A Besetting Vice

Besetting Vice

2007-12-31T23:44:00.000-05:00

What is Besetting Vice all about anyway? Although I know 90% of my readership only comes for Damian, I love the vacation/books/World Cup/highpointing/museum stuff. So give that a chance too - you might like it. And Hello from Damian:

Damian: Months 17-19 Update!

MuseumQuest! has its own website! Check it out often!

Welcome to our TravelBlog

2007-12-31T19:48:00.000-05:00

Little known British author/gardener/flirt Vita Sackville-West once said, "Travel is the most private of pleasures. There is no greater bore than the travel bore. We do not in the least want to hear what he has seen in Hong Kong." And I do not disagree with her. Why then, am I expecting anyone (that would be you) to peruse this blog? After all, it's just my personal trip accounts which are almost all far less exciting than any trip to Hong Kong. Because, as Huxley said, travel is a "besetting vice," and therefore not only must I do it to please myself, but I also have a compulsion to document it. This blog is the end result of that vice. Yes, I fully recognize the irony here, as a trip to the highest point in Alabama is not usually the stuff of National Geographic Traveler articles. Nor is a weekend in the capital of New York. Ah, but therein lays, perhaps, the point... If I'm going to spend the time and money to get somewhere (and the effort convince my wife to join me), then damnit, I'm going to make it as interesting and fun as I possibly can. Also, I'm sure I'm subconsciously trying to convince you (and myself) that all of this is worthwhile somehow.

Rest assured, we've taken some incredible trips (Hawaii, France/Switzerland, the Pacific Northwest) so it's not only the ridiculous and the sublime, but the grandiose as well. For those of you already familiar with my writing elsewhere on the Internet, you can expect more of the same here - just a bit more palatable to a wider audience (like my parents and hypothetical future children***). For those of you unfamiliar - the good; I employ some decent observational humor and typically include lots of good (often funny) links and pictures. My intent with this blog is to include lots and lots of our personal photos, which people often seem to enjoy. The bad; I write too much, as you have probably already discerned for yourself. Also, please bear in mind I'm starting this project in March 2005, in some cases years after the trips I'll be recounting - relying on my memory and pictures alone.
I also have done a cool thing (The World Cup Tour 2006) and continue on in my MuseumQuest! as well as working through the Modern Library Top 100 List.
Please enjoy, stop back often (as I have much to add) and feel free to send me your feedback (unless you are someone I happen to have made fun of behind your back within these pages. If that's the case, you're thinking of a different guy. And yeah, he was a jerk.)
I am neither a writer nor a photographer. (Both are evident within this blog). However, so far, I've enjoyed putting this together and when I look at the piles of pictures and remember some of our stories, I'm eager to continue sharing.

So that was the original intent of this blog - but then we went and had a baby boy which I tend to dote on a bit in these pages. So now this is about Damian as well. But no one seems to mind.

Summer 2007

2007-09-08T08:38:00.000-04:00

It's been a good summer.

Our little Al Bundy

Here he was playing with his ball, saw the camera, lunged for it, and...

...took his very first picture. This is true.

"Papa, seriously man, why do you let her put me in these outfits?"

My two favorite people in the world

A rare family portrait, on the ferry to Block Island

Yup, he's still got those dimples

And yup, he still likes to show them off

Tired Bubbers

Now where are his newspaper and pipe?

Taking after his mama, Damian can sleep anywhere in any position

Bubber foot

Somewhere on Newport, I took a picture I love

Behind the Breakers mansion, enjoying the day

Did you notice we dressed hims as "Newporty" as we could? We're awesome.

Bad picture of Damian, but notice how he has pushed our Sam Francis print askew in the background? And I like Hoang in this shot for some reason.

Enjoying the mister at our backyard spa

Uh-oh. This was the last time we left the Cheerios near the floor.

You can't see it, but he's talking on his baby cell phone

He's getting closer...

One of all time favorite pictures...

And another...

and another...

and another...

Until next time!

Life's a Beach, Then You Eat Applesauce

2007-07-04T16:31:00.001-04:00

The Bubbers' whirlwind life continues... another trip to Delaware to see his grandparents, a bunch of museums, some hiking, a visit from his grandparents, mobility, new foods, swimming pools, the beach... let's get to it.

So happy in his little outfit.

This shirt reminds me of how many times I misspell "accommodating".

After a long and cold winter, Damian was excited to just be outside in April

Tip toeing through the tulips

"Hello? Damian? You left your dog outside."

Too bad he's too short to let her in

Striking a pose. Seriously, he's just a good-looking kid, and so poised and mature and well behaved and...

... And likes to lick public windows. What of it?

Happy Mother's Day!

This turnip DID just fall off the truck

This picture is better with sound effects - something like "VVVwwwoooosss!"

The Bubbers ate a lot of IAMS before he decided they didn't taste all that good.

Some random cat in Essex, CT

Enjoying his shad at the Essex shad festival

Even when you only have 4 teeth, dental hygeine is important.

After tossing my rocks for a while, Damian actually became a helpful weeder...

...And he's also become a helpful little assistant, dutifully handling the family budget...

...And he's always coming up with new ideas, like, "What did I look like last Father's Day?

Like this. What about this Father's Day?

Like this.

Elizabeth Park

Really... Do I have to write anything here?

We've been working on our operatic duet

A big giant foot to the ribs really cracks 'im up

The boy likes his applesauce

Damian is already 10 times tanner than I've ever been.

Driving Into Year Two!

2007-04-21T11:39:00.000-04:00

Time for some new pictures, eh? Damian is doing well with his physical and occupational therapy and the therapists are great. Hoang and I are lucky that we can spend the time necessary during the week and we are lucky to have the cutest child in the history of the world. Sure he's a bit behind, but boy does he make us smile. He's got perfect comic timing and seems to know when the joke is stale. Without further ado, Heeeeeeeeeere's the Bubbers!

Those dimples aren't going anywhere! (Though his blue eyes are long gone). And props to BV reader Bill for recommending Neal Pollack's "Alternadad" there in the background - a good, funny, read for any of you new fathers out there. I've actually met Pollack - and we got along famously.

What? Did I do something wrong?

Damian reacts to a bad driver cutting him off in traffic

Damian displays his happiness that the jerk driver just got pulled over by a cop.

What? Did I do something wrong again?

I like how he has the tough guy camos and the manly shirt... with those slippers.

Not that he can quite pull off "tough guy" when he poses like this.

Not such a fan of the burro

Rock-rocking in his French sailor outfit

Or is it a prison suit?

Or maybe a French sailor prisoner?

In trouble at school again

He still enjoys magazines!

I don't know why, but I love this picture. That's my hand holding shade-tobacco seeds at a museum. (You're all reading MuseumQuest of course, so I'll spare the details here.) Even though he's blurred out, his mouth is agape and he's all interested in what I'm doing. Love that.

Easter Sunday was his golf announcer try-outs apparently

Right after his JC Penney catalog model shoot, of course

And before his toupee company shoot

It was freezing cold on Easter here, so we had no flowers to plop him in front of. This'll do.

Here he is on my chest, about to attack my face

Time to take another ride. Tires? Check!

Dashboard taste ok? Check!

Clothes for work? Oops!

Phew!

That's all for now!

Damian Home
Every Week in Pictures
Besetting Vice Home

One Year Old. Really? Already?

2007-03-03T21:37:00.000-05:00

Time sure has been flying here in Connecticut. Since the last Damian entry, we've celebrated a New Years, a Tet (Chinese New Years), a Valentine's Day, and MLK Day, A President's Day, A Boxing Day... oh yeah, and a First Birthday!

Back on January 25, Master Bubbers turned 1 with a bang. We kept it a small affair with just family and a few friends - which was good because it still kept Damian from a nap and well, he's just not so fun to be around without his sleep. Reminds me of his mother sometimes! Ha!

Enjoy the photos - This time, as seen through the mind of Damian.

Lie down, put your feet up, get comfortable with me. There are lots of pictures!

You better get serious too, like I do when I read. Here I am reading "Olivia" by Ian Falconer. Mama and Papa's friend Caroline got me a signed copy for Christmas, even though I've never had the chance to meet her yet. Thanks, Caroline!

Just hitchin' up my pants to show off my cool shoes.

I figure the fake smile will keep them away after just one picture.

Yawn... nope.

Back in mid January, I only had 2 little baby teeth. Back then, brushing them was fun too.

I'm growing a tail here. Heh heh.

I dig my coat, but I still hate not being able to chew on my fingers.

Broccoli? What kid likes stinkin' Broccoli?

No kid I know. But we ALL like making messes!

And speaking of making messes, when Mama was away at a conference for work, Papa had to bathe me for the second time in his life. (He does everything else though... I swear.) Anyway, he did pretty good with the toys and the shampooing and stuff, but I figured I'd make it interesting...

Ahahhaha ahahahaah, yep, that's what you think it is! The really funny part is that I've NEVER done this to Mama! aaaahhhahahhaha!

Just before my birthday, my Grandmom and Granddad came up to CT. This made me very happy.

Almost as happy as when I saw the cake Grandmom baked and decorated. My word, that's nice. And delicious!

Oxford shirt, pinstriped pants... man am I handsome or what?!

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday dear Me-ee...

Happy Birthday to me.

Now let me eat some cake already.

Here I am, stuck in traffic on the way to work, listening to another NPR fund drive.

NPR Fund Drives make me cRaZy! Let's get to the presents.

Wait. I thought presents were supposed to make me feel good about myself. The Flyers?! Gee, thanks Uncle Ron.

Hmmm, the tag says this is off-the-rack. Take it back.

Uhh, um, I don't know how to say this, but I don't see designer labels on all of these...

Sigh. I don't know what these people expect me to wear in public.

Still relaxed with your feet up? Good, me too...even when I sleep.

Look at that! I suddenly got 4 more teeth up top!

Stephen Colbert hates this shirt, but I still like him.

Oh how he cracks me up.

I'm cute here of course, but I look like a girl.

Time to ride the zebra.

You didn't believe me when I said "zebra" did you?

Toilet paper + time + inattentive papa = lots of fun.

I prefer to call this "volume" and nothing else.

Ok, in this post you saw me grow 4 teeth, 4 lbs and what my mama says feels like 40 pounds! What else? No more blue eyes! See you in a couple months...

Damian Home
Every Week in Pictures
Besetting Vice Home

The Once Per Week Project Part 3

2007-02-11T21:16:00.000-05:00

Part One
Part Two

Look closely for the monster ducktail at 53 Weeks

Long story short - I was taking a picture of Hoang and didn't even notice the Bubbers at the bottom of the picture. This is that cropped piece, at 54 Weeks.

55 Weeks and 6 teeth!

No more blue eyes at 56 Weeks

Static is a serious problem in our house, but it works for Damian at 57
Weeks

Driving in the buff at 58 Weeks

Strike a pose at 59 weeks

Meeting a burro at 60 weeks

61 weeks old and a real big shot!

Excited for the tobacco museum tour at 62 weeks

63 weeks old and stylin' for Easter

Where did all these stuffed animals come from? At 64 weeks

Back to Part One
Back to Part Two

Steve 2007 Book Reviews

2007-01-06T17:34:00.000-05:00

Go here

But... It's Eleven!

2006-12-31T15:48:00.000-05:00

The excitement of the holidays continued after the Thanksgiving trip to Delaware. For December 25th was not only Damian's first Christmas, but his 11-month "birthday" as well. I've come to realize that 99% of you skip whatever I write and go straight to the photos. So that coupled with the fact that I'm late with this and I am otherwise occupied, this is my Christmas gift to you: Minimal words, just pictures and captions. Enjoy!

Why does he look like he did something wrong?

Why does he look like he did something right?

Why does he look like his father thought it would be funny to dress him in conflicting stripes?

All 3 of us (Hoang, Bubby, and me) have decided baby winter coats are too much hassle.

Enjoying the trains at the Connecticut River Museum

OooooOOOooOooo! I see the Static Monster!

AaaaAAAaaaAAAAaa! Look at that staticky hair!

Not exactly happy about the whole mitten thing.

But he loves his biter bisquits

And he loves his "Hungry Caterpillar!

And he loves his new sweater!

Because he really loves his 2 new little baby teeth!

Our first Christmas pose attempt - wearing a too-big sweater that my Granny knitted for me 33 years ago. Seriously.

Yeah, that's right buddy. I'm 34 years old. Stop laughing.

Ok, you could at least smile when posing with me. Oh wait...

You're just bummed YOU'LL have to wear a shirt and tie to work someday, huh?

On to the good Christmas poses.

He looks like he should speak with a British accent

After the 15th or so shot, someone found the ornaments behind him. Photo session: Over.

And here I thought Hoang and I had very stimulating dinner conversation.

Here's another one of those pictures he'll hate in a few years.

He absolutely hates hats on his head, so the fact he fell asleep like this cracked us up after Christmas Eve dinner at Mama and Papa T's.

But he revived enough to take this picture with his beautiful Mom. Christmas was only HOURS away!

Yay! Christmas!

Carefully inspecting more loot.

Carefully inspecting the inside of his nose

This is what a picture from a high-end digital camera looks like. Hoang's brother Duc took this shot of our Christmas brunch spread - the highlights included Maryland blue crab backfin quiche, waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, fried potatoes, shrimp cocktail, eggs with smoked salmon... on and on and all homemade.

Yay! Christmas! Part two!

Yawn! Christmas! It was a long day.

Here we are, all dressed up for the big day. Actually, my t-shirt IS special, which you can see by clicking on the picture.

Damian Home
Every Week in Pictures
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The Butler Did It. Or Maybe the McCook. Or Perhaps...

2006-12-09T15:42:00.000-05:00

MuseumQuest!
Museum Number 5
The Butler-McCook House and Garden, Hartford
December 7, 2006

By Steve, with contributions from EdHill

The Butler Did It. Or maybe the McCook. Or... Or perhaps uninsured 21-year-old Kia Sportage driver Wilfredo Sanchez. Yup, it was definitely Willy Sanchez. You see, that punk failed to notice the large yellow Victorian house in front of him on Hartford's Main Street back in August 2002 and proceeded to drive his car into the living room of the oldest surviving house on Hartford's Main Street. For full details on the tragic accident, and what is very most likely a better description of the Butler-McCook House than I'm about to provide, check this out. Needless to say, through hard work and many donations, the house museum is back to being whole and one would never know what happened 4 years ago.

Now that I've dispensed with what is, to me, the most interesting aspect of this particular museum, I suppose I have to talk about my visit. Intrepid sidekick EdHill had agreed to meet me at the Butler-McCook House around 6 after work. Not-so-intrepid third stringers Excitable Mike and RoseHill had both agreed to join us and had subsequently both opted out. So there we were again: me and EdHill and a museum. We were not scared - though Ed did make time to down a beer across the street at venerable Hartford restaurant Peppercorns beforehand.

The Butler-McCook House and Garden Main Street History Center (the poetic official name) is an oasis of sorts. Just south of downtown and a few blocks past the Wadsworth Atheneum on Main street. So if you're familiar with Hartford you are now saying, "Wait... There's an over 200-year-old house there? Right near where I scored crack a few weeks ago?" Um, yes that's right - but who are you and what is a crackhead doing reading this nerdy blog? Didja check out my latest book report? (Note the beautiful irony of the John Adams quote here.)

The night Ed and I decided to go was an "Aetna First Thursday" event, which happens every month in Hartford. That meant that not only was the museum free, but there would be a delicious crudite and coffee spread as well. To top that off, I found free street parking (but Ed paid six bucks for some reason). Owing to the season, the house was decked out in Christmas finery and owing to the special event night, a group of women carollers seranaded us throughout the night. The scene was set for a perfectly lovely museum outing.

There are two distinct sections of the Butler-McCook House; the house itself replete with all the family possessions from throughout the generations and the "Main Street History Center" part which was a small museum about the history of the local area. Visitors are shluffled to the history center first. Once an addition to the original house, this section walks visitors through hte 300 or so years of Hartford history, particularly the Main Street-leading-to-the South End area. The problem with the 10 or so exhibits is that there are simply too many words. Now, any Besetting Vice reader is laughing at my hypocrisy right now and I accept that. There were several historic maps and photos of the area and more than enough anecdotes from days gone by.

Words, words, words...
And I like all that stuff - really, I do. It's all the geneology and family histories and stuff like that I don't care about. Even the house's namesakes, Sarah Ledyard Butler and her son James McCook who took the house over. It is amazing that the house has survived in it's original state and spot after 200 years of commercial and other residential development. And it's cool to scan the exhibits which chrionicle the changes of the environs from 1732 to present. Now that I think and write about the place, I've come to realize that I liked the History Center.

There was one other (temporary) exhibit, "Unbuilt Hartford," which consisted of nothing more than fanciful artist renderings of absurdly ostentatious buildings that never got built in Hartford. I think I was supposed to marvel at the overblown zeal of the architects and wonder what could have been in our fair capital city. Blech... These monstrosities were just way too over-the-top for my tastes; no need for massive ornate castles in central Connecticut. Ed, on the other hand, enjoyed the exhibit and the cheese that happened to be nearby. I found the exhibit silly (though I enjoyed the cheese as well); I can guarantee that most of those things were never meant to be built at all - they were merely goofy dreams of goofy 19th century architects. Ed, have you a rebuttal?

Ed's boy Scott explains to him that Trinity was supposed to be straight out of a romance novel.

"Another Octave" sang carols throughout our visit.
Once done with the History Center, we crossed the threshold in the restored house. The chorale group and their fans occupied the main living room, so I never got a real good look at that room. This was also the room that was a temporary garage for Mr. Sanchez's car a few years ago too. Across the foyer and into the other living room, we found a quaint Christmas scene of about 100 years ago. We also found a lovely guide there who told us we could not take pictures in the house. Hm. Really? You see, I had already been through the house earlier looking for Ed - and had snapped all the shots you see here. But this lady was tough and we never got a shot of the little Christmas tree with the orginal ornaments from back in the day.

In fact, everything in the house was original to the McCooks and or Butlers. The problem is that the vast majority of it is, well, it's kinda boring. Beds, dressers, highboys, candle holders, chairs. Upstairs, the house looked like my grandparents' house from maybe fifty years ago. There was Mama and Papa's room and the bed where all the kids were born. There was Auntie the housekeeper's room with her... um... her bed and stuff. Ooooh, the kids' room with a... er... a dresser. And lo! The attic goods from Reverand McCook's college days at Trinity as well as his military paraphenalia. I suppose I should get used to this sort of thing though, as I expect to see my fair share of highboys and bedroom furniture from the 19th century.

It was actually pretty interesting, to be honest. There were audio recordings of Ms. Frances McCook who lived in the house until 1971. Once I got over the fact that she sounded like a whiny man, her stories were fairly interesting - about the Blizzard of 1888 and about the hired Irish help, for example. She also pronounced "mama" and "papa" with the stress on the second syllables in each word, which we plan on teaching our son to do. Oh, and there was a McCook kid named Shed along the way at some point.

I listened to a guide tell some other visitors about Frances and found her to be a rather amazing woman. Here she was, alone and old in this large historic house on Main Street in urban Hartford, and apparently going out and checking up on her less fortunate neighbors. Frances even taught herself Spanish in her 80's so she could speak with the locals.

In my excitement to get across the hall to the antique toy display, I conked my head on the low hall light which burnt out the bulb. 3 musty bedrooms, a toy display, and an attic display finished out the upstairs, so we returned back down to the ground floor. There are some cool Asian paintings and authentic swords in the main hallway on the way back to the two most interesting rooms in the house.

One was the dining room, set up to replicate an old school Christmas dinner. But again, it really didn't look much different from my grandparent's holiday dining room. Though the details were quite impressive, right down to the tiny salt dispensers and plum pudding. We were told the traditional soup contained calf head, lemon, and egg. Admittedly, that was absent from my family dinners. The room also contains a working Edison original music box and an old Cheney clock. (MQ! fans, get used to the name Cheney in these pages.)

Crossing the hall, we entered Reverand James McCook's library. In it were contained some old Egyptian artifacts as well as some really cool Japanese armor from over 100 years ago. Here, a guide explained to us that Reverand McCook (Frances's father) was an Episcopal minister, a language professor at Trinity, and a so-called "Sociological Investigator." He was one of the first Americans who truly tried to understand and solve the nation's homeless problem - of the late 19th century. By all accounts he failed miserably (as one can see peering out his study window on any given night) but the man was honest and well-intended.

We slowly made our way back to the foyer, soaking in the garish wallpaper for the last time. Once there, Ed bought a mug and I smoothly asked Scott for permission to take a picture of the Christmas tree room. He mulled it over for a few seconds and let us down easy. You see, the curator would need to give me permission to do so, as they only allow media to snap shots of the authentic pieces. Well there you go! If this isn't media I don't know what is!

The now traditional "Thumbs up" shot photoshopped untraditionally. (Note Ed's clutch and my nerdy pen/paper in my shirt pocket.)

Speaking of Photoshopping... I had this great idea to go dressed as a butler and Ed would come as a cook. Short of that, we'd take pictures of each other in the garden and make it look funny. We never found a good 'shoppable' cook picture though.

Ed learning about Main Street history with 4 of the younger patrons that night

When you make a sign for your store, try to remember how many letters are in the word "nutmegs" before you start painting. Especially in the capital of the "Nutmeg State."

And I quote: "Take a picture of me with these spoons. I like spoons." Seriously.

Go ahead. Play the game. You can read.

Now guess. What kind of shop would have had this sign back in the day?

Click on the picture to read the answer. Admit it, you were wrong.

Mama and Papa's room. Yup, they had a bed. And a dresser.

Old Christmas cards. A few of you will be lucky enough to receive one of these this week! Shhhhhh, don't tell Scott.

True story: I mulled over eating one of these peppermint candies for a good 45 seconds which is an eternity when you're alone. I didn't and still don't know if they are antiques or not.

The dining room. Yup, they had a table. And some chairs.

I'm not sure who these women are; the hired help or some daughters. But what is important here is if you click on the picture and take a close look at the lady on the right you realize she must have been pretty homely. Because you KNOW the artist did his best.

The actual lightbulb that burnt out when I bumped it with my head. Now you know for when YOU visit the Butler-McCook House and Garden Main Street History Center.
Cost: $5.00 Adults, $2.00 Children
Hours: Wed-Sat, 10-4, Sun 1-4, Open to 8 1st Thu of every month
Food & Drink? Wine bar and upscale Italian at Peppercorn's across the street
Children? Only the truly nerdy
You'll like it if: You are a Hartford history buff
You won't like it if: You're old and it looks just like your own house
Freebies: Cheese and crackers!

For the Curious
A far better description of the family and the museum
The Antiquarian and Landmarks Society who own the house.
Why are we Connecticut people called Nutmeggers anyway?
Irish immigrant servant history
Strabismus explained
The most famous thing about Trinity College

BesettingVice Home
MuseumQuest! List
The previous museum visited, The Witches Dungeon Classic Movie Museum in Bristol
The next museum (sort of) visited, The Mystic Seaport

Damian: "A Perfect 10" Months

2006-11-26T12:03:00.000-05:00

Even before uploading anything, I think I will set the record on number of pictures this month. So why bother with writing anything? I don't know... But I will anyway. Damian celebrated his first Halloween shortly into his 10th month by dressing up in two different outfits (a Devil and a Lobster) and proceeded to Trick or Treat at 2 neighboring houses. Though those aren't the only places to which he "got around."

Hoang and I sent one of the pictures below to some friends and coworkers at work who had asked us to show them his Halloween costume. A few days went by and it became apparent that the picture of me boiling him in a pot was quite a hit around our company. Keep in mind our company employs tens of thousands of people all over the country. Anyway, a few days later Hoang was sent the picture of her husband and baby from someone she knew who didn't know it was her husband and baby. Pretty funny - and somewhat creepy. So who knows - you may have already been sent that picture by someone we don't know.

The early November sports landscape was hopelessly bleak as the Eagles fell apart, the Flyers never got off the ground, and UConn football went nowhere. UConn basketball began, though, and hope has been renewed for the Bubbers. Undeterred, Damian continues to hold out hope for "our" teams. I'm taking bets on if you think he'll see a Philadelphia professional championship before he goes to college. So just let me know.

I celebrated a birthday in November and Damian's gift to me was to go stay at his Grandma's for an evening and Hoang took me out to a movie (we had almost forgotten how to get there!) and a great dinner out. This came on the heels of a week in which Hoang took off from work to watch him 24-7 because Mama T went out to visit her other 3 grandchildren in Southern California. Going back to work after that was tough for Hoang - ss anyone can imagine. It's tough for us just to leave this kid everyday. Just look at him!

For Thanksgiving our little family drove south to see my whole immediate family in Delaware. Damian was a good traveler and even adjusted to sleeping in the new bed pretty well. He was quiet around his crazy cousins but warmed up to his Grandmom and Granddad (my parents) pretty quickly. My mom had him smiling as well as anyone in no time.

At his cousin Rachel's 1st birthday party in Delaware, Damian showed everyone that he can sleep as well as anyone by falling asleep in the midst of 8 little kids screaming and running around. That's my boy! Ok, enough of this yapping, time for some pictures!

"So, Damian, how do you like your first cigar (cookie)?"

"I do say, dear chap, it's quite lovely, mmmm kay?"

The fallen angel looks skyward and contemplates his fate...

...But has fun anyways.

The elusive lobster hides in the sea, avoiding my traps...

But alas, I have caught my crustacean much to his displeasure...

The wily lobster fights back with his formidable pincer claw!

But the wee lobster is no match for this salty dog. Into the pot he goes...

But lo! The lobster's mama saves him from the pot and all is well.

That story cracks him up every time.

Sleeping Beauties

Sick of the Eagles, Bubby sits up and takes notice of his own DVD.

The Bubbers limbers up in preparation for his workout...

...Which consists of a series of squats on the couch. But the real reason I am posting this is to show you the poor boy's swirl of hair.

I love this picture. It makes our house look so big somehow, even though you've now seen that couch and those pillows in a million previous pictures. Time for another "Faces of Damian."

The blank emotional slate to start.

"But Papa, I didn't mean to break the vase. I was just trying to show you how much I love you and Mommy."

"Oi vey, Papa, not that story again."

"La la la la, I don't wanna hear it!"

"Oh boy! I get to go to another museum with you and Edhill!"

Damian joins the Kiss Army

(This is for those of you who didn't get the joke - note his eye above.)

There are those dang pillows again. Oh... and Bubby's standing pretty well.

Every now and again, I can't come up with a suitable caption.

Joe Leiberman impression.

With his cousins Christine, Rachel, and Joseph.

Chubby Cheeks

Remember when Cousin Rachel beat him up in May? And then Damian exacted his revenge in July? The battle continues.

Hoang and I went out to see some friends and Grandmom watched him for the evening. She knows the way to his heart!

Note his deft little pointer finger.

Damian loves typing!

(And his Grandmom of course!)

There's nothin' like ending a long day with a nice relaxing rocking chair.
To watch a video of his computer skills, Check this out!

Continue on to 11 Months!

Damian Home
Every Week in Pictures
Besetting Vice Home

Doin' Fine at Nine (Months)

2006-10-27T19:05:00.000-04:00

I won't say it. I refuse to say it. I can't say it... okay - Time FLIES when you have a kid. There, I said it. It's so corny but it's so true too. I can't believe it's been a whole month now since his last monthly entry. We've all had a very busy month and it's only going to get crazier with the upcoming holiday season. Damian's social life took off a bit as his Uncle Ron and Stephanie visited us for a weekend. He was a bit shy and awkward at first, but after a while he was all smiles for Steph. Right around the time of their visit, Damian started consistently sleeping through the night without one of us having to get up.

Over the course of the month he also decided that whatever was within near-reach; he just had to have. Anything and everything - we haven't had a dangerous mishap yet, though he has dumped water on himself and has almost broken several glasses and dishes - all great fun for him.

His little personality is coming out more and more and while everyone has an opinion on who he looks like (we've heard it all - he has Hoang's father's head, my dad's dimples, and everything else in between Hoang and I.) But his personality is also a mix of ours; he definitely has our calm demeanors (which is nice), but I can tell he's going to be a little scamp like his mother. (Although, very much unlike his mother, he's quite a morning person.)

We all went to an OktoberFest party at our friend's Kyle's and Hans's house. Despite the cold and wind, Damian was great and even made a few new friends. We went to a wedding and had his 9 month check-up. All is well except a small ear infection that we didn't even know existed. (That's him being tough like his dad.)

While we try to severely limit any TV on around him, we can't help but notice that he really does seem to watch football longer and more intently than anything else. I'm serious. And yes, he WILL be an Eagles fan. I figure, if I've lived a life of Eagles misery, it'll be nice to have someone here in CT to share that with. Am I right?

You can tell I banged this out in 4 minutes (literally). So just enjoy the pictures already.

Which is fatter? His belly or his hand?

"Please dear Lord, no more vegetables!"

This picture is funny/cute for a couple reasons. Note the hat is inside out.

Note that neither Hoang nor I noticed.

Note my mom noticed and dug out an old picture of yours truly rocking the very same hat 33 years ago.

Aside from tearing up magazines, the TV remote is his favorite toy. It's always an adventure turning on the TV and seeing what show TiVo is recording or what crazy setting Damian has changed.

And even though we don't really let him watch TV, he knows the remote is used to turn it on. So after he pushes a button or two, he's always looking to see if the TV turned on. Cracks me up.

Too bad it's a blurry shot; our matching ducktails in the morning!

Damian helping his mama read his birthday card to her.

Here's what he thinks of you.

Just kidding.

We have a million pictures of him with his eyes shut or half-way there. I delete most of them but saved this one because, well... because he just looks naturally Asian in it.

This picture is for KO and his wife, Jenny. This isn't the place for inside jokes, but in this case, it's worth it.

Damian studies everything before...

...Jamming whatever it is into his mouth. Fortunately it was edible for once.

The loves of my life both looking lovely at a wedding

Bubby's first chopstick attempt - during which he nearly poked his eye out. He is only half Asian, y'know.

There's just something about a beautiful woman in a black designer dress and heels changing a dirty diaper. Maybe it's just me.

Whooooooo's got a duck on his head? After a nice relaxing warm bath, Bubby likes to...

Enjoy the latest Newsweek and look ahead to next month. Until then...

Continue on to 10 months!
Damian Home
Every Week in Pictures
Besetting Vice Home

Dumb News

2006-10-13T07:46:00.000-04:00

I hate local news. As I'm sure you'll agree, it's no longer about news but only local weather and a bunch of crappy nonsensical stories. As a result, I pretty much never watch it - and on the rare occassions that I do, I invariably find dumb mistakes or otherwise funny stuff. It dawned on my to start collecting them for your enjoyment. So... enjoy:

This one is kind of lame, but the reporter's sad face at the end of her live shot cracks me (and Hoang) up.

Not local news by any stretch, but I caught this and figured you'd enjoy it to. I believe this is called "Injecting personal hatred towards a notorious wench by predicting her horrible early death" and not "news."

Here's a story that makes me angry early in the morning. A LONG piece (I've sped it up) shot in the MTV style about shopping for clothes for your kids. I enjoy the studio lady's intro, because you can tell she's embarrassed about the piece. Kids like clothes in their favorite colors!

One of my favorites; Nothing like some good ol' Live dead kittens in Westbrook.

Fiery Explosion blows up the proper spelling.

This clip pisses me off. A man was murdered and the idiot reporter is interviewing a moron witness. (Please note the drunkard interviewee too.) It's not enough that the jerk witness states that the murder that took place was "really nuttin'" but listen closely and you'll here the reporter chuckle at that comment. Truly pathetic.

BesettingVice Home

I Can't Believe He Eight the Whole Thing

2006-10-05T22:44:00.000-04:00

Damian's eighth month was a blur for both Hoang and me - such a blur, in fact, that here I am writing about it nearly 2 weeks after it was "in the books." This month was sort of a crossover at work with our jobs - just as Hoang starts slowing down, I start ramping up. That said, we're certainly not ignoring our little boy! In fact, even with dual tuner TiVos and DirecTV, I can state with absolute certainty that our free "Damian Channel" is far more entertaining than anything else we could watch.

As with many boys, he was a little slow to pick up on a lot of the physical milestones but he's now fully capable of... well, of being darn cute. Oh - and sitting and getting around via his own special hybrid roll/crawl. He put quite a scare into Mama T one day when she left him on the floor for all of 45 seconds only to return to a missing Bubby. In that short time he had roll/crawled across the room and under the bed where he was grinning ear to ear. (As you'll see, those dimples have remained.)

Some other things that make him smile are: the Johnny Jump-Up (no kid loves it more than he does), me poking my nose to his plump belly cracks him up every time, and annoyingly, he seems to take extreme pleasure in yelling out at 4AM every so often just to get one of us up and into his room. Then he laughs at us for being stupid. Yup, that's my son alright.

All in all it was a somewhat uneventful month - nothing out of the ordinary. He ate a bunch of new foods (no teeth yet), he took his first trips to the grocery store and while he's still trying out new sounds, still no word as far as we can tell. (Learning English and Vietnamese at the same time is tough on a baby.)

I'm the one who went through some growth this month - I left my family for 4 days when I went out to Los Angeles. When he's 8 years old, maybe I'll beg for those trips at work. But at 8 months? I missed him (and Hoang) every minute.

Enjoy the pics! (As always, in chronological order accompanied with my witty banter.)

It was cold in August for a spell in CT and as a random aside, his sweatshirt has a "busy beaver" on it...

And that appears to be a busy beaver on the TV. Actually, this was just an excuse to add a Hoang picture - a "no make-up Hoang picture" to boot.

I swear that dimple is going to swallow him up some day.

Hello and goodbye spacebaby. Have a nice flight.

Once in space, you will experience feelings of euphoria

You will be prone to spasms of laughter and squeals of delight.

Upon returning to earth, you will now appear gigantic when placed on your mother's lap.

Boy, he really IS a busy beaver - now helping us shop at the grocery store. (He never uses a pacifier so it's odd that he has one in here.)

I love his little "Crocodile Hunter" shirt...

"Crocodile Hunter?!" he said, "Why are you scaring me papa?!"

The half-crawl, half cheesy highschool portrait handclasp pose.

The no-crawl, all cheesy wannabe model pose pose

Boy that looks like a big tree, Bubby. Why, it's the biggest tree in Connecticut!

Nerd hair. (Him, not me.)

We went to Elizabeth Park in Hartford and grooved to some great live jazz on a perfect Sunday afternoon in September. It was one of those, "This is what it's all about" moments you have from time to time. (And also one of those Damian-drooling moments, as you can see if you look closely.)

See what I mean? THIS is what it's all about (for me anyway...)

...Ok, THIS is what it's all about too. Dallass losing their first game and TO being upset. I plopped Damian down in front of the Cowboy loss and began explaining to him why we take such joy in these things.

"But TO scored a TD."

But the Cowboys still lost!

So I went out to LA for a few days and had asked Hoang to send me some pictures of Damian since I was missing him. Man, let me tell you - when I opened up the first picture she sent and saw this... it made my day. In fact, it still does.

Continue on to Nine Months!

Damian Home
Every Week in Pictures
Besetting Vice Home

MuseumQuest! The List

2006-08-29T21:40:00.000-04:00

Let's just say, we have our work cut out for us. My list has 335 museums. Three-hundred and thirty five (Give or take). Think about that.

Skip this giant list and go straight to what we've done here, you lazy bum.

Tally:
Done: 7
To Do: 328

Museum	Town	Type	Visited
Museum of Andover History	Andover	History Town
General David Humphreys House	Ansonia	Historic Home
Horse Cavalry Museum	Avon	History Military
Living Museum of Avon, The	Avon	History Town
Derrin House	Avon	Historic Home
Pine Grove Schoolhouse	Avon	History Town
Sprague History Museum at the Grist Mill	Baltic	History Town
Berlin Historical Society and Museum	Berlin	History Town
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden	Bethlehem	Historic Home
Old Bethlem Museum	Bethlehem	History Town
Farm Implement Museum	Bloomfield	History Industry
Captain Oliver Filley House	Bloomfield	History Town
Old Farm School	Bloomfield	History Town
Harrison House	Branford	Historic Home
Barnum Museum	Bridgeport	Collection Unique
The Discovery Museum	Bridgeport	Science
Beardsley Zoo	Bridgeport	Science Zoo
Housatonic Art Museum	Bridgeport	Art
Captain's Cove Seaport Attractions	Bridgeport	History Maritime
Bristol History Museum	Bristol	History Town
Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum	Bristol	Unique Collection	10/28/06
Imagine Nation Children's Museum	Bristol	Children's
American Clock & Watch Museum	Bristol	History Industry
The New England Carousel Museum	Bristol	History Industry
Brookfield Museum	Brookfield	History Town
Brooklyn Historical Society Mini Museum	Brooklyn	History Town
New England Center for Contemporary Art	Brooklyn	Art
Daniel Putnam Tyler Law Office	Brooklyn	??
Putnam Elms	Brooklyn	History Town
The Prudence Crandall Museum	Canterbury	Historic Home
Chaplin Museum	Chaplin	History Town
Lock 12 Historical Park	Cheshire	History Industry
Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum	Cheshire	History Art
Chester Historical Society	Chester	History Town
Stanton House	Clinton	Historic Home
Captain Elisha White House	Clinton	History Town
Canton Historical Museum	Collinsville	History Town
Cornwall Historical Society Museum	Cornwall	History Town
Bush-Holley Historic Site	Cos Cob	History Town Art
Nathan Hale Homestead	Coventry	Historic Home
Connecticut Museum of Glass	Coventry	History Industry
Brick School House	Coventry	History Town
Strong-Porter House	Coventry	History Town
Special Joys Doll and Toy Museum	Coventry	Unique Collection
Stevens-Frisbie House (The Cromwell Historical Society)	Cromwell	Historic Home
Danbury History Museum	Danbury	History Town
Charles Ives Birthplace Museum	Danbury	History Transportation
Danbury Railway Museum	Danbury	History Transportation
Military Museum of Southern New England	Danbury	History Military
Meekers Hardware	Danbury
Bates-Scofield Homestead	Darien	Historic Home
Stone House	Deep River	History Town
Osborne Homestead	Derby	Historic Home
Beckly Iron Furnace	East Canaan	History Industry
Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine	East Granby	History Industry
Gillette Castle	East Haddam	Historic Home
Chatham Historical Society	East Hampton	History Town
Comstock Covered Bridge	East Hampton	Unique Covered Bridge
Huguenot House	East Harford	Historic Home
Edward E. King Museum	East Hartford	tobacco/aviation history	12/13/2006
Historical Society of East Hartford	East Hartford	History Town
The Shore Line Trolley Museum	East Haven	History Transportation
Thomas Lee House	East Lyme	Historic Home
Smith-Harris House	East Lyme	Historic Home
The Connecticut Trolley Museum	East Windsor	History Transportation
Connecticut Fire Museum	East Windsor	History Industry
East Windsor Academy Museum	East Windsor	History Town
Nellie McNight Museum	Ellington	History Town
Purple Heart Museum	Enfield	History Military
Martha A. Parsons House	Enfield
Old Town Hall Museum	Enfield	History Town
Connecticut River Museum	Essex	History Town	10/20/2006 & 12/10/2006
Hill's Academy Museum	Essex	History Town
Pratt House	Essex	Historic Home
CT Valley Railroad Museum	Essex	History Industry
CT Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary	Fairfield	Science
Ogden House and Gardens	Fairfield	Historic Home
Fairfield Historical Society	Fairfield	History Town
Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society	Falls Village	History Town
Hill-Stead Museum	Farmington	Historic Home
Stanley-Whitman House	Farmington	Historic Home
Day-Lewis Museum	Farmington	History Town
Old Stone Schoolhouse	Farmington	History Town
Brown's Forge Museum	Gaylordsville	History Industry
Merwinsville Hotel	Gaylordsville	History Industry
The Washington Oak	Gaylordsville	Unique Tree
Museum on the Green	Glastonbury	History Town
Action Wildlife	Goshen	Science Zoo
Colton-Hayes Tobacco Shed	Granby	History Industry
The Granby Oak	Granby	Unique Tree
Salmon Brook Historical Society	Granby	History Town
Abijah Rowe House	Granby	Historic Home
Cooley Schoolhouse	Granby	Historic Home
Weed-Enders House	Granby	Historic Home
The Bruce Museum	Greenwich	Art
Putnam Cottage	Greenwich	Historic Home
National Audubon Society	Greenwich	Science
Submarine Force Museum	Groton	History Nautical
Gungywump	Groton	History Native American
Ebenezer Avery House	Groton	Historic Home
The Dudley Farm	Guilford	Historic Home
Henry Whitfield State Museum	Guilford	Historic Home
Medad Stone Tavern Museum	Guilford	History Town
Hyland House	Guilford	Historic Home
The Thomas Griswold House Museum	Guilford	Historic Home
Thankful Arnold House	Haddam	Historic Home
Youthmobile Museum	Haddam	??	Mystery Museum
Eli Whitney Museum	Hamden	History Industry
Jonathan Dickerman House	Hamden	Historic Home
Burnham Hibbard House	Hampton	Historic Home
Institute of Living Museum	Hartford	History Medical
The Wadsworth Atheneum	Hartford	Art
Isham-Terry House	Hartford	Historic Home
Mark Twain House	Hartford	Historic Home
CRRA Visitors Center & Trash Museum	Hartford	science/trash/recycling
Ancient Burying Ground Corner Main & Gold Streets 249-5631	Hartford	History Town
Baldwin Museum of Connecticut History	Hartford	History State
Butler-McCook Homestead	Hartford	Historic Home	12/7/2006
Connecticut Historical Society	Hartford	History General
Connecticut Sports Museum & Hall of Fame	Hartford	History Sports	Mystery Museum
Historical Museum of Medicine & Dentistry	Hartford	History Medical
Old State House	Hartford	History State Science
Police Service Center Museum - 101 Pearl Street 722-6150	Hartford	History Police
Harriet Beecher Stowe House	Hartford	Historic Home
Connecticut Freedom Trail	Hartford	Unique History Trail
Katherine S. Day House	Hartford
Gaylord House Museum	Hartland	Historic Home
Museum of the Fife and Drum	Ivoryton	History Military
Connecticut Museum of Mining and Mineral Science	Kent	History Industry
Connecticut Antique Machinery Association	Kent	History Industry
The Sloane-Stanley Museum and Kent Iron Furnace Site	Kent	History Industry
Seven Hearths	Kent	Historic Home
Skiff Mountain Schoolhouse	Kent	History Town
Bulls Bridge	Kent	Unique Covered Bridge
Museum of Killingly History	Killingly	History Town
Holley - Williams House Museum	Lakeville	Historic Home
Salisbury Cannon Museum	Lakeville	Children's
Governor Trumbull House Museum	Lebanon	Historic Home
Lebanon Museum and Visitor Center	Lebanon	History Town
Dr. William Beaumont House	Lebanon	Historic Home
John Bishop Museum	Lisbon	Historic Home
Litchfield History Museum	Litchfield	History Town
The Tapping Reeve House and Law School	Litchfield	History Town
White Memorial Conservation Center and Nature Museum	Litchfield	Science
Allis-Bushnell House	Madison	Historic Home
Deacon John Grave House	Madison	Historic Home
The Sculpture Mile	Madison	Art
Lutz Children's Museum	Manchester	Children's
Old Manchester Museum	Manchester	History Town
Cheney Homestead	Manchester	History Town
Keeney Schoolhouse	Manchester	History/Town/Schoolhouse
Cheney Fire Museum	Manchester	History Town
Pitkin Glass Works	Manchester	History Town
Mansfield Historical Museum	Mansfield	History Town
Gurleyville Grist Mill	Mansfield	History Industry
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center	Masuntucket	History Native American
American Silver Museum	Meriden	History Industry
Rosa Ponselle Museum	Meriden	Unique Collection
National Shaving and Barbershop Museum	Meriden	History Industry
Frank Chiarenza Museum of Glass	Meriden	History Industry
Solomon Gaffe House	Meriden	Historic Home
Golden Age of Trucking Museum	Middlebury	History Transportation
Submarine Library Museum	Middletown	History Nautical
Middletown Sports Hall of Fame and Museum	Middletown	History Sports	Mystery Museum
Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate	Middletown	Historical Home
Kid City	Middletown	Children's
Middlesex County Historical Society	Middletown	History Town
General Mansfield House	Middletown	Historic Home
Davison Art Center	Middletown (Wesleyan)	Art
Eells-Stow House	Milford	Historical House
Milford Firefighters Museum	Milford	History Industry	Future Museum
Bryan-Downs House	Milford	Historic Home
Clark-Stockade House	Milford	Historic Home
East Village Barn Hill Schoolhouse	Monroe	History Town
Eliot Beardsley Homestead	Monroe	Historic Home
Amasa Day House Museum	Moodus	Historic Home
The Occult museum	Moodus	Unique BS
Mystic Seaport	Mystic	History Industry	12/10/2006
Mystic Seaport Children's Museum	Mystic	Children's
Mystic Aquarium	Mystic	Science Aquarium
Denison Homestead	Mystic	Historic Home
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Museum	Mystic	Science
Naugatuck Historical Museum	Naugatuck	History Town
Industrial Museum of New Britain	New Britain	History Industry	10/6/2006
New Britain Police Museum	New Britain	History Industry
New Britain Youth Museum	New Britain	Children's
New Britain Museum of American Art	New Britain	Art
New Canaan Historical Society	New Canaan	History Town
New Canaan Town House	New Canaan	History Town
Cody Drug Store	New Canaan	History Town
The Costume Museum	New Canaan	History Town
Hanford-Silliman House	New Canaan	History Town
The Tool Museum	New Canaan	History Town
The John Rogers Studio and Museum	New Canaan	History Town
The Little Red Schoolhouse	New Canaan	History Town
The Rock School	New Canaan	History Town
Philip Johnson's Glass House	New Canaan	Historic House
Yale Center for British Art	New Haven	Art
Yale Collection of Musical Instruments	New Haven	History Music
New Haven Colony Historical Society Museum	New Haven	History Town
Yale University Art Gallery	New Haven	Art
John Slade Ely House	New Haven	Art
Knights of Columbus Museum	New Haven	Unique Collection
Connecticut Children's Museum	New Haven	Children's
Black Rock Fort and Fort Nathan Hale	New Haven	History Military
Pardee-Morris House	New Haven	Historic Home
Peabody Museum of Natural History	New Haven (Yale)	Natural History
Monte Cristo Cottage	New London	Historic Home
The Hempsted Houses	New London	Historic Home
US Coast Guard Museum	New London	History Military
Science EpiCenter & DNA Learning Center	New London	New London
Shaw-Perkins Mansion	New London	Historic Home
Nut Museum	New London (Conn Coll)	Unique Collection
Lyman Allyn Art Museum	New London (Conn Coll)	Art
The Skitch Henderson Museum	New Milford	Unique Collection
New Milford Historical Society Museum	New Milford	History Town
Enoch Kelsey House	Newington	Historic Home
Kellog-Eddy House	Newington	Historic Home
Matthew Curtiss House Museum	Newtown	History Town
Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut	Niantic	Children's
Millstone Information and Science Center	Niantic	Science
Noank Historical Society	Noank	History Town
Norfolk Historical Society Museum	Norfolk	History Town
Martha Culver Memorial Museum	North Haven	History Town
The Norwalk Museum	Norwalk	History Town
Stepping Stones Museum for Children	Norwalk	Children's
Maritime Center of Norwalk, The	Norwalk	Science
Mill Hill Historic Park	Norwalk	History Town
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum	Norwalk	Historic Home
SoNo Switch Tower Museum	Norwalk	History Transportation
The Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich Free Adademy Campus	Norwich	Art
Leffingwell House Museum	Norwich	Historic Home
Florence Griswold Museum	Old Lyme	Historic Home
BF Clyde's Cider Mill	Old Mystic	History Industry
General William Hart House	Old Saybrook	Historic Home
Uconn's Virtual Pathology Museum	Online	Online
Stone-Otis House	Orange	Historic Home
CT Aerospace Hall of Fame and Museum	Orange	Science	Mystery Museum
The Academy (Orange Historical Society Museum)	Orange	History Town
Plainville Historic Center	Plainville	History Town
The Stone Museum	Pleasant Valley	Science
Brayton Grist Mill and Marcy Blacksmith Museum	Pomfret	History Industry
Ruth Callander House Museum of Portland History	Portland	History Town
Lonetown Farm Museum	Redding	History Industry
Keeler Tavern Museum	Ridgefield	Historic Home
The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art	Ridgefield	Art
Hitchcock Museum	Riverton	Historic Home
New England Civil War Museum	Rockville	History Military
Academy Hall Museum	Rocky Hill	History Nautical
Dinosaur State Park	Rocky Hill	Science
Rowayton Historical Society	Rowayton	History Town
Mine Hill Preserve	Roxbury	History Industry
Salem Historical Society and Museum	Salem	History Town
The Huntington Homestead	Scotland	Historic Home
Waldo Homestead	Scotland	Historic Home
Sharon Historical Society	Sharon	History Town
Gay-Hoyt House Museum	Sharon	Historic Home Art
Shelton History Center	Shelton	History Town
Phelps Tavern Museum & Homestead	Simsbury	History/Old House
Connecticut's Biggest Tree	Simsbury	Giant Tree	9/8/2006
Somers Historical Society Museum	Somers	History Town
Somers Mountain Museum of Natural History & Primitive Technology	Somers	History Native American
Welles Shipman Ward House	South Glastonbury	Historic Home
Wood Memorial Library	South Windsor	Unique Collection
Pleasant Valley School Museum	South Windsor	History Town
Connecticut State Police Museum	Southbury	History Industry
The South End Schoolhouse	Southington	History Town
Bradley Barnes Museum	Southington	History Town	12/28/2006
Stafford Historical Society Museum	Stafford	History Town
N.E.States Civilian Conservation Corps. Museum	Stafford Springs	History
Stamford Historical Society	Stamford	History Town
Ukranian Museum and Library	Stamford	History Unique
Stamford Museum and Nature Center	Stamford	Science
Whitney Museum of American Art at Champion	Stamford	Art
Bartlett Arboretum	Stamford	Science
Hoyt-Barnum House	Stamford	Historic Home
Old Lighthouse Museum	Stonington	History Maritime
Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House	Stonington	Historic Home
The William Benton Museum of Art	Storrs (Uconn)	Art
The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History	Storrs (Uconn)	Natural History
Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry	Storrs (Uconn)	Unique Collection
Husky Heritage Sports Museum	Storrs (Uconn)	Sports
National Helicopter Museum	Stratford	History Aviation
Boothe Memorial Park & Museum	Stratford	Historic Home
The Children's Garbage Museum	Stratford	Children's
Catherine Mitchell Museum	Stratford	Historic Home
Judson House and Museum	Stratford	Historic Home
Phelps-Hatheway House	Suffield	Historic Home
King House Museum	Suffield	Historic Home
Lock Museum of America	Terryville	History Industry
Railroad Museum of New England	Thomaston	History Transportation
Thompson Historical Society	Thompson	History Town
Tourtellotte Memorial Room	Thompson	History Town
Tolland Jail Museum	Tolland	History General
Hicks-Stearns Family Museum	Tolland	History General
Benton Homestead	Tolland	Historic Home
Torrington History Museum	Torrington	History Town
Hotchkiss-Fyler House	Torrington	Historic Home
Trumbull History Museum	Trumbull	History Town
Tantaquidgeon Indian Museum	Uncasville	History Native American
Unionville Museum	Unionville	History Town
Vernon Historical Society Museum	Vernon	History Town
Samuel Parsons House	Wallingford	Historic Home
Nehemiah Royce Museum	Wallingford	Historic Home	Mystery Museum
American Indian Archeological Institute	Washington	History Native American
Gunn Historical Museum	Washington	History Town
The Mattatuck Museum	Waterbury	History Art
The Timex Museum	Waterbury	History Industry
Harkness Memorial State Park	Waterford	Historic Home
Watertown Historical Society Museum	Watertown	History Town
West Cornwall Covered Bridge	West Cornwall	Unique Covered Bridge
Children's Museum	West Hartford	Children's
Noah Webster Museum	West Hartford	Historic Home
Museum of American Political Life	West Hartford	Unique Collection
Sarah Whitman Hooker Homestead	West Hartford	Historic Home
Savin Rock Museum	West Haven	History Town
Military Historians Museum	Westbrook	History Military
The Coley Homestead and Barn	Weston	Historic Home
Wheeler House	Westport	Historic Home
Buttolph-Williams House	Wethersfield	Historic Home
Hurlbut-Dunham House	Wethersfield	Historic House
Historic Cove Warehouse	Wethersfield	History Town
Wethersfield Museum	Wethersfield	History Town
Webb-Deane-Stevens Museums	Wethersfield	History Town
Earthplace	Westport	Sciene - Childrens
Jillson House Museum	Willimantic	Historic Home
Windham Textile and History Museum	Willimantic	frog bridge too
Willimantic Brewing Company	Willimantic	Unique Brewery
Weir Farm National Historic Site	Wilton	Historic Home Art
Wilton Heritage Museum	Wilton	Historic Home
Hurlbutt Street Schoolhouse	Wilton	History Town
Kerosene Lamp Museum	Winchester	History Industry
Solomon Rockwell House	Winchester	History Town
Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum	Windham	History Transportation
Vintage Radio & Communications Museum	Windsor	History Industry
Huntington House Museum Windsor	Windsor	Historic Home
Luddy/Taylor Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum	Windsor	History Industry
Windsor Historical Society	Windsor	History Town
Oliver Ellsworth Homestead	Windsor	Historic Home
The New England Air Museum	Windsor Locks	History Aviation
Noden-Reed Park Museum	Windsor Locks	Historic Home
American Museum of Tort Law	Winsted	History Law	Future Museum
American Mural Project	Winsted	Art	Future Museum
Wolcott Historical Society Museum	Wolcott	History Town
The Darling House Museum	Woodbridge	History Town
Glebe House Museum	Woodbury	Historic Home
Roseland Cottage/Bowen House	Woodstock	Historic Home

MuseumQuest! Has Begun

2006-08-27T12:04:00.000-04:00

So you're too lazy to scroll through the giant list. No problem... here's what we've done:

Visit 1. The Pinchot Sycamore in Simsbury, 9/8/2006
Visit 2. The New Britain Industrial Museum, 10/6/2006
Visit 3a. The Connecticut River Museum, 10/20/2006
Visit 3b. The Connecticut River Museum Part 2, 12/10/2006
Visit 4. Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, 10/28/2006.
Visit 5. Butler-McCook House and Garden, 12/7/2006
Visit 6. The Edward E. King Museum, 12/13/2006
Visit 7. The Barnes Museum, 12/28/2006

Incomplete Visits
A. Mystic Seaport, 12/10/2006

Many more soon...

MuseumQuest! (The List)
BesettingVice Home

7th Month Heaven

2006-08-26T23:11:00.000-04:00

You know how when there's some life experience that is new to you and everyone you know (and don't know) offers all sorts of advice and homey tales about said life experience? Things like, "New house, new baby" (ahem)? Well, the whole, "You won't believe how fast time flies when you have a child" thing is bearing itself out - as do most of those non-superstitious things, so Besetting Vice readers Leah-New-House-in-Chicago-New-Baby-on-the-Way, Jen-Relatively-New -House-New-Baby-on-the-Way, and Mel-Relatively-New-House-New-Baby-on-the-Way, take heed and good luck in the coming months. It's awesome.

Summer bore down on us here in New England during Damians 7th month and we suffered through several brutal days. But it never hit 100 degrees and we survived, though we certainly learned that he hates hot weather and often wondered what our parents did back in the pre-AC in cars days with babies.

Aside from the heat, it was a very exciting month for Damian. He met our friends Marni and Sean up from Hoboken, Hoang's cousin David in from Portland, Oregon, he went to yet another party at Kevin and Becky's where he was a perfect angel again. He really has no problem "meeting" new people and still just sort of soaks in the scene for a while. A bunch of Hoang's girlfriends passed him around all afternoon and aside from a couple complaints about the heat and the diaper, he made us proud. I stopped counting how many, "You're so lucky you don't even know"'s. (To be fair, most of those women have 1-3 year old kids who are certainly apt to get into more trouble than our immobile Bubby.)

After the Kevin and Becky shindig, we went for broke and took him to his first Irish Fest in Glastonbury. This 3 day fest is usually a drunken bacchanalia - but we were there with the sun up still so it was far more subdued and family friendly. Once again, our boy just chilled and even enjoyed the passing rain shower while friends Wendy and Rob met him for the first time.

Later in the month my parents visited from Delaware to spend some quality time with their grandson. (Since so many of you ask - this is the 3rd time they've seen him and Damian is their 4th grandchild.) It was nice for them to see him finally smiling and showing his funny little personality. Up until that point, only Mama T, Hoang, and I could get him to smile on cue. That barrier was finally broken by my mom (and Nguyet, my sister-in-law as well).

While Grandmom and Granddad were here, Bubby finally decided he'd like to roll over from his fat belly. Once he got over that hurdle, he couldn't stop rolling all over the place. He also began sitting up much better and generally being a bit more physically active. Sure, he's still a little behind the so-called average, but as of this writing now (8/27), he's catching up fast. And besides, even if he was lacking in some way, he'd be able to get through life on his looks alone. Am I right ladies?

It's nice now that Hoang and I never fear taking him out with us anywhere anymore as he's usually very content. For his 7-month birthday, we took the day off from work and drove out to our friend Laura's house in Narragansett for his first beach experience. Too bad the weatheridiots were horribly wrong as usual and it rained all afternoon. We still had fun at the house, but Bubby was upset about missing the beach. (If the rain weren't enough, the windy sixty degrees wasn't so much fun either. Ahhhh, New England in August.)

On our way home, we stopped in Westbrook, CT to eat at Bill's, supposedly, "the best seafood on this or any other planet." Now, I suppose if you're some rube from Cheyenne on vacation in New England you may think this. Being the food snobs we are, I'll just say, "It was alright." Wicked overpriced and overrated, but alright. But we certainly had fun, as we always do with Damian, as you'll see below.

"Why hello there cutest baby in the world! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Please, please, no pictures. I've yet to comb my hair."

"Hmmm, what shall I do today? Perhaps I'll change into my UConn gear and help Papa barbeque some chicken."

"Now don't put the sauce on the chicken until the end of the cooking process, or else the sugars will carmelize and you don't want that, Papa, you don't want that."

'S' is for "Stickng my whole hand in my mouth."

True story about this picture: This past month when someone on my team at work was feeling down or stuck on a problem, I sent them this picture. And then they realized they didn't have it so bad. My poor Bubby.

All wrapped up. What's underneath there?

It's Damian's new Bumbo chair!

"I say, Mama, I'm quite stuck in this thing. Why does that make you laugh?"

"And you, Papa, with the poison ivy on your arm AGAIN?! When will you learn?"

"Looking at Grandmom and Granddad and the picture of my dad just above this, I guess I can expect the gray hair too, huh?"

"Ah well, for now I'll just enjoy my mama styling my nice brown hair-do."

"Back in this chair again? At least my hair looks good. What can I play with?"

"I guess I'll play with these things stuck to this leg thing sticking out of this chair thing. But what else can I play with?"

"I can play in one of my exersaucers. With a pair of shorts on my head."

I can play with the keyboard with my dad. zzçßxzx3 QAA1Q3`trft WQQ` --PA"

"And I can play in my Johnny-Jump-Up. Boy this is all so tiring."

"I guess I'll just take nap. While standing up... I don't care."

After a long rainy day in Narrangansett, We still had fun at dinner

The Happy Fried Scallop Dance

Locked in on the oyster crackers. In fairness to my always beautiful wife, I'm sure she'd like me to remind you again that these pictures were taken after a long, rainy day.

Locked in on the New England Clam Chowder. But is he ready to eat? We tested him first:

Contine on to the Eighth month!

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Oy Vey!

2006-08-26T23:00:00.000-04:00

Modern Library # 52
Portnoy's Complaint
1967, Philip Roth

This may perhaps be the most difficult Top 100 Book Review I'll ever do. Not because I loved it so much I can't find the words and not because I hated it either. No... it's because "Portnoy's Compaint" is so downright dirty and sex-filled that I wouldn't know how to properly describe 2/3 of the book to the family audience who gather 'round their PC's to read Besetting Vice every few weeks.

If I had an alternate blog... hoo boy, let me tell you! Roth does not pull punches here and no epithet is left unsaid. Yup, even the dreaded word that every woman hates more than anything in the world. About 20 times. Now that I've given you the somewhat false impression that the book is merely a smut festival, I'll try to give my review.

Roth uses a very interesting convention to tell the story: Alexander Portnoy is a 33 year old highly successful single Jewish guy lying on his psychiatrist's couch. What transpires is a 308 page stream-of-conciousness monologue wherein Portnoy frames his life-history as one of misery at the hands of his overbearing Jewish mother followed by an endless series of sexual conquests - many of which are solo.

Within the first hour or so of reading, one realizes a few things. One, the "character" of Howard Stern that we grew up listening to is either a complete ripoff of the Portnoy character or every Jewish boy who grew up in the 40's and 50's in the metro NYC area really is a nebbish Woody Allen character obsessed with sex. There are lines in the book I could swear I heard Stern approximate years ago - "My mother did this" and "My mother did that" and as a result "I can't do this right and I'm miserable." Two, the famous scene from "American Pie" where the protagonist, shall we say, "enjoys" a cherry pie in privacy? Roth laid the groundwork with the pubescent Alex, shall we say, "enjoying" some fresh liver. Seriously.

But thank goodness for Stern, or else I'd have never understood all the Yiddish exclamations Roth writes. What is it with Jewish-American mothers? Is there something truthful about the fictional Jerry Seinfeld mom, Kyle Broflovski mom, or Portnoy's mom? From the book: "...A Jewish man with parents alive is a fifteen-year-old boy, and will remain a fifteen-year-old boy, till they die!" Such anger... such venom... such insight into the immaturity of Seinfeld and Stern!

But more than just sex, the book is about the post WWII Jewish experience in America. How they adapted and made a living, how the immigrant parents instilled academics and values in their children. It's very well written and certainly funny in many instances. I had high hopes for "Portnoy's Complaint" because of all the things I've heard about Philip Roth. But again, as I'm realizing with many of these Top 100 Books (coincidentally, several of which Portnoy tries to get his illiterate sex machine girlfried, aka "The Monkey," to read in the book) are in the Top 100 because they are "groundbreaking" above all else. That's not to say it's not enjoyable - it is.

As Alex Portnoy says, he wants to "Put the ID back in 'YID'." And in this book, he definitely does that.

Hoang Completed: 2006, Rating: 5
Steve Completed: 2006, Rating: 6.5

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The Metacomet Trail Section Hike

2006-08-23T22:46:00.000-04:00

Go here

The Once Per Week Project Part 2

2006-08-03T22:05:00.000-04:00

I figure I'll arbitrarily break these up in 1/2 year increments.

(Part One)

First time in a Johnny-Jump-Up at 27 weeks

28 weeks old

Finding hotbuttons I didn't know at 29 Weeks

30 Weeks Old

31 Weeks old in August and in need of a hoodie.

Barely table high while sitting at 32 weeks

Damian - I am your Fah-tharrrr at 33 weeks

34 weeks old

Sleeping at the dinner table at 35 weeks

36 weeks old

Mr. Bed-Head at 37 Weeks

Representing his Vietnamese heritage at 38 Weeks

39 Weeks of baths

What's cookin' at 40 Weeks

It's about time I show him crying at 41 weeks

Bathtime with Jamal at 42 weeks

Rockin' Out at 43 Weeks

44 Weeks old and wearing a Tree Skirt

Enjoying a manicure at 45 weeks

Excited for a new outfit at 46 weeks

Mazel Tov! Happy Hanukkah at 47 Weeks!

Kicking it oldschool at 48 Weeks

Oink Oink at 49 weeks

The hair, the yawn, the sleepy eyes... At 50 Weeks

51 Weeks Old

Still has the dimples at 52 Weeks
Back to Part One
Continue on to Part 3

Damian's Backyard Friends Part 2

2006-07-29T12:07:00.000-04:00

In the time since we last visited our backyard, we bought a bird feeder. After a short while, the feeder attracted several birds - none of which we got a good picture of. These included cardinals, nuthatches, a Baltimore Oriole, and a red-winged blackbird. It also attracted the chipmunks and squirrels too, which in turn attracted the attention of our friendly neighborhood red-shouldered hawk. This post is more a biology lesson than anything, and if you are disturbed by the site of what a top predator is capable of doing to a cute little bunny rabbit, I suggest you hit the back button on your browser. Hey, all the animal kingdom is friends with Damian, predators and prey alike.

You all remember Baby Rabbity from last time? Well, um... more on him later.

Dovey!

Flyey!

Tomato Hornwormy!

Anty!

Chipmunky! (He's there, look closely)

Bearded Dragony! (He lives by the creek)

Spidery!

Squirrely!
Okay, so Hoang was watching the bird feeder festivities one afternoon and remarking how many animals we seem to have in our backyard. Then, all of the sudden from over the house behind where she was looking, a HUGE hawk swooped down and made off with a chipmunk - right before her eyes. I ran outside to see it perched up in a tree... it was not the more common red-tailed hawk, but rather a larger red-shouldered hawk. It was incredible! We didn't see another mammal in our backyard for a couple days after that. Then, one night I was poking around the yard and stumbled upon a rather disturbing site. Our friend Hawky had made a return visit and let's just say baby rabbity is now named Hawk Dinner. I (of course) took some pictures, but you'll have to click on them to see. I warn you, pregnant women (there are 2 of you reading this I know of), children under the age of 13, and anyone with a heart condition or affection for bunny rabbits do not want to see this. There are three parts of a rabbit hawks don't like:
The fur (note hawk feather to the left)
The entrails (piled oh-so neatly)
And... the head.

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Six and One Half Dozen of the Other Months Old

2006-07-29T09:37:00.000-04:00

Damian's first year continues to fly by - it's crazy to us that he's already a half a year old. Just. Like. That.

The beginning of his sixth month saw the end of the World Cup Tour which was concluded at little Meghan L's first birthday party. It was a hot day and with so many people cooing over him, Damian played coy and pretty much slept through the festivities.

The beginning of July meant the start of the Tour de France which, despite the fact that cycling appears to be a very dirty sport, we both still enjoyed throughout July. The highlight of the month was a visit from cousins Christine, Joseph, and Rachel from Delaware. The last time they all met up was back in May; when Damian was a bit too young to interact. However, as you'll see below, he apparently remembers the way Rachel treated him and exacted some delicious revenge.

The visit was fun for all, as we went up to Magic Wings and enjoyed the butterflies. Damian's cousins had fun at our house and we all enjoyed the visit, but once they were back on the road to home, Damian appeared a bit relieved. After all, who were those people anyway and why weren't you devoting all your attention to me?! Fair enough, son, fair enough.

In July, I moved over to a new role at work where I now manage 15 people (same company, same department) which has been rather time-consuming as you can imagine. So that's why the BV updates are slow and short, unfortunately - at least until I fully get my bearings at work.

As for Bubby, he took it pretty easy the rest of the month, practicing new skills like sitting up, rolling over from his fat belly, "talking," grabbing more precisely, and wooing the girls. Thus far, he seems most adept at that last item. But we'll catch up with the other stuff this month!

(And by the way, Hoang has eased up on the "Bubby" thing and seems to now be stuck on, "JuJu Bear." I'll never figure that woman out. Also, I have no idea why he seems to be wearing the same blue tank top so often. I swear he has more than 3 shirts!)

Celebrating the 4th with Mama T and the Pillsbury Doughboy, of course

One of the billion butterflies at Magic Wings

Yes, that's a real butterfly on cousin Rachel...

...Who later reported it tasted 'just like rice cereal'."

Cousins Rachel, Joseph, and Christine.

Rachel make the first move, stirring the monster that lurks within Damian...

Oh my! the reverse clothesline to piledriver! (The joy on Hoang's face cracks me up.)

Fatty Feet, Fatty Feet.

After a hard day of spitting rhymes and laying down phat beats, Bubby nods off. And what does every hiphop artist enjoy after a long session in the studio? Yes, of course.

I just wanted the document the last time Damian can fit in his little papoose. Barely.

Someone found his toes!

Someone is embarrassed that someone found someone who found his toes!

Oi vey, my life is so tough. Racial Tension headache?

One of my favorite pictures of Damian - the the Tour de France on in the background.

He'll get that whole hand in there yet...

Gearing up for the UConn Football season next month.
Alternative Caption: Our Husky Husky
Bathtime!

7 Months Old!"
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Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

2006-07-15T10:24:00.000-04:00

Modern Library # 31
Animal Farm
1946, George Orwell

I know... "Animal Farm?! The little novella about talking animals that we all read in 7th grade?" Yes, that's right. Even if I had read it prior - and I hadn't - the rules of the Top 100 game that Hoang and I are playing dictate that I would have to read it again anyway. You'd certainly think that I would have knocked this one off back when I was still trying to keep up with the goal of 3 books per year, since it's so short and simple to read. But alas, you must not know my passion for television.

First of all, this book gets major points for being so short and easy to read. Once I finished it, I sat back and wondered what it was that makes it so important and well-regarded. Sure, the allegory works well - but it's simple. Orwell is of course an excellent writer. But really, is it really that great? In one sense it is; If I were in 7th grade and read this, it would serve as the perfect lesson about literature. (Though Watership Down did the same for me, in much the same way, at a younger age.) And that lesson is that "Words mean things" and literature has a voice.

In the case of Animal Farm, that voice was an angry Orwell speaking out at totalitarian regimes, specifically Joseph Stalin's in 1940's Russia. Orwell was actually a socialist, so although many people think the book is railing against all forms of Communism or Socialism, it is not. What I found most interesting was that Orwell went beyond the easy targets (Lenin/Stalin) and hit bullseyes on the West, Hitler, Trotsky, the working class, and the propagandists - all using his talking animal convention.

Since everyone under the sun has read this book (hey, I haven't even looked at the dust jacket of The DaVinci Code either) there is no point discussing the actual plot. In one sentence, the farm decides to overthrow the dictator (the farmer), the pigs assume that role and take full advantage of it, the worker devotes himself to the farm and dies, there's a massive slaughter borne of distrust, and the pigs "evolve" into the men they are acting like. It's pretty good, but didn't really move me at all like I expected it to.

In a funny way, Animal Farm preceded the Looney Toons and "South Park" in that both used childish language and images to convey much deeper and more intellectual ideas. Seriously.

Hoang Completed: n/a
Steve Completed: 2006, Rating: 7

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Fi Five Fo Fum

2006-07-12T19:09:00.000-04:00

Damian's five month "birthday" fell upon our 3 year anniversary; May 25th. That weekend we were fortunate to be able to have Mama T babysit him allowing us to enjoy a nice dinner out on the town. We also realized that pretty much every prior year around this time we took a vacation in the past: Like this one, for example. But alas, with Bubby in our lives now, there would be none of that this year. No matter, we had plenty of other things to attend to.

I'm learning quickly what it means to have a little kid; lots of birthdays for other little kids. Damian couldn't care less about his new friends yet, but he will in time. Especially around, say, the end of January next year. In the meantime he continues to just show up at the various social gatherings we go to and observe the scenes. He continues to be a very observant little boy, preferring to sit and look around (and probably maintain an internal commentary on the fashions and actions of everyone he sees - making his parents proud.)

Early on in his 5th month, Damian seemed to have gotten past his reflux problem. Hoang still stuck to her rigid(ish) diet and we still took some other precautions, but over time we got less and less strict about them. He also began sampling various foods - rice cereal, sweet potatoes, and squash. He did pretty well with the whole concept of eating, I must say.

Over the course of the month he became more and more mobile, learning to roll around a bit more and slither like a sidewinder on his back. He still hates to be placed on his belly, but he's making progress. The biggest step (for us) was that we figured out how make him smile and laugh almost at will. You'll see in the video below that his laugh is a bit odd (and remains so), but that was his first all-out laughing jag, so we're happy to share it with you.

Hoang has adjusted to being back at work and Mama T seems to love watching him all day long. The boy is certainly loved. Speaking of which, we celebrated Father's Day in June which was certainly a new experience for me. (It's weird to suddenly get a holiday in your honor during your 30's.) Both Bubby and Hoang treated me like a King all weekend and it was great to be a father - something that can never be taken away from me now.

The other big event during June was the World Cup. For those of you Damian fans who didn't at least look at the pictures of my World Cup Tour 2006 - you missed some of his best work yet. Like Dutch Damianokker, Iranian Shiek al-Damian, Chief Damianuu of Ghana, and Damiano, the Italian crybaby soccer player, among others. Sure, most of the "Tour" was me and Ed going to various bars and restaurants matching the ethnicity of the games, but it's still some pretty fun reading and viewing. Check it out here.

Anyway, he's such a good baby. He sleeps rather regularly only waking up once in the night to feed (Hoang is still breastfeeding) and generally being a quiet and healthy beautiful little boy. So far, I'm loving every minute of this. Enjoy the photos - as always in chronological order and 'clickable' to enlarge.

On his way to his grandparents so that we could celebrate our anniversary dinner. You see how happy he is for us?

Yet another Vietnamese manicurist. They're everywhere!

This was the first night we realized that his little wedge wasn't exactly holding him in place anymore. I was flushed with pride...

But not proud enough to keep him out of little baby overalls, apparently.

Apple cheeks

We used to call this little girl his "girlfriend." Then one day he decided to tear up her picture.

Photgraphic evidence from the night he learned to push his aquarium button. I was flushed with pride...

But not proud enough to keep him out of monkey suits, apparently.

I enjoy the air of confidence he had the first time we put him in this contraption...

...Yet the flash from the camera still startled him so.

Buddha belly

Proud Mama

Proud Papa

Matthew Brady photo from Antietam, ca. 1864.

His head looks so big here...

But not as big as his fat leg rolls!

Damian first laughing jag - he gets a bit mixed up with coughs and hiccups, as you'll see.

On to Six Months!

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One Last Meat-Up for Soccer

2006-07-08T08:31:00.000-04:00

Our last stop on the World Cup Tour 2006 was, for me, the most anticipated. I had previewed the Brazil Grill restaurant the week prior by popping my head in during the group play Japan game. Even though it was a Thursday afternoon and the game meant absolutely nothing to Brazil, the place was packed and somewhat rowdy. In light of that, I figured that the do-or-die semi-final versus France on a Saturday afternoon would mean that we had to get there early.

And so, on a hot and muggy afternoon, Ed and I arrived at the Brazilian restaurant about 30 minutes before kickoff surveyed the scene. The set-up there is rather unique; we were getting lunch which meant grabbing a plate and loading it up with random stuff from the salad bar thing. But it wasn't so much salad; rather, it was various bean and rice mixtures, along with a bunch of veggies and meat parts. You see, the Brazilians like their meat. This was a churrascaria after all - a Brazilian barbeque place. We have a couple here in Hartford and the most uppity one is Braza. The difference between the Brazil Grille and Braza is that at Braza, waiters walk around with infinite swords of various meats, just waiting for you to ask for more. Then they run over and slice you off a hunk of cow or lamb or whatever - until you vomit more or less. At Brazil Grille, it was much more subdued in that you asked the guy at the counter for a hunk of meat out of the rotisserie oven thing and then you paid by the pound. (This way, the Ed's of the world can later boast, "I ate 2.65 pounds of meat today!") Oh, and there are never any Brazilians at Braza.

Brazil Grille, however, was chock full of meat-and-soccer lovin' Brazilians. By gametime, it was a standing room only crowd - and I think Ed and I were pretty much the only ones not speaking Portuguese. Even the totally Caucasian looking people near us were yapping away in the foreign tongue. The game was shown through a projector onto a big white wall as we all sat at long cafeteria style tables. (At Braza, one usually dresses up and dines at stylish tables with fine silverware and linen napkins. Here, it was all styrofoam and plastic - for after all, we were there for the soccer, not the Caipirinhas.)

The crowd was intense. They knew their soccer, and they knew their boys were the "best in the world." Heck, we'd been told that a billion times in the last few weeks of this World Cup, right? The first half progressed as Brazil missed several chances. The Brazilians around us were getting more upset with each passing moment. Here I was eating my chicken hearts and fried bananas thinking, "Calm down guys... It's Brazil. You'll win..."

Le GOAL! Les Bleus! Le GOAL! Oops. France scored. Let me tell you, as a lifelong Philly fan I felt a level of comfort in that room. Utter deflation... Silencio... And sadness. Lots and lots of sad looking people in funny hats and bright yellow shirts. The fat sweaty guy with the annoying noise-maker sat quietly and the meat consumption slowed to a crawl as well.

Ed and I watched a lot of teams lose during our tour, but nothing compared to the outright dismay at the Brazil Grille after the final whistle versus the Frenchies. Ah oui, some cried tears into their rump roasts and poked their pork butts with disgust. To add insult to injury, upon leaving the restaurant and emerging into the white sunlight, Park Road was filled with beeping cars covered in giant Portugal flags - for they had won their game that morning and were still celebrating. Several heated words flew back and forth between the dejected Brazilians and elated Portuguese. I'm sure it was something like, "Ha ha you stinky Brazilians, we conquered you a few hundred years ago and you are colonial pissants and you can't play futbol and you even speak our stupid language! Ha ha!"

"Oh yeah? You can take your salted cod and ugly women back to Europe and we'll keep our samba and our Carnivale and our thongs and our Brazilian waxes, you imperialist pigs!"

Yup, I'm sure - Just. Like. That.

I first attempted to watch the game here. Oops, I misread the sign but ended up with a pair of shoes.

I knew I was close - Brazilian graffiti!

Ah, yes, Meat. And lots of it.

With bellyfulls of meat, the crowd watched their heroes lose.

Brahma - Brazilian brew. Pretty bad, actually.

The Magical Meat Maker

Damian watched the game in his Brazilian identity: Damianinho.

He even wore his special Brazilian soccer diapers...

Oh yeah - definitely Brazilian

And thus ends our World Cup Tour 2006. I never planned on following it through to the end. But I had a great time and I'm already looking forward to 2010. After all, by then Damian will be complicit. And he is my son.

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