A few quick reviews.... and notes of those gone by

Things to kep in mind from three restuarants I've eaten at lately:

Doungrats: Delicious Thai food - best meal/value south of Baltimore for Thai(4 out of 5)
Colvin Run Tavern: delicious and subtle flavors but maybe I just expected more (3.5 out 5)
Montmarte (Eastern market): Delicious scallops, amazing rissoto with calamari with squid ink sauce.... my absolute favorite! (4.75 out of 5)


and on to some sad news, The Cedars (of which I wrote about earlier) and Let's French - local bands I liked are no more...... The Cedars had alot going for them but Lets French was set!! They had a new kick butt full lenght album and everything.... wow interesting how things happen - I discover them a little before summer starts - and they are gone a little before summer ends....

Do YOUR Thing!

That is a loaded statement or proclamation, or however you take it. It can get lost in the median of a very interesting documentary, despite it being part of its central focus. In 10MPH; Seattle to Boston in 100 Days you dont expect it as a theme, yet it subtly throws it in your face. Overtly the film is simple Segway cross country trip... but in thier conception of what to do other than just show the segway - they stop to get a nice slice of Americana that hasnt been seen since Charles Kuralt. Ok not as well done as Charley, well okay - but still, much better than what most have done for a while in documenting this stuff.

So out go the filmmakers Hunter Weeks and Josh Caldwell (both great guys who I got to meet and coincidentally friends of Jon's from College), on an uncertain journey and without bieng fully funded. They went out and did what they wanted to do (even if it was hair brained to us "normal" folk). But as they meet people throughout the country - thier take on it is: why are you doing what you are doing? They get a bunch of catch phrases from each person as "x''s thing, etc.

But what the film really gets in motion (in my mind) is are; you, me, anyone one of us doing our thing anymore? do we really have the realistic capacity to do that in todays modern world? And if we all did, who would do all the other things that the rest of everyone needs?

Of course it ultimately makes one question - are we happy doing what we are doing? How empowered are we to change that? Well give me a few months - my friend Dave just gave me a book called the Pathfinder... lets see where that path goes....

Random Musings... again

SO I got a little older . My birthday shares dates with William Jefferson Clinton (boo or cheer appropriately as you wish), along with National Aviation Day, and what apparently I thought was Penguin Awareness Day, but alas, I cant find the culprit website that told me that. Well nevertheless I had a penguin birthday cake.

Thanks to all the well wishers, to Megan & Stefanie (with me in the pic) for not one but TWO delicious cakes and to Carmel for taking some great photos !

A Wedding Trip & Reunion

SO last week I went to Boston in about 15 years. I really dont remember much from that trip other than visiting the actual Cheers Bar (called the Bull & Finch back then before they changed the name over) , touring the U.S.S. Constitution, and seeing the fireworks in celebration of troops returning home from Operation Desrt Storm (yes, me a loooong time ago).

SO this was kind of a reunion, in more than one way. it all started with having to endure the worst airport/airplane experience EVER (you don't really want to read a boring rant now do you) - and mind you I have flown ALOT since my mom worked for the airlines for a while. So my first experience as I step off in mid August and its 65F !! What is that! Luckily it got warmer after that......... Needless to say I got to see a bit, even if it was the rushed tour through the lens of my camera.... no big deal I have done it before, most notably on my first trip to Paris when I was in the N.A.V.Y.

But I'll live. I get to experience the "T" to my hotel where they promptly loose my reservation. Luckily I convince them to give me a room at the reservation rate. Yet another minor hurdle solved. SO I get dressed and head over to the Hilton by the airport for the main purpose of my visit (about time I get to it!) my brother Carlos Miguel's wedding. Ok technically on Friday its only the rehersal party. But still its great seeing my Dad and Chata, my godmother (Madrina) and cousins, etc. I hadn't seen most of them snce my last visit to Puerto Rico about 2 years ago.


Siblings, a parent and a niece: Raul, Carlos Miguel, me, Dad, Ana Marie & Alexia -->

The wedding itself was wonderfull - the reception lots of fun (one can always count on my Madrina and her kids to really get the party started!) Its good to see how well my Dad has porgressed in recovering from cancer, and it really warmed my heart. You can call & talk all you want, but actually seeing , is a relief, and it makes you really want to thank whatever powers that be are out there.

Somehow this weekend, Boston really made an impression with me. What an amazing city, what history, architecture, and the PEOPLE!! It feels more personable than DC for sure.... maybe what I miss from the OLD Miami. A little more laid back, genuine, etc. in the end I should really find a job in the carribean somewhere... I think it truly fits my style more...

Linda & Carlos Miguel ---->

Ok so I have a running dialogue of my trip around Boston, just clicky here as usual.

Things happen way too fast

So I know I am SO far behind here, I must apologize - Since July I have just found myself lacking time to do much on here. Since then a few highlights have been:

• Seen the Decemberists with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (amazing!)

These guys are great! I hopefully introduced a few fans (and one snob) to this amazing group. Maybe its a bit highbrow for some, but the lyrics (of which **I** Need a dictionary for some words) are smart and often tell neat stories. You know how music was often used in olden days to keep history.

• Took an incredible beach camping trip where I got to go in the water with bioluminescence!

Not since my trip to Puerto Rico 2 years ago (actually in Vieques) have I seen this. And surprisingly this far north! I always thought it was mostly in the carribean, although at Assateague (The Maryland side of Chincoteague from a few weeks earlier) it was not as bright as in Vieques. I was lucky enough to have a new moon though. Of course hanging out wth great freinds was awesome. More pics are ------> here <------

• Took my real first Kayaking trip on the Rappahanock River, thanks to my awesome friend Megan! Scott took some amazing photos, which is all I have left since I seem to have misplaced mine. Still somehow I was fascinated by the boathouse on the river... I must have taken a WHOLE bunch of them of that alone. Hopefully in late September I get another chance at more photos

There are a few more things but I'll details those seperately.

(at the Rappahanock with Dana, Carmel, me, Bill, Megan & Scott - dont forget to ask about the "Baconator"!!)