West Coast, East Coast

This wasn't a bad week to be traveling away form Houston as Tropical Storm Bill began making its way up the Gulf of Mexico headed straight towards it.  Turned out to be much ado, but given the recent flooding and media filled hysteria, even San Diego's "June gloom" was a preferable spot to be for a day.

It was an early start to the week with a 2:45 am wake up time to make a 5:00 am flight. Somewhat surprising was the swarming traffic and people at the airport at that time of day (some likely due to the storm and others to summer holiday). I'm embarking on an 8 day trip, my final out of Houston as my home base starting with San Diego, then Santa Ana (the L.A. portion got cancelled).  I did get to work at the pool one afternoon and pick up a bit of a tan line so no complaints - perks of the job.

And in a disappointing turn of events neighbors M & M decided two weeks into the real estate process that the deal couldn't be put together on their end to purchase the Houston property and they had to withdraw. So this seemingly endless stream of real estate complications and setbacks continues but I am certain all will eventually end to desired outcome. More patience still required.

Then cross country flight to D.C. and relief from almost 4 weeks of separation.  It is so good to be with the person that you most desire and to have the chance to have long stretches of days to be in one another's company.  Every hour together meant so much.  It was simply a lovely weekend in the McLean, VA/Washington, DC area celebrating summer solstice, Tyler's birthday, Father's Day and just being together.  We did this by heading to The Phillips Museum, National Gallery and walking The Mall, then visiting friends and later to Georgetown Waterfront Park.  The art galleries were gorgeous and these photos from the French Impressionist section at the National Gallery will not do it justice, but they are some of the more famous and my favorites:

I've read "we make our world by what we choose to see", and that literature, music, art, architecture and poetry most of all, can have a tremendous influence.  I've been so fortunate to be exposed to many creative people, processes and works that I know it has influenced who I am and shaped my view of the world in a much more attractive way.  I love these opportunities to learn and grow and see and hear how others have experienced the world.

Also, quite interesting to walk Dupont Circle

and learn more about it through "A History of Dupont Circle" acquired at bookstore/cafe - KramerBooks & Afterwords.

A capital and fascinating city with my hearts desire.

Chicago and clock ticking

My thoughts are almost entirely with transition and future; it's hard to focus on the here and now but it's demanding and "in your face" so I must. It seems like there's so much more I should do before I go but the clock is ticking down.  It's time to super prioritize and understand what matters most and do only those things.  I Am so thankful and buoyed by the love in my life, it makes even the toughest decisions and chores easier.

Great news, I've got an offer on the house in Houston, it's now under contract and scheduled to close by the end of July or earlier if possible.  This one act made a lot of things easier and sped up the timeline too which I feel so fortunate for.  Tons more prep work to make this happen but it's exactly what I want - really have wanted for years.  It's bittersweet too though.  I've never lived anywhere in my life as long as I've lived here and it's been home with lots of great memories.

Quick trip to Chicago this week.

Being greeted at the airport by some jazz makes it uniquely Chicago O'Hare.

Back home:

If it's dirty clean it

If it doesn't fit give it away

If it's broken fix it or get rid of it

If it's out of style, give it away

If it's duplicate or triplicate get rid of the extras

If is not necessary to daily life pack it

If it's jumbled up fold it

If there's a better or modern version replace it

If it's overgrown trim it

If it's the first time you've noticed it in a year get rid of it

If it's years old paperwork shred it

Well you get the idea, who hasn't moved at some point in their adult life.  Two weeks and counting.

Atlanta, GA

Beginning of June already, the minutes sometimes seem to last forever when separated from the person you most want to be with, but the days fly by.  Atlanta this week and flying Delta.  Not my most frequented airline so no status, no TSA Pre-Check (I really need to go apply for this in general), and no upgrades.  Bummer.  But since I'm moving to the east coast I may become one of their better customers.

I got to see a well known and long time BGA this week, friends at The Milner Group.  I'm here with Whit Milner,

and Greg Ragan, both who I've known for over 20 years, and both who are now Grandfathers, so we had plenty in common to talk about.

Then back to Houston to start packing my office.  It seems there are boxes everywhere I go these days.

The most interesting activity this week, dare I say avant garde, was attending First Friday which

is the oldest poetry reading series in Houston, held on the first Friday of every month since 1975.  This is held in a small house built around the 1930's in the museum district - one block from the Menil, and about a mile from where I live (how am I just finding out about this???).  I knew it was going to be something different given the eclectic group of people that arrived and each one carrying some mixture of scent of pot, alcohol and/or tobacco, ranging in every age, color and background.  The featured reader was Kenan Ince, a rising fourth-year Ph.D student in mathematics at Rice.  

The attendees filled the chairs set up in the parlor, and then overflowed in to the kitchen area and even the steps leading up to the second floor to hear him speak.  He was confident and casual, without guile.  His poetry didn't have the typical rhyming quality but was more a stream of consciousness with a social/political bend and some gay and sexual overtones to certain pieces.  He read over 15 poems he's written which took about an hour and each was thought provoking.    How is it that someone who's in to knot theory and randomly triangulating Grotzsch and Teichmuller rings using software and conjecturing certain things about that can also get poetry?  It's a mind mystery but his poem about a certain Houston neighborhood battle taking place for over 10 years leaves no doubt he also has a sense of humor.  

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2014/06/a-poets-take-on-controversial-tower-rise-ashby-rise-block-out-the-sun/#18972101=0

Last stop this week  at the Menil, Rothko Chapel and the park. 

 I'm gonna miss this place.