October 2013

Sight

Oktoberfest 
(Bear Mountain State Park - New York)

This was the first time I ever attended an Oktoberfest-style event. While many aspects of this festivity were Americanized, you could still get your fill of bratwurst and beer (even though I personally preferred the soft pretzels with spicy mustard). The breathtaking landscape of Bear Mountain State Park served as the ideal backdrop for an afternoon of good food, drink, family, and friends. Bear Mountain State Park hosts Oktoberfest annually, so be sure to check it out next year if you live in the area. 

CLICK HERE for more information about Bear Mountain State Park

Sound
The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger

The Fratellis are an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland composed of Jon Fratelli, Barry Fratelli, and Mince Fratelli. Their rowdy and energetic style embodies the essence of the crowd at Oktoberfest. Their songs exude a certain sense of camaraderie. Just imagine dancing and singing along to this high energy tune at a lively party.

11.01.2013

Sight

Washington Square Park 

I first stumbled upon the story of puppeteer Ricky Syers and Doris Diether through Humans of New York. They became unlikely friends after Diether shared some newspaper clippings about marionettes with Syers. After bonding over marionettes, Syers presented Diether with a puppet created in her image (read the NY Daily News story here). I finally got the chance to see the dynamic duo in action just a few weeks ago in Washington Square Park. While I have often seen Ricky Syers entertaining children and adults alike, seeing these two friends together proved to be even more special.

Sound
Neil Young - Heart of Gold

It is comforting to know that you can find remarkable people with a "heart of gold" in seemingly unremarkable places. Neil Young's Heart of Gold was an obvious choice to accompany this photograph. While Young sings about the endless search for a "heart of gold", the friendship of Ricky and Doris proves that the search is not fruitless.

August 2013

 

Sight

Paweł Nie Całkiem Święty Restaurant

This restaurant is located in the the heart of the Biesczady Mountains. They serve up some amazing regional food and offer a well thought out interior design. The restaurant is decorated floor to ceiling in the style of an old fashioned home synonymous with the region. They also sell jarred fruits, vegetables, and honey apart from serving delicious made-to-order meals. While visiting the locale, I enjoyed Hungarian Pancakes with Goulash (pictured above on the bottom right). If you are in need of a place to stay while visiting the area, Paweł Nie Całkiem Święty doubles as an inn and offers overnight accommodations.

Karczma "Paweł Nie Całkiem Święty"

Smerek 67

38-608 Wetlina

Poland

Sound

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion

Since the restaurant's name translates into "Not Quite Saintly Paul", Losing My Religion can possibly refer to "Paul's" journey to becoming less saintly. 

I have included a bonus sound below to make up for my absence.

February 2012

 

Bottom Photo: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
Sight

Once the Musical 

I had the pleasure of seeing this show with my dear friend and roommate, Micaela Gonzalez (click on her name to access her SoundCloud!). This was my first broadway show and I was not disappointed. While I had not seen the movie before I saw the musical, I did stumble upon the music. What was so special about this particular show was that all of the actors played multiple instruments while singing and dancing. I was captivated throughout the entire performance and amazed by all of the talent whirling around on stage. 

Fun Fact: At intermission, the bar that was part of the set transformed into a real bar that served refreshments to theatre goers. This added to the illusion of closeness that was created between the cast and the audience.

Sound

Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti - Falling Slowly

Cristin Milioti - If You Want Me

Steve Kazee - When Your Mind's Made Up

I've included some of my favorite songs from the show. Please be advised that there are no frills here, just a couple of lads getting down and dirty with their instruments. Enjoy!

Summer 2012: Kraków

Sight

Kraków Stare Miasto (Old Town)

Here are some photos of the main market square, the largest medieval town square in all of Europe, in my favorite city on earth. I usually spend a weekend in Kraków with my dearest friends when I visit Poland on summer vacation. It is always my favorite part of the trip. Even though walking around the square during the day is pleasant, I enjoy it most in the evening. There are a number of places to go dancing or to relax at a bar or restaurant. Since there are a lot of students residing in Kraków, it is a very lively city with lots of new people to meet if you are in your late teens or early twenties. If you want to dance all night or sip cocktails at an elegant locale, you are bound to find what you are looking for here.

Sound

Florence and the Machine  - No Light, No Light

Since I saw Florence and the Machine in concert at the Coke Live Music Festival in Kraków just this past summer, I figured that this song would be fitting. She was magnificent in concert and the whole experience felt surreal. Her voice was ethereal and the way she moved on stage reminded me of a forest nymph. 

Summer 2013: Bieszczady

 

Sight

Arts and Crafts Street Vendors in the Bieszczady Mountains

While exploring the Bieszczady mountains, you can stop by one of the many gift shops that sell hand made crafts. The photo on the top left features piles of small detailed figures made out of beads. The salesman was an older man who suggested that the best way to choose a figurine was to pick from the pile at random. The other stand I visited sold clay angels. The angel in the photo on the bottom right is holding a plaque that says "an angel for the dear daughter".

Sound

Daughter - Youth

Elena Tonra's classic voice reminds me of the crafts being sold at these gift shops. The delicate figurines must be handled with care or else they will shatter. While this song has a dreamlike and gentle sound, the lyrics suggest that it is about heartache.

10.06.2013

 

Sight

Walker Tower

There are times when I walk down the streets of New York City and, out of nowhere, the beauty of a building takes my breath away. This building, located on West 18th Street, has been recently renovated and restored. It was designed in the Art Deco style, which focuses on boldly defined geometric shapes and strong colors, by Ralph Walker. It was recently converted into fifty luxury condominium residences that attempted to stay true to the original design while also incorporating the qualities of high end residential living.

CLICK HERE to view some images of the elegant interior of the Walker Tower.

Sound

Broken Bells - October

Broken Bells is an indie rock band composed of Danger Mouse (artist/producer) and James Mercer (lead vocalist and guitarist for The Shins). I feel like the collaboration of these two musicians can be compared to the art deco style. While Danger Mouse and Mercer combined their instrumentals and vocals in order to create a new innovative sound, art deco combines rich colors and bold geometric shapes in order to create a groundbreaking design.

10.05.2013

Sight

Porto Rico Importing Co.

While you can get coffee beans and tea leaves here, you will also find a coffee counter in the back of the store. The menu isn't extensive, so if you are looking for a macchiato or a latte you should look someplace else. Come here if you want a simple and delicious cup of coffee (hot or iced, light or dark roast). Today, I opted for the dark roast iced coffee with a splash of milk and it cost me only $2.00! I guarantee that you will not find a better deal than this, especially for the quality that they provide. This iced coffee was full in flavor and definitely packed a punch of caffeine that you could taste. Also, if you are more of a tea person, they offer a variety of teas for you to grab on the go.

Porto Rico Importing Co.

201 Bleecker St
(between Avenue Of The Americas & Downing St)
New York, NY 10012

www.portorico.com

Sound

LP - Into the Wild

Since Porto Rico Important Co. offers coffee and tea from all over the world, I felt that this song was fitting since it reminds me of traveling. Once I stepped into the store, I immediately felt transported to a different world.

09.26.2013

Sight

Graffiti on Morton Street

I pass by this wall everyday on my way to class. It features an interesting compilation of graffiti and street art.

Sound

Arctic Monkeys - R U Mine?

If you have not listened to the new Arctic Monkeys album (AM) yet, shame on you! Here is a song from the album that I believe matches the gritty mood of the photograph.

Summer 2012: Germany

Sight

Trip to Sylt, Germany

I took this photograph from the train window on my trip from Kiel to Sylt. The elevated view made this small German town appear somewhat surreal and mystical. It made me feel as if the whole landscape was torn from the pages of a masterfully illustrated storybook.

Sound

Various Artists - Little Boxes

Many people should already recognize this song as the theme song to the popular Showtime original series, Weeds. I've included the original version sung by Malvina Reynolds, the cover by Walk off the Earth, and the cover by Regina Spektor.

09.24.2013

Sight

Hudson River Park

The sunset at Hudson River Park was absolutely stunning today. The waterside park is located in Manhattan and extends from 59th Street south to Battery Park. There are always people here running, walking their dogs, etc. I am so grateful that I live just around the corner from this gem.

Sound

Sinead O'Connor - The House of the Rising Sun

More like House of the Setting Sun, am I right?