Move over, San Diego

Ahhh, Willow Park. When I was a child, I thought it was a bona-fide zoo (only those from Logan will understand how humorous that is). In its defense, it houses several undomesticated species, including monkeys, porcupines, and... let's see... turtles? Oh yeah, and lots of peacocks. Noisy, beautiful peacocks, and kids dig it. We picked up Cafe Rio takeout, had a picnic, fed the fish, and swallowed a thousand tons each of cottony pollen dripping from the park's namesake trees. Overall, it was a very lovely afternoon (minus the allergy-related suffocation situation).

Bryn was tired of walking, which is not surprising given the enormous nature of the park. Eli had to be constrained because he insists on running in directions contrary to logic and/or adult wishes.

Bryn is holding the willow weepings. There was so much in the air and on the ground that it looked as though it were snowing. Alas, it was 126 degrees, at least.

Makeover by Dani

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
~ Robert Frost

I've been thinking about this poem. Is it true?

Home.

I’ve spent the last 10 days in the patch of desert called home. While there, I was able to spend time with family, friends, mountains, and bikes – all of my favorite things. I didn’t get to see everybody I wanted to, unfortunately, due to time constraints and a time-honored family tradition of everybody getting sick.

Right after I moved to Boston, my brother and his wife Jill started hosting weekly dinner groups with some of my best friends in the world (nice timing, guys). Michael is a great brother, in that he either invites me to dinner group every week, or calls me in the middle of it to let me know how much fun everybody is having without me. Dinner group is usually held on Thursdays (so that The Office can be watched), but this past Wednesday (June somethingth), they held a special dinner group so that I could go.

The evening’s attendees (Michael, Jill, Kendall, Ashley, Brandon, and Marc ) (Julie wasn’t there, but must be mentioned as the proverbial hub, as well as Amychoate and Owen) were among those responsible for my survival at BYU. They are all not only incredibly talented, but also some of the most open, thoughtful, fun, and adventuresome people I know, and the kind of friends with whom it is safe to be utterly authentic. Also, their unconventional tendencies and noncompliance matches or exceeds mine (excepting Michael, who is the most normal person on the planet).

The food was so delicious that everybody had to rest. This is pretty typical - Michael and Jill's home is very comfortable and spacious, so everybody spreads out and relaxes. Also, Michael's laptop is actually surgically attached to him.

I don't remember why we were laughing so hard, but I do remember that we were the only ones who thought it was that funny.

Marc and his flexible new girlfriend Morgan. I liked her.

I like to call this one "Conjoined."

Ashley and I are pretty much BFF.

An older picture with Amychoate. Owen has since reclaimed his beloved timer, and Amychoate is now sporting an 8-month baby bump. She still looks beautiful, and I know this because I ate lunch with her Wednesday afternoon at an awesome German deli that she suggested in Salt Lake.

The shirt and tie outfit is Owen's way of rebelling against spandex.

And if your sister or your brother

Were stumbling on their last mile

In a self-inflicted exile

You'd wish for them a humble friend.

~ Dar Williams

Till death do they part.

I have arrived in the west, where a) my hair dries within seconds of stepping out of the shower, b) the roads are wide enough for 7 or 8 vehicles to travel side-by-side, and c) there is plenty of overhead lighting with these nifty inventions called lightswitches conviently located... let's see... everywhere you expect them to be. I'm here at this particular time to celebrate the nuptials of my friend Owen, who has been married to the lovely and talented Anna Isabelle for at least 3, and as many as 18 months. The exact length of their legally-binding union is "unclear," according to the truth-dodging groom.

They had a very nice ceremony with family and a few close friends at Red Butte Gardens - a venue that I've never visited despite spending my formative years in the vicinity. It's beautiful, and the perfect place for a small wedding.

After the wedding, we went on a group honeymoon that involved Owen, Anna, and 16 of their friends under one roof and several severe biking activites (see later posts). The condo arrangements were obviously made by Anna's friends, as the place had several full bathrooms, laundering facilities, beds with mattresses and sheets, and (of course) a small waterfall in the backyard. If we (Owen's friends) had been in charge, it wouldn't have been nearly as nice (or expensive) and probably would have involved self-dug latrines of some sort in the middle of the dessert. All in all, we had a great honeymoon.

Winnipesaukee again.

Frequently asked questions:
Q: Are you still alive?
A: Yes. I’ve been busy taking qualifying exams (an unsuccessful endeavor) and working in my lab. Plus, I’m not that good at being an active member of online communities, though I will have to stop badmouthing Facebook because this morning I reconnected with a dearly loved friend / former roommate because she happened to work in Jackson Hole the same summer DJ did.

Q: Are you going to stay in school and re-take your qualifying exams?
A: It seems likely, but I'm going to see how the summer goes.

Q: When are you getting married?
A: I'm sorry, I don’t understand the question.

Q: Have you half a mind to forsake family, friends, lovers, and academics to go wait tables part time and play full time in Meredith, NH?
A: Why, yes I have.

This past weekend, Chris and I headed north to explore the beautiful and underappreciated White Mountains. First stop? The lake made famous by Bob Wiley and Doctor Leo Marvin. We rented a double kayak ($30 US, Wild Waters, Meredith NH) and then had a picnic at a public beach nearby. This would make a fantastic family outing for those bored of Chutes and Ladders. They also rent canoes and sailboats.

Look carefully at this picture and note the following: a) the flexed nature of my shoulder and arm region, indicating that I am actively expending ATP to drive the actin/myosin-driven process called “muscle contraction” in another process called “work,” b) the sweat on my brow, and c) the strained look on my face.

Now look at this picture and note the lack of the characteristics described above that would suggest the subject of this photo is participating in what might be called his “fair share.”

After the water-device rental workers terrified us regarding the very cold nature of the water and importance of staying close the shore, we deemed the water calm enough to venture to this small island that we named Pit Stop. On the way back the water was choppy and I got soaked… burrr.

Bored?

Sorry, folks. I've been too busy to update my blog recently; fortunately for us all, my doppleganger has done it for me: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=823449838.