Alfred & Suzanne

"Alfred" is a nifty name (although I suppose I am somewhat biased :)

• It is derived from the Old English element ælf "elf" combined with ræd "counsel", so "wise in counsel". It was a popular name at one time, but not so much anymore.
• Alfred was, of course, the medieval King of Wessex ( Ref #1, Ref #2, Ref #3 ), who defeated the Danes and encouraged writing in English (849-899). Thomas Arne wrote a masque in 1740 called "Alfred", most famous because it ended with the song Rule, Britannia! (his music, words from a poem by James Thomson).
• It was the name of the first flagship of the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War ( Ref #1, Ref #2, Ref #3, Ref #4 ).
  You can even build one for yourself, although the models are somewhat based on conjecture.
• It's both a town (and a village in the middle of the town) in New York State, with an interesting history (if your name happens to be Alfred :)
• The village is home to both a university and a state college named "Alfred" as well.

A couple of pictures I had lying about when I first created this page:

Me
Me, Celtic-mode
Beginner Ranchers

We like to attend Renaissance Festivals. There are two in Texas, one in the spring south of Dallas and one in the fall northwest of Houston. At one time, we wore costumes made by my wife, but we outgrew the need to dress up in order to have a good time :)

I've always liked these weddings pictures. They were taken by a friend at my first startup: Suzanne and I met at a JP's office, tied the knot, went back to my office for a quick reception, and then it was back to work for the both of us. There was supposed to be a follow-up and more formal exchange of vows sometime later, but a whole lot of Life intervened and we never got around to it ...

Last update: 2/23/08 9:07pm. -- ajc