The Search for Animal Chin

Much remiss in posting Beav Birthday evidence. Big night out in Austin, including a foray to the new W bar(s) - atrocious! Perfect. And schnitzels at Fabi & Rossi. C & K in cahoots, unscheduled stop at the Deep Eddy Cabaret among many highlights. Nothing Cabareting at the Cabaret these days, but we don't know that one anyways.




Hey Lawdy Mama!



JB insisted on bday cakes. She bluelipped special this one.




Recent weather studies. With new rain gear. Children probably caned for such behavior.




Video sequence from above photoshoot.

Puddle Pirates from Austin McKenna on Vimeo.

And from the vaults. My kid looking particularly sputnik.

Kikilaus and the falcon mullets from Austin McKenna on Vimeo.

Bonus! HH and I leading the band into Keenan stadium, from maybe '97 or thereabouts.

Welcome to the Jungle

I leave the country for a week and the Archers reunite. Figures.

Just back from GUYANA. That's in South America. Most boss. Filming and fishing and generally soaking up the local steez. Always prone to hyperbole, but possibly one of the coolest things I've ever done. Pulled three all nighters, missed a lot of connections, lost some baggage, but no complaints. The state department advises you not go there, "indiscriminate shootings" and "rampant disease" being two chief reasons, we found nothings but good times and scenery that devours film. Thank you Guyana.

Packing was problematic:



We landed at 2:00AM, flipped out the gear, powered up, and drove straight here, the Ogle airstrip, flight to Annai, xfer to Rockview lodge.



The accommodations at Rockview, run by a jolly Brit named Colin. He's 45 years in country, has sired the village.




Transfer to the put in after breakfast, Rupununi river.



Our guides, Ashley and Gilbert.



My hut mates, Oliver (pro angler / lodge owner out of the Bahamas) and Blake (DP). They went local native, no showers, full musk.




Arrival at Rewa village, 3 hours from Rockview via float.




Immediately tramped to Grass Pond, mile hump through the jungle. Pristine fishery. Man eating lily pads.



Oliver's first peacock on fly. He got some 8 pounders. He can also throw a lure 115 feet on the nose. Unmanned by this.




My first boated fish, guide called it a Purri. Not sure if that's right. It had teeth.



Oliver from the dugout.



My first peacock. Beautiful fish.



Oliver handlining for Arapaima.




The guides bow-fished for these, dinner.



Sunset on grass pond, the jungle tramp was via headlamp.



Piranha bones.




Transfer back to the river with new additions. These guys were pro birding guides, had just finished a seven day paddle, welcomed the lift.



Re supplied. Magic mushrooms.



Karanambo lodge.




My first Payara at Simoni Lake. Guide wouldn't let me near it.





Cabin frog, my clothes.



Piranha.



Ride home to Karanambo, sunset.




The white Al, in repose with war club.



More lukanani.



Gian river otters.



Hijinks around the dinner table. Salvador, pictured, lived next to us in Williamsburg, once.



Our ride, a '62 Land Rover.



Plane out of Karanambo. 6 seater.






And our lodge in Georgetown, Cara House. Slept all of two hours here in two nights.





Genius trip. Bushed, both meanings. So pleased to home with my girls. Footage to follow, this one will be years in the making maybe. Lovely country, get there.

Beav birthday pics and Rainbug video in moments.

Little Beethoven Versus the Christmas Calories

Much ado. Much unreported. Much to be thankful for. Many Calories killed. Happy New Years peoples. 2011 should be legend.

And so finds us the legend, Neal Hendrix, as photographed outside The Tasting Kitchen (thanks Bryce) in Venice Beach, late December. Neal, for the Tarboro set, is perfectly healthy and usually doing things we all wish we were capable of doing (sadplants). Please send prints, Neal. McKenna, to the barber.



Old Roomies. Looking particularly well adjusted.



And then, there was this guy.




German Christmas, 2010, Travis Heights. Dinner for 18, served at 9:15 PM. Beav on decor, prep, rolls rolling, guest services.




R&R.


The Leetes of the Pedernales, with Ben the Salumi man. This crew hit the Slint, went to 2:15AM.



Sacked en route to NC, 5:30AM.



First night in Charlotte, at the Club, Santa, John pretty much Done, weird Mr. Trixie.





Xmas eve, shrimp and grits, the Roberts.





Christmas Island, with tinkling green elves and accompanying sippy cups. Santa arrived, parted with the bulk of his inventory, Coco and Mo and the Jennings / McKenna diaspora crushed the balance. Good heavens.





First time meeting the baby Shea. Jane remarked, "he doesn't talk much". Observant that kid. The Jane / Clee fix is in and on.



And it was a White Christmas, fourth in a century. Jane upset the snowman had a button nose, not a carrot nose. Still talking about it.





Much loot accumulated concerning the cookie of meats and veg.



Little Beethoven, in concert.


And, the Christmas wagon.



Good luck parents in Paris. Hugs to our hosts - wow. Shouts to our missed friends in the Empire State, ATL, SF, DC, NC, VA.