End of May! How did this sneak up on us!?
Well it's here so onto June and summer! Hell yeah! Beaches, booze, and frisbee ahead. Hope all of you had a great week and have some fun plans for the weekend.
As I said, I'm being a bit skimpy this evening because of the nice weather and frisbee, but I'm sure you'll get over it.
Let's get onto the music shall we?
This week I just had the need for something funky. Fresh. Feel good. And I have exactly the song for that. It's been out for about a month and recently just began flooding all the radio stations out here, so I wouldn't be surprised if you have heard it before. When Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" first came out, I was pumped because it brought Pharrell Williams out of the woodwork and back into the mainstream, and thankfully he's in the following song also. Score! I hope you enjoy it. If you haven't heard it before, get ready, this will be another one of those "summer songs." This is Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines."
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Back to Morocco
Yeah yeah, I know it should be "Day Four..." regarding the Ireland trip. But I'll be straight with you. It's 7pm as I'm writing this, still sunny out, and 80 degrees. I'm going to play some frisbee.
My continuation of Ireland experiences can wait until next week. Cause I have bigger fish to fry.
But I'll leave you with another wonderful video. Of course it's of Morocco. Why? Because I love it there. The sights, sounds, tastes, cultures, people. Everything. And this video showcases it. But unlike any other video I've shown regarding the country, this is super stylized. With clashing music, in-your-face editing, and some fun camera effects (film burn, focusing, etc).
I hope you enjoy it. Cause I sure do. And I promise...Ireland will return promptly Monday!
Watchtower of Morocco from Leonardo Dalessandri on Vimeo.
My continuation of Ireland experiences can wait until next week. Cause I have bigger fish to fry.
But I'll leave you with another wonderful video. Of course it's of Morocco. Why? Because I love it there. The sights, sounds, tastes, cultures, people. Everything. And this video showcases it. But unlike any other video I've shown regarding the country, this is super stylized. With clashing music, in-your-face editing, and some fun camera effects (film burn, focusing, etc).
I hope you enjoy it. Cause I sure do. And I promise...Ireland will return promptly Monday!
Watchtower of Morocco from Leonardo Dalessandri on Vimeo.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Day Three: Kilkenny, Waterford, and Killarney
Waking up super early, we packed our things, said goodbye to our more than gracious host and made our way to the car, ready to begin the first day of driving outside of Dublin. Of course this was to be my first real day of driving and I will admit I was super nervous. Driving on the opposite side of the road, combined with the the controls being on the right side of the vehicle freaked me out a bit. But surprisingly, it was much easier than I imagined. It only took me a few minutes to feel comfortable behind the wheel. Only on turns did I want to naturally make my way into the wrong lane - but thankfully that urge passed quickly and we were cruising down the highway in no time.
At first the driving was easy. Three lane highway - oncoming traffic separated by a median. But then we began to travel via back roads. And that's when the fear started to kick in a bit. Yes, the roads had two lanes, but each was barely wider than our car. They also bent and curved constantly, with no shoulder. Oh yeah, and the speed limit was 100km (60mph). So there was little room, poor visibility ahead because of the twists and turns, and locals zooming by at ridiculous speeds. Hair-raising to say the least. But I adjusted quickly and it soon became fun. Hugging the turns, coasting over bumps, tearing ass down farm roads.
Eventually we made it out of the country and into the city of Kilkenny. Our first stop of the day. To see our first castle of the trip, appropriately called Kilkenny Castle. As a kid I had seen castles on TV, in books, on the internet, but there is something so magical about witnessing something first hand that was built in 1195. The craftsmanship, the weathered stones, ornate decorations spread throughout. Everything about it felt regal. The large halls, the artwork, the different themes of each room and wings. It was wonderful wandering through it, learning about the different families that once resided within its walls, how it was built, the battles it had survived. We even had some tea and coffee in the refurnished kitchen. The whole experience was pretty eye opening, really putting in perspective Ireland's lush history.
Hopping back into the car, we continued along through the countryside until we hit Waterford. By the advice of Paige, there wasn't much to see in the city. It was rather plain, kind of boring, except for of course the Waterford Crystal factory. My mom has a few of their pieces, so it was only fitting to take the tour and man was it a blast. Walking through, watching the crystal get blown, molded, cut, and detailed. From beginning to end. Learning all about how the pieces are made - being allowed to talk to the craftsmen as we wandered about. I was honestly surprised they let us see every asset of the process and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the area. Really educational and fun. I will admit though, I was slightly dissapointed. As a child I always thought crystal was some sort of rock, like limestone or marble that was pulled out of the ground and milled down. Because of the tour, I learned it is just glass with a certain level of lead in it (33% for Waterford). Bummer. This whole time I had thought it was miles apart from everyday glass. Damn.
After the tour, we walked around for a bit before we got back into the car. What came next? More driving of course! All the way to our final destination for the day, Killarney. We were staying in a cute little bed and breakfast nestled along the coast of a river. Pulling in, I couldn't believe how picturesque it was. It seemed absolutely perfect, until we met our host for the night Kathy, and it only got better. She welcomed us with open arms, a warm smile, and a thick brogue. She showed us to our room, gave us a brief tour, and let us be for the night. After doing a little research, we found a restaurant and went out to grab a bite to eat, gorging ourselves on lasagna, shepherd's pie, and chicken. Returning back to the bed and breakfast, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow - exhausted from the driving.
Tomorrow began a new day. The Ring of Kerry, the town of Dingle, and making our way to Galway.
At first the driving was easy. Three lane highway - oncoming traffic separated by a median. But then we began to travel via back roads. And that's when the fear started to kick in a bit. Yes, the roads had two lanes, but each was barely wider than our car. They also bent and curved constantly, with no shoulder. Oh yeah, and the speed limit was 100km (60mph). So there was little room, poor visibility ahead because of the twists and turns, and locals zooming by at ridiculous speeds. Hair-raising to say the least. But I adjusted quickly and it soon became fun. Hugging the turns, coasting over bumps, tearing ass down farm roads.
Eventually we made it out of the country and into the city of Kilkenny. Our first stop of the day. To see our first castle of the trip, appropriately called Kilkenny Castle. As a kid I had seen castles on TV, in books, on the internet, but there is something so magical about witnessing something first hand that was built in 1195. The craftsmanship, the weathered stones, ornate decorations spread throughout. Everything about it felt regal. The large halls, the artwork, the different themes of each room and wings. It was wonderful wandering through it, learning about the different families that once resided within its walls, how it was built, the battles it had survived. We even had some tea and coffee in the refurnished kitchen. The whole experience was pretty eye opening, really putting in perspective Ireland's lush history.
Hopping back into the car, we continued along through the countryside until we hit Waterford. By the advice of Paige, there wasn't much to see in the city. It was rather plain, kind of boring, except for of course the Waterford Crystal factory. My mom has a few of their pieces, so it was only fitting to take the tour and man was it a blast. Walking through, watching the crystal get blown, molded, cut, and detailed. From beginning to end. Learning all about how the pieces are made - being allowed to talk to the craftsmen as we wandered about. I was honestly surprised they let us see every asset of the process and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the area. Really educational and fun. I will admit though, I was slightly dissapointed. As a child I always thought crystal was some sort of rock, like limestone or marble that was pulled out of the ground and milled down. Because of the tour, I learned it is just glass with a certain level of lead in it (33% for Waterford). Bummer. This whole time I had thought it was miles apart from everyday glass. Damn.
After the tour, we walked around for a bit before we got back into the car. What came next? More driving of course! All the way to our final destination for the day, Killarney. We were staying in a cute little bed and breakfast nestled along the coast of a river. Pulling in, I couldn't believe how picturesque it was. It seemed absolutely perfect, until we met our host for the night Kathy, and it only got better. She welcomed us with open arms, a warm smile, and a thick brogue. She showed us to our room, gave us a brief tour, and let us be for the night. After doing a little research, we found a restaurant and went out to grab a bite to eat, gorging ourselves on lasagna, shepherd's pie, and chicken. Returning back to the bed and breakfast, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow - exhausted from the driving.
Tomorrow began a new day. The Ring of Kerry, the town of Dingle, and making our way to Galway.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Dublin Day Two
I apologize for going silent for a week. Ireland was crazy and at the end of every day, instead of sitting down and writing, I crashed hard. I was exhausted by the time we checked into wherever we were staying for the night. So let me fill in you on everything that happened.
We awoke day two, charged and ready to attack Dublin aggressively. We each grabbed a bagel, some coffee and tea from a local cafe, and went out exploring. Stop number one? The Old Jameson Distillery. We aimed for the 10 o'clock tour (I'm dedicated to my whiskey) but missed it by a few minutes, so we had to settle for the 11 o'clock tour instead. And boy was it fantastic. Seeing the old machines, hearing the story of John Jameson, and of course tasting it. I even became a "certified" Jameson taste tester, certificate and all.
Next, belly's warm from the whiskey, we wandered over to the Guinness Storehouse. Yup. Double duty on the booze. Now I understand I same the Jameson Distillery was fantastic, but the Guinness Storehouse was literally like the Willy Wonka of beer. Waterfalls, large containers of malt, interactive videos, tastings. I felt like a kid in a candy store. Running around, reading all the signs, watching all the videos - completely enthralled. Best part? At the end of the tour, you end up in the Sky Bar, a giant glass bar at the top of the storehouse with panoramic views of Dublin. It was absolutely breathtaking. Throw in a free pint upon arrival and I really couldn't be much happier. We ended up meeting a nice older couple from South Africa while sipping on our pints and shared life stories with them before finishing our drinks and heading out back into the city.
From Guinness, all a little tipsy by this point, we headed through the antiques section of Dublin, down to the Church of Christ and an old castle in the middle of the city. Both were stunning. The architecture, stained glass, history embedded within. Truly unlike anything you can find in this country. After the tour of the church, we sat out in a park for a little bit relaxing, before heading over to Trinity College.
Unfortunately by the time we got there, the library was closed (shucks) but the campus was still great. Rich in history, encased by beautiful buildings, lush lawns, and cobblestones galore. I'd compare it to George Washington or Princeton, but lets be real, Trinity came first and those others can't touch it.
After Trinity we did some brief trinket and souvenir shopping. Nothing too special, but like any trip, necessary. When shopped out, we made our way back to our flat where we recharged before heading back into the city to the Arlington Hotel for dinner and some live Irish music and a step dance show. I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but the meal, music, and dancing were all amazing. I had a lovely lamb stew, listened to some great music (heck, they even played one of my favorite Flogging Molly songs), and was mesmerized by the dancing. Through the entire night my mom couldn't stop smiling - which was the best outcome.
Stomachs full, we trudged back upstairs and passed out. Ready to leave early to drive down through Waterford, Kilkenny, and eventually end up in Killarney to drive the Ring of Kerry.
We awoke day two, charged and ready to attack Dublin aggressively. We each grabbed a bagel, some coffee and tea from a local cafe, and went out exploring. Stop number one? The Old Jameson Distillery. We aimed for the 10 o'clock tour (I'm dedicated to my whiskey) but missed it by a few minutes, so we had to settle for the 11 o'clock tour instead. And boy was it fantastic. Seeing the old machines, hearing the story of John Jameson, and of course tasting it. I even became a "certified" Jameson taste tester, certificate and all.
Next, belly's warm from the whiskey, we wandered over to the Guinness Storehouse. Yup. Double duty on the booze. Now I understand I same the Jameson Distillery was fantastic, but the Guinness Storehouse was literally like the Willy Wonka of beer. Waterfalls, large containers of malt, interactive videos, tastings. I felt like a kid in a candy store. Running around, reading all the signs, watching all the videos - completely enthralled. Best part? At the end of the tour, you end up in the Sky Bar, a giant glass bar at the top of the storehouse with panoramic views of Dublin. It was absolutely breathtaking. Throw in a free pint upon arrival and I really couldn't be much happier. We ended up meeting a nice older couple from South Africa while sipping on our pints and shared life stories with them before finishing our drinks and heading out back into the city.
From Guinness, all a little tipsy by this point, we headed through the antiques section of Dublin, down to the Church of Christ and an old castle in the middle of the city. Both were stunning. The architecture, stained glass, history embedded within. Truly unlike anything you can find in this country. After the tour of the church, we sat out in a park for a little bit relaxing, before heading over to Trinity College.
Unfortunately by the time we got there, the library was closed (shucks) but the campus was still great. Rich in history, encased by beautiful buildings, lush lawns, and cobblestones galore. I'd compare it to George Washington or Princeton, but lets be real, Trinity came first and those others can't touch it.
After Trinity we did some brief trinket and souvenir shopping. Nothing too special, but like any trip, necessary. When shopped out, we made our way back to our flat where we recharged before heading back into the city to the Arlington Hotel for dinner and some live Irish music and a step dance show. I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but the meal, music, and dancing were all amazing. I had a lovely lamb stew, listened to some great music (heck, they even played one of my favorite Flogging Molly songs), and was mesmerized by the dancing. Through the entire night my mom couldn't stop smiling - which was the best outcome.
Stomachs full, we trudged back upstairs and passed out. Ready to leave early to drive down through Waterford, Kilkenny, and eventually end up in Killarney to drive the Ring of Kerry.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Dublin Day One
So we made it here. Alive and well. Air Lingus was well beyond my expectations and the flight was extremely easy. Only a short five hours. When my mother and I first landed we got some tea, coffee, and breakfast as we waited for my brother to arrive a few hours later. Eventually he made it and the adventure really began.
First step was getting our rental car. We chose not to pay for insurance so I have the added pressure of not crashing. Oh boy. And they drive on the wrong side of the road here - which, to be honest hasn't been that bad. Only slightly harrowing in certain parts of downtown Dublin. So yes, we're in Dublin now. Mom and bro are recharging with quick naps and I'm just wandering around taking in what I can myself. Before they crashed we walked around for a bit, got lunch (first real meal was bangers and mash), had my first Guinness. WAY better here than in the states and checked into the apartment we are staying in. Who knows what is on store for tonight but we'll determine that when they wake up.
Bangers!
Apartment view.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Song of the Day (Drunken Lullabies) 05.17.13
I've made it through the week of 15 hour days. God damn. I knew I'd be dragging but I didn't expect to be hurtin' this much by the end of it. Oh well, I survived right? Onto the Guinnes, meat, and potatoes!
Right and I suppose some music.
I'm not diving into it tonight. Take it for what you want. I just don't have much to say about either song. They just feel right and dammit, you're going to enjoy them (I hope).
Song one is just unavoidable. I've posted some music by them before but I just have to share some more with you today. I found them back during my freshman year in high school and have loved them ever since. Their energy, stage presence, lyrics, melodies, fun attitude, and the fact that they are Irish. As I'm sure you guessed it, this is Flogging Molly with "Drunken Lullabies" (which I'm sure perfectly sums up what the next week with encompass).
Cliche much?
Song number two comes from a completely different direction. For anyone out there who likes Bon Iver or The Black Keys, this should be right up your alley. The next song has the unique, bluesy rock and roll sound of The Black Keys, but is from a band led by Bon Ivar frontman, Justin Vernon. Apparently he felt a little burnt out from Bon Iver and decided to spontaneously form a side group and release a record with them. I just love everything about the new group's sound. Fun. Raw. Dirty. This is The Shouting Matches, "Mother, When?"
Right and I suppose some music.
I'm not diving into it tonight. Take it for what you want. I just don't have much to say about either song. They just feel right and dammit, you're going to enjoy them (I hope).
Song one is just unavoidable. I've posted some music by them before but I just have to share some more with you today. I found them back during my freshman year in high school and have loved them ever since. Their energy, stage presence, lyrics, melodies, fun attitude, and the fact that they are Irish. As I'm sure you guessed it, this is Flogging Molly with "Drunken Lullabies" (which I'm sure perfectly sums up what the next week with encompass).
Cliche much?
Song number two comes from a completely different direction. For anyone out there who likes Bon Iver or The Black Keys, this should be right up your alley. The next song has the unique, bluesy rock and roll sound of The Black Keys, but is from a band led by Bon Ivar frontman, Justin Vernon. Apparently he felt a little burnt out from Bon Iver and decided to spontaneously form a side group and release a record with them. I just love everything about the new group's sound. Fun. Raw. Dirty. This is The Shouting Matches, "Mother, When?"
To the Homeland
Obviously I love Spain. I've only been there once. Only seen a fraction of it. But it left a lasting impression on me. The sights, sounds, tastes, smells, people, culture. Everything about it was absolutely stunning. It also didn't hurt to have one of the best guides for my trip. Showing me the ins and outs. Telling me what I needed to see, eat, drink. Honestly, I hope I can make it back soon. It really was a trip of a lifetime - as most of you can tell, since I'm still talking about it today.
So why exactly do I bring it up now? Well, tomorrow I leave to begin another journey. One that'll bring me back across the ocean. To the homeland - Ireland. Am I excited? Yes. I can't wait to drink real Guinness, taste true Irish Whiskey, walk along the alleyways of historic Dublin, feel the cobblestones beneath my feet, wait for flocks of sheep to cross the road, struggle to understand the local accents. But back to my original thought. The video I'm sharing with you is of a Spanish Road trip. No - not mine, although I'd be more than happy to share it with you again. It's of a couple who traveled throughout all of Spain and documented their drive via video. Originally, I wanted to just mimic the kind of piece I made earlier in the year, but after watching what is below, I'm inspired to change my plan. I love the contrasting footage, the multiple shots shown at once, the attention of the little things that would often be forgotten. So watch below and imagine this, with more time lapse, thousands of photos, Guinness, potatoes, and lots and lots and lots of pastures and some cliffs.
Oh - and the reason I'm not posting an actual video about Ireland is that I can't find a good one. I'm utterly shocked at the lack of Ireland pieces out there. So, consider this a challenge that I am accepting. To create and contribute to the web, an absolutely beautiful, short documentary about my time there.
And I promise to post next week as I can, when I can. Although, that is all dependent on wifi. See you on the other side!
A Spanish Roadtrip from The Perennial Plate on Vimeo.
So why exactly do I bring it up now? Well, tomorrow I leave to begin another journey. One that'll bring me back across the ocean. To the homeland - Ireland. Am I excited? Yes. I can't wait to drink real Guinness, taste true Irish Whiskey, walk along the alleyways of historic Dublin, feel the cobblestones beneath my feet, wait for flocks of sheep to cross the road, struggle to understand the local accents. But back to my original thought. The video I'm sharing with you is of a Spanish Road trip. No - not mine, although I'd be more than happy to share it with you again. It's of a couple who traveled throughout all of Spain and documented their drive via video. Originally, I wanted to just mimic the kind of piece I made earlier in the year, but after watching what is below, I'm inspired to change my plan. I love the contrasting footage, the multiple shots shown at once, the attention of the little things that would often be forgotten. So watch below and imagine this, with more time lapse, thousands of photos, Guinness, potatoes, and lots and lots and lots of pastures and some cliffs.
Oh - and the reason I'm not posting an actual video about Ireland is that I can't find a good one. I'm utterly shocked at the lack of Ireland pieces out there. So, consider this a challenge that I am accepting. To create and contribute to the web, an absolutely beautiful, short documentary about my time there.
And I promise to post next week as I can, when I can. Although, that is all dependent on wifi. See you on the other side!
A Spanish Roadtrip from The Perennial Plate on Vimeo.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Pedaling On
It was nights like these that were her favorite. Riding down the middle of the walkway, swerving ever so slightly right to left, snaking across the shimmering stone blocks beneath her. Not a care in the world. No one to run into. The path was her's and she was going to take as much advantage of it as she could.
The air was still thick with moisture from the rain that had fallen earlier in the night. As she rode along, she breathed in deeply, taking in as much of the rich ozone aroma that she could. It was a pleasant change from the smog that usually lingered between the buildings during the day. Spewed out form the thousands of cars that roamed the streets. It just hung there - clogging the streets. An unpleasant acrid scent that attacked the throat and blotted out the sun. Every time it rained, it was a salvation. The sky would just open up and wash away the filth. Knock it down to the ground, sweeping it along until being sucked into a storm drain. She was always surprised at how clean everything looked after a storm. Every surface glistened as if brand new. Littered with thousands of tiny droplets.
As she continued on, it was nice to let her mind wander a bit. Just float away from her body for a few moments. Not anywhere in particular, but just out, allowed to stretch and catch a breath. It was refreshing to not think for a moment. To just ride along, lost in the dull red glow of the lanterns stretching out before her. Listening to her tires thumping against the spaces between the blocks, the slight squeaking of rubber against wet stone. There was something surreal and serene about it. Just her senses at work. No thoughts or subconscious. Rolling along.
When she had first been assigned the late shift, she was dissappointed. Feared that she would be missing out on time with her family. Thinking about not making it home in time for dinner upset her. Missing the chance to hear about everyone's days, unwind in the company of others. It had been a routine she looked forward to the last few years. The first couple nights were the hardest. Dragging by. Her body wasn't used to the time change and she hadn't prepared. By the time she walked through her front door she wanted to collapse. But she knew she had to adjust for the sake of her family. To help put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. After a couple weeks, the shift didn't seem so brutal. Her biological clock had synced and she looked forward to the ride home every night. Especially after a storm.
Nearing the end of the path, the sky began to open up again. Spitting precipitation down onto her. Prompting her to pedal faster. It wouldn't be long before she was at her front door. Just a few more blocks and she'd be there.
The thought of kissing her children as they slept in their beds was all the motivation she needed to hurry up.
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