Progress

Quite a bit of progress this weekend on the MPP. Still less than halfway done.

Painting

Back from Phoenix last night and dove right into the Massive Painting Project (MPP) today. Here's the latest progress. The edging on one whole wall is complete. The others will be considerably more challenging given the presence of furniture. Lesson learned: painting in underwear is really the best, as paint WILL get on EVERY limb.

Decemberists with the BSO

Metallica's 1999 collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony on "S&M" was awesome due to its incongruity. The Decemberists' similar experiment with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra last night was awesome due to the two groups' essential compatibility. Listening to the Decemberists' music, one feels that certain songs just beg for orchestral treatment; for instance "The Infanta" and "We Both Go Down Together" (both of which they played last night, of course). It was really very thrilling to see it all come together so well. The orchestra didn't just take the easy route, either, but added satisfying layers of complexity to the music. On top of that the Decemberists were their usual campy, theatrical selves, complete with playing dead, rolling around with instruments on the ground, and crazy dance moves. Such a beautiful night...and such a fun show.

Chincoteague Weekend

Left: Seaweed Necklace Right: JL, Dana, me, Jon, Ann, and Jeff enjoy the cool water

Gorgeous, hot day on the island of Chincoteague (the southern part of Assateague). No ponies as the Pony Drive has not yet taken place, but plenty of sun, sand, waves, and beach bums. Me and friends Dana, Diana, and Erin spent the night in a nearby campsite and enjoyed a ridiculously opulent meal of raw oysters and steamed crab followed by Island Creamery homemade ice cream (I had the "Pony Tracks" flavor).

Next week: Coolin' down in Phoenix.

A Tuberific Fourth

Happy Fourth of July, peanuts!

Yesterday I took advantage of the whole no-work thing to join several friends (about 20 of them) for a tubing adventure on the Shenandoah River. We enjoyed PB&Js, Fig Newtons, and hard cider as we floated downriver for three miles. Occasional .1-class rapids made things interesting.

Thanks to Jon for organizing! More pix here.

(pic above is friend Seth Wikas, rolling through the "heavy" rapids)

Day of Fun in Locust Grove, VA

On the top: Joanna, Pete, Darren, me, Jon, and Mary enjoy a spin around the big lake on Darren's family's pontoon boat.

On the bottom: My famous "breaching shark attack" descends upon an unsuspecting Jon.

On Sunday I drove down with several friends to Deep Dark Virginia - specifically Locust Grove, where friend Darren's parents have a gorgeous house on a beautiful man-made lake. First we visited a nearby winery (my first one in Virginia), then we went back for swimming, a ride on the pontoon boat, socializing, merriment, and food. Weather and company were perfect. The wine - eh.

Kayaking in Seneca Falls

Me and Diana work our paddling muscles in Seneca Falls, MD. Wet exits rock!