Batten Down the Hatches Scallywags!!!

Avast ye... weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen! Another year of murder mystery has taken place. Definitely, one of the best themed party we've ever had with a great dynamic group who took their roles VERY seriously. The formula of blackmail, bribery, and deceit made for an interesting night at the Salty Sea Dog.

Attendees: Pritchard's, Fechter's (Fetcherman's), Smith's, Kellis', Alger's, Lopez's, Mitchell's, Jordan's, Phipp's, and Tanner's.

At dinner, everyone took an opportunity to introduce their characters...some decided to already be in character.

The Governor and Capt'n

The victim and kiss from a grieving boyfriend stealing town hussy.

The 'ladies man' of the night. Too bad he ended up broke.

THE CAST:

MAD ROSE (A.K.A. Serving Wench) For some reason, no one called me Rose...I went by 'Wench' or 'Tart'....which I'm still trying to figure out if that was scripted. ???

Unfortunately, my other half was never around me the whole night to get a picture with.

Governor Napier and Juliana Napier

Poor Terry, I pulled a Dumb and Dumber move on him..and it worked!!! His wife asked me to get something from him. I went and told him she asked for him to give me money. When he looked at her I said loudly, 'You told him to give it to me right?' She nodded and it went flawlessly. Kuddos to Chrissy for fitting in her high school prom dress. Wear it proud while I fit one leg into mine.

Thumbless Jack and Antonia Napier

Melissa played the sweet, good girl all night which was a huge stretch for her. Jason gets props for actually eating without his thumbs and controlling his cussing for the evening.

Captain Redbeard and Breathless Betty

I wish Dennis would have been a little meaner and taken my bribe to tackle the Commodore. Kelley played a flirtatious seductive woman...something I know she's been practicing for decades.

Their outfits were AMAZING and runner up on best costume and best performer. Fortunately, she didn't go away empty handed. She was the hornswaggler of the night and was the richest player. She took home a million dollars in shredded currency courtesy of the Federal Reserve Bank. (We Tanner's know how to reward)

Merciless Morgan and Sharktooth Brandy

Wow, my new word for Joey is silk. I just wanted to touch his sleeves and watch him shimmer in the light. And Megan needs to be proud for the fact that one day when a few teeth go missing, she doesn't really look that bad. I just wish the wax would've stayed on all night. I also enjoyed how she couldn't call me names without smiling. She made it pleasant to be insulted.

Buccaneer Bradshaw and Dirty Wiggins

D.J. had a strategy for the night....but I'm still trying to figure out what it was. All I know is he was way comfortable cracking those IBC's. Coreen was our head investigator and she must have been doing her job right since she was only one of two who correctly identified the murderer.

Sealegs Sam and Jean Golddust

Richard is manifesting a pattern. He was again the murderer. Steph had the hard job of trading gold for money. Problem was...the gold coins that weren't supposed to be there that somehow got there and people tried trading with her for money. Steph made the best pirate disastrous cake ever! I wish I had a picture of it.

Commodore Clearing and Blackspot Jane

If there was an award for the best brown noser for the night, Quinn would've taken it hands down. His quest for special interests seemed all too natural. Suzanne somehow gained a british accent throughout the night along with the best costume award.

Shoutin' Roger Dagger and Gurglin' Uma Scar

Wes was my father. I now know what his children will go through and I have empathy for them. I was very impressed with Kathryn and her skills. She managed to bring fake coins and convince people they were worth 100 dollars...and she stole the evidence and charged in order for people to view it. Genius.

Cutthroat McPhearson and One-Eyed Wanda

Chris...there are no words. He definitely earned his Drama Queen award for the night. Whenever he was around I could not stay in character...I couldn't stop cracking up. Kristine was the only other person who guessed the murderer. By now I hope her depth perception is back.

Thanks to all who helped and attended in making our night fun!

Smith Halloween Party '09

A big thanks to Kelley and her family for always throwing a great party and all the work that goes into it. Last year Jason and I took away best costume. So, this year we knew we had to up our game. When we arrived, I was worried because the costumes were so creative and amazing this year. I regret I wasn't as good as I could've been with the camera. So many got left out. Our goal going into this was to think creepy and scary for Halloween. It doesn't get much creepier than this:

The Fechter's were more than willing to humiliate themselves with us and we wouldn't have won scariest costume without them. From day one of trying on these fabulous and warm snuggies...we knew we had struck gold. We had so much fun and I appreciate everyone being good sports about it (especially Tinky Winky). Now we keep thinking of all the possibilities that come from owning these fine pieces of cloth.....we are for hire for birthday parties.

The grieving black widow. I have to say, Lindsey had one of my favorite costumes. I loved the attention to detail that made it perfect from the life insurance policy to the hand sewn hankerchief of initials.

Marc Anthony and Cleopatra

Really Mean Hockey Players

Which one is the doctor? Which one is the nurse?

I couldn't resist posting this one. The impecable timing of having Tinky Winky in the backround and creating mouse like ears for the gnome.

Gnomes (Which I reminded to stay off my property)

Arrrgghh

So easy a caveman can do it.

Alfred Hitchcock's: "The Birds"

Dog the Bounty Hunter

Wednesday

The guy (Will Farrell) from Zoolander...I can't remember his name, but he played it perfectly.

Just wrong.

More Black Widows

Winners of best couple: Mimes

Marie Antoniette

Mario and Luigi

One of the four polygomist wives and black leather lady (or whatever Celina was...could've passed as cat woman in those pants).

Head Roller Derby Chic and Host: Slamma Fabulous

Kelley's new addition this year: Psycho Bathroom

Tubby Bye-Bye

Bye

Bye

Bye

Bye-Bye

U2 360 '09

One of my favorite top two concerts...ever. U2 is better live than on their CD's..if you can even imagine. The University of Phoenix Cardinal Stadium was sold out...over 90,000 people. I've never heard anything quite like when Bono turned off his microphone and had close to 90,000 people singing his song...amazing. Their stage was incredible...again, nothing I've ever seen, and I've been to a lot of concerts. If I have to say anything negative, it would've been their closing song...'Moment of Surrender'? Really? He even said at the end of the concert..'Remember us.' No one could forget U2, but honestly, then don't put us to sleep at the last song. Just a little disappointing. I loved hearing 'One.' I think this song really represents the group. Since the beginning, U2 has been a rock band with an eye on what's going on in the world, and consistently, it's songs have been about things like freedom, peace, unity, love. Plus consider all Bono's extracurriculars. I think One best encapsules that whole spirit of the band. And it's musically and lyrically a powerful song.
Here is the set list for the evening:
Breathe, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet), I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Dirty Old Town (snippet), Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, No Line On The Horizon, Elevation, In A Little While, Unknown Caller, Until The End Of The World, The Unforgettable Fire, City Of Blinding Lights / Mofo (snippet), Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet), Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rock The Casbah (snippet), MLK, Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)encores: One / Amazing Grace (snippet), Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet), Ultra Violet (Light My Way), With Or Without You, Moment of Surrender

Thanks to our neighbors for setting us up with sets of free tickets.

This was the other show that was going on in front of us the entire 5 hours of concert.

And THIS is the G version.

Black Eyed Peas opened and they did a great job.

Fergie got to do "Big Girls Don't Cry" which is one of my faves.

Jason was a little nervous over marijuana inhalation, since he had a urine test for life insurance the next morning...luckily, we didn't have to worry. It was the nacho intake that most concerned me.