Robeco

I spend the day in Rotterdam, at this weird 30 story building which has wi-fi, with Hans and Mike who are partners at Industry Ventures. We meet with Robeco, one of three AAA rated, non-goverment banks in the world, to see if they wish to invest some money in Industry's fund. The presentation goes well, and I spend the afternoon at the Rotterdam airport to catch a late-afternoon delayed flight to Heathrow.

Sonnet and I drop the kids off at school. Madeleine is having hard time of it in the mornings - getting dressed, breakfast, putting on shoes - all these things are met with protests and tears. I recall that Eitan went through the same adjustment to kindergarten, so we cut Madeleine some slack.

Rana and Kambiz welcome their second - Alexander (Iskander) Foroohar, who is delivered at St Mary's and weighs in at 3.83 KG (8.4 lbs). Congratulations!

Sponge Bob

Sunday morning and the kids settle in front of the TV for one hour of cartoons. This after waffles, which they help prepare with Sonnet. Favorite programs are Spider Man and Ninja Turtles for Eitan, and Sponge Bob Square Pants for Madeleine. This morning, Eitan in our bedroom early and when he fails to convince me and Sonnet from bed, says: "What, are you going to just hibernate?" School comes with its good, and its bad.

I leave this afternoon for Paris to rejoin Industry Ventures.

Cool cats

Madeleine's binoculars a present from my trip to Dublin (Eitan got a walkie-talkie). There was a scramble of course around who could use the binocs when we arrive at the wetlands, but quickly I allow Madeleine to make the decision to share. Responding in her self-interest of course, she spends some time spotting a rock, a pigeon and some pond algae. Gone missing are the 160 bird species. Most of the ducks, geese, swans, warblers, kestrels and falcons are free to come and go. Only 20 to 30 rare birds have been brought in specially. Before becoming a bird sanctuary, the land hosted the Barnes-Elms reservoir, which ceased in 1989. Through the miracle of Sir Peter Scott, urban build was checked and the wetlands development cost of £26 million was covered by selling a bit of of the land. The wetlands opened to the public in 2000, and in 2002 was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Tonight Sonnet and I dress hip and have dinner at the Barnes Grill with Dana and Nathan to celebrate his 34th.

Susana Hong and Marco Rodzynek have their first baby 30/9 - Sophie Hong. Congratulations!

London Wetlands

We have a busy day, beginning at 0700 when the kids are up and active. 

After breakfast, Sonnet runs to the V and A to do some work while I take the kids to soccer. Eitan and Madeleine are in different groups at different times, so each finds an hour of free-time for themselves. Afterwards and lunch, we head to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes - 40 hectares (105 acres) of created wetland in the center of London supporting "nationally important" numbers of Gadwell and Shoveler duck. 

Yes, here the true British eccentrics (wackos?) turn out in their hi-tech bird-watching gear including various camouflage, army-spec observation equipment, tri-pods and cameras. For us, the centre offers a beautiful setting to run around and spot fowl, huge dragonflies, frogs and other creatures. There are inter-active spots where the kids can feed the animals, or scoop pond water to observe life in action. 

 Contentment occurs on the way out, when we share lollies and ice cream on the way to the car.

Der Fußball

This photograph of Allianz Stadium is taken with my mobile phone camera and from a taxi as we wisk by on the Autobahn towards Munich's center city. Home to professional football clubs FC Bayen and 1860 Munich, the arena holds 69,901 fans and hosted a number of this year's World Cup games, but not the final between Italy and France which was in Berlin. Depending on the time of year, or celebration, the arena changes color from red to blue to white - it makes me think of a weird cocoon. My driver reminds me that Octoberfest ended yesterday - a national holiday. 17 days of drinking from 1100 to late-night: "by then, the girls dance on picnic tables taking off their bras." He informs me that it is not unusual to drink ten liters a day. The Germans, you see, like their beer.

I am here with Industry Ventures who is raising ther fourth fund.

Rocket man

Eitan and I have been discussing the solar system and gravity this past year. To explain gravity in action, we watch the Thames, a tidal river, and discuss how the moon "pulls" the water in and out - gravity. This Sunday drawing pictured brings together Eitan's understanding of the planets around our sun, which is also now being discussed in school.

Yesterday afternoon we attend Dakota's first birthday party. Dana and Nathan have lots of friends over for the celebration, and there is an abundance of cakes and warm cheer. The kids play with Dareya and children they meet at the party. We, too, make some interesting new friends but refrain from playing hide-and-go-seek, and wolf-wolf-pig.

Gift wrap

Madeleine gets wrapped during Sonnet's birthday party festivities. Mostly she has done an excellent job accepting Eitan's center stage today. There were some tears this morning on our return from football, when she blurted out that "none of Eitan's friends will play with me." But I assured her that I would be there for extra time with her, and that she too would receive a present. This, and a promise of her fair share of cake seemed to do the trick.

Eitan turns six

Today, Eitan's birthday, is also the day of his party which we gamely host at our house. Seven boys and one brave girl join Eitan and Madeleine for, and I consider this carefully, a "free-for-all." Unlike prior fairly mellow gatherings, a group of six year-olds together is a chaos of wrestling, screaming, bull-fighting, and wild emotions. The kids re-united immediately hijack Sonnet's to-the-minute planning and run amuck. We watch in wonder. At one point I find myself in the scrum and hear a most fearful cry: "Hit him in the willie!" which all boys then aim for with their feet and fists. Somehow the two hours pass, in what feels like four, and the parents arrive to pick up their little angels while Sonnet and I shake our heads and promise each other never again.

Some entertaining commments from the birthday:

Me: "who knows where the birthday cake is from?"
Bertie: "IKEA?"

Samual on the cake: "I want the eye! No, the ear!" A fight breaks out over the nose and lips. Ghastly.

Imogen, the only girl and sitting on my lap while the boys rough-house, turns to me and states flatly: "At school, Eitan is mad."

Tobias and Harry play catch with Madeleine's doggy. She screams murder until I arrive to save doggy.

Bertie: "I can chew a banana with my eye-lids."

Words

Madeleine, angry with me for having her make the bed: "You are such a lazy lunker!"
Me: "Well, don't you think I work too?"
She: "If you were an airplane pilot, you wouldn't be so lazy."
Me: "Oh? Why is that?"
She: "Airplane pilots work so hard that they sweat all the time and have to take naps!"

Eitan today, one day before his sixth birthday, patiently sorts out two large bags of Milky Ways and Kit-Kat bars to take to his school classmates. I ask him if this has been approved by his teacher, which it has not. "Everybody does this, dad!" he asserts, welling up with emotion. A weak arguement by any stretch, but his anxiety about not spreading birthday joy over-comes my doubts. Off the kid goes - loaded with a bagful of grocery store stimulents more potent than anything I could otherwise find on the street.

Fly

Christian Wright was a bit disappointed about my last blog of him, taken in a pub in London where we watched the World Cup together (England v Trinidad-Tobago. We won.). Now, caught in his natural habitat in San Franciso, on his way to dinner at Delfina with me where he knows the waitresses who love him, the kid is living large. Christian is an Executive Director at CIBC World Markets, where he has been since '95 making the Big Bucks. Regardless of his cash flow, our boy has retained his Berkeley roots and remains a champion of liberal causes (he was a cheer-leader and fundraiser for the New York Democratic party when we there together from 1995-97). We now exchange enthusiasms about English football (ok, soccer) and Cal football (er, American football). We get worked up about this stuff. A similar taste in music is also fun - favorites today include the Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks, Razorlite and most acts with an edgy guitar and British twang.

Chili

"Real chili hot stuff" - words that end a barrister's livelihood. Now I am all for the good read of People Magazine or Tatler, but otherwise would never consider posting a scandel unless, of course, it somehow presents a certain - shall we say - cultural insite. That is why the case involving Brazilean cleaner Roselane Driza is so involving. According to our investigative press and the Old Bailey, two London immigration judges face dismisal after a "lurid" blackmail trial exposed their love triangle with Driza, a failed asylum seeker, who worked illegally for both of them. Evidence includes text messages, including "chili", and video used for the blackmail. Driza, you see, was convicted of stealing two tapes of judge #1, made of himself having sex with two women, one of them Driza and the other judge #2. If that were not enough, Driza was once married to a serial killer. She faces some jail time and deportation (we hope). According to one judge at the Old Bailey putting a positive spin on the affair: "It does rid us of our rather fusty image." Amen, brother.

Madeleine this morning over cornflakes informs me that she had an ear-ache on our plane ride to America.
She: "Do you know why I had an ear ache dad?"
Me: "No - why?"
She: "Because the plane was moving so fast it pulled my skin. My ear too."
Me: "Well, that sounds pretty painful."
She: "Don't worry dad - there wasn't any blood."
And thank goodness for that!

Bikes

Paul and I in Oxfordshire.
The slight "detours" occur after the batteries on Paul's GPS navigator quit.

"It's only 110 kilometers - how hard could that be?"

Paul, a fearless Dane, and I set out for Oxford yesterday in perfect cycling conditions, ie, no rain. Paul and I met during his company Shipserv's series b financing, which was about $6 million. Paul founded ShipServ, an internet shipping supplier, in '99 and today the company sees some $1 billion of transactions on its exchange p.a. Not bad. As for the bike ride, Mr Ostergaard was ready with the latest hi-tech bike and gear, which included navigational GPS, heart-rate monitor, pace settings, distance, speed, gradient, caloric and other trackers... this plus his mobile communicator (run off Microsoft) made us his roaming office. Meanwhile my mountain bike felt like it was dragging a bathtub. We arrived in Oxford 8 hours and 109 km later, resting at All Souls College (pictured) and very happy to take the return train to Paddington and home. Paul captured some interesting data on us, which can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/zt5yq.

Family fun

Nathan, Dakota and Dana

We spend the day together in Buckinghamshire picking fruit, discussing life, and comparing notes on parenthood. Dakota turns one this month, which is hard to believe as her arrival seems like yesterday. Dana and I met at Columbia in New York, and lucky us she moved to London in 2000 eventually marrying sweetheart Nathan in 2004. Nathan is a former scholar-athlete at Oxford, which shows while he endlessly rough-houses with our two blissed out, hyper-active kids. Their favorite: "the horse ride" where each takes a turn on his shoulders while "the horse" runs at top speed. Did I mention Eitan weighs 24 kg?

On babies
Me: "Do you know where babies come from?"
Eitan: "Well, they start as a dot in the mummy's tummy. Then it grows and grows until it has arms and legs. It becomes so big, the mum knows to bring it out."
Me: "How does the dot get there?"
Eitan: "She eats it."

Berries

Two years ago, Sonnet discovers a working farm in Bucks where we and the kids can pick blackberries, pears, plums and of course apples, depending on the time of late summer. Today, we return for the raspberries, which are red and fat in the warm Indian summer morning sun. Eitan and Madeleine compete to fill their baskets - I charge Eitan 1p per berry, which at first he's OK with, then his sensibilities take over. Upon being fired, I take my services to Madeleine, which draws a howl of protest from him. Dana, Nathan and Dakota join us for a picnic on the farm grounds, while Sonnet prepares to make a fruit tart for tonight. Lucky us!

Madeleine systematically pours water on to the floor during bathtime tonight. When discovered: "really, mom - it was an accident."

Sway

One more from the runway. Sonnet takes this photograph during Fashion Week in New York. The clothes are designed by Proenza Schouler, who is profiled in Sonnet's book.

Roger and I spend a fun few days together in Paris, finishing last night at a neighborhood restaurant in the 8th arrondisement where we gorge ourselves on foie gras and sardines while drinking red wine. During the day, we run up the Seine to La Cite and Notre Dame cathedral, then return through the Louvre and Touileries Gardens. The weather lovely and warm, with the trees starting to show their first autumn colours.

Eurostar

Roger visits London, Paris and Madrid for Microsoft, where he is Product Manager, client-exchange services which generates some $1.2 billion of revenue for Redmond. During this research trip, Roger and his reports observe email usage in a sterile environment through a one-way mirror to determine customer habits. This despite lovely Indian summer weather. I think of the interrogation room on Law & Order. In between we have some time to goof around and yesterday we saw the Modigliani exhibit at the Royal Academy. Today, we travel to Paris for work, and stay at the Le Faubourg in St. Honore. Roger was the best man at my wedding and a treat for us, and the kids, to see him and thriving.

Natalie and Justin announce the the birth of their third baby, a 8lb, 2oz boy. As Justin notes, the baby will be named "when one of us gives in." Congratulations!

Four!

Kambiz and Dareya

Dareya Foroohar celebrates her birthday with her friends and family in Hampstead, London (15/9/06). Cake, presents and sweaty kids pile up over the course of the afternoon, where considerable energy is expended on the jumpy castle and slides. Mum Rana is expecting in several weeks, and earns my vote for "Super Woman" (did I mention that she is also writing a lead story for Newsweek on the BP scandel?).

Model, etc.

From Sonnet, the designer here is Mary Ping, who showed her collection on models at the Paul Rudolf foundation, a modernist home on the upper east side. Mary is about 26 and graduated from Vassar College.

Sonnet returns Saturday morning on the red-eye, following a week in New York next to the cat walk (and back-stage). We decide to surprise her at the airport, 6:00AM. The kids set aside their clothes the night before, and promise not to be grumpy ("this is going to be a FUN thing" I say). Accepting the spirit of adventure, and pitch black start, we pile into the car and drive to Heathrow (Madeleine: "whoa, dad, it's really dark out there!"). Unfortunately, Sonnet's flight is delayed and I run out of stories about two hours later. Still, all is forgotten (forgiven?) when we see mum walking towards us with a happy smile.

Summer '06, farewell!

The Wahatoya

I post one last landscape from Martine's ranch. This shot taken in the early afternoon and precedes a storm front which eventually brings lightening and hail. To the right, the sky is black and we can see rainfall across the Rockies. The dirt road angles to the east side of West Spanish Peak (elev. 13,625'). The Ute indians called the twin mountains the Wahatoya, meaning "Breasts of the Earth."

Cousin Susan Lee Schadey gives birth to a healthy and loud 7lb, 7oz Joseph Lawrence Schady (Joey) in Westchester, New York. Congratulations!

Words

Madeleine, from back of the car: "I want to be rich."
Me: "What would you do with all that money?"
Her: "I would buy one bag of crisps and a lolly."

Eitan on what he will will eat at today's birthday party: "I'm going to have a bit of birthday cake, a cup cake, sausages and an omelette!"

On Milk
Me: "Madeleine, what does your milk taste like?"
She: "Apple juice."
Me: "Well, that's interesting."
She: "Do you know where milk grows?"
Me: "Yes?"
She: "It comes from the milky way, where it is bottled."

Sonnet asks Madeleine to clean up her lunch crumbs. Madeleine, on floor with a sponge and forlorn: "I'm just like Cinderella!"

Eitan and I play 20 questions
He: "Does it have a tail?"
Me: "No."
He: "Is it a cat without a tail?"


Madeleine, refusing to eat the dinner I've made: "This is the worst dinner I ever ate."

Madeleine looking at the breakfast I've prepared: "I hate it."

Madeleine re my home prepared chicken: "that's disgusting, dad."

Eitan matter-of-factly informs me that he will quit sucking his thumb if I stop drinking beer.

Last night Madeleine draws a picture for Sonnet's Saturday return, after lights-out. We argue about this for a bit and I explain she can continue in the morning. I return later to find about 40 crayons and paper hidden beneath her bedsheet. She sound asleep, of course.

Eitan, reading with his head in hands: "Aw, dad - this is the worst thing that's ever happened to me!" (14/9/06)

Madeleine to me: "I'll always love you dad - even when I'm a teenager."

I ask Madeleine about the paint on her hands. She, very gravely: "Honestly dad, don't get involved with this." (14/9/06)

The Line-Up

The reception kids gather in front of their class room, and await entrance into school. The parents stand around and gossip (several mums shed tears today, the first day) while the five or six dads (a rare sighting) huddle together in a corner of the playground talking football. We all know where the power is here, and it ain't with us. Ms. Scotland is the headteacher.

From the school website:
"we area county primary school with approximately 450 children on roll. It was opened in March 19XX on the site of what was Stable House and is set in large, attractive grounds near Richmond Park. There is a playing field, orchard, pond, spacious playground and an outdoor heated swimming pool, which was built with funds raised by parents.

Many classrooms overlook the orchard and four have their own access to it. There is one large hall, which is used as an assembly hall and dining room in addition to being used for gym and drama.

We aim for excellence in all we do and we provide a structured environment in which children and their interests are warmly welcomed."

First Day of School!

Today is Madeleine's first day of reception (kindergarten). She joins her brother, who started Year One last week. Madeleine was rather matter-of-fact about the Big Occasion, and demonstrated little concern or anxiety about her transition from Montessori. Of course Aggie helped her along and we both give lots of encouragement to the future scholar. With a kiss and a wave, Madeleine marches into the classroom with the other students, guided by the very sensible Class Teacher Mrs. Sedden.

Sonnet NYC

Sonnet has my digital camera this week in New York, where she is attending the Fashion Week shows. The kids get a break. On her list is many of the 20 designers profiled in her upcoming book "New York Fashion" for the V&A press, which will become an exhibition at the V&A sometime next year. Stay tuned. As for me and the kids, we exhaust ourselves over the weekend at two birthday parties, Snakes 'n Ladders, and various run-around activities. At bday #2, Eitan's new khaki pants rip right down the middle and he is inconsolable (I tell him the Hulk does same). Madeleine does not eat food as she misses mum. Last night I watch "Path to 911" on BBC television anticipating today, 11/9. It airs this evening in the USA.

The Bears rebound Saturday, defeating Minnesota 42-17 at Memorial stadium in Berkeley.

Crouchie

England striker Peter Crouch scores the decisive goal at 46 minutes in England's 1-0 victory over Macedonia (photo from The Sun). What is remarkable about this over-the-head shot is Crouch's size: at 6'7'' he is easily the largest (and gangliest) player on the pitch. Still, Crouch has put 11 balls in the net since donning his England cap 14 games ago. When not for England, he plays for Liverpool. Ok, we'll forgive the silly post-score "robot" moves pre-World Cup. The guy is for real.

Sonnet leaves for New York City today, and will stay with Aunt Marcia in Bronxville and Katie on the Upper West Side. She is attending NY Fashion Week, and will see many of the designers, and their shows, profiled in her book "New York Fashion." Eitan started Year 1 (Kindgergarten or "Big Boys School") Tuesday, and reports that "it's fine", while not relinquishing any further data. Madeleine begins reception, at the same school, on the 12th and enjoys extra time with Aggie until then. Yesterday they were at Kew Gardens for a picnic and day before Lego Land. Lucky kid.

Nose job

Eitan takes one on the nose at nine months when I take this photo at Lauderdale Mansions (11/7/01). The boy is still crawling and, in fact, won't walk for another nine - why mess about with rapid transportation? Despite a solid foundation of four points, he still manages to fall off his rocker and scrape up his nose. This dinger took place in Paddington Park when - baff ! - down he goes. I feel inadequate as a father - the guilt begins. Sonnet now four months pregnant with Madeleine and we often discuss the mathematics of children - ie, the child-work relationship is not linear.

Cal gets thumped by Tennesee 35-18 in the season opener. The 21 unaswered points in the third quarter kill us. Christian Wright predicts they will win every game hereafter. "The Bear will not quit. The Bear will not die" - Joe Capp, 1982

Nightime creeps

I take the kids to see the cartoon movie 'Monster House' this rainy Sunday (2/9/06). It was pretty darn scary - in fact, Madeleine stands up and walks out of the theatre with Aggie (this takes some courage and I give her credit). Eitan insists he is not scared. Tonight, however, he shacks up with his sister - go figure.

36 minutes to kick-off, Cal vs. Tennessee. Go Bears!

Homeward bound

Madeleine at Denver Int'l - note the security stickers, given to her for "good behavior" (Sonnet rolls her eyes).

The drive from Cuchara to Denver was uneventful, other than a six mile farm road detour from the I-25 at Pueblo due to last week's flooding (the southwest has been in a drought otherwise). In Denver, we visit Aunt Beecher, Whitney, Frank, Tess and one-week old Thea, which brings back memories and all sorts of nostalgia from us (esp. Sonnet). We spend the night at a Radisson hotel, with pool and hot-tub, and catch the long-haul flight to the U.K. Eitan is the perfect seat mate, as he watches the digital entertainment for 10 hours including the cartoon move with Bruce Willis "Over The Top" three times (3X). Madeleine has a harder time, but both kids keep it together. Neither slept. At home, Aggie awaits us and Sonnet and I use today Friday to due some errands, and I move into my new office close to home (less than 10 minutes).

This photograph of the flag taken by Eitan.

At the airport beyond security, Sonnet points out that I don't have my camera, which has been left in the rent-a-car (damn!). I call Alamo Denver Airport, speak to a gal who uses her walkie-talkie to speak to a field agent. The camera is located and put on a ground transportation bus to the terminal (guy heavily tipped). I speak to the head of Airport Security, who gives me a red-card, and accompanies outside of the security zone. I meet the bus, collect my camera, re-pass security and race to the gate with two minutes to spare. Sonnet was sure she would see me somepoint in London - and had even told the kids so!

Adobe

The Church of St Francis of Assis. This beautiful spanish church in Taos, New Mexico, is made from adobe ("biblical brick") and the straw is visible if one looks close. Georgia O'Keefe made the St. Francis of Assis one of her favorite subjects and consequently this is the most photographed church in the world. My photo is backside of the church.

Tonight we stay at the Rancho Arriba, Turca, New Mexico - 8,400 feet in the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east and the Jemez range to the west. The ranch was built by Curtis Franks in '65, and became a b&b in '78. The kids fall in love with the dogs (I call Eitan the "dog whisperer"), and Madeleine continues her infatuation with horses. Sonnet and I have a drink on the porch watching the sunset over the mountains, listening to the dogs bay. This feels like Mexico to me.

Welch's

Who can forget grape soda? We spend the day driving through Carson National Forrest (most of the remaining land is made up of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants). This photo taken in fron of the Santuario de Chimayo church, whose soil is believed to have restorative powers. Inside the adobe is a sobering hall with crutches and photos of the deceased or injured, including a wall dedicated to our troops in Iraq.

Taos, New Mexico

This self portrait surounds me with the Sangre de Christo mountains in the San Louis Valley, about 20 miles from the New Mexico border. It took me one hour or so to hike the largest sand dune, which was a similar sensation to the stair-master (plant foot, feel slip). The view in any direction is dramatic - westward rolling sand-tops and northeast spikey snow-caps.

From CO, we drive through the Sangre De Christo mountains over the La Veta pass on HW 160 to 150 at Ft William, on our way to Taos, New Mexico. In Taos, we stay at the El Pueblo hotel, and explore the historical plaza, settled by the Spanish in the early 1600s and where Sonnet buys a pair of cowboy boots. Dinner is newmex at Orlando's and we are buffeted by an alpine storm complete with lightening and hail balls.

Brown Eyed Susans

While hiking the dunes, I come across a perfectly cheerful family of wild-flowers. Hidden between the sand, away from wind and visitor, the colony seems to thrive and I on my belly to take this picture.

Almighty sandcastle

The walk to the dunes is about one mile, then they reach upwards to 750 feet (26/8/06). Eitan was keen to climb to the top with me, but petered out to re-join Sonnet and Madeleine who are walking at a slower pace. From mid-way, the kids roll down sand embankments of 50 feet, screaming with glee. The temperature today is a pleasant early fall-like 85 degrees - during summer's peak in July the sands reach 140 or higher. Afterwards, we visit a roadside cafe called appropriately "The Oasis" and have a late lunch including home-made cherry and coconut cream pie. Yum.

We drive back to Beecher's cabin in Cachara, and the kids fight in the back of the car, forcing me to pull off the side of the road to swipe at them. They remain "wired", and I take them through a series of yoga deep breathing excercises to calm them down. Both kids have been sleeping soundly, especially Madeleine who seems to devour it - waking up sometimes at 10AM, sleeping on average 12 hours a night.

Dunes

From the back of a post-card: "Great Sand Dunes, National Park, CO. 1920 Sand dunes towering 750 feet (214m) above the valley floor and covering over 50 square miles (130 sq. km) are swallowed by the huge scalae of the San Luis Valley and the 12,000 to 14,000 ft (3700 to 4300 m) Sangre de Cristo mountains. Prevailing southwesterly wind pile the sand at the base of three low passes in the mountains. Strong northeast winds occassionally roar through the mountain passes, reversing the usual direction of sand flow and piling the dunes back upon themselves building "chinese walls". In 2004, Congress made this area a National Park and so protected (since 1920 the dunes were a National Monument)."

Aunt Martine

Sonnet's Aunt splits her time between Denver and her ranch near La Veta. Now retired, she taught in the CO public kindergarten and secondary schools, which formed her political views from first hand experience (she is a Republican in a split state). Martine is unafraid to share her opinion with Berkeley-ites like me or her liberal sisters Silver and Robin. Martine's husband Bill is a cowboy and horse whisperer, when he is not selling insurance for State Farm or preaching episcopalian part time. Bill also had a baseball scholarship to CU and has a cracker fast ball. Together they make a cutting vision of the Southwest.

H-2-O

Sophie and Eitan at the Big Trees rec center. One thing is for sure: these kids love water. Nestled in the white pines and fir trees, the 25 meter and kiddie pools are well-used from Memorial Day to Labour Day weekend. A 15 minute "adult swim" takes place each day at 1400, which elicits an earnest groan from the younger crowd - despite 6-8 hours of aquatic activity throughout the day.

Urban cowboy

Eitan, not to be out-done by Madeleine, strikes a pose (or two). Behind Beecher's cabin is an alpine field with mountain flowers and rolling hills of pine tree and the mountains behind. Today, we will drive to the Colorado dunes, about 100 miles from La Veta. The sand dunes are some of the biggest in North America, and I plan to take some pictures. Unfortunately I am out of black & white film, and unable to find any film where we are. My cheap Olympus Camedia does a fine job for my needs, but does not match the quality or texture of the b&w. Any case, I will post what I see.

Exuberant Madeleine

Madeleine at Beecher's cabin (23/8/06). She is excited by the return of Sonnet following her trip to New Mexico, and to be alive. Madeleine's imagination runs free and often, and in this case she is a "super cow-gal". She is a joy to watch, unless her wrath directed at you - then good luck!

Spanish Mountains

This photograph taken from nearby Martine's ranch. I correct my below entry regarding the mountains and their creation. According to wise uncle Ray, the Spanish Mountain range is not volcanic, as reported. Rather, when Colorado was five miles underground "drain-pipes" formed from the surface to undergound water and mineral reservoirs. Over 26 million years of erosion uncovered the pipes. Where did the dirt go? Texas, Arizona, Nevada.... According to Ray, geologist from around the world study this unusual and unique formation, with many other "spouts" still buried hundreds of feet below.

L'il Cowboy

Eitan wears his cowboy hat, bought for him by Aunt Martine in Santa Fe, New Mexico (23/8/06). Madeleine has pink. Eitan is involved in the South-Western lifestyle, and gets angry when I call h im a cow-poke ("Cowboy", he exclaims testily). We will stay in Cachara for another day, and then play to head to Taos before Denver and home.

Dude ranch

Eitan and Madeleine await Charlie, Buckwheat, Nugget, Prailine and the other horses for a riding and carrot or apple feeding. Today, we drove to Walsenburg, CO, so Eitan and I could have a haircut, and then had lunch at the local diner. Sonnet is in New Mexico with her mom and aunts Robin and Martine so Grandpa Stan and I amuse the kids for three days. Activities include play-time at the La Veta park, where friends have been made with kids from Walsenburg, Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul, as well as La Veta. We also take advantage of the trailheads from Martine's house, but this met with considerable resistence ("Rattle snakes, Dad!"). A nice break is spent in front of the televisions watching Square Bob Spongepants and other incomprehensible characters before Stan makes dinner or the Dog Paw for burgers.

The Minnis ranch

Sonnet's aunt Martine and her husband Bill Minnis own a horse ranch in the middle of the Rockies (closest town: La Veta). They are surrounded by some of the most dramatic hillside I have ever seen. The mountains are volcanic, from a time when Colorado and the US were under an ocean. Of interest is the treeline, which stops sharply at 13,000 where there is not sufficient oxygen for them to grow (this can be seen in the photo on the right). The clouds roll in quickly in the afternoon bringing explosive thunderstorms and rain. The first snows arrive late October, I'm told. I had a difficult time chosing a blog photo as the vistas and constantly changing weather offer equally dramatic selection.

Log cabin

This photograph taken at Beecher Stanfill's summer cabin in Cuchara Colorado (pop. 30, if).

The altitude is 8,600 feet and I feel the lack of oxygen immediately, especially when clowing with the kids. Cuchara is located off Route 12, the Highway of Legends, and 10 miles from La Venta or the next nearest town with a drugstore and library. Cuchara looks like something from a Clint Eastwood Western, with a saloon called the 'Dog Paw' and general store selling awful (but strong) coffee. Next to Beecher's is the Dogetown creek, which is soothing for us and tempting for Eitan and Madeleine.

The gals

Sonnet, Mary, Sloan and Katie

We left the Sierras Monday following a long hike with Katie and Mary, who took us thru a number of Boston Consulting Group case studies which I failed horribly. I met Mary at Columbia, where she was a stand-out from day one. Prior to business school, Mary was a public school teacher in NYC, which is where she met her husband Amado. From business school, she was hired at BCG as a Consultant, and is now one of 30 female partners, a number she is trying to grow - equal opportunity remains a main motivation of her work (Nb Mary was one of two Consultants to be promoted Partner from her intake year of 20, and on occasion has received ovations from grateful corporate boards).

On the drive to Berkeley, everyone was a bit sad but excited to see Gracie and Moe and their cat "Sweetie Pie" with whom Madeleine has fallen in love.

3-4

This photo taken for Katie's __ birthday, at our home in Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale, W9 (29/9/02). Eitan is two years old.

Mr Klein

Rob and I met thru my sister Katie, who studied with him at Columbia's international affairs program (CIPA) following his work with Commerce Secretary Ron Brown. He also obtained an MBA, which is when we got to know each other. Today, Rob runs the Crecera Finance Company, which he founded three years ago in San Francisco. Crecera provides trade finance to Latin American growth companies, and has attracted $200M of equity and debt from leading global investors. Rob has gained first hand valuable experience of a pig farm, a slaughterhouse and other similarly intriguing businesses. In addition, he is a die-hard Ohio State fan with big expectations for '06 - the Buckeyes being ranked #1 by USA Today (Cal is twelth as at today).

Repose

Madeleine taken at in the late afternoon, next to our cabin. She stands on wood bracket protecting the water meter underneath. I asked her to pose for the camera and she was unusually obliging.

S'mores

The evening is spent roasting marsh-mellows and making s'mores. Etymology from the web: "S'more appears to be a contraction of the phrase, "some more", as in "Please, give me some more of that delicious treat." The informal nature of this term reflects the environment in which s'mores are traditionally served. Some have jokingly surmised that the name originated from people who were so busy eating the tasty dessert that they did not have time to speak in complete sentences, or alternately, that their enunciation was compromised by the fact that their mouth was still full of the aforementioned s'more. Any case, the expression dates to the 1927 Girl Scouts handbook.