a return to normalcy

I'm back on the job, the family is back in Illinois, and this whole primary madness is finally behind us. So its starting to feel like "normal" again around here, if there is such a thing. It was really great to have my parents around for a nice visit. This was the first time they got to see the house where Krysta and I have lived together for four years now, and we got to introduce them to our little corner of the city. We even hit up several things on this rather bizarre, tournament-style list of the "64 Best Things About Los Angeles" by LA Magazine. Its a good conversation starter, at least.

We saw Iron Man at the Arclight, since I had given them an Arclight giftcard for Christmas a couple of years ago in hopes of encouraging their visit. I really enjoyed it about as much as I've enjoyed any recent superhero movie except maybe X2. It had a great sense of humor, and apart from the final confrontation lacking a little, delivered on its promise of a fun summer movie without feeling bloated or over-done.

I have to post these pictures, because I think they're fantastic (both from BagNewsNotes):












Despite Obama having effectively secured the nomination some time ago, Clinton and her supporters were determined to take this thing to the end. I can't really blame them, as they believed in their historic candidate just as much as I believed in mine. Having been really disappointed by Dean's flameout last time around, its really exciting to watch Obama officially take up the mantle as standard-bearer for the Democratic Party. He's got a tough road ahead, but for a few days its nice just to enjoy the fact that he's made it this far.

I promise there are pictures and stories from Poland coming. Honestly. But not this weekend.