city boy yesterday and today

I snapped the top pic during a recent visit home. It's a painting I had done in kindergarten of the downtown Raleigh, N.C. skyline. Notice the yellow blob in the bottom left corner. I think it was in those inner-city bus rides, that I developed my love for architecture and cities in general. The manhattan sketch was done quite a few years later, in a staff meeting back at AG. Ha! Just thought it'd be fun to contrast the two.

U Street

I was walking home along U street the other night and heard a magnificent sound. Live music coming down from the second story window of a little club called Twins Lounge. Merging harmoniously with the honking and chatter on the street, it stopped me in my tracks. It's in moments like these that I feel literally, 'in tune' with the new surroundings. I came up with these the other day, playing around, in between jobs.

White House Panorama

Tonight, we're heading down to the White House!

We'll climb up one of Lafayette's trees,

wave old glory, and sing 'oh say can you see'.

Together, let's shout out a great cheer!

Not at the death of our cowardly enemy,

but at this extraordinary moment of unity.

For in this fleeting moment at hand,

again, we are one.

God Bless this beautiful land.

you can see more pics here on Flickr.

Tree

I just got back from my second (ever) yoga session. We didn't do this pose, nor did I have my hair in a bun ; ) but it all made for a relaxing enough start of the week. Just thought I'd share this little spot.

Spring 2011

It's officially Spring on T Street, the tulips are all in bloom and it's finally starting to settle in that we've moved to D.C. It was an adventure getting here, but with each day I feel a little more at home in this historic and stately little city. Upon moving from Cleveland, I considered the fate of this blog. Should I change it's name? Should I even keep going with it? A.C.D. really seemed to capture the mood of my gloomy corner of Ohio City. But would it work here in gentrified Dupont Circle? With a few tweaks (namely fewer drifters), I'm finding it can.

The other night we were walking the dogs down the alley between T St. and Willard. All of the sudden, a rat scurried out in front of us! It took off down the alley and not five seconds later, was swooped up by a well timed and well placed alley cat. The cat dashed into a corner with it's new prize, it was all pretty horrifying to say the least. Brad, Owen, Spencer and I stood there in shock for a couple seconds. It was a pretty grim reminder how cut-throat it can be out there. Fortunately, for our unconventional little family, we're faring quite well and look forward to beginning this new chapter in D.C. To my Cleveland friends I miss you all immensely and thinking back on our crazy exploits makes me smile. Please keep in touch, and please visit anytime - if you're willing to share it with Spencer and Owen, the sofa's always available. : )

favorite books and rubber plant

some favorite books: Ben Shahn, Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Antonio Frasconi, Charley Harper, Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.

George No. 4

heh, the latest obsessive attempt... this time from Gilbert Stuart's, 'Lansdowne portrait'.