We set off on a late start (1:20pm) from town. All of us raring to go. Stopping only twice on the way, and missing the turn once, we pulled into Darien Lake at 5. We waited in line at the gates for about an hour, then going through security to another line inside the park. In this line I reunited with one of my other friends, Theresa, whom I hadn’t seen since last October. We chatted for a bit about the Camden show, Green Day and family. Then at 6:30ish we were let into the lawn. Pam and I ran to secure decent spots on the lawn, while Seanna was out buying a tour shirt. We had a very good spot, on the barricade and almost the direct center. After a few confused phone calls Seanna made it to our place and we waited a good 5 minutes for the heartbeats signaling AFI was about to take the stage. They had a great deal of energy that night, probably from riding the rollercoasters in the park earlier that day as Havok mentioned. He seemed, from far away, to be having a great deal of a better time at this show than Camden. They played wonderfully for the 35 minutes that they were on, then left, thanking the “people of the lake”. Their setlist was basically the same as Camden, only sans Missing Frame.
After their set a man came handing out pit tickets for free. Seanna begged me to take them. I reluctantly took three for Pam, Seanna and I and headed down to the pit. (If only he had come before AFI’s set I would have been so much more enthused.) After a bit of snaking through the crowd, we made it to the barricade. Both of my friends were thrilled having never seen Green Day. Before long the Drunken Bunny took the stage and the show begun. Unfortunately with Green Day, (one of the reasons I really enjoy seeing AFI live is that they do not do this) they put on the same show. A guitar was given out, toilet paper was thrown, fans excitedly took the stage, even the same words were said. Though they seemed to really enjoy the Buffalo crowd. When Seanna was done taking her pictures and Pam felt sick we left, actually around the same time as I did at the previous concert. Green Day still put on a great show, but once is enough. Setlist: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/green-day/2010/darien-lake-performing-arts-center-darien-center-ny-2bd5b83a.html
At the end; I really wish I was closer for AFI and I really want to see them live again. Green Day is good, although I wish they would not spray beer on the crowd.
“Peace out bitch”
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
AFI & Green Day Camden, NJ 8/3/10
Monday night: We picked up Pam around 9 at night. Came to my house and prepared to sleep. Unfortunately, Pam became very ill. We drove her home at 3:30, when we arrived back home I sent my dear friend Rebecca Miller a text asking her if she could take the extra ticket. She eagerly agreed. Tuesday: Leaving home at 7 am, we had a relatively quick drive down to 76. On that highway, as always with Driving into Philly, the traffic was god-awful. We arrived in the city at 12. Upon arriving (and getting a bit lost) we checked into our hotel (Courtyard Marriott) and called Jackie; another friend that was riding to Camden with us. She arrived at our hotel around 12:45. After getting a bit settled and a quick reunion hello, we again, packed into the car (with Banana Bread!) for the surprisingly quick (to me) drive to Camden. Driving up to the Susquehanna Bank Center (around 1), we got out of the car and waited by a fence outside hearing AFI’s soundcheck. After, we walked around trying to find information on how the venue would be issuing us our will-call tickets. Around 2:30 everyone started to form lines in our alphabetical groups (getting separated from Jackie by the unfortunate lack of same last name). Rebecca got there around 3. We waited eagerly at first and then desperately as the day drug on. The humidity and heat was borderline unbearable. As usual my phone basically died right before the show. Finally by 5, bouncers and security came outside to inform us on how the venue would be working. They opened the doors to us at 6. Getting our tickets and going to the line which would mark our tickets and give us pit wristbands (Entering moshing area is at your own risk!) Rebecca and I were reunited with Jackie and continued our way into the venue. We were able to get to the barricade on the right side, one person back. Green Day fans were gracious enough to let us forward, due to our height, or lack there of. AFI took the stage at about 7:15 Opening with a rousing Medicate, and proceeding the through the setlist with singles and a few other well known songs that only lasted 40 minutes at most Another treat, Davey sported one of the audience member’s pink feather boa for a time. AFI Setlist: Medicate, Girl’s Not Grey, The Leaving Song Pt. II, I Am Trying Very Hard to be Here, The Missing Frame, End Transmission, Beautiful Thieves, Dancing Through Sunday, Miss Murder, Silver and Cold, Love Like Winter After AFI finished, Rebecca left. We said goodbye to our friend quickly, so she could get out of the venue before the shoving preceded. Green Day took the stage at about 8:10, though starting with a Drinking Bunny, they put on a great show full of great songs, bringing fans onstage and explosives. Helpfully, they sprayed the audience with water to keep us from boiling in the heat. The audience on the other hand was not as great. There was a plentiful amount of fangirling and dumbasses. I myself had my hair ripped out from a great deal of crowd surfers (DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE BE A CROWD SURFING ASSHOLE, EVER!!!) I was also, rudely punched a few times (not the usual concert punching) That individuals just desserts were given in the ribs from me personally. Green Day (classic as usual) seemed to play forfuckingever. Stupidly Jackie and I did not drink enough water during the humid day and were dehydrated. We got out of the pit (around their cover song montage) to use the bathroom and drink gallons of water. We left early, with Jackie feeling quite sick and I being just plain exhausted. Green Day Setlist: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/green-day/2010/susquehanna-bank-center-camden-nj-3d5bd2b.html All in all I was happy to see AFI, even if their setlist wasn’t outstanding they, as always, were. I never again want to be in the pit for Green Day, even though they put on a great show, I cannot express how awful the pit really was. I am excited for Thursday and am glad that I am in the lawn, though, being in the pit for AFI would be nice I am sure the show will be great and hopefully fun for all.
Mountain Hike 2010
Monday: Woke and loaded everything into the car. The group was quite odd. Myself, my mother (…), her 50 year old friend, her other friend with her husband and 20 year old daughter, their 71 year old friend and a priest (…….)The actual “road trip” part of the journey is often my favorite. I greatly enjoy just listening to full albums, one after the other, on my iPod. We arrived at the ADK campground on Heart Lake around 2:30 and set up camp. We made dinner (Soy dogs! And then the father and I had one of the many arguments of vegetarianism.) After we settled 6 of us decided to hike Mt. Jo and assembled our hiking packs. I love hiking this mountain, it is short but challenging. Regardless of the instructions that are yearly stapled into my mind of how to tie Hiking Boots, I, yet again, did so incorrectly; which then lead to blisters. Oddly enough there is a good deal of cell service on top of the mountain (there is not any in the park) so I called my dad to tell him where we were. After about an hour on the summit we decended off of the mountain. We took the long trail back because it is less rigourous of a decent, though the first of the other group’s mistakes occured here; they took a wrong trail and after falling into a few muddy patches (IT’S A QUAGMIRE) they decided to listen to me and turn back onto the marked trail. During this part of the hike I could feel my flesh on my heels tearing off. When we returned, tired from our hike we all climbed into bed.
Tuesday: Everyone except for myself woke early (7?) to have mass (….) I slept. I got out of the tent after they finished their…. worship. We all had a quick breakfast together before the hiking day commenced. I made the exectutive decision to not climb Algonquin Peak due to the condition of my blisters. My mom, classic to her copying me, stayed behind as well. The others left at 8 to start their hike, we stayed at the site until around 9:30, then left deciding to hike through to Marcy Dam. Though the hike both mine and my mother’s blisters were irritated. She wrapped her’s wrong which created more friction. Not believing me, we called my dad again (again, amazing cell service timing). He confirmed that my way of medical care was correct. We immediately re-wrapped our heels and continued on the way to the Dam. Upon arriving there we hiked in to the interior outpost to see the cabin, ate some trail mix and took a few pictures of the Dam scenery. We recieved a text from one of our fellow travelers, telling us they were going to hike up Iroquois Peak as well. After we decided to discard our boots and walk the truck trail in our flip-flops. We returned back at the camp, completing our 7 mile hike near 1:30. It was then my naptime. Waking around 3 we went to the lake to kayak, which was not satisfying, as the lake is tiny. I stayed down by the beach for awhile. Some strange lady started to talk to me about her husbands head wound, because she heard my mom and I talking and found that I was a lifeguard and trained in first aid. I went back to the site around 4 to find that the rest of the group was not back yet. After 2 hours of reading they still were not. My mom started to freak and went to tell the people at the Loj that she had friends who were missing. The woman there decided that it was too early to call the DEC and to wait another few hours. By 7 mom had freaked out even more and was driving around the site and close locations for cell service and trying to spot them. At 9 we went to the Loj again informing the woman our group was still missing. She thought this strange; we informed her that we were going to call some people who may know better what to make of the situation. We drove 15 miles out of the campgound to obtain the best cell sevice that was not ontop of a mountain. We called my dad again*, he said that truthfully they should not be back right now. The hike they took was long and difficult especially with older and inexperienced people. Informing him that it was dark and they had no flashlights and little food or water he told us to call Phil Johnstone (a dear friend of ours and the previous Head Ranger and Manager of that area). Phil gave us the number for dispach and said we should call right away. My mother being herself, waited 10 minutes and then called. It seems that someone had called already and a ranger had been sent out. About an hour later they arrived back at the campsite frightened and crying.
Wednesday: We went to breakfast in the morning, it was awful. Throughout the day all that the others talked about were the events of the night before. They wanted to relax all day. However, we did go down to the lake to swim a bit, but not for very long; it started to rain. When we came back to the site we helped set up tarps over the picnic table and some surrounding area so it would be dry. It poured all night long. Alllll night long.
Thursday: We woke up in the morning to a very damp campsite and preceded to pack up. All of the tents were horribly damp, it was awful. When we were all packed we loaded in seperate cars and drove home.
After this trip I have come to the realization that I DO NOT like camping with ineperienced campers. Also, follow the rules of hiking.
*The reason for calling my dad so often is that he had previously been the ranger for the Interior Outpost at Marcy Dam.
Tuesday: Everyone except for myself woke early (7?) to have mass (….) I slept. I got out of the tent after they finished their…. worship. We all had a quick breakfast together before the hiking day commenced. I made the exectutive decision to not climb Algonquin Peak due to the condition of my blisters. My mom, classic to her copying me, stayed behind as well. The others left at 8 to start their hike, we stayed at the site until around 9:30, then left deciding to hike through to Marcy Dam. Though the hike both mine and my mother’s blisters were irritated. She wrapped her’s wrong which created more friction. Not believing me, we called my dad again (again, amazing cell service timing). He confirmed that my way of medical care was correct. We immediately re-wrapped our heels and continued on the way to the Dam. Upon arriving there we hiked in to the interior outpost to see the cabin, ate some trail mix and took a few pictures of the Dam scenery. We recieved a text from one of our fellow travelers, telling us they were going to hike up Iroquois Peak as well. After we decided to discard our boots and walk the truck trail in our flip-flops. We returned back at the camp, completing our 7 mile hike near 1:30. It was then my naptime. Waking around 3 we went to the lake to kayak, which was not satisfying, as the lake is tiny. I stayed down by the beach for awhile. Some strange lady started to talk to me about her husbands head wound, because she heard my mom and I talking and found that I was a lifeguard and trained in first aid. I went back to the site around 4 to find that the rest of the group was not back yet. After 2 hours of reading they still were not. My mom started to freak and went to tell the people at the Loj that she had friends who were missing. The woman there decided that it was too early to call the DEC and to wait another few hours. By 7 mom had freaked out even more and was driving around the site and close locations for cell service and trying to spot them. At 9 we went to the Loj again informing the woman our group was still missing. She thought this strange; we informed her that we were going to call some people who may know better what to make of the situation. We drove 15 miles out of the campgound to obtain the best cell sevice that was not ontop of a mountain. We called my dad again*, he said that truthfully they should not be back right now. The hike they took was long and difficult especially with older and inexperienced people. Informing him that it was dark and they had no flashlights and little food or water he told us to call Phil Johnstone (a dear friend of ours and the previous Head Ranger and Manager of that area). Phil gave us the number for dispach and said we should call right away. My mother being herself, waited 10 minutes and then called. It seems that someone had called already and a ranger had been sent out. About an hour later they arrived back at the campsite frightened and crying.
Wednesday: We went to breakfast in the morning, it was awful. Throughout the day all that the others talked about were the events of the night before. They wanted to relax all day. However, we did go down to the lake to swim a bit, but not for very long; it started to rain. When we came back to the site we helped set up tarps over the picnic table and some surrounding area so it would be dry. It poured all night long. Alllll night long.
Thursday: We woke up in the morning to a very damp campsite and preceded to pack up. All of the tents were horribly damp, it was awful. When we were all packed we loaded in seperate cars and drove home.
After this trip I have come to the realization that I DO NOT like camping with ineperienced campers. Also, follow the rules of hiking.
*The reason for calling my dad so often is that he had previously been the ranger for the Interior Outpost at Marcy Dam.
Hiking
“Hi Bear,
Here are a few pointers on Safe hiking in the mountains. When you are hiking mountains that are large, and at a distance away there is much greater chance of things going wrong. (twisted ankle, missed a trail marker, blisters, shit attack, etc) so you have to be prepared. This means in gear you carry, and more importantly using your head. Keep in mind almost no one follows these rules.. But the ones that get in trouble wish they had.
A) Things you should carry in your pack with you. (The Ten Essentials)
1) Map and Compass (of the area you are hiking)
2) Knife (your Swiss army knife)
3) Water bottle (filled)
4) Rain Jacket
5) Wool shirt or Fleece jacket
6) Extra food (trail mix is good)
7) Flash light (with extra batteries)
8) Sun Screen and Sun Glasses
9) Matches / fire starter
10) First Aid Kit (with second skin)
B) Rules for safe Hiking
1) When planning a hike err on the less ambitious side. It’s better to do a hike that the whole group can do rather than only the most fit can.
2) Hike as a group. You should travel only as fast as the slowest group member.
The two most problematic hikers in the group are the fastest member and the Slowest, because they are the two most often out of contact with the rest of the people. If you hike at the slowest members rate this won’t happen.
3) Sign it at all register booths.
4) Have a planned turn around time and stick to it.
5) Where good solid foot wear. On long hikes your feet get tired. Not only must you think about the trip up the mountain but the trial back down.. Most hikers get injured on the way down because they are tired. The best foot wear is a good hiking boot with a heel.. This gives support and keeps your foot from slipping when going downhill. If you wear lighter foot wear like sneakers, they should be ones with good cushioning under foot, as your feet will take a pounding holding your weight back against gravity going down the mountain.
6) Keep hydrated, (drink even when you’re not thirsty)
7) Stay as a group.. (I put this in again because it is important)
8) The mountain will always be there (except for Mt St. Helens) - if the weather turns bad, it gets too late, or you’re just too tired turn around. It is foolish to push yourself into harms way just to get to the top of a big rock.
9) Never leave the group and head off alone. The safe number to travel with is 3.
Hiking in the ADK is really fun and safe. You just need to use your head…” — My father sent me this email; he is concerned that I will be hiking with people that… aren’t so wise, to say the least. One of the things he speaks very intelligently about is camping/hiking/related.
Here are a few pointers on Safe hiking in the mountains. When you are hiking mountains that are large, and at a distance away there is much greater chance of things going wrong. (twisted ankle, missed a trail marker, blisters, shit attack, etc) so you have to be prepared. This means in gear you carry, and more importantly using your head. Keep in mind almost no one follows these rules.. But the ones that get in trouble wish they had.
A) Things you should carry in your pack with you. (The Ten Essentials)
1) Map and Compass (of the area you are hiking)
2) Knife (your Swiss army knife)
3) Water bottle (filled)
4) Rain Jacket
5) Wool shirt or Fleece jacket
6) Extra food (trail mix is good)
7) Flash light (with extra batteries)
8) Sun Screen and Sun Glasses
9) Matches / fire starter
10) First Aid Kit (with second skin)
B) Rules for safe Hiking
1) When planning a hike err on the less ambitious side. It’s better to do a hike that the whole group can do rather than only the most fit can.
2) Hike as a group. You should travel only as fast as the slowest group member.
The two most problematic hikers in the group are the fastest member and the Slowest, because they are the two most often out of contact with the rest of the people. If you hike at the slowest members rate this won’t happen.
3) Sign it at all register booths.
4) Have a planned turn around time and stick to it.
5) Where good solid foot wear. On long hikes your feet get tired. Not only must you think about the trip up the mountain but the trial back down.. Most hikers get injured on the way down because they are tired. The best foot wear is a good hiking boot with a heel.. This gives support and keeps your foot from slipping when going downhill. If you wear lighter foot wear like sneakers, they should be ones with good cushioning under foot, as your feet will take a pounding holding your weight back against gravity going down the mountain.
6) Keep hydrated, (drink even when you’re not thirsty)
7) Stay as a group.. (I put this in again because it is important)
8) The mountain will always be there (except for Mt St. Helens) - if the weather turns bad, it gets too late, or you’re just too tired turn around. It is foolish to push yourself into harms way just to get to the top of a big rock.
9) Never leave the group and head off alone. The safe number to travel with is 3.
Hiking in the ADK is really fun and safe. You just need to use your head…” — My father sent me this email; he is concerned that I will be hiking with people that… aren’t so wise, to say the least. One of the things he speaks very intelligently about is camping/hiking/related.
The State of Maine (July 11-16 2010)
Sunday:Departed at 1ish and drove the 7 hours to the state, playing some grand roadtrippin’ tunes and stopping at various places to use the facilities. When we arrived we were greeted by my step-mom (Pam’s grandma) and the wonderful yellow lab Ruthie. We entered to find mini pizza and consumed that glory. Then my step-mom gave us a tour of the house. Attempted and failed at using the Nordic Track ski machine. I also found that I did not have a toothbrush, which made me angry, while Pam laughed as I reminded her to bring one (she usually forgets) and forgot my own. Exhausted, we retired to my dad’s bow room-convertedintobedroom via air mattress, unpacked a bit, plugged in my iPod to the iHome and fell asleep.
Monday:Woke around 9 and made cinnamon toast. Made ourselves ready for the day. Saw that we had the house to ourselves as the parents were at work. We were on the computer for awhile and then decided to go for a walk. During this walk we discovered that the house had a graveyard on either side, which in turn frightened us as we literally stumbled directly into it. After that disturbance in the otherwise peaceful walk, we turned into the woods, leading us to meet 2 doe deer and a snake, cross a river, train tracks, creepy car dumping station and rusted pipelines. We arrived back at home and changed our clothes. Then made salads for lunch. Later in the evening we received a call from my dad saying that one of his work friends would be kind enough to take us to dinner and on his lobster boat. They came to pick us up and we departed for the sea. When we arrived Jeff (dad’s friend) had to bring in the large boat to another dock, being that he forgot the tide was out. We boarded onto the boat and took off. Halfway through our journey we saw seals (OHMIGAWD) sunning themselves on rocks. We went at some touristy beach house for dinner. I had salad. We then went back to the dock and boarded the lobster boat. Setting out to unload Jeff’s lobster traps in the “river area”. Luckily all of the lobsters were to small for them to sickly devour, so Pam and I had a grand time letting each one go, annnddd I was able to see a baby eel. He was cute.
Tuesday:Woke around 10:00 and made breakfast. Cereal is good. By the time we were ready it was time for the parents to come home for lunch, which Pam and I did not eat because we were still full from breakfast. When my dad was ready to leave to go back to work he dropped Pam and I off in downtown Freeport so we could hit the outlet stores. SMACK. We stopped in a bookstore first and I immediately noticed the presence of Ugly Dolls (!!!) After a half hour of us looking around and reading through some interesting books we unanimously decided we would like to spare some money and not blow all of it on reading material and adorable little toys. This decision was also made in the British Store after swooning over awesome teapots, tea sets and myself flipping over the large tea and coffee selections. Post going into those two stores, our dollars barely escaping, we went around noticing that most of the clothing stores were geared towards tourists and older folks. We made an abrupt turn to Starbucks, where everyone is truly happy. Also: in Maine all of the drivers actually stop at the crosswalks. A luxury we do not have in New York. After the lack of purchases Pam drug me into Abercrombie & Fitch (blech) where I decided it is a requirement to be an ass in order to get hired there. After leaving that fiasco, we went down a small side street to find Pac-Sun and various purse shops. I bought a black dress and skirt at Pac-Sun and we browsed at the purses and various bags, all were much too expensive to actually purchase. We took another side street to find The Body Shop, which had various vegan items and tattoo/piercing moisturizers, lotions, etc. (I was happy). We also found a small jewelry store where Pam bought herself a pretty glittery guitar necklace. Then, at a loss of what else to do, we went back to Starbucks. They gave us a discount for coming in twice. Awesome. We then called my dad to ask him to pick us up and waited in the L.L.Bean store. This place has a pond and a fish tank inside of it. This fish tank is extra awesome because it has a bubble-type contraption which you are able to stick your head into and simulate being in the tank. My dad crept up behind me and frightened me, which let us know he was there to pick us up. We went to the office part of L.L.Bean where he and my step-mom work. We met the friendly workers there and were put to work ourselves after a time. Just before we left the store we were able to see products that will be coming out next summer and fall. Some cool stuff I tell you. After dinner we drove to Brunswick (?) to an ice cream place called Cote’s. Dad and I were not satisfied, he ordered the wrong item and my sorbet was too icy. Ehh.
Wednesday:Woke near 10 again and got ourselves ready. Around noon we decided to explore the older graveyard on the right side of the house. Most of these headstones dated pre-1864. Very, very interesting. Pam and I did play various tricks at scaring one another throughout the exploration, she succeeded more than I did. After about 45 minutes we went back indoors to play with Ruthie and go on the computer a bit. At 4 my dad and step-mom came home from work and we loaded up in the jeep for the 2 hour drive to Boston to see The Dead Weather. We arrived near 6:35 and climbed out. Much to our horror the people in front of us were in the process of having a doobie, disgusting humans. Close to 7:15 we were let into the House of Blues. We were able to get about 6 yards from the stage on the right side. There we were also surrounded by rude, disgusting human beings. We also came to the realization of how tiny and short we actually are, being surrounded by so many tall people. Harlem (special guests) came out and played a short set. Unfortunately we were still not having a great time due to the fact we both had to pee horribly. We decided to make a dash for the restrooms. When we left one of the horrid people behind me said the snide comment “see I told you” as we left. She was lucky I had to pee so bad. We came back from the bathroom and slunk back to the stage on the other side, putting us about 3 yards from the stage. Unfortunately, we were behind two really tall boys and next to us was another man who started to smoke pot. When The Dead Weather took the stage they were immediately amazing. As an added bonus the pothead and his girlfriend were busted and taken outside of the show. In the middle of the show the two tall dudes let us in front of them, so we were even closer to the stage. It was fabulous. Pictures from the show: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54793&id=1625176515&l=f7e11dd3db After, I picked up a tour poster and Pam bought a t-shirt. We met the parents outside and headed to the parking garage to find, typical to my dad’s and my own luck, that some form of acid had dissolved the primer on the hood of his jeep. We left, pissed and made for a foggy drive home. Note: it is uncomfortable to sleep in the back of a new jeep.
Thursday:Tired, we woke at 10, ate, got dressed and then went back to bed. We got up officially around 1, but were too lazy to do anything eventful and ended up being bored. Boredom of Pam and I together creates much hooplah. When the adults came home we all decided to go to Portland for dinner. We drove there and it took us a good half hour to find a parking space. We went to Flatbread for, obviously, flat bread pizza. There was a half hour wait, so we ordered drinks and took them out onto the pier. There we watched various boats and water taxis come into port. We were called into our table and given menus. I saw that they had a vegan pizza on the menu with mushrooms and olives and my mind was immediately made up. Throughout dinner and various Spongebob references, everyone decided that it was indeed the best out of the pizzas ordered. We had our pizzas wrapped up, made quick bathroom stop and went to walk around Portland. My step-mom wanted to walk out onto a pier, and again with the bad luck, she decided to go down the sketchiest one. Making jokes about the high level of sketchiness my dad made a joke about Jack the Ripper. Just as he did a man ran out from one of the alleyways, scaring the shit out of me. Then we laughed. After the pier became to smelly for us we continued down the main drag. I spotted a tea shop and started to jump up and down, though we didn’t go in. We came to Warf street and walked down it. This was very interesting. There were outdoor restaurants and a band playing a heavy rock-jazz behind a gate. There were also discos upstairs in the buildings that had lights streaming out of the windows coloring the cobblestone streets. Very,very awesome. We came to the car and all of us realized simultaneously that we had forgotten our leftover pizza at the restaurant which was now closed. Unhappy and without pizza, we drove back to Freeport.
Friday: We woke and finished packing things to leave. Departed around 12 and actually got on the road around 1 after a quick stop at L.L.Bean and Starbucks. We drove straight and stopped in Lee for food. Originally we were going to eat at aFrench Restaurant, however there was a lack in vegetarian choices and the food was quite pricey. We left and took a dive in class by going to Friendly’s. We arrived back in New York at 8ish.
Monday:Woke around 9 and made cinnamon toast. Made ourselves ready for the day. Saw that we had the house to ourselves as the parents were at work. We were on the computer for awhile and then decided to go for a walk. During this walk we discovered that the house had a graveyard on either side, which in turn frightened us as we literally stumbled directly into it. After that disturbance in the otherwise peaceful walk, we turned into the woods, leading us to meet 2 doe deer and a snake, cross a river, train tracks, creepy car dumping station and rusted pipelines. We arrived back at home and changed our clothes. Then made salads for lunch. Later in the evening we received a call from my dad saying that one of his work friends would be kind enough to take us to dinner and on his lobster boat. They came to pick us up and we departed for the sea. When we arrived Jeff (dad’s friend) had to bring in the large boat to another dock, being that he forgot the tide was out. We boarded onto the boat and took off. Halfway through our journey we saw seals (OHMIGAWD) sunning themselves on rocks. We went at some touristy beach house for dinner. I had salad. We then went back to the dock and boarded the lobster boat. Setting out to unload Jeff’s lobster traps in the “river area”. Luckily all of the lobsters were to small for them to sickly devour, so Pam and I had a grand time letting each one go, annnddd I was able to see a baby eel. He was cute.
Tuesday:Woke around 10:00 and made breakfast. Cereal is good. By the time we were ready it was time for the parents to come home for lunch, which Pam and I did not eat because we were still full from breakfast. When my dad was ready to leave to go back to work he dropped Pam and I off in downtown Freeport so we could hit the outlet stores. SMACK. We stopped in a bookstore first and I immediately noticed the presence of Ugly Dolls (!!!) After a half hour of us looking around and reading through some interesting books we unanimously decided we would like to spare some money and not blow all of it on reading material and adorable little toys. This decision was also made in the British Store after swooning over awesome teapots, tea sets and myself flipping over the large tea and coffee selections. Post going into those two stores, our dollars barely escaping, we went around noticing that most of the clothing stores were geared towards tourists and older folks. We made an abrupt turn to Starbucks, where everyone is truly happy. Also: in Maine all of the drivers actually stop at the crosswalks. A luxury we do not have in New York. After the lack of purchases Pam drug me into Abercrombie & Fitch (blech) where I decided it is a requirement to be an ass in order to get hired there. After leaving that fiasco, we went down a small side street to find Pac-Sun and various purse shops. I bought a black dress and skirt at Pac-Sun and we browsed at the purses and various bags, all were much too expensive to actually purchase. We took another side street to find The Body Shop, which had various vegan items and tattoo/piercing moisturizers, lotions, etc. (I was happy). We also found a small jewelry store where Pam bought herself a pretty glittery guitar necklace. Then, at a loss of what else to do, we went back to Starbucks. They gave us a discount for coming in twice. Awesome. We then called my dad to ask him to pick us up and waited in the L.L.Bean store. This place has a pond and a fish tank inside of it. This fish tank is extra awesome because it has a bubble-type contraption which you are able to stick your head into and simulate being in the tank. My dad crept up behind me and frightened me, which let us know he was there to pick us up. We went to the office part of L.L.Bean where he and my step-mom work. We met the friendly workers there and were put to work ourselves after a time. Just before we left the store we were able to see products that will be coming out next summer and fall. Some cool stuff I tell you. After dinner we drove to Brunswick (?) to an ice cream place called Cote’s. Dad and I were not satisfied, he ordered the wrong item and my sorbet was too icy. Ehh.
Wednesday:Woke near 10 again and got ourselves ready. Around noon we decided to explore the older graveyard on the right side of the house. Most of these headstones dated pre-1864. Very, very interesting. Pam and I did play various tricks at scaring one another throughout the exploration, she succeeded more than I did. After about 45 minutes we went back indoors to play with Ruthie and go on the computer a bit. At 4 my dad and step-mom came home from work and we loaded up in the jeep for the 2 hour drive to Boston to see The Dead Weather. We arrived near 6:35 and climbed out. Much to our horror the people in front of us were in the process of having a doobie, disgusting humans. Close to 7:15 we were let into the House of Blues. We were able to get about 6 yards from the stage on the right side. There we were also surrounded by rude, disgusting human beings. We also came to the realization of how tiny and short we actually are, being surrounded by so many tall people. Harlem (special guests) came out and played a short set. Unfortunately we were still not having a great time due to the fact we both had to pee horribly. We decided to make a dash for the restrooms. When we left one of the horrid people behind me said the snide comment “see I told you” as we left. She was lucky I had to pee so bad. We came back from the bathroom and slunk back to the stage on the other side, putting us about 3 yards from the stage. Unfortunately, we were behind two really tall boys and next to us was another man who started to smoke pot. When The Dead Weather took the stage they were immediately amazing. As an added bonus the pothead and his girlfriend were busted and taken outside of the show. In the middle of the show the two tall dudes let us in front of them, so we were even closer to the stage. It was fabulous. Pictures from the show: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54793&id=1625176515&l=f7e11dd3db After, I picked up a tour poster and Pam bought a t-shirt. We met the parents outside and headed to the parking garage to find, typical to my dad’s and my own luck, that some form of acid had dissolved the primer on the hood of his jeep. We left, pissed and made for a foggy drive home. Note: it is uncomfortable to sleep in the back of a new jeep.
Thursday:Tired, we woke at 10, ate, got dressed and then went back to bed. We got up officially around 1, but were too lazy to do anything eventful and ended up being bored. Boredom of Pam and I together creates much hooplah. When the adults came home we all decided to go to Portland for dinner. We drove there and it took us a good half hour to find a parking space. We went to Flatbread for, obviously, flat bread pizza. There was a half hour wait, so we ordered drinks and took them out onto the pier. There we watched various boats and water taxis come into port. We were called into our table and given menus. I saw that they had a vegan pizza on the menu with mushrooms and olives and my mind was immediately made up. Throughout dinner and various Spongebob references, everyone decided that it was indeed the best out of the pizzas ordered. We had our pizzas wrapped up, made quick bathroom stop and went to walk around Portland. My step-mom wanted to walk out onto a pier, and again with the bad luck, she decided to go down the sketchiest one. Making jokes about the high level of sketchiness my dad made a joke about Jack the Ripper. Just as he did a man ran out from one of the alleyways, scaring the shit out of me. Then we laughed. After the pier became to smelly for us we continued down the main drag. I spotted a tea shop and started to jump up and down, though we didn’t go in. We came to Warf street and walked down it. This was very interesting. There were outdoor restaurants and a band playing a heavy rock-jazz behind a gate. There were also discos upstairs in the buildings that had lights streaming out of the windows coloring the cobblestone streets. Very,very awesome. We came to the car and all of us realized simultaneously that we had forgotten our leftover pizza at the restaurant which was now closed. Unhappy and without pizza, we drove back to Freeport.
Friday: We woke and finished packing things to leave. Departed around 12 and actually got on the road around 1 after a quick stop at L.L.Bean and Starbucks. We drove straight and stopped in Lee for food. Originally we were going to eat at aFrench Restaurant, however there was a lack in vegetarian choices and the food was quite pricey. We left and took a dive in class by going to Friendly’s. We arrived back in New York at 8ish.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Would You Like To Know If You Have Been Altered?
Genetically modified foods are a science project over taking our nation. But what are they? They are fruits and vegetables that have been altered in science labs to carry desired traits. These traits include the size of the plant to pesticide tolerance to a greater nutrition value. However, the ethics of genetic modification in our foods has been a heated global issue since the early 90’s.
The knowledge of genetically modified foods has been a large concept in many countries. In Europe and Japan it is illegal to have foods that are modified go unlabeled. In 2008 there was genetically modified rice found in Europe that had been shipped from China. In April of that year a mandatory certification of all food products containing Chinese rice to be tested for the experimental GM variety called Bt63 was issued (Krista Mahr-Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1714218,00.html)
In the U.S. this is not against the law. Crops that are in large demand, such as soybeans, potatoes and corn are greatly tested on. There has been so much genetic testing done in the U.S. most of the population has been putting the foods in their bodies for years. A company known as Kellogg’s have been using genetically modified grains since 1999.
The lack of labeling in the U.S. brings up the question of government censorship. Most of us like to know what we are eating and the affect it has on our health. Is the government intentionally censoring genetically modified foods so they can continue the tests? Or is the concern not really as important as many think?
Some companies (Silk for example) have started labeling their products packaging as “Non-GMO”. Their customers typically have a greater knowledge and concern for what they are consuming. Organically speaking, products that have been genetically altered cannot be considered organic. Many of the organic farmers test the food that they feed their animals for non-GMO certification.
Another concern of genetically modified foods and their lack of labeling is the act of the alteration itself. The plants can be altered with the genes of other plants that possess the desired traits, but they can also be used with proteins, such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) genes, which are lethal to insect larvae. Soybeans that were found to be genetically modified contained animal genes. This occurrence can effect vegetarianism and veganism. Clearly foods that contain animal genetics cannot be considered vegetarian, yet alone vegan.
Of course there are some significant pros to genetic modification. Most of the plants that are altered have a resistance to disease and pesticides. Many of these plants also show a greater nutrition value, which is said to help in countries that have a small amount of crops and nutrition in general.
The result of genetically modified foods is said to help third world countries in their lack of food and nutrition. It is also said to help with the state of nutrition in the U.S., but as Bill Lambrecht says in his book Dinner at the New Gene Café will we in fact need to destroy more land to make space for growing crops that are genetically modified?
The testing on the plants has been linked to some environmental hazards. In 1999 the public became concerned with genetic testing when scientists tested pollen from modified corn. The pollen lead to the result of the death of butterfly’s larvae.
There has not been any evidence of harmful or positive affects of the genetically modified foods on humans. This may be because there has not been enough research done on the genetic modification itself. Or it may be because people have been consuming the products for so long they have built up immunities to the foods themselves.
The necessity of genetic modification has not been determined to be unimportant or a normal progression of scientific development. China’s development of GMO food leads to concerns of the production of altered food to have the potential of getting out of control. (http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1860289_1859808_1859810,00.html).
Hopefully with the precautions other countries and some brands are taking against genetically modified foods will lead to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take the same precautions in labeling their food, while scientists continue to test the health risks of the altered foods and so the public can determine if they want to put such things in their bodies and help decide if this is the direction the world’s governments will take in future of food production.
The knowledge of genetically modified foods has been a large concept in many countries. In Europe and Japan it is illegal to have foods that are modified go unlabeled. In 2008 there was genetically modified rice found in Europe that had been shipped from China. In April of that year a mandatory certification of all food products containing Chinese rice to be tested for the experimental GM variety called Bt63 was issued (Krista Mahr-Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1714218,00.html)
In the U.S. this is not against the law. Crops that are in large demand, such as soybeans, potatoes and corn are greatly tested on. There has been so much genetic testing done in the U.S. most of the population has been putting the foods in their bodies for years. A company known as Kellogg’s have been using genetically modified grains since 1999.
The lack of labeling in the U.S. brings up the question of government censorship. Most of us like to know what we are eating and the affect it has on our health. Is the government intentionally censoring genetically modified foods so they can continue the tests? Or is the concern not really as important as many think?
Some companies (Silk for example) have started labeling their products packaging as “Non-GMO”. Their customers typically have a greater knowledge and concern for what they are consuming. Organically speaking, products that have been genetically altered cannot be considered organic. Many of the organic farmers test the food that they feed their animals for non-GMO certification.
Another concern of genetically modified foods and their lack of labeling is the act of the alteration itself. The plants can be altered with the genes of other plants that possess the desired traits, but they can also be used with proteins, such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) genes, which are lethal to insect larvae. Soybeans that were found to be genetically modified contained animal genes. This occurrence can effect vegetarianism and veganism. Clearly foods that contain animal genetics cannot be considered vegetarian, yet alone vegan.
Of course there are some significant pros to genetic modification. Most of the plants that are altered have a resistance to disease and pesticides. Many of these plants also show a greater nutrition value, which is said to help in countries that have a small amount of crops and nutrition in general.
The result of genetically modified foods is said to help third world countries in their lack of food and nutrition. It is also said to help with the state of nutrition in the U.S., but as Bill Lambrecht says in his book Dinner at the New Gene Café will we in fact need to destroy more land to make space for growing crops that are genetically modified?
The testing on the plants has been linked to some environmental hazards. In 1999 the public became concerned with genetic testing when scientists tested pollen from modified corn. The pollen lead to the result of the death of butterfly’s larvae.
There has not been any evidence of harmful or positive affects of the genetically modified foods on humans. This may be because there has not been enough research done on the genetic modification itself. Or it may be because people have been consuming the products for so long they have built up immunities to the foods themselves.
The necessity of genetic modification has not been determined to be unimportant or a normal progression of scientific development. China’s development of GMO food leads to concerns of the production of altered food to have the potential of getting out of control. (http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1860289_1859808_1859810,00.html).
Hopefully with the precautions other countries and some brands are taking against genetically modified foods will lead to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take the same precautions in labeling their food, while scientists continue to test the health risks of the altered foods and so the public can determine if they want to put such things in their bodies and help decide if this is the direction the world’s governments will take in future of food production.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Can you bear all that guilt?
I wrote this essay a few weeks ago, and I forgot about you, blogger.
-This was and essay explaining one of the many feelings that the book "The Kite Runner" is based upon.
When someone engages in an act of crime they rarely think about that they are doing while they are in that state of mind. Afterwards, when they are alone they think about what they have done and usually feel the emotion of “guilt”. They feel responsible, and sometimes regret, for what they have previously done, whether it is real or imagined. In the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, guilt is a major theme throughout the story.
Amir, the narrator of The Kite Runner feels guilt almost for the whole duration of the book. He feels that he is responsible for his friend Hassan’s hardships that happened while they knew each other. In a way Amir is guilty, he did not always treat Hassan as a friend, sometimes picking on him because he did not have the knowledge that Amir did. The thing that Amir seems to show the most guilt for is that he did not stand up for, and help Hassan when he needed it most. The lack of things that he did for Hassan haunted Amir. Soon that was all he could think of whenever he saw Hassan. It destroyed their friendship. Almost all of his social and emotional relationships were tainted with this burden that Amir had felt since he was a child.
One character in the book, Assef, was a horrid individual. In the emotional use of the word, Assef did not feel guilt. However, by the definition of “guilt” (dictionary.com) “the fact or state of committing an offense, crime or moral wrong-doing” Assef was indeed guilty. This character has engaged in disgusting acts that hurt the people around him, such as murder and rape. From what we can tell in the story Assef does not feel any moral guilt. I think that the author used Assef to show the ways that “guilt” makes people act, whether it is moral or physical.
Baba, who is Amir’s father, had a major part of the “guilt theme” that is embedded in this book. Baba hid an important fact from his son Amir and Hassan because he was “ashamed of himself”. This was a tie between Amir and Baba because the guilt that they both carried affected them all throughout their lives. Amir says in one of the last chapters of the book that “Baba and I were more alike than I had ever known”. Baba did not know of Amir’s guilt while he was alive, Amir also did not know of Baba’s guilt. This kept a barrier between the father and son. Although, I believe Baba had the greater guilt because he had full knowledge of what he was doing. Amir did not.
In a way the burden of guilt that all of the people in this story have made them the strong or weak characters that make the book what it is. In some cases the guilt leads to redemption, in others the guilt leads to their demise. This book has many other strong themes of redemption, betrayal, loss and forgiveness. However, these themes would not be present if not for the stream of guilt
-This was and essay explaining one of the many feelings that the book "The Kite Runner" is based upon.
When someone engages in an act of crime they rarely think about that they are doing while they are in that state of mind. Afterwards, when they are alone they think about what they have done and usually feel the emotion of “guilt”. They feel responsible, and sometimes regret, for what they have previously done, whether it is real or imagined. In the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, guilt is a major theme throughout the story.
Amir, the narrator of The Kite Runner feels guilt almost for the whole duration of the book. He feels that he is responsible for his friend Hassan’s hardships that happened while they knew each other. In a way Amir is guilty, he did not always treat Hassan as a friend, sometimes picking on him because he did not have the knowledge that Amir did. The thing that Amir seems to show the most guilt for is that he did not stand up for, and help Hassan when he needed it most. The lack of things that he did for Hassan haunted Amir. Soon that was all he could think of whenever he saw Hassan. It destroyed their friendship. Almost all of his social and emotional relationships were tainted with this burden that Amir had felt since he was a child.
One character in the book, Assef, was a horrid individual. In the emotional use of the word, Assef did not feel guilt. However, by the definition of “guilt” (dictionary.com) “the fact or state of committing an offense, crime or moral wrong-doing” Assef was indeed guilty. This character has engaged in disgusting acts that hurt the people around him, such as murder and rape. From what we can tell in the story Assef does not feel any moral guilt. I think that the author used Assef to show the ways that “guilt” makes people act, whether it is moral or physical.
Baba, who is Amir’s father, had a major part of the “guilt theme” that is embedded in this book. Baba hid an important fact from his son Amir and Hassan because he was “ashamed of himself”. This was a tie between Amir and Baba because the guilt that they both carried affected them all throughout their lives. Amir says in one of the last chapters of the book that “Baba and I were more alike than I had ever known”. Baba did not know of Amir’s guilt while he was alive, Amir also did not know of Baba’s guilt. This kept a barrier between the father and son. Although, I believe Baba had the greater guilt because he had full knowledge of what he was doing. Amir did not.
In a way the burden of guilt that all of the people in this story have made them the strong or weak characters that make the book what it is. In some cases the guilt leads to redemption, in others the guilt leads to their demise. This book has many other strong themes of redemption, betrayal, loss and forgiveness. However, these themes would not be present if not for the stream of guilt
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