Tonight was the CSS and Sleigh Bells show at First Avenue. The Sleigh Bells album has grown on me so much this year -- it's one that I play frequently at alarmingly high volumes when I need to plow through a ton of work. I was super excited to see the show, and Jamie was super excited to stay home and avoid the hipsters, so I went with my buddy Pat.Visually, the duo put on an amazing performance (and the opener, CSS, put on an even better one) but due to all the insane lighting changes (strobes, strobes and more strobes) this show was nearly impossible to shoot. It's rare that I attend shows where strobes are going on through *entire* songs, but I guess I should figure out a better game plan for that. Anyway, the rest of the take is up over here if you would like to check it out.

Have I mentioned how great the weather is here this week? Oh I have? Because it is finally gorgeous out! FINALLY! I drove home near the lakes and stopped to snap this image of a sailing class that was going on. Nice, eh? We are finally in the short and sweet part of the year where Minnesota is the best place on earth.

Look at this handsome boy! If only you understood his fear of docks and lakes, you might appreciate this image even more! Last year Merlin accidentally fell into a lake off of a dock like this, and let me tell you, this boy? This boy right here? He *hates* getting wet. The fear in his eyes as he was fully submerged for the first (and probably last) time of his life? That was priceless.So tonight after work, the whole family went to Lake Harriet for a nice walk in this stunning weather we're having. After about 40 minutes of hearing Merlin bark at other dogs (seriously dude? GIVE IT A REST.), I decided he needed to earn his keep and pose for me on the dock. He was so over-stimulated by the people/dogs that he trotted right out to the dock. And then froze in his tracks and *very slowly* turned around. He was so nervous that he became very obedient, stopped barking and laid down and stayed while I shot images with tons of dogs walking behind me. Had I really been trusting, I would have taken off his leash for a better shot. But this one is good enough.The light and the flowering trees down at the lake were so gorgeous tonight that I took a bunch of family shots. Well... everyone but me. Anyway, if you want to see my loved ones goofing off in the wonderful spring weather, look here. Aren't they cute!?

Man, today was busy. Lots of work, several meetings and then a wonderful bike ride and barbeque. This image was taken after a meeting I had out at Lake Minnetonka. It was a beautiful car -- exactly like the one that Kelly McGillis drove in Top Gun. I couldn't help but stop to take a shot or two.Later, I biked over to Meredith's for a cookout and to see some friends. The weather was so great (high of 65!) and it was a wonderful end to the day. You can see a few of my favorite shots from that part of the day over here. Lots of dogs, lots of food, beautiful weather, and bubbles!* Note to self: Take some Zyrtec before biking around the lake next time. Man-oh-man am I feeling these allergies.

Do you remember that? When your mom or dad would throw you in the air and all of your troubles ("troubles") would disappear? Yeah, long time ago, huh? Sigh. We should somehow get back to that easy happiness in life, I think. If you learn the secret on how to let your stress go that easily, please share with me. And yes, I mean without a glass of wine.I shot a bunch of photos for this family early this morning in the lovely sunshine (finally! sun!), and then came home and napped with my collie. He is a perfect snuggle partner as he doesn't really fidget and he's the perfect warmth in this chilly spring weather. And every so often he lets out a happy sigh/groan just to let you know that he's thrilled to be napping with you.Later in the day my friend Stacy and I went to see a movie, "Bill Cunningham's New York." If you are either a photographer or a fashion lover or a newspaper lover or a work-horse or a lover of New York City, you should see this film. It was just so charming. I highly recommend it -- and good for a date night as well.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Admitting you have a problem is half the battle, right? So here we are, back at Tilia for dinner. I just can't stay away!Tonight I tried the brisket and left the hot dogs for someone else. Man, was this food amazing.But you know what? Jamie's was even better than mine. He had the fish torta, and wow, that was just fantastic. That's what I'm gonna get next time, for sure.Anyway, we introduced our friends Brad and Candice to the place, and I think they were pretty crazy about it as well. And while we were eating? I ran into an intern from work, a different co-worker and his family, my next-door neighbors as well as some clients I had met with just a few hours earlier. I am telling you, this place is THAT good. Go. Now.

Meet Eero Ellis. Our buddies Eric and Betz (OK, mostly Betz) had this little guy late on Wednesday night, and we stopped by to meet the bugger in person tonight. What a cutie! And so much hair! And such cute little ears! And wow, such a hard sleeper!We had pizza and heard about the adventures in baby having and man, it's just really good to see two of our great friends so happy and healthy and... happy. Did I say that already? Yeah. It's pretty cool.

Today was looooong. I had so much work to do, and I didn't get home until after 7:45. But you know what? I got home and not only had Jamie cooked a big pot of soup for dinner, but he had a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge. Yeah, I know. I got me a keeper.