tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63438212012-02-09T06:42:11.902-08:00TigerbeatMusings on the banal.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.comBlogger15601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-65354610521813201342010-08-10T15:14:00.000-07:002010-08-10T16:07:44.302-07:00Virginia/DC WeekendA couple of weekends ago I drove back to Virginia for my Dad's birthday. Robin an Erik came as well, so it was two solid days of family time comprised of much, much, much eating. It's how we do.We kicked off Saturday lunch with Thai food in Chantilly, VA. Robin wanted to try a place that was known for its pad thai. The pad thai was pretty good, but the meaty and succulent Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-82687086922919546072010-07-08T08:16:00.001-07:002010-07-08T08:30:56.854-07:00Saturday ProjectMarch 26, 2010Laura, Megan, and I traveled to San Fransicso to see Mirhiya. Saturday, before we met up with Mirhiya, we spent time in the city, met up with Charles and Laura's friend as well. The city was lovely: the views, the fancy donuts, the wines, and the salumis.Sunday after we met up with Mirhiya who took us for a tour of boutique wineries in Napa and then spent the night Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-57521821562266559682010-07-08T08:06:00.000-07:002010-07-08T08:13:44.475-07:00Saturday Project March 20, 2010 Anne and Nate visit Chicago. This photo is from the cold, blustery and gray day that we walked down to the Field Museum (where both the special exhibits were sold out).This photo is actually from Friday, but Friday was when I took all the main photos, unfortunately.Anne enjoying Hot Dougs.Nate also enjoying a hot dog.Da bean.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-67972751532425296882010-07-08T07:57:00.000-07:002010-07-08T08:01:17.558-07:00Saturday Project December 26, 2009We were in Virginia and went over to Madeline's parents place to meet up with Madeline, Patrick, Christie, Stefan, and Pauline (and baby Emmet).Emmet really like Todd.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-48417524437499515672010-07-08T07:54:00.000-07:002010-07-08T07:56:39.902-07:00Saturday ProjectNovember 28, 2009Lindsey's wedding in Michigan.It was an opulent, joyful affair and the next dayI did not feel excellent. Lindsey looked lovely and Jennifer did the worm on the dance floor.My first time in Michigan!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-69647393774167760702010-07-06T20:51:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:56:03.987-07:00Saturday ProjectNovember 14, 2009Kevin and Hilary's wedding in Pensacola, Florida.They got married at a tiny old church in the old part of Pensacola and entered their reception looking gorgeous. We were at the reception for about six hours before leaving to go out, but the music, food, and drink was still going when we left! The night ended at some awesomely dark bar called Sir Richards with Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-67985965831521205302010-07-06T20:41:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:49:45.008-07:00Saturday ProjectOctober 31, 2009.Halloween.Anna, Megan, and Laura.My "costume" was basically non-existent since dressing up is not one of my strengths.That night, we hit the Map Room and then Piece where Anna and Laura sand "99 Red Balloons" at the live karaoke, and Megan charmed a couple of pieces of pizza from the couple having a date next to us.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-18809536248898075432010-07-06T20:38:00.001-07:002010-07-06T20:41:06.538-07:00Saturday ProjectThis will be a little haphazard as I sort through photos.Saturday September 26, 2009.Grace and George were visiting Chicago and we got a little quality kitty time on the couch.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-42943878809200068302010-07-06T20:23:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:28:24.184-07:00Kitty BreakMy babies, Hef and Detective. Sometimes they snuggle and it makes my heart go pitter pat. Othertimes Hef is bopping Detective over the head because Hef feels cranky.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-4125003694484780002010-07-06T19:54:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:06:16.646-07:00Riding the BusWe rode the bus to and from the hotel to Summerfest. A cool $2.25 each way and the bus stopped right in front of the hotel. On the right, you see us standing at the bus stop in front of the awesome Sleep Inn.You can also view Todd's mustache in this photo. Enjoy it in its fleetingness!Below, Laura and I model our free swag that we got from the Combos booth.We also hit the local Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-43619888649413363442010-07-06T19:36:00.000-07:002010-07-06T19:52:13.920-07:00Catching up......on the blog posts. The last weekend in June, we went to Milwaukee with Lauren, Laura and Megan for the purposes of experiencing Summerfest as well as just putzing around the city. Summerfest was a well run machine: never a wait for bathrooms, the toilets always had toilet paper, and the crowds weren't hard to maneuver (it was no mermaid parade, a la Coney Island.It was a Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-61251081594531701002010-07-06T19:20:00.000-07:002010-07-06T19:24:43.214-07:00Clarence lives on the same street as the Seinfeld restaurant!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-60415407357549057882010-07-06T18:56:00.000-07:002010-07-06T19:19:37.869-07:00Late on Sunday night while in NY, Clarence took us to sit on the steps of Columbia. We had bought delicious pastries from the bakery earlier that day to enjoy. The pretty night, the view, the students and the sweets reminded me of undergrad.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-57373006510203834752010-06-28T09:54:00.000-07:002010-06-28T09:57:32.819-07:00Central Park!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-60085301662443714452010-06-28T09:45:00.000-07:002010-06-28T09:54:37.261-07:00Rowing in Central ParkMy absolute favorite thing that we did was visiting Central Park, and renting rowboats for the Central Park lake. What a fricking steal at $12 for an hour! Plus, we got to interact with the surly boat dude! In all honesty, I was bowled over by the verdant scenery and the skyline and it was so peaceful and ohmygah. Clarence's idea and an excellent one at that. We stayed and Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-77051606439266174832010-06-28T09:39:00.000-07:002010-06-28T09:45:47.105-07:00Times Square!I've never been. It was exactly as I thought. We also stopped in the M&Ms store to look at overpriced product. As Clarence so aptly put it (paraphrasing), "I don't know whether I should be proud or ashamed of being American for all of this branding and consumerism prowess."Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-31884219035228873702010-06-28T09:34:00.000-07:002010-06-28T09:39:28.432-07:00Sunday morning we spent in Clarence's neighborhood (the Columbia U area) where we brunched, ate gelato, and ogled pastries before heading to Times Square.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-79567753555072592292010-06-28T09:27:00.000-07:002010-06-28T09:34:39.496-07:00RestrepoGrace hooked it up for Sunday. She scored us tickets to Human Rights Watch's screening of "Restrepo" where the filmmakers were there for a question an answer afterward. The film was excellent and although we got some stank eye for using George's saved space in line for seating, all turned out well. The movie was excellent. It was also my first time seeing the Lincoln Center, where the Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-67702508661463700382010-06-28T09:18:00.000-07:002010-06-28T09:26:27.015-07:00Walking Across the Brooklyn BridgeFrom Coney Island, on Saturday, Clarence suggested to make our way to be able to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. We did so at dusk, and it was positively lovely. Clarence, his brother Clint, Todd, Grace and I made our way. Afterwards, we found a Chinese restaurant in the East Village and ate a whole bunch of g.d. Chinese food.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-35027831625259176122010-06-28T09:00:00.000-07:002010-06-28T09:18:45.461-07:00Um YeahI realize that I had made a resolution to blog more and then *did not touch the blog for six months.* Lame. This past work year has been brutal and demanding, though, and the last thing I wanted to do was to get online and blog during my free time.Now, however, it is summer and I have plenty of free time. I'm working a couple of hours weekly these next couple of months, but it's mostly Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-9789880441934758092010-01-02T09:48:00.001-08:002010-01-02T09:57:18.734-08:002010 is Awesome So FarMan, I wish that life could be like this all the time. Work (aka "The Grind") begins again in a couple of days, but I want to shut it out for now and enjoy the last couple days of vacation. I was shocked yesterday by how deserted the roads AND the gym was. I couldn't believe the gym to be honest, since yesterday was the first of the new year so resolutions would be pumping Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-19395650804682016762010-01-01T08:49:00.001-08:002010-01-01T09:24:30.524-08:00New Years ResolutionsI feel fresh and hopeful with this new year! Welcome, 2010. Along with the rest of the world, I'm going to put together some resolutions! I'm also going to try to break them up into manageable tiny goals, so it doesn't seem so overwhelming.Resolutions are as follow:1. Begin to learn Spanish. It is hugely frustrating not being able to speak Spanish when I work, as many of my Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-37937523976807153552009-08-16T09:40:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:42:54.477-07:00Todd learning to pour his own Guinness at the Guinness Brewery.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-44122362629997546582009-08-16T09:35:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:39:48.200-07:00One of the lovely things about Dublin was that it was an incredibly walkable city. One day, we took the longest walk, from our area which was just south of St Stephens Green to the Kilmainham area to hit both the Guinness Brewery and Kilmainham Goel. We were both pretty exhausted by the end of it, but we got to see some interesting buildings.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-9662128518397995172009-08-16T09:33:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:35:35.260-07:00A colorful door in Georgian Dublin. There were so many lovely colors around, I was tempted to take a picture of all of them!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-64082921164970057732009-08-16T09:31:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:33:11.884-07:00Live music in the courtyard of O'Donoghues Bar in DublinKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-77046713278928996062009-08-15T07:53:00.000-07:002009-08-15T07:56:25.969-07:00Next stop: Dublin!Here are photos of our first Guinness pints, these from O'Donoguhes pub, recommended by Bryan and Desiree, who used to live in Dublin.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-90807607467502304382009-08-15T07:49:00.000-07:002009-08-15T07:52:16.399-07:00Crossing the street in London was sometimes a challenge for me since I constantly had to remind myself in which direction traffic was coming from. It was the signs that told you in which way to look that were so helpful. Though, as my Londoner friend, Erica, noted: if you don't read English, well, you're screwed.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-87520022151073718702009-08-15T07:46:00.000-07:002009-08-15T07:47:39.148-07:00Todd at Hyde Park, London, the broad walkKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-56777359407748606042009-08-15T07:41:00.000-07:002009-08-15T07:45:54.727-07:00Todd with the awesome rhino at the V&A MuseumKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-23988178060983056982009-08-15T07:39:00.000-07:002009-08-15T07:40:41.768-07:00View from the South Bank, LondonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-68796576494939783172009-08-08T06:36:00.000-07:002009-08-08T06:38:03.838-07:00Another amazing room at the V&AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-82792353186322400572009-08-08T06:34:00.000-07:002009-08-08T06:36:14.241-07:00Another beautiful chandelier in the V&A.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-41767159809317539032009-08-08T06:30:00.000-07:002009-08-08T06:34:04.383-07:00The chandelier at the main entrance of the Victoria and Albert Museum (or the V&A). I adored this museum. It honestly may be one of my favorites that I've ever been in. It was a collection of neat *stuff.* Entire giant rooms dedicated to ironwork, ceramics, sculpture, photography, fashion, etc. I want to go back since it was giant and we only really scratched the surface of all of the stuff.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-65518608595909407682009-08-08T06:20:00.000-07:002009-08-08T06:26:59.382-07:00We did one of those hop-on/hop-off double decker bus tours on the Friday after we arrived, which was actually a pretty efficient way to see the 'main sights' of the city. So we managed to drive by Buckingham Palace, Westminister Abbey, Parliament and Big Ben without actually having to stand and walk in front of them. We did stop off at the Tower of London, though, which was huge and full of Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-60223069792882434572009-08-07T21:01:00.000-07:002009-08-07T21:04:15.757-07:00The bars in London, which closed surprisingly early. I loved the hordes of people gathering outside each of the bars, drinking their pints.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-53660232525289389822009-08-07T20:54:00.000-07:002009-08-07T20:55:56.285-07:00Thames RiverKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-21645952199765855142009-08-07T20:53:00.000-07:002009-08-07T20:54:12.153-07:00LondonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-40089633855328321072009-08-07T20:46:00.000-07:002009-08-07T20:49:31.581-07:00First dinner of fish and chips and a pint of GuinnessKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-25258896126965995372009-08-07T20:08:00.000-07:002009-08-07T20:45:31.439-07:00Summer Vacation ReportSo Todd and I returned from a week in London and Dublin last Wednesday. It was a pretty terrific week, mainly because both cities were pretty interesting and/or spectacular. Both cities were also extremely, extremely pricey. We didn't really shop, so most of our money spent was on food in restaurants. During the entire week, we ate at what I think are two really good, Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-3485251344715552452009-07-18T09:53:00.000-07:002009-07-18T09:59:26.528-07:00Long Time, No WriteI have been horribly and pathetically errant about this blog. I am sorry to say that with my use of Facebook, my inclination to blog is much less. I don't really like that, since it also means less writing. I wrote a lot of letters in high school and college, and then I wrote a lot of emails post college, and then I wrote a lot of blogs in grad school and now I don't write crapKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-74281390232435520182009-03-16T16:52:00.000-07:002009-03-16T16:53:22.870-07:00I just found this year's winner of the animated short from the Oscars online ("Le Maison en Petits Cubes") and it was totally lovely and made me shed a tear or two. I love the Internet.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-56613552120986995072009-02-12T15:56:00.000-08:002009-02-12T19:00:40.692-08:00WowHello! I know that's it's been awhile since I've written on here. I've been lazy, I guess. I think that I'm mostly driven to write on this blog when I want to write at length about something I've read or watched and want to blather a bit (rather than a one-line Facebook status).I've watched most of the 8-episode documentary "The Staircase" today, which follows the trial of a man accused of Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-48183394168919389472009-01-17T12:19:00.000-08:002009-01-17T12:23:27.105-08:00C'est BienI just re-watched "To Be and To Have" again, a documentary about a one-room schoolhouse in France. I love it. It's quiet, and slow, and safe and comforting and it highlights the talents of an excellent teacher. He's calm, and reassuring, and caring and is my idea of how the ideal teacher should conduct himself. I really, really adore this movie so I highly recommend it.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-44155950118957440292009-01-15T19:49:00.000-08:002009-01-15T20:05:32.514-08:00Holy Jeebus it's cold outside. Today it was a high of -5 degrees, with a windchill that was even lower. It was -10 when I left the house this morning. That is ABSURD. One of the special ed teachers I work with told me that, interestingly, more kids are absent during really cold weather than during snowstorms. None of the kids I service have been absent these last couple of days, so I didn't Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-29962626951611478372009-01-10T13:59:00.000-08:002009-01-10T14:00:52.201-08:00It's snowing and snowing and snowing outside today. I haven't changed out of my pajamas, although I have managed to change sheets, put away clothes and have a shower. We might venture out to the grocery store at some point soon, here, but it looks like the snow's all piled up and getting to where you want to go with take a while.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-81063642625404862252009-01-10T13:56:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:59:04.761-08:00This is my Hef. When he first arrived in April, he might clamber onto your lap for a minute or so before taking off to greener pastures. Now he is a tried and true lap cat, and climbs into your lap at first opportunity and is there to stay. He's so pliable too: when you pick him up, there's no tension in his body and he lets you huggle and snuggle him as much as you want while emitting a Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-88252777449835323782009-01-10T13:55:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:56:28.866-08:00I love Todd's face in this picture. Detective allows us to pick him up for about 10 seconds before he begins squirming now. When we got him back in June, he wouldn't even let us put our hands around him belly.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-87675233404000681362009-01-10T13:54:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:55:14.248-08:00Look at Detective! He's such a fatty.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-26542525304424895292009-01-10T13:50:00.001-08:002009-01-10T13:50:49.246-08:00Madeline and Patrick's first danceKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-2568431211080344052009-01-10T13:49:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:50:13.056-08:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-73628151524243665432009-01-10T13:48:00.002-08:002009-01-10T13:49:26.033-08:00Christie and meKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-15973619275373756492009-01-10T13:48:00.001-08:002009-01-10T13:48:45.279-08:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-46675148269299225842009-01-10T13:47:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:48:02.988-08:00Robin holding Emmet. This was before he scared him and made him cry.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-3211199825085905512009-01-10T13:46:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:47:13.619-08:00I got to see Christie, Stefan, and one of my favorite babies, Emmet, again.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-38347126076102592812009-01-10T13:45:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:46:02.566-08:00Madeline and PaulineKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-91191613943669494662009-01-10T13:44:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:45:14.345-08:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-61816000969621888182009-01-10T13:43:00.001-08:002009-01-10T13:43:50.156-08:00Madeline, just after getting changed into her dress.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-33423517127159266862009-01-10T13:33:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:53:38.815-08:00Madeline's Wedding was last weekend on January 3 in Charlottesville. They had their ceremony at the UVA Chapel and their reception at the alumni hall. It was another sunny and lovely day, and an excellent time. Madeline had her dress made and it was pretty amazing and she was a beaming and radiant bride. We stayed in a cheapo room at the Red Roof Inn which had ideal location (pretty much on Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-43605851347699418792009-01-10T13:32:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:33:24.676-08:00Anne celebrating being newly wed with some of her favorite champersKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-80465972890604255512009-01-10T13:31:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:32:40.649-08:00The bride and groom!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-23727061833030799942009-01-10T13:30:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:31:48.261-08:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-58928032089680621172009-01-10T13:15:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:30:41.019-08:00First things, first: My Anne's WeddingLots to catch up on: two weddings, winter vacation, the holidays and now back at work. Anne’s wedding was on December 13th in Virginia. I flew into the area on Thursday night and met Anne Friday morning for manis and pedis (as you do). It was a real treat, actually, since I had Anne to myself most of the day, so we puttered and ran errands, had lunch, and Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-75396256051945790292008-12-05T20:38:00.000-08:002008-12-05T20:50:25.046-08:00Holy MackerelIt's been a month since the last post! Things have been good: busy at work, three different Thanksgiving feasts, and dealing with the onslaught of the frigid temperatures. Oh, we also got to meet Jackie and Brian's baby, Ethan! He is quite a little cutie and I captured a lervly photo of he and Todd that I need to post once I get to downloading it.It was seven degrees this morning, Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-70436785838701179042008-11-05T14:32:00.001-08:002008-11-05T14:32:55.291-08:00From Yes We Can (Hold Babies)Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-19463116581666362002008-11-05T14:28:00.000-08:002008-11-05T14:31:50.230-08:00Thrilled.I am still buoyant over the election results. We had a little election party last night (with America/Obama themed desserts) and lots of celebrating was done. The house across the street blasted "We Are the Champions" after the election was called. Go America for coming through with this one.In honor, I have to post one of my favorite Obama web sites called Yes We Can (Hold Babies) whichKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-89250331432343169132008-10-19T15:09:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:10:42.150-07:00High teaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-80020939068535753542008-10-19T15:07:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:08:42.978-07:00Bridal Shower Gift OpeningKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-61668564262276394742008-10-19T15:04:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:05:57.504-07:00At a Herndon locale after the shower. This was Emmet's first bar experience, which made it all the more special.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-65213304236766012932008-10-19T15:03:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:04:30.005-07:00Soon to be Mama and me.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-77472983764809132602008-10-19T15:01:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:02:20.028-07:00Laughing!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-3200818211299890672008-10-19T15:00:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:01:28.793-07:00My mom loving Baby Emmet.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-28477536617988240012008-10-19T14:53:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:00:07.524-07:00Christie and EmmetKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-36680277216907186392008-10-19T14:52:00.000-07:002008-10-19T14:53:31.164-07:00The Baby LadiesKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-37910542903471558412008-10-19T14:51:00.000-07:002008-10-19T14:52:12.770-07:00Beautiful cookies.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-85012050582902330232008-10-19T14:50:00.000-07:002008-10-19T14:51:15.153-07:00Anne and the lovely rehearsal bouquet that Kathy made.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-33746896782447280582008-10-19T14:45:00.000-07:002008-10-19T14:50:11.919-07:00Anne's Bridal ShowerI've been long overdue in posting some photos from Anne's bridal shower. There were a bunch, but I'll post a select few. Of course we've also got to include some of beautiful baby Emmet, who made his debut to many of us.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-55072902593243304332008-10-19T12:37:00.000-07:002008-10-19T12:44:03.622-07:00BuoyedI loved watching Colin Powell on "Meet the Press" this morning. He sounded so logical and like he cut through the bullshit, and that was refreshing. I was especially pleased that he called certain GOP people out for implying that Obama = Muslim, therefore = evil. Bullshit.Transcript from what I especially liked from Powell's comments:I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-65774457773170020672008-10-04T06:48:00.000-07:002008-10-04T06:50:35.205-07:00If you want a sobering look at the American healthcare system as it stands, watch the most recent POV on PBS which follows four uninsured Americans who suffer critical medical conditions. It's thoroughly depressing stuff. :(Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-5223643079703808162008-10-03T09:34:00.000-07:002008-10-03T09:37:57.547-07:00It's Banned Book Week!Celebrate by reading one.The most challenged books of the 21st century look heavy on the young readers' stuff: Harry Potter, Judy Blume, The Chocolate War, Maya Angelou, and apparently something called the 'Captain Underpants Series.' Give me a break.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-75075723993220662432008-10-02T15:46:00.000-07:002008-10-02T16:01:53.520-07:00Pulchritudinous stuffSo much to talk about! First of all, last weekend I flew back to VA to help host our Anne's bridal shower, along with the rest of the bridal party, Kathy and Christie. It seemed to go off wonderfully, and I have lots of pictures to share and a few to post. I just need to get around to downloading them from the camera. We also got to meet Christie's baby, Emmet, and he is Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-19286209584320947612008-09-21T06:29:00.000-07:002008-09-21T06:38:11.537-07:00Lots of viewing aheadOne particularly awesome wedding present we received (Thanks, CC!) is a contraption that allows viewing of Netflix movies directly to your tv. Last night we hooked it up and watched movies and shows for hours. Seriously, this is an excellent machine as there's a fair selection of stuff available, there's no limit to what you can watch, and the picture is good.One of the Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-6806816564996564522008-09-18T16:31:00.000-07:002008-09-18T16:44:08.537-07:00Late summerIt's the last week of summer, and I cannot describe to you how fantastic the weather in Chicago is this week. Today we had a fire drill, and I was ready to drop everything and flee work so I could frolic in the streets. Or just lie on the lake front. It's sunny and mid-70s and breezy and it makes one want to weep at the beauty.Anyway, last night we went to go see one of Todd's friends Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-55945660645261399692008-09-07T09:18:00.000-07:002008-09-07T09:19:24.838-07:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-70968871694287570242008-09-07T09:14:00.000-07:002008-09-07T09:18:29.945-07:00I'm picture crazy now that I am downloading pictures from my camera.Last night I went to Octoberfest in Lincoln Square and Laura, Lauren, Megan, Katie and Chris.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-11426479339048451782008-09-06T14:09:00.000-07:002008-09-06T14:10:16.165-07:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-35273391028801872082008-09-06T14:06:00.000-07:002008-09-06T14:07:34.652-07:00One of our last shots taken in Barcelona: enjoyingover priced drinks on the roof top bar ofthe Majestic Hotel. This is when the camera battery died fully.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-45672585987679873312008-09-06T14:04:00.000-07:002008-09-06T14:05:58.623-07:00More Sagrada Familia shots.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-29000208884184124662008-09-06T14:02:00.001-07:002008-09-06T14:04:19.206-07:00I finally downloaded all of the stored pictures on my camera. I'll add them the blog bit by bit. Here's more Barcelona shots!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-50505742656963633182008-09-06T10:51:00.000-07:002008-09-06T10:52:05.868-07:00One of Matt's photos!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-37764604196857836432008-09-06T10:49:00.000-07:002008-09-06T10:51:26.485-07:00Our awesome wedding photographer, Matt Veldhuis, posted some initial pictures from the wedding on his blog. Check them out!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-24417273686481091692008-08-27T16:23:00.000-07:002008-08-27T16:25:30.372-07:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-54379466061088410962008-08-27T16:19:00.000-07:002008-08-27T16:23:28.337-07:00More pictures from the wedding: this time from Katie and Chris!Northwestern girls and us.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-58129401013302967882008-08-23T10:53:00.000-07:002008-08-23T10:56:24.835-07:00Although the wedding and the honeymoon were great, I admit that I miss the kitties terribly. We found some pictures of them on Todd's camera and I had to post them.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-3748395053591642992008-08-23T10:44:00.002-07:002008-08-23T10:45:26.574-07:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-83151003666625851562008-08-23T10:44:00.001-07:002008-08-23T10:44:54.946-07:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-28556966718622739862008-08-23T10:43:00.002-07:002008-08-23T10:44:21.108-07:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-54195865678227794452008-08-23T10:43:00.001-07:002008-08-23T10:43:37.974-07:00Preserved Roman ColumnsKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-74377310277280839052008-08-23T10:42:00.001-07:002008-08-23T10:42:58.323-07:00Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343821.post-101980853646398802008-08-23T10:41:00.000-07:002008-08-23T10:42:09.601-07:00eerie door.Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191494895963817432noreply@blogger.com0