Mom, welcome to the East Coast

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Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

It’s not very often in life you get to watch your mom discover something completely new while she rediscovers something that’s been inside her since birth. My mom hitchhiked to the middle of Mexico from Washington when she was 19. This is a woman full of adventure. And yet, she hadn’t flown in a plane since the day she left Mexico. She hadn’t ever visited the East Coast. And she hadn’t taken her thirst for adventure outside of the West Coast and Oregon for a very very long time.

It was amazing to watch her eat up this trip. Here curiosity was like that of a young child. She just kept learning and experiencing new things day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute. She went to more art museums than she probably cared to and learned that NYC isn’t Lynwood California. She ate great food and discovered even more food. And when she visited DC she rediscovered her love of this country.

I was there for the whole experience. She may have been on vacation, but I felt like I was the lucky one. I think (and hope) this trip has ignited a new fire in my mom and quenched some old burning thirsts. It was a wonderful experience and I hope she (and we) have it again and again.

My mom likes Franklin Roosevelt

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Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Mr. Roosevelt gets a little love from my mom.

CORRECTION:

I mistakenly stated that the statue that my mom was smooching was Theodore Roosevelt. During a phone call earlier this week, my mom quickly corrected me.

Mom: "That’s not Theodore Roosevelt, it Franklin Roosevelt. Theodore was a Republican, Franklin was a great humanitarian and a Democrat."

Got it mom. Since she’s the one kissing Mr. Roosevelt I’ll make sure everyone knows it’s the Roosevelt she meant to kiss.

I'm 50 Years Old

The mom's made it to NYC and then on to Washington DC. While in DC we stayed with Aunt Veronica. Here's a video of what her girls learned from Marie while we were there.

There's more to come (pictures and commentary) on the moms trip. It will be up soon.

Moms Take Manhattan or Moms Squared

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Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Either way you title it, 2 moms landed in New York City this afternoon and 2 moms are exploring this big giant metropolis. My mom hasn’t been on a plane since she was 19 years old. You do the math. And Michelle’s mom hasn’t been out here since David Dinkins was the mayor. Things have changed… a lot since then… for the better. So no need for a flak jacket or a serious understanding of kung fu as self-defense. Now, all you need to visit NYC is a camera, a taste for good food, a subway card and some curiosity. New York City. The moms are here. Or in honor of my brother Elijah’s saying, Big Bird has Landed.

It's Official--Evan and Suzy are Getting Married

Nice Hats
Originally uploaded by geisthaus.

It's a joyous, great announcement and this is the only picture that I could find of the two of them. Congrats on the wedding. We're super happy for them. The day is set for May 2007 at the Silcox Hut on Mt. Hood. For more info head over to Evan's blog.

hello mom. hello dad.

talking to mom and dad
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

I put in a quick call to my parents. Thought I might be able to bring them along for the ride to Washington DC. The cherry blossoms were out and the weather was absolutely amazing. I didn’t even notice that I was a bit hung over from the previous night’s birthday party, dancing and adult beverages. DC is a great city and this weekend it was even better. I’ve always wanted to see the cherry blossoms in person. Check. I'm glad I got that one done.

Outside the Adidas Store

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Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

12 girls. 12 plexi boxes. A NYC intersection. And one interesting promotion. Evan, Suzy, Michelle and myself saw this one Saturday afternoon.

The Best Back Rub...

nyc sign
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

...for men and women in NYC. Period. (Or so the sign says.)

that's a huge rack

huge rack
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

The Safari Club wishes it had a rack this big. Michell, Evan, Suzy and I went to the Natural History Museum and when they were in town.

Manhattan’s First Trader Joe’s

Opening weekend
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Michelle and I have been waiting a long, long, long, long time for this to happen. Trader Joe’s opened its first Manhattan store. Unfortunately a ton of other Manhattanites were also waiting to be graced by the wonders of Trader Joe’s. Look closely at the picture and you can see the line people waiting to get into the store. It’s at least 300 feet long. It’s like going to Disneyland and waiting in line for Space Mountain, except it’s a super cheap ride that’s designed specifically for your palate. Michelle was so excited, that she hit the new TJ’s at 9 am the morning it opened for business. Evan and Suzy missed TJ’s so much, that they insisted that we visit the store when they were in town. TJ’s is here. I can’t wait until they open another ten. Then maybe it will be a close to a normal shopping experience.