31 10, 2015

Souvenir Saturday: Ravenclaw Robes

By |October 31st, 2015|Categories: Geek, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

A few years ago I fulfilled a childhood dream of going to Hogwarts. I had already learned from Pottermore that I was sorted into Ravenclaw. For years I had thought myself Gryffindor but realized my mistake and found my home in the Claws. So I dutifully got myself my House gear when I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here I am dressed in my Ravenclaw robes, sweater, and tie for Halloween 2012 I'm your typical Ravenclaw student, I love learning so much I have a Time Turner! Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on

31 10, 2015

Happy Halloween!

By |October 31st, 2015|Categories: Currently Traveling, Geek, Pop Culture, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Happy Halloween! When I was little, I wanted to be an Archeologist. This probably stemmed from watching Indiana Jones movies over and over again. So last year I created my own Raider's version of Indiana Jones complete with the Headpiece to the Staff of Ra. I thought it was a pretty awesome costume. But we had a work Halloween party where their kids were invited: Kid 1: Are you a cowgirl? Me: No I'm Indiana Jones. Both Kids *Blank Stare* Kid 2: What is India Jones? Me: ....a Archeologist. Both Kids *Blank Stare* Me: ... I dig up

27 10, 2015

Local Character: Headless Horseman of Gunbarrel, Colorado

By |October 27th, 2015|Categories: Events, Local, Travel|Tags: , , , , , |4 Comments

The elusive Headless Horseman of Gunbarrel / Boulder, Colorado 2011. A few years back I lived very close to my office. So close that I would go home at lunch to walk my dog. One Halloween day, I was driving back into work when I saw it! I had heard rumors of the elusive Headless Horseman of Gunbarrel / Boulder, Colorado but didn't believe the stories. But here he was! Trotting down Jay & 63rd street! I quickly spun a U-turn, and hopped out of my car. The Headless Horseman is a friendly type, and paused to let

26 10, 2015

Travel Missteps: Following the Fall Leaves on the Freedom Trail

By |October 26th, 2015|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

One of the best sounds in life is that crisp crunch sound when stepping on fall leaves. At my old condo, the wind would blow all the leaves in this grassy ditch behind the parking lot. The pile would get huge, up to my waist. My dog would join me as I jumped and kicked up the leaves. Then again, my dog’s main goal was to eat as many fall leaves as she cool, like they were potato chips. I still miss that home just for those fall leaves. So when I had just a single brief afternoon in Boston

22 10, 2015

Sun Festival at Abu Simbel

By |October 22nd, 2015|Categories: Events, History, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Today is Rameses II birthday!  Each year on this day (and February 22nd, the day of his coronation) the morning light pierces into the dark chamber of his temple at Abu Simbel, shining on the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun. They are 3 out of 4 statues in the central chamber, the last one Ptah the God of Darkness, which remains in the shadows. Source Red more here. I'm excited to be heading to Abu Simbel during my trip to Egypt!

21 10, 2015

Back To the Future Day!

By |October 21st, 2015|Categories: Geek, Pop Culture|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Today's the day! Its Back to the Future Day! On this date, Marty McFly and Doc Brown came to the future to change it, and in the process fucked things up. How do we know? Because we were set back in our technological timeline! We were supposed to have flying cars, hover-boards, Mr. Fusion...and much much more. Then again, maybe Marty & Doc saved us from the fate of horrible fashion faux pas. Ah who am I kidding. That looks pretty bad ass. (C) Universal Pictures For more reading, see what experts are saying on what was Right

19 10, 2015

Museum Monday: Guidebook to the Egyptian Museum

By |October 19th, 2015|Categories: Museums, Travel, Travel Tips|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments

Reading any guidebook to Egypt and they will say that the Egyptian Museum is a little disorganized, with no labeling, and bursting to the brims with so many ancient objects that it can be overwhelming. They will also advise that you get "Illustrated Guide to the Egyptian Museum" by Zahi Hawass so you can easily understand what you'll be seeing. However, this book is out of print, and so the prices on Amazon and Ebay move wildly. (A few months ago the book went over $100 on Amazon.) One tip I figured out, was that that book and "Treasures of

17 10, 2015

Souvenir Saturday: Dia De Los Muertos Skull

By |October 17th, 2015|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

I use to have a list of items I collected from each vacation, postcards, shot glasses, art, music, snow globes, and finally magnets. I've since paired down my collections, but one of my favorite items I got in Mexico is a Dia De Los Muertos style Skull magnet. Its purple (my favorite color) and made of clay or ceramic and is pretty hefty for a magnet. On one side a Male rests. On the other a woman dances. And the top has a scene of birds, cactuses, and the sun. Souvenir Saturday is an

13 10, 2015

Local Experience: Zombie Paintball at Anderson Farms

By |October 13th, 2015|Categories: Activities, Local, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

The iconic Pumpkin on top of the grain tower. I love Halloween and so October is a busy month for me. I often get Meetup.com groups to go to local Halloween activities, and one of my favorites is Zombie Paintball at Anderson Farms. Cinderella's Pumpkin? During the day, Anderson Farms is family fun during their Fall Festival. You can join a hayride to the Pumpkin Patch to pickup the perfect pumpkin. You can wander through the 30 acre corn maze. For children there are a variety of small rides like the mine cars or barrel train.

12 10, 2015

Travel Missteps: Clearing out Starbucks

By |October 12th, 2015|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

I had never been to a Starbucks prior to my trip to Japan. Crazy right!? The key reason was that I didn't drink coffee, as I'm highly sensitive to caffeine. I also was a bit intimidated by ordering, as I had no idea what to order (or in fact what I would be ordering.) That hesitation was thrown out the window when the other students in my exchange group insisted they get their morning coffee. It was much easier to ask questions when the entire group had no idea how to order what they wanted in Japanese. So I could