-2005-

Happy HackFesters grin gleefully for JP's multi-megapixeled digital, as the 2005 version of the annual event bites the dust. It was a restful and relaxing experience -- unless you participated in pressure-packed activities such as golf, putt-putt, and "99," or you made the drive into Pittsburgh at rush hour as some of us did....

Sha Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey, Hey Hey...Goodbye!

A dumbfounded and devastated Mary Ella, near tears and turning quickly to a Clipper City long neck for solace, gets the bum rush in an intense game of 99, dealt here by ruthless Seven Springs' Slim (AKA Mateo Marion), who himself caught an early exit a few minutes later. Eventual winner Mavourneen -- whose left arm, bedecked in blue, can be seen here -- was later discovered to be hiding key cards, mainly Kings, up that sleeve. But since nobody caught her during the actual playing of the game, she was given immunity from prosecution. Meanwhile Amira and Michelle derived a few cheap thrills by continuously counting -- over and over and over again -- their paltry collection of three poker chips, much to the annoyance of all others seated at the table, but particularly Matt, who owns the chips and worries constantly about their condition. (Note: Later that evening, Matt ran the entire poker chip set through the dishwasher to rid it of unsightly stains, girl-cousin-cooties, and dangerous bacteria. Then he polished each individual chip with Murphy's Oil before putting them back in their individual, pre-assigned place in his Poker Chip case.)

Cream and sugar with a little coffee

Here MJM prepares to down his seventh mug of the morning after getting well more than his money's worth at Oak Room's sumptuous breakfast buffet. Fourteen HackFesters enjoyed three days of mirth and merriment at the heralded mountain retreat.

Young Nicole at the callow age of 17, seen here playing cards at HackFest XVII. Now, she has at last reached 18 and is suddenly, brilliantly mature like her aging cousin Mavourneen, 21, who is spending the time between hands meditating, a very adult thing to do. Note the two hopelessly immature 14-year-olds, Michelle and Logan, sitting there acting so characteristically and uncontrollably childish. Congratulations, Nicole for emerging from the shadows of the likes of these two hopeless adolescents.

'Damn it! Why of all nights did I forget my cell!' muses Michelle at HackFest XVII, as her two cousins pretend to check their "many" messages while actually playing "Ace of Spades" (Mavourneen) and "Deep Abyss" (Amira). 'Someday, I'll be a cool college student, too...Someday, I'll be a cool college student, too...'Someday, I'll be a cool college student, too....' Patience, Michelle. Patience.

Seven Springs' Slim

Card shark Matt: ready, willing, and able.

A deep conversation

Dr. Marion leads a roundtable discussion on the proper digital depth required during a routine protate exam, as astounded HackFest 2005 attendees look on. It was the required administration of this procedure, incidentally, that drove her into psychiatry. Of special note is the tense-sphinctered, very attentive appearance of the two male members of the panel.

HackFest XVII -- Custom, handcrafted signs at produce comglomerate near Seven Springs, PA, August 2005