Vignettes

The terrible traffic and ramped up security made me suspicious, the sea of Port-a-Potties and a rainbow of tracksuits confirmed it. Today is the start of Penn Relays, the oldest and largest track and field competition in the country. With more than 22,000 high school- and college-age participants, this event is held annually at Franklin Field, just a block from my offices.
-----------------------
Just after the rains had passed, I walked down Walnut Street in the track meet bus shadows across the Schuykill to meet up with a friend. We chatted and ate at Tria Cafe, a busy wine bar on a breezy corner near Rittenhouse Square. The highlight, besides the conversation, was definitely the Tuscan Three Cheese Potato Chips with Herbed Truffle Aioli, aka fancy chip-n-dip. Afterward, we walked the paths of the Square until dizzy; wet, fallen petals sticking to our sandals and hair.
-----------------------
After careful consideration, Gus decided tonight to accept a generous offer to work as a CRNA at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The Chief CRNA whom Gus told squealed into the phone, so clearly she is as happy as we are with this news. At 208 days and counting, we now know where we will be post-graduation. Oh, what a feeling!