#i love cheese so so much but i lack the culture for it unfortunately

[phosphorus-noodles]

top 5 cheeses

urhgdh how many cheeses can I even name-

whatever cheese blend i bought pre-shredded all the time in college. i lived off of that

^ i'm pretty sure cheddar was in there. it's a solid cheese

you cannot go wrong with sprinkling parmesan cheese on things tbh. like on pasta?? mmmm,,

mmmacaroni and. i'm running out of cheeses

one time i went to my french neighbor's house and i had brie cheese and now i dream of kissing it under the moonlight

(ask me top 5 things)

[mxvladdy]

That Diavolo angst was perfect. The best, most high quality cheese at the end. Domestic fluff galore. Decadence straight from the source of your hands.

Could we get some Diavolo fluff with an MC who ran away from home(of lamentation) that wants to spend the night at the castle because the brothers were being dismissive [in tsundere and sibling fun-poking ways] but it just kept reminding MC of their abusive home life in the most innocuous ways

i.e. Satan mocking the books they like for being "too whimsical/fanciful". Asmo making a few too many degrading comments on their skin/hair care or lack thereof (like, tell me the RIGHT way to do it then!  If I'm such a fuck up on my own). Mammon and Belphie.... being Mammon and Belphie.  Levi gate keeping them from devildom equivalent interests because they're "not a real fan if they don't [x]"

A/N: Awww you spoil me with compliments ~^.^~! I hope this is to your liking!

It was late and Diavolo was exhausted. Diavolo looks down at his over inundated schedule, black and red ink covering the pages, barely any of the original white pages could be seen now.  Squinting he chuckles at the elegant handwriting of his butler. He had quite literally penciled in two hours for sleep. A sweet gesture for the evening. It was unfortunate he had wasted half of that time going over in his last meeting of the night. 

The meeting was supposed to be just a brief update on the expansion of the kingdom out west. New trading routes with the colonies and lands not yet in his domain. But, as usual, the evening turned to his exchange program and he always had time to talk about his pet project, even if his schedule didn’t. Each of the brothers was adamant that the program was going well. Better than they had hoped in fact, they all warmed up to you much to his delight, even saying they were treating you like you were part of the family.

That should have been his first clue. He knew the brothers and how they acted with family. Perhaps it was because he was exhausted that the comment went over his head, perhaps it was his own ego telling him everything was going great. He brushed aside the remarks to conclude the meeting and get to his rooms without a second thought. Diavolo practically vibrating with excitement at the hot bath waiting for him. Maybe he could nab some chocolate from Barbatos’s secret stash too. With those sweet thoughts filling his head and his eyes buried in his agenda he overlooks you standing by his door. He skids to a stop only after almost knocking you off your feet with his massive bulk. “My apologies, I did not see you there.” He steadies you looking you over for any injuries. “Do you need something?” He forces an energetic smile onto his face to hide his exhaustion and slight irritation at yet another snag in his evening.

He watches you shuffle in place for a moment, eyes downcast. “Sorry-sorry, it’s silly, but could I stay with you for a bit? I don’t want to be at the house.” Your voice warbles, hands coming up to wipe at fresh tears. Diavolo’s hearts sink, his previous exhaustion taking a backseat to you.  

He beckons you into his room without a second thought. “What’s wrong? What happened?” You shake your head rubbing harder at your face, your skin getting more and more agitated. He purrs deep in his chest pulling you close on instinct to comfort you and for you to stop agitating your skin. You bury your face in his uniform.

“It’s stupid really, I don’t know why I’m upset.” You laugh. The weak sound getting caught on a wet hiccup. “I just can’t handle the teasing right now.” Anger begins to brew in his gut, the brothers, you were obviously talking about them. Had he been to lose with his leash? Did they lie to him?

He leads you to his favorite chair by the window and crouches next to you. “Explain, please? If I need to correct this I will.” He listens, letting you vent and get your frustration out. He never had siblings nor any real family to relate your experiences with like you did, but he understood the mounting weight of words. There was only so much one could take before even the strongest shoulders crumble. “I’m sorry they hurt you.” He reaches to squeeze your knee in reassurance. “I could have Barbatos explain the matter to them, if you allow it.”

You sniff and give him a watery smile. “Thank you but I have to express this myself- I just needed some time away from them.” You cover his large hand with both of yours and squeeze back. “Thanks for listening.” Diavolo rumbles warmly, eyes locking with your warm hands.

“Anytime mi giglio,” He leans back onto his heels. “If I’m honest, their little jabs are utter baseless garbage.”

“Yeah?” You chuckle wiping your nose with his gifted handkerchief. “You don’t think I’m some boring sentimental human?” He shakes his head letting out a dismissive snort. You are beautiful and if Asmo was too blinded by his own standards and routines then it was his loss. He loves the character and different textures of your body. He loves your permanent laugh lines and the way your skin by your eyes crinkle when you smile. The way your nose scrunches when you are happy just makes him glow when in your presence.

Even the tiny scars and marks on your skin told stories that his body never could be able to do. He envied the way human lives could be seen through their bodies, the stories their bodies tell with or without them knowing was amazing. Demons, with their smooth lines, tight hard skin, and hidden agendas couldn’t do that. The idea of “gate-keeping” as you called it was a completely new contempt to him, and sounded ridiculous too. It was counterintuitive to his whole program. If you enjoyed the programs and culture then why were the brothers chastising you over it? He makes a mental note to find time off to take you to enjoy some of the sights of his Devildom without the brother's judgment.

“No. You- you,” He waves his free hand in the air trying to find words that won’t embarrass him. “You are fascinating and so unashamed of your interests. The life you live is unlike any demon or fallen angel could ever comprehend. If they tease you on such trivial things then that speaks to a fault in their character, not yours.” He lets them hang in the air between you, not wanting the meaning to be lost in useless banter.

The silence between you was comfortable and Diavolo basked in it. Normally silence was always tense around him, everyone always waiting for a decree or punishment. Right now though there is none of that. “Wise words, where did you get them?” You move away to pat at your blotchy face, trying to wipe away the tear stains.

Diavolo huffs at the loss of your soft touch. “Little D.” He jokes, voice deadpan. You laugh turning to face him. “There we are!” He cracks a small grin already feeling your mood relax. Leaning in close he wipes away a stray tear. “Feeling a bit better?  Perhaps we can-” Your phone buzzes from your discarded bag making you jump apart. You rush over digging through the bag to grab the blasted device looking at the rapid-fire amount of texts and calls all come in at once. “The brothers?” Diavolo sighs cursing their interruption. He can see the long streams of text bubbles scroll by in the reflection of your damp eyes.

“Yeah.” You look up from your screen. “They are wondering where I am.” Diavolo grimaces not even trying to hide his feelings. You glance back at the phone with little interest, then shrug powering it off. “I think I can let them stew in it for a bit, don’t you? Mind if I crash here for the night?” The Devil perks up, gold eyes following the trajectory of your phone as you toss it. The decorative case disappearing into the cushions.

“I couldn’t agree more.” He claps his hands together in excitement. “Come! Read me one of the stories Satan found jejune. I think I have a few Devildom children's stories on a shelf somewhere to share too!” Diavolo gets up already deciding which room you will stay in for the evening. Perhaps if he plays his cards right you could stay the weekend.

[glenngaylord]

OUTFEST 2020 FILM REVIEWS:  The Rest Of The Fest

As the curtain closes on another Outfest, this one presented under extremely unusual circumstances, I sit in awe of the filmmakers and of the staff who put together not only a great group of films, but managed to creatively bring them to its audience online and at drive-in screenings.  Typically, you find yourself having to choose one film over several others, but with this new format, you have a great chance of seeing everything you want.  In past years, I found myself lucky if I saw 15 films.  This year I saw 23 features and 4 shorts programs out of the 160 on the schedule.  

As it’s impossible to get full reviews submitted for everything while the festival is still chugging along, I wanted to write capsules of the remaining films not covered at TheQueerReview.com .  Please visit the website for all the other reviews I wrote as well as those by my colleagues.

THE OBITUARY OF TUNDE JOHNSON ★★★★★

Melding a Groundhog Day-style concept with police violence against black people, this stunning film could not be more prescient and emotionally overpowering.  A black gay teenager relives his moment of murder over and over again, with slight shifts in the narrative taking us to someplace unexpected and earned.  Director Ali LeRoi directs his first feature as if he’s been doing it all of his life and has interpreted Stanley Kalu’s ingenious script with a great cinematic approach.  Gorgeously framed, beautifully acted, written, and directed, this is one of the most powerful films of 2020.

TWO EYES ★★★★★

I can’t form sentences here so I’m gonna vomit out words:  Instant classic. Glorious. Set over three centuries seamlessly melding a triptych of stories about gender identity.  I’m a blubbering mess.  Fantastic and very funny last line.  Travis Fine is a very gifted filmmaker who screams love child of Terrence Malick and Kelly Reichardt.  Heartbreaking. Inspiring. Unforgettable.  Montana is so beautiful.  Barstow is not.  A perfect film for anyone who wants to find their place in the world. I wouldn’t complain if TUNDE and TWO EYES both received Best Picture Oscar nominations.  

DRAMARAMA  ★★★★

Theater nerds rule in this incredibly endearing, early 90s set film about a group of high schoolers discovering themselves in one night at a ridiculous Murder Mystery-themed party.  Hilarious script, vivid and wonderful performances, and the opposite of a “Coming Out” movie in the best possible way.  Jonathan Wysocki has given us The Breakfast Club for air-kissing, mid-Atlantic accented freaks and geeks. 

CICADA ★★★★

What happens when a traumatized, bisexual man who has more sex partners than any standard montage can contain slows things down to concentrate on one kind but also traumatized young man?  This elliptically told film has a fun, flirty side but carries its heaviness with great ease.  A terrific feature debut for director/writer/editor/lead actor Matthew Fifer. 

THE STRONG ONES (LOS FUERTES) ★★★★

From Chile comes this sexy, moving story of two men at cross purposes who form a beautiful bond.  Set against some stunning scenery and mining the chemistry between its two leads for everything it has, I am half-jokingly calling it Brokeback Andes.  It’s so much more than that trite, hackneyed comparison.  

MONSOON ★★★1/2

Director Hong Khaou’s followup to Lilting sets its sights on modern day Vietnam as Henry Golding’s character visits to find a suitable place to distribute his mother’s ashes.  It’s a terrific mediation on a gay man finding a sense of belonging in a place he’s never been and Golding proves himself to be a subtle, compelling actor.  Perhaps a little too quiet and reflective, the film makes up for what it lacks in narrative drive with its awe-inspiring cinematography and immersive qualities.  

P.S. BURN THIS LETTER PLEASE ★★★★1/2

What an unexpected surprise.  Michael Seligman and Jennifer  Tiexiera’s documentary about a treasure trove of letters dating back to the 1950s brings us into the world of drag queens from almost 70 years ago.  With many of its subjects not only alive but in fine form telling their stories and the dishiest voiceover readings ever to grace a film, I was not only thoroughly entertained, but I didn’t expect to weep like Laura Dern at the end.  Oh, this is so so so so good. 

MINYAN ★★★★

Eric Steel’s feature debut has its own unique tone and a star making performance by Samuel H. Levine, a spitting image of a young Al Pacino/Sylvester Stallone hybrid.  With its 1980s Jewish Brighton Beach backdrop, this powerful yet subtle film about a young man coming to terms with his sexuality as well as his place within his religion, it’s a stunning debut.  Ron Rifkin is stellar as Levine’s charming grandfather and Alex Hurt (William Hurt’s son) has his father’s intensity.  Fantastic, lived-in production design which feels like its decade without resorting to the usual candy colored tropes and a evocative score makes this a memorable experience.  Reminiscent at times of On The Waterfront, this film puts a fresh new spin on a coming of age tale and finds so many moving moments from first sex to an elderly gay couple hiding in plain sight.  A must-see. 

SHIVA BABY ★★★★

Writer/Director Emma Seligman must have studied Rosemary’s Baby quite a bit with this angsty story set mostly at a memorial service.  Rachel Sennott is fantastic as a young lesbian who moves from one cringe-worthy moment to the next in an attempt to avoid as much conflict as possible.  The great supporting cast includes Polly Draper, Fred Melamed, Dianna Agron, Molly Gordon, and Jackie Hoffman, all note perfect.  Less a comedy and more of an emotional horror story, Seligman knows how to make the best of a cramped space and throw up an endless variety of obstacles.  You just want Sennott’s Danielle to get her goddamned bagel with lox and cream cheese, but the fates have something else, something better, in store. 

COWBOYS ★★★★

Steve Zahn gives a career best performance in this moving story of a father with mental health issues and his trans son escaping into the Montana wilderness.  Sasha Knight makes an impressive debut as Zahn’s son and Jillian Bell expertly walks that fine line between villain and empathetic character.  Its comparisons to Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid are not coincidental.  Not perfect by any stretch, it may feel fairly conventional, but it’s tackling a vibrant subject matter.  Extra points for giving Ann Dowd a role where we don’t hiss at her. 

BREAKING FAST ★★★

Solid romcom with a Muslim backdrop, this very tight, deceptively simple script provides just the right amount of sparks between its charming leads, Haaz Sleiman and Michael Cassidy.  While structurally not breaking new ground, the entry point into a world we don’t see enough of on screen coupled with food porn for days makes this a fun, funny, goes down easy delight.

ASK ANY BUDDY ★★★1/2

Q: Daddy!  Daddy!  What were the 70s like down at the Piers in NYC?   A: Oh shut up and watch this movie.  

An experimental collage of vintage gay porn and archival footage from the disco, pre-AIDS heyday gives this film a mesmerizing, museum installation quality.  While technically without a story, you feel like you’ve gone on a journey nonetheless.  Would pair well with William Friedkin’s Cruising. 

DRY WIND ★★★1/2

Slow cinema meets voyeuristic gay porn in this one of a kind Brazilian exploration an arid small town, a workers’ union crisis, and a man obsessed with the Tom Of Finland drawing come to life who motors into his life.  Overlong and a little too obtuse as it goes along, it’s worth watching this Alice In Wonderland takes a quaalude, gets a very hairy back, and has a lot of sex in the dirt. 

NO HARD FEELINGS ★★★★

This year’s Teddy Award Winner at the Berlin Film Festival, Faraz Shariat’s film uses its backdrop of a refugee camp in Germany to tell the story of Iranians and Irani-Germans searching for a better life.  Its three leads bring a spark and youthful energy to a story with devastating undercurrents.  A wrenching glimpse into the emotional effects an oppressive culture has on its people, yet told with a driving pulse. 

LILY TOMLIN: THE FILM BEHIND THE SHOW ★★★

A look behind the scenes as Lily Tomlin and wife Jane Wagner workshop their legendary 1980s Broadway show, The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe.  It’s great to see these two at the top of their game and get a glimpse of their creative process, but this documentary is almost devoid of incident and feels more like a sweet gift to the fans than a fully realized film. 

SHORTS: WHAT A BOY NEEDS ★★★1/2

A mixed bag here of people searching for excitement, I found a couple of gems here nonetheless.  Not to take away from the shorts I don’t mention, I want to single out two exceptional films. Ruben Navarro’s Of Hearts And Castles looks great, has a beautiful vibe, and shows us a lovely connection forming right before our eyes.  Kiko’s Saints proves highly original as we follow a female Japanese artist on assignment in France become obsessed with a gay couple who have a lot of sex on the beach.  Combining animation with fairly explicit sex, I loved seeing the male gaze from a female perspective. 

THE CAPOTE TAPES ★★1/2

I love Truman Capote. I grew up at a time when smart authors found themselves on talk shows and were treated like superstars.  I’ve read his books and always have been in awe of his ability to be himself.  Featuring never-before-heard tapes of Capote’s friends being interviewed by George Plimpton, unfortunately, I don’t think this repetitive documentary gave me anything all that new.  It’s still touching at times and for the uninitiated, this is a great overview of his life, but I was watching the clock. 

OUT LOUD ★★★1/2

A moving look at the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles as they prepare for their first public performance.  With its ticking clock storyline, director Gail Willumsen expertly interweaves storylines of its founder and members.  As such, you really learn what’s a stake and what it means to them.  I was lucky enough to see the chorus perform David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust a few years ago and basked in the power of its mere existence…and was also ridiculously entertained. 

TWILIGHT’S KISS (SUK SUK)  ★★★1/2

This quiet charmer form Hong Kong shows us something we almost never get to see on film - two elderly gay men meeting and falling in love.  The fact that both have been married to women doesn’t stop them from exploring their feelings.  A little to gentle by half, I still was in awe of this rarity.

[twopedalpushers]

Travel update #5

Ecuador

A lot of events have transpired since I last posted a blog update! I signed off my last post at the border between Colombia and Ecuador. There is a lot to get through and so without further ado, welcome to the fourth country of our travels so far - Ecuador. 

Normally at a border crossing the scenery subtly merged from one country to the next but upon arriving into El Ángel National Park at the Ecuadorian border, we were transported into another world. I don’t know how to describe El Ángel National Park as even the photos that I took are pale in comparison to the experience of being there. We were travelling through the park on a dirt track and there were frailjones (a specific type of Latin American sunflower) as far as the eye could see in every direction. We were the only souls along the entirety of this track and the only sounds were those of our tyres on the dirt. It was surreal. It felt like we were the only people on this strange, desolate new planet. 

We passed through a few different towns before we reached the famous Ottavalo Market. The market is known throughout South America for being the best place to buy alpaca wool goods handcrafted by the indigenous people of Ottavalo. The market was vast, bursting with piles of rugs, jumpers, gloves, hats, toys (to name a few) being sold by charming Ottovaleños. We both bought a jumper each and I’ve pretty much been living in it ever since. 

Probably the nicest thing about Ecuador is the amount of indigenous people wearing traditional dress. In Ecuador, 25% of people define themselves as indigenous - 22% more than in Colombia. More often than not in Ecuador, entire villages will be wearing their own cultural variation of the traditional dress. It was interesting to see how this changed as we crossed the country. Women in the North tended to wear long blue dresses, handmade blue sandals, a white blouse with an ornately embroidered belt. Men wore a blue poncho or shirt and a fedora. Once we travelled South, the women of the highlands now wore extremely bright coloured felt shawls held together with a brooch. They wore knee length bright skirts -usually in a contrasting colour to their shawl, wellington boots and a fedora. The men of the highlands wore striped ponchos and wellingtons. This was the first time I had ever seen so many people dressed traditionally throughout the entirely of a country and it was inspiring to see a culture so rich. 

The capital of Ecuador is in the North, so we reached Quito fairly early into our journey. Out of all of the Latin American capitals we had visited, Quito felt the most European. It had a really relaxed yet quiet and private vibe. People ran in the parks and took their dogs out for walks in the evening. It was extremely civilised but it seemed to lack the intensity, drama and disinhibition of cities in its neighbouring countries. 

The roads after Quito were beautiful. We were cycling through Ecuador’s Volcanic corridor, which took us around Cotopaxi Volcano and ended with the vast and breathtaking Quilatoa Lake. 

The scenery was spectacular but the cycling was becoming extremely difficult. The small roads that we usually cycled on were now cobbled instead of paved or dirt. We had to bump along up hills of extreme gradients. It was rainy season in Ecuador so we frequently found ourselves cycling in dense fog or rain all day. The dampness made cycling uphill on cobbles extremely slippery and dangerous to do, especially on a bike that weighed the same amount as I did! I found myself having to get off the saddle and push my bike up steep hill after steep hill, most of which only 4x4’s were able to drive up.

Ecuadorians seemed to prefer to build roads straight up the mountain rather than having the road switch back a few times to gradually take you up. Because of this, our progress became infuriatingly slow - down from 80km per day in Colombia to 40-50km in good weather. 

Ecuador took us to new heights. Most days we were at an altitude of 3000-4000m. Although thankfully neither of us got altitude sickness, doing such intense physical activity so far above sea level left me incredibly out of puff to the point that I would struggle to catch my breath. 

The picture painted of cycling through Ecuador online and on social media contrasted immensely with the reality of doing so. Cycle-touring blogs and Instagram accounts that I’ve been following whilst on the trip are endlessly positive highlight reels of what it’s like cycling on the best days. Nobody tells you that you will be woken up in the middle of the night with searing pain in your legs from the build up of lactic acid. Nobody tells you that on the worst day of your period you will be biking 2000m of elevation instead of running yourself a hot bath and stuffing your face with chocolate. 

After a while in Ecuador, I started to expect every day to be another bad day, which kickstarted a dangerous spiral of negativity. I would look at Max cycling ahead of me in the distance, conquering each hill much more easily and happily than I could, and I would wonder why I was not able to do the same. I was asking myself why on earth I was putting my mind and body through this every day. It was the first time on the trip that I truly missed home.

Ecuador uses the dollar and is much more expensive than Colombia. Because of this to save money we did a lot more camping than we usually would. However because of the persistent rain we found ourselves needing to camp under shelter, once taking refuge on a volleyball pitch next to the side of the road, other times in hostel courtyards. Not splashing out on a bed in a hostel very often meant that we were tackling the Andes on very little sleep for as long as ten days in a row without a break. 

This has been a pretty negative account (sorry!). However it was not totally miserable in Ecuador. On dry days, we got to camp in some of the most amazing, wild spots that have been better than anywhere else on the trip thus far. We spent time camping next to waterfalls and at the base of volcanoes. Between villages while cycling on dirt roads we were very often the only the people around. We saw lots of llamas and alpacas for the first time on the trip! 

However no amount of cute, fluffy llamas could make up for the difficulty of the cycling and unfortunately my morale was low. The strain of undertaking such an intense physical challenge and spending every minute of the day together began to take a toll on mine and Max’s relationship. We were exhausted and bickering with each other at every opportunity. I was falling out of love with the cycling and in the end we decided that it would be good to take a break from biking and spend some time apart. 

Max and his family were heading to visit him in the Galapagos for ten days, and although I was invited along too I decided to fly to Brazil instead. We were 5 months into the trip and halfway through our time on the continent so it felt like a good moment to rest our bodies and treat ourselves a little bit. 

Our cycle route down the Western side of South America doesn’t take us through Brazil and it has always been a country that I have wanted to visit. I booked my flights to Rio de Janeiro and found out a couple of days later that I was going to be there while it’s Carnival! I really needed to blow off some steam and now had the perfect opportunity to do so - it felt like the stars were aligning! 

So about a week ago, we both left our bikes behind and flew to completely different places. We are going to return to our bikes refreshed, rested and ready to take on the Peruvian section of the Andes! Other cyclists that we have met on this trip rave about Peru being one of the most beautiful countries to cycle through, so I’m pretty excited. More importantly others have said that Peru is far less steep than Ecuador because they thankfully build long, winding hairpins up the mountain at a gradual gradient when possible. Obviously, there will still be hills to climb but after a good rest I’ll be able to take them on with fresh legs and a positive attitude.

I landed in Rio de Janeiro a few days ago and Carnival is every bit as exciting, intense, raucous and dynamic as you would imagine it to be - just times by one hundred. I’ve been at some of the street parties (that seemingly have no start or end) for a few days now. I will save writing about my time in Brazil for my next update. 

Below I’ve posted the full video of our time cycling through Colombia. I’m in the process of putting together the Ecuador video and will upload it in a few days.

Here is the link to track our progress (although we won’t be cycling for a while so you won’t see a lot of progression!) 

http://share.garmin.com/DMB7R

Similarly to my previous post about reaching the end of Colombia, I thought I would write a list of all the interesting things that I noticed while travelling through Ecuador. Again, it’s lifted from my journal so it informally written.

Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! For a country so cold it’s crazy to see how into ice cream the locals are. On every street there is an ice cream shop. In the North they cover ice cream in cheese (crazy combination I know...) I was intrigued by this but in the end I was too grossed out to give it a try. 

The possibility of taking a hot shower is back- for the first time on the entire trip! Ecuadorians mostly have warm showers, which is nice. They don’t have central heating in their buildings so they use propane tanks to heat their water. Every morning a truck selling gas canisters trawls around every neighbourhood, blaring a song sung by children with shrill voices. It’s the same song in every town we have visited. 

Ecuador has a strangely large amount of Chinese restaurants called “Chifas.”

They’re mad about topiary gardens. In the North every town square had shrubs with peoples faces and animals cut into them. 

Ecuadorians are very quiet, reserved, friendly and humble people.

A very large amount of people drive old school classic VW Beetles. It’s definitely the most common type of classic car you will see in Ecuador. 

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

Michael After Midnight: Escape from L.A.

Escape from New York is one of the greatest films of all time. A dystopian thriller for the ages, it follows the hardcore gritty misanthropic anti-hero Snake Plissken as he’s forced into infiltrating the prison island of Manhattan and rescuing the president. It’s a cult classic for the ages that gave us an amazing Kurt Russell performance for an iconic character who would go on to inspire other legends such as Hoss Delgado and Solid Snake, as well as a kickass Carpenter score and just a fantastic film all around.

But I don’t want to talk about that film. No, I want to talk about its much less famous sequel, Escape from L.A.

This movie is so strange to me. It’s a strange sequel to one of the greatest cult classics of all time, and yet hardly anyone mentions it until they’re making a list of the worst sequels of all time. Frankly I find calling this the worst anything is a bit of a stretch; this movie is actually legitimately good, in the right mindset anyway. You see, while this film does away with all the subtlety and atmosphere of the first film, and while it certainly retreads the plot almost beat for beat with very similar characters, this movie has something the original does not: pure, unadulterated 90s radness.

What makes this film great has a lot to do with just how good Kurt Russell is as Snake. He plays him with such a charming dickishness that even when Snake starts acting mildly transphobic he’s still a fun and likable character (I’ll be going more into that shortly). And if nothing else, this movie goes out of its way to establish just how fucking cool Snake is. He flies an exploding helicopter! He surfs on top of a tsunami to chase down Steve Buscemi! He does a bunch of sick basketball shots, all of them courtesy of Russell himself! Snake just oozes cool, and he just gets all the more cool with the ending (which I’ll also get into shortly).

The other big plus this movie has is the sheer levels of 90s insanity. There’s really nothing else that can possibly describe an inhumanly plastic Bruce Campbell playing the Surgeon General of Beverly Hills performing copious plastic surgery on everyone in a really unsubtle jab at celebrity culture of the 90s. Frankly, the movie’s lack of subtlety and its overwhelming 90s-ness really just pile on to how nutty the whole thing is. 

But in a way, the whole things lack of subtlety has kind of made it resonate even more in modern times. An insane fascist tuber-conservative president who builds a giant wall to keep people he finds to be deplorable out of his country? A fanatical anti-American radical with bombs hijacking a plane? This shit happens right in the movie, it’s stuff that would happen latter, and the eerie parallels you can draw between the president in this film and Donald Trump is really telling at how much of a ridiculous cheesy action movie villain the guy is, except in real life where that is far more disturbing. And then there’s the disturbing fact one woman in the movie was sent to the prison island simply for the crime... of being Muslim. This came out in 1996. It’s disturbing just how prescient it was. I kind of like that under all the cheese and silliness there actually are themes, albeit ones portrayed in a very heavy-handed and in-your-face nature, that still have value today.

Which is more than can be said for its treatment of the transgender character Hershe, and yes, that is unfortunately the way it is spelled. To the movie’s credit, it doesn’t really make her the butt of any jokes, this really isn’t anywhere near to being as bad as Ace Ventura, but there’s still something off about seeing Pam Grier with an artificially deepened voice playing a transwoman. As for Snake’s transphobic comments as mentioned before, I was slightly exaggerating; he keeps referring to her as Carjack, her nickname when she still identified as a man. On the one hand, Snake’s a bit of a dick for continuing to call her that when it clearly pisses her off… but on the other hand, “Carjack” was not only not her deadname, but she did stab Snake in the back and leave him out to dry when last they met. It really comes off more like he’s doing it out of extreme passive-aggressiveness than outright hatred of transgender individuals, which certainly fits his character. Snake is flippant to just about everyone, and the guy has next to no patience, though the fact he’s supposedly going to die in a few hours probably does not help.

Speaking of Snake’s flippant attitude, That brings us to the ending, where out of spite for being used as a pawn by just about everyone, Snake uses the satellite weapons everyone in the movie wanted to unleash an EMP that shuts off all power on Earth. It’s over-the-top, it’s silly, and it would certainly fuck over just about everybody… but it also feels like just the thing Snake would do after all the bullshit he has gotten pushed through in this film and the previous one. The guy’s already misanthropic and a loner, and he continuously gets played for a sap by everyone around him, so is it any wonder he’d give the ultimate finger to every single group that jerked him around this past night and just even the playing field for everyone? “Welcome to the human race” indeed.

I definitely don’t think this is as strong a film as the first one from an artistic standpoint, and I can definitely see why this one is not nearly as iconic… but damn, if this isn’t one fun ride! As far as 90s action films go, this one really has it all: the coolest fucking hero doing the coolest fucking things, fighting ridiculous caricatures of real-world issues, there’s EXTREME SPORTS, lampooning of celebrity culture, ridiculously unsubtle political satire, poorly done LGBT+ characters, and White Zombie is on the soundtrack. Frankly there’s not much more you can ask for. I don’t think this movie is mindless, stupid, or “so bad it’s good,” let me make that clear; I think this is a genuinely good, fun film, albeit coated in a fine layer of cheese. There are some iffy, dare I say even PROBLEMATIC elements to it, but I think there is value in some of the stuff the film says, and Snake is cool no matter what.

If you like cheesy action films or just really love Kurt Russell, you’ll probably get a kick out of this, but generally I think anyone should check this out, because if you can’t crack a smile while seeing Kurt Russell on a surfboard in front of a shitty greenscreen surfing on a tsunami to chase down Steve Buscemi in a car, I don’t know if you’re the kind of person I want to talk to. This movie is just pure, unadulterated 90s silliness and cool all rolled up into one ridiculous package, and even if it could never hope to live up to the legacy of its predecessor, I think it leaves a pretty worthwhile legacy all its own. This is a film that deserves more respect, there is no doubt in my mind about it.

[slifers-executive-writer]

A Overall Discussion About Godzilla: King of the Monsters 2019.

It has been awhile since I wrote an original piece on my blog, and while I’ve stated this is mostly for my writing and anime fandom, I cannot help but include one of my other passions. That is of course the movies. One topic that has been going around the internet lately is the potential flop that is Godzilla:KOTM 2019. I will put it out there right now, that while this movie isn’t doing as good as I would like, I’m sure it will make its money back and I certainly don’t think it is a flop. But my main reason for writing this particular discussion is to clear the air about where this film stands. I’ve been hearing a lot of reviews both top critical and various Youtubers complain about this thing and my overall observation is a lot of them claim to ‘like’ Godzilla and yet clearly don’t understand a goddamn thing.

A very similar thing happened with Detective Pikachu. Both movies not scoring that great on Rotten Tomatoes and overall critic/Youtuber reception being very mixed, yet the general audience seemed to enjoy both summer blockbusters. Both films suffered from a lot of ‘reviewers’ not doing even the smallest amount of research on source material before opening their big angry mouths and complaining why certain characters or concepts weren’t included.  

And example complaint on these films were:

Detective Pikachu: wHeRe Is TeAm RoCkeT?

Godzilla KOTM: wHy ArEn’T tHeRe OtHeR tOhO mOnStErS?

Yes these were real complaints.

Now in all honesty, I know neither of these movies are masterpieces as in terms of depth of plot or character arcs. If I had to choose one, I would definitely say it terms of the human elements, Detective Pikachu was a much better film. So I am fully aware that these flicks are complete nostalgia pandering hunks of cheese. 

And yet I still found myself enjoying both films to the point where I clapped at the end. The same way almost everyone and their grandmother did for the Avengers. So what is it about this hot garbage making so many people flock to the theaters multiple times to see them?

It’s the simple fact that we have had these Japanese properties in our lives for several decades. Pokemon (1998) & Godzilla (1954). If anyone grew up on either of these or both (such as myself) then we know that as long as these Americanized films are a loads of fun, we can forgive the lazy messy plots. But perhaps that is why these movies aren’t what we all wish they could be...because they are created on American soil. 

You see unfortunately, Hollywood has been in one of the most non-creative/reboot mayhem crisis I’ve ever witnessed. Big corporate studios have to pump out as many safe reboot/non original IPs as possible and it seems to have lost most it’s writing talent as well. If certain directors and producers aren’t behind a project, then the adapted movie (such those inspired by anime and other foreign film franchises) probably won’t have much substance. Not to mention Western filmmakers and our critics don’t seem to fully understand the culture shock of the growing popularity in these Japanese properties. Nor do they understand the appeal of these features, hence all the negative/angry reviews. We have seen this time and time again. And it is nothing new.

Now let’s get back to Godzilla: KOTM. It was a fun ride no doubt. The CGI was incredible, and with certain recent Marvel and DC films, this is a mark a lot of those films miss. So thank Godzilla that our beloved kaijus and other effects looked gorgeous. The cinematography for the monsters was also done very well. There are plenty of moments where we truly understand the grand size of these creatures. Overall the fights were awesome and mind numbing. And the music, oh my god the scoring was incredible. Done by Bear McCreary, who did the recent God of War installation did our Kaiju King a great service. Paying homage to classic Godzilla themes was the perfect icing on the cake. So what was the big complaint? 

Lol These dumbasses. The people in any robot/kaiju/creature feature seem to be the hardest thing directors cannot figure out no matter how hard they try. But let us admit that we as viewers are pretty hypocritical in this argument. On one hand we ask for a shit ton of monster brawls and on the other hand, we complain their are too many explosions and that the effect wears off after a while. We want human stories and then we complain that they are in the movie at all. Godzilla KOTM by no means has a good human story. Some moments with the military and Ken Watanabe were fine, but the idiots in the images above this movie did not need...like at all. I especially hated the father and mother figures. Like yeah Eleven (Milly Bobby Brown), I would run the fuck away too. I’m not excusing the writers for the shitty human plot, I’m just explaining as to why we still suffer from this problem. However, if you are a fan of the Godzilla franchise, you know for a majority of the films, the human plot is not much better than what we see here. Maybe that was Michael Dougherty’s point. He claimed that this was the ultimate film for Godzilla fans and quite frankly, maybe he is right.

Aside from the very first film (Gojira 1954), the human elements of these films were always lack luster, silly, and even forced. Yet so many people are quick to judge our American filmmakers for ruining what ‘only the Japanese can do right’ and in all honesty I’ve never heard such a false statement. The image above is from one of my favorites, Godzilla 2000. Japan’s fuck you to the terrible 1998 film. But when watching this, did you really care about this guy, his daughter, and his dumbass girlfriend. Or the scientists and their anime-esque villain. The answer is probably no. In any of these kaiju films, very rarely do we ‘really’ care about the people. We just want to see the action. The plots are always, cliche, predictable, and stuffing in some bullshit environmental awareness message. Nukes are bad and people suck. But we love Godzilla (practically a walking nuke) anyway. 

Godzilla KOTM, is the same shit we’ve seen before only with American styled editing and tropes. So lots of quick cuts and a focus on the family unit. But hey the special effects are so much better than anything we have seen previously. I don’t have to laugh when I see wires and crappy green screen, or using the same footage from a previous movie. Nope. All our favorite kaijus are in beautiful IMAX quality and are ready to wreck cities worldwide. This is the film fans asked for and we got it. Oh and before the next person complains that the Japanese can only do it better, here is what was done before this.

We got Evangelion Goji with AIDs and CG Tree Goji with Ramen Noddles Ghidorah. While Shin Godzilla was a masterpiece over seas, if you didn’t understand the political subtext, then this film was an angsty destructive ride by a guy who can’t even finish his own art thesis of an anime. (I totally don’t have mixed feelings over Evangelion lol). I didn’t hate Shin Godzilla. It had its moments, but I didn’t think it held the same power of the film it was trying to emulate. Not to mention the CGI and sound design at points were just dreadful. As for the Netflix anime Godzilla trilogy...just wow. Aside from loving the physical design of this new Goji and his new powers, this story was worse than awful, it was downright boring. Even hardcore Godzilla fans had a hard time defending this mess of bad CG. With a promise of multiple featured kaiju and Mecha Godzilla, we get a hunk of nano metal and the only other kaiju actually featured looking like a pack of Maruchan coming down to like ...basically have a staring contest with Godzilla and then evaporate. What a fight for the ages...

In conclusion, I’m not sure if and when either Japan or American will ever truly get it right. We may like certain aspects of one film but hate the rest of it and the cycle will continue on and on. But as far as KOTM goes, I’m happy it exists and hope it does well enough for Legendary to renew its licenses with Toho. I and many others just want Godzilla in the roster and to continue the legacy. Something for future generations of children and adults to enjoy the romping monsters and hear their iconic roars. We can’t let this current toxic and hating Internet culture bitch and complain about concepts and niche cultures it doesn’t fully understand. Like the anime community, the Godzilla fandom is a unique one and has a niche audience. But perhaps like what the Marvel movies have done for comic book fans, the exclusion will lessen over time and become more mainstream. But for now, Godzilla KOTM is meant for a particular group of people and it seems for that bunch, it has made them plenty happy. Myself included. 

So what are your thoughts on this movie and others like?

Feel free to share your comments, reblogs, and however else you would like to respond down below. 

[fifthnerve6-blog]

Produce Spotlight: The Ultimate Guide To Onions

Why do onions make you cry? Are onions keto? Find out in this month’s produce guide: The Ultimate Guide to Onions! From hair growth to curing a common cold, there are many questions about onions. Ever wondered where these staple veggies came from? Or how do onions grow? And then there is the ongoing question of the best way to caramelize onions, or can onions be frozen? Look no further than this Ultimate Guide to Onions to learn everything about growing, cooking and nourishing about these lovely alliums.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Onion Origin and Growing Information

Where do onions come from?

Onions were one of the earliest domesticated crops. They were originally cultivated in Iran and Pakistan. Due to their ease of growing, transportation and storage, they were likely a staple of the prehistoric diet. In ancient Egypt, onions were worshiped as a symbol of eternity and were buried as a sacrifice to a new Pharaoh. In several cultures, onions were used as medicine as well.

Where do onions grow best?

Onions are grown coast to coast in the US due to their hardiness and simplicity. Onions are commercially grown in over 20 states, including Vermont! Don’t worry about the soil, as onions can thrive in virtually any conditions so long as they are watered well.

How do onions grow?

These delicious alliums are a cold-weather crop, so they are typically planted in early spring and harvested in the late fall or early winter. Onion sets can be used to make them resistant to frost damage. They seed about 4” deep and should only be buried one inch below the soil, so they are perfect for a raised bed or small hoop house. If mulch is used, onions only need to be watered about once a week. However, onions will appear healthy even when they are bone dry so be sure to water well and soak the roots. Fun fact/wives tale: the thicker the skin on the onion, the harsher the upcoming winter will be!

When do you harvest onions?

Once the onion plants start sending up flowering stalks, it means they have stopped growing. These onions are not mature, but can be used within a few days. Once these flowers have turned yellow and start to fall over, the onion has matured. Mature onions can be pulled out of the ground at the base of the exposed flower, and stored in cool and dry conditions.

Cooking and Preparing Onions

Where should you store onions?

Store onions in a cool, dry place, ranging from about 40-50 degrees. Cellars or cool basements are perfect. Once you harvest the onions, let the onions cure on dry ground for a few days if weather permits. Do not store onions next to any high-ethylene fruits, such as apples or pears, as they encourage rotting and over-ripening. Onions should be kept in mesh bags or nylons to help with dryness. Kept on a typical counter, onions should keep four to six weeks.

Can onions go bad? How do you tell?

Unfortunately, onions can go bad. As with most fresh produce, check with your senses to tell if an onion has gone bad. If an onion is mushy, has black spots or obvious mold, it has probably gone bad. Onions can sprout if kept in the dark, much like potatoes, and they are still perfectly safe to eat. However, if the sprouts are soft or off-color, it is another sign your onion is no good.

Can you freeze onions?

Onions can be frozen, though it may slightly affect the texture and mute the flavor. This can be a great strategy to save onions you are worried about going bad. Chop up an onion to the size you look to use it and store it in an airtight bag. Freeze for two to three months. Note they will be wet when you thaw them. Drain away excess moisture and cook them as directed adding more time to evaporate any excess moisture if necessary.

How do you caramelize an onion?

We all know the delectable, sweet, tangy flavor of caramelized onions… but how do you create this at home? Several types of onions can be caramelized, including white, yellow and red. Onions caramelize when the large sugar molecules that naturally occur in the onion is broken down into simpler sugar molecules. This increases the sweetness and deepens the flavor of the onions. To caramelize an onion, french slice them, and add to a cold saucepan or skillet with oil or butter per onion. Cover and set over medium high heat. Cook and stir the onions as they release their liquid and soften. If they become dry add in a few tablespoons of water or reduce the heat. Once the onions are soft, remove the lid and allow any liquid to evaporate. They will start to brown. (Due to the lack of moisture- the sugars will be able to caramelize.) Keep an eye on them, and stir often until the mixture is golden brown and caramelized. Caramelized onions can be eaten immediately, or stored (if you have more self control) for up to a week in the refrigerator. Try them on pizza, in lasagna or on baguette for an appetizer.

How do you pickle onions?

Pickling onions is a similar process to pickling beets or carrots or any other vegetable. I love pickling them in Maple Syrup! Here is my favorite way to do that. Alternatively, try table sugar: Combine ½ cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1-2 teaspoon(s) of salt. Whisk to combine. Add to a mason jar with one philly cut or sliced onion (use a mandoline to cut as thinly as possible). Refrigerate for at least one day before enjoying. Red onions provide the nicest vibrant pink results, but yellow, sweet and white onions can also be pickled!

Which onions are the sweetest? Mildest?

Each type of onion has its own unique characteristics. Lets break down what they are:

Yellow onions: These are the “all-purpose” onions. They are used most often and get sweeter as they cook. These are perfect for stews, sautés or caramelizing. An example of a yellow onion is a Spanish onion.

White onions: These tend to have a slightly sharper flavor and are more commonly used raw for salsas or chutneys. However, they can be sautéed for a variety of dishes.

Sweet onions: These, as the name would suggest, are the sweetest and mildest of the onions. They lack the sharpness and acidity of other onions. Types of sweet onions include Vidalia and Walla Walla.

Red onions: These are the most eye-catching of the onions, with their red flesh and softer texture. These are similar to yellow onions in taste, but are also totally suitable to be eaten raw in salads or salsas. Unfortunately, when red onions are cooked they lose their beautiful color. If their strength is unappealing to you for eating raw, soak them in water for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition of Onions

Which onions are the healthiest?

All onions have the same macronutrient and micronutrient profiles. The only thing that slightly differs is the amount of phytonutrients, which are antioxidants that show themselves through pigment. So, naturally, red onions would have slightly more phytonutrients than yellow onions, and white onions have the least phytonutrients. However, these slight differences do not drastically improve health.

Can onions cure a cold?

While a brothy soup that contains onions may feel comforting when you’re sick, it alone probably won’t cure you of your cold. The home remedy of onions curing illness started in the 1918 flu pandemic. Doctors would prescribe that families keep a cut onion at the bedside of a sick person so it would absorb the germs in their body. As a result of modern medicine, we now know that that is not how illness works. Additionally, vegetables may rot as a result of their own bacteria but they cannot absorb bacteria from the air and hold on to them. On the other hand, a diet high in vegetables and fruit is one of the best ways to prevent illness, and onions can absolutely be included in that.

Do onions help your hair grow?

The sulfur in onions is thought to stimulate hair growth when applied topically. However, the only study to find significant results for the use of onions was from applying onion juice to the scalp twice daily. About 70% of people with hair loss saw regrowth after 6 weeks from this method. For those of us who would rather avoid smelling like onion juice, eating onions (cooked or raw) provides sulfur that, though it is less concentrated, can still marginally help hair growth.

Are onions keto?

As with anything, the carbohydrate content depends on how much you eat. For example, ¼ cup of cooked onions contains about 5 grams of carbs and ¼ cup of raw onions contains about 4 grams of carbs, making it keto acceptable. There is slight variation between onions, but it is marginal. Most all non-starchy vegetables are nutrient-dense and important to include as a regular part of your eating pattern, keto or not.

Why do onions make you cry?

To stay out of the weeds on this one, the short answer is that onions release a slightly unstable chemical once they are cut. This is a type of sulfenic acid, a derivative of sulfur, which irritates the glands in our eyes that cause us to cry. There are several ways that people cut up onions without irritating their eyes, but they are all individual depending on your sensitivity to the acid. If onions make your eyes water, things to try include soaking the onion in water, keeping a piece of bread in your mouth or keeping the sliced side facing down. My mom gave me a pair of these onion goggles, and they actually work, but I ended up getting rid of them because they took up too much space in my kitchen drawer. If you are particularly sensitive, they may be a good option/worth the drawer space for you. 

Onion Recipes

vegetarian caramelized onion and mushroom lasagna

roasted delicata squash salad with warm pickled onion dressing

beet and caramelized onion bruschetta with goat cheese crumbles and a giveaway

maple pickled onions

Balsamic Caramelized Onions

minestrone soup

apple and cheddar pizzettes with caramelized onion

instant pot veggie curry

10 minute gazpacho

Added bonus: check out this post on how to properly dice an onion!

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Thanks for signing up! Just check your inbox to confirm your subscription, and then look for a welcome letter from me, including a link to download your free ebook. Every week you’ll receive ideas and inspiration on how to incorporate more fabulous healthy seasonal recipes into your life!

Source: https://www.healthyseasonalrecipes.com/produce-spotlight-the-ultimate-guide-to-onions/

[itswomanswork]

How To Build Confidence And Attract The Woman Of Your Dreams

Do you want to learn how to build confidence so that you can attract the woman of your dreams?

I believe that confidence is one of the most attractive qualities that someone can have. Research has confirmed that men and women rate confidence as a very attractive trait in a potential partner. Confident men are comfortable in their masculinity. They know who they are and they own it.

They don’t have to be loud in order to be noticed by women because their presence takes over the room, just by being themselves. In short, confidence is sexy. If confidence is such an attractive trait to a woman, then why do so many men struggle with it?

I’m here to tell you why and how you can build the confidence that women desire. A wise person once said, “Self-confidence is the most attractive quality a person can have. How can anyone see how great you are if you can’t see it yourself?”

In the video below I talk about how to find the right person to spend your life with:

(Click here to watch on YouTube)

Do you want to learn how you can master confidence in every area of your life? CLICK HERE to join my Life Mastery Accelerator program!

This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only ever endorse products that I have personally used and benefitted from personally. Thank you for your support!

If you are reading this, I’m assuming that you want to learn how to build confidence with women.

As men, we all want to be confident with women, but not all of us are. What a lot of people fail to realize is that confidence is a trait that is developed. No one is born with confidence.

The dating world is really complex and it puts a lot of pressure on men to show up and be the prince charming that every woman is looking for. Men are fed a lot of strategies on how to pick up women, but oftentimes these strategies turn out to be tricks and gimmicks that are far from authentic.

They may work in the short-term and get you a few dates, here and there. However, this is not the way that you will attract a partner into your life and create a long-lasting relationship. A lot of men are only left feeling burnt out and tired of the dating game. They may get rejected so many times that they think, “What is the point? I’ll never find anyone.” This mindset only serves to lower their self-esteem even further.

R. Don Steele, the author of the book, Body Language Secrets: A Guide during Courtship and Dating says that the desire is evolutionary and that females want someone who’s not going to run from a fight, a man who is confident in his ability to provide and protect.” 

Some men think that they need to fork out a cheesy pick-up line or interrupt a woman’s conversation so that they will be ‘noticed’ for their efforts. These advances only make women feel uncomfortable, annoyed, and at times, insulted.

Lacking confidence is a horrible feeling.

When you are around an attractive woman, do you feel nervous, anxious or intimidated? So much so that you stumble over your words and end up running the other way for fear that a woman is going to see through your insecurities?

I can relate to this because I used to struggle with low self-confidence for many years. When I was younger I was extremely shy and introverted. Let’s just say that meeting women was not my forte. I tried everything and anything to get a girlfriend, but women just wouldn’t give me the time of day.

If I did manage to meet an attractive woman, I would be too nervous to even talk to her, which would turn her off altogether. I was a sensitive and caring guy. I didn’t understand. Isn’t that what women love in a man?

But I was missing that golden trait known as, confidence.

I started to realize that this wasn’t just a problem that I was dealing with. Other men that I knew were struggling to meet and attract women as well. At 21 years old, I decided to build Lifestyle Transformations, a dating coaching business for men. I hosted dozens of seminars and events and coached thousands of men on how to build confidence and attract women into their life.

From personal experience and my work with other men, I’ve found that the #1 reason why men lack confidence when it comes to women is fear of failure. Fear stops men from being the man that a woman needs and desires.

So, where does this fear come from?

We live in a culture where masculinity is associated with toughness and aggressiveness. As a result, being a sensitive and caring man can be frowned upon or seen as “weak.” What do you think this does to a man’s self-esteem? It can definitely lead them to believe that they aren’t manly enough.

According to research, there are 11 masculine norms that embody what it means to be a man: winning, emotional control, risk-taking, violence, power over women, dominance, playboy lifestyle, self-reliance, the primacy of work, disdain for homosexuals, and the pursuit of status. However, what about the men that are quiet, sensitive and introverted? They matter too.

Just because they don’t fit into one of the above personality types, doesn’t mean that they aren’t a real man.

When I was younger, I spent a lot of time with my Mom and sister. As a result, I took on more feminine traits, like sensitivity, empathy, and vulnerability. Unfortunately, this meant that I was missing the masculine energy that so many women are drawn to. My Dad and I didn’t have a strong relationship when I was growing up. In a lot of ways, I feared him, so I tended to veer away from stereotypical masculine activities.

After a lot of rejection from women, I started to notice that something needed to change. I began engaging in activities like martial arts, which allowed me to embrace my inner masculine. When I did, my physical appearance started to change, my confidence boosted and not surprisingly, I became more attractive to women.

The fact of the matter is that a woman likes a man that can take charge and that isn’t afraid to say how they feel.

David Klow, a Chicago based Psychotherapist states that “women like direct men the same way a salsa dancer likes a good lead. When there are clarity and direction, she feels relaxed. If she can’t trust his movements, they step on one another’s toes. If he is direct and clear in his leadership, however, everyone wins.”

Confidence doesn’t magically happen overnight. You’ve got to do the work to be attractive to women, every single day. Confidence is a mindset.

Let’s explore 4 things that you can do in order to build your confidence and attract the woman of your dreams.

1. Take Care Of Your Body 

Let’s face it… women love a man that takes care of his body. This is one of the most effective ways to build self-confidence. When you look great, you feel great, and that package can be extremely attractive to the opposite sex. More importantly, exercise supports mental well-being.

In this study, men with the highest levels of physical activity, cardio fitness, and muscular strength experienced less stress than those who notched lower levels. They also scored higher on tests of “mental resources”—how energetic, capable, and confident they felt about their daily tasks.

I’m not saying that you need to look like Hercules, but physical attraction does matter when it comes to first impressions. Pay attention to your appearance, in a way that builds your self-esteem. Hit the gym, lift some weights and watch your confidence skyrocket when you start getting the attention from women that you have been seeking.

2. Dress For Success

You only have one opportunity to make a great first impression. Have you ever thought about the message that your clothes give off to other women? What you wear says a lot about who you are and what matters or doesn’t matter to you. Women pick up on this kind of stuff.

In her book, You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You, clinical psychologist Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner talks about a phenomenon she calls the “psychology of dress.” She explains not only how psychology determines our clothing choices, but how to overcome key psychological issues your wardrobe might be bringing to light in your everyday life.

If you want to attract a woman at a bar, would you wear ratty jeans and a wrinkled shirt? No. You would dress for success! You don’t have to go all out in order to look good. Find a style that represents who you are and pick clothes that convey the message that you want to send to women.

This is a great way to start building your confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin.

3. Work On Your Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication

When it comes to dating and attracting a woman, communication is key. This is where a lot of men get stuck. If you lack self-confidence, your body language is going to show it.

Men that are shy and nervous tend to make themselves appear smaller by looking down, crossing their arms, and curling their shoulders inwards. Not only is this behavior not attractive to women, but it also sends the message, “I’m closed off and don’t want to talk to you.”

Your posture affects the way that you feel. Work on standing tall, with your shoulders back and your head, held high. You will immediately feel more confident by doing something as simple as changing your posture.

When it comes to communicating with a woman, keep steady eye contact with her and actively listen to what she has to say. Ask her questions about herself and don’t try to overtake the conversation. Compliment her on her sense of humor or intelligence. The focus is on being genuine and authentic.

A woman can smell cheese from a mile away. However, if she feels that you are being sincere, you will be acknowledged for it.

4. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

When a man steps outside of his comfort zone and gets rejected by a woman, it can destroy his self-confidence. As a result, he may continue to shy away from new situations or environments that make him feel uncomfortable around women.

However, staying inside your comfort zone is a surefire way of never attracting the woman of your dreams. You need to put yourself out there, strike up conversations with beautiful women, and be OK with being rejected. It’s all about taking baby steps, every day. In the words of Brian Tracy, “You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.”

You don’t need to do something over the top and so far outside your zone of comfort that you have a panic attack. Start simple. Smile at a girl at the store, hold a door open for her or compliment her on her outfit. If she doesn’t acknowledge you, who cares! You are one step closer to meeting a woman that will.

This is how to build confidence and attract the woman of your dreams.

The woman of your dream is out there, waiting for you. However, she’s not going to magically show up at your doorstep. You need to do the work in order to be attractive to her, so do it. In the words of Larry Winget, “Be confident. There is no one who is not attracted to confidence. Women dig it. Men love it. Confidence adds hair, drops ten pounds, and takes off ten years.” If that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will!

Do you want to learn how you can master confidence in every area of your life? CLICK HERE to join my Life Mastery Accelerator program!

The post How To Build Confidence And Attract The Woman Of Your Dreams appeared first on Project Life Mastery.

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[theepitomeofsimplicite]

Dear New York City,

You are incredible! I love your busy streets and young energetic crowd. You are simply vibrant of life just how I had imagined you (from the movies, Sex & the City shows, and the songs about you)! So many reasons to have a crush on you so where shall I start?

Butcher’s Daughter

Driving through Chinatown

Ok, here are some of my first impressions of you, NYC:

It is said of you that you are the entire world into one city. Could it be real? You have a platter full of food options! As you are being the hub of internationals and a known place for storied history, you satisfy anyone’s taste bud, I can’t make up my mind. How can I decide between a casual French bistro (Bagatelle, 1 Little West 12th St.), delicious house-made Italian pasta (La Sirena, 88 9th Ave.), Exotic Moroccan (Cafe Mogador, 101 Saint Marks Pl #1), spicy Korean (Kori Tribeca, 253 Church St.), fun cocktails and Mexican food (La Palapa, 77 St Marks Pl.), Barcelona-style tapas (Toro, 85 10th Ave.), German’s pretzels and beer (The Standard Biergarten, 848 Washington St. just outside of the Standard High Line Hotel and I’ll tell more later), Green Juice (Yep that’s also food trust me!) and far more as if I was in the mood for a health conscious Californian style (not just green juice) there is Dime (49 Canal St.). And let’s not omit American sandwiches (Tiny’s & the Bar Upstairs, 135 W Broadway), and comfort food made of shakes, fries and burgers (Bill’s Bar & Burgers, 16 W 51st St.). There is also the Michelin starred Chef Gunter Seeger at Gunter Seerger NY (641 Hudson St.) and for the gluten free folks there is Friedman’s Lunch (75 9th Ave. at the Chelsea Market which I’ll speak more about in this post). Alas, due to my devoted ramen international tour mission, my friend and I set our minds towards Ippudo Ramen (65 Fourth Ave.) as soon as we set our feet on you.

Ippudo NYC

Ippudo Tonkotsu Ramen

Shook off the night away at Le Bain (848 Washington St.), the penthouse club and roof top bar with an outstanding sweeping city and river view located at the Standard High Line hotel. You blew us away! The vibe was electric between the sparkly giant disco ball, the Afro kinetics music, the sweaty dance moves, with the sticky cranberry vodka on my hand. I’ll remember this moment for a while 🙂 Not to mention our pre-game with gin-based drinks at this speakeasy bar Bathtub Gin that is disguised with a front panel as a regular coffee shop. How dare you tricked us!! Fortunately a friendly local had mercy and pointed the place out to us. Piouf don’t you know I have the fear of missing out syndromes!! 

Le Bain with a sweeping view of the river and the city

Some cool walls at the Standard High Line

Bathtub Gin is behind the facade of this coffee shop

The Maritime Hotel (363 W 16th St.) is one of your best places to spend the night in my opinion; friendly, quirky (how I personally like it) and cozy. Located right in the center of the Meatpacking District. This 24-hour neighborhood is found on the far west side of Manhattan and is bordered by Chelsea to the north and the West Village towards downtown. It’s a formidable plant for fashion and graphic designers, architects, artists, restaurateurs, stylists and even corporate headquarters. I enjoyed staying at this hotel in that unique style, it has a nautical-themed landmark with the signature view porthole windows and how I love the white and blue tiles at the restaurant bar and the outdoor terraces seemed just perfect for spring time. In the morning a modest continental breakfast was served at the hotel restaurant so I grabbed myself a quick bite of the bagel with some flavorful orange spread, a mini pain au chocolat, a hard boiled egg, a cup of black coffee and a fresh squeeze glass of OJ. I love the serene atmosphere there with plenty of sun rays through the large windows illuminating the brass surfaced pending lamps.

The Maritime Hotel Restaurant

Ice Wine from Montreal

My Instragram (non worthy) messy bed at the Maritime Hotel

The view port over Manhattan from the Maritime Hotel

Map printed furniture at the Maritime Hotel

Petit dej at the Maritime Hotel Restaurant

You are so walkable in lower Manhattan and it was a great way to see your beauty (your wall graffitis, your modern architectures, your red bricked walls, your apartment stair cases, your lively people, and your multi-culture). But if I didn’t care for strolling around in the cold, then there was the world known yellow cab which was very affordable too! Besides the hotel’s cool white-tiled exterior, I can find within a short walking distance anything ranging from roof top night clubs around the corner, espresso bars, bakeries, as well as street food stands (one in the front of the hotel), yummy late night pizzas (Brunetti Pizza, 626 Hudson St.) (especially required after too much drinks at 4 am), and have I already mentioned great restaurants and bars?!

Cool wall art

Greenwich Village street crossing

The signature NYC staircases

And more wall graffitis

Chelsea Market and the well known yellow cab

The Chelsea Market (75 9th Ave.) to me is where anything can happen and is only a block away from the hotel. You are spontaneous like that! If I ever get too lazy to walk out there into town and/or there is a snow storm alert coming, this covered venue is very special! One is expected to find anything ranging from espresso bar, pastries and freshly baked bread. A crave for fresh oysters there is The Lobster Place!! There, it’s a retail fish market with omakase sushi bar but also a raw bar where people can order and eat at the counter nearby the living seashells. There is even a German wurst place!! There are plenty of cool shops for gifts giving. I love this market!

Chelsea Market

Seafood Bar

Oyster Platter

The Lobster Place

Sight seeing to me is so boring but we strolled around town and set our sight towards The Flatiron Building then marched towards the Empire State Building. I got remotely distracted by the Museum of Sex and ought to call out Grant on this! Our last Vegas trip during thanksgiving holiday failed on us in finding adult shows for some sort of sex Ed haha I’ll skip the details there 😉 but anyone can read this post here! The Empire State Building was incredibly crowded (uncool!!) so we evidently ditched the queue and headed out towards the world known Times Square. Bright lights, giant billboards and honking everywhere! It was to say the least chaotic. Gotta get away now! Who really hangs out in Times Square aside from catching a Broadway show or… yeah tourists!!

The Flatiron Building

The Empire State Building

The chaotic Times Square

The Museum of Sex, was it really a distraction?! or an attraction? Can you tell me 😉

  If anyone needed a breath of fresh air when the concrete walk way and the stinging sound of sirens and honking felt suffocating and exhausting, there is fun and relaxation in strolling in your parks. Aside from the obvious green area of Central Park, I loved the Brooklyn Bridge Park where my friend and I got to have a humble picnic; with the magical view over Manhattan in the dark contrast of what you do best which is to gleam lights and inspire us with your beauty. We hopped on a yellow cab and asked to go to Pier 11. I had the idea of getting on a ferry to have a good gaze at the scintillant Brooklyn Bridge by the night. My friend and I cheered with red wine in plastic cups (lack of sophistication here, not me!) set ourselves up on a butt- frozen stairwell of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. We had some crackers dipped in olive paste and some (unidentifiable) cheese. Despite the blazing cold where my fingers and toes stopped responding to my commands, I very much enjoyed taking you in for a brief and calm sudden moment. 

View of the Brooklyn Bridge on the Jumbo Ferry

Sweeping view of lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge Park

A view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the Pier 11

After filling our stomach at Mr. Tuka Ramen (170 Allen St.), we needed to walk it off a bit right so we headed towards world renown Comedy Cellar to test your sense of humor. Are you that funny? Unfortunately you are ever so crowded so we again ditched the queue and got some late drinks at the hotel. I served my friend some of the ice wine I got from my trip to Montreal the weekend before. It was so sweet but so tasty.

Mr. Tuka Ramen

Tonkotsu Ramen

More sight seeing followed on our last day photographing the one World Trade Center and the memorial site, stopped by Wall Street to find the Charging Bull and the Fearless Girl. Finally walked towards the Battery Park to have a peak at the Statue of Liberty from a far distance. But on our way to Sunday Brunch, not Egg Shop,151 Elizabeth St.), not the Butcher’s Daughter (19 Kenmare St.) (the queue estimated to be 1 hour waiting time so no thanks!!) got a green juice (must have Matcha Fizz made of matcha, fresh lime, honey and rosemary ) at the Cafe Integral (149 Elizabeth St.) and amazing classic Persian food instead (Ravagh Persian Grill, 125 1st Ave.). On our way there, I got to see life through Greenwich village. Kids playing at the playground and youngsters shooting hoops. And other people brunching too. The Persian grill was phenomenal! I’d recommend to anyone! And finally time was up!

Greenwich Village strolling

Life in Greenwich Village

The Egg Shop for Brunch

Awkward me as a tourist

A ride towards the World Trade Center

Cafe Integral Matcha Fitz Juice

Classic Persian Food

Until next time darling, we’ll have another date! I promise 😉

New York City Dear New York City, You are incredible! I love your busy streets and young energetic crowd. You are simply vibrant of life just how I had imagined you (from the movies, Sex & the City shows, and the songs about you)!

[shannaraisles]

11 Questions Meme

Good grief ... I’ve been tagged by @a-shakespearean-in-paris, @enchantment1385, @isharaytaoshay, AND @sassylavellen! Guys! ~laughs~ 44 questions! Under the cut, though, it’s long!

So, from @a-shakespearean-in-paris ...

What’s your favorite Disney Movie? Sleeping Beauty, always.

If you are limited to read one book for the rest of your life, what do you pick? Oh, crap. Um ... To Kill A Mockingbird. But I can’t just have one!

What is your favorite play by Shakespeare? Twelfth Night.

Do you watch the Oscars or Golden Globes? Neither, I’m not that fussed.

What is the animal that represents the inner you? (Patrononus, if you’re into Harry Potter.) The inner me is definitely a very lazy domestic kitten.

favorite historical period? Medieval, Tudor, or Regency. I refuse to choose!

favorite artist? (As in like Van Gough, Picasso, Renoir, etc.) Or favorite period in art history?  Torn between Van Gogh (Starry Night is one of my favorites), Leonardo da Vinci, and Edmund Leighton.

Do you like the Marvel movie franchise, hate it, or are you indifferent to it? What’s your opinion on the superhero genre in general? (can talk about DC too if you like) Oh, that’s tough. I generally like the Marvel movies, the casting is amazingly good. But I have a basic problem with the superhero genre - I’m British, we don’t have a culture of superheroes over here. Seriously, the superheroes from my childhood were Bananaman and Super Ted. My problem is with the increasing emphasis on lengthy action sequences (which bore me to tears), and the distinct lack of plausible consequences. I know both DC and Marvel have tried to get the consequences in there, but seriously ... the “heroes” do more harm than good with their flashy tactics. It just annoys me.

Did you ever have an embarrassing celebrity/fictional character crush? Yes. ~grins~ Okay ... Gaston from Beauty & The Beast. And it got worse when they did the live action version, because I lurve Luke Evans!

Guilty pleasure movie? The Chronicles of Riddick, or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Depends on my mood.

And the most important question of all…you go to a bar. What’s your go to drink? (if you’re into drinking?) JD & Coke. Without fail. :)

From @isharaytaoshay ...

1) Place you want to travel?  I’d love to be able to meet the lovely people I’ve made friends with here on tumblr! So ... kind of everywhere?

2) Favourite time of the day/night? I like the hours after midnight and before dawn. I’m pretty much an insomniac, so I spend a lot of time awake then, and there’s just something about the way the world feels that appeals to me

3) Weirdest accident you’ve ever had happen? Weirdest would be the time I fell over a mop and broke my clavicle. Cannot, for the life of me, work out why the mop was there, or how I fell over it.

4) Favourite comfort meal? Hmm ... fried egg and chips (fries).

5) How many places have you traveled in? Let’s see ... Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria. Eight! All when I was under 18; I haven’t been anywhere since then!

6) Favourite scar? I have a small scar on my inner left forearm that shows up under fluorescent lighting and freaks out therapists when I first meet them. Nothing sinister - Beni, my first cat, scratched me accidentally with dirty claws when he was a kitten, and it took forever to heal!

7) Favourite historical era? Tudor, Medieval, or Regency. ~grins~

8) One blog you’ve followed forever and always admired but been too scared to approach? Um ... all of them? ~laughs~ I am getting better at putting in asks and things, but I have yet to be brave and just outright drop into anyone’s messenger uninvited.

9) Your idea of a perfect day? A perfect day ... would be any day in which I don’t have to talk myself either down from a panic attack or up from a depressive moment, unfortunately. I have small ambitions.

10) Favourite meme? Um ... Why Weren’t You At Elf Practice?

11) Which fictional language would you learn? Given the choice, I’d learn Entish, or Discworld Dwarven. ~grins~

From @sassylavellen ...

1. Do you have a favorite soundtrack from a movie or a video game? I tend not to focus on complete soundtracks; I have favourites from several soundtracks, but they tend to be the sweeping scores, like DAI and LotR. Big music for big moods!

2. What was the first video game you remember playing? Lands of Lore; The Throne of Chaos. Well, I didn’t exactly play it - I sat behind my brother and watched him play it. I still can’t finish that game, but I love replaying it.

3. If you could have any kind of food right now, what would it be? Right now? I want chili and macaroni cheese, but that requires money to buy ingredients with and the motivation to cook it. ~laughs~

4. Are you a good cook? I am a passable cook. I have not, to date, poisoned anyone, and my last disaster was only a disaster because the rice was disgusting. But I always have a back up plan!

5. Do you have/want any exotic pets? I would love to have an African Grey parrot, but sadly, my slightly feral cat would not have it in the house unless it was dinner.

6. What fictional character would you love to be friends with? Torn between Nanny Ogg and Cassandra Pentaghast. Nanny, because she’s just a comfortable person to be around; Cassandra, because I think she needs a friend.

7. if you could have any superpower, what would it be? Um ... being able to understand maths and science seems like a pretty good superpower to. Neither of which make a lick of sense to me, I should add.

8. What movie could you watch and enjoy every single time? Labyrinth. And have done, on many, many occasions.

9. Favorite color combinations? Brown and gold, blue and silver, purple and teal.

10. when you play games (Dragon Age or like games) do you use armor sets that have good stats but looks bad, or armor that looks good but has bad stats? When I can cheat (and I do), I go with armor that looks good and is crap. When I can’t cheat, my characters tend to look like they’ve just climbed out of a Lost Property box.

11. Favorite genre of music? That is a hard one to answer. It all depends on my mood - sometimes it’s 80′s pop, sometimes it’s classical, sometimes it’s musicals. Never ever jazz, though.

From @enchantment1385 ...

1. What is your favorite fandom, and why? The Dragon Age fandom wins by a narrow margin. Why? Because, while I was extremely late to the party and have seen a fair amount of harshness in the community, I have been made to feel very welcome by everyone I’ve encountered and spoken to. As an anxious person, just interacting is enough to send me into a downward spiral, but you’ve all been just lovely to me. 2.  What’s your Pokemon team? I have never played or watched Pokemon, so I have no idea! 3. Favorite ‘Team’ in dragon age or mass effect? Hmm ... Origins, I tend to go for Alistair, Shale, and Morrigan (Demelza’s a rogue); DA2 is Varric, Fenris, and Bethany (Poppy, another rogue); Inquisition finds me with Cassandra, Iron Bull, and Sera (Velen’s a mage). Mass Effect? Tali/Kaidan, or Tali/Samara, hands down. 4. Favorite non Bioware game? Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos (showing my age there) 5. OTP? I think this is fairly obvious. ~laughs~ Canon, it’s Cullen/Inquisitor. Personally? I can’t choose between my OCs! 6. What is your Guilty pleasure? Harlequin romance novels! 7. A food you can’t get enough of? You know, I don’t think there’s ... oh, wait. Ben & Jerry’s Minter Wonderland Ice Cream. Yeah, I found it. :) 8. What’s can you see right now? Right now? My cat smugly sitting in between me and the monitor, about four inches from my face as I type. 9. Something I don’t know about you? Um ... I am the youngest of four siblings at the bottom of the biggest gap - 10 years between me and my sister. 10. Mosted loved OC, why? Most loved is probably Rory right now. She was meant to be a self-insert, but she took my best traits and ran off with them! We’ve spent a lot of time together, though. Writing her is like pulling on a comfy sweater. 11. What song is stuck in your head right now? The theme to a gameshow called Blankety-Blank, which I will not link, because I am not that cruel.

[sjworldtour]

20/12/19 Accidental fish in Shibuya

Yesterday wasn't our finest day of the trip. We said goodbye to the lovely Steph and Phil (who drove us to Hirafu in the morning) and caught a bus over to New Chitose Airport.  Checked in and had a nice time being given free samples in the food court- cake and cheesecake and steamed donut. We bought something that looked like a croquette and was labelled as cheese but turned out to be a fishcake yuck. Flew to Tokyo Narita and were surprisingly efficient getting out of the airport and on to a bus to the city centre. Had a fair walk from Tokyo station to the Wise Owl Hostel, and struggled a bit under the weight of our bags that we've happily avoided hauling around for two weeks. 

The hostel (where we are staying until boxing day) is a good one, with a live owl in reception, a free drink in the bar downstairs every night, and pleasingly private upstairs bunks where we can talk to each other but are screened from everyone else.

By this time it was approaching 5pm and we had only had some toast and some accidental fish, so we head out to the neighbouring area of Ningyocho in search of food. We popped in to Suitengu shrine which was quiet and pleasant, we felt a little awkward not knowing any shrine etiquette but didn't get shouted at or thrown out so I guess it was all ok. We walked around for ages trying to decipher food menus - hardly any had English translations and those that did didn't have any prices. We settled on a café that had a menu handwritten in English but no prices, and tried in vain to match the Hiragana characters with the real menu. Joey ended up with stir fried vegetables and Sam with the smallest chicken wings ever. Not terrible, but not enough food given how hungry we were and way more expensive than we'd have liked. Most of the place was taken up with a very exuberant office party which was entertaining.

We left feeling still hungry and walked home a different way keeping our eyes peeled for takeaway pizza to top us up. No luck until a bar/restaurant just round the corner from the hostel where we smugly shared a tasty pizza. Were feeling well fed and happy until we asked for the bill and there was a hidden service charge that amounted to more than the actual pizza. Have made a mental note to check for charges everywhere we go from now on. Feeling grumpy and at odds with Tokyo, we sidled back to the hostel and hid from the world.

Today, Tokyo has redeemed itself! We've spent the day exploring Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku, filling up on sights, Japanese culture and food. 

First thing we took a Ginza line subway to Shibuya - we've bought a 72 hour pass that works on the main subway and metro lines, but not the JR or other privately owned lines. It's all a bit confusing. Luckily they say the station names in English and all the stops are numbered so navigating the lines isn't toooo difficult. The tricky bit is emerging from the right station exit and working out where on earth you want to be on the surface. Every subway station seems to be a maze of underground tunnels.

Luckily this time our platform was right by the Tokyu department store entrance, so we headed to the basement foodcourt in search of breakfast. We were disappointed by the lack of free samples promised to us by the guidebook, but found an enticing bakery and bought a huge warm sweet walnut bread. We found our way the surface and sat on the side of the street looking out over the Shibuya pedestrian scramble, the famous junction crisscrossed by up to several thousand people in each wave. We saw a fleet of Mario style go-karts go by on their Tokyo tour. Nearby we visited the statue of Hachiko, the faithful dog who waited every day for his master at Shibuya station, even nine years after the man's death. We had a little wander up Center-gai shopping street, and then over to the new and shiny Hikarie department store. We browsed the many floors of homewares and handbags up to an exhibition space on the top floor. This housed an unexpected display of puppets, as well as some slightly scary craft pop up stores. Back down in the basement, we were yet again denied any free tasters in the foodcourt.

Time was marching on so we hopped on a subway up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building west of Shinjuku. We visited the observation deck on the 45th floor and a volunteer guide showed us the sights. It was a clear sunny day so we had great views of the city, but unfortunately Mt Fuji was hiding in a wreath of cloud. The gift shop had our names in Japanese characters. Back down on the second floor we're pleased to see climbing and surfing are now Olympic sports but sad squash still isn't.

Walked back to Shinjuku. It's weird how much walking is in underground tunnels, we intended to walk at street level but kept somehow finding ourselves underground again. Had lunch at burger bar round the corner from the Robot Café, which has a cool looking evening show but way too expensive for us. We soaked up the bright lights and buzzing atmosphere of Shinjuku, visited a games arcade with a Star Wars game that had enough controls to be a spaceship, and checked 7 storey electronics stores for fitbit and camera accessories (with no luck). 

Next we walked down to Meiji temple through a large quiet forested area, quite a contrast from the city beyond. We read some prayers on the prayer wall, watched someone important bang on a big drum, and browsed the amulets available for sale. The matrimonial bliss amulet was expensive so we'll just have to hope we find it anyway. You can buy "divine protection” available at three different levels, reminiscent of budget insurance deals. 

Walking out of Meiji towards the south we reached Harajuku, an area known for youth fashion, cosplay, anime, clothing brands of varying expense and second hand shops. By this point it was dark and the avenues of trees at the side of the road were illuminated with zillions of Christmas lights. We visited Condomania (a speciality condom shop, of course), a very extravagant costume shop that was peppered with "no photos” signs, and a thrift shop selling battered old Levis for literally thousands of pounds. 

At the train station on the way back to Shinjuku we were offered a free sample of some sort of biscuit/cake that was actually dried fish. We now appreciate the need to always carry some chocolate in case a post-accidental-fish-cleanse is needed. We went to the Hanazono shrine all lit up for the evening, and then wandered round some of the famous nightlife areas...

The Golden Gai is an area of hundred of tiny bars, mostly only big enough for 3 or four guests. Between the high service charges, the lack of English translations, and the intimidating well dressed men (likely Yakuza) hanging about, we kept ourselves outside and just enjoyed the ramshackle streets. 

Kabuchiko is a somewhat seedy area, with bars having pictures of girls outside as if on a menu, and plenty of "love hotels” offering rooms to rent by the hour or the night.

Omoide Yokocho (aka piss alley from the days before they installed public toilets) was reminiscent of the Golden Gai with tiny establishments and crisscrossing alleyways, but here every bar was grilling skewers of chicken or fish to serve with their sake. It made for a smoky atmosphere bubbling with chatter and calls inviting tourists in to pay the no doubt huge charges. Another great place to wander round while staying safely outdoors. 

We caught the subway back to Shibuya where we started the day, and queued up for seats at a conveyor-belt sushi bar called Uobei. We ordered bits and pieces off our respective ipads and it swooped up in front of us. Very exciting and there were even some veggie plates, although Joey had to scrape some cod roe off an udon dish. Sam was slurping up sashimi like a pro, and we finished the meal with tasty pineapple slices. Went to take a few more photos of the pedestrian scramble, then headed for home and a free sake in the hostel bar. 

[packupgo]

The Great PNW Road Trip

Guest blogger Corinne Hogge takes us into the details of her recent trip to California, Oregon, + Washington

The Great American Road Trip has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, life happens and plans fall through, but that does not mean that I do not seize the opportunity to take trips whenever possible. Already in 2017, I have managed to travel from my home base of Pittsburgh to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Cape May (NJ), Lorton (VA), Atlanta, London (England), Brussels (Belgium), multiple camping trips around Western Pennsylvania, and most recently the Pacific Northwest.

What began as a simple trip with my boyfriend, Nick, my best friend, Deven, and myself to Seattle evolved into a 16+ hour trip – starting from the Sacramento airport all the way to the Seattle train station. The California landscape that met us was dry and barren – far from the lush scenery from my “California Dreamin”. We drove through the desert for the first several hours of our trip until we stumbled upon Clear Lake. A remote town, frozen in time with retro signage and unassuming docks along the highway. It was an oasis for us tired travelers and reminded us of the joy of surprise and why we choose to travel in the first place.

Our first stop on the journey was Burlington Campground in Humboldt Redwoods State Park – about 5 hours from Sacramento. We ventured here because I was determined to see the Redwood trees first hand and Humboldt is home to some of the oldest + largest trees in the region. As a 6’1” woman traveling with a 6’2” man and a 5’10” woman, it is not often that we get to feel small, but heck does a 300’ tree make a girl feel insignificant. Our favorite fact that we learned in this park was the phenomenon of “fairy circles”. When a “giant” starts to die, it creates a circle of smaller trees around it that spring up from its roots and use the energy from the passing tree to grow strong. Eventually, these smaller trees will grow to be giants in their own right. The renewal of energy and the witnessing the circle of life is one of the wonders of travel.

The second stop was Mill Creek Campground in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, 4 hours north of Humboldt. The journey to the campsite brought us passed black sand beaches with massive, jagged boulders protruding from the ocean floor to remind us of the passage of time and the flexibility of nature. Our campsite itself was unlike one I had ever seen – up a flight of stairs. It felt like our own little tree house, hidden away from the road by ferns and Sequoias.

The third day took us into our second state of the road trip – Oregon. We traveled North passed ranches, mountains, and small towns unbothered by the busy nature of modern life. Our destination was the majestic and breathtaking Crater Lake – a crystal blue lake formed by melting glaciers after the devastation of a volcanic eruption some 7,000 years ago, yet another example of nature’s forgiving evolution. It took us two hours by car to traverse the cliffs of Crater Lake and see the freshwater waterfalls that outline the road.

From there we traveled against the traffic of the Solar Eclipse 4 hours to Portland to return our rental car. We got in with 2 minutes to spare, thank you very much. Here we were met by our friend, Donovan, who flew out to spend the remaining city days of our trip with us. Our one day in Portland gave us the opportunity to check out its downtown area, food trucks galore, and biggest bookstore I have ever seen, Powell’s City of Books. We spent our evening at the DIY bar – a place that combines crafts + cocktails. For a flat fee, you are given the tools and access to a myriad of paints and dyes to bring your creation to life.

We then took the Amtrak train from Portland to Seattle. I am often disappointed by the lack of a high-speed railway system through America, so it was a welcome opportunity to take a relaxing ride through the countryside of Oregon + Washington. We gave ourselves 3 days in Seattle to really take in the sites and decide whether it should be a contender on the list of “great cities we move to next”. We were lucky to have our friend, Andy, who lives in the city, be our tour guide for our time there!

Our first day we enjoyed a Savor Seattle food tour of the Public Market. This was a worthwhile excursion that allowed us to try some of the most famous stops – like Beecher's Handmade Cheese + Pike Place Chowder – in the market without having to wait in line (I HATE waiting in line). The public market is home to one of the more odd sites we came across on our trip: the gum wall. An alley in the market entirely covered in bubblegum. We learned that the Market community regularly removes the gum and that it always ends up growing again. We ended the evening exploring the many restaurant and bar options of the hip Ballard neighborhood north of the city.

Our second day we allowed ourselves to have a full tourist day, going from the Chihuly Glass Museum to the Space Needle to the Museum of Pop Culture (AKA MoPop). I enjoyed all three, but was notably exhausted afterward and remembered how much being a tourist takes out of you! On our last day, we stopped by the Fremont neighborhood for Brunch at a French-Korean fusion restaurant called Revel and we stomped our full bellies around to see the Fremont Troll, Statue of Lenin and ended our afternoon with a trip through the Theo Chocolate Factory. Seattle is without a doubt the hippest city I have every been too with so many amazing food options that I wonder if you could ever hit them all – I cannot wait to return!

I walked away from this trip with a resounding renewal of love for traveling, an immense appreciation of the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and a fascinating new obsession with donuts. I highly recommend the Great PNW Roadtrip to anyone that wants the thrill of a road trip but only has a short time to take it!

[xdoublev]

Adventures in Ireland! Part One

My mom first mentioned taking me to Ireland to celebrate my college graduation… I don’t even know. A long time ago. I graduated Georgia State in August of 2015 and I know it has been a constant topic of conversation ever since. But life happened and got in the way, as it tends to do, and neither of us really had the funds or the time off to seriously plan the trip. Finally, earlier this year, even though we still lacked PTO at both of our positions, we finally decided we had enough seniority to request a large chunk of time off in addition to enough advance time to save. So in May of this year, it was decided. A one week long trek all over Ireland in September. Tickets were purchased. Hotels were booked. It was official.

Here is where I’m going to discuss, in great detail, EVERYTHING that I can find the words to describe. It was my first time out of the country, and technically for my mom too because let’s be real driving in to Canada waay back in the day before a passport was required doesn’t really count. Being thrown in to a completely different culture was fascinating and everything I wanted it to be. So, prepare for A LOT of wordy wordiness. You have been warned.

Sunday, 9/24

My mom made the early morning trek from Savannah to Atlanta to meet me at my apartment (Let me resist the urge to call it my ‘flat’ here, I picked up on a lot of the language while I was there). Our flight wasn’t boarding until about 7 that night, but I was so anxious about getting through International security that I insisted we get to the airport incredibly early. We took our first Lyft experience to the airport and managed to get through security much more easily than I expected. We arrived with enough time to grab a bite to eat and even a drink. First realization I made upon seeing our plane from inside the gate, it was A LOT bigger than domestic planes I had been on in the past. And it was indeed quite a packed flight. I’m generally one to fly as cheaply as possible, so I felt incredibly spoiled by Delta. It was a 7 hour or so flight non-stop, and they really did spoil the fuck out of us. We got fed several times, along with snacks and FREE BEER?! Given our flight went through the night and I was already quite exhausted I did not partake, but I found that incredible. Thanks Delta! I did my best to try and sleep, but no such luck. So Sunday night/time traveling in to Monday morning was an all nighter spent watching Bob’s Burgers, School of Rock, and 500 Days of Summer. They had screens in front of every seat where you could pick whatever you wanted to watch. But even cooler, they had a screen where you could track the plane’s location. So I spent most of the time actually watching as the plane steadily headed north towards Canada, then eventually banked East allllll the way over the Atlantic Ocean and to the far East side of Ireland towards Dublin.

Monday, 9/25

Our plane landed in Dublin around 11am local time. We worked our way off the plane and immediately found our way in to the wrong line trying to get out of customs. We got shooed to a line with all the other Americans, and had to wait in a hefty line that took us about half an hour to get through. Again, I was quite nervous to get through customs (I think I watch too many movies) but they were really rather pleasant. They simply asked why we were there and where else we were planning to travel. We told them we were just visiting (On holiday, as they say over there) and would be traveling just around Ireland. He wished us a good time, and we got our first stamps in our passports!

We spent a few moments outside the airport trying to figure out how to get to the train that would take us to Galway. Even though I had gotten international coverage cleared with Sprint, I shouldn’t even be surprised that my coverage was mediocre at best. My data ~selectively~ worked, and even though my mom has the exact same plan with Sprint that I do, and we set up her phone the same way, her phone did not work at all. Basically, we knew we had to get to Heuston Train Station, but weren’t sure how to get there. We saw a lot of people getting on various buses and I looked up at the maps and found what we needed. Bus 747 would take us alllll through Dublin to the end of the line at the station, and it was about a 45 minute ride. It was only €7 per ticket, so I went ahead and bought us both a ticket and we boarded the DOUBLE DECKER bus. May or may not have been waaay too excited about that.

So the bus took us through Dublin and I watched with extreme anxiety how the bus weaved in and out of traffic narrowly missing pedestrians and bikers, as to be expected in any major city. As excited as I was to be there, I was quite excited we were gonna be spending the majority of our time in Galway, which is much smaller. A city is a city everywhere you go. I saw a lot of chains – Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, etc. Main difference was that everyone was driving on the left and everyone had accents! Heh. So a few of the things we passed included Temple Bar, which I’m still not sure why it’s a big deal but hear a lot about it; and the GUINNESS FACTORY! Having been an avid Guinness drinker several years ago (I lean more towards IPA’s these days) I was very excited to see how massive it was. The plan was to visit it later in the week, unfortunately we ran out of time, but that’s a story for later in this narrative. I saw it, and that’s enough for me honestly. Maybe I can go back some day.

So our bus dropped us off at the train station and it was time for priority #1: Coffee. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a pretty serious coffee drinker. Well, guess who raised me to be that way? That’s right. My mom. There were several cafes inside the station, and we decided on one that also gave out free pieces of fudge with any purchase! Win! First observation upon looking at the menu: Drip coffee was not listed as an option. We soon found out that drip coffee does not exist in Ireland. I suppose if we were to have walked in to a Starbucks we would have found some, but fuck that. So we both ordered lattes and made a run for the train. There wasn’t really any reason to run, our ticket was open ended and we could use it whenever. But I was having issues with my wrist and my mom’s arm was hurting her and we were both pretty eager to get settled in Galway and ditch the damn luggage.

We made a very scenic 2.5 hour trek through Ireland by train and I can’t think of a better way to see the country side. Most exciting moment for me – passing through the fields of Athenry. Although I haven’t listened to them much in recent years one of my first favorite punk bands was the Dropkick Murphys, who are of course are an Irish punk band. And yes, they have a song called The Fields of Athenry (Which turns out is a cover. But still. I was excited). So commence me flailing just a little bit.

We arrived at the train station in Galway and of course proceeded to promptly get lost since my phone was giving me quite misleading information about which way to walk to our hotel. This turned out to be not such a bad thing though! We found an old cemetery and a nice walkway along the water we decided to revisit after we checked in to our hotel. We finally found our hotel, the Garvey’s Inn, nestled in the center of Eyre Square. We walked in and I was very surprised to see, not a reception office, but a pub! We were greeted by the bartender, in that lovely Irish accent I came to love so much while we were there. We told her we were checking in and she took us off to the side where a small little reception area was tucked away. We got our room key, which was not a card to swipe in the door, but an actual KEY attached to a very large plastic room number. We were told we were on the second floor and the lift (not the elevator) was around the corner, tucked behind a door you still had to open to access the lift. So we made our way up to our hotel room and it was absolutely adorable. Given that it doesn’t ever really get very hot in Ireland, most people always have their windows open and they are designed in such a way that the rain doesn’t come in. So it was nice and chilly in our room. Outside our window you could see another hostel and an alleyway that was just LINED with empty kegs from all the pubs along the way. The roads were brick and we were surrounded by so much beautiful architecture. Our room consisted of two tiny single person beds and a tiny tv that we really had no use for. It was time for adventure (Although one stereotype was confirmed when we briefly turned it on, our only channel options were BBC1 and BBC2)! Another lesson I learned quickly, the ground floor is never listed as 1 in the lift, it is level 0. A little odd, but hey, I won’t question you Ireland.

Finally free of our luggage, we set back out to explore the cemetery we had found earlier. But first, it was time for more coffee. We walked in to the café right next to our hotel called Esquires. Quite hungry after our journey on the train, we decided we needed some food as well. We ordered at the counter, americanos and bagels, and sat down. Our server was very friendly, and it was somehow decided that we needed to come back to this place because we enjoyed it so much. I can’t describe exactly how, but the cream cheese was different over there. Not in a bad way, but not quite what I was expecting. And this was when I first noticed they really put bacon on EVERYTHING! I see no problem there 😊

The cemetery was very old and settled up on a hill with the bay in the distance. It was a particularly cloudy day and we got some very spooky photos. From there my mom decided it was time for a beer and she needed to pick up some cigarettes. So we went to the nearest petrol (not gas) station. She picked up a Heineken, her drink of choice, which for whatever reason is extremely popular in Ireland. The cigarettes… Okay to start it was €9 for a pack. My main mistake most of the time in Ireland was thinking of a euro as the equivalent of a dollar. Well, that’s new true at all. But I’m honestly okay that I had that misconception because it made me feel like I was spending less than I actually was! Heh. Aside from the obscene price, they were littered with messages of warning, moreso than American packs, and PICTURES. There was no Pall Mall logo on these cigarettes. There was instead a damn picture of a baby smoking a cigarette with some cryptic message underneath. They were all like this! It was honestly kind of hilarious. Everyone we met in Ireland that smoked we showed the pack of American Pall Malls and their immediate reaction was always WOW THERE’S NO PICTURES! Hah.

From there we found a path that went down with train tracks on one side and water on the other. We walked a little ways down there before we realized it wasn’t really going anywhere significant, just what looked like a residential area. There were lots of people on bikes and what looked like uniforms making their way towards town and I gathered that this town was small enough for a lot of people to make their commutes without a car. That is something I always appreciate about a city. We headed back in the other direction and found what I guess is considered the “tourism central” area. It was just LINED with pubs and shops and buskers. So many pubs, that it was actually incredibly difficult to decide which one to go to. We settled that we would just eat at our pub in the Garvey’s Inn a little later that night. We popped in a few of the shops and got some souvenirs. I didn’t want to get too much just yet since we still had a whole week and several cities to go, but I did pick up some Guinness fudge that is absolutely INCREDIBLE. At the end of this stretch of pubs was more water, the city museum, and an area full of young folks just out enjoying picnics and drinks by the rushing canal. I was immediately envious, and if I hadn’t been itching to get a real pint of Guinness at the pub so badly, I absolutely would have hit the first shop and bought one to do the same!

But alas, we were tired and it was starting to get late. We headed back to our hotel pub and ordered fish and chips to split and I ordered my first Guinness. Everyone has always told me it is a must to have Guinness in Ireland so I did what I was told. I was not disappointed. I ended up getting another, and then many more throughout the week. It’s worth noting that I was convinced the taste difference was all in my head but upon my return to America I had a sip of Keegan’s Guinness at dinner and it’s got this horrid metallic taste over here that CERTAINLY is not there in Ireland. So anyways, I’ve been ruined. No more American Guinness for me ever again. We got chatting with a man at the bar from San Diego that was touring through Ireland with his wife. He was really nice and it was a great introduction of what the Irish experience really boils down to – making friends in pubs. He also got us chatting with our bartenders who taught us that us Americans have been saying Jameson and Smithwicks wrong this whole time! A band started playing at some point in the night but it wasn’t so much a performance as a large group of people just occupying a table playing some traditional Irish music together. It was really nice. We called it an early night after a few drinks since we had indeed stayed up all night for our flight. We had plans to get up and try to see the sunrise over the water the next morning.

Tuesday, 9/26

Well, waking up for the sunset certainly didn’t happen! I slept through all of my alarms and woke up at 9:30 much more refreshed than the day before. We accepted that sleeping in had been necessary and would resume the rest of the trip with as little sleep as needed to function. First order of business: Coffee, obviously. Mom had reserved us a car for Thursday through Saturday, but it had been manual. She was already nervous that she hadn’t realized she’d have to be shifting with her left hand since the driver’s seat is on the opposite side over there. She was even more nervous when she saw the roads and the intersections and just how confusing it all seemed to be. We attempted to change our reservation with the Budget Car Rental right in between our café of choice and our hotel (So convenient!) but it turned out we had to entirely cancel our previous reservation and create a new one. This meant sitting in the café for the wifi longer than either of us had really wanted to. Then we ended up having to correct several mistakes with our new reservation. All the while fumbling with new money trying to figure out which coins were which to buy coffee. I felt so much like a tourist, and I wasn’t enjoying the feeling. By the time we got all of that squared away, it was just passed noon. We had entertained the idea of going to the Cliffs of Moher that day, but we had just barely missed the tour bus leaving, so we were left with a free day in Galway. This turned out being one of the best days of the trip.

We decided to walk down to the city museum to get some history. It was a nice museum, a few stories high and with a gorgeous view of the city from the top floor. We had passed a place called Burgatory on the way over, and I was obviously intrigued by the name and we decided to eat there for lunch. I was boring and just got a bacon cheeseburger and chips (not fries!). My mom decided to be adventurous and get the one that had black pudding on it. Sounds awful right? NO. I wish I could better describe this, but it comes in some kind of patty form and it was the most delicious burger I’ve ever tasted. This place was tiny, and we were the only ones there so we got to chatting with the guy behind the counter. He said they were brand new and had just graduated from being a food truck to having a store and were hoping to expand through Ireland. It was a really unique place and I hope they do well.

We left from Burgatory with plans to head towards an area called Salthill, which is really just a shopping district with pubs across from the Atlantic Ocean that I thought looked cool. On our walk there, we got significantly distracted walking down a canal pathway and looking at all the beautiful buildings and exploring different paths. Quite a while later, we finally got back on track walking towards Salthill again. But by this point we both had to use the toilet (not restroom!) and stumbled upon a pub called the Salt House. We decided to go in for a pint and use the toilet before we headed on. The place was tiny and only carried local beer, so I think we found the perfect place for my hipster-in-denial little heart. I had been hoping to stumble upon some other local beers aside from Guinness. A lot of the brews in there were from a place called Galway City Brewery so I tried one of the IPA’s and the bartender suggested another beer for my mom since they didn’t have Heineken. We got to chatting with one of the guys sitting at the bar named Robert. He was from Poland originally but had lived in Galway 11 years. I don’t know how we got on the subject, but he was also quite a fan of craft beer and liked a lot of the same beers I did. I told him all about all the breweries popping up around Georgia and he talked about all the great beers local to Galway. He suggested we check out a microbrewery in Salthill called The Oslo. I told him we were headed that way and we would!

Well, after about two hours of chatting with Robert about a lot of things – How ridiculous American policies are mainly – He said that he had to get going, but would walk with us since he was heading the same way. Along the walk, he taught us so much about the culture in Galway and in Ireland as a whole. I’ll summarize some of the things he taught us as best he can here:

- Even though Galway is the fourth largest city, it is still very compact and walkable

- There are so many pubs in Galway he hadn’t even been to all of them in 11 years of living there

- Some of these pubs had five generations of family members who had been drinking there

- Galway is an incredibly safe city. They apparently hadn’t had a murder in 10 years. Their main problems, mainly because of all the alcohol, are domestic violence and suicide

- The cops are rarely seen and are generally bored because the town has so little crime

- It’s such a music town because everyone in Galway plays some kind of instrument. It’s normal to see a band formed from just a family who all can play different instruments. Music in the pubs isn’t necessarily performed or planned as it’s usually just a bunch of musicians meeting up for pints and playing

So Robert walked us all the way to Salthill and showed us to the Oslo, but rather than parting ways like I’d expected us to, he came in with us and even bought our pints! The Oslo had more local beer, so I tried another and we spent another several hours in this pub talking with him! I was really blown away and it felt so amazing to be shown around by a local, even if we were just drinking in pubs. From what I gather, that’s what people do in Galway. They go out, make friends, and drink together. I never quite gathered what Robert did for a living, but he was only 37 and planning to retire in the next five years. Self-employed.. something to do with boats.. I don’t know. Whatever he does he is doing quite well for himself. He had never been to America and absolutely loved chatting with us about it. He had some pretty interesting ideas about what we as Americans have to do to take our country back. He also told us all about where people go and what they do in Europe when they go on holiday.

We eventually got done at the Oslo and walked outside and started talking just outside while him and my mom smoked (Everyone in Galway rolled their own cigs.. Probably a nice way around having to pay €9 for a pack). I assumed this was where we were going to part ways. But another local also smoking right outside heard us talking and realized we were American and came to chat. I found that fascinating. Just as we do when we hear accents here in America, they were always so eager to chat with us about where we’re from and how we’re enjoying our holiday. This is also how I learned that the “honest US map” that floats around the internet from time to time is incredible accurate. “Georgia.. is that near Chicago?”

Anyways, the other local chatted with us for a bit and he suggested another pub called O’Connor’s. Robert got excited and said AH YES! I’LL TAKE YOU THERE NEXT! So off we went. It was pretty clear we were closing down the night with our new friend here. For a brief moment I was concerned that we were wasting our day in pubs, but then I thought about one of my favorite Beans on Toast songs where he talks about travelling the world and making friends in pubs. There was no better way to get the locals experience.

Robert suggested another delicious beer for me at this pub, which was the most decorated of them all thus far. We were at this one for a little while and it started to get late. I felt fine, but we did have a tour booked the next day starting at 9:45am and I was concerned of oversleeping again, so I knew we had to turn in soon. A band started to play behind us on a small stage. Robert asked us where we were staying, to which we replied the Garvey’s Inn near City Centre. He then mapped out where our next pub adventure would be on the way back. I’m glad he was navigating, because he took us off the main path along the ocean that I was familiar with and we would have never gotten home.

He took us to our last stop of the night, a place called Crane Bar that had an upstairs and downstairs. We walked upstairs first to an incredibly packed pub, of which the majority of the pub was a band just sitting in a circle in the middle of the room playing traditional Irish music. Showcasing what he had told us earlier about people just showing up together to play, which I imagine is what we also witnessed our first night in town at the Garvey’s Inn. We decided to head to the less packed downstairs area, where there was another smaller group of men playing traditional Irish music just off to the side. My favorite part of drinking in this pub is that I truly experienced what Robert had described to us. A man, completely a stranger to the band, walked up in between songs and asked if he could sing a song and have them play along. They agreed, he started to sing, and slowly, one by one, each of the men started playing along their instruments with him. What a truly incredible thing to witness.

Some time after midnight I knew it was time to bring the night to a close. We walked back towards our hotel. About this time, my light weight ass being quite buzzed, I realized that we had completely skipped dinner. And then I remembered I had saved chips from the Burgatory in my bag and ate them cold walking down the street. The roads were completely empty of cars except for taxis, because as Robert told us “No one is sober after midnight.” Which was confirmed promptly by a girl stumbling by slurring in to her cell phone in high heels. We made it to our hotel and Robert gave us both hugs and wished us a good rest of our trip. And that was it. It was just a genuinely nice stranger who wanted to show us a good time and we parted our ways after. I don’t know if I’m just overthinking it, but I found this lovely. He did not want anything in return. While a part of me wishes I at least had an email address to thank him for such a lovely day, I think the day was perfect and I will forever remember him for adopting us and making sure we had fun.

Part Two can be found here:

http://xdoublev.tumblr.com/post/166055989300/adventures-in-ireland-part-two

Part Three Can be found here:

http://xdoublev.tumblr.com/post/166270451010/adventures-in-ireland-part-three

[stevedonnellyfaith-blog]

Premarital (Post 20) 1-22-14

                        As Pat wrapped up, she asked if anyone had any questions.  It was the end of Adult Confirmation class, and our group had finished our discussion of the Ten Commandments with a few spare minutes. Normally, this question is met with silence, or a query of clarification on some small matter. However, surprisingly enough one of my classmates asked about whether premarital sex was really against the commandments.  Pat gently advised her that someone who had premarital sex needs to go to confession before taking communion. In my infinite wisdom, I took it upon myself to offer a bit more clarity, which only led to more confusion. My well intentioned comments earned a well-deserved uncomprehending stare that said, “Get back ye olde strange geezer with your ancient and incoherent orthodox doctrine.”

It is the second time I’ve fumbled while trying to help a young person understand why premarital sex is a bad idea. The other person was a guy who attended the Men of St Joseph meetings a few times.  In one Monday discussion, the gentleman announced that he had lived with a woman in the past and would probably do so again unless any of the men present could give him a good reason why this was a bad idea.  We made an attempt, but it was not well organized or convincing – the goal of our meetings is to discuss next week’s Gospel, and we had not mentally limbered up to take on this particular apologetic challenge.  I came back next week with a well-organized spiel, but the young man was not there nor has he been back since.  Often, the opportunity to help someone presents itself only once.

I asked my daughter Abby, if she was okay if I wrote about premarital sex. It’s such a prevalent sin and definitely fits the “Marriage and Family” topic. She said that it was permissible with her as long as this time I didn’t lie through my teeth.  For the record, although I only vaguely remember the conversation to which she alluded, I recall that I told no lies…Pam did that for me; I just stood there in silent witness as the truth was contorted in Gumby-like fashion.  As parents, Pam and I divided the workload according to our unique strengths.  I was talented in intimidation and lawn mowing, while Pam was a skilled listener…and fabricator of routine whoppers.

Unsurprisingly, as you might have discerned, Pam and I had premarital sex.  More surprisingly is that I, an American male, regret having committed the sin even before becoming so involved in the church.  At that time in our relationship, I had met all the ethical requirements that my earthly father had advised me to achieve before entering into that level of relationship.  I had a good job with the ability to support a family, I’d found a girl that I enjoyed being with, and I could imagine myself building a life with her. Unfortunately, I had not met all my Eternal Father’s requirements for sex – I was not married.

My mother took a somewhat skeptical and negative view on my relationship with Pam, who was five years my junior. She explained to me that while a 23 year-old virgin naval officer can look like a great catch to an eighteen-year old woman from Baltimore; her interests might change in years to come as she realizes her husband lacks any and all social skills, is unromantic, and considers nacho cheese covered popcorn to be a gourmet meal.  On my mother’s advice, I tried to back away from the relationship.  With graduation and follow-on orders looming, Pam may have sensed the relationship cooling. She was never one to not get her way. Instead, I found myself buying an engagement ring in accordance with the subliminal messages she was planting in my head. As it often does, the parental advice I’d received had back-fired.  Later on, Pam may have regretted having chosen an older man who lacked couth, but luckily she was a traditional Catholic and decided to put up with my limitations.  It could have been worse; at least she had roped an Ensign with some dishwashing skills.

Anyway, it probably seems weird in today’s culture that I would regret pre-marital sex after all these years. I certainly, in no way, regret my marriage.  It is because I love Pam that I regret selfishly cooperating in a mortal sin that through disobedience broke her communion with the body of Christ.  When you love someone you don’t seek to harm them; you only want to give them the best of what you have to offer. Abstaining from sex before marriage is hard, as many people can attest to. But is it not worth the challenge, in order to save the one you love the most from the sin and damage to their relationship with God?

Obedience to God was certainly an option for us, but my selfishness and ignorance was more powerful than my love for Pam or for God. Eventually, I came around though much guidance from my wife and my involvement in ministries that I’d stumbled upon (with the help of the Holy Spirit) in my time at IHM. If God had been at the center of my life in 1988, I would have understood that, in truth, only one sin exists: selfishness through disobedience.  I would have understood that God had intended intercourse to be a part of the sacramental relationship between a man and a woman, consecrated to each other by their vows. The promises of love and caring that we make not just towards the earthly corporeal health care of our intended spouse, but also in the spiritual protection and safe guarding of their eternal soul. When we take those vows, we are committing ourselves to making sure that the soul of our loved one comes first before whatever selfish earthly concerns we may have. We make these vows to our spouse, but also in the presence of the Lord who joins our souls. To go against His will and claim our way as “the better one” can only lead us down a path of ignorance, hubris, and sin.

[veganvagabond88]

Good Morning Vietnam

Hanoi

As we drove to Hanoi from the airport we instantly knew we would love it. A main highway takes you to the city aligned with stunning green rice paddy fields. As you enter the city the carnage begins. It had a very similar feel to Nepal, without the dust, but still the constant beeping and horrendous driving. It was fun if not a bit terrifying at times, we arrived quite late so we found some dinner and had a wander around the busy streets before going back to our hotel.

As nice as the staff was the room was damp and had mould so we couldn't stay here another night, id developed another chest infection so I’ve had to find a better place to stay. Since Nepal I haven't been 100% and keep getting sick. I think the constant travelling from place to place definitely takes its till on the immune system. People seem to think that travelling is easy and its all fun and sitting on a beach all day relaxing, but the hard reality is that its difficult and exhausting at times, spending hours on a crappy bus/train, turning up somewhere with no where to stay etc, isn't exactly my idea of fun but I am grateful that I have the opportunity to travel, sometimes taking a bad cheap bus/train is necessary to reach a location of beauty, which in the end is worth the sleepless night and cockroach infested train cabin, haha.

There is so much to do in Hanoi, I could easily spend a week or two here. If you don't like a busy city though id suggest just spending a couple of nights. After a while you get used to the beeping and crossing the death trap roads.

Crazy roads

Definitely see some sights here!

Random barber shop!

I visited the women's museum which was great. If you are interested in History then this is the place to go. The museum is split into 3 floors, women in family, women in history, and women in fashion. It is located on one of the most ancient streets of the city amongst French style buildings, big hotels and embassies. The place itself is quite contemporary and houses some of the most important and cultural information artefacts from Vietnam women's history. My favourite part was probably women in history, this documents the struggle, but also important role that the Vietnamese woman had on the country during the war especially.

Beautiful photos of Vietnamese women

The centre of the museum was pretty cool

One of the most interesting stories is that of Dang Thuay Tram, she was a north Vietnamese army doctor who fought the Americans during the Vietnam war and died defending her hospital from US attack. She is known as the Anne Frank of Vietnam, after documenting her life as an army doctor through a diary which has since sold thousands of copies and become a phenomenon. I am going to read the full book now after learning about her.

The rest of this section is full of stories documenting other brave Vietnamese women, its a little hard to digest at times as you get a real sense of what these women went through and realise that when you've had a shitty day you really had nothing to complain about, compared to the women who fought and sacrificed their lives.

Really cool propaganda art 

Its not all doom and gloom though, the museum is also a celebration of women throughout the country displaying beautiful jewellery, clothing's, including the many different dresses/outfits from the many provinces of Vietnam, which shows the different culture and heritage.

So many different dresses, all hand made and beautiful 

The cost of this was 30,000 dong as well as another 30,000 for an audio guide which I thought was a must, it was very insightful and clear. I spent a good 2 hours in the museum before making my way to a nearby cafe where I sat and digested all of the information I had just learnt, of course some of it made me sad but I also felt great admiration for the countries women and walked away feeling like Id gained a lot and learned the truth and realised how lucky I am.

Another must to do is the Hanoi Prison, now this is quite a deep and moving place. The Hoa Lo prison was used by French colonists for political prisoners then later on by the North Vietnamese for the POWs, during this time it was rather aptly known as the “Hanoi Hilton” by the POWs.

The prison was demolished in the 1990s however the original gatehouse remains as the museum

Hoa Lo can be translated to “fiery furnace” or even “hells hole” it really was a place of hell.

weird feeling being behind these bars :-/

Around the grounds of the prison parts of the tunnels which were used as an escape route are on display, can only imagine how claustrophobic this must of been!

The prison was built by the French when Vietnam was still part of the French Indochina. The prison was called “Maison Centrale” meaning Central House.

From the late 1800’s to 1954 it held up to 8000 people with the inmates held in terrible sub human conditions, where the prisoners were subjected to torture and eventually execution. Some were even kept in one cell chained down for up to a year, eating and going to the toilet on the same spot before finally being executed.

This was so eerie and surreal, the wax work models show how the inmates were held down in these awful conditions, it started to make me feel a bit sick thinking about it, i was keen to leave by then.

The prison documents the history from the French era right to when it was used to have US troops during the Vietnam war. Some were captured and held for up to 7 years, before the war ended they were released between the late 70’s early 80’s.

The museum still displays the original guillotine room with all original equipment as well as the different quarters men and women Vietnamese political prisoners.

Displays in the interrogation room show the propaganda used showing that the Americans were treated well and not harmed and even cite the nickname “Hanoi Hilton” to “prove” that inmates found the prison to be like a hotel.

Propaganda includes photos of the US POWs playing chess, pool, gardening, raising chickens and receiving large amounts of fresh food. However the claims of the prison are contested by the US prisoners published memoirs which identify the rooms as the site of acts of torture.

I have mixed feelings about it, no one will ever know the real truth except for the prisoners themselves. It serves as a good reminder of the past and an appreciation lesson of how privileged we are now.

How to get there:

We walked, its only a 10 minute walk from the old quarter. I recommend downloading the app “mapsme” its been brilliant and works offline (that being said its sometimes got confused and we've ended up somewhere completely different)

Cost:

As of February 2017 it cost only 20,000 dong which is less than a dollar! Well worth it, apparently the museum is closed on Mondays but check before you go.

We spent a few days in Hanoi, exploring the local markets and enjoying walks around the lovely Hoan Kiem Lake, the lake is a main focal point of Hanoi aligned with cafes and street vendors. It is the best at the weekends when the roads around the lake are restricted so that families can play around the lake. So much is going on here, street performers, markets, games, people exercising. Brides have their professional photographs done here which was lovely to see. Also note its a selfie stick haven so id recommend going at less busy times to avoid the masses of selfie hungry tourists. It gets a bit annoying at times but also quite entertaining.

I sat on a bench with a coffee one day and was approached by a local Vietnamese young man who wanted to practice his English, he was a doctor and spent his weekends down at the lake to speak to tourists so he could improve his English. I thought this was great, he was really nice and taught me some Vietnamese and even walked me to the women's museum and told me some facts about the city which I otherwise wouldn't of known. After this I actually noticed quite a lot of local youngsters speaking to westerners, I think practising like the man I met was. In fact one evening we were sat by the lake when a small boy came up to us and started asking lots of questions and wanted his photo taken with us, he was with his mother and little brother. He was super cute and a very smart inquisitive boy, its awesome that they do this to improve their English.

We found some amazing places to eat which did vegan food, in particular Minh Chay vegan restaurant which is located near the Catholic Church.

The gothic style church was stunning at night, was nice to see a church actually after being in Asia for so long now.

We ate there a few times, I really recommend the salads, burgers and vegan cheese pizza. It was AMAZING!. We also tried the pumpkin flan which was so tasty. Our hotel “The Ritz Boutique” was only a few doors down to here. We loved staying here and the host Thuy was so helpful and kind to us. We stayed in a dorm which was one of the most comfortable clean dorms I’ve ever stayed in, plus for the first night we had it to ourselves, i slept like a baby that night :)

Vegan Pizza, Tempura and Salad!

Amazing Flan!

Thuy was great and helped us organise a trip to Cat Ba Halong Bay. We got a VIP bus and boat then a coach on the other side, this took around 3-4 hours. It was a pretty good journey I really recommend paying a bit extra, I think it cost us $18 each for a better bus, it was definitely worth it, we spoke to some people who got the cheaper option and said it was pretty bad. The tour operator for this was “Good morning Cat Ba”

Unfortunately we missed the good weather in Cat Ba, we were met by overcast skies and a kind of eerie feel about it, it was pretty lifeless really however we were told by a local that we were in the low season, so maybe that's why.

It was a bit like going back in time, the views out to sea were pretty amazing though but the island itself felt a bit tired and lacking modernisation, in a way I kind of liked it, it had a retro Southend feel about it haha.

We booked a one day boat tour to visit Halong Bay. This was beautiful, it is known for its emerald green waters and thousands of tall limestone island topped with rain forests. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and is a very popular destination for tourists.

First stop was to a stunning spot where you could jump off the boat and swim to a little island. It was way too cold plus I had a cough and cold so I decided to stay on the boat and had a coffee while Ben jumped in and explored the little island.

We took the boat out to the islands where we stopped to do kayaking around the coves and caves, it was like something out of Jurassic Park, a picture just couldn't capture its beauty. I can only imagine how nice it would have been if we had good weather. Nether the less it was lovely to kayak around for an hour or so. Unfortunately the destruction of man is evident here where non recyclable plastic, cans and polystyrene litters the waters. It really is sad to see. Hopefully some sort of clean up will happen and fines imposed for littering as it really is destroying the planet.

Other than that I tried to look past the bad parts and enjoy the day. After kayaking we got back on the boat and enjoyed a freshly cooked meal of tofu, greens, spring rolls and rice, it was so good.

We then made our way to monkey island, my friend had “warned” me about this. The monkeys are very naughty here and are known to steal peoples food/beer and even attacking tourists so I was a bit apprehensive as we stepped onto the island.

Beautiful monkeys but also cheeky, after all they are wild so you never know how they are going to react, these two seemed ok and are used to tourists but they did get a bit fiesty at times! i kept my distance :p

I was a bit disappointed we only saw 2 monkeys which were hanging around the (overpriced) bar/shop that you get dropped off at. We took some photos and witnessed one of them stealing a bag of nuts from an unsuspecting tourist, this made me laugh.

We then made our way up to the well known viewpoint (stepping over rubbish along the way). We actually stopped as we neared the top and came back down as it was packed with people so it was too crowded going up the narrow path. We could still see the amazing panoramic views from many points up the hill though.

Quite upsetting to see this :(

We hung around on the island for an hour or so taking photos, before getting back onto the boat and making our way back to Cat Ba.

Muay Thai pose :p

There is lots to do in Cat Ba, trekking, caving, kayaking, boat tours etc. we explored some of the beaches which were stunning and surprisingly empty as well. For our last day we rented a scooter and visited the Cat Ba National Park.

I even had a go riding the scooter! 

This was a bit weird, the place looked deserted, you can tell it must have been a busy tourist place at some point, I’m not sure if we were there in an off peak season maybe but it just seemed so run down which was sad. We trekked up to the top view point which has fantastic views so that made it worthwhile. On the way back down we bypassed the busy restaurant and had a coffee at a little shack run by a local couple. It was nice to give back and help them out a bit, even if it was just a coffee.

Dilapidated french buildings in the grounds of the National Park.

We did get back to the main town and had a yummy late lunch of vegetable spring rolls and a Vietnamese Pho before catching the bus, ferry and another bus back to Hanoi.

We visited the vegan restaurant one last time, amazing salad and vegan cheese lasagne. I was sad to be leaving Hanoi as I really love it, but it was time to move on. Our hotel host Thuay booked us a sleeper train to Danang where we then took a taxi to the city Hoi An.

The sleeper train cost $45 but it does take 16 hours so I guess its worth it. The train wasn't exactly clean and we shared our 4 bed cabin with a French couple plus a few cockroaches and god knows what else, haha. Oh well it got us from A to B so that's the main thing.

Its nice to wake up on the train which passes through the gorgeous Vietnam countryside, it was raining a bit but it was beautiful still.

Danang

We arrived in Danang around lunch time and walked around for an hour or so trying to find some food or at least a good coffee. However this didn't happen, quickly we learnt that Danang didn't have much to offer for tourists, so deflated and tired we walked back to the station, picked up some crisps and a water and got a taxi to Hoi An. This ended up costing around $5 each, but I’m pretty sure you can get a shared mini bus when you get off the train (although as no trains were arriving when we went back this wasn't possible)

Hoi An

We arrived in Hoi An later that afternoon and found somewhere to stay, the “Hoi An Villa” (it wasn't a villa haha) but it was nice and came with free breakfast – the usual bread and eggs! Bore! I ended up buying some peanut butter and jam though so that's been useful for me as I don't eat eggs. Got to love p&j on toast (well a warm baguette) loving the Vietnamese coffee though!.

We spent a few days here, its pretty expensive though, the best way to see Hoi An is by bicycle, we rented these for the day and took a ride to An Bang Beach which takes you through rice paddy fields which was gorgeous. The beach was lovely but it was a bit overcast and cold. We had a paddle then went for a delicious ice coffee and coconut treat before riding back just before the sunset. The light is awesome here, its perfect for taking photos.

This is the part of Vietnam that I love, the countryside and simple life that the Vietnamese people lead is so lovely.

Hard at work!

An Bang Beach

We met up with Molly, Jon and Mario again which was nice, they are travelling a little ahead of us but we keep catching up to them which has been fun.

Night time around the streets of Hoi An, really pretty!

Hoi An is pretty touristy just walking around and exploring things such as the Japanese Bridge which is in the ancient town is awesome. They try and charge you to walk over but we managed to by pass this and found another way through the back streets. (backpacking 101 ha-ha)

met some cute pooches taking the back roads :)

The town is also famous for its tailor shops, you cant walk down a street without finding one, or better yet being hassled to come in and buy something. We found a lovely shop though and I picked out a navy maxi dress and playsuit which the lady altered to fit me perfect. This only cost around £22 for both items. Ben also got a couple of lairy shirts very cheap. Lots of people actually come here to purposely get suits and dresses made for weddings, combining it with stag and hen do’s which I think is a great idea. Id definitely recommend this as its so cheap and the clothes/fabric are lovely.

Food

We found an awesome vegan restaurant called Minh Hien we ate here a couple of nights running before discovering the restaurant across the road called “number 43” which also had a great veggie friendly menu. The Cao Lau was amazing and we also had the veggie set menu which only cost a few quid/person. It really is worth it and both restaurants were always busy which is a good sign.

Cao Lau , super tasty!

After a few days here we moved on and booked a sleeper bus to Nha Trang, this was pretty awful but I’ve come to realise that nothing is easy and straight forward in Asia.

Cosy! :-/

Everyone got on the bus but was made to go to the back as all of the seats near the front were “reserved”… They wasn't it was just the bus driver being awkward as usual. The ride wasn't too bad and was better than the last sleeper bus, we had a loo break and then a dinner break at around 11pm! Had some veggie noodles which were pretty much plain noodles with a few greens on top but it was OK, we got back on the bus and managed to sleep a little bit.

Nha Trang

We arrived in Nha Trang around 5:30am and got scammed, the driver said a guy from our hotel was here to pick us up on bikes, the guy even had a card with the name of the hotel on so we said how much and they said it was free and that they were from the hotel. After a 5 minute journey we got off and they demanded money from us (a lot more than what a bike taxi should be so we argued with them and they turned a bit violent. Eventually we just gave them 50,000dong and walked away with them shouting abuse at us. Arriving at a hostel so early is a bit annoying as you cant check in but the staff were friendly and let us catch some sleep in a free dorm for a few hours until our double room was ready.

The next few days we walked around a lot and explored the city, we quickly came to realise that it was pretty much run by Russians, it was quite weird even all the menus were in Russian and we had to ask for English. The beach part is pretty nice and the weather was starting to warm up a bit, however we were pretty run down so didn't really do much here. Its expensive to so we decided to save the money until we went somewhere else. 

Fresh coconut on the beach ;)

A few friends have actually visited Vinpearl and said its awesome, its like Vietnam's version of Disneyland however we decided not to do this as it was quite pricey. Apart from that Nha Trang is a resort town so for backpackers I wouldn't recommend staying here no more than a few days. There are trips out to diving sites but I wanted to save diving for when I get to Thailand. Tip if you want a real healthy smoothie head to “Core” its a juice bar similar “Boost” that you get in England/Oz. They also do amazing dark rye veggie wraps!.

Green smoothie at “core”

Dalat

Next stop was to Dalat this is a city in Southern Vietnam's central highlands and is centred around a huge lake, surrounded by pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. It was developed by the French in the early 1900’s which is evident from the colonial heritage that remains.

There are plenty of trips you can take but we decided to rent a scooter and explore for ourselves. We rode out to the Pongour waterfalls which are the best and biggest ones there. Its around 50km from Dalat city but its well worth it as they are not as touristy which was nice, we stopped on the way for a sugar cane juice which was super cheap, fresh and delicious.

I cant remember how much we paid for entry but it was cheap however they do charge a bit for parking which I thought was a bit cheeky. After a little bit of a walk you are met by the huge waterfalls which are pretty stunning, the views from the top are beautiful to. Many people pick to do this rather than the Elephant waterfalls which are closer to the city centre.

The other attraction we did was the cable car, this takes you 2.5km across the pine forests of Dalat which is pretty impressive, you can see for miles around, farmland, greenhouses, lakes and distant mountains. The cable car runs from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Pagoda and Tuyen Lake. The Pagoda was amazing and is surrounded by beautiful gardens of flowers and temples. Its definitely worth a visit.

Top Tip: The Truc Lam Monastery is open daily from 06:00-18:00 but the cable car station closes at 17:00.

Take something suitable to wear (cover your arms and legs) if you want to go inside the temples.

Apart from that there is plenty to do, Dalat is full of the usual tourist stuff, markets, a lot of coffee shops and clothes shops. As well as this you can do many hikes and it is also famed for its golf courses.

We did go to do the Datanla waterfall with the roller coaster however we fell out with the people there as they didn't mention you had to pay two entrance fees, so bare that in mind if you are on a budget, we didn't want to see the Datanla waterfall we only wanted to experience the toboggan style roller-coaster that they have. We ended up leaving it and riding around the city instead, then went for a nice coffee and treat :) 

There are lots of nice cafes, but one of my favourites was “An Cafe” they do real smoothies and also give you crayons and paper to doodle on which I thought was very cute. 

Also if you are a coffee lover then visit “Lens coffee restaurant” this is located above the market so its perfect for people watching, they do an awesome Americano. 

We managed to find quite a lot of veggie friendly restaurants but one of the best was “V Cafe” I recommend the Tofu curry and salads, they also serve Dalat red wine which was amazing, I haven't had red wine since I left the UK so I was very excited about this and had a few glasses (30,000 dong a glass so cant complain) every night they have live music to which was great really enjoyed the vibe here.

Red wine and veggie/tofu curry! perfect

After exploring as much as we could of Dalat by scooter and foot we made our way to Mui Ne, this is a beach resort town along the South China Sea in South-east Vietnam. Its a popular spot for things like windsurfing, kitesurfing sailing etc, so if you have time id recommend going there, and also visit the sand dunes, I didn't get a chance but it looked really cool. I only spent a night here as I wanted to move on to Ho Chi Minh as I was flying to Koh Samui to meet my sister and her boyfriend who were holidaying there.

Going solo...

I took the bus from Mui Ne down to Ho Chi Minh, this was probably the best bus I’ve been on, it was a sleeper bus even though I left around 1:30pm but it was nice to lay down a bit and catch up on some sleep, I think I arrived in Ho Chi Minh around 5:30pm so it wasn't a bad journey. 

The traffic was insane as i arrived!

I met Molly, Jon and Mario again and we had dinner and some drinks so that was nice. 

Mariooooo! love this guy, hes currently in New Zealand extending his travels :) 

The next morning I then took a taxi to the airport to fly to Bangkok (under £10 i think). The flight didn't cost much, I think it was just under £50 and the flight time was around 1.5 hours. Ho Chi Minh is a pretty crazy city, it was a shame I couldn't explore more, I would of liked to of visited some of the museums and the tunnels, but I didn't have time, im sure I will go back at some point though.

Everything was going smoothly, then I tried to check in…. They said I couldn't fly because I didn't have an outbound ticket out of Thailand! My heart sank as I thought Im not going to make it and see my sister, at this point id become so home sick I needed to see her. Eventually though after speaking to the manager of the airline he let me through! I was happy again.

I was finally on my way to Thailand my favourite place

To be continued…..

P.S

Ive had alot going on over the past few months, so sorry for not keeping up to date, ive been in the South of Thailand for around two months, exploring islands, lots of diving (I got my SSI qualification, open water and advanced diver), snorkelling, hiking and of course partying :p. Im now in Malaysia!

I will keep on exploring, writing and taking photos while keeping you all updated when I can :) lots of love <3 VB xx 

Some recent photos on my Insta: vegan_bunny_girl

[mirovoi1]

GEORGIA - SUICIDE OR SUICIDE PREVENTION?

WELCOME TO THE ALMOST-UNKNOWN

 There is a not-so-well-known plod of land by the Black Sea and the Caucasus mountains called Georgia. It is hard to describe where Georgia and the Georgians fit in, appearance-wise and culturally being European – think Jesus (culturally speaking) and red wine (and they pretty much invented both). Only physically the country sits in Asia, therefore sometimes being classified as part of Europe and sometimes as part of Asia – you can decide on that one. I’m not going to reveal every detail about Georgia because that is what Wikipedia and Lonely Planet are for. I do not do travel guides and tourist reviews, except, I might just mention that it is a stunning little place that has not been discovered by the masses yet – Amen, let’s have a wine to that!

 I like Georgia. I like the fact I can stay here visa-free for 365 days, and buy a home and set up a business without restrictions – if I wanted to. I like that everything is inexpensive and easy. I love the fact that it only takes twenty minutes to get a car registered in your name by only showing your passport, thus being the reason I bought my car here. I felt quite proud setting out to conquer the world in a Georgian flagged car - the Georgian number plates turned many heads the whole way from Turkey to Morocco, but the head-turning was probably more likely due to the fact that the steering wheel is on the wrong side. In Georgia, you drive on the right-hand side of the road (like everywhere in Europe), but since they import cars from both east and west, steering wheels are on both the left and the right. Mine is a Japanese import (a right-hand drive) meaning I go around seeing grass more than anything else. Very nice indeed, although passing can be challenge at times, but I got used to it – as with every other challenge life has ever presented. At the car registration office - which is conveniently located inside the big second hand car market in Rustavi - they gave me a little driver’s license-like card (car ownership card) in which acts as the car’s ‘passport’, and that coupled with my own passport allowed me to get from one country to the next – I technically had no issues with that from the Georgian-Turkish border all the way to the Sahara Desert in Africa. Any issue that did arise was only because of some ‘official’ merely being an official asshole. Those exist from time to time, but not so much in Georgia.

 In the summer of July 2016, I brought my Chinese students to Georgia for three exceptional weeks. We stayed a week each in the crumbling old town of Tbilisi, on the semi-subtropical Black Sea coast near Turkey and high up in the Caucasus Mountains in a green alpine valley covered in summer wild flowers. The scenery was quite dramatic in parts. We raided little bakeries of their cheese pies whenever we could. They are cheap. We grinded ourselves like millet between aggressive waves and the rocky shores of the coastline and almost floated off visa-free to Turkey. That was fun. And the Georgians are very, very friendly. It’s the type of country where you can spend the days as you like; lay drunk in a church garden, sit under a grapevine with a book, sip a latte at coffee shop table by the street (their coffee kind of sucks actually), be forced to drink a cognac with the bus driver as you fly around the mountainous bends… These were some of the reasons that pulled me back in September, alone though, the second time around.

 And lastly, and most importantly, I like the fact that, with Georgia, you can be in a European country and still be able to find freedom from of a heavy, burden-like energy. It is a place in which the human being still comes before rules. It is a place where God is still more important than regulations. It is a society that is still more humanistic than robotic. A place where health is in the heart and not in the insurance policy. It is one of the last places left where white people do not suppress themselves into square boxes and straight lines and define every last inch of themselves and their lifestyles by categories and labels. It’s a place where people can live and let live, in the more natural sense. Most importantly, it is a place where you can breathe; a place where you can surrender to your natural instincts.

  WISDOM LIES IN THE ROADS?

 Any civilization with centuries of experience in survival in the midst of mountainous terrain with rogue neighbours all around (think: Ottoman Empire/Turkey, the Soviet Union/Russia, Persia/Iran) certainly would have some valuable wisdom to share. Architecture, alcohol and photos aside, it is my goal to dig out something deeper. Worthwhile lessons from other lands is what I am searching for. We would be wiser to run our lives and societies like big companies that become worth billions by imitating others and then adapting and improving on what we have learnt. Absorbing wisdom from far-reaching corners of the globe is what any smart person or society should do. So, with an idea in my head, car keys in hand, and with a goal to expose humanities more unfortunate sides, it was time to get behind the wheel and head into the frenzy of the Georgian roads!

 When driving, or purchasing any type of ticket for road transport in Georgia you might feel as if you are applying to go on the suicide waiting list, but Georgian roads just may be a cure to suicide. The way the Georgians drive can probably be best described as ‘dangerous’. Georgian drivers are fast, erratic and aggressive with all their stunts conducted through cracked windscreens. In fact, it seems that half their cars have lost half their parts and it’s almost common to see two doors on a Lada chassis fly down the road - with haystacks on top. The general road rule is ‘stick to the side of the road’ (off the side in the dust is okay too) and allow the middle to be a creative zone, even around sharp bends at night – as long as it is done fast, you can’t really go wrong. This is no worries for the Georgians because driving is like art - it is almost like an improvising time for a group of musicians. I drove in China for six years which at times can be exhilarating, and in many parts of the world with ‘uncivilized’ streets (to the Western eyes) and I can say that I rejoice in the chaos. I’m the last person in the world to want to say something is ‘dangerous’, but, Georgia… my dear Georgia… you’re in a league of your own and I LOVE IT!!

  IS DANGER ACTUALLY DANGER?

 Some find the act of reading a book to be relaxing. Many find reading to be tiring and quite stressful. I am one of those ones. Many might say driving is stressful, and reading is a way to escape to another place. But in the ideal feminized society that modern-day Westerners are trying to create, everyone would be able to relieve stress by reading a novel, but thankfully, many people (particularly men) are unable to get their all stimulation from books (and thank God for that if someday war were to encroach because throwing books at enemies doesn’t help much). Georgians bring Jihad to the roads, and for me, the more chaotic and aggressive the roads are, the more relaxed I become. Words from a book just don’t flow through me like the movement of many vehicles battling for the same space does. This is also when my natural instincts set in. I love to be in control of, not only the car, but my life as well. I love having to concentrate. I love the stimulation of it. I love the sense of achievement it brings when arriving at where I was going. I love the adrenalin rush of Georgian roads. From time to time, I want (read: need) to feel my heart beating, my palms sweating, my blood rushing, the butterflies in my stomach. I want to remember I'm alive! Everyone needs to feel alive in order to live a healthy life. The modern Western ‘over control’ of society creates frustration, hence allows for more time for things like road rage. Boredom leads to a lack of concentration. Lack of concentration leads to accidents. When we disengage from our instincts, it gives rise to more issues instead of solving the ones we set out to. We no longer understand the root causes of societal problems, because we have become so disconnected from our natures. We no longer understand the world from our intuition, but only from ideologies. Our brains have well advanced above our hearts leaving us lost and confused. Our brains categorize things so strongly now that we no longer know what we are categorizing. In turn, roads in the West have become a place of rules and misery. What happened to the fact that roads were invented for ‘going places’ as their main purpose?

 AN ILLNESS OF MODERN WESTERN SOCIETY

 I probably just seemed to be suggesting that you might have a good chance of killing yourself if you get within ten inches of any Georgian road, but in fact, I am implying the opposite –  Georgian roads just may well be an example of a cure to suicide, and other miseries that the developed world suffers from these days. There may seem to be a paradox here, but things generally are the opposite of what they appear to be. When facing difficulty and danger, you need to give a top performance – no one swims lazily with a shark fin in tow. When you are in full concentration mode, all your senses become alive and alert. When you have survived the moment, you have a sense of accomplishment. When you have a combination of these ‘daily necessities’ (the ones that are not available at the supermarket) you start inching closer to a little friend called ‘nature’ - that forgotten thing that inherently lives within us. Humans have come a long way, we’ve forgone dangers to revel in the security of modern-day life, but it is boring. Modern life is boring. Excitement, adrenalin, fun; gone to the pits of safety. To fight, to battle, to use your brain, your body, your skills, your senses – all at the same time - there is no more of that, because it’s not allowed, not tolerated. It’s easy to see and provide for human being’s physical needs such as fresh food, clean water and oxygen, but the psychological needs of creativity, challenge, decision making and stimulation during everyday activity have not only been forgotten, but they have been banished to the darkest corners of hell – all in the name of safety.

 SUICIDE OR SUICIDE PREVENTION?

The post WW2 feminizing of society has already served its benefits; people are more passive, society more equal, women have taken up more positions, marriage equality achieved and the list goes on, but this movement should now become defunct as it seems that its last purpose to achieve is to obliviously drag us by the teeth to a cliff’s edge. This nannying is running rife and, in effect, it is the source of people’s depression, boredom, frustration and, in some cases, desperation. It’s not only suffocating, but it is against our survival instincts. The reason we still quiver when we think of a snake is because we still have nature inside us, but we don’t hesitate about getting into a car despite the overwhelming global statistics in car related deaths. So sorry to say, but our natures and the snake-quivering are not going anywhere, but the quivering over ‘fun’ needs to go…

 I do not know of anyone who would ponder over the idea of suicide while feeling stimulated. Georgians commit suicide too, and are definitely not immune to misery, but certainly are not being robbed of the simple human needs for excitement and danger. In fact, Georgian suicide rates rank among the lowest and the traffic related death rate is not excruciatingly high (although a bit higher than the most developed countries, but this could be down to geographic and financial reasons too - Georgia is being significantly poorer and steeper). Georgian drivers are highly skilled and take necessary precautions at every bend in the road, because they have to. Having to something and just doing something are very different concepts with very different outcomes. Georgian drivers are self-taught, well practiced with refined skill, and they make decisions based on the situation rather than the rule. Keep in mind that musicians get more orgasms out of improvising than playing along to a tune set out by someone else, because they are relying on something deeper; their senses, their feelings, their emotions. It is the same idea as a person taking extra safety precautions while on a bicycle, knowing that the likelihood of getting bowled over is significantly higher. As kids, we are often told to slow down, so we correlate ‘slow’ with being safe, but it is not always so. Sometimes fast is safe. Sometimes danger equals carefulness. My cat only fell out the 9th floor window because it didn’t learn how to climb. Insulation and safety of the poor white mutt lead to the end of it. This insulation not only leads to the inability to foresee danger and react to it, but in effect, it makes us not only depressed but… stupider.

  PUTTING SOME GEORGIA INTO OUR OWN LIVES 

 Georgian ex-president Mikhail Saakashvili turned his country around from the crime-ridden, corrupt, ex-Soviet police state that it was once.  Jeez, this was even the place that gave birth to Stalin. After being voted out, Saakashvili was moved to Ukraine to help rid that country of its infestation of political crime and corruption. It is possible for a country and society to turn itself around, Georgia did it. I wonder if Saakashvili has time to come and steer the West onto the path of logic; a road to something a bit healthier, a bit more sustainable, something a bit more exciting? Elements of difficulty need to be brought back so that survival instincts can be kicked back into gear. The feeling of being alive needs to be promoted. The nannying culture needs to be sent back to nurseries. Westerners need oiling because they have rusted. Luckily for Georgia, it still faces enough difficulties to keep it down to earth and bit more realistic.

 Maybe we could start by dumping half of the ministers and ministries and replacing them with a Ministry of Stimulation, perhaps? Maybe ex-Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili could even head it. Stalin can be given a pass on that one. It amazes me that humans can build airplanes and spaceships to whip us around the earth and even to the moon, but what astounds me is that the most simple and obvious solutions to easy-to-solve issues can still be so puzzlingly far off. That level of human stupidity is the same as a duck quacking into a pipe believing the echo to be a long-lost friend. If we are aware of these issues (and admit they exist), we will continue to flourish as the great Western civilization. If not, we will have lead ourselves to disaster through oblivion, because while Western world nannies around, the rest of the world is gearing up, reinvigorating itself. The West is walking itself into sedation, uninterested in life, believing that strength is a weakness. Being out of touch can only give rise to the rogue ones around us – ask Georgia. We seem to have a collective suicide wish, and that seems to be the only thing uniting us. Have our lives been too comfortable for too long that we have lost our minds?  And do we now need a massive disaster to occur to unleash the Georgian driver within us?