Converse

The Big Trees Gang

The kids also enjoy a re-union - this their third visit together in the Sierras. From left to right: Jaimes (age 2), Devon n (7), Eitan (5), Simon (4), Maya (3), Sophie (5) and Madeleine (4). Photo taken after a candy-stop and lipsticking.

Rush hour

Eitan at dusk during our post-dinner walk to work-off any remaining energy from the day. Sonnet bakes a blueberry pie, which means everybody will be on sugar-boosters until eventual bedtime around 9:30PM (vs. 7:30 in London).

HW 4

Beloved Route 4, an east-west highway, begins in Hercules, Calif. at the I-80 junction as part of John Muir Parkway. The road is an expressway from its starting point until it approaches Martinez, at which point it becomes a full freeway (the California Delta Highway) passing Concord, Pittsburg and Antioch. After Antioch, the freeway turns northward to become State Route 60, and Route 4 separates to become a suburban and rural road passing through the Bay Area's outermost eastern suburbs (Oakley and Brentwood). Route 4 continues to Stockton, where it briefly joins I-5 and then enters a separate freeway routing almost directly through downtown Stockton. The route then multiplexes with State Route 99 before running eastward into the Sierra through Angels Camp and Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The route runs through the 8,050 ft. (2,454 m) Pacific Grade Summit on its way up to the 8,730 ft. (2,661 m) Ebbetts Pass and ends at State Route 89 ten miles west of Topaz Laek, on the California–Nevada border. The portion from Arnold to its terminus is designated the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway.
Through the mountains, Route 4 is not suitable for large trucks, buses, or RVs, as it becomes very steep and narrow (sometimes with no center dividing line), with tight twists and turns. This portion is also often closed in the winter due to snowstorms and snowpack. Additionally, the segment between Bear Valley Mountain Resort to Monitor Pass near Markleeville is completely shut down through the winter, until the snowmelt. (from Wikipedia)

Redwoods

It is hard to appreciate the magnifisense of these gentle giants unless standing directly underneath one. The trunks, exceeding in some instances 30 feet in diameter, stretch upwards to 150 feet or more before branching and then topping out at 250 to 300 feet. They instantly compare to a whale or 747 and seem friendly somehow. Their earthy pine smell is perfume to the forrest, and happily they have been protected since 1932 from logging or otherwise.

Stick

Photo taken during a hike thru the giant Redwoods. This afternoon Eitan takes hold of my digital camera and instantly falls in love. He snaps away at our ankles, mid-sections, rocks and tree trunks "look dad! Your feet!" staring at the viewfinder image. Of course tensions rise when Madeleine wants her turn, and the solution is to share time to the minute.

Fire

Chas

Chas and I met in Providence, Rhode Island, in '87 and spent two summers painting the exteriors of some 100 houses in Barrington and Providence for CollegePro Painters. I owned the local franchise while at Brown. Our second summer, with Chas the Production Manager, saw our business net over $250K while I was selected "Manager of the Year" from a pool of 105. The stress and general absurdity of CollegePro (or any job for that matter presenting similar responsibility to college-going kids) is now re-lived whenever Chas and I, and the other members of the Providence outlet are together. These stories fyi I consider some of my most cherished treasures taken forward into middle age.

Lake Alpine II

Madeleine explores the shoreline of the reservoir-created lake, which today is stocked with trout and salmon presenting a prime recreational spot for the odd angler or (rare) camper at Ebett's pass. At the bottom of the lake (depth 15o feet or so) rests an old saw mill, abandoned when logging became restricted in Alpine County in the late 19th century. Here Madeleine shows off a digging apparatus, as she merrily constructs squirrel huts, water traps and beaver dams.

Eagle One

The Eagle One from 1974's Space: 1999.

Vital statistics
Mass: 31,551 KG
Size: 34 meters
Thrust main: 990 kN
Thrust hover: 495 kN

I still wonder the outcome of the Eagle One versus a Tie-Figher, though believe the latter would have proven superior given its greater maneuverability and canon. Plus Luke loaded R2-D2 in for added sensory feedback and performance while the Eagle's computer systems would struggle with 'pong.'

Chas!

Kate and Chas in Big Trees, where our families spend the weekend together. On Friday, Kate's company Real Girls Media attracts $6M in her series A round with Walden and 3i the institutional limited partners. Kate is an hold-hand in the start-up game having founded and sold Lot21 in 2002, then the leading online advertising agency. The Thorps have three kids and a dog, live in Northern California and generally lead the good live in our sun-baked, sunshine culture. This photo taken on the stump of Old Sherman (diameter: 28 feet), chopped down in 1853 by Pacific Sierra Logging; Conner in the background.

Chas and I met in college when we painted houses together in Providence. During those miserable summers I contracted and he became my production manner, freeing me up to do what I enjoyed or was good at - selling the business. Chas concentrated on keeping the workers stocked up with paints, brushes, Kodiak and Marbreds. He also planned out the summer's schedule which we maintained in the "action room" of his top flooer flat - pictured a wall of calanders mapped by house and crew. Because of Chas, the summer was butter and we painted 52 houses, if I recall correctly. We also received various recognitions while our summer business made >$200,000 in two and a half months.

Mr Macho

A self-photo I like. How quickly I revert to California. In London, which is way more formal, I am confined to professional attire and certainly would not consider facial hair for God's sake. When I founded my internet company in '99, I was tempted to throw out my suits & ties, but fortunately Sonnet prevailed and I kept several which I now use when travelling or with clients. I must believe that our Act III will be played out on the Pacific Coast.

TV time

This photo from earlier summer '06 and taken during Friday "movie night", where the kids pick one special DVD from the library. Generally, TV is allowed Friday and Sunday morning for cartoons, but this may expand depending on my and Sonnet's level of generosity (or more likely fatigue). Here, Eitan shields me out as I take a shot; beloved Doggie and Teddie are happily tucked away for the screening.

Christmas 2004 revisted

Eitan and Madeleine in the same spot where I took the 2004 Xmas photo, sent to some 400 family, friends and colleagues (3/8/06). Since '04, by my records, Eitan has grown16 centimetres and 3.2 kg while Madeleine has sprouted 10 cm and gained 1 kg.

All American

Eitan shot using my Olympus Camedia with 3.0 mega-pixels. While not a SLR or semi-pro camera, I find that the device takes adequately clear pictures and matches my need for convenience and storage (the memory card holds about 200 images). Plus it was cheap. This shot taken mid-day, under an awning at the cabin and the light against the cherry redwood plays nicely against Eitan's colours. While I try to include hands and appendages in all my photos of children, the close-up portraits I was after prevents this.

Woods

This photo at Big Trees state park in Calaveras county, California (4/8/06). After buying groceries at the large town Arnold (pop. 4,107), we drive route 4 to the park entrance around susnet so that I can take black & white photographs during the prime light. The trail wanders through the ancient sequoia grove for three miles. Fortunately for Sonnet, looking after the kids while I disappear for several hours, Eitan discovers my digital camera "Look! Look! I love to take shoots (sic)" - of mostly feet, mid-sections and out-of-focus objects but hey, this may lead to a joint hobby and lifetime affair together.

On top of the world

Burger

This hamburger joint is in Arnold, CA,and remains the favorite spot for a traditional "burger and chips". Usually we stop here on our way down from the mountains and a nice friendly way to wrap up a vacation.

L'arc

The past two years I've had two fund clients in Paris - Astorg Partners and Edmond de Rothschild (11/11/05). When visiting this favorite place, I stay at Le Faubourg near the Place de la Concorde and Jardin Toulouse. I make a point of knowing at least one museum or gallery each pass, and my early morning runs take me thru the Louvre and up the Seine to La Cité and Notre Dame cathedral. This photo taken on a dreary winter morning from the Champs.

3G

Sonnet, Madeleine and Grace, representing over 120 years of one gene's earthbound journey, pose on the deck of 2501 Shashone Dr. Grace covers the kids with love and attention, baking a apple pie, peanut butter cookies and strawberry shortcake - all from tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. She is careful each child receives equal attention while Sonnet and I appreciate what we miss from the U.K.

Mtns.

The kids soak up the sun, and this photo taken durina a sun and pool "time-out" (we spent 7 hours at the Bear Valley rec center yesterday). Swim lessons begin at 10AM sharp, and both Eitan and Madeleine enamoured with the older, teenage lifeguard instructors who use words like "dude" and "totally". Eitan practices his Californian tongue but so far with little success.

Fabulous Bru

This is Bru (19/5/06). Bru is Sonnet's cousin and son of Missy, who I met in London in '98. He lives in Rome with his Italien girlfriend Manuela, and has two flats next to the Piazzo Campo dei Fiori not far from the French embassy. From upstate New York, Bru followed the Greatful Dead for a number of years, then applied to Cornell where he received his undergraduate degree. A room-mate introduced him to the Vatican, where he worked in the bursor's office reimbursing Cardinals and Bishops their expenses. Bru's expressive personality is best suited for the Mediterranian, and we have taken joy visiting him on several occassions in Rome, where he has opened the city to us. This photo taken in Colorado at Maire's wedding by Stanfill M. Stanfill - and demonstrates one interpretation of 'cowyboy chic.'

In repose

Sonnet, who returns to top running form now that kids etc. allow her to do so, shows her stuff. From London, her exhibition at the V&A "New York Fashion" will be funded by clothing retailer Ecco, which she learned while in LA at Catherine's wedding.

Bomb's away

Madeleine shows off her bravery and pool-diving skills. Before we allowed her into the Deep End, I made sure she could swim a full lenght of the 25 meter pool doing the crawl. Her dog-style persists, but we are reasonably happy with her progress, and the many swim lessons in London pay back in droves.

Chitter chatter

Madeleine and Moe share a special moment. She: "Moe! listen to me talk under water!" Various whale and porpoise noises are made, which are interpreted as conversation somehow.

Woodhead trail

Sonnet and I leave the kids with their grandparents and drive to the trailhead, departing the cabin at 6:00AM. We have done this route before, pre-kids, which concludes at an alpine lake at about 8,000 feet. The weather is fine and summer-like, and the path winds through alpine terrain, forrests and open meadows. We are treated with wildflowers, which open their blume on our return once the sun has warmed the ground.

That tongue

This an archive photo I like - Madeleine willingly includes her most expressive possession in this early morning portrait of her, on our way to Montessori school.

Caterpillar

Madeleine (and Eitan) discover a pine cone. London does not offer many opportunities to explore nature unless you consider Hyde or Richmond Parks. Both quickly adapt to the setting, however, even if they seem a bit cautious by many of their new experiences. My dream is to walk the John Muir trail with them one day.

Chill

Eitan finds his spot at the cabin (27/7/07). Not surprisingly I suppose a battle broke out between the kids on usage time - settled with the kitchen timer (Madeleine can be seen waiting in the background).

Moe and Eitan

Moe remains an aqua enthusiast, dating to at least my grade school when he supported my, and Katie's athletic agenda by swimming laps during our 6:30AM morning workout. This was extended at some point to double work-outs and even the odd triple when he would sneak a swim at the Bay Club in San Francico during lunch. Today, Moe has bonded poolside with Eitan and Madeleine, and remains an enthusiast for their development in this family discipline. This photo taken at the Shashone rec center, 29/7/06.

Shashone Drive

This photograph taken at my parent's cabin near Dorrington (pop. 9) and Bear Valley (pop. 150) (29/7/06). The property was purchased in 1984 with the Farnsworth and Saperstein families, who designed the place to spec. Our road is off route 4, a two lane black-top that is closed for four months of the year due to snow at Ebbett's Pass (elev. 8,500 feet). This presents a 60 mile dead-end, which has slowed the pace of development and traffic, and so the area retains its peace and scenic beauty. While we have enjoyed it here since highschool, it is equally suited for Eitan and Madeleine who revel in the general freedom to explore the outdoors (at least within a 100 yard radius).

Poolside

Madeleine practices her back-start in Los Angeles (21/7/06). The kids can spend hours in the pool, entertaining themselves in various ways. A favorite is the 'time trial' where I simulate the '08 Olympics: "Swimmers prepare yourselves for the 50 meters freestyle. Take your marks - beep!" The kids belly-flop into the pool and flail about until they reach the other side. It is surprisingly competitive even for them, and usually ends in shouts of protest from the loser even though a silver guaranteed.

My beloved California

From Catherine's wedding in LA, we drive north on the Pacific Coast Highway (route 1) passing Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Montery and Point Lobos state park, where I take this image on a foggy coastal morning. The point is home to sea lions, otters, pelicans and many other critters as well as wild flowers and grasses and craigy vistas; the air smells of salt. We spend an hour or so watching the kids make a fort of washed up branches then hit the road for a sandy beach and Berkeley.

Wedding Bells

Sonnet and I celebrate Catherine and Peter's union on July 22, 2006. The wonderful wedding took place at the Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, on a boiling hot Southern California day quite appropriate for the spiritual setting of the service. Sonnet and Catherine have known each other since freshmen year at Smith (er, 1986) and remain steadfast friends (Sonnet was the Maid of Honour this weekend; Catherine was at ours in 1997). Peter is Chinese, and the reception a mix of Asian toasts (Peter's younger, unmarried brother took the burden of his father's 'roast') and food (10 courses) combined with good old rock-and-roll. Other Smithies include Halley, Nita and Jenn. The newlyweds now in Hawaii.

L.A.

I arrived in California Sunday, July 16 to do a few days work for the Walden fund, then welcomed the kids at SFO on the 19th. After a night in Berkeley, we headed south to L.A. for Catherine Majkit's wedding to Peter Ciao (more on this later). Here, I photograph the Disney Opera House in dowtown Los Angeles. We are connected to the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County via Sonnet's uncle Shelton Stanfill who was President and Chief Executive until 2001 when he left to run the Woodruff Center in Atlanta. Among other things, Shelton was responsible for funding the development of the music hall, famously designed by Frank Gehryand today home of the Philharmonic Opera. Our visit was yesterday, Sunday, so we had downtown to ourselves and could fully appreciate the beauty, and wackiness, of Gehry's design.

Spidey in the house

Eitan in costume. As at this writing, our web slinging hero has declined in popularity, replaced by the Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers and (at my suggestion) Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Frank Lampard (says he: "Dad! He's not a super hero!" Nb after this World Cup and 0 for 21 on goal shots I have to agree). For a while though every night was capped with a bedtime story about Peter Parker, Aunte May, Mary Jane Watson, a host of villians including Green Goblin, Vulture, Kingpin and others and of course our dear Spider Man.

Wren Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral, designed by Christopher Wren, is on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London and the seat of the Bishop of London (nb to be a city in England, there must be a Bishop). The present building dates from the 17th century, and is generally reckoned to be London's fourth St Paul's Cathedral, although the number is higher if every major medieval reconstruction is counted as a new cathedral. This photograph taken from the Bankside Power Station; the Millenium Bridge crosses the Thames.

Turbine hall, Tate Modern

  

Oxford Or Bust

With long-time London friend Arthur Garrison, I bike to Oxford or about 100 kilometres. The trip begins from my house where we meet for a coffee, and passes through Richmond, skirts around Heathrow, crosses the Thames three times while traversing the countryside via Marlow, Fierth, Fingerest, Pishill and other charming and small villages then brings us to our destination via a dual carriageway and rather hard ride in. An occassional random red phone booth is spotted. Seven hours later we are at Oxford Startion and the train ride back to London. Arthur, fyi, is a satellite engineer at TRW and thanks to his mapping, compass reading and odometer, we are not lost even once.

Ynon

This photograph of Ynon taken today on the Chiswick High Road, London, following a late Sunday lunch at "the Giraffe" (yes, child friendly). Yuval sometimes belongs to Shai and Ada otherwise he is running around like crazy. Afterwards and with Mary and fiance Philippe we visit nearby Turnham Green to spend our Sunday afternoon. The green is wedged between a gothic church, the town center and the busy high street and brings back memories of lazy afternoons spent in Central Park, NYC.

Sunflower

My favorite plant, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is annual and in the Family Asteraceae, with a large flower head (infloescence). The stem of the flower can grow up to 3 metres tall with the flower head reaching 30cm in diameter. Sunflowers are native to the Americas, and were domesticated around 1000 B.C. Francisco Pizarro found the Inca subjects venerating the sunflower as an image of their sun god, Gold images of the flower, as well as seeds, were taken back to Europe early in the 16th century. Helianthus is the Greek word for "sunflower" (9/7/06; definition from Wickipedia).

Aggie

Our Agnieszka, or "Aggie," is from a small town in Poland and has lived in England for five years. She is well known in the community and still baby-sits for several nearby families. Aggie has a University degree in education, speaks three languages and is a delight with Eitan and Madeleine. While different from Letty's disciplined and direct approach, Aggie fills our house with her own warm vibe and keeps the kids on top of their game. This photo during books (NB Eitan saw the camera and bolted).

Farewell Montesorri

Madeleine wraps up her last day of school (7/7/06). While not an especially well framed image, the photo gives a broad range of action, which I like. The kids have fun, in the spotlight of their parents, who sit excitedly in the make-shift auditorium. Two years have gone by quickly, and now Madeleine is ready for reception (kindergarten).

PE

On today, the last day of Montessori, the school celebrates with physical education, known throughout the Western World simply as "PE." Races include the potato carry, hat-pick-up-and-cone-dash and relay. Some of the younger kids are scared out of their wits by the audience of enthusiastic parents clapping and encouraging onward their future Olympians. Madeleine was quite calm, winning her "competitions" handily and anchoring the final leg of the relay. It is hard to believe that following three years Montessori will no longer be with us. Both kids will attend "Big Boy School" come September. Happily many of Madeleine's friends will join her and of course Eitan will be able to help smooth the way (Eitan: "I won't!").

Tree huggers

The kids climb a treet (1/7/06) while I observe from away, and hope that there will be no broken bones. It is bound to happen and as my own doctor told me with a broken collar bone in third grade: "well son, no boy gets away scott free." And there you have it.

Local

Eitan at our local wine restaurant. Now that the sun sets at 2100 and the tempature warm-like, I take the kids for a lemonade and run-around while I answer emails. From this photo, Eitan's baby teeth are not falling out while his permenant teeth come in. This will require the old hook and tongs at the dentist (local anethestic to be applied). The Boy, well aware of his plight as he has been forced to wiggle the fixed whitecaps for some months now, is quite eager for the Tooth Fairy regardless.

LA Woman

Sonnet models her bride's maid dress and slippers for dear friend Catherine, who will be married this month in Los Angeles. Sonnet and Catherine are friends from freshman year at Smith, and the Stanfill-Orenstein London family are way excited for Catherine, the wedding and the beach. All equally good things.

Hotel

Madeleine proves herself to be a venerable traveler on her way to Denver, CO (19/6/06). Sonnet and her together for the week of Maire's wedding while I am Mano-a-mano with the Boy (me to him: "men together drink beer, look for foxy babes and stay up late watching TV." Eitan: "No way dad! but can we stay up late and watch TV?"). On the long-haul, Madeleine makes friends with two same-age girls and much of the trip is spent crayoning and watching in-flight entertainment. This photograph taken at the Marriot.

Agony

England's World Cup dreams end at the quarter-finals in the cruellest way - a penalty shoot out following extra time (2/7/06; photo from The Sun). The team played heroically weathering Wayne Rooney's ejection for stomping on the balls of Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho (red card; 10 on 11) and without captain Beckham due to injury. Despite the player disadvantage England kept the score nil-nil through regular time and two overages. Owen Hargraves, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville played decently and goal-keeper Paul Robinson above his average. Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon came off the bench and nearly pulled an historic victory but, alas - the penalty kicks decided the game and we missed three of four attempts from 10 yards out. Sadly this was the same outcome in the '04 game vs Portugal (the most exciting I have ever watched) and before that Argentina (World Cup '98), Germany ('96), and West Germany ('90). Thus ends the run of perhaps England's best assembled team ever... at least on paper.