Warning: This is just a little bit political

I'm looking forward to watching the presidential debates. I enjoy a healthy dose of political dialogue and then complaining about the vague statements and promises made by the candidates.

I'm afraid of losing friends by posting these articles I liked on facebook. It's just getting too feisty on there. So here are some links to articles I enjoyed reading as I gear up to watch the first debate. Enter at your own risk. It may expose my bias towards a candidate, but I'm over that.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/02/opinion/castellanos-undecided-obama/index.html?iref=allsearch

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/01/opinion/frum-10-questions-for-obama/index.html

beck

Shoot the Moon

My posts are infrequent, but I still feel a need to come back once in a while and document some events, thoughts and maybe even...feelings.

It's October!!! I loved September. The weather was pretty nice for DC. There were so many splendid events, including but not limited to camping in Yosemite, birthday party, cool work projects, social events and last but not least a trip down to Tennessee.

I was talking to my brother Steve-o last week and we both shared the sentiment that things in our life are pretty much same ol' same ol'. At least that's how things sound when we talk on the phone. Nothing new and just doing pretty much the same main things: work, school, choir, babysitting. My choir director suggested that we watch this video, which is apparently a favorite in Germany. The original is from 1963 and quite hilarious. The line "same procedure as every year" resonates pretty well with how I feel when I talk to my bro.

These are few photos from my trip to Tennessee. I was there for my brother's white coat ceremony. So proud of him!

Grandpa and his grandbaby

Just me holding sleeping Baby B

I looooved this pic

And I loooove candids like this. 

beck

Happy Birthday to Maggie!

Last weekend my dear friend Maggie and I threw a big, magical, happy birthday prep party chez nous in Washington, DC. It was a lot of work leading up to it, but the end result was so fun and fulfilling. I loved planning it with her. My birthday was a week and a half ago. Maggie's birthday is today.

Happy Birthday, Maggie! I'm so glad to be your friend.

Um, this was the best/only good photo I got on my camera from the party. 

beck

Florence + the Machine

I bought Florence's new Ceremonials album several months ago and I'm finally listening to it enough to really know it and love it. The band is coming to DC again in September. It's crazy to think that just over two years ago I saw them perform in the small 9:30 Club here in DC. It was their second performance in the U.S. Then all of a sudden they were opening for U2 and now they're the headliner for their own tour. It's fantastic.

I'm especially liking this song from the album.


beck

Word on the Street

As I walked my usual walk from the metro to work this morning, I ran into some of the usual characters. The same "homeless" people day-to-day manning their spot. This morning I saw a new face and he had a fresh new message.

"I love all y'all. Hang in there. Not just for yourselves, but for the robot." True story.

I've expressed more frequently lately my burnout with DC. Perhaps it's just a new phase that needs to begin. Now I know the city pretty well. It's not really new and fresh. It's like an old friend and we've run out of things to say to each other. Crazy, right? For some reason, I feel a need to have a love affair with the city I'm in. Perhaps in this new phase, I can embrace the city as a home and a place of comfort as opposed to a place to do lots of things. I've still got some things to do on my bucket list here, but I've done most of what I really want to do. Now I just need to live fully.

I've been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The last bit I've read has focused on mindfulness and living in the present. It brings peace and clarity of mind. So I'm working on it... BUT I might still talk about moving to NYC or some other place--finding the next best thing for me. 

beck

Photos Please

Technology is failing me. My wifi connection at home is slow. My camera is falling apart (and I never remember to charge it anymore). And my phone is on its last...signal? Needless to say I haven't been documenting my travels very well this summer. Here's a picture update.

First stop: Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky for Bailey's Baby Blessing

"Right dere Bailey."

This girl got a bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum. It was a lil dangerous. 

Next stop: Salt Lake City, Utah for work

Tried to see the Spiral Jetty (failed) and only got a couple of shots in before the camera died. Also went to the Golden Spike Museum. Woot!

It was windy and freezing and try as I might I couldn't get myself and the locomotive in the shot. Meh

The Great Salt Lake. My pictures don't do justice to how incredible and awesome it was to see such magnificent and untouched space. 

Next stop: Orange, Virginia to visit James and Dolley Madison's house

Next stop: Virginia Beach, Virginia to visit Boris (not pictured) It's so great to catch up with longtime friends. 

Next stop: Charlottesville, Virginia to visit Monticello

Yet another stop: Fresno! But I only managed to get pictures on our trip to San Francisco

Pictures are from our ride on the Rocket Boat and a little outing to the Marin Headlands. Sooo much fun with my family!

Last stop: Niagara Falls and Palmyra, NY

I actually got back today! So this is all mostly up-to-date now. Woot! I don't have any photos of Palmyra so I'm hoping some will surface on facebook soon. 

beck

Nay Nay

So I'm in Fresno. Tonight I got my family to watch some of John Pinette's stand-up routine. I've probably watched this a dozen times in the last week since I rediscovered it. I love watching it and I loved laughing like crazy with my family.

You can watch one of the best parts of it here: http://comedians.jokes.com/john-pinette/videos/john-pinette---water-park  It's also all on Netflix instant.

Enjoy!

beck

Live from the DC

Weeks go by and I think about posting. Just a quick update: I moved into the District! I live in a lovely house with three roommates. There's a nice sized yard and bright sunny windows. It's actually the first house I've lived in as a young single person. I've lived in apartments throughout college and up until now in the DMV (District/Maryland/Virginia).

I'm taking two weeks off of work starting sort of today. I had some things to finish up in the office and I'm not leaving town until Saturday so it didn't conflict with my plans. My vacation destinations are Virginia Beach, Fresno and San Francisco. Woot!

I promise I'm still alive. My new life insurance policy proves that too. Yes, I bought life insurance. Maybe as a part of my quarter-life crisis. Maybe because it's cheaper than you think, especially when you buy when you're young and healthy.

That's all I've got at the moment.

beck

Bragging Rights

I got two new nieces in the month of March! Baby B was born on March 5. And she was named after me :) Lady was born on March 28. She was not named after me...but they'll probably change their minds about that soon. ;)

I spent all of last weekend in Kentucky cuddling B. I happened to be in Lexington during the Final Four game, so we were all sporting some UK gear.

I know what you're thinking. My nieces make the cutest wildcats you've ever seen! It's true! I won't even try to deny it. Btw, I have permission from my bro to be a bandwagon UK fan, because he's now a graduate from UK. It's quite convenient that they have an awesome basketball team. Maybe I'll get to see the wildcats play in person someday.

Some other highlights from my trip include:

A trip to Sam's Club with A, B, and their cousins. These faces make any grocery shopping trip more fun.

 Say cheese!

I witnessed these sweet moves in person!

A visit to LMU, where my bro will attend medical school this fall. Go railsplitters!

And of course, lots and lots of cuddling and kisses for sweet Baby B. 

 Notice the poofy hair in this picture. That's what it looks like when her hair is freshly washed. Love.

Pics of my new niece Lady will take a couple of months. I won't get to meet her until June.

 beck