Today in Midtown

I was near Times Square this morning for a conference. I took this pic of me with the nearly completed Bank of America tower, which will be taller than the Chrysler Building.

Desirelines

My friend Jesus started a new band called Desireline. They had their first show at Trash Bar on Grand Street in Williamsburg, a short walk from my apartment. Nick and I walked over there tonight with our friend Aaron. The band sounded great. Their album is available on iTunes.

News Flash: The Olympic flame is ridiculous!

It doesn't matter if the Olympic flame is carried to the top of Mount Everest. I never harbored negative feelings about the flame until I saw the throngs of police running alongside the torch-bearers and attacking protesters who got too close in Paris, London and other cities. I remember watching the torch go by in Eugene, Oregon in 1996. I even held the torch after the flame was passed off to another runner, and the previous torch-bearer let me pose for a photo. But with China hosting the Olympics I'm a lot more critical. I know the U.S. has engaged in plenty of human-rights abuses and doesn't always live the democracy it preaches, but China is awful and the Olympic "tradition" shouldn't be used as an excuse to justify their government's behavior. We really have no choice when it comes to supporting China through our purchases of everyday goods. We do have a choice when it comes to the Olympics. Maybe the flame should be left atop Mt. Everest, where the air is so thin people looking at it might think China will be reformed through economic integration and sales of Olympic hats.

Stay Out of the Flowers, Kids!

Cherie took this pic of Noelle and me in Central Park today during our lunch break. Noelle was amused because I yelled at two kids who were in the flower bed trampling the tulips. I tell ya...kids these days...

Striking a Pose on Park

Here's a pic of Jesse and Cherie, half of the lunch-bunch, taken today on Park Avenue and 58th Street. We were on our way to Central Park to enjoy the 78-degree weather.

Ephraim Larson Reunion

This is my dad's side of the family, photographed at my dad's house on Saturday in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Antelope Canyon

We took a tour of Antelope Canyon today near Page, Arizona, after spending two days at the Grand Canyon. Antelope was amazing. Our Navajo guide guided a small group through and pointed out several of the best spots for photographs. We took this one with a tripod we bought at Wal-Mart (yes, I know...) in Flagstaff.

Beautiful Day in Sedona, Arizona

I made it to Arizona late Saturday night to begin a week-long vacation. Nick and I stayed at a crappy Travelodge on I-17 in Phoenix. We left for Sedona first thing in the morning. It was a beautiful drive north through the desert. On the way we stopped at Montezuma Castle National Monument, the remains of a 600-year-old native American dwelling. Once we made it to Sedona, we explored the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross built in 1956 and designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright student. After an amazing lunch at Heartline Cafe (almond-crusted trout and a salad with berries) we hiked up Cathedral Rock and took a ton of photos, including this one, which was taken with my cell phone so I could send it to a few friends. We eventually made our way to Flagstaff, which is where we are now.

Aunt Bernice

My Aunt Bernice passed away this week in Arizona. She was very sweet. Her and her husband Roy had been together for 60 years. She was one of five (I think) children from my late Grandpa Larson's first wife. My dad is one of five children from his second wife, my late Grandma Larson. I took this photo a year ago at a family reunion in Queen Creek, Arizona. The album can be viewed here.

Reality TV Tryout

My friend Chris is visiting from LA, casting for a reality TV show. Noelle and I tonight borrowed the backdrop he uses for the candidates' interviews to do a little photo shoot of our own. Happy Friday.

I Stopped Shaving

Sprouting

Here's a pic of more Spring-like behavior in an otherwise Wintry-feeling city. I want some warmth! Last weekend was so nice; I almost thought we were done with chilly walks to the subway. Even Tuesday was nice enough for Nick and I to jog after work across the Williamsburg Bridge. Oh, well. At least we'll be in Arizona in just over a week, touring the Grand Canyon in the sun!

LA Invasion

My good friend Chris and his assistant Michelle are in town from LA. They're casting for yet another reality TV show. I took them to Therapy Lounge in Hell's Kitchen, where we had a few drinks, and were subjected to American Idol being played on the big screen. I have to say, that show gets dumber and dumber each year. I know it sounds like my typical cynicism, but it's really true. There was hardly any music, and they exploited Ethiopian children. Sad.

Jay Z?

Most of the cars that park in the plaza outside my newsroom office are black, so this red number stood out. Everyone thought it was Jay-Z's car (his girlfriend Beonce lives in our building), but he came out shortly after I took this photo and got in another overpriced car. We were all left wondering which overpaid banker it belongs to.

Wow, That's So Deep

It seems like every month Bloomingdale's, which is just across the street from Bloomberg on 58th Street and Lexington Avenue, is redecorating its window displays. This display, which I photographed today during my lunch break, convinced me they let the winner of a reality TV show be in charge.