Next Stop

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. In a city seemingly knitted together of my favorite bars, this is one of my absolute favorites. The second oldest building in the city of New Orleans, allegedly the oldest bar in the U.S., and where the legendary pirate Jean Lafitte made his weaponry. Legend also holds that he would slaughter a crew member everywhere he buried his treasure so that the crewman's ghost would guard it. His greatest treasure is said to be buried in the chimney of the bar, but everyone fears his wrath too much to try and find it. Of course, "as with many things involving Lafitte, no documentation of this exists."

Me & Tommy Lee

At the Famous Door on Bourbon Street.

New Orleans Champagne

On Matt's French Quarter balcony...

Rollin' in a Limo With Momma

That's how she rolls. After a huge delay we're in a stretch limo to the French Quarter.

Jazz Fest Eve Y'all!

I am jumping out of my skin in anticipation. Leave tomorrow on a super early flight with Momma. Marvelous Matt S. is already there and providing me with constant, envy-inducing updates. This year is shaping up to be delightfully weird. As they all are...

"We can't stop here, this is Bat Country!"

Arthur C. Clarke

While on the topic of geniuses... I've always enjoyed this quote by brilliant science fiction author, the late Arthur C. Clarke:

"Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."

Esther Dyson

Went to a lecture luncheon at the U. Club featuring Esther Dyson.

A great lecture about privacy and the internet. As an added bonus, her father eminent physicist Freeman Dyson was also there!

Bishop Krister Stendahl

Sarah's grandfather, Bishop Krister Stendahl, passed away a week ago, on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008. His accomplishments are legion; including serving as Dean of the Harvard Divinity School from 1968- 1979 and increasing the school's diversity during that period, as well as serving as Bishop of Stockholm from 1984-1988. His awards and authored works are too numerous to mention, but I would encourage you to read his New York Times obituary here as well as Harvard Divinity School's obituary here.

I had the great pleasure of meeting him several times and enjoyed every single one of them, with two events really standing out in my memory. Firstly, Chris & Sarah's wedding. Chris and I were standing at the altar and Bishop Stendahl asked that we step back in to the church and have a moment of prayer, together - the 2 brothers and the 2 mass celebrants, before the ceremony began. I treasure that moment between my brother & I, and know that I forever will. Also, after I made my Best Man speech, he asked that I escort him to meet our family. I was extremely honored, and asked him out of respect for his position as Emeritus Bishop of Stockholm, "How should I address and introduce you? As 'Your Eminence'? 'Bishop'? 'Right Reverend'?"

He replied simply, "Krister."

When my brother graduated from Harvard and received his PhD, Bishop Stendahl gave me his faculty ticket for the commencement ceremony. Again I was extremely honored. (and the seats were great!) Later that evening I asked Sarah and her mother if they thought Bishop Stendahl would indulge me and autograph my ticket for me. Sarah had a funny reply, "I think he'd see the humor in that. Either he will or he won't." And Sarah's Mom took the ticket to him.

Sure enough, a few weeks later, an envelope arrived with a Nantucket return address...

Obviously a very special person, who led a very blessed life. Thoughts, prayers and condolences to Sarah (who shares her birthday with him) and her family and I for one am extremely grateful for even what little time I was able to spend with Krister.

I would say "May God bless him..." but I have to figure he has that covered... So I will simply say, "Thank you."

Gone Fishin' Redux

The Guys went fishing on Saturday and had a great time, catching 11 fish in total. Grant & I were a "fishing team" against Jack & Bob and the old fellas edged us out by 1 fish. Grant caught the first fish, Jack edged Grant out by 1 inch for the biggest, and the old-timers narrowly beat us 6-5 for most. We kept 2 black drum that Captain Keith expertly filleted and Jack cooked up that night -- they were spectacular eating.

Brett's On The Water

After a relaxing day on the beach with a lot of bocce, football and Kadima the adults went to play golf and The Wife, Grant and I went in to town for a few sunset cocktails at Brett's. Then we all met up at the Sand Dollar for dinner.

Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'
Originally uploaded by Guzilla.

Yankee Stadium Countdown

Saw the 73rd to last game at Yankee Stadium...

Papal Yankee Hat

The Pope plays for the Yankees

THIS JUST IN -- Apparently the guy who made these saw this post and left a comment, but left no contact info. If you are that guy or know that guy, email guzilladiaries [AT] gmail [DOT] com -- I want one of these! I think they are hysterical...

Lunch in Gramercy Park

Far too beautiful to stay inside. That & a surprise visit from our cleaning lady forced me out on short notice. So reading & catching up on research & emails in the park!

Kluge's Visit

Had an absolute blast while the old fella was in town. Got to see him 3 times over his visit, with him dropping by for a coffee one day, the breakfast at Little Poland I posted about earlier, and a lovely night on the town on Saturday.

Started with a cocktail at our apartment and a nice chat as this was the first time he got to see The Wife this week. Then took a leisurely stroll to Pia Dina in the Village for a splendid Italian meal with a couple bottles of a nice red wine. From there we discussed the Irish Coffee and he put it to me to find a great one in town, so we jumped a cab up to the Blue Bar at the Algonquin where this photo was taken. They delivered and then we repaired to a crowded Jimmy's Corner, followed by a postprandial cigar in Gramercy Park. A very nice evening, with a great guy...

Clinton St. Graffiti Gnomes

The Wife and I wandered around the Lower East Side for a nice long walk today. Picked up several odd food items: got a 3 piece sampler of fried chicken, a dumpling sampler, a bucket of kimchi, some cheese, a 6 pack of beer, etc.

The Mighty Kluge-ster

gets a boxing answer right at Jimmy's Corner. Mike "The Bodysnatcher" McCallum

Breakfast with Kluge

Had breakfast with my former creative writing professor from Semester-at-Sea, the novelist P. F. Kluge. He was kind enough to take me to "Little Poland" for what I think was his third trip there so far this week. As I asked him on our walk to the restaurant, "You can tell me, it's just the two of us... Does it bother you you're not Polish?"

Great to see him, as always. Had a delightful, far-ranging chat over breakfast discussing his family's involvement in World War II, Semester-at-Sea reminiscences and the staying power of his most famous work "Eddie & The Cruisers." Here he does a little victory dance in our booth as he correctly named a mural painter faster than I could pull the information from the internet. Small victories for the elderly...

Utah Skiing Video

Christian & I enjoying 6-8 new inches at Brighton.

John Chin & Irvin Mayfield

Live at the Blue Note. John is a friend (and soundtrack artist) & I could NOT believe it when I found out he was playing the Blue Note with IRVIN MAYFIELD. (!!) For those who do not know, Irvin Mayfield is the Cultural Ambassador of New Orleans and a legendary performer. Had a great time at the show, even though I went alone. And, thanks to John, got to meet Irvin. Well done, John!

Greatest. Coozie. Ever

Marvelous Matt S. just got back from Lauderdale, where he attended a gay rodeo. And brought me back this Mother of All Coozies - cowhide, fur & a sheriff's star. Awesome.

Happy Birthday, Momma!

It's Momma Guzilla's birthday! Happy Birthday Momma!! Lots of love and we hope it's a happy one...

One for Eddie

I don't know what it is, but every time Gano & I get together, weird (and wonderful) things happen. Met Sully & Jen for lunch at the Spotted Pig as we had not seen Sully in a very long time. Then wandered down to the Ear Inn to meet JD for a semi-business meeting. JD left for the suburbs and, shortly thereafter, a wake arrived. A very fun, very inebriated wake for a gentleman named Eddie who had been going to the Ear with his widow Ronnie for 25-30 years and was the cinematographer on such classic New York films as "The French Connection" and "Rosemary's Baby." One for Eddie indeed...

'Metal Gods'

I don't know if I would go that far... But perhaps lesser demi-gods. Essentially a bar metal cover band. But certainly amusing enough...

Slightly Stoopid

Live at The Canyons' "Spring Gruv"

Snowbird

A sunny day at Snowbird

The Donnas

Live at Harry O's in Park City. They were dreadful. As has Harry O's become. We heard a few songs, couldn't take any more and retreated back to the (glorious) No Name Saloon.

BRIGHTON!

Had an EPIC day of skiing at Brighton. Thanks to our being "the creme of the national sporting press" we received complimentary ski passes. They had received 6-8" of fresh snow and NO ONE was there. Our cumulative wait time in lift lines? 0.0 seconds. An incredible day, and it kept snowing.