ok, so i really haven't written something on here in a long time - whoops
travel - i went to aruba in april - that was a great time - i spend the entire trip under a cabana on the beach - i even went into the ocean - a bit - until a fish touched me - i really don't like being in the ocean up more than my ankles - but i did it once - so that is enough of that - it was beautiful though - i really want to go back to a tropical island again soon - i don't really have one in particular in mind - i wouldn't mind seeing as many as i can though - but i really should get back to aruba at some point and see a bit more of the island then just that beach - even if it was beautiful
so a few things i would suggest you do while in aruba - dinner on the beach - i absolutely suggest that - i have never had dinner on the sand like that before and it was so nice - and make sure you time it right for the sunset - that is very important - the sun set very fast there - so we were lucky that we were able to enjoy the sunset before our dinner came out - there were mosquitoes though - i am really not a fan of those, but i figure since i am living in new england at the moment, where they are the size of small dogs, i can't really complain about them
people watching - i like to do this - there is always someone interesting to watch, even when everyone is laying around on the beach - this was a public beach, so there were always locals around who were fishing - i didn't see many people get any interesting fish, but the pelicans certainly seemed to be doing a good job - one day there were a few people fishing with nets - i have never seen anyone doing that so that was really interesting to watch and they were able to collect a lot of small silver fish - in retrospect i wish i had done some more exploring of the island to get to know the culture more, but the whole point of the trip was to relax as best as possible given all the stressful times i had lately - and i have to say the trip was a complete success
with most of my trips, i try to fit in as much as possible - i try to see everything and go everywhere i can and not miss a second of it - i tend to take a lot of pictures because i feel like i won't remember it if i don't - every now and then it is an incredibly good idea to just stop that - to just experience the place and the relaxation of a spot - just sit back and watch the world go by - that is something that i am still working on, as i tend to prefer to be on the move, but i seem to have done a good job of it then - i spent days on a beach! i am not usually a fan of beaches, and a few hours are more than enough for me, but i didn't want to leave at all - i am so glad i did that and so glad i experienced what it was like to go on a "do nothing trip" - i should try more of those... so where to next?
So, I haven't written in a very long time. I guess I'm bad at consistency. But I do have some travel coming up, with the Dew Tour this weekend at Killington, Vermont. I'm heading up there this weekend with Dan and some friends. I'll be up on the side of the half-pipe as always and I'll be sure to take as many pictures as I can.
But that's not what I want to write about today. I often come across posts on websites and facebook about creating a bucket list of all the things you want to do. There is often a limiting number and some other rules about what can be included in this bucket list, like categories.
I never fill out these lists. I hate to think of putting boundaries on the things I will do in my life. I don't like to categorize my activities, and since my interests change so often, I don't think it would even be possible. A few years ago, I may have thought it would be nice to go to an action sports event, but I doubt I would have thought I'd do it. And to think that I would actually like to go snowshoeing? Who knew.
I have no idea what I want to do or what amazing things I will see in my life. I think that is the fun part. My interests are always changing and I am always surprised by the opportunities that are presented to me and turn into amazing new opportunities.
So, I won't be making a bucket list, but I will keep traveling. I will be checking out all the places I can and I will jump at the opportunities that I come across. Some of the most amazing things I have done have been the most random and have popped up in the weirdest places.
My hope for you is that you keep your eyes open and jump at the opportunities you come across, even in your own backyard. You never do know what is just around the corner.
I should be going on some sort of trip this weekend. After all, it is a three day weekend because of July 4th here in the US, so I should be out traveling and seeing the world. I don’t think that will be happening this year. I think this year I will do the whole July 4th thing the way most families do in this country: Grill, check. Picnic table, check. Outdoor couch, check. Beach down the road, check. This is a first for me, but I am actually spending a three day weekend at home, in my yard.
I guess there’s nothing wrong with it. It just seems a bit slow to me, but then again, time does move quite quickly these days. I think in general people don’t feel they have the time to really sit back and experience something. I notice that a lot when I travel somewhere. I never have a plan when I get to a place. I just sort of flow with whatever is going to happen that day. Sometimes I end up seeing a lot, other times I do nothing other than sit in a park and watch the world go by. I see so many others consulting their maps and guidebooks, searching their phones for things to do and restaurant reviews, and never just looking around them to see what is going on. I think that’s the key to successful travel: Observation. All the planning in the world will get you nothing if you don’t remember where you were in the first place. So, I will take that to heart this weekend. I am moving away from here in a few months, and I am going to take this time to observe everything around me. Never know what you might see if you try it.
I needed a break. This summer has been crazy already and it’s barely even started. I feel like I am traveling somewhere just about every weekend, but I don’t seem to get anywhere. School work has also been wearing me down. I never have been a fan of school, but for some reason, grad school is even worse. I don’t know why really. And it was our wedding anniversary. Unfortunately we didn’t get to spend it together, or even in the same state, so getting away for a bit was necessary.
I’ve wanted to go to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket since we moved up to New England. For some reason it’s taken me three and a half years to hop on the ferry and head on over to Martha’s Vineyard. Hopefully it won’t take me nearly so long to get back. The ride over from Wood’s Hole, MA is only 45 minutes, and on the way over we were able to sit on the top and watch the scenery go by (I am so thankful we got at least a few days of sun). The first thing I noticed when we pulled in to Oak Bluffs was the big park and beautiful Victorian houses all along the waterfront. I am a huge fan of Victorian architecture, so Oak Bluffs is like a dream town for me.
The view coming off the ferry from the mainland includes this beautiful park and a line of wonderful Victorian homes.
Much of Martha’s Vineyard is invaded by tourists every summer, maybe all of it, and their influence is everywhere. Like all tourist traps in New England, there are artsy shops on every block and high priced restaurants. There were more ice cream shops than there were blocks along the main street of each town. The main streets of the towns were crowded with tourists, locals, cars, bikes and mopeds, and yet I felt more peaceful there than I have just about anywhere else in New England. There is something about Martha’s Vineyard and maybe small islands else ware, that just makes you slow down and relax. There is no reason to rush around and there is no reason to stress about life. That is my kind of place.
A line of gingerbread Victorian homes along the Oak Bluffs Harbor
One suggestion I would give you is to get a bike on the island or bring yours with you. There is no need to have a car on the island with you. There are bike paths throughout the island and a great bus network to get you everywhere else. There are also plenty of taxis to get you around faster if you don’t want to wait for the bus to come. Not having a car will also help you to not over pack, a problem for most travelers out there. It will also save you money. If you leave your car on the mainland, you do have to pay for parking. But taking your car over to the island seems like a lot of hassle. You have to wait in line at the ferry to get on the boat, which may take several hours at times. You have to pay to take your car on the ferry, and then usually pay to park your car on the island, and gas prices are at least a dollar more than they are on the mainland. If you do plan on taking your car anyway, make sure you have a full tank before you leave the mainland if you don’t want to pay so much for gas. Once you get to the island, if you haven’t brought your car, there are bikes, mopeds and cars for rent.
The view from part of the bike path between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown
We brought our mountain bikes and rode the bus, but mainly walked. I loved walking and biking around Oak Bluffs. The gingerbread houses are beautiful and all of them are unique. I love the big, beautiful porches, and I could spend my entire summer out on one. All I need is a chair, a hammock and a grill. Perfect. We rode our bikes down to Edgartown one day and continued on to South Beach. I would highly suggest going early in the day to this beach. It gets crowded in the afternoon, but earlier in the day it was so relaxing with the beautiful sand and the big waves. I’m not brave enough to go into the freezing New England ocean, but my husband loved playing in the waves.
The waves from South Beach
While I loved the Victorian homes in Oak Bluffs, I think Edgartown was my favorite spot on the island. The architecture of this town is more the stereotypical New England with big cedar shingle houses with white trim. It was one of the more peaceful places I’ve ever been. There is a more mature vibe in Edgartown than Oak Bluffs (less kids) that I really liked. Walking around the neighborhoods was also really nice. It was striking how quite it was there, and by contrast how incredibly loud every place I have ever lived has been. I need to do something about that.
There were a few people just fishing their afternoon away on the Edgartown Pier
So I think that was a pretty good introduction to Martha’s Vineyard for us. We weren’t there for long, which is hopefully something that we can fix for next time so we can see more like the Clay Cliffs of Aquinnah, take the ferry over to Chappaquiddick, check out the galleries in Vineyard Haven and of course more beaches. We have to find the perfect one after all. Maybe I’ll just move there one of these days for a few years to really take in the peaceful island lifestyle.
Alright, so I admittedly haven't written on here in forever. But, honestly, there wasn't that much to write about. I've traveled back and forth to Pennsylvania a few times, but not to do anything interesting. I haven't even been up to the White Mountains lately. So, since it is now summer, I thought it was time to get you caught up on the summer plans.
First up: Hiking. Should be a given at this point, but I actually haven’t had a lot of time to do it lately. I need to get up into the mountains more this summer. So far, the two trips we have done have been with friends. Definitely the best way to go hiking. After all, I don’t have to pretend to be able to catch up with my husband if there are other people there, and dinner is always more interesting. But at the very least, I plan on being up in the mountains as many times as I can, even if I have to go alone.
Next up, travel plans. Next weekend I will be heading out to Martha’s Vineyard for a few days. I haven’t been there before, but I have wanted to go ever since we moved up to Massachusetts. There’s something about a beachy island that is intriguing to me, as someone who loves the mountains. I can’t wait to get on the ferry and head over. More about it when I get back.
Other travel plans for the summer include a trip up to Montreal for a concert, and back to Pennsylvania for both family occasions and of course, MUSIKFEST!!!!! I would love to say there are more plans, but at the moment, just about every weekend from now until September has been spoken for. I will have to see if I can fit more trips in somewhere. . .
That brings me to the summer concert season. As an avid music fan, this is possibly my favorite part about summer. Of course, Musikfest is always a highlight of the summer. What could be better than 10 days of food, beer, multiple free music stages, and a different headlining concert every night?My favorite stage is a tossup between Americaplatz in front of the Bethlehem PA public library, and Volksplatz in the park down below Main St. At Americaplatz, the theme is all things America, and as far as the music is concerned, think rock and blues. There is nothing better than sitting in front of the stage, or even better, lying on a bench in the park next to the stage, listening to some screaming guitars and deep vocals. I can’t think of a better way to spend a warm, humid August night in Pennsylvania. Some highlights of this year’s line-up include the AMAZING Ana Popovic on Aug. 10 and The Blues Brotherhood on Aug. 6.
Check out Ana Popovic’s video for “My Man”
Now, over to Volksplatz. This is the place to go for a musical and culinary cruise around the world. I love to sit under the tent here and just experience whatever music happens to be playing, and take a foodie tour around the platz. Last year’s music included an amazing band out of Africa and the ever popular, Scythian (Check them out this year on Aug. 8). The best way to experience Volksplatz is to wander in at any time of day, grab something to eat at one of the food stands, preferably something you’ve never had/heard of before, and enjoy whatever music is being performed at the time. Wandering around Musikfest is the best way to experience the wealth of music that surrounds you. Love it!
Here’s Scythian playing “Dance All Night”
Other highlights of the summer concert season for me: A Perfect Circle in July down in Boston. I’ve seen them before, but it was years ago, and there’s no such thing as hearing them too often. Unfortunately, drummer Josh Freesewon’t be joining them on this tour. That’s a shame, but I’m sure the show will still be amazing.
And here’s a live performance of A Perfect Circle playing “The Outsider”
July also contains the festival I’ve been looking forward to for months, Heavy MTL in Montreal, Canada. I am a huge metal fan and a proud member of the metal community. I cannot wait to go to this two day festival to enjoy some amazing music with all my fellow metal fans. Some highlights of this year’s lineup? DevilDriver, Opeth, In Flames, Trivium, Straight Line Stitch, Disturbed, Godsmack, Kiss, and Anthrax. If you are in Canada, or can get there, check out the show in Montreal, or its sister show in Toronto (July 23-24).
“You know, amongst adults, I think metal is the last frontier of the fanatic so to speak.” – Kerry King of Slayer. Check out scenes from Heavy MTL 2010.
And, because there is no such thing as too much Opeth, I will also be heading to the Opeth and Katatonia show when it heads to Massachusetts. I am really looking forward to this one too. I have only recently come across these Swedish titans of metal (sad, I know) but it was love at first listen. Since they don’t often come to the US, I will be taking full advantage of their tours this summer.
One of each:
I also have to add how my concert season started this summer. Friday was a good kick-off to the season with some Massachusetts locals, Wolfbane and Thurkills Vision. It was a great show and a good kick-off to a massive music filled summer. I will try to get to a few more of their shows this summer to keep the music rocking along. Check out their show on July 16 at the Middle East’s Downstairs in Cambridge Massachusetts. I wonder how many other concerts I can fit into my summer . . .
Check out “Dust to Dust” from Wolfbane
So, there’s a good overview of what I will be up to over the next few months. I will keep you up to date with all the fun activities, travels and concerts. I hope to see you out there!
OK, so I've been slacking a bit, so time to get caught up on some of my more recent travels. I was going to talk about some of the things in Boston going on lately, or maybe something about what to do this spring. Maybe a bit about my recent trip to Pennsylvania. Yeah, I think I'll start there, but not something about what to do or where to go. I'll save that for another time. No, this time I'll tell you some of the things I learned while I was there. . .
First, there is nothing funnier (and I mean in a cute, sweet way) than seeing a four big, tough looking New York guys sit down at the bar to have some . . . sushi, complete with chopsticks and bibs. And of course gushing over how "amazing their sushi is here." Love it!
photo by nyqist2000
Apparently, it is possible to be a vampire and a werewolf at the same time. And on top of that, this person can also move things with their mind and start fires, with their mind. Now, if this person says they are going to commit suicide by starving, who will be affected? If you were to stop drinking blood, then the vampire would be unhappy, but the others would live. If you gave up regular human food, then is blood still on the menu. And as far as the werewolf? Now, I've watched Being Human plenty of times, and I've never seen George able to stop the werewolf from chowing down on a stag now and then. So how do you stop the werewolf from eating? But then that still leaves the "Mitchell/vampire" end of things: he's had quite the problem giving up blood as well. Oh, and of course I am rather curious about what happens on a full moon. What is a werewolf-vampire really like? Just curious.
BBC Production Photo
This one is probably the most important to me: I found that there are people out there who don't know what a mosh pit is. That on its own is not a problem, but it was the statements made after that realization that were the problem. I was told by a student that the class is an advanced physics class, so therefore they wouldn't know about such things. First of all, intelligence should not preclude you from listening to good music, EVER! Second, stereotyping people and judging them based on the music they listen to does show a certain lack of intelligence and should be avoided at all costs. If you don't understand the music, that is fine, but don't assume they are not intelligent for listening to something that you don't get.
by Shadow-Tannin
OK, musical rant over. I think next time I'll write about some things to do this spring. Talk to you later, and keep traveling! :)
Prometheus stood up to a powerful dictator and paid the price, a message that resonates quite strongly today. Our world today faces tyranny and struggle as it always has. With people willing to stand up for what is right regardless of the consequences. That alone should be reason enough for you to see this play. The fact that they are working with Amnesty International to dedicate the play to other prisoners of conscious makes it even more important. Stand up for what is right and help others that have done the same. See this play.
I saw on Serj Tankian’s website that he was working on the music for this play and I automatically had to go. Not only is he one of my favorite musicians, but I also truly appreciate that he is willing to take a stand for what he believes is right, and what is wrong in the world today. The story of Prometheus fits in very well with his message about dealing with what he perceives as the end of civilization. His music reflects the struggle in the play very well and never sticks to just one genre, something I have always appreciated about him.
“Just like we shouldn’t put borders on our thoughts, I don’t think we should put borders on our music. I don’t think we should say music is designed for one purpose of another. So to say that it is only designed for entertainment would be shortcutting music, as would saying that music is designed solely for messages. That would be not giving music the wide span that it deserves. Music is used for many, many purposes, and I think it’s an intuitive medium that comes from the universe, connects us and co-inspires us – the presenter as well as the listener. Music has the ability to move people and change hearts, and the heart has the power to change the mind, and the mind has the power to change the world.” – Serj Tankian
Photo by Marcus Stern
The lyrics and script written by Steven Sater are an incredibly powerful and engaging translation of this 2500 year old play. Staging the play so that it happens in the midst of the audience only makes it more powerful, and the incredible music puts it over the top. The message of this play should resonate with everyone today, and the fact that it was even written and performed in the first place, at the dawn of democracy, stands alone as a powerful statement.
“In a very real way, Prometheus’ cry is the cry of conscience. The cry of a prisoner who will not yield. At heart, this is a play about resistance. About the power of a tortured individual to stand alone against evil. And, the action of Aeschylus’ original drama is sublime. It embodies the truth of inaction – the Gandhian power of standing alone. Of saying no. Of defeating one’s enemy by mastering one’s own soul – and never acknowledging the legitimacy of anyone to rule over it.” – Steven Sater
Photo by Marcus Stern
The considerable talent of the cast turns this into an electrifying performance. Gavin Creel as Prometheus and Uzo Aduba as Io are definite standouts in a fantastic and hard working cast. I went to this play on my birthday, and I have to say it was one of the best birthday presents I could have gotten. I feel that standing up for what you believe and supporting others who have done the same is one of the most important things you can do with your life. I hope that you feel the same and will support those who spread this message. Please check out the websites below for more information about the play and organizations looking to do what is right.
Photo by Marcus Stern
Serj Tankian, Diane Paulus and Steven Sater. Photo by Kati Mitchel
