salience
October 26, 2009
This past weekend was one of my dear friends from high school's wedding. One Mr. Peter Courtney in fact. It was also my brother's 23rd birthday and an opportunity to see him on his actual birthday, something I hadn't done in almost a decade. We decided to make a weekend out of it and I could not have had a better time.
Friday night I got in to DC about an hour before el hermano. That gave me just enough time to check into our hotel (the Hotel Palomar in DuPont Circle in case you were wondering), before taking the Metro out to Reagan Airport. By the time we made it back to our neighborhood, it was late. Mere minutes left before it was officially Saturday, we set out to find a late dinner worthy of a birthday celebration. By fate we happened upon a french not-disco-but-almost restaurant, complete with spinning mirror ball and multi-colored spotlights. A couple of oh la la's from the owner later we were seated and having a great time. My brother made quite an impression on the owner and not only received the gift of a birthday song from this gentleman, but also a few celebratory drinks. The food was fantastic though and we made grand plans to meet MyShell at the National Museum of Natural History early the next morning.
Shell took us all around the museum, giving us tours not only of her favorite halls and exhibits, but taking us behind the scenes to were the specimens are catalogued and stored. El hermano was in awe, when not shuddering from the view of being on the sixth floor of the museum rotunda (hard to believe he's still afraid of heights, no?). We made a quick stop in Crystal City to get my very smart brother a tie, since he had left his brand new one at el papa's. Then it was wedding time.
We had a slight shirt crisis with Lozo's button down, but nothing a crappy hotel iron and my awesome hair dryer couldn't fix. By this time Christie had arrived, another dear friend from high school, who I had not seen since her wedding back in 2006! We met up with her before walking over to the venue and... Into the pouring rain. Later we would discover the massive golf umbrella in our hotel room closet, but needless to say we winged it with only one UVA paraguas during a downpour at a 90 degree angle. All three of us looked like a few wet cats, soaked through and through, three blocks later. Paper towels, hand dryers, dancing around the hallways, nothing could save us. So, I said hello to Mr. and Mrs. Courtney sopping wet. It was so great to see them and I got a huge hug from each anyway!
The ceremony itself was beautiful. They had hired a local high school orchestra to play Queen, the Beatles and Coldplay during the ceremony itself. It was very Peter and very hilarious. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was my favorite. Afterwards we caught up with old friends and new husbands during a cocktail hour. El hermano heard a lot of "I haven't seen you since you were this big!" and "Whoa, you're so grown up!" from my old friends. As usual though, he stole the show and had everyone laughing the whole time. As they called us in for the reception, the three of us had mostly dried out and made a beeline for a table to watch the customary first dances. We had so much fun telling stories and commenting on who we knew in the room, I half expected to turn my head and see Fitzwilliam Darcy or Charles Bingley walk by, it was all very Jane Austen awesome. A highlight though was seeing Peter and his new bride so happy. He is the kind of guy who radiates when truly content and it was so satisfying to be there to share the day with the two of them.
Sunday was spent wandering during the Marine Corps Marathon (for all you Boston folks, Marathon Sunday doesn't just have the same ring to it as Marathon Monday, no?) and people watching. Lozo and I shared a cab on our way out and it was so neat to think I'll see him again in a week's time when we go visit the cuatas in Lubbock for Halloween.
Now for some pictures. At the museum:
Wedding ceremony at the Washington Club in DuPoint Circle:
Christie and I!
With the happy couple:
With Ashely Damhorst-now-Witters:
Christie took this one of us, I think it's my favorite shot of the night:
Deep in conversation:
Celebratory pedicab ride around the Circle after the reception:
Check out the awesome bath robes in our hotel closet. Lozo insisted on being zebra:
Friday night I got in to DC about an hour before el hermano. That gave me just enough time to check into our hotel (the Hotel Palomar in DuPont Circle in case you were wondering), before taking the Metro out to Reagan Airport. By the time we made it back to our neighborhood, it was late. Mere minutes left before it was officially Saturday, we set out to find a late dinner worthy of a birthday celebration. By fate we happened upon a french not-disco-but-almost restaurant, complete with spinning mirror ball and multi-colored spotlights. A couple of oh la la's from the owner later we were seated and having a great time. My brother made quite an impression on the owner and not only received the gift of a birthday song from this gentleman, but also a few celebratory drinks. The food was fantastic though and we made grand plans to meet MyShell at the National Museum of Natural History early the next morning.
Shell took us all around the museum, giving us tours not only of her favorite halls and exhibits, but taking us behind the scenes to were the specimens are catalogued and stored. El hermano was in awe, when not shuddering from the view of being on the sixth floor of the museum rotunda (hard to believe he's still afraid of heights, no?). We made a quick stop in Crystal City to get my very smart brother a tie, since he had left his brand new one at el papa's. Then it was wedding time.
We had a slight shirt crisis with Lozo's button down, but nothing a crappy hotel iron and my awesome hair dryer couldn't fix. By this time Christie had arrived, another dear friend from high school, who I had not seen since her wedding back in 2006! We met up with her before walking over to the venue and... Into the pouring rain. Later we would discover the massive golf umbrella in our hotel room closet, but needless to say we winged it with only one UVA paraguas during a downpour at a 90 degree angle. All three of us looked like a few wet cats, soaked through and through, three blocks later. Paper towels, hand dryers, dancing around the hallways, nothing could save us. So, I said hello to Mr. and Mrs. Courtney sopping wet. It was so great to see them and I got a huge hug from each anyway!
The ceremony itself was beautiful. They had hired a local high school orchestra to play Queen, the Beatles and Coldplay during the ceremony itself. It was very Peter and very hilarious. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was my favorite. Afterwards we caught up with old friends and new husbands during a cocktail hour. El hermano heard a lot of "I haven't seen you since you were this big!" and "Whoa, you're so grown up!" from my old friends. As usual though, he stole the show and had everyone laughing the whole time. As they called us in for the reception, the three of us had mostly dried out and made a beeline for a table to watch the customary first dances. We had so much fun telling stories and commenting on who we knew in the room, I half expected to turn my head and see Fitzwilliam Darcy or Charles Bingley walk by, it was all very Jane Austen awesome. A highlight though was seeing Peter and his new bride so happy. He is the kind of guy who radiates when truly content and it was so satisfying to be there to share the day with the two of them.
Sunday was spent wandering during the Marine Corps Marathon (for all you Boston folks, Marathon Sunday doesn't just have the same ring to it as Marathon Monday, no?) and people watching. Lozo and I shared a cab on our way out and it was so neat to think I'll see him again in a week's time when we go visit the cuatas in Lubbock for Halloween.
Now for some pictures. At the museum:
Wedding ceremony at the Washington Club in DuPoint Circle:
Christie and I!
With the happy couple:
With Ashely Damhorst-now-Witters:
Christie took this one of us, I think it's my favorite shot of the night:
Deep in conversation:
Celebratory pedicab ride around the Circle after the reception:
Check out the awesome bath robes in our hotel closet. Lozo insisted on being zebra:
October 23, 2009
Today is the first time in nine years that I'll get to see my brother on his birthday. We haven't been in the same state for this since he turned 14! Definitely looking forward to this weekend in DC.
October 18, 2009
This past weekend I met Shell and her boyfriend Jeff in Boston for the BC vs. NC State game. We had a great time not only watching BC destroy Tom O'Brien's NC State (52-20 was the final score), but meeting up with Danielle at the game and then seeing Where the Wild Things Are in Boston Common. I miss both of those girls like crazy, hard to believe I hadn't seen Shell in a year! Luckily I get to see her next month at Anna's wedding in Delaware. The weather held out for the most part, although we were pretty numb from the cold by the end of the game.
Pictures, first of the BCMB of course:
Because of the 3:30 start, the game lasted through the evening, so we got to see the stadium lights come on. Oh how I miss those lights sometimes:
The newly-engaged, awesome rally cookie making, former bcmb sax/bari, almost a doctor Danielle:
Shell and Jeff (his first trip to Boston ever):
Us with Erica (current Assistant Director of Bands) and Serena (BCMB Manager):
52-20! That's what you get for leaving us mid season, Tom O'Brien!
The team post game for the Alma Mater.
Dave conducting the Alma Mater:
Pictures, first of the BCMB of course:
Because of the 3:30 start, the game lasted through the evening, so we got to see the stadium lights come on. Oh how I miss those lights sometimes:
The newly-engaged, awesome rally cookie making, former bcmb sax/bari, almost a doctor Danielle:
Shell and Jeff (his first trip to Boston ever):
Us with Erica (current Assistant Director of Bands) and Serena (BCMB Manager):
52-20! That's what you get for leaving us mid season, Tom O'Brien!
The team post game for the Alma Mater.
Dave conducting the Alma Mater:
October 14, 2009
Nate's online memorial is here, if yall would like to take a look. Robert and Paul have both posted some great memories.
October 13, 2009
Hard to believe Nate has left us: he was in a car crash last week.
Ever the comedian and kind soul, I'll always remember him as the hilarious guy who would hang out with Bradley Bailey/Boo Radley (my fantastic yellow suited Homecoming date Sophomore year), Robert P., and Paul "Speedy" K. in high school.
Thank goodness Robert still has video of him as The Big Scary Monster (a legend at what is now known as the old Milton).
Be at peace, Nate. Be at peace.
October 11, 2009
Last night I was able to get tickets to see "The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring" at Radio City with a live orchestra/chorus performing the soundtrack by Howard Shore, specifically the 21st Century Orchestra, The Collegiate Chorale and Brooklyn Youth Chorus conducted by Ludwig Wicki.
It was fantastic. Our seats were third row from the stage, and they performed the entire thing, all the way through the credits (a good three and a half hours long). Fans of both the music and the Tolkien work comprised the audience, so there was much cheering either for a character's entrance on screen or a passage performed in the score at different times. It was fantastic! (The horns were my favorite actually, the lead horn especially was amazing). It moved quite a few people, two people behind me were actually sobbing in parts.
Next year Radio City plans to do it again, albeit with the second LOTR movie and I hope I get to see it.
It was fantastic. Our seats were third row from the stage, and they performed the entire thing, all the way through the credits (a good three and a half hours long). Fans of both the music and the Tolkien work comprised the audience, so there was much cheering either for a character's entrance on screen or a passage performed in the score at different times. It was fantastic! (The horns were my favorite actually, the lead horn especially was amazing). It moved quite a few people, two people behind me were actually sobbing in parts.
Next year Radio City plans to do it again, albeit with the second LOTR movie and I hope I get to see it.
October 4, 2009
Ryan has created a blog to chronicle his year at Cambridge yall, happy reading!
A few final pictures from Ry's (and his family's) time here in September:
October 1, 2009
A few pictures from Ry's birthday weekend...
First up, his carrot cake I made him (albeit a little early):
Next, out to dinner at Tavern on the Green in Central Park with his parents:
From a trip to The Met:
Dinner at a restaurant called Ninja. Our ninja:
Ryan's a ninja!
We also saw Hair:
And in Times Square (of course):
It was a great weekend and I'm so glad Ry's parents made the trip up! We had a fantastic time and I hope to see them again soon.
Ry leaves today for the UK. He should be back for his holiday break by December 7th, so here's hoping that the time will pass quickly. :)
First up, his carrot cake I made him (albeit a little early):
Next, out to dinner at Tavern on the Green in Central Park with his parents:
From a trip to The Met:
Dinner at a restaurant called Ninja. Our ninja:
Ryan's a ninja!
We also saw Hair:
And in Times Square (of course):
It was a great weekend and I'm so glad Ry's parents made the trip up! We had a fantastic time and I hope to see them again soon.
Ry leaves today for the UK. He should be back for his holiday break by December 7th, so here's hoping that the time will pass quickly. :)
