Mark'sWorld 2005
(January) Barclay enjoys a snowy new year.
(February) Mike joins us on a wedding planning trip to Hawaii.
(March) The boys meet unofficially for St. Patrick's Day in Boston (Jeff wasn't there, this was only a cardboard cutout).
(March) Cathy and I jet off to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a much-needed warm weekend. The Westin hotel grounds and PV in the distance.
Poolside, post beer.
(January) On the lounges at the fabulous Nikki Beach Club, Cathy gives me her scary "you take another picture of me, I'm going to stick that camera up your ass" speech.
Only an idiot would stand to watch a sunset when you can do it laying on a leather bed with a beer in hand.
(Apil) The gang gathers for Cathy's birthday party. It was such a surprise that Cathy actually walked right past the table with all her friends without noticing them.
(May) A weekend in Dublin then a day trip out to the incredible Cliffs of Moher on the West coast of Ireland.
Uncharacteristically, Cathy ignores the warning signs, climbs out past the barrier then atttempts to not be blown off the cliff.
After Ireland, I head to the UK for a couple of weeks. For the first time since we moved to the States, Kay and I take a trip down to our little village of Swimbridge in North Devon. Here's the pub where we lived from 1970-74.
The village church across the street (where, as you'll guess, I spent very little time). A note of "interest": in the early 1800's John Russell the church's reverend and an avid fox hunter, bred a new type of terrier which became quite popular. The pub where we lived is named after him.
The primary school where I learned the all-important English educational pillars of: discipline, beatings and sodomy, all while wearing a tiny Angus Young-like schoolboy uniform.
After flashbacks of school days, we needed a drink. Kay and I in front of the pub again.
Here's something weird(er): we did the math and our unplanned visit to Swimbridge was exactly 21 years from from the day when we left for the States. Completely unplanned and quite freaky.
Continuing our West Country trip back in time, we travel to Dulverton on Exmoor (yes, of werewolf fame), where we lived when I was 5-9 years old. Our house was above a grocery store, the light green awning up the street.
Kay strikes a dramatic pose on Tarr Steps, an ancient bridge believed to have been built in the Iron Age.
The Ben and KJ "fish" in the thames as part of a pleasant afternoon stroll.
Cathy and Barclay on the beach on our second annual Memorial Day weekend on Nantucket with Anna and Jim.
(June) The EIC boozecruise. Cathy and I get snuggly with Chris and Tony.
It's hard to ditch the women on a 100' boat, but Tony, JB and I manage. Or perhaps they just went to the head.
For no good reason whatsoever, Tony and I take Alex out downtown on a weeknight and get him wasted.
(July) After our first choice for wedding sites canceled, Cathy and I are "forced" to go back to Hawaii for a second time that year and find a new location. The falls at Waimea Valley Park, where we decided to host the ceremony.
Cathy looks for a difference between a peahen and its male counterparts.
(August) Cath's dad visits to ensure that we're not living together before the wedding. Cathy and Courtney on a whale watching cruise out of Gloucester Harbor.
(August) For a treat, we go out for dinner in Boston with Jim & Amy, Alex & Michelle.
It looks like three girls sharing two drinks. Saucy.
(September) Why have two large dogs in a small house when you can have three? Cathy's mom brings home a new pup to "keep Barclay company."
Barclay takes to Boo right away but is very gentle in spite of much agonizing ear-gnawing.
The new pup makes a mess of the deck while Barclay gives us the "what can you do?" look.
Fuzzy friends.
(October) After the Vegas bachelor party plans fall through, Jim hosts a chilly deep sea fishing trip and drunken backyard fish fry for the guys. Distinguished guests who drive up for the weekend include FSN alums Harris and Dave from the DC area and John from Vermont.
Kriner, after a box of donuts and his third breakfast beer, kicks off the celebrations by hurling off the stern. By the time the 8+ hour ordeal is over, five of us have barfed over the side and into buckets.
However, we did catch a lot of haddock and cod. Chuck with the biggest catch of the day.
Back at Jim's place: post showers, pre-shots.
A friendly evening spent around the fire, sharing outrageous stories. Sam: "No, this doesn't seem gay at all."
A not so friendly late night game of spoons. Jeff: "Let's wreck the place!"
(October) Wedding week on Oahu: we gather the clan for a luau at the Polynesisan Cultural Center. It's a non-alcoholic event which explains all the glum faces (except Benny who got loaded beforehand).
My beautiful bride.
I've only included a few wedding photos here. Go to our wedding site (www.markandcathy.com) for more images of the ceremony and reception.
The whole gang. Thanks so much to everyone who came so far to join us for our special day!
Oh sure, it looks discreet, reserved and well-behaved as the reception starts.
Did I mention a hosted bar?
The tequila starts to kick in. Chris and Heather shake their booty thangs.
Tony remembers why he's about to propose to Chris.
Brandon can't believe the stuff coming out of Sue's mouth after her surfing accident and stitches (you can just make out the bandaid on her forehead).
Jim and Anna.
Don't fuck with Jim when he's got his Jerk It Out dance mojo going.
The last sunset of the trip for the beach house gang.
Farewell Oahu. What a great week!
(November) During our annual Thanksgiving trip to the UK, Cathy and I take a whirlwind train trip across Europe visiting friends. They say you haven't visited Belfort France unless you've taken a bite out of the ass of a giant chocolate lion.
With Otmanne's family and friends for a great Moroccan dinner.
The next day in Munich and dinner with my old friend Andreas from my years on the ranch in Montana.
Day Three: Cathy at Motzart's memorial in Vienna.
These are the instructions on how to use the toilet on a Czech train, I shit you not.
Day Four: Prague. An amazing city to walk around, like something out of a fairy tale, but with beer.
Looking across the Charles Bridge at the Old Town and Prague Castle up the hill on the right hand side of the picture.
A tasty lunch of goulash, borsht and beer.
A chilly afternoon at Prague Castle, Cathy buys a local hat to keep her ears warm and very specifically tells me not to take any photos.
Back in London and feeding of the swans down the road from the Phoenix Pub.
Outside of Stamford Bridge stadium after the Chelsea match.
(December) Cathy comes back over for Kay's 40th birthday party, a pop-music themed affair (if you couldn't tell). Abba gets started early.
Bjorn, Robbie, Tom and Jimmi.
Sade and Freddie.
Drunken dancing and poorly performed sing-alongs break out.
Outside of some girl-on-girl dirty dancing, the biggest excitement of the evening was the toss-up with the hooligans. Some young, drunken yobs decided that it would be fun to throw rocks through the window during dinner. The last thing they could've expected was Tina Turner (in heels), Mick Jagger, Elton John, Robbie Williams and about 20 other very drunk, angry, queerly-dressed men pouring out of the restaurant and chasing them down the street. Many were caught and after a bit of a rough-up, pinned down till the cops showed. Poor Phil Collins needed stitches.
Back home and needing some last minute miles, we spend a weekend in a very chilly Chicago. Here watching the Seahawks at the ESPN Sportzone.
Xmas at the Phelps-Tagupas.
Barclay helps Boo enjoy her first snow.
NYE at the Racofskys.