I only like the explosion-infused, action-packed, summer blockbusters to a certain extent. They tend to go in the way of Michael Bay: eye overload with little to no actual storytelling. The Avengers wasn't like that...ok not ENTIRELY like that.
First, it contained some great camera work. People tend to underestimate the power of good camera work. You can have all the neat special effects you want but if it's not presented in new and interesting ways the audience will get bored. Director/writer Joss Whedon shows you the action from every possible vantage point, it's like his camera is not burdened by the limits of conventional cinema. There is a moment when a character takes aim, then you see presumably what he is aiming at. At that moment the camera does a quick zoom and focus shot, something Whedon did many times in Firefly, and it has become kind of a signature of his. This comes from years of dedication and practice, but most of all incredible creativity and it really paid off for him in this.
Second, The music by Alan Silvestri was fantastic. His work always seems to have a layer of depth beneath it. While the good guys are fighting the bad guys we don't just hear a heroic anthem, it is layered with the seriousness of fighting a war. There are so many subtle and complex ways to stir emotion with music and Silvestri does a great job here.
Third, the story was there. It must have been nightmarish to take separate stories of six different comic book heroes and fuse them into one. I'll cut them some slack for the cheesy dialogue, because the plot stayed interesting and never branched into the formulaic. The writers made a funny and inspiring story about uniting against a common foe. The actors were spot-on and the characters had depth that the audience connected with.
Sometimes it's hard to know how much is enough. With multi-million dollar budgets the creators could afford to pump up the effects. There were many good things about the effects, like the aliens and fancy technology, I'm sure it will get a nomination in next year's Oscars. I applaud them for their ingenuity and creativity, but dock them several points for taking it too far. There were so many things for your eyes to focus on per second that mine actually started to hurt. So in that sense it did go the Michael Bay route. Watching in 3D made it worse. I'm also convinced that if you overload the audience's brain too soon they will be jaded and unimpressed by the end of the film.
Still, The Avengers was a fun heart pounding film that will be a treat for all those following the superhero saga. Comic book purists will no doubt find something to ridicule, but the common film enthusiasts will see it as the action packed adventure we've come to expect from our summer blockbusters. I for one am excited to see what Marvel comes up with next.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May Day and Beltane
My Clothes still smell like campfire from this morning, and here's why...
I woke up naturally at 4 a.m. this lovely May-day morning, I blame the jet lag. I figured since I'm up I might as well participate in one of Edinburgh's May-day traditions.
I dressed for the cold and caught a taxi out to Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano overlooking Edinburgh. Legend says that if a woman washes her face with the dew from the slopes of Arthur's seat on the first of May at dawn, she will be granted everlasting beauty. Now, I don't believe there's any truth to this claim, but its a fun tradition and I've tried haggis so nothing scares me.
I rode around to the highest point so I wouldn't have too far of a walk up to the top. It was cold, mystical and incredibly gorgeous but I couldn't see the sunrise because it was so misty. I didn't know when I needed to brave the dew so I walked back down far enough so I could see the city. I still couldn't see the sunrise with all the clouds in the way but I took a guess and washed my face. It was very peaceful up there, I loved the solitude and didn't even mind the cold.
At this time I began to get hungry. I started back down the slope intending to get breakfast in town when I happened upon a gathering of hippies covered in paint and playing with fire and drums. I literally just rounded the corner and they appeared there. My journalistic curiosity kicked in and I decided to see what was up. A very nice gentleman wearing red paint and almost nothing else kindly invited me to join them and I made my way over to them taking in the unusual sight. There were plenty of, for lack of a better word, normal people there mixed in with all the painted, costumed and horned specimens so I didn't feel like an outsider. I even saw one guy in a suit.
It turns out they took part in the annual Beltane celebration, which is an ancient pagan practice in which people drive the spirits of winter away to make way for spring. The party took place last night up on Calton Hill, then made its way to the after party in a local club. I caught the after-after party where the participants decided to gather together on the slopes of Arthur's Seat to eat, drink, smoke, play with fire, beat drums, and I'm pretty sure I saw the beginnings of an orgy.
My clothes smell like campfire because I was naturally attracted to the warmest spot. They were burning goarse bushes and I could have sworn they would catch themselves on fire but they apparently knew more than they let on. There I met a few friends who told me a little bit about the ceremony and offered me food and drink. Yes one of those drinks was tequila, and the other was Baileys but a Scottish shot is not going to kill me.
It was getting on in the morning (seven or so) and I had to get some food and find someplace warm. Another nice gentleman, this time with blue paint, walked with me and explained a little more about the tradition. It all begins with the Green Man. He is the symbol of spring, planting, growing, rebirth, fertility, etc. Every year in the beginning of winter the Winter King kills the Green Man and he is reborn or resurrected in the spring representing the Green Man's renewed reign over the world. The May Queen is kind of like the earth mother. According to the different legends she leaves the Winter King and either resurrects the Green Man and marries him, or gives birth to the Green Man and the spring cycle begins again. Either way the May Queen sounds like kind of a hussy. The Winter King kills the Green Man and she walks off with her child/husband's killer until such time as the Green Man returns.
In the celebration there are three main types of painted people. The red ones are supposed to represent chaos, they are all the bad spirits that the pagans are hoping to drive away. They typically play drums, dance and work with fire. The white ones represent the May Queen and her maidens (although I saw a guy in white wearing a corset). And of course the green represent the Green Man himself. Apparently these celebrations have nearly 10,000 people crammed on the hill together on April 30. I missed the party last night and it was pure luck that I happened upon it this morning. I should have charged my camera so I could get a few decent pictures, but I guess something like that is not easy to forget. All I know is I had an awesome time, I made some great new friends, and it's not every day you get to take part in a pagan ritual.
Happy Beltane everyone!
I woke up naturally at 4 a.m. this lovely May-day morning, I blame the jet lag. I figured since I'm up I might as well participate in one of Edinburgh's May-day traditions.
I dressed for the cold and caught a taxi out to Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano overlooking Edinburgh. Legend says that if a woman washes her face with the dew from the slopes of Arthur's seat on the first of May at dawn, she will be granted everlasting beauty. Now, I don't believe there's any truth to this claim, but its a fun tradition and I've tried haggis so nothing scares me.
I rode around to the highest point so I wouldn't have too far of a walk up to the top. It was cold, mystical and incredibly gorgeous but I couldn't see the sunrise because it was so misty. I didn't know when I needed to brave the dew so I walked back down far enough so I could see the city. I still couldn't see the sunrise with all the clouds in the way but I took a guess and washed my face. It was very peaceful up there, I loved the solitude and didn't even mind the cold.
At this time I began to get hungry. I started back down the slope intending to get breakfast in town when I happened upon a gathering of hippies covered in paint and playing with fire and drums. I literally just rounded the corner and they appeared there. My journalistic curiosity kicked in and I decided to see what was up. A very nice gentleman wearing red paint and almost nothing else kindly invited me to join them and I made my way over to them taking in the unusual sight. There were plenty of, for lack of a better word, normal people there mixed in with all the painted, costumed and horned specimens so I didn't feel like an outsider. I even saw one guy in a suit.
It turns out they took part in the annual Beltane celebration, which is an ancient pagan practice in which people drive the spirits of winter away to make way for spring. The party took place last night up on Calton Hill, then made its way to the after party in a local club. I caught the after-after party where the participants decided to gather together on the slopes of Arthur's Seat to eat, drink, smoke, play with fire, beat drums, and I'm pretty sure I saw the beginnings of an orgy.
My clothes smell like campfire because I was naturally attracted to the warmest spot. They were burning goarse bushes and I could have sworn they would catch themselves on fire but they apparently knew more than they let on. There I met a few friends who told me a little bit about the ceremony and offered me food and drink. Yes one of those drinks was tequila, and the other was Baileys but a Scottish shot is not going to kill me.
It was getting on in the morning (seven or so) and I had to get some food and find someplace warm. Another nice gentleman, this time with blue paint, walked with me and explained a little more about the tradition. It all begins with the Green Man. He is the symbol of spring, planting, growing, rebirth, fertility, etc. Every year in the beginning of winter the Winter King kills the Green Man and he is reborn or resurrected in the spring representing the Green Man's renewed reign over the world. The May Queen is kind of like the earth mother. According to the different legends she leaves the Winter King and either resurrects the Green Man and marries him, or gives birth to the Green Man and the spring cycle begins again. Either way the May Queen sounds like kind of a hussy. The Winter King kills the Green Man and she walks off with her child/husband's killer until such time as the Green Man returns.
In the celebration there are three main types of painted people. The red ones are supposed to represent chaos, they are all the bad spirits that the pagans are hoping to drive away. They typically play drums, dance and work with fire. The white ones represent the May Queen and her maidens (although I saw a guy in white wearing a corset). And of course the green represent the Green Man himself. Apparently these celebrations have nearly 10,000 people crammed on the hill together on April 30. I missed the party last night and it was pure luck that I happened upon it this morning. I should have charged my camera so I could get a few decent pictures, but I guess something like that is not easy to forget. All I know is I had an awesome time, I made some great new friends, and it's not every day you get to take part in a pagan ritual.
Happy Beltane everyone!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Hunger Games Review
The Hunger Games was a fantastically made movie, everything from its adherence to the book to the choice of cast was impeccable.
The film follows the story of Katniss Everdeen who grew up in the poorest district in the utilitarian post-American country of Panem ruled over by the oppressive city known as the Capitol. One such tool of oppression the Capitol inflicts upon the districts is the hunger games, in which each district offers up a boy and a girl to compete in a televised fight to the death. Katniss volunteers for the games in place of her sister and the story reflects her experience in the games.
It was a great performance by both heroes, Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark). Each character was believable, I really felt like this could be real. Their portrayal was honest, understated and classy. If this is the caliber of films they make, I cant wait to see what they star in next. There were also some great moments from Donald Sutherland,(President Snow) Woody Harrelson, (Haymitch) and Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman).
One thing I especially like about the film is that it shows different points of view. The book follows the first hand account of Katniss, while the film gives you a look into what is happening outside the arena. The audience is shown things that nobody else sees including; the people controlling the games, the beginnings of dissent among the districts, and even secret meetings with high ranking officials.
Another good selling point was that it was not overly gory. In a plot that involves children brutally fighting to the death you would think there would be a lot of blood. The scenes showed just enough gore to make it frightening and impactful without crossing the line in to horror.
The movie also gives foreshadowing and hints from book two, which provides a neat segue into the inevitable film sequel. It doesn't, however, leave you on a cliffhanger, as I felt the book did. In the film you get a sense that Katniss' trials are not over yet but there's hope of peace for now.
As with any book-to-film translation there will be something in the book that will have to be left out of the movie to save time. There were a few minor details I would have liked to see, like more Katniss-Peeta development, but nothing of major importance to the plot. They told the story very simply and very well.
Just a few things that bugged me, President Snow's mane of white hair was completely unlike how he was described, and it made him seem old and rather a pushover as opposed to dangerous. The set design on the cornucopia was very bizarre, it was a strange metallic spiky thing that seemed disjointed with the natural surroundings. It did however reflect the brutal sharp steel of the weapons it housed so at least it was somewhat cohesive. Lastly, the genetically engineered wolves that attack the players look more like pit bulls than wolves and did not resemble any of the fellow tributes like it should have. Other than that, basically everything was right on point.
The music was beautiful, it was fast and dangerous one moment and melodious and heart wrenching the next. It seemed to mix in perfectly with what was going on on-screen.
The special effects were pretty cool especially when they showed Panem's advanced technology and genetically engineered dogs. Their tricks with fire were my favorite, getting fire to look real is very hard and I think they did well under the circumstances.
The costuming was almost exactly how I imagined it. The people in the poor districts were dirty wearing plain clothing while those in the Capitol were extremely gaudy and over-the-top. It really brought home to me the kind of lives these characters were living, (I would have loved to have been an extra for the day).
All in all it was a very solid and satisfying film. I was drawn into this world and made a great connection with the characters and events. The visual elements were striking and memorable, the music perfectly matched to the plot, the acting was fabulous and the costumes were gorgeous, making for a fantastic package.
The film follows the story of Katniss Everdeen who grew up in the poorest district in the utilitarian post-American country of Panem ruled over by the oppressive city known as the Capitol. One such tool of oppression the Capitol inflicts upon the districts is the hunger games, in which each district offers up a boy and a girl to compete in a televised fight to the death. Katniss volunteers for the games in place of her sister and the story reflects her experience in the games.
It was a great performance by both heroes, Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark). Each character was believable, I really felt like this could be real. Their portrayal was honest, understated and classy. If this is the caliber of films they make, I cant wait to see what they star in next. There were also some great moments from Donald Sutherland,(President Snow) Woody Harrelson, (Haymitch) and Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman).
One thing I especially like about the film is that it shows different points of view. The book follows the first hand account of Katniss, while the film gives you a look into what is happening outside the arena. The audience is shown things that nobody else sees including; the people controlling the games, the beginnings of dissent among the districts, and even secret meetings with high ranking officials.
Another good selling point was that it was not overly gory. In a plot that involves children brutally fighting to the death you would think there would be a lot of blood. The scenes showed just enough gore to make it frightening and impactful without crossing the line in to horror.
The movie also gives foreshadowing and hints from book two, which provides a neat segue into the inevitable film sequel. It doesn't, however, leave you on a cliffhanger, as I felt the book did. In the film you get a sense that Katniss' trials are not over yet but there's hope of peace for now.
As with any book-to-film translation there will be something in the book that will have to be left out of the movie to save time. There were a few minor details I would have liked to see, like more Katniss-Peeta development, but nothing of major importance to the plot. They told the story very simply and very well.
Just a few things that bugged me, President Snow's mane of white hair was completely unlike how he was described, and it made him seem old and rather a pushover as opposed to dangerous. The set design on the cornucopia was very bizarre, it was a strange metallic spiky thing that seemed disjointed with the natural surroundings. It did however reflect the brutal sharp steel of the weapons it housed so at least it was somewhat cohesive. Lastly, the genetically engineered wolves that attack the players look more like pit bulls than wolves and did not resemble any of the fellow tributes like it should have. Other than that, basically everything was right on point.
The music was beautiful, it was fast and dangerous one moment and melodious and heart wrenching the next. It seemed to mix in perfectly with what was going on on-screen.
The special effects were pretty cool especially when they showed Panem's advanced technology and genetically engineered dogs. Their tricks with fire were my favorite, getting fire to look real is very hard and I think they did well under the circumstances.
The costuming was almost exactly how I imagined it. The people in the poor districts were dirty wearing plain clothing while those in the Capitol were extremely gaudy and over-the-top. It really brought home to me the kind of lives these characters were living, (I would have loved to have been an extra for the day).
All in all it was a very solid and satisfying film. I was drawn into this world and made a great connection with the characters and events. The visual elements were striking and memorable, the music perfectly matched to the plot, the acting was fabulous and the costumes were gorgeous, making for a fantastic package.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Ireland
On the first day we arrived in Dublin and immediately went on a walking tour. Our guide's name was Paul and he was extremely hungover but gave us a great tour. He was also really cute with striking blue eyes and his catch phrase, which I managed to catch on video, was ‘Happy Fucking Days.”
Paul took us all over Dublin showing us some great sights and giving us a lot of history. We learned about the castle and how it doesn’t resemble a castle at all because it was burned down and rebuilt. We learned about the statue of Lady Justice and her 4 flaws: she isn’t blind, she’s carrying an unsheathed sword, her scales keep tipping in the rain, and she faces the castle and the Crown not the city and her people. We saw the Spire from a distance, the biggest freestanding sculpture in the world, built in 2003 for the new millennium….only 3 years too late. It also has many phallic nicknames which I won’t go into here.
He took us past the arts centre where U2 won battle of the bands years ago before they became famous. After they won that night, they went across the street to a nightclub where they were refused entry, Bono replied with “don’t worry someday I’ll own this bar,” he came back and bought the whole block. This is in the Temple Bar area, a great block of shops and pubs, even though it’s a known tourist trap. We went past the place where Jonathan Swift lived near the 40 steps, and even the garden/helipad that royals and important people use when they come to visit.
The tour went a few hours longer than expected and we were starving by the time it was over. We ate at The Mercantile, a great pub, and went to check out the hostel. We got lost and I had problems with my hurt foot, before this trip I wandered around Edinburgh for 10 miles and must have done some major damage to my right foot, this whole trip it hurt very much to walk. We went on a pub crawl that evening which was super fun. The first bar, which was the Mercantile again, I got asked for my number by an extremely nice older gentleman bartender, which kind of made my night, I couldn’t cope with the heels and fell at the 3rd pub which was embarrassing but I changed and went back to the party.
When I went to go change my shoes, and the rest of my outfit since I can’t wear a skirt with ugly sneakers, I almost literally ran into a group of people who were taking a picture outside the pub. Without missing a beat these strangers pulled me into their picture and said smile! So now I am in some random group's picture and will probably always be remembered as that one girl they met awkwardly on the street, if they remember me at all. The third pub was my favourite. I had my first vodka lemon slice shot which was incredibly harsh, and listened to this old guy rock hardcore on a banjo as part of an Irish folk band. He reminded me of Jeff, the best guitarist I know.
We had a pretty good time with all the rest of the drunk people in the pub crawl with us, even though they started to become obnoxious after a time, as always happens with booze. There was this one guy who swerved drunkenly into me and nearly hit me. His friend said “don’t worry I’ll protect you,” and I laughed. He offered me his hand as we were walking and I thought he meant it as an introduction like to shake hands but then he weaved his hand into mine and this perfect stranger and I walked hand in hand down the street for no reason at all. Drunk guys are hilarious. Finally, Brooke came and rescued me. Later that night he was too drunk to stand but it was funny all the same.
At one of the next pubs the girls decided to take another shot, having taken pills for my foot I refrained but it was my round so up to the bar I went. It was worth it because I got to make eyes at a cutie who couldn’t stop staring at me. It was pretty funny and flattering, but he was too chicken to make a move. Too bad for him.
We finally ended up in a nightclub where we lit up the floor with our awesome dance moves. It was really fun to just bust out and let go of our worries. We danced with many random men and made eyes at more but we soon realized that this club housed a lot of gay men, not sure whether or not it was labelled a gay club, no women tried to dance with us, but there were a significant number of them there. At about 2ish we caught a cab home and crashed.
The next morning I slept in until 9:30-10ish but nobody else got up until around 11, we took a while getting ready and had an awesome breakfast/lunch next door at the Copper Alley Bistro. They had a Bailey's Cheesecake which was to die for. Next we walked to the Guinness factory, it was a pretty neat place and it was cool to see the city on the way, plus it came with a free pint of Guinness so who’s complaining?...Well I am, because I dropped my camera, just a tiny drop, 2 feet at the most, but it must have hit it at exactly the wrong spot because my screen is all messed up now. On top of that my foot was pretty much in agony all day. Any time I put pressure on it or moved it wrong, pain would shoot up my entire leg. I’m embarrassed to say it made me crabby and irritable. Unfortunately we couldn’t just stop walking, and I couldn’t expect the rest of the group to slow down for me. I just gritted my teeth and pushed on.
We also went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was beautiful from the outside but closed so we couldn’t see the inside, just another reason to go back. Brooke and I ate dinner at a really cool little Spanish place called Havana which had a great apple and plum crumble. We bought some champagne and OJ and relaxed in the hostel for the evening, we taught Kelsey and Meagan to play hearts and have been playing it a lot ever since.
The next morning we woke up and barely made the bus to Galway. When we finally arrived we didn’t get to go to the Cliffs of Moher because they were only running one bus a day, I'll just have to come back to Ireland to see them too, darn the luck. Instead we walked all around the city which was only about one square mile, if that. Galway was such a cute little town. The local Cathedral was beautiful and we went under the Spanish Arches and along the river. We also went through the shopping district and had afternoon tea in the greatest little tea shop called “Cupan Tae” which looks just like cuppa tea and made us laugh. We ended up spending about 2 or 3 hours there sipping tea and chatting, and I finally found some tea that I like, it was great. Later that night we ate in a nice little Italian place and went to bed pretty early because we had to get up early the next day to catch our bus to Cork.
Cork was a bigger town than I expected, and much more industrial, we called it the Glasgow of Ireland. We didn’t spend much time there, instead we took the bus out to Blarney. This was my favourite part of the trip, the town was so small and cute and quaint and I wanted to spend weeks there. Blarney Castle and Gardens were amazing.
The castle is in ruins but is steeped in history. Of course we couldn’t go to Blarney Castle and not kiss the Blarney Stone, which gifts all those who kiss it with eloquence. I went first, then Meagan. Kelsey and Brooke needed a little convincing but finally did it. It’s a scary experience because you have to lay down and lean back over the edge of the castle and you have to literally bend over backward to get to it, you feel like you are going to fall. It gave me an adrenaline rush though and we had the most fun taking pictures all around the castle and gardens, it was a truly beautiful place. It also had a poison garden full of a huge variety of poisonous plants and herbs. I thought that was the most unusual thing to have growing just outside of a castle but it was really neat and informative. We ate an early dinner at a great pub/hotel in Blarney. I sat next to the fire, it was so comfy. I had a really awesome dessert called a fruit pavlova which was basically all kinds of fruit mixed in a cream and meringue mixture, I have never eaten a dessert like it.
The next day was all about getting ready to leave, we woke up, window shopped in Cork, then had a 5 hour bus trip back to Dublin where we caught the plane home. We arrived home about 10 p.m. and I had to get started on my biology report due the next day, it was a long night at the end of a fantastic trip. I can’t wait for the next adventure.
Paul took us all over Dublin showing us some great sights and giving us a lot of history. We learned about the castle and how it doesn’t resemble a castle at all because it was burned down and rebuilt. We learned about the statue of Lady Justice and her 4 flaws: she isn’t blind, she’s carrying an unsheathed sword, her scales keep tipping in the rain, and she faces the castle and the Crown not the city and her people. We saw the Spire from a distance, the biggest freestanding sculpture in the world, built in 2003 for the new millennium….only 3 years too late. It also has many phallic nicknames which I won’t go into here.
He took us past the arts centre where U2 won battle of the bands years ago before they became famous. After they won that night, they went across the street to a nightclub where they were refused entry, Bono replied with “don’t worry someday I’ll own this bar,” he came back and bought the whole block. This is in the Temple Bar area, a great block of shops and pubs, even though it’s a known tourist trap. We went past the place where Jonathan Swift lived near the 40 steps, and even the garden/helipad that royals and important people use when they come to visit.
The tour went a few hours longer than expected and we were starving by the time it was over. We ate at The Mercantile, a great pub, and went to check out the hostel. We got lost and I had problems with my hurt foot, before this trip I wandered around Edinburgh for 10 miles and must have done some major damage to my right foot, this whole trip it hurt very much to walk. We went on a pub crawl that evening which was super fun. The first bar, which was the Mercantile again, I got asked for my number by an extremely nice older gentleman bartender, which kind of made my night, I couldn’t cope with the heels and fell at the 3rd pub which was embarrassing but I changed and went back to the party.
When I went to go change my shoes, and the rest of my outfit since I can’t wear a skirt with ugly sneakers, I almost literally ran into a group of people who were taking a picture outside the pub. Without missing a beat these strangers pulled me into their picture and said smile! So now I am in some random group's picture and will probably always be remembered as that one girl they met awkwardly on the street, if they remember me at all. The third pub was my favourite. I had my first vodka lemon slice shot which was incredibly harsh, and listened to this old guy rock hardcore on a banjo as part of an Irish folk band. He reminded me of Jeff, the best guitarist I know.
We had a pretty good time with all the rest of the drunk people in the pub crawl with us, even though they started to become obnoxious after a time, as always happens with booze. There was this one guy who swerved drunkenly into me and nearly hit me. His friend said “don’t worry I’ll protect you,” and I laughed. He offered me his hand as we were walking and I thought he meant it as an introduction like to shake hands but then he weaved his hand into mine and this perfect stranger and I walked hand in hand down the street for no reason at all. Drunk guys are hilarious. Finally, Brooke came and rescued me. Later that night he was too drunk to stand but it was funny all the same.
At one of the next pubs the girls decided to take another shot, having taken pills for my foot I refrained but it was my round so up to the bar I went. It was worth it because I got to make eyes at a cutie who couldn’t stop staring at me. It was pretty funny and flattering, but he was too chicken to make a move. Too bad for him.
We finally ended up in a nightclub where we lit up the floor with our awesome dance moves. It was really fun to just bust out and let go of our worries. We danced with many random men and made eyes at more but we soon realized that this club housed a lot of gay men, not sure whether or not it was labelled a gay club, no women tried to dance with us, but there were a significant number of them there. At about 2ish we caught a cab home and crashed.
The next morning I slept in until 9:30-10ish but nobody else got up until around 11, we took a while getting ready and had an awesome breakfast/lunch next door at the Copper Alley Bistro. They had a Bailey's Cheesecake which was to die for. Next we walked to the Guinness factory, it was a pretty neat place and it was cool to see the city on the way, plus it came with a free pint of Guinness so who’s complaining?...Well I am, because I dropped my camera, just a tiny drop, 2 feet at the most, but it must have hit it at exactly the wrong spot because my screen is all messed up now. On top of that my foot was pretty much in agony all day. Any time I put pressure on it or moved it wrong, pain would shoot up my entire leg. I’m embarrassed to say it made me crabby and irritable. Unfortunately we couldn’t just stop walking, and I couldn’t expect the rest of the group to slow down for me. I just gritted my teeth and pushed on.
We also went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was beautiful from the outside but closed so we couldn’t see the inside, just another reason to go back. Brooke and I ate dinner at a really cool little Spanish place called Havana which had a great apple and plum crumble. We bought some champagne and OJ and relaxed in the hostel for the evening, we taught Kelsey and Meagan to play hearts and have been playing it a lot ever since.
The next morning we woke up and barely made the bus to Galway. When we finally arrived we didn’t get to go to the Cliffs of Moher because they were only running one bus a day, I'll just have to come back to Ireland to see them too, darn the luck. Instead we walked all around the city which was only about one square mile, if that. Galway was such a cute little town. The local Cathedral was beautiful and we went under the Spanish Arches and along the river. We also went through the shopping district and had afternoon tea in the greatest little tea shop called “Cupan Tae” which looks just like cuppa tea and made us laugh. We ended up spending about 2 or 3 hours there sipping tea and chatting, and I finally found some tea that I like, it was great. Later that night we ate in a nice little Italian place and went to bed pretty early because we had to get up early the next day to catch our bus to Cork.
Cork was a bigger town than I expected, and much more industrial, we called it the Glasgow of Ireland. We didn’t spend much time there, instead we took the bus out to Blarney. This was my favourite part of the trip, the town was so small and cute and quaint and I wanted to spend weeks there. Blarney Castle and Gardens were amazing.
The castle is in ruins but is steeped in history. Of course we couldn’t go to Blarney Castle and not kiss the Blarney Stone, which gifts all those who kiss it with eloquence. I went first, then Meagan. Kelsey and Brooke needed a little convincing but finally did it. It’s a scary experience because you have to lay down and lean back over the edge of the castle and you have to literally bend over backward to get to it, you feel like you are going to fall. It gave me an adrenaline rush though and we had the most fun taking pictures all around the castle and gardens, it was a truly beautiful place. It also had a poison garden full of a huge variety of poisonous plants and herbs. I thought that was the most unusual thing to have growing just outside of a castle but it was really neat and informative. We ate an early dinner at a great pub/hotel in Blarney. I sat next to the fire, it was so comfy. I had a really awesome dessert called a fruit pavlova which was basically all kinds of fruit mixed in a cream and meringue mixture, I have never eaten a dessert like it.
The next day was all about getting ready to leave, we woke up, window shopped in Cork, then had a 5 hour bus trip back to Dublin where we caught the plane home. We arrived home about 10 p.m. and I had to get started on my biology report due the next day, it was a long night at the end of a fantastic trip. I can’t wait for the next adventure.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wandering
Hey guys,
I just got home after a very long wander. For those who don't know I like very much to go wandering, especially in a new place. A wander is exactly as it sounds, an aimless walk with no real plans or intentions. I usually wander to explore, it's a way of getting my bearings and understanding the place I live in. I like to feel the endless possibilities and see just exactly where the path ends. Usually I pick a direction or a vague place I would like to see and I head toward it. Usually I change my mind halfway through, but I always end up in a cool place.
Previously I wandered to the city center where I took one road out until my feet were sore and I could trek no further. Another time I went into a new part of the city and found the path along the river which I took all the way back to my home. One of my more recent excursions was when I went north until I reached the sea and followed a bus route until it ended. At first I just explored the city, until it wasn't enough for me anymore and I felt the compulsion to branch out further.
Today I needed another wander. It was a beautiful day so I decided to stretch my legs and enjoy the sunshine. First I had to turn in an assignment so I walked about a mile round trip to campus for that. I didn't want to shop or go indoors so I stuck to the parks and green areas. I went through the meadows, intending to go to Grassmarket, changed my mind and ended up in Holyrood Park where Arthur's Seat and the Salsbury Crags are. I meant to explore these paths a little to scope them out for my family, they're coming to visit soon and I want to show them cool places.
I found a cute little duck pond completely full of birds. The swans were particularly elegant and beautiful. One path that might be good for the family is a little hill topped with some ruins that overlooks the city, I think they'll like that. Once I was on a certain road I had to see where it ended, and once I got pretty far down I realized I can go and see the North Sea.
By the time I got to the water it was late afternoon coming up on sunset. I sat and contemplated for a while just gazing into the depths. I finally got up and started heading back by a new path I found on my phone (GPS is the best thing about having a smartphone). I found out I was no longer technically in Edinburgh, but in Duddingston. I walked up a great old cobbled road that looked like it came straight out of the 1800s and past some beautiful old houses and a golf course. I then walked along the other side of the big park on the path by Arthur's seat, made my way across the meadows and back home. All in all, it was a 10 mile trek, the longest I've ever walked in one day.
And the day ain't over yet...
I just got home after a very long wander. For those who don't know I like very much to go wandering, especially in a new place. A wander is exactly as it sounds, an aimless walk with no real plans or intentions. I usually wander to explore, it's a way of getting my bearings and understanding the place I live in. I like to feel the endless possibilities and see just exactly where the path ends. Usually I pick a direction or a vague place I would like to see and I head toward it. Usually I change my mind halfway through, but I always end up in a cool place.
Previously I wandered to the city center where I took one road out until my feet were sore and I could trek no further. Another time I went into a new part of the city and found the path along the river which I took all the way back to my home. One of my more recent excursions was when I went north until I reached the sea and followed a bus route until it ended. At first I just explored the city, until it wasn't enough for me anymore and I felt the compulsion to branch out further.
Today I needed another wander. It was a beautiful day so I decided to stretch my legs and enjoy the sunshine. First I had to turn in an assignment so I walked about a mile round trip to campus for that. I didn't want to shop or go indoors so I stuck to the parks and green areas. I went through the meadows, intending to go to Grassmarket, changed my mind and ended up in Holyrood Park where Arthur's Seat and the Salsbury Crags are. I meant to explore these paths a little to scope them out for my family, they're coming to visit soon and I want to show them cool places.
I found a cute little duck pond completely full of birds. The swans were particularly elegant and beautiful. One path that might be good for the family is a little hill topped with some ruins that overlooks the city, I think they'll like that. Once I was on a certain road I had to see where it ended, and once I got pretty far down I realized I can go and see the North Sea.
By the time I got to the water it was late afternoon coming up on sunset. I sat and contemplated for a while just gazing into the depths. I finally got up and started heading back by a new path I found on my phone (GPS is the best thing about having a smartphone). I found out I was no longer technically in Edinburgh, but in Duddingston. I walked up a great old cobbled road that looked like it came straight out of the 1800s and past some beautiful old houses and a golf course. I then walked along the other side of the big park on the path by Arthur's seat, made my way across the meadows and back home. All in all, it was a 10 mile trek, the longest I've ever walked in one day.
And the day ain't over yet...
Friday, January 13, 2012
Indecision
It's 2 a.m. here in Edinburgh and I am still awake thinking about my future. I wanted to just sit back and enjoy my year here but the further I go the more I realize that big life-changing decisions are just around the corner, and I do not feel ready to face them. All my life I have had trouble with indecision, is usually ask someone else to decide or put them off entirely.
With any luck I'll graduate this semester, which means I will be free to choose just about any path. If I get a full-time job here and a work visa I could feasibly stay here forever. But then what about my family? I have always been extremely proud of the close bonds I share with my family and my friends. I do not know how long I can maintain these vital relationships via letters and Skype. My cousin is having a baby, how am I supposed to be a good and loving aunt from so far away? What will happen when my brother settles down with a wife and kids, what if I meet someone special here?
When I think about how much I miss everyone from home I feel miserable for wanting to stay. Except I love it here. Living here has been almost a magical experience, and I would be heartbroken if I had to leave. The problem is I would be just as heartbroken if I weakened these family ties I hold so sacred. If I stay here I'm guaranteed to live hand-to-mouth for many years. If I go home I might be able to get a small reprieve, but I will be stuck in the black hole that is Bakersfield, and I want something more for myself. I also am afraid of looking and feeling like a failure, forced to come home to mommy and daddy because I can't hack it in the real world on my own.
Sometimes I still wonder about being a writer. Everyone likes to voice their opinions the fact that I do it on paper doesn't make me special. I fear for the world of print media, because it may be dwindling slowly into oblivion, and job-wise that does not bode well for me. I started this blog in hopes that I would be noticed, that somehow I could stand out and get ahead, but everyone is blogging now, and there's nothing to set me apart.
I sometimes wonder where I would be now if I followed a different dream. For years I wanted to be a pyrotechnician so that I could design fireworks. For some reason or other, I decided it was too hard, that I needed to be better at math, chemistry and physics, and I asked myself would it really be worth it? When I saw the fireworks light up the sky heralding the New Year I thought maybe it's not too late to go for it. The first time I interviewed a source for my school paper and later when I saw my name in print, I remember feeling that same awe. Maybe it has just been too long since I have actually written for a publication, so I have lost the thrill. Maybe all it takes to get that spark back is writing professionally again.
I want to travel the entire world and see everything there is to see, but as always money is the issue. I promised myself I would travel Europe while I was here. I wanted to be off somewhere new every weekend, but money runs short and plans change. I might have to stay here a while because at this rate I cant afford a flight home. Maybe instead of the journalism field I could go into the tourism field. I could get paid to go places and write for travel guides or magazines. I think one of my many dream jobs might be National Geographic, where I could get paid to go somewhere new and exciting and write about my adventures. As I imagine this the question comes back to me, what about family? When will I find time to see them again? When will I find a place I can call home? and is it really worth it?
Another dream is to be a film critic. Not just a film critic of course, there's no room in journalism for a one-trick pony anymore. I would have to write many things but if I can write about the wonderful world of cinema occasionally I think I could be happy. I might even like working in the classic film field, like with Turner Classic Movies writing about film history and the Golden Age. The questions now are: how do I get my foot in the door? and will I be able to support myself this way.
Up until now these have all just been dreams, the life I contemplate while I'm still in school 'figuring it out.' The time has come to figure and figure fast because soon I will be out of comfy college life and in the real world with a massive student debt and no promised career and no one to hold my hand and do it for me.
All of these paths are laid before me and there is no certainty as to where they lead. I am afraid of making the wrong decision but I can't be indecisive forever.
And that is what is keeping me awake at 3:25 a.m.
With any luck I'll graduate this semester, which means I will be free to choose just about any path. If I get a full-time job here and a work visa I could feasibly stay here forever. But then what about my family? I have always been extremely proud of the close bonds I share with my family and my friends. I do not know how long I can maintain these vital relationships via letters and Skype. My cousin is having a baby, how am I supposed to be a good and loving aunt from so far away? What will happen when my brother settles down with a wife and kids, what if I meet someone special here?
When I think about how much I miss everyone from home I feel miserable for wanting to stay. Except I love it here. Living here has been almost a magical experience, and I would be heartbroken if I had to leave. The problem is I would be just as heartbroken if I weakened these family ties I hold so sacred. If I stay here I'm guaranteed to live hand-to-mouth for many years. If I go home I might be able to get a small reprieve, but I will be stuck in the black hole that is Bakersfield, and I want something more for myself. I also am afraid of looking and feeling like a failure, forced to come home to mommy and daddy because I can't hack it in the real world on my own.
Sometimes I still wonder about being a writer. Everyone likes to voice their opinions the fact that I do it on paper doesn't make me special. I fear for the world of print media, because it may be dwindling slowly into oblivion, and job-wise that does not bode well for me. I started this blog in hopes that I would be noticed, that somehow I could stand out and get ahead, but everyone is blogging now, and there's nothing to set me apart.
I sometimes wonder where I would be now if I followed a different dream. For years I wanted to be a pyrotechnician so that I could design fireworks. For some reason or other, I decided it was too hard, that I needed to be better at math, chemistry and physics, and I asked myself would it really be worth it? When I saw the fireworks light up the sky heralding the New Year I thought maybe it's not too late to go for it. The first time I interviewed a source for my school paper and later when I saw my name in print, I remember feeling that same awe. Maybe it has just been too long since I have actually written for a publication, so I have lost the thrill. Maybe all it takes to get that spark back is writing professionally again.
I want to travel the entire world and see everything there is to see, but as always money is the issue. I promised myself I would travel Europe while I was here. I wanted to be off somewhere new every weekend, but money runs short and plans change. I might have to stay here a while because at this rate I cant afford a flight home. Maybe instead of the journalism field I could go into the tourism field. I could get paid to go places and write for travel guides or magazines. I think one of my many dream jobs might be National Geographic, where I could get paid to go somewhere new and exciting and write about my adventures. As I imagine this the question comes back to me, what about family? When will I find time to see them again? When will I find a place I can call home? and is it really worth it?
Another dream is to be a film critic. Not just a film critic of course, there's no room in journalism for a one-trick pony anymore. I would have to write many things but if I can write about the wonderful world of cinema occasionally I think I could be happy. I might even like working in the classic film field, like with Turner Classic Movies writing about film history and the Golden Age. The questions now are: how do I get my foot in the door? and will I be able to support myself this way.
Up until now these have all just been dreams, the life I contemplate while I'm still in school 'figuring it out.' The time has come to figure and figure fast because soon I will be out of comfy college life and in the real world with a massive student debt and no promised career and no one to hold my hand and do it for me.
All of these paths are laid before me and there is no certainty as to where they lead. I am afraid of making the wrong decision but I can't be indecisive forever.
And that is what is keeping me awake at 3:25 a.m.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Zoo and pub
Hey everyone. In case this is your first time following me I last left off during my Christmas break from Uni, right after my friend and I got home from Paris.
Today I visited the Edinburgh zoo, one of the most famous zoos in Britain I am told. They had just gotten in a pair of pandas and so that was the main focus of the exhibit. They are beautiful creatures but my particular visit was a bit lackluster. The handlers did not let them out of their indoor exhibits and so they laid around the whole time, sleeping and having a poo.
My favorite part would probably have to be the penguins, they were the liveliest and most spirited of the animals and they were so cute waddling around. at around 2 they went on their daily "march" around the street. They have apparently done this every day for the past 50 years since one of the employees left a door open by mistake and some penguins wandered out. This walk is optional, they don't entice the penguins out with food or anything so it consists of whichever penguins want to walk. It was very cute.
I also had fun watching the big cats, the birds and the sea lion (who incidentally swam right up to me and left before I could get my camera out.)Another cool part of the zoo was the Living Links exhibit which show different animals along the links of human's evolutionary chain. (that and baby monkeys are so cute!)
For the evening's festivities I decided to go pub hopping, something I had done a few times before. I go to one pub have a drink and a chat and go on to the next. Tonight I started out with the Ghillie Dhu (very Scottish by the sound of the name.) I was a fine place, mostly full of middle aged middle class men just off of work. I stayed for a drink then left.
Right next door was a place I had been dying to try: The Rat Pack. Those of you who know me know that I am a huge Rat Pack fan, anything to do with those guys or their kind of music and I immediately begin to salivate. I had even more reason to salivate tonight because just after I arrived three of the most beautiful young men I have ever seen came in. Turns out one of them was playing a gig tonight on piano and his two friends had come to watch. We were the only ones in the pub and they invited me to join them. At some point midway through the first half hour of that set and I decided to forsake my pub hopping plans and see where this night was headed.
I seem to have had a good track record lately, first I'm hanging out with two gorgeous guys at a rugby game, now it's three in a piano bar, fingers crossed for four tomorrow!
But seriously, I had absolutely the best time singing along and talking and cheering and making merriment with everyone. If I had not met them, I would have probably gone home early and been in bed by 10, how boring. Instead I stuck around enjoying the company and the music. Three hours later the set was over and it was time to head home. They invited me back to their place, just a train ride away near Glasgow, and I was tempted but had to decline. They generously dropped me off at my place, so I didn't have to spend money on a cab, and went on their way. I was hoping for a kiss goodnight from one of them but alas... not tonight. But who knows what the future will bring? I got lucky tonight, I wandered into the right pub at the right time, maybe I'll get lucky again.
and for tomorrow...Christmas Market in Prince's Street Gardens.
Ta ta for now.
Today I visited the Edinburgh zoo, one of the most famous zoos in Britain I am told. They had just gotten in a pair of pandas and so that was the main focus of the exhibit. They are beautiful creatures but my particular visit was a bit lackluster. The handlers did not let them out of their indoor exhibits and so they laid around the whole time, sleeping and having a poo.
My favorite part would probably have to be the penguins, they were the liveliest and most spirited of the animals and they were so cute waddling around. at around 2 they went on their daily "march" around the street. They have apparently done this every day for the past 50 years since one of the employees left a door open by mistake and some penguins wandered out. This walk is optional, they don't entice the penguins out with food or anything so it consists of whichever penguins want to walk. It was very cute.
I also had fun watching the big cats, the birds and the sea lion (who incidentally swam right up to me and left before I could get my camera out.)Another cool part of the zoo was the Living Links exhibit which show different animals along the links of human's evolutionary chain. (that and baby monkeys are so cute!)
For the evening's festivities I decided to go pub hopping, something I had done a few times before. I go to one pub have a drink and a chat and go on to the next. Tonight I started out with the Ghillie Dhu (very Scottish by the sound of the name.) I was a fine place, mostly full of middle aged middle class men just off of work. I stayed for a drink then left.
Right next door was a place I had been dying to try: The Rat Pack. Those of you who know me know that I am a huge Rat Pack fan, anything to do with those guys or their kind of music and I immediately begin to salivate. I had even more reason to salivate tonight because just after I arrived three of the most beautiful young men I have ever seen came in. Turns out one of them was playing a gig tonight on piano and his two friends had come to watch. We were the only ones in the pub and they invited me to join them. At some point midway through the first half hour of that set and I decided to forsake my pub hopping plans and see where this night was headed.
I seem to have had a good track record lately, first I'm hanging out with two gorgeous guys at a rugby game, now it's three in a piano bar, fingers crossed for four tomorrow!
But seriously, I had absolutely the best time singing along and talking and cheering and making merriment with everyone. If I had not met them, I would have probably gone home early and been in bed by 10, how boring. Instead I stuck around enjoying the company and the music. Three hours later the set was over and it was time to head home. They invited me back to their place, just a train ride away near Glasgow, and I was tempted but had to decline. They generously dropped me off at my place, so I didn't have to spend money on a cab, and went on their way. I was hoping for a kiss goodnight from one of them but alas... not tonight. But who knows what the future will bring? I got lucky tonight, I wandered into the right pub at the right time, maybe I'll get lucky again.
and for tomorrow...Christmas Market in Prince's Street Gardens.
Ta ta for now.
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