for the second straight holiday season i headed south for a couple of weeks. somewhere down near venzuela there's a little island called bonaire.

never did find the damned rental car. pretty sure i was taken for the proverbial "ride."

on dec 27 cargo ships cruise over and unload shipping containers chocked full of fireworks; for which i have a slight penchant. so we roam through the neighborhoods perusing the wares.

sometimes i think i should go into the fireworks naming business. clearly china could use a little help.

somewhere in the middle of the evening we stopped off for a cold one. ladyfriend and i in the barrio enjoying what was easily the worst guinness i've ever tasted in my life. though i will grant it was ice cold.

last year my mother showed her skills at price negotiation. with $75 in her hand she asked the cost of her selection of fireworks. the clever bonairian behind the counter replied, "$75." this year she handed the cash to me.

while special lady and i laughed about the imaginative name of a pack of explosive chickens, mom added her choice to the ante.

i assume she didn't read the name.

setting for the pre-NYE festivies involving sparklers, a case of beer and champagne(not shown - but i'm sure you can imagine).

inhibitions lubed. armed to the teeth. let's blow something up. on with the show....

whatever you do, don't look directly into the trap