We All Went to Holland

June 11: Well, Grandma and I made it safe to Chicago and the next morning we were off to Holland, Michigan. We arrived just as everyone was leaving the house to go to a dune or a beach or whatever, so we just followed them there.

Then we went back to the rather nice lake house Mom had found us and we played Codenames. It’s weird that such a simple game requires so much explanation. And then we had a weenie roast for dinner.

June 12: Our keynote activity—the dune ride! Enjoyed by so many different people.

Then we caused a lot of trouble at a little Mexican grocery story, ate our spoils of war in a park, and played some park games where you had to close your eyes and cover your ears.

Then we walked about beautiful downtown Holland.

For dinner: what we call shish kabobs, I think. Then family time on the porch.

June 13: It was rainy in the morning so we did puzzles and I painted a Minion birdhouse that I’d like to finish working on when I get the right colors (black and silver).

Then we headed out for the other big thing: a visit to the part of Holland Michigan that is supposed to be like Holland where they’ve got the only real Dutch windmill outside of the Netherlands.

Then we visited an outrageously windy beach to see a lighthouse and had dinner at Culver’s (after I ran into a little Mexican restaurant to see if they had any t-shirts available).

One last evening at the lake house

June 14: One last morning at the lake house doesn’t look so different from one last evening at the lake house.

Then, imagine Grandma and me driving back to Oak Park, then me walking around Oak Park, and then you don’t have to picture us all going to Las Fuentes because here are those pictures:

And then vacation and pre-vacation were over! The next morning I got to Midway at 4:20 in the morning and I have NEVER ever seen it so crowded before.

I Had an Assignment

June 4: The thing about June was we were having a family reunion in Michigan. But before we could do that, I had a job: to pick Grandma up from California. And in order to do a good job of it, I made sure to get there early. I flew out to Burbank in one of those cool-looking SW jets and Grandma picked me up. We tried out a “new” place called Margarita’s that had been hiding in plane sight since the 70’s. A number of hours after that I got Del Taco with Collin and we saw some wild things at that Pasadena Del Taco. As one does.

June 5: Started my day with a hunger tour through the city. Pan fried soup dumplings at the Kang Kang food court in Alhambra, shrimp tacos (not pictured) and ceviche from Mariscos Jalisco, then a few stops here and there before a burger at Burgers Never Say Die, where Burger Bonnie was wearing her burger bonnet.

Got a haircut in Alhambra, the barber was proud of his decorating, then I had cool Filipino food with Lauri, Hannah and Cher in Silverlake. Or Silverlake adjacent, maybe.

June 6: Morning walk to CalTech to see the turtles with a walk back through Pasadena.

Then an early tempura dinner with the Condie Sisters.

Four years ago Jared came to LA and checked if I was around, I was, and it lead to an epic taco night. Now, in 2019, Jared checked to see if I was in town, and it lead to all of us learning about how stinking great Brother Cousins tacos is.

June 7: Started the day with a visit to Lacy Park and then I bought Grandma and me the best Italian sandwiches from the oldest Italian man.

Spent the afternoon at the Norton Simon Museum

And then I went with Grandma for some of her ward’s rather remarkable Luaua. I mean really I had never seen such a well-organized and well-decorated event with so many enthusiastic participants. And the food was great, too!

Then Broek and I ran down to Orange County for dinner at the extremely well-regarded Tacos Maria. Food was a hit, the water was disgusting, service was a debacle…but even now I’m still thinking about the smoked sturgeon taco. I think I’ll go back sometime for lunch or brunch. That might be a better way to enjoy it. 4 or 5 courses to the tasting menu, I think, and no dessert? Very weird.

June 8: Started the day at the Huntington Library. Saw, among other things, an absolutely enormous softshell turtle.

After that, Grandma had read about a new Korean fried chicken place in Alhambra (a Bon Chon), so I happily went with her to try it with Cousin Jim (not pictured, my bad). And after that we had rolled up ice cream!

That evening: Night Market Sahm, a visit to Collin and Mallory’s new place, and another trip to Brother Cousins!

June 9: after church, I say goodbye to my Jeep, which had been in foster care for quite a long time. Walk it off with another visit to the Huntington Library where I see a turtle stack.

June 10: Wake up, one more walk to CalTech before our flight. There’s a little time left, so I get Grandma and me some In n Out. And then it’s time for the flight. Will my Night + Market fortune come true? Stay tuned to find out, BUT boy was I glad Grandma had me make myself a roast beef sandwich for the flight to Chicago.

Late April through May, 2019

Here is some stuff I did after I got back from my Las Vegas/Utah trip. I tried to focus on pictures with people in them here, not as many meals or pictures of out and about stuff. Also, check out this new Journal-style format I’m trying out this time.

April 21st:
I got back from Utah just in time to celebrate Easter at Angelique’s and to witness another epic Easter Basket swap competition.

April 27th: Went down to midtown to help the Holts’ with their move and to admire their apartment’s decent views one last time.

Later on that day, we celebrated Angelique’s birthday with a private tour of the Morgan Library and their Tolkein exhibit (no photos allowed in there, though). Afters we went back to her apartment for a Hobbit Hole cake.

April 30th: On my birthday I ate a plate of nachos, started the before-mentioned Ulysses re-read, and got a phone call from my sister Emily.

May 2nd: Jeff was in town and bought Jeff and me milkshakes.

May 3rd: Jumped on an up-for-grabs ticket to see Dialogues of the Carmelites at the Met.

May 5th: Threw a Domingo de Mayo American taco party.

May 14: Saw Hailey Blais play the Mercury Lounge.

May 16: Walked across the river and checked out the Hall of Fame for Great Americans.

May 17: Checked out the lates very ho-hum edition of the Whitney Biennial opening weekend. The museum was getting protested so that was a little exciting.

May 20th: Karen was in town! Maybe you saw the new profile picture she took of me on my socials?

Then that evening I hosted an FHE at my apartment.

May 22nd: Indian Chinese food in Queens with Kim and Leanna

May 25th: A visit to Goatham in Riverside Park and a trip out to Brooklyn for Victoria & Logan’s engagement party

May 26th: First Sunday park picnic of the year and a surprise NY appearance by Sara (Lexia’s sister, if you remember Lexia but never met Sara) celebrated with my first startled pig attempt.

May 27th: Lucky me! The Inwood Memorial Day parade went right by my house! And BIG lucky me, Angelique and Heather joined me for a drive to Sheepshead Bay to check out its two star roast beef establishments: Brennan and Carr and Roll n Roaster!

May 29th: Big Finale! Ryan turns up back in town for a minute at Hanks Juicy Beef with Jeff!