Sarasota Dos!

The fourth of July was great. We'd been out that day, hung around for a party and watched the fireworks from the pool deck at the Hyatt. We also almost witnessed a brawl between two drunk guys. I never really heard what the issue was, but it was taking place roughly 5 feet in front of Carrie, Mystic, and I so we backed up and watched out...thankfully some guy diffused the situation and the belligerent drunk guys went their separate ways. Ah America...where it's not a celebration unless someone's punched in the face!

Sunday, beach day! Wooohooo! Siesta Key was lovely and not as crowded as Lido last year. We lounged, some read, some played in the water. Colleen and I caught school after school of tiny fish. It was roughly 700 degrees that day though, so it was tough on those of us who party at the pale club.

Carrie wore her "burkasuit" since the sun was unforgiving. I myself, also being of the vampire nature, covered myself in plenty of sunblock so I could stay outside amongst the daywalkers.

Carrie, Karen, Sheila, and Chip hanging out and having fun. It really was a great day to just sit on the sand and play in the water.

It was Kim's first time to see the ocean and she loved it! We only stayed out a couple of hours due to the sun and the heat...even the folks that tan were getting a bit red.

The races were also Sunday and after they were over, the awards were handed out by Capt. Keith. Trav also got up and spoke for a moment. Geico took home the big prize again! Scottie from Geico is up there accepting the trophey from Keith. Scottie will always be awesome.

This was when my camera battery died and so I don't have any pics of all the shenanigans that took place that night, but trust me, they were many. Everyone gathered at the Hyatt for a big boisterous after party, Wizard, Wizette, Hillstrands, and Raceteams. It was a big celebration and crazy times. The Hyatt will never be the same...especially the 502...but if you don't know about that already, you don't need to! ;)

Sarasota is a great town filled with great people who put on a fantastic event every year for a worthy cause. I always enjoy the time I get to spend there.

Sarasota! Uno

Sarasota...how I miss you.

This was the view from our hotel room at the Hyatt...good ol 502. Sarasota is a gorgeous city with great people. The suncoast of Florida is always good to me.

Most everyday was spent lounging by the pool. The pool at the Hyatt is an amazing place. It's got a splendid little waterfall, lined with palms, and right by the marina...it's a nice place to let the day slip away.

Carrie and I both loved the pool, but you can tell by our skin tone that we aren't exactly sun worshipers...we went through a lot of sunblock last weekend. By sunblock, I don't mean that wimpy spf 15. I'm talking 100...+ Yes. They actually make that and people actually use it. Count yourself lucky if you're one of those people with melanin!

The marina by the pool. It's a cool view and you get to see some wicked boats...

like the Mystic from Geico! (Funny story, the Mystic is pulled by a truck named the Lizzie...so you have the Mystic and the Liz...Mystic and I got pics in front of them last year. We took it as a good omen. lol!)
There were some sick bikes out and about too. I loved the chrome work rims, the green paint job, it was just a great looking ride.

Trav showed up for the fun, as he always does. Of course, it's hard to find Trav without a goofy look on his face...

photo courtesy of Cheryl Smith

but being surrounded by a bunch of ladies seems to have put a smile on his face. lol!

Again, see! This was the little shindig put together for the "Wizettes" with Keith and Trav. It was basically just us all hanging out and having a good time. So many of us have met before or talked online for years, made real friendships, and just enjoy each other outside of the DC aspects, so it was like a great big reunion/meet and greet.

Photo courtesy of Sheila Stowers

Mystic and I with the boss. lol!

Heather, Velvet, and Debs were representing the rockstar group.

Pate, my awesome fire fighting friend gets a good hug from Keith...

...and Carrie gets a lift!

Photo courtesy of Dawn Carter

Keith and Trav made the kid's day!

Photo courtesy of Sheila Stowers

Cheryl shows off the book she put together from several cool poems and writings on the Crabwizard forum.

Photo courtesy of Sheila Stowers

Sheila and I have been friends online for years now and it was great to actually be able to give her a hug in person. She and Karen have gotten to be good buds too!

Photo courtesy of Mystic

We took a lot of pics (obviously) and just generally had a great time.

Photo courtesy of Capt. Keith Colburn

Keith and Trav both participated in the "Friendliest Catch" fishing tournament with a great group of kids and adults and raised a lot of money for the Florida Center. I was unfortunately still at home at this point and didn't get to attend, but I hear it was fabulous and a lot of the girls helped out a lot on the boats.

There goes one of the race boats on a test run out in the bay. Those suckers can fly. We went out on Geico's Caveman last year, hit about 100mph, good times and fast rides!

Speaking of Geico, this is Scottie. He drives for Geico and he's awesome...AWESOME. He's the guy that took us out on the Caveman last year and hung out with us Sunday night. He's first class.

Dawn, Amber, and Carrie are discussing an unfortunate wardrobe choice we all just witnessed.

Pate, Dawn, myself, and Amber hanging out in the VIP beer tent...they had free salmon! :D It was hotter than hades that day and the tent and free bottles of water were greatly appreciated!

The parties and various tents that were set up were great and it's wonderful to see so many friends again...and to meet new ones. More later!

I've realized...I'm a horrible blogger...also, vacation time! :D

See you tomorrow amazing pool! (Thanks for the pic Mystic!)

Yeah, so I realized I'm pretty awful at blogging consistently. Granted, work blocking blogger (curse you firewalls!) has really put a damper on my posting. Still, I'm amazed at those of you I follow who post one, two, three blogs a day! You are my blogging inspiration. I'm good to get one up every few weeks it seems. Oh well, eh, whatever.

Aaaaaanyway, just the rundown on the recent hap-hap-happenings around the home-front. My father had a pacemaker/defibrillator put in...and because his heart is enlarged, twisted to the side, and has shepard's crook veins, it was a wee bit more difficult than it should have been. In the doctor's words (on the second, yes, second, attempt at the operation) "you're the most difficult case I've ever faced!" Sadly, we're pretty used to that phrase in my fam. However, Dad is now doing very well and itching to get back to the golf course. He's also lost over 100lbs so far this year! WOW! Dad, you're awesome and I love you.

My grandmother and brother-in-law were also in the hospital. Nana's good. Bro nearly died thanks to some crazy horrible shenanigans with the anesthesia, but he's fine now too...also, a "difficult case." We really make the docs earn their money!

Getting ready to go out for Jen's bachelorette party. (Yes, I am a giant.) The knee offending cousin is the one in the middle!

Me, I tore my knee up dancing...wait, no...my cousin tore my knee up while we were dancing. She fell on me. Nice huh? It was a crazy night, dancing, libations, and Snoop Dogg were all involved. It was a bachelorette party to remember for sure. For a month I limped around with a big brace on...trust me, it was as sexy as sexy gets. I'm pretty much healed up now, but I think I might have one of those old people knees that can predict the weather now...which would be cool if it didn't involve you know...pain. Who cares though, because her wedding was amazing and so much fun! We even danced the Thriller at the reception...which now seems like portentous event!

The beginning of Meg's bachelorette scavenger hunt. The bride (notice the sash) was on the other team and let it be known she didn't intend to lose! (Thanks for the pic Roxy!)

PCB bachelorette party after the scavenger hunt chillin' out at Dippin' Dots. (s'mores flavor is awesomesauce!)(Thanks for the pic Roxy!)

Wow, it sounds like my family is single handedly keeping Blue Cross and Blue Shield in business. So, enough of that nonsense! On other fronts, I just got back from my second trip to Panama City. (The first involved the knee.) The latter one, another bachelorette party was injury free and a lot of fun. (The first one was fun too, really!) I was involved in a bachelorette scavenger hunt...I found plenty of bachelors, but none I really wanted to keep.

On the Miss Geico boat last year doing about 100mph.

A whole lot of us from last year. (Thanks for the pic Cheryl!)

Well, tomorrow, I head down to Sarasota FL for the Suncoast Superboat Grand Prix! I'm pretty excited. Sun, sand, and speed! In addition, I've got a lot of friends that will be in town for the event...which just makes it even better. Keith and Trav will be representing the Wizard down there and fishing in the tournament that benefits the handicapped via the suncoast foundation. It's really an awesome cause and totally worth a look. I plan to spend a great deal of time on the beach and at the pool...I just have to remember to pack the SPF 100+...yeah, I wish I was kidding too. (All of you peeps with melanin, enjoy it!)

...And that is the ultra condensed reader's digest version of the last few months. Maybe I'll get to expound a bit later! For now, it's off to bed and off to one sweet vacation! Deuces y'all!