Richie Back from Iraq

Today, we had a family get together over Uncle Frank and Auntie Nancy's house in Palmetto, Fl., to celebrate Richie's return from Iraq. He's currently on leave from the Army till the end of Feb., where I believe he is next heading to Europe. Everyone was there, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Red, Uncle Donald, Auntie Barbara, DJ, Lisa, Dennis, Lea, Joan, and even his best friend Travis with his wife Amanda. Plus, all the kids were there as well, Lianna, Lynzie, Lucy, Lily, Lani, and Alison. We had cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and hot sausages on the grill, with all the fixins. We were even able to get everyone together for a group picture.

Steve's Office Trip - Sunday

Sunday was a perfect day. Sun was shining, blue skies, and everyone was laying out working on their tan before heading back to their New England weather on Monday. Bill and I headed up early afternoon and ran into my friend Dave, ordered a few rumrunners, then headed over to see the crew. We then found Mary, Val, and Jay laying out by the pool working on their tan, while Simone and Chelsey were enjoying themselves on the jet ski in the beautiful Florida sunshine. After a few rum runners in the jacuzzi by the pool with Steve, Bill, Simone, Chelsey, Mary, and Val, I ended up having a little bite to eat with Simone, Chelsey, and Mary by the Tiki Bar with the reggae band, Windjammin,' playing.

That night, we went out to the Salt Rock Grill, http://www.saltrockgrill.com/aboutframe.html, for dinner.

Take a virtual tour of the Salt Rock here:

http://www.saltrockgrill.com/applet/textscroll.html

Being that it is here locally to me, I've actually been there numerous and have tried a lot of the entees on the menu, http://www.saltrockgrill.com/menuframe.html.

We then headed back to Shephard's after dinner and Jay, Bill, and I went down to the Sunset Lounge went down for a drink before calling it a night.

Steve's Office Trip - Saturday Night

We then headed down to the Conch Republic, http://www.conchrepublicgrill.com/. When we were up at the Conch on Tues night, we saw Erica make a strapless, Cruzan Black Strap and Cruzan Rum Cream on the rocks, and said that we have to come back to try one of those soon. So we went over there to get some Grouper sandwiches for dinner, started off with a Baileys and espresso for a little pick me up, and then tried a strapless which went down just a litle too easy.

We then met up with the crew at Shephard's for the Saturday night festivities to decide what we were going to do for the evening. We hung out at the rooms for a bit and then Simone, Chelsey, Jay, and I headed down to the Wave Nightclub, http://www.shephards.com/wave.asp. With 'Pardi Gras' being the theme, beads were being handed out to everyone as they entered. Before long we were joined by Steve, Bill, Paul, Val, and Mary at the Wave.

Since the music was more geared towards the younger crowd, Steve, Bill, Val, Paul, and Mary headed over to the Tiki Bar, http://www.shephards.com/tiki-bar.asp, for a few drinks. After a bit, Simone, Chelsey, Jay, and I joined them and we all headed over to the Sunset Lounge, http://www.shephards.com/sunset.asp. The entire group drank and danced the rest of the night away then back to the rooms for a nightcap before calling it a night.

Steve's Office Trip - Saturday - Johns Pass/Beach

Bill and I met up with them on Saturday afternoon and since it was a non-beach day, we headed down to the shops of Johns Pass, http://www.johnspass.com/.

Steve, Chelsey, Paul, and Jay all took the jet skis for a spin. Chelsey had a very unique experience while jet skiing where a dolphin came right up to her and she ended up petting it right there in the water.

Simone, Val, and Mary ended up doing some shopping picking up gifts to bring back home. After a funfilled afternoon at Johns Pass, we headed back up to Shephard's where Bill and I dropped the crew off.

Steve's Office Trip - Friday

Steve and his office came down this past weekend for their annual trip to Florida. Steve, Paul, Chelsey, and Mary all flew in on Thurs afternoon and Val met us over at the resort.

They stayed at Shephards, http://www.shephards.com/ with the weekend theme being 'Pardi Gras.'

Take a virtual tour of their rooms here: http://tinyurl.com/ywqdkv

Friday, wbile I was working, they went to Bush Gardens, http://www.buschgardens.com/BGT/default.aspx, during the day enjoying the animals, rides, and of course the beer garden.

The crew ended up staying at Shephard's Friday while they awaited the arrivals of Jay and Simone. Hanging out at the oudoor Tiki Bar where they danced to the music of Windjammin.'

The Machine at the State Theater

Friday night my friend Steve, who flew down for the weekend from Mass, and I went to see The Machine, http://www.themachinelive.com/, at the State Theater, http://www.statetheatreconcerts.com/, in St. Pete, FL. The Machine is the Best Pink Floyd Tribute band that I've ever seen. Since 1990 when I lived up in Mass, I've been going to see them play everywhere from Riverside Park (now Six Flaggs), Boston, Northampton. Providence, all over Ct., and even from a campground to local bars.

When we went down there, I already had a ticket, but still needed to get one for Steve. While waiting in line, we met Bob, whom gave Steve an extra ticket that he had since his wife was unable to make the show. A bunch of friends of mine and co-workers also met me down at the show. After seeing the show, they agreed with me on how well they play and good they are.

It was good to see my friends Joe (guitar/vocals), Todd (drums), and Ryan (bass) of The Machine. Since moving down to Florida, I don't see them as often as I used to. They usually do a southeast tour about once a year.

* * * * *

Set List I

In The Flesh

The Thin Ice

Another Brick in the Wall Part I

Happiest Days Of Our Lives

Another Brick in the Wall Part II

Breathe

Time/Breathe Reprise

Welcome to the Machine

Have a Cigar

Dogs

Set II

Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Parts I - V

Your Possible Pasts

One of These Days

Echoes

Signs of Life

Learning to Fly

Fat Old Sun

Wish You Were Here

Comfortably Numb

Encore

Waiting for the Worms

Stop!

The Trial

Outside The Wall