tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73340400569021193622024-03-04T22:36:14.243-08:00Big Thoughts in a Little HeadMusic. Travel. Wine. Food. General Ridiculousness. Answers to questions people most often ask me. #hashtags RadiosMichelleBriandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482069768117732010noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-91221345609121670582018-01-21T07:19:00.002-08:002018-01-21T07:19:25.951-08:00New Real EstateNew Year, New Challenges, New Opportunities, New Adventures!<div>
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And...I've moved!</div>
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Check me out at <a href="http://www.michellebriand.com/">www.michellebriand.com</a></div>
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See you at the new banana stand.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-35481399374995316292018-01-04T08:25:00.000-08:002018-01-04T08:29:11.939-08:00New World vs. New World being Old WorldBack in the Fall, I found myself with some free time to plow through my stacks of Netflix dvds & books. Over the years, I've been given some crap that I still get the dvds, but they never stream indie or foreign films. So, je n'en ai rien a foutre.<br />
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One of the dvds was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1394383/">"Blood Into Wine"</a>, the doco about Maynard James Keenan's vineyards in Arizona. Overall, the documentary was an interesting perspective on wine as it was half about the artistry of wine and half about responsible farming & environmental issues. The real star was in Eric Glomski who was a river ecology major, which translated into restoring the land in Arizona.<br />
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After watching the movie, I purchased 4 wines from <a href="https://caduceus.org/">Caduceus </a>- a red, a white, a rose, & an orange. The first one we dipped into was the Primer Paso red blend, which was made in the style of Cote Rotie. As a comparison, we cracked open a <a href="http://www.creamwine.com/brand.php?id=1306">Field Theory </a>Aglianico from Paso Robles. The comparison I was after was not grape to grape but more new world trying to be innovative vs. new world trying to be classic. For a meal, we decided to do Pacific Rim style duck, i.e. roasted with soy sauce, molasses, and orange.<br />
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First, we tried both on their own:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIp9NXnLR-L5rOhaftr8152F6KWoCzmKxIA1P1pLCSYpI9cuqkOblC9ZvJT0iC0NfZLOKqyMaIW-DxRGL_DM1dXmDC5cKM13lblz4ockGpd8Dr98oi4rwRbadMEu-KdGO-e_-CFlMqL0/s1600/Image-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIp9NXnLR-L5rOhaftr8152F6KWoCzmKxIA1P1pLCSYpI9cuqkOblC9ZvJT0iC0NfZLOKqyMaIW-DxRGL_DM1dXmDC5cKM13lblz4ockGpd8Dr98oi4rwRbadMEu-KdGO-e_-CFlMqL0/s320/Image-1.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Field Theory (right) was much fruitier and simpler than the Cadeceus. The Caduceus was complex but subtle, rich, and bit spicy with ripe purple/red fruit. Both were really good but you could tell there was a lot more deliberate technique with the Caduceus. BTW, the Caduceus was $50 and the Field Theory was $18.<br />
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Since the alcohol content of both were >13%, we decided to have some snacks while were cooking:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWit2fXANakO4ca13dCpJy7xDfNFFCGUWZdIuj2D9j4odrOSAPQyzcv2X-NMY29VlVfGg0vHHeN1ksCbQ80mFNT3CfmdrMMNJKBgS1YA_JZh2pHWaukSROdzFkFWFFo5VEHA6EChgjH4/s1600/Image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWit2fXANakO4ca13dCpJy7xDfNFFCGUWZdIuj2D9j4odrOSAPQyzcv2X-NMY29VlVfGg0vHHeN1ksCbQ80mFNT3CfmdrMMNJKBgS1YA_JZh2pHWaukSROdzFkFWFFo5VEHA6EChgjH4/s320/Image.png" width="240" /></a></div>
We chose truffle potato chips from <a href="http://www.mafrancegourmet.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html">MA France</a> and white corn chips from <a href="https://www.wegmans.com/">Wegman's</a>. Perhaps not surprising, aside from the salt, neither chip held up to the wines.<br />
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For the main course, we did the duck, fries with French aioli, and green salad:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H8b6ODV4T0Z0p8KdHsmXpZc3gVFXqYZznpp1WQuVEYJ4Fk21U0b7ugzm9mzoa-VNNJiCjPX4S7IVTHvhaQZzyh51oZ5BG2-xHxHWCtrgr271jf_d36ExZVADUTwy39ukWVAYSUmhtoY/s1600/Image-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H8b6ODV4T0Z0p8KdHsmXpZc3gVFXqYZznpp1WQuVEYJ4Fk21U0b7ugzm9mzoa-VNNJiCjPX4S7IVTHvhaQZzyh51oZ5BG2-xHxHWCtrgr271jf_d36ExZVADUTwy39ukWVAYSUmhtoY/s320/Image-2.png" width="240" /></a></div>
Both wines complimented the duck well. The Field Theory kept it's fruit, whereas the Caduceus veered more dry & spicy. Oddly, we felt that Caduceus made us feel like we were eating in Europe & the Field Theory like California.<br />
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Verdict: Either! Depends on budget and where you'd like to "go" for dinner :-)RadiosMichelleBriandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482069768117732010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-59731164634578048702017-12-30T09:41:00.002-08:002017-12-31T21:52:26.639-08:002017 Review<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d
never done before?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Rode the Surfliner up the Pacific Coast.
I had wanted to do it when I lived out west but never got around to it.
It surpassed my expectations - I loved it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Visited Chicago for the first time - great
city. Loved the architecture.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sat in an outdoor thermal pool while it was
snowing. So cool, Literally.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions,
and will you make more for this year?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
I never make those. I feel obligated to so many things that I can't add
one more thing to the pile. Although, it's pretty clear I have loads of
things to improve upon!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
One friend had the cutest bebe & I got to snuggle her when they visited
me at work.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">4. Did anyone close to you pass away?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
A friend who was like family. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">J</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">5. What countries did you visit?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
Australia, Japan, Mexico (first time!) & Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">6. What would you like to have next year that
you lacked in this one?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">More
peace of mind. The past couple of years ended up being really transitional.
When all was was said & done, I stayed on and permanently landed on my feet
in a much better place personally & professionally. Now that I've
"arrived", I should probably stop the constant contingency
planning. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">7. What dates from this year will remain
etched upon your memory, and why?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1/1 - Shrine visit; 1/2 - met my niece for the
first time; 1/12 - final job interview; 7/2 - met my my other niece for the
first time. BTW, being auntie is pretty much the BEST gig ever!! <3!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">8. What was your biggest achievement of the
year?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">So nerdy. Implementing a completely
unfamiliar database for my department basically on my own. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">9. What was your biggest failure?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Any number of things on a regular basis! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
Garden variety colds and the usual stress stomachaches. Otherwise, I've
been blessed with superhuman health. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">11. What was the best thing you bought?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="https://olangcanada.com/en/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Warm winter boots</span></a> with
ice picks in the soles. I can't take the cold but Canadians have great tools to
make it more manageable!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">12. Where did most of your money go?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Savings!!!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">13. What did you get really, really, really
excited about?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The possibility of moving back to
California. I never wanted to leave in the first place but practicality
brought me back East. As time had progressed, I had relegated myself to
the fact I probably would be in Boston until further notice. Honestly, my quality of life is super high & there's lots of opportunities. So, there was no
reason to up end anything, especially since I was still paying off my student
loans (This whole thing of struggling with student loans has always been thing,
at least in my circles. I'm glad people are finally paying attention
to the fact that most salaries won't enable you to pay them back in a timely fashion, never mind "live the American Dream" or take on a "dream job" #radio #haha). Anyway, a couple of years ago, I paid the loans off &
ended up with a skill set in relatively high demand . <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">This past summer, I did a quick drive by of my
old hometown with Phil. He loved it way more than I ever could. Now, he
wants to move there 😍. We may never do it but the fact that it's
actually possibility has brought me an amazing sense of peace that I didn't
know I needed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">14. What song will always remind you of this
year?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
<a href="http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/listen-rostam-talks-half-light-track-bike-dream-song-exploder-2017-09-14" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Bike Dream - Rostam</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sooooo romantic!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">15. Compared to this time last year, are you:<br />
a) happier or sadder?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
Happier<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">b) thinner or fatter?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">About the same<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">c) richer or poorer?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">about the same - well, maybe richer since most
of my $$ is going into savings<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">16. What do you wish you’d done more of?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
slept!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">17. What do you wish you’d done less of?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Complain. Even I find my whinging rather
boring, pointless, and complete waste of energy. Like I start whinging,
and I'm all, "why I am doing this?".<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">18. How did you spend Christmas?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
Made radio magic <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">BUT...I did see so many friends around the
actual day. My social life was robust around the holidays and I loved it!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">19. Did you fall in love this year?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
The longer we're together, the better it gets. I never thought it was
possible but I love him more & more every day.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">20. What was your favourite TV program?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
I loved the second season of "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4635276/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Master of None"</span></a>. The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/09/18/why-lena-waithes-historic-emmy-win-for-master-of-none-is-so-meaningful/?utm_term=.156d0114de1b" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">"Thanksgiving" </span></a>episode
gave me allllll the feels. All of them. "Cute and smart! You
don't get those together.",<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The best show - hands down - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offspring_(TV_series)" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">"Offspring"</span></a>. If you were ever curious about
how my mind works, <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/tahliapritchard/nina-is-my-spirit-animal?utm_term=.aa3OJYzYO#.opEYOk1kY" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Nina Proudman</span></a> is
where it's at. Most of the story lines & 100% of the internal
dialogue. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">#subtleperve #becool #coolwithaK<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">21. What was the best book you read?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">I have a massive stack of books on my bedside
table. There were 3 I couldn't put down:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LAppart-Delights-Disasters-Making-Paris/dp/0804188386" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">L'Appart </span></a>by David
Lebovitz; Ever dreamt of moving overseas & getting 100% settled into your
new homeland? Bring a sense of humor.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hillbilly-Elegy-Memoir-Family-Culture/dp/0062300547" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Hillbilly Elegy</span></a> by
J.D. Vance: I would never want to be president of this county. We
are front & foremost capitalist, along with being huge, which
gives way to many different pockets of culture. There's no way you could
ever unify everyone...maybe if everyone had a stable income that allotted for
basic security? Who knows. For now, I'd rather have a career of picking
up trash with a stick that has a nail on the end of it than lead the free
world. Anyway, this quick read gives a voice to people who don't often
get to step up to the podium.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gjelina-Cooking-California-Travis-Lett/dp/145212809X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514654479&sr=1-1&keywords=gjelina+cookbook" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Gjelina</span></a> by Travis
Lett: My friend sent me this as a gift and it will forever remind me of
sitting in the back of <a href="http://www.gjusta.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Gjusta</span></a>, eating off each other's plates on a warm night. <3!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">22. What was your favourite film?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
<a href="http://asianwiki.com/Scoop!_(Japanese_Movie)" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;">Scoop!</span></a>: I saw it on a plane but is totally worth tracking
down. It's about a paparazzo journalist who ends up with this amazing
story. Lots of great shots of Tokyo.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: #b87309; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4080672/" target="_blank">Papa o</a>u Maman</span>: This a
French film that would probably never get made here. A set of parents are
divorcing and they are letting their kids pick the parent with whom they'd like
to live. Both of them go out of their way to behave horribly to make them
choose the other parent.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">23. What did you do on your birthday, and how
old were you?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">I worked on a tv commercial for work! Extra
long day but fun way to enter year 44.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">24. What kept you sane?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
Walking? Because the T is such crap, I end up walking home usually.
It's a good way to clear the cobwebs & get caught up on music or podcasts.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">25. Which celebrity/public figure did you
fancy the most?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 15.333333015441895px;">Matthew Le Nevez #damn</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">26. Who did you miss?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">My grandmother. I miss her every
day. It's been 14 years. I guess you learn to live around the
feelings vs. getting over them.</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-73172547444117940202017-09-15T08:14:00.001-07:002017-09-15T12:08:58.640-07:00SnacksAs the weather is getting colder & all the tv shows are coming back, I have some snack recommendations for your upcoming chilly weather binge watching. You'll probably get a bit peckish while being sucked into shows like <a href="https://www.viceland.com/en_us/show/what-would-diplo-do" target="_blank">What Would Diplo Do?</a> & <a href="http://www.sundance.tv/series/top-of-the-lake" target="_blank">Top of the Lake: China Girl</a>.<br />
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<b><u>Ice Cream</u></b></div>
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I know New England is the #1 ice cream consuming region in the US...this may be sacrilegious BUT <a href="https://jenis.com/" target="_blank">Jeni's</a> from Columbus, OH is totally bitchin. Violet flavored ice cream??? UM, YES, PLEASE! Best part? Flat rate shipping of $13!</div>
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<b><u>Ding Dongs</u></b></div>
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My friend, Jeff, turned me onto these adult ding dongs from <a href="https://www.goldbely.com/cake-monkey/15881-peanut-butter-and-marshmallow-cakewich-4-pk?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiNXYpLun1gIVwh-GCh3ktQKXEAQYAyABEgLdY_D_BwE" target="_blank">Cake Monkey</a>. Super posh, extra delicious snack cakes. My friend, Amy, will be getting a bunch for her birthday. She doesn't read my blog so I feel safe sharing this with you.*<br />
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<b><u>Chips</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.formaggiokitchen.com/" target="_blank">Formaggio Kitchen</a> sells these amazing Spanish potato chips called, appropriately enough, <a href="https://www.boroughbox.com/bonilla-la-vista-patatas-fritas" target="_blank">PATATAS FRITAS</a>. The can has a handle so you can use it as a giant purse when you're done.</div>
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<b><u>Fried Chicken</u></b></div>
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If you're not in Boston or Charlotte, you may be out of luck but the Latin fried chicken from <a href="http://polloroyal.com/" target="_blank">Pollo Royal</a> is the best ever.</div>
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<b><u>Pizza</u></b></div>
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Completely worth traveling for - <a href="http://www.sillarispizza.com/" target="_blank">Sillari's Pizza</a>. We literally have to pretend it doesn't exist or we would eat there multiple times a week. Chef Scott & Amanda's pizza game is strong!</div>
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Bon Appetit!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Let's be real. Nobody's reading my blog and I'm 100% ok with that.</span></i></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-8931973198638621162017-09-15T07:27:00.002-07:002018-01-21T07:00:50.134-08:00On Job SearchingOver the past couple of years, I've changed jobs a bit more than I have in the past - all for normal reasons, nothing shady. While I wouldn't consider myself an expert in looking for a new job, I've been hit up for advice lately. So, here goes...<br />
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Before any of this job search stuff started, I had a couple of resources in reserve:<br />
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<li><b>Emergency Savings</b> - While I had severance, it took MA Unemployment a while to process my first check. Even though I didn't tap into it, the savings helped everything feel less urgent. </li>
<li><b>Examples of My Work </b>- As I worked on projects, I would bcc myself on reports, decks, scope docs, anything. If somebody wanted an example of my work, I had a whole library of items to bring with me to an interview. </li>
<li><b>Part Time Job & Volunteer Gigs</b> - Those got me out of the house & engaged when the walls closed in. </li>
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In general, the biggest struggle I had with "being on the market" was the emotional piece. From changing my daily routine to being asked inappropriate questions during interviews that lasted 6+ hours, it was exhausting. While I couldn't control the outside forces of apply/wait/return call/decide whether I wanted the job/think about whether they wanted me, I could contain it. Every morning, I'd wake up at my usual time & spend the next 6-8 hours doing work "stuff". I'd update my resume, apply for jobs, schedule interviews, take online classes, etc.. Then, unless something extraordinary came up, I'd finish my "work day" around 3 or 4 and use the rest of the day to do whatever I wanted.</div>
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From a tactical standpoint, I availed myself of all free resources. MA has some great career centers. I recommend using one located in the area where most of your jobs are located. I live in an industrial city; therefore, my local career center specializes in things like mechanics, construction, etc.. So, I used Career Source in Cambridge as most of their training & listings were in the tech field. If you want to learn something new or need some skills upgrades, libraries offer Lynda.com classes for free.</div>
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To get your resume through the bots, I recommend including all the software programs you know as "tools" & list your successes/accomplishments as your experience vs. tasks performed.</div>
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For referrals, at one point, I could walk into HR and recommend somebody for a job but that's not the case anymore. Unless a resume matches the programmed criteria, nobody will see the application. I tell people to apply as directed & call me as soon as they hear something. </div>
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Ultimately, if you feel like you could use some extra help, there are plenty of recruiters out there who are willing to meet & review your resume for free. They tend to be the best source of the latest trends in applying & interviewing. </div>
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Good luck!<br />
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Total P.S. to the story as somebody asked me about this yesterday. Between both times on the market, I spent about 6 months total, around 3 months each time, looking for a new opportunity. Since I had to keep track of all my actions...on average, I applied for 10 jobs a day, i.e. 70 jobs per week or 1800 jobs overall. On a normal week, I had about 10 contacts, follow ups, interviews, or unreasonable offers, i.e. 260 contacts. Those resulted in 2 reasonable offers. Basically, the success rate is 1 usable offer for every 900 applications, or 1 offer for every 130 contacts for me to score a highly technical, middle management, fully benefitted, market fair salary in the city.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-53590128264455538032017-09-07T04:56:00.000-07:002017-09-07T09:02:07.771-07:00Mini Thought Piece - Dying Industries?Over the course of my career, I've been the butt of many jokes as my chosen occupations seem to make the list of dying jobs. My only rebuttal has been: Don't mistake technology disruption for complete industry obliteration. And, also, I'm not a travel agent.<br />
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For better or for worse, the Internet has been the great equalizer. "Experts" are just as likely to be average people as they are celebrities or highly educated specialists. Consumers now have an active say in brand perception through reviews, blogging, social media, etc.. Now, before people commit, they often go online to find somebody like themselves talking about the item or service. People already have the facts - they just want to know if the experience will meet their expectations.<br />
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Aside from leveling the playing field, the Internet has blown open what were exclusive distribution channels. That airline ticket you had to go to travel agent to buy? Right on your phone. Want to listen to BBC news? No need to tune into your local NPR station (if they broadcast it) at a certain time. Go right to Tune In. It's all about what you want; when you want it; in exactly the way you want it. For the creators with a little bit of business savvy, the internet can make you an entrepreneur.<br />
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Ultimately, though, people still want all the things they've always wanted: fun experiences, a sense of community/companionship, & fewer hassles.<br />
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So, for those who may be in disrupted industries - just my 2 cents - take a step back & get the vibe of how things are trending. How are people getting & using your end product? If you stay open minded, flexible, willing to learn, & objective around how your industry currently fits into people's lives, you'll find the viability...or a new way to apply your skills elsewhere.<br />
<br />
And, also, I am still not a travel agent but I can help you find some good deals.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-28469656796719866432017-09-06T08:22:00.001-07:002017-09-06T08:22:32.465-07:00Mini Thought Piece - What's In It For Me?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer #1: These opinions are solely my own, based on my
own lived experience. I fully respect
anybody who may have different thoughts or ideas. No one perspective is correct for all people
or experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer #2: I generate my money by providing experiences
that make people happy.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that that’s out of the way…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the weekend, a podcast extolling analog as the best way
to listen to music blew into my orbit. As
my last music purchase was a vinyl album, I was hoping for some hard data around
analog formats making more of a physiological impression like digital text vs. actual
books. In the end, the podcast was really nostalgia
piece thinly veiled under some unrelated stats. I didn’t necessarily agree with the host’s
point; however, I respect that this was his truth. Emotions are powerful motivators.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After thinking about the podcast, my mind started to spin on
one of my favorite topics: Fostering emotional connections under the guise of
fast paced innovation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For better or for worse, our country is more capitalist than
democratic. On a personal level, that
means you get to keep more of your money. It also means that you have use that
money to pay for things that other countries offer like higher education,
health care, comprehensive transportation systems, robust art councils, etc.. In general, people embrace, and often permanently
adopt, things that are cheap & easy.
When people need to be picky about how they spend their hard earned
dollars, time, and energy, technology can really help. Whether it’s depositing a check without
having to drive to the bank or listening to all the new music releases on a
Friday to see what you should buy for the weekend. It can all be done with a small device in
almost no time at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, the questions aren’t really around the format,
the device, or the delivery means – everyone will have their preferences. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2 big questions are:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. From my
consumers’ perspective, “What’s in it for me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2. From my
perspective as the content generator, “Am I providing an emotionally
captivating experience for people that they feel is worth an investment of
time, money, & energy?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I can’t answer those, nobody’s going to care if it’s analog
or digital.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-48171083639133335202017-08-27T10:11:00.000-07:002017-08-27T10:47:20.283-07:00Wine RecapIn my last post, I had a photo of my case of organic wines from Australia, mostly <a href="http://ochotabarrels.com/" target="_blank">Ochota Barrels</a>. 4 months on, I've not finished all of them but I have another case on the way. After my most recent trip to California & my Winc membership, the wine closet is maxed out. So, I need to get off my block and make it happen or make room or drink it or share it or something. If you're free & like wine, text me.<br />
<br />
As I was sipping through the Spring & Summer, I did my best to document what I was drinking & eating. If you'd like any of the recipes, feel free to send me an email. Overall, the wines were amazing & totally worth the shipping.<br />
<br />
The below recap comes from phone photos & random notes on slips of paper. I did more accurate mini notes on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/radiosmichellebriand/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> as I went. If you're curious, you may want to check there as well.<br />
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<b><u>Ochota Barrels 5VOV Chardonnay</u></b><br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>
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<b>Tasting Notes: </b>Buttered Popcorn<br />
<b>Meal:</b> Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp, crusty bread<br />
<br />
<b><u>Ochota Barrels Impeccable Disorder Picadilly Pinot Noir</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
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<b>Tasting Notes:</b> Red & Black Fruit<br />
<b>Meal:</b> Steak marinated in soy sauce, fish sauce, & red onions, sauteed mushrooms, salad, & oven chips with chicken salt<br />
<br />
<b><u>Ochota Barrels The Fugazi Vinyard Grenache</u></b><br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>
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<b>Tasting Notes:</b> Dark Chocolate & Raspberry<br />
<b>Meal: </b>Arroz con Gandules, Camarones al Ajillo (spicy) & salad<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Ochota Barrels & Gentle Folk Vineyards - Father's Milk Pinot Noir</u></b><br />
I think the winemaker's wife was pregnant when he made this <3<br />
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<b>Tasting Notes: </b>Small, wild sweet strawberries that are red through & through<br />
<b>Meal: </b>Nothing - it was so good that I didn't want to pair with anything. It's the best red I've ever had after the Botanicals. Reminded me of a valdigue.<br />
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<b><u>Ochota Barrels 186 Grenache</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
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<b>Tasting Notes: </b>Peppery & strong with 13.8% alcohol content #right_turnt<br />
<b>Meal:</b> Most likely steak frites & salad (period dinner)<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Miss Moss Sparkling Blanc de Blanc</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
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<b>Tasting Notes: </b>PAPAYA!!!! Amazing!<br />
<b>Meal:</b> Truffled roast chicken, salad, & potatoes. We tried a few wines with the chicken, so, we had the rest of the bottle with a fried New England Fisherman's Platter (shellfish, cod, fries, onion rings) a couple of days later.<br />
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<b><u>Other Wines From the Case</u></b><br />
<b>Ochota Barrels - Weird Sweet Berries in the Woods Gerwurztraminer:</b> Hands down my favorite Gerwurz, super dry, floral - so delicate & complex. <br />
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<b>The Other Right - White Young Thing:</b> Tastes like baking tart apples, would be good in the fall with mature cheddars<br />
<br />
<b>Ochota Barrels - A Sense of Compression:</b> This is the partner wine Maynard James Keenan and it's a one the best done premium new world wines I've ever had. We shared the wine & our summer truffle with friends who are Tool fans and chefs. The whole thing ended up being a truffle pizza & wine fest. BTW, I bought the truffle on sale from <a href="https://food52.com/recipes/search?q=black+summer+truffle" target="_blank">Food52</a> & we definitely got $60 worth of deliciousness and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BW5407Vly0I/?hl=en&taken-by=radiosmichellebriand" target="_blank">entertainment</a> out of it!<br />
<br />
If you're interested in any of these, <a href="http://australianwinecentre.com/" target="_blank">Australian Wine Centre </a>ships worldwide. With the exchange rate, it's not as bad as you would think. However, if you're looking for something a bit closer to home,<a href="https://www.winc.com/hi/qq0fzywlhxv" target="_blank"> Winc</a> is a great wine club. I normally don't recommend wine clubs since they tend to be quantity over quality. If you dig around their website, they have some really interesting California wines you don't see on the East Coast. On a recent quick in & out of California, I saw my entire August order for sale at 2 super hipster wine shops.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
Salud!<br />
Sante!<br />
Kiipis!<br />
Slainte!<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">かんぱい! </span><br />
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<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-88097178359480172362017-04-01T12:18:00.002-07:002017-04-01T12:21:52.146-07:00And so it begins...My case of wine arrived from the <a href="http://australianwinecentre.com/" target="_blank">Australian Wine Centre</a>.<br />
<br />
This is big news chez Evil Lair because I have such affection for Australian made things - music, wine, food, art. Everything, really. Living & creating in an isolated place brings a certain aesthetic to things and I dig it.<br />
<br />
Here's a photo of my most recent haul from Down Under:<br />
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Over the next few weeks, I'll be doing some reviews & suggested pairings. Here's a sneak peek:<br />
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Nothing like uncorking your dinner after a 60 hour week with another 12 hour day ahead of you!<br />
<br />
KIDDING!!! #boozebag<br />
<br />
I did not have half a bottle of wine with a packet of crackers for an evening meal. There was a huge plate of cheese, charcuterie, & salad out of the frame...as well as my hawt husband, who was splitting everything with me. The wine just went best with these particular crackers.<br />
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Before I get into the reviews though, I wanted to serve you an apero!<br />
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<br />
In the Fall, I went back to the "Old Country", a.k.a. Ireland, and ate some very tasty things. We decided to do one fancy meal & chose <a href="http://www.thegreenhouserestaurant.ie/home.php" target="_blank">The Greenhouse</a> for their tasting menu. It's billed as modern organic Irish food and it's made by a Finnish chef...so it has a bit of that trendy Nordic thing happening. Highly recommended. <br />
<br />
They have a signature cocktail which is a great starter & would be really wonderful in hot weather. It's Blanc de Blanc champagne, citrus syrup, kaffir lime leaf, & elderflower cordial. The above is a decent approximation of it with components found at any basic shop.<br />
<br />
As champagne is much more expensive in the US than the EU, I wanted a blanc de blanc fizzy from another region. <a href="http://www.totalwine.com/" target="_blank">Total Wine</a> didn't have much in that style, hence, my choice of Cremant d'Alsace. In general, I tend to use the Trader Joe's Blanc de Blanc or prosecco if I'm creating something with a more subtle flavor profile. This Cremant worked well but it was a bit heavier than the resto version with its red juice component. For the citrus piece, we made lime syrup with just sugar & fresh lime juice and did a St Germain floater. It's a great starter, especially, if you've got a night of eating & drinking in front of you. <br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-56398561266819411032017-03-23T07:42:00.001-07:002017-04-01T09:54:55.358-07:00Woooo New Post<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really only try to blog when I feel like I have something of value to
add to your lives. Over the past few months, I was hibernating a bit.
Now,
I'm emerging all RuPaul's Drag Race style...except no heels, make up,
or fabulous clothes.
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">On that note, here's my offering of "unique value propositions" for you:</span></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Travel Tip - Additional Needs:</b></span></u></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who may need one, wheelchair service at the airport is
complimentary.
Most ticket counters have a row of seats very close to the counter,
where you can rest until the wheelchair arrives. You will get priority
service going through TSA checkpoints as well as first boarding on the
flight.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If
you are traveling with a child, airlines will provide a bassinet free
of charge. If you have a toddler who is under the age of 2, you can
take
him or her as a "lap child". While the "lap child" will be flying for
free, she or he will need to sit on your lap for the entire flight. Not
recommended for international flights with multiple long legs :-).</span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If
you have any other considerations or concerns, call the airline
directly. Ultimately, they want to help you have the best experience
possible
- not just because they're in the service business, but also, because
they're moving hundreds of people at once. The more they know ahead of
time of special requests, the easier it is to get that plane out of the
gate on time.</span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Headphones In</u></b></span></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not sure if it's because last year was so tumultuous or what, but there's been
some amazing music lately. If you want to know what I'm digging, I scare the masses every Saturday on <a href="http://theriverboston.com/">The River Boston, 92.5</a>.
Understandably, if you prefer a commentary free list of musical inspiration. my Spotify playlists are attached to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/michellembriand">Facebook Profile</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">If
you want to hear cool people talking about cool things, check out my
interviews on The River's Comcast XFinity On Demand channel. I had the
incredible
honor of speaking with <a href="http://therecordcompany.net/">The Record Company</a> & <a href="http://www.jain-music.com/en/">Jain</a> (whose
album I picked up in Paris 2 years ago - what a thrill to have her here!).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Point Your Face Here</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Movies</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When
I get my Landmark Newsletter, I open up my Netflix account and add
all the movies to my DVD queue. For as much as I'd love the experience
of heading to the theatre, I just can't seem to get there. Anyway, one
movie I watched recently was </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://dogwoof.com/sourgrapes" style="font-family: "arial","helvetica",sans-serif;">Sour
Grapes</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">, a documentary about wine counterfeiting, Fascinating.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Television</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am a firm believer in past lives; therefore, the show <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/soul-mates-ii/">Soul
Mates</a> speaks to me on a very deep level. It's like Portlandia but with longer story lines & more socio-political commentary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"They"
say that you learn how to love in a very different & deep way when
you have a child. While I have no children, I am a proud card carrying
member of the<span style="color: #1d2129;"> </span><span style="color: #4267b2;">#AUNTOURAGE</span>. <a href="https://www.starz.com/series/themissing/episodes">The
Missing</a> was equal parts absolutely horrifying and fascinating. It's the only show I've binged watched since <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80049714">Master
of None</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Books</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I
love the library SO hard. BPL has Hoopla, which for the time being,
seems to be allowing me to read foreign versions of books.
Unfortunately, I've been a bit lax in checking things out as of late.
However, 2 of my super cool listeners, Jody & Melissa, sent me a
copy of <a href="http://www.daisytrading.com/livin-on-a-prayer-the-untold-tommy-gina-story-by-jody-clark-sue-roulusonis/">Living
on a Prayer</a>.
It's really good so far - I just need to read it on my couch vs.
nodding off in bed (stay tuned for full review). In the meantime, I've
pre-ordered the new <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Men-Without-Women-Haruki-Murakami/dp/0451494628/ref=la_B000AP7AFI_1_3/155-8361888-8425852?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1489857956&sr=1-3">Murakami</a> book.
Cannot. Wait.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Bacchanals</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Food</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ever
since I was smart enough to grab a chair in order to reach that dodgy
bottle La Choy soy sauce sitting on the top of our stove, I've
been in love with umami. For me, Pacific Rim flavor is where it's at.
Now that I think of it, it's probably why I love Australian food so
much. It's all that Irish stuff I grew up with
but with much better flavor. All due respect to my mum, I had no clue
asparagus could be crunchy until I was double digits. On that note,
this <a href="https://www.tastingtable.com/chefs_recipes/chefs_recipes/How-to-Make-Takashi-Yagihashis-Duck-Fat-Fried-Chicken">karaage</a> just
made my list of things to do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Wine</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One
of my BFFs, Brian, & I have been scientifically studying wine on
&
off for a few years. We even have diplomas from a reputable institution
to prove it. Some good things we've been encountering: Sicilian Grillo
(great with crab), prosecco with arils, some pet nats (organic,
naturally fizzy). If you're looking to try some
great new wines, I highly recommend wines made by former music people
like Charles Smith, Taras Ochota, Maynard James Keenan, or Steve Lau.
The creative process definitely extends to wine making.</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">That's all I got for now. If you have anything to recommend to me, please comment below! I need new content to consume!</span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-55868042807356317892016-09-27T14:04:00.000-07:002016-09-27T14:04:13.580-07:00Feeling Like A Local AbroadI was born with insatiable wanderlust. From a very young age, all I wanted to do was see everywhere. Over the course of my life, I've been very fortunate to be able to see other places & experience other cultures. While I still have a bucket list a mile long, my preferred mode of travel has moved from seeing as much as possible within a short window to leisurely inserting myself into local life. The more people with whom I speak, the more I hear that people prefer this kind of travel as well. If that's what you're looking for too, then, here are a few tips to experience a destination like a local:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1. AirBNB or other rental</b><br />
In my opinion, there's nothing that makes me feel "on the road" more than the lack of private cooking facilities. For as much as I love to eat out, at some point, my stomach and my wallet wave a white flag. Eating a homemade meal on the couch while watching local tv or a movie can be very grounding, especially if you're in a completely different environment. <br />
<br />
Aside from the ability to self cater, renting a place means you're more likely to be in a neighborhood vs. a tourist or business area. So, you'll have easy access to shops & services that locals need & use.<br />
<br />
<b>Advice:</b> Make sure your rental has multiple, varied reviews over a span of time. This indicates a legitimate property.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Shopping: Supermarkets & Pharmacies/Chemists</b><br />
If you want a snapshot of where a place is at, check the supermarket and pharmacies. Supermarkets will be showcasing the latest trendy foods while simultaneously tipping their hat to the latest wave of immigration. Pharmacies can give you all kinds of clues to the general state of things. Big end cap with allergy pills, tissues, & eye drops? Something ferocious is about to bloom! More contraceptives than baby items? Definitely a younger neighborhood so there's probably some good restaurants nearby. Etc., Etc., Etc..<br />
<br />
Beyond the inferred social commentary of stocked products, supermarkets and pharmacies provide the best kind of souvenirs: Experience Gifts! Have you ever used Labello chap stick? You'll be hoarding it like quarters for laundry. Love fancy chocolate? Supermarket level bars in Europe (especially Switzerland & Belgium) are higher quality, fresher, and an incredible value compared to anything you can get here. Enjoy taking baths? A box of 20 fizzing bath tablets in Japan will run you under $5.<br />
<br />
<b>Advice:</b> Be open minded & buy anything small that catches your eye to try while you're there. You never know when you'll find your new favorite sweet or sunscreen.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Classes</b><br />
The 2 classes I love to take when I am traveling are yoga and cooking. Travel is wonderful and life changing but it can be really hard on your physical body & mental state. Between the jet lag, congested spaces, new food, & different environment, your body can go out of balance pretty quickly. I've found a couple of yoga classes can get me right back to where I need to be. Luckily, most yoga studios offer an introductory pass and equipment rentals. I've never regretted spending money on yoga - ever.<br />
<br />
Cooking classes are amazing for 3 reasons:<br />
1. You get to eat something delicious.<br />
2. You get to hang out with fun people (usually - food & wine people tend to be pretty open).<br />
3. You get recipes to take home & relive your experience over and over again.<br />
<br />
<b>Advice: </b>Check Yelp, Swarm, or other social media for best local options. Trip Advisor is great for resorts, hotels, and other attractions but cater more to visitors rather than locals.<br />
<br />
If there are things that make you feel like a local abroad, I'm all ears in the comments below! <br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-87476136672923444042016-09-21T09:48:00.000-07:002016-09-27T12:12:44.848-07:00Happy, Happy MoneyThis morning, I saw a quote that basically said once you figure out money, everything in your life becomes easier. Given that we live in capitalist society, I would agree with that. Money is inert but it solves problems & generates a certain type of freedom.<br />
<br />
Lately, there's been a lot of talk about student loan debt, for profit schools, and inability to ever retire. When I started college, I had no clue about student debt and how that would end up dictating my career choices and lifestyle. Long story short, I was pretty broke through my 20s but, eventually, became debt free. Although, trying to pay off Navient turned into an exercise of red tape, requiring assistance from Elizabeth Warren's office (another story, another time). Anyway, because of my experience growing up in a working class family & navigating post school debt, I ended up with a volunteer gig doing financial literacy seminars for inner city, college bound students. <br />
<br />
As we're moving into a new season and a time of reinvention, I wanted to share some of the concepts that I share with my kids:<br />
<br />
<u><b>Practical Tips</b></u><br />
<br />
1. Never spend more than you earn.<br />
<br />
2. Always pay your credit cards off & any debt down. Better yet, don't get into debt.<br />
<br />
3. Read your contracts. Know your obligations and for how long you will have them. Think about how these obligations will dictate future life choices - because they will. <br />
<br />
4. Budget for all your expenses - not just the big ones.<br />
<br />
5. Use contraception #momoneymoproblems<br />
<br />
6. Save for a rainy day. There's nothing worse than having a crisis and no way to make it better. <br />
<br />
7. Keep an emergency $20 bill tucked in your wallet. You never know when you'll be stuck somewhere where you can't pay with your phone or cards.<br />
<br />
8. Always have skills that will enable you to support yourself & your lifestyle. Never stop learning.<br />
<br />
9. Insurance. Insurance. Insurance. Health, dental, car, renters'. If you're inclined to get other types of insurance, make sure you know what the policy covers & decide whether it meets your needs. Pet insurance is a notorious one for never covering what you need.<br />
<br />
10. Take care of your health & well being. Eating out, smoking, etc. are expensive and often not great for you. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Emotional Tips</b></u><br />
<br />
1. Find what you love about your work and value that. It's almost impossible to love your job all the time - and you won't.<br />
<br />
2. It's better to be broke in your 20s when all your other friends are & you have no pressing obligations or dependents.<br />
<br />
3. Spend money on experiences, not stuff.<br />
<br />
4. Earning your own money is empowering and intellectually stimulating at any age. Over the years, I've worked with various age groups but mostly retirees. By their own admission, those who worked part time or had outside obligations felt healthier & happier.<br />
<br />
At the end of my seminars, I always recommend the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Money-Science-Happier-Spending/dp/1451665075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474476123&sr=8-1&keywords=happy+money" target="_blank">Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending</a>, where 2 Harvard researchers explain from a scientific standpoint how spending money in certain ways can make you happier & more fulfilled. I recommend it for those starting fresh, starting over, or just looking for a new way to think about old concepts.<br />
<br />
If you have any tried & true money tips, leave them in the comments as I share this blog with my kids.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-83213045731728025722016-08-15T16:40:00.001-07:002016-08-16T16:03:18.922-07:00Girl Crushes and Hot Summer MusicSo far, 2016 has turned out to be a bang up year in terms of losing musical legends. As a "professional personality", it's my job to spin these events in the most thoughtful way possible. One big thing I've learned from all of these passings is that we love artists not because we know them personally, but, because their art helps us know ourselves better. At this point, I think I know myself pretty well but I can always get on board with somebody who's going down a similar path.<br />
<br />
Recently, there are 2 artists that have come into my orbit recently that have validated my existence - Esme Patterson & Jarryd James. Allow me to introduce you to them:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Esme Patterson</u></b><br />
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Most people probably know Esme Patterson as the lady singing with Shakey Graves on "Dearly Departed". If you do a bit of digging, Esme's done some really amazing things on her own & with her old bands, Paper Bird & Harpoontang #bestbandnamever. Last year, she got some buzz with her "Woman to Woman" eps, where she sings from the perspective of women immortalized in song, i.e., "Alison", "Jolene", "Lola", "Billie Jean". etc.. The lyrics & video for the Billie Jean song, "What Do You Call A Woman" still gives me chills:<br />
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Aside from loving her sound, I've never heard anyone capture the female experience the way she has. For as many strides as have been made in equality, there's still this "thing" where the end goal for women is marriage, family, & career, i.e. "having it all". For some of us, "having it all" doesn't necessarily mean that traditional path - and that's what Esme's songs are all about. Between figuring out who you are alone and in the context of a relationship, hopes, fears, reflections - it's all there. It's the rare occasion I've come across a body of art so validating for me personally. I don't give away my affections easily but I have a serious girl crush on her. </div>
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Since Esme's a working musician, she's on the road multiple times a year. Seeing her live is energizing - she's completely electric on stage. If her studio stuff doesn't draw you in, the live show will. It's impossible to not love her. Right now, she's still in a space where she works her own merch table. My husband made her night by making it rain on her, buying one of everything with a stack of $2 bills...which are her favorite denomination. So, buy her album online; go see her live; and buy more merch with $2s. A girl's gotta eat & buy guitar strings, so, help her out!</div>
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<b><u>Jarryd James</u></b></div>
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The second artist who has completely grabbed my attention is Jarryd James. His story has a been a bit winding in the US. In 2015, he made some quick in roads in his native Australia and was immediately optioned in the US. Last Spring, there was a big push around "Do You Remember" & we all loved it at the station. Then, things just tailed off. While I don't have the back story, it seems like Interscope may have put him back in the studio to do a different album for this market. Finally, 2 weeks ago, instead of "Thirty One", we in the US got "High" (not that kind of high...I wish) and it's as good as his Australian debut but with a few different tracks. </div>
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What grabbed me about his music is the pure sensuality & sincerity of it. Jarryd's music the audio equivalent of making out on a really hot night with somebody you've been dying to get with. If that isn't the main driving force of this existence, I don't know what is. Even though we had to wait a year to get "High" (<i>I...can't...stop...smiling...</i>), July 2016 was the perfect time with the unprecedented heat waves across the US. </div>
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Needless to say, I was quite excited for his show with Broods last week. Jarryd & his band went on first & were super tight, sounding exactly like the record. Surprisingly, there was a large LED screen behind him which showed nothing but explosions. I agree with the metaphor but it sort of detracted from the mood. Given how hot his sound is, I would've preferred to see him in a bit more of an intimate light and feel the explosions through the music vs. watching them on screen. I'll take what I can get though.</div>
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If the opportunity ever presented itself, I'd love the opportunity to interview him. He looks very introspective/sad in all his photos so I get the impression he's got a lot going on his head. It's a real privilege to be able to pick somebody's brain about his or her art if they're up for talking about it. </div>
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Anyway, 2 summer recommendations for you! As always, I am all ears if you've got somebody I should check out.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-66366170163090373822015-11-13T14:27:00.002-08:002015-11-13T15:10:19.796-08:00More Travel Tips: MoneyLately, I've been hearing from friends that they've had their ATM or credit cards hacked while on the road. When I called into my bank to advise that I was travelling, the coordinator told me that she'd been getting a lot of "hot card" alerts, i.e. stolen or hacked cards. <br />
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The challenge of getting money on the road today is, unless you're carrying all the cash you need, you're dependent upon cards. Travelers cheques aren't worth taking (imho) as it's harder to find places who will cash them. If they do cash them, the fees can be up to 40% of the face value. Plus, the exchange rate is often better with cards. Certain credit cards & banks will waive the foreign transaction fee (Capital One, Chase Sapphire, etc.) so it literally can pay to use cards.<br />
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In general, your cards could be compromised anywhere (Hello, Target!). However, it's a bit easier to deal with the issue when you're home vs. travelling. So, here are some tips to help lessen the chances of being inconvenienced by "hot cards" on the road:<br />
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1. <b>Bring 2 credit cards from separate banks</b> - If one card gets compromised, then, you will have the other one. Some exceptional cards will express you a new card but you'll still need something while you're waiting.<br />
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2. <b>Bring 2 ATM cards</b> - Some banks offer fee free checking - or you may have multiple checking accounts with your bank. Use one of them as your "travel" account. Deposit enough money in this account to cover your travel expenses. If something does happen to that card/account on the road, it's not your main checking account. <br />
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3. <b>Use an old hotel key card to get into bank ATMs after hours</b> - The bank coordinator told me that she thought some of the hacking occured from inserting the card in the door slot to access the ATM. That may or may not be the case, but, if you're concerned, use the old hotel key to gain access. I recommend carrying a card with a magnetic strip in your suitcase anyway. Many eco hotels require the key card to be in a slot to turn on the lights in your room. I, personally, have left the room and the key card in the slot as I've departed. While it's not a super pain to get a new a key card, why waste the time?<br />
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4. <b>Use AMEX or Visa Gift cards in lieu of cards or cash for shopping </b>- In some ways, you could consider these the new travelers' cheques as they're widely accepted and independent of your accounts.<br />
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If you do get hacked or lose your cards, I recommend calling the banks ASAP to report your accounts being compromised & to discuss your options. If you lose your ATM card, you may have the option for the bank to run your credit card through their terminal. They may be able to give you cash at a lower interest rate than if you used your credit card as a straight ATM card in the machine.<br />
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I hope these tips help and I wish you safe travels.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-73646781966158415672015-11-08T18:47:00.002-08:002015-11-08T18:52:46.687-08:00Deutschland 83As I am emerging from a crazy period, my brain space is starting to clear. Of course, I will attempt to blog more because I simply like blogging. Sending that intention out to the universe...<br />
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One of the other things I enjoy doing is watching clever television which can be challenging to find. Over the summer, Phil was scrolling through the guide & came across a show that was "in German with English Subtitles". Of course, we were totally intrigued & it ended up being the fourth episode of <a href="http://www.sundance.tv/series/deutschland-83" target="_blank">Deutschland 83</a>. <br />
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Deutschland 83 was a joint project between Sundance & RTL, Germany's largest television network, and is the first German language show to be broadcast in the US. The premise is a young East German native, Martin, is recruited by the Stasi to spy on the West in 1983. Watching it was like falling into a black hole and landing square in 1983. Everything from the sets to the music to the socio-political issues, they nailed it. Creator Anna Winger said it wasn't that difficult to find backdrops for the scenes as much of what was East Berlin still looks like East Berlin.<br />
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As we jumped in halfway through the season, we had a hard time following along. So, we took the plunge & purchased the entire series from iTunes. It was a leap of faith but totally worth it. I've started watching it again and I realize that I missed so many subtle details during the first run. Oddly, I am forming a real attachment to the series - the kind of attachment that I only have with music. Aside from the intelligent writing, there were a handful things that struck me through the series:<br />
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<b>1. The colors on the sets</b> - When Martin wakes up in West Germany, everything is brightly colored. It reminded me of the Radiohead video for "Fake Plastic Trees" - big, bold, & clean<br />
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<b>2. Toblerone </b>- Martin has a Toblerone for the first time and eats it like a Snickers. I rewound that scene multiple times because I could not get my mind around somebody eating a Toblerone like that. You're supposed to break off each peak individually. Then, you slowly savor the smooth chocolate and lightly chew on the honey nougat to experience its full flavour. It's a real sensual experience. I feel he was disrespectful to the Toblerone. Also, I feel weird that I have feelings about an imaginary person disrespecting a candy bar. <i>Disclaimer: Toblerone is only chocolate bar I liked a child and it continues to be one of my favorite things to eat (MB + Toblerone = <3 forever).</i><br />
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<b>3. Description of the American General's Taste In Women</b> - At one point in the series, Martin tries to conjecture what sort of women the American General likes based on his taste in food. A long time ago, I read a study that showed food, sex, & music fired the same pleasure receptors in the brain. As some of the US stuff can a bit on the conservative side, I appreciate a tv character publicly acknowledging this aspect of life.<br />
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<b>4. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0079890/?ref_=tt_cl_t7" target="_blank">Alexander Beyer</a> - </b>Excuse me, I am about to be rude...but he is the Salted Almond Toblerone of men. He looks like Phil's cousin who is the second hottest man on earth.<br />
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Even if you don't have a thing for Toblerones, hot German men, or 80s music, I highly recommend Deutschland 83.<br />
<i><br /></i>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-13358559048898646642015-07-29T07:55:00.004-07:002015-12-01T05:46:51.728-08:00One Must Have Goals<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I had mentioned that I’d be posting more from Australia. Well, we all know how that worked out. If you’re up & close and personal with me on a regular basis, you’re probably not surprised at my lack of blogging. My track record on returning calls & emails runs on the slow side. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Anyway, Australia has always been one of my places – it’s an American West Coast lifestyle with European infrastructure. As with any good adventure, the country left a couple of permanent physical marks on me including a new piercing and a new hair color. Thank you, Southern Sun!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">A lot has happened since my adventure Down Under...and I should now have more free time. With all this newfound time, I’ll probably be updating my blog a lot more. #daretodream One must have goals, right?</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-54081381232026347092015-01-12T01:58:00.002-08:002015-01-12T21:05:48.500-08:00Are you coming to this school or what? There's always been something about Australia for me...maybe it was the music? Maybe it was "Facts of Life Down Under"? I am not sure when or where the seed was sowed but it's just one of the places I've always dreamt of seeing. When I filled out my SAT application in high school, I realized that the University of Sydney would take the scores as part of their application. After that, I always wondered, "What if...". Although looking back, I am not sure I could've handled going away & not coming home for a long time. Being 10,000 miles away from home doesn't lend itself to any quick visits. But, still...<br />
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In 2003, I was able to make here for the first time & it surpassed my expectations. Melbourne reminded me of Boston & Sydney was more like Los Angeles. At the time, the whole country really felt like it was at the end of the earth. I can't articulate the feeling beyond you're in a country the size of the US with the population of New York spread out across it while being thousands of miles from any world hub. While the internet was around, it still felt a little isolated. However, that isolation (and some of the social/political events of the late 80s/early 90s) gave way to amazing art, music, food, & fashion. I was in love. <br />
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In 2010, I was approached about working in a vineyard in Victoria...but I still wasn't ready to take the plunge.<br />
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Finally, last year, I earned a sabbatical at work. So, here was another chance to find out what it would be like IF I did take that opportunity to come here. This time, I jumped on it. I got a cheap flight, rented an apartment, & packed my bag. <br />
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Here I am...and I've never been so glad to be anywhere. First, it's 80 degrees & summer here. Second, it's changed SO much! With globalization & their robust economy, Australia feels so much more connected to the world. "Murial's Wedding" & "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" celebrated their 20th birthday last year. Stephen Elliot, the director of "Priscilla" said you could never make those films again. They really spoke to the isolation people felt at the time & how they'd do anything to get out of wherever they were. Sydney still has it's unique character but it's much more global.<br />
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I am on my 5th day here...it took me 3 nights before I woke up feeling ok. Waking up after the 4th night, I felt great. This morning, after my fifth night, I feel like I've always been here. In my fog, I've been able to basically walk the entire city & most of the inner suburbs. Today, I was definitely "myself" inasmuch as I picked up some great interesting wines to prepare for my WSET. I've made a list of music I'd like to pick up...most of the unique stuff is from New Zealand...which may still have that isolated feel Australia had 10+ years ago? <br />
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AND - most importantly, I closed the loop on my first opportunity to come here. I didn't realize my apartment is within walking distance from the University of Sydney campus. So, I bought this ferocious lion t-shirt from the "Uni Store". If anybody asks me if I went to the University of Sydney, I can finally say, "Technically, yes...".<br />
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P.S. Doesn't the lion look like he's saying, "Are you coming to this school or what?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-78236539160942079072014-09-17T19:17:00.002-07:002014-09-17T19:17:59.146-07:00Pomme FritesI love fried potatoes. There. I said it.<br />
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French fries seem to be a popular snack in a few European countries & in Quebec...but in the US? Not so much - which is a total drag if you ask me. I am guessing with the resurgence of whole food eating, having a treat of fresh potatoes cooked in real fat once in a while has become permissible, if not downright trendy.<br />
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A few months ago, I heard about the Walloons Food Truck & have been waiting for them to start rolling. Today, I realized they were going to be out & about in an area where I may be finding myself. Success!!! I was able to catch up with them before they closed up.<br />
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Phil ordered poutine & I had a regular cornet with maple mayo - which tasted like the maple cured bacon my mum used to get in the 70s. Both were SOOOOOOO delicious. The portions were just right. The frites were crisp & tasty and not heavy at all. The best part? They totally validated my existence on social media:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koud6QyT85s/VBpARdCC43I/AAAAAAAAAJE/lMCvyroWbI0/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koud6QyT85s/VBpARdCC43I/AAAAAAAAAJE/lMCvyroWbI0/s1600/image.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's me on the Twitters!!! I am the Emperor of Japan!!!</div>
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Do yourself a favor & check out their <a href="http://eatwalloons.com/" target="_blank">fritekot</a>. It's a lot of happiness for $5!</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-1586844854598685152014-09-15T11:59:00.000-07:002014-09-17T08:25:49.802-07:00Such is life for a animal loverUntil yesterday, the cats outnumbered the people at the Evil Lair. Carl, the big fluffy tuxedo cat, hadn't been doing well for the better part of 2 months. Looking back, he wasn't the healthiest pet I've ever owned. After years of multiple procedures, medications, & additional care, Phil & I had a tough discussion last Sunday about how much more we should do. We took him to the vet one last time on Tuesday & she was very compassionate about the whole thing. <br />
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Our vet is Dr. Palmer & she works at <a href="http://m.vcahospitals.com/city-cats" target="_blank">VCA City Cats</a> in Arlington, MA. VCA City Cats is great for us inasmuch as it's T accessible; has ample parking; is not terribly expensive; is linked up with the 24 hour vet hospital in Woburn (for late night emergencies); has convenient hours; & has a really cool/efficient/knowledgeable/dedicated staff. Carl was one of those cats who often needed the chain gloves (:-|) but he liked Dr. Palmer & her staff. She is a bit of a cat whisperer.<br />
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Dr. Palmer recommended a vet who makes house calls - Dr. Johnson from <a href="http://housecallvet.biz/" target="_blank">Lincoln Veterinary Services</a>. If Carl needed another consult or if we decided it was his time, she could help us. As the week progressed, Carl was declining quickly. Yesterday (Sunday), we decided not to wait any longer. Our options were to wait until the vet office opened on Monday; go to the emergency vet; or call Dr. Johnson. We decided to call Dr. Johnson & she was available within a few hours. She was AMAZING with the whole thing.<br />
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Side note: while we passing the afternoon waiting for Dr. Johnson, our dear friend, BGR, texted me, asking if we were up to anything devious. Phil had been pretty upset all day - Carl is technically his cat & he made the decision. As soon as he saw BGR's text, he started laughing, "I just hired a cat hit woman to take out my cat. Does that count as devious?".<br />
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I won't get into the details but I was unsure what to expect from the whole thing. When I made the call, I didn't have the presence of mind to ask a lot of "operational" questions. That's actually why I am writing this blog post - maybe somebody will stumble upon it & perhaps it will be helpful? Basically, she came to the house with her doctor bag & examined Carl. She validated our decision & explained the procedure (3 shots). In the end, she was at our house for under an hour. She wrapped him in one of my sweaters that he liked to sleep on & took him with her. The procedure cost $400 & she takes cash, checks, or credit cards. Luckily, I've not had to price this out before but I *think* this was a fair rate - especially since it was a weekend & it made things a lot easier for both us & Carl one last time.<br />
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I love animals so much but this is the real downside - you rarely outlive your pets. Oddly, while I am sad about Carl's passing, in some ways, it's a relief. He had been sick for so long. I can see the 2 other cats are definitely relieved...I was not expecting that.<br />
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Aside from the vet recommendations, I have a couple of other cat recommendations that have worked well for us:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008SCIPPO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00BPN1K46&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=087JW2CZRV6GMZY0MYXP" target="_blank">Bench & Field Cat Treats</a> - Our cats are somewhat picky & prefer to hover around the dinner table for scraps vs. eating their own food. These are the only cat treats they like.<br />
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<a href="http://www.target.com/p/boots-barkley-scoopable-cat-litter-for-multiple-cats/-/A-12819318" target="_blank">Target Brand Unscented Cat Litter</a> - It's no worse - and quite frankly, no better - than any other cat litter on the market. We've tried ALL of them. For $6, it's the best deal in town.<br />
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<a href="http://t.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D12269381&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com" target="_blank">Cat Box Mat</a> - I got a really cheap shower mat that looks like this; cut it in thirds; & placed a third in front of the cat box. The webbing seems to trap any extra litter as the cats step out of the box. It's been super helpful with keeping the area clean.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zanies-Rattling-Hypno-Mice-Toys/dp/B000M1B7I6" target="_blank">Hypno Mice</a> - I have NO clue what's in these...but one cat carries this toy around in his mouth like it's an actual mouse he caught. Ridiculous & hilarious.<br />
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As always, if you have any cat recommendations, I am all (pointy cat) ears in the comments.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-14953611648853387232014-09-14T08:12:00.000-07:002014-09-14T08:12:40.176-07:00Music MoviesLast night (Saturday), exciting person that I am, made myself a big salad & turned on tv. JACKPOT!!! Never Tear Us Apart, the INXS miniseries was on Showtime. INXS was band I've always loved. If "Kick" came out today, it would not sound out of place. Aside from the music, they had a really charismatic lead singer who had a whole load of lady drama. While the miniseries didn't get into the whole J.D. Fortune/Terence Trent D'Arby era of the band, their early history is more than enough fodder for 3 hours of engrossing entertainment.<br />
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One thing that strikes me about music movies - most of the time, the actors don't actually look like the musicians. However, all you really need is some strategically worn accessories and everybody knows who you are. In this case, the guy who played Michael Hutchence had long curly black hair & a lot of flowy shirts. The guy who played Bono appeared to be short with a goatee, military style hat, & red sunglasses. In The Runaways, Kristen Stewart wore a pink blazer when she was "solo" Joan Jett. Problem solved!<br />
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Anyway, watching the miniseries made me want to compile of list of my favorite music movies. Here goes:<br />
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<b><u>Dramatizations</u></b><br />
1. The Runaways - Based on Cherie Currie's book, "Neon Angel". Floria Sigismondi put a lot of thought into how she wanted the movie to look, i.e. very shiny for the Japan scenes, etc.. This is one of my favorite overall movies.<br />
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2. Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life - This could also be put on my favorite movies made from graphic novels list. While it's based on a comic book (Hello, Brigitte Bardot!), it's a live action, irreverent take on Serge's life. It did leave out his infamous appearance on the talk show with Whitney Houston but it was outstanding.<br />
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3. La Vie en Rose - Edith Piaf's music was very reflective of her life - very sad, lots of highs & lows, with the backdrop of Parisian cabaret.<br />
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4. 24 Hour Party People - Rise & fall of the Manchester scene in the 80s. This is a movie where most of the actors didn't look like the musicians but they all had defining haircuts & accessories. They did an especially good job giving the Ryder brothers bowl cuts & boxy sweaters.<br />
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5. Hillary & Jackie - File under: Family secrets are stranger than any fiction<br />
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<b><u>Documentaries</u></b><br />
1. Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon - In the early 2000s, I had multiple tickets to see this band & they never showed for any of the concerts. After watching this, honestly, I am surprised they were even functional enough to form a band. It was an accomplishment to transcend their upbringing & get it together.<br />
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2. Anvil: The Story of Anvil - This is what happens when you never stop chasing your dreams.<br />
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3. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart - Behind the scenes look at Wilco's recording process and a peek into how bizarro being signed to a major label can be.<br />
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4. Lemmy - He seems like such a nice, regular guy!<br />
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5. Dig - Comparative documentary of the Dandy Warhols & Brian Jonestown Massacre. How do the fates decide who gets the buzz & the attention in the moment?<br />
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Matt Phipps, our afternoon DJ, recommended the Big Star documentary to me. I need to put in my Netflix queue. If you have any recommendations, please post them in the comments!<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-7554707355348409282014-09-02T18:58:00.000-07:002014-09-03T10:07:00.916-07:00Housewarming GiftsLast year, a very dear friend of mine recommended the book, <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Happy-Money/Elizabeth-Dunn/9781451665079" target="_blank">Happy Money</a>. So, now I've been recommending it to anyone who will listen. The basic tenet of the book is that money inherently doesn't make you happy but how you use it does. Buying experiences is often more fulfilling than buying things. Spending money on others also brings deep satisfaction.<br />
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Randomly, many people I know have been moving into new digs lately. I've found myself at a bit of a housewarming gift giving crossroad. What do you buy for people who not only have as much as they care to have but also value experiences over things? And, what about your natural inclination to use your money to make somebody else happy?<br />
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Of course, there's always wine & fancy food treats...those do a good job on the "experience" piece. What if you find that special "something" that is equal parts experience & stuff? Now, that's special!<br />
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Here are recent gifts that I've given as housewarming prezzies:<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">1. </span><a href="http://www.giantrobot.com/giant-robot-store/yoshitomo-nara-ashtray/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Yoshitomo Nara Ashtray</a><span style="text-align: left;"> - Remember when all good hostess sets came with a fancy ashtray? I don't know anyone who smokes anymore...but it's so ridiculous & can double as a candy dish.</span></div>
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2. <a href="http://www.switchmodern.com/juicers/alessi-mandarin-citrus-squeezer.asp" target="_blank">Alessi Mandarin Juicer</a> - I am such a fan of Alessi & Koziol - functional art!!! Plus, you can squeeze juice for your sweetie.</div>
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3. <a href="http://www.gracioushome.com/renova-colorful-toilet-paper-6-pack-5057094.html" target="_blank">Renova Paper Products</a> - Black toilet paper is an unbelievable conversation starter. There are only certain friends who would really dig a few rolls of chartreuse paper towels. So, this isn't a gift for everyone BUT for the right person, it's downright amazing - and practical!</div>
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I've found great gifts at <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/" target="_blank">Uncommon Goods</a>, <a href="http://blisshome.bridgecatalog.com/" target="_blank">Bliss Home</a>, & <a href="http://www.finnstyle.com/" target="_blank">Finn Style</a> (oh Finn Style, I love you & your Marimekko & your Iittala & your Fazer bars). If you have any great recommendations for gifts, please share them in the comments!</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-57252559329929110182014-08-23T05:19:00.002-07:002016-01-04T13:20:14.281-08:00MontrealSince I've not blogged in yonks, I am trying to get caught up...<br />
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A while ago, Phil & I made an impromptu trip to Montreal. Growing up in New England, going to Montreal seems to be a rite of passage where when you turn 18. Everybody piles into a car & heads towards the land of legal drinking, strip clubs, & casinos...sort of like New Orleans for the Northeast set. <br />
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I was not one of those 18 year olds so I didn't actually see Montreal until I was in my mid-20s. I really love it there - not necessarily for the vices but more because it's a real outlier in a lot of ways. It's fiercely French in its own way. It's mellow, local, artsy, & intellectual with loads of nice people. Also, most of the infrastructure hasn't been updated since the 1967 World Expo which gives it a real industrial, mid-century vibe (swoon!). If you're looking for a low key, easy vacation & you like a lot of art/small local businesses/DIY vibe, I cannot recommend Montreal enough.<br />
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<b><u>Logistics</u></b><br />
It's about 5 hours by car from Boston, i.e. about 1 tank of gas. Right now, with the exchange rate not being great, I recommend getting any refills in Vermont. Gas in Canada is much more expensive by ounce/ml & you purchase it in litres.<br />
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Bring your passport. You can get in with the card or just a license still...but going through customs will be quicker if they can just scan your passport.<br />
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Montreal is a walkable city & their subway is super efficient. Put your car in a garage & leave it there for the duration of your vacation. You can get street parking but they're uber efficient with ticketing & towing. So, $20 a day is worth not having to worry or deal with any hassles.<br />
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<b><u>Lodging</u></b><br />
There are plenty of options. We stayed at <a href="http://www.lerelaislyonnais.com/" target="_blank">Le Relais Lyonnais</a>, which is a great, small budget hotel. It's in the middle of the student quarter (kind of like staying at the cheap end of Newbury Street). It's not posh or quiet but well located. If I needed a hotel again, I'd stay there. Although, we agreed that next we'd probably rent an apartment so we can cook.<br />
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<b><u>Sights</u></b><br />
At this point, I don't really do too much sightseeing...my vacations here are really all about nipping away & hiding for a few days. However, here are some highlights I've enjoyed:<br />
<a href="http://www.montreal.com/parks/mtroyal.html" target="_blank">Hiking up Mont Royal</a> - Montreal's namesake, gorgeous city views<br />
<a href="http://www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca/eng/accueila.htm" target="_blank">Old Town</a> - It's a cross between Faneuil Hall, the Freedom Trail, & Fort Point Channel - historic & repurposed - with shops, restaurants, & museums.<br />
<a href="http://www.macm.org/en/" target="_blank">Musee d'art contemporain</a> - Modern art museum with a really cool gift shop.<br />
<a href="http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/botanical-garden" target="_blank">Botanical Gardens & Insectarium</a> - I love that it's called "Space for life" in French. You won't see vastly different things here since we share the same basic climate but it's still cool.<br />
<a href="http://www.scandinave.com/en/montreal/" target="_blank">Scandinavian Spa</a> - If you're looking to relax, this is THE place. Aside from the traditional spa services, they have a thermal pool & waterfall, pine sauna, & steam room. They offer discounted day passes during the week. Woo hoo!!!<br />
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<b><u>Food</u></b><br />
Montreal is a great city. The "doing your own thing" really comes into play here. I recommend the following:<br />
<a href="http://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/en/marches/jean-talon-market/" target="_blank">Marche Jean Talon</a> - We visited almost all the public markets & this was the biggest & best. Most everything was local & organic. It was half wholesale, half consumer with loads of prepared food stalls (local sausages, fish, bakeries, ice cream, etc.). We got an amazing flat of mixed local berries with edible flowers...I didn't know you could eat orchids (taste like bland celery)<br />
<a href="http://depanneurlepickup.com/" target="_blank">Depanneur Le Pick-Up</a> - This is a refurbished convenience store/lunch counter within walking distance from Marche Jean Talon. The line snakes through the store but it moves quickly. There's only 2 people cooking & prepping so it can take a while to get your food. If you don't get takeaway, there's table service...but the tables are in front, on the side, in the back. Often, the servers are walking around looking for people. It works fine but I can see how some impatient people wouldn't be having it.<br />
<a href="http://labanquise.com/en/" target="_blank">La Banquise</a> - 30+ kinds of poutine in a place that took some cues from Howard Johnsons circa 1974. I.LOVE.IT. AND - it has a giant poster of one my most favoritest movies ever - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401085/" target="_blank">C.R.A.Z.Y.</a> - signed by the director. A quick note - it's cash only & even though we had table service, we had to pay as soon as we ordered. Also, it's open all night.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401085/" target="_blank">Buvette Chez Simone</a> - Wine bar with an expansive list. When you sit down, they give you paper & a pencil to check off which "snacks" you'd like with your wine. These weren't just snacks - these were full on US appetizer sizes of things. The food was fresh & amazing - we would've gone twice if we stayed longer.<br />
Jewish Neighborhood Nibbles:<br />
<a href="http://top2000.ca/wilenskys/index.htm" target="_blank">Willensky's</a> - go once, go more if you like baloney!<br />
<a href="http://www.fairmountbagel.com/" target="_blank">Fairmount Bagel</a> - Montreal bagels are good - they're not as glossy on the outside/chewy on the inside like a lot of US bagels. They're also a little sweeter.<br />
<a href="http://kemcoba.com/" target="_blank">KemCoba Gelato</a> - This place had a line out the door - with good reason. A small dish will give you 2 scoops if you don't opt for the soft serve.<br />
<a href="http://chocolatsandree.com/en/" target="_blank">Chocolats Andree</a> - Locally made chocolates. The shop is in a row house & the case is in the small living room. They have a limited, seasonal selection each day - all the pieces are really small but you can tell it's a true labor of love.<br />
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And...drumroll, please...<br />
<a href="http://www.joebeef.ca/" target="_blank">Joe Beef, Liverpool House, & Le Vin Papillion</a><br />
It's everything you've ever heard. Seriously. I read an interview with one of the owners where he was talking about the liqueur, Chartreuse. He described it as a "green monster penis - cool to have but you can't do anything with it". I can't quite articulate my thoughts but that quote pretty much sums up the restaurants - irreverent, over the top, & "I'm going to do whatever I want & it's going to be <i>awesome.".</i><br />
If you go...I recommend the following - go to Liverpool House first when it's still light out. It's more casual and a bit easier to maneuver. The menu is written on a chalkboard on the wall in all 3 places. Liverpool House had the shortest menu & the tables were more spaced out. It was easy to stand up; read the menu; and not feel like you were disturbing somebody's dinner. Once you get the hang of that, go to Joe Beef. The menu there is much more expansive - it goes around the whole restaurant (2 rooms). The light is low; the tables are close together; & servers are dodging you, the tables, & each other. I advise dispatching one person from your party to go take photos of all the walls with his/her phone & then, show them to everybody else at the table. The food is SO good. Be prepared for big portions of farm food - lots of meat, veggies, & dairy. I ended up with leftovers that gave me 4 more meals from both places.<br />
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Last but not least - french fries from anywhere (except fast food chains). Those fresh Quebecois potatoes are unparalleled!<br />
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If I missed anything, please comment below!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-14992282758217761012014-08-22T20:04:00.002-07:002014-08-25T20:38:57.157-07:00Ridiculousness avec les piedsAs I live in the city, I walk most places & use public transport. Most days, I walk about 6 or 7 miles so my feet take a major beating year round. Although, things really flare up in the summer. Usually, I get some sort of highly annoying/pain in the ass/really inconvenient foot problem (blisters, broken toenails, cuts, callouses, etc.) around June. This year, I wasn't afflicted with anything until this week - probably because it's simply not been that warm out.<br />
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My problem this year was new to me - cracked heels. I've never had them before as I try to stay on top of my callouses. A couple of weeks ago, my foot file became unusable and I had no back up. I tend to view salon pedicures as a real luxury - and finding time is a challenge - so that was a no go. Randomly, every single drugstore around me was out of home pedicure items. Finally, this past weekend, I had an epiphany to go to a drugstore in an "affluent" town (Winchester) under the supposition that people there probably weren't doing their own pedicures. BINGO!!!! Full stocks!<br />
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Here's my home pedicure kit:<br />
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<a href="http://www.jlist.com/search/all/bath_tablets" target="_blank">Fizzing bath tablets</a> - Because they're cool<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh85R-S-dh8" target="_blank">Rubber Duckie</a> - To keep you company<br />
<a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/food-guides/cooking-oils" target="_blank">Coconut Oil</a> - Organic moisturizer that will make you smell like coconut macaroons (not macarons, totally different cookie)*<br />
<a href="http://www.zoya.com/content/category/Zoya-Pixie-Dust-Textured-Nail-Polish-Matte-Metallic.html" target="_blank">Zoya Glitter Polish</a> - I was turned onto this brand by a dear friend who is just plain fabulous & gorgeous. Zoya is salon strength but more of a European formulation inasmuch as it has lot less chemicals than US polish. They always have some sort of special going on - it pays to show your love for them via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZoyaNailPolish" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.aesop.com/usa/body-care/rind-concentrate-body-balm.html" target="_blank">Aesop Rind Concentrate</a> - Smells wonderful, organic, doesn't test on animals. Everybody to whom I've recommended this L-O-V-E-S it.<br />
<a href="http://www.target.com/c/nail-tools-nails-makeup/foot-file-or-pumice-stone/-/N-5xu0qZ5t8qo" target="_blank">Foot File</a> - You just need it<br />
<a href="http://www.blueq.com/pencil-cases/" target="_blank">Fancy Case</a> - Keep all your stuff from getting mixed up with your other stuff<br />
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*So, the coconut oil came from my frantic search to find something natural to heal my heel in a hurry. The more research I did, the more I really didn't want to know. Emu fat? (Kevin from "Up" #ugh). European products that don't test on animals? Most cosmetics are now owned by a few conglomerates that do animal testing in other areas. AAAAND apparently, China requires all cosmetics to be tested on animals before they can be sold there. Even if the company doesn't test on animals, if they sell in China, they condone it (#ugh #nowiknow #ican't). File under #ican't & #ican'twin. I am happy to report that the $7 coconut oil totally worked within 24 hours. While my heel isn't completely heeled, I can walk on it with no pain. However, I did almost slip & fall on some that I spilled. So, there's that...<br />
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Professional & home pedicures aside, if you do find yourself with some issues from summer feet, I recommend the following items:<br />
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Wet bandages for cuts & blisters<br />
Liquid bandages (or super glue) for cuts<br />
Neosporin for cuts<br />
Coconut Oil for dry skin, cuts, & scrapes<br />
Ibuprofen for aches<br />
Ice pack because it feels good - when it's hot, you can reduce your overall temperature but putting an ice pack on your feet or your head<br />
Benadryl stick for the 9,863,274 mosquito bites you're going to get on your ankles from standing outside for 20 minutes at your friend's bbq<br />
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Of course, once you tend to your banged up feet, it's not like you can really go back to wearing whatever shoes allowed your feet to get banged up in the first place...Sooooo, I recommend these:<br />
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<a href="http://www.espadrillestore.com/en/women-espadrilles/women-avarcas-pons-leather-sandals-women" target="_blank">Avarcas</a>- Hands down: THE BEST PAIR OF SUMMER SHOES I own - I can walk for miles in these & not get blisters<br />
<a href="http://www.espadrillestore.com/en/women-espadrilles/women-flat-espadrilles" target="_blank">Espadrilles</a> - Perfect summer shoes: light, cool, fashionable<br />
<a href="http://www.yesstyle.com/en/mizutori/list.html/bpt.299_bid.234894" target="_blank">Mizutori Geta</a> - These are the 2nd best summer shoes I own. The insoles are hinoki (pine) so they are naturally antibacterial (hello, sweaty feet!) and they are really supportive. P.S. the sandals go on ridiculous sale in January (that's how I got 2 pairs)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sidekicks-Womens-Foldable-Ballet-Flats/dp/B00EQB0TIC" target="_blank">Foldable Ballet Flats</a> - Just YES. You need them. Slip them into your purse or work bag year round.<br />
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If all else fails & you've still got the banged up feet, the bad shoes, & the uncomfortable weather...I recommend this:<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-79228630706941266662014-08-22T07:37:00.001-07:002014-08-22T07:37:34.671-07:00Travel Question - Do I need trip insurance?It's funny - pretty much everybody thinks I am a travel agent. I'm not but it's cool. Consequently, I get asked for a lot of travel advice. One subject about which I am often asked is trip insurance. Like anything else travel related, purchasing trip insurance is a very personal thing. Some people don't need it but feel a lot better having it. Others legitimately need it for any number of reasons. Some people never get it & never need it.<br />
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Whenever people come to me, I ask them the following questions:<br />
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1. Do you need it for any outstanding reason, i.e. a medical condition where you have a better than average possibility of needing medical attention on the road?<br />
(Yes, I recommend it)<br />
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2. Are you going somewhere where there are legitimately no medical services within a reasonable drive, i.e. if you get hurt or sick, will you need to be airlifted to the nearest facility?<br />
(Yes, I recommend it)<br />
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3. Are you spending a large amount of money on this trip, i.e. if you were to cancel/ not be able to go & not a get a refund, would it a be a problem?<br />
(Yes, I recommend it)<br />
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4. Are you taking a "milestone/celebration" trip, i.e honeymoon or another type of trip that has a major emotional investment in addition to the major financial one?<br />
(Yes, I recommend it)<br />
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5. Are you going somewhere where the medical facilities are on par with what you're used to having but you wouldn't have enough money to deal with unexpected medical expenses, extended stays, & any other related additional expenses?<br />
(Yes, I recommend it)<br />
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6. Does your health insurance only cover you in the United States?<br />
(Yes, I recommend it)<br />
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7. Did you pay for your trip with cash or does your credit card not have a travel insurance clause?<br />
(Yes, I recommend it)<br />
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The only time I don't recommend getting it is when your health insurance covers you overseas and/or you have a credit card or other insurance policy that covers travel incidents at no additional cost.<br />
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If you need travel insurance, I recommend using <a href="http://www.insuremytrip.com/" target="_blank">Insure My Trip</a>.<br />
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Not all policies cover what you need or want. Many basic policies don't cover weather delays - if you're traveling in the winter, that might be something for which you want to pay extra. Pay close attention to the details - # of days, countries, actual covered items - and what documentation you will need to file a claim. I've known a few people who needed emergency health care but never got documentation to file a claim. That can be a real hassle (and expensive) to pull together you're not in that country anymore.<br />
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Also, I recommend contacting your credit card company; your bank; AAA; the insurance company that holds your rental/homeowner policies; or other financial service company with which you have an account. Some of your existing accounts may include travel insurance as a benefit. You could already have travel insurance & not know it. In the end, you may be fully covered or you may need to just buy a cheaper, supplemental policy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334040056902119362.post-83882847423682924282014-08-21T15:37:00.002-07:002014-08-21T15:39:12.383-07:00Chewing Prilosec Like A Big, Long Strip Of Candy Buttons<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few years ago, I was diagnosed with bleeding ulcers (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">hooray</span>). That's when I started to really need to watch what I ate - or watch my stress levels. There's nothing quite like stress induced indigestion...and all its various noises (<span style="font-size: large;">nice!</span>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the flipside, I love to cook & to eat. I'll be going for my WSET next year...so I am always looking for an excuse to try new things & new recipes. Also, being a little more flush with cash, I do my best to make my food decisions based on health & locality rather than price. I figured a good way to super serve my various health, economic, political needs was to sign up for a CSA. Fast forward 3 years later - almost all my food comes from various CSAs. Now, that I'm in the groove of all of it, I've been able to keep my weight stable. I've not been super sick in a long time. I've saved a lot of money. Even if those weren't things, I've tried so much new stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're interested, I cannot recommend these farmers enough:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.farmerdaves.net/" target="_blank">Farmer Dave's Vegetable & Fruit Share</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He is a Dracut farmer who sends out these amazingly philosophical emails. He offers his CSA year round although, unfortunately, only the Summer/Early Fall shares are convenient for me...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The portions are generous - Once, we got 6 melons in 1 week because the harvest was so good. He also has a bunch of add ons like honey, maple syrup, etc..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.enterprisefarmcsa.com/" target="_blank">Enterprise Farm</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They're out in Western MA & they supply Whole Foods. Their winter CSA sources up & down the East Coast so you get that super expensive, tasty Florida citrus in the middle of February!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I pick it up near my work. When I bring it in the office, I always get a few curious people nosing around the box.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mfdulock.com/" target="_blank">MF Dulock Meat Club</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They do a monthly meat club - everything from veal to steak to offal. Everybody who works there is super knowledgeable & very nice. They've just started selling chickens too - which is a bonus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://capecodfishshare.com/" target="_blank">Cape Cod Fish Share</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All local - relatively cheap for what it is. There have been times where I've gotten scallops & lobster in addition to the fillet fish. BONUS - If you say you were referred by somebody, that person gets a free month of fish (hint, hint)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, I hit my local Farmer's Market for e</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ggs, bread, & anything else that looks good. Rumor has it the <a href="https://bostonpublicmarket.org/" target="_blank">Boston Public Market</a> will be opening at the Haymarket T Stop in 2015. <span style="font-size: x-large;">HOORAY! </span>(note: this "hooray" is much different than the other "<span style="font-size: xx-small;">hooray</span>" mentioned earlier in the post)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At this point, it's the rare occasion that I am in a big box supermarket. I haven't had anything from a box in about a year (save those Petits Coeurs cookies from France). The only downside to all the CSA is that now, I can no longer eat conventional food without getting serious indigestion. That poses a bit of a problem before parties or going out to restaurants. At this point, there are not many restaurants I can eat in anymore (<span style="font-size: large;">booo hisssss</span>)...but it's probably better that way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have any favorites, I am all ears. Aside from the food CSAs, I am psyched Free The Grapes got mail order wine passed in MA. Now, I can sign up for that <a href="http://www.chandon.com/club-chandon.html" target="_blank">sparkling wine club</a> I've been eyeballing for years. Again, <span style="font-size: x-large;">HOORAY!!!!</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0