Tinariwen at the 9:30, June 26, 2010

I've seen a lot of shows over the past year. This was definitely one of the best ones.

I didn't know what to expect from Tinariwen. I purposefully didn't want to read too much about them but instead go in with an open mind, and my open mind was blown. They were fantastic. I can't rave about them enough.

Honestly, even if I had read about them, I don't think I would have understood what I was reading. Their back-story is amazing and heart-breaking, and difficult to fully grasp.

If you get a chance, go check them out for yourself. Anything I say or write will sound trite or like it's hyperbole. A live show is better, but here's a taste to convince you:

Thea and Liam's first art opening

I took the kids to their first art opening, at the Smithsonian's African Art Museum. There were people dressed to the nines, fancy food, and an open bar. A very grown-up event. And then you have me and my two monkeys. We had a blast.

For the most part, Liam and Thea behaved incredibly well, especially since they were the only kids there and the adults in the room weren't expecting to have to watch out for little ones. At one point, a woman irritated me because she cut in front of me in the food line when I turned around to say something to the kids. In front of her was a guy who dropped some tongs into some kind of sauce, and then just kind of shrugged and walked away. I said to her, "I'm glad it wasn't my kids who did that." She replied, "Yeah, but if your kids had done that, I bet they would have asked for some help cleaning it up."

That was funny, and a good reminder that sometimes people are more myopic than assholes.

Philosophical conversations in the dark

Thea and her best friend Wendy

Conversation as I sit with Thea at bedtime.

Thea: I miss my school. I even miss the cafeteria and the school's mac 'n cheese.

Me: I think it's like when it's winter and you're so sick of the cold and wet weather that you can't wait for a hot, sticky summer. Then summer comes around and you think how refreshing the snow was. It's a reminder that things change, always, and you have to appreciate what you have.

Thea: I like fall best.

Me: Yes, but [start droning on about how change is inevitable and often painful but let us rejoice in the lessons blah blah blah....]

Thea: [exhaling into her hand]

Me: [a little worried that the conversation is too intense and she's getting choked up] Are you okay, sweetie?

Thea: I'm trying to smell my breath!

Me: ... That's nice, dear.

Day of the Dad

Thea's punny, just like her father.

Happy Father's Day!

For Father's Day and in exchange for a minor favor, my friend Abigail took this picture:

and drew this:

I love it, and I think Todd will, too. Happy Father's Day!

Thea draws a retro picture

Developmentally, she has moved beyond this style of drawing. I think
she drew this way for old time's sake. Kids also experience nostalgia;
who knew? It's times like these that I feel a little like Jane Goodall
with the apes.

Fish eggs, fish eggs, roly poly fish eggs

Eat them up, yum!

Sushi after Nylonthread and her brood's dance recital is a yearly event, and it's one of the best parties of the year.

Smart Girls at the Party

This is incredibly cool:


Find more videos like this on Smart Girls at the Party


Smart girls have more fun!

Practicing with chopsticks

Good-bye school year, hello summer! Pan Asian dinner to celebrate.

This is the first time Thea has used chopsticks to eat, and Liam's getting pretty good at it, too.

Thea graduates kindergarten

Here he's with Ms. Lemberg, her teacher. Woohoo, Class of '22!

Liam's recital at daycare today

Twice a year, the daycare that Thea and Liam gave gone to since the were three months old has a recital. The older kids recite a poem and sing songs. Liam's was "Baa Baa Black Sheep." So cute!

Cocktail: Flat Foot Floogee

After trying to resolve issues with my water heater, I need a stiff drink. Here's one of my favorites:

The Flat Foot Floogee (or Triple F)

1 1/2 ounces rye whisky
3/4 ounce chartreuse
1/2 ounce dry vermouth

Shake with ice and strain.

Somewhat elusive fireflies

Catching fireflies

Liam has long, luxurious hair

Remember putting pants on your head and pretending that you had long hair? Apparently that is encoded in our DNA.

Insufferability and beatitude

An old friend was in town briefly for board meetings. I talked Cynthia into letting me take a picture of us in a drug store, where the light was better than at the bar. My goofy expression is because we posed next to laxatives. This is also the reason for her bemused and tolerant smile. I'm such a twelve-year-old boy.