Festival Folk

Emerging from the woods after a weekend long camping excursion can be a truly gratifying experience. Unplugging from all forms of electronic devices and taking in all that nature has to offer proves to be an eye opening practice. After venturing to the music festival known as Shakori Hills last weekend, I will say that while the wonderful sounds and smell of nature were quite enjoyable, there is something to be said for the visual side of things. Let’s begin with the basics, at any given music festival it is pretty well understood that you will run into a few certain kinds of folks. To start, there are the avid campers who come fully loaded with every Coleman and various REI product known to man. There are the semi-serious nature enthusiasts who really like to get out there but are also fine enjoying the comforts of indoor life. Scattered amongst the crowd you will find a spectrum of ages and races but I personally find the most interesting group to be the hippies. Yes, I know that the term hippie can be rather broad and cover a lot of various aspects of nature-loving people but the particular clan I am referring to seem to be in a league of their own. Take for example last Saturday afternoon- I am sitting by the camp site enjoying a nice meal when this barefoot and somewhat confused individual comes meandering along. Not really seeming to notice us sitting there, or the dozens of other campsites for that matter, this young man approaches and starts to pet a nearby tree. This continues for about five awkward minutes until he suddenly seems to have gained all necessary non-verbal communication and wanders off to another grassy area. To be honest, this was not extremely unusual considering the above disclaimer revolving around festivals but it still rather amusing. This same man showed up again about thirty minutes later with what appeared to be a large boulder in his arms and proceeded to do some sort of squat-prayer routine which I would imagine is unaffiliated with any sort of organized practice. Needless to say, musical gatherings tend to bring a rather eclectic crowd and provide almost as much entertainment and yes, joy as the performers themselves.

Commercial Presentation

While I have gotten used to paying an exorbitant amount to see a movie in theatres, there is part of me that will never truly accept the amount of commercial bombardment that goes along with it. After paying four dollars for candy and selling one’s soul for a jumbo soda is it really necessary that a moviegoer sit through an advertisement for the latest spinning toothbrush? I am pretty sure that dental hygiene falls low on the list of interest when someone steps into the movie theatre. Furthermore, if I have to see that clip about Rosa Salazar and her Facebook friends one more time I might just boycott social networking sites all together. The bottom line is, I venture to the theatres to enjoy the MOVIE, not to feel like a captured case study for the world’s worst commercials. Many of us can remember a simpler time when the safety announcements for the nearest exit were the only thing between the viewer and the start to the much anticipated previews. Then came the rather obvious no smoking messages and reminders to silence your cell phones, pagers and noise making devices. The rest is just a downhill slope into a world of commercial overload. It seems we should all just do ourselves a favor and take the movie show times as strictly suggestions and arrive a good twenty minutes after the printed start time. Personally, I know that the desire to see a movie on the big screen will never fade so I’ll see you all out there- just don’t worry about making it on time!

The Life of Warren

Similar to growing older in people years, the lifespan of a car can be directly linked with its corresponding quirks. Take for example my ten year old car Warren. Named for the county in which this speedy Toyota Camry gained two tickets, this car is starting to show its age. First there was the trunk that mysteriously stopped opening and can now be accessed exclusively by the lever on driver’s side floor. Then came the check engine light that has a mind of its own and despite the investigation of several mechanics, has decided to add its own special glow to my dashboard on a permanent basis. Add in a door handle that snapped off in the dead of winter and you have a car that is in need of some assistance. Yes, I am lucky to have a automobile and one that performs so well however, there’s nothing like getting sketchy glances in a parking lot as you try to jimmy your way into your own vehicle’s door or trunk. This car was handed down to me by my father who as everyone in my family is well aware, keeps his cars in “excellent condition.” You will not find a shred of tissue or even a straw wrapper in his current car and while Warren may have encountered some growing pains since he was handed over to me, I will say that this knack for cleanliness was also passed down. Despite the mentioned battle wounds, I have been known to surprise people with the spotless interior of this vehicle. Yes this car may be ten years old but in some ways, he does not look a day over four. Lights and lock ups aside, Warren has been a reliable transport and I am hoping that the speedometer has many more ticks before this ride is retired. See you on the road- but please be advised that if you are driving behind me in Warren County – do not expect to cruise higher than five miles over the speed limit.

Guitar Dreaming

Since my Washburn and I have been involved in a steady relationship since 1994, the thought of throwing myself into guitar shopping seemed more then foreign. I am not quite sure why this thought did not occur sooner, but nonetheless- I have started guitar dreaming. Some magical passageway has been opened and I find myself suddenly thinking of new gadgets and wondering, I would like to know what this does. Actually practicing this instrument would be helpful as I do not wish to sound like one of those ridiculous Creed-bashing videos but still, the interest has returned. This inspired thinking reaches past my currently quiet experience with acoustic guitar playing. Thoughts of my electric guitar currently residing in Baltimore make me think of my early days of musical exploration. I was given a bright red Fender Strat for Christmas one year - complete with a practice amp, and to my delight- a whammy bar. For the weeks to come, the sounds being attempted in my room seemed to mimic those of a low budget 70’s film production. My parents, who also were the gift givers of this awesome piece of craftsmanship, were more than patient. It was interesting though how quickly a pair of huge headphones were placed on my bed as a subtle hint. Hey, you have to start somewhere even if that means playing Tuesday’s Gone like it was going out of style. May have missed the boat on that one but in my mind, I was ROCKING. In the years to come, I had a guitar teacher with obscenely long finger nails and I performed at our high school Friday night Coffee House. A few can recall noise complaints surrounding loud versions of select Weezer and Radiohead jams in college dorm rooms. The ice blackout freshman year was the perfect time for an impromptu serenade and my performance was greeted with loud noises against wall next door- obviously out of appreciation. I do realize that I need to break through the comfortable set of chords that I have regurgitated over the years and branch out into more challenging assignments but rest assured, I am always available for a spur of the moment crooning.

Never Ending Teeth

It is my belief that there are few things more frightening and fascinating than the adaptable creature known as the shark. Throughout history this beast of an animal has morphed and adjusted to fit the changing oceans without losing status as one of the most lethal killing machines out there. What other several ton organism has an endless supply of dagger sharp teeth? How about having a protective layer over your eyes in the rare but dangerous occurrence of having an attacker aim at them? Let’s not forget about the brute strength of the muscles comprising of a sharks dorsal fin alone. It is probably in everyone’s best interest that I now mention I took a severe liking to Shark Week. Mind you this was not the first airing, this was via Netflix but within several says I had gained enough knowledge to live and breathe shark. Growing up, I was obsessed with The Little Mermaid but still had nightmares about the creatures that lurked beneath the waters. I then made the foolish decision to watch the movie Open Water one night at a friend’s house in Asheville several years ago. Queue the flashbacks of a dull nausea every time an underwater movie or deep ocean scene came on TV. Always having an active imagination, I decided that rather than let my thoughts of fanged companions get the best of my summer swims, I would face this demon head on. Enter Shark Week. In several hours, I had overcome my intense fear of these underwater giants and had formed a somewhat strange appreciation and admiration for sharks. It was as if through understanding the way they functioned, they somehow seemed a LITTLE less terrifying. While I do intend on swimming some laps this summer and perhaps venturing to the beach, you will not find me darting around in reefs littered with caution signs. Have a nice swim everyone.

Friend Request Accepted

While on a trip to Atlanta this past weekend, a good friend made a silly but somewhat accurate statement: If it’s not on Facebook, it didn’t happen. Sure, this was said in jest in regards to the whole Facebook phenomenon where casual stalking turns into an everyday occurrence but where else can you find out about engagements, children, new jobs or even just random and probably useless facts about people you were once close to? That’s right, for those of you inclined to scroll through the various faces of your former stages of life, enter the Facebook postings. Just the other day I learned that a childhood pal had passed the BAR and that another acquaintance is allergic to peanuts and had to be rushed to the E.R. I could have picked up the phone or composed an email, but finding out these day to day activities of those you hold close – or as far away as possible- from your heart works best online. In fact, as a test of this theory- I am going to start a little experiment. If you are friends with me on various online sites and start seeing outrageous posts of swimming with sharks (my extreme terror regarding this subject will be discussed later) or a sudden urge to acquire body art, think twice. We will see just how many people believe that if it is on Facebook, it DID happen. Happy stalking!

Game On

While I once basked in the happy oblivion to anything related to organized sports during lunch, I will say that I have since reformed my opinion. Originally, spending my lunch hour getting super competitive around coworkers seemed like my personal idea of hell. I mean think of every stereotype of work associate you could find and mix in score keeping and a strong drive to win- no thank you. After laying low on the structured sports radar, I took the plunge last week during a game of ultimate frisbee. Interestingly enough, I have to say that my ideas were extremely skewed. My fears of having my office mates shoving my face in the mud for missing a catch were nonexistent. In fact, everyone involved in the game had nothing but positive things to say- at least when aimed towards this newcomer. Sure there was the occasional trash talk but it was usually in good fun and was seldom laced with four letter obscenities. No one broke into a fist fight in the middle of the field of swept someone with a tackle after the play was over. All in all, I enjoyed the abundance of high fives and the congratulatory commentary. While I do enjoy the solitude of my midday runs where I can churn over my own thoughts, I have to say that I will definitely be responding to the next email involving an ultimate game. Count me in!

Voices Only

For those unimpressed with groups capable of creating music without instruments, let me just ask- WHY? Sure I can see how some of you uneducated in the world of acappella singing may think only of old fashioned barber shop quartets and nerdy collegiate groups in monogrammed sweaters. I will let you in on a little secret- those ideas of this growing phenomenon are both outdated and incorrect. Sure, there are those stereotypical groups out there but there really is nothing uncool about being able to create music with simply voices. This sudden ranting over the world of acappella is prompted by an upcoming reunion with some fellow singers once involved in Elon’s Sweet Signatures. While there will probably be something musically driven thrown in the mix, there will certainly not be a shortage of entertainment. I mean what can you expect when twelve to sixteen girls hold practices three times a week and take their music on the road to other colleges around the area? These ladies know how to sing and how to entertain the idea of mischief along with the best of them. Impromptu beatbox sessions and freestyle sing-alongs? Check. The best part is, with the ability to arrange and perform these songs acappella, the show can really be put on when and wherever we choose. Whether we find ourselves amplified or simply rocking out in someone’s car, this weekend is sure to be a good time. But please, voices only.

Running Machine

Well friends, I am proud to announce that I participated in – and survived – my first 10K race! While I would be lying if I said that every minute of it looked like a scene out of the most esteemed runner’s magazine, I did run the whole way and avoided a dramatic meltdown upon crossing the finish line. I suppose in some ways I had an advantage since I ran this same course for the 5K I participated in this past November. That seemed fine and dandy at first until I forced myself to settle with the fact that I would be facing those same hills twice. Nothing like passing through the finish line for the 5K and getting geared up for another go. I will admit that on some of those inclines I found myself gazing longingly at passing cars wondering just how sketchy it would be if I asked the driver to covertly drop me at the next mile mark. I did not know anyone involved in this race so when we started out there were lots of conversations to help distract me from the run itself. As those folks who bolted out of the gates started falling back, the chatter began to die down and towards the end there were many people running alone. Personally, this is not something that bothers me and in many ways it is quite peaceful but man, running for over an hour really gives you some time to think. On downhill slopes I was thinking of happier times such as the BBQ I will be attending later today or the lovely weather. During those almost never-ending hills my thoughts did begin to shift. To make myself feel better about the task at hand, I thought back to some footage I had seen of marathon runners and some poor souls who had a hard time keeping it together. I then thought about a dramatic finish line moment involving a frantic collapse onto a few lucky bystanders. Throwing a large amount of drool in there never hurt. I will say that this was a positive experience and I did beat my set time, finishing at 1:06:10. Not too shabby. A friend of mine planted the seed of training for a half marathon this December but for today, it’s time to kick back and relax. Happy Saturday!

The Almost Pampered Chef

Let it be known that I give the utmost praise to the individual behind the concept of product parties because tonight not only marked my first encounter with The Pampered Chef, but it awoke my desire to become a cooking enthusiast. Apparently with the mention of food choppers, bamboo serving bowls and non-stick cookware, this evening displaced me into a magical alternate universe of entertaining. Forget the bags of chips and the half eaten jar of salsa - with the gorgeous catalog of Pampered Chef merchandise, I found myself flooded with visions of hosting parties where the appetizers were pastry based and there were special plates and utensils for each specific menu item. Is this a hidden love for domestication manifesting itself in the form of a credit card purchase for an egg slicer and a jar of asian spices? Perhaps my home cooking just needs a bit of a kick and this is the exact way to make the packed lunches and self prepared dinners a bit more manageable and exciting. Whatever prompted this sudden shift was definitely sparked by the pages of this previously mentioned - and very delightful - product magazine. I mean the concept really is flawless. With the gathering of friends in a safe and comfortable location, everyone is free to eat, drink and SPEND. It is almost as if in some cases, the purchases of others prompt you to keep adding items to your own list. Not to fear, no financial damage was done this evening but I have planted the seed for future spending. In the meantime, look for precisely chopped vegetables and meals whipped up in hopefully next to no time at all. Bon appétit!

Meat Free

Delicious, juicy hamburgers. Mouth watering chicken cutlets. Steak. Why on earth would a former meat eater want to give such delicacies up? I can tell you that while I appreciate other’s desires for such culinary delights, the intense fear of self-inflicted food poisoning combined with the lack of enthusiasm over meat dishes as a whole turned me vegetarian. Oh, that and the fact that one fateful afternoon I decided to watch a video on meat processing. So, that pretty much sums up why I stick to consuming creatures of the sea. This may seem confusing to some as yes, they are still considered animals but let me just say that while I loved the movie The Little Mermaid as a child, I have no qualms about eating flounder or a crustacean treat. This may seem like selective carnivorous behavior but I admit I am pretty set in my ways. I never liked meat enough to consume something I could snuggle with. Can you share a tender embrace with a piece of pre-sushi whitefish? Not exactly. While choosing to forgo the popular menu items of today’s world such as Big Macs has been a rather easy decision, it has not gone without some backlash. Take for example the pictures of raw meat that mysteriously appear around my work cubicle when I return from vacation. Or perhaps the endless jokes from my roommate about leaving hamburger meat “accidentally” on top of my vegetables and other perishables in the fridge. While yes, all harmless and in good fun, vegetarians of today must be equipped with a thick skin and the daily craving for greens. Let me also add that if anyone is ever looking for a companion for sushi by all means, count me IN.

The Colonial Life

Either through school trips, family vacations, or historical curiosity, a few of you may be familiar with the enchanting place known as Colonial Williamsburg. For a certain age bracket, this world can be seen as boring and extremely old fashioned but once one reaches a certain maturity, this alternative America transports you back…way back. I realize some of you may be aware of this already, but did you know that the size of a man’s calf muscle was a gauge of his wealth and importance in society? This particular body part may go unnoticed in this day and age but back in the colonial times, it was not uncommon for men to go around strutting their stuff and flexing their calf muscles for all- particularly the ladies- to see. For those working on reenactments and representing silversmiths and the working force behind a running stable, this is total immersion. You cannot roll up to the job site in a CAR blasting music from THIS century out of your new high tech speakers. The thought of wearing anything showing a brand name as part of the work attire would be simply unheard of and the smallest details, even down to the phrasing of sentences and the word choice reflect a certain antique air. If you are a gentleman dealing with the traditional working world and do not wish to sheer your long locks, this could be the place for you. Well, if you possess a vast knowledge of your craft and have mastered studies in American history. Minor details aside, this place moves even the most skeptic history lover to an extremely interesting phase in our nation’s past. So while you may not be jumping to plan your next vacation in this mainly pedestrian-only destination, look around for a Colonial Williamsburg junky- they are out there!

Time Warping

For me, it is always the most unexpected of moments when I stumble across an old photo or note from that special time known as 1994. It was a time so unique that the one photo I found tonight made me do multiple YouTube searches of my favorite flannel-clad musical inspirations. To help transport you back to this particular snapshot, I must first explain that brown lip gloss with flavors such as Dr. Pepper and Mr. Pibb were hot to trot and any hairstyle consisting of scrunchies or a clip fell under a category known as THE BOMB. Chucks were the preferred footwear and while a younger generation currently resides in my closet, many wore them like they were going out of style. I’m fairly confident most girls my age had a huge crush on Jared Leto as Jordan Catalano - the persona in this unearthed photograph was certainly channeling Claire Danes. Troll dolls were considered a mere thing of the past and slap bracelets had long since been banned from Middle School. It’s so interesting how one photo or really any song from that year can take me back. Perhaps some Buffalo Tom on the way to work tomorrow?

No Signal

While drivers from the North can be classified as aggressive, cutthroat and bold, some strong stereotypes can be placed on drivers from the South. This is a question based on generalizations, but why do different sets of driving rules take over once one crosses the Mason Dixon? Apparently the critical turn signal is a courtesy when you start navigating through North Carolina. When the rare snow occurs, it’s extremely common for everyone who owns a truck to flock out onto the ice and snow covered streets to prove that THEY CAN DO IT. In the same unsafe fashion, why do drivers in the South feel that going 45 miles an hour on the highway is the most practical move? In fact, I believe it has been debated that slow drivers are involved in as many- if not more- accidents than motorists driving at high speeds. Yes, I may have looked that up. Putting aside these common examples, location plays no part in some nationwide mistakes. For instance, the application of a whole face of makeup while driving at 50 miles per hour. Or my personal favorite, the rare and extremely dangerous en route reader. That’s right; some individuals feel that operating a two ton machine while diving into the latest Dan Brown novel is the best notion of multi-tasking ever invented. While we all do our best – at least most of the time- to avoid falling under these unfortunate categories, please do not let me spot you even attempting a crossword or Sudoku puzzle while on the road. Safe and geographically accurate driving everyone!

The Madness

In March, sports fanatics and casual viewers alike sense a dramatic change in the enthusiasm surrounding college sports. Specifically, I am speaking of basketball which causes the college t-shirts to be resurrected from storage in time for the NCAA tournament. Being a novice to the world of sports brackets in general, I went in based purely on the numbers and without warning I was hooked. To the point where I would find myself searching the web on my phone for the latest scores and upsets. It is during this month that you can tell by the mood immediately after a big game who just lost a friendly wager and who was putting money on the line. Players’ names are used in casual conversations like we are all personally involved in the lives and actions of these athletes. Addicting, you bet. The squeaks of shoes on the court and whistles become background noise echoed by loud cheers or groans of disapproval. Without following the games of the season, it is quick to discover which teams have hotheaded coaches heading for their next technical foul or coronary emergency. While it can be bit overwhelming at times, I have thoroughly enjoyed the games so far- bring on the madness!

I Hate Dummies

Who knew that childhood toys could suddenly be so terrifying once adulthood hit. A lone china doll is fine but group a bunch of them together in one room and there you have it- creepy. Maybe I blame Stephen King but I find clowns extremely uncomfortable and would not want to be caught alone with a clown doll, let alone an actual human in costume. As if I had a love for them in the first place, I was reminded yesterday of another nightmare educing childhood plaything. I am referring to the forever strange and disturbing ventriloquist doll. Why would this suddenly spring to mind one might ask? Well, a friend and coworker traveled to his childhood home over the weekend and returned with this once favored ventriloquist doll complete with monocle and blood red lips. We all had a good laugh and conversation at work discussing how spooky these sorts of dolls were and at the time, I figured this was the end of it. When I returned from the gym yesterday I wheeled my desk chair around to come face to face with this unsettling child size creature. As if that was not bad enough, at the end of the workday I ventured out to my car and found this indestructible doll in the backseat of my car strapped in with a seatbelt. Thank goodness for daylights savings time because if I had come into contact with that thing without the sun’s rays I may have had to check myself into some serious counseling. Apparently this year’s April Fools pranks are beginning a few weeks early so I will embrace the joking whole heartily but please, no more dolls!

Green For All

It is a simple fact that you do not have to be Irish to enjoy the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day. While some consider this day a free for all involving copious amounts of alcohol and dyed beer, this year I took to wearing green and faking a somewhat sketchy sounding Irish accent. Traveling to the mall tonight after work, I was surprised by how many people were wearing some variation of the shade of the day. I spotted a few red haired children with kelly green shamrock earrings and headbands proudly proclaiming their heritage and a few grumpy old men in the food court wearing “Kiss Me I’m Irish” shirts. Not sure that whole approach was working for them, but then again that could have explained the sour facial expressions. During work, I received a few festive email chains and even a mass text to my cell phone revealing a leprechaun popping out of a pot of gold and showcasing a shamrock tattoo on an area usually covered by clothing. There seems to always be some sort of mischief involved with this day but hey, it’s a fun way to spice up a Wednesday. So cheers to all of you enjoying a nice Guinness or Murphy’s Irish Stout, I look forward to seeing another sea of green this time next year.

Brainstorming Fools

It is unfortunate that as we grow older, some people feel that an increase in age means a decrease in practical jokes. Take for example the lovely tradition of April Fools. The first of April marks the hopeful transition into shorts and skirts but for me, it has always been a monumental day of pranks. In high school I was always one of the ring leaders surrounding these hoaxes and could be seen orchestrating private meetings and top secret dispatches. Going back even further, I was the usual culprit when a teachers chair was tied to their desk legs or there was a whoopee cushion accidentally misplaced under the seat of a person of authority. Dangerous? No. Harmless and extremely fun to carry out? Of course! Why should the occasional shenanigans cease when one enters the workplace environment? This just seems like a grueling and painful way to an early grave. Personally, while April Fools is an excellent excuse for debauchery, there is no reason why some fun cannot be part of every day. Take for example my current job. There is an unspoken rule that if someone leaves their computer unlocked then one has free reign over their instant messages, email and basically anything on the desktop. My personal favorite would be the computer background changeup. Who expects to come back to their computer to find a blown up picture of David Bowie circa the Ziggy Stardust era? A little joking is good for soul so let the pranks begin!

Opposite Attraction

While some people tend to attract friends that could be carbon copies of themselves, relationships formed in childhood will remind you that you can attend different colleges and determine drastically alternate hobbies without drifting apart. Take for example one of my best friends who happens to be celebrating a birthday today. When it came to guys, she preferred jocks while I tended to gravitate more towards artists and performers…well, I guess some things never change. I would break into a cold sweat when she demanded I don Lily Pulitzer at her future wedding while I threatened her with organic cottons and earth tones. We swapped clothes throughout middle and high school but when college rolled around, we found each other admiring each others styles with a polite and sincere “that looks like you.” While I can be more of a homebody, I turn to her for the exciting nightlife plans and happening places to spend my time home in Baltimore. In times of conflict, she comes to me for a calm and usually brutally honest dose of advice. While a stranger may not pick us out in a crowd as being close, I advise you to not let her contrasting love for polka dots and pink throw you off for childhood friends maintain some of the strongest bonds out there. So while I will not be clearing off my Ipod for any of her country music, I do hold this friendship in high regards and hope that everyone out there takes a moment or two to think of their old time buddies. Here’s to seeing eye to eye on the important aspects of life, and a cheers to many more years to come.

Farewell Chills

There’s something almost magical about that first day of spring. Today marked the first break in the chill where you debated wearing gloves and felt comfortable if not obgliged to drive with the windows down. There is this unspoken wave of relief and hope that sweeps over fellow office mates, postal workers and strangers on the street when you realize that the jackets can potentially be placed on their winter hangers for hibernation. The work day is still a full eight hours and the daily tasks remain unchanged however there is just an unexplanable something that lingers with the arrival of warmer weather. Maybe it is that extra hello in the hall, or a door held for a few prolonged seconds but it seems that even the coldest hearts feel the warmth and liberation of spring. Personally, I find that spring renews the sense of self worth and importance. For some, this could take form in the traditional spring cleaning where the cobwebs and lazy dustballs from the artic months are finally swept away. This welcome season could bring about shifts in diet and exercise regimes as the warmer – and bathing suit clad – months grow closer. In many, myself included, this time of year brings about a new wave of optimism. With the frigid weather hopefully becoming a mere memory, I find myself tossing aside those excuses once reserved for colder days. This covers such sentiments such as staying in due to the chilly temperature or watching movie after movie to avoid the necessary layering for outdoor adventures. When the temperature in North Carolina hits the average sixty degrees, these answers simply don’t cut it. So, here’s hoping we all wave goodbye to those chunky fleece jackets for another year and enjoy our natural outdoor surroundings!