Niagara Falls

Last weekend, Max and Dad flew to Buffalo / Niagara Falls. There, we met with our friends Piskunov (vacationing in the States). The weather was gorgeous and the views - spectacular.

View from Canadian Side
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Max's Rages

Left-handed Rage

Showering Rage

Stuffy Nose Rage

Blooming Spring 2013

April in Westport
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Cultured

Two main events of past week - Louis C.K. live performance in Stamford (great!) and "Mad Men" Season 6 premier (awkward...).

Louis C.K., complaining about his bulk, said that the worst part of his day is when he has to put socks on.

In overripe Mad Men, each character became a caricature on its former self, with exception of joke-cracking Roger, who became Woody Allen (as astutely observed Leon).

Travelers

Last week, Max with his French class was in Quebec. Irene was at a conference in Monterey (by way of San Francisco).

At the Pier 39
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On the way to Canada
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Before Smartphones

This rage comic "Before Smartphones", by Max, collected over 250,000 views and counting

Before Smartphones, by Max

In L.A. with Krauses

In L.A. with Krauses
(click here for more pictures)

Fame

Max played Professor in St.Luke's production of the musical "Fame Jr."
(click here for larger pictures)

Leon 2.0

Turn sound ON

Snowbird, Utah

Alik and I went to a short skiing trip to Snowbird, Utah. 

The views were spectacular and the 11K mountain kept us quite challenged.

Chip's Run, Snowbird, Utah

See more pictures here

Downstairs

Not to be outdone by Lord Grantham of Downton Abbey hiring of a new footman, we hired two new domestic staffers - Roomba and Mint.

Silent, well trained and discreet, they are absolutely marvelous.

Happy New Year

Max, Gangham Style

Westport Ice Rink, Dec 30, 2012

Nice Work If You Can Get It

We were in the first row, my seat was straight behind the conductor. The star of the show, Matthew Broderick, was looking into my eyes, smiling, winking... Only later, I came to realize that he was actually looking at the conductor...

Screen Tests by Max

Max continues experimenting with Lego animation techniques. The weapons theme is unfortunate, especially after Newtown, and we hope he is going to change that to something non-violent.

(Make sure the sound is ON, because his sound effects are even better than the animation)

Lego Weapon Store

Sniper Test

Walking Test

Flintlock Test

SLS Band Winter Concert

Irene Does Europe 3

In this episode, Irene goes back to London to buy more tea at Harrods. 

...Coming soon...

Thanksgiving Feast 2012

Zombie Experiment

Max's new short... It's very experimental...

Irene representing IBM at a panel discussion in New York

Gymnastics Dynasty Continues

Irene's presentation about herself to IBM's colleagues

Click here to see Irene's presentation about herself to IBM's colleagues

CSIdal Bomber

Max's Latest

(turn sound ON)

Athena

Not too bad

Sandy-shmendy

(news picture)

Sat 11/3

Parents got the power and the Internet back. Still, lots of trees hanging on the wires.

Fri 11/2

In the evening, we got the power and the Internet back, but parents are still without. The generator ran for 4 days non-stop, keeping us warm and entertained. Each day was about 10 gallons of gas ($45).

In the morning, got home telephone line working.

Thu 11/1

Ditto.


Wed 10/31

Still no power / no Internet. No repair crews on the streets - must be busy somewhere else.

Tue 10/30

We have no power (running on the generator) and no Internet, but other than that, all is normal. Not as bad as other storms of the past.

Phone line went dead.

Picked up Leon on Tuesday night - NYC below 38 street is all dark. So, the students were told to move to camp in the few buildings that have generators or to get out. Empty highways. Made it to Washington Square and back in less then 2 hours.

Mon 10/29

Power went out around 4PM.

Irene does Europe 2

Irene is back from the second European tour London - Paris - Amsterdam.

Here are the pictures:

London Album

Paris Album

Amsterdam Album

Ink Experiment

Max's painting Ink Experiment was named Artwork of the Week at school.

Ink Experiment, by Max (ink, carton)

Prepping for Halloween

Max raided the Army and Navy Surplus Store today.

Gone Fishing

Last weekend, Max, Dad went fishing in a good company of close friends. We rented this boat and set out  from the very tip of Long Island. Max turned to be an excellent sailor and a fisherman catching two sea bass despite rather rough seas. Dad - not so much. Stricken by sea sickness, he spent most of the long and fun nine hours horizontally in the cabin.

Pictures and the short movie below are courtesy of Oleg.

Vienna - Bucharest - Tallinn - Vienna

Click here for pictures from Irene's tour

Fame

From streets of Saratov

Irene does Europe

Irene is on a multi-country tour in Europe on IBM business.

At a conference in Tallinn