13th Annual Deputy's Bash
The 13th Annual Deputy's Bash was held on Saturday, April 3, 2004 at the
home of Prognosticators Tom and Carol Land. Carol was gracious enough to
allow a group of Prognosticators to trash her house, and she was rewarded
by spending about five hours cleaning up after us.
Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes (left) receives an award certificate for his 20th 'Ganza from Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam. As you can see they are having trouble remembering the super-double-secret BGP Brass Handshake. Hey Dan and Gavin, nice shirts!
Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam (right) receives an award certificate for his 20th 'Ganza from Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes. It's hard to tell by looking at this picture who is happier. Hey Dan and Gavin, nice shirts!
Prognosticator Dan Asplund ordered a red 2004 'Ganza T-shirt with the misunderstanding that he would receive it in time to watch the 2004 Final Four. When informed by the Pooh-Bah that the shirts would not arrive until after the Final Four, Dan was despondent, and moped around his house for days, even neglecting common household chores. Finally his wife called the Pooh-Bah and asked if there was something -- anything -- that he could do to help poor Dan out of his funk. Being both benevolent and grand, the Pooh-Bah created this custom red 'Ganza t-shirt for Dan to wear during the Deputy's Bash. As you can see, Dan smiled from ear to ear the whole day. Really. That's a smile. You should see him when he's despondent and mopey. Hey Dan, nice shirt!
Here's some prognosticators at the snack table. From left to right: Prognosticator Dan Sipes Sr., Prognosticator and ganza.com benefactor Jon Patch, and Prognosticator Michael Land. As you can see, Michael is extremely proud of his retro Portland Trail Blazers Bill Walton jersey. Hey Dan and Jon, nice shirts!
Here's Prognosticator Caitlin Sipes pulling a quarter out of the ear of Prognosticator Donalee Sipes. Second Lady Tammy Sipes (left) and Prognosticator Heather Patch look on in amazement. Hey Donalee, nice shirt!
Here's a group of prognosticators watching the game. (Back row, L to R): Prognosticator Michael Land, Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes, Prognosticator and ganza.com benefactor Jon Patch. (Front row, L to R): Prognosticator Dan Asplund, 1992 'Ganza Champion Rob Sipes, Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam, Prognosticator Austin Land, and 1995 Ostertag Plaque Winner Tom Land. As you can see, Michael is extremely proud of his retro Portland Trail Blazers Bill Walton jersey. Hey Michael and Dan and Jon and Dan and Rob and Gavin and Tom, nice shirts!
Here's the host family for the evening. (L to R): 1995 Ostertag Plaque Hoister Tom Land, Prognosticator Austin Land, Prognosticator Carol Land, Big Screen Land, Canine Bella Land, Prognosticator Michael Land, and Prognosticator Joel Land. As you can see, Michael is extremely proud of his retro Portland Trail Blazers Bill Walton jersey. Hey Tom, nice shirt!
Here's several prognosticators of the fairer gender gathered in the dining nook talking about things that prognosticators of the fairer gender talk about, like referring to the room off of the kitchen as the dining nook. Clockwise from left: Prognosticator Carol Land, Prognosticator Dawn Sauer, Prognosticator Isaac Sauer (who is not of the fairer gender, by the way), Second Lady Tammy Sipes, Prognosticator Kathy Asplund, and Prognosticator Jessamyn McCollam. Hey mystery man in the back, nice shirt!
Here's 1992 'Ganza Champion Rob Sipes taking a little siesta wrapped cozily in his swaddling Los Angeles Lakers blanket.
Here's Prognosticators Michael Land (left) and Jared Risan. They look pretty tough, and they weren't even trying to. As you can see, Michael is extremely proud of his retro Portland Trail Blazers Bill Walton jersey.
Here's Prognosticators Dawn and Jason Sauer, who won the inaugural "Best Dressed Couple of the Deputy's Bash" award.
Here are the winners in the inaugural "Best Dressed Prognosticator" award. After recounting the judges votes, there was an eight way tie for first. While these prognosticators are happy to have won award, you can see by the stoic looks on their faces that the award they really wanted was the Ostertag Plaque. (Back row, L to R): Prognosticator Michael Land, Prognosticator Dan Sipes Sr., Prognosticator Cheryl Patch, and Prognosticator Dan Asplund. (Front row, L to R): 1995 Ostertag Plaque Winner Tom Land, Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes, Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam, and Prognosticator and ganza.com benefactor Jon Patch. Hey Michael and Dan Sr. and Cheryl and Dan and Tom and Dan and Gavin and Jon, nice shirts!
This Ain't No Pool!
The following Monday, April 5th, 2004, the Pooh-Bah hosted the traditional VIP gathering at his house. Wives and children were strongly encouraged to stay home, which is a nice way of saying that they were not invited. As usual, the Pooh-Bah furnished the hot wings.
Here's a group of prognosticators enjoying the game and the hot wings provided by the Pooh-Bah. (L to R): Mike Paul donned in his favorite sweatshirt, Dan Cox, Dan Sipes Sr., and 1992 'Ganza Champion Rob Sipes. Hey Dan and Dan, nice shirts!
Prognosticator Dan Cox (left) receives an award certificate for his 10th 'Ganza from Gavin McCollam, Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah. Dan is getting kind of misty eyed as you can tell. Hey Dan and Gavin, nice shirts!
Prognosticator Mike Paul (left), donned in his favorite sweatshirt, receives an award certificate for his 10th 'Ganza from Gavin McCollam, Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah. Hey Gavin, nice shirt!
Prognosticator Jason Sauer takes a break from playing with the dollhouse to enjoy a few wings provided by the Pooh-Bah. Jason was having some trouble figuring out how to work the hot sauce packets, but he eventually figured it out.