The other day my wife came up with a brilliant plan to make three of our friends here in South Miami laugh real hard this holiday season. She suggested it and I executed it and got the biggest laughs ever from all three!

She suggested that I take a picture of myself in a cheesy pose, frame it and give it to the three guys as a gift for Christmas!

As I developed the plan, I decided that since all of us get together and play tennis quite a bit at my place here in Florida, I would wear the nastiest tennis outfit and take a picture of myself in a tennis pose instead of my original idea of a cheesy pose wearing the ugliest suit I could find.

To hatch my diabolical plan I went to the local Goodwill and found the tightest short shorts possible and then a tight shirt (which happened to match in color). I then headed over to Ross and got three of the ugliest 4x6" frames I could find on the shelves.

When I got home I set up the tripod in my living room, changed into the orange tennis outfit, put on a pair of knee-high dark blue soccer socks that I happen to have and my tennis shoes, grabbed the tennis racket and got ready for the picture.

I wanted to come up with a cheesy pose but after giving it some thought I decided that I would imitate a tennis pose instead.

After a number of takes this is what I came up with:



I then went to Walmart, printed the picture three times, signed each one:

To ______: Merry Christmas BIG BOY xoxox [signed] Nathan A Coffey

I think that gave it the extra-added touch it needed.

I framed each picture and then wrapped the first one I was going to give in eight layers of newspaper, to enhance the white trash effect. I was so proud of my new gag gift(s) and couldn't wait to give it to my friends.


Here are the three photos in their respective frames. Sorry about the quality of this one: it was taken with my camera phone (Sidekick III camera phone is horrible):




My friend Seth was the first recipient of this gift. When he opened it he and his wife were filled with such glee! I have never seen such glee among a human being. They laughed so hard and were so happy to receive an autographed photo of me in my new tennis outfit. Seth even stuck it next to his computer, on his desk, where it currently resides. He said he was glad that I didn't do a cheesy grin but the fact that I took the picture mocking a tennis move made it all the more better. I have to agree.

I then gave him the other two pictures in their respective ugly frames to give to the other guys, since he would see them within the next week and I would not. I gave Seth his on Monday and on Wednesday morning (after wrapping the other two frames for me) he gave friend #2, Brig(ham), his gift from me.

Brig was pleasantly delighted to receive such a wonderful gift as well and said later that it is sitting next to his computer right now. Brig's next task was to give friend #3, Ty, his gag gift.

I haven't heard what Ty's reaction was yet, but in his defense his wife just had baby #3 the other day (after only one hour of being at the hospital!!) and so he is sort of busy right now.

So there you have it, that was my gag gift for this year and I am very happy that all recipients were ecstatic about receiving their gifts. I don't think I've ever given such an awesome gift to friends.

Merry Christmas to all....that's right ACLU, I said Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!!!!!!!!