LV + SLC

In April I needed to dash out to Las Vegas, and since I’d be out west, I figured I’d add some Utah time to the trip, too.

I went out to Las Vegas for my friend Alisha’s funeral. I don’t feel it my place to be posting pictures from that here on this page, but this is a picture of some of the magnificent barbecue served at the lunch after. And after the lunch? Marilyn taught Jeff and me how to play Beat Saber. And introduced us to a very acceptable all you can eat Sushi deal.

Sunday: some church, some driving around, dinner, and a long stroll along the Strip.

Monday: time passed at the Las Vegas airport, barbecue that was not as good as at the funeral, car rented from Fox Rentals in SLC (don’t believe the 0 star Yelp reviews, I found them to be not so bad and a bargain), little late dinner at Rancherito’s.

Tuesday: Finally tried the Italian beef at Cubby’s and WOW, it is BAD. Doughy bread melted into the paper. And ok, seems I just took a bunch of photos of Walker & Ellie and the pets around the house that day and the next. Rogue the Cat and I, we have a complicated relationship.

Wednesday: big trip to Rose Park to eat at the Jaripeo truck with special guest appearance by Ned!

Thursday: Big Thing Happens! I travel out to West Valley to eat at the quite good and fun Curry Pizza and to be reunited with Niall and Mitch, who I had not seen in ten years! And also to meet Margaret, who I had only sort of kind of seen ten years ago, in a sense. Margaret took a couple of these pictures, can you guess which ones?

And then a visit to Temple Square, a look at my friend Braden’s print at the art museum, and a visit to the temple before they close it down to fix it up.

Thursday: Park Pizza Lunch with Kristen and boys and their moms. No one in Highland ever just goes to school all day!

That afternoon: a track meet

That evening: Family dinner at Seven Brothers. Car ride and standing in line with Ellie. She asked me “Guess a place that you think I’ve been to but I haven’t been to” and that was a good game.

And then Saturday, back to NYC via Houston where once I missed a flight and tried to kill 10 hours at the seafood buffet. But this time I just ate at Whattaburger for the first time and absolutely loved it.

Should I Cop? or Test Drives Can Be Dangerous

Back in 2009 I got a Leica M8, in 2015 I got an M240. They’ve been great. But after 10 years I found myself getting a little tired of manual focus, but not tired of that Leica quality. So after getting back from Utah in March I arranged to borrow a Leica Q from the Soho Leica Store (Leica had just released the Q2, but the store barely had enough of those to sell to people, let alone lend—I dared not even ask).

These are pictures taken during a two hour walk through Soho and the Village…halfway through you’ll see Greg shows up. And this guy below in white on a bicycle? Nick Morgenstern, of the ice creamery of the same name. I see that guy everywhere.

So, yeah. I liked it. And thanks to the release of the Q2, I was able to get an awesome deal on last year’s Q-P model. I’ve been posting pictures I’ve taken with it on a new Instagram account, @leicakewpie

Oh Yeah, Utah

I was just starting an important New York post when I remembered that from Chicago I went straight to Utah for Walker’s baptism and general family togetherness. So I present to you that post…

Things kicked off with Rachel’s soccer game. I got too cold so I walked to an Arctic Circle I had seen on my way there. And then, just before ordering a corndog, I realized I hadn’t brought my wallet. Oh well. At least I was warm.

The next day: Down to Provo for a visit to the BYU Museum of Art and Bean Museum of Dead Animals. At the MoA I ran into my old buddy Jon! And at the Bean Museum I learned about the theory of evolution! I also had fish tacos at Rubio’s while everyone else ate salads.

Just a tiny glimpse of the work involved in getting 30lbs of carnitas ready for the party the next day. And then Look! it’s the party the next day. Guess I didn’t take any pictures at the baptism. Just imagine me trying to give a good talk.

Sunday: Lazy Sunday, a little church, and then off to the airport with me!