SoCal

When the schedule opens up, I feel compelled to take advantage and did so with five days in Southern California. I chose that area for friends and saw many amazing people with whom I have long-distance relationships. Some friends I see weekly, others monthly and ones with large swaths of land between us tend to be multi-yearly. Even with email and telephones, a good face-to-face needs to happen occasionally. And it did last week; thank you to everyone there who took care of me! I originally planned this trip and thought about the beach, but when a monster storm dumped…

Maine

From Cape Cod to Maine for the final leg of my summer travels... Portland has been blessed by the arrival of Andrew and Rachel last summer. Rachel is involved in the art community there and I attended a vibrant outdoor fair in which she and other local artists set up booths to display and vend their wares, while bands rocked the stage in beautiful weather. We then hit up Hugo's Restaurant, where Andrew is Chef de Cuisine and indulged in gastronomic delight with his absurd tasting menu. Both of them are incredibly creative and passionate artists and have settled into…

The Cape

As a tyke, my summers were spent in glorious Cape Cod, so I can't be sure just how much of my love for this place is nostalgic, but darn if it isn't a perfect place to be today! This weekend was an amazing Taylor family reunion, with MomMom and her four sons and daughter-in-laws, plus 10 of the 12 cousins (myself included) and their wives/fiancees/boyfriends congregating in Osterville for beach and beer pong... It isn't often that I see my extended family, but every time I am reminded how awesome this family is; we have our mini-dramas for sure, but…

And it’s only August 3rd!

I hate to brag, but this summer has been one of my best ever. The past month was pure chill, with European adventure and Vermont bliss. My last entry came just after our Italian leg, which was followed by two weeks in Catalonia, visiting the Bucklands in Barcelona and Borde Neuve. Surrounded by Americans, but soaking in Spanish and French culture, eating beautiful food and drinking local -- as in backyard -- wine. In Barcelona, Kevin introduced us to the squat scene, a truly bohemian free lifestyle, and I met up with two women who used to be au pairs…

Saric’s House

Mt. Holly is a typically beautiful Vermont retreat, and nestled among the mountains and forests and fields is the recently purchased home of Sarah and Eric (Saric). It is anti-Brooklyn. Peace and tranquilty reign and life thrives in all shapes and sizes; it is actually possible in this country setting for humans to feel a part of the natural order rather than its oppressor. I appreciate what the city offers and need it in my life, but the occasional escape to an outpost of serenity is vital to my sanity. Congratulations Saric on your amazing property and thank you for…

Oil!

On April 20, an explosion on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico caused a massive leak a mile below the ocean's surface. It was clear then that we were witnessing an historical catastrophe, and now, three weeks later, the oil continues to flow unchecked into our environment. Estimates of the damage have varied from bad to horrendous, and now there is video of the underwater oil geyser spewing forth its toxins into the environment. It is devastating. Having failed to contain it with a giant structure lowered to the seabed, BP admits that it's arsenal to stop the…

Sydling St. Nicholas

I choose to live in the city for many reasons, mainly its efficiency and culture, but there are also some crucial deficiencies to life in Brooklyn, namely tranquility and nature. Luckily, I have some very special homes away from home, one of which is the lovely village of Sydling St. Nicholas in Dorset, England where Alaina's grandparents reside. This is beautiful countryside of rolling hills occupied mostly by cows and sheep with tiny human hamlets in the valleys. In the city, it is the immensity of our buildings that inspires me; in the country, it is the immensity of space.…

Health Insurance for Earth

Right now in Bangkok, a monumental conference is underway, involving delegates from all over the world who have come to discuss nothing less than the future survival of our planet. Climate change is the focus and negotiations have begun on the follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol which will be drafted in Copenhagen next month. It is a crucial moment in our planet's history because we have already pushed the limits of our ecosystem's capacity to maintain itself and are bringing it to the brink of being inhospitable. There is no question that without checking our consumption and abuse, the atmosphere…

The Land Party 2009

It is one of the few annual events in my life and I look forward to it every year. This year's jam was especially special because there is now a house at the Land (in Warwick, NY) to shelter us from the elements; the weather this entire month has been dismal, and this weekend was no exception. Saturday was a rainout, but that didn't stop us from playing one of the best whiffle ball games ever. As always, the food, beverages, music and company was top notch, and even rain can't damper the refreshing feeling of being out in the…

Bogeys, Double Bogeys, Triple Bogeys and a few Pars…

I played my first golf round of the season at Forest Park in Queens this morning and it rained hard the entire time. Mets and Yankees games were postponed, but we slogged through the course and enjoyed every minute of it. Sure, it could have been bright sunshine and ideal golf conditions, but it wasn't, so we played what we got. It is a nice walk through rural New York City that included many bird sightings (nice Red-Winged Blackbirds, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Geese and an Egret) and occasionally offered the opportunity to strike a small ball with a stick in an…