It's amazing, but yesterday, Friday, was my 6 year anniversary living here at The Garrison in Dover. Every year I have had a backgammon dinner party get together to celebrate, and this year was no different. Party! Party!

And so on Saturday June 12th I had The Great 2010 Six Years At The Garrison Backgammon Tournament And Spaghetti Bolognese Celebration!

It's become a tradition that I fix Spaghetti Bolognese for everyone and then the movie of the night has always been Top Gun. It's a long process fixing the spaghetti sauce, and I wanted to get an early start on it because I wanted time while the sauce was simmering to play some backgammon for a change!

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Steve and Linda didn't waste any time and got right to it!

Sue attempting to stay out of the way so none of the verbal abuse going on would get directed at her. Hummm... you do have to play to earn abuse, Sue. Not to worry....

For example, this exchange caught between me and Rick. I just could not believe the doubles Rick was getting. And of course, the more wine I drank the more apt I was to throw the cube at him in defiance. Yeah, that worked out real good: I ended up 5 points down over 8 games, not to mention just tieing with him 2-2 in a set we played Thursday night at Applebee's here in Dover. Great, Peter.... Just great....

Steve and Linda still at it.

No matter the line of trash talk I laid down, no matter the number of Standing Throw! moves I called, no matter the threats of severe bodily harm or the senior ass-whippin' I was prepared to hand out: did no good for my score for the night.

Tim and Steve.

Rick and Tim, no doubt toasting to my demise....

Brian waiting for either Steve or Linda to blow out so he could play.

That's it, Rick. You just keep smiling while you can 'cause I still got fist a'fire in these hands waiting for the next game.

This is where he's probably getting ready to throw the cube at me; I'm sure that's the cube he has cupped in his palm.

Rick, Steve, and Tim. Line 'em up!

Tim and Linda out from their work-release program performing their act for us.

Steve, Tim, Linda, and Brian.

Sue thougth she'd take this picture of my outer board for some reason.

Tim opening the bottle of Chanti he brought with him, our third such event of the evening.

I have absolutely no idea what's going on here, but it doesn't look good for Brian.

Tim is happier now that he's being fed.

I believe this is Rick's way of trying to calm me down. Doesn't work that way. Won't work that way. Karate people get back; they don't get even. As Genghis Khan put it: "It is not sufficient that I succeed. Everyone else must fail."

Finally! Rick can go beat up on someone else, though Linda will hit him if he pisses her off.

Marissa and her friend Erin came by to harass Tim. He needed that.

And here's Linda bestowing the winner's medal onto Rick's head after the two of them fought out the blood match of the night for over-all winner.

Jim and Chris arrive.

Tim trying to convince Chris of his backgammon prowess.

Brian and Sue chatting about landscaping and photography and stuff.

Jim watching Linda cut up the birthday and party cake during a break from Top Gun.