Scary Music

We went up to Strathmore Hall in Bethesda today to see a kid friendly orchestra concert called "Carnival of Creatures" It was only a 75 minute show and featured scary type music, a dancer, story teller and live 12 foot anaconda snake. The pieces were short and the conductor explained the animal noises being generated by the orchestra. It was pretty cool and the boys love most of it but got tired at the end. Sam was pretending to play piano on the railing you can see to the right and Dylan really liked the xylophone. He said it sounded like a skeleton. We had a box at the right of the stage so could see everything extremely well. It's an introduction to classical music anyway.

The picture above is rather blurry but shows Dylan as Racer X and Sam as a Bat. Dylan's little face is all scrunched up to show him going really fast in his car and Sam is just doing the bat thing. Halloween is coming fast.

Box 6 at Strathmore Hall

Box 6 at Strathmore Hall
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Getting ready for the carnival of creatures concert.

Glam rock

Glam rock
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

At the party store

Kindergarten musical

Kindergarten musical
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

After reading a few books the last couple nights the Boys and I have watched high school musical 1 and 2 on the Disney channel. Getting ready for 3 coming out this weekend I guess.

This page is Sam's contribution to a class book that has been making it around. All bears made by him and his classmates. Hangin with the boys on my own is a good time every once in a while.

Change in Washington

AARP 08 Video

Enter your name to see who can bring real change to Washington. First Name: Last Name:

Ok, this is from my former employer and is actually pretty good. They can get creative over there if they try. Timely, personal and viral. Keep it up AARP and keep my 13 years of pension strong so I can retire someday.

Pumpkin Fun

It was a perfect day for a pumpkin patch trip. We headed out a little further than usual this year and ended up at the Circle of Seeds farm in The Plains, Virginia. It was a cool little place with a corn maze, hay rides, slides and various other things to keep the boys busy. We went home the long way and drove some narrow dirt roads in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. Pretty Virginia horse country with lots of leaves turning. I took a ton of pictures and put most of them up on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157608193358483/

Back to work tomorrow with a full week of meetings and budgetings. Good times.

Back to the Chill

I made it back to Dulles last night at 2am after a seriously delayed flight from SFO. I also had the pleasure of sitting between two fairly big dudes but it was all worth a extra hours with the family. I slept a bunch this morning then went to the fun fair at the boys elementary school and then to dinner with the boys, Finn, Rachel and Nicole.

It's nice and chilly here now and I built the first fire to go along with the new Indiana Jones movie, aliens, fickin aliens. We are off to the pumpkin patch tomorrow for pumpkins, slides, corn mazes and hay rides. It's suppose to be fantastic weather for it.

The Palace

The Palace
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Been in inside in meetings all day but got glimpses of the sky from this atrium. It looks nice out there.

Boo

Boo
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We ate out in the newly refurbished screen porch again tonight because the weather is perfect for it and this darn room gets so little use. It's all decorated for the Halloween party in a couple weeks and pretty spooky. It should be good to use for another month or so then will get ignored until spring. Still looking forward to that first fire.

Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dinner at Johnny Rockets then a local high school football game, complete with a parade and a homecoming court. The Hayfield Hawks were losing to the famous TC Williams titans when we left at half time. It was actually a pretty good game and perfect night for football. A perfectly crisp fall night.

Shoemobile

Shoemobile
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I've seen a bookmobile, bloodmobile and even a weinermobile but this is my first shoemobile. I wonder what it gets to the gallon.

Cheek Art


I missed Alexandria's Arts on the Avenue this year because I was in Arizona but that didn't stop Nicole and the boys from going and building a new scarecrow. This year's straw man is named Louis Scardy Zombie. I will try not to destroy him and the rest of the house with flame like I almost did to last years scarecrow, Shawn. It's getting cold again and we are starting to see some color in the trees. Fire season (in the fireplace) can't be far now but it does appear we will be sticking in the 70's this weekend.

Night Swimming

Night Swimming
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Not really but I thought it was a cool picture. One more poolside reception and dinner then an early flight home tomorrow. I haven't left the Ritz Carlton since I got here on Thursday night and need a change of scenery.

Plane Reflection

Plane Reflection
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

There is something about cruising at 30,000 feet, listening to music
and staring at America below. I hated leaving the boys this afternoon
and was secretly hoping for a flight cancellation to send me back home
again.

My mind is allowed to wonder and reflect on what's important while
tucked away in my seat with an inffinate view. Maybe it's the feeling
of wide open possibility with being able see so much going by. It's
either that or the free drinks that come with an upgrade.

I can't wait to get back to Nicole and the boys but for now I'm
relishing the beauty of the never ending horizon.

Waving Goodbye

I love how when I walk the boys to the bus stop and after they get on and start off, they wave through the window with big giant smiles on their faces. I know that won't last forever but it sure is sweet now. I'm off to pick them up at the stop today then off to Phoenix for a meeting. I won't be gone long but I wish I could take them with me.

Expo

Expo
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Buying lighting, ceiling fans and crap like that. The hall bathroom is the next project for Bernardo now that the deck and screened porch are done.

Tiffany Thom

Had a long day at work Friday but Nicole and I had a nice dinner in old town then met some friends we hadn't seen in years. Thom and Jen moved to Maine 3 or 4 years ago and they haven't been back much since. We met them and Donkey at Tiffany Tavern for a little bluegrass and a bunch of beers. It was good to see them and realize even after a few years we could just slip back into a good time with no effort at all.

Been meaning to get to Maine one of these days to do a bunch of sightseeing and now it seems their is even a better reason. It's been raining for days around here and we stayed pretty close to home all day today, running errands and doing some work around the house. The boys and Nicole made it downtown to the Natural History Museum for a little while. No hiking tomorrow due to the broken legs not all healing at this point but maybe some light fixture and ceiling fan shopping. Good times...

Three Boys

I've been home with the boys by myself the last couple nights and we've been having a ball. Unfortunately work has been busy too and my ability to put a decent meal on the table has been hampered by a certain lack of energy and knowledge of basic cooking procedures. We ordered pizza two nights in a row but they enjoyed it. It's fun to have them all to myself every once in a while but look forward to Nicole getting home in a little bit. It's fun with her too.

The work thing has been really good lately. I'm keeping extremely busy but it's doing stuff I enjoy and I feel like I'm making a difference. You can't ask for much more than that. One more full day and a couple days off to hang with the boys. I'm hoping to get them out on a short hike to get those broken limbs back into shape for some long fall marches through the woods.

Back to Work


It was a pretty low key weekend with some errands, haircuts, playgrounds and football. I spent most of last week in New York at the O'Reilly Web 2.0 Conference and got some new insights into things that at coming at me at work. It was a good time but I need to spend some time in the office now.

On top of the good stuff at the conference, I was able to find two tasty restaurants and saw one of my favorite bands at the Mercury Lounge. The place pictured here is Luzzo's Pizza and has the best thin crust pizza in a world. It also has one of the last brick ovens in New York due to regulatory issues and it really makes a great pie. Try it out when you are in the East Village around 13th and 1st.

S'Mac has the best macaroni and cheese on the planet. It's actually right around the corner from Luzzo's on 12th between 1st and 2nd. They have a number of set mac and cheese dishes but I would suggest the make your own. I had them throw in blue and cheddar cheese, bacon and tomato's. It was bad ass and worth a trip to New York on it's own.

I also got to see Oppenheimer at the Mercury Lounge once again. I first saw them last summer in the lower East side with Phil, Terry and Maryann from AIA and then again at Mercury Lounge last Thanksgiving with Nicole. It turns out they played DC on the 16th but I was out of town. Great band and they have a new album out on itunes but I suggest you buy the first one first, it's a little easier to listen to.

Trump

Trump
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

On the Tarmac at LaGuardia waiting for our take off slot to get me home. It was a good few days in NYC but I'm ready for a low key weekend. Trump needs a new plane, who flys 727's anymore?

Tim O'Reilly

Tim O'Reilly
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Listening to todays keynote from Mr. Web 2.0 himself.

Race Car

Race Car
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This from the convention floor and is for Dylan and sams amusement. Nice day in new York.

Major Award

Major Award
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I was home to walk the boys to the bus stop again this morning and just before we left Dylan remembered that he needed 3 things for show and tell. He grabbed a couple toys then asked if he could take me golf trophy.

This is something I won in a corporate, best ball tournament a few years ago but the look in his eyes when I gave it to him said it was the masters trophy. Priceless.

Attacking the Terp

Cal didn't fair too well against Maryland at the hottest football game I've been to in a while. It was miserable most of the game with the dew point near 70 and temp around 90. I think the Bears were at a disadvantage with that heat. You don't get this type of weather out in the bay area. We still had a good time tailgating with Modean and seeing Mike Connelly from Berkeley. Had dinner out with a bunch of folks last night and have been trying to stay indoors today due to the near 100 degree heat index outside. Here are a few shots from yesterday. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157607286127904/

Off to School

Off to School
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm golfing today and took the boys to the bus stop. Off to finish their second week of kindergarten. Btw, that's Sam with the boot. He broke his other leg.

Lunch with the boys

Lunch with the boys
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

In the school cafeteria. The table full of kindergartners guessed that I was 900 million years old.

Better Bush

Better Bush
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm having lunch with Sam and Dylan today and noticed this while waiting for them in the hall. Lauras picture is matted and has a frame. Poor George, no respect in an elementary school either.

Mini Golf and Trains


It took a while to get moving this morning but we finally made it outside and did the two things the boys said they wanted to do. Sam was all about mini golf and Dylan wanted something to do with trains. We went down to Cameron Run Park for the golf, where it was also Dog Days at the attached water park. Yes, the park is no longer open for people but for today, it was open for dogs. Kinda fun to watch dogs in the wave pool and tramp sing through the frog pond.

Then we went a few miles down the way to the very small but interesting Fairfax Station Museum. It's a historic station where Clara Barton once worked on wounded Union Soldiers from the second battle of Mananas (or the 2nd Bull Run if you're from the south) Cool spot but small, good place to go this winter when they have a full holiday model railroad display set up.

Back to work and school tomorrow. I'll be taking Friday off to play golf in celebration of my 44th year. Good times.

All Clear

All Clear
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Hanna is all gone now. Four inches of rain and a little windy but not so bad. The creek below us flooded and closed telegraph road but we are high and dry.

Watching Hanna

Watching Hanna
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sitting on the newly re-painted and re-screened porch as tropical storm Hanna drops buckets of rain on us. The sound and feel of tropical rain is pretty amazing. It comes in pulsing waves and smells like the islands.

Not a lot of wind yet, that will come in a little while but shouldn't be too bad. Don't want to lose power. We need the sump pumps working today and I don't feel like getting the generator out of the shed. I did start it up last weekend to be sure it was in good working condition. Always be prepared.

Back to School

Yes, the kindergartners are done with day one. They got on the bus at 8am and somehow made it back by 3:30pm. Amazing how they move from needing to be taken everywhere to letting them jump on a yellow bus and carted off to a random building. Well, not so random but still, it's another step to them leaving for college. They both seemed to like the first day of school and the whole bus riding thing. They have come a long way from the NICU.

Planes, Trains and Lilly Pads

We ended up taking a trip to the College Park Aviation Museum up at the University of Maryland on Sunday and on the way home stopped off at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in NE DC. Both are little known spots in the huge number of national parks and museums in the National Capitol region but they were both pretty cool. The aviation museum had a model railroader club display this weekend so we got a twofer in the boys minds, planes and trains under one roof.

The aquatic garden was a last minute turn off 295 after seeing the sign for the 1,000th time and deciding to find out what it was all about. It was well worth the trip for Nicole and I but the boys were not as impressed after the planes and trains. I loaded the pictures into separate collections in flickr and you can click on the links above to see them.

Today was a bunch of errands and chores around the house. I was going to get the car washed at my favorite local car wash but decided to make it a family car washing extravaganza after seeing the line. The boys liked washing the cars and we got both of them done and looking pretty sparkling I must say. I also got the generator out and started it up in preparation for the train of hurricanes lining up in the Atlantic. Let's hope they stay south.

Snack

Snack
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam in the mouth of the beast.

Little Lord Fauntlaroy

Little Lord Fauntlaroy
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We ventured over to national harbor tonight to eat at national pasttime. Dylan loves wearing his blazer every chance he gets and combined it with shorts this time. Btw, this restaurant has the worst host staff I've experienced in a long time. The restaurant was fine but not worth the attitude at host stand. Please people, it's a sports bar, not studio 54.

Open House

Open House
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

School starts on Tuesday and we went to the open house this morning to meet the teachers and see the class rooms. The boys are very excited, I hope that lasts into their teens.

New Golden Gopher Stadium



My sister and a couple partners just launched a web site for the new University of Minnesota football stadium in Minneapolis. The site uses a lot of flash and includes really cool internal fly byes of different parts of the structure. This is a pretty jiggy stadium and borrows a lot from the original brick house I remember the Gophers playing in before it was torn down. They have played in the Metrodome for the last 25 plus years which is not conducive to football. Rach did a great job with this site. I feel like I've been there already. www.carpcake.com

On another note, I took some more pictures of the Carlyle House visit yesterday and put them up on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157606909764436/ Enjoy.

Carlyle House

Carlyle House
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We are sticking close to home today and visiting the carlyle house in old town alexadria. It's war of 1812 day and they are re-enacting the British occupation of this city.

Olpc art

Olpc art
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam drawing on the olpc machine and Dylan watching power rangers on you tube. We need to get outside.

Kindergarten orientation

Kindergarten orientation
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

At the new school to learn about how all this business works.

Another Broken Leg

Yep, Dylan was hopping around on a broken leg for the last couple weeks and although he did have three doctor visits, it took an orthopedic guy to spot the fracture and cast him up. It's a walking cast, so better than the one Sam had back in December but it's still a cast. Oh well, boys will break bones I guess.

I got back from Philadelphia at around noon today and have been around the house recovering since. It was great to see the boys again and do a lot of nothing for a little while. Back to work late tomorrow and then a weekend at home. I'm looking forward to that.

Broad Street

Broad Street
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Just a couple more days up here. Yesterday quick trip home helped.

Even more trains

Even more trains
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys love em and I keep finding them all over the place. These are on the wall in the Philadelphia convention center.

Hanginaround

Hanginaround
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It was a busy night on stage at nissan. The boys were in rare form with sam doing some flying guitar jumps and Dylan beating the crap out of his drums. I was up and on a train to philly by 6am. Me tired.

Tatoo time

Tatoo time
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Totally hot.

More Trains

More Trains
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm running a little late but have some time to spare before needing to head to Nissan.

Wannamakers

Wannamakers
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This old department store (now a Macy's) is next door to my hotel on market street. It's on the AIA Americas Favorite Architecture list and pretty stunning for a department store space. I think grandpa gil used to shop here back in the day.