Gophers Before
Christmas 2007


EVENT: Gophers Before Christmas
DATE: December 22, 2007
PLACE: The Toledo Zoo
One chilly evening on December 22, we had our sixth annual winter outing to the Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo. Set back a bit by poor weather on the first attempt a week before, we only managed to gather seven people this time around. Still, we had a good time and sought out dinner at IHOP afterwards.

Attending Gophers: Josh Gulch, Charles Meyer, Dan Norton, James Malcolm, Laura Mayfield, Felicity Powers, and Scott Cook.
Nothing phases Dan Parking was an absolute, horrible nightmare. Dan remained in high spirits.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
I like to think that he's doing both -- multitasking! Either Charles is craning his neck trying to find a parking space or he's kissing Dan's hat.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
There are far worse things than death, Lieutenant Josh fears that they will die in this parking lot.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
And you all thought she was crazy Laura discovers the hidden camera that the CIA has been using to spy on her all these years.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
But the relationship remains the same Charles and Dan are closer than a boy and his dog.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
He wasn't aware he was even lost It took us a while but we found Scott.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
So watch your filthy mouth This is Philippe. He's six years old.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Even when you're taking a shower, there's a Malcolm There are Malcolms everywhere. Every time you turn around.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
It's all you deserve, you rat I think I took like fifty pictures of people walking on this bridge. I will only post one of them.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
You can't see the pain and suffering if you move fast enough Felicity bounds along, oblivious of the madness in the world around her.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
And you still have a dirty tongue Philippe is still six years old.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
And he's still not gonna get one Scott's been waiting all night for a high five.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
I like how it's still leafy and sticking out of the snow Is this not just the nicest photo of a snow covered bush you've ever seen?

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
God, how artsy is that The world consumes Laura as she strives to photograph it all.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
That would explain all the white stuff on the ground Don't tell anyone but the trees may actually be millions of tiny, glowing seagulls.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
And they haven't killed each other ... yet This photo basically sums up the decade that Josh and Felicity have been friends.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
'Cause he's a very special boy Philippe has hugs for everyone.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Good job! THERE'S CHARLES! THERE'S CHARLES! HE'S RIGHT THERE!

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Gravity what How the heck does Laura manage to stand at like a ten degree angle?!

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
VIDEO FILE - Click to view There's this spinning spiral of blinking lights. It's sort of like the opening credits of Doctor Who, the theme of which Josh attempts to sing.

VIDEO FILE

Click to view
Running time: 13 seconds
Hosted on YouTube

Video Credit Josh Gulch
A following friend Remember: no matter there you go, there is Philippe.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Well yeah, he was the Republican House Majority Leader after all Scott meets a jive talking and very poisonous newt.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
This is the worst sort of deja vu Haven't we seen this somewhere before?

Nah...

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
They shame her heritage Felicity greatly dislikes colored lights on trees.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
It's a tough world out there Josh meets his stalker, face to face. But lo, for James is stalking the stalker!

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Though not on the bronze tigers this time 'round The obligatory group portrait, inside the Diversity of Life building.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
He's entitled to an ego every now and again Hey, Josh has been taking surprisingly few self-portraits this evening!

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Felicity is one tough cookie If Scott didn't smile, Felicity threatened to choke the life out of him right there on the spot.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
VIDEO FILE - Click to view This is the terrifying truth of what happens when you hold two cell phones together and allow them to scream at one another.

VIDEO FILE

Click to view
Running time: 14 seconds
Hosted on YouTube

Video Credit Josh Gulch
Live at Philippe Road When we start a British rock band, this will be the cover of our first album.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
An alive stuffed otter who is six years old Dan and Charles: just two gentlemen out for a stroll with a stuffed otter.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
The meeting is over; retreat to your exits, agents are coming The time has come to leave the zoo and seek our nourishment elsewhere.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Is that Weird Al though? Dan Norton and his helpful, mustachioed friend.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Very rarely, if ever, seen in the wild James and Laura spot one of the zoo's prized attractions: a rare, striped security vehicle.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Don't want him to miss pancakes, after all Josh tries to call Jeff to tell him what's going on, to no avail.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Usually it's the other way around, if you know what I mean This is a very rare astronomical event: a partial eclipse of James by his neighbor, Dan.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Dude's just trying to fight scurvy Charles chugs down an entire carafe of orange juice.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Because preserving things for posterity is terribly important! Laura takes a video of Scott's latest antics.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
I think he added some sugar, too Scotty has mixed strawberry jelly and syrup into his glass of water, making a ridiculously sweet concoction.

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Danged kids these days Scott samples his handiwork.

Laura has a video of Scott making and tasting his drink:

Scott makes his drink
Length 1:01 minute
Hosted on YouTube

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
WATCH YOUR MOUTH WATCH YOUR MOUTH PHILIPPE IS SIX YEARS OLD

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
Witty alt text Scott's last official action of the evening was to make this charming headress.

Laura has a video of Scott being harrased by the waiter:

Scott gets harrassed
Length 16 seconds
Hosted on YouTube

Photo Credit Josh Gulch
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Engaged March 9, 2008 | Updated March 9, 2008