Ed McFly's Atomic Dustbin: To Ez-Pass or Not?

Ed McFly's Atomic Dustbin: To Ez-Pass or Not?: So I have been driving to work everyday on the Mass Pike for nearly 8 years and I still don't have an easy pass.  My husband thinks I sh...

To Ez-Pass or Not?

So I have been driving to work everyday on the Mass Pike for nearly 8 years and I still don't have an easy pass.  My husband thinks I should just break down and get one, "They're so much easier" he says to me.  "Commuting is faster" he says.  Of course, like any good wife, I disagree.

While it may seem faster, more often that not, I find myself exiting the toll booths with easy, just as quick and sometimes even faster than my Ez-Pass counterparts.  I look at myself as keeping people employeed or maybe I'm just nostalgic.  Thinking back to stories I was told as a child, wondering, waiting to see if the toll collector would actually turn into a Troll if I didn't pay them.

Call me paranoid but I don't like the idea of having a tracking device in my car, they try to hook  you in by offering a FREE transponder.

If I loose my ticket on the Pike I have to pass the maximum amount due which is just under $3.00 however if my easy pass is low and I violate the tolls, I have to pay $50.00.  Ez-pass also collects billing fees of $2.00/month which is an additional $24.00/annually.  If your transponder is lost, stolen or defaced you have to purchase a new one at the actual cost.    I stick with the CASH only lane thanks.

Plus there are all these fees that I don't like:

Lost/Stolen, Damaged or Defaced Transponder Fee - Actual Manufacturer's Cost.

Returned Check Fee - $25.00

Video Toll ("V-Toll") Administrative Fee up to $1.00

Violation Fine - $50.00

Violation Administrative/Late Fees - $5.00 to $20.00

Violation RMV Non-Renewal "Marking Fee" - $20.00 (if violation not paid or appealed within 60 days)

Statement Fee:
One-Time Special Request Mailed or Faxed:
$3.00 (available for up to 6 prior months)

Monthly Mailed Statements:

$5.00/month for paper statements (Commercial Accounts)

 

 

I love seeing my toll collectors everyday.  They greet me with a "Happy Monday, Happy Hump Day, or Have a Good Weekend."  Sometimes I'll be in a grumpy mood and that exchange makes me smile.
 

On a more philosophical level I wonder how electronic payment systems effect our sense of value when it comes to money.  Does it make money more abstract?  Does it make it less valuable?  What does it say about our relationship with money?  What does it say about our relationship with others?  I'll take the exchange of a warm hand, kind works and gentle smile of a toll collector over Ez-Pass anyday.  I've been driving on the Pike for nearly 8 years without Ez-Pass and have finally decided to get one tomorrow.  NOT!!!! 

 

Alternative Methods of Transportation

Have you ever wanted to move around campus quickly and efficiently?  Bikes are good but they're difficult to store and depending on where you live or go to school there is always the possibility of them getting stolen.

Well here is a solution to moving in an alternative way in an urban enviroment.  The solution is practical, affordable, easy to store and plainly put....wicked awesome.  When I was in Spain I met up with Paul-Herve Paquet on the streets of Alicante where he was zipping around in style.  It was amazing to see him gracefully weave in and around pedestrian traffic.  This is really a marvel, check it out and let me know what you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH0Tbb7JLno

How a Rocking Hair Affair Abroad saved my Anniversary!

As I packed my bags for Ireland I got a wonderful message from Judith who said she booked me a hair appointment at the all too cool, Vintage Rocks Hair Parlour in East Belfast.  Check out their amazing website and be sure to book an appointment should you ever travel to there neck of the woods.  It's customary to bring the ladies sweets, please be sure to include Fluff, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Mac and Cheese and some treats with marshmallows.  If you bring such goods you will have friends for life!  http://www.vintagerockshairparlour.com/home/

I was so excited!  I had never been to East Belfast before, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the territory let me be brief.   East Belfast is comprised of predominately Protestant neighborhoods while West Belfast is comprised of predominately Catholics.  Until relatively recently there has been an imaginary line between the two and none shall cross.  Anywho....that's not important.  What is important that I crossed the imaginary line to a fabulous salon full of creative ladies who did a fine job at cutting my hair.  It took well over an hour and I enjoyed it very much.  It was very relaxing and they styled my hair without a curling iron.  Much to my surprise I didn't see a curling iron in the shop which was an unexpected welcome. 

They washed my hair, dried it gently using a small round brush and pinned it into place before letting it sit for a while.  After that they sprayed and I looked and felt fabulous.  I was consumed by great hairstyles, chats about Halloween, tattoos and piercings.  I was in my element.  Here's the kicker, I learned how to deal without a curling iron which would be a valuable skill to have when I went to Spain the following week to celebrate my 10th Anniversary.  After all I dreaded having shitty hair on my Anniversary.  Thank you to all the ladies Vintage Rocks for saving my Anniversary with Great Hair!



That's me the monkey in the middle.

How to have a Hair Adventure in Spain:

1.) Find a box of hair color, I wound up getting it at a huge department store, similar to Macy's.  (Note:  Red is not a popular color there so you'll have an easy time choosing a color.  Color 1 or Color 2)

2.)  Reading the instructions: Meh..not so much!  Remember that there is no such thing as the FDA in Spain so reduce your hair coloring time by half and the color will surely look like the one in the box.  Thanks again to Judith for this helpful tip about beauty and safety in the EU. 

3.)  Find hair pins that can reuse for Tapas (see photo above). 

4.)  Get some hairspray.

5.) Get a hold of a hairdryer.  Preferable one that doesn't require you to hold the on button for the entire time you dry your hair.  Every time my finger slipped off the button the dryer would stop and occasionally it would get hungry and eat my hair.
 
6.)  I left my hair color on for 15 minutes and ended up a pretty supersonic red.  I tried like Hell not to get color all over the hotel bathroom but failed miserably.  It looked like I slaughtered a pig in the tub.  Then I pinned my hair and tried to blow dry it as best as I could trying to shame Princess Leah.

7.)  Remove pins and dowse your locks in hairspray. Lots of it. 

TRAVEL TIP:  Gals leave your razor at home & covet your husbands oops or boyfriends or girlfriends.  Okay you get my drift.  This will allow you more space in your travel bags and less hazardous materials to travel with.  Wink, wink!   ( Let's keep this a sisterhood secret.  Shhhhhh!!!)

Trying to pin my hair is like trying to nail jello to a wall!

 

 

Fecking Hair Eating Nemisis!

 

Wha-la! The final product not to shabby although I hate to think of how red I would have been if I left the dye of for the allotted 30 minutes! 

 

 

Stepping out for our Anniversary...Priceless!

Viva la Espana!

 

 

 

 

I got Grounded in Newry

Ground·ed

 adjective \ˈgrȧun-dəd\

—used to describe a person who is sensible and has a good understanding of what is really important in life

 

When I first started going to Northern Ireland 15 years ago trying to find a cup of coffee was like trying to send a man to the moon, it was unheard of and practically impossible in this tea totaling land.  I remembering having to pack little pods of Maxwell House coffee when I traveled there and wondered how I would surive without my morning cup of joe, otherwise known to me as the nectar of the gods.  Ahh the beauty of growing up in New England. Could it be true?  Could this this American run on Dunkin?

 

For years I traveled with my pods before eventually giving way to the tea pot.  It was just then, when I was about to sacrifice those beautiful arabica beans that I found a lovely wee spot across from the bus station, down from the Canal Court hotel that had just opened.  I swear, I saw the heavens part as a glorious beam of light parted the clouds and shined brightly upon the word "Grounded."  I went in and they had coffee, expresso and lattes.  I wanted to kneel down in front of that expresso machine and offer thanks and praise for the glory of the perfect cup.  (If you think I'm being overly dramatic...you try it!  I dare you to go without coffee for two weeks, you'll be sure to encournter a serious case of the DT's.)

 

Fast forward.  I went to Newry last week and wasn't sure what to expect.  It's been about 2 or 3 years since I was there last and wasn't sure if my little slice of heaven  was still there.  So I anxiously set foot down the Dublin Road hoping, wishing and praying that Grounded was still there.  I'm pleased to say, it was and in fact it was better than ever!  As I strolled in I contained myself as a took a seat on the stormy gray colored, modern sofa all the while I was doing the happy dance, in my mind.  I sank into the comfort of the couch, a lovely girl came over with a menu and I ordered a cafe mocha. 

 

When the luxurious drink arrived, I gave thanks as I pressed the cup against my lips, slurping and savoring every sip.  Ahhhh, it was truly Happiness in a Cup! 

 

Not only does Grounded offer its customers a high quality product, they put care and love into their every cup and dish.  They offer a vast array of delightful desserts, pastries and meals.  I am a total sucker for anything that contains both mint and chocolate so here was my choice for the day and the waitress even gave me a scoop of ice cream along side of the cheesecake because she knew that I was sharing mine..  Lesson for the kids:  Be nice and learn how to share!  Maybe someday you'll get a free scoop of ice cream too. 

 

Of course no trip to Ireland would be complete without having one of these bad boys (otherwise known as a Sausage Roll) and once again Grounded did not disappoint.

 

 

Grounded has a Mission and is glad to share it with their customers:

 

 

Grounded is a great place to gather whether you're old or young:

 

 


 

Grounded is a great place to catch up with Family:

 

 (catching up with my favorite brother in law)

 

Grounded is a great place to come up with new ideas: 

I   L-O-V-E  being Grounded!

Looking around Grounded you'll see how they give back and care about issues of social justice.  Whether it's artwork on the wall that has been created by a young boy in Africa, using his mouth or their to-go cups that have messages about preventing suicide Grounded is more than a a coffee shop.  It's a place to gather, share, enjoy, create, think, laugh and love.  Grounded is an experience that I encourage everyone to have.

I went here every morning that I was in Newry and met up with friends and family.  On the final day of my journey the barrista's played a guessing game "Where I was from?"  I miss them already and can't wait until I get GROUNDED again! Until then.....I can't wait until our lips meet again.

 #mygrounded

 

 

 

 

Lessons learned from the Maine Primitive School

Top 10 Things that Jumped into my mind within 24-hours of leaving the Maine Primitive School *

1.       I left school and wasn’t 10 minutes down the road before spotting raccoon roadkill and shouting out to my mother “Hey we can eat that!  Is still supple?”   Uh oh, Is this my new idea of normal?

2.       I use the restroom in a nice restaurant and immediately thought  “orange buckets & sawdust are much cleaner and why are we wasting all this water?”  Qué peńa!

3.       Driving down the same route to work that I’ve been driving for years I looked up and thought “ooh what kind of tree is that?  Beech, Bass, Red Oak, White Oak, Maple, Pine, Birch, Spruce, Cedar?  Then I went so far as to pull over onto the side of the road, get out of the car and collect leave specimens so I can later identify them. 

Now all I want to do for fun is walk around my yard and sketch the plants and flowers to see what exactly they are.

4.       I passed a dead deer on the highway lying in the grassy middle lane and though “What a shame, that’s good eating.  This thought is quickly followed up by “the poor animal is probably dead because of overpopulation, human encroachment and the lack of predators and hunters all of which help to maintain a healthy natural balance. 

5.       I passed the tea section in the health food store today and refused to buy anything because I know that I have fresh mint and lemon balm growing in my own garden at home and gosh darn it I became aware that I can make your own damn tea.

6.       I  never took my shoes off & I mean never!   Even in the house I would wear slippers. Now, I find joy in walking barefoot.  I  ate lunch today on the grass in the quad under a tree at the University barefoot.  I find myself asking people if they want to come over and take their shoes off at eat salad on the lawn under my favorite Elm tree.  They look at me with strange puzzled looks on their face and they wonder if I was abducted by the mother ship over the weekend.

7.       My effortless walks in the woods now become a scouting mission for throwing sticks and thumping logs.   When I got home I wanted to set up targets in the woods and go to town.  Feeling like a playful and curious kid again.  

8.       I find the need to become a skilled craftsman.  I  desire a new knife for carving sticks, I desire the knowlege needed to throw clay pots for cooking and for food containers.  The curiosity is just oozing out of me. 

I want to learn how to build my own canoe.  I found a great book by renown Master Maine Guide Gil Gilpatrick who I went dog sledding with a couple years ago that will teach me how. 

9.       I can make my own water container from tree bark, you make a spoon out of a log using a piece of coal from your fire pit, part of a plant and a knife.  Oh and of course both of these can hold water cause’ I’m cool like that!  Wanna learn?

10.   I have a deeper appreciation and connection to the Earth, Spirit and to the Ancestors.  It has once again been affirmed to me that Nature provides us with everything that we need in to survive.  We need to redevelop and learn the necessary skills and make use of our natural landscape.  Mother Nature does not owe anyone, anything.  She may not offer you the comforts that you are accustomed to in modern day living but she will provide you with the necessities for which you need to live.

  Going to survival school has rekindled the flame in my soul that wants to play, to connect, to live.  It has taught me the difference between what it means to exist and what it means to live. It is not enough for one to simply exist...One must live!

 It has also taught me the importance of community.  I cannot wait to go back to school and learn more about edible and medicinal plants.  This is a passion that I have always had but what smothered by the modern day western society for which I live.  I am grateful to have found a community that embraces native traditions and seeks to share that primitive way of life with us modern day ignoramuses’.

*Note:  It has been 24-hours since I left school.  I can’t wait to see what other lessons I learn and develop over time.  For those interested in learning more, here is a link to the Maine Primitives School 

PS-I promise I won't leave my job for at least 3 months.  Being inside today was excruciating!  Thanks Mike!

Mike-teaching us the many uses and properties of Cattail.

Primative Cooking Technique--stone acts like a griddle.  Cooking up the venison we learned how to field dress.

Facilites-note that wonderful sawdust and orange bucket,

Instructions on Primative Pooping!

Learning how to make a Shelter-Debris Hut Style

Nate is teaching me how to Set the Trap I made.

Do I look like I'm in training for American's Next Best Ninja Warrior?  Well....kinda sorta.  Is Earth Living/Survial School is that close enough for ya?

Throwing a stick at milk jugs-I hit it~pretending the milk jug was a squirrel of course.  Sweetness!

This guy was there to wish me a good morning!

We're making spoons--I swear! 

Thanks Mom for a great weekend together at Survival/Earth Living School.

Another Adventure Accomplished and Many More to Come!

Senses

A woman in a cream, satin nightgown glares out the window pane watching the sunrise.  Leaves of crimson, amber and burnt sienna twist and turn as they fall silently to their grave.  The fruit of the trees are no more.  Gone.  Now barren, acorns litter the lawn as the bushy tails of the squirrels wiggle in the air as they forrage along the forest floor.  One by one they load the pouches in their cheeks full of the wholesome nut.  They climb up the trees and anxiously leap amongst the branches until they arrive at their nest where they carefully dispense their bounty.  The wind howls and a cool, crisp breeze filters through the cracks in the window sash invigorating her senses.  She gathers her thoughts and gracefully walks down the stairs towards the kichen.  She fills the kettle up with water and sets it on the stove to boil and heads to the sitting room where she catches a glimpse of a pair of cardinals fly into the nest in the Holly bush outside the picture window. Mezmorized by the flaming red crest and ruby breast of the male coupled with the bright orange beak of the female she's startled by the whisteling kettle as she observes the cloacal kiss. 


Opening the creaking, white cabinet she takes from the shelf a mason jar full of tea bags.  Twisting the silver top off the glass jar she reaches in with her long, slender fingers and pulls out a bag of her favorite, Earl Gray.  Plopping the bag into a proper tea cup she graciously pours the boiled water.  The rose painted cup stands for a minute or two before she decides to remove the swollen soaken bag from the cup and tosses it in the sink.  A smidge of lemon and tea is served.  She walks effortlessly to the parlor where she sits in a high back, Queen Anne style chair that is covered in chartreus fabric embellished with gold dragon flies.  She sips from the dainty cup, left pinky stretched outward to counter balance the weight of the cup as she slurps from the silver trimmed rim just as her mother and grandmother had done before her.


She hears hear husband gentle whisper "I love you" as he kisses the nape of her neck.  She is comforted by the sound of his voice.  She turns to look at him, anticipating the sight of his weathered face only to be surprised when he's not there.  She takes in a deep breathe of air, gasping, winded.  He's gone, long gone, he is no more.  Left only with memories she weeps, the salty tears stream down her cheeks over her upper lip and into her mouth stinging, the taste of regret.