Mom and Dad Visit

A few weeks ago, Mom and Dad made their way out to the desert in Dad's truck. The truck made it without any trouble, even weighed down with some furniture for the condo. We went to the State Fair (I mean, we are in the fair business after all!), the movies (Social Network, which overall was a pretty good movie), worked our fingers to the bones (well, mostly Mom and Dad's fingers, but hey, they're the only skilled labor I can afford) and ate at some pretty tasty places (not the least of which was Buca di Beppo--highly, highly recommend it). I'll update the condo tour soon so you can see the new furniture--my new couch should arrive before Thanksgiving (fingers crossed!).

Mom in the sweat-shop (literally...still in the 90s)


Dad at the Fair






Dad and me with Megaman


Mom won a Megaman mask

My Friend, the Tortoise

When I walk to the main light rail stop on campus, I pass a little urban garden. On Thursdays, the garden opens up to host a small farmers' market, and one of the farmers (I'm not sure which one) brings a tortoise. This is no ordinary tortoise, though. This little guy lost a leg at some point, and whoever rescued or takes care of him has attached a wheel to his shell in the leg's place. It is fascinating to watch him scoot his way around the garden. The wheel doesn't exactly roll as if you watch a tortoise's movements closely you'll notice it's shell tips as it extends it leg forward to walk. So, the wheel rolls a little bit, but mostly it just keeps his shell from dragging on the ground, especially over the uneven terrain. Regardless of how functional the wheel is, he makes it work. One of my favorite parts of Thursdays is seeing him on my way home.

Hardware Stores, Sports, and BBQ

What do these three things have in common? Dad's trip to the desert. In the 4 days he was here, we hit every hardware store within a 5 miles radius of the condo, ate BBQ at some pretty darn delicious places, and attended 3 different sporting events (HS basketball practice, a Dbacks game, and the ASU football game). Here are a few pictures to tide you over. Sorry I'm slow in posting. Once I turn in a paper on Wednesday, things should slow down a little bit (at least until the end of the semester).

Chase Field from by the pool in right field. Dad scalped them--Mom would have been appalled.


Not a great picture, but it is the only one I took of both of us.


Dad loved the light rail. This is after the game, right outside the stadium.


Go Devils!


Fireworks during the pregame show.


Dad secretly cheered the the Ducks, who won.