the end of an era

is how i described it in another forum. my first big non-car purchase (outside of my portion of my college education) was this television. it is huge and super heavy, but awesome. back before no one was talking much about HD - certainly not 1080p, this bear was top of the line. of course sony had to one up me with a 40" within a year of my purchase, but that sucker would never have worked out where i've lived. but i digress. a few weeks ago we made the plunge into the present generation of HDTVs and purchased a Samsung LCD, which we love. however, having no "free space" available for the big guy, he had to go. knowing that Dad and Patty were in the market for a new TV and being in possession of a room that could manage this 238 lb. behemoth, it was great timing. they borrowed a truck and came up to visit this weekend. thankfully our friend Paul (who has helped move this TV at least four of the six times it has been relocated) was available and willing to come over today to help get it in the truck. that operation was a great success so right now it's en route to its new home. safe travels, old friend. over the years you provided much entertainment for movie and video game nights we hosted in CT and ME. i apologize in advance that you'll have to endure Red Sox and Patriots games in your new home. you always were a New Yorker at heart :)

a nice visit

a nice visit
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

from Grandpa and Patty was on the agenda for the weekend. while the weather on saturday didn't cooperate until afternoon, we had a nice time. here is an impromptu hug that i was lucky enough to capture.

things to do on rainy days

things to do on rainy days
Originally uploaded by thesalmonofdoubt.

having some fun an an expensive Ikea chair at a local indoor playground kinda place. gotta get a good pic with her and Grandpa & Patty!

the child and...yeah my boat

the child and...yeah my boat
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

it's a sweet ride, no?

visiting the old digs

visiting the old digs
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

taking in the summit path on Cadillac Mountain. it's not too busy today though a breeze would be welome given the full sun.

soup is good food

soup is good food
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

a little cabbage and kale soup at our favorite/only vegetarian restaurant in Bar Harbor, Eden.

road trips

road trips
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

resting up is a good idea and helps pass the time, right? we're off to the wilds of Maine for some work-related reasons but more importantly to visit our good friends. more reports on the trip are forthcoming!

future guitar hero

future guitar hero
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

at least if i get any say in it. i'm so proud of her... :)

lousy pictures, phenomenal show

P8132918sm
Originally uploaded by sdowen

ok, this is not my picture (thank you flickr) as my cellphone + darkness + distance = poor shots. i have better shots on my "real" camera but i'm far too lazy to grab those right now. wrapping up our summer of great live music was the Radiohead show at the Comcast Center / formerly Tweeter Center / Great Woods. needless to say the guys put on a phenomenal show. not enough OK Computer for my taste but i suppose 3 songs is entirely fair :)

the mushroom hunter with her quarry

the mushroom hunter with her quarry
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

the hunt for the perfect fungus continues! fortunately there is no shortage of ideal environments around our property.

checking out her great grandmother's yard

checking out her great grandmother's yard
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

a new trick from my grandmother: "put your hands behind your back when you smell the flowers". this (somewhat) reduces undesired bloom/bud picking

lounging on the ferry

lounging on the ferry
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

sometimes you just want to relax, right?

Long Island-bound!

Long Island-bound!
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

headed over to LI on the ferry to visit Grandma Anna and Poppy Gio. Happy Birthday, Poppy!

day one: success.

day one: success.
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

today was Arwyn's first at her new daycare. as many of you know, Lorri started working part time at the same place as me a few months ago. Arwyn has been watched by a friend (with a 2 yr old son) until now, so this was a big change. of course our child is a social butterfly so she had a lot of fun. she didn't nap though, so she passed out in the car on the way home. is it unreasonably optimistic to hope she won't come down with any of those freaky daycare diseases? :)

in awe of her first campfire

in awe of her first campfire
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

see? daddy knows a few useful tricks!

dinner at the camp

dinner at the camp
Originally uploaded by topoisomerase

here we are having a little dinner (Subway to the rescue!) at the campground where we are staying tonight. we're only 20 min from home, a handy distance should things fall apart later on - which i'm sure they won't. after some s'mores i am sure she'll be ready to pass out in our ridiculously large tent. ah, air mattresses . why didn't we have those in Boy Scouts???