‘Tis the season! - Normally this is the time of year that you relax and take some time off for the holidays. Not us! We put things in high gear to get ready for the next Tortugapalooza. All the while trying to fit holiday parties and visits with family and friends in to our busy schedule.
The month started off finishing up the Louisiana Ren. Fair. As usual, Sharon and some friends came out to the French Quarter to do a little sightseeing and bar hopping. It was pretty much the same thing we do every year. We wander around the French Quarter, we drink, we eat, we sightsee, we drink some more, the girls flash a few people for beads, then we drink some more. I think we might take next year off and perhaps make a different holiday trip.
Once we got back to Florida at our seasons end, we decided to indulge in some winter fun Florida style. We went to Orlando with our friends Anne, and Chris to visit the Ice Exhibit. It’s a display of ice sculptures in Florida. Yes, you heard me right, Florida. It’s in a big convention hall where they have these giant cooling units to bring the temp down from the steamy 75 to 80 degrees it is outside. We were aware of this a dressed warmly for Florida. Little did we know that they cooled the hall down to 9 degrees! NINE DEGREES! NINE F#@*ING DEGREES! Thank god they give you a parka when you enter. [Right now while I'm webbing up this journal entry, it's -4F outside and we're getting about eight inches of snow. You get no sympathy from me -AB]  I thought the tip of my nose was going to fall off! Not an easy feat with the size of the schnoz on my face. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. Including the actual 'Ice Slides' that you could frolic down. Now you’d think that after sliding your warm ass down an ice slide your butt would be quite wet. Oh contraire! At 9 degrees you butt stays nice and dry.
 Ice nativity scene |
 Sharon and I in front of the ice waterfall |
 Sharon and the ice carriage driver |
The middle of December was spent mostly working on Palooza 2 pre-production and watching my Bucs waste away their playoff hopes. But two big dates lay ahead before years end. My 5th Wedding Anniversary and New Years Eve!
 Jef in the giant anniversary suite |
 Sharon in the giant anniversary bathroom |
First, our wedding anniversary, I decided to tap a fan/friend of mine who works for Marriott hotels. He got us a two-bedroom timeshare with a huge Jacuzzi master suite for a ridiculously cheap rate. (Good thing since I have 6 weeks off.) I got us reservations at a restaurant we used to frequent early in our relationship. It’s a very exclusive 5 star restaurant called Arthur’s 27. It sits atop what used to be called the "Buena Vista Palace." I’m not sure which hotel chain owns it now but it's still called the Palace. It sits in Hotel Plaza on Disney property. (Maybe Andy can find a link to it. [Nope - Arthur's 27 doesn't appear to have a website. Sorry.]) They lavish you with 4 to 6 course meals and expensive wines. Unfortunately, the service was not what it was years ago when we visited them so often. I only hope it was an isolated incident. The view is amazing as the restaurant towers 27 floors above the Disney resort area. You can see the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
 Sharon and I at dinner |
 Fireworks over EPCOT, from the restaurant |
 My sexy wife in the jacuzzi |
New Years Eve is always a big night around the Hall household. "Why?" you ask? Because, no matter what the plans are, we always end up with a huge late night party at our house.
But, since Amy and Jeff are renting our house right now and Howard and Roberta have their first New years off in God knows how many years, we’re gonna get a break! Howie and Bert have put together a wonderfully party and guest friendly house. Much like ours of the past but with even more toys and games. They even have a gorgeous pool table. All of our friends showed up, some coming and going in shifts. But, all had a wonderful time. We even got a visit from our enlisted friend Jimmie. What a surprise that was. He managed to keep his arrival hidden from everyone and just showed up on Howie’s doorstep. We all drank thru the night into the next morning. Somewhere there’s a picture of several of my friends and I under the pool table [You'll find it in Riki's journal - AB]. Go figure!
After New years it was time to get back to work. We had several video shoots planned and lots of organizing to do to get Palooza 2 ready to go. Riki was kind enough to stay in town and help us (Ronn and I) with things.
Also, early in January was Steve and Laurel's wedding. They’re good friends of ours that travel the circuit doing many of the same shows as us. They had a lovely ceremony in Dunedin on a lovely cool evening. We wish them all the best and hope to see them soon.
 Laurel, Steve and Rhythm cut the cake |
 Laurel and Steve: the first dance |
I’ve had plans to do some property investing for some time now. (A desire that Riki and Ronn also share.) Ever since I purchased my house, remodeled it and saw its incredible appreciation, I was hooked. I’m looking at doing some pre-construction purchasing right now. There’s a lot of profit with minimum outlay of money in some of the deals. Of course you must always proceed with caution. To further my property investment skills I’ve also decided to become a licensed mortgage broker. By the middle of February all of my schooling and license should be in place. So, if any of you are interested in purchasing property in Florida, I’m the man to call! I’ll hook you up with a great mortgage! And that ends our commercial break.
Back to January... The only thing left in the month is our trip to Arizona which I’ll cover next month if its worth mentioning, and Tiffany’s wedding shower.
Tiffany’s wedding shower is important because Sharon is throwing it. She is the matron of honor. She hates that title. She says it makes her sound old. It doesn’t make her sound old; it just makes her sound married. Sharon’s planned a wonderful soiree at Headliners. It’s the newly remodeled nightclub that Howard works at. It will be a beautiful affair with balloons catered food and powerful Grey Goose punch!
 Terry and Tiffany |
 Anne and Sharon with the Disney Princesses |
 Princesses Sharon and Anne |
Arizona here we come!
