Recovery

How Memorial Weekends used to be spent, cutting watermelons with Blackbeard's cutlass.

As many know (they've been bombarded with tales of sea-serpents, hurricanes, and desert islands) we had a tumultuously busy weekend over the Memorial Holiday. I am just now starting to recover to the point I won't scowl at every new patron who visits the HypnoVessel. The weekend left me regarding strangers who boarded the ship with disdain normally reserved for the Dutch. Having admitted my mental exhaustion, thanks to the many kind folks who wore me out. I was afraid Cade would go AWOL, but he's a tough old salt and returned this week for more duty.


The volleyball court is inching closer to completion. Soon it will be a funny scene with locals fighting their way to volleyball dominance. Also inching closer is Highland Prospects; Ben's bike frame, tires, and bike stand made it over and the shop is starting to look like Ben's college dorm or storage facility. Hell, maybe Ben lived in a storage facility during his tenure at D & E?


Also getting closer is the election (June 9th). Don't forget your friends, Summer, Cindy, and Jeremy are running. Also on the ticket is volleyball court constructor Phil F. He's a good fellow with a great eye for sand-related sporting grounds!

Not Tonight

I know, I know, you hear that all the time. This time it's in reference to our TV appearance. Supposedly an editor failed to git 'r done and now the "filler" has to moved to next week. Keep your fingers crossed that there happens to be a no-news day sometime soon. Maybe there won't be another outbreak of the flu or a vote on the gay female transsexual supreme court justice? Fingers are crossed aboard the HypnoVessel.

Speaking of crossed fingers, early voting for the town council in Davis has begun. Need to register? Pick up your form here and let your voice be heard! Election day is June 9th and Summer, Jeremy, and Cindy are running and if want you can just vote for those three (3) even though there are five (5) seats available. The five (5) candidates with the most votes are in, so pick wisely. This sets the tone for the next two (2) years, let's get our voices heard!

See Ya At Six (6)

Chris, from Channel 12, explaining why we look stupid on film.

It'll be just like talking to Summer and I except we'll seem a bit more nervous, a little too "on topic", and the language is oddly devoid of expletives...well...Summer let a couple "F" bombs slip. The HypnoFam will make haste for a TV tomorrow at six (6) to critique and laugh at ourselves. We will be on Channel 12 WBOY evening news! Apparently there will be an online link that I will post when that is available (and I figure it out). The domination continues, join in or be destroyed!!

Europa

Battle rap anyone?

Some of our more observant patrons noticed a new face behind the counter Tuesday afternoon, Cory. Cory will be our evening cruise director, and for the one (1) or two (2) peeps who do not know Cory, background on our newest sailor can be had here : http://www.myspace.com/corychase . Cory will begin sailing the night fantastic next weekend; be kind to Cory in these, the early stages of sunset hours.


You know what I love? Being awakened at five (5) am by the sounds of Gretchen's first word being repeated over and over; "hi!" "HI" "hi?" Just like her brother before her, her first word qualifies her for a career handing out shopping carts and giving salutations to the beautiful denizens at WalMart. I believe the job carries the esteemed title of "greeter", and that describes her perfectly.


Hey, what about our new Armenian drifter? The tales are becoming legendary; trashed rooms, erotic poetry, flipped vehicles, generosity, and debauchery. Share your tale.

The Long Pink Arm Of The Law

An onslaught of foul-mouthed swabs led by D.C. I.T. Geek stormed the Lido Deck this morning demanding caffeine and sustenance lest the tear the HypnoVessel apart. No, it's alright I don't want a Somali Pirate ending here, I cleared them out (not after one of the scurvy dogs made off with an entire box of Sugar in the Raw) and shuffle board is again taking place. Thank goodness they never breached the Promenade Deck, an angry Mackie was laying in wait and a battle would surely ensue.

If quarters feel a bit tight at times whilst aboard the HypnoVessel, no worries. The boys at Highland Prospects are planning a couch and media center within their shop. A chill-out space if you will; someplace where, once you've had too much, you can retire. A comfortable perch, soothing lighting, and maybe some relaxing visuals on the TV? It'll be like sensory therapy after too much coffee and the profanity overload that accompanies espresso.

Got A Complaint?

Archival photo of Charlie, Chloe, and I posing with a wookie.

And so the weekend which was supposed to be all rain, turned into a warm sunny affair with brief, but blustery rainstorms in the early evenings. As summer creeps ever-closer you'll be seeing more of our scurvy crew, and I feel it is time to appoint a new director of our complaint department. I can't think of anyone more qualified to lend an ear, hear you out, and then tell you to shut-up and drink your damn macchiato than Bish. Congratulations Barbara!


I neglected to write this earlier in the week and I'll be damned for it, but Wednesday Gretchen took her first steps, and yes, she was in the coffee shop. Uncle Mackie and Uncle Gary were aboard and shared in the clumsy first strides. I, however, was on the poop deck assembling wrought iron chairs and didn't see my wee-girl walk until the following day. Good work Gretchen!

Readying The Deck, Sir!

"Oh, no you didn't just say swab the poop deck?!"

Being swept up in the siren song of summer I made haste for Oakland yesterday while Bish manned the deck, and I purchased a couple of out-of-doors bistro sets for our deck. Turns out I need to pony-up for a couple more, as the deck swallows just two (2). This is a statement of fact and not just bragging about the size of my deck. Come see for yourself and you'll agree.


HypnoFriend Mackie finally made it home after last week's kegger and is officially taking his place in Davis again. Welcome home and now let the conspiracy theories fly! Perhaps Mackie isn't at WVU at all, maybe he's part of the Sons of the Allegheny Militia and Anti-Federal Government Sleeper Cell? Plotting against the intrusion of Wilderness lands? We've got our eye on you Mackie, watch it!


Pre-buzz newsflash... even more of our community shall be on TV in the near future. First the not-so-bizarre Willie (of Mountain State Brewery fame) appeared on Bizarre Foods and next...? Stay tuned for the next television appearance by your local stars.

Spring Showers Bring Ben's Flowers

The dove brought back a rhododendron branch and shortly thereafter the HypnoArk came to rest on top of the mountain. Finally, the forty (40) days of rain (or so) has subsided for now, and we can again place our flippers and scuba gear in the footlocker from whence it came. The hints of summer are warmly received here, and thoughts of badminton and volleyball occupy by time. Soon my friends, soon.

In the meantime let's get our gardens ready. Our HypnoPal Ben N. (of HypnoMugs fame) will be selling plant starts the last two (2) weekends of May right here at the HypnoVessel. Most of you are already aware of Ben's proclivities for growing veggies and his recent construction of a greenhouse. When the HypnoFamily moved to West Virginia we were fortunate enough to meet Ben and buy a share of his summertime harvest. We were minus one (1) Gretchen than, and needed a little less. Alas those are gone, but this year you at least have a chance to once again nosh on something that grew out of Ben's dirt!

Finals Are Finally Finished

Oliver, getting his sea-legs.

Gretchen's reaction when she heard Mackie was coming home for the summer.

Congratulations to Mackie, Cory, Cade, and all others for the successful completion of the spring college semester. In celebration, Mackie is throwing a kegger at his place in Morgantown! 116 South Walnut Street next to the big stone house is where he be throwing down after dark. After the expansion of his mind he needs to kill a few brain cells, but be warned, those frosh parties can get out of hand. More baby pictures; we're totally coozing out.

Baby Edition

Pardon the wet floors this morning, I'm not used to swimming to work. Some our neighbors hath begun to sprout feathers where hair used to be; dudes waddling about with feathered beards and our ladies sporting down covered legs like a fancy-pant rooster. Now, not everyone appears so shocking, but we might as well get used to the new aesthetic.
Speaking of aesthetic, Ben N. (of HypnoMugs fame) brought in a fresh batch of mugs in new colors. These mugs are getting better and better, you may have to buy a second one (1) if you purchased a previous model. Sure your Chevy mug is fine, holding the coffee adequetely, but isn't time you transported that Devil's Kiss around in a Caddy? Hurry though, as the production of more mugs is uncertain...much like that Cadillac.
Without further delay, rambling, or writing...here's yo baby pics...

Finally, a smile whilst aboard the jogging stroller!

The next generation will certainly be better-looking than the preceding generation.

Auntie Anne and Cousin Adelaide.

Rob and Delaney.

Bizarre Night

When Gary doesn't bake enough we have to improvise.

In these, the doldrums of mud season, we have an exciting night to look forward to. Our mountain's own Willie (of Mountain State fame) will finally make his prime time television appearance. After years of understudy and thousands of dollars spent on method acting lessons, Willie will be featured on Bizarre Foods. Tonight on the Travel Channel look for Willie giving a tutorial on cooking venison. The HypnoFam plans to head down to Mountain State and watch the debut on the big screen! Wow, I told you we were celebrities.


Many thanks to our friends at the Blue Moose Cafe and Market Street Bistro for the wholesale orders, you folks keep us in IPA and diapers. Unfortunately we need the diapers because of the IPA; alas no gift comes without it's whip, with which we flagellate ourselves.


Tune in tomorrow for the cute baby edition, and having said that, a belated welcome to the world to Delaney Stull! Way to go Rob and especially Shannon, we look forward to seeing our newest denizen.

We're Done Cheat'n

If you missed this weekend, Patrick can take you down river, www.blackwateroutdoors.com .

It hasn't stopped raining all weekend. It must've been time for Cheat Fest. Cheat Fest isn't a celebration of adultery or tax evaders; no, it's namesake is the Cheat River. Now, the Cheat River may get its name from the filthy-dirty gamblers ritually drowned in her waters? Who knows? Just as we did last year, the HypnoVessel sent a dingy (yes, the Director manned the booth, and yes, I enjoy the pun) to the festivities. We suffered, one (1) dead car battery, ran out of cream, sugar, and coffee filters, and the Director lost sixteen thousand eight hundred and forty-nine (16,849) brain cells. After the mud settled, Chip (of Whitegrass fame) jumped the Rover, and the Director made his way safely back to the mountain... we broke even. A very appreciative tip of the hat to Jared and Moriah for helping the Director whilst "in country", Chip for the jump, Gary (to a larger extent Mountain Made) for the loan of the super-easy gazebo tent, Willie and Mike for the keg of H2O, to all of the patrons who bellied up to the HypnoDingy, and of course to the Director himself for serving the mast yet one (1) more time! If you have any photos appropriate for sharing via the blog, send 'em my way.