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%. 

hey little buddy

hallowed ground, seattle

butterfly exhibit, seattle zoo.

downtown seattle

genius

power napping

bladow

now ancient history

amazing trip this spring to new zealand. photos here.

been a long time...coming back with baby steps.

canadian ski marathon

the canadian ski marathon was this last weekend. i got some photos up here.

the unintentional comedy scale is now broken

fun with freddiemitchell.com.

"Lists his closest celebrity friend as Jaleel White (a.k.a. Steve Urkel from Family Matters). "We're brothers," said Mitchell.

Grabbed his 1st TD of the season on a 7-yd. strike from Donovan McNabb at StL (12/27)
-First TD of the season AFTER CHRISTMAS?

"...McNabb was scrambling around alluding would be tacklers"
-At least he writes his own copy

"T.O., he came and did an excellent job ... but that really took away from my play time and my opportunities," Mitchell said. "I couldn't shut a lot of people up that I wanted to shut up. That really hurt the situation."
-When the opposing safety catches more passes than you do, it's hard for the FredEx-haters to shut up.

ro-sham-cheese

starbucks, a rare location for the ro-sham. kate, gillian, and me -- "ro-sham-buy a cheesy starbucks lovesongs cd and give it to your partner." check the winning cd.

this is gillian parading down the street, prior to her big victory.

i'd have pictures of said victory, but the friendly barista informed me that no pictures are allowed in starbucks. everything is copyrighted, let me get this straight -- the chain and design style that is relentlessly infringing on absolutely everhwere is concerned about their imagery and designs getting ripped off?

opening soon on west 23rd. i can't wait to see the menu.  

Just along for the ride. I sometimes see this bike outside my building.