Summer in the Steger Garden (2014)

From Flowers

More photos after the jump.

Nebraska (2013)

IMDB

Nebraska (2013): Aging, confused father travels with hapless son to Nebraska to claim $1 million prize. Poignant. Small town black humor. A-

Touring Pasadena's Tournament House

From 2016 06 16 Tournament of Roses House

While visiting southern California for the Caltech commencement ceremony, Ellen and I took the opportunity to tour Pasadena's Tournament House. The house is not open to the public but the grounds and rose garden are. It's a quick stop, worthy of a stop if you are ever in Pasadena.

More photos after the jump.

The Time That Remains (2009)

IMDB

The Time That Remains (2009): Palestinian family's life from 1948-present. Visually lush. Story is absurd, surreal, numbing all at once. C+

Touring Arlington Garden in Pasadena

From 2014 06 16 Arlington Garden

While visiting southern California for the Caltech commencement ceremony, Ellen and I took the opportunity to tour Arlington Garden in Pasadena. It's a hidden gem, tucked away in a residential neighborhood, no signs, no parking lot, just a small neighborhood park. But what a park. If you find yourself in Pasadena with an hour to spare and wonder what to do, do yourself a favor and visit.

More after the jump.

Frances Ha (2012)

IMDB

Frances Ha (2012): Young dancer in NY struggles with career, rent, friends. Compelling look at being 27 and "not a real person yet." B+

OTBR: A Cycle Path in England

Latitude: N 52° 54.558
Longitude: W 001° 50.070

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".