I've had a great three years here at the Garrison, and to celebrate I held my 29th backgammon get together. That's a lot of parties.

At last year's two year celebration, I fixed spaghetti bolognese and it was a great hit, so I thought why not make this a tradition. This time, though, I did a twist on it with non-meat vegiterian substitutes and whole grain drum wheat fettucini noodles. You couldn't tell the difference!

It was a great time and was a nice way to spend my 58th birthday. A couple of the guys who knew it was my birthday were nice enough to bring some wine or a card. Not necessary, but a nice thought; I hadn't really told anyone as the real party was to celebrate 3 years here.

And there was a lot of play and trash talk going on so that made it all the more fun. I was going to put the movie Top Gun on, but there was some interest in watching the second Underworld movie that marissa had brought over. So, that's the one we did. Not bad, either, though it turned into sort of a late night.

I had a ton of stuff to prepare so I got an early start. Good thing because it took me two hours just to get everything ready and into the pot to steep.

Colin and Steve were a couple of the early arrivals and wasted no time in getting into it.

And of course the rivalry between Tim House and Rick Downs started the minute they walked in the door.

Marissa and Brian Serven going at it. She was way too polite, so suspect she's setting the new guy up...

Just put the chips within reaching distance and this group is happy.

Posing during one of my many trips to stir the sauce as I wanted it to simmer for at least a couple of hours. It was worth waiting for!

Tim House and Colin locking it up.

We're trying to teach Brian how to trash talk and look bad. This is his attempt, though not sure Steve is buying into it.

I forget who Rick Downs was threatening here, but he was throwing pretty hot and letting everyone know. Note to Brian: see how Downs does it? Try that...

Marissa is not an adventurous eater, and said that in no way would she be having any of my spaghetti bolognese. She was going to fix a pizza, but then opted to just run out and grab Subway.

A slight pause in the action to eat...

Marissa and Colin finishing up with dinner though the two of them never got to play each other. Next time...

Colin can't believe that I can call the shot, but: believe it, brother! Amazing...