Happy Holidays!

Greetings everyone. I am writing this from high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I am currently enjoying some much needed R&R while hitting the slopes and reading by the fire. (sidenote, it is currently 14 degrees so the fire is a MUST!)

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season and a healthy New Year! I hope you take the time to reflect on the blessings you've received through this past year and focus on your goals for 2010.

2009 was a busy year. I can think of only a few places I didn't visit this year and I am a little worn out. The year did provide me the opportunity to meet many new and wonderful people that I am happy to call friends and allow me to stay connected to many wonderful friends.

Well I know I am still a few posts behind, including Handel's Ice Cream from Youngstown, OH (shout out to my Youngstown friends), the Ohio State fair pictures (hello Columbus!), my roller coaster adventures as well as some new and cool items I've found along the way during my travels. I look forward to blogging those updates and some new ones with you all soon.

For now, it's back to my blanket, book and the roaring fire.

Oh and don't forget to tell as many people as you can about Cu elements! www.cuelements.com

Copper bowls and pets are a perfect match!

All the best.

Australia, the untold story.

First off, let me begin by apologizing for not writing this sooner. I have been traveling in so many directions (literally) I truly lost track of time.

Where to begin with Australia. The country is amazing. Beautiful, awe inspiring and adventurous.

After a short flight to Los Angeles, and then a LONG flight (roughly 17hrs nonstop) I arrived in Sydney at 6:30am on Wednesday morning. I left LA on Monday night.First order of business was to explore the city. It was early and not many things had opened just yet. I explored Darling Harbor and the views around there, the Aquarium, shops and eventually the surrounding area.

I found quaint shops and and pleasant people all throughout my journey.
I immediately scheduled a trip by bus out to the blue mountains of Australia. The trip included a stop to a wildlife park, sky tram tours of the mountains and then the return trip to Sydney. The wildlife park was fantastic. I had never imagined I would hand feed Wallabies and Kangaroos, much less touch a Koala and explore the unique animal life the continent had to offer. It truly was a pleasure to visit with these creatures.

The blue mountains, were majestic, serene and vast. They get their name due

to the chemical reaction in the air with the eucalyptus oil from the leaves mixing with other molecules in the air to create their incredible blue aura. The sky tram took me over large gorges and provided incredible vistas. The forest was almost rainforest in nature and provided a gorgeous canopy covering my head. Wild birds flew over head and you could feel nature calling. The area was previously known for its mining operations and you can still see some of the remnants of that industry in areas of the mountains. Riding the world’s steepest railroad, I traveled quickly to the forest floor to explore and take in more of these majestic mountains. Truly a beautiful place.

I do enjoy their warning signs...very straightforward.

The return trip took me on a tour through the Sydney Olympic park and allowed me to see the venues for the Sydney Olympics. The best part was that evening as the sun was beginning to fade I traveled by boat back into Sydney Harbor and could witness the skyline coming alive with various colors of lights and sights from the water. The Sydney Harbor bridge was beautifully lit and the Opera House held firm in it’s foundation along the waterfront.

The next morning, I treated myself to the adventure of whale watching. It was a morning excursion that required a long ride out in the open waters surrounding Australia. Mind you, I kept my eye to see if there were any of those famous great whites tagging along the boat....never did spot any.

It was great to be on the open water and look back to see the cliffs along the edges of the continent. At times we had a dolphin escort along the front of the boat and according to sea lore, that is a sign of good luck. After a long ride, we spotted our first pod of whales and were able to witness these incredibly powerful and agile creatures pass by. They occasionally “breached” (jumping out of the water), but mostly I witnessed their tails splashing above the water. It was a great time to be on the water and watch the mysteries of the ocean swim by, but at times I admit, it was a bit boring. Not exactly something you can control, or request their presence...so there was A LOT of down time.

After 3 or so hours on the water it was time to head back. When I arrived back in Sydney Harbor, I decided my time on the water wasn’t over. I wanted to take the high speed jet boats around the harbor. These boats do fast 360’s and jumps and hard turns through the open water to excite and scare the tourists. I was up for the challenge.

The boat moved very quickly and thank goodness for the ponchos provided, otherwise I would have appeared to have gone overboard multiple times.

There was one instance, where we took a very high jump and landed so hard, that cushions from the boat flew out...the captain turned around to make sure we were alright, but I could tell he also scared himself.

I continued to explore the city and the various neighborhoods. The area is incredibly diverse. From the business district to the hippie district to the new age arts and everything in between. I decided to walk a few miles and explore some of these neighborhoods as well as the open markets they occasionally have. Everything from handmade soaps, clothing, art, bags, food, paintings were represented in the markets. It was fun to wander amongst the stalls and explore what new found treasures were waiting to go home with me.

The next day I climbed to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Some of you might be shaking your head saying, “ Heck, no!” but it wasn’t as bad as it sounds. You go through a safety review and are always attached to the bridge via a cable system. You also get to wear a nifty dead sexy blue jumpsuit, and cannot bring any items with you. Of course they take your picture on top of the bridge, and those can be purchased later.

The views from atop the bridge are unmatched. It is exhilarating to be climbing high above the water and sounds of the city. Reaching the pinnacle at the top of the bridge you start to truly realize how infinitely small we are in the grand scheme of things. The climb isn’t terribly intense and your climb leader is happy to share the bridges history and facts as you climb.

After exploring much of Sydney and the various neighborhoods, I decided it was time to head 3 hours north of Sydney to Cairns, Australia (pronounced “Can”).

This is the best area to explore the outdoor adventures of Australia and is the ideal location to set off to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

After my three hour flight north, I arrived in Cairns, and was immediately taken to my hotel in the Palm Cove area. I arrived at a quaint beach side hotel and was given a beautiful room with a fantastic balcony with sliding doors that opened onto my balcony overlooking the beach and the ocean. No better way to sleep at night than to have an ocean breeze and the sounds of crashing waves orchestrating my dreams.

The next morning, I set off for white water rafting the Tully River. This adventure took me two hours from my hotel to set off on rafting a river with Grade 4 rapids. My boat was made up of mostly Australian natives from various parts. Australians are an incredibly friendly and helpful people and I grew to appreciate them quickly. As we navigated the rapids we were also afforded the beautiful landscapes we were floating through. Waterfalls, birds and beaches along the way. Lunch was provided half way down and was a welcome rest. We continued on and started to really get into some good rapids. Areas where the raft would flip and we all got launched out, and bounced up and down and off of rocks etc...At times I felt like a pinball being bounced this way and that. This all day adventure ended as I was then taken back to my hotel that evening.

The next morning I had scheduled my Great Barrier Reef adventure. I arrived and boarded my vessel for the approximately 2 hour ride to our intended reef destination.

Arriving at the reef was incredibly. Watching the water crash over the areas of the reef and the colors of the water. As if the water was glowing at times, the view was breathtaking and can only be described as watching greens, blues and yellows flow together on an artists pallet. I decided to first explore the reef by submarine to view the area and then I would snorkel the reef. We docked our ship at a large landing pad along the reef that had bathrooms, lunch, underwater viewing stations and most importantly, sun decks. The submarine was informative in sharing information about the reef, types of fish and re-assuring me that there were no large sharks waiting for their next meal.

I then entered the water to snorkel and was amazed at the schools of fish and the types and colors of coral that make up the reef. I could have spent all day swimming amongst the reef and fish. It truly was remarkable.

After having finished my reef adventure it was time for the long boat ride back and then back to the hotel. I rested by watching the sunset from my balcony enjoying the ocean breeze and the sounds of day turning to night.

The next morning, I arose around 3:30am to wait for my shuttle to whisk me off to my next adventure. Hot air ballooning at sunrise. The drive was long and bumpy to the balloon departure site. Once I arrived the sky was lit with large hot air balloons filled with flames heating the air to cause these giants to rise towards the stars. The balloon I rode in was one of the largest balloons in the Southern Hemisphere. It could hold the equivalent of 450,000 basketballs within it.

I boarded my balloon and eagerly anticipated the trip. We slowly ascended into the skies and watched as night slowly turned to morning. Rays of sunlight breaking through a cloudy morning sky and sailing smoothly over the Australian coast. At times the balloon captain would lower the balloon, fire the gas and have us watch as the sound would cause wild Kangaroos to scatter across the ground. From above the ground, some of the Kangaroos were easily spotted and were rather large. It was then that I learned that Kangaroos can grow as large as 7ft tall. (Note to self, if I ever encounter a 7ft tall Kangaroo, either run like heck or assume the fetal position and sob)

The balloon sailed through the morning sky and eventually touched down in a farmers field and I assisted in the roll up of the balloon. It was then time for breakfast. They drove us to their own breakfast location, and provided a breakfast buffet to end the morning. I returned to my hotel and spent the rest of my day laying on the beach and enjoying the sun and sounds of the area.

Cairns is unique in that it is situated between beautiful ocean beaches on one side and magnificent rainforest covered mountains on the other. Truly a fantastic place.
The next day I boarded my flight back to Sydney, and arrived in time to enjoy the city again at night and prepare for my next adventure.

The next morning, I arrived at the Sydney Opera House at 6:30 am (murder). I had scheduled a back stage tour of the Opera House and was excited for this adventure. I had a lovely guide who has happy to share her knowledge about the structure as well as the stories of performances and people who had visited this beautiful venue.

Stepping onto the stage of the Opera House is something I suppose some people only ever dream of, and now I can say I have. I also stood upon the conductors stand and of course had to have my picture taken with a baton. There are various halls within the opera house each with their intended purpose. The main hall for operatic/ballet performances and then the smaller chorale halls for concerts and acting performances. The halls are incredible and to stand on stage is surreal. After having viewed the various rooms and back tunnels and mazes that make up the building, I had the unique opportunity to sit at a Steinway concert grand in the Opera house and play the piano. I played a song that I had made up a few years ago and was stunned by the resolute sound the piano echoed back. I suppose I should update to my resume to reflect, “Solo piano performance, Sydney Opera House, 2009”.

After my tour, I spent the remainder of my day exploring the various beaches around Sydney as the cold realization of returning home the next morning began to set in.

The beaches offer great people watching as well as a unique calming effect on the mind. It was great to sit and absorb the sun and watch as families frolicked, surfers surfed and dogs discovered new treasures on their walks. It was the perfect way to end my trip.

The next morning I boarded my flight for the 13 hr flight back to Los Angeles. My flight left at 9:30am Saturday morning and I arrived in Los Angeles at 6:30am Saturday morning. It was curious to take off in broad daylight and within a short time having entered pitch black night as we headed back towards North America. The flight went extremely fast and was pleasant as I enjoyed movies, naps and great conversation on my way home.

Australia is a continent everyone must explore. It offers so much to see and find. Many places I visit, I think of as one time visit places. Been there, done that. Australia is different. Behind every corner, beach, mountain or river, there is always something more. More to explore and more to absorb. I don’t think I could every really see and do everything. I guess the last question is, are you ready to take it in?

I'm a bad blogger....

I have been reminded a few times that my blogging skills are failing....My last post was August 16th, and it is now the end of September! I sincerely apologize for not being a better blogger. Time has sincerely escaped me.

I promise I will be updating with a proper post very soon. This will include information and pictures from Australia, my most recent experience at the Ohio State Fair and my latest guilty pleasure, Handel's ice cream (dang you Youngstown OHIO!) and yes they do ship and I highly recommend having some shipped!

Looking forward to keeping you all updated soon. All the best!

Australia!

Hello everyone!

I apologize for not writing sooner! I have been here since the 12th of August and am having a wonderful time. I won't be writing much as the internet costs .55 per minute of use!!!!

So a quick recap! I have just about seen everything and done everything you can possibly think of. Climbed to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, hiked around the blue mountains, went on the worlds steepest railroad, took pictures with Koalas, fed and played with Kangaroos, sailed the harbors, toured the opera house, went whale watching, toured the Sydney Aquarium and watched sharks get fed, did 360's and hard turns in a jet boat in the harbor, toured the local markets at Paddington and am preparing to leave in the morning for white sandy beaches, snorkeling at the great barrier reef, a day of whitewater rafting on the Tully river and then hot air ballooning around the coast! I then plan on laying around Manly and Bondi beach upon my return to Sydney

I promise I have great pictures to share and will post them when I won't have to sell a kidney to afford it!

I hope everyone is doing well and look forward to sharing my adventures with you all!

All the best!

4th of July in D.C.

I had the great opportunity to spend the 4th of July 2009 in Washington D.C.

It was a great long weekend and I had a blast! From just hanging out and visiting with friends to watching one of the most incredible fireworks display I have ever seen.








I also had the chance to watch the dress rehearsal for the concert at the Capitol. Headlining was Barry Manilow and Aretha Franklin (it was an interesting blend of music). Big Bird and a few other Sesame Street characters were also performing.

The crowds were ridiculous as we positioned ourselves atop a platform at the Lincoln Memorial. We actually staked our claim between 5-6pm and sat there until the show started around 9:30p.m. I'm glad we got a good spot and were there early enough to have it. I did have to convince one guy that there was no room for him and his huge camera to join us on the platform, he was a bit grumpy about that, but hey I wished him a "Happy Fourth!"




Now onto restaurant recommendations. I have two favorite places to eat while in D.C. The first is a casual and enjoyable dining experience without costing a fortune. It's called "Founding Farmers" It's found at around 20th and Pennsylvania Ave. The food is American and it's premise is to cook homemade style meals using products from farmers around the area. Fantastic food and great service. I enjoy that they serve deviled eggs as appetizers! I have yet to have a meal that I didn't enjoy there. You can check out their menu on their website at www.wearefoundingfarmers.com

I also enjoy eating at Filomena Ristorante. All I can say is that you must come hungry and be prepared to eat a lot!. They are located in Georgetown off of Wisconsin Ave. Website: www.filomena.com

The pasta is made from scratch, the portions are generous, the desserts are delectable and the service is great. Reservations are always recommended and so worth it!

More to come about D.C.....

Air Travel Adventure #1

Yesterday, I traveled from Salt Lake City to Pittsburgh. As is almost always the case these days, I wasn't able to be on a direct flight and therefore had to go through Atlanta..the dreaded Atlanta. We often joke in the office that even when you die...you have to go through Atlanta.

Not that I don't enjoy the Atlanta airport. There are decent food choices, EXCELLENT people watching, and random shops to wander through while you wait for your next flight. (really, who shops for designer clothing at the airport though? bizarre)

Well my flight from SLC to ATL was the red eye... normally leaves around 1am from SLC and arrives ATL around 6:30ish. I normally enjoy the red eye flights as they are very quiet, not many overhead annoucements and I just sleep or play insomniac and watch a movie. This time though, I wanted to sleep and my slumber was disturbed.

Most people when they fly, are cordial to the person you are sitting next to. After all, this is someone you get to spend the next few hours of your life next to, and in an emergency, may have to rely on (I like to ask questions regarding mental stability.) This being a red eye, it's not terribly common to get to know the person you are sitting next to as you or they will probably just be sleeping for most of the flight. This was one of those times where I should have asked some questions and has now given me a list of pre-flight interview questions to ask my seat mate.

The flight began as all flights do and we were flying at our designated cruising altitude and moving along the night sky. The occasional turbulence was encountered and it helps to make the flight a little more exciting. I had started to watch the movie shown, while drinking some hot tea, but grew tired of the boring plot and poor character development so I decided to get some sleep. I pulled my blanket up, rolled my pillow and assumed the position. I figured it would be perfect as my seat mate was already asleep and I wouldn't have to contend with an overhead light shining down on me like I was a character on Touched by an Angel. I left my tea and water bottle on the space between our two seats and began to sleep.

I'm not sure how long I actually slept as I was quickly awakened by getting slapped. I was startled. This wasn't just a "slap" like a joke, it felt like I got back handed. I looked around and everyone was asleep, my seat mate was deeply asleep with his hat pulled down and I could not figure out who had just slapped me. I did the usual "stink eye" glare around the cabin and couldn't figure out who slapped me. I then noticed that my seat mates arm twitched, maybe not so much a twitch as his arm extended sharply and then retracted. All the while he was sleeping. Then it started to make sense. My seat mate back handed me in his sleep. Nice.

I brushed it off as some weird sleeping habit and felt sorry for whomever he shares a bed . I then re-assumed my sleeping position and tried to get some sleep. I'm not quite sure again how much time had passed, but I was startled when a bottle of water was launched at my head. That was it. I had pretty much had it with my abusive seat mate. It's one thing to slap me, it's another to launch plastic bottles with water at my head! I contemplated what action I would take...I thought about the gentle wake up, or the nudge or launching the bottle back..and then decided on a full on slap back. Nothing too terrible, just enough to wake him up. So I gave him the slap back. He jumped in his seat and pushed his hat up and just looked at me through his groggy eyes. In a stern, but friendly quiet tone, I politely informed him that he had been abusing me in his sleep and it needed to stop. His face quickly softened and he sincerely apologized and stated that he knows he does that in his sleep and should have known better than to fall asleep without having his arms tucked under him and leaning towards the window. (now wait...he is telling me that he knows he does this, that he must have done this before to know how to handle it. How many people have been abused by a seat mate at 37,0000 feet while sleeping???? the injustice!) I accepted his apology and watched while he assumed this non-abusive sleep position. It did not look comfortable, but if it meant I could sleep without the fear of getting attacked by a seat belt or whatever other object he could find I was not going to say a thing. I also took my cup of tea to the galley as I was also picturing getting hit by a ceramic mug and then scolded by hot tea. A combination usually reserved for obtaining state secrets.

Eventually the sun began to shine through the windows, and tray tables and seat backs were assuming their upright and locked position. I opened my eyes and realized I had survived for at least the rest of the flight without being abused (or at least to my knowledge..I tend to be a heavy sleeper) My seat mate also began to stir and apologized again for his mid flight antics and asked if he had done any other damage during the flight. I told him that I wasn't aware of anything else, but I could only speak for myself.

As I walked up the jet way, I began to mentally put together my list of pre-flight questions for my next seat mate.

Q1. Do you have any abnormal sleep patterns or aggressive tendencies?
Q2. When you arrive at your flights destinations, have previous seat mates needed medical attention?
Q3. Do you have a desire of being an Ultimate Fighting Champion and frequently have dreams about said champion?
Q4. In an emergency, do you jump out the window first, or help everyone else as much as possible? or do you even care?

Those are what I could come up with so far (it was a short jet way) If you have any questions that you think I should add to my list, please let me know! I welcome suggestions.

Well I am currently "livin la vida loca" in Ohio, and catching up on emails. I should really be sleeping.

Air Travel Adventures Introduction

So my friends are often asking why I don't write about the interesting people I meet on my flights or the random (and I mean RANDOM) experiences I find during my flights. I suppose I have always meant to write something, but always forget.

That all changes now. I will begin posting my most random encounters as well as experiences from my recent flights for all to enjoy. You may not necessarily find the humor in them all, and some may fall under the "you had to have been there" category, but nevertheless here they are. I will post them under Air Travel Adventures and assign an "adventure number" to each one.

Puerto Rico

I have just returned from Puerto Rico and my sunburn will not let me forget the trip!

It was my first time to this island. There are some nice places and areas, but overall, the island is extremely run down and dirty. I stayed at the Caribe Hilton resort which is just outside Old San Juan and it was nice enough (they may want to focus on customer service initiatives).

Anyways, it was not a terrible flight from SLC to Atlanta and then Atlanta to San Juan. I arrived on a Sunday afternoon and went straight to the hotel. Checked in and started to relax. I did discover the tour desk at the hotel and checked out what was offered.

SIDENOTE: I did find that most things are fairly economical on the island, but the cost of food everywhere was RIDICULOUS!

Back to the tour desk... this desk became my good friend as I was happy to relax on the beach or by the pool, I was also anxious to have some fun and get out and explore.

My first adventure involved surfing lessons. I made an appointment for the next day and ventured forth into two hours of surfing lessons. Now those who may not be familiar with the "roaring" waves that "crash" against the islands, surfing in Puerto Rico is extremely satisfying. I kid..actually it's enough to learn and get on the surfboard, but beyond that..not the greatest.

One of the guys in my surfing class was also down on vacation and we

ended up hanging out during the days an exploring what the island had to offer.

The next day I signed up for the Bacardi Rum/Old San Juan Tour. It was a tour that involved seeing the Bacardi Rum factory as well as seeing Old San Juan and some of the forts surrounding the area. The Bacardi tour was rather underwhelming...we were taken to their visitor center...watched a movie...walked through a mock up of the storage facilities where they keep the rum and then off to the gift shop. Yes..folks, the tour was that riveting.

The next few days I spent laying on the beach, or in a hammock reading and just enjoying the island weather.

I booked Thursday for sailing and snorkeling with the Spread Eagle catamaran tour (yes..that is their name..and it's okay to snicker)

It was a gorgeous day to go sailing and snorkeling. Large fluffy clouds in the sky and perfectly blue water.

Spread Eagle sailing was a great experience. Great boat, staff and food. The cost of the trip included snacks, lunch buffet, and drinks (with or without alcohol).

We sailed out to the first island, went snorkeling, waded in the water and then ate lunch while anchored on the shore. We then sailed to a private island where the snorkeling was much better and we used left over bread from lunch to attract large schools of fish. After that snorkeling adventure it was time to head back. It really was a great day to be on the water.

The trip overall was really great and I enjoyed my time on the island.

Places to check out when visiting Puerto Rico: The Parrot Club restaurant in Old San Juan has great food. Cold Stone Creamery down by the pier is always a refreshing treat. Guachos restaurant on FDR Freeway near the mall has FANTASTIC food (Argentinian cuisine)