Ms. S's 50th in Philly

Something like nostalgia was the theme for Ms. S's 50th. A return to Philly and Bryn Mawr. And as it happens, in the van from the airport, we had to drop someone off in Ms. S's old neighborhood around Baltimore and 45th.

We explored downtown Philly, went to City Hall and the Reading Terminal Market, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The birthday dinner was fabulous--omikase at at Morimoto's.

Oh, you want details? Started with sashimi with some kind of granita on top. Next sashimi with hot chili oil, slightly stronger fish. Next briefly seared fish with greens and topped with bonito flakes. Then halibut and lobster tail wrapped in nori and steamed. Followed by lamb chops rolled in panko with red wine sauce and perhaps mashed parsnips. Sushi including tuna, salmon, and 3 other kinds of fish. Dessert was very light. Mr. P had a martini and then wine, Ms. S had a fruity drink and then Morimoto beer. The restaurant was beautiful and good time was had by all.

The next day, we took the train out to Bryn Mawr and the Barnes Foundation.













On Saturday, we went to the Italian Market, the Mummer's Museum, and then historic South Philly and a stop in Jim's Cheese Steaks. Yum.













And, of course, the Liberty Bell.










An excellent, low-key birthday celebration.

More photos at: www.kodakgallery.com/mccusker. The password is our street name.

Mr. T in Town

For more American School in Brussels reunion fun. And shame, shame, not a SINGLE photo. We of course, had a great, great time, and laughed a lot, and discovered a great Indian restaurant.

Flamenco Night at Grant Park

A great program, but I'm not sure I call Falla flamenco.

Gerardo Nunez Quintet with Carmen Cortés

FALLA	Suite No. 1 from El Sombrero de tres picos (Three-cornered Hat)
RIVERO/Garcia Salas/Will	Andalusian Fire
Traditional	Martinete
NUNEZ	Solea por Bulerias
NUNEZ	Trafalgar
NUNEZ	Solea
NUNEZ	Bulerias
BIZET	Suite No. 1 from Carmen
NUNEZ	Sevilla
NUNEZ	Calima

Sensual and dramatic, the art of Flamenco is embodied by guitar sensation
Gerardo Nunez and traditional gypsy dancer Carmen Cortés.

Lookingglass Alice

One of their signature pieces, but the first time we had seen it.

BBQ at Mr. S and Ms. S

A very pleasant evening out at the home of my boss.

Cubs v. Diamondbacks

Jason Marquis went up against Brandon Webb, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, for the Cubs on Friday, and it was Marquis who reigned supreme.

Marquis' sinker sunk, his curveball had a big curve to it, and he threw first-pitch strikes. That combination, along with Jacque Jones' two RBI singles and a three-run home run by Aramis Ramirez, paced the Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ohhh...do you believe in forshadowing...maybe end of year divisional playoff?

House Theatre Gala

We didn't bid successfully on anything this year...but had a good time!

A Work Retreat at Lake Geneva

I brought my cheesehead, but never had to use it. 'Nuff said.

I love my work...

Dinner with Mr. R

Had dinner at Salpicon with my longtime friend (back to North Carolina days), Mr. R.

Mr. B and Ms. H wedding

Went to our friends' wedding at the top of the Hancock building. A lovely couple and a lovely event.

People Who Work for Mr N. Party!

We had a party for Mr. P's workmates, or more specifically, the people who work for Mr. P's boss. The theme was Homer...because of the big gift to U of Chicago for Odyssey scholarships. Get it. Made mostly possible by the great work of Mr. N...

07/07/07

Harmonic convergence got nothing on you....

Independence Day

Once again, 4th of July has swept by, with little fanfare from the M. household. OK, we did watch that great Independence Day movie...

It was 20 Years Ago Today

Well, somewhere around here twenty years ago that Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play...

Cubs v. Rockies, and we were there. Wow!

An amazing, amazing comeback. Final Score: Cubs 10, Rockies 9.

A fan leaps onto the field, just to say to Howry, "com'on, what are you thinking."




Alfonso Soriano finished off the latest wild game at Wrigley Field.

Soriano hit a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Cubs a 10-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, setting off a wild celebration after Chicago's bullpen blew a five-run lead in the top of the ninth.

''A great win. You couldn't have scripted it any better. Clutch,'' Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

Troy Tulowitzki hit a go-ahead, three-run homer to cap Colorado's six-run ninth.

''Just when you think you've seen about everything, you haven't seen everything,'' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

After Todd Helton doubled in a run with none out in the ninth off reliever Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry (4-4) was greeted by consecutive RBI singles from Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe. Tulowitzki followed with a three-run shot to put the Rockies ahead 9-8. Howry is the Cubs' closer while Ryan Dempster is unavailable because of a strained oblique muscle.

After Tulowitzki's homer, a fan jumped onto the field from the roof of the Rockies' dugout and charged at Howry. The fan was just a few feet from the mound when security guards tackled him.

''As soon as I turned around the guy clotheslined him and took him down,'' said Howry, who hardly moved as the fan charged his way. ''He said, 'What are you doing?' I'm trying to give up home runs, what do you think?''