À la recherche du temps perdu, y'all

Last weekend we attended a college reunion, the number of which I find astonishingly large. How has that much time passed so quickly?!

Old buddies, and even an old favorite professor [we were all somewhat flabbergasted to realize how close to us in age many of these revered figures are], made the visit worthwhile. Plus we spent enough time on the campus that its current incarnation, considerably different from its appearance when we were there, now seems a bit more familiar and less disorienting to us. 

Graduating in 1971 and 1972.5, we left Rice just as it was beginning a phase of amazing expansion and building frenzy. Not to mention the city as a whole, which has also grown and prospered hugely in the years since our graduations. The medical center in particular, whose buildings now somewhat overshadow that side of campus. In our day, only by walking along the southern edge of Rice could you see the buildings beyond. Now architecturally interesting—and gigantic—structures like the Methodist hospital ship on the right, are visible from anywhere.

So the rather sleepy and spacious campus environment that we remember is no more. But the campus that's home to the new generation is in many ways both more lovely and more stimulating. In my next post I'll show you some of the great art and architecture we noticed on our various walks around the area.

But back to homecoming activities. We spent an extra day in Houston this time, in order to take advantage of what continues to make Rice a wonderful place, no matter what the buildings look like. I'm referring to the great faculty and the atmosphere of intellectual challenge that permeates the place. We took in some of the homecoming lectures and enjoyed them thoroughly. From getting a new perspective on the intellectual life of Thomas Jefferson, to learning about how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, we almost felt like undergraduates again—with the added benefit of not having to take any tests!

There was also a class of 1971 dinner that was most enjoyable, a general alumni barbque, and, of course, a football game. The game was actually pretty exciting (we even won) but the highlight of Rice football games is always the MOB (Marching Owl Band, the first word of which is rather misleading since they don't do any actual marching).

How many marching bands feature a strings section?

As irreverent as their style is, they still perform the required functions, such as playing the fight song at appropriate moments, the alma mater after the game, and the national anthem before it. Below is a picture during the latter activity, with the flag actually being made to wave when the words refer to that motion:

We finished up the homecoming activities with a look in at a volleyball game. The gym has been refurbished and expanded, of course, since our days on campus, and we wanted to see the changes. Plus that game was also fun and had a good result, a Rice win. (I took the picture at the top of the post in the newly spiffy gym.)

Next up, I'll treat you to some photos of nifty scenes around campus. Including the newest piece of sculpture, the stylistic owl you see below. A friend took this picture after giving me a tour of the—naturally—renovated and expanded library.

But the curving wall behind me in the photo is the outside of the Rice Chapel, which some readers might remember is where Henry and I got married (also a very long time ago). And as I mentioned in the earlier blog post, it is among the few spaces on campus that looks just like it did then. Rather comforting amid all the other ch-ch-changes.

Wordless Wednesday: PLEASE don't tell me it's Christmas already

A hint of fall

Yes, we had our first overnight dip into the 40's this week. But what I'm referring to is the smidgen of color we saw in the trees along the river, while paddling Saturday. 

The rainstorm we had a few weeks ago meant that the Upper Guadalupe is just barely navigable again, and it was my favorite stretch that was selected by our Dear Non-Leader for the outing.

I do mean just barely navigable, and we had lots of scrambling, getting in and out of the boats, pulling the boats, walking the boats, etc. So much effort that I probably won't go again until/unless we get some more rain. But golly! What a beautiful day! In spite of the sore muscles and utter exhaustion, I'm very glad I paddled.

Particularly wonderful, as often happens, were the trees. The beautiful giants just starting to blush for fall in most of my pictures are bald cypress, and they are a wonder to behold along the Guadalupe.

Enormously tall, with smooth gray trunks and, often, roots like modern sculptures (you can see several root pictures in this earlier paddling post), their branches make a fabulous canopy to float under.

The cool fall weather, while not deterring those of us with [closets-full of] the proper gear, does mean there are few other humans on the river. Which makes it easier to see birds. Like this perching vulture, sitting in some other kind of tree than a cypress, and one that might end up someday providing a navigational challenge should it topple into the river. 

I even saw some V's of geese heading south. Unfortunately, too quickly for my camera. Which is another reason I like trees. They just stand there and let you take their pictures, no special skill or fast shutter required.

DC cuisine

Our nation's capital doesn't have the reputation for great food that some other cities do. But I can testify that, like in many other great cities, mediocre restaurants don't last long in the greater Washington area. On my latest trip there, last week, I had some great meals again.

Like this mango chicken salad for lunch at the Hamburger Hamlet in Crystal City. It was so pretty I had to take its picture, and it was tasty, too. Our merry band of Texas librarians likes this restaurant for our lunch get-togethers since it's close to the hotel and takes good care of large groups.

A smaller subset of the Texas group had another great meal at the Dubliner pub on Monday night. And we had a great time, as you can see on the left. (I was particularly happy to have found Magner's cider there on draft, the first time I've had this wonderful beverage since leaving London three years ago!)

We were in the District visiting the Government Printing Office Building, a very attractive structure you can see below. They are celebrating their 150th birthday this year, and they've put up a very nice historical exhibit that we were keen to see. A bonus was the recommendation from a GPO employee to eat at the pub, where the fish and chips were terrific, and there was that wonderful cider!

I went to several other fine eating establishments in the Arlington/Pentagon City area near the hotel during my stay. I really wish I'd thought to photograph the scrumptious Kibbeh I had on my last night, at the Lebanese Taverna in Pentagon Row. Scrumptious!

The most impressive place I went, though, was amazing as much for its concept as for the food: Noodles. (I know it's a chain, but it's a new one to me. Their locations are mostly across the mid-section of the country but they do have 3 Texas shops—all of them in Austin, wouldn't you know!)

Anyway, what I think is so brilliant about this place is that they take advantage of the fact that so many cuisines feature—noodles. And you can have your choice there among Italian, Asian, Russian, American, all in one place, at very reasonable prices, all quite delicious, and served promptly (an important point when you want to be sure and get back for your afternoon meetings).

I had pesto for one Noodles lunch, but a couple of my friends had good old mac-and-cheese and it looked so good. I was really glad to have the opportunity to have a second lunch there and I didn't miss the chance to have it myself this time. Henry thinks I'm nuts to wax so rhapsodic over such a prosaic dish, but, when done right, it can be like nectar and ambrosia...

....and I would say the Noodles crew definitely does it right.

Wordless Wednesday: views from on high

Monumental variety

Just by chance, I landed in Washington on the dedication day of the new Martin Luther King memorial. It was supposed to happen a couple of months ago, but they had the bad luck of picking a day that hurricane Irene fancied, too! So it got rescheduled to the morning of the 16th.

I was planning on going over there to see it anyway, so it was an extra treat to be part of a still substantial crowd. Which made it very easy not to get lost on the way to the site! And taking in an absolutely gorgeous afternoon was an even bigger bonus.

The memorial is located on the Tidal Basin, at the opposite end from my still-favorite memorial, the Jefferson. And I hoped getting to it would lead me to the FDR memorial, which is also on the shore of the Basin, and which I've tried—unsuccessfully—to find on more than one previous mall trip.

On the right you can see the impressive bulk of the MLK from a ways along the Basin. Notice the crowds!

Walking along the shore of the Basin, you get some great views looking back toward the main part of the mall. We thought the Washington Monument looked pretty cool with all the contrails...

This time I walked around the Basin in the right direction and finally found the FDR memorial. And it's a lovely, interesting structure. Or, more accurately, a series of structures.

There are several separate sculptures, fountains (see one on the left), inscriptions, and open spaces, all tucked away in a pleasant grove of trees and looking out over the Tidal Basin. No wonder I had trouble finding it before; I was looking for something more visually obvious.

Given that Roosevelt was President for four terms, a period which spanned some of the most momentous events in 20th century history, it makes sense that the memorial covers a lot of ground, as it were.

FDR was well-known for inspiring speeches and some of his most famous lines are incised on granite throughout the memorial. Most I recognized but I must admit that the wonderful lines above this statue were new to me:

They who seek to establish systems of government
based on the regimentation of all human beings
by a handful of individual rulers...Call this a new order.
It is not new and it is not order.

About as good a succinct indictment of nazism as I can think of.

A simpler sentiment is expressed, in a very unique and interesting way, in this "sculpture":

The full quotation for which these three words are the conclusion appears elsewhere in the memorial:

I have seen war... I have seen war on land and sea.

I have seen blood running from the wounded...I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed...I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives.
 I hate war.

I was especially pleased to see that Franklin's wife, Eleanor, one of my favorite historical heroes, wasn't forgotten by the memorial planners. (see right)

Since the FDR memorial is about half-way around the Basin, we decided to keep going and make the full circuit. It might not look like it on the map, but, believe me, it's quite a hike!

However, with views like the one below to inspire and refresh you on the way, it's very, very pleasant.

On the right is the wonderful Jefferson memorial, that we were unfortunately too pooped to really visit. But it's so beautiful from the outside that I always enjoy seeing it even from a distance.

You can also see the towers of the old Smithsonian and the Old Post Office, in between the Jefferson's dome and Washington's obelisk.

We had to walk almost all the way over to the Smithsonian to get our metro back to the hotel. Whew! But it was good to get plenty of exercise in the bank in anticipation of four days of sitting and meeting (and eating). 

Not much more blog-worthy happened on my trip, but I do have a few more photos for you in the next post.

Leaving newly familiar confines...

We just got this super-comfortable and super-snazzy new bed a couple of weeks ago. (The ol' waterbed finally sprung its last leak.)

So it's harder than usual to head off on a trip. (What also makes it not so much fun is that 1) it's for work and 2) I'm also leaving hubby behind.) But my librarians' meetings in Washington are enjoyable.

And this will be my first trip fully connected, as I'm taking my new phone in lieu of the clunky old laptop (which I used to think was a pretty nifty item to have along when traveling). I can't wait to try out the free Washington Metro app I downloaded!

So if I can figure out how to post to the blog from the device—which should be easy, right?—I'll at least do a Wordless Wednesday for you.

But in case I can't, I'll try to have some good pix and stories ready to go when I get back to the more familiar 20th century technology.