Stormy Monday

I wake up to discover that Senator Byrd is dead. Less shocking the Ted Kennedy's death, but still significant.  I never met Byrd but remember watching his poetic rants on C-Span, meeting his interns/staffers, and hearing him rail against the Iraq war.   His death is not mentioned during the day, though there is an enormously powerful thunderstorm which darkens the sky and distracts my office for two-three minutes. 

Empire State of Mind

I get into New York at 8:40, am in Soho by 9, eat pizza in the West village by 10 at some place called Joes. Weather is cooler here and the pizza is much better. In the words of the guys at Joes, "it is made by italian hands, with American hands accepting the money." 

Musicians sing the Beatles in Washington Square Park surrounded by an engaged crowd. Young couples pollinate benches. I meet a group of old friends and hit a bar in Soho, which is well attended by recent graduates. Seems like a tough time to leave the cocoon of college and enter the workforce.

The sky turns into a cool blue pool in the early hours of Saturday morning. Cabs slink by, and the city recovers. I do too.

Lazy Saturday in the Research Triangle

Sunlight streaming in through the trees on a hot summer morning. Johny Cash playing, L makes banana pancakes. We sit on the porch and discuss long-term prospects for economic growth in the US and the value of secondary markets for corporate equity. Great pancakes. 

I help change a tire, visit a whole foods for picnic supplies, and spend hours on the Duke campus, lounging in the sun and eating grapes with L + S, and then just S. I attend an informal rehearsal dinner at a Mexican restaurant and meet a sincere and ambitious PhD student studying mid-20th century US intellectual history (protestant thinkers), a warm and talkative wine barrel maker, and some Hill staff from my neck of the woods. I feel a special kinship with the Washingtonians. 

L and I go see the 10pm showing of Get Him to the Greek. Generally hilarious.  Driving back to his house after midnight, we pass many deer and a small white kitten. 

Carolina Dreamin'

Saw Joe Trippi today at DC Digital Week, leaving a panel. I once viewed the Obama campaign as the conclusion of the Dean/Netroots rising in 2004. Not sure if the linkage still holds up.

Flew down to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) yesterday on US airways express, the worst flight experience I've had out of Reagan National. Intense security checks, crowded departure gate, and a mini-bus out to the tarmac. Almost got bumped for a voucher, but not everyone who had booked checked into the flight. I fell asleep shortly after takeoff and didn't wake up until our descent.

Met at the airport by L, a friend from college who lives down here. Leaving the airport, I feel a surge of escapist release as i'm surrounded by trees and grass. We drove to Chapel Hill, stopping to look at a picturesque Greek outdoor theater. Dinner was at Lantern, mild but well prepared Asian food using local ingredients. Marvelous dumplings thai coffee ice cream, and rice green tea. 

Staying in a rural area, in a house surround by gardens and woods. I feel asleep in a hammock on the porch. 

Persian Princes, Cambodian-Americans, and Belize

Saw Prince of Persia: Sands of Time on Friday night in Georgetown. Very entertaining hollywood fare, a solid B-film. Ben Kingsley's character and performance are unimpressive, though Jake G. and Alfred Molina shine.

Attended the annual reception for The Cambodian-American Professionals Association, which was held at SEARAC, near Dupont Circle. The circle was packed with hundreds of fans watching the world cup... amazingly the United States managed to tie England.

Early dinner with R, an old friend from Belize who is moving to Hawaii, followed by banal party-hopping. I did meet a guy who had just come back from Belize.

Re-watched the Quantum of Solace on Sunday. Quantum is a terrific revival for the series, though Craig needs to take himself a little less seriously.

Shan Cuisine in Northwest Chinatown

Had dinner at Burma Restaurant last night with G, who is leaving DC for law school. Completely deserted, not unlike some of the fancier restaurants in Myanmar. Burmese food is very distinct from both Chinese and Indian cuisine, in a good way. The owner/manager told me she was from Shan State, in the Northeast, and left twenty-five years ago. She has been back, though not since Cyclone Nargis. Very nice woman, and very burmese: low-key, friendly, concerned.