Anniversary Week – get those pics in!

Lots of things going on this week, including two major anniversaries (well, major to ME, anyway), the last symphony concert of the season, and making some travel plans for the near future. So here’s my “stuff” for the start of the week–

Thursday, May 18th is the 26th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. I did a somewhat lengthy post on that last year, including my relationship with “Volcano Girl”. If you are so inclined, you can check it out here.

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The other anniversary, of course, is the 1st anniversary of the start of Half-Nekkid Thursday. A reminder to all that for the “theme” this week, we want to see your very first official HNT picture (even those of you who have just started!), and a second one showing you in some sort of celebration of the anniversary. Balloons, confetti, streamers, champagne, noisemakers, etc. would all be considered appropriate! For those of you who misread things and celebrated last week, I hope you’ll try again THIS week!

Not quite sure who the Mystery Guest will be–they haven’t been chosen yet–but I’ve heard from a number of the “legends” who have dropped out for one reason or another and persuaded them to do a special anniversary HNT. It should be a wonderful day!

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“…the Other HNT” continues to draw more people as it gets discovered! If you’re interested in submitting a picture, please send it ASAP to: hntanon@gmail.com. I’m going to be pressed for time and won’t be able to extend the deadline too much for this week, and I currently have NO ONE submitted for this week yet! Some of you expressed an interest in doing an anonymous one for the anniversary. If that’s your plan, please send it soon!

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The reason I’ll have no time this week is because of our last concert of the season. We’ll be doing (for those of you who might really care…) Barber’s “Overture to The School For Scandal“, Brahms’ “Variations On a Theme By Haydn”, and the Vaughan Williams “Sea Symphony”. Nothing out of the ordinary as far as preparation–just the same old routine of concert week. I’ll be very busy, and trying to draft my own HNT at the same time! Crimson is going to once again be kind enough to actually do my posting for me. Thanks, babe!

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Spent Saturday night at S3’s house with S2, S3, and their husbands, reminiscing about the Caribbean trip. By “reminiscing”, you realize that there was some good drinking going on… We’re ready to go back again! I was there again on Sunday, where we all gathered with Mom & Dad, the neices and nephew, and BIL3’s mother and brother. Steaks, beer, wine, sun (85 degrees!), no wind, more stories, games of catch, pictures, plans for a 50th anniversary party for the parents, lots of B.S.-ing, and generally a great day! I need to download the pics I took. Not sure if there’s anything interesting there or not…

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Honoring a Request

I was asked to spread the word on a particular blogger out there by someone else. Normally, I’d decline, but this one sort of got under my craw.

I rarely get involved with politics of any kind. The one exception to that is the area of censorship. I’m not the type that will tell someone else what they can or can’t or should or shouldn’t post. Don’t believe it’s my place, and I’ll be damned if someone else has the right to do it to me. But sometimes, something comes around that makes you forget about all that you thought you held holy, and you just want to string somebody up by the balls.

Gypsy Queen (formerly/still known as Samantha Alice–you confuse me, woman!) brought this particular blogger to my attention. His Blogger name is “rapist”. His site can be found at http://irapeforfun.blogspot.com. His blog title is “Forced Entry”. Claims to enjoy raping women–”all ages, background and shapes…” And now he needs to “confess”. You can see where this is going, can’t you? Stories lifted straight from the pages of Penthouse Forum, I’m sure. He claims he’s 28. My guess is 16-17. What’s worse–he’s now trolling some HNT sites, and leaving some of the most juvenile comments I’ve seen since Mighty Dyckerson and his friends.

I will never know what terror a woman must go through when assaulted. I am fortunate enough to have never had a member of my family have to go through something like that (that I’m aware of…), and I’ve got my own personal opinions about what should happen to someone convicted of rape. But I digress. Since she was far more eloquent in her post than I could ever be, I’ll just link to it here. Please stop by and see what she has to say.

Then flag the fucker.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Me and Mom, and the two sisters who are also mothers. To my newest friends out there who are moms themselves, or are soon to be, I hope you all have a wonderful day!

HNT and the “Y” Chromosome

Again, before I we get started here, AN ANNOUNCEMENT! Friday, May 19th will mark the 1st Anniversary of Half-Nekkid Thursday! For HNT that week, I want to see two pictures. One picture needs to be a rerun of your very first HNT submission. Regardless of whether you just got started, or were around back in the dark ages. The second picture should be one of you in anniversary celebration mode. Streamers, balloons, confetti, etc. would be appropriate! For those of you who celebrated early, thanks, but come up with something else for next week!

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Something a little bit new with HNT here in Back Row. Usually it’s alot of feminine half-nekkidness around here with the Mystery Guest, “…the Other HNT”, or especially for The Collection. However, tonight the testosterone level is going to be a little higher than normal. The MG is male, and there’s a male presence over on the anonymous site. Ladies, I hope you appreciate the fact that I’m taking care of you!

This week and next mark the final Symphony “hell weeks” of the season. Not so bad this time around, but still alot of tension. I didn’t have time to come up with anything wonderful, so I’ve resorted to the last of the cruise ship bathroom mirror pics. Sort of artsy-fartsy, with the close-up image of the bottom of the mirrored door, and a goof (me) in the fuzzy background. As I’ve said in the past–I can’t be “on” all the time! Besides, I’m planning ahead to next week!

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This particular gentleman has been doing HNT since around Christmas. He even gifted me a bottle of good Scotch! He’s got alot of pics on his own site–a little bit of something for both the boys and the girls! He was the first male to submit a picture to be Mystery Guest, and the first male to hold that esteemed position. I haven’t heard from him about revealing himself, so check back to see if he does. If you think you know who it is, stop by his place and say hi!
This week’s Mystery Guest is the wise and all-knowing Professor Fate! He was out of the country, so he didn’t even know he was up. So to speak. Stop by and thank him!

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Be sure to check out “…the Other HNT”! You’re really missing out if you haven’t been by there yet!

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As alway–Mystery Guest pictures are always welcome!

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Some of the early posters who can’t comment tonight are Mia, Vampire Kitti, Aughra, Boo and Sunny Delight.

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As always, please turn of your word verification for the day!

Reminders ‘n Stuff

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

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Don’t forget the plan for HNT, May 18th! To celebrate the 1st Anniversary of HNT, you need to post 2 pictures–your first HNT (regardless of how “new” you are), and a second picture showing a little celebration of the occasion! Let’s try to get some of the old-timers who have dropped out to do a special one-time return! Contact your favorite former HNTer and invite them in!

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Plans are coming together for the Chicago trip. Check the website! If you’ve forgotten it, contact me or Addict! It’s time to make some concrete plans!!!

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I’m slowly working on the Caribbean tales. It’s taking a bit longer than anticipated. I’ll be sure to alert you when a new day dawns!

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Are people actually checking “…the Other HNT” site? That’s a semi-rhetorical question. Statcounter says yes, but there seems to be more lurkers than commenters! Be sure you check out your fellow HNTers over there!

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Still looking for the anonymous HNTs from some of you who thought it was a great idea…! Send them to: hntanon@gmail.com

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I’m still taking Mystery Guest pics, too. I’ve got enough to last through mid-June, I think. You can send them to my gmail account.

B

Saw this over at The Kat House, and figured I should steal it. I mean play it… She gave me the letter B.

This is how it works: Comment on this entry and I will give you a letter. Write ten words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation of what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along.

• BONE – As most of you know, I play the trombone. Commonly referred to in musical circles as the “BONE“. Her name is Michelle. She has been the center of my musical life for the past 25+ years. I also play BASS guitar, and a bunch of other things prior to focusing in on the BONE. She is the one thing I have been most intimate with in my life (which only a musician would understand).

• BONES – Not to be confused with the first word. I have broken a number of BONES in my life. Including: left wrist, right elbow, right ankle, left thumb, both big toes, nose, back (twice) and a little bone in the middle of the palm of my right hand. Maybe more, but that’s all I can think of right now.
• BEER – BEER would have to be considered my vice of choice. I’m the only musician who lived in the 70s who didn’t smoke pot or try other recreational things. Liquor just doesn’t do it for me (in spite of the massive amounts of rum I drank last week). BEER has always been the go-to vice. My favorite? Cold. Regardless of brand/flavor/color/cost. Since microbrews are the big thing around here, I’ve gotten a little bit picky, but not too much.
• BALLS – Golf BALLS to be exact. There’s a family tradition of golf that prevented me from never playing the game. My dad’s father was a club pro, his uncles on both sides of his family won the MT state amateur title, my mother’s parents lived off the 18th fairway of the local country club, and S2’s husband (BIL2) is a club pro. Virtually everyone in the family golfs. Some better than others. Unfortunately, the REALLY good golf genes didn’t filter down to me, but I do pretty well!
• BBQ – Yes, it’s a word! One of the best things that my family does is get together at least once a month for dinner. To celebrate holidays, birthday, or whatever. And most of the time, Dad will BBQ. It’s been a longtime tradition in our family, and one of the reasons I think that we all turned out somewhat “normal”.
• BROKEN – This doesn’t refer to the physical breaks that I described above. It refers to my life. I have been BROKEN. Specifically, around 16 years ago. I’m still not totally mended, and doubt I ever will be. And while I have come a long way, I find that I’m still BREAKABLE. I find that I hurt a little easier, and more often than I used to. And some pieces have BROKEN off that chip away at who I am. I’d like to think that it means that I resculpt myself from time to time, but I don’t know how well I do that.
• BROCCOLI – I love steamed BROCCOLI, but don’t eat anywhere near enough of it. Comes from the days that Mom served it to us as kids, limp and sort of cold. She did the same with asparagus and spinach. Cold and out of the can. I’ve made peace with the BROCCOLI and fresh asaparagus (love it), but not the spinach. Oh, yes. Cauliflower, carrots, too! Still won’t eat avocados, artichokes, tomatoes, mushrooms, or most squash.
• BELCH – My nieces grew up with an uncle who could BELCH the aluminum siding off of a house. They loved it! Then my sisters would protest, and I would then only do it when I knew it would annoy them. I taught all of my sisters’ kids to belch. They do quite well. Then I get in trouble. Ah, if the kids only knew how well their moms could do it!
• BOSSY – I hate when a project needs to be done and there’s people just standing around with their thumbs up their butt. I tend to get BOSSY. If I’m busy, and something needs to get done, I’ll tell someone else to go do it. Doesn’t matter if it’s a kid or an adult. (of course, don’t try pulling that shit with ME!)
• BREACH – I take this one really seriously, especially since the whole HNT experience has exploded. I have always been someone that people feel comfortable telling things. I’ve heard more secrets than most should, seen pictures of things that no one else has, talked about others in less-than-complimentary ways and done things with others that no one should ever hear about. It is important to me to never BREACH the trust that others place in me. I’ve found out, however, that many times, it’s a one-way street, and I’ve been BURNED by placing my trust in others. It’s been that way most of my life.
• BLUEGRASS – I’m not sure at what point I started listening to BLUEGRASS music. Within the past 10 years, though. I don’t quite like the traditional stuff, but the new stuff is pretty good. It came as part of a change in my listening habits. I never used to like country, and now that’s almost all I’ll listen to. The “rock” music of today (the past 10-15 years) is mostly crap. So BLUEGRASS and country is what I focus on. Of course, the classical and jazz that I own gets alot of play, and the music of my youth will always be special, but I’m finding that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Yes, I listed 11 words, but the first two are so close, I figured I’d cover my BUTT for those who insist on purity. By the way, that’s a word that I purposely avoided, as well as BREAST, BOOBS and BOTTOM. Just too damned easy! If any of you want to play and get assigned a letter, leave a comment and let me know!

HNT and Mirrors

Before I we get started here, AN ANNOUNCEMENT! Friday, May 19th will mark the 1st Anniversary of Half-Nekkid Thursday! For HNT that week, I want to see two pictures. One picture needs to be a rerun of your very first HNT submission. Regardless of whether you just got started, or were around back in the dark ages. The second picture should be one of you in anniversary celebration mode. Streamers, balloons, confetti, etc. would be appropriate! I’ll remind you again next week–

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There were plenty of half-nekkid bodies last week on the ship. I could have copped out and taken alot of those, but I’m above that sort of thing. Well, I’m not, but I’m not going to use them for HNT.

Instead, I’ve got two artsy-like pictures of me sitting on the toilet of the very small bathroom in my cabin. Not small like the back of an airplane or a bus small, but small enough. The shower induces a bit of claustrophobia, and if you drop the soap, you’re screwed. “Cozy” would be the best way to describe it. Very clean though! And mirrors. All over the place. I think it’s that decorating trick of trying to trick you into thinking a room is bigger than it acually is.

While sitting on the toilet (don’t ask why I had the camera with me…), I noticed that the medicine cabinet door (a mirror) opened up, and gave me all sorts of great visual angles. I’ve long thought about doing a HNT with lots of angles of mirrors, so I figured I’d just take advantage of the situation. So much so, that I give you two different shots! In the first one, please notice the sunburn beginning to form on the back of my arm/shoulder. I also like the very disjointed placement and aim of the camera in each of them. No, I didn’t spend my week sitting on the toilet contemplating the various angles of lines of sight. These were taken just before leaving the ship for the last time. And for the record, since someone’s going to ask–no, I’m not taking care of business, either!

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“You may have seen a similar picture that I posted before. I was going for a massage. If you don’t remember, I had strained my neck a while back. I tried heating pads and a new pillow, but the massage works best.
Come by and say hello if you recognize me.
Happy HNT everyone!
~ hugs”

This week’s Mystery Guest is none other than our longtime friend Lee Ann! Stop by and say hi!

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Be sure to check out this week’s entries over at “…the Other HNT”!

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Then go check out Day 2 of my Caribbean trip over here. More days to come as I can get to them!

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THEN check out the early postings by Vampiric Kitti, Aughra, grody jo-dee and Jonathan (welcome back!).

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As always, please turn off your word verification for the day!

Time To Get Busy!

OK–it’s back to business here at Views. I’m working on the Caribbean stories/pics for the other site. I’ll be sure to let you know when it’s all ready.

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There have been alot of you who expressed an interest in the new anonymous site, “…the Other HNT”. It’s time now to put your money where your mouth is! If you’ve got something that you wanted posted over there, send it to: hntanon@gmail.com
Be sure to add a title or blurb if you’d like!

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Mystery Guest submissions are still being taken. I’ll keep it going as long as I continue to get pictures in. Send those pics to the email addy in my profile.

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Big milestone coming up this month. Be prepared for a “theme” HNT! I’ll give you details this Thursday!

I’m Back!

After living a Buffett-like existence over the past week, I’m back in reality! The current temperature is 40 degrees less than the coldest it got all last week. I sort of like the cool. Heat and humidity is definitely an acquired taste… Since I basically had no internet access, I’m dreadfully behind on checking out all your blogs. It may take me a week, or until I check out your upcoming HNTs. Please be patient. If there’s something posted that you think I really need to see, let me know! Right now I have a few loads of laundry I need to get to, so I’m keeping this short. There’s lots of pics and stories to go up on the other site, but give me a couple of days to put it together!

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My deepest thanks to Crimson for once again handling things for HNT. I had to email her from the ship once I realized that I would be unable to do it. So with short notice, she stepped up for us. Even got a great anonymous Mystery Guest to help out. Now I know what it’s like for you guys when I post them! I have no idea who it is, and she’s not telling!

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A hearty, but late, congratulations to Crystal over at Boobs, Injuries and Dr. Pepper. She got married about 10 days ago, and has survived the ordeal!

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A hearty, but late, Happy Birthday to Biscuit, who didn’t announce it blatanly on her site like some people do…. Hope you had a great one!

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Oops–another birthday. Lily over at Lily’s Circus had one on Thursday!

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And one more–Leela just had one on Saturday. Be sure to stop by all of them and wish them the best!

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Issue #2 of Estella’s Revenge is online. Be sure to check it out! Brought to you by the overworked, but rarely whiny Andi and her talented stable of writers/thinkers!

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To the small handful of you that requested gifts from the Caribbean, you’ll be getting them soon! Who knew that rum from Belize was so damned good??

Substitute HNT

The Great and Powerful Os is on a cruise this week, so I, Crimson, will be your host tonight.
I actually talked someone into being an anonymous Mystery Guest tonight, so enjoy!!
Oh…and remember, turn off word verification to make commenting a little easier

HNT anonymous will resume next week.