Great article in the Kansas City Star on WSU coach Mark Turgeon.

With mom in town for the holidays... played this mind game at the Wired Store in Soho. Today--visiting Ellis Island.

Verdi's Don Carlo at the Metropolitan Opera. This production had an all-star cast, featuring Johan Botha as Don Carlo, Patricia Racette as Elisabeth, Rene Pape as King Philip, Olga Borodina as Princess Eboli and Sam Ramey as the Grand Inquisitor--one of the strongest ensembles I've ever heard at the Met. Rene Pape is without equal and Borodina has one of my favorite voices. The orchestra was expertly conducted by James Levine. If--after five hours of opera--you're left wanting more, they must be doing something right. (Read the NYT review)

This weekend: trip to Syracuse for the Wichita State - Syracuse game. Once again, Shocks win, 64-61. See highlights of the game on YouTube here. On the way to Syracuse, had lunch in Ithaca at the fantastic Moosewood Restaurant, and visited Cornell and one of the famous gorges. Stopped at one of the Finger Lakes wineries for a tasting.