Sydney by Michael McDonough

We’re leaving for Sydney, Australia on Friday or Saturday night which probably has us landing on Monday the 24th and returning on Saturday the 6th, though, I am hoping to shift our schedule so we get an extra day or two.  Jet lag, I imagine, will be a bitch.

Thanks to helpful people on Yelp!, I got a big head start planning things to do/places to see/foods to try!  If I had a car reserved, domestic tickets purchased, and places to stay, we’d be all set.  At any rate, I’ve concocted the list below as a result of the lovely suggestions Yelpers have given me.  Justin and I also acquired a Fodor’s Australia guidebook today, so things may be added, if at all possible. :)

My rough trip outline, working with the number of days I have, is below:

• 2 days in Sydney
  Beaches: Bondi (most famous), Coogee and Manly  (start at Coogee then take the trail to Bondi, about 3.5 miles.  Enjoy the walk and stop for food & drinks along the way.  Get a drink at Icebergs, a surf & lifesaving clubhouse near Bondi.)
  Breakfast at the Intercontinental Hotel
  Harbor tour: lunch at Doyle’s at Watsons Bay/Taronga Zoo/Aquarium/drink at the Opera
  Surry Hills (up and coming foody neighborhood to check out - maybe stay in this area)


Melbourne by Andrew Hux

• 1 day hiking + climbing in the Blue Mountains (climbing if I can find a guide) - overnight at B&B or camp
• 1 day driving/sightseeing southward - overnight camping or in car
• 1 day @ Phillip’s Island - overnight Melbourne
• 2 days in Melbourne
  Great Ocean Road
  great cafes with Italian coffee
• 1 or 2 days Yarra Valley wine tour - overnight in Yarra Valley?
• 2 days Alice Springs - an Oasis in the Outback (flight required)
• 1 day back to Sydney???
  (Paddington outdoor market if here on a Saturday)
• Depart for home

On the way from Sydney to Melbourbe, I’d like to possibly take the Snowy Mountain highway :) …unless it adds a ridiculous amount of time to the trip, and visit Canberra (the capital) if at all possible.

Also, I’d like to visit the Barossa Valley (if any way at all).  So yeah, not too much to ask for 2 weeks. haha

Foods to try in Australia (aside from the seafood and Asian food which I hear is great):
Pides - turkish pizzas - try one at the nearest kebab place
Laksa - thai coconut noodle soup
Aussie hamburger - same has here but we like ours with beetroot
Meat pies - savory pies

Lying in bed in Texas, I was awoken by my dad bringing in Justin’s cell phone. The alarm was going off.  It was 8:30 AM in NY, 7 :30 here.  I considered getting up after only 4 hours of sleep to walk down the street and see my grandmother (Nanny), a ridiculously early riser.  I’d spoken with my cousin Sheila the night before; she told me she and her husband (Justin) were going to have breakfast with Nanny at 7 AM.  Yeah, right.  Sheila is notorious for consistent inconsistency.

The thought occurred to me of playing a terrible practical joke on Sheila - pretending Nanny had died by getting there before her, conspiring with Nanny and hiding her, and basically lying through my teeth when Sheila arrived.  Obviously, this thought process got me thinking of how sad everyone would be if Nanny were to die for real and how devastated my cousin David would be.  How devastated I would be.

Mom, Me, Jared, and Val! - Halloween 1994

Thoughts leading on to other thoughts, I remembered the last time someone incredibly important to me died.  It was Dec. 2005 and the neighbor I’d had and helped raise (he was 6 years younger than me) and played with practically my whole life committed suicide. His mother found his body hanging in his closet.  I remembered going to his wake and half-hoping in that ridiculous manner that people do when they don’t want to believe reality that it was all an elaborate ruse and Jared would call it off at any moment.  Val! and I swore we wouldn’t be angry if he’d planned the whole thing as some gigantic practical joke, or even just some way to prove to himself that lots of people cared about him (people came out en masse - it was incredible to see the number of lives this young guy had touched).  I lost it as soon as I saw his lifeless body in the coffin.  Even from the entrance of the chapel, it was apparent the spark that was Jared’s being was gone forever.

I remembered that I’d dressed Goth that night and for the funeral the next day in honor of Jared.  It was something he used to tease me relentlessly about, even though he always conceded to letting Valerie and I dress him up and put makeup on him. It was at this moment that it struck me where my ankh was.  As I approached Jared’s coffin the day of his funeral to say my final goodbye, I ripped my ankh from around my neck and laid it on his chest.  Strange how we’re driven to do symbolic things, like adorning a corpse with a necklace before sending it into the ground forever, as a way of saying goodbye.  Utterly pointless but entirely human.

Mystery solved.  I wonder what it was about this thought process, this story, that drove me to get up at 7:30 AM after a mere 4 hours of sleep and type it up to share with my poor readers.  I feel a little guilty about it, because spreading misery is not my goal, but it seemed important, even interesting, to me.  I guess revelations and understanding are interesting to me.  Anyway, I am going to lay down and try to go back to sleep.

Follow Up:  I didn’t want to leave any of you guys hanging as I am sure you’re on the edge of your seat wondering, “Did Sheila show up at 7 AM this morning at Nanny’s house?!”  Like a good author and fact-checker, I just got off the phone with Nanny.  Sheila did not show up afterall.  Justin left a message saying something about abdominal pain (she is pregnant - sounds like a good reason).  I guess it’s good to be able to bank on the actions of someone you know pretty darn well.  Nanny did, however, make Schmawn* in the anticipation of Sheila and Justin’s arrival.  Don’t worry guys - my Justin and I will take care of it for you.  Good morning all.

* Schmawn is pancake mix + oil stirred constantly over heat in a big pot til there are tiny cooked pancake crumbles.  Served in a bowl covered with syrup.  Oh deliciousness.

The dish was the ever-so-healthy penne a la vodka.  OK, maybe it’s not healthy - but it is good!  I made it pretty much exactly like the recipe instructs.  I only added a little cayenne pepper to the sauce.  I also braised chicken in olive oil with just some salt and pepper.  Sliced that up and it went on top (as did crushed red pepper on mine).  So yummy!  I should’ve taken a photo.  It was pretty and pink too.

Mom gave Justin and I a bottle of Riesling that she acquired on her drive back from Chicago with Val! (they were roadtrip buddies).  It went perfectly with the dish.  I know you’ll want to make it now. :)  If you do - let me know how it goes!

I also finally got around to added photos of Halloween.  I was probably motivated because both Alex and Marisa put up photos of their recent trip to Aruba. Now if I ever get around to adding our fall foliage shots of Portland, ME…

After 2 years in New York, I still don’t feel as though I have ever lived here. Why is that? Is it because I know in my heart I am biding my time? Probably. Moving to NYC is something I did out of coercion—maybe persuasion is a better word. At any rate, I accepted it because I was looking to make a change in my life anyway. Chicago was the city I’d set my sights on, but America’s first city offered me a job, I already had family here, plus my sister was requiring me to go where she did, and Val!’s plans certainly included New York. There was no great reason not to move to New York.

I wonder if the feeling of living a transient existence and just waiting, waiting in limbo, would be the same regardless. I know Texas is in my eventual future, but I’d still like to feel settled and cozy in the interim—like I belong to a place and it to me. Like I have a positive, loving relationship with my current city, as cheesy as that may sound. New York, why are you so elusive? Is it entirely my fault?

I see it from the periphery. I see how cool New York is, how interesting it can be, and what it offers that no place else really does—something for everyone. It’s easy to rebuke NYC for being so hard-nosed, so unfriendly, so not midwestern/southern. I just want, for the rest of the time Justin and I are here, to love it like other people openly love it. I just don’t know if I have it in me.

Side note: On the way to see FIT’s Gothic fashion exhibit today, a black man was handing out a newspaper. The cover said “Racism! Hatred!” He tried to hand it to an Indian man walking right in front of me that did not take it. As I approached, he quickly pulled the magazine away from my sight and back toward himself. Strange, but that happens more than you’d think here. There are religious propaganda spreaders that hang out near Queens Mall preaching that God is black. They approach anyone that looks like a minority, but when I (or another white person) walks by, they back away or turn to someone else. In a way, it’s a bummer. What if it was something I wanted to know about?  It’s not like I’ve got religion in my life.  ;) Oh well, no biggie.

FIT’s exhibit was amazing and highly, highly recommended.  If you like black, lace, Gothic style, or are just curious, you absolutely must check it out!  I might write more on this at another time, as I am planning to drag Val! back with me… in full regalia. :)

On the Way Home - Queensborough Bridge - Just Like a Dog

Just got back from the Sisters of Mercy concert and wanted to post a quick rant with my thoughts.  When something is really great, or really shite, I just have to get it out.

ARGHHH!!!

I was really pleasantly surprised with Hypernova (opening band). Obviously we wouldn’t have paid $50 / ticket for them, not being familiar with them or anything… No, we spent over $100 to see The Sisters of Mercy for the first time. I’ve been a big fan of theirs for over a decade now and, perhaps, expected too much.

Yes, I admit I expected to hear the vocals sans some effect that literally had them fading in and out every second on top of being drowned out by music. I also would have liked to hear all of Lucretia My Reflection… I would have liked to hear more than 3 minutes of This Corrosion. As I said, I guess I expected too much.

The highlight of the concert, for me, were the cool concert-goers.  There were some nifty people there that were into it, making the best of it, and a lot that seemed to just want to connect and have a shared experience.  I also enjoyed some of the outfits, smiles, and thoughtfulness.  One attendee offered me the spot she was standing in when she noticed a friend of hers was blocking my view.  That was *really nice* - and just in time for Lucretia, which, as I mentioned, ended early.  *sigh*  At least they played it.

My recommendation is that you just save your money and listen to your CDs with a bunch of friends. You might want to check out Hypernova, though, when they’re playing for less than $50 somewhere.  I kind of wish I had seen this somewhere in the $20-$25 price range so I wouldn’t be quite as upset.  Still upset, granted, but not as. Why, NY, why do you have to charge double what any other city charges for the same show?  :(

I admit that though I wasn’t thrilled with the cost of the concert, I was feeling very thankful to be able to afford to go to the show. At the same time, Justin and I were two of the youngest people in attendance, doubtless in part due to the exorbitant price.  That was pretty cool.  I totally felt like a kid again! :)

Justin grabbed a little video, but you can’t tell much from it. Feel free to check it out, though.

Luckily the Toadies concert is on Thursday, which should be GOOD.  I have actually seen The Toadies 5+ times and know what to expect.  Weeee!!!

This is Art - Thao and Vanessa at the Waldorf Astoria

Last Tuesday, Thao invited me to attend the Project ALS gala held at the Waldorf Astoria. Since she works for Viacom, sometimes these random opportunities appear out of the blue. Ben Stiller was hosting and it sounded like a good time plus we both got to get dressed up!

Though the subject matter was quite sad, Ben Stiller and Sarah Silverman were hilarious, the food was good, and the wine flowed unceasingly. After the event, Thao and I wandered the halls of the Waldorf Astoria, literally, and took a bunch of photos. I hope you enjoy the photos of our drunken wanderings as much as we enjoyed taking them!

Justin and Vanessa at Castle Wawel in Krakow - Vistula River flowing past

As some of you already know, Justin surprised me with a trip to Poland for our fourth anniversary.  While we did things tourists are typically expected to do, such as visiting Castle Wawel and snapping photos in Rynek Glowny (the grand square) in Krakow, and strolling through Stephansplatz and along the Danube Canal in Vienna, the primariy purpose of our visit was so that I could experience, first hand, the land of my ancestors.

For a time I’ve been working on a family website based on research my great aunt,

Justin at St. Stephen's Cathedral - Stephansplatz, Vienna, Austria

Vanessa in St. Jacobus in Nysa, Poland

What I’ve managed to deduce so far: It’s probably an international flight given how long we’ll be waiting at the airport. It’s not a JetBlue flight, given the attire I am wearing to attempt to get on the plane.  I don’t know if we’re taking the puppies or if someone is watching them - though  am guessing the latter considering it’s possibly a non-JetBlue flight. I’ve also managed to deduce it is not a Caribbean destination after all (I’d originally thought otherwise) as I was told not to packed sandals, hiking, or beach clothes.  This goes entirely against typical Justin and Vanessa vacations - no hiking!? So, I am stumped.  I just hope we make it on the flight.  With only 5 seats open and an unknown number of standby passengers, it’s a gamble at best.

Luckily Justin has a couple of backup plans.  =)

I read this quote a moment ago and it had a strangely peace-inducing effect.  I thought I’d share it with you: “Give each day the chance to become the best one in your life“ - Mark Twain

Hiking near Red Lodge

First of all, check out my photos from Montana including my brief stopover in Denver.  Warning: too many self-portraits.  There are some lovely scenic shots though. ;)

This morning I wanted to spend some time writing but I was uninspired so I just decided to describe a bit of mine and Justin’s journey home from Brooklyn last night.

Last Night

We stumbled every few steps over the uneven sidewalk, scarred as it was with thick bands of wild grass, broken and even shattered to bits in some areas from neglect…  The streetlights became soft orbs of light in the humid night air. On a bridge in the distance, the line of lights was distorted so everything glowed, seemingly uniform.  To our east, a fair distance beyond the nearest buildings and the river, the city was entirely obscured by the thick, hazy moisture.  All we could tell of the city was a strange purple glow, refusing to acknowledge the presence of a sunless sky – ignoring the notion of twinkling stars above.

Calvary Cemetery by Tony the Misfit

An impressive cemetery stretched out along the western side of the street.  All the stones were black, slate, grey.  Towering obelisks and massive crosses crowded together, interspersed with hulking sepulchers.  As crowded in life as in death in this city of ours.  We could’ve been in New Orleans – my imagination readily allowed.  My companion snickered as we clambered passed the Best Western City View Hotel.  All of the windows facing the cemetery were frosted.  I suppose this was out of concern for their customers rather than deference toward the dead. It would’ve disappointed me had I stayed there.  The cemetery was really quite lovely, and at sunset, I imagine it would be breathtaking to behold filled with warm golden light.

We walked into a more residential neighborhood where the sidewalks notably improved.  Spanish voices serenaded our march as a mother ushered in her little children at 10PM – their playground an empty street with one lone Latin bar.  I suspected that the bar was completely abandoned, though the loud music emanating from within suggested otherwise.

A few minutes later we came to the corner of a couple of streets flanked by tall, red brick apartment buildings and spotted a small yellow cab.  It was one of the new, more energy-efficient hybrid models.  We were lucky to flag it down easily.  Upon climbing in I was surprised to discover that the safety glass I’d become accustom to which separated driver from patron was non-existent in this state-of-the-art vehicle.  I wonder if it speaks to the current safety of New York city streets or something else entirely that has yet to occur to me.  I gave the driver our address and we sped quickly home.

Flowers in France

At one point this locale-of-expatriate-fantasies needed no explanation as to the ‘why.’ However, some run-ins with not-so-nice French people during mine and Val’s last trip to Europe (specifically in Paris), as well as similar experiences imparted to me by other travelers, has prompted me to answer the question “Why France?”

I think, in this instance, a picture is worth a thousand words.  I didn’t take this photo, but as I was updating the ALA website with information on our European vacations, I came across this shot of the Loire region.