Not only did The Great 2009 Five Years At The Garrison Backgammon Tournament And Spaghetti Bolognese Celebration mark 5 years of living Current Picture here at The Garrison, but this was my 50th backgammon dinner party since being here! Now, that's an accomplishment!

Having Spaghetti Bolognese has become a tradition for this party, as is the showing of the movie Top Gun, which for this event I bought the Blu-ray version of and it was spectacular.

I had decided to start cooking around 3:30 so that I could finish in time to get into some games, something that I have not been able to do the last few parties. Hey, the chef has to do his thing! But for my 5 year anniversary, my 50th party, and turning 60 on the 16th I'm gonna get into the mix on this one!

I figured, what the heck, it's only some chopping and a couple of steps. But, gee, I get to doing that, and sipping wine, and chatting with the fans, and just having more fun than humans ought to have and time just slides by. It was 6:00 before I sat down to my first game.

So, between throws I'd dash back into the kitchen and stir the sauce. Can't say that the interruptions did anything for my game; I was not hittin' 'em very good. In fact, sometimes I doubt I could have hit the floor with the dice throwing for count. And Brian continued with his really obnoxious series of mystic doubles throws from Thursday night's games, it was almost too much to bear...

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Well, here I am in the middle of it. Rick was the first to show up so I had him snap this picture of me in my element. Is this great, or what?

Brian trying to explain to Linda why she doesn't have a chance. He just rolled over everybody; literally. We'll get you, Brian, and your little dog, Toto, too...

Rick is like me: he just doesn't give a shit. Bring it on!

Forced pose - how rude...

Colin thought a little trash talk would carry him through. Sorry, buddy - Brian's throws are like a pro ball player's pitches. Just get out of the way and be thankful you didn't get hit. As solace to those vanquished by this heartless attitude, let it be known that I waxed Brain so bad on the following Thursday night's games that I left pieces of him molded to the table at Applebee's. Where's the doubles now, Brian? Yeah... Double. Take. Pass, or walk. But don't talk unless you can keep it going. By the way, Brian had brought over the 'Summer Film '09' card. The Music Hall in Portsmouth will be showing 2001: A Space Odyssey in July and that's a Road Trip for sure!

Rick, it's just not going to do you any good rambling on at Linda. She doesn't give a shit either, but it's fun to piss her off by calling the throw, isn't it?

And a final shot of one of the great action scenes in Top Gun!