a few things

It's a mellow Friday night. Conrad got home about an hour and a half ago, we've had dinner (salmon), we're sipping wine and dealing with a few things related to finances and our upcoming Hawaiian vacation (YES!!!!). Some music playing. A good weekend ahead, according to our plans.

So let me get caught up.

I shan't worry about where I last left off and try to figure out everything I've done since. Instead, a few highlights:

A visit to TK.

And Michael, who doesn't care to be photographed. And Coney and Buster, my two favourite dogs in the world.

Go ahead, ask me how much dog hair I brought home on my clothes. Those dogs got some love from me! A quick weekend in Baltimore, but for a chance to see my best friend (and really, I can never say enough good things about Todd) and enjoy conversations while strolling around the lake? So worth it. Add in those banana desserts

at the Taste of the Town fundraiser event, and, well, we've got a memorable visit indeed.

Vancouver. An even shorter weekend there, but enough time to get in a good run around Stanley Park followed by breakfast and coffee at Safari Cafe.

Ah, Safari, we have missed you. Never close, Adam, please. Time spent with friends,

birthday cake,

and some new furniture.

Oh, and have I mentioned how freaking gorgeous that city is in the spring sunshine?

A return to Girl and the Goat. Eric was in town,

so we caught up over some small plates and (for me) drinks at the bar. I'm a fan, though I've only been there a few times. The shishito peppers once again were a star.

Breakfast with a library bigwig. Well, he might not think so, but Jeff lit up the library blogosphere last year. It was a real pleasure to sit down with him for a leisurely meal and discuss matters related to our profession and otherwise. And may I say that the man has some fine suits and shoes!

Small plates and cocktails at Erwin.

It's not that far south of Yoshi's, and yet it's mostly off our radar, sad to say. Conrad was out of town, but Michael

happily came along while I used up a Groupon. French fries, properly salty.

Yum!

So that's the world of Peter lately, and much food involved, of course. I will need to do some trimming down for a conference in Anaheim next month, but for now, I am content. And oh so happy to have Conrad home!

a last word about Baltimore

Was it really a week and a half ago that I was in Baltimore? Philadelphia seems so long ago. At least I have now had a glimpse of Delaware, thanks to the MegaBus trip down to Maryland.

I wish I had taken photos at Charleston, but it did make for a good meal not having to pause everyone while I snapped. Alas, without photos, I shan't blog the meal. Just know that it ranks among the best meals I've ever had, and I hope to get Conrad there one day - with or without our Baltimorean friends. And thanks again to Michael for the very generous treat of dinner there.

I can't say much good about the brunch food the next day, but I can say that it was a treat to see Dale - at long last - in Baltimore. And an additional treat to see Michael. Good company, very much so.





Let me wrap up that visit by saying that brief as it was, it was good, special, and meaningful. Any chance I get to see my best friend, Todd,

is welcome - we've had conference time together in San Diego and, in June, we'll have New Orleans. It's so much better, though, to have no programs or committee meetings to attend, to just be able to hang out. What did we do that was so great? Watched NCAA basketball together, walked the dogs, went on a coffee run, rummaged through the clothes in his closet, strolled a bit in the Inner Harbor. And really, aren't those the sweet little building blocks of friendship?

I'll remember a short spring visit to Baltimore for a lot of reasons, and smile when I do.

best dogs ever

Catching up on recent events here, and I'd be remiss if I didn't get a posting up about Saturday and Sunday with two dogs I utterly adore. Wrapped around their paws, I am. Allow me to assure you that there were many many belly rubs dispensed this past weekend. Ah Coney, ah Buster, when will I next get to visit you two?

(and, of course, the best friend who goes along with those wonderful dogs is a terrific perk of visiting them, too!)

66 days

Counting down: 66 days until belly rubs (oh, and 68 days until the marathon)...

wrapped around their fingers.... um, paws

There isn't much to say in this post. I simple want to get a few shots of Coney and Buster up. If ever there were two dogs who had me completely at their beck and call, it's is the two of them. I cannot overstate it, I LOVE the two of them, and if TK and Michael ever want me to come stay a week and take care of them while they go off on vacation, I'd be sorely sorely tempted.

No really, just look into their eyes. Frickin' adorable!!!!





Addendum: I wrote this Monday night for posting on Tuesday. I now learn from TK that today is the ten-year anniversary of him and Michael adopting Coney. Nice timing for this post, and a terrific occasion to mark. Coney, if I were there now, I'd offer any belly rubs your way. A hug at mininum!

TK/Baltimore

Monday evening, but no coaching, so it feels like Sunday. Back to work tomorrow for a shorter week, and then, come Saturday, Todd arrives.

This, then, is the first of two promised raves about my conference roomies. TK, my best friend.



Oh, gosh, no worries. I think Dale (if ever he reads these) would retch if all I did was list off all the reasons that make Todd an incredible best friend. And I should hate to have to do that to the Silver Fox even if a slightly wicked side of me thinks it would be a bit funny. Instead, let me simply relate how very good it was to get caught up with TK after not seeing him for a few months. Better still, an overnight with him and his partner Michael in Baltimore on my way home from DC.

Things I do like about Todd include his humour, which extends to jokingly coordinating outfits at the RT social in DC. He's also one of the few people who can really tease me effectively and cleverly about my Canadiannness without resorting to that old chestnut "What's that all aboot, eh?" (Want to get on my bad list? Try that one on me some time)

But there are other things. Good conversation over dinner at Clementine (Taco Tuesday!)

and breakfast at Blue Moon Cafe (Captain Crunch coated French toast - mmmmmm).

Walking with Coney and Buster (who will merit their own entry), chatting together with Michael about the wedding planning ahead. Or - and here were some unexpected treats - bringing me along to the YALSA session with teens talking about best fiction titles and the Natalie Merchant performance (ah, that that could have gone on for another hour...). And then there were all his coworkers coming up to me and asking me if I was the one who made cookies...


So a mild rave about Todd - I hate to embarrass him too much with too many compliments (and rest assured, TK, our roomie has an upcoming blog entry, too!). Two last things to mention (short list):

1. Conrad likes him, and when Conrad likes someone, then I KNOW that person is a good person.
2. He'll be up there, with me, my best woman, and my sister, at the wedding (that I now can talk about openly), and that means the world.

It was only a short visit to Baltimore - I was on the way home from conference after all. This weekend will be another whirlwind here in Chicago, and then Conrad and I will have to wait a few months until we get to visit TK and Michael in their home. Already? To borrow from NuShooz: I can't wait.

post-ALA quick post

So here am I, ages removed from the last blog entry (scant opportunity/access while a week in DC, other excuses, blah blah blah), scarfing down lunch at home before Conrad gets here, we pack up, and head north to the UP. Time enough to at least say hello to my four readers.

[hello!]

So let me check in by saying a few quick words on recent things, and over time catch up in more detail:

A week hanging out with my best friend, Todd? Wow. Lucky me! More raving to come. Also, a note to self: make sure to have the makings of cookies for next weekend on hand.

Bonus marks for the quality time with Buster and Coney, those gorgeous Labs. I am truly in love with those dogs.

A week hanging out with my longtime conference roomie and close friend Martin? Wow. Lucky me again! And again, more raving to come.

Cute outfits!

Coordinated outfits!

Great food!

OK, Conrad just got in the door. Time to get motoring and enjoy a long holiday weekend as an honourary Yooper!