"They [La Prensa] accused us of suppressing freedom of expression. This was a lie and we could not let them publish it. " Nelba Blandon, Interior Ministry Director of Censorship, Nicaragua The New York Times, 1984
On Friday I took a day off from my new job and made the 8 hour drive down to my old hometown of St. Petersburg, FL for a little relaxation, visiting old friends, and of course to attend Erin & Conrad's wedding. It was a great break from the normal Pensacola routine, and Friday evening, when I reached the wide freeways and brick streets of Tampa / St. Petersburg, it felt like I was really getting back home for a change.
Now don't get me wrong, I love Pensacola, it's a beautiful city and it holds lots of good memories for me here, but Tampa is where I've spent most of my adult life, so it is natural that being back has made me nostalgic for my life down there.
Friday night I stayed with my friend Greg, and had the chance to meet his new girlfriend and her daughter, who seems to have really taken to Greg as a father figure, or at least in the same way as a monkey takes to a tree. She's quite a climber.
Saturday Scott & I drove down to Boca Grande, a couple of hours south of Tampa for the wedding. We were in high style, me wearing my new '70s pink ruffled tuxedo shirt, and he in his green unicorn pants. It seems that the wedding guests were all told to wear something pink or green, but somehow we two were not told to make sure it was somewhat tasteful. So we arrived looking like a couple of pimps from the movie Taxi Driver.
The trip down to Boca Grande was an exciting one, as Scott has recently finished restoring a classic 1973 VW Fastback which we drove for the trip down. It was like driving straight out of history, the light front end bouncing along the road, and friendly bikers and families pulling along side to ask questions or give a hi sign when they passed by us.
The wedding went off without a hitch, and even Scott (Erin's Ex) was a bit caught up in the proceedings. Erin looked lovely and Conrad seems like a very lucky guy to be starting off with such an beautiful first wife. The reception was held around the pool, with perfect April weather and the sunset just over the Gulf in the background. Ultimately it seemed to be the perfect wedding.
On Sunday I had time to see my cousins Ken & Rick and Aunt Mary before meeting up with Marty and his daughter who I last saw at her birth. In the evening Tobi and I went to dinner and spent some time around her house with Zeke who's now a 12 year old puppy.
It was one of the best weekends I've had in quite some time, and now that I'm back at work, I hope someone else will get married down there so I'll have an excuse to visit again.
Scott & his '73 VW Fastback pimped out for the occasion
Two wild and crazy guys!
My first car in High School was also a '73 Type III, although not as pimp as this.
Erin & Conrad's first kiss?
Conrad, Scott & Erin after the ceremony.
After the ceremony, before dinner around the pool on the Beach at Boca Grande resort.
Open bar
Scott with Erin's mom & stepfather
The bride and groom at sunset
Megan takes a bite out of Scott's new tattoo
Nice legs on the dance floor
My family in St. Petersburg, Faith, Ken, Aunt Mary, Laura & Rick
