Give Sandy a Break

Looking for something funny this Friday afternoon (or next Tuesday when you finally take the time to look next at this lovely blog)?

Try this new short piece from those great kids at Sandy Takes a Break:

Skates and Arts

What's the sixth anniversary? I don't know, but roller skates sound good, no? Maybe with a little practice . . .


Meanwhile, our recent visit to Kansas City gave us the chance to view the incredible new Bloch Building, Steven Holl's new expansion of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. It's been getting rave reviews from all over (though some static at home, of course). The glass boxes follow the hill down from the original museum, do an excellent job of providing the natural lighting for the art work, and frame the original building wonderfully. Fabulous.

New Yorker critic Paul Goldberger calls it "one of the best museums of the last generation": read more.
Meanwhile New York Times writer Nicolai Ouroussoff says it's "a near-perfect work." Read more.
PS, both of those articles have slide-shows that I highly recommend.


In front of the original building, with an excellent giant shuttlecock by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen


Mimi, with the new (right) and old (left) buildings peeking out behind her



Closer view of the two buildings



Standing on top of the (underground) front desk of the Bloch building, with the original building behind me



On the inside


Now, we also had an excellent visit in Lawrence--saw Jesse, Nathan, Aaron, Scott, Haley Harrison, and Tom and Rodd. It was a near-perfect weekend; perhaps our best anniversary celebration ever.
Alas, I forgot the camera at every turn, so you'll have to take my word for it.


Upon our return to the Quad Cities, we were lucky enough to see Wilco--and from the fifth row!

cell phone photo (I am trying to break your heart)





Lastly, Mimi's getting really good on those skates; enjoy:

Six Years

A toast from six years ago today

I married Emily that day, and that's the tops.



Before the show



Setting



With my best man Merrica

Thank you to Merrica and to my family and Emily's family, and all of our friends: you all made it a day we will always remember. (In a good way.)
(And while I'm at it, thanks also to Scott Hughes, and his assistant, at the time, Magen, for the great digital photos.)
(Oh, and speaking of Magen, she sang a great rendition of Blue Skies. I don't have a recording of that, but I've put Ella Fitzgerald's version up as a reminder.)



My bride



With her father



9 June 2001

June in the QCA

Last weekend we had the pleasure of entertaining my mom for a couple of busy, beautiful (mostly), early-summer days. After a long day spent riding on trains, she arrived in time for the evening's Swing of the Quad Cities baseball game in Davenport.

Mom and me at the Swing game



Mom and Mimi

Next day, we waited out some morning rain and got a great deal on a bike rental at the Moline office of the QC Visitors Bureau.

Emily and Mom on the bike trail

Turned into a great afternoon, so we rode about 5 miles east, to Hampton, IL.

action shot!

How could we get back, though, after all that riding? And with the wind blowing east? Not to worry: the bus company also runs a water taxi!

aboard the Channel Cat
We crossed to Iowa, grabbed some lunch, and took the boat back just in time to drop off the bike before the office closed.
I guess the Quad Cities might be pretty fun after all. . . .



PS, from Braxton's recent visit:

bonus shot of Braxton in Yancy's hat, holding a copy of this other cute photo of Braxton and Mimi

Please See

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