Muller wins one for Luxemburg

A rare occurrence: somebody from Luxemburg made headlines in the sports world. Some guy named Muller pulled a big upset in the US Open tennis tournament. So there, to all who underestimate the Grand Duchy. The match received lots of attention because the victim of the upset (a fella named Andy Roddick) is the most-hyped U.S. player, and much of the tournament marketing was centered on him. The entire exciting story can be found at http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen05/columns/story?id=2147513.

Scottsdale Princess

PJ and I spent the weekend at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort (it’s in north Scottsdale, about 15 minutes from our house). We were talking about taking a longer trip sometime during the summer (after all, we did celebrate our 25th anniversary this year), but work schedules and other stuff intervened. The Princess is a gorgeous resort and we had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. (On a less esoteric note, we also had a pretty unbelievable discount on the room resulting from a Phoenix chamber of commerce relationship.) Nice views of the McDowell Mountains from our room. Among other highlights, we had dinner at La Hacienda on Friday evening – it’s right on the property, and bills itself as the only AAA “Four Diamond” Mexican restaurant in North America – how do you beat that? The prickly pear margaritas are really nice (as a point of reference, they were easily competitive with the Z Tejas variety (which several blog invitees have sampled)). I had the Filete al Cilantro, and PJ had the Costillas de Cordero. Check out the descriptions: http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/Facilities/CDRestaurantDetail/0,1130,facility%25255Fcode%253DREST%252B%2526property%25255Fcd%253DSCP%2526property%25255Fseq%253D100129%2526facility%25255Fseq%253D1005333,00.html. Ridiculously good.

To top off a fine weekend, PJr and EPG both came home for a visit today. Both will head back to their campuses tomorrow morning. Kelly was pretty much alone over the weekend except for some visits by the Helstons. They report that Kelly was very relaxed and playful in the backyard (they couldn't find our house key and Kelly didn't let them inside). Unlike her usual behavior after we’re away (see August 21 entry below), the dog was in fine spirits on our return. I think I write about the dog too much, but I do find her lifestyle interesting.

First day of school! (PJ)

Taking photos of kids on their first day of school is a ritual in many families. I remember Grandma lining us up. Being forced to pose isn't really a serious insult, but it never felt like much fun given the depressing circumstance of facing another full school year. PJ required our kids to pose for the traditional photo each year. (I should line up those photos, it would make a neat gallery.) Our kids weren't always happy about posing; I would say their happiness decreased proportionately as their age increased.

Anyway, this is PJ's last year at ASU. Last chance to take a photo of her under these trying circumstances. Here she is, looking sharp with nifty backpack. She made me promise not to blog the photo, and I did promise (but my fingers were crossed). One unusual aspect of her first school day was dropping off laundry -- done the preceding night -- for fellow student PJr. I'm guessing no other ASU student started off their first day quite that way.

As far as the 1966 photo - this was Charlie's first day of school. With that bookbag, I'm guessing he was probably beaten up pretty badly (he looks like he might be expecting this). It looks like Steve and I were trying to be mildly uncooperative in terms of providing smiles. Cecilia and Dolores come across as old pros at this sort of thing.

U of A move-in (EPG)

We moved EPG into his Tucson apartment on Saturday; he starts classes on Monday. Car-loading process went smoothly on Saturday (after EPG stayed up until at least 3:30a organizing his stuff). Mary Beth and Meghan Stern stopped by to say good bye. But they weren’t particularly helpful to the loading process; just couldn’t live up to the standards set during move-out from EPG’s dorm last May. At least they brought some candy. The trip down was easy. We had to take two vehicles.

The apartment actually is quite nice (http://www.entradareal.com/live/site/trlm.rz) and well situated just west of U of A. We unloaded, and then had a surprisingly good lunch at the Marriott (order the chicken wrap next time you’re there). We did some shopping at big boxes like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Office Max, grocery store, said goodbyes and hit the road. We always enjoy visiting Tucson, though Kerry's absence (after four years) was noted. Fortunately EPG likely will be up in Phoenix next weekend for some conference.

Nice trip back as the sun was setting; the desert is awfully pretty that time of evening. Listened to Neil Young’s “Decade” most of the way (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002KCS/102-0714212-4656164?v=glance). I recommend it, even though I can’t figure out what he’s singing about. Chatted with PJ (using hands-free, Nicole) about evening plans. We eventually got together with the parents of one of Nicole’s Chicago roommates at Z Tejas; their youngest son is a freshman at ASU. Very nice evening; various ND connections (including Tom & Kim Lordan, who also stopped by).

(Oh, by the way. Our house was empty when we got back to Phoenix. We don’t have a child living with us for the first time since bringing Nicole from the hospital to our studio apartment in South Bend on ~May 8, 1981. Apparently we need to practice for this, since we left the house completely dark for the poor dog. So Kelly was pretty much freaked out by the time we returned.)

Outwitting an old dog (after just 4 months)

OK, so it took awhile. For the first time in her long-ish life, Kelly started barking a few months ago. She sat at the top of the staircase where she had a view out the round window . . . and yapped (incredibly loudly) at anything walking by as soon as daylight hit. With no daylight savings time here, this was pretty early. Ask Chris, who heard the pooch even with his usual complement of fans running in his BR. Maybe that's why he moved out to an apartment? Anyway, note the dark-colored sheet appended to the stair rail by paper clips. No more barking. Kelly still sits up there, possibly waiting for the sheet to disintegrate.

Move-in day for Paul Jr. at ASU

He's residing in Palo Verde Main. We had an incredibly easy time going through the paces (retrieving keys at Wells Fargo Arena, buying season football tickets, moving refrigerator into dorm, picking up student ID at Memorial Union (see separate photo), picking up ASU t-shirt, picking up books, etc.) The process seemed better organized than prior years, or maybe we're just used to it after doing this five times (starting with Nicole in fall 1999). PJ even showed us to a fine lunch at the College Deli. In a few days: moving Patrick into U of A for sophomore year!

Mug shot - take one (rejected).

The traditional student ID photo. For some reason, PJr thought it would be a good idea to take it (i.e., the photo) on the chin. This photo shows take one being shot. He failed to fool the photographer however; the little lady to the right ordered up a second photo.

Entertainment at Anchorage airport

"I think this fella is tougher than a grizzly bear!"

Gambel's Quail (test post)

PJ took this photo after PJr observed a family of Gambel's quail hanging out around the house. To give a sense of scale: that's a regular brick on which the chick sits. Two more chicks lurk on the stones. The Gambel's quail is my favorite AZ bird. Click on the photo to enlarge.