The Year of the Minox

@ The Kennedy Center 2

2009-10-18T13:28:00.004-04:00

Down the long hall, version 2.

Night on Bald Mountain

2009-10-17T22:27:00.002-04:00

This piece is overused, but always fun to hear.

The Symphony: A Great Place for Spies to Blend In

2009-10-16T23:26:00.000-04:00

I'm on a Bus, I'm on a Bus

2009-10-15T20:24:00.000-04:00

I know, can you believe it?!?

Rain on the Taxi Window

2009-10-14T19:23:00.000-04:00

It's been raining for days. No end in sight.

@ The Kennedy Center

2009-10-13T22:23:00.001-04:00

Down the long hall, version 1.

The Colonnade

2009-10-12T01:19:00.001-04:00

I Love a Parade 2

2009-10-11T20:37:00.001-04:00

I Love a Parade 1

2009-10-10T20:36:00.000-04:00

Walk On!

2009-10-09T20:36:00.000-04:00

3 Days, 60 Miles, 1 Cause.

In Line for Drinks

2009-10-08T20:35:00.000-04:00

Waiting with hundreds of my people for a Bud Light.

On Pennsylvania Ave

2009-10-07T20:34:00.000-04:00

Things I (Heart) 3

2009-10-06T20:34:00.001-04:00

@ Old Ebbitt

2009-10-05T20:32:00.000-04:00

Self Portrait 6

2009-10-04T16:02:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Cara for lensing this one.

Happy Sukkot!

2009-10-03T16:01:00.000-04:00

Shaking the lulav and etrog.

Johnny, Jane, and Jimmy Appleseed

2009-10-02T16:01:00.000-04:00

Yup, That's a Goat

2009-10-01T16:00:00.000-04:00

My Own Personal Oz

2009-09-30T15:59:00.001-04:00

I'll Miss You Most of All

2009-09-29T15:57:00.000-04:00

First to Arrive

2009-09-28T16:59:00.002-04:00

Waiting on services to begin.

@ The Diner

2009-09-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

Burgers and onion rings last night. Great quiet place for spies to meet. Or brothers. Or friends.

Torrential

2009-09-26T22:08:00.001-04:00

We're stranded in the rain. Without car keys.

Scenes From a Keg Party

2009-09-25T23:59:00.001-04:00

Sunny Street

2009-09-24T17:05:00.000-04:00

Chess in Dupont

2009-09-23T17:04:00.000-04:00

Gallery Place at Night

2009-09-22T17:04:00.000-04:00

People in Line for Gelato

2009-09-21T22:27:00.000-04:00

Odd crowd. Great gelato.

Last Day of Summer Dinner

2009-09-20T21:25:00.001-04:00

Had dinner with C.C. tonight. Delicious fish tacos and margaritas. And grilled corn. It was a perfect end-of-summer dinner.

Rosh Hashanah Dinner

2009-09-19T23:59:00.000-04:00

The table is set. Waiting on the diners. Happy New Year!

"I Shot a Movie There"

2009-09-18T13:38:00.000-04:00

Was a line my brother heard a lot last weekend. The last time I said that was here. The hotel with the light-up sign is the Essex Hotel. It used to be a fleabag motel. I shot a movie there. We shot on every floor of that building, from hand-held in the basement to time-lapse on the roof.

View from the Bottom

2009-09-17T21:15:00.000-04:00

The John Hancock building. Imposing at any angle!

Man's Other Best Friend

2009-09-16T21:25:00.002-04:00

The Chicago-style Dog. A best friend indeed. Steamed all-beef hotdog, gooey poppyseed bun, mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle, peppers, and celery salt. Delicious!

Today the Stand

2009-09-15T21:24:00.000-04:00

Mustard's Last Stand. Best hot dogs in Chicago. Tomorrow the dogs.

Spread Far the Fame of Our Fair Name

2009-09-14T21:00:00.003-04:00

Go Northwestern win that game. And they did. Barely.

U2 @ Soldier Field

2009-09-13T10:34:00.002-04:00

Words cannot describe. Pictures cannot do justice.

Weeklong Series 1: Chicago—Part 1: The El

2009-09-12T17:43:00.003-04:00

I'm only in Chicago for 42 hours, but I'll be posting pictures from the trip all week. The first, today, is an El Platform at the Chicago and State station. We're on our way to Evanston for the Northwestern-Eastern Michigan game. Turned out to be a barn burner. More on that later. For now . . . waiting on the train.

@ The Dana Hotel

2009-09-11T22:54:00.005-04:00

Just got to Chicago!!! So excited to be here. Brings back so many, many fond, fond memories. Yes, you heard me right.

So because I didn't post all this week, due to illness, and because I'm so happy to be in Chicago, two pictures from the Dana Hotel. One of the room and one of the view from the window.

Tomorrow look for pictures of the hotel's rooftop bar, Northwestern (pending . . .), and of course, U2.

Found 4

2009-09-10T22:54:00.000-04:00

Starry night in a city. This is as close as we get to actual stars.

Still Raining

2009-09-09T17:53:00.000-04:00

Still sick.

It's Raining

2009-09-08T18:46:00.000-04:00

And I'm sick. Summer cold. Boo!

Outtakes 4

2009-09-07T18:41:00.002-04:00

I was sick again today, and it was raining. So no new picture. Please enjoy this outtake from C.C.'s party at L2. I call it "Three Empty Glass Soldiers".

@ The Coop

2009-09-06T16:18:00.003-04:00

Since there's no Odin in D.C., I go to the Coop. Got some new work shirts and a fall coat. All in all a good trip. And fast, too, thankfully.

@ The Beckster

2009-09-05T22:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know I eat here all the time. Yes, I am aware that I get the same basic thing every time I go: moules frites and the newest triple on tap. But I like routine. And when I find something good, I stick with it. Anyway, even with a cold, the food tasted fantastic. And beer + phlegm is surprisingly not that bad.

On McPherson Square

2009-09-04T09:15:00.000-04:00

Walking to work. You can see my building in the far center background. Glorious late summer day.

Getting Out the Gear

2009-09-03T20:06:00.001-04:00

Football season is upon us. Here is my equipment.

Doggie ER

2009-09-02T22:59:00.003-04:00

Tova has been sick, so we were off to the Doggie ER tonight. Very nice clinic. Friendship Heights Hospital for Animals. I *highly* recommend it to all you dog owners out there. Great service, and they took good care of Tova. An IV, a shot, and a couple of pills later, and she's back to her old self. Now she's playing with her rope—I think she's already forgotten the visit. :)

Also, a tip of the hat to the two very patient taxicab drivers who provided transportation. Nice cab drivers in D.C. are rare indeed.

The Wait is Over

2009-09-01T20:56:00.002-04:00

The Killers! Live on stage, last night. Awesome show—solid B+ performance.

Stuck on Exit

2009-08-31T23:59:00.000-04:00

We're stuck on the exit ramp, waiting to get in to see The Killers @ Merriweather. And because we had to wait to see them, you, too, have to wait. Actual concert picture to come tomorrow.

A Red Blur

2009-08-30T23:59:00.002-04:00

More from the 930 Club No Scrubs Dance Party. I love the painterly quality here.

@ L2

2009-08-29T23:59:00.000-04:00

Spies love trendy night clubs. They're good, anonymous places where you can blend in with the crowd and make deals or arrange for special "services". They're also good places to celebrate 30th birthdays. Happy Birthday C.C.!

Hands Up!

2009-08-28T23:59:00.002-04:00

@ the 930 Club for the No Scrubs 90s Dance Party with DJ Will Eastman. We were dancing to, I believe, Len's "Steal My Sunshine". You just don't hear that song everyday anymore. More from this event to come . . .

Two Cathedrals

2009-08-27T21:49:00.001-04:00

On the walk home, after picking up Tova at daycare. Two churches―one circle. Not just a brilliant "The West Wing" episode anymore. At least these don't appear to be dueling.

Wednesday Night Workout

2009-08-26T19:40:00.002-04:00

Can I count carrying out and setting up my home gym equipment as part of my workout????

Found 3

2009-08-25T20:06:00.000-04:00

Can You Be Positive About Negative Space?

2009-08-24T21:32:00.001-04:00

Self Portrait 5

2009-08-23T19:17:00.001-04:00

Me and Tova, on a walk.

Outtakes 3

2009-08-22T21:16:00.000-04:00

Sick in bed today. Enjoy this outtake while I recuperate. This was taken at Pipkin's in Cincinnati. We were making fajitas that night.

Late-nite Grill-out

2009-08-21T23:15:00.000-04:00

BBQ'ing on the roof late tonight. Lamb burgers. Here's a shot over the ledge.

The Kineticism of Running

2009-08-20T21:06:00.002-04:00

Especially on a treadmill, life goes by in a blur. But a cool blur. *Waaaay* too humid to run outside tonight!

A Marshmallow Sky

2009-08-19T20:41:00.002-04:00

Another one from magic hour—captured on the walk home. I love the effect here. The sky blows out, gets milky, and falls over the buildings like marshmallow frosting.

Down Came the Rain

2009-08-18T20:47:00.001-04:00

And washed me out. Barely made it home!

Waitin' on the Day to End

2009-08-17T20:17:00.002-04:00

Watching Over the Burgers from Above

2009-08-16T20:42:00.003-04:00

There's something Godly about this picture. Doesn't help that it was taken at my temple's BBBBQ. (That's Bands, Beers, BBQ.)

Yes, only my DSLR is capable of this resolution.

Lazy Saturday

2009-08-15T19:42:00.002-04:00

Tova sunning on a lazy Saturday. I sunned, too.

Yes, this is the DSLR. Appearing again.

Tequila, Lime, Triple Sec = Awesome

2009-08-14T23:39:00.000-04:00

Too many margaritas makes everything blurry. Happy Birthday Andrew!

Things I Miss 1

2009-08-13T20:09:00.002-04:00

The herb garden. At magic hour.

A Room With a View

2009-08-12T15:14:00.000-04:00

The pond and stone patio, from Birdie's room.

Even Lawyers Need Lawyers

2009-08-11T16:56:00.001-04:00

One Cake, Many Arms

2009-08-10T22:48:00.000-04:00

Lighting the birthday candles. Happy Birthdays Dad and Bird!

Buying Bi-Color Corn

2009-08-09T12:20:00.002-04:00

One of the best things about Cincinnati is the corn in August. Locally grown—it's the best. Today, Steve Pipkin (of Pipkin's) said to go with the bi-color. And I trust him. Silver and gold never went together so well.

Who Knew?

2009-08-08T18:25:00.001-04:00

Another one from Wolftrap. Who knew that Italian opera in the summer could pack 'em in? Anyway, there's nothing like a sold out crowd.

@ Wolftrap

2009-08-07T23:17:00.002-04:00

Went to La Bohème tonight at Wolftrap with C.C. I captured this silhouette at the bottom of the hill. Is that Rodolfo and Mimi on the crest? It doesn't get any better than Puccini in a National Park.

Things I Don't Get 1

2009-08-06T21:30:00.002-04:00

From the Things I Don't Get file: why is there a mysterious theater entrance in the alley between my office and Bobby Van's? Anyone?

A Horse's Ass

2009-08-05T20:56:00.004-04:00

There are lots of circles in D.C. And when you approach any circle from the north, you catch glimpse of a horse's ass. There's a joke in there somewhere.

Sticky

2009-08-04T17:53:00.000-04:00

More sticky air. Never should have built this city on a swamp!

@ Juice Joint

2009-08-03T11:57:00.001-04:00

The Juice-orino. The Juice-arama. The Juice-inator. Makin' OJ.

Laughing

2009-08-02T20:43:00.002-04:00

Had dinner with my dear compatriot C.C. last night. Here she is laughing. Don't know about what.

By the way, say "hello" to my DSLR. I told you it would sub in from time to time. Today is the first. It's glad to be here.

@ Brasserie Beck

2009-08-01T23:16:00.001-04:00

Even in the heat, it's draughty in there.

The Ladies, or the Taxi?

2009-07-31T22:53:00.000-04:00

Which door to open?

Wind Direction

2009-07-30T20:50:00.002-04:00

Back at the W Hotel (formerly the Hotel Washington) again today, eating at the new Jean Georges steakhouse. This is taken from the world-famous roof of that building.

The American flag in the distance is one of many flags on the rooftops of buildings on this square block. Just feet from the White House, rooftop snipers use this array of flags to judge wind direction and speed in the event they have to line up a shot. Now you know.

@ P.O.V.

2009-07-29T22:13:00.003-04:00

Charity event at the newest D.C. club: P.O.V. at the W Hotel (formerly the Hotel Washington).

I had a rye, ginger, and soda drink. The crowd was drier than the drink.

Hazy, Hot, and Humid

2009-07-28T21:40:00.003-04:00

The swampy summer weather finally set in. Bummer. This picture just *feels* uncomfortably sticky.

Self Portrait 4

2009-07-27T21:31:00.002-04:00

Hey, I got some new shoes on.

Stranger Near a Train

2009-07-26T19:56:00.004-04:00

I think this one is very Hitchcockian. Last of the series from the trip to NYC.

Adventure on the Potomac

2009-07-25T19:07:00.001-04:00

Too dangerous to take the camera out on the river, especially after the Brasserie Beck incident. So here's a dry-land shot of our group preparing to go white water tubing. What a day!

The Train Home

2009-07-24T19:06:00.008-04:00

Because I'm feeling generous, here are two pictures from Penn Station. I think they complement each other nicely.

Yes, cropped for effect.

@ Jean Georges

2009-07-23T23:59:00.003-04:00

The open kitchen of my favorite NYC restaurant. I went for restaurant week. Total time in the City: 23 hours.

Dinner was peekytoe crab, pink cod, baby artichokes, and homemade graham cracker with bitter chocolate crème. Delicious. The highlight of the evening, though, were the Hendricks and muddled cucumber cocktails—so strong, I barely remember dessert!

The Wire

2009-07-22T21:05:00.003-04:00

The best and worst parts of my job: listening to audio recordings of surreptitious body wires.

@ Sushi Taro 2

2009-07-21T19:59:00.005-04:00

They even have homemade soy sauce.

Lately I've been torn between two pictures from an event, so I'm going to start, from time to time, posting a second picture the next day. Call it "savoring the moment a little longer."

Fast Chopsticks

2009-07-20T22:23:00.003-04:00

G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-B-B-B-B-B-B-C-C-C-C-B-A

Ghosts at the Ballpark

2009-07-19T18:05:00.002-04:00

Americana

2009-07-18T20:24:00.004-04:00

Two gentlemen taking in America's favorite pastime.

Watched the Cubs beat the Nats last night. More from the ballpark tomorrow . . .

Yes, cropped for effect. My blog, my rules.

Give Blood

2009-07-17T15:32:00.001-04:00

I did. It saves lives.

Self Portrait 3

2009-07-16T22:16:00.001-04:00

Not to sound sinister, but this reminds me of a shot from the movie "Assassins". Anyway, I'm just waiting for the doors to open to go to lunch.

Espionné à Le Bar

2009-07-15T20:59:00.003-04:00

No, it is really called "Le Bar". I'm not kidding. I love the overexposure here. It's very "milky".

Things I (Heart) 2

2009-07-14T21:11:00.002-04:00

I love how the Capitol just comes out of nowhere sometimes.

P.S.: Happy Bastille Day!

Back Alley Meeting

2009-07-13T19:55:00.001-04:00

The right framing can make anything seem sinister.

Is It Wrong . . .

2009-07-12T19:03:00.002-04:00

. . . to put bacon on a veggie burger???

The Controlled Chaos of the Dog Park

2009-07-11T18:54:00.000-04:00

Man and beast, playing together.