6 down 2 to go.

It's quite depressing when things seem to get worse every day. This picture might help explain a little bit of it, at least. The Bush Presidency has been a disaster for our country and for the world.

storm pics

 
If you haven't heard the news recently, DC is washing away. I liked this night lighting. 

 

Can't sleep? Fool around with the cam. 

 

I thought this one looked like daylight, almost. Long shutter + fierce lightning. 

  

technical difficulties

is anyone else out there having a ton of dropped postings between picassa and blogspot? wtf?

 

Sorry to disappoint, but no fan installation pics. And it was me putting it up, which would have been quite amusing, with a friend's help. 24 hours later and it's still up, though ;)

But here is an action shot of my housemate and the fun we've been having with these huge DC storms (a la An Inconvenient Truth). Our patio has been a swimming pool, which makes our basement a wading pool. Yes, we were standing in water during a t-storm. And yes, that's an HVAC unit next to us. Good times. 

Another recent concert...

 

Girlyman tears it up at the Herndon Festival. I don't think the conservative VA family crowd quite knew what to make of them. "Did he just say he's wearing makeup?" They play a mean banjo. 

DC Chili Cookoff

 
Ok...I'm getting some flak for being behind on my pictures. Fair enough.

A few weekends ago I had some friends fly in to see me. We went to the DC Chili Cookoff to see Better Than Ezra and Hoobastank. This is one of the few pictures I took...low qual on my phone. That's BTE on the stage. I wish I had taken pictures of flying sneakers, people standing in pizza, and the redneck wrestling. The only way I'd go back to this event (which we paid for) is if Tina was playing there, which will never happen.

This picture is for you, Mullet Anne! 

friday haiku

last night's thunderstorm
--crash, flash, rattle-- like ringing
the start of the weekend

Friday's looking fine.

I feel like it's time for an update, but there's been little time at home to blog. Where does the free time go? I can hardly complain that I don't do anything, because apparently I'm quite busy, but it's that I don't get the essentials (namely, reading and writing) done that causes me stress.

After having said that, it's funny that I'm contemplating starting two other blogs. There, I've said it. I won't reveal much information, but maybe if I leak a little it will encourage me to get going! These would be text-based.

Summer is here! I spent my solstice running on the National Mall, which was great since I hadn't done it in a while. What wasn't great was the 90+ degree temps that kicked my butt. I stumbled upon a concert at the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. I also saw them setting up for the National Folklife Festival that happens every year for two weekends around 7/4. It's hard to beat it.

DC summers are plain H-O-T. Oh, and with humidity you can pour into a glass. Our A/C hasn't been working well at home, despite it being brand new. But, we picked up a ceiling fan that should solve the circulation problem. Sleep is good. It will be no small feat for us to install this thing. The event will hopefully take place tomorrow--maybe I can sneak in a pic of the housemate to post!

Stay cool, enjoy the sun + summer. Peace out.

 

I get a kick out of people's bumperstickers. I took this pic for BigRexTinct because the truck had a DinosaurLand bumpersticker. It didn't turn out with the cam phone resolution, but it is also entertaining that the truck says "Mr. T". 

 

I've had a recent re-sighting of this bumpersticker. It makes me almost as happy as seeing the I Heart Handbells bumpersticker! 

 
This motorcycle rider took some creative liberties and created his own license plate out of cardboard. I'm not sure what the VA DMV's stance on that would be! 

Greener Days Ahead...

Did you know that last year Brazil declared independence from importing foreign oil?

Did you know that American car companies have been selling dual gasoline- and ethanol-powered cars since the 1990's?

Did you know there are many benefits to ethanol including: reduced reliance on oil, reduced pollution, and financial gain for American farmers?

No single alternative fuels strategy is perfect, but ethanol seems to hold much promise (plus this technology was available yesterday). If you haven't heard much about it, you need to read this article on ethanol. It does an excellent and balanced job of assessing the possibilities.

Happy Pride, everyone!

 

This year I signed up to play with the marching band in DC's Capital Pride Parade.

Gay Pride is a strange thing to explain. It's a reaffirming day to celebrate who you are. The solidarity is powerful and energizing. Heterosexuals have it easy because it's subconscious, assumed, and considered 'the norm'. Strange that GLBT folk need a day to remind us, Oh yeah, this is who I am, and it is beautiful, and it is okay.

It strikes a chord with me this year as it seems that we're bombarded almost daily with news of the 'marriage protection amendment,' which does nothing to strengthen marriage and only succeeds in stripping people of their humanity and happiness. It really sucks. What else can I say?

Today, at least, we'll hold our heads high, and make music, and laugh, and spread goodwill 'round the world. 

 

DC's Different Drummers line up before the Capital Pride Parade. This was my first pride parade to march in. We had a long day with rehearsal in the morning. Lucky for us, it's only been in the 70's here. We look fresh and ready to go! 

 

My fellow clarinet players. It was tough work...but fun! 

 

This was a busy section of the parade route. It was great being in the parade...everyone loves a good marching band! People went crazy when we did our kicks while playing All That Jazz. 

 

Stopped on the street. We needed a break at this point! 

  

Here's a photo of me crossing the finish line in this year's Buffalo Half-Marathon! It was much tougher for me than last year. I don't think my legs were as strong because I wasn't playing a lot of tennis at the same time. But my race time was almost the same as last year...around 1:54. I'm happy with that.

I ran it with my sister and her husband. They did well, too. It was a beautiful and sunny day for a race!

Here's me a second later looking relieved!

 

When I was home my family and I took a day hike through Griffis Sculpture Park. It's a 430-acre preserve and park in the southtowns of Western New York. 

  

 

Dad looking through the submarine. The sculptures are great because they're built to be accessible and to be climbed on. Dad still finds weird things to do with them. 

 
Hiking up the hill... 

 
...and taking a break. 

 

My sister and her family. 

 

Lunch break with an enormous visitor! I don't think they knew what to make of one another. 

 

The Amazonian Trail!