the many faces of CatchPhrase

oh and gyro meat, Ouzo, Tahoe, Snow and one wild wine Robot! Love you Pyles!!!!

Oktoberfest 3.0 (Probst responsibly!!!)

All year we wait for Oktoberfest at the TurnVerein. Last night's event surely didn't disappoint...there was cup stacking, sausage, St Paulie girls, Apelkorn, Jaegermeister chicken dancing and BEER. Oy, I'm a little fuzzy today but it was all worth it. We went with Mark, met up with Brian and Lisa and ran into old neighbors Peter and Ann. And there were flashes of Robin Little. The upstairs got not only Rich and I on the dance floor but ultimately got Brian and Lisa rockin out a bit too. The difference between the crowd upstairs is soooooooooooooo dramatically different than downstairs. Or should I call it Up stares, where its more baudy, more drunky and LOUDER....but downstairs has its merits, like you can count of the Chicken dance being played every half hour. And downstairs are the kids in their dirndl and lederhosen all the way up the seniors dressed head to toe...both have equal value and a place in my heart. But upstairs is where Jaegermeister was drank....so there's that. Safe cab ride home and priceless memories with our friends....next year I hope, we hope you'll join us toooo.

ARRRGGHHHHH

I think the innocent act of dressing up for Halloween two years ago started something inside of me. Now I did some acting in my youth but for those that know me, I can go from extrovert to introvert withing the span of the same hour. But thats me-Rich on the other hand is an extrovert most all the time. So this year we both agreed to do something that we didn't really pre-meditate upon but embraced nonetheless. We dressed up like zombies with a whole bunch of other zombies and walked around downtown. Yes out in public. We didn't prep too much but the end result was still good and showed that we “committed” to the event. Rich and I have not only embraced being “joiners” now we are a step away from attending the next Renaissance Faire. Our latest event was the Seafarers and Pirate Festival, out on the Garden Highway. Once I accept an inkling of a concept, I'm off and running. I spent all week acquiring our costumes and accessories...Plus the timing of the event and the recently opened Halloween Stores worked out to my benefit. So I got frilly shirt for me and for Rich the most perfect hat. Oh and swords for both of us. Yes Lori, I was embracing my inner “Bloody Jack.” There were sooooo many kids with mock swords, mock fighting but having real fun. There was mead, rum, wenches, blacksmiths, real sword fights, stocks and a pirate band. The guy who looked like Geoffry Rusch with the rat. Might have been a little TOO into the event but thou shalln't judge. Not only was hes dressed to the nines, he had a mini pirate hat for his rat! It really makes you wonder, what the hell is his “day job?” All said and done, I had more fun dressed up than I would have if I had “street clothes” on...plus now we already have our Halloween costumes dialed in!!!!

The Jersey Shore Gin and Tonic Chronicles

The cast of characters were:

Jennifer, Scott, Hazel and Cecilia

David and Denise

Daniel and Julia

Supporting members:

PopPop and Delores

Joanie

Birthday Girl/Roller Coaster crazy Kristine (or is it with a Ch?)

Weird Neighbor boy: Alex

With Special Thanks to yes the Weather/earthquake, thunderstorm and final crescendo: Hurricane Irene (HC)

Ocean Grove, NJ or as the locals call it Gawd's square mile! Ironic a Marck reunion would be in a Dry Town, don't you think? As soon as we got there, dropped our bags and we were porch bound. That is where the majority of our time was spent or stoop sitting or playing hotdog badminton. Saturday Night went like a flash but even on our first night I knew this was going to be something special. An event where time stopped, normal life was secondary to this encounter and we were all comfortable and open to the adventure it was, may I introduce the Jersey Shore Gin and Tonic Chronicles.

Saturday night went quick but included a walk to town for Ice Cream. And ice cream must include Rainbow Sprinkles according to Hazel.

Sunday morning started with a walk to Asbury Park and the Boardwalk. It was spectacular to see landmarck's that I've heard about all my life. But it wasn't until recent that I was introduced to the Stone Pony, which we walked by but didn't get a chance to go in. The day ended with a thunderstorm in true East Coast fashion. I have never experienced an East Coast thunderstorm and this one was not gonna disappoint. We watched from the porch until the sideways rain forced us inside where we played Trivial Pursuit '90's Edition...the stoopidest edition ever! But add G & T's and the entertainment value is bumped up. Trivial Pursuit is kinda like Monopoly, by the end you don't really care who wins just as long as the game ends :D

Monday, Daniel and Julia were scheduled to join the posse and our little troop would be complete. Hazel and Julia are inseparable and the cutest cousins! They were always ready for a wardrobe change and any opportunity to play with their dolls. The clan together enjoyed a huge pasta dish that Daniel pulled off and could only be capped by another ice cream run!

Tuesday we had some time at the beach with Rich terribly disappointed in my wave riding abilities. But no harm no foul as tonight we were heading to Sushi, then SeaSide Heights Boardwalk. Once we mastered the incredibly difficult parking ticket machine...we were Boardwalk bound. First stop-bar (Hello?) cause alcohol was just what I needed before getting on the dreaded Pirate Ship ride, where I literally thought I was going to COME OUTTA MY SKIN. Without hesitation I was whisked onto the ride, where NO wasn't an option...then I see David standing in front of the ride...No, really WTF? As soon as the ride started moving backwards it happened, at that very moment I knew that there was going to be a problem. All the blood ran from my face and I was cramming my body into the back of the seat to brace myself. I couldn't talk but Rich knew that I wasn't OK and hats when he started “talking me down.” If I could have made them stop the ride, I would have. But instead I had to do my “yoga breathing” and hold on while the Tasmanian devil in my stomach did his dance until it was over. Frack that, apparently I can't do THAT anymore...add that to the list of what Age does to the 'ol psyche. Thankfully, I could do the baby roller coaster, survived those damn swing thangs with minor skin crawlage and finally hit my stride with the tiltowhirl I actually enjoyed the Tiltowhirl. My opposite was Dan and Ch/Kristine, as they went on flippen every ride on the Boardwalk and huge smiles all night. David and Denise did their damage on the games and came home with what three prizes? There was Khor's Frozen Custard and enough HBO series, Jersey Shore representation to choke ya. But fact was, we were in it...Jersey+Boardwalk+drinking='s some Paulie D's and Snookies!

The next day was action packed, Joanie showed up early and we were gonna spend the day at the beach. This goal was achieved and waves were riden. I ate so much sand, it was ridiculous. Need I say, sand wound up in places it shouldn't but hats what happens when you cartwheel in two inches of water...even better than winding up akimbo next to a 7 year old yelling at me, “yeah you ate it, me tooooo!” ...plus there was Daniel from 15 yards away screaming, “Good one Kris” and giving me the thumbs up. Rich and I were like little kids, laughing and swimming. It was just good for the soul-not a care in the world. That afternoon, Scott prepared for the nights Pizza-paploza event. PopPop and Delores were joining us for alittle more porch time. It was great to see Rich's Dad and Delores and hear so many stories.

Thursday Rich and I were on our own while everyone else went to visit Adrienne. After yet another epic nap we headed to the Asbury Park Farmers Market but the weather rained the entire thang out. So we were resigned to the PathMark Market where we came up with alittle of this and a little of that to make for dinner. The troop returned and together Dan and I whipped together a altogether not bad pasta dinner. Bellies full the nights endeavors had just begun...there were plans for a game or two of PIG. Do you know that game? Its like Spoons but instead of pulling a spoon, you stick your tongue out. Then if you lose, you are banished with the goal of getting those remaining playing to talk to you. And this was where I wound up quite quickly as I'm not so quick of picking up on the tongue sticking out of my fellow players. But once there were more on the losing end, it made the challenge to get the playing members to talk to you much funnier. (that’s a word, I swear). The classic was Rich busting Dan by asking about a band-aid he had on...guess you had to be there. The hours whirled away between Pig and Uno. There were G & T's drank, shit-flinging and love abound.

Friday there was no way to escape the news that Hurricane's comin...and we had to make the unhappy decision to shorten our trip and get a flight out early. David and Denise were kind enough to pack us up and drive us to the airport before the roads got too crazy, they were evacuating the shore and HC.

Hard to believe the vacation was over but the memories will live on forever. I have never enjoyed a vacation like this one but I have never had a G & T before so I chalk it up to that, that and the magical alchemy of our group where the meshing together of East and West Coast Marck's resulted in much Joy. I know Jay peeked down on us and enjoyed a laugh or two with us as he was greatly missed.

Now home, its back to work and the routine of our lives but with a larger heart and a smirk on my face as I'm just waiting to get back to the Shore.