another look: paris and florence

‘It was as if someone had coaxed the eyes out of Bambi and resettled them, half asleep, into a human face.’

Upon reading “Guy Walks into a Bar Car,” an essay by David Sedaris, one (that one being female), who had little background of Sedaris, would begin to imagine themselves as the girl on the train who had just broken up with her boyfriend (ex-boyfriend) and headed back to New York. While at the same time, would most likely be thinking how unexpected and adventurous Sedaris must be to write from the opposite sex’s point of view. It’s preconceived notions that lead to such thoughts. And it’s that which has the potential to give this story (and any other story for that matter which challenges our it’s-either-black-or-white way of thinking) a read that turns out to give more than one had expected to receive--once again giving another lesson on expectations.


Additional reading: Journey Into Night. I loved this one, too. Sedaris will be at UB this Thursday.

another look...

...at London if my Cool Cam could have made the trip, too.

weekly mix.

I found one of my many post-it notes filled with songs I heard on last.fm and liked enough to jot down beside my desk at work when I returned. Here is a sampling of my post-it note doodled songs:



Love is Laughter MySpace



Califone MySpace



Bishop Allen MySpace



fun MySpace



COCONUT RECORDS MySpace

I've decided I need a new batch of more upbeat tunes, as that's exactly how I've returned from Europe: upbeat. If you have any suggestions, shoot 'em my way. Grazie tante!

Praha means Prague means Pivo

Prague, or as I prefer to call it, Praha, is not only the "City of a Thousand Spires," it's also the city of a thousand mosaic walkways, and the city of thousands of beautifully architectured buildings. This place is mysterious: the place of dungeons and dragons. It's a place of legends: the ghost of this woman haunts these church walls, the spirit of that man guards this building. There's magic here, but it's not the Paris kind of magic, it's the darker kind. I'd absolutely love to be in this city for Halloween. The statues are expressive, and in a creepy kind of way: a cloaked character hovers over emaciated figures, a two-headed beast crushes its opponent, while a woman lays slain--her neck crooked to one side and her body disrobed. The buildings are colorful and ornate; the embellishments on each are unique. It's a city of fantasy. Besides the architecural awe of Praha, there's an appreciation of good beer and a plate of meat. Pork (particularly the kunckle of pork), sausage, rabbit, and duck are a big hit. And these people love their dumplings and cabbage. I've had my share and I'm ready to return to the land of tofu, sushi, legumes and other various veggies. At the same time, Pilsner Urquell is something I could get used to. Thier dark beer, Master, blew my tastebuds last night. And I'll also say this: Budweiser in Prague and Budweiser in the U.S. are not created equal. "Budweiser Bier," was founded in 1795 by German-speaking citizens of Budweis, a city in Southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Yeah, Praha is home to the original Bud, which is out of this world, while Anheuser-Busch's version is like watered down piss (sorry for the bluntness, but it's the truth). What else makes Prague, Prague? Well, the fashion, or lack there of, for one. This includes incredibly blunt haircuts and streaks of color: pink and red being the most popular. It's one of the more evolved cities I've visited on this European trip, which tends to remind me more of the states, something I was trying to get away from a bit. And I did in Florence and Venice. Although there is no city like Prague in the U.S., because of that I'm able to quickly get lost again in my thoughts after any brief comparative thought between it and the bigger cities in the states that I've traveled to.
I'm off to enjoy one last mystical night in Praha...

Let's get lost in Venice...

The cornstalk mazes of the West are no match for the narrow walkways that span Venice. It's enchanting. A playground for lovers. You wander, hoping to lose your way, only to discover some new nook and cranny: you care to get lost and look forward to it. A turn left. A turn right. Dead end. Over one bridge. Down one alleyway. Ah ha, a shortcut found. Breathe the sea air. Let go of your sense of urgency. No cars. No crosswalks. No bikes. No metros. Set your own pace or enjoy your neighbors. Limoncello. Moretti. Calamari fritti on a stick. Flat pizza. Open squares. Secret corners. Laundry hangs from windows. Salty breeze. The Canal Grande. Quaint. Cozy. Sunny. Quite the bella vista. Grazie. I hope to once again tiptoe around those stone corridors.

Bonjour!

A stunning city. A photo opp around every corner. The people, the food, the buildings, there's beauty to take in everywhere. The air is filled with a sweet aroma. Woman walk the cobblestone street in highheels--and ride their Vespas with them as well. Each window is elegantly dressed with wrought iron ivy. The streets are narrow, the people hussle by closely, enough to catch a whiff of their vetiver, lavendar and other enchanting perfumes. Crepes are sold on every corner. People navigate the streets with baguette sandwiches. The Eiffel Tower dances at night. French phrases bounce off the building walls. It's all, just...magic.

Story of the Day: Day 2 in London

Victoria Station Underground. St. Paul's Cathedral. Street man with an invisible head. Street gals with dancing marionettes. Black and white strips and strappy gladiator sandals (they're everywhere). The Tate Museum and Picasso's The Kiss. River walk along the Thames. The Borough Market. First authentic London Cheers. London Bridge is falling down (not really). Ye Olde London Pub for Fish & Chips with green, minty pea mash and a pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord for him, a Wells Bombardier for me. Do you fancy a nibble? The Guardian. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub (closed due to bank holiday--bloody holidays). Look Left. Look Right. Brilliant. Mind the gap. Mind that child. Mind your head. A New World seen at Shakespeare's Globe (Shakespeare in Love).
(Note: The computer keyboards are different...the symbols are all in different places like the @ and...OH, I just found the quotations marks "" ta-da! Ha.)