When I look back at TBOX thru the years, I usually segment them as such: "The Baby TBOXs" (1&2), "Carefree & Triumphant" (3&4), "TBOXs in Exile" (5&6), "The Glorious Return" (7), and "Growing Pains" (8&9).  TBOX10 was the first year where I felt like a big chunk of what I'd wanted the event to become, was finally being put into place, and the "TBOX brand" was really getting established.  This was the last year when we had the Opening Torch Procession Ceremony starting at my old house in Wrigleyville and going to Bar #1, and the year of one of our most charismatic and celebrated #1's, Mr. Tony Yaniz.  It was also the first year of the Bullhorn, the first year we had full-color badges that I really liked and that I thought looked cool (featuring "The Festa Girl" jumping out of a cereal box like a jack-in-the-box", and the first year when Royal Court-hood really started to be a big deal -- even though the term "Royal Court" would not be in full, official use until TBOX11. So, on this crisp, brisk, snowy day, it all "locked in" - albeit, in rudimentary form compared to the TBOX we know today, but this was just a flat-out great time.

TBOX10 was also the last TBOX that started at Sheffield's and last year Sheffield's was included as one of the primary early bars.   Believe it or not, we used to mostly all fit in there, and it was only a 2 block walk from my old place at 937 Newport.  If you check the pix too, you'll see the "Original Interns" Virginia and Michelle, as part of the opening procession.   We started off coming out of my front steps, and between Red Line trains passing by, introduced Fred, Biggins, and others, before Tony Y came out in his crown.  After Stop #1 at Sheffield's, we proceeded up to the Wrigley Bars, and I believe it was between 330 and 630pm, we split the group up into 4 or 6 teams to go among the smaller bars in a "Round Robin" - the first attempt at crowd balancing.  It all worked out pretty well (Fuji may disagree :) ) - but we made it to the end at Sluggers, and it all turned out great.

Enjoy the Pix Below and View All Our TBOX 10 Picks Here on Flickr!

Outside Bar #1, Sheffield's, TBOX10

Outside Bar #1, Sheffield's, TBOX10

Fred #2 coming out of 937 Newport at the Old Opening Ceremonies

The Presentation of Tony Y, #1, at 937 Newport at the Old Opening Ceremonies

King Antonio

Fuji with the "Xmas Trees Cheap" Sign and our Original "Team Splitups" Sign

Early TBOX Group Including Vicki of "Jenni & Vicki"

Early Hermie Pic from TBOX10

Group of Reindeer from TBOX10

"Santa's Cutest Helpers"

Powder Shot administered by Mr. Festa @ TBOX10