Flotsam

Lubing up prior to naked volleyball

There but for the grace

I find costumes reveal way too much

Beef jerky righteous

Trailor park fantasy

Pick of the litter

Okay, okay. We'll have Pabst and Frito pie for dinner again.

Date outside my travel zone

Strangely attractive. Perhaps it's the Aztec cologne.

Dinner at Douglas'

Feast for the eyes

Therapy Sister

Nanua chooses a telling set of stickers to wear on her shirt

Morning pleasantries

Get your own fucking tea

Crabs

Crab casserole, garlic bread, and corn on the cob

Dinner for two

Breaking in the dining room

Different shirt this time

Ready to meet the Right Honorable Gentleman from East Hole, the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State, His Excellency and formerly of Whales, the Great Kipper Eater and Thumper of Civilians, Honorary Texan and man with a billion dollar budget, Mr. John Prescot.

War of the Worms

Could this be the culprit?

Perforated petals

And it's hungry too

Caviar non gratis

Something's laying eggs in my petunias

Little prick

Baby barrel in Little Bend

Blooming clouds

Magnificent!

What a pear

I can hardly wait

Screened-in porch

Blooming Plumerias

Good doggy?

Wot?

The beat goes on

Wot?

Hmph

Wot? No, I mean really. Wot?

Mock Me

Wot?

Monkey princess of the universe

Wot?

RyGuy

Wot?

Handsome Dawg

Such a stud

Good boys

Watch the birdie

Ben!

What have you got there?

Saltillo Plaza

This beautifully landscaped rail station is another well-kept secret in Austin. It's just behind Cisco's on E. 6th Street. Saltillo Plaza will also be a stop for the planned commuter rail and already features free WiFi service from the Austin Wireless City Project.

The Lounge Cars

The lounge cars (read: airconditioned) are converted sleepers. I haven't been aboard one of these yet because they cost nearly twice as much, and besides, I like the look of the red cars better. Still, the summer heat in an unairconditioned car is something to reckon with. It knocked Mark out (or was it just the rock of the rails?) during our short 90 minute ride.

Convention Center Hilton

That's the Convention Center Hilton in the background. I know if I were a guest at the Hilton, I'd be stunned to see a big train parked out front. Most people don't even notice the tracks in the street. It certainly shocks drivers, especially since there are no crossing guards.

Downtown Train Station

The red coach cars (read: unairconditioned) are each named after the region's 5 lakes. The Austin Convention Center is in the background. People just don't believe that a passenger train actually stops downtown. Here's the proof.

Training the Monkey

Hanging out the window is one way to enjoy East Austin's panaroma from the River City Flyer aka the "Inner City Fryer." Of course, there's the risk of getting your head knocked off by a passing tree.

Before Sushi

The gang is ready to go fishin'!

But we're already full

Two boats later and with many guests floating low in the water, the sashimi boat sails in and lays seige to the harbor. After about thirty minutes, and to the utter disbelief of all hands, the final boat arrives carrying a full complement of nigiri. The beaten and demoralized DBS 2005 crew pick politely while Jaime, valiants nabs at fish with his chopsticks while deftly jettisoning the rice "filler." Stuffed to the gills and well-watered with sake, Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin Ichiban and foofy bottles of bubbly H20, the gang unanimously declines dessert. Chef Nat emerges from the kitchen to acknowlege his victory and applause.

Dinner rolls

After several courses of appetizers, the first boat of the flotilla arrives. The appetizers were Japanese crisps, miso soup, edamame, Thai-style ebi ceviche, sesame sirloin tar-tar, salmon crunch rolls, and mushroom caps stuffed with spicy tuna. The boat includes the fabulous "Strawberry Eels Forever" rolls which were named at this party several years ago.

Starboard side

Dan, Trenton, Knut, Kregg, and Honoria. Mark, apparently, is under the table. Also, an alien lifeforce seems to be leaking out of Dan's head, but I'm sure Trenton thinks that's cool.

Death by Sushi 2005

Boys will be boys: Mark, Erik, Marc, Douglas, and Jaime man the port side of the boats. The night is young and morale is high. On the MP3 jukebox is a playlist of all-Japanese DJ mixes and indie bands, including the likes of Tokyo Rose, Yakko Yakko, Mandylion, and Tomato Head. [Unpictured at the end of the table is Jason Levitt]

Something smells fishy

Wot? Another party? Do I have to change my shirt?

Just peachy

Sweetie, be a peach sugarlump and find the monkey a different shirt to wear

Red Snappers

Want some head?

Party architect

Kregg prefers Greek columns for his pole dances

Arm pitiful

All lubed up with 45 at Kregg's pool

Noodlism

I just can't help it

E&O's couch

Come into my parlor

Sofa so good

Douglas' sofa finds a new home in the living room where it can nestle in with all the other "grandmotherly" furniture that I find so grand. E&O's modern and comfy couch will be a terrific way to enjoy the piano performances in the parlor.

Smiling monkey

Who's under the table?

Luddite

Jeremy is too photosensitive

Beaver shot

5 parties down, 1 more to go

Hot basket

Mark's flower baskets are holding up to the sweltering heat.

Sea Lions of Rancho Chango

Can we pretend to be something else now?