Thursday, March 4, 2010

My Dad's 50th Birthday

My dad was born in the year 1960. For his 50th birthday he fashioned a 60's-themed party at our house. The whole week prior he dug around in the basement and attic searching for his childhood toys and art pieces to display during the party. The morning of the party, there was a blizzard taking place outside. I could tell he was bummed that many people would not be able to make it, especially the out-of-towners. However, all the guests miraculously showed up and his efforts were not in vein. I think we all really enjoyed ourselves.

This jell-o came from a copper lobster mould that hung in his parent's kitchen.
My 16-year-old nephew, Chris, looking like a greaser.

Me trying my best to be go-go. My mom helped me tease my hair.
This is my dad's model car collection that he's won many awards for. He says the cars on the second shelf to the top are his master's thesis, and the top shelf models are his doctorate thesis. He is the model car king.
For his 25th birthday, my mom, pregnant with me, took a boob cake "clad in a yellow bikini" to my dad at his work. 25 years later, he insisted on a replica of the original cake.
Young grandkids looking on, my dad blew out the candles on the boob cake. He's either pleased with himself, or questioning the appropriateness of the boob cake in this picture.
My dad and his two siblings playing with his (very) old electric train set. My dad is the middle child.
My parents in their 60's attire. You can't really see in the photo, but my mom has a school-girl bow in her hair.
My pregnant sister looking grooooovy :)

Sweet Home Chicago

There was a blizzard on my first day back in Chicago. If Cape Town could see me now...

My very good friend, Lisa Goepfrich, was kind enough to through me a swell soiree at her place the Friday after I got back into town. I was excited to see some familiar faces :) These are a selection from the decent shots of the evening. Above, Kate, Whitney, and myself.
Adam Kaplan and I went to Columbia together and then both ended up as associate editors at Towers Productions.
Rachel Bernstien produces at Towers Productions. Her current series, "Behind Bars" airs on the Discovery Channel.
yes, and the lovely Sarada, who also produces for Towers. Like I said, this is a small selection of photos from the night. They all look about like this: me smiling with each guest - typical photo stylings of the photographer, Ms. Goepfrich.

Nairobi, Kenya early February



This woman is a friend of my friend Cynthia's mother; got that? She is as sweet as pie and hung out with me while Cynthia was at work. She even did my haggling for me at the markets in Swahili so that I could get the "local" price. This is her in front of her giant home. She and her husband own a business that sells computer equipment. She has been to the states many times to visit her children that live there.

Her backyard is opposite the "president" of Somalia's backyard.


Downtown Nairobi.

The license plate on the left is red to signify that a United Nations worker drives that vehicle. The UN has two headquarters, one in New York City and one in Nairobi. They are a very privileged demographic in Nairobi; they have their own heavily guarded shopping center and petrol station.

This is Cynthia's mom on her small farm outside of the city. She is also as sweet as pie. (I have no idea where I got that expression from).


Cynthia's parent's house on the farm outside of the city.


Flying out of CT

Devil's Peak outside of my window on my last morning in Cape Town, FEB. 04.