94 pics of being Hammer'd at the 94th....

micah249 · April 13th, 2010, 9:22 pm #1 2010-04-13T21:22

Well, not all 94 pics are of the 94th Aero Squadron where the actual GTG was held, but you get the idea

No lead in, no words to sum it all up, words can't capture the spirit and emotions of an event like this so I'll just go right to the pics...

This fire place was the scene of at least one looooooong night of camaraderie...

Dirty Sanchez, unfortunately he's on the correct side of the bars

You know you're a serious Panerai dork when you're more interested in the display items than the actual watches LOL

At the BH Boutique the always gracious Chad was one of the first people I saw...

339 shots of course...

A fiddy with no strap?

Farhad doing what he does

Eddie and Nad having a laugh...

Whatever it was Bo didn't find it amusing I guess

Next day I went to the SD zoo with some fellas, had a great time, not many pics though...

Found out that most of the people in our group had never had In-N-Out, so that made it easy to decide where we'd have lunch

Animal style burger then animal style fries... I think the fries are actually more deadly than the burger in this trim

This picture desperately needs a caption

Back at the hotel we saw some recognizable faces...

Hammer cake!

Pool party? Sure why not!

GregKo was in fantastic spirits, can't tell by this pic though LOL

And Bo was having fun too...

If I remember correctly, the topic of this conversation might have given Mike pause to think

Yeah... I'm not so good with the Ride shot I guess LOL

Wow, Greg you need to work that thing out... Bo's giving you fair challenge!

Eddies sweet 201/a as he admires some non-Panerai thing

Super photog Martin peering around the corner...

Max was fighting a cold, he's not usually this glum

Cap is photogenic, no?

Addo and Naddo?

Nad gets "The Treatment"

Martin and Bernie strike a pose

Finally got to meet Cosmic Mike! I'm not a whiskey guy, but anyone who brings his own is A-OK in my book

The Frenchman in California, really happy to get to meet J-F finally!

As we head off to do some setup Mike flexes it out...

And this wasn't even all the swag bags!

The 94th Aero Squadron restaurant backed up against a small airport, so was predictably enough airplane themed...

Jen signs the various Hammer posters...

Kia and Ravi on the sign-in table...

I thought if the night went long enough it might be handy they had this vehicle ready

High Rollers!

One of the organizers Craig and his lovely lady...

FrankV catches me mid-shot...

Taylor mugging...

Addo being Addo, love you brother!

"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." No, really, his tag said "Inigo Montoya" on it...

Hammer and his lovely lady arrive!

CraigF double fisting it Paneristi style...

Chad was in attendance of course...

Uhm... yeah... wow....

Verone doing his thing...

And Sanchez doing his LOL

I didn't recognize Farhad when he arrived... no camera! LOL

Lily filming Hammer's very moving speech...

"You must be this tall to enjoy these attractions.."

This is Hammer, if you don't know him make an effort to, you'll never forget him.

Retto and Nilo...

This was a very special moment where a very special raffle prize was handed out...

That being the strap Hammer was wearing the day of his fateful accident

Light them candles!

Hammer autographs some posters...

I love this pic...

Trouble, with three capital T's

Next day we spent the afternoon at the La Costa resort with Hammer, his family and whoever didn't have to leave that day...

Ravi-Roo!

Dad? What're you doing here? LOL (Sorry, kind of an inside joke I guess)

Shirts are IMO absolute home runs, my only complaint is that I don't have 4 or 5 since I'll probably wear out the one I have in about a year from wearing it so much!

Martin tries out Guille's M8... like he needs the help

Uhm.. yeah... those concentric circles are the sign of something very valuable and a little scary...

Who brought a crappy old worn out Rolex? I'm pretty sure it's a fake anyways, they accidentally put Rolex on the dial twice and even misspelled it the second time, what the hell? LOLOL

And for the 94th pic this is one I did not take... SanDave took this shot and I absolutely LOVE it. This is just one of those pictures that for me sums it all up so well... Verone's flash went off just as this shot was being taken so there's a wonderful back lighting that silhouettes Hammer.. the look on his face just brings it all home to me, what happened at this event... it was special and I'm proud to have been there.

Thanks for looking!

________________
Micah

RUpanerai · April 13th, 2010, 9:30 pm #2 2010-04-13T21:30

It was great hanging with you again. Thanks for helping put the whole shindig together, it was truly a night I will never forget.

See you in NYC!

"Don't be such a stranger my friend. I know you are busy but drop a note to a mate now and then." - Cheers Uncle Bob

April 13th, 2010, 9:31 pm #3 2010-04-13T21:31

We'll see you soon, M8. (Stanley Cup playoffs in Chicago, maybe?)

PDX233YUL · April 13th, 2010, 9:33 pm #4 2010-04-13T21:33

Thanks for sharing my brother!
hml

pp5120 · April 13th, 2010, 9:35 pm #5 2010-04-13T21:35

thanks for sharing..great times...

ReTTo11 · April 13th, 2010, 9:36 pm #6 2010-04-13T21:36

nt

ReTTo
Chicago

barams · April 13th, 2010, 9:36 pm #7 2010-04-13T21:36

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdR8Q6EMUbk

"i learned this at business school when i read about business school in a book...."

ReTTo11 · April 13th, 2010, 9:36 pm #8 2010-04-13T21:36

nt

ReTTo
Chicago

markchin · April 13th, 2010, 9:38 pm #9 2010-04-13T21:38

Thank you and all the others for documenting such great event.

Although a lot of us could not be there, the ripple effect of one persons courage and determination, really has made a difference in a lot of peoples lives.

Kudos to you, all the organizers, the guys that took the time to post, and of course Hammer and his Family!

niellaccio · April 13th, 2010, 9:39 pm #10 2010-04-13T21:39

cheers
niellaccio
daniele from italy

Niellaccio: Sounds good!!

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racerx454 · April 13th, 2010, 9:42 pm #11 2010-04-13T21:42

It looks like a ton of fun. I really wished I could've attended. Maybe next time. That last shot really is something special.

Thank you for sharing with us (especially those that couldn't attend)!

-Kevin-

micah249 · April 13th, 2010, 9:43 pm #12 2010-04-13T21:43

nt

________________
Micah

CraigInCO · April 13th, 2010, 9:46 pm #13 2010-04-13T21:46

I like it! You've got some great pics. I didn't really get the results I wanted with my S90. I'll be posting later tonight I hope.

____________
Craig in CO

dlee888 · April 13th, 2010, 9:52 pm #14 2010-04-13T21:52

Thanks for sharing!

Panerai...
"It's like children. You can't understand until you've had one."

996TTx50 · April 13th, 2010, 9:53 pm #15 2010-04-13T21:53

One of the highlights of the weekend was getting to know you better!!!

Regards,

Craig LA

A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure.
~Lee Segall

I have no clue what time it is . . . nor do I care!

xaggie95 · April 13th, 2010, 9:54 pm #16 2010-04-13T21:54

Another fine recap of a special event.

Austin, TX

fran91 · April 13th, 2010, 10:17 pm #17 2010-04-13T22:17

great Pics!
great work!

i wish i was from Cali.
i wish i could have an In and out burger everyday. (last one was 9 years ago)

keep on gt'ing out there and post reports like these often!!

Cheers.

cosmicmike · April 13th, 2010, 10:18 pm #18 2010-04-13T22:18

Great to finally meet you as well -- although I was slightly disappointed in the hair color choice this time around. Your pictures are wonderful, but I have to agree. Dave showed me that shot immediately after he took it and I was floored. It was truly a magical moment. I'm still trying to pull my thoughts together after listening to what Alan had to say that night and the next day. I know he sees himself as "just a guy" and not a "hero" -- but I've been rifling through my copy of Hero with a Thousand Faces and I see our friend Hammer on almost every page.

Take care and hope to see you soon.

Big D
27, 112, 232
If You Don't Go, You Can't Come Back.

Doc-Ernie · April 13th, 2010, 10:23 pm #19 2010-04-13T22:23

Love the personalities - the characters - linking the faces to the names.
Thanks for sharing! Great pics!
Dr. Ernie

Mehall · April 13th, 2010, 10:27 pm #20 2010-04-13T22:27

Great shots Micah. It was great to have a chance to hang out. I really had a great time.

Michael M.