Beach Trip (part 2)

Well, given that its now two weeks since I returned from the beach, obviously this isn't the freshest of news. But, just to cap off my last entry, we spent much of the week on the beach, getting sun, reading books, and staying out of the way of Jackson's nasty penchant for hurling buckets of ocean water on unsuspecting sun-bathers.

Also, we celebrated Jackson's fifth birthday party while we were there, although he wasn't so unfortunate to have only a single party, as news reached me the following weekend. But anyway, here's a representative picture:

Later on that week- or it could have been the same night, I just don't remember now- we dispatched a search party to the beach, attempting to find ghost crabs. Our search was fruitful, and I actually netted the largest one, nearly losing a finger in the process:

Then, on our last night there, Brooks treated the lot of us to a celebratory fireworks display:

And, as you can intuit from the lead in to the last picture, the next day we came home.

Since then, it's been more of the same old, same old. I went back to work with a rejuvenated spirit, and Shelly enjoyed her next two weeks off from school and work. The following weekend (last weekend), we went to visit friends and family in Charlotte, and even got in some baby-sitting experience with Savannah, Jason and Emily's daughter. I came back Sunday, while Shelly passed an additional two days before returning home.

And then we came to this weekend. This weekend, for the first time since the end of June, Shelly and I had nothing to do! Ever since then, we'd had in-laws visiting, Maryland weddings to attend, beaches to sun on, and trips to make.

We've made good use of the time. Shelly and I have belatedly started watching the Lost TV series. I always knew I'd like it, but I never knew just how much I was missing out on. Every episode leaves you wanting to see more- and since we have the DVDs from Blockbuster, we can immediately satiate that urge! About the only thing I'd picked up on that I wasn't supposed to know was that at some point, someone was going to find a 'hatch'. I steeled myself for the grisly discovery of a paunchy, middle-aged gay guy ala Survivor, but fortunately, it only turned out to be the normal, metal kind. But boy am I going to be sorry when we return the last DVD from season three and I have to wait just like everyone else...

This just in: There's a Hurricane heading towards Jamaica! Everyone, say a prayer that the Ocho Rios facility survives intact! I can't live in a world knowing that Sandals resort isn't still standing!

By way of reviews, Shelly and I just finished watching 300. I really liked it, even if it did have a very comic-book like feel to it. Since it actually is based on a comic book, that shouldn't come as any great shock. Anyway, I have a soft spot for movies portraying honor and sacrifice. Unfortunately, I also have a bad habit of looking up movies online after I watch them, and apparently this one has stirred up controversy because A) the movie makes note of the historical fact that the Athenian Greeks were 'boylovers', B) the Persian army accurately was composed of Africans and Middle Eastern people, while the Spartans, as history demands, were all white, and C) (same link) in the midst of battle, not one Spartan shakes his head and laments "All this killing (sob)... there's got to be a better way!"

The nerve of these historical figures, not corresponding to our modern sensibilities! Quick, someone invent a time machine, and round up Cindy Sheehan and Barney Frank! It's just unacceptable that Hollywood crank out a mere 99.9% of movies that are totally politically correct!

Alright, Shelly goes back to school tomorrow, and we just have a few hours left before the stress begins anew for her, so I'm going to go.

But not before I mention the day we spent with Law School Melissa yesterday! No pictures (sorry guys), but Shelly and her had lunch together, then we all hung out for much of the afternoon before going out to dinner at El Rodeo.

So anyway, good luck to both these fine ladies as they begin their third and final year...

(Beach Trip, part 1)

Rumors of my Death are Greatly Exaggerated...

...Or yet to be spread at all, but I just know there are a handful of people just chompin' at the bit since it's been over two weeks since I blogged! I don't think it should count, though, considering that I was gone for one of them, without an illegal wireless connection to be had!

Unlike two years ago, Shelly and I were the last ones to arrive two Saturdays ago, since there were no bridge pile-ups, toll back-ups, or other general forms of mayhem afflicting those coming down from Maryland.

As many of you will remember from a blog much earlier in the year, we stayed at Carolina In My Mind. As one or two especially astute people will also remember, I posted a bad link, which took you to the wrong house! Here is a picture of the place we actually stayed:

There it was, in all its welcoming glory! (Although, ironically, I took that one right before we pulled out to come home, which is why it looks somewhat forlorn). Anyway, after a comfy, four-hour drive, Shelly and I were ready to be there, and after turning the air off the "Butt-numbingly cold" setting, we were off to a great week!

Breakfast, Day 1: Sunday started off with a bang. As some will remember, on that exact day last year, in a picturesque and sweltering Southern city named Fuquay Varina, two people were joined in a holy union. No, it was not Scott and Lerissa (good guess, but you forgot to take the word 'holy' into account), but rather Shelly and I. We celebrated the first anniversary of that momentous day in three ways. One: We exchanged presents...

(Do I really look that rough in the morning?)

Two: We got burnt to a crisp on the beach...

And Three: We had dinner at Tale of the Whale, a wonderful little restaurant way down the Banks, near the Manteo island bridge. We splurged, Shelly ordering a set of King Crab legs, and I settling on a full lobster stuffed with crab meat. Neither of us left hungry. The balmy breezes cooperated(nothing like the miserable humidity we've been saddled with this last week), as did a nice, full moon, which rose as if just for us over the ocean after our meal. I left with a heavy heart, knowing that this would be difficult indeed to top next year!

Surprisingly, the week went by without either of us venturing out to eat again, although I did go out two nights later with the aforementioned cousin Scott. Unlike previous years, I was there in an advisory capacity only, and in that spirit I accompanied him to Hooters on Tuesday night. Alas and Alack, I was unable to 'advise' him that leaving a 100% tip would do nothing to improve his chances with our waitress, and he left quite a bit lighter in cash than he came! Shelly, understanding, trusting wife that she is, understood that I only ventured to that house of ill repute and scantily-clad hussies because I don't get to spend much time with my cousin. No, never, never, would I have had any desire to go there had Scott not forced me to go! ;)

Moving on, a lot of things happened, but as is the way of things, vacation time speeds by and things all blur together. I played a great deal of Lego Star Wars with nephew Jackson, who also had a birthday that week, turning five. Here he is, contemplating the sublties of the beach unbrella- just wait 'til he's old enough to lug the thing to and from the beach

I got reacquainted with all of my nieces and nephews, and introduced to a totally new one: Mr. Matthew Spencer! Here he is, getting to know his Aunt Shelly for the very first time.

That overjoyed smile on her face makes my blood run cold.

Ok, it's eleven at night, and I've barely made a dent. We'll have to continue this again later. 'Night everyone!