A Shovel Full

I stayed home sick today and tried to shake this bug. Only so-so luck at this point. I got a few shots of the first snow of the season in DC. This was in the top ten latest one inch or more snow falls in DC history. I hope we get a little more soon. It was fun to watch the boys frolic in it last night and this morning with Blanca. Oh yeah, and Sam here is trying to throw that shovel full of snow at me, he missed.

Here are some more shots on flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157594494859014/

First Snow

We went out this morning to ride around a local elementary school before the snow came. It started snowing when we were packing it in to go home and hasn't stopped. It's not a ton of snow but it's white all the same and something we were really missing this winter. I got a new giant load of firewood yesterday and we are burning it now. Nicole and I still have some sort of bug but it doesn't appear that the boys have gotten it yet. Let's hope they don't. It's not real pleasant.

sick

sick
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Man was I sick yesterday. I caught something my co-worker Ann had the day before that included the chills, loss of feeling in your finger tips, a headace and light seemed more yellow for some strange reason. I went home after the funeral and slept for a couple hours and felt a little better, then we went to bed at 9pm and I'm at the salon waiting for Patrick to show up and cut my hair. I think Nicole was showing signs of the beginning stages of this bug so the boys may not be far off unless its just an old persons sickness.

Sex with an alligator
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Nicole and I went to Halo with Jimmy T and some friends last night and the bartender was nice enough to make us shots called "sex with an alligator. Its a lovely mixture of the following

• Sweet and Sour Mix
• 1 oz Midori melon liqueur
• 1/2 oz Raspberry liqueur
• 1/2 oz Jagermiester

Add sweet and sour to shakers w/ice, shake and strain. Layer in razzberry liquor and jager. Razzberry should go to the bottom and jager should float on top. Works best in Martini glass.

Don't ever tell my by blog isn't educational.

I realized this morning it had been a few days with no posts so I had to come up with something fast. Blanca watched the kids last night so we're going to try to get home a little early today to light up a fire and stay warm. I'm going to a funeral today for a co-workers mother who died this week. Not so good.

Oh yeah, Kumie got a job working for Yahoo in San Jose and is moving in a few weeks. Booooooo for Kumie. We'll miss her.

New Bikes

Grandma and Grandpa bought the boys new bikes over the weekend and we took them out for a spin this morning. They are pretty good at pedaling and braking and I'm sure it won't be long until we take the training wheels off. I'm glad to be home after being really scared of being stuck in Dallas for a couple days. Back to work tomorrow.

Everything need for a flight

Everything need for a flight
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Got my vodka soda, pretzels, ipod and nintendo ds for a little sudoku action. I actually started a new book while we sat waiting to be de-iced. It's called City Life, an architects look at american cities and the changing urban landscape. Its pretty good so far and it might help me talk with all those architects I work with.



The flight I'm on is united's only flight out of dallas today. They cancelled all 10 others. Not a bad deal.

De-icing

De-icing
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

And hopfully leaving soon.

Weather clear for take off?

Weather clear for take off?
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The radar map shows a little break in the ice. Could we actually get out of here? God I hope so.

Flight out of here

Flight out of here
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It says the flight is still on time and the plane I should be taking is in flight from dulles so I'm keeping my fingures crossed. This weather just sucks but I'm not sure how much of the problem is the local news stations covering it 24x7.

Bar ceiling

Bar ceiling
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This is the ceiling of the lounge at the Marriot Solana. This place was designed by a famous architect but I can't remember his hame right now.

Working Saturday

Working Saturday
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm stuck in a hotel meeting room for the rest of the day. Probably better than being outside in the ice storm.

Dreary Dallas

Dreary Dallas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Landed in Dallas a little early and I'm getting ready to hit the gym. I'm not a big Texas fan and while this pool looks nice, its only like 50 degrees out there.

Evening Star bowling trophy lamp

Evening Star bowling trophy lamp
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

With all the aia formal events going on I bit the bullet and bought a tuxedo. Its a nice classic Joseph Auboud, which should last for years. Unless of course I get down and boogie to hard at one of these events. We are at dinner now and the kids are with the grandparents. Good times.

New exhibit

New exhibit
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The new exhibit in the lobby seams to be panoramics of famous buildings. They have hung the works but haven't posted the descriptions yet. They are pretty.



Linda and Gil got here last night and the boys were giving them the complete run down of their trip to Minnesota this morning. Nicole and I get a little break tonight and are heading out to dinner after work. Its finally feeling like winter again but its supposed to warm up again for the weekend. More soon.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

We got up fairly early this morning and headed out to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It's right at the base of Roslyn and accross the Potomac from Georgetown and the Kennedy Center. Nicole and I had never been on the island in the many years we have lived here and figured it would be a good place for a hike. It was coolish day and perfect for running around in the woods. The boys got a little worn out after walking and running about two mile but it didn't wipe them out completely. Here's a link to the flickr set of the morning walk. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157594465904243/

Just watching football now and getting ready for another work week.

Christmas Photos Posted

I finally got around to posting a bunch of pictures from our trip to Minnesota. You can check them out here http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157594463464564/

It's bloody warm here and not very wintery. I need some snow and cold temps.

Williard exhibit

Williard exhibit
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The williard hotel exhibit in the aia lobby is leaving this weekend and being replaced with something else. This is a balsa wood replica that has graced the lobby since I started in september. Can't wait to see what's next.

Pink and blue January sky

Pink and blue January sky
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Its still pretty warm around here for early January but the sunrise was quite spectacular. Blue sky with a pink clouds. I'm not sure how well you can see it in this picture but it was pretty cool looking. Nicole is out of town and its just me and the boys for a couple days. They both slept with me most of the night and I imagine they will again tonight. I don't mind really.

Happy New Year

Here's wishing everyone a fantastic 2007!

Nicole on the plasma car

Nicole on the plasma car
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

She looks good.

Plasma Cars

I put together Uncle Adam's Hanukkah present to the boys yesterday and we rode them on the driveway in the afternoon. You can see an instructive video of the Plasma Car here if you've never seen one. The boys don't quite get the theory on the movement to get it going but they will. I rode it a bit too and it actually does hold 220 pounds, man I need to stop this holiday eating. Not doing too much today, it's suppose to rain later and we are going to stay in and eat some more. Good times...

30th Birthday Party

My buddy Mike threw a party for his girlfriend Kelly last night so Nicole and I got Kim to baby sit and headed downtown for a nice dinner and party in the U Street area. It was fun but we headed home before the rest of the crew that didn't have a $16 an hour baby sitter went out dancing at Chief Ikes.

Went to the gym this morning and the boys got passport pictures taken. Sam didn't want to have his taken until I told him you needed a passport to go to Narnia. The Chronicles of Narnia is his favorite movie right now and he immediately said after that "I want my picture taken for a passport" He then started asking "how do you get to Narnia?" If anyone knows how to get there besides walking into a wardrobe, let me know. We aren't leaving the country anytime soon but we figured we will eventually and a passport would be a good thing to have.

Actually, we may be able to convince Sam that Ireland or Scotland is Narnia and plan a trip there soon. Everyone would talk like the characters in the movie and I really would like to visit Ireland again and hit Scotland for the first time. That would be fun.

Warm chocolate chip cookie

Warm chocolate chip cookie
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Here's Dylan enjoying Jimmy Neutron and a warm chocolate chip cookie on our midwest airlines flight home.

Humphrey terminal at MSP

Humphrey terminal at MSP
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys hammin it up up in the kiddie play area. Notice Dylan, with no front teeth is the hockey player. The flight seems to be on time and I'm all stocked up on new cartoons from the iTunes store.

Morning Play

We went to the Hopkins Community Theater this moring to see a Christmas Carol. It was a childrens production and only lasts about an hour and change. The boys loved it and enjoyed getting autographs from the high school actors after the show. Jeff and I went to the Minnesota Historical Museum after that and saw an exhibit on Baseball. Very good stuff. We're heading home in the morning after some good times in Minnesota.

First time on the ice

We took the boys new skates that Grandma and Grandpa bought them for their first glide. Nicole and I rented skates and it was the first time in probably 25 years that I've been on skates and it wasn't pretty. We really didn't have much of a choice since you couldn't go on the ice with shoes and the boys have never skated before. All in all, we survived but my knees still hurt and my thighs are a little sore. The boys really seemed to like the whole skating thing and wanted to back out on the ice over and over again. I was glad when it was over.

Checking out the new toys

Here are the kids checking out some new toys last night. They really do enjoying running around together and Mae holds her own with the triplets. Tony and Bill just showed up and the Carpengrandy's will be here again shortly. More fun and pictures on flickr later.

Merry Christmas

The boys would not really sit still for a good shot but I did take a couple hundred pictures this evening. I'll post a bunch on flickr tomorrow while I'm sitting around drinking nog and doing a lot of nothing. We set up the electric train and opened all the presents, except what will come from Santa tonight. They really liked wearing Aunt Elaine's hand knit birthday sweaters and they kept them warm on a chilly Minnesota Christmas eve. Merry Chrismikkah everyone.

Minnesota

Minnesota
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Danny Phantom

Danny Phantom
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I bought a bunch of episodes of danny phantom on iTunes last night and put them on my laptop and ipod. Sam got the big screen and dylan got the small screen this time. We'll switch it up on the way home.

Dylan Phantom

Dylan Phantom
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan with the small screen. They almost old enough for their own ipods.

Dylan ready for flight

Dylan ready for flight
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We're leaving now.

Sam ready for take off

Sam ready for take off
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Lines were bad this morning. Real bad. We got on the plane with one minute to spare.

Donkey birthday

Donkey birthday
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I went out last night to celebrate Donkey's birthday. He claims to be turning 36 or something like that. It was a good time at fado with a bunch of people from my old group at aarp. I'm glad I get to see those jacks on a pretty regular basis. I like my new gig but I miss the old crew.



Packing and celebrating the last crazy night of Hanukkah. The boys are excited to see my old electric train set tomorrow.

On the 5th Night of Hanukkah

Papa got a delivery from the UPS guy at 7:45pm. It was six fantastic bottles of wine from Linda and Gil. I consider wine the perfect gift and wish I could open some now but it is Tuesday and I have an early meeting tomorrow. Thank you so much for something I will be enjoying for a few weekends to come.

Whitehouse wreath

Whitehouse wreath
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I walked on penn to the gym today instead of across the elipse and got there without being detoured. I got this photo of a wreath on one of the front gates. Lovely. Have another aia holiday party tomorrow. I'm getting all partied out. Had the big all staff party on friday, the management council party at the ceo's house yesterday and my division party tomorrow. Good times.

Second Night

The boys made Menorahs in school on Friday and we used them last night to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah. It seemed to be a free form exercise, using a block of wood, bolt nuts, glue and glitter. The kind of randomly got placed on the board but basically work. The boys open presents from Grandma and Grandpa Duritz last night. I don't know what they get tonight but our friend Liz is coming over for dinner. She moved to Boston last month but is back for a few days to say hi.

Christmahannukkah Wishes at School Yesterday

It looks like the boys want to do some driving for the holidays. They went to Jakes birthday party this morning and are taking a nap right now. I don't like this 60 degree December weather, when's it going to get cold again?

Happy Hanukkah


From Momma, Papa, Dylan and Sam. We opened Aunt Elaine's presents tonight. Very nice purse, sweater, toys and a sit and spin. More tomorrow.

Pet Peeves Continued

Ok, so I think what irritates me the most about the secret service closing down my way to the gym on a regular basis is that I don't really think the President should leave the Whitehouse. He basically runs his administration with a bunker mentality and only seems to visit other departments of government to tell people "he won't accept ideas that will lead to defeat" What's that all about? That basically allows him to accept no ideas because he can claim anything would lead to defeat. Besides, shouldn't he have been doing this for the last 5 years? Maybe if he got out and asked people for ideas before he invaded Iraq, we wouldn't have this impossible problem. Maybe, if he would have asked people for ideas and adjusted his strategy all along, we wouldn't have this impossible problem. I didn't have to walk accross the elipse 5 years ago, he could have gone on many fact finding missions in DC then, but didn't.

In case anyone else noticed, Kumie closed down her blog. That annoys me too and I went to Quiznos again yesterday and sure enough, they still want to know if I want Tomato's and Lettuce on my BLT. I may go in next week and tell them that I'd like tomato's and lettuce but hold the bacon and see how they react.

I really hate when the White House security closes down the top of the elipse for motorcades. Their is absolutely no reason why I can't walk through on the way to the gym while they prepare for the heavely armoured motercade to head out. I mean, come on. They don't shut down sidewalks on any other street when they go by and they don't tell you its blocked until you are halfway there which requires me to go all the back and around another way. Really annoying.



Also, I've been going to quiznos every once in a while lately and ordering a really tasty double bacon blt and every damn time the guy asks if I want tomatos, lettace and mayo. what do they think blt stands for? Wow.

Christmas in AIA Lobby

Christmas in AIA Lobby
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The lobby is getting all decorated.

Tiger Woods Golf

I've introduced the boys to Tiger Woods Golf on the Xbox 360 this weekend. They aren't bad. Sam pared the second hole he played and Dylan chipped in from about 60 yards out. They are doing better than McConnell did the first time he played it. They have had challenges with the game here and there but they seem to get the whole concept of golf now. Good sign.

Momma and boys went back to the Botanic Garden today on a play date with Charlie and his parents. The pictures are here. I stayed home and rested my sore rib cage. I fell down some freshly mopped stairs that didn't have a wet floor caution sign on it Wednesday and it feels like I cracked some ribs. I don't think I actually did crack ribs because I landed on my butt and kind of pulled the rib cage a bit. Anyway, it hurts..

Sam has a nasty cough and Dylan is probably right behind him. I hope they feel better so they can go to school tomorrow. They like school. Man, Sam just birdied number 17 at Pebble Beach.