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Luv that fighter, so darn BEAUTIFUL!!! The tail looks like feathers! Actually, its so colourful n pretty its like a carnival costume... u know the ones that are king n queen of the band,lol.
Anyways, nice pic, amazin fish!
i love fighters! but i never get dem to turn into ah crown tail.... dat rel fawking dred


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Help honour Town fooballing legend (From Swindon Advertiser)
Get involved! Send photos, video, news & views. Text SWINDON NEWS to 80360 or email us
Help honour Town fooballing legend
5:30am Friday 31st January 2014 in News By Beren Cross, @BerenCross
THE Sam Allen Appeal has been launched by Swindon Town historian Dick Mattick in an attempt to restore the club legend's grave ahead of the Robins' Southern League championship centenary.
Last August, the Adver reported the rediscovery of Sam's grave in Radnor Street Cemetery, when local historian Jim Turner, of Ipswich Street, found it in a sorry state.
After enlisting the help of Dick, the pair were contacted by Sam's surviving relatives in the town, 81-year-old Pat Chapman and her sons James and Robert.
In order to accept cheques and donations, Dick has now announced full details of an appeal and account for donations to restore the grave.
Sam served Town for 51 years as secretary and manager and received the Football League's long service award in 1941, as he kept the club alive during the Second World War.
Dick is aiming to have the restoration completed by April 8, the day which will mark 100 years since the club won the Southern League title in 1914.
Between £1,000 and £1,200 has already been donated by Royal Wootton Bassett funeral directors Johnson and Daltrey, who will also carry out the restoration works.
The full cost of the project has been tabled at £3,500, with £800 in donations already received, taking the amount required down to about £1,500.
Any money raised and not spent on the restoration will be added to a pot of money to be used to commemorate Swindon Town players who died in the First World War.
"We are hoping to get it done by April," said Dick.
"Obviously it depends how quickly the funds come in.
"We can't get people to go and do it until we have got enough money to make sure it's going to be covered."
Dick has enlisted the help of Swindon Town Supporters' Club, which has made a donation and a commitment to share the cause among its members.
Its support is added to that provided by Swindon Financial Services, which has donated a £100 cheque.
"We are hoping to hold a commemoration service in the same way as William Pitt in Liddington in 2011," said Dick.
"We are looking into having some form of service at St Saviour's when it's done because that was Sam's church."
Pictures of the grave's original features and condition have been sourced by Jim and Dick.
Jim has used photos from the 1980s as a guide for the project. It is hoped the gravestone will be white.
A lengthy inscription will also be rewritten as part of the project. It is believed the message refers to Sam's time as Swindon Town's longest-serving manager.
Comments are closed on this article.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Comments on: Obama flexes executive muscle in State of the Union Back to the article » By Brian Hughes | January 28, 2014 | 12:00 am President Obama flexed executive muscle in his State of the Union address Tuesday, rolling out a series of unilateral actions in an attempt to reassert his standing in Washington and with the American public. Obama's prime-time speech to millions of people came against the backdrop of the roughest stretch of his presidency. And eager to keep Americans from tuning him out, the president framed... Web URL: http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2543051 Share this article on Facebook or Twitter Print this article


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Ringolevio is a classic American story of self-invention by one of the more mysterious and alluring figures to emerge in the 1960s. Emmett Grogan grew up on New York City's mean streets, later washing up in sixties San Francisco and becoming a leader of the anarchist group known as the Diggers. The Diggers, devoted to street theater, direct action, and distributing free food, were in the thick of the legendary Summer of Love, and soon Grogan is struggling with the naive narcissism of the hippies, the marketing of revolution as a brand, dogmatic radicals, and false prophets like tripster Timothy Leary. Ringolevio is an enigmatic portrait of a man and his times to set beside Hunter S. Thompson's stories of fear and loathing, Norman Mailer's The Armies of the Night, or the recent Chronicles of Bob Dylan, who dedicated his 1978 album Street Legal to the memory of Emmett Grogan.
More books by Emmett Grogan
More books by Peter Coyote
Not technically a music book, but includes wonderfully evocative passages about the Diggers and the original Haight Asbury scene. By some distance the best book about the original hippie "vibe".
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Crime writer Peter May reveals a difference in legal systems between England and France, the country where he now lives and writes, that was to prove the inspiration for his newly published book, The Critic.
Gary, from our Charing Cross Road branch, introduces an exciting new addition to our range, Gorse, a wonderful literary journal from Dublin.
Author KT Medina talks about how her work with mine clearers in Cambodia and explains how it inspired her dramtic debut thriller, White Crocodile.


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DAMASCUS (WALB)- A body discovered Sunday morning in Early County is likely that of a missing elderly woman, officials say. 79-year-old Doris "Tot" Shorter was last seen June 10th. The body was found near Shorter's home off Highway 45. Updates tonight on WALB News 10 at 6 & 11.
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Happy (Healthy) Halloween!
Halloween doesn't have to be filled with scary treats like candy! Try these healthy alternatives this Halloween!
4 Easy Ways to Stay Healthy This Halloween | Produce For Kids
Halloween Mashed Boo-tatoes - Martha Stewart Food
Frozen yogurt banana ghosts...a healthy and yummy treat while watching your favorite Halloween special!
Casa Meetings - Timeline Photos | Facebook
Strawberry Ghosts - fun snack for kids #halloween
Strawberry Ghosts
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds I soaked mine overnight in salted water first, then followed this recipe, plus added some nutmeg to the mix as well. Tasty! First time I have been able to eat the whole seed, without it being gross and splintery. Roasting them first on a lower temp until dry I think is the key.
Mesclun Meanies Cut a jack-o'-lantern face on each orange. Whisk together reserved orange zest and juice with vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice, ginger, pepper and salt. Whisk oil in until combined. Toss greens and reserved orange pieces with 2 to 3 Tbsp. dressing. Stuff orange shells with salad; top with pumpkin seeds.
Mesclun Meanies ... Halloween Bowls made from hallowed out Oranges!!! What a cute Idea with a great recipe for the salad !!!
Tangerine Pumpkins + Banana Ghosts: Fruity Halloween
Sharing healthy Halloween treats for kids on WUSA News 9.
Candy Corn Fruit Cups: layer pineapple chunks & mandarin oranges, then top with whipped cream :)
Beef Stew with Ghoulish Mashed Potatoes #produceforkids
Beef Stew with Ghoulish Mashed Potatoes
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds: Three Ways
Terrifying Tortilla Chips | My Ghoul Friday
MargotMadison: Clever Halloween themed food


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Channel your inner James Bond with five of the best hidden spy cameras available.
You don't have to break the bank to score a great 3D printer.
3D printers can make everything from food to guns to jewelry, and they cost less than you might think.
All the gadgets you need to get you through another year.
For all you extreme calorie-counters, the next new dieting fad consists of eating literally next to nothing!
It's here, it's here! Time to throw out your obsolete iPhone 4.
Check out this hip laptop bag and space age guitar FX processor. Enter for a chance to win too.
Two very cool and powerful mobile phones that are perfect for the stocking.
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The flavours of Toro, a village in the heart of Spain's Castilla y León, are recreated at this demure St John's Wood eatery. Owner Isidro… more »
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Bringing vibrant Spanish culture to the heart of London, Jamon Jamon Belsize Park serves up an array of tasty tapas. Incorporating ingredients… more » This review is not by Square Meal
Local chef Rob Penk has transformed what was Penk's restaurant into Caldo – a 'Brit-Basque bar and kitchen' that aims to brings some of… more »
In West Hampstead bars and restaurants come and go but Sirous looks set to go the distance. Alive with the sound of happy diners chatting and laughing… more » This review is not by Square Meal
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Ask Cryptic: December 2012 - Submit Your Questions, Please!
View Single Post
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,262
# 43
Can you give us any info on what Season 8 will focus on? Will it continue the story of New Romulus, or will we get something totally different?
Have episode missions disappeared forever, or will we see more in the future?
Are you still planning to remaster some missions, or has that been thrown out in favor of constant new stuff?
Are you still planning to revamp exploration?
Will we get to properly meet the captain of the K.D.F. Bortasqu'? We see them at Tau Dewa every now and then, but it would be nice to actually talk to them.
Are you still planning to merge the Sector Blocks into one?
It's probably safe to say the Tholians are among the most mysterious races in Star Trek. Will we see their culture fleshed out, so to speak, in STO?
We haven't heard from the Undine in a while. What are they up to?
Why is the Terran Empire helping the Tholians? Especially after that incident on Nukara...
"It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid."


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25-Foot Whale Found Dead Near Brooklyn Army Terminal
The sei whale was taken to the Army Corps of Engineers facility in New Jersey where the Riverhead Foundation will conduct tests to determine cause of death.
New Jersey Researchers Examine Whale Found Dead In New York Harbor
Representatives from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, N.J. were in Jersey City on Wednesday, conducting a necropsy on the finback that weighs 55 to 60 tons.
Second True's Beaked Whale Found Dead On L.I. In As Many Days
Marine researchers have launched an investigation into the death of second True's beaked whale that washed ashore on eastern Long Island in as many days.
Large Whale Washes Ashore In Atlantic Beach, Long Island; Likely Hit By Passing Ship
A finback whale that washed up dead on a New York beach likely was killed when it was hit by a passing ship.


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Press Release Distribution
September 09, 2012 News
1 year ago, 11672 views, By joshquigley.com
We provide free Reading Comprehension Worksheets for First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade. All Reading Comprehension Worksheets are free to download.
1 year ago, 7149 views, By vocabworkshop.info
At VocabWorkshop.info we strive to bring you the correct Sadlier Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Answers. We guarantee all of our answers are correct and keep all levels and units on site. If you have any questions feel free to contact us!
1 year ago, 6227 views, By Fsdtips.com
Fire Safety Director practice test to get you ready for the Fire Safety Director Practice test @ FSDtips.com
1 year ago, 2314 views, By Franklin Food Pantry
The Director of Development is a part time position (approx. 20 hours) reporting to Board of Directors and interacting with the Director of Operations.
1 year ago, 2128 views, By Worldwide Media
"Tame Her Mind and The Rest Will Follow", is more than a book. It is step by step guide that leads you to understanding how the female mind thinks works and engages! This book will change your perspective and show you how to tame the female mind.
1 year ago, 1917 views, By ASPHostCentral.com
Starting from just $4.49/month, you can now get a fully-featured ASP.NET hosting package that supports ASP.NET 4.5, ASP.NET MVC 4.0, Silverlight 5.0, Entity Framework and SQL Server 2012.
1 year ago, 1894 views, By Cochrane & Associates, LLC
The IAQ Video Network produces another educational video about microbial pathogens, toxins and occupational health hazards.
1 year ago, 1726 views, By Morris & Essex Kennel Club
The Morris & Essex Kennel Club will hold its annual Match Show on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at the Green Village Volunteer Fire Department, 529 Green Village Road, Green Village, NJ with entries beginning at 10am through 12:30pm, Judging begins at 1
1 year ago, 1685 views, By eOneNet.com
The raving Gangnam style dance hit Vietnam during the Mega Internet Marketing Summit 2012
1 year ago, 1636 views, By Bergen Limo
A vintage wedding with a luxury transportation service in New Jersey, rent Bergen Limo classic and vintage Rolls Royce and Excalibur choice for bride and groom.
1 year ago, 1632 views, By www.toldknow.wix.com/4you
There is a new Virtual Assistant (VA) Business in Pennsylvania that is specializing in assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs with administrative, marketing, accounting and creative tasks.
1 year ago, 1613 views, By BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd
BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd and Piramal Enterprises Ltd, have announced today that they have embarked on a strategic partnership, with Piramal acquiring a 28% minority equity stake in BlueBird.
1 year ago, 1487 views, By PSOFT MOBILE
PSOFT MOBILE, maker of the hit iOS app Zen Brush, releases "EffecTalk" for iPhone and iPod touch. EffecTalk is a fun and easy to use voice changing app. What makes it special is its ability to change the user's voice in real-time.
1 year ago, 1485 views, By Universal Companies
In Two Years Universal Bluford & Universal Daroff Achieve Adequately Yearly Progress (AYP)
1 year ago, 1443 views, By SGI Traders - Press Liason
Spencer Kelly, MD of Trading at Strategic Global Investments in Chicago shares his opinions for what we can expect in the coming weeks from the yellow metal after a strong week for gold comes to an end.
1 year ago, 1426 views, By Rose Hill Mansion
Minutes from Savannah, Hilton Head and Beaufort, this 1858 Mansion is known for being the most beautiful Plantation Home in the South.
1 year ago, 1399 views, By www.masterkoda.com
Ranking in the top one hundred of millions of books is a feat not many authors experience, hitting number one is like winning the writer's lottery. This week Madison Johns has done just that.
1 year ago, 1398 views, By Nevada Short Sale Experts
Many Las Vegas Short Sale Brokers are charging transaction fees to homeowners in distress, however, what are these fees and why are you being asked to pay them?
1 year ago, 1384 views, By Marketing Pro Junction
Corp Executive Al Khoory Hotel – Al Wasl – Dubaiopened this week for business following a soft launch. Conveniently located on Al Wasl Road next to Iranian Hospital.
1 year ago, 1342 views, By youtradeFX
FSA, ASIC and FSC registered brokerage firm, youtradeFX adds Copy Feature to its Social Trading systems.
1 year ago, 1328 views, By Landfall
Big Savings on Foul Weather Gear, Marine Safety Equipment, Navigation Charts, Navigation Tools, and Reference Guides.
1 year ago, 1325 views, By Digital Codex LLC
Digital Codex announces the publication of the book "WebRTC: APIs and RTCWEB Protocols of the HTML5 Real-Time Web" about the next revolution in web technology for real-time communication, VoIP, and video conferencing.
1 year ago, 1305 views, By parentledreform.org
Parent Led Reform (PLR) launches yet another chapter in Colorado, powering parental engagement into education issues. Jefferson County is the largest, and one of the most fiscally at-risk school districts, in the state.
1 year ago, 1294 views, By Travel Goal Getter LLC
Tool for Travelers Tracks Travel Achievements, Goals & Bucket Lists
1 year ago, 1252 views, By Statewide Protection Associates
Open to members of the United States Armed Forces, Law Enforcement, Medics, Firefighters, and their spouses.
1 year ago, 1229 views, By Extreme Weaponry Public Relations
A video shoot turns into pandemonium for DJ Korpserape and The Gimp of Wasteful Consumption Patterns. A fight ensues and Korpserape get tazed.
Top Surgeon Stats, LLC to release version 2 of groundbreaking patient feedback, data delivery system
1 year ago, 1224 views, By Top Surgeon Stats, LLC
This web-based platform is the first system that seamlessly automates the process of sending post-operative patient surveys and organizing and delivering the resulting patient data for doctors in a truly actionable format.
1 year ago, 1223 views, By Strider Sports
Balance Bike Racing Series Arrives At Donnie Ballew's Ultimate Challenge BMX September 22nd
1 year ago, 1144 views, By The Skunk FM
Hollywood Casting Director/Producer and Radio Host, Susan McCray will be joining the "Rio and Hoot in the Morning Show" as a new host. Starting Monday, Sept 17th at 6 a.m. The Skunk FM and www.theskunkfm.com worldwide.
1 year ago, 1144 views, By Mike Patterson Partner in Learning LLC
New book by speaker & trainer offers an innovative approach to employee development by treating employees like dogs.
1 year ago, 1084 views, By Servolve Pte.Ltd.
FATCA - The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act may have a decided impact on Singaporean companies that have US corporate or individual shareholding.
1 year ago, 1077 views, By Central Park Communications, Inc.
Award-winning artist/astrologer Anne Nordhaus-Bike has created a beautiful set of astrology birthday cards featuring her original astrology watercolors representing each of the 12 signs of the zodiac.
1 year ago, 1073 views, By Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors
Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors announces immediate download of a Real Estate Training Workbook from the Investor's Edge University and Dwan nd Bill Twyford: Top 7 Real Estate Investing Strategies for Today's New Market.
1 year ago, 1062 views, By Doral Chamber of Commerce
The Brazilian Marketing Annex Meeting with Guest Speaker: Councilman Pete Cabrera "Doral's Role in Future Economic Development" Pete Cabrera is a City Council Member for the City of Doral & Candidate for Mayor of the City of Doral on Sep 12
1 year ago, 1060 views, By TRIOSE LLC, 39 E Lancaster Ave, Reading, PA
TRIOSE, Inc., a world-class helathcare logistics management firm was awarded a Freight Management contract by Novation LLC (Irving, TX) to provide freight management services to the extended network of health care providers served by Novation.
1 year ago, 1051 views, By Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227
Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227 (227's™ YouTube Chili' Nicki Chili' Minaj "I Am Your Spicy' Leader" ft Rick Ross, Cam'Ron! NBA Mix) Spicy' Lyrics: "Sign of the cross, cause this is her last suppa,' Play with me, check who came with me." I Am Your Leader.
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Using Promotional Products May Help Increase your Customer Base, and Bottom Line
1 year ago, 1034 views, By The asterism* Group
Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts - a beautiful three-resort venue showcasing Paradise Stream Resort, Pocono Palace Resort and Cove Haven - realized its entertainment and event initiatives were no longer hitting the right notes.
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Event to be headlined by experts from SAP, Du and Acer; Event a platform for industry professionals, academics and students to network.
1 year ago, 1002 views, By AndesBeat
A startup themed media publication continues their groundbreaking work in detecting and promoting hard to find early stage startup and technology talent coming out of S. America at one of the most anticipated technology conferences of the year.
1 year ago, 1001 views, By World Paulownia Institute, LLC
Paulownia Orienta and the New Paulownia Arctic have beautiful flowers in the Spring and provide incredible shade in the Summer. Paulownia Ornamentals are fast growing, they can grow 15 feet to 20 feet in just One year.
1 year ago, 987 views, By Flagsbydelta.com
FlagsbyDelta.com announced today that it plans to mark the 11th anniversary of 9/11 by giving away 911 American flags
1 year ago, 983 views, By Libertarian National Radical Campaign Committee
TalkShoe.com's Liberty Cap Talk Live co-host and founder Todd Andrew Barnett launches new political organization in the Libertarian Party to bring The Party of Principle back to its pro-freedom roots by vetting highly-principled LP candidates.
1 year ago, 964 views, By R.L. Herron
A 2012 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Has Been Announced for the novel "Reichold Street"
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On September 10, 2012 IT Sales Solutions will launch their virtual inside sales team service where virtual sales agents will assistant IT firms create a strong sales pipeline and set qualified appointments that lead to increased revenues.
1 year ago, 956 views, By StreetPass NYC
Join StreetPass NYC with Dual Pixels at the Nintendo World Store on September 13th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM for Inside Access on the Wii U!
1 year ago, 954 views, By Randy Kirk & Assoc
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For those sick of queuing at embassies and consulates, eVisa Asia has constructed a simple, hassle-free online tourist visa application system that can process for up to 20 applicants simultaneously.
1 year ago, 934 views, By Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227
Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227 (227's™ YouTube Chili' Nicki Chili' Minaj performs "Pound The Alarm" at Today Show NBC Spicy' NBA Mix) From her latest album: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Nicki Minaj at the Toyota Concert Series on Today Show! NBA!


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Kevin Kelly (not this Kevin Kelly, this Kevin Kelly) wrote to tell us about the site he maintains at PublicRadioFan.com. Kevin's site has a massive and comprehensive guide to audio on hundreds of public radio sites around the world, with direct links to the audio streams, program home-pages and station sites. You can search by programming type, time and location. A little XML-RPC-fu and this could be the basis for a globe-spanning public-radio TiVo. Link Discuss (Thanks, Kevin!)
An international TV guide for public radio
Read more at Boing Boing
Read more at Boing Boing
Read more at Boing Boing
Propaganda posters remixed for the war on terror
Programming language pr0n
It all started with Raverporn's photo of two young women in lingerie, one spanking the other with an O'Reilly perl book.
Boombox Museum
The Boombox Museum is a wonderful pictorial history of the personal stereo, from the paleolithic 70s to the golden 80s and the decadent and declining 90s.


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The wait is over! Download the BeerAdvocate app on iTunes or Google Play now.
Get 12 issues / year of BeerAdvocate magazine for only $9.99!
Capital Ale House
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Ratings: 26 | Reviews: 23 | Display Reviews Only:
4.25/5 rDev +1.4%
03-19-2014 02:53:41 | More by bcgeiman
3/5 rDev -28.4%
01-29-2014 23:37:53 | More by cbradio
4.5/5 rDev +7.4%
11-06-2013 22:36:08 | More by pyrotechno
3.85/5 rDev -8.1%
Everytime I end up going to Fredericksburg, this is usually the place I stop to eat dinner at - and for good reason.
The atmosphere is simple yet attractive. Nothing to stand out, but nothing to make you wary, either. Very good cleanliness throughout. Our server, Chris, was pretty attentive, but seemed to take a bit long to bring out drinks for us.
I liked the beer selection, and even noticed a few hidden gems (Sinebrychoff Porter, Boulevard Saison-Brett) among them. There are plenty of local VA brews, too. This go around, I stuck with a couple of anniversary brews (Great Divide 19th, and Great Lakes 25th), and both were quite tasty.
Wasn't so impressed with the fish and chips I got: the fries were good, and so was the cilantro lime cole slaw, but the batter seemed overly greasy without much other flavor. The portion seemed a bit small for the price, too. On the other hand, I really enjoyed their steamed mussels.
Otherwise, there isn't much to complain about, except MAYBE the value. I'll gladly return here, though. Note to self: get something other than the fish and chips next time.
09-16-2013 19:04:31 | More by ThisWangsChung
Ontario (Canada)
4.38/5 rDev +4.5%
Visited here during a long drive home from Florida.
Capital Ale House is a nice, dark, and large restaurant catering to craft beer fans in the town. The feel leaned more towards a restaurant, but there's nothing wrong with that. Long bar, tons of taps, lot's of booths too. Nothing to write home about, but nice.
Everything on tap was fine and nothing was wrong with the food. No complaints in this department.
Service was great. Asked tons of questions about local beers, all of which were answered knowledgably by our server. When asking about take away bottles, he was able to point me in the right direction and get feedback on things he hadn't tried. Service was quick and friendly too. Great stuff.
Selection was pretty great with tons of taps including lot's of locals, more recognizable craft like Stone, and lot's of imports too. Really impressive tap lineup that covered just about every style as well. I ended up getting the Dark Hallow imperial stout b/c I enjoyed it on tap, and a 2002 bottle of Thomas Hardy's Ale as takeaways.
Food was decent. Had an Asian salad of some sort. No complaints, but nothing to rave about. It was pretty tasty.
Enjoyed my time at Capital Ale House. Friendly and helpful people combined with a great selection and reasonable prices.
09-10-2013 20:18:09 | More by tbeckett
District of Columbia
4.35/5 rDev +3.8%
The wife and I hit this place after a day of seeing the battlefield and doing more than a bit of antique shopping. However, we've been here many times and the experience has always been the same.
Atmosphere: It's in the perfect location to quench that post-antique store shopping thirst. Located right in the heart of Fredericksburg, this place has a really long bar area, with an ice strip to cool your beer to boot. Gotta love that!
Quality: Sure, the amazing tap list is great, but the food always surprises me. Clean place, clean tap lines, great beer selection, killer location, and excellent food.
Service: I've always been able to see quality training in every employee who has ever waited on me (us). Lots of knowledge all around about the beer and food.
Selection: The thing I like most is that I don't have to squint to see the beer taps. I can merely get out of my seat and walk over and see them up close and personal. This is part of the layout of the bar: The taps aren't lined up behind the counter, but behind a wall to the left hand side of the bar (facing the coolers). Don't ask, just go see it.
Food: Always absolutely fantastic. Folks, even if you don't like beer, please eat here. I can't imagine a restaurant in the area being better. I especially like the massive cheese and sausage appetizer. Sure, it's $20, but it feeds a multitude! I ordered the Mac and Cheese the last time I went. Yum!
Value: The wife and I spent WAY too much the last time we went, but it was a long day of shopping: Exhausting for here, boring for me. It was our own damn fault.
My highest recommendation in the Fredericksburg area!
05-14-2013 03:48:08 | More by Chaney
District of Columbia
4.5/5 rDev +7.4%
Visited for lunch on St. Patricks day with the family.
A - Friendly, clean, open, well lit. Great for kids. Lots of bar space. Big six person booths. A lounge-like area in the back with darts. Not sure what else you could ask for in a place that serves great beer.
Q - No issues. Beer was served in the correct glasses.
S - Service was fine. Server was there when we needed him. Polite. He knew the menu. Answered my wifes question when she asked for the lightest draft on tap (no BMC on tap).
S - Nice broad selection. Not much for Farmhouse/Saison styles. Nothing too rare. Majority were regional brews. Very please though. Something for everyone.
F - Food was great. Was served quickly. Kids liked their food (very important). The menu was a step or two above pub food, which is perfect for a craft beer joint.
O - Very pleased. The craft beer place to go to in Fredricksburg. I will keep it in mind the next time I'm driving from Nova to Richmond and Rt. 95 and Rt. 1 are parking lots. A great place to stop when passing by.
03-30-2013 00:28:35 | More by Sludgeman
4.05/5 rDev -3.3%
the reasonable rating overall is for the food....the beer, while an amazing selection, is definitely a bit overpriced. the bottle list was really good (300+), as was the draft list. had an excellent douchesse flanders red, oak aged rauchbier on tap!
the burgers were amazing! perfectly cooked, tasty. belgian style fries were perfectly crunchy...
service was a bit slow, but they were pretty busy on a sat. night. some parts of the restaurant were waaay too loud though.
overall, my new fav restaurant in VA.
03-10-2013 07:12:44 | More by speedvagen
4.25/5 rDev +1.4%
Love this bar. Great food and events. Oktoberfest every year is amazing.
The beer selection is out of this world, it is always changing and they have a wide range of styles. The beer prices are high, sometimes way too high ( as much as $10 or more for a 16 oz. glass ), but the food is pretty fairly priced. Some of the beers are rare and go way too quickly.
Great atmosphere in the bar area with all the different taps and tap handles, plus the seemingly mile long fridge behind the bar.
Always love steal the glass and dollar burger nights.
12-31-2012 04:31:15 | More by ZachKelly
4.45/5 rDev +6.2%
Capital Ale House is the bar I most frequent in Fredericksburg. The tap list changes about once a week, always with plenty of variety and quality brews. The only macrobrew on tap at any one time is Guinness. The bottles can get a bit expensive, but the drafts are overall well-priced. They have some sort of special for every day of the week, with my favorite being American Micro Day, every saturday before 7pm, with most drafts, at $2.50. They carry everything from Rogue and Founder's to DFH and Lagunitas. Any beer you could possibly want (within regional limits) exists or will exist at this bar at some point.
The food is quite good, the burgers are fantastic, the soft pretzels are (most often) delicious, and the frites are plenty. They have seafood and prime rib specials that are a bit above my budget. I'm just there because of their motto: "Let no one thirst for a fine ale."
The service is quite variant from server to server and bartender to bartender, I've had some of the best and worst service from this bar. Some have tried every beer in the house and give some phenomenal recommendations and help you through the menu, and others are just trying to get their shift over with.
Overall it is an absolute must if you are in the Fredericksburg Area.
02-07-2012 05:39:33 | More by dhabersetzer
Capital Ale House in Fredericksburg, VA
93 out of 100 based on 26 ratings.


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List Price: US$21.99
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|Indicates object distance with different beeping frequency; Peel and stick antenna foil tape sensor for vehicles with non-metal bumpers; Detects objects at 70cm; Electromagnetic field changes as object get closer to the bumper; No holes need to be drilled; Suitable for all the car
|Detecting Distance
|Sensor Color
|Silver (inside antenna)
|Sensor Qty.
|Monitor Type
|Monitor Size
|Working Voltage
|Rated Current
|50 mA
|Ultrasonic Frequency
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|Alarm Volume
|80 dB
|Working Temperature
|30~-40 centigrade
|Other Features
|100% Precise, reliable and response quickly to the condition of parking lot; 100% Compatible with traditional or newest CAN cable system
|Packing List
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1 x LED display screen (145cm, 480cm)
1 x Sensing antenna (220cm)
1 x Buttonhole
2 x Tie bands
2 x Adhesive tapes
1 x English user manual
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Keynote talk
I am excited to have been invited as a Keynote Speaker for the following event. I will be speaking about whether 'decent work' is compatible with new measurement techniques, marketisation, … Continue reading
Book Review: Workers and Labour in a Globalised Capitalism
I have written a book review for Mònica Clua-Losada and Laura Horn's Global Labour Journal Special Issue Volume 5, Issue 2 (May 2014)… Workers and Labour in a Globalised Capitalism: … Continue reading
Legitimacy, Tribridity, and Decent Work Deficits
My article JUST PUBLISHED in Globalizations! ABSTRACT This article outlines how features of the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) tribrid configuration have led to tensions around its perceived legitimacy. I claim … Continue reading
Globalizing decent work: labour regulation beyond the boundaries of the state
Globalizing decent work: labour regulation beyond the boundaries of the state Look out for the Special Issue in the Global Labour Journal emerging from this workshop and my earlier workshop … Continue reading
Paul Squires interviews me for Imperica Digital Arts and Culture magazine
Phoebe Moore: wearable politics As devices, connectivity and data sprout up around us like Leylandii in a suburban street, it's easy to consider 2014 as the "year of wearables" without … Continue reading
Class and panic in British immigration. In memory of Stuart Hall
Authored by: me (Phoebe Moore) and Kirsten Forkert In Policing the Crisis, Stuart Hall (et al 1978) wrote about artificial crises and the role of moral entrepreneurs (politicians, journalists, and … Continue reading
Education Meets Neoliberalism and the Political Economy of Precarity
View video here BISA International Political Economy Group & BISA Learning and Teaching Working Group Co-Sponsored Workshop and Film Screening (click here for programme) University of Middlesex (MDX) London … Continue reading


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Mandarin Movie Mandarin Movie
- Words: Dave Segal
- Label: Aesthetics
Rob Mazurek (cornetist and more for Chicago Underground Trio and Tigersmilk) has assembled a stellar cast of post-jazzers and noise-rockers for what sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime session. The result: a turbulent psychedelic-jazz classic. Mandarin Movie feels like its exceptional players-including guitarist Alan Licht and bassist Matthew Lux-loaded up on the strongest stimulants and cut this cyclotronic free-fusion gem in one take. Aside from sporadic respites of woozy, languorous ambience, Mandarin Movie aspires to the level of immortal, chaotic works by Et Cetera, Love Cry Want, and Miles Davis-with a powerful My Bloody Valentine-meets-Metal Machine Music climax.
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SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) The South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) announced the City of Sioux Falls' wastewater treatment system is the recipient of the 2013 Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award. This award is for outstanding operation of the wastewater system and environmental compliance with its state surface water discharge permit during the past year.
The award was presented during the 2014 South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association Wastewater Operators Seminar held April 30–May 1, 2014, at the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites in Pierre.
"Wastewater treatment systems are essential services that we all use every day, but are taken for granted unless there is a malfunction," said DENR Secretary Steve Pirner. "These award winners are the certified wastewater operation specialists who went the extra mile last year to ensure there were no malfunctions."
Qualifications for the Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award are based on a system's compliance with state environmental requirements, the quality of the treated and discharged wastewater, monitoring reports, state inspections, and proper operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility.


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Rated 3.5 out of 5 by 589 reviewers.
Rated 3 out of 5 by Shocked Great location Great location. Staff were generally very friendly except for a very grumpy & rude man at the spressi lounge area. Bought coffee on two occasions while kids wanted to use the free wi-fi. His rudeness took me by surprise. On the second night , there he was again with rudeness and all. I even witnessed him being very rude to the ladies in front of me. They shuddered and walked off. Business lost! December 14, 2011
Rated 4 out of 5 by Jacqui2607 Great Hotel Hotel staff were very helpful and friendly. Gave us a free upgrade although we could not leave the curtains open as our room looked directly into another room. Frustrating they had no restaurant and had to eat dinner in an area attached to lobby. Great location and we were able to walk to most places. June 18, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Nurse75 Great stay The staff was fabulous, always friendly and helpful. The rooms were very clean, roomy, and comfortable. We loved the location, easy to walk to any attraction on our list. Then, the fire pit-our favorite place to revisit our day, we met people from all over the world-just so fun! February 26, 2014
Rated 2 out of 5 by dave98 needs some attention The location could not be bettter, and if you are in the mood for staying in the old style and manner of a sheraton...what they used to be... then go for it. For me, and after nearly 100 stays in two years, this is not one of the best. For a rewards stay this was not so great. In particular, moldy ceilings in bathroom, poor valet service if any, average food, noisy hallways, no spg floor July 4, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 by MrDissapointed Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf Hotel During the course of being an SPG member for more than ten years I have never had an experience at a Starwood property that has caused me to write a negative review, however my last experience could not be ignored. From the moment my family and I entered the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf Hotel for a family vacation we were met with extremely rude and unresponsive service. When we attempted to check-in to the hotel we were informed that our room was not ready and were asked to give them an additional two hours. After returning several hours later we were informed that our original room was still not available so they were going to upgrade us because we had been waiting. After we finally made it to our room we quickly realized it was located directly next to an extremely noisy bus depot that continuously operated and asked to be switched. (This was the upgraded room#. We were told no other rooms were available but that we could check back later if we still wanted to be moved. Nothing better then playing room roulette on a family vacation when you are simply trying to enjoy yourselves. The best part was that the bathroom door in the room did not shut because the lock was broken and several of the lights in the room did not work. We also awoke to the do not disturb sign on our door being removed two different times even after we replaced it. After making it down to the lobby we waited over half an hour while a concierge named Jennifer kept telling us she would be right with us. When she finally found time to help us she became extremely irritated when we didn't know our way around San Francisco and couldn't understand why we didn't know about all of the public transportation options in the city. #Thanks for the helpful customer service). After returning to the hotel later that night we were once again informed that no other rooms were available because the hotel had been sold out. As a result, my family and I were stuck hearing the sounds of bus diesel engines for the next two evenings from our room. Without a doubt the entire experience at the hotel was miserable. Most notably the lack of professionalism, basic room ammenities and customer service we have grown to expect from the many stays we have had at Starwood properties was nowhere to be found at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf. I would not recommend this property to anyone traveling for business or vacation regardless of it being a Starwood property. April 19, 2014
Rated 2 out of 5 by Mike Dont expect to get much sleep Very noisy. Woken up at night by guests in the room above and in the morning at 6.00 am by traffic outside. The most basic requirement of a hotel is a good nights sleep and you won't get it here. Also no fridge in the room. Very expensive hotel and certainly not worth it. Location excellent and I think is what keeps the place in business. Spend some money and improve the soundproofing. May 25, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by TravellerWW Limited offering I have stayed in many Sheratons & other SPG associated hotels (however this was my first in the USA). I felt the overall experience at the Sheraton FW was par which is not what you expect as a business traveller. The welcome was good. The room was fine, except for loose wiring by the TV, and the chair had most of its buttons missing - small points really. The gym whilst open 24 hours, which was nice, was small and quickly crowded (even at 5.30 am). Breakfast offering was not enough, and there was no room service that I was aware of. I asked the concierge if there was a choice of paper to which I was told sharply - 'that's all'. I was also disappointed that it was not made clear to me at check in that the daily $5 green deal voucher could not be redeemed for alcoholic drinks at the bar, and also that by opting for this you do not get your in room coffee refilled / machine cleaned – the desk only mentioned towels not being swapped. If it was clearer i would not have chosen to do this. I stayed in a competitor fisherman's wharf based hotel 6 months prior and would recommend that experience over this Sheraton. June 20, 2014
Rated 4 out of 5 by Terri Good location, nice accomodations I found a low rate and booked with some hesitation, wondering if it would be a subpar hotel. But we were pleasantly surprised with the quality of accommodations, along with very helpful and friendly staff. Only complaint is the wireless internet access is only in the lobby/cafe area. In today's world it should be complimentary in all rooms. Good location, good staff. Would stay again. April 29, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Tom1822 Great Location, Nice Facilities and Friendly Staffs This hotel is located just within 5mins walking distance from Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf ! I like the young vibrant color themes of the rooms and the full coffee maker set with quality coffee bags available inside the room. Internet connection in room chargeable as well as parking for guests - I guess this should be reviewed and considered as waiver for guests. With SPG recognition. October 20, 2012
Rated 2 out of 5 by Darrick Needs improvement. No maid service between 0830-1530 hours. Returned to a unmade room. Charged for parking when road closures forced us to park a rental car, we larifies we didn't need parking and only parked to check in and aimed at returning car ASAP! We were still charged! Even after front desk said it would not be a problem. Customer service lacking! Movie ordered & paid for kept freezing! May 6, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by irritatedtraveler The Staff is wonderful This was a business retreat that lasted 3 long days. I arrived from the East Coast in a frustrated and bad mood and left after a succesful meeting in a great mood. We were well taken care of. Particular thanks to Vanessa at the front desk for taking care of this traveler who arrived irritated from my trip. What a professional! January 22, 2014
Rated 2 out of 5 by McKinley Location Great, Room below average Location at the wharf was great. Our issue was the room. We came in and it was 63F. Turned on the heat and it would not turn off twice. The second time we needed to call maintenance at 2 am because our room was 85F. Woke up an already tired family that did not sleep well for (2) nights because of room temperature control. I thought this was outrageous. Poor water pressure. March 31, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by HarryCat Awesome Experience! Stay Here! We moved from another hotel that we were extremely unhappy with. When we arrived at this Sheraton we were warmly greeted. The front desk lady helped us out big time and gave us a great room and even sent up a bottle of wine. It was our anniversary and they treated us amazingly. Very impressed and would not stay anywhere else in San Francisco but here. November 7, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by aynee Great stay We arrived very early and were told if we joined the rewards program we could check in early! Lovely! We were given wonderful adjoining rooms which were modern, bright and perfect. The bedding was amazing and I'm so picky. Down pillows and soft sheets. The fire pits outside are great and they have non-smoking fire areas too. Great location and wonderful place to stay. February 5, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by 1ACFAN Great access to Fisherman's Wharf Very nice hotel in almost everyway except food services for breakfast was limited to cold items and instant oatmeal. Good latte was one welcome in early morning. Being diabetic, I have to be carefull of what I eat so I was somewhat disappointed but I managed. Room was well appointed and very comfortable. I would stay here again if I was staying at Fisherman's Wharf. November 9, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by HubTravelers Great location, nice people, but . . . Great SPG property near Fisherman's Wharf and that tourist area of SF. Perfect if you're doing the tourist thing, like we were. Not as good if you're there for business or shopping, but SF is a small city and it's easy to get around. We got to the property well before check in time on a Saturday, and they were not only able to check us in early, they gave us a choice in rooms (top floor, external, might be a bit loud, or first floor, courtyard, quiet. We chose the former and were quite happy with the room, in general). Staff had printout of local restaurants and local street maps which were very useful. Major annoying thing about the room, the bathroom is split with the toilet and tub in one room, sink and mirror in a separate, outer area. But the light switch is in the outer area, so if you're traveling with a someone else who needs to "go" during the night, that light is going to be illuminating the room like a beacon. October 22, 2011
Rated 1 out of 5 by Steven27 Poor Upond arriving at the hotel I checked in was told breakfast was included in the 4 days we where going to be the for 3 people!! Which was not true!! Also $ 50.00 plus tax to park in the hotel Parkin lot which we where not told at the time of booking!! Unhappy! Getting into our room was extremely hot!!! NO MICROWAVE!! NO REFRIGERATOR!!! SO so unhappy!!! September 9, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by SStraveler Dump Very tired Hotel with small rooms and minimal staff. Wait times for check-in long and staff seemingly unfriendly. When trying to check-out at 5;00am to catch a 7:00am flight, no staff were present after waiting 15 mins. at either front desk or valet booth to check out and retrieve car. Self-parking prices ridiculous and parking system very inefficient. May 23, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by MDsmit For tourists Tourist hotel by the bay that is not actually by the bay. Nor does it have a view of the bay. Most hotel rooms have a view of other hotel rooms. Bathrooms are extremely tiny and don't even have enough room for towels. Parking is a ridiculous 46 dollars a day in an unpopulated part of San Francisco. Fitness Center is also tiny and has a view of nothing. April 23, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by JKG0515 Very Convenient Was spending the weekend in San Francisco at the end of a 4 day conference. This hotel is conveniently located only a 5 minute walk to Pier 39 and maybe 10 minutes from the Ghiradelli Square and the Cable Car turn around. Staff is very friendly and the room extremely comfortable. Next trip to San Francisco will include a stay here. November 25, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by 13Pam Wonderful Place to stay What a wonderul stay we had at your hotel. Great check-in, super attentive staff and really nice room. Loved the location for walking around the city. Proximity to all and a really nice, clean place. Great coffee in the room and great gathering place for wine, coffee and a quick bite in the morning lobby. Thank you so much. November 25, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by Manju May 10-12 2012 If you like a hotel with attentive bellman, valets and front desk staff...look elsewhere. The only friendly bellman and valet were upon our arrival and departure. In between good luck contacting them. Concierge on Friday...exceptional. Housekeeping staff wonderfully sweet. Nice seating area with gas fire pits outside a nice touch, but usually very messy in that area. Beds absolutely tiny and completely uncomfortable. Front desk people totally snippy. Could have cared less that we were not comfortable in our room. Parking cost outrageous...typical for the city though. The only reason I would ever go back to this hotel is to visit Juanita, one of the housekeeping staff. This was our third stay atthis hotel in the last 12 years....we will look elsewhere next visit. Smart sleeper beds are LOUSY! Rooms are tiny and cramped (double beds are more like twin plus). If you want comfort and friendly staff as a whole, don't spend one second considering this hotel! May 15, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by PosterLars Great Value I unexpectedly needed to say in San Francisco recovering from a fall with a broken leg. We were provide with very comfortable room with great large bathroom that had all the handicap features that helped me feel comfortable. We felt that we were given great value for a reasonable about of money. Staff was helpful and very friendly. November 15, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 by Familyplustoddler Fishermans wharf Sheraton We waited 20 minutes to be checked in. There was a mix up between central reservations and the hotel. CR was blamed and we were told nothing could be done. I asked to speak to a manager. The representative said the only way we could get the room we needed was to kick someone out of their room, "did I want her to do that?" I asked if a manager could come out and help. The rep went in the back and came back saying " he said to give you an accessible room," the manager never came out. She was rude and indignant. Sheraton boasts renovated rooms but room 1625 at the Sheraton fishermans wharf clearly was not one of them. It still has cottage cheese ceilings. The room also has a crack in the sink. The room is next to a road with a bus line but this was not near as loud as the elevator that could be heard even though it was out in the lobby. There was also a 3 foot section of ceiling that was about to fall, inside the lobby. When we checked out, we had to wait ten minutes in line again. The valets and concession person were very nice and helpful. This room was not worth a third of the price paid. February 20, 2014
Rated 2 out of 5 by gghumbabe Poor Service -Bellman pushed us a cart and didn't offer to bring bags up. We loaded and struggled with 3 sets of clubs and bags on one cart. -Was not offered different parking options other than the $45 per night which was not initially disclosed. When I asked about them the desk became short with me. -Hotel decor needs major upgrading. February 25, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Chavezx4 Nice...but VERY small room All was great...from the staff to the clean room. Quiet corner room was very nice. The only thing was the room was very small...just wish there would have been more space...especially in the bathroom/vanity/closet area. Not much room for it being a 4 star hotel. Great if you're traveling alone...but not for a family. April 7, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by judykay This hotel is very comfortable, convenient and friendly. We have stayed at this hotel since 1986. We noticed a very friendly and kind staff on this visit. Our room was wonderful. The bed and pillows were like sleeping on a cloud. This hotel is convenient to Safeway across the street, cable car, waterfront and restaurants. We highly recommend Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf. April 24, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by kevinumbc Great location and hotel I had a very nice business stay here and will be coming back in a few weeks. The staff were friendly and the bellhop staff were really great. My only issue was 25 dollars for a breakfast buffett was really dissapointing. I had to go somewhere else as there was no ala carte issue. But overall very nice place. June 7, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Kim271 A Great Vacation Possible by Sheraton Great hotel in great location with exceptionally knowledgeable, pleasant, courteous and professional staff. Concierge are wonderful (P.S.: if you tell Thomas what you have a taste for, he knows where you can best get it from). Sheraton made a great vacation just that more spectacular. Thank you Sheraton!!! June 25, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by 1ACFAN Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf outstanding Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf met all our needs while staying in San Francisco. The Concierge helped us organize our days and reccommended outstanding restaurants. The staff was friendly and every need was met to the "nth" degree. I would most definately stay at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf again. August 12, 2013


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'Why Adelaide should be more like Pittsburgh - a phoenix city that has reinvented itself'
The Herald Sun
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
The Herald Sun
recently deemed Pittsburgh a 'phoenix city' that rose from the ashes of economic decline. According to the article, a city called
in Australia should follow Pittsburgh's lead to reinvent itself.
In the 1980's, Pittsburgh faced unemployment and corporate takeovers after the collapse of the steel industry, but three decades later has forged on to become one of the most livable cities in the United States with success in healthcare, technology and education.
Adelaide is facing similar strife with the
closing of its major manufacturing company
, Holden. The closure is expected to eliminate 24,000 local jobs. However, Adelaide leadership plans to utilize lessons learned from Pittsburgh to survive the decline. The focus will be on diversifying into new industries and urban renewal.
"We had to imagine a different kind of city than we had been for 100 years," says former three term Pittsburgh mayor,
Tom Murphy
Singing UPMC doctor makes Cosmo
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja
, an ob-gyn at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, has gone viral for his tradition of singing 'Happy Birthday' to the babies that he delivers.
In the
emotional video
, Andrew-Jaja serenades one newborn as a touched mother looks on and the entire delivery room joins in.
"People say they can't sing. It doesn't matter. We all join in together," he tells
According to Andrew-Jaja, he has sung approximately 8,000 babies into this world.
First National Bank names Pittsburgh for its corporate headquarters
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Look out PNC,
says there's a new bank setting up camp in Pittsburgh.
First National Bank's
parent company, F.N.B. Corporation, announced that it has formally named Pittsburgh as corporate headquarters.
"Naming Pittsburgh as F.N.B. Corporation's official headquarters is a logical progression in our evolution as a regional financial services organization," says
Vincent J. Delie, Jr.
, President and CEO of F.N.B. Corporation.
With Pittsburgh as the bank's largest market, F.N.B has expanded from a single location in Pittsburgh in 1997 to more than 84 locations today. The bank employs 1,800 people in Western Pennsylvania and has $14.5 billion in total assets.
Pitt student seeks donations after parents cut her off for her sexuality
The Huffington Post UK
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
The Huffington Post UK
and the
New York Daily News
took notice when Kate Koenig, a would-be sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, set up a
page to raise $15,000 after her parents cut her off and refused to co-sign loans for her schooling because she identifies as both gay and pansexual.
Koenig was unintentionally outed when her father looked through her mail before the start of her freshmen year and was able to attend her first two semesters at Pitt as they were already paid for. Koenig has been
posting YouTube videos
about her struggles since last September with the hashtag #KeepKateInCollege.
Since creating her page last Wednesday, Koenig has received more than $7,000 in donations and countless messages of support.
"Going to Pitt is a dream of mine and I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to stay there," Koenig writes.
Pittsburgh Drone Masters shed light on new technology
Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
According to
Bloomberg Businessweek
Pittsburgh Drone Masters
, a meet up group, is working to clear up the myths surrounding unmanned aerial systems.
Group leader Micah Rosa says that gaining attention helps prepare the population for a future with drones. He wants the public to view drones as an evolution of model planes, not voyeuristic devices.
"I'm big on education, so I try to be found in search results so that I can bring [drones] out in a good light," says Rosa.
Commercial drones are currently illegal in the United States, but private companies are allowed test flights with experimental airworthiness certificates. However, the unmanned flight industry is expected to reach $89 billion globally in the next decade and online retailer Amazon recently applied for a testing certificate to utilize drones in Seattle as part of an
Amazon Prime Air Delivery service
Child prodigy and esteemed conductor Lorin Maazel dies at 84
The New York Times
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
This week
the New York Times
paid tribute to Lorin Maazel, a child prodigy who grew up to become an enigmatic conductor, after he died in his home at 84. Maazel conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony in 1940, before his tenth birthday. He returned to Pittsburgh throughout his career.
At 15, he took a break from conducting and began studying at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1946 he organized the Fine Arts Quartet of Pittsburgh and in 1948 he joined the
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
shortly before embarking for a long stint in Europe in 1951.
In 1984, he returned to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as a music consultant and later became its musical director until 1996. During this time, he toured the world and won a grammy with the orchestra.
Richard Mellon Scaife's will leaves his true wealth a mystery
The Chicago Tribune Review
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Chicago Tribune Review
notes that when Pittsburgh billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife
died on July 4, at the age of 82
, his will left much of his extraordinary wealth undesignated, but he asked that his dogs go to a good home.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette estimates the conservative political activist's fortune to be as much as $1.4 billion, but an accurate amount is unknown due to private trusts Scaife constructed throughout his lifetime.
Only two beneficiaries, the
Brandywine Conservancy and Museum
in Chadd's Ford, Pa., and the
Westmoreland Museum of American Art
in Greensburg, were named. Scaife's children were not mentioned in his will, but Scaife's lawyer
H. Yale Gutnick
says that they and a collection of institutions that Scaife supported have been taken care of.
German town follows in Pittsburgh's footsteps
Bloomberg Businessweek
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
According to Bloomberg Businessweek,
Bochum, Germany
is taking a page out of Pittsburgh's history books to recover from an industrial collapse.
After World War II, the city was rebuilt on mining and steel production and later turned to manufacturing. Now, the city is turning to technology and healthcare, much like Pittsburgh, to reconstruct the economy.
At the helm of Bochum's revival is the city's largest employer,
Ruhr University
. With a focus on information science and healthcare, the university intends to mold Bochum into a science hub.
Uwe Neumann, a regional economy researcher at the
Rheinisch-Westfaelisches Institut fuer Wirtschaftsforschung e.V. institute
in nearby Essen says that it's easy to compare Pittsburgh and Bochum.
"The location and the population have proven adaptable. The all-hands-on-deck mentality and the willingness to take your destiny into
your own hands play a very important role and are a significant advantage," Neumann says.
Esquire says yinz got style
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Mount Washington,
, and
Stage AE
made Pittsburgh look stylish for Esquire's Style Blog. The editors of Esquire have been travelling across the United States this Spring and recently stopped in the Steel City.
The article described Pittsburgh as "a hipper, organic, authentic version of the cool downtown area near you with the bricks, only they have more bars, better food, and a brilliant arts scene."
According to
Social Status
are the chic places to shop in the 'burgh,
Butcher and the Rye
are for hungry readers, and they recommend Mount Washington and the
Carnegie Museum
for just hanging out.
UPMC finds link between online shopping and trips to the emergency room
The New York Times
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
was featured in the
New York Times' Technophobia column
last week due to its increased collection of patient data.
UPMC, on the forefront of healthcare analytics, recently increased the number of factors taken into consideration in regard to patients' insurance. They are now able to evaluate variables like marital status and level of education. They also expanded their analytics to include data from
, a marketing analytics company.
One correlation that UPMC discovered was mail-order or internet shoppers are more likely to require expensive emergency services.
"It brings me another layer of vision, of view, that helps me figure out better prediction models and allocate our clinical resources," Dr. Pamela Peele, the chief analytics officer for the U.P.M.C. insurance services division, says.
Maddie from 'Dance Moms' attracts national attention in music video
Vulture Magazine
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Maddie Ziegler, a dancing sensation on Lifetime's, Pittsburgh-based reality show
Dance Moms
, recently appeared on
and captured the attention of
Vulture Magazine
for a Q&A.
Ziegler answered questions about her role as a miniature Australian pop star in
new music video
that has received 11 million views.
She participated in the video after Sia tweeted her asking her if she'd like the part. Ziegler said that her mother and her
dance instructor Abby Lee Miller
were proud of her for landing the part, but Miller still had corrections to offer.
"She thinks now I'm pretty much considered a professional dancer, because I always put myself out there now, and I've gotten a lot of hits on it, so I'm just super excited about it," Ziegler told Vulture.
"In Pittsburgh, a visiting sports fan can't fail to hit a home run"
The Washington Post
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
According to the
Washington Post's travel section
, Pittsburgh is a haven for roaming sports fans.
It's no secret that the Steel City is rich in sports history with moments like
Bill Mazeroski's walk-off homerun
in the 1960 World Series and Franco Harris'
"Immaculate Reception"
in 1972. In fact, Pittsburghers won't let you forget them.
Remnants of sports history in the form of memorabilia and monuments are scattered across the city. Visiting fans can see segments of the outfield wall that Mazeroski's home run flew over, visit the
Roberto Clemente Museum
in Lawrenceville, or tour the
Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center
What sets Pittsburgh apart is the way in which its sports history is preserved and displayed, woven into the overarching story of Pittsburgh's past.
"I don't think there's another city in the United States that uses sport as much as Pittsburgh to tell its story to the world," says Rob Ruck, a sports history professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
Luke Bryan's stop in Pittsburgh made waves
People Magazine
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
People Magazine
the Tennessean
all took notice of
Luke Bryan's
appearance in Pittsburgh last weekend.
News of the country music fiasco that occurred in Pittsburgh when Bryan's fans left the North Shore littered with waste spread quickly after the concert on Saturday.
People Magazine focused on the positive and reported that Luke Bryan's show set the all-time record for ticket sales at
Heinz Field
while the Tennessean emphasized the chaos created by those 50,000 fans.
Mayor Bill Peduto issued a statement denouncing the fans' behavior and promising to bill promoters and private parties for the damage as opposed to paying for the damage with taxpayer dollars.
"The continued trashing of our city has to stop. There is no reason ... (for taxpayers) to bear the burden for outsized amounts of garbage removal and public safety response," Peduto says.
During the event, there were 150 calls to 911, 34 people transported to hospitals, and 15 fights that required public safety intervention.
Deadspin compiled video clips from
WPXI's footage
of tailgating concert goers and focused on one especially intoxicated man stumbling around on the sidewalk.
The Last Billboard makes Buzzfeed
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
The Last Billboard
, a Pittsburgh project curated by
Jon Rubin
, caught the eye of
last week.
The project allows people to submit captions to be displayed on the billboard at the corner of Highland and Baum for an entire month. According to the project's
, Rubin generally invites people to compose captions, but occasionally considers unsolicited submissions.
Designed by Rubin and
Pablo Garcia
, the billboard can hold five lines with up to 28 characters each. It has featured messages as simple as a phone number and as complex as a lengthy quote. The board is made up of a rail system and wooden letters that are changed by hand each month.
One board submitted by visual artist
Packard Jennings
read "These words hold no power over you."
Native rappers stick together
MTV News
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
reported this week that Pittsburgh rappers stood by
, a rapper from Wilkinsburg, through social media after he was found not guilty for drug charges.
Mac Miller
asked fans to tweet their support with the hashtag
Wiz Khalifa
pledged his allegiance to the black and yellow and tweeted "free Hardo."
Hardo was arrested and charged with drug possession and intent to deliver last August when officers found 250 individual stamp bags of heroin in a bag in his vehicle.
Since returning home, Hardo has already recorded and released a new single entitled
"Thug Motivation."
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Writing and Wayfaring
A blog about wandering that tends to wander off topic. Lots of words, lots of pictures--that kind of thing. Written by René Ostberg.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Bus Stop In Chicago
This is in Chicago in the summer of 2008. It's me at the corner of Clark and Edgewater in Andersonville, a neighborhood on the far north side of the city. Andersonville got its name from all the Swedish and other Scandinavian immigrants who had settled there. These days Andersonville is home to one of the largest lesbian and gay communities in Chicago. It's funny that I'm standing at the bus stop looking up at the sign (and I don't know why, because my friend and I weren't using the buses that day) because only a few months after this I would be leaving Chicago and riding Greyhound buses all over the country for a month. I don't remember if I had already made those plans when this picture was taken. But I know I was making plans in general. This picture was taken by my friend Marco. I miss him.
Bolivian Road
This picture was taken in South America, in Bolivia, in August 2010. It was on the way to the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flats. I was on a 3-day tour. We traveled from Oruro to the salt flats all the way down to Chile in a Land Cruiser. There were at least 8 of us crammed into the vehicle. We were supposed to go through Uyuni the city, but an internal political problem in the country (a quarrel over a silver mine between the departments of Potosi and Oruro) had caused blockades that spread from Potosi city to Uyuni and forced us to take a back-door route to the salt flats. We were stopped when this picture was taken because we encountered another vehicle that had broken down. There was nothing and no one else around to help. Though this road pictured was one of the more sophisticated roads in Bolivia. By the 2nd day of the tour (this pic is on day 1), we'd find ourselves in territory where a road was pretty much wherever you want it to be.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Grandfather Poem, Prairie Poem
A poem of mine is now live at Eunoia Review. Thanks to the editor of Eunoia Review, Ian Chung, for accepting it and publishing it. The poem is called "Transference (Middle West)" and it's about my maternal grandfather and the place in the world where we grew up, the American Midwest--which was once the American prairie.
|My granddaddy re-visiting the schoolhouse he went to as a child in Iowa
|Chicago skyscrapers, looking south from John Hancock Tower
My grandfather's name was William Collins but everyone called him Bernie after his middle name, Bernard. Bernard was also the name of the town (if you can even call it that) where he was born in Iowa in 1900. Where he was born and raised is west of the Mississippi River. He had 3 siblings who survived. He grew up on a farm but his own father lost his farm shortly before the Great Depression. My grandfather found work east of the Mississippi, in Illinois in Rockford, not long before marrying my grandmother, who came from Otter Creek in Iowa, in 1926. After marrying, my grandmother moved to Rockford with him but they didn't stay in Rockford long. My grandfather's boss was a Swedish man who would knock the Irish in back-handed compliments to my grandfather ("Are you sure you're Irish? I never knew any Irishman who worked hard like you.") and my grandfather couldn't tolerate that. So they moved to the south side of Chicago, near Visitation Parish, where it was all Irish, and my grandfather worked in a plastics factory. The stockyards were still around then. My mother says she can still remember the smell.
|Railroad work in Iowa. My grandfather is among the 4 down on the tracks, second from right.
|Hay making in Iowa
|My grandma (second from left) with her parents and some of her siblings in Iowa. Cornfields in background.
|In the city now. Chicago, Van Buren Street, southwest side. My grandparents (center) with two religious friends and my aunt Lois, about 1928.
Eventually my grandfather moved his family to the northwest side of the city (where I was born), which was mostly Polish at the time and closer to the city limits. Chicago was already mighty and lively in those days (the 30s and 40s) but it didn't yet have the skyscrapers and the great skyline along Lake Michigan that it's known for today. The skyscrapers would start to come in the 60s and 70s, in my lifetime. My grandparents had moved back to Iowa, to Dubuque, by the time I was born in 1972. We visited them at least twice a year. My grandfather kept a large garden in his backyard where he grew corn, tomatoes, and beans. He had raspberry bushes and a tiny vineyard--just a few grape vines, really--from which he made his own wine. Beer too. Their backyard also had a horse chestnut tree that attracted bats and lightning bugs in the evening. We all loved to stay out in the backyard until dusk when the bats came out.
|Granddaddy in Chicago with his 3 daughters. My mother is on the left. My aunts Lois and Betty on the right. They were working class but the fashion and hairstyles were still very different from those of their country cousins back in Iowa.
|Chicago skyline in 2013, view from boat on Lake Michigan
|Granddaddy with my youngest brother, Eric, and sisters Arla and Bonnie, around 1970. In Iowa alongside a country road, with long prairie grasses still growing on the hillside.
My grandfather died in 1980 when I was 7 from prostate cancer. I admit that I have few real memories of him. I mainly remember him when he was dying, in the hospital and such. I was in the 3rd grade and my teacher made us kids write in journals every day for a half hour or so. When my grandfather was dying, I wrote in my journal about it and said I felt sorry for him. I didn't know what cancer was at that age so I wrote "I think he has the flu." I have some memories of his wake and funeral, the first I ever went to. At first I thought I'd write down some of those memories here but I've decided to keep them to myself, except for the memory of seeing one of my parents (my mother) cry for the first time in my life, during the funeral service, and how it worried me.
We had moved out of Chicago to the suburbs by the time he died. Years later, his wife, my grandmother, would come to live with us after a stroke. Chicago and its suburbs stretched forever by the 80s and stretch even farther today. We have no bats in our area of Chicagoland--but we have cardinal birds (the Illinois state bird) and lightning bugs. We have a horse chestnut in our backyard.
|Chicagoland, looking northwest from the Sears Tower
|Prairie garden in Lincoln Park in Chicago
There were still some farms and open fields when we moved out here from the city, but they are long gone today. You have to drive longer now to reach the farms. The prairie is mostly gone except for some preserved sections here and there. The people who lived on the prairies before Europeans came are mostly gone too--either assimilated, killed by whites, or pushed north and west onto reservations. In Chicago, there are parks that have tried to revive some of the prairie grasses and flowers that once grew all over the Midwest. In Lincoln Park, for example, you can stand and cast a shadow over prairie flowers while the Hancock Tower stands and casts a shadow over the north side of the city.
|The John Hancock Tower downtown with Lincoln Park prairie in foreground
I wrote this poem months ago when I was looking forward to the coming of spring and summer after a very long and even-colder-than-usual winter. This year it seemed to be taking forever for winter to hand the reins over to spring. I suppose I wrote about my grandfather in this way because I don't have too many of my own memories to call upon. I am the youngest of all his grandchildren so there are only a few pictures I can find of me with him. I knew him the shortest amount of time. So I wrote a poem that draws out time in images of what's changed and hasn't changed in the part of the country where my grandfather and I come from. Here's the poem (the link is in the words).
|Me sitting on my granddaddy's lap and my grandma, at their 50th wedding anniversary, 1976
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Every Picture Tells A Story
Posts on this blog have become few and far between. Life has slowed down considerably for me in the last year, and in the meantime it can take months before I hear back from a publication about something I submitted. I have a poem coming up this week at Eunoia Review, and I've also got a post in the works about another site where I'll be contributing from time to time. But to keep this blog from getting too dusty and dull I thought I'd start sharing a travel photo every few days on here. Some of the photos--maybe even most of them--will be ones I've already included in previous posts. But they may have been shared a few years ago, or with a bunch of pics at once, thereby getting lost in the shuffle. So I'll give each picture I share its own post and its own chance to tell a story. I'll give just a little information about each pic, where it was taken and such. You can supply the rest.
Here's the first:
Here's the first:
This is on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. In the El Bierzo region, somewhere between Ponferrada and Cacabelos. I walked the Camino during the harvest season, in October 2011. I passed through many a vineyard in full bloom, so to speak. This was on a particularly dusty and empty road with vineyards stretching wide on either side. These buckets were left on the road with a few piles of grapes around them, and not a soul in sight, not even far off in the fields.
Monday, June 30, 2014
You Can Fail Here: Chicago And The Second City
|Chicago's Second City...wall of fame
In Chicago there's no shortage of places to study acting. Theaters are to Chicago what pubs are to Dublin. "Good puzzle would be cross Dublin without passing a pub," wrote James Joyce in Ulysses about his hometown. "Good puzzle would be cross Chicago without passing a theater (or a hot dog joint)," writes me, here, about my hometown. Some sources put the count of theaters in Chicago at over 200. Some also claim this makes Chicago the true theater capital of the U.S. I don't know enough about American theater to back up or challenge that claim. But I do know that Chicago's contribution to American theater--and world theater--is pretty significant.
Chicago is, after all, the Second City and the home of The Second City, the improvisational theater troupe that revolutionized comedy theater in the U.S. and beyond when it first opened its doors in 1959. The Second City is also where I took those magical acting classes, and where I recently joined up with a walking tour of Chicago's Old Town neighborhood on a brisk Sunday morning.
|Balloon house architecture in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
|In Old Town.
|Seen in a chocolate shop window in Old Town. Money, guns, and high cholesterol--the story of Chicago.
|Second City alumni John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Rosemary Radcliffe, Eugene Levy, and Gilda Radner, in 1974, pic on entranceway to The Second City theatre in Chicago.
Considering Chicago improv's solid record of churning out future stars, it only makes sense that the most famous improv theater of all would milk its reputation for tourism purposes. The Second City has long promoted itself as a must-see attraction for visitors to Chicago, and its walking tours of the Old Town area are nothing new--there was a tour on offer by the theater going back at least 10 years ago. After a few years' hiatus of the original Second City tour, the current walking tour was created by Margaret Hicks, a Chicago tour guide, author, and improv performer. Hicks leads the tour twice a week--on Sunday mornings and Wednesday early evenings--from May through October. The tour lasts about an hour and a half to 2 hours and costs only $15 per person. (Hicks has her own tour company that offers a few other walking tours of different areas of Chicago, called Chicago Elevated. She didn't tell me this, as I turned shy and forgot to ask her a few basic questions about herself after the tour, but I stalked, er, Googled her later and found her Twitter account and FB page--I've provided links in case you'd like to stalk her too.)
|Margaret Hicks in front of the Twin Anchors. I could not for the life of me get a picture of her with her eyes open this day.
|Margaret Hicks shows us a Chicago home with a plaque on it, so naturally we had to stop and look at it.
|St. Michael's Church in Old Town. Part of the church survived the Chicago Fire of 1871. This is also where Second City alum Chris Farley went to mass regularly.
|The Twin Anchors bar and restaurant in Old Town. Fans of the films Return to Me and The Dark Knight might recognize this place.
|Just a few blocks from The Second City and Piper's Alley, the Twin Anchors was a favorite hangout of Frank Sinatra. By the way, that dude on the right is having his novel made into a movie by Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro.
|The Sears Tower as seen from an Old Town side street.
|Up the street from The Second City,a bit of Old Town and old Chicago history.
|In Old Town. Not a theater, this is a horse-and-carriage company and stables.
|Comedy competition in Old Town. The difference between a club like Zanies and The Second City is that Zanies is strictly stand-up (i.e., scripted) while The Second City is improv and experimental.
|More famous faces.
|List of Second City alumni inside the theater building.
|Find the famous name.
There's another specific requirement on the way to The Second City Mainstage, one that's required even before auditioning for The Conservatory. Improv and comedy writing classes aren't enough. All aspiring Conservatory students must have completed an acting course before auditioning. And that's kinda where my own experience with The Second City comes in...
I've never auditioned for The Conservatory. And I'm not a former improv student. What I am is a woman who had wanted to be an actress when I was a kid, but never pursued it in any way. I was extremely shy for one thing...I still am. Plus it was made clear to me when I was young that such dreams weren't realistic. "You want a nice clean job," I remember my mother telling me when I was young and mentioned something about wanting to be an actress. What she meant was some position in an office or a school maybe, something stable. I didn't have the confidence back then to push ahead with my dreams anyway, but I didn't have the practicality in me to entirely forget them either. And there was the shyness problem anyway--really the biggest obstacle. (In defense of my mother and father, I came to understand that their point of view comes from being born into the Great Depression to uneducated parents and growing up during a world war in urban poverty--in my father's case--and working-class--in my mother's case--with little education of their own beyond high school. They didn't have much stability or financial security growing up. They wanted to be sure their own children did. And one of the last occupations that provides stability or security is acting.)
|Outside the Mainstage entrance, by the box office.
|Famous faces on the box office wall at Second City.
|On the box office wall. Stephen Colbert would be so proud of me turning a night vegging on the couch watching "Cold Case" into the beginning of a creative journey. ;-)
The acting program at The Second City Training Center at that time consisted of 3 levels (I believe they've since added on 1 or 2 more). In a nutshell, in the first level you worked on a monologue, in the second you got a partner and worked on a scene, and in the third you worked on scenes and monologues from a specific, more challenging playwright (in the case of my group, we worked on Tennessee Williams). All 3 levels were taught by Michael Pieper, a theater director from San Diego (by way of Nebraska) who created the acting program at The Second City. He'd probably be embarrassed for me to say it here, but I came to regard Michael as something of an angel. Though a big man with a fullback's physique, he was nothing like the scary and demanding "Master Thespian" type teacher I expected. He was never pretentious, never insulting or unfair. He had no interest in making a student feel inferior or unable or as if he or she had no right to be in his class. Michael taught us acting based on the Method technique, pioneered by Stanislavsky and later Lee Strasberg. We rarely did anything improvisational in class. We worked with scripts, we learned beat work, we memorized lines, we rehearsed, we learned how to audition. That isn't to say we never experimented--Michael in fact encouraged this. I remember one class in the first level where we all practiced our monologues over and over, out loud and at the same time, using different accents, different emotions, different postures and positions, no matter how seemingly inappropriate some of these accents or emotions or movements might be to the scene. The idea was that you never knew what such experimentation and play and creative open-mindedness would trigger in your interpretation of a character and scene, what complexities and nuances might develop. Don't worry about making a fool or failure out of yourself, Michael would tell us. Just play. Use your body. Get out of your head. Live in the moment.
|Ordinary Chicago setting, a few blocks from The Second City.
|Chicago home.
|Our city in a garden. Under the el tracks in Old Town.
He wasn't joking. He did push me, and everyone in the second level class. This was the level where you had to start trusting your classmates and scene partner (and really, the audience) by opening up with your emotions. This meant exercises like getting onstage and sharing memories of highly emotional experiences in your past with the entire class. It was scary as hell, but an essential part of moving forward with your creative (and I'd say personal) development. And it created a bond with your classmates that made performing (and for me, coming to class) easier and more natural.
Another thing about our second level classes was that they were held in the Mainstage theater. So every week we rehearsed onstage alongside the spirits of crazy John Belushi and young Stephen Colbert and in between the tables and chairs in the audience section. Looking back, I wish I'd thought to take some pictures during class, even once. But I was always so nervous before every class, it never occurred to me how fortunate and cool this experience was and that I might take a picture or something for memories' sake.
|Piper's Alley marquee advertising Second City productions. Piper's Alley houses The Second City.
|Serious face on the facade of Second City's entrance. German novelist Fritz Reuter or Parks and Rec cast member Nick Offerman. You be the judge.
Michael told us from the very first class to not be afraid of failure. Failure is just a part of life. It shouldn't stop you from taking risks. If anything, it should free you. If there's a chance you might fail, then you might as well go for it. Michael would say, "If you're gonna fail, at least fail big." And funny enough, Margaret Hicks, the tour guide of The Second City's walking tour, left us with a similar philosophy. The greatest thing about both The Second City and Chicago, she told us at the end of the tour, is that you can fail here. In New York everyone is looking to get ahead. In L.A. everyone is looking for the agent or producer in the audience who might hand them a great career. In Chicago? "In Chicago, no one is watching you," said Margaret. In other words, get over yourself. We're the Second City, the Third Coast, The City That Works...which means we're the city that gets on with it and keeps trying. In Chicago, life, success, failure, all of it is much like improv. Improv differs from other kinds of theater and from stand-up comedy in that it's unscripted. This means that if you're an improv performer and you have a bad night on the stage, you can at least just let it go and not worry about it again--it's gone. But it also means that if you have a great night onstage, you have to let it go and can't relive it again--it's gone. The glory is in the moment and in the risk. "If you fail, fail again and fail better," Margaret tells us at the end of the tour. The beauty is that you can fail here--in the Second City and at The Second City--Chicago won't hold it against you.
Improv was born in this town for a reason. Chicago says, 'We're all improvising, we're all working off script. We're all making it up as we go along. Win or lose, pass or fail, hit or miss, just embrace it. Live in the moment. Enjoy it." That's your Second City, baby--second to none.
|Mozart looks out from the facade of The Second City theater. The genius liked a good laugh.
|Can't stop, won't stop. Seen on a Chicago street corner.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
A Wayfarer In Her Natural Habitat, Part 7: Lake Michigan
|Sunset over Lake Michigan
In the center of my country, there's no other kind of water--no bitter waters, no selfish seas. Instead there are as many freshwater sources as there are twists in a tornado's walk, as there are circles in a hawk's life of flight. In the central north of my country the lakes are more mighty than many. We call them great--the Great Lakes. We don't say it as a boast. We say it as respect. The Great Lakes give us inland people their water to drink, their fish to eat, their sunsets and sunrises to adore, their waves to watch, their coolness in the summer, their thick skins of ice to test in the deep freeze of winter. They give us horizons and views that coastal people claim to only know, that coastal people don't even know we inlanders possess. Which means they give us secrets too. They give us mystery that adds contours to the unending flatness of the surrounding lakeland, that adds magic to the bleakness of a forgotten flyover region. They give us refuge from the sense of emptiness and dullness that so many inland and Midwestern and flyover people are told is their hopeless affliction, a hopelessly bland and benign character the fault of their hopelessly bland and benign home landscape.
|Sand sculpture on Lake Michigan beach
|Milda's Lithuanian market, small-town scene in Michigan, USA
|Sign in a closed storefront in a small town on Lake Michigan. It was May.
|Me on beach in Union Pier, Michigan
|Penny sunset, Lake Michigan
There were other unusuals--the ways of tides confused me at first, I distrusted the depths of the swimming areas off the beach, there were jellyfish in the waters to contend with at times, and seaweed often clung to me fiercely and wrapped itself around me as I tried to swim, like lost children only recently re-acquainted with a long-estranged mother. And unlike the shorelines of Lake Michigan, I could see land across the waters from the beach of this otherwhere place--the mainland. The view from the shores of the Great Lakes are limitless--from the Atlantic though...well it seems it all depends where you stand.
|Union Pier beach, Michigan
|Warren Dunes, Michigan
Tell you something," the raven said. "I was flying over the Midwest once." He stopped abruptly, closed his eyes for a moment, opened them, and began again. "I was flying over the Midwest. Iowa or Illinois, or some place like that. And I saw this big damn seagull. Right in the middle of Iowa, a seagull. And he was flying around in big, wide circles, real sweeping circles, the way a seagull flies, flapping his wings just enough to keep on the updrafts. Every time he saw water he'd go flying down toward it, yelling, "I found it! I found it!" The poor sonofabitch was looking for the ocean. And every time he saw water, he thought that was the ocean. He didn't know anything about ponds or lakes or anything. All the water he ever saw was the ocean. He thought that was all the water there was." -- Peter S. Beagle, from A Fine and Private Place
|A backpacker traveling through the Midwest
|Midwestern outdoor decor. Bíonn chuile dhuine lách go dtéann bó ina gharraí.
This blog has noticeably been focusing more on places in the American Midwest--inland places, flyover places, freshwater country, sweetwater states. Mainly because these days that's all I can afford. Economically and emotionally. Bitterness has been a surprising running theme in my writings since this blog started (here and here, for example). I used to write of its necessity and naturalness in life and the landscape. I still stand by that point of view. Bitterness serves a purpose. But like everything else, bitterness has to make room for other tastes, other flavors, other sensations and spaces. Sweetness has its purpose and place too. Just as flyover folks have their own depth and authenticity, the Midwest has its own beauty and mystery, and lakes have their own limitless horizons. And me, supposedly deficient, naive, too sweet, too nice me...I even have my own depth and beauty and limitless views, my own sweet, perfect, whole, freshwater/flyover woman integrity.
This blog began as the record of a person going to see other places in the world. This blog now asks those other places to consider returning the favor. These writings are me asking other places to come and see me.
This blog began as the record of a person going to see other places in the world. This blog now asks those other places to consider returning the favor. These writings are me asking other places to come and see me.
|Round Barn Winery in Baroda, Michigan
|Vineyards, towers, and flatlands
|Sun bicep, Lake Michigan
|Outside Nani's Cafe in Union Pier, Michigan
|Amazing lemon rosemary muffin with pine nuts...and mason jar
|Pink door, dandelion lawn, Midwestern home
|My sisters and I at a winery in southwest Michigan
|Sunset into dune grasses at Lake Michigan
|Freshwater breeze and a thick book, Lake Michigan, USA
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