Ludovico Einaudi and El Clásico

I've mentioned multiple times on this forum and others that I am a big fan of Ludovico Einaudi and his music. Who would have ever thought that someone would combine that passion with my passion for soccer (especially a game like the 5-0 Barcelona vs Real Madrid match) and make something as incredible as this short animated video. Amazing!

Kudos to TOW for the find. Really awesome to watch.

Good Friday

Good Friday and we have family in town to celebrate the holiday. Had to work for a portion of the day but it has been nice to relax at home and spend time with the family and enjoy some awesome spring weather. Lots of errands completed, car cleaned in and out, and headed into the weekend with no responsibilities.

At this point we are just hanging out and cooking some cedar trout on the grill, kale salad and some oven baked potatoes. Jozy is basking in a post-dogobie glow. Always a treat.

Touches of Home

It has been a really long two months and for the most part, they come to a conclusion this week. I won't go into too many details as to the reason, as I like to keep work topics out of this forum. The "long" part essentially relates to the fact that I have been on the road, Mon-Fri for the last two months straight. I do have a couple more trips ahead for conferences but they are short, not full weeks and will take me to some new places (Denver and Ottawa). The home stretch is here and it is short.

The last two nights I have taken the time to walk around DC at night and enjoy some of the city. Along the way I found a couple touches of home. I will be back home today and am super excited. The photo below is from the WWII memorial and the one above is the statue of Lafayette in Lafayette Square out in front of the White House. Nice to find these little reminders as I enjoyed DC.

On a personal note, I'd like to publicly thank my wonderful wife for not only putting up with me during the last two months, but for supporting, encouraging and helping me all along the way. She is amazing and I am truly lucky.

Albert Gallatin

Possibly one of the most impressive buildings I have had a meeting in recently. This is the Department of Treasury, with a statue of Albert Gallatin (Secretary of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison) out front. It's even more impressive on the inside when not viewed at night through my not very high resolution camera on my cell.

Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche

I've posted about Ludovico Einaudi before. In general, I have become a huge fan of his music and find it both relaxing and inspiring. There is no better sound track for me to start this week with. Enjoy this one, it is wonderful.

Of Wolf and Crabs

Last night was the perfect ending to an awesome day. We went over to our friend's house and had all you can eat crabs that he and his family had caught that morning. He did all the hard work, including waking up at 5 am and then doing all of the boiling as well. All in all, getting to enjoy the fruits of their labor and having the chance to hang out with some friends that we have not seen in a while was the perfect way to spend a Saturday night. Thanks Retired!

I cannot pass up the chance to show a photo of his beautiful dog as well (which has a lot of wolf in it actually), poised on the picnic table in the back yard and clearly king of his domain. These two photos of the wolf and of the crabs do neither any true justice.

Beautiful Day

Today has to possibly be the most beautiful day of the year thus far. Perfect weather and on top of that, no responsibility. We spent the morning sleeping in, watching the FA cup semifinal and a stunning loss by Manchester United, and now we are chilling out outside listening to some Miles Davis, playing dogobie and counting down to El Clasico. After the big Real Madrid vs Barcelona game we are headed to a friend's house to eat some crabs they caught fresh this morning. Does it get any better?

Here are some photos of the queen of the household getting some exercise, her first swim of the year and then lounging in her towel drying off. Spoiled!

J Mascis - Not Enough

New song from J Mascis, lead singer of Dinosaur Jr. I used to listen to Dinosaur Jr back in 1994 and have only flirted with a few songs since then. This solo album looks like it might be right up my alley.

Peter, Bjorn and John - Tomorrow Has to Wait

This song by Peter, Bjorn and John is not failing to get me out of any funk that jeopardizes productivity. Every time I hear it I just get motivated.

Live version.

No More TV Dinners

So this past weekend my wife and I spent a decent amount of time furniture shopping. It is safe to say that we made a huge amount of progress and that the two empty rooms that resulted from our remodel will now have some real furniture in them. We have yet to get bar stools (although I think I have found the rather costly pair that I prefer). Given their expense, they may be a few months out on the timeline since we abhor debt.

Here is our new dining room table. Yes. White tempered glass. No idea how I got my wife to agree to this modern of a table and I have no idea if it is going to really look that good. It was on sale and it struck me as pretty darn cool. Somehow it just worked out and now we own it. The chairs and that bench came with it - gotta love going out of business sales that give you great deals.

Broken Bells - Meyrin Fields

Here's a new Broken Bells (Danger Mouse + The Shins) song called Meyrin Fields that's been on repeat this evening as I crank out miscellaneous action items for work. Did a little searching and couldn't find out what Meyrin Fields is a reference to. If anyone knows feel free to enlighten. Possibly it is a reference to a location in Switzerland...

Pretty cool website for the band - check it out.

Alison Krauss & Union Station - Paper Airplane

Here is a really pretty song from Alison Krauss & Union Station called Paper Airplane from their upcoming album. I have to confess that it has been a while since I last listened to Alison Kraus...not sure why, especially after listening to her sing on this track.

Night Jozy

Had a great Saturday today. We spent the day running some errands and doing some overdue decorating on our house post-renovation. Tonight we are just hanging out solo with Jozy, some grilled trout and a bit of dogobie. It's just the Saturday I needed after 5 weeks of travel in a row.

Here's a photo of Jozy enjoying the day as well.

Generationals - Ten-Twenty-Ten

These guys (Generationals) are from New Orleans, and before that were in a band from Baton Rouge. According to Wikipedia, they "...so named because as they often watched CNN's coverage of the 2008 presidential election as they recorded, the pair noticed that nearly every issue was dubbed a generational issue." I coded a few applications during that election watching the same coverage.

Timber Timbre - Demon Host

This is the type of song that I'll end up playing over and over on a morning drive to the office when I am out of town. Timber Timbre is from Canada.

the Sounds - Song With A Mission

Swedish rock from a band called the Sounds. It's like 80's rock but new. I like it.

Yes...this band was actually in a Geico commercial a while back with their song Hurt You. Don't hold it against them.

Erland & The Carnival - Trouble In Mind

These guys are from across the pond, a band called Erland and the Carnival. Folk rock from London.

guard your tongue like your enemy

1. 100 Other Lovers * Devotchka
2. Mermaid * Okkervil River
3. If I Had A Boat * James Vincent McMorrow
4. Galahad * Josh Ritter
5. Ten-Twenty-Ten * Generationals
6. Hey World (Live) * Michael Franti & Spearhead
7. Rivers and Roads * The Head and the Heart
8. Used to Be a Cop * Drive-By Truckers
9. You've Got the Love * Florence + The Machine
10. Tomorrow Has to Wait * Peter Bjorn and John
11. Map of an Englishman * Erland and the Carnival
12. The Man Who Would Speak True * Blitzen Trapper
13. Truth * Alexander
14. These Barren Years * Admiral Fallow
15. Escoutas (Diga Diga Diga) * Carolina Chocolate Drops & Luminescent Orchestrii
16. Speak Plainly Diana * Joe Pug
17. Silly Bears * Akron/Family
18. Think You Can Wait (From the Film "Win Win") * The National
19. Trouble In Mind * Erland & The Carnival

Team

"It’s hard to do, easy to talk about."

- Brad Stevens

What better place to look for inspiration than a team like Butler, an underdog who consistently beats the odds and points to defining principles as a reason for success. Coach a team on the field? At work? You might find this short description of the Butler team a worthy place to find inspiration for your next team meeting. The "Butler Way" is rooted in five principles: humility, passion, unity, servanthood and thankfulness.

Tulips

Tulips are out in DC; this is outside the EPA.

P'TA Mon and Thug Law

We had dinner last night at someone's house (a fundraiser for a local charity) and there were a couple of people there who work in the forensic lab in the area. They told me about P'TA Mon's YouTube video and his criminal defense practice based out of Baton Rouge. Had to share it.

Royal Bangs - Fireball

And now for a little something different from a band named Royal Bangs, here is a song called Fireball. These guys are from Knoxville.

Boom - Snoop Dogg ft. T-Pain

I can't help it if I like Snoop Dogg.

Spoiled

Jozy always gets a new bandana (for "free") after getting a fresh haircut. Cute!