Happy Zanmai Birthday to me!

I typically only try to post a few pictures at a time to account for the modern attention span, but there were just too many pictures to choose from, and too many people to include in the photoblog fun! And a giant sushi boat! And Mason and his random photography skills! And... well, just deal with the copious amount of pictures from my Boulder birthday celebration at the BEST PLACE EVER... Sushi Zanmai! (followed by a small gathering at Bacaro)

THE BEST THING EVER!!!!!!!!!!
Sushi boat!! Notice my Z-9's and eel handroll in the bow. And also the insufficient amount of Z-9 sauce on the plate. Yeah, we got more.

Derek and I with the entirely devoured sushi boat. Yay for Derek, who has wanted nothing else in the world aside from a boat full of sushi for as long as I've known him...


Katja and I!


Leslie clearly wants me to take this picture of her, Katie & Brianna.

What Mason thinks: We're posing before sake bombs.
What Audra thinks: Let's get this thing started. Mwuhahahaha.

Blake shows us his true inner nature.... and Elana is smiling but secretly wondering, "What did I get myself into with this whole marriage thing??"


One of many of the Mason-inspired random photos taken at Bacaro. For a full catalog of these pictures, go here.


Audra and I are tougher than you.

Miscellaneous post-RI CO Fun

Yeah, there's no connecting theme with this, but they're worthwhile pictures!

1. Derek's reaction the next afternoon after picking me up at the airport at 3am, thanks to JetBlue's untimely arrival.... He might hate this, but I think it's the best picture ever! :)

Andy & Derek, on Andy's birthday... Um. I don't know what they're doing either.

Lauren comes for a one night visit! And stops to pet the puppy (just days before he breaks himself)...

Summertime and the living's easy... (in RI)

Just because I'm RI photo-happy.... here are the top reasons I love RI so, aside from the proximity to friends and family, in photo form:

Clamcakes and chowder. (4 times in 5 days? What could be better?)
(Also, Down with Iggy's! I'm an Aunt Carrie's fan, tried and true!)

Lobster. Mmm. (Birthday lobster to be exact!)


Waterfire. Late at night, when the crowds have subsided.
(No, I didn't take this picture, but it needed to be represented anyway).

The Beach. (Um, period.)

Rhode Island, Take 2: Fun with Friends

I am fortunate to still have some good friends around who can entertain me on my trips back home. (Read: mock me for spilling things all over my shirt during meals, laugh at my improper frisbee catching technique which yields forearm bruises, say no to all my crazy ideas, etc, etc). I mean, I may have to import some of them, but that makes it all the more fun, Right? Observe:

Rob, me, Josh & Jill at the Mews - after the marinara sauce incident...

Sarah, clamcakes, chowder and the beach just before sunset. Pefection?

Shiri's really pregnant!
(Me, Shiri and baby Gabrielle in my parents' garden after a cloudy and leisurely beach day...)

Old friends reunite! Vanessa and I on the cliff walk in Newport.

Who says cloudy beach days are no fun? Noah & I after a well tied game of Scrabble, some frisbee and an unexpected air show.

Rhode Island, Take 1: Family Photos

A visit to RI is nothing if it is not to see family. This time, the occasion to reconnect was my grandparents' move from the house they've lived in for 50 years. But of course, the week long visit promted many other family activities and photo opportunities. To share:

Good-bye, 266 Vineyard Rd.


Hello, 888 Halifax.


Grams' finished "Rogues Gallery" with its handiwoman.
(Not only is the whole family displayed here, but the vocabulary enhancement is priceless!)

Uncle Don, Aunt Elaine, Grams & Gramps, as moving day/night was winding down...

Also:

Aww.. Mom & Dad after an exciting game of softball for the Warwick Firefighters' team...


Nana & I outside the Crow's Nest after my birthday lobster dinner!


Jason & I before returning the golf cart during our day of golfing fun. My first time!


And finally, happy birthday to me! Yay!

Book Club - academic and extracurricular activities...

Pictures of us being academic from our May/June meeting at Megan's (new!) house:

Look! Despite all their protesting, they posed for a picture!!
(Katie, Ava, Megan, Emma, me & Brianna)

The new proud parents, Marc & Megan, with Ava!

Pictures of us being non-academic at Emily's housewarming party in the Fort:

"Leslie! Lick the tequila off the counter!"
(and be glad the picture of you actually doing it wasn't one of my choices!)

How not to properly pick a cage for your dog based on size

Fun with Natkers & Spuhlers

Because we like to eat and drink, and we like to eat and drink with our friends:

Um, isn't this just the best spread of (half-eaten) half-price tapas you've ever seen? That's what I thought.

Close your eyes and pretend we're actually on the Mediterranean instead of at the Med in Boulder...

Cheers to good friends! And the cheap drinks at the Corner Bar!

Derek: "I want to like scotch. All the smart people like scotch. You see it in the movies."
Blake: "If you're going to get one to find out if you like it, it mind as well be the oldest and best they have."
Elana: "Yeah, it should at least be legal."
Derek: (to waitress) "Yeah, I'll take the 18 year-old."
All: "Yes, good idea..." "You'll really be able to tell if you like it..."
Derek: "I'm excited!" (more chatter about how this is going to be so good).
(10 minutes pass)
All: So??
Derek: "Um... No."
Derek: "Oh, wait, it's brandy! I have to learn to like brandy! THAT'S what all the smart people like."
(Collective groans).