Meals Make Memories

Hard to believe but I've been back in the States for almost two months. Looking back on the past eight weeks the highlights are the meals I've shared with friends and family. Tonight I'm thanking my generous house-hosts with a meal of dishes inspired by these adventures. Here are some of the dining inspirations...in no particular order...

• Jerk highlights from my Jamaica adventure and wedding caterer tasting with Matthew, Rachel and Ann
• Sandwich assembly party with the Century Bike Ride group
• Giant stir fry to commemorate the world's biggest stir fry I made for mom, dad and grammie in Stamford
• Maine delights from the picnic and bbq with Sharon Dee-Dee and Jamie
• Ice Cream indulgence adventure with Matthew at Marlene's house
• Garrison Keillor Picnic with Rachel, Matthew, Mandeep and Carol
• Tapas with Damon in Philadelphia
• Johnny Rockets with Sam in DC
• Salad extravaganza with Grandma, Aunt Patty and Ben Greenfield in Stamford
• B. Smith southern delights with John in the DC train station
• Hot dog indulgence with Grammie in Stamford
• Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery with Karen and Rachel in Stamford
• Diner dining with Lori and Jessica to sooth poison ivy in Stamford
• Wheat-adventures with Marlene in Virginia
• Fish Tacos at TGIF with Brechin in Philadelphia
• Delectable eats at the Native American museum with Julie and John in DC
• Teaism with Bernie during our bike ride side-track
• Corn bread spood bread at the Hinton birthday extravaganza
• Tacos with Peyton
• Home cooked fancy feasts with Matthew and Rachel in DC
• Scones and tea with Grandma in Greenwich
• Fish cakes at the wedding I photographed with Geneve
• Lebanese Tibernia with Matthew and then again with the Bike Group

Now to do some shopping for tonight's meal.

Comcast Center Delights and Surprises

Philly's architecture rocks. Comcast Center is the newest and tallest building in the city and it gracefully adorns the skyline. Opened June 8, 2008 it is a fully green and sustainable building and yet the most exciting feature is the use of clever art components that surprise and delight you.

The lobby is filled with art and at 8pm on Saturday, people were mezmorized by the lobby artwork. Above your head is a sculptural installation by Jonathan Borofsky featuring business people walking along metal beams. This is mimicked in the video imagery shown on the ever-changing lobby wall. which blends business with nature.

“The Comcast Experience,” is featured in the lobby, a ground-breaking hi-definition video wall standing 83.3’ wide by 25.4’ high, showcasing a one-of-a kind intersection of media, technology and public art - according to their press release.

Lost & Found

When I was in Jamaica last month treating myself to a much needed holiday, I purchased a pretty ankle bracelet from an artist on the beach. For the past month I've been wearing that bracelet as a touchstone for reminding myself of how I felt so lost and confused and then made the decision to move back to San Francisco.

The first morning of the Americans for the Arts Convention here in Philadelphia - Thursday - I noticed that the anklet fell off. Here and there I missed it but wasn't really bothered, It felt like a metaphor for being lost, finding myself and then letting when I re-connected with my fantastic arts network here at the Convention.

This morning I thought that I should at least ask at the Convention registration desk if they have a lost and found. Sure enough, there was my anklet sitting in a glass bowl set off to the site of the registration tables. Putting it back on was so wonderful - a reminder of being lost and found.

Being here with my fantastic network of arts and culture managers has reinforced how supportive I feel in returning home to San Francisco. People not only remembered me but had heard that I was returning, had been reading the blog and were so excited to reconnect when I finally land back in SF on June 28.

Truly lost and found.