and then we went to NYC...

The trip to the east coast saw the three of us come together in Philadelphia before heading up to NYC for a few days of being tourists.  And when I saw being tourists, I don't mean jamming our days full of stuff to see and do.  Not our style, as you'll already know and will see in the posts to come.  Nope.  Easy days, and the trip up to there set the tone for that.  First class on the Acela, a high speed train and some comforts for us. 

Food and beverage! 

Before we knew it, we were at Penn Station,

and from there it was a short distance (but a cab, considering the heat, humidity, and our luggage) to our hotel, the Hotel AKA NoMad.

Ah, Van.  The king of finding good accommodations for us.  I have never stayed in a Manhattan hotel that was so comfortable.  Oh, I know that there is real luxury to be had in NYC, but that's too rich for us.  But no, Van found us a great two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite

with a nice patio

that had good views

(hello there, Empire State Building two or so blocks away). 

How nice to settle into that for a few days.

We didn't settle long, though.  Unpacking, freshening up, then on to meet Van's friends Bill and Gene at Frankie and Johnnie's for a pre-show dinner.  It was nice to meet them!  I've heard a lot about them.  Dinner was fine - a good cocktail, some oysters,

and then liver and onions with bacon. 

Not the best liver I've had, I admit, but it was alright.

The show, though?  Holy doodle, that was good.  Orville Peck and Eva Noblezada starring in a production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.  No photos of that, of course, but it blew me away.  I had seen the movie some 25 years ago, but the stage musical differs significantly.  We went so that we could see Orville, and that man did not disappoint.  His physicality was perfect for the role of the Emcee.  Nobelzada was great as well, truly.  And some applause for Ellen Harvey as Fraulein Schneider.  She was a real force as well.  The staging was in the round, and we had good seats, albeit on what seemed to be the back side.  Still, we hardly suffered.

Back to the hotel after that where we found that the hotel bar was already closed.  The desk staff recommended Wine:30 around the corner on 30th, and so we popped over for late cocktails at the bar. 

Terrific little place, and Marco took good care of us.  You'll see me blog them again before I'm done with the NYC posts.

To bed after that.  And rather late!  No matter.  We had no schedule for the next day save for dinner in Connecticut.  We would easily be up in time for that.  The Empire State Building was lit up for Canada Day (truly, it was - we checked!), and that was a great cap to the night.

quite a week on foot!

Sunday:  7.65 miles

Monday:  4.51 miles

Tuesday:  9.65 miles

Wednesday:  7.05 miles

Today:  11.07 miles

It's been a lot of walking (with light jogging mixed in on a couple of days) this past week.  I've seen a heck of a lot of Pasadena and some of San Marino.  Just trying to be more active these days (and I really need to carve out time for the pool soon!).  Conrad has joined me for short stints a couple of times

- he's had some ankle pain from twisting it (not badly, happily) a couple of weeks ago, so he's limiting his walking.  I've mostly been walking without music, just my thoughts, but I've shuffled through a few playlists now and then. 

And not much taking of photos otherwise - that seems to be more the case when I am in other cities than my own, though I did pause to capture one of the sphinxes on the Scottish Rite temple the other day.

It makes for me being a sweaty guy indeed!  And oh, my legs are tired.  Massage on Saturday will feel so good! 

home cooking again

After so many days away, it can genuinely feel like I've not been in my kitchen cooking a thing for years on years.  I'm such a drama queen, I know.

Monday, after work, I came home and got my apron on.  Chicken pieces went into a bag with some herbs and garlic and red wine.  After a suitable period, I took them out, dusted them with flour, browned them, and put them into a casserole.  The red wine and herbs became the basis for a sauce that included tomatoes, olives, more garlic, and anchovies.  Into the oven with it all, covered, and an hour and a half later we had some chicken cacciatore!  While that was oven-braising, I made some polenta.  That turned out nicely.  A little broccoli on the side for a bit of green, and that was Monday dinner.  And tonight's leftovers!

Yesterday I was over at Van's.  I had left Conrad with a re-heatable meal of pork tenderloin, roasted carrots, and cabbage wedges roasted with prosciutto, so he was taken care of.  Van and I had a television night planned - the season debut of Bachelor in Paradise.  Yes, I watch that.  Anyway, I stopped at the store en route to Van's and grabbed us a couple of little filets.  I cooked them up in a skillet and topped them each with some lightly charred tomato, red onion, and mint relish.  All of this I set atop a mound of mashed potatoes and some wilted Tuscan kale.  Not a bad little midweek meal!

Philadelphia otherwise

Two Fridays ago I got myself onto a plane at BUR to head to SFO,

then from there onto a red-eye to PHL. 

Conference time for me, and an unusually condensed one this time.  I had originally planned to be there on the Wednesday, but life interfered, and so it was that I made it there for Saturday morning.  Checked into my suite,

got myself freshened up and pretty, and headed to my first meeting.

My time at conference was a lot about meetings, really.  Oh, I made sure to go to the closing session featuring Geena Davis (who was a wonderful storyteller)

(oh, and Gritty was there),

and I absolutely couldn't miss dragging Conrad and Van

to Sam's inauguration as president of the association (the improv musical theater was fun to watch),

but I didn't go to any other programs or presentations and only briefly made it to two official receptions.  And now that part of my life is done.  I have cycled out of my three-year obligation, I know longer have the inside scoop or participate in governance.  For the first time in over twenty years, I am not on a committee.  And man, am I glad of that.  The 150th anniversary of ALA will be celebrated in Chicago next year, and I'll almost certainly go to that conference, but after that?  We'll see.

Oh, there were morning walks to be enjoyed as well, both alone

and with others (thank you Amy and Steven for joining me - who will lead the walks for the Board now that I am gone?)

(and it's hard to tell, but that's the Liberty Bell in there!).

The real reason to go?  To see all of the friends from my years of involvement.  Like I did this time!  So let me rattle off some names and post photos.  I didn't get shots with everyone I enjoyed seeing, alas.

My buddy Sara (and hey there, Sam and Ed!). 

For three years we have been messaging and calling weekly and more.  Now that we are done our duty, let's keep in touch a whole bunch but make it about fun stuff!

Matt was there at Council, sitting right behind me. 

I had lunch with him and his wife, Kim, the next day,

and I hope I can convince them to come on a tour of Vietnam next year.

Lunch with my guybrarian message group:  Peter (with his husband, Matt, along with us), Matt, and Andy. 

Long may our messages fly back and forth, and may we have another conference meet up again.

Coffee with Denelle and Anne from the Ireland tour group last year. 

Denelle is already signed up for Vietnam, and I am excited that she will be going.  Anne just landed a new position as director of the fledgling LIS program at Marshall University, and I wish her great success with that.

Jose and April wandered past

while we were having coffee (and then Van saw them the next day, and they recommended a cheese steak place to him that he enjoyed).  I didn't get a chance to have a meal with them this time, so the next - I hope!

Evening drinks in the hotel lobby had a usual crew of folks, including Christina,

who has done so much great work in the association already.  It's always a delight seeing her.  She looks stunning in blue.

My last Board meeting, and I'll miss folks like Peter

and Nick,

among others.  Good folks.

A lot of friendly faces at the inaugural dinner, too....  

John! 

I've known him so many years, and I missed getting a meal with him.  I know he likes Vedge, and it would have been perfect for us to meet up there.  

My "little sister", Kathy. 

The Board brought us together.  May we keep that going!  I would love to visit her in SC one day.

And Larry. 

Ah, Larry, I've left you with a lot to take over and deal with, and I have so much confidence in your ability.  The buck has been passed (well, five of them in this shot, and hey there, Dina - thank you for our terrific working partnership these past few years).

Finally, Sam. 

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 ALA President.  A real pleasure and privilege to have worked with you.  May you steer our association successfully into its sesquicentennial.  Cheers!  And thank you to Skip for the Champagne!

That was the Philadelphia that was.  The people make the conference.  So seldom for me does the city make the conference, but the city can make a conference worse.  Looking at you, San Francisco (sorry, but I HATED it when we were there in 2015 - I don't hate it as a city to otherwise visit).  I didn't really see or experience Philadelphia, I know.  And maybe I'll be back.  We shall see, we can hope!