The Settling is well under way after the long journey. I always try to coax as much joy as possible out of that “returning to Earth” experience after traveling. It helps me not long for the trip to continue, and it allows me to revel in all the marvels of my home.
In regards to marvels, Diego Giuseppe ranks high among them. I was so thoroughly pleased to see him finally. The picture of me holding him looks like I am Merlin, coming to take Arthur away from Igraine to train him to be King. But Uther wouldn’t have any of that, so I gave him back. Such is the life of a wandering sorcerer in the 21st century. Nobody wants his son to be King anymore. JimA and Dani: when do you want dinner to be brought for you?
Heidi’s birthday always seems to fall while I am on my Great Summer Trip. This, of course, in no way diminishes my high regard for my dear friend. I first met her while (sorry Sonya) playing D & D at the Herron’s house when she was dating Chris. She was quite the 80s middle-school bopperette. Indeed, I believe Heidi was a “Wrestlerette,” one of the quasi-cheerleaders for the wrestling team. I think she was, shall we say, “disturbed” by the scene around the gaming table. Happy Birthday, Heidi!
I was lucky enough to get back to see Carrie for a brief spell on her birthday. I first met her at Broadview Elementary. I was running the Extended Day program there, essentially cleaning up the mess she had left after she and Slick Johnny moved to KC for a year. I had fixed all her mistakes when she rolled back into town. I thought she was going to try to take my job. Actually, I think she tried. But I put her DOWN. Since then, I spent some great summers kicking the camp booty with her. We were a great team. Happy Birthday, Carrie!
And the trip. New York has it on the ball. Here’s why: Ithaca is home to Cornell U. and Ithaca College, as well as the original Moosewood Restaurant. But what I found especially cool was the Commons, a pedestrian mall in the center of town. Think Kirkwood with no cars. I would love to see that done here. Ned is right that the lost parking spaces would have to be found elsewhere, but creativity and purpose can go a long way. NY also has the Adirondacks. A huge chunk of the state in this area is designated as a park. It’s not that it’s all state land. In fact, much of the land is privately held. What it means is that building and development are quite restricted. No billboards exist, and signage in front of stores is limited by size. No neon, period. There are also regions designated as “permanently wild.” These areas, including the Canoe Wilderness in which we spent several days, are to remain undeveloped forever. Look at a map and check out how much land we are talking about here. I am very impressed with what they have done up there. Even a scaled-down version would help my own humble county….And Manhattan was fantastic. I concur with whomever said that the New Yorkers were friendly. If you want rude and brusque, go to Chicago. I had a blast in the city, found it easy to navigate (after one subway trip that took us both to Long Island AND Harlem), and only spent $17000 on bars and restaurants….The wedding was superb. I have known the Carters since I was four years old, so I was quite happy to be a part of such an event. The ceremony was a lovely mix of traditions, and simplicity ruled the day. Congratulations yet again, dearies.
D & D was fun last night, but I don’t think my heart was in it for some reason. Sometimes I think we are just bumbling along, getting in fights. Our party is not very good at discussing things and working out compromises. Unless they want to spend 20 minutes deciding how to split up large quantities of coins between them. Yeesh.
School looms large, and I must start working now.
In regards to marvels, Diego Giuseppe ranks high among them. I was so thoroughly pleased to see him finally. The picture of me holding him looks like I am Merlin, coming to take Arthur away from Igraine to train him to be King. But Uther wouldn’t have any of that, so I gave him back. Such is the life of a wandering sorcerer in the 21st century. Nobody wants his son to be King anymore. JimA and Dani: when do you want dinner to be brought for you?
Heidi’s birthday always seems to fall while I am on my Great Summer Trip. This, of course, in no way diminishes my high regard for my dear friend. I first met her while (sorry Sonya) playing D & D at the Herron’s house when she was dating Chris. She was quite the 80s middle-school bopperette. Indeed, I believe Heidi was a “Wrestlerette,” one of the quasi-cheerleaders for the wrestling team. I think she was, shall we say, “disturbed” by the scene around the gaming table. Happy Birthday, Heidi!
I was lucky enough to get back to see Carrie for a brief spell on her birthday. I first met her at Broadview Elementary. I was running the Extended Day program there, essentially cleaning up the mess she had left after she and Slick Johnny moved to KC for a year. I had fixed all her mistakes when she rolled back into town. I thought she was going to try to take my job. Actually, I think she tried. But I put her DOWN. Since then, I spent some great summers kicking the camp booty with her. We were a great team. Happy Birthday, Carrie!
And the trip. New York has it on the ball. Here’s why: Ithaca is home to Cornell U. and Ithaca College, as well as the original Moosewood Restaurant. But what I found especially cool was the Commons, a pedestrian mall in the center of town. Think Kirkwood with no cars. I would love to see that done here. Ned is right that the lost parking spaces would have to be found elsewhere, but creativity and purpose can go a long way. NY also has the Adirondacks. A huge chunk of the state in this area is designated as a park. It’s not that it’s all state land. In fact, much of the land is privately held. What it means is that building and development are quite restricted. No billboards exist, and signage in front of stores is limited by size. No neon, period. There are also regions designated as “permanently wild.” These areas, including the Canoe Wilderness in which we spent several days, are to remain undeveloped forever. Look at a map and check out how much land we are talking about here. I am very impressed with what they have done up there. Even a scaled-down version would help my own humble county….And Manhattan was fantastic. I concur with whomever said that the New Yorkers were friendly. If you want rude and brusque, go to Chicago. I had a blast in the city, found it easy to navigate (after one subway trip that took us both to Long Island AND Harlem), and only spent $17000 on bars and restaurants….The wedding was superb. I have known the Carters since I was four years old, so I was quite happy to be a part of such an event. The ceremony was a lovely mix of traditions, and simplicity ruled the day. Congratulations yet again, dearies.
D & D was fun last night, but I don’t think my heart was in it for some reason. Sometimes I think we are just bumbling along, getting in fights. Our party is not very good at discussing things and working out compromises. Unless they want to spend 20 minutes deciding how to split up large quantities of coins between them. Yeesh.
School looms large, and I must start working now.
