Blog Master G

A four-day weekend is a rare and wonderful thing. Ours began Friday afternoon with a drive to the New York-New Jersey border, where we checked into our hotel and readied ourselves for the wedding of fellow Vassar alum Frances and her now-husband Andrew. With signs at the stop lights reading “Wait for Green,” the terribleness of New Jersey drivers was reinforced and continues to astound me; we saw at least one or two cars come to a stop at the red before driving right through it, despite the sign. We ended up in the wrong cab with a non-English speaking cabbie who wouldn’t talk to us or acknowledge that he had no idea where we were going until he had driven us 15 minutes in the wrong direction; he had refused to take us back to the hotel when we were leaving the parking lot and suspected he didn’t know where to go. It’s a scary thing to be in a cab with no meter or license on display and driven by someone who won’t talk to you; these should be basic requirements of anyone who operates a taxi. He deserved a lot more wrath than Jen’s declaration that his behavior was unacceptable. When we finally got to the wedding, we had a blast. Western and Korean ceremonies were both beautiful.

Saturday we hit the road and began the long journey to the DC area, navigating our way around Philadelphia and the Live 8 concert that was underway. Reinforcing our hatred for New Jersey highways, signs to a rest stop guided us off the highway in our intended direction and back on the highway in the opposite direction eight miles back to the exit we had just passed. Does that make sense in the mind of the New Jersey driver? We were delighted to stop for a late lunch at Waffle House, our first since Day 5 of our cross-country drive, where I put back a couple pecan beasts. We eventually arrived in DC, where Enoch and sister Jan greeted us with open arms and home. After enjoying some river-side drinks in Georgetown, Enoch gave us a midnight tour of The Mall. DC is a happenin’ town. It was my first time there and I hope to return one day to see more of it.

Sunday we hit the road to beat the July 4th traffic. We broke up the monotony of seven hours on the road through the hills of Pennsylvania with a stop at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. It was shocking and gut-wrenching to see some of the actual shackles, “slave collars,” and bills of sale for slaves in the south c. 1850 and 1860.

It really felt like two weekends in one as we capped off the festivities yesterday with a ton of yard work, the parade down Broadway to welcome the New York City Ballet to its 40th season at its summer home in Saratoga, drinks at the Gaffney’s patio, and some evening porch time.

Happy Independence Day!

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Happy six-year anniversary to my best friend and wife!

Though we’re only approaching our two-year wedding anniversary, we officially became a couple six years ago today. The past six years have been the happiest of my life and I think I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be married to such a wonderful woman.

I love you, Jenner. Here’s to many more years of bliss.

Then and now photos:

• 52nd floor of the Bank of America building, July 2, 1999, San Francisco, CA
• Table #8 at Frances and Andrew’s wedding, July 1, 2005, Norwood, NJ

I deliberately don’t write about my job or work on my blog any longer, but I will say this: Jen and I are both very fortunate to have jobs we love — jobs that help people learn. I don’t think either of us would be so dedicated if we didn’t really believe in what we do.

Happy quarter-century birthday to my little bro, Pete! I love you, man.

The second big thunderstorm of the summer struck last night — though not as intense as the last, and without the tornado warning — and I realized (again) just how much I enjoy the crazy weather here.

It’s incredibly invigorating to hear the booming thunder claps, the lightning bolts flash right outside my window, the streets and grass flood with water and drain just as quickly as they filled. The dogs are terrified of the thunder and curl up under my feet with each big storm. Jen and I rushed to the porch to soak up the excitement and take some photos. I even recorded a couple videos with the digital camera to capture some boom boom (of course, neither video or audio could do a storm justice).

I’m glad I don’t live in the desert. I like what causes the natural greenery. And good thing I watered the lawn yesterday not long before the storm hit. That’s the second time I’ve planned so well.

A dirty joke: Girls’ Night Out.

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With no end in sight and the non-stop cost of war in Iraq rapidly approaching $200 billion, Bush is determined to “stay the course,” as usual.

Bush Urges Patience With Iraq War:

The speech came at a time when Bush’s approval ratings in all polls are at their lowest. The same surveys also show diminishing support for a two-year-old war, in which more than 1,700 U.S. troops have been killed. Insurgents also have intensified their attacks in recent months.

But Bush rejected setting a timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces, saying the insurgents would only wait for the final withdrawal to attack an Iraqi government unprepared to defend itself.

I’m still waiting for the day when the media will be permitted to show the coffin containing one of our brave, young, fallen soldiers coming home, or the day that Bush will have the courtesy and decency to attend one of the funerals of the troops killed in his war (if he has, I haven’t heard about it, but please correct me if I’m wrong). Both these facts infuriate me to no end — that Bush talks big, but can’t be bothered to respect the fallen troops.

Thanks to the 17 of you who have already completed my 30-second survey. If you haven’t yet taken it, please do! I’ll post results next week.

One year ago today: Hardwood. Two years ago today: Gay Pride Parade.

With thanks to one-time blogger Dan for the idea and some of the questions, I’ve created a 30-second survey that I’d love for you to take. I have a pretty good sense of who reads my blog, but surprise me! Results will be cumulative and remain totally anonymous. If you’d like to provide your name and/or email, please do (they will remain confidential), but don’t feel obligated. Mostly, I’m just curious about my readers! You know just about everything about me, so now it’s your turn to give me a glimpse of you.

Click here to take the survey! It won’t bite.

If you have a blog or a Web site, mention it in the survey and I’d be happy to link to it when I post the results.

Friday night Karen, Joti, Sue, Josh, and baby Seamus came over for a BBQ to kick off the action-packed weekend with more 90+ scorching temperatures. We spent a good deal of time on the porch, but dined inside with the air conditioning.

Saturday morning we lounged around some more on the porch before heading to Albany to go suit shopping for me. (We’re going to four weddings this summer, and I needed something to wear besides the usual slacks with shirt and tie.) Before Saturday I only owned one suit, which I’ve had since 1996 or so (my tuxedo notwithstanding). There was a second suit in my wardrobe if you count the Miami Vice suit that I wore to my first post-college job interview and that Jen recently made me get rid of. But now I have another one — it’s simple and black and came with an extra pair of gray slacks so I can work the mix ‘n match. After returning home, we basked in the A/C before heading to dinner and games at Tom and Anne’s place.

Yesterday afternoon was Jen’s company picnic at the Great Escape. We got our fill of free food and beer, then hit the Northway to get away from the crowds and the heat. Last night we watched in disbelief this strange TLC documentary on Richard Sandrak, “The World’s Strongest Boy,” also known as Little Hercules. Stranger still was the couple inspired by the mini-body builder who camped out in front of his house, took photos with him, and decided to change their lifestyle thanks to the 11-year-old kid with unnaturally large muscles.

When Jane and Sarah were here, they were lucky enough to get a taste of what a small town Saratoga really is when this front page story ran on that Saturday:

No special delivery for moved mailbox

Well, the good news is that we can all rest better tonight because as of yesterday, the mailbox victory has been won, and Janyce is getting her mail once more!

Janyce Biss, you’ve got mail … and clout.

Congrats to you, Janyce. The victory is yours, but we all bask in your delight.

1 year ago today: Crazy Times | Gmail – Beyond Email
2 years ago today: Viva Las Vegas

I’m no expert, but it seems to me a scary precedent to set to allow government to seize private property for private development — to build a hotel and convention center for economic gain of big developers. The Fifth Amendment reads: “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Sure, a hotel and convention center may be available for public use, but they’re still private entities. To me, “public use” is something like a park or a national forest.

Supreme Court Rules Cities May Seize Homes:

NEW LONDON, Conn. — Seven homeowners in this small waterfront community lost a groundbreaking U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday when justices ruled that City Hall may take their property through eminent domain to make way for a hotel and convention center.

Word of the high court decision spread around Bill Von Winkle’s part of town like news of a passing relative. “Hello?” he answered his cell phone. “Yeah, we lost. I know, hard to believe, huh?”

…

“It’s a little shocking to believe you can lose your home in this country,” said Von Winkle, who said he would battle beyond the lawsuits and fight the bulldozers if necessary. “I won’t be going anywhere.”

Yes, shocking. My reaction exactly. It’s unsettling to think that in some states and cities, the government can decide to seize and bulldoze your home and the life you’ve built, and there’s not a whole lot you can do about it. What’s the point of holding the deed to your land if the rights it gives you are subject to approval?

Castle Coalition: Citizens Fighting Eminent Domain Abuse

Hollyhocks and geraniums

Three years ago today we had set a date for our wedding and had just spent a weekend partying with James and Enoch in Sacramento. I miss that.