The Brookston Family Blog
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I want to make it abundantly clear that it’s the pictures here that are ugly. We’ve had the good, the bad and now the ugly pictures. View them at your own risk. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.

At a Brian and Linda party. From left: Karen, Shmare, Linda and Nikki.

Another shot of the Duncanstone hat contest. Shmare doing her best to win. Yes, that’s Sheldon in the infamous beaver hat.

Shmare and I drop trou at Chris and Katherine’s wedding.

Now that’s a Jell-O shot face only a mother could love. Happy birthday Sarah, I’m done torturing you for today.

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Everybody likes to dress up once in a while, and John is no different.

John as a Marshall at the Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.

Be-hatted at St. James Infirmary.

Nun dancing between old man Keith and old woman Sean.

Perhaps a little too much dancing? Well that’s it for John today. Happy birthday buddy!

These shots are courtesy of Kristine, who kindly send them to me for Shmare’s birthday.

Shmare raising her glass in toast at one of my Christmas parties, and yes that’s me in the tux.

One of Shmare’s old boyfriends watches as she loses at anchorman.

At a Duncanstone hat contest. I have an even better one from this party coming up later.

Relaxing in Cabo.

Cutting loose at Nikki and Corey’s wedding.

These shots are courtesy of Kristine, who kindly send them to me for John’s birthday.

High school graduation week. That’s John in the white glasses. I’m pretty sure that’s Sheldon behind mark C. on the left. Anybody know what is written on Sean’s outfit on the right?

Graduation night sandwiched between Kristine and Nikki.

John playing Santa at one of my Christmas parties.

Sheldon and John in high school. I’m also pretty sure that’s Karen’s bleach blonde hair peeking up over John’s shoulder.

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Bad might be too strong, they’re not really bad, just funny. But they are more flattering than the last batch.

Karen and Sarah on St. Patrick’s Day in San Francisco.

Playing ping pong at Sarcasm Central.

Channeling a chimpanzee.

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As I mentioned earlier, John is a social person so naturally social lubricants are his stock in trade. Witness the following photographs.

Mark L., John Smith, Mike S. and me tailgating at a Giants’ game.

Me, John and Keith at a party a long, long time ago. I think I’m the only one who didn’t spill on himself.

Me and John mugging for the camera at St. James Infirmary.

Nate and Shmare help John with a little keg action.

John and Sarah. I just love the expression on both of their faces, but especially John’s. You just know he’s up to no good.

Relaxing on the sofa after an evening of debauchery at Brian’s place. From left: Zenobia, John, Karen and Mike S.

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These shots are at least mostly pretty tame, unlike some of the photos coming up later.

Shmare in a toilet paper wedding dress at someone’s bridal shower.

Snagging the bouquet at Chris and Katherine’s wedding.

Sarah and Sarah with a love pig. This was taken walking the streets of San Francisco on St. Patrick’s Day.

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Zenobia knew she and John would be together from the moment they met. That’s how we knew she was a crazed loon. But she was our crazed loon, dammit. Or rather she was John’s. Married for over ten years, John and Zenobia have two beautiful children and are living proof that not all drunken impaired judgment decisions are bad ones.

Zenobia working on an entire pitcher of margaritas while John, Suzanne and Karen look on in disbelief. Hmm, what did she have in mind? Note the great expression on Karen’s face. What was she thinking?

John, Zobe and more drinking. Are you sensing a pattern? By the way, that’s Shmare’s half-face sticking out half a tongue at the camera.

John and Zenobia share their first dance as husband and wife. I can’t remember, was their drinking at the wedding? And why can’t I remember?

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Time was when tailgating was a regular event, usually once or twice a month during the summer. And what tailgating have been like without Shmare’s ubiquitous Suburban. I sudder to think if we’d been force to use a regular size car.

Shmare and Karen on the ‘Burban at the ‘Stick.

In the stands with Sheldon.

“Sarah, are you trying to tell me something?”

With the long lost Mark L.

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John is one of the most social people I know and I mean that as a compliment. Here are some phots of him with his friends at social gatherings.

John and Suzanne, the kissing bandit.

John and Christi’s mom.

Suzanne’s mom, Christi and John.

John and me at a Giants’ game.

John and Michelle at the ‘Stick.

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As this title implies, these are pretty much the last of the good pictures. For some reason I have some really choice photos of Sarah over the years. Needless to say, it’s going to be a good day. Happy birthday Shmare.

Sarah at Eagle Falls at Lake Tahoe.

Happy hour at El Toritos.

Me and Shmare, a self-portrait.

Today is also our good friend John Smith’s birthday, but is that really his name? Nobody knows for sure, not even his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

John at an early Duncanstone.

Receiving an Accessory Box as a birthday present at an early bi-birthday bash, while future wife Zenobia and Michelle watch.

Another early party picture.

Today is our good friend Sarah E.’s birthday. When I started dating my Sarah, for some reason Sarah lost her name and we started calling her Shmare.

Sarah, a few sheets to the wind at a party quite a long time ago.

Shmare the pixie.

Dressed to the nines for the Christmas party at Sarcasm Central, 1993.

Shmare and me at St. James Infirmary.

& Our good friends John Smith and Sarah (a.k.a. Shmare) share today as their birthday. I have some great photographs of both and will be alternating posts throughout the day, with a new one each hour or so. Happy birthday to both John and Shmare.

Co-birthdays John and Shmare, from last year’s bi-birthday bash.

The Nevada State Train Museum also operates a steam engine, Virginia & Truckee No. 25, that takes a short loop around the museum grounds. Porter would have preferred a diesel train ride but eventually he decided a steam engine ride was better than no ride at all.

The V&T #25 pulling several passenger cars and a red caboose.

No. 25 blowing steam.

And a puff of smoke.

Porter wanted to ride in the red caboose rather than the passenger cars. I guess he wanted to feel more like railroader than a mere passenger.