Now Alarm

One of the workers at the car wash asked why I took a picture of the sign below. I let her know that Alarm was spelled incorrectly and by the time our car was finished, it was spelled correctly. I feel like I accomplished something today. We did go skating with Ben and his family this afternoon. Man, my feet hurt in skates for some reason but it was fun to get out on the ice. Ben is a better skater than the boys but his father can actually get around the ice pretty well. Nicole and I struggle but we are getting the hang of it.

Alerm

Alerm
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm a bad speller but at least its not on a permanent sign.

Queenstown Links

Queenstown Links
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Great day for a little golf.

Light Explosion

Light Explosion
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Walking back from the Off the Record bar on Pennsylania Ave I caught this extreme exposure moment that looked kind of like a invasion of light. I met up with Bruce Hashem who runs Nasdaq.com for a few drinks and to share stories from our days together on the ebusiness executive council. It was great seeing him and I think I agreed to join Maryland's 3rd civil war reenactment regiment in the process. I told him I'd march with the crew if I didn't have to camp. He said it wasn't an issue.

4th of July Weekend Photos



Here are a few shots from the pool and baseball game that turned out ok. Once again the week is going by quickly with lots of activity at work but it's nice to come home and hang with the boys after all the work excitement.

Bubbly

I love the water proof digital camera I have but actually getting good shots of people under water is pretty tough. This was suppose to be Nicole and the boys as they dunked down to get a shot but I only got Sam's eye a little Dylan and the top of Nicole's head. Oh well, I guess I'll try some more this weekend.

Mini Fireworks

Since the big ones were called off, we settled for some mini fireworks at the end of the driveway. I'm pretty sure the Alexandria fireworks were cancelled because of the mis-hap at the Vienna fireworks on the 4th. One of the shells mis-fired into the crowd and caused some major injuries. They are blaming Chinese fireworks but I bet some of the same shells were going to be used in Alexandria and the fireworks company's insurance carrier said no dice. Basically, the same Pennsylvania company does all the displays in the area. Off to a really hot baseball game today.

Big Bummer

Big Bummer
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The fireworks have been cancelled due to technical difficulties but we are staying for a few tunes from the symphony before going home to light off out own fireworks.

Stardust Cafe

Stardust Cafe
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We ended up eating at the Stardust tonight. It is probably the first time i've been here sine my surprise 40th birthday party nicole threw for me here. Its a jiggy little place and walking distance to the fireworks on the river. Nicole just saw the doctor that delivered the boys walk in. We may reintroduce them.

Lazy Day

I worked from home yesterday so I didn't get out much and today we have only gone to the gym in the morning and are now hanging around home doing a lot of nothing. I set my old laptop up for the boys to use as a YouTube station where they can watch Thomas the Train videos and various car wash clips. They seem to be getting the hang of the mouse and some of the keys. This will all be second nature to them in a few years and they will probably be writing programs for the web.

Alexandria is celebrating it's 258th birthday today with fireworks on the river at 9. I think we are going to grab some dinner in old town and watch the fireworks afterwards. That will probably be enough time in the 95 degree heat. We are suppose to go to a Nationals game tomorrow afternoon. That is going to be a little steamy and I bet we only hang for 4-5 innings tops then back to the pool.

Wacky Barbie

Only Wacky Dave could fit his head in a childs, Barbie Bicycle Helmet. Fun party last night and the boys loved the neighborhood fireworks and sparklers. They were up till 10:30 and were pooped this morning. For me, it was good to see Jud and the rest of the boys. I don't see him so much these days but it's always fun when I do.

4th Party at Jud's House

4th Party at Jud's House
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Scooter

Scooter
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I took a walk around the whitehouse today with a colleage and found some pretty vocal distain over the commuting of scooters jail term. Its always a circus at 1600 pennsylvania but I'm usually on my way to the gym without my camera phone so I can't record it. Good times.

Summer Hike

It was so fall like today we decided to hit the trails for another hike. I would usually not hike in the summer with high heat and humidity but it was a crisp fall day today and we needed to get out and stretch our legs. We got up pretty early and headed to IHOP for some breakfast before heading to Prince William Forest Park for a 5 mile trek through the woods and in a cool stream.

The boys looked like they were heading to a meltdown at about mile 3 but rebounded quickly when they were promised a wade in the creek down the trail a ways. They did a good job on some fairly tight and steep trails. It was a good way to end the weekend and start the first week of July when the weather will be way to hot to run around the woods. Enjoy the pics....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600594309320/

Monster Sam

Monster Sam
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

At the pool.

Happy Birthday Marshall

Dad turned 70 today so we went out to dinner to celebrate. Without him of course because he's in Minnesota but figured, what the hell. Love you Dad and the boys say hi.

Wine shopping

Wine shopping
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Busy week

Busy week
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Had time for a quick happy hour before chinese food and a hugh grant movie. Music and Lyrics was alright but sappy as hell. Not sure what's going on this weekend but that's kind of a good feeling.

Trying Something New



I'm embeding some Ocean City photos from my Google photos account as a slide show. Don't know how this is going to work but thought I would give it a try.

Grandpa and the Boys

We had another father's day celebration tonight since Gil missed the one last week. Here they are watching some vintage Superman episodes on the Apple TV from the days when Grandpa was a kid.

Lots of Golf

But back to work today. We had a great time in OC but I'm getting a little old for 54 holes of golf. The last course we played, Lighthouse Sound, is the best course in the area so we had to stick it out. It was a little tough getting my head back into the work thing but it's gotta happen at some point. Linda and Gil are still here and had a great time with the boys. I just got my fathers day gift from them as well. Some South African wine from their recent trip there and the Dangerous Book for Boys, a how to to keep youngsters entertained.

A Slow Round

A Slow Round
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Another great day but this is the slowest round I've ever played.

Liquid Assets

Liquid Assets
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Back at our usual dinner spot and waiting on a table. The Atlantic is cold but damn refreshing. I'm going to order the scallops and rissoto like I do everytime I'm here. Its good stuff.

OC

OC
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Played some pretty hainus golf but couldn't have asked for better weather. Shot a really rough 94 on a tough course. We are having cocktails on Steve's deck with a swim in the ocean in the near future.

Whew!

It was a busy week at work and I didn't get a chance to blog at all. My parents left on Tuesday and the Duritz's are here now. I'm off to play golf for a few days in Ocean City with the guys and I'm looking forward to some golf and sun. I'm sure I'll have pictures.

For My Fellow Caffeine Addicts

OK, I saw this on Boing Boing and had to post it. It's such a happy little cup saying such a fowl thing. Besides, this blog has been getting too PG lately. This brings it back to PG-13 and I like it like that.

Dylan, Thomas and Gordon

Dylan, Thomas and Gordon
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dinner is going all right.

Fathers Day Dinner

Fathers Day Dinner
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam with scrambler from Bob the Builder.

Father's Day

Got up really yearly and played golf this morning with my Dad. We both had good rounds but I was able to come up with a pretty solid 84 to win the round. Nicole made a nice breakfast when we got back and I just got up from a nap. I think we are off to the pool for a while then dinner. I uploaded a bunch of pictures from yesterday's busy day of festivals and baseball games. Check them out here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600382995355/

Bowie Bay Sox

Bowie Bay Sox
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Joseph and Dylan enjoying the game.

Another festival photo

Another festival photo
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Alexandria Waterfront Festival

I'm pretty sure we've gone to this festival every year since the boys were born. It's a little thing on the river with some rides, tall ships and vendors. It was a good day for walking around. We are off to a baseball game later.

Navy Memorial

Navy Memorial
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Had a nice time for Gina's moving on happy hour and got this picture on the way to the metro. Lots of fountains during the summer in dc. I hate the fact that the staff in my old group is going through this whole change and the culture that I tried to great at aarp is being destroyed but that's how it goes I guess. It just bothers me that people are being discounted wholesale to chase an unrealistic concept of how an interactive strategy should be addressed.



People should be the center of any business strategy and only chasing the desired outcomes is a fatal mistake. Its been a year since I left and I stiil feel the pain when the group I built experiences extreme upheaval. I guess I can only strive to build meaning in the business in my current situation. I just miss and feel bad for the group at aarp that I considered family in many ways.

West Loop

West Loop
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

m37 is in the former meat packing, west loop district of Chicago. An up and coming nieghborhood that still has signs from its meat packing history. Had a productive meeting and am off to dinner in river north.

neocon

neocon
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I stopped into the international furniture trade show this morning to check out all the new interior design concepts before heading to my meeting. This is a huge show in the 20 story merchandise mart on the chicago river. Pretty wild stuff going on there.

Carpenter Street

Carpenter Street
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

With a Mac Daddy salon on the corner.

M37 Offices

M37 Offices
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm in Chicago for a quick visit to my marketing agency. Lots to do and hopefully some good restaurants.

Mini Golf and a Bike Ride





The bike ride and round of golf were a little challenging. They biked about 4 miles but didn't do as well coming back as they did going out. They also need some lessons on golf etiquette. They are slowly picking up the club use but need to learn the rules of the game.

Stepping up

Lots of hugs and posing all around. Two very lucky little boys with all those girls in their class. I posted a flickr collection up this morning, you can get to by clicking here http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600330846146/

They are off to a birthday party today.

Graduation Song

The boys are a year closer to kindergarden with this years stepping up ceremony. He they are singing some songs with both of them dancing to Happy Days and Dylan taking lead in the Dinosaur song. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Apple TV Trailers

I can entertain the boys for 30 or 40 minutes by using an Apple TV feature that shows current and coming movie trailers. Yes, movie trailers are about 3 minutes long but they are usually the best parts of movies and boys love them. Here they are with some desert and a dose of movie trailers. Apple TV is adding You Tube videos to it's lineup later this month so hours and hours of amateur train videos will be available for the big screen. Dylan will be thrilled.

A big pre-school stepping up ceremony tomorrow. Should have lots of pictures and some video of that.

Spart has moved on

He was a nice cat with lots of medical problems. Read more on Nicole's blog.

http://nikabolid.blogspot.com/

Good Panel

Good Panel
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We had a good session on social networking for associations and it turns out aia is quite far along in implementing interactive eknowledge tools in non profit land. People seemed pretty interested in my story. I'm sitting in a web governance session now and not finding any answers.

Walk to Reagan Building

Walk to Reagan Building
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

For the panel discussion at 10:30.

Reagan building atrium

Reagan building atrium
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This place is so big. Almost as big as the budget deficits Reagan ran up during his time in office. I've been here many times before for conferences and AARP meeting and do like the space.

Last skating lesson

Last skating lesson
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Its a rainy afternoon and this may be the only outing of the day. We laid around and did a lot of nothing all morning as the remnants aof tropical storm berry dumped much neede water on the parched lawn. We got some pool time in yesterday and Nicole and I watched letters from Iwo Jima last night. It was a much better film than Flags of Our Fathers and used a lot of the same footage.

Just driving home

Just driving home
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

On the way home from the gym with some bagels for lunch. I'm actually parked at the dry cleaners in this shot so I didn't put us in peril to get this picture.