Following Inspiration

I love a new adventures and I love art.

I was browsing art at an open studio and fell in love with one of Jennifer Hrabota Lesser's paintings. When it comes to art, I am partial to animals (especially dogs and birds) and water. I came across a painting she did with birds and water. I was instantly drawn towards it. I had to take a print home with me.

I met the artist and chatted with her a bit on how she gets her inspiration for her work. She asked me if I've ever been to the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology.

I haven't.

I just stood there shaking my head like I was saying to her, "oh no...I have heard wonderful things but haven't had the time" when in actuality, I had no idea what she was talking about. Comparative what? What are you comparing Zoology to?

I stood there to listen to her talk.

She is inspired by the museum. There is a feeling you get when you see hundreds of stuffed creatures that you have never seen alive with your own eyes. They sit in the museum, stuffed with a number associated with the breed of animal. Rooms and rooms are filled with different creatures from all over the planet. She spoke with a soft tone and seemed very saddened and concerned on how we are unable to see these creatures in their natural habitat. She wanted to take that experience and create something beautiful. I would say that she succeeded.

My love for her work and interest in her inspiration made me want to venture out there to see for myself. I hopped on the T the following day to Harvard square, wandered around in circles for about 45 minutes until I finally found the museum. Along the walking circle tour, I would try to open up my brain on the walk to absorb any math energy that would exude from the campus. No such luck.

I have arrived. I paid the half asleep volunteer my admission and made my way up to the 3rd floor. The museum started off with the evolution of animals until the present day. My favorite room was the mammal room. It was two floors of cases and cases of actual size creatures. As if an entire zoo was packed into a room. It was a sight to see. If you could get past the smell of the "I don't really want to know" stench, it is a little surreal. I stared at some creatures and imagined them coming to life and running away. I was surprised to see how large a wolf is standing next to it. I've always wanted to see a bear on my travels and after standing next to one with its mouth wide open...um, maybe not.

I was allowed to take pictures and even though others were taking pictures, it was a little sad to me. I guess I would like to remember them alive and running around in their natural habitat. It could be because I have only seen one dead body and have never been to a funeral with an open casket. That is all foreign to me.

So, it was a day at the museum to remember. You never know where life will take you. Observe, listen and learn from others. Because I loved Jennifer's art and talked to her, I was able to see something I might have otherwise missed. Her inspiration led to my adventure.

Top 10 Towns (Places) in the USA

As with my top 10 National Park list, this list is just from my journey across the USA and completely depends on the moment I was there, what I did and the overall feeling I had of the area. Even though my favorite moments were in nature and around the parks, I did happen to enjoy some towns along the way. The name "town" is used loosely since the population could exceed the definition of a town. We will pretend that they are favorite "places."

These places had a lot to offer and they are on the list because of a favorite feature of the town.

1.) Best town to be yourself: Proviencetown, Massachusetts
I spent some time in this little town in Cape Cod in 2008 and 2009. Depending on when you go, it could be true that everyone in the town was either gay, Canadian or lost. I fell in love with this place. It has it all (except warm weather in the winter). Beautiful beaches, art community, great restaurants and the most amazing sunsets. The best part is that you can be whoever you want to be in this town. Anything goes, as it should...in my opinion. I know I will be back.

2.) Best place to people watch: New Orleans
Take a seat in the downtown square and soak it up. This is exactly what I did when I was here. Looking for free entertainment? You have it. Local musicians playing in the streets, artists demonstrating their work, weddings, the aroma of gourmet food and the most interesting people from all over walking around in a daze. The choice is yours when you are in New Orleans.

3.) Best Port Town: Portland, Maine
I didn't stop in Portland on my first trip to Maine in August, but was able to tour this little city in October. The weather was cold, but beautiful. The streets are lined with cute shops and if you take a walk towards the water, you can look out for miles into the beautiful harbor. You can take a train tour on the edge of the harbor or take a walking tour, which I decided to do. People relaxing...soaking up the sun, walking their dog, enjoying the day.

4.) Best place to see millions of bats: Austin, Texas
Yes, there are many more reasons to visit Austin. I love this place. If you are looking for a funky stretch of shops and restaurants, Congress street is the answer. Wonderful local artists, amazing restaurants, street vendors and a block of trailer food. What more could you ask for? Austin also has great music venues, a very clean downtown, plenty of parks to get lost in and an overall layed back vibe. My kind of place.

5.) Best place to shop for yourself and your dog: Asheville, North Carolina
I was impressed with the variety of local artist and choice of restaurants but most of all, there were plenty of stores for your pooch and your knitting habit. Asheville is surrounded by beauty with the blue ridge parkway nearby that stretches for miles. The downtown area is great for soaking up the talent of the area. Local artists showcase their work in a two story co-op building and along the shops in this cute downtown that you can tour in an afternoon walk.

6.) Best place to watch the moon rise and the sun fall: Albuquerque, New Mexico
I had some of the most amazing sunsets in this town. Simply stunning. As the sun sets, the entire city changes color. You can drive up the the Sandia peak to see the sun set on the city or ride the world's longest tramway. I chose to watch the sunset from the peak. They have a cute old town, great dog park and most of what you are asking for in a city.

7.) Best college town: Madison, Wisconsin
There are hundreds of great college towns in the USA and Madison should be on the list. I took a stroll down the main street that ends up at the college and it was full of students getting ready to go back to school. The campus is near the water which was nice. Kids reading, playing with their dog, saying goodbye to parents. It was very nostalgic for me to witness.

8.) Best gateway to a beautiful place: Cody, Wyoming
This town is 50 miles to the East entrance of Yellowstone and is certainly a western town. Everywhere you see is stamped "cowboy." The shops, streets, people and licence plates. You can purchase anything that is western themed, eat like a cowboy and learn about the old west in museums. If you end up in Cody, you are in for a beautiful ride.

9.) Best city on the Gulf: Mobile, Alabama
There are several small sleepy towns on the gulf and Katrina still shows her scars in these towns. I found Mobile to be a charming town with lots of areas to get lost and see wildlife. There are several places you can find to look out into the gulf and watch birds and boats travel across the shore. I have a soft spot for this town since my grandparents used to live here. I spent a few days getting lost on the shores of the area. Beautiful swamp lands. If you want to get dirty, be sure to pack your mud boots.

10.) Best town to be in after being on the road for months: Home
I told you the list was biased. My home is in Southern California and although there are good and bad points about the city, it is where I call home...at the moment. I love to travel and find new places to tour but after being away for so long, there is something about sleeping in your own bed.

I enjoyed the 2009 summer/fall journey across the USA in a tent with my dog, Max. We continue to travel so I will keep you posted on more adventures to come.

Holiday Travel Observations

'Tis the season to gather together with loved ones and travel by car, train, boat or airplane to get to your desired destination. If you are going to travel in the next few weeks, there is one thing you can expect.

People. Lots of 'em.

Unfortunately, you are not the only one making the journey. You might be surprised at how many people are shocked to see other human beings doing the exact same thing.

I hopped on a plane yesterday and really wasn't surprised to see the line wrapped around the terminal. This was just to get in the building to be faced with 2 other long switch back lines. I was calm. If I didn't make it in time, I was sure that there would be another plane to catch.

I got a kick out of watching people come out of cars or buses with a glazed look on their face and mouthing the words, "oh my god...holy sh**" A lot of, "I've never seen it this bad" coming from their lips. It's interesting to watch the entire emotional spectrum before my eyes. First it's shock, then a nervous laugh, then silence, then anger. People like to make sure you know they are angry with their body posture, facial expressions, and highly trained stress vocabulary.


I stood there and observed. There really wasn't much I could do about it. I watched the "feed the homeless" money collector count each dollar in his bucket (while hiding the larger bills in the back), families unloading their entire home in suitcases, women dressed in very uncomfortable high heels pretending they feel like sneakers, and felt the collected stress energy in the never ending line.

I made my flight.

In the air, a little girl in front of me was on an airplane for the first time so I watched her look out the window several times to gaze at the view. It took me back to when I would hop on a plane as a child to visit my grandmother. I flew PSA and they pinned travel wings on me that I think I still have somewhere in a box. Maybe.

I hope you are able to travel and enjoy the holiday season somewhat stress free. Keep in mind that there will be several other humans planning to do the same thing.

Beware, they are everywhere.

Released From The Computer

I am starting to bring some of the photographs I took to life on paper. It's been interesting to watch them come to life, so to speak. I had a new printer in a box that was given to me as a gift that I never used so I decided to pull it out and give it a try. Although it's not the highest quality, it's been fun seeing how some of the pictures look out of the information box.

I don't know how I chose the ones I did...I just picked a few to look at. It's exciting to see them and remember the moment they were taken.

It's good to dream. Recently I visioned owning a food truck to drive around the USA. Once I went to Venice to see the massive amount of trucks and the logistics of licenses, where to park and the whole timing of everything...it was a reality check. Oh, and yeah...I don't cook. Then there is that problem.

Anyway, taking pictures has been fun and I've only been yelled at once so that's a plus.

I am always striving to learn. This has been, and continues to be an exciting learning process. Traveling, taking pictures, being alone, learning about myself and all of the things that are associated with that combination.

This photo above is an output of a a few memories from my trip. I look forward to sharing more. In the meantime, I went out again last night and snapped some pictures in Long Beach. Here are a 3 of my favorites.


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Long Beach

It was a rainy day in Southern California and that means it's storm watch time!

I decided to head out in the rain and take some pictures along the shore in Long Beach. Max wasn't too happy to get out of the house in the cold, but I took him along anyway. After the morning walk we had, he looked like a wet rat.

A cute wet rat.

I know that the majority of the country is living in freezing temperatures and snow so I can't complain. But...it was cold! My hands were so cold that after a while I couldn't move them to push the button on my point and click camera. I would run back and forth to the car and back out to warm up.

I know...big wimp.

It was nice to get back out to snap a few pictures and breathe in the fresh air. I miss the road sometimes. I know I will be back on it again soon and it's always there for me when I decide to go.

For now I will enjoy the beauty in my backyard. Here are some pictures from today. For more, please click HERE

Art Is Everywhere

Getting out of the house, eating from food trucks and looking at art.

All good things.

Last night I strolled along Abbot Kinney in Venice for their Friday art walk. It was my first time participating in the event festivities. I sampled a few food truck treats and wandered through shops and galleries.

I was blown away with one artist in particular. Kwaku Alston. He lives in a beautiful house on the street and showcases his photography on the street level of his home.

Simply amazing.

His current exhibit is titled Volkslivin and the images were stunning, through my eyes. A photographer after my own heart. He took pictures of VW busses all along Venice and put them together on one piece on the wall. I was allowed to take a photo of it shown here. It's similar to what I would like to do with my house project.




Inspired by his work, I continued to walk the few blocks of the event taking a few snapshots to pass the time. I would encourage you seek out art in your own community. You never know what you will find. It might inspire you to do something different or give you the push to continue on your path.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of Year

It's time for the annual trip to the garage to sort though the green bins to look for Christmas items and other exciting decorating treasures to set around for the holidays. I don't know...I'm not feeling the spirit this year for some reason. Maybe it's the annual stress attack that sets in with people to be the best (brother, sister, friend, daughter, mother, father, etc.) person on earth and give the best gift ever! Blah!

I picked out a small 12 inch plastic tree and a card holder (wishful thinking) from the bins. Oh, and a ribbon that I decided would be fun to decorate Max with. He wasn't that happy about it. He played dead on the ground until I propped him up to snap this photo of his not-so-merry face. His look was exactly how I was feeling.

These are the most stressful weeks to be the most perfect human being on the planet! I say, forget it! Take the time to visit friends and family and just be together. Eat well, laugh, take pictures.

Turn off the TV. Get outside.

Do something you enjoy for you. Live simply. Forget the clutter and resist the urge to buy more of it.