Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Self Port
This random picture was taken, I think, in 1996 in a hotel just outside of Boston.
(this photo is posted for Mum, who always yells at me for not smiling in photos.)
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Window Shopping
A block from the Hotel San Moisè in Venice were tons of wonderful high end fashion shops with enticing and exciting window displays. Nicole and I drooled from afar, too afraid to venture inside.
(The quality of these photos is clearly not my finest achievement. I took them on the sly as we walked.)
(This one was my fave - I saw it and immediately knew
that the sort of man that would wear a fun and fabulous suit like this
would be the perfect fella for me.)
(This bag is perfection.)
(Ha! I totally snapped this and the repair dude looked right at me. Way to break that fourth wall, buddy.)
(The quality of these photos is clearly not my finest achievement. I took them on the sly as we walked.)
(This one was my fave - I saw it and immediately knew
that the sort of man that would wear a fun and fabulous suit like this
would be the perfect fella for me.) Monday, January 19, 2015
Choose Love
Sunday, January 18, 2015
26th March 2014 - Wednesday
Another entry from one of my travel journals. This time I'm in London with Ashlee.
Up at 7:30ish - lay in bed - up at 9ish - eat PB&J w/crisps - do m'hair - wake up Ashlee at 9:45 - Ash gets dressed, straightens her hair & goes out for a smoke - head out to the West Kensington tube stop by noonish (Warwick then right onto West Cromwell and left on North End Road)
get off at Westminster - see the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey - get postcards at Westminster Abbey gift shop to avoid the rain and hail - take pix of the Abbey
see protestors "Get the Tories Out!" "Gove Out!" on Storey's Gate
walk Horse Guards Road - check out St. James' Park - see Horse Guards Parade Ground - peepod at the Park loos (they are so clean!! you'd never see a loo like this in Central Park.)
walk down The Mall to the Queen Victoria Monument & Buckingham Palace
Ash gets a photo of a foot guard in blue at St. James' Palace/Clarence House - downpour - stop at a lil' cafe for h2o, coffee, muffin for Ash and for me a lil' flaky crust sweet triangle with caramel and chocolate - hide under cover by the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) - take The Mall down to Cockspur then Pall Mall to Haymarket to Coventry and finally, although we are wet from the knee down, we reach Charing Cross Road. (see an advert with Bradley Cooper hawking Häagen-Dazs ice cream!!)
Go to Trafalgar Square and back to the Westminster tube. On the way a young-ish 30-something man next to me had his backpack Timothy Hutton style and I saw his front pouch was open. I didn't wanna say anything but saw that he had a fleece jacket w/the London Underground symbol, so I figure he's a local.
"Sir, your bag is unzipped and it's making me crazy, I have to close it." (I say as I take the liberty of zipping his bag closed whether he wanted me to or not)
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"I just don't want anything to fall out."
"Cheers, darlin'"
"I got your back."
"Quite litrahlee."
So nice!!! hop on the tube and off at West Ken - walk back to 154 - smoke - in to change and get warm - make my Quorn and Ashlee's mac and cheese with bacon
watch some of Man vs. Food in Puerto Rico then Storage Hunters - Top Gear - Antique Roadshow UK w/Mark something and Mark Stacey - some random doc show about sheep and lambing in Scotland - we see baby lambs being born! - relax - FaceTime with Xavier & Jax after Top Gear - smoke - chat again and watch the lamb show - smoke - WIA with Lord Grantham/Hugh Bonneville and Rev Applebee-Thornton/Jason Watkins but switch to First Dates (UK Blind Date series) then massage shldrs and then feet when an ep of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is on - bed at 11:45pm
Up at 7:30ish - lay in bed - up at 9ish - eat PB&J w/crisps - do m'hair - wake up Ashlee at 9:45 - Ash gets dressed, straightens her hair & goes out for a smoke - head out to the West Kensington tube stop by noonish (Warwick then right onto West Cromwell and left on North End Road)
"Sir, your bag is unzipped and it's making me crazy, I have to close it." (I say as I take the liberty of zipping his bag closed whether he wanted me to or not)
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"I just don't want anything to fall out."
"Cheers, darlin'"
"I got your back."
"Quite litrahlee."
So nice!!! hop on the tube and off at West Ken - walk back to 154 - smoke - in to change and get warm - make my Quorn and Ashlee's mac and cheese with bacon
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Travel Tips
In case anyone wants this girl's opinion or advice regarding traveling, especially on your own, here it is!
Packing for the Trip
First thing, pack light, or at least as light as possible. I learned this the hard way after hauling two 50 pound bags through Italy with Nicole while carrying a 30 lb. backpack. Yeah, we SO didn't need half the shit we brought.
I always pack a pillowcase and my own towel for the shower (just because) but those are the only non-essentials that I bring. When traveling abroad, you must have a converter for the outlet plugs. You may want to purchase an adapter in case you need to charge something with a higher voltage - like a straightener or laptop.
I advise that you try on all clothes, and especially outfits you plan to wear, before packing them. It's just smart to make sure everything fits and looks good in advance. Keep in mind that if you forget something, such as toothpaste, over the counter meds, or even a coat, you can more than likely buy it when you arrive at your destination. Don't stress out over forgotten or overlooked items. No good will come of it!
Be smart about what you choose to bring. Keep your wardrobe simple (unless you plan lots of fancy outings and nights on the town) and get comfortable shoes if you plan to walk a good deal of the time. Nothing brings a vacation to a screeching halt like the inability to move. Day two in Antwerp, Ashlee and I were in such pain that we couldn't put on shoes and we hardly left the sofa. We recovered by the next morning, but that killed an entire day of our week in Belgium.
Airbnb vs Hotels
I prefer to stay at places using Airbnb rather than hotels. I like feeling like a local and in my opinion, Airbnb offers way better deals than any hotel chain. Staying at Michel's in Antwerp with Ashlee was especially perfect because he had a washer and dryer and two bedrooms. This allowed us to pack half the amount of clothes and we each had our own space at night.
When looking for a place using Airbnb, I always make sure to read the reviews left for the host, as well as the host's profile, and all the details and rules for the stay. Trust your instincts and if the host's photo looks like they may very well be insane, they probably are. If they have a photo of themselves that looks like it would be in a pamphlet announcing them as the newest "escort" then you may want to think twice. This is, after all, a business exchange. I also avoid hosts who have spelling and grammar mistakes. Hey, I mean, I make plenty of mistakes when I'm writing, but if this person wants me to take them seriously, they need to take some pride in their page, ya know? Another thing I like is to make sure that the photos of the rental place are Airbnb approved. That way you know that Airbnb's photographers were the ones that shot the photos. Also, most of the hosts will have things that hotels have, such as an iron, hair dryer, fresh towels, and sometimes even shampoo. This will usually be stated in the Amenities or perhaps the description. Don't hesitate to ask questions and get a feel for who the host is before you sign up. I always reach out to them first and kind of introduce myself before I book the stay. I just think it's more polite.
Prep Work
I like to take tons of notes of all the places I want to check out well in advance and keep them in a journal. I include prices for museums as well as addresses, hours of operation, and a little blurb about the place. It just makes it that much easier once I've reached my destination to go back and pick what to do first.
Since I walk nearly everywhere when I'm abroad, I also Google map things before I leave and write down the path in a tiny pocket sized notebook. That way I don't need to pull out a huge map on the street and look like a tourist.
Maps - most people prefer to use their phone or GPS to get around. I roll old school. I like to have a map of the places I'm going. Streetwise is my favourite, but those bastards have yet to make one for Antwerp, but I guess I'll forgive them for now.
Be prepared. Leave little to chance and it will make your adventure as stress free as possible. Know the weather conditions of the region in advance and pack accordingly. Double check and locate possible areas of the city you are to visit that may have a high crime rate or even just neighbourhoods to avoid. I had zero desire to go anywhere near the red light district in Antwerp, so I Googled it, located it on the map and steered clear.
For the Plane
Thirty-One bags had to have been designed with travel in mind. Their Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote is ideal for air travel. The side pockets are great for holding passports, IDs, and boarding passes, as well as your liquid bag, jewelry and belts. That way you don't have to dig around for it at TSA. It makes the whole experience that much less stressful. Also, it fits under the seat in front of you and leaves enough room for you to stretch out during the flight.
This kinda goes without saying, but before you fly, make sure to know what you can and cannot bring on board. There's a great search box on the TSA site where you can enter things like Lighter and see if it's allowed or denied.
Random Odds n Ends
Originally I had a ton of new playlists on my iPod for walking around or visiting museums, but once I got there, I realised that I would miss out on the sounds of the city. Also, it's kinda important to hear the bells for cyclists that are speeding up behind you or car horns while crossing a street, for safety sake. Plus I didn't want to miss a single opportunity to hear the language.
Have a list ready of addresses to mail postcards as well as the people you need to buy a souvenir or gift. For the kids in my life, I usually buy them toothpaste. They love it because it's a different brand and everything is in a different language.
Luggage - I have Samsonite. I bought it in a dark teal colour that wasn't too obnoxious but could still be easy to spot at the baggage claim carousel.
Credit Cards - For traveling outside the US I use my Visa Sapphire card. I always call a few days before I leave and alert the company of my travel plans. When using credit cards in the E.U. you'll want to make sure to bring one that has an EMV smart chip, preferably one that doesn't charge transaction fees for going from the dollar to pound or Euro.
Research - Remember, Google is your friend. I Googled "vegan places to eat in antwerpen" and found a blog called A Vegan in Antwerp that had some good suggestions. Also, an Airbnb host, whose place wasn't available for the times I needed, hipped me to this site - Use-It Europe. Let me tell you, it was a find. So many fabulous tips. It even led me to the This Is Antwerp app and corresponding website.
Guides - Few people come across as classy and as sweet as Rick Steves. His books, website, maps, guides, videos, and more are a wealth of information that I highly recommend.
Camera - I like to use my iPhone so I can text my pictures or upload them to Instagram. Sometimes I'll bring my fancy schmancy Nikon or my old Pentax 1000, but my Canon Elph is really great for snapshots and fits right in my back pocket. Clearly I'm no expert on photography, but I like my Elph. And sometimes, I get so caught up taking the perfect shot with my Nikon that I forget to take a mental picture. Don't let your need to have a photo on your wall take away from the memory of the moment.
Journal - I am clearly a gal that likes to reminisce, so when I travel, I always bring a small journal and write every possible detail from each day. There are so many small instances that slip away from your memory and writing them down allows you to look back and experience it all over again. Bad Books makes wonderful travel journals that are worth every penny.
When traveling abroad, it's good to know that when riding an escalator you stand on the right so others may pass you and walk up on the left. In busy cities, look out for sections of the sidewalk that are meant for bicyclists and steer clear of them!
Well, ladies and germs, that's about all I've got for youse. Most of this information is not anything new or that you might not figure out on your own, but I hope that maybe someone will read this and gain at least one tip that will help make their next adventure that much easier. Have fun, be polite, revel in the cultural differences and enjoy every damn moment!
Packing for the Trip
First thing, pack light, or at least as light as possible. I learned this the hard way after hauling two 50 pound bags through Italy with Nicole while carrying a 30 lb. backpack. Yeah, we SO didn't need half the shit we brought.
I always pack a pillowcase and my own towel for the shower (just because) but those are the only non-essentials that I bring. When traveling abroad, you must have a converter for the outlet plugs. You may want to purchase an adapter in case you need to charge something with a higher voltage - like a straightener or laptop.
I advise that you try on all clothes, and especially outfits you plan to wear, before packing them. It's just smart to make sure everything fits and looks good in advance. Keep in mind that if you forget something, such as toothpaste, over the counter meds, or even a coat, you can more than likely buy it when you arrive at your destination. Don't stress out over forgotten or overlooked items. No good will come of it!
Be smart about what you choose to bring. Keep your wardrobe simple (unless you plan lots of fancy outings and nights on the town) and get comfortable shoes if you plan to walk a good deal of the time. Nothing brings a vacation to a screeching halt like the inability to move. Day two in Antwerp, Ashlee and I were in such pain that we couldn't put on shoes and we hardly left the sofa. We recovered by the next morning, but that killed an entire day of our week in Belgium.
Airbnb vs Hotels
I prefer to stay at places using Airbnb rather than hotels. I like feeling like a local and in my opinion, Airbnb offers way better deals than any hotel chain. Staying at Michel's in Antwerp with Ashlee was especially perfect because he had a washer and dryer and two bedrooms. This allowed us to pack half the amount of clothes and we each had our own space at night.
When looking for a place using Airbnb, I always make sure to read the reviews left for the host, as well as the host's profile, and all the details and rules for the stay. Trust your instincts and if the host's photo looks like they may very well be insane, they probably are. If they have a photo of themselves that looks like it would be in a pamphlet announcing them as the newest "escort" then you may want to think twice. This is, after all, a business exchange. I also avoid hosts who have spelling and grammar mistakes. Hey, I mean, I make plenty of mistakes when I'm writing, but if this person wants me to take them seriously, they need to take some pride in their page, ya know? Another thing I like is to make sure that the photos of the rental place are Airbnb approved. That way you know that Airbnb's photographers were the ones that shot the photos. Also, most of the hosts will have things that hotels have, such as an iron, hair dryer, fresh towels, and sometimes even shampoo. This will usually be stated in the Amenities or perhaps the description. Don't hesitate to ask questions and get a feel for who the host is before you sign up. I always reach out to them first and kind of introduce myself before I book the stay. I just think it's more polite.
Prep Work
I like to take tons of notes of all the places I want to check out well in advance and keep them in a journal. I include prices for museums as well as addresses, hours of operation, and a little blurb about the place. It just makes it that much easier once I've reached my destination to go back and pick what to do first.
Since I walk nearly everywhere when I'm abroad, I also Google map things before I leave and write down the path in a tiny pocket sized notebook. That way I don't need to pull out a huge map on the street and look like a tourist.
Maps - most people prefer to use their phone or GPS to get around. I roll old school. I like to have a map of the places I'm going. Streetwise is my favourite, but those bastards have yet to make one for Antwerp, but I guess I'll forgive them for now.
Be prepared. Leave little to chance and it will make your adventure as stress free as possible. Know the weather conditions of the region in advance and pack accordingly. Double check and locate possible areas of the city you are to visit that may have a high crime rate or even just neighbourhoods to avoid. I had zero desire to go anywhere near the red light district in Antwerp, so I Googled it, located it on the map and steered clear.
For the Plane
Thirty-One bags had to have been designed with travel in mind. Their Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote is ideal for air travel. The side pockets are great for holding passports, IDs, and boarding passes, as well as your liquid bag, jewelry and belts. That way you don't have to dig around for it at TSA. It makes the whole experience that much less stressful. Also, it fits under the seat in front of you and leaves enough room for you to stretch out during the flight.
This kinda goes without saying, but before you fly, make sure to know what you can and cannot bring on board. There's a great search box on the TSA site where you can enter things like Lighter and see if it's allowed or denied.
Random Odds n Ends
Originally I had a ton of new playlists on my iPod for walking around or visiting museums, but once I got there, I realised that I would miss out on the sounds of the city. Also, it's kinda important to hear the bells for cyclists that are speeding up behind you or car horns while crossing a street, for safety sake. Plus I didn't want to miss a single opportunity to hear the language.
Have a list ready of addresses to mail postcards as well as the people you need to buy a souvenir or gift. For the kids in my life, I usually buy them toothpaste. They love it because it's a different brand and everything is in a different language.
Luggage - I have Samsonite. I bought it in a dark teal colour that wasn't too obnoxious but could still be easy to spot at the baggage claim carousel.
Credit Cards - For traveling outside the US I use my Visa Sapphire card. I always call a few days before I leave and alert the company of my travel plans. When using credit cards in the E.U. you'll want to make sure to bring one that has an EMV smart chip, preferably one that doesn't charge transaction fees for going from the dollar to pound or Euro.
Research - Remember, Google is your friend. I Googled "vegan places to eat in antwerpen" and found a blog called A Vegan in Antwerp that had some good suggestions. Also, an Airbnb host, whose place wasn't available for the times I needed, hipped me to this site - Use-It Europe. Let me tell you, it was a find. So many fabulous tips. It even led me to the This Is Antwerp app and corresponding website.
Guides - Few people come across as classy and as sweet as Rick Steves. His books, website, maps, guides, videos, and more are a wealth of information that I highly recommend.
Camera - I like to use my iPhone so I can text my pictures or upload them to Instagram. Sometimes I'll bring my fancy schmancy Nikon or my old Pentax 1000, but my Canon Elph is really great for snapshots and fits right in my back pocket. Clearly I'm no expert on photography, but I like my Elph. And sometimes, I get so caught up taking the perfect shot with my Nikon that I forget to take a mental picture. Don't let your need to have a photo on your wall take away from the memory of the moment.
Journal - I am clearly a gal that likes to reminisce, so when I travel, I always bring a small journal and write every possible detail from each day. There are so many small instances that slip away from your memory and writing them down allows you to look back and experience it all over again. Bad Books makes wonderful travel journals that are worth every penny.
When traveling abroad, it's good to know that when riding an escalator you stand on the right so others may pass you and walk up on the left. In busy cities, look out for sections of the sidewalk that are meant for bicyclists and steer clear of them!
Well, ladies and germs, that's about all I've got for youse. Most of this information is not anything new or that you might not figure out on your own, but I hope that maybe someone will read this and gain at least one tip that will help make their next adventure that much easier. Have fun, be polite, revel in the cultural differences and enjoy every damn moment!
Friday, January 16, 2015
Women Are Fucking Hilarious
There are so many truly funny ladies out there, but here's just a few of my absolute faves!
Barbara Streisand (For me, the original funny girl. I always liked that if she said something witty, she often giggled after. It made her seem real and charming and somehow really relatable.)
Margaret Cho (I've seen this lady perform live twice and she was side-splittingly funny.)
Sandra Bernhard (Bishop and I constantly quote lines from her stand up act and still laugh like hell.)
Tina Fey (Her audiobook reading of Bossypants has got me through so many crappy days at work and long drives while trapped in hellacious traffic. I never tire of it and every time I will bust out laughing.)
Ellen DeGeneres (Her long winded stories and their twists and turns always had me in sutures.)
Lucille Ball (The ultimate in slapstick humour.)
Bea Arthur (The queen of expressions that will bring you to your knees.)
Sarah Jessica Parker (Great comedic timing and comfortable doing pratfalls and looking silly - ya gotta love this gal!)
Jennifer Saunders (Her writing on Absolutely Fabulous made my senior year of high school bearable!)
Joanna Lumley (She will always be Patsy to me and to this day, her performance on that series is flawless.)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (This woman continues to kick ass in every show she attempts and brings the laughs like no one else.)
Rosie O'Donnell (Her standup back in the late 80s used to have me in tears!!)
Kaitlin Olson (This is a woman that is fearless when it comes to making herself look absolutely ridiculous and doing it just to make the viewer laugh - I admire her SO much for this quality.)
Miranda Hart (Loved her on Call the Midwife and adore her wit and humour in all that she does.)
Jane Lynch (This lady excels at cracking wise and does it like no one else.)
Maggie Smith (Her spot on delivery of snootie lines may never be matched.)
Dawn French (Ms. French is the perfect combination of sweet and sassy with a dash of cheekiness.)
Judy Garland (Crackerjack storyteller. Her guest appearances on Jack Paar meant a guaran-damn-tee for a great time. And listening to her banter with the audience at her live shows was as exhilarating as hearing her sing. A dynamic performer - full stop.)
Swoosie Kurtz (Love this woman in everything I've ever seen her do and she was the funniest character on Pushing Daisies and that's saying something.)
Betty White (In a word: versatile.)
Gilda Radner (Unbelievably original.)
Olympia Dukakis (A woman that is this gifted and able to play comedy in so many different ways and then switch it all up on you, deserves my adoration, that's for damn sure.)
Bonnie Hunt (Remarkably talented.)
Carol Burnett (Absolutely, positively one of the funniest women ever created.)
Madeline Kahn (Her performance in Clue is still quoted by friends and family when attempting to describe one's level of anger. Flames...on the side of my face...)
Yvette Nicole Brown (Brilliant timing and delivery. Such a delight to watch!)
Maria Bamford (Recently discovered this gal and her strange brand of humour is right up my dark and scary, weirdo alley.)
Barbara Streisand (For me, the original funny girl. I always liked that if she said something witty, she often giggled after. It made her seem real and charming and somehow really relatable.)
Margaret Cho (I've seen this lady perform live twice and she was side-splittingly funny.)
Sandra Bernhard (Bishop and I constantly quote lines from her stand up act and still laugh like hell.)
Tina Fey (Her audiobook reading of Bossypants has got me through so many crappy days at work and long drives while trapped in hellacious traffic. I never tire of it and every time I will bust out laughing.)
Ellen DeGeneres (Her long winded stories and their twists and turns always had me in sutures.)
Lucille Ball (The ultimate in slapstick humour.)
Bea Arthur (The queen of expressions that will bring you to your knees.)
Sarah Jessica Parker (Great comedic timing and comfortable doing pratfalls and looking silly - ya gotta love this gal!)
Jennifer Saunders (Her writing on Absolutely Fabulous made my senior year of high school bearable!)
Joanna Lumley (She will always be Patsy to me and to this day, her performance on that series is flawless.)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (This woman continues to kick ass in every show she attempts and brings the laughs like no one else.)
Rosie O'Donnell (Her standup back in the late 80s used to have me in tears!!)
Kaitlin Olson (This is a woman that is fearless when it comes to making herself look absolutely ridiculous and doing it just to make the viewer laugh - I admire her SO much for this quality.)
Miranda Hart (Loved her on Call the Midwife and adore her wit and humour in all that she does.)
Jane Lynch (This lady excels at cracking wise and does it like no one else.)
Maggie Smith (Her spot on delivery of snootie lines may never be matched.)
Dawn French (Ms. French is the perfect combination of sweet and sassy with a dash of cheekiness.)
Judy Garland (Crackerjack storyteller. Her guest appearances on Jack Paar meant a guaran-damn-tee for a great time. And listening to her banter with the audience at her live shows was as exhilarating as hearing her sing. A dynamic performer - full stop.)
Swoosie Kurtz (Love this woman in everything I've ever seen her do and she was the funniest character on Pushing Daisies and that's saying something.)
Betty White (In a word: versatile.)
Gilda Radner (Unbelievably original.)
Olympia Dukakis (A woman that is this gifted and able to play comedy in so many different ways and then switch it all up on you, deserves my adoration, that's for damn sure.)
Bonnie Hunt (Remarkably talented.)
Carol Burnett (Absolutely, positively one of the funniest women ever created.)
Madeline Kahn (Her performance in Clue is still quoted by friends and family when attempting to describe one's level of anger. Flames...on the side of my face...)
Yvette Nicole Brown (Brilliant timing and delivery. Such a delight to watch!)
Maria Bamford (Recently discovered this gal and her strange brand of humour is right up my dark and scary, weirdo alley.)
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Living on One Dollar
Oh how I love inspiring films! Documentaries, especially so. Funnily enough, what I found I liked best was that I understood so many Spanish words!! It was a complete validation that I'm really learning. Slowly, but at least I'm retaining stuff. Anyway, this was such a fantastic idea for a documentary and the four fellas involved in the project succeeded in creating a way to motivate the viewers to want to make a change. I absolutely loved it. Head on over to Living on One and make your own difference.
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