Afterglow 2012 - Day 1 Saturday

We ended Day 2 like we end most every night at Afterglow by raging on KK. I'm not allowed to discuss what we talked about that night (which is code for I was drunk and I can't remember any of it) so believe me when I say that it was equal parts hilarious and random. When we were all raged out we naturally retired to our cabins for the night. Since I was obviously in "good spirits" I took off my shirt and consumed a dish of ice cream. Jenny did the responsible thing by doing dishes, which would make Mom happy in the morning.

It's cool that Eddie comes up here with us now and better that he decided to stay two nights. In previous years he came up Saturday and left early Sunday morning, not even staying a full 24 hours. I guess he finally came to his senses. It's about time.

Afterglow is filled with great people and great times, and there is no better place for them to combine then at the fire at night. It is here that we gather to sing songs, tell stories and remember all of the good times. And there sure have been enough of those.

The Back Alley Burners (or whatever band name we were going by this year) have sadly become the featured band at the Afterglow fire. I don't mean to slight us in any way because we actually have become quite adept at playing music but with Timmy no longer with us and my Mom unable to play because of a fractured bone in her hand, we were it. Fake it until you make it. As Timmy once said.

Kevin, Curtis and I make a pretty good trio. Long ago we accepted him into our family and it was made official in November when he married Susie. That guarantees that he will be coming up to Afterglow for all time. And we couldn't be any happier for that.

I don't like to speak for everyone but I think that they all had a good time that night. With Kevin's improved guitar playing and my better than average vocals we might get invited back again next year. Unless they find another headliner to take our spot.

Moms are good for a whole lot of things and one of those is preserving memories through pictures. At the time it always seems like an impairment to our fun times but because of their insistence, I have these cousin pictures. And lo and behold, these would be the only two pictures of the cousins that I have from Afterglow 2012. Who know that the Moms were right? Oh yeah, they did. The Moms are always right. Let this be a lesson to you. Always listen to your Mother. Even when she tells you to eat your vegetables.

Look at the faces of the three McKissick boys and the happy couple. Do these look like people having fun? You're G D right that it does. Afterglow is a magnificent place that really allows you to let go of all the troubles in the world for a few days and be free. It's a fantastic feeling to not have to worry. To not have to care. Instead you just simply live for today. Live in the present. It's so wonderful to be able to do something like that.

It seems like Brian was always sleeping at Afterglow so I had to take a picture so that I could show the evidence to the court when I brought it to trial. He must have a pretty rough life to be tired all of the time. Of course I wouldn't know. I got it easy.

We played well into the night until it was after quiet hour. The Red Book mandates that it was time to set the guitar down and when I did, Curtis noticed the fire's reflection. He borrowed my camera and took this picture. I do love that majestic beast.