Friday, July 19
Thursday, July 18
West Side, Manhattan
July is still a pretty busy month in some parts of Europe while August a complete shut-down.
I am with Ivor and Alison in the 16e the other night as they visit Paris for their 20th wedding anniversary - they spent their honeymoon here. Ivor and I go back to at least 7 th grade; we both went to Brown and, on that fateful day, August 30, 1985, (or thereabouts) we were on the same dawn flight to the East Coast setting off for a new life. Only Ivor missed the plane. On the plus side, he had another 24 hours with Alison.
The UK goes gay, notable as it is so un notable here. Andrew Sullivan points out that there are 362 million more people who live in countries with marriage equality than one year ago. The total population now living in countries with marriage for all is 641 million.
at 07:35
Sunday, July 14
August '96
Polk St, San Francisco
at 17:18
Ray Bans
Eitan thinking about his look. Fun to watch.
Madeleine: "Look at those bugs."
Sonnet: "The little blood suckers."
Madeleine: "Wack 'em, Dad."
Me: "All creatures great and small."
Madeleine: "Accept for mosquitoes. And leeches. "
Me: "How about locusts?"
Madeleine: "No, they're too much like crickets and I like crickets."
Me: "How about their, like, eating an entire crop and killing some village in Africa?"
Madeleine: "OK, locusts too, Dad."
Me: "What about blood sucking newts?"
Madeleine: "Definitely not."
Madeleine: "Good night, Dad."
Me: "Madeleine, you are everything I could ever want."
Madeleine: "Cheesy."
Me: "But true."
[I get a direct look and a smile]
at 17:07
Friday, July 12
Summer Blues
English, Book 1
Eitan, never to be out excercised, joins Zak for a 5K run in Richmond Park then an afternoon of tennis with Shaheen followed by football training in Palewell Park. Sonnet and I watch five or six of them stroll home, not a care in the world, as it should be, this time of year.
Me (at football practise): "So should your mother and I walk 20 paces behind you so you can pretend we're not your parents?"
Eitan:
Me: "Or do you need 30 ?"
at 19:12
Thursday, July 11
Talk To The Hand
I once paid the Shakespeares for a photo with a small coin or gum drop. They outgrew that bribe pretty fast and are now resigned to the camera - most of the time. I do hope they, as I, shall look back on the continuity of this blog and value it (as much as I do now). Already I cannot believe we are nearing their adolescence.
at 16:37
Wednesday, July 10
More Fun
Harrods
Over lunch we create a new game requiring sixty-seconds of non-stop talking, no 'ums' nor pauses, using a word offered by us, the panel. Madeleine goes first, bravely, and makes it 20 seconds before cracking like a walnut. Eitan has success ("McDonalds") and Aneta nails it ("dog"). Me, I tackle 'glasses' by telling my life story. The kids blank face me.
at 16:59
Bowie Expo
South Kensington
"This is a very pleasing end of year report of which Madeleine should be extremely proud."
--Mr R A L, Form Tutor, Year Six Full Report
"Madeleine thinks imaginatively. .. this can be seen in her idea for her animal puppet which is half ant-eater and half jaguar."
--Ms S, Art Teacher, Year Six Full Report
at 16:46
The Changing Faces Of Eitan
Hasta la vista, baby
Arnold Schwarzenegger had 16 lines in The Terminator :
Nice night for a walk.
Nothing clean, right.
Your clothes, give them to me.
The 12 gauge auto-loader.
The 45 long slide with laser sighting.
Phase plasma rifle in 40-watt range.
The Uzi 9mm.
All.
Wrong.
Sarah Connor.
I'm a friend of Sarah Connor. I was told that she's here.
Can I see her please? Where is she?
I'll be back.
Fuck you, asshole.
Give me your address there.
Get out.
at 13:23
Monday, July 8
Dog Days
Rusty takes a break from Wimbledon
Eitan has the inconvenient swim practice of Sunday, 2 to 3:30PM and yesterday he is wiped out from A) Saturday morning Delta Force paint ball; followed by B) Elm Grove Awards ceremony; followed by C) Overnight birthday party at Luke's resulting in D) six hours of sleep.
Good thing he and Madeleine on summer break starting now.
at 14:59
Saturday, July 6
Recognitions
Eitan and Marc
Eitan and I at the Elm Grove home pitch for the final wrap on their wonderful, magical, season. Today, a hot day, is filled with team spirit, BBQ and beer; the women bring all sorts of foods and dips and we sit under canopies and re live games and goals covering two years. It is a good crew, a group I will miss next season and beyond as Eitan no longer with the Allstars as Marc stepping back as coach.
Eitan selected the 'Player's Player 'and the 'Parent's Player' of the season, unusually taking the two most coveted awards, and Coach unable to chose a Manager's player as every lad deserves it. There are smiles and hi fives all around as Eitan's teammates and everybody clap him on the back and congratulate his and their success.
I am filled with pride at Eitan's comportment - he allows himself a bashful smile - then off the stage as quickly as possible. This has been his style always.
at 19:25
Summer Shakedown
Rusty unwinds
David back from Lake Como, where he and Tab spent a few days after a drive from Geneva through the Alps; they and family are off to Martha's Vineyard next week for the summer. He builds his consulting business, full steam ahead.
The best part: Summer has arrived in the UK - glorious sunshine and all day sunsets. Wimbledon finals and a holiday spirit, August yet to come.
at 10:34
Friday, July 5
Guy Sap
Guy's survival given less than 5% following multiple organ failure during a routine operation several years ago. Last week we walk the Huckleberry Trail in the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in the East Bay.
Me: "Hey, Madeleine, I've got a big surprise for you."
Madeleine races into the kitchen, breahless: "What is it?"
Me: "You are going to love it. We can get started on it right now."
Aneta:
Madeleine: "Is it a mini iPad? Is it?"
Me: "Books. Maths. English and history."
Madeleine: "Thanks, Dad. Won't be reading those."
Me: "Now that it's summer vacation, let's get going today."
Madeleine races up the stairs.
Me: "I am serious, you know . .!"
at 16:12
Thursday, July 4
So Far Ago
Matt Dillon is old now
Nothing makes one feel, well, old, than seeing a film cherished from way back when. In this case, Madeleine and I watch "My Bodyguard" about a bully who gets his comeuppance - in short, something an 11 year old can get into, as I did in 1980 and Madeleine does now.
I saw "My Bodyguard" with Katie and Maggie and a bunch of Barracudas on a summer week night, no school, but morning swim practice nonetheless. We exited the Oaks Theatre (long gone) on a warm night , all the world good. The film a hodgepodge of future talent: Matt Dillon, Jennifer Beals (Flashdance), Joan Cusack . . kids reading this blog now have no idea who these people are but for me it was our yuf.
Me: "Let's watch a movie, me and you kid."
Madeleine: "Yep."
Me: "You're going to love it, though there is a lot of sex."
Madeleine: "No there's not! It's PG."
Me:
Madeleine: "Really, Dad, that's not very funny."
at 21:19
Mother Daughter
My gals
at 16:35
The Gipper
Egypt's President Morsi taken into military custody.
at 08:24
Wednesday, July 3
Skip
Monday Madeleine plays trumpet in her school's Junior Brass Ensemble and the Sumner Concert. We recognise the theme song from the Titanic. She also sings in the Junior Choir.
Before, Sonnet and I arrive on Emanuel's campus, and observe her playing kickball with a group of Hill formers. She is happy as only a kid can be happy in the summertime with vacation right around the corner.
at 16:18
The Mall
Horse brigade
The Mall connects Buckingham Palace to the Admiralty Arch and on to Trafalgar Square. Notably, the London Marathon ends here and I found myself in a First Aid booth about where the horses are now, 2009. I was in bad shape, man.
I first became aware of The Mall via David, a Euro fag in my college dorm; David had a lion's main of hair, a trust fund and a cocaine habit. He breathlessly informed me of "shagging" a girl he had met on the day off The Mall, in St James's Park, after dusk. I thought, back then, wow! now that shit would never happen in Berkeley. But I was probably wrong.
at 16:10
Monday, July 1
Ouch
It is a concrete jungle out there. Fortunately no stitches though I am informed: "blood everywhere." Sonnet and Aneta rush to the scene and our gal makes the trip to the A&E.
Me: "Nice to have so much sun in the morning."
Madeleine: "Yeah, I like it too."
Me: "Do you prefer summer or winter?"
Madeleine: "Summer, definitely."
Me: "Spring or autumn?"
Madeleine: "Sometimes, late at night and I am reading in bed, and it is raining really hard, that is cool."
Me: "Yep."
at 16:19
Saturday, June 29
East Bay
We all have a restful place somewhere in the mind's eye and mine is the Nimitz Way off Wildcat Canyon Road in Tilden Regional Park. I have been coming here since age four, made out with girls in high school in the dry grass, trained up for several marathons on the ancient cracked blacktop, and Sonnet and I visited inside one week of knowing each other. I can rely on it.
Madeleine sets new school records in the 100 and 200 m dash for Hill Form (under 11s) during Emmanuel's sports day. We are thrilled for our gal.
at 17:50
The Forecast Is Sunshine
Moe this morning
From there I go to Peet's coffee and observe three guys playing Frisbee in the intersection. Why not? A suburban pulls up with a dog in the front seat, the wife and kid in back. Another wears a Chinese hat I've seen only on the rice paddies and always there is talk talk talk. These hippies don't go away though now their homes make them millionaires.
at 16:29
Thursday, June 27
Industry Ventures
Justin works a deal
I arrive in California on a beautiful day, blue skies and 80 degree temperatures. It even smells good, like home. On the way to 1530 I pick up flowers for my parents and think how it might feel to be them, waiting for their kid to arrive. It is a nice feeling.
In London : At a Hampton School competition Eitan runs the 1500m in 4:59 setting a new course record for the Under-12s (Sonnet says he is not impressed though we are). Otherwise Eitan off to Kew Gardens on a biology field trip and Madeleine practicing with the Brass Band for Monday's summer concert. It rains.
at 21:32
Wednesday, June 26
"The State Capital"
I write from Tallahasee, Florida, where Thierry and I stay at Hotel Duval, one of three four-star hotels and billed as the city's best. It was formerly a Howard Johnson's. Before our meeting with the Florida State Administration, a potential LP in Astorg's next fund, I bone up on my local knowledge : The Seminoles won the Orange Bowl last season. Disclosing this as important as anything else we discuss. And so it goes.
The friendly young women at the hotel front desk looks at me like I have grown horns when she hears me talk in French. Every now and then the dog has his day.
at 19:26
Monday, June 24
Southernmost Tip
A jogger in Battery Park.
One WTC is nearly complete yet its 105 stories hardly leave an impression, so like any Midtown or modern skyscraper anywhere. Sure, the WTC website tells us, it is America's tallest building - and an indelible New York landmark. But it also lacks any kind of magnificence.
"We remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger."
"We remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger."
--Barack Obama, on a steel beem hoisted to the top of the tower.
at 01:27
Sunday, June 23
Cafe Flesh
Sheep Meadow
We watch a comedy troupe including some of NY's best who have a hard time keeping it PG for the Sunday afternoon. On another patch, we see a sword fight with maybe 12 participants dressed in medieval costume. It lasts maybe three minutes. Bikers, joggers, power walkers and roller bladers whizz by navigating the pedestrians. A skinny black dude with over-sized headphones stands in the middle tarmac singing full volume. Nobody cares.
at 23:32
Upper West Side
Cafe Con Leche @ 81st and Amsterdam
Katie arrives around 8AM and we go for a morning run in Central Park and coffee at neighbourhood bakery Silver Moon, which has created a special corner on B'way and 106th. From there it is a walk southward via Riverside Park and the Riverside Walk then across midtown to Central Park.
at 23:11
Red House
The Red House, on the corner of York Ave, designed by architect Arthur Young and built in 1904 when there was surely nothing else around. Since we are on a hilltop, the views of the river (now not visible) would have been superb. It remains a convenient several hundred yards into Richmond Park. Yours for £7M.
at 14:29
Saturday, June 22
Tomato Stalks
The tomatoes about half mast or behind pace for this time of year since there has been little sun this summer so far. I still have hope that this will be a vintage year. For all of us.
I am off to America in an hour.
I am off to America in an hour.
at 09:06
Friday, June 21
Toothy Grin
Eitan will have braces
The kids and I to The Plough - burgers and chips for them, salad for me as I (barely hang on) to Sonnet's low carb diet.
The kids have swim practise, 5:30AM, so up at 5 to ensure a 5:20 pick up. Then a 45 minute nap and to the pool to facilitate the transfer to their respective school buses (Sonnet's egg-bacon sandwiches devoured). Sonnet and I stumble through the rest of the day. TGIF.
at 19:55
London On My Birthday
at 19:29
Tuesday, June 18
Dog Days
Rusty gets in on the summer
The protests in Brazil remind me of Brad Pitt's movie "World War Z" where zombies climb over each other to mount a wall. I would be pissed, too, knowing that the Brazilian government has spent billions in preparation of the 2014 World Cup and little or nothing on education or the banlieues. Won't be going there any time soon.
at 18:48
Monday, June 17
Any Given Monday
At Madeleine's school
Our week begins with the usual news about Syria (US to arm the rebels, the Russians support Assad); the NSA (who wire tapped world leaders at the G20 Summit in 2009 ); a week end massacre in Omaha, Nebraska. And so on and so forth.
What to tell one's kids these days ? The cost of education soaring, jobless ness in the Eurozone is 24% for the U25s (20% in the UK), cities and living un affordable and then there is the debt for the their generation . Global warming, too. Me, I say : go to work.
at 08:32
Sunday, June 16
Teen Boy
Chillax
At a cocktail party I meet fair skinned Rose, who sings at St Martin's On The Field. In confidence, she informs me, she and her choir have recorded the gospel for Nelson Mandela's passing. They did this four years ago so it is 'off the shelf.'
Madeleine: "Who's been searching for 'making out' and 'how to kiss better' on the computer?"
Me: "Huh?"
Madeleine: "Right here, see in the search history, 'making out.'"
Me: "When was it?"
Madeleine: "Um, last Sunday. At 8 o'clock."
Me: "It could have been me, so I know how to kiss your mother" (I kiss Sonnet)
Sonnet: "Mmm"
Me: "How do we know it wasn't you?"
Madeleine: "Yeah, right Dad. It must have been Eitan."
Me: "Well you are the problem child."
Madeleine: "Whatever."
at 18:20
Post Play
Madeleine at school
An example of a morning discussion, on the walk to the train , which Madeleine now takes to school.
Madeleine: "What would Rusty do if he caught a cat?"
Me: "Grab it by the neck and shake it to death, probably."
Madeleine: "Yeah, probably so."
Me: "All creatures great and small. How about that snail there, would you kill it?"
Madeleine: "No. It is still a creature."
Me: "What about a swarm of veg destroying locusts? "
Madeleine: "So?"
Me: "Without crops, people will die."
Madeleine:
Me: "Death is never an easy subject."
Madeleine: "Of course I wouldn't want people to die. So I guess I would kill the locusts."
Me: "A wise decision."
at 10:38
A Play
at 10:24
Thursday, June 13
Exams In
Madeleine reviews her report card
Me: "How was your trumpet lesson?"
Madeleine: "Fine. I'm learning 'The Star Spangled Banner.'"
Me: "Excellent. I used to sing that to you when I was changing your diapers."
Madeleine: "TMI, dad."
at 07:49
Tuesday, June 11
Terminus
I always think of Star Trek at the abandoned Eurostar platform, Waterloo Station
I visit Stuttgart for lunch with Armin. New airport, new city. Unfortunately the weather kills any charm : I arrive, it is sticky hot, then it rains. Buckets. I go for a concrete jog dotted by sun fading 1970s objets d'art and graffiti here and there. A palpable sense of : nothing going on, as young people hang by the tramway smoking fags or drinking coffee at sidewalk cafes. It is 2:30PM. Otherwise there's "Das Broadway Musical: Sister Act!" postered everywhere. Robbie Williams visiting in September. I avoid the Mercedes and Porsche museums - both have mfr plants outside Stuttgard , employing ca. 37,000. I am sure there is Hanzel und Gretyl but today I do not have the time to find it.
"Worlds are conquered, galaxies destroyed...but a woman is always a woman. "
-- Captain James T Kirk in 'Conscience of the King'
at 19:30
Monday, June 10
Queen's Guard
St James's Palace, entrance from Pall Mall
at 21:29
Ian M Banks, 1954-2013 RIP
"The Culture is characterised by being a post-scarcity society (meaning that its advanced technologies provide practically limitless material wealth and comforts for everyone for free, having all but abolished the concept of possessions), by having overcome almost all physical constraints on life (including disease and death) and by being an almost totally egalitarian, stable society without the use of any form of force or compulsion, except where necessary to protect others." Wiki
"Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear".
--Foreign Secretary William Hague responds to the NSA's clandestine recording and analysing of global communications
at 07:28
Brains
At NYC hospital w/ Katie's friend, a neurosurgeon
Me: "How was the film? " [Dad's note: Madeleine and Molly sees the movie 'After Earth'; the girls otherwise by themselves]
Madeleine: "It was so scary. And you're never going to guess what Molly did."
Me: "Oh?"
Madeleine: "They, like, asked me my age and I said 12." [Dad's note: 'After Earth' an 12A, meaning a film-gover must be over 12 or accompanied by a parent. Madeleine is 11]
Me:
Madeleine: "And Molly said ten. Can you believe it?"
Me: "So how did you get in?"
Madeleine: "The ticket guy was quiting and so he didn't care about being fired."
Me: "Well done". I give Madeleine the Obama rock.
Me: "So how is my reputation around the house these days?"
Madeleine: "Um OK I guess. It could be better. "
Me: "Oh?"
Madeleine: "Like when you tell me to clean the front yard because I haven't talked to Eitan or something. "
Me: "Don't you realise it's part of a bigger plan?"
Madeleine: "How is sweeping the front yard a plan? None of the other kids have to do chores like we do. "
Me: "I have two words to say to you. "
Madeleine:
Me: "Karate Kid."
Madeleine:
Me: "Miyagi-san knew what he was doing. "
at 07:01
Saturday, June 8
Stamen & Stigma
Eitan and I check out a flower being pollinated by a bee. Since he does not know the mechanics, I ask him to investigate plant-reproduction on the web and report back to me. When he asks if he has a choice I tell him, sure, he can do the research or the backyard. He goes for the research.
Later, we sit around the living room and Eitan describes what he has learned to Madeleine (under threat of punishment). Who said learning isn't fun ?
I prepare to kill an insect in the kitchen. Madeleine: "All creatures great and small."
Me: "All creatures small and dead."
Madeleine: "Nice, dad."
Me: "It's a bug."
Madeleine: "Whatever."
at 16:31
Brilliant Green
Spring Celmatis, pre flower
at 13:01
Tesco
Carpenteria californica (I think)
Eitan thoughtfully munches on a custard filled, chocolate sprinkled, croissant : "You can get anything at Tesco." [Dad's note: Tesco is the third largest retailer in the world with ca $100bn of turnover from 6,351 stores]
Me: "Oh?"
Eitan: "Nutella. Pancake mix. Doritos. .."
Me: "Can you imagine the day when you aren't driven by your next sugar hit ?"
Eitan: "No."
Me: "Probably not."
at 12:28
Thursday, June 6
Lights, Camera
Film crew, Gare du Nord
My day starts in Paris where I navigate the metro to Gare du Nord and the fast train to Brussels. The metro stressful, since rush hour, while my station (Gare du Nord) is marked (for some crazy reason) Magenta. But I digress. I am in Brussels to entice a serious investor into a serious fund and, as I tell Sonnet, it is not every day one asks for 50M bucks.
at 21:36
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