Block Head

A split-roof dormer on Block Island could be seen as an eye in a shingled head. There is also a red-head in the window. Anthropomorphically speaking, this house seems either sleepy or surprised, but realistically speaking, it is just materials and colors.

Around the Block Island

Block Island Rhode Island (an island so nice they almost named it twice) has plenty 'o old fashioned charm. A bit like Martha's Vineyard used to be - low key, low stress, simple beauty (but still good food). Walking out to Dead Eye Dick's - a great seafood restaurant from the '50's, overlooking New Harbor - we glimpsed idyllic cottages nestled in moorish dunes through the interstitial spaces of village
structures.

Been at Jerry's

Originally Hoffman's Cafeteria (not famous), this superfine Streamline Moderne was dashed off by the prolific pen of Henry Hohauser in 1940. Looking like a series of rollers that could press meat (or customers) it is hard to resist the inward attraction that this fresser palace imparts.

However this time I did resist, as I wished for pork belly, found at Pubbelly, in a ramen miso soup.

Tropical Court House

At CNU 20, several of us decided to rent a cottage in a real neighborhood behind the convention, a nice change from the soulless corporate lodging containers. We we lucky to find the Tropical Courts (http://www.westpalmbeachvacation-rentals.com) that had two lovely bedrooms, living room, kitchen, overlooking this Barraganesque wall/fountain/pool.

I'm sorry I missed so many sessions at the CNU, but I'm not sorry.

Where Did I Place That City Place?

Creating cities is not so easy these days. For most of our history, it has simply been one of the main ways we made our human nest. But zoning codes, highways, urban destruction and general stupidity makes it a miracle when anything resembling a city appears.

CityPlace in West Palm Beach is shown in this slice 'o tower, framed by an arch, was built in 2000, and is better than many attempts. There is life on the street, nice public places to inhabit, and interesting details. It is certainly not perfect. Just like 'real' cities.