amy in alabama

Is "self-publishing" a bad word?

NY Times Books - article on self-publishing

subway groovers

I miss these guys.  What can I say, I miss New York.  I'm tempted to list all the things I miss about the city, but it's too early in the morning, and has been better said by Colson Whitehead in The Colossus of New York.  

Ironically, my favorite mug, my I (heart) New York mug, the only mug I use for coffee, and the only mug in the house that only I use, broke last night.  I paid $10 for it at an overpriced gift shop in the Laguardia airport a year ago.  It was an impulse buy and a daily bit of comfort, a reminder of home as I make a new home in a strange, strange place.  I am now resigned to drinking out of a too bright, too cheery mug adorned with smiling, colorful fish who appear to be singing "Good Morning Sunshine!" 

Bah Humbug.

Colossal's Last stand:

Back to the subway dancers.  I was always a tiny bit afraid one of them might lose control of their limbs and land a wayward foot in some unsuspecting passenger's head, or the weight and balance of an inverted move would be too great, and their wrist or ankle would snap (like the handle on my beloved mug).  But it never happened that way, not when I was watching.  These guys are the professionals.

NY Times Subway Breakdancers

a moment of silence for great American novelist John Updike

John Updike died today at age 76.   The New York Times online obituary features a recent interview on Updike's latest novel "The Widows of Eastwick" and some pre-election thought's on Barack Obama.  Rabbit would have loved Obama.

NY Times Obit: John Updike

WORLDHUM posts How To Use A Machete

This video just strikes me.

Worldhum video How To Use A Machete

NY Times Escapes - CRYSTAL RIVER, FL MANATEES

In the 10th grade my class went to Crystal River to swim with these prehistoric creatures Louise Tutelian writes about in this weeks Escapes.  I remember my friend Tyler and I laughing so hard we almost couldn't swim back to the boat, but not before we brushed fins with these beautiful mammals.  Perhaps a return trip is in order.

NY Times Escapes - CRYSTAL RIVER MANATEES

earthquake still imminent in Costa Rica

I did not feel the 6.2 earthquake 20 miles north of San Jose last week.  I was on the coast, treking the steep road of Manuel Antonio, and looking for a gay nude beach that not longer exists.  Now back in San Jose I've felt a tremor or two: a small one woke me up around 2 am night before last, rattling the window and gently shaking my bed.  I've been told, unofficially, that Official Volcanists are speculating the terremotos are caused by the aged Volcano Poas settling more than the earth's plates changing position.  They've predicted a near perfect circle around the base of the volcano where subsequent tremors are likely.  And my friend added, "they said Amy's plane will definitely not be taking off on Saturday."

I always feel especially vulnerable to the elements, the probabilities, the imminence of death when I travel.  Maybe it's just being away from home, and my familiar.  It's humbling, actually.  That I can sit on this beautiful patio in a private, well fortressed home in Escazu, enjoying a gentle 68 degree breeze, with grass that couldn't be greener if I painted it myself, and blue sky of a matching hue, suggests a vacation paradox.  The natural movements of a planet I - we - can not control threaten to harm without one ounce of evil or greed or resentment, but simply natural existence.  

I'm taking a silent moment for gratitude, and a silent moment for those who have lost, and another for those who have been taken.

Make a Donation to the Victims

2009 Travel Destination Predictions

Just as I was finding myself contented to save (I should say to make) money to re-visit Costa Rica, Portland, OR - and always - New York in 2009, I came across this blog posting.  There are so many other places in the world to see too!  Nicaragua, Panama, Cambodia, and of all the cities in Europe I've seen, I still haven't partied in Berlin!  

2009 Budget Travel Destination Predictions

I never did learn to snowboard....

This week's Escapes is all about the snow:

NY TIMES ESCAPES