Emeril Lagasse meets Daniel Boone

Being relatively unemployed has its downsides. Mostly consisting of not having money for things like bills, health insurance, gas. It's bad enough not having money for the essentials like drinking, going out, and partying. But being the optimist that I am, being unemployed also has its benefits. Mostly consisting of having way too much free time. Which truthfully can be a blessing or a curse. 

In the case of me and my other good buddies, who also happen to not have jobs, we've taken the time that we'd otherwise flitter away and the beautiful weather that we'd otherwise waste in front of an Xbox, and turned ourselves into regular Emeril Lagasses. 

It all started when my friend, Mike, got himself a dutch oven, which for those who don't know is a large cast iron pot for cooking over a fire. We had a cook book. It served well as a start for our recipes, but we decided to take things a little further. 

For example, the Good Old-Fashioned Family Stew. The recipe called for:

• 1 pound of stew meat, cut to 1" cubes
• 2 large diced onions
• 4  cubed potatoes
• 1 cup of baby carrots
• 1/2 cup of diced celery
• 1/2 cup of diced other choice veggies (mushrooms in our case)
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 2 cans of mushroom soup 
• Seasonings of choice

That's all great and grand. But we added:

• 2 can of Miller High Life
• An extra pound of meat
• 2 more potatoes
• Brown Sugar
• 2 Apples
• A garlic clove
• lots of Love

Take that mixture of mouthwatering flavors, let it sit on some hot coals for 3 hours, stir every 20 minutes or so, and you'll be hosting the best party your mouth has ever seen. The meat dissolved before your teeth could do the work. The apple and brown sugar combined with the beer to give a sweet, cider lager flavor. Plus, the garlic and onion added an extra bite that made the love ridiculously palpable. 

The following week consisted of another delicious dish: a dutch oven pot roast. Alex found this one, and I'm quite pleased he did. One huge slab of meat simmers with apple cider and barbecue sauce for about an hour. Then add in preferred veggies and simmer for another hour. Finally, to finish the whole thing off,  15 minutes of simmering with 1/2 pound of okra. Delectable. 

A cast iron pot isn't the only thing we can cook in either. We took a three day journey up to Mike's cabin in Iron Mountain. There we concocted a fantastic Last Supper consisting of Alaskan Pollock, perfectly seasoned potatoes and onions, beans, and of course, a box of Franzia to wash it all down. It made for a great Holy Thursday. 

Our tag-team cooking has us considering a future in the restaurant business. However, then we'd miss out on the best part of all this cooking, having fun. Once the prep work is done and the pot is on the fire, it's all about having a few beers, playing with the dogs, shooting guns, singing along with ukulele strums, and enjoying the life of the unemployed. 

I don't mind this lifestyle. That is, till I run out of money. 

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Queensland Tourism failed to see my unmatched potential. But after going through the top 50 shortlisted candidates, it's easy to see why. Many on this list are media professionals, seasoned travelers, and show incredible abilities with a lifetime of experience to match. 

Others not so much. It definitely seems Queensland Tourism tried to gather a pool from all over the world. Even if that meant sacrificing a couple of positions for some candidates that aren't quite up to par, at least in my opinion. Especially when they are put right next to some of the quality videos that are shortlisted, it's easy to see the difference. 

I'm not going to pout or come up with excuses as to why I am not in this top 50. These people deserve to be there. But I will say this, if I had known it was perfectly cool throw copyrighted music into my video like everyone else's in this shortlist, or steal a concept from a popular television commercial, I could have at least made mine a touch more interesting. I guess Queensland Tourism just isn't interested in legality or originality. But seriously, not bitter. Don't care. 

Nonetheless, here's the video I submitted. Not a winner, but I had fun with it.

If I were a betting man, which get me to a craps table and I am, here's my top two:    

Male: Mark, from California                                                                                                   

Female: Julia, from the Russian Federation 

At Least the Skiers are Happy

Up until December 25th, everyone in Wisconsin wishes for a White Christmas. However, once the gifts are unwrapped and the get-togethers are done, most say, "enough already with the white stuff." But the snow continues to fall well into March, sometimes even April.

This past Tuesday forecasted heavy snowfall overnight which would result in school closings Wednesday morning. But children woke up disappointed to find a light dusting that just made things look pretty again. Then early this morning the snow piled up slowly but surely, and has continued all day.

As many despondently trudge down their driveway's, shovels and snow blowers in hand, for about the hundredth time this winter, other folks are loving this day more than any other of the year.

North America's largest cross-country ski race, The American Birkebeiner, is being held today in Hayward, Wisconsin. Now in it's 36th year, this race tests a skier in just about every way possible, physically and mentally. Since I haven't put on cross-country skies since I was five, I don't have personal experience on the trails. But this lady does.

I had the pleasure of being one of the thousands of spectators watching skiers brave this incredible journey last year. At the time, I was in a journalism class and for a final project my group decided to cover the Birkie (as it is affectionately called by it's participants). The class had a twist though. It was a topic specific writing course, on food of all things. So we covered the Birkie from the perspective of what fuels these skiers on the trails.

Once I have a full winter in Wisconsin to train, I intend on tackling this 52 kilometer trail. Last year as I was filming this little documentary, I was having a blast. The overall good feelings everyone has and the help-eachother-out nature of the Birkie is contagious. Which is why every winter skiers from across the world experience a Birkie Fever relapse.

Tracks on Tracks

Yesterday, I started seriously training for the Green Bay Marathon. I'm relatively unemployed, have some time on my hands, I've wanted to run a marathon since starting college, and if I don't do it now, who knows if I ever will.

I've been running regularly since I first got to London, after all, Regent's Park was in my backyard. But yesterday, I penciled in my training schedule and planned out some distanced routes via mapmyrun.com.

This site is fantastic. If you are a runner, or even if you are not and just want to see how long of a walk it really is to the grocery store, this is your most helpful tool. It opened my eyes to some routes I would have otherwise never found, and even experiences I never would have had...like today's.

I mapped out a route that went down a desolate county highway that eventually met up with railroad tracks that I'd follow back home. I can see why hobos love traveling by train. The tracks are peaceful and quiet, carved right through serene wilderness. I came across deer tracks that went right along the rails and undisturbed mounds of snow. It was all so beautiful. I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the tracks to ensure I had good footing. Then as I was looking down at the ground ahead of me, I saw splotches of blood.

I glanced to my left, and there, with his head buried in the snow, was a fox. Perhaps a wolf. I couldn't really tell because of his decapitated-looking state. Stopping my run, I got down on my haunches and just stared at this poor creature. Initially, I tried to piece together his death, CSI style: a few spots of blood on the tracks, a head nuzzled into the snow, perhaps even missing. I couldn't be 100% but I'm sure human intervention had something to do with his death. Upseting is hardly the word. Poor thing.

The head buried in the snow confused me the most. Almost like he knew his time was coming and didn't want any fellow creatures to see the deathly look in his face. It was such a solemn moment, out there on the tracks with only a fox's soul to keep me company. I just stared at him for the longest time. Thinking about...I don't even know what.

I finished my run. Began to stretch and thought it'd be worth it going back to that deceased animal with my camera. A little morose, I know, but (and this is going to sound even more morose) this scene had a certain solemn beauty in itself.

I took my photos. Then heard the familiar sound of a train whistle in the distance. I ducked off the rails, got my fox in the foreground, and watched a train go by closer than I have ever seen one before. I tried to include some pictures with the following video, but the video resolution made them look awful. The music I think fits the moment. Written and recorded by good friend Jim Priniski.

This Christian Bale Thing

It's been all over the internet and the celebrity talk shows. Christian Bale's tirade towards his director of photography Shane Hurlbut. I don't much enjoy celebrity gossip but I do want to comment on this little rant filled with more cussing than a hockey locker room. 

Bale, an iconic actor who makes more money with one movie than the average American makes in a life time, can't simply act through a lighting designer walking around a little bit behind the camera. Keep in mind that Hurlbut was only doing his job, which is to make Bale look good. 

It sickens me to think that there are divas in the world like Bale. Hard to please actors are always spoofed about, but until this audio leak, I never thought it was all that bad. Thanks Christian for proving me wrong. 

So, I had no reservations playing with this audio clip and combining it with an earlier work of Bale's. Who knew that this innocent little Newsie would grow up to be such a "prick," which is one of Bale's choice words throughout his rant. 

WARNING: Explicit Content (which is all Bale's fault, not mine)

This mix, however, puts my little creation to shame. If you like clubbing music and lots of swearing, download it. 

WARNING: More Explicit Content (again, Bale's fault)

Briggs Street

Situations like this were not uncommon at 1525 Briggs Street....and I miss it.

Shut Up, the Commercials are on

Every Superbowl party has its share of spectators that care more for the unique million-dollar adverts than the game itself. In all honesty, I was one of them. That is until the fourth quarter. Tough break Cardinals. 

But this year I feel advertisers did more than just razzle dazzel us and try to make us laugh. I think they tried to educate us as well....

Pedigree’s adoption drive taught us that dogs truly do make the best pets:

Budwiser has had some of the best ad campaigns in recent history, from frogs to the articulate Wazzup, but now they show us that dogs can train horses.  

 Who isn’t going to buy a bag of Doritos and try this:

Cars.com showed us all how even the most confident amongst us, like David Abernathy, have issues with purchasing a car:

 

E*trade displayed that this economy is effecting everyone, especially babies:

 

Sobe taught us that changing your image so you fit-in with every other sports drink is ok, it’s called peer pressure:

 

Bridgestone taught us that it’s easy to get your tires jacked, even on the moon.

America Celebrates

With all the excitement revolving around our new president, it got me thinking of all the other times I've celebrated America, such as this past Fourth of July...

WARNING: May contain some inappropriate language content.

Clare Sitting

My five-month-old niece and I don't quite get along yet...

South of Hyde Park

11-30-2008

I had so much fun alone with London, I decided to call her up for a second date. Now, I was just looking for a one day stand with her when I started my day in Greenwich yesterday. But I just could resist her. Beckoning me the way she was, with all she had to offer. 

My goal today was to get to second base with London. How was I going to do that? Go some places I had never gone before and also go some places I have been, but try something new there. First on the list was the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, a little carnival set up with rides, fun houses, little vendors, and a slew of German fare. There was also a creepy animatronic Santa Claus there. If I were a kid, there's no way I'd want to sit on that lap. 

Next stop was a straight shot through Hyde to Exhibition Road. My first stop there was the science museum where I saw the future Japanese automobile, complete with a little computerized companion who's job is to keep the driver happy and awake. You can see his little eyes on the drivers left, as the driver sits in the blue chair in the middle.

Following the oddities of the future, I took in the differences of the past at the Victoria Albert Museum. The highlight for me here was a gallery devoted to musical instruments of the baroque, renaissance, and classical periods.  While they all looked quite familiar and were obviously the precursors to the instruments today, there were some oddballs that looked like they'd be more than fun to play. The care they took in decorating their early pianos and other instruments made them interesting to take a look at, but I would have loved to get behind those cases and try my luck at the strings snapping in my face.

I had seen all the exhibits I wanted to at Victoria Albert, went down the street to the Paper Tiger Chinese Restaurant. Which according to their signage is London's first Szechuan Chinese restaurant.... so there's a fun fact for ya. 

After my eat-as-much-as-you-like for £4 lunch, I ventured back to the science museum because I was much in the mood to take in an Imax film. It was about the ocean and the alien like animals that inhabit our planet in it's depths. Quite an entertaining bit of cinematography. It was narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, and if it weren't for all the screaming children it would have been a perfectly end to my day. 

A Second Reading According to the Gospel of Fosters

11-9-2008


I took it easy last night anticipation for today. After all, today is Sunday, and that means going to Church. The group of Wisconsinites heard of the escapade Luke, Kallie, and I had a few Sunday's ago and now wanted a taste. Chad, Kim and I walked our way to Camden, which is just a few blocks walk from MTH and stopped to enjoy three beers with the highest alcohol content we could find.




As usual the pews (a.k.a. dance floor) were full. The congregation (drunk people in their 20s) sang (yelled) hymns (pop songs) of praise (party hits).


The body (a stripper) and blood (beer) was shared with all to unite us as one. The priest (comedian) used lessons (jokes) to show us the way to the truth (the toilet).




Some were even more moved by the service than others. These gentlemen were so entranced, they turned smurf.











Some of the Wisconsin ladies were so moved they converted to nuns of the church as they joined almost every lady in the room on stage for one last drunken dance.






Wow, this is the most sacrilegious thing, I've ever written....do take it lightly.

Following Church, we had our Sunday Brunch at a little hookah bar in Camden. Then around 7:00pm, I rested (passed out).

Living London During a Wet Parade

11-8-2008

Let me preface this with a huge "I told you so." I knew I'd get waaaayyyyy behind eventually, but I never anticipated writing a blog from Nov. 8th on Nov. 25th, but do not fret, I have the memory of a drunken elephant and will not leave out a single detail!

Of course, I always have an excuse for getting so far behind. This time it's the fact that I've been blogging for Life. So do check out those...

Today I educated myself on the going ons of London, both historically and presently. The day started with sprinkles of rain, the picturesque kind that Londoners know so well. Eventually that little sprinkle came fully equipped with some spurts of full out downpours.

Of all the days that London could have used a dry one, today was it, the day of the Lord Mayor's Parade. From my understanding, all the floats, which followed the route below, were put on by organizations that in one way or another receive their funding from the Lord Mayor. Eventually, I'm going to get a video edited and uploaded here but for now suffice it to say that I saw some sweet floats, lots of horses and impressive carriages, and sharp, classy marching bands...and all of them were soaking wet.

Since it was quite a wet one, Chad, Kim and our visiting guests decided to check out the London museum. This step back in time focuses specifically on the London area, from the dawn of man in Western Europe. I learned just about everything I'd need to know about London's history and more than I ever wanted to know about the Great London Fire of 1666.

The most interesting part of this fire was the fact that like any city ablaze, the citizens were gathering whatever they could out of their homes and getting what they could on to boats on the Thames. At this time, many Londoners with a bit of cash had a small ornate piano-like instrument in their home (the name of which escapes me right now) which was rather expensive, however also rather lightweight. So of all the articles in the home that could be saved, music was one of them.

The other coolest part of the museum was the display of medieval foods that two cooks had set out. They were there to field questions and I purchased a cook book from them!

Rumshake, Park Art, and Moshi Moshi

10-18-08

Our original goal today was to get bitch'n London tattoos. By 'our' I mean about five of us from Wisconsin who all had our own original ideas for tats and intending on getting inked while we were overseas. I would love to divulge what my design was to be even though I didn't get it, however that doesn't mean I won't get it trapped into my skin sooner or later.

None of us got tattoos that day, mostly because the best places were booked for the day, but also because after short consultations with multiple artists, none of us were really pleased with their feedback. I heard from three different artists at three different shops that my design would have to be much bigger that I would like it because of the detail involved. If any tattoo artists are reading this and can set me straight please comment. While I suppose they might just have my best interests in mind, I also had a suspicion that they were all trying to make an extra £100 off me. Meredith on the other hand (remember her from the art gallery?) scheduled an appointment and will be heading back next Sunday to get the outline of Wisconsin somewhere on her body.

Our trip to the Camden tattoo parlors was no waste of time. Camden is always a fun time, whether it be shopping or just looking. Our excitement today was stopping by a place called the Diner. It's a chain and a good one at that. I had a hard milk shake, strawberry cheesecake to be exact. The perfectly blended rum was barely noticeable and slowly hit me as we chilled in the diner. Katy's fries were the icing on the cake as I dipped them in my rumtastic beverage.

Kallie and I ended up making the walk back to the Regent's park area together and stopped to see the outdoor sculpture garden of the Frieze Art fair. This huge exhibition features galleries from around the world and takes over the largest green space of Regent's for five days. In any other circumstance, I'd be upset that a large green space was being monopolized by a huge structure. However, this art fair looked as if it was definitely worth it. We didn't go into the exhibition hall, that will have to wait for tomorrow, however we did see the free sculptures.

Tin cans skull

A semi-happy fellow

After checking out the sculptures, I went back to the room and had a quick nap. It lasted 10 minutes until my buddies came in to get ready for the night ahead of us. Mike, Chad, and I headed to the O2 for the Moshi Moshi records anniversary party. Took us a little while longer to get there than we anticipated as the Jubilee line, the tube line that leads to the O2's front door, was out of commission. So we took the tube as close as we could then hopped on a bus.

The bus ended up taking longer than it should have as well since the driver took us in the opposite direction of the 02 until someone said ''excuse me, where are you taking us?''

His reply, ''opps, thought I was driving the 29 instead of the 20, shouldn't have drank so much tonight.''

Reassuring I know.

Anywho, we made it there around 11:30 and only ended up missing one of the bands we really wanted to see. The gig was from 10pm-7am. We ended up staying till about 5am listening to some incredible DJs while grooving on a dance floor that vibrated due to the giant sub woofer underneath it. 

Oh and saw some incredible bands....

Tilly and the Wall: wasn't incredibly familiar with them before tonight, but I sure am now. Their bass drum is accented by the three singers pounding their feet while they dance on amplified wooden boxes.

and HOT CHIP. I've been in love with this band for a good two years now. When I got to London I immediately looked up tickets to see these blokes and found the cheapest ticket at £100. However at this Moshi Moshi party I saw both bands and DJ's for £20....Hot Chip rocked me hard, and I loved every minute. Even when I was sandwiched amongst sweaty bodies.

Around Montreux and Vevey

9-15-2008

The usual Euro hostel continental breakfast awaited us as we rolled out of our bunk beds. Just like Salzburg, six guys to a room...how exciting.

At 9:30 a group of us took the 10 minute walk down the shoreline to the Castle Chillon.  I absolutely love when the I can climb the tower of a medieval castle and look over a relatively modern city, even though it is a bit uppity.  

We learned of a unique story of Lord Byron, a six-year-prisoner of this castle who was chained in the lower level of castle and could only entertain himself by listening to the gentle thrumming of the waves against the castle wall. Students of the 60’s came to romanticize this prisoner and glorified his name.

From the castle we journeyed onward around Montreux, seeing what was to be seen: street art, the beautiful surroundings, and of course a tribute statue to Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury.  Eventually, a smaller group of us hoped a bus to the next town over, Vevey. We were attracted to this small town because of a city-wide art exhibit called Images, a photography exhibit that placed life-size pictures all over the city.

Cody, Jenny, Shannon, and I began a mission to find a Swish chocolate shop. During our search, we stopped into a small pastry shop to sample some local flavor. I had a light pie crust of a pastry with a chocolate glaze-like frosting on top. Jenny sampled a delectable cupcake, and Cody won the prize with a tiny strawberry treat in a keesh-like crust.

We walked along the shoreline a bit in Vevey and it was here that I feel in love with swans. 

Once we had seen enough of Images, we decided a boat ride back to Montreux would be the perfect way to take in Lake Geneva. I’ll let a picture do the talking on this one.

I inhaled dinner at the hostel and then took a walk outside. At that moment, I was taken back 8 years by one simple sound, a shitty guitar player. Right next to our hostel was a row of storage garages. In one, two Swish high school students were fumbling their way through Metallica, AC/DC, and many other American favorites. Mike had already made friends with these guys. So him and I joined in on their jam. It took me back. Madris laid down a fat bass line, and I played what came to me. No technical music theory was necessary, just playing what comes. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that. No complicated thought, just music. They were the coolest guys and didn’t mind taking some time to entertain some foreigners, even when Jim sat in on the kit and broke their drum sticks. Music truly bridges boarders.

After the jams, we journeyed to what we heard was going to be a place for live jazz/salsa music, but when we walked in and heard recorded country, I turned and walked out.  Jenny, Cody, and I, determined to find live music, walked for a bit, but alas, we didn’t find any. However, the night got much more interesting once we entered the Montreux Casino. I pulled 100 Fancs out of the cash machine and hit the roulette tables. Thanks to Jenny’s beginners luck , I made 50 Francs on the night. I like Switzerland. Until Paris!

A City Called Venice

9-12-2008

We boared the bus at 8:00 this morning and left at 8:15 for the tourist conquered city of Venice. Bad morning. We arrived in Venice a hour later than we wanted due to a city official that wouldn’t give clearance to our bus driver unless we had a beautiful woman to go to the counter with him...which sadly enough is a common theme throughout our day in Venice.

Because we were late, we got a quick half hour tour with our guide and all any of us could think throughout the tour was, “it’s way too hot here,” and it truly was, somewhere near 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

After the short tour we journey to La Rialto, a popular shopping plaza. While there, my buddy Mike was walking behind me and suddenly I hear him shout ridiculous amount of Spanish at a very rapid rate.  I turn around to see him hugging a Mexican friend of his that just so happen to be in town for an architecture exhibit in which he was presenting. His name was Jorje. He came with our group to a quaint little Jazz pizzeria where according to the sign they would have live jazz.  If by live they meant recorded jazz that was live in the 1930’s, then the sign was not false advertizing. With a Fanta to wash it down, we all sampled some of the best pizza we’ve ever eaten. I had a pizza with hamon, which was the most flavorful ham I’ve ever eaten. The fat was woven in with the meat making it all the more flavorful. I could just picture a happy little piggy running around the Italian country side. Making my meal all the more delicious.

We saw what was to see all around Venice, ate some Gelato, and eventually took a gondola ride. While it was a touch pricy, €150, it was worth it to see Venice from their water streets. Our driver was great as he pointed out great things to see and was very talkative. He even went to Vegas and showed those fake gondoliers at the Venecian how it’s done for real.

A storm rolled just as we finished our ride through the narrow waterways for Venice. As the thunder rolled and lightening lit up the sky, we stopped into the many blown glass art and masquerade shops. One of my favorite glass art pieces was a full mini orchestra complete with little spectators.

Before too long, the storm let up and we took another look around the city. Jenny and I made it up to the second floor of St. Marco’s Cathedral and got a great view of the port. As we waited for our boat bus, a few of the girls bought some knock-off purses from guys on the street.

On the bus ride back, I stenciled a bomb garden scene with the group leader’s daughter Mya. I should be an art major.

Chill'n in Salzburg

9-9-2008

Today was the most relaxed day I’ve had on this tour thus far. Back home, sleeping till 9am is not sleeping-in. On a trip where I want to have every waking hour I possibly can, 9am is the new noon. Once Chad, Mike, Kris and myself grabbed a quick breakfast from the hostel kitchen Nazis before they took it all away, we gallivanted around Salzburg seeing what we could see.

We saw a panoramic painting a Salzburg by Johann Michael Sattler. The entire painting is in a little round room with 12ft high walls all around, freezing a frame in time of this great city. We checked out an art exhibit that traced the history of sin throughout western art. We bought some fresh fruit, found a stairwell that led to a courtyard overlook, and picnicked there. We stopped by a café to play rummy and have a drink. Then I did the coolest thing I’ve done in Europe to date: segwayed.

For a mere €15 I cruised up and down the Salzach River just people watching. Only, most people were watching me. Those things are suprisingly easy to get used to. 

My legs were sore afterward, but I think that’s because I was a little too tense. After a few more hours on that puppy, I would have been cruising around like Job Bluth (Arrested Development anyone?)

Later that night, we went to Hohensalzburg Fortress, the dominating castle overlooking all of Salzburg right from the center. There we saw a chamber music recital consisting of pieces by Haydn and the two Mozarts. It was truly a step back in time. Sitting, listening to two violins, a viola, a cello, and a fabulous horn soloist play in a room where people would have done the same in medieval times. Truly brilliant. While we were taking the cable car down from the castle after the concert, I chatted with the horn player and the first violinist. Both had studied at the prestigious music conservatory in Salzburg.

Following the concert, a few of us celebrated our last night in Salzburg by hitting up a few clubs: Blue Heaven (which we still think may have been a gay bar), Sega Club (where an Austrian who thought we were Mexican kept buying us shots), and eventually to a karaoke bar where the bartenders hand a micropohone over the bar and the singer sings from wherever he or she chooses. Salzburg = good time.

Ice in the Alps

9-8-08

"So Shawn, what did you do today?"

"Ohhh, nothing too exciting. Just hiked into a cave in the Alps outside of Salzburg and saw the largest ice cavern in the world. "

Typical European awesomeness.

For a tour we jumped on at the last minute, this excursion was one of the most awe inspiring sights I have ever seen in my life. From first stepping foot into Salzburg and gazing at the incredible landscape around me, I've wanted to see these

magnificent ranges around me up close and personal. I got to do that today. Not only see did I see them up close but I penetrated their exterior and hiked a kilometer into an ice cave. 

Every year when spring hits, the snow from the Alps melts into this cave. Cold winds enter into the cave and immediately freeze the layer of water seeping into the mountain to create layer upon layer of ice each year, until thousands of years worth of ice cover this mammoth cave. 

A short bus ride, a hike, a cable car ride up, and another short hike later, we were at the mouth of the cave. An extremely knowledgeable tour guide took us through the cave which gave the tour an added educational value which I always appreciate. But honestly, I was hiking into the Alps, which was enough for me. I didn't need to learn a thing and I would have been fine. But an education is always a bonus! 

Unfortunately, low light conditions led to poor pictures, but I'll post what I can as to share what I have experienced today. However, what made today (and most every day on this tour so far) great are the people I'm spending my days with. I knew one guy going into this tour, Chad, and the rest are basically complete strangers with the exception of getting to know them electronically via email. Now, I feel like I've known most of them for a lifetime. We are all in the same boat of willing to try new things, have new and exciting experiences, and go where, deep down, we may be afraid to go. But we're all doing it together, and while some may want

to go to Ice Caves, others an art gallery, and still others go on The Sound of Music Tour, at the end of the day we meet up and grab a pint together and share our days adventures. Which is exactly what we did tonight.

After a much needed nap (those caves were just overstimulating), weall headed to Shamrock, an Irish pub in Salzburg. We celebrated our day and anticipated the day ahead.

 Tomorrow sounds like it will entail a castle tour, some sinful art, and headlining the day is a symphony orchestra concert. I'm getting my sleep so tomorrow I can kick Salzburg's ass.  

Always a Way to Get Robbed

"don't make me a target" - spoon

UWSP in Thailand, Amazing Children

This is a small section of the 50 minute promotional documentary I did for UWSP's international programs on The Thailand Project. See the whole thing at youtube.com, keyword "UWSP in Thailand"

Saying Hi to Mae Sai

This past winter I spent a month in Thailand teaching art, dance, and music to the children at the Development and Education Program for Daughters and Communities (http://www.depdc.org/). The video here is simply me saying hello to the most amazing people in Thailand.