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
I went snowmobiling for the first time on Sunday, and let me tell you, I will definitely be doing that again! There are more snowmobile trails in Vermont than roads, so it’s really impossible to see the state any other way. And really, why would you want to? I would suggest checking out Equinox Snow Tours to get you started.
We went on the 1 ½ hour tour to get started. You get a chance to ride through the trees at a pace that is comfortable for you, and when it’s cold enough, you can open it up as much as you dare across a lake. Along the way are some of the best views of the Green Mountains that you’ll ever see. With the three hour tour, that we’ll be doing next winter when we go back, you get to see a large ice fall that you’d never be able to experience otherwise. Life really is about exploring and seeing what is out there, and in Vermont this is the best way to do it.
Personally, I love all things fast. So tearing through the woods at 40mph was awesome. And I wish it would have been colder so we could have gone across the lake. I want to see how fast those things will go. The guys at Equinox tours are great and really friendly and knowledgeable about the area. They will only go as fast as you’re comfortable with, so if speeding through the birches at 40 freaks you out, no worries, just go slower. They’ll match you. And if you’re sitting here thinking about just going along as a passenger: DON’T!!! Get out there and take a chance! It’s really easy to ride them, and if you are going with a knowledgeable guide and a safe company, you’re in good hands.
Check out Keir Dillon’s experience with snowmobiling at Mt. Snow to get a taste of what you’re in for in the beautiful, friendly state of Vermont.
Next up: I’ll take you to the American Repertory Theater’s production of Prometheus Bound. With lyrics by Steven Sater and music by the incredible Serj Tankian, it is a powerful and moving play that everyone should see.
If you ever get a chance to go to a live ski/snowboarding event, DO IT!!! There was rain, snow, sleet, a bit of wind, and some specks of sun. Basically all the winter weather was covered in two days, but it was still more than worth it to be there.
Thanks to Shaun White, snowboarding has really made its influence on pop culture and the masses. A lot of people watched the superpipe at the Olympics, and maybe you’re one who watches the other events throughout the year, but I have to tell you, there is nothing like actually being at the event. The crowd is electric regardless of the weather, and getting sprayed with snow as the riders pass is definitely not something you can do from your living room. You need to get up to the mountain and stand in the corral at the bottom of the last slopestyle jump, and climbing up the side of the superpipe to watch the riders fly overhead is mandatory. Don’t forget your camera because you’ll want a picture of the greats flying by. It’s one thing to hear the announcer talk about an awesome run by Shaun White, Louie Vito, Kelly Clark or Kazuhiro Kokubo. It’s another thing entirely to watch them coming down the pipe towards you and hit every wall with precision. So get out to the mountain and check it out!
Slopestyle was a bit wet. There was a constant drizzle and a lot of fog all day, but that didn’t stop the crowds from gathering at the base of the mountain to watch the best riders in the world throw down further up.
Enni Rukajarvi out of Finland took the win for the women. Check out her foggy, slightly soggy run:
Erik Willett took the win for the men with an awesome run and got to finish out the competition with a creative glory run.
A few flurries and some wind greeted everyone on Saturday for the superpipe finals, which is always a big event. Crowds packed in at the bottom to watch the riders as they came down, but the brave ventured up the very slippery slope to stand along the side of the pipe. Climbing up is your best bet if you want to see them soar overhead. It helps to bring snowshoes, and at least dig in steps for where you’ll be standing. On the way down sliding works rather well.
As a side note, you’re going to want to keep an eye on this rider right here, 13 year-old Ayumu Hirano out of Japan. He’s an amazing rider already and came in 5th in Semi-Final heat 2 for the Men’s competition, and then he won the junior jam on Sunday. He’s a great skateboarder too, so look for him everywhere.
Kelly Clark has been dominating the pipe this season and took the win.
And out of Japan, Kazuhiro Kokubo took the win to make it two in a row at the US Open.
Make sure you check out the Winter X Games Europe for more ski and snowboard action. You can catch it starting on Wednesday on ESPN and ESPN2.
Thanks to Swatch TTR for the videos, and the pics are by me.
OK, so first stop on my travels, at least for now, Vermont. I'm headed up to the Burton US Open at Stratton Mountain, VT for a few days. Then I'm off to do some snowmobiling. Never done that. Should be interesting. :) - So, I'll be on here telling you all about watching slopestyle in the rain, climbing the side of a superpipe, and exploring Vermont on a snowmobile. Well, the road is calling. Here's a video of some of last's year's US Open to hold you over.
“I don’t know. Does it matter? I just want to get in my truck, pick a direction and go there. I want to see the world, all of it. And I just don’t think I’ll be happy until I do. I’m not the 9-5, stuck in a cubicle type. I think I’ve proved that a dozen times over now. I want to run away and explore life, to see what’s out there. I don’t think I’m meant for a ‘normal life.’ Actually, I know I’m not. I just want to get out there and see what I want to see.”
“Can I come too?”
After much deliberation, some discussion, and a few cookies, I’ve decided my husband can come, and so can you. So, let’s go. Run away with me.
