PART II: ARRIVING IN ROME (8/5)

I fell asleep in the last minutes of the Life of Pi, which I was able to watch on the airplane TV. I thought it was actually quite good considering my initial reaction to seeing the trailer months ago hating the idea of relying on so much animation to tell a story that I felt was too human and beautiful as a book to be Hollywood-ized. After watching it, however, I felt that the animation was so well done you could hardly notice it except that the story would actually have been nearly impossible to tell if it was filmed entirely live.

With a few hours of sleep under my belt I got off the plane in Frankfurt and wandered around the airport to find water, food, a bathroom, and a place to nap and wait for my last flight. The airport was strangely deserted in the concourse where I arrived but after going through security again I passed through a glazed glass door into what was essentially a shopping mall whose stores were interspersed with gates. American airports are nothing compared to this in terms of sheer number and size of duty free, jewelry, perfume, electronics, and other stores. My last flight, with Lufthansa, was on time and I arrived at Roma Fiumicino Airport around 5:30. After waiting for my luggage for an hour and a half I had to come to terms with the fact that US Airways botched it a royally and had lost my bag. The baggage service agent said they would contact me when it gets into Rome and they will ship it to me but I can't expect it any time soon. Oh well, having all my stuff is not the reason I'm in Italy!

I took the train into Roma Termini in the city proper and found a hostel two blocks from il stazione because I had missed the train to get out to OGC the same night. After checking in I went out in search of my first pizza italiano and found a nice little hole-in-the-wall pizzeria nearby where I got some slices and a Peroni. I continued wandering around for a while and came across this gathering in a piazza nearby.

Some lady was singing opera on a temporary stage while accompaniment blasted over the sound system. I have no idea what this was about but seeing a couple thousand people all listening to opera in the piazza seemed as good an introduction to italian culture as any.

PART I: LEAVING THE STATES AND MINOR MALFUNCTIONS (8/4)

My parents and I arrived at the Ithaca airport at about 2:30 for my 4:13 flight to Philadelphia. Unfortunately a small scratch on the plane's fuselage required a mechanic's report even though it was not repaired or affected flight. Because it was Sunday, the closest mechanic had to drive all the way from Syracuse. We eventually left the ground at 7:15, three hours late. Because I had missed my connection at this point I was rebooked to fly to Venice through Frankfurt because it is an equidistant train ride to my ultimate destination, Osservatorio Geologico di Coldigioco (OGC).

Sunset as we approach Philadelphia.

With my next flight scheduled to leave Philadelphia at 8:30, I had planned for a sprint across the airport but when I got to the gate I found that this plane was also delayed. Because this would mean I would miss my final connection in Frankfurt as well I was again rebooked to fly to Rome. Once this plane finally took off at 10:30 I was able to settle in and take a nap on the surprisingly empty flight. Two seats to myself!

Snarky Puppy

Check out everything these guys have ever made because it is the dopest of the dope. It's all on Bandcamp as well as Spotify.

The History of Typography

Cross-Disciplinary Dancing

Check out this talk by my didjeridu teacher at Lawrence University as he talks about how music and improvisation can free students of all ages to dance between disciplines as they solve problems and play their way into a broader, more fulfilling education.

Brain Grey

Check out my good friend Elliot's chill jams here as well as much more on his Soundcloud.

Standard Operating Procedure

This is a terribly graphic and scary video to watch so be warned but I think it is just as poignant in its message. Please watch it if you are able.



Here is a link to the United States' standard operating procedures for dealing with detainees as published by Wikileaks.

Summer Flooding

This entire summer has been ridiculously rainy so far and so the creek is running high and the slugs are out in full force. 

Mr. Potato Bug visits his friend Mr. Slug.

This was just 15 minutes of my slug picking in the garden this evening.

Fall Creek Running High, Home, Freeville, New York

A Fun Guy

I've really enjoyed taking close up shots of flowers so here's one covered in water. Wish I could identify it but that is a skill to be learned at another time. Many more flower shots to come soon.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and More

Fly: The Customs Prelude by the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble came out this June. Super dope although I can find no album stream or free download. It's just as well because Hypnotic deserves the money. Buy this album or check it on Spotify! I can't wait until the documentary about them by Reuben Atlas comes out on DVD. It's already played at SXSW and other festivals and I'm hoping I can see it sooner rather than later because these guys are so inspiring.

Cayuga Panorama

Cayuga Lake (Looking north from just off Stewart Park), Ithaca, New York