The Hazy Days of Summer

Flying into New York this week, I was looking out the window and could barely make out the profile of the city. You could tell it was a city, but it was hard to distinguish the major characteristics of the city. Like a sheer veil of clouds that had settled over the city. It made it look rather mysterious. Such an enigma to be explored.

Gullible as a Squirrel

A squirrel can find a bird feeder within 100 miles. Needless to say, our bird feeders and the birds trying to feed at them have been tormented by many a squirrel.

Last month, when we were in the Mall of America in Minnesota, we walked by the Wild Bird Store and saw a feeder by Droll Yankees, called the Yankee Flipper Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder. Here are its many claims:

• Motor driven, battery powered, weight activated perch ring
• Weight calibrated to allow birds to eat, flips squirrels off
• Powder coated in forest green
• Advanced technology provides the ultimate experience
• Hottest Selling bird feeder in the industry

Key words that sold at least one member of our household: motor-driven, flips squirrels off, advanced technology ... SOLD!

So this weekend, we took the plunge to the new feeder, obviously as much for the entertainment factor as to squirrel proof. We have waited patiently, however, the feeder itself seems to be a deterrent as we have yet to see a squirrel take a spin. Only time will tell who the gullible one is!

**We promise, no squirrels were hurt in the making of this post.

Final New York Observations

Here are a few differences that I noticed between New York and Washington, DC.

1. Magazine stores - there's nothing like it in DC
2. I am admittedly an urban dweller, but even I would miss green
3. Where else can you find Ess-a-Bagel and La Maison du Chocolat in one city?
4. The metro is so much cleaner than the subway
5. But, the subway runs 24 hours
6. There are as many Jamba Juices as Starbucks; you're right, impossible
7. New York's Chinatown is really a Chinatown
8. How much electricity is used in Times Square?
9. In New York, an entire block can have the same address number
10. Where do I find soup dumplings in DC?

Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)

When you find yourself in New York's Chinatown, besides the fun street shopping and knock-off you-name-it, scout out Joe's Shanghai Restaurant for soup dumplings. A friend recommended this culinary experience and we will be back for sure! You will find Joe's at 9 Pell Street between Mott and Bowery. It's a very small, one-way street and it's easy to miss. In this rather compact setting, the seating is sort of family style for smaller parties.

From Joe's Shanghai Restaurant:

Xiao Long Bao or "Little Dumplings from Basket" was originated from Nan Xiang, a suburb of Shanghai. Their perfectly symmetrical shape, resembles a pagoda.

These tender pouches, "little dumplings", are freshly made to order. They arrive at the table in piping hot bamboo steamers. Each plump dumpling contains a little pork meatball surrounded by a delightful meaty broth.

To prevent burning one's mouth and to savor the dumpling, the preferred method of consumption is to bite off a little piece of the doughy wrapper, suck the broth with a "slurp", then eat the rest.

There are two variations available at Joe's Shanghai - crab meat and pork meat. Each basket is freshly made to order, so don't forget to order your Soup Dumpling upon arrival at your table. Otherwise it might be a long wait.

A cartoonist, Robert Zimmerman, had drawn "Soup Dumplings: A Survival Course" comic strip that was once published in the newspapers. It comedically depicts the hazard of eating a fresh, piping hot dumpling. Although a little extreme, the danger of burning one's mouth is no different from the dangers of enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

Art Appreciation

I admit that I'm not one to appreciate all-things art. To me, a canvas with a single stripe of paint isn't necessarily art with someone's deep, inner spiritual meaning of life. I just have a difficult time with that.

I know it's all about styles and preferences. I suppose my preference is a PICTURE of something . . . anything, as long as it is even a somewhat recognizable object. I say this somewhat in jest, as I do like a few modern artists such as Gregg Robinson and I can even appreciate the abstract work of Salvadore Dalí.

My art appreciation was tested this weekend at the Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the International Center of Photography, which although recognizeable objects, not spectaculorly photographed. However, I'm most spoiled as I believe Brian's photography could easily match most I've seen this weekend.

New York

We're in New York for the weekend. We recommend seeing Frost/Nixon written by Peter Morgan starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, which we saw this evening. It was really well done.

The most exciting news so far is that Brian is the new owner of a Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100K (digital single-lens reflex camera for non-camera acronym knowing people like me!). His camera buying experience at J&R is captured on the Digital Photography Review discussion forum.

We are staying in the theater district and Times Square is a mere three blocks away. Right next to our hotel is a magazine store, literally a little store with magazine racks surrounding all sides. We both commented on how New York-esque the store is.

Look-ALike?

Does anyone else think that Brian looks a little like Tony?

Will Tony have a new teammate next year? Brian predicts that Dale Earnhardt Jr will drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008. You heard it here first!

No Drivers Injured in the Taking of this Photo

No worries, Brian had nothing to do with taking this photo. He took the real photos (like the car), check back later.

Tony Stewart made an appearance in the Home Depot suite (I was within an arm's length). Rain was the other appearance of the evening, which postponed the race until Sunday. On the spur of the moment, we decided to drive back down to Richmond. It was a really fun race. Richmond is a short track so you can easily see all of the cars going around the entire track.

Tony had a pretty good race. After starting 22 and a few radical car adjustments, he moved steadily up to fourth. However, several cautions toward the end of the race, and no long green flag stretches to work his way through lapped traffic, he got caught in a late race crash. Despite the damage to the front of the car, he managed to complete the race and take eighth.

A Spot of Tea

We are to Richmond to have a spot of tea with the Queen. (Did you read that with an English accent?)

Okay, Queen Elizabeth is/was in Richmond. And, yes, we are going to Richmond. However, not to have tea with the Queen.

We're going to Saturday's Nextel Cup NASCAR race! We are Tony Stewart fans, or as Brian says when I tease him about that, "we like the drivers that race for Joe Gibbs." Tony is one of them, along with Denny Hamlin #11 and JJ Yeley #18 who race in the Nextel series. But, for tomorrow evening's race, we will definitely be Tony fans as we're guests of The Home Depot! Check back for a few pictures.

Nostalgic Weekend

Visiting Luther College feels like coming home. It's a feeling that is hard to explain until you've experienced it. It's the community that is Luther College.

The weekend celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Norsemen and Pike Kor (Valley Singers) Alumni Choirs. (No! I haven't been out of college for 25 years.) It was a fun weekend to re-connect with a few professors and to see how Luther has changed. The highlight was being able to sing with the current Norsemen, Pike Kor and Nordic Choirs.

If you ever find yourself in Decorah, Iowa, I recommend the following:

• Stay at Hotel Winneshiek
• Eat at Mabes Pizza
• Shop at Vanberia
• Tour the Vesterheim Museum
• Take a class at Luther College
• Get dessert at Whippy Dip

Premeditated Stupidity

When other people break their cameras, it's usually an accident. These normal people accidentally break their camera in normal ways - drop it on the floor, drop it in the vat of guacamole, drop it out of the helicopter - you see, perfectly normal accidents.

Sadly, my camera's demise was not an accident in a normal sense. My camera's demise was a self-inflicted, but fatal camera-wound.

Sometimes these normal people lament that their accident was partially self-inflicted or 'they saw it coming, and they could have avoided it'.

Regardless, they should not award themselves the dolt of the year awards, yet. I think I'm the bigger dolt, and may be able to out dolt them for this year's award.

On the other hand, if the accident was completely out of their control, then, they have no chance and I'm a shoo-in to win the dolt of the year award.

Like a tv series you may have watched recently, based on actual events, the following takes place between the minutes of 6:23pm and 6:31pm, a couple of months ago ... give or take.

Heres my account.

- - - -

As some may know transferring images from my camera to an iPod through the iPod Camera Connector is painfully slow. (For you non-camera people, just pretend what I said makes sense)

Well, in one of my infrequent bouts of lucidity, I thought I should provide A/C power to preclude my camera's battery from draining.

"You're pretty smart, Brian" I said to myself. Ironically, I didn't remember where I put the original A/C adapter....

I thought, "No worries. I'll just use my trusty iGo universal a/c power adapter"

Tickled with my oh-so-smart-work-around, I quickly assembled the power adapter.

Once assembled, I proudly thought, "Power Problem solved, I'm brilliant." Which, at this point, I recovered from the temporal bout of lucidity, back to my normal self.

Unsupervised, I continued, "Well, good, the power adapter tip fits the camera ...hmmm... I wonder what this little plus symbol thingy means? I'll just plug it in and see if it works"

- - - -

Have you heard the piece of wisdom, "Pride comes before a fall"?

In this case, pride came before an almost inaudible 'pffffttt' sound
... and a very bright, but brief flash from my camera's rear LCD.

"Note to self: When using a power adapter, check polarity of the adapter tip."

- - - -


Sometimes, normal people lose their photographic equipment in some brief but catastrophic instance. Sometimes, they feel they may have been able to avoid their demise. If so, they may be able to get a lesser charge. Or, perhaps they were innocent bystanders.

Unlike their incidents, I did not stand by innocently on anything.

Nor would I be eligible for the lesser "negligent camera-cide" charge.

Nope. My camera's heinous demise was calculated and careful.

My camera's demise was premeditated stupidity.

(c) 2007

It's 10PM. Do you know where your photos are?

Recently, someone asked the question if I secretly take photographs of people in public or am I overt about my photography. He phrased that question this way, "Do you steal pictures or take them?"

His question lead me to think of this topic. You may ask - What was the brilliant sequitur that led from his question to your topic "It's 10PM. Do you know where your photos are"?
Well, it's not hard to answer: I have the attention span of a gnat.

- - - -

When the gentleman used the phrase of "stealing pictures", I realized I stole other people’s pictures.

You may ask - What do you mean by "stealing other people’s pictures"?

Well, I'm glad you asked. You know, sneak into their house at night, and grab their Compact Flash Memory cards, the photos off of the wall, too. Just kidding.

What I really mean - those times when I notice somebody figured out a great vantage point to compose a presumably great image.

In such cases, I just wait, pretending to be interested in something else, "Oh look! A new menu item on my camera! How Exciting!"

But as soon as they leave, I run to their spot and clik, clik, clik....

Then, after my completely random shots, I calm down and actually try using my underused brain to figure exactly what they were composing.

I believe this compulsion is diagnosed as "Shot-Kleptomania".

I didn't compose that shot. It was somebody else's; I'm just a copy cat. It all makes me feel guilty, but not enough to stop. Yep. Textbook case of Shot-kleptomania.

- - - -

As a matter of fact, while I'm confessing, I think I've stolen shots right out of travel guides, too!

- The cliché shot from Carlton Hill looking over Edinburgh - Yep. Did It.

- cliché shot from Notre Dame, “cleverly” looking with the Gargoyle over Paris. Yep. Copied that too.

- cliché shot from the volcano looking down at Waikiki. Yep. I'm so shameless.

- Oh! I have years of the Thomas Jefferson memorial that is so-cleverly-framed-by-the-cherry-blossoms.
Same shot, different year. Yawn.

I have no idea who first took that shot years ago, but I'm compelled to take that same ...[yawn], excuse me....take the that same shot every year. What's with me?!

- - - -

I know I'm not alone in this. So 'fess-up and here are my questions for you:

Does everyone suffer from CSC (Cliché shot compulsion), like me?
Does everyone suffer from Shot-Kleptomania as I do?
Finally, what do you do to get something unique?
Please tell me, so I can copy it. ..... Ugh! ..... This is bad, I can't stop!

(c) 2007

Blackberry Anonymous

Periodically, you may see me at a Starbucks before work, sipping my latte, business-section of our local paper tucked under my arm, reading my Blackberry, apparently doing something high-powered and important. Not true. I'm really surfing the internet, looking for info on the latest gadgets, checking scores on ESPN, playing Sudoku, or other not very important nor high-powered activities.

Sometimes my colleagues, also at the same Starbucks, see me "diligently working", which causes them to start "diligently" reviewing the contents of their Blackberry, apparently something high-powered and important.

In reality, they are doing exactly what I am doing ... surfing the internet, playing games, and other not very important nor high-powered activities.

Warning! Not suited for children under 85
Graphic scenes of Blackberry Addiction

If you have an addiction prone personality, don't get a Blackberry. Really, don't do it.

The Blackberry addiction is why we Blackberry junkies call them "crackberrys". The Blackberry addiction is a secret and dark world, known only to other "berry-heads". Sometimes, you may hear us use certain code phrases to other junkies like, "I'm going out for some 'juice'. Do you need some?" In the world of Blackberry junkies, this means, "Lets get 'juiced' on our Blackberrys".

Frequently, you can find us behind dumpsters of even the most prestigious firms, shaking in the cold, typing on our Blackberrys, mumbling to ourselves. It's sad, really.

Don't let those pinstripes fool you, even the most respectable looking professional can be an addict crying out for help.

Is someone you love a Blackberry Addict?

If you suspect that one of your family members may be a 'berry-head' there are certain tell-tale signs you should monitor.

1) Watch how they handle small objects in your house. Do they grab these objects with both hands and repeatedly tap the object with their thumbs? This is particularly true of small pets and children. Does this behavior seem to be subconscious, as if the berry-head doesn't realize he or she is doing it?

2) Listen for phrases indicative of a Blackberry addiction. For example, you may ask that the 'berry-head' call you on your phone; the berry-head my slip and say, "Sure, I'll "PIN" you".

3) Look for physical effects of the Blackberry addiction. Check the tips of their thumbs. Calluses on the thumbs don't lie. Little "Johnny Professional" is really little "Johnny Berry-head".

Help a berry-head become free from the pain

Next time you see a 'berry-head' on the subway/tube/metro/bus getting their "juice", that is, getting their Blackberry fix, help them. Such flagrant public use of a Blackberry is their cry for help. It's your moral obligation to knock the Blackberry to the floor and stamp on it.

You will be doing them a favor. On the outside, they may be turning red and shouting, but on the inside, they are very grateful that someone cares; they are relieved someone has freed them from the addiction.

Public Service Announcement #20
Sponsored by the Blackberry Freedom Foundation

(c) 2007

Black Tie, Stars and Packers

That sounds like an interesting combination! No, I didn't actually wear a gown to a hockey or football game.

I did attend the annual black tie Folger Gala-75th Anniversary Celebration (thankfully, no pix are available). The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is a world-class research center on Shakespeare and on the early modern age in the West. It is home to the world’s largest and finest collection of Shakespeare materials and to major collections of other rare Renaissance books, manuscripts, and works of art.

The Folger opened in 1932 as a gift to the American nation from Henry Clay Folger and his wife Emily Jordan Folger. It is administered by a Board of Governors under the auspices of Amherst College, Henry Folger’s alma mater.

Thankfully, the Stars game didn't start until 9pmEDT as I didn't get home until well after 10pm from the Gala. It was a heartbreaker. Marty Turco had an outstanding series, but despite three shutouts, the Stars still couldn't advance. When does pre-season start?

On to the football draft! The Packers pick 16th overall in this year's draft. (They could trade up or back in the draft on or before draft day.) First pre-season game is August 11th in Pittsburgh. I feel a road trip in my future!!!

Two in a Row

The Stars forced a final Game 7 in the series as Marty Turco shutout the Canucks again in tonight's Game #6. With a score of 2-0 in regulation, Turco has been good. Of course, I am rooting for the Stars, but Turco and Vancouver's Roberto Luongo have definitely made this series fun. Off Wing Opinion's Eric McErlain calls it the "best goalie showdown in recent memory."

One point of interest. Other than Game #1, neither team has been able to score more than 2 goals.

GM 1: Canucks 5, Stars 4 (4OT)
GM 2: Stars 2, Canucks 0
GM 3: Canucks 2, Stars 1 (OT)
GM 4: Canucks 2, Stars 1
GM 5: Stars 1, Canucks 0 (OT)
GM 6: Stars 2, Canucks 0
GM 7: Mon, April 23 @ VAN 9 pm ET

No Joking Matter

Lest you think I jest, here's today's Washington Post headline about the BlackBerry outage earlier this week.

RIM finally breaks silence on Blackberry outage
The addition of a new software routine caused the multi-hour failure of the Blackberry messaging service.

Upgrade at your own risk: Don't get between a BlackBerry and its owner!

In Memoriam

O/T #3

Three of the Star's five games so far have gone into over time. Fortunately, unlike the other O/Ts, this one went in favor of the Stars, and it didn't take four periods! In previous posts, I've been fairly critical of Marty Turco. I would have to say that he's been very good in this series, despite the Stars being down 3-2 in the series. Offense needs to pick up their game in order for the Stars to get any further.

As of 1amEDT and with less than four minutes remaining in the third period, it looks like the Minnesota Wild will be golfing for the remaining of the NHL playoffs.

Put the BlackBerry Down...And Slowly Walk Away

Here's a story for all of you, including myself, BlackBerry addicts out there!

Praying for the Virginia Tech Community

Our thoughts and prayers are with Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff as they mourn the loss of friends, family and colleagues. As many of you know, Brian is a Hokie alum and has many fond memories from his time in Blacksburg. As an engineering student, he had several classes in the buildings that have been mentioned over the past couple of days. I also have a cousin that is currently a coach.

When tragedies like this happen, it's always such a stark reminder of how precious life is and how quickly it can end. It's sobering that it can take such a tragedy to put life into perspective.

Please say a prayer for those impacted by the immense loss.