Cape Cod

Sunrise just outside of Boston (because Potato is crazy and wanted to drive through the night)

Wall of fog we're about to hit

The beautiful bridge that leads to Cape Cod. If I had to commute across that bridge everyday I'd get to work early just so I could see that sunrise.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  

Potato and I got to the Cape at about 5am - so we slept on his aunt's porch until people noticed us.  This is the view from the porch 

This is the totally over the top house that we stayed at.  Potato and I essentially had our own suite with a marble bathroom.  It was ridiculous.  

Potato will be mad at me for posting this - but he never checks my blog so whatever! 

This is at Martha's Vineyard.  I don't think I'd go there again because it is so damn touristy but it did have amazingly good food (I had a lobster and crab salad with mangoes) and it's beautiful.  

My favorite part were all the roses and peonies.  They were everywhere.  

This is on our way back to Cape Cod

This is the view from the back of the boat on the way back to the Cape.  

Overall I'd say it was a lovely trip.  All the bad storms hit the week before we got there so we were able to enjoy weather in the mid 70's.  I never had a bad meal (or an average one at that).  I tried my best to eat seafood two meals a day because it was so good there.  The wedding itself was beautiful.  Potato did a great job officiating but I don't think he'd like to make a habit of that task.  I got to spend some quality time with his grandpa and his aunts which always makes me happy.  I like his family a lot.  They're just a delightful group of people that really know how to vacation.

I'm doing homework right now but I'm doing it here:

So that makes things a lot better.  

PS - the ocean smells funny 

I'm off to the Cape! Hopefully I can contain my awkwardness.
Also, I forgot to mention this... but we're moving! I'm super excited.  Me, Bug, and Potato will be living like a family.  It should be great.

White Party

I went to the *LGBTQ Pride White Party last weekend in Old Town.  I liked my outfit.

*I say "LGBTQ Pride" opposed to just saying "Pride White Party" because the second option sounds racist.  

last weekend

Last weekend was a good one.  Potato and I did some camping and brewery visits.  On Saturday night we went to a little town near Lake Michigan to camp.  We stayed on a friend's plot of land that has a river dividing it.  We set up tent with about 13 other people and enjoyed talking and singing.  Even though it dropped down to a chilly 40-something degrees, I slept better that night than I had the entire rest of the week.

Friends (Eggs) tending to the fire 

On Sunday we headed to Grand Rapids.  Our first stop was at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture park.  I gotta say, I was really impressed and delighted to be walking the grounds of this beautiful place.  There was a huge variety in sculptures and plenty of green things to look at.  There was far too much GOT talk... but that's okay.  E&G, or Eggs, as they will now be referred to in this blog, are geeks like Potato and I. There was no missed opportunity for an HP or AD joke.  

Angry Mom sculpture 

I wish I had a human for scale in this photo... but the trees will have to do

I'm not sure why, but I feel like dad would like this guy a lot

As a piece of art, I really liked this piece.  Some might think it's not super interesting to look at because it's literal... but I liked that there are 3 different sections that are all different textures and that each is made of bronze.  I also think it was an interesting choice to do all things considered tacky - use color on the bird, make and overly polished gold heart, make the sculpture 15ft tall... but this sculpture for some reason reminded me of Grandma.  Which makes me like it even more.  

After spending a big chunk of the afternoon wandering the gardens we all went to Brewery Vivant.  I had a raspberry cider that I thought was quite good.  Not too sweet or tart.  Moose - I can happily report that the food and the venue didn't disappoint.  I had chicken and waffles that were finger lickin' good.  The brewery is in a renovated church with large tables and benches. I think it would be really fun to go back in the winter.  

After that we checked into the hotel (the only one I've stayed at in Grand Rapids) and went for a swim at the JW.  When we finished relaxing we went to Founders Brewery.  I had my first spicy beer... it was interesting.  I certainly couldn't have more than a sample of it but I think it was worth the money to try.  

Tomorrow, Potato and I will be headed to Michigan City to meet up with some cousins (weather permitting).  I'm looking forward to a relaxing-ish weekend. 

The next weekend we have nothing planned but the weekend after that we'll be headed out to Boston for Potato's sister's wedding.  It should be beautiful.  I expect to never have a bad meal while I'm there as my plate will always be filled with lobster or crabby goodness.  Lets hope the anxiety stays away.  

photo post

flower power 

one of my favorites 

visiting chicago with peef

meeting up with sparky

pouring day in casting.  that glowing thing is a crucible filled with liquid bronze.

fall beer fest! 

my boys

campus flooded (note that trees don't typically grow in water like that)

"Forever" 

"Shackles" 

"Weirdos" 

Summer had been good to me until yesterday.  It was my friend's 30th bday so we went to the park and were eaten alive by mosquitoes - those devils.  I also feel like I've been snorting pollen (or at least my nose/head feel that way).  Anyway, I took some decongestant and now I'm dizzy as a frat boy on a Friday night. 

Potato and I are going to be playing the "living within our means" game this summer and I expect it to be pretty tricky.  It's hard when there are so many opportunities and so much free time.  We want to say yes to every wedding/festival/dinner but know that it's not in the best interest of our bank accounts.   

We are also looking into moving.  I wasn't 100% on board with moving until yesterday when a family with 4 kids and a dog moved in next door.  Now I'm about 50% on board.  Will we move to a place on our own or with roommates?  Good question.  I wish I had an answer.