Kitchen Sploot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A glimpse of kitchen facing splooty butt. Just because.

Quilt Of Valor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today the quilt guild Dad belongs to honored him with a Quilt of Valor for which he was deeply touched, even got a little teary eyed. He may not have seen combat but he was treated poorly for being a soldier during Vietnam, and his work in the Air Force changed warfare and the world, ultimately saving many soldier's lives.

Wrong Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Way back in 2004 a game came out called Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines. Quite the mouthful. For it's time it was an amazing game and still remains on many a gamers top ten list. I'm one of them, I played it through several times. If this blog existed back then, surely it would have been raved about within it.

So after 22 years, they came out with a sequel. Only it's not anything like the original, except that it exists in the same universe. On it's own, without trying to cash in on the original's nostalgia, Bloodlines 2 was actually a solid game. Decent story, really good voice acting. But it can't escape the weight of the original and in comparison is a huge disappointment. They should have just called it something else and it would have left a better taste in everyone's mouth, myself included. 

WOTM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I enter this August in uncharted territory. I am confident but still nervous. My peer is gone and I'm in charge now. It'll be fine. No really.

Heading For The Barnes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today marks the end of an era for me. Back in 2009 when I first started at JIS Jerry was there. He sent me my first work email. He showed me the ropes. He's been my mentor and peer though it all for nearly 17 years, and he retired today. He also doesn't like a fuss or having his picture taken so I admit I did this surreptitiously. I had to have at least one picture of him before he rode off into the sunset. JIS won't be the same without out him.

Canine Companion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did mention these two got along pretty well. Notice she's even got Bluey on for him. Of course I have no idea where being such a sucker for a silly dog comes from. 

Royally Cheesy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I won of course. I am the king of the cheese! 

That's Just Rube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know when Mackenzie is staying there's gonna be games. All kinds of games. But now that she's a little older we're evolving into some more complicated ones. Like Mouth Trap. I used to love Mouse Trap when I was a kid and didn't know they even still made it. Just as silly as ever. 

Bear x Mackenzie

 

 

 

These two got along, just a little.

Still Fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, as is life, the times had to end. Casie and Lonnie went back home while Mackenzie is staying for the week. It goes way too fast with people we don't get to see nearly enough. Luckily these two get along pretty well, there's a lot of giggling with this pair. 

General Picture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The official picture from the General Jackson. Dad, me, Casie, Mackenzie, Mari, Lonnie and Payton. 

The General Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even without the river tour, we enjoyed ourselves. We'll be back when the paddles are working again! 

Showtime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally the show kicked off, and as would be expected of Music City they were all top notch singers and musicians. Nice song selection too, overall a great show! 

Sibling War

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner there was a pause before the show where the wait staff cleaned up. To fill the time for an easily bored kid, the other kid played some thumb war. Payton has always been a good big brother to Mackenzie. 

Dinner On The River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally the doors to the main cabin opened and we were ushered into a (mercifully) air conditioned room where dinner was served and the family got more chances to talk and catch up with each other. 

General Admission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While waiting for the dinner and show to be ready they had a live band to keep us entertained. They were pretty good, the fiddle player in particular had skills. I also appreciated they didn't just play country, there was some classic rock in there too.

Jackson Still View

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It'd be nice to follow the river, but this was the best we were gonna get from the bow of the ship. 

Jackson Jetty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately we learned that the big boat had mechanical issues and we would not be chugging down the river. They did offer us a discount on each ticket, but we would have preferred the ride. Still, it was fun to finally see and board the classic paddleboat. 

First Boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite living in Nashville since 1998, Mari and I had never gone on the historic General Jackson Riverboat. So for the big birthday bash, we finally did the thing! 

Family Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sit, to talk, to spend time together. So good.