Peter, Maria, Mom and I spent a long weekend in Carbondale, CO for my cousin Darryl and his girlfriend Susan’s wedding. It was a long trip (and an even longer trip back thanks to all this rain), but it was great to see family and celebrate with Darryl and Susan. While we were out west, between all the festivities, we managed to squeeze in a white water rafting trip on the Colorado River (I hope to post some photos from my disposable waterproof camera later this week) and a gondola ride up Iron Mountain in Glenwood Springs. Click the above image to see photos from the weekend (minus the river rafting photos that I am waiting to get back. I will post them separately).

I took both the above photos of the Prudential Building as seen from Commonwealth Avenue today. Together they illustrate the forecast here for the next week or so – hot and humid with scattered thunderstorms. It was in the 90s Sunday and Monday – today it was a refreshing 84. Since work has central AC, I am almost eager to get there in the morning…if that’s not an indicator, I don’t know what is.

So Aaron and I went to see X-Men: The Last Stand the other night. It was just ok. I gather this one was done by a different director than the first two, and for me there was a noticeable difference. There was more cheesiness and less character development in this one. That said, there was still plenty of action to keep us entertained. It just felt a little routine and unimaginative, but a fine, mindless, popcorn movie nonetheless.

So, this past Saturday Mom and I threw a baby shower for Amy in my parent’s backyard. Despite all our crossed fingers and wishful thinking it rained all day. Friends and family were good sports though and joined us under the tent for food, drink and celebration of Amy’s pregnancy. While the ladies were showering (in more ways then one), Joe, Aaron, James, Peter, Dad and Uncle Ken spent the day golfing together in the rain and got even wetter. We had all hoped for a better day, but didn’t let the conditions get in the way.
Click on the above photo to see more pictures from the Shower.

I have just finished reading Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro, recommended to me by good friend Bonney. Now don’t judge a book by its title, this is not some trashy, sappy love story as the title may imply. I will admit that while I was reading this book, I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not – but now that I am done, and it has soaked in a bit, I can say that I enjoyed it. To be very vague, as I don’t want to ruin it for anyone, the book tells the story of three children (Kathy, Ruth and Tommy) who grow up together at a prestigious boarding school in England – and you’re probably thinking, oh I’ve read stories like that, but this one has a rather dystopian twist. From the very beginning of the book, as the reader, you can feel that you don’t have the full picture yet. Ishiguro slowly gives you hints and glimpses of what’s going on, and you find the story is pulling you along as you put the pieces together. It’s a sad, enigmatic story, but you’ll still be thinking about it long after you read the last page.

Last weekend when Rita was here visiting, she, Aaron and I sat down and watched this movie over pizza on Saturday night. I can honestly say this was one of the funniest new movies I have seen in a long time. The film had a great balance of good writing, and physical comedy mixed with embarrassingly relatable moments. Steve Carell was excellent in the title role as a charmingly real guy who was vulnerable, a little self-loathing, and yet likable. We laughed out loud, a lot.