that's my boy right there

Eric Lynn Johnson and me in front of the original Norma's Cafe in Dallas, TX. Chicken-fried combos, rolls, pies, and politics were all consumed in delightful holiday quantities.

Plus, my folks are always more animated and alive when EJ's around.

indoorsy

'Tis the weekend for coffee, baking, and staying warm.

say what you mean, v1

Another series, this one to document moments of cognitive dissonance that crop up from the over-signage of our world.

The first was a fallen street sign still doing it's blinking best to let us know when to walk.

Next, a door at the Providence, RI Amtrak station whose invitation betrays the fact that it might automatically swing open on you at any time.

live simply

Indulged in a new t-shirt (I need many fewer, not more) and am trying to be more the bear than the fish. Couple this with my Run Easy hat (compliments of Jeff Graham) and I'm a walking bumper for life slogans.

new bicycle

Is Tony Romo my new bicycle? I thought it was Barack.

will it fit? v1

A question on the mind of anyone who has faced a refrigerator, trunk, backpack, or tupperware. I've always thought this would be a great companion to the How Much is Inside? series. This morning presented a perfect opportunity to potentially consolidate olive oil bottles.



Heather said yes unequivocally and went about her morning. I tended to agree but was a little more skeptical. As it turns out, she was spot on.

2012

The hunt for the future of the Republican Party is on!

turkey 2007

Heather and I went to Turkey last summer for a wedding. After one or two days there, the whole melting pot, cultural mix of strict, observant Muslims and wide-open Western consumerism made far more sense than when we flew back through O'Hare and grabbed a bite in the Fox Sports Zone.

view from above

Biking over the pedestrian side (sorry!) of the Manhattan Bridge, and happened upon wedding photos being taken below.

shopkeepers

Don't be fooled. These Red Hook residents drive a hard bargain.

no hands

countdown to 3-30-09

That's Heather's due date. Hoping our little cub doesn't arrive on April Fool's Day, cause who wants to have people mess with your birthday every year?

I've been soaking in all the congratulations and backslaps as we've been letting people know. One of the kindest things you can say to a man is "I think you'd be a great dad." And yes, believe it or not, I have heard that -- and I even think they were talking to me. I've read the book that Dan lent me, Be Prepared, though I'm sure not for the last time. So far my favorite MacGyver tip is on how to make an emergency diaper out of a dishtowel, sock, and duct tape.

Our working title for the little one has been Baby Ganoosh, since Heather announced the good news when we met at a Lebanese restaurant. Truth be told, she was there a few minutes early walking slowly down the street with a totally dazed look on her face. It didn't take long to discern why.

I even made a logo for our little one. Where are you without a brand these days?

gates photos

Here's what I wrote back when I took these photos of the Gates:

I'm glad people are alive to take the time and thought to care about such things.

I visited the park on three separate occasions, each time a different experience. Just when I felt like everything looked the same (we got some trees, pathway, and these big orange things...check), I'd discover a new nook or cranny of that revealed a new perspective on big orange gates draped over a park.

Saturday late afternoon/sundown. The throngs. More people than gates, but a definitive part of the public art experience.

Saturday night. Serene and isolated. Felt like Gates were lurking everywhere, just out of sight.

Monday late morning. Park blanketed in several inches of snow.

Soon they'll be gone and locals can have their neighborhoods back to themselves, but I'm very glad to have seen it while it was here.

hit return

I've been feeling lately that I'm 98% consumption, and 2% creation. And with much going on in the world (Obama=best birthday present EVER), and a little cub on the way at the end of March, it felt like the time to work on that ratio. Maybe get it down to say, 97%.