Earlier this evening i was watching TV and of course, as it is a Monday evening, Mr. Anthony Bourdain was on. I don't know if i've mentioned this earlier, but No Reservations is probably one of my favorite unscripted shows of all time. Lets not forget my bizarre and strange obsession with medical docus about morbidly obeses folks, but Tony Bourdain manages to capture my heart and gives me a joy for an hour every week of true tunnel vision. This past week's episode took me and the rest of his viewers to Haiti for something that rocked me in the same caliber of the recent Paris and Rome episode this past season, but in a completely different manner.
Watching these people in the ruins of their the quake that happened last January, it was shocking to really see how much damage had occurred. The images, the emotions, and the attitudes of Haitians was just seething from my TV into my living room and engrossing me in every way. Granted No Res is all about the enjoyable travel experiences including food and culture and exploration... this really took a raw look a country and city that went through so much pain. I won't go into lengths about what the episode actually covers, but let's just say that emotionally...i felt small.
i just felt so small.
And those who understand what I am talking about, know exactly what i'm talking about.
2.28.2011
2.15.2011
Portland, OR.
When I told people that i was going on a trip to Portland with my family the general reaction of everyone was "What?! Why Portland?" And funny enough, even while we were on our flight to Portland my mom turned to my dad and asked, "Where is it that we're going again?" Wherein my dad and I would laugh our funny inside joke laugh and then point out where Portland was on a map to my silly mother.
But what I guess i didn't reiterate to people was that my dad is an avid photographer and he wanted to actually scope some of the beautiful landscape that surrounds Portland, and not so much the city itself. And though i was more excited to check out the city, as a lot of what traveling in my books means eating and exploring local culture, it was actually pleasant to be out in the woods and the ocean away from most civilization. Granted most of the trip was miserably rained out, I was able to put to use some of the tips my dad had given me on taking pictures.
And here... after years of not doing a photo update to a blog of my own actual photos (and not just one photo like the previous entry) is a huge step of 5 whopping pictures! Enjoy.
However, i will say though that i was a bit disappointed to not run into Fred Armisen's "Bike Rider" character on the streets during the brief moments we were passing through the city.
But what I guess i didn't reiterate to people was that my dad is an avid photographer and he wanted to actually scope some of the beautiful landscape that surrounds Portland, and not so much the city itself. And though i was more excited to check out the city, as a lot of what traveling in my books means eating and exploring local culture, it was actually pleasant to be out in the woods and the ocean away from most civilization. Granted most of the trip was miserably rained out, I was able to put to use some of the tips my dad had given me on taking pictures.
And here... after years of not doing a photo update to a blog of my own actual photos (and not just one photo like the previous entry) is a huge step of 5 whopping pictures! Enjoy.
However, i will say though that i was a bit disappointed to not run into Fred Armisen's "Bike Rider" character on the streets during the brief moments we were passing through the city.
2.03.2011
844 Hours.
The other day, for some odd reason, the subject of stuffed animals came up. I was talking to someone about how i don't possess any stuffed animals and to be quite honest, i don't know what happened to the ones i used to. But i do remember receiving a load of them as a kid. I mean a real load of them.
I don't know how most little girls (and boys for that matter) receive their toys, but when i was younger i remember coming downstairs and there was suddenly a mountain of stuffed animals in my living room. My dad's friend was visiting and for some reason he had brought Noah's Ark to my house. Literally every animal imaginable was in the mix on the ground in my living room. But i particularly remember two that i obsessed over; a koala bear and a brown teddy bear. I couldn't let go of these two at all. I remember taking a trip with my family and carrying this brown teddy bear with me on the airplane. And when we boarded the plane and took our seats, i remember the stewardess came and asked for the name of my bear. And i didn't have an answer.
So i looked up at her, looked at my bear, looked at her again and just blurted out, "Brown Sugar!"
What the hell?
In any case, i don't have that teddy bear any more unfortunately. She was packed away and then from what i understand donated to the local Salvation Army. So i guess some other little girl will be able to enjoy it.. and give it a better name i hope.
843 Hours.
I don't know how most little girls (and boys for that matter) receive their toys, but when i was younger i remember coming downstairs and there was suddenly a mountain of stuffed animals in my living room. My dad's friend was visiting and for some reason he had brought Noah's Ark to my house. Literally every animal imaginable was in the mix on the ground in my living room. But i particularly remember two that i obsessed over; a koala bear and a brown teddy bear. I couldn't let go of these two at all. I remember taking a trip with my family and carrying this brown teddy bear with me on the airplane. And when we boarded the plane and took our seats, i remember the stewardess came and asked for the name of my bear. And i didn't have an answer.
So i looked up at her, looked at my bear, looked at her again and just blurted out, "Brown Sugar!"
What the hell?
In any case, i don't have that teddy bear any more unfortunately. She was packed away and then from what i understand donated to the local Salvation Army. So i guess some other little girl will be able to enjoy it.. and give it a better name i hope.
843 Hours.
