My good friend and former roommate Towel Boy left for Kentucky early October of 2000. Before departing, he decided to throw a party at his house back in his hometown of Vineland. Having heard as much about Vineland as about Lake Hopatcong, I had to go. Lake Hopatcong, in all its glory, helped me understand Feff, just as Woodbridge helped a few people understand me to some level. The trip was long, yet great. Driving down the GSP and NJT, I relived many high school memories, each exit had a few stories attached to it, as did a few rest stops. After passing the furthest south I've been in Jersey without heading to D.C. or points south, it was a whole new world. It was worth it, not only to see where Towel Boy came from, but to see him and a few other friends before he left. The weekend was a blast.

 

This is one of the few shots I have of Towel Boy's cat. It was a fairly bitter cat, full of rage. People like Manu did nothing to help, and futher infuriated the little bundle of anger.

Our former triplemate Doug works with the lady who created this masterpiece. Quite a platter, eh? The level of work thrown into it, down to the little details, was absolutely incredible.

Some random French guy that Martin works with, Fozzie, came over for the weekend.

The man, the myth, the legend. Manu. Here Manu signs the card thanking the woman for her work on the platter above.

A group of us make our way to the movies. This is a horrible shot, cutting off a couple of people mid-body. But it's a good shot of Doug in daylight, so you're going to take what you can get.

In front of the theater, conversing. Martin talks with Fozzie, while others look on.

Manu asks me what the hell I'm doing in Towel Boy's car.

Doug poses with Manu. Manu blinks. Doug socks Manu in the jaw for ruining such an awesome portrait.

Manu drapes Doug over the back of the car, pummeling him with various body shots until Doug submits, agreeing to let Manu pose for a second picture. This time Manu pulls it off. His eyes are open. Doug is smiling. Manu is smiling. The world is a better place.

Martin and Manu play catch out in front of Towel Boy's house.

Fozzie goes back to catch the ball.

Doug poses by his mighty steed, the elusive and rare Ford Tempo. Notice its fine blue coat, with a healthy sheen.

Feff prepares to unleash his curve ball.

Towel Boy's squeeze, Manu, Martin, and Doug hide in the poorly-lighted shot.

They line up, looking at something terribly important off-camera.

Two of Towel Boy's random local friends watch TV while sitting next to his awesome lady friend, Amy.

Doug laughs. Yes, those paying attention to file names notice that I skipped a file. If you know better, you'll skip that one too. It's a side of Towel Boy you might NOT want to see.

Colin Webb, a former Drew student, drives all the way to Vineland to pay Towel Boy a visit before he leaves. What a nice guy.

Marcus "Towel Boy" D'Ambrose bugs his eyes out in his kitchen.

Manu and Towel Boy, debating breakfast selections.

Amy screams for delight, playing it up for the camera.

The cat prepares for another attack.

Fozzie the Frenchman wonders why the hell he agreed to come out to America, let alone Jersey, let alone Vineland.