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The Concert Trifecta: Crowded House

On August 7, 2010

Earlier this week Wonder Boy and I embarked on the concert trifecta. We wanted to see three concerts on three consecutive nights, all in different cities. Concert number one was Crowded House in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Ryman Auditorium. This was my first experience seeing a show at the Ryman but I’ve heard about it many, many times. “It’s a religious experience to see a show there.” That’s the same line I’ve heard from everyone. And you know what? It’s true.

When you enter the building and are greeted with a statue of Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff you know that history has occurred here. Little historical gems are preserved around each corner. Autographed concert posters, stage outfits, architectural details. The place can give you chills!

For the show we had balcony seats. For some places that might be a downer, but not at the Ryman. It only seats about 2,500 people and we felt like we were right in front of the band. We were! I know Wonder Boy was in heaven seeing Crowded House, one of his favorite bands. It was his fourth time seeing them and the second time to see them perform at the Ryman. This only my second Crowded House show but it was excellent. They’ve been together so long and the members know each other so well that the act goes off like the art it is.

Road Trip!

By Kate

On August 7, 2010

In family / friends, travel

I gave notice at my job three weeks ago. And so began the greatest three weeks ever. Do you know what happens when you give notice? You have NO pressure. People come to you and try to glean whatever they can but the internal and external push to do the best, be the best, stand out among the best is gone. Everything is just easy breezy.

For week three of my job, Wonder Boy and I took a read trip. We were both super stoked by the goal of the trip: Three concerts on three consecutive nights in three different cities. Can’t be done you say? Well, we were up to the challenge.

For the first part of our adventure we headed from Cincinnati to Nashville, Tennessee. Wonder Boy has family there and his aunt and uncle let us stay with them. It was wonderful to see everyone!

We had one day to explore around town and we went to the Lane Motor Museum. Now, I might not be a giant car nerd, but I do love myself some old cars. This place was a gem! Wonder Boy and I toured around for a few hours and both spotted countless cars to fall in love with.

Is this not the cutest car ever?

But this is the car I want. It’s teeny, tiny so you will always find a parking spot. It puts the Smart Car to shame when it comes to size. It’s a two-seater, so pretty practical, but since it won’t hold more people, you never have to be the one to drive to lunch!

Retribution: About Time

By Kate

On July 27, 2010

In travel

This morning I woke up officially one year older. Essentially it’s just another day, but I’m excited for this year. I’ll be starting a new job, which is like a new beginning. A chance to meet new people, learn about new parts of the city and for me and Wonder Boy to learn what it’s like to not work in the same building. I was pretty happy with that.

After pouring coffee and making lunch for Wonder Boy (because I do that on occasion, despite rumors that he is always the one making our lunches), I came upstairs and he said, “Want a good gift for your birthday?” Of course I did. “Remember Duch?” he asked. And of course I did. He was one of the horrible Khmer Rouge leaders and he ran a horrible prison in Cambodia. Wonder Boy and I visited it about 18 months ago and what we saw was horrifying. And occurred not that long ago, although long enough ago that punishment should have already been served out.

As of this morning, he has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. People in Cambodia are furious with the length of the sentence. They should be. He ran a prison that killed more than 14,000 people. But at least finally justice, of some sort, is being served. And for Duch, quite an old man at 67, 35 will be a life sentence.

Barbed Wire at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Memorial Stupa at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Some 8000 skulls are on display in the Stupa.

Advice to a Novice International Traveler

By Kate

On April 12, 2010

In travel

A la High Fidelity, Wonder Boy and I often ask each other to create top five lists. The conversations go something like this:

“The five albums that most influenced you. Go.”

“Your five favorite vacation spots, in no particular order. Go”

Well we just got back from Costa Rica (more on that at a later time) and during the trip we posed several of these lists to each other. There is one in particular I’ve been giving a lot of thought to.

“To someone who has never traveled internationally before, what five pieces of advice would you give them?”

Be a good representative of your home country and a good guest to the place you are visiting.
Please don’t assume that everyone will be accommodating to you and your language skills. Learn the following phrases in the native language of the country you area visiting:
- Please and thank you
- Hello and goodbye
- Bathroom
- Check please
- Do you speak English (or whatever your native language is)?
Leave yourself open to the option of adventure. Do not plan every minute of every day. By having a free afternoon to wander around the city or linger by the ocean, you might meet new people, discover new restaurants or just relax.
Eat local food. Drink local beer / wine / liquor.
Talk to as many people as possible, even if they are simply other travelers. These conversations might end up being the most memorable parts of your trip or lead to the biggest adventures you will know.

Sun and Beaches – Here I Come!

By Kate

On February 8, 2010

In travel

Wonder Boy and I just booked a vacation to Costa Rica! I am absolutely thrilled by the prospects of lounging around in a bathing suit for days on end, going on river rafting trips and hiking through rain forests. Paradise!

The one little glitch, one that I will soon forget, I am sure, has been with getting our plane tickets. We finally made our flight reservations today and used my credit card with Capitol One because we get cash back. And who doesn’t like cash? Well my cash back comes at a price. Capitol one, per their customer service representative, would prefer that I call them before making large purchases. (For the record, the only purchases that go on my credit card are with internet-based retailers or for large purchases. I am a cash-based gal.) I tried as calmly as possible (not that calmly) to explain that I resented the very implication that I should call prior to making purchases. I do call before international travel, and then is pretty much pushing me to my limits. But to call before making other purchases? That I pay for with MY MONEY? Ugh.

Now before you reply and explain that this hassle comes with the safety net I get from Capitol One knowing that I won’t have to pay for fraudulent activities on my card should my card get stolen, please know that I am aware of that. But I have to think that whatever bot Capitol One has trolling through my spending habits has to see the pattern. Monthly payment to the YMCA? Check. (I get called on this every other month, btw.) Fondness for dinky sites selling useless but pretty crap? Check. Weird desire to buy every T-shirt made available online? Check. Love of international travel? Check. I am not that unpredictable, people!

But back to where I started. Costa Rica. Here I come.