Prometheus Bound

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

http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/prometheus-bound

http://www.amnesty.org/

http://axisofjustice.net/

http://www.skyisover.net/

MORE POWER!!!

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.

http://www.vermontsnowmobile.com/

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.

Snowboarding Anyone?

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 5^th 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.

Vermont in the Rain? Why not!

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.





Talk to you later.

Want to Run Away?

“Sometimes I just want to run away.”

“To where?”

“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.