Here's Doug receiving the Most Sportsmanlike Player award at the I.Q. Billiards BCA League Banquet. There can be little doubt that the vote was unanimous - Dougie was not only a sportsman, he also had a great talent for making the game more enjoyable for his opponents...even as he was whipping them.

True Snooker Story:
Dougie was in a four-way, dime-a-point game of follow and, at the same time, coaching the kids on the next table.
He potted a black, paused to gave one of the kids a quick lesson on safety play, then turned back to his table and potted another black.
None of the three players in Dougie's game noticed that he hadn't played a red - everyone had been paying attention to the lesson. The black was respotted.
Dougie's advice to the next table was good - the suggested safety resulted in a vicious snooker. He took a minute to help the kid's opponent with a few words on angles, running-side and getting out of snookers safely. He then walked around his table and potted the black a third time.
Again no-one on either table noticed.
A spectator watching all of this finally spoke up.
"Hey, Dougie...you going to shoot any reds to go with those blacks?"
Dougie stopped and looked at the table for a moment.
"Foul," he laughed.

Doug shakes hands with Ken Shea following a 1952 snooker final. Kenny Shea has deservingly been inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of fame for his achievements over 30 years in snooker.
There is a story about this match. It is said that the venue did not want a black man playing on their tables. Kenny Shea allegedly forced the issue - Dougie had played his way into the final and Shea demanded they open the doors for anyone who could play like that. The photo bears witness the outcome of that argument.
Douglas Walter Borden's contribution to the game, certainly less well-known, is no less in depth or breadth. He was a talented player - a student of the game who consistently made the best players work hard to win - and a patient teacher to many. He was gentleman at the table and away from it.

Doug's memory is well served by the many players who are occasionally heard to say, "I learned this from Dougie..."
Coss-corner returns the cue ball to baulk - easier shot than the pot straight down the rail if you know your angles, and safer if you miss.

"It ain't what you make, it's what you leave."

My twins turn 6 tomorrow. So being the good mother that I am, I'm throwing a pool party for them tomorrow. Now, I haven't been too stressed about this party until today. Last year, the kids turned 5 (a milestone) and I turned... well... a milestone, too. (My birthday is three days after theirs, not that it really matters much to anyone). So I had a huge, Hawaiian luau theme party. At our house. (!!!) I can't even remember how many people were there, but I remember thinking in the midst of the ordeal, "What the fuck was I thinking?! I will never throw a huge party at my house ever again. Fuck this." I don't think my hands ever left the blender that day, for I was making pina coladas from scratch for all the adults. I even made a home made sparkling sangria. I even have photos to prove to any naysayers that I actually made something edible from scratch! Hell, I made crab wontons and cut a real fucking pineapple too! The house was cleaned to a sparkling shine and I looked like I was the Entertainer of the Century.

But a kick ass theme party doesn't come without costs and that cost was my sanity for the proceeding two months.

So again, I will never throw a party like that again unless I have some cooks and some maids on a payroll.

So tomorrow is the pool party. Two hours of fun for the low, low price of about $200. (I think we spent $200 last year on decorations alone!) I invited 35 brats kids and told them to RSVP a week prior to the party so that I can plan accordingly. I think eight parents RSVPd on time. A few stragglers came in during this week. But for fuck's sake -- I get two more kids added today, the day before the friggin' party! What was I supposed to say, "NO"?

I'm a planner. And I'm not a procrastinator. In fact, nothing irks me more than having to do shit at the last minute. I loathe it. So naturally these two kids added on made me a little anxious. Why? Because I had twelve treat bags. 12. And now I have 13 kids coming. That means that I have to run all the way back to the party store tonight and buy one of 6 different little stupid toys that will inevitably end up in that lucky parent's trash bag later tomorrow night. ARG!

For my birthday I want a vacation.

Landhäuser, Ferienhäuser, Fincas, Unterkünfte auf Mallorca finden Sie auf  http://www.Traumferienhausreisen.de

Wir haben ständig Angebote von preiswert bis Luxus und vermitteln Ihnen Ihre Ferienunterkunft auf Mallorca.

Vorzugsweise befinden Sich unsere Ferienobjekte im Norden Osten und Nordosten von Mallorca im Landesinneren oder direkt am Meer.

Da wir auf der Insel vor Ort sind können wir Ihnen einen spontanen und gut organisierten Service anbieten und bei evt. Fragen mit Rat und Tat, Ihnen schnell weiterhelfen.

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oder rufen uns an wir beraten Sie gern

Tel. 0034 639902586

Hier finden Sie eine Auswahl an Ferienhäuser, Landhäuser, Fincas, Ferienwohnungen und Chalets im Nordosten, Norden und Osten von Mallorca,  Die Angebote sind preiswerte Objekte in der Nebensaison sowie buchbar für die Sommerferien. Unsere Fincas / Ferienhäuser sind fast alle mit Heizung ausgestattet so dass wir Ihnen ganzjährig eine Vielzahl von Objekten reservieren können.

In unserem vielfältigem Angebot finden Sie Fincas mit Pool, Ferienwohnungen mit Meerblick, familienfreundlich und ideal für Kinder geeignet.

Sommerferien in einer Finca auf Mallorca werden immer beliebter, gerade deswegen buchen viele Ihren Urlaub auf einer Finca auch in der Nebensaison z.B.

Im Sommer, Herbst Frühjahr oder im Winter .

Für mehr Information besuchen Sie bitte unsere Website

bzw.  unsere Internetpräsentation unter

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Hier finden Sie viele Ferienunterkünfte für Familien und Mallorca – Liebhaber, die Wert auf Ruhe und Entspannung, auf Individuelle Weise legen. Mieten Sie Ihre Ferienfinca mit Pool im Norden, Osten oder Nordosten von Mallorca. Wir vermieten bzw. vermitteln Ihnen, Ihre Ferienimmobilie zu günstigen und fairen Preisen. Unser Angebot geht von preiswert bis zur gehobenen Luxus – Finca oder Gruppenunterkünften von 2 bis 20 Personen. Da unsere Fincas fast alle mit Zentralheizung ausgestattet sind vermieten wie unsere

Objekte auf Mallorca auch im Herbst, Winter und im Frühling zur Mandelblüte und selbstverständlich auch im Sommer. Die Sommerferien auf Mallorca in einer Finca zu verbringen ist der Urlaubstrend der Ruhe und individuelles Flair verspricht. Finca und Ferienhaus Vermietung für Mallorca

Im Osten bez. Nordosten findet man die meisten Strände und Buchten der Insel. Idealer Bade oder Familienurlaub und Touristisch sehr ausgebaut mit meist flachem Meerzugang. Cala Millor und Cala Ratjada bilden das touristische Hauptzentrum. Capdepera , Manacor und Arta sind bekannt für typisch mallroquinische Ferienhäuser im Landhausstil.

Mieten oder buchen Sie bitte unter..

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Schauen Sie bitte auf unserer Homepage

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Stella Stella Stella

Headed out to the skate park for what I like to call The Thursday Night Jam!

There were lots of new faces and some really good rides, nice airs, grinds and lines. Miles Watson (pictured above) was digging the pool and pulling off some nice moves.

The Hayes Family, Lawrence & Derrick were out and trying some tandem skating. Those dudes are wild!

Randy Davila was up to his old tricks and some new ones!

Max was flying high on the back street run! He also ripped it up in the big bowl, but sadly, my shots weren't that great! Next time!

Miles Watson was catching some air in the pool! He's also got the lead photo in this post!

Mike Neimann and the guys from Cockfight Skateboards were out too!

Yeah... Thursday night jammed!

It was good seeing everyone and meeting new folks!

I took a road trip. I headed east. I had no idea where I was going, just that I wanted to go. I had an entire week in between my last day of work in Arkansas and the first day of band. I wanted it that way. I wanted to go somewhere. I looked at trains, airplanes, buses...and ended up taking my car. I have a little 2001 Kia Sportage. Not that great of a car, especially since the air conditioning doesn't really work that well. But it gets great gas mileage.
Saturday and Sunday were spent with my sister here in Arkansas. I thought about leaving on Sunday, but I wanted to sleep so badly. I did wake up around 10am or so to an empty house. I was tempted to leave, but that would not be kosher, so decided against it. (Yes, I know that "kosher" was not used in the correct context...but I don't care. I just like the word.) I decided I would leave Monday morning.

Monday: I woke up around 8am. No reason, other than lacking the ability to sleep any more. I got a shower and started looking at packing. I had no idea where I was going, what I was going to do once I got there, or how long I was going to be gone. What the flip was I going to pack? I ended up taking about 3 changes of clothing and one pair of shoes besides the ones that were already on my feet. My mother was already off at work. My father was waiting on the nurse to arrive for my grandmother. No one was taking me seriously. No one thought I was really going to leave.
"Hello?"
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. Is that...wind?"
"Yeah."
"You really left."
I hit the road. I followed the signs that said "East"...nothing else. Not even 45 minutes away, I came to a town I have been to a few times before. I remember the food, grape juice, winery tours, the church. St. Mary's Catholic Church in Altus, AR. It's absolutely gorgeous. I'll have pictures up on Flickr before the day is out. I went and just sat in awe of the beauty. The church is located on the top of a large hill...or mountain. Not quite sure. Either way, the view is breath-taking. After seeing the church, I hit the road again. I went all the way through Arkansas and ended up in Tennessee. I was tempted to stop in Memphis, but I toughed it out and stopped in Nashville. I arrived at about 8:30pm. I was beat. So, I rested.

Tuesday: I woke up in Nashville. Home of country music legends. I checked out of the hotel and headed to Downtown Nashville. I found my way to Broadway. Union Station. CMT (Country Music Television). I walked around for a while. It reminded me so much of New York City. The only real difference is it's a lot smaller. It has the same feel, just less crap. Not to mention, it's spotlessly clean compared to NYC. I wondered around Nashville for a few hours, ended up paying $1.50 for a can of coke, and hit the road again. I went back west. I drove about two hours and ended up in Memphis. I remembered Beale Street from late junior high and wanted to see it again. But it was way to early for anything really interesting to be going on, so I found a hotel again. I chanced into a cheaper one. With internet. And a pool. I chilled for a little and went swimming. I even made a friend. I get to the indoor pool and there were two people in it already. But I had to get in the water, so I just intruded. Turns out it was a father and son. 7 year old Conner and 29 year old Ryan or Bryan or Randy. I feel bad, I didn't really get his name. Anywho, we talked for about an hour while Conner splashed around and played games. He is from Nashville, owns a restaurant/catering service, has a girlfriend with an 18 month old daughter, did this, did that...basically, we talked about anything and everything. We ended up parting ways and I went back to the room to get ready for Beale Street. I didn't head out till about 8pm. Nothing starts till late at night anyway. I figured that out after I got there and saw signs up. It's pure nightlife. I walked around. The street is blocked off between such-and-such hours. One guy came up to me for cigarettes. Three times. A group of males were standing in the middle of the sidewalk and one turns to me, has a beer in one hand and waves at me with the goofiest smile on his face. The others follow suit. I get to the end of the street and there is an officer of the law standing over a male handcuffed face-down on the street. I laugh and turn to walk away. I see a park. Not well lit, so I don't venture in. I leave Beale Street and head back to the hotel after making one purchase. I buy my father a shirt. He is the only person I bought anything for. Go Dad! I get back to the hotel, still no internet (didn't have it to begin with) so I hit the sack.

Wednesday: I wake up in Memphis, Tennessee. 9am. Take a shower. Check out. Hit the road. West (again). I drive all the way back to my "hometown". No stops (other than gas stations). I make a few phone calls once I am back and go back to the work place I quit only days before. I had to pick up my paycheck. My aunt already had it though, so I didn't even go into the building I worked in. I went into the one right next to it. I talk candidly with several people who are quiting in the days to come and those who wish they had somewhere to go so they could quit. I meet up with a friend. We grab lunch and I head back to the house. I unpack and do some laundry and generally relax....some more. I watch movies and catch up on the internet part of my life.

So, I move out in a matter of days. I am moving out for good. I have an apartment with a friend and her boyfriend. We have a pretty good deal on the rent and all, so I'm really excited. I start packing tomorrow.

Here's the video from the trip....

~thanks Dave!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oenRGX-JDw

-Jack

Now, Jason and I have played some luaus in our day. For awhile we were part of The Hula Cats, a hapa haole (i.e., mainland-swing-style) Hawaiian band (The link is to the only reference to our existence I could find online. I love Lin's quote at the begining of that article!) At one point we could play almost three hours of hapa haole music. We played all kinds of luaus - at country clubs and redneck bars, backyards and old folks homes. No two were the same, though they all had certain elements - leis, pineapple, grass skirts (well, you know,  plastic skirts that are supposed to look like grass), and pig. Of course at the old folks home the pineapple was upsidedown cake. And the pig at backyard luaus was usually BBQ, while at the country club it was a whole pig with and apple in its mouth. But I digress.

The luau Saturday was celebrating the birth of two little twin babies, and the grandparents throwing the party threw out all the stops. I've never seen such attention to detail. And the pig was cooked in the ground all day - no small feat. There was a swimming pool and hula dancers. The stage was built special for the occasion. It really was a treat to play for such nice people (and true fans) for such a happy event. Aloha!

Mr. Frank Tackles is going to take a journal with him on his vacation so that he can document his erotic adventures at the town pool.

It will be much like Bukowski's Post Office, only without the literary significance.

But it'll still be required reading for Escalade Incompetency fans, so BE READY!!

Die Innenausstattung ist sehr edel. In wenigen Minuten ist man direkt im Hafen von Port Andratx. Nach Palma fährt man ca.25 Min. Mehrere Badestrände liegen in unmittelbarer Nähe.
Ess- Wohnzimmer
4 Schlafzimmer
Klimaanlage in allen Schlafzimmern
4 Bäder
Küche

Waschmaschine
Sat-TV
Heizung
Hifi-Anlage
Wohnfläche ca 390 qm
Terrassen
Pool

Sie werden vor Ort von unserer Betreuerin in Empfang genommen, die Sie in Ihre Villa einweisen wird. Die Betreuerin steht Ihnen während Ihres ganzen Aufenthaltes für Fragen zur Verfügung und wird sich um Ihre Wünsche persönlich kümmern.

Des Weiteren können Sie zusätzliche Service-Leistungen in Anspruch nehmen, z.B. Reinigungs-Service, Fahrerdienst, Koch, Einkäufe / Ersteinkauf, Beauty-Behandlung, Frisör, Maniküre, Massagen (Hausbesuch), Tischreservierung in Restaurants, Kindermädchen, Kinderbetten, Hochstuhl, Anmieten von Autos, Scooter, Quadts und Yachten... Sollte noch ein Wunsch offen sein, der hier nicht aufgeführt ist, wenden Sie sich bitte direkt an uns, wir bemühen uns Ihre Wünsche zu erfüllen.
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I noticed today that my little veggie has grown from a sweet pea to a string bean.

She has this new interest in sneezing. She loves it when I REALLY sneeze, but fake sneezes will do.
"...neeze, Mommy?"
"Ahhh...ahhhh...CHOoooooooo!"
"Hahahahahahahaha. Neeze!!!!"

Hmm, what else. She knows her letters and numbers. She's interested in colors at the moment. I like hearing her walk around the house saying "llellow, puhpuhl, gween... pink! wed! bwoo!"

Speaking of letters, you know how in Hobby Lobby they have those GIGANTIC letters on the wall that name each department? She likes to read those to me whenever we're in there. F A B R I C! "I see F! I see A! I see B..." And then when we leave, she says goodnight to all the letters. She'll ask me if they're sleeping once we get to the car and are about to drive away, leaving her beloved "ledduhs."

She seems to think that if she can't see US, we can't see her. This leads to numerous occasions of tip-toeing into the kitchen, one hand blocking the side-view of her eyes, and Thumbelina pushing a chair up to the counter in pursuit of something Not Allowed at that moment.

I love how she says dvd/cd. "Deedees."

"Ewwwwwwuh! Grwossss!" is her favorite phrase.

We think she believes her girlie parts are called Poo. She'll tell me in the shower that this is her poo. She pointed to Mr. Potato head tonight, undid the latch which stores his various accessories and told me it was his poo, too. Good to know.

We bought a wagon this past weekend, and Thumbelina thinks it's the best thing ever to pack a picnic and throw it in the cargo area while she rides shotgun, hat on head and Barney in the crook of her arm. I told her we were having an adventure and now she calls the wagon that.

She's starting to pick out her own clothes and will ask me if she "looks guhreat!" I think her standard is just having bangs out of her eyes, though. We're not picky yet.

Lately we've been swimming a lot, since the heat is so awful and the humidity is enough to drench anyone after only a few minutes outside. Here are two of our favorite little swim friends, who incidentally aren't related but look like twins! Here's a similar view of both:

Crazy, huh! So cute.

Yesterday the kiddos went to the pool while me, Whitney, Aunt Camille, and Steve went to shop. It was a day of relaxing and playing.

Then, mom and dad made us banana splits after they chose the wrong person to win Design Star on HGTV. =) Yumm-o... hehe

Today we got up and had some delicious orange danishes!

Lets just say we had more than one. ;)

Then we all packed up and went to our favorite beach, Round Island Park on Orchid Island. It was the first beach we found that we loved when we moved here! So we all got some sun and played in the water.

By the way, Steve spotted a HUMONGOUS dolphin in the water! It was pretty close to us!

Here are some more pictures of the beach today...

Ashlyn and Sofia caught their first wave together.

Steve relaxing...

Steve almost caught his first wave...

And they both caught it at the same time... just at the moment that Grayson got in the frame. HEHE. I put it up here anyway! =)

And that was our day! Tomorrow we are going to the Keys! I will take lots of pictures and put them up!

I'm serious. A normal school would just say, here's your schedule, go find your locker and textbooks, see you next week. Ten minutes tops. But no, not the most esteemed rich kids school. (Which will go unnamed so no one can track me down and kill me for slighting their system.) They set up this crazed assembly line in the cafeteria with stations that don't even go in a logical order. There are no numbers to tell you where to go next, no tape arrows on the floor, no man in an orange vest waving his arms to direct the traffic. I ended up skipping three stations just because they looked like they came after the yearbook one, and not before. Resulting in me having to return after COMPLETING EVERYTHING ELSE because I did not get some sort of proof that I'd been to the Nurses station.

And the cost of a Family Activity Card should not be $125. Granted it was my mothers money, but still.

However, I did get something useful done there. I knocked a couple people off my To-Invite list. For THE party.

That's right. CJ is throwing a party. Not alone, with MW and BG. It's larger than anything I've done before but, that's because it was always at my house, which restricted the party size immensely. But now, with a brand spanking new location, I'm ready to go all out.

Alright, all out is a overstatement. We're opening the house, starting a Throw-People-Into-The-Pool frenzy, and ordering pizza. But it's going to be amazing anyways.

Every time I write, I always look back and wonder what the inside of my mind must look like in order to come up with such random things to talk about. I'm thinking splatter paint. And sequins.

- Morro Bay, CA The weather was wonderful, although a bit foggy.  It is a small town that makes you start looking at home prices.  Kids learning to surf on the beach, small local shops, friendly people, and an otter met us by the bay just to say "Hi" as he was banging his dinner on a rock.  Make sure to go to La Parisienne Bakery and get some fresh breakfast sandwiches to go and head on over to the beach and watch some surfers or go play in the sand!

- Solvang, CA is a wonderful little Danish Town in Central-Southern California.  Even though we got there just as the shops were about to close (Did hubby plan that?) it still is a fun little town to visit.  It thrives on tourism but still has so much character!  Don't forget to go to Wheel Fun Rental for a bike ride.  Oh, and arrive early to pick up a danish too :)

-Apple Farm Mill Housein San Luis Obispo is a restaurant that has been around awhile.  They are now part of a corporation entity but it is such a beautiful place and the food is quite good too.  Don't forget to go the the little gift house where they make the homemade ice cream.  All the restaurant ice cream is made on the premises!

-Portillo's Hot Dogsin Buena Park.  If you are from Chicago, or are familiar with Italian Beef's, this is a must.  It even passed my brother's review and that is no easy task!

-El Capitan Canyon near Santa Barbara, CA.  If you can swing staying here, cost wise, it will be memorable.  These are  yurt style tents and cabins in a beautiful setting.  There is a pool, bikes to ride, and many places to hike.  If you like the outdoors you would love this upscale version of camping!  If you can't stay there, go there for a lunch.  It was yummy!

That's all Folks. 

Have a "Recommended" Day!

First time: Trespassed

Second time: Arrested

The noise disturbances from the pool continues to wake residents who face the pool. This issue has gotten out of hand and instead of having the security guard ask for the people to leave the pool- we are working with the police to arrest those at the pool after 10 pm. We will also place notes on everyone's door to this effect.

Balconies too

Also, this noise problem applies if you are on your balcony. If you or your guests are being loud- please go inside your condo. Sounds in the courtyard and pools resonate; every sound, word or laugh you make carries inside everyone’s condo. Personally, I can hear a person's one-on-one conversation from inside my condo with the windows closed. This just shows you how much the concrete carries the sound.

We have new pool signage. The signage is on the doors which go out to the pools. This is everyone's warning that you can and will be arrested for being at the pool past 10 pm. Click here to see the sign or visit the pool to see for yourself.

Even though Park North is near downtown's bar scene and we want this to be a fun place to live- we also want this to be a peaceful and enjoyable place to live. Right now, with the noise issue we are having at the pool(s) is making Park North an unpleasant place to live for many of our residents. Please be respectful of your neighbor and know that sound carries. Let's make sure everyone enjoys living here.

How to stop it

If you live in an area that has a noise issue, please call the police non-emergency line immediately to report the incident 321-235-5300. Our goal is to get this issue resolved quickly. The only way this issue will be resolved is by getting the police involved. I think if we trespass enough people then the word will get out and those living at the pool will be able to get a good night sleep.

Playing your music too loud

Even though I have had great neighbors, I have heard from some of you that your neighbor’s music is disturbing. If you are a person you enjoys turning their music and base up, please remember that you share walls and ceilings with your neighbors. I think sometimes we have to be reminded, so please try to keep your music and base down. The only way to have true freedom is to move to a single-family home with a big yard. Then you can turn up your music, base, and be as loud as you like at the pool. Until then, keep it down.

We live in tight quarters and it is everyone’s job to be respect to those around them.