22 May 2010
Pictures
For now, dear friends, some photos from our recent journey to the Floating Islands of Uros, Amantani Island, and Taquile Island. Later, I shall provide some text to enhance the images.
21 May 2010
Soroche
Soroche is what they call altitude sickness here, and I can now say firsthand that it sucks and that I never want to climb Mt. Everest.
I think that I may somehow be almost okay already--at least the worst seems behind me, but yesterday afternoon was terrible.
All was well here in Puno. We had found a hostel and had gone out to lunch with a new friend we had met on the bus. We had visited an indoor market and had had a great time joking and talking with local indigenous women, one of whom, a cheese monger, had a mouth like a sailor. Perhaps that's what happens growing up alongside the highest navigable lake in the world. We had then enjoyed a delicious fruit shake (mango), which I when I began to feel a bit weird.
We headed back to the hotel to chill out a bit, figuring we would just take it easy. Within the hour, I went from feeling fine to moaning and shivering on the bed. My stomach hurt, my head hurt, I had no energy. I fell asleep early and tossed and turned, dreaming of nightmarish mountains and terrible boat rides.
Around one I awoke and puked my brains out. Beth sat with me through all of my grossness, and then we stumbled back to bed, to more tossing and turning.
And now, praise be to all things holy, it is 6:45 and somehow I feel nearly human again. Which means that today we can leave as planned to visit the islands on Titicaca.
More soon as possible from Peru.
I think that I may somehow be almost okay already--at least the worst seems behind me, but yesterday afternoon was terrible.
All was well here in Puno. We had found a hostel and had gone out to lunch with a new friend we had met on the bus. We had visited an indoor market and had had a great time joking and talking with local indigenous women, one of whom, a cheese monger, had a mouth like a sailor. Perhaps that's what happens growing up alongside the highest navigable lake in the world. We had then enjoyed a delicious fruit shake (mango), which I when I began to feel a bit weird.
We headed back to the hotel to chill out a bit, figuring we would just take it easy. Within the hour, I went from feeling fine to moaning and shivering on the bed. My stomach hurt, my head hurt, I had no energy. I fell asleep early and tossed and turned, dreaming of nightmarish mountains and terrible boat rides.
Around one I awoke and puked my brains out. Beth sat with me through all of my grossness, and then we stumbled back to bed, to more tossing and turning.
And now, praise be to all things holy, it is 6:45 and somehow I feel nearly human again. Which means that today we can leave as planned to visit the islands on Titicaca.
More soon as possible from Peru.
Road
Writing from the road from Cuzco to Puno. Along the way, we stopped at the border between Cuzco (state) and Puno (state). Our elevation at that point was even greater than it will be at Lake Titicaca. We were at 4335 meters above sea level, which is about 14,305 feet.
We can feel it for sure.
The road has been beautiful, all majestic mountains and fields and thatched roof houses and villages and ruins and llamas, llamas, llamas. Cows and sheep too.
We should be in Puno within an hour or so, if all continues to go well.
We can feel it for sure.
The road has been beautiful, all majestic mountains and fields and thatched roof houses and villages and ruins and llamas, llamas, llamas. Cows and sheep too.
We should be in Puno within an hour or so, if all continues to go well.
19 May 2010
Machu Picchu
I am once again writing a post with my phone. Thank you Apple, thank you 21st century, and thank you Hostal Hatun Wasi!
We are back again in Cuzco, after a trip away to Machu Picchu. It was, in short, an amazing and life altering experience.
We stayed two nights in Aguas Calientes, a town that seemingly exists solely for the "benefit" of tourists. It is filled with many crappy restaurants (along with some gems), bars offering happy hours that last three hours and offer 4 for 1 specials, and myriad touts trying to entice you to enter their hotel, restaurant, bar, whatever.
We followed one if said touts to a hotel that on first glance seemed okay-ish, but which turned out to be a pretty shit place. One of the windows in our room, rather than opening onto a street, a plaza, or a courtyard, seemed to lead directly into someone's kitchen. All at times, we could hear people talking, yelling, babies crying--all of human existence. On the upside, this morning our bathroom smelled like freshly brewed coffee, so waking up was somewhat easier.
Speaking of the bathroom, the bathroom floor was perpetually wet, since apparently towels were not included with the room, though a bathroom was.
I could go on, and perhaps speak of the thinness of the walls, which allowed us to hear the delicate noises of a drunken group returning and the subsequent vomiting in which they partook, but I shall leave my description of this place here. Suffice it to say that we were not overly impressed with the place, though the price was nearly unbeatable--12 bucks or so a night, in a town known for fleecing tourists.
Yesterday, after a fretful night if sleep in this oasis, we awoke at 4:30 in the morning, to get ourselves online for the bus to take us up to Machu Picchu. The reason for this absurd wake up time is this: Only 400 people a day are allowed to climb Wayna Picchu, the huge and very steep mountain that appears in the background of nearly every picture of Machu Picchu. The view from there is spectacular, and in order to be one of the lucky 400, one must get to the site early to receive the stamp of permission to climb it. Luckily, we made it, and had the joy and true honor to climb that beautiful and venerable mountain, following paths and stone stairs laid down by the Incas over 500 years ago.
The view was spectacular, and after enjoying it for a while, we climbed down via an alternate route, which led us through jungle-like vegetation, past wild orchids and begonias and bromeliads, down impossibly long ladders made of tree limbs and along thin rock trails that hugged to rock faces, and finally spit us out at the site of the Grand Cavern and the Temple of the Moon, both spaces in which the Incas built temples within pre-existing caverns, following and working with the natural shape of the cave.
From there we walked back to the main site and spent a lovely few hours hiking around the ruins, walking up top to catch the iconic and perhaps best vista of the site, and photographing llamas. We even got a video of a couple of them engaging in some attempted llama coitus, which I shall try to include below.
And now, after another night in our lovely hotel, we are back in Cuzco, ready and excited to head out tomorrow for Puno, the main destination on Lake Titicaca, which is the highest lake in South America, and I believe the highest navigated lake in the world. We shall be at over 3800 meters, which is about 11 and a half thousand feet of altitude. Hopefully we won't suffer too much, though we have certainly felt some effects of altitude this far (we are currently at 3,300 meters) and we expect to feel something more with an added 500 meters.
That's all for now, amigos. I am going to try and attach some photos below, as well perhaps a video. We have been taking most if out pictures with a camera, so this will be only a small smattering of what we have seen. Enough, perhaps, to entice you for the final report when we return home.
Adios!
Llamas
Llamas
Llamas
Machu Picchu with Wayna Picchu in background
My feet after day at MP
Beth after a day at MP
Attempted Llama Sex
We are back again in Cuzco, after a trip away to Machu Picchu. It was, in short, an amazing and life altering experience.
We stayed two nights in Aguas Calientes, a town that seemingly exists solely for the "benefit" of tourists. It is filled with many crappy restaurants (along with some gems), bars offering happy hours that last three hours and offer 4 for 1 specials, and myriad touts trying to entice you to enter their hotel, restaurant, bar, whatever.
We followed one if said touts to a hotel that on first glance seemed okay-ish, but which turned out to be a pretty shit place. One of the windows in our room, rather than opening onto a street, a plaza, or a courtyard, seemed to lead directly into someone's kitchen. All at times, we could hear people talking, yelling, babies crying--all of human existence. On the upside, this morning our bathroom smelled like freshly brewed coffee, so waking up was somewhat easier.
Speaking of the bathroom, the bathroom floor was perpetually wet, since apparently towels were not included with the room, though a bathroom was.
I could go on, and perhaps speak of the thinness of the walls, which allowed us to hear the delicate noises of a drunken group returning and the subsequent vomiting in which they partook, but I shall leave my description of this place here. Suffice it to say that we were not overly impressed with the place, though the price was nearly unbeatable--12 bucks or so a night, in a town known for fleecing tourists.
Yesterday, after a fretful night if sleep in this oasis, we awoke at 4:30 in the morning, to get ourselves online for the bus to take us up to Machu Picchu. The reason for this absurd wake up time is this: Only 400 people a day are allowed to climb Wayna Picchu, the huge and very steep mountain that appears in the background of nearly every picture of Machu Picchu. The view from there is spectacular, and in order to be one of the lucky 400, one must get to the site early to receive the stamp of permission to climb it. Luckily, we made it, and had the joy and true honor to climb that beautiful and venerable mountain, following paths and stone stairs laid down by the Incas over 500 years ago.
The view was spectacular, and after enjoying it for a while, we climbed down via an alternate route, which led us through jungle-like vegetation, past wild orchids and begonias and bromeliads, down impossibly long ladders made of tree limbs and along thin rock trails that hugged to rock faces, and finally spit us out at the site of the Grand Cavern and the Temple of the Moon, both spaces in which the Incas built temples within pre-existing caverns, following and working with the natural shape of the cave.
From there we walked back to the main site and spent a lovely few hours hiking around the ruins, walking up top to catch the iconic and perhaps best vista of the site, and photographing llamas. We even got a video of a couple of them engaging in some attempted llama coitus, which I shall try to include below.
And now, after another night in our lovely hotel, we are back in Cuzco, ready and excited to head out tomorrow for Puno, the main destination on Lake Titicaca, which is the highest lake in South America, and I believe the highest navigated lake in the world. We shall be at over 3800 meters, which is about 11 and a half thousand feet of altitude. Hopefully we won't suffer too much, though we have certainly felt some effects of altitude this far (we are currently at 3,300 meters) and we expect to feel something more with an added 500 meters.
That's all for now, amigos. I am going to try and attach some photos below, as well perhaps a video. We have been taking most if out pictures with a camera, so this will be only a small smattering of what we have seen. Enough, perhaps, to entice you for the final report when we return home.
Adios!
Llamas
Llamas
Llamas
Machu Picchu with Wayna Picchu in background
My feet after day at MP
Beth after a day at MP
Attempted Llama Sex
16 May 2010
Cuzco
Hello All,
Unfortunately, my IPhone WiFi is not working her at our hotel in Cuzco, Peru. This means that I must use this terribly annoying keyboard on the hotel computer. Worse, it means that I cannot include any photos with this post. Alas, we shall make it through, I am quite sure.
Things are great here, let me say first and foremost. We arrived in Cuzco yesterday morning after a short and uneventful flight from Lima, where we had spent two nights. Lima, where I last checked in, was very frenetic, exciting, and eye opening....As you can see from the last post.
Cuzco is a much calmer, smaller, more picturesque place, though it is also much more touristy. There are many streets sellers of all sorts, selling massages, handicrafts, photo opportunities. Older women roam the streets, accompanied by small children holding baby sheep and sometimes llamas. They charge to have their picture taken, which is a totally bizarre conundrum that affords to easy outlet...For, if one wishes to document one´s trip to Peru, the people in indigenous dress are certainly something to portray. But it feels weird to pay, exploitive and whatnot. Though they make money in this way, so to take a picture and not pay is probably worse, right? Confusing.
Yesterday, after arriving here, we wandered around the town, visiting various sites of importance and such. Of particular interest was Qorikancha, which was apparently one of the richest and most important of all Incan sites. Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, it was turned into a monastery and church of course, though many of the amazing original walls were left standing.
Today, we headed out to Pisac, a town a little under an hour from here, to see their famed Sunday market. We took a very small, very rickety, very colorful bus there, which flew along mountain passes, occasionally scaring the hell out of us, but generally delighting us with the magnificent views and exciting sights. We also had the chance to speak with some very friendly locals who joked with us and explained things to us, and generally made us feel very happy about our decision to find a rickety bus instead of taking some lame tourist bus.
The market was great, filled with locals in traditional dress buying and selling vegetables and food and tourists buying handicrafts and crap. It was amazing, and we left with a new bag filled with gifts and treats (mostly of the tropical fruit variety) for ourselves, as well as a stomach filled with delicious empanadas and fat-kerneled corn.
Speaking of food...We have been eating very well during our stay here. We´ve enjoyed cebiche, of course (fish that has been marinated and cured-cooked in lime juice). Since getting here to Cuzco, we have also eaten cuy (guinea pig), which was very rich and sort of tasty, though one guinea piglet doesn´t seem to provide very much meat...Sort of like a big rodent quail. We have also enjoyed alpaca, which is delicious, and some rich, warming stews. Most of all I have enjoyed the various sauces, based on chili peppers, huacatay (a local herb that I think may have no other name), and sometimes peanuts. They are out of this world.
We have also enjoyed, in the oral sense, the local beers and the pisco sours (a blended concoction of Peruvian grape brandy, lime juice, sugar, and egg white), which are amazing...We´ve kept such libations to a minimum, however, as we are currently at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, and so must care for our bodies. To this end, we have been utilizing ginko biloba, which is supposed to be very helpful for altitude sickness. We have also been enjoying the local remedy -- coca leaf, which has helped tremendously. I am, actually, currently enjoying a wad of coca tucked in my right cheek. I´m like a Peruvian redneck, only I don´t need to spit. Also, the coca leaf is meant to be quite nutritious and helpful for myriad problems, and has been used by the Inca people for thousands of years. So it works for me.
Most of all, and finally, we are having a wonderful time. We are safe and sound, and tomorrow, if all works out as planned, we shall be approaching the base of Machu Picchu.
More soon. Adios.
Unfortunately, my IPhone WiFi is not working her at our hotel in Cuzco, Peru. This means that I must use this terribly annoying keyboard on the hotel computer. Worse, it means that I cannot include any photos with this post. Alas, we shall make it through, I am quite sure.
Things are great here, let me say first and foremost. We arrived in Cuzco yesterday morning after a short and uneventful flight from Lima, where we had spent two nights. Lima, where I last checked in, was very frenetic, exciting, and eye opening....As you can see from the last post.
Cuzco is a much calmer, smaller, more picturesque place, though it is also much more touristy. There are many streets sellers of all sorts, selling massages, handicrafts, photo opportunities. Older women roam the streets, accompanied by small children holding baby sheep and sometimes llamas. They charge to have their picture taken, which is a totally bizarre conundrum that affords to easy outlet...For, if one wishes to document one´s trip to Peru, the people in indigenous dress are certainly something to portray. But it feels weird to pay, exploitive and whatnot. Though they make money in this way, so to take a picture and not pay is probably worse, right? Confusing.
Yesterday, after arriving here, we wandered around the town, visiting various sites of importance and such. Of particular interest was Qorikancha, which was apparently one of the richest and most important of all Incan sites. Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, it was turned into a monastery and church of course, though many of the amazing original walls were left standing.
Today, we headed out to Pisac, a town a little under an hour from here, to see their famed Sunday market. We took a very small, very rickety, very colorful bus there, which flew along mountain passes, occasionally scaring the hell out of us, but generally delighting us with the magnificent views and exciting sights. We also had the chance to speak with some very friendly locals who joked with us and explained things to us, and generally made us feel very happy about our decision to find a rickety bus instead of taking some lame tourist bus.
The market was great, filled with locals in traditional dress buying and selling vegetables and food and tourists buying handicrafts and crap. It was amazing, and we left with a new bag filled with gifts and treats (mostly of the tropical fruit variety) for ourselves, as well as a stomach filled with delicious empanadas and fat-kerneled corn.
Speaking of food...We have been eating very well during our stay here. We´ve enjoyed cebiche, of course (fish that has been marinated and cured-cooked in lime juice). Since getting here to Cuzco, we have also eaten cuy (guinea pig), which was very rich and sort of tasty, though one guinea piglet doesn´t seem to provide very much meat...Sort of like a big rodent quail. We have also enjoyed alpaca, which is delicious, and some rich, warming stews. Most of all I have enjoyed the various sauces, based on chili peppers, huacatay (a local herb that I think may have no other name), and sometimes peanuts. They are out of this world.
We have also enjoyed, in the oral sense, the local beers and the pisco sours (a blended concoction of Peruvian grape brandy, lime juice, sugar, and egg white), which are amazing...We´ve kept such libations to a minimum, however, as we are currently at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, and so must care for our bodies. To this end, we have been utilizing ginko biloba, which is supposed to be very helpful for altitude sickness. We have also been enjoying the local remedy -- coca leaf, which has helped tremendously. I am, actually, currently enjoying a wad of coca tucked in my right cheek. I´m like a Peruvian redneck, only I don´t need to spit. Also, the coca leaf is meant to be quite nutritious and helpful for myriad problems, and has been used by the Inca people for thousands of years. So it works for me.
Most of all, and finally, we are having a wonderful time. We are safe and sound, and tomorrow, if all works out as planned, we shall be approaching the base of Machu Picchu.
More soon. Adios.
14 May 2010
Lima!
Today we awoke in Lima, Peru, to the sweet sounds of somebody banging on pipes with a hammer or some other metal implement. In time, a beautiful harmony was made, as the shushing noises of other patrons were joined by the yelling and explanatory voices of the management. All of this was topped by the angry aria of another previously sleeping patron.
We were up.
Today was nice. We are both, I think, still feeling somewhat out if sorts and confused. This place is hectic and crazy, and the tour books and locals are filled with advice like "take a taxi home at night." So we are trying to figure out what it means to be here and to be here safely.
Today we visited first a restaurant, and enjoyed ceviche (seafood which is "cooked" in lime juice, very delicious) and some very basic meat and rice and peas dish. We were surrounded by workers of the orange vest variety, so we knew we had chosen humbly and chosen well.
We then walked downtown to see the cathedral, the shopping district (or rather, one of them), and the lovely and exciting Franciscan monastery. Like others I have seen in other countries, this one sported a bizarre and macabre display of human bones arranged, organized, and used to decorate.
After our trip down the path of bones, we took a taxi to another part of town, to visit a museum we had read of called "Museo Rafael Larco Herrera.". The museum is in the Pueblo Libre section of the city, and boasts a huge collection of pre-Columbian ceramics, as well as some textiles and metalwork. We went, however, mostly to check out their permanent collection of erotic ceramics, which was amazing, eye-opening, and, when
Standing next to middle-aged women, somewhat embarrasing.
The pieces had accompanying text like "deformed man with a female skeleton holding his erect penis" and "scenes of man and women performing male fellatio.".
One of my favorite pieces, which I heard a tour guide talk about, was a spouted vase type object. The top opening had holes all around it, which would make drinking rather messy. So, if one wished to drink, the spout was the only option. And the spout, of course, was in the shape of a big penis.
All in all, it was a fine day. We finished a long day by enjoying some pisco sours (the national cocktail) at an historic hotel, along with some fried snacks. And now, we are back at the hotel, quite early in fact, both tired and feeling like old people, but happy to get to sleep.
Tomorrow, to Cuzco.
08 May 2010
Garden update
The garden is coming along nicely, as you can see below. Shallots and onions and taters are popping, salad greens are crazy, tomatoes and kale and zucchini and lots of other stuff coming along.
Bees and Goats
best asheville dialogue the other night at Asheville Vaudeville:
"I have to leave because one of my beehives got knocked over. The bees are all loose."
I then asked how the hive got knocked over, and the juggler responded thusly:
"I'm not sure, it was probably one of the goats."
"I have to leave because one of my beehives got knocked over. The bees are all loose."
I then asked how the hive got knocked over, and the juggler responded thusly:
"I'm not sure, it was probably one of the goats."
05 May 2010
03 May 2010
24 April 2010
19 April 2010
Shave
I shaved my head yesterday, feeling the pull if summertime and the need for change.
It feels weird though, and is surely to take some getting used to.
It feels weird though, and is surely to take some getting used to.
15 April 2010
Burritos
I have just engaged in one of my guiltiest of pleasures -- two sausage burritos from a certain fast food chain that sports bright yellow arches on its very recognizable sign.
I feel guilty, but man, that was delicious, and filled the gaping, empty, cavernous hole that had been forming in my stomach since the moment I twice opened the fridge this morning and thrice foraged in the cupboards, finally concluding that, no, we didn't have any appetizing breakfast food to enjoy today.
It makes me think of my road trip some years ago, with a wonderful friend named Jason Weinstein (see this road trip on this blog at here.). I'm not thinking of the road trip because we ever ate at the above-named restaurant, but specifically because we never did. One of our cardinal road trip rules, in fact, along with "no shoulder dancing at night or in traffic" and "one must always listen to Young MC's "Busta Move" upon crossing any state line" was "no fast food except Taco Bell". We only ate at Taco Bell once, as it was, and I think our rule was a fine example of legislated self-restraint. I also think that, had the rule not have existed, I may have eaten many, many breakfast burritos during our long voyage back and forth across this great country.
I feel guilty, but man, that was delicious, and filled the gaping, empty, cavernous hole that had been forming in my stomach since the moment I twice opened the fridge this morning and thrice foraged in the cupboards, finally concluding that, no, we didn't have any appetizing breakfast food to enjoy today.
It makes me think of my road trip some years ago, with a wonderful friend named Jason Weinstein (see this road trip on this blog at here.). I'm not thinking of the road trip because we ever ate at the above-named restaurant, but specifically because we never did. One of our cardinal road trip rules, in fact, along with "no shoulder dancing at night or in traffic" and "one must always listen to Young MC's "Busta Move" upon crossing any state line" was "no fast food except Taco Bell". We only ate at Taco Bell once, as it was, and I think our rule was a fine example of legislated self-restraint. I also think that, had the rule not have existed, I may have eaten many, many breakfast burritos during our long voyage back and forth across this great country.
14 April 2010
Garden (beginning)
The beginnings of one of the five gardens we've got going at the moment.
We've got:
1. Small garden on side of house with flowers and perennial herbs (lavender, rosemary, lemon balm, etc.)
2. Front flower garden
3. Large side vegetable garden (pictured below)
4. Backyard garden -- peas, carrots, broccoli raab, (beans on the way)...All the stuff that the bastard groundhog won't let us grow on the side of the house. The plan is that Lupe the Dog will fend off any backyard advances, since she hangs back there (and can't hang on the side of the house). Fingers crossed.
5. Backyard garden -- flowers, some nice flowering bushes, some broccoli, and much more to come.
Stay tuned for shots as the garden grows!
We've got:
1. Small garden on side of house with flowers and perennial herbs (lavender, rosemary, lemon balm, etc.)
2. Front flower garden
3. Large side vegetable garden (pictured below)
4. Backyard garden -- peas, carrots, broccoli raab, (beans on the way)...All the stuff that the bastard groundhog won't let us grow on the side of the house. The plan is that Lupe the Dog will fend off any backyard advances, since she hangs back there (and can't hang on the side of the house). Fingers crossed.
5. Backyard garden -- flowers, some nice flowering bushes, some broccoli, and much more to come.
Stay tuned for shots as the garden grows!
Work on Display
I've got some work on display this month at the Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts (the studio at which I do all of my ceramic work). Here are some examples of what's going on there. If you're interested in visiting the display, Odyssey is right next door to Jonas Gerard's studio (which is right next door to the Clingman Cafe, which is right next door to nothing) in the River Arts District, in Asheville.
The Supermarket
There is nothing quite like an American supermarket to amaze and delight the senses.
Did you know, for instance, about this new diet? Can you imagine the possibilites and the health benefits?
And could there be any name more incredible for a mild chili?
Did you know, for instance, about this new diet? Can you imagine the possibilites and the health benefits?
And could there be any name more incredible for a mild chili?
07 April 2010
Profound Lost Thoughts
This morning, on my way to yoga, a thought occurred to me that was profound, interesting, and amusing, but I forget what it was. Whatever it was, my immediate thought, for the first time in a while, was that I should share my thought in this forum. "Yes!", I thought, "This shall be the thought that rejuvenates my blog, and it shall blow fresh life into my writing."
Alas, it is not to be. I take it as a sign, however, that I do still have things to share with you, my surely few, dwindling, oh so few remaining readers. Not that there were all that many to begin with.
For now, I shall share a few things with you:
1. For those who have never checked out my brother PJ's blog, check it out please. You won't regret it. It is the home of many profound things, and will surely make up for the one lost thought from this morning. He is at the end of an entire year of traveling, playing music, meeting people, driving coast to coast to coast, flying across the world, and generally just living large and in charge. His blog can be found at www.yearofathousandroommates.com.
2. MY CD, with my band Sirius.B, is now available online. If you like good music, or even if you don't, but you'd like to support music in general, and perhaps be cheered by fun, raucous, and lively music, I suggest you buy it. It only costs $6 online (plus two bucks for shipping I believe). I suggest you go do it now. Waste not another minute!
You can find it at www.siriusbmusic.com/music.php.
That's all for now, but I plan to return shortly. Stay tuned.
Alas, it is not to be. I take it as a sign, however, that I do still have things to share with you, my surely few, dwindling, oh so few remaining readers. Not that there were all that many to begin with.
For now, I shall share a few things with you:
1. For those who have never checked out my brother PJ's blog, check it out please. You won't regret it. It is the home of many profound things, and will surely make up for the one lost thought from this morning. He is at the end of an entire year of traveling, playing music, meeting people, driving coast to coast to coast, flying across the world, and generally just living large and in charge. His blog can be found at www.yearofathousandroommates.com.
2. MY CD, with my band Sirius.B, is now available online. If you like good music, or even if you don't, but you'd like to support music in general, and perhaps be cheered by fun, raucous, and lively music, I suggest you buy it. It only costs $6 online (plus two bucks for shipping I believe). I suggest you go do it now. Waste not another minute!
You can find it at www.siriusbmusic.com/music.php.
That's all for now, but I plan to return shortly. Stay tuned.
25 March 2010
This American Life, Myself
I'm about to send this email to Ira Glass, the producer of my favorite radio program, "This American Life" (see www.thisamericanlife.org). If you've never listened, please do, you will not regret it.
I only have one problem with the show, and it's grammatical. Read below.
Dear Ira and Others:
First, please allow me to say that I absolutely love "This American Life". I recently downloaded the IPhone App for the show, and if I was previously an avid listener, I am now perhaps an obsessed listener. I listen to approximately 10 episodes a week, and I am quickly making up for all the years during which I was not aware of your incredible program.
Allow me to also preface with this caveat: I am a bit of a grammar freak. Perhaps not a freak, but I like grammar, and I occasionally annoy people with my grammatical observations and corrections. Sure, I make mistakes too, but that doesn't stop me from being unable to contain myself at times. I also sometimes correct people on their usage of certain words. The other day, for instance, a friend used the word "dichotomous" when he meant to say "diatomaceous". I corrected him and he was sort of annoyed.
So, I'm annoying about grammar. We've settled that. My reason for writing you is this: You finish your shows wonderfully. I love hearing all the different things that Tory Malatia supposedly says. Every show, however, you say something like -- "This show was produced by (name) and myself....."
Why do you say "myself"? I believe that you should just say "me". Feel free to read this article: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/myself-grammar.aspx --
You'll find a nice description of the uses of "myself" there -- In a nutshell, "myself" is either a reflexive pronoun (I washed myself, She hurt herself, etc) or an intensive pronoun, used only to intensify a sentence (I saw it myself!).
I hope you don't take offense to my point, but I can't get this out of my head (perhaps it's because I listen to you so many times a week) and figured I should let you know.
I really hope that I didn't make any egregious grammatical errors in this letter.
Sincerely,
Christopher (Pancho) Romero Bond
Asheville, NC
I only have one problem with the show, and it's grammatical. Read below.
Dear Ira and Others:
First, please allow me to say that I absolutely love "This American Life". I recently downloaded the IPhone App for the show, and if I was previously an avid listener, I am now perhaps an obsessed listener. I listen to approximately 10 episodes a week, and I am quickly making up for all the years during which I was not aware of your incredible program.
Allow me to also preface with this caveat: I am a bit of a grammar freak. Perhaps not a freak, but I like grammar, and I occasionally annoy people with my grammatical observations and corrections. Sure, I make mistakes too, but that doesn't stop me from being unable to contain myself at times. I also sometimes correct people on their usage of certain words. The other day, for instance, a friend used the word "dichotomous" when he meant to say "diatomaceous". I corrected him and he was sort of annoyed.
So, I'm annoying about grammar. We've settled that. My reason for writing you is this: You finish your shows wonderfully. I love hearing all the different things that Tory Malatia supposedly says. Every show, however, you say something like -- "This show was produced by (name) and myself....."
Why do you say "myself"? I believe that you should just say "me". Feel free to read this article: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/myself-grammar.aspx --
You'll find a nice description of the uses of "myself" there -- In a nutshell, "myself" is either a reflexive pronoun (I washed myself, She hurt herself, etc) or an intensive pronoun, used only to intensify a sentence (I saw it myself!).
I hope you don't take offense to my point, but I can't get this out of my head (perhaps it's because I listen to you so many times a week) and figured I should let you know.
I really hope that I didn't make any egregious grammatical errors in this letter.
Sincerely,
Christopher (Pancho) Romero Bond
Asheville, NC
22 March 2010
Recent Sirius Being
Sirius.B (my band) has a show here in Asheville on Saturday. This is the Record Release Celebration for our new cd, Monkey Robot Soldier. Tickets are available online at www.siriusbmusic.com. The show price of $15 includes performance by Bombs Away Cabaret and a Free CD!
Also, we've recently done our part to aid in Asheville's bid to be considered for the Google Fiber Initiative. Google, in a nutshell, is going to set up super-fast internet in one small city in the US. Each town must submit an application to be considered. We were recently asked by our old neighbor and now city councilman, Gordon Smith, to submit a musical addition to the application. Here it is:
www.siriusbmusic.com/google.
Enjoy!
Also, we've recently done our part to aid in Asheville's bid to be considered for the Google Fiber Initiative. Google, in a nutshell, is going to set up super-fast internet in one small city in the US. Each town must submit an application to be considered. We were recently asked by our old neighbor and now city councilman, Gordon Smith, to submit a musical addition to the application. Here it is:
www.siriusbmusic.com/google.
Enjoy!
21 March 2010
Tattoos
My new tattoo....(no color yet)
And an amazing tattoo that one of the guys at the shop had....
And an amazing tattoo that one of the guys at the shop had....
17 March 2010
15 March 2010
The doo
A pre-haircut combover and mullet for your enjoyment!
By the way, I am purposely making the yokel face in the mullet shot.
By the way, I am purposely making the yokel face in the mullet shot.
Craigslist
I love Craigslist. I found this ad in the "gigs" section today:
I am looking for someone who is fluent in both Korean & Jewish sign language who looks like Elvis and is available for a wedding March 26th & 27th. If you are not available on both days don't reply. The rehersal will be on Friday night from 6 to 8 with a buffet dinner to follow and then the wedding on the 27th at 1PM. A tuxedo will be supplied and if by chance you are a singer and can sign at the same time the band has a spot for you. Please, take note that we do not have enough room for you to bring your whole family, pets and friends. Should be a fun time for all.
I am looking for someone who is fluent in both Korean & Jewish sign language who looks like Elvis and is available for a wedding March 26th & 27th. If you are not available on both days don't reply. The rehersal will be on Friday night from 6 to 8 with a buffet dinner to follow and then the wedding on the 27th at 1PM. A tuxedo will be supplied and if by chance you are a singer and can sign at the same time the band has a spot for you. Please, take note that we do not have enough room for you to bring your whole family, pets and friends. Should be a fun time for all.
02 March 2010
01 March 2010
Peru
I have finally booked tickets for my honeymoon, with my now not-so-newlywed bride, Beth. We'll be going to PERU for two weeks in May!
Hooray!
Hooray!
23 February 2010
Spivey mountain
Up on top of spivey mountain, above Asheville. A beautiful, easy hike right in town.
21 February 2010
14 February 2010
07 February 2010
Earth
This is a picture that I took of a satellite image of the Earth. This was the backdrop on the stage at last night's Help Haiti Heal benefit at the White Horse Black Mountain...
The earth, apparently, is actually a large sad clown.
The earth, apparently, is actually a large sad clown.
04 February 2010
03 February 2010
Getting Sirius
I (and the rest of Sirius.B, my band) am in the paper today! Read it below, or pick up a copy at any of the Mountain Xpress newsstands around town!
Getting Sirius
Getting Sirius
02 February 2010
01 February 2010
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