It was a bright sunny November sky the afternoon of November 20th when the never tiring odometer on the trademark Homer van turned 200,000 miles.  A small ceremony was held in the van with Homer and a six pack of Killians (brought out the best for the occasion).  Earlier in the year, there had been talk of having a party and perhaps getting the black beauty detailed - but, cooler heads prevailed and a promise of an oil change in the near future was the chosen gift for the guest of honor.  (Actually, this is a difficult milestone to qualify in common terms.  Would it be like a 200,000 mile "birthday" in vehicle years?  Yet, it is only 13 people years old - which then again may be anniversary years since date of purchase.  I believe this is an area that could use additional academic study).  Anyhow, there is now talk among local celebrities that 300,000 is obtainable/doable.  So, stay tuned, will this be the last season for the veteran - or has she got a few good miles left in her?

Other, big news items - Matt is courting a local girl from nearby Orland Park, Illinois.  Those of you that have seen the movie a "Beautiful Mind" will assume that this new friend is only seen by Matt - but I can assure you that he brought her to several (one) family holiday gatherings.  Obviously, her background as a nurse helped to prepare her for the blood sport. To her credit, she came through with mostly 9-10's with a couple of 8's from the Russian judges.  One of the difficult aspects of assembling this issue of the Website, was that I haven't had the opportunity to visit with the  prodigy
since the Pann Wedding in June - hence - no pictures.  To try and make   The  REAL Dobie Gillis
sure that he didn't feel slighted - I've included some of his earlier school pictures. For a chance to win a free ski pass to Loveland - guess his age at each picture - entries should be sent to homer@tuchband.com.

Other links include pictures from the annual trip out to NYC to have Carrie and her band of renegades poison me with alcohol, the pre-Christmas celebration/ski with Carrie and John, and pictures from my first successful climb of a 14er.

Life is good,

Homer

 14er Scaled
Above Ground Zero
Christmas 01
Matt - the early years
potpourri
Old Pages