Jim, Charles, Junior, Charlie and Shawn

What a great time I had today.  I woke up early, but since I have the next couple of weeks off, I was able to take my time to leisurely get ready for my trip to Orlando to see my buddies, Jim Ivey [in the middle looking like a thin Santa] and Rob Smith, Jr. [on the left, looking like he’s starting a Santa beard himself].  We were joined by Charles Treadwell, who like Jim and Rob, is also an artist. 

We met at Junior’s Diner and for nearly three hours we had breakfast and a lot of fun.  We shared stories from the past, caught up on what has been happening in our lives, and basically shot the bull.  The food was excellent and the company even better.  Since I drove Jim, it was my duty to get him back home, but not without a trip to Charlie’s Bakery for a box of double-chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies to go with the cigars and lottery tickets that I got him for Christmas.  When we got back to Jim’s it was just in time to see his old buddy, Roy, pull in.  Roy was carrying a bag of books and more for Jim.  Christmas indeed came early for Mr. Ivey.

Shawn Surface had planned to attend the breakfast get-together, but obligations at work forced him to cancel.  Shawn told me to swing by his work if I could because he had a sketch he’d drawn for me.  So after dropping off Jim, I called Shawn, who said to come on by.  I did and things were slow enough that Shawn and I were able to hang out for a bit.  We talked about Shawn’s progress on Kuduman, a new series, Shawn plans to debut in 2012.  Shawn also gifted me with a very cool Stallone as Judge Dredd sketch that I’ll post in the coming weeks.

Finally it was time for me to get back on the road for my drive home.  I was smiling the whole way back.  I can’t remember the last time I had such a relaxed, free-flowing day with friends.