Sisters of Mercy - Quick Rant
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Posted in Negativity by Vanessa | 2 Comments - add yours now!
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!!!
Wandering Around the Waldorf Astoria
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
Posted in Fun, Photography by Vanessa | 4 Comments - add yours now!
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!
4th Anniversary - Roundtrip to Polanda via Vienna
Saturday, October 11th, 2008
Posted in Adventure, Family, Photography, Travel by Vanessa | 3 Comments - add yours now!
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
Off on a ‘Top Secret’ Journey
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Posted in Travel by Vanessa | 3 Comments - add yours now!
In truth, it’s only top secret to me. Justin has something secret and special planned for our 4th anniversary (Wow!!! 4 years!); his lips are sealed on the topic. In a few hours, I’ll know where we’re attempting to go. We are flying standby, afterall.
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
Montana Photos & Random Writing
Sunday, September 28th, 2008
Posted in Photography, Writing by Vanessa | 3 Comments - add yours now!
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.
Why France?
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
Posted in Thoughts by Vanessa | 6 Comments - add yours now!
I came up with a “plan” a long time ago while I was dealing with some unpleasant issues in my life that would allow me to escape everything customary and normal. I decided, if I was not enjoying the life I was leading, then I’d run off to the south of France and grow old and plump baking pies (and probably bread and muffins, too). It seemed like a peaceful, incognito existence outside the norms of American life and the suffocating goals of American dreams.
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.
Archives
Friends
Search
Categories
What we're reading
