Monday, August 18, 2008

GW XIV Photos

Some of the images from Guys Weekend XIV. The rest will be forever locked in our memories. Thanks Amorak for completing the original post!


(Beautiful views from our cabin near Blue Ridge, GA)












And now, the cast of characters:


(Christopher, before he realized that someone had swiped some of his poker chips!)

(And Christopher again, just after making the discovery!)

(Mark, studying up on the surrounding area and local attractions)

(Joe R - does this guy own anything that doesn't say Auburn?)


(Dan the man, getting the feel of the cards in anticipation of an eventual trip to the poker table?)


(Joe A - The first official Wii champion of a Guys Weekend!)

(Scott - Home Run Derby champion yet again)


(Amorak, doing his best impression of Mark and Christopher during the trip)




And let us not forget, the Guys Weekend main event


(The Arena - prepared for competition!)



(Getting ready to do battle)

Monday, August 4, 2008

GW XIV

Full House 2?

This one had much in common with Full House, from the similar lodging high on a mountaintop to the attendance -- everyone was there.

The setting was a cabin owned by Mark's dad's cousin near Blue Ridge, Ga. The accomodations were excellent, and the view was stunning. (I didn't have my camera, so I'm waiting for others to post pictures.)

Joe R arrived first, early on Wednesday afternoon, and spent some time getting to know the rules of the cabin, as well as which cabinets would fall apart at the slightest touch.

Mark and Amorak met up Wednesday morning for breakfast at a Cracker Barrel outside Gadsden, Ala., and drove to Douglasville to pick up Joe A. After lunch at the slowest-ass Wendy's east of the Mississippi, we played nine holes of golf at a lovely little course in Waleska, Ga., on our way to the site. Christopher came in that night, Dan came around lunchtime the next day, bringing his lovely dog Grace with him, and Scott came in Thursday evening.

Most everyone seemed to agree the highlight of the weekend was a whitewater rafting trip on the Ocoee on Friday morning, followed by a nice lunch at a place called The Gondolier on the way back.

A Wii made its first appearance at a GW and provided entertainment for all. Christopher also brought this ESPN football game that was kind of like one of those old-school handheld games, only much bigger and it involved lots of footstomping. We hit a local park for tennis, home run derby (Scott won, as always) and some tossing around of Dan's Frisbee(TM). There was beer drinking and hot tub soaking on the back deck, there was game playing (Flux and that game with the weird food cards I don't remember the name of) on the picnic table in the screened-in portion of said deck. There was some tasty barbecue brought by Mr. R, and bratwursts and burgers grilled on site.

Of course, we played poker. Christopher and Mark could do no wrong, it seemed, and each wound up substantially up for the weekend. I don't think there's anyone else who can say that.

As for me, I got a call on my cell phone on Friday evening that changed my life: a job offer from Grand Valley State University. Since GW, I have accepted the offer, and I begin my new career as a visiting professor a few short weeks. Worth remembering that the call said it was from "Dan Cell," and my first thought was why is Dan calling me when he's napping in the next room?

Those are just some highlights. Hope others post their particular memories, and of course photos. I'll post anything else I happen to think of.