enough of Huey. I had all of his videos. I had a concert on video as well. I watched those Beta tapes over and over and over. My soon to be 2-year-old sister knew how to sing Huey songs. Huey!
I had missed Huey the summer before at Merriweather because I was at sleepaway camp. By the summer of '85, things were a bit better at school but my obsession with Huey had not abated. In fact, it was probably at its peak. The summer of 85 was the summer of The Power of Love. The summer of Back to the Future. The summer to finally see Huey Lewis and the News.
The show was perfect. Hit after glorious hit. And when he did his whole "You've just heard the News" bit and jumped off the stage with Chris Hayes and Johnny Colla during Workin' For a Livin', I could barely breathe.
John Fogerty, 1985
Great show but should have been much better. Fogerty was in the midst of a battle over CCR songs with his old label so he wasn't performing any of them. Still, he pretty much did all of Centerfield so that was good enough. Yet another show at Merriweather.
The Four Tops, mid 80's
I don't remember much about this other than my parents and I went to a Bullets game at the Capital Centre just so we could see the postgame concert by the Four Tops. This was the last time I've gone to an NBA game.
Bruce Hornsby and the Range, 1986
I remember being kind of bored by this album but his ties to Huey were enough to make me want to see him live. My friend Ben and his older sister got tickets for this midweek show at Warner Theater in DC. Somehow, I convinced my parents to let me take the subway into the city to go see this show without them. This was my first ever show without my parents and I wish it hadn't been so lame.
Huey Lewis and the News, 1987
Fore! had just come out and Huey was the biggest thing going. Tickets went onsale for his Capital Centre show on a weekday morning. I had some sort of mellow PE class that day and was able to call on the pay phone right outside of the gym over and over again for close to an hour. Finally I got through and armed with my dad's credit card, I ordered tickets. However, by the time I had gotten through, the best I could get were seats behind the stage. No matter. I had to see Huey.
The show was great of course. It wasn't that bad behind the stage considering how close we were to it. Huey did a good job coming back to us occasionally. Thanks Huey. Stone Groove bitched the entire time that the crowd never sat down during the concert. This turned out to be the last concert I saw with him for years. In fact, I don't think we saw a show together again until we saw Roger McGuinn at the Birchmere in '93 - a show where the Groove could sit.
R.E.M., 1987
The spring of 87 was the time I fully fell in love with R.E.M. In fact, my love for this band probably deserves its own post so I'll save it for later.
Document was released in the fall right as I started 9th grade. They played a show at The Patriot Center and I desperately wanted to go. My friend William had a car but my parents were hesitant to let me go. Eventually I persuaded them but by the time I got tickets, the best that I could do was in the next to last row. No matter. It was a great show. They did a couple of songs from Chronic Town, a fun cover of Lou Gramm, all the hits, and I got high from the rising pot smoke.
10,000 Maniacs opened and Stipe came out to duet on A Campfire Song. I bought a great concert T-shirt that I wore for years until it completely fell apart. I really wish this had been my first rock experience without my parents but I guess I'll always have my Mandolin Rain memories of Bruce Hornsby.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Danny Rayfield's Greatest Hits
When I was 11 or so, I really got into writing new lyrics to songs. Every time I bought a 45 that had an instrumental B side, I was ready for business.
Some of the songs I wrote by myself and some I wrote with my friends. I decided I was going to be a rock star named Danny Rayfield and I was going to hit the big time at the age of 16 in 1989. My breakthrough LP was going to be called Nuclear War.
I recorded 5 songs in my bedroom by playing the 45 on the Hi Fi and singing over it. I covered an album I hated (some Glenn Frey crap LP) in a white sticker, neatly copied the lyrics on the sleeve and planned on drawing an awesome cover. Unfortunately, I never got around to drawing that cover but I'm glad that I have the lyrics. I have the cassette of my recordings somewhere but I have not been able to find them.
The songs:
Ghost in My House to the tune of Somebody's Watching Me.
Nuclear War to the tune of Ghostbusters.
Phones Aren't Good Anymore to the tune of Obscene Phone Caller.
The (Losing) Campaign Song to the tune of Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
Chow it Down to the tune of Cool It Now.
The song about Mondale's 1984 presidential campaign has references to things that I have no memory of. Apparently they told jokes about the Marx Brothers? Click on picture to enlarge.
I've got to find these recordings!
Some of the songs I wrote by myself and some I wrote with my friends. I decided I was going to be a rock star named Danny Rayfield and I was going to hit the big time at the age of 16 in 1989. My breakthrough LP was going to be called Nuclear War.
I recorded 5 songs in my bedroom by playing the 45 on the Hi Fi and singing over it. I covered an album I hated (some Glenn Frey crap LP) in a white sticker, neatly copied the lyrics on the sleeve and planned on drawing an awesome cover. Unfortunately, I never got around to drawing that cover but I'm glad that I have the lyrics. I have the cassette of my recordings somewhere but I have not been able to find them.
The songs:
Ghost in My House to the tune of Somebody's Watching Me.
Nuclear War to the tune of Ghostbusters.
Phones Aren't Good Anymore to the tune of Obscene Phone Caller.
The (Losing) Campaign Song to the tune of Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
Chow it Down to the tune of Cool It Now.
The song about Mondale's 1984 presidential campaign has references to things that I have no memory of. Apparently they told jokes about the Marx Brothers? Click on picture to enlarge.
I've got to find these recordings!
Friday, December 11, 2009
At Least Juno is Good For One Thing
My favorite musician as a preschooler was a Silver Spring resident named Barry Louis Polisar. My mom used to take me to see him perform. I loved his records. My memories of seeing him are hazy at best but I think he might have even played at my school at one point.
His songs were whimsical but with an edge. Years later, I reread the liner notes of one his late 70's albums and they were full of messages along the lines of Don't Trust the Man. With song titles like Shut Up in the Library, I'm a 3-Toed, Triple-Eyed, Double-Jointed Dinosaur, I Don't Believe You Are Going to the Bathroom, and my personal favorite, Don't Put Your Finger In Your Nose, the man was a genius! A genius!
I've always cherished my late 70's Barry Louis Polisar memories. I seem to recall that I spoke to him on the phone once when I was booking shows in college but even that memory seems quite hazy and too bizarre to have really happened. I recall that he called me to try to play a show in Harrisonburg. Maybe it was a dream? Regardless, I never did book him whether it was in my dream or in reality.
He went on to write children's books, record many more albums, and even won a couple of Emmys for a mid 90s television show. But other than my possible conversation with him in 1993, I hadn't really kept track of him.
So I was shocked to find out that one of his songs from the mid 70s was played over the title credits in Juno. What? How completely random. Over night, his career took off unexpectedly.
I wish there was some footage of his freewheeling late 70's shows but I guess these clips will have to do.
Juno
From Capital Edition, 1985
For an interesting Baltimore Sun article after Juno was released, check here.
His songs were whimsical but with an edge. Years later, I reread the liner notes of one his late 70's albums and they were full of messages along the lines of Don't Trust the Man. With song titles like Shut Up in the Library, I'm a 3-Toed, Triple-Eyed, Double-Jointed Dinosaur, I Don't Believe You Are Going to the Bathroom, and my personal favorite, Don't Put Your Finger In Your Nose, the man was a genius! A genius!
I've always cherished my late 70's Barry Louis Polisar memories. I seem to recall that I spoke to him on the phone once when I was booking shows in college but even that memory seems quite hazy and too bizarre to have really happened. I recall that he called me to try to play a show in Harrisonburg. Maybe it was a dream? Regardless, I never did book him whether it was in my dream or in reality.
He went on to write children's books, record many more albums, and even won a couple of Emmys for a mid 90s television show. But other than my possible conversation with him in 1993, I hadn't really kept track of him.
So I was shocked to find out that one of his songs from the mid 70s was played over the title credits in Juno. What? How completely random. Over night, his career took off unexpectedly.
I wish there was some footage of his freewheeling late 70's shows but I guess these clips will have to do.
Juno
From Capital Edition, 1985
For an interesting Baltimore Sun article after Juno was released, check here.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
No Longer Reaching for the Stars
My earliest memories of listening to the radio are listening to Casey Kasem on Sunday morning while still in bed. As he counted down the top 40 hits, I was at the ready by my clock radio/tapedeck to record any song that I deemed worthy.
The heyday for me doing this was around 1981 or so. I had many cassettes of hits - all missing the first second or so and all ending with Casey's perfect voice. Don't Talk to Strangers bled into Tainted Love bled into We Got the Beat and so on. This was before I had my first turntable so I was completely dependent on Casey. As a sidenote, when I did get my first turntable, my first three albums were Marshall Crenshaw's debut album, John Cougar - American Fool and Men at Work - Business as Usual.
I also loved listening to Q107's Top 5 at 10 every night but Uncle Johnny was no Casey. I still remember being upset the summer of '83 when Rush's Tom Sawyer knocked Survivor's Eye of the Tiger out of the top spot. My babysitter Freddy Kramer and I spent the night calling Q107 to vote for Eye of the Tiger to no avail. It was a sad night.
I also loved Casey's Top 10 video countdown. The day my sister was born, I was dropped off at my grandparents' house and had a good time watching Casey at noon. When I found out later in the day that my sister was born at 12:26 pm, I remembered thinking that my sister was born right as the number one hit in the country was being announced. What a great start! I was always a bit neurotic and always a listmaker.
Casey announced his retirement a number of months ago. Even though I hadn't listened to him in years, it was nice knowing he was around somewhere doing his thing. I love you Casey.
Everyone's heard Casey's freakout but I'd never seen the brilliant Letterman clip. Thank you Mitch for sending this to me months ago.
And by the way - F Rick Dees!
The heyday for me doing this was around 1981 or so. I had many cassettes of hits - all missing the first second or so and all ending with Casey's perfect voice. Don't Talk to Strangers bled into Tainted Love bled into We Got the Beat and so on. This was before I had my first turntable so I was completely dependent on Casey. As a sidenote, when I did get my first turntable, my first three albums were Marshall Crenshaw's debut album, John Cougar - American Fool and Men at Work - Business as Usual.
I also loved listening to Q107's Top 5 at 10 every night but Uncle Johnny was no Casey. I still remember being upset the summer of '83 when Rush's Tom Sawyer knocked Survivor's Eye of the Tiger out of the top spot. My babysitter Freddy Kramer and I spent the night calling Q107 to vote for Eye of the Tiger to no avail. It was a sad night.
I also loved Casey's Top 10 video countdown. The day my sister was born, I was dropped off at my grandparents' house and had a good time watching Casey at noon. When I found out later in the day that my sister was born at 12:26 pm, I remembered thinking that my sister was born right as the number one hit in the country was being announced. What a great start! I was always a bit neurotic and always a listmaker.Casey announced his retirement a number of months ago. Even though I hadn't listened to him in years, it was nice knowing he was around somewhere doing his thing. I love you Casey.
Everyone's heard Casey's freakout but I'd never seen the brilliant Letterman clip. Thank you Mitch for sending this to me months ago.
And by the way - F Rick Dees!
Monday, December 07, 2009
Elementary School Photos
The magic of Facebook strikes again.
5 of my elementary school photos have been posted by former classmates. I love it! I haven't seen these pictures in years.
First grade
I'm in the middle row. Second one on the left.
Oh man, there's a lot to love in this picture. The track suit in the upper right hand corner. The Hulk shirt. The twins in their matching dresses. My best friend at the time is the blonde kid with the bowl cut next to them. It is amazing to me how many names I still remember.
Plus, I loved Mrs. Sircus! She was awesome. She gave us candy on our birthday. She drove me to T-ball games because her son was on my team. In fact, once I was sick and crapped my pants right after school. She took me to her house to change me into her son's clothes and then drove us to the game.
During the game, I hit a home run. Well, I hit the ball to the pitcher and kept running. On the way back I threw up in her back seat.
Second grade
That's me in the middle row rocking the brown sweater. That's little Dickiebird Judy with his hands so neatly clasped in the first row.
I don't remember much about this grade other than doing a lot of dittos.
Fourth grade
I got into a fight with the kid in the front row, 4th one in on the left side. He won.
I had a crush on the girl in the front row with the red shirt and brown dress. People thought she was weird though because she liked homework.
Fifth grade
All the moms had a crush on the teacher.
Sixth grade
Our teacher drove a Porsche. Awfully fishy. The kid in the upper left corner is now a movie star.
And one more for good measure - Balgavy!
5 of my elementary school photos have been posted by former classmates. I love it! I haven't seen these pictures in years.
First grade
I'm in the middle row. Second one on the left.
Oh man, there's a lot to love in this picture. The track suit in the upper right hand corner. The Hulk shirt. The twins in their matching dresses. My best friend at the time is the blonde kid with the bowl cut next to them. It is amazing to me how many names I still remember.Plus, I loved Mrs. Sircus! She was awesome. She gave us candy on our birthday. She drove me to T-ball games because her son was on my team. In fact, once I was sick and crapped my pants right after school. She took me to her house to change me into her son's clothes and then drove us to the game.
During the game, I hit a home run. Well, I hit the ball to the pitcher and kept running. On the way back I threw up in her back seat.
Second grade
That's me in the middle row rocking the brown sweater. That's little Dickiebird Judy with his hands so neatly clasped in the first row.
I don't remember much about this grade other than doing a lot of dittos.Fourth grade
I got into a fight with the kid in the front row, 4th one in on the left side. He won.I had a crush on the girl in the front row with the red shirt and brown dress. People thought she was weird though because she liked homework.
Fifth grade
All the moms had a crush on the teacher.Sixth grade
Our teacher drove a Porsche. Awfully fishy. The kid in the upper left corner is now a movie star.
And one more for good measure - Balgavy!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Thanksgiving at Skippy and Cortney's
For the first time ever, I didn't go to MD for Thanksgiving. Too much traveling for Double Trouble on a holiday weekend. Instead, Team HR did it up Brooklyn style thanks to the hospitality of Skippy and Cortney.
The boys and their new friend, Matilda.
I love this series of photos. SHR and the Pickle both looking super cute.
Cortney's mom and SHR
(photo by Erik)
Erik played with his favorite toy.
(photo by Lauren)
Amy and Sam
The view from above.
The view from below.
Erik keeps making fun of me for taking too many pictures but he seems to always be taking pictures of me when I'm taking pictures of him. 7 of the next 8 photos were taken by the man who says I take too many photos.
Blurry but it captures the spastic happiness of Big O.
Cortney and the Pickle
Sean and Rebecca celebrate the awesomeness of Brooklyn.
Otis asked Uncle Jim how much he had to drink.
(photo by Sean)
The gracious hosts.
The boys and their new friend, Matilda.
I love this series of photos. SHR and the Pickle both looking super cute.
Cortney's mom and SHR
(photo by Erik)Erik played with his favorite toy.
(photo by Lauren)Amy and Sam
The view from above.
The view from below.
Erik keeps making fun of me for taking too many pictures but he seems to always be taking pictures of me when I'm taking pictures of him. 7 of the next 8 photos were taken by the man who says I take too many photos.
Blurry but it captures the spastic happiness of Big O.
Cortney and the Pickle
Sean and Rebecca celebrate the awesomeness of Brooklyn.
Otis asked Uncle Jim how much he had to drink.
(photo by Sean)The gracious hosts.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Mitch and Suzy's Wedding
Before the wedding: Signing the Ketubah.
Here comes the bride.
(photo by Erik)
I love that the chuppah is from Mitch's bar mitzvah.
L'chaim!
Ladies and gentlemen - the happy couple.
The first dance.
They had Orioles Magic play as their exit song from the chuppah. I was hoping that their first dance would be to Thank God I'm a Country Boy. It wasn't.
So romantical, part I.
It seems like it is fun, but I can assure you that it is not. Well maybe just a little bit.
Cute.
So romantical, part II.
The guestbook was chockful of great photos. This spread reminded me of one of the greatest album covers of all time. Ok, maybe it isn't that similar after all. I guess I have a one track mind.
Mr. Handwashings needed to have good signage in the bathroom. And he did. Well played.
From Erik's Facebook page:
I can't get enough of Sean's hair.
Here comes the bride.
(photo by Erik)I love that the chuppah is from Mitch's bar mitzvah.
L'chaim!
Ladies and gentlemen - the happy couple.
The first dance.
They had Orioles Magic play as their exit song from the chuppah. I was hoping that their first dance would be to Thank God I'm a Country Boy. It wasn't.
So romantical, part I.
It seems like it is fun, but I can assure you that it is not. Well maybe just a little bit.
Cute.
So romantical, part II.
The guestbook was chockful of great photos. This spread reminded me of one of the greatest album covers of all time. Ok, maybe it isn't that similar after all. I guess I have a one track mind.
Mr. Handwashings needed to have good signage in the bathroom. And he did. Well played.
From Erik's Facebook page:
I can't get enough of Sean's hair.
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