Merry Christmas 2014
Prolog: I guess I will have to preface this fashionably late card with a note from Epstien’s mother.
First: I was on track to have these out Pre Christmas, but then I was sidelined with a small motorcycle accident. I found that even though it is mathematically impossible in real life the rabbit can catch the tortoise and bounce off his right quarter panel to slide across two lanes of traffic. The delay in the letter came as I was now riding the couch vs the motorcycle and the drugs though making the pain tolerable impaired my cognitive skills. (as if I had much to begin with)
Second: While I was placing the finishing touches on this eagerly anticipated expose of my exploits, tardy as it may have been, I was a victim of a burglary on Dec 12th. In my vile state of mind I was afraid the venom would leak out and cast dispersions the general good nature of the season. SO I decided to wait till I was chipper again. Chipper? Hm wonder what the history is behind that term?
Third: Christmas came and lifted my spirits “not all people are evil” I was told repeatedly. I was now ready to finish the transcript. Alas I was burglarized a second time on Dec 26th. This once again tempered my gleeful good nature and I coined the phrase “Vegas is a Hole”. Being more correct than Right I am going to have to differ on the letting nonviolent offenders free. In Vegas it painfully is obvious we don’t have enough nonviolent offenders in jail.
Fourth: January 23rd the thief came back to steal my car with the keys he stole previously.
So enough with the excuses: These boxes of cards have been on my desk have been staring me down like the son you promised to play catch with. Reminding me to finish what I have started, in that “Catholic Guilt” kind of way. I owe it to Fennoci Son who’s goal last year was to make mention in this litany of experiences. Rest easy Mike you are mentioned several times.
And we’re off:
Dec Home for the Holidays: I spent Christmas 2013 in Rice Lake, Sorry kind of uneventful.
April Leslie and Shoe: My sister Leslie and niece Jena A.K.A. Shoe came to Vegas with friends,. Yet spent most of the time in California?
Slam-O-Rama XXIV: The streak is broken. After 28 years of uninterrupted Slammer it was a no show in Rice Lake last year. Dan,, myself and Sean Yauch had a mini slammer on lake Panguich where the new comer Sean Yauch schooled the pros in the minnow fling by crushing all previous records by well over 20ft.
May Pigs and Paella: The Memorial Day pig roast was once again a hit. This time Mom, Sharon and Eric made it out and pitched in since Linda Charron the ultimate hostess was not able to make it. Fenocchi Son crushed the Paella once again. Paul the butcher made quick work of the succulent pork with help from Kris Davidson. The Las Vegas Taiko group was a big hit and will have to be a must for all future Pig Roasts. Dave and Jessica made T-Shirts to commemorate the event they were Awesome.
Girl’s Night Out: My niece Luanne and several of her friends spent a weekend in Vegas and held up one night at the house before the whole gang arrived. Still have that ½ empty mason jar of Nasty Moonshine in my refrigerator.
Motorcycle Rescue: Friends Mitja Fajdga (Bogata) and Rog Rearick (Hollywood FL) came to transport Daryl Atkins’ Super moto Cycle to Mitja’s warehouse in Florida. We had a good couple days in Vegas and I always look forward to their visits. I know I owe you another visit Mitja.
June Flat Mate: My Cousins daughter Kiersten Farar bunked at Chateau Charron for a month before her house closed. Congrats Kiersten.
Friends Help Friends Move: This goes for Parents as well. Cousins Sharon and Eric came to help their daughter move into her new home. Still waiting for the house warming party?
Dine and Dash: Cousins Lisa and Jason Hertzler breezed into town for dinner and a drink. Jason out and about is rare, so I was very much honored to be a part of it.
July College Reunion: The Madison boys got together at Mike Borchardt’s cabin in Minocqua. This is becoming an annual event, awesome. Also gave me another chance to hang with Hadley, Shoe, Leslie and John in Eagle River. Again Wade was AWOL. (Probably Fishing)
Hot August Nights: Spent a weekend in Reno with Carl Hoffman as he put the Beast his 1973 Grand Torino in the annual car show there. Good to see Carl and his Home on a hill. “Get off my lawn”
Ahh Alaska: Tim Hovde and I made it back to Alaska on our annual trip. The reds were running for Paul so he made up for a lousy summer in the last couple weeks of the season. I love hanging out there Thanks a again to Paul and Teracita.
Tim hiked to the top of a mountain in the rain. I enjoyed a great day of conversation with the lovely Tercita. “I win”
UNLV Football: Mark Alden invited myself and brother Dan to watch the season opener in the Presidents Box. It is a nice way to watch a game. Thanks Mark!
Sept “A O way to go Ohio”: I flew to Medina Ohio to officiate over my
good friends Dave Bank’s and Jessica Wright’s wedding. What a blast. We did repeat performances for Jessica’s mom
and Family in California. Good friend Eric Cellini and I drove down and caught
up with an old roommate Brennon from the Del Monte house that I have not seen
for over 20 years.
Stormy Blast: As you know Dan and I had the pleasure of hopping aboard the Stormy Duchess with Jon and Wayne Spanger on the island of Horta Fial in the Azors. We painted Stormy’s logo on the sea wall in 2000. Somehow Johnny Giannini came across this photo of a young lady sitting above the logo in 2014. You can still read the logo in green. Whoooaaa memory flood with lots of smiles. www.stormyduchess.com
The shortest hunting trip in history: Jeff and I unfortunately did not draw but Evan invited me to go with him on his quest for his first deer. We drove 9 ½ hours from Las Vegas to Wild Horse setup camped had a beer went to bed. We were hunting a total of 15min when Evan down his deer and we were done. A few hours of unsuccessful fishing and we were back on the road. Congrats Evan.
Nov The first of Many: Linda Charron’s company landed an install of their system here in Clark County and she is setting up shop here at Chateau Charron. Her install will take about 2 years and she has been here several time already. Nice to have a family around.
Here is where it gets interesting: Jon Spangler blew into town to celebrate his sister Annie’s 50th. It was a very interesting night/morning. If any of you see Jonny tell him he has to write that book and I guarantee it will be a best seller. One of those nights/mornings I will never forget.
Super Dave Osborne: While riding my shovel to an anticipated dinner with Clint Woods, I managed to have an up close and personal interview with the rear end of a pickup. For some reason only my lane of traffic stopped abruptly. Have You ever have that feeling of “Where the ???? did he/she come from?!!” Hence down went Fraiser! Left Knee went numb instantly, and I figured I would be pulling my big toe out of my ear. I remember taking inventory of the bike here a dent there a dent and the pieces rolling down the street while sliding across 2 lanes of traffic. Funny what you think of in those situations? Next I thought can I still make the plane to Rice Lake to watch Eric Hovde and the Warriors play in the State Championship in Madison, hang with some college buds before going up to Rice Lake for Thanksgiving? Dan the man was there at the rescue picking up all the loose ends. Shuttling me home, picking up drugs at 2:00am, retrieving my cycle from impound, and nursing me until he was tagged out by Mike Fennoci and family.
Like I say: “Friends help you move, real
friends empty your pee bottle”.
Thanks Dan, Mike and the Fennoci’s
So long Farewell alvederzane さようなら: Mike, Myako, Takuma, and Yamata Fennoci setup shop at Chateau Charron for a few days before their final move to Tokyo. I am so thank full for their help in my hours/days of need. Mike was never so happy to see me finally escape my sunken living room. That meant he was free from having to manage me and my shadow on the portable throne. I will miss you all. Any one up for a trip to Japan?
Thanksgiving and Anniversaries: Did not make it to Madison because I was not able to get out of the living room to make the plane yet. I did reschedule and while still hopping on crutches I flew back to Rice Lake to have Thanksgiving on the farm. I then took off to Lexington, KY to celebrate Ed and MaryJo’s 50th wedding anniversary. I had a great time and actually rooted for Ohio State because most of Ed and MaryJo’s family hale from Ohio now. That was before they crushed the Badgers 59-0. Congratulations Ed, MaryJo, and the Herd. PS. Thanks Mark for helping me up the step.
Dec In spite of Ourselves: I bonded with a friend Tom Dodd while listening to John Prine. He was blown away that I had heard of him? So we skip to concerts every now and they us audiophiles. So when John came to Vegas it was a no brainer. Unfortunately Tom stood me up? I thought only women did that?
I was burglarized while at work on the 12th: This is when I realized I really don’t have anything. So at this point I figure I have had a run of bad luck, motorcycle accident over my vacation and a burglary. The luck scales should be sufficiently in my favor now.
Déjà vu: What are the three words women love to here? “I was wrong” about the scales of luck in my favor as I was burglarized once again on the 26th while at work. This time they backed up the truck and took the big screen Mike had just donated and the only prized possession the 12 string Fender mom gave me for High School graduation.
Third time is the charm: I put up the camera system bad leg and all in the attic, and pulled the ignition module of my car as the thieves took all my spare keys. I got video but in Vegas unless people are actually bleeding they do not warrant a visit.
Nov 21st Mike
& Myako stay for a few days.
Nov 25th – 28th
Rice Lake Thanksgiving
Nov 28th – 30th
Ed & Mary Jo’s 50th
Dec 6th John Prine Concert
Dec 12th
Robbed.
Dec 26th
Burglarized again.
12/15/13.
Dec 23rd – 27th
Home for Christmas
Feb 26th Kathy
Levock
April 2nd
Leslie and Shoe came for a visit.
May 24th Pig
Roast Daves shirts
May 28th
Luanne visit
May 30th Mitjda and Roger Motorcycle recovery
June Kierten
Lived here.
June 29th Lisa
and Jason Hertzler
July 24th – 27th
Manaqua Leslies House Shoes and Sail Boat
July 31st –
Aug 2nd Hot August Nights Giannini’s
Aug 8th -10th
Dans Cabin
Aug 23rd – 30th
Alaska