So Ya, Thought Ya, Might Like To...Go To The Show...

I decided to take in the Roger Waters concert at Fenway Park even though my concert companion did not have an interest in it. I had seen this show in November of 2010 in Dallas but there was something intriguing about seeing The Wall in front of arguably one of the most famous walls; the famed Green Monster. This stadium production was even more grand but still just as amazing of an event as before!!

I have the urge to take a road trip...

Wait....scratch that. A day after posting this my wife got a call about her next assignment being in NYC starting September 10th. I think I can wait just a bit longer!! Stay tuned...

Marblehead, MA

Congrats to the 2012 NBA Champions*

I have never been a fan of the Miami Heat, but as a fan of the NBA, my hat is off to them as they captured this year's title. I wonder if Phil Jackson thinks this one deserves an astericks just like the '99 Spurs title...Hmmm...I mean it was a 66 game season.

Ringo Starr - Bank of America Pavillion - Boston, MA - 6.19.12

"I get by with a little help from my friends..."

 The Kit

Well it didn't take long for the Concert Kids to get back at it as Laura and I decided to try out one of Boston's best music venues by attending the Ringo Starr concert on Tuesday night. An intimate 5,000 seat venue that is situated on the waterfront docks on the south-end of town, this gem of a concert shed offered us harbor views and a gorgeous sunset behind the Boston skyline all while listening to a Beatle none-the-less. The band played a meaty 25 song setlist which included such Ringo hits as Photograph and It Don't Come Easy, as well as Beatle classics Yellow Submarine, Don't Pass Me By, I Wanna Be Your Man, and the show closer With A Little Help From My Friends. We also heard the hits from other members of the band such as Mr. Mister's Broken Wings and Kyrie, Toto's Rosanna and Africa as well as Santana's Evil Ways and Black Magic Woman. A great night of music at a wonderful music venue that I highly recommend...a splendid time is guaranteed for all!!

Good Morning from Salem, MA

This morning I happened to awaken at a little after 5 AM and happened to see the sun rising up over the Salem Sound and Atlantic Ocean. Amazing sight for this Texan.

Cape Ann Whale Watch

 When I lived in Massachusetts back in the 1st grade I became a fan of whales after a our family took in a whale watch. Now that I am finally back, and with my parents in town, we wasted no time doing it again. I learned it is tough to photograph whales in their natural habitat. We saw Minke, Finback and Humpback whales. As hard as they are to photograph, I was lucky enough to not only see a whale breaching, but I was able to grab a shot of it!!

 The Money Shot

I'm Baaaaaack!!!

Well it only took me 26 years to return to DC but while on our way up to Boston, spent a Sunday morning seeing a little bit of our nation's capitol. It's still as beautiful as I remember and we even got to see the President (well we are telling ourselves he was in that helicopter). After lots of walking, we had lunch at the iconic Ben's Chili Bowl. Now I am not really a fan of chili dogs, but when the likes of Chris Rock, Bill Cosby and even Pres. Obama tell you to eat there, you listen. I am happy to report they are everything they were said to be!!

We made it...

Well it has been a month since I last posted, but I can happily report that Laura and I made it to Boston. And as you can see we have already started taking in the sights. I will be posting, in the coming days, of our trip getting here. Let the adventure begin!!

Austin Food + Wine Festival Kick-Off Event - 4.27.12

Last Friday I had the chance to attend the kick-off event for the inaugural Austin Food and Wine Festival. The event was held at Republic Square Park in downtown Austin. It served as one last chance for me to say goodbye to the Austin food scene that I have been a part of for so many years. I sure will miss it...a lot!!!

Chef Paul Qui's Strawberries and Lardo

Top Chef Runner-Up Sarah Grueneberg explains her dish to Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern as her mentor Beard Award Winner Chef Tony Mantuano watches on.

Barley Swine owner and 2011 Food and Wine Best New Chef, Bryce Gilmore

Chatting up Top Chef and 2012 James Beard Award winner Paul Qui

Grammy Award Winning Artist Lucinda Williams

How Bizarre

Smoke

Marcus Samuelsson

 

Austin at Dusk

Nice panoramic view of the Austin skyline from the Congress Ave. bridge.

"Didn't I see you down in San Antone on a hot and dusty night?" - Memo From Turner

Well over the course of the last decade or so, I have made several trips down to San Antonio to see my Lakers take on the hated Spurs. I would have to say that 90% of the time I come home sad due to the fact that the Lakers seem to never play well when I am in the building. So as I made my way down I-35 one last time before leaving Texas, I had no reason to believe this night would be any different; especially when the news came down that Kobe Bryant would not be playing. "Where's the rest of them? Surely a so-called elite NBA franchise such as the Spurs has won more than just four championships..."For my Gator friends out there - Matt Bonner draining a 3-pointer.Pop trying to figure out WTF is going on. A 26 point lead in the second half? Get Out?!?!Well, I must admit that I was MORE than surprised that the Lakers not only showed up and played well, but laid the smackdown on one of the best teams in the NBA. And on their homecourt!! And without Kobe!! Haha! Lakers 98 - Spurs 84 - Laker fans celebrate on the front steps of the AT&T Center.San Fernando Cathedral - Founded in 1731, it has the distinction of being the oldest cathedral in the US.The Tower Life BuildingLate night eats at Mi Tierra Cafe As much as I hate the Spurs and mostly their fans, I have to admit that I am going to miss these jaunts down to San Antonio. Take care SA, I am quite sure I will see you again someday!!