Where the Wildcats Are: Hogsmeade

Here's what I learned at Hogwarts this past weekend:

The best time to visit Orlando is early December. No one is there. No lines. No crowds. No chaos. Only magic and fun and joy.  And you can find great hotel and flight deals.

I want to live in Hogsmeade.  Or at least visit it every year.
It is the most magical and wonderful place on earth.

 Butterbeer is sweeter than I expected. Tastes like cream soda.
Meanwhile, Hogs Head Brew is a completely perfect beer. But is not served until noon.

Lunch at The Three Broomsticks is scrumtrelescent.
Especially if you love meat. 

It is important to sport your House jersey at all times.

It is worth waiting for the front row of the Dueling Dragons roller coasters.
You will pee your pants, but it will be worth it.

Have you been to Hogwarts?

Eff this...I'm going to Hogwarts

I'm taking a long weekend and heading to Orlando.  I'll be drinking butterbeer, picking out wands, and getting sorted into a house because I am visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. Don't worry...I don't blame you for being jealous. 

Have a great weekend!

Where the Wildcats are: The Sandwich Fair

Every Columbus Day Weekend for the past six years, my friends and I have been breaking up into 3 teams, packing up our cars (named after Columbus' three ships: the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria) and trekking up to the Lake Winnipesaukee area of New Hampshire for a wholesome New England weekend. We not only take in some leaf peeping, but we also get lost in a corn maze, wander a pumpkin patch, and fight the crowds at the outlet shops.

The main event of the weekend, however, is the Sandwich Fair.

Sadly, it is not a fair of sandwiches.

But rather, a country fair in the rustic town of Sandwich, New Hampshire.

Oxen pulls, pig calling, helicopter rides, carnie games, tractor pulls, and of course, fair food.  Cha cha cha.

Fried pickles, sausages, chicken fingers, buffalo burgers, corn dogs, sweet potato fries, ice cream, snow cones, apple crisp, fried Twinkies.  Nevaeh.  (that's Heaven spelled backwards.)

We pretty much just eat our brains out.  One year Eric puked all night.  But don't tell him I told you that.

To better help you understand the magic of the Sandwich Fair weekend, I've collected some photos from over the years...

Where the Wilcats Are: Quidam

Quidam is the 9th production of Cirque du Soleil (created in 1996) and is currently playing in Boston.  I was lucky enough to be invited to experience Quidam by my lovely roommate JG.

Have you been to a Cirque show before?  I was a virgin, but having done a case study on the Canadian circus arts before, I sorta kinda maybe knew to expect mind blowing, gravity defying, nail biting talent...with a plot weaving it all together. In this particular production, Quidam is imagined by a bored young girl named Zoé who is ignored by her parents. It is an escape.

The show's title refers to the feature character, a creepy big headless horseman.  Only...there is no horse, instead the decapitated fellow dons an umbrella and bowler hat.  According to the ever accurate and reliable wikipedia: Quidam is said to be the embodiment of both everyone and no one at the same time. According to Cirque du Soleil literature "Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. ... One who cries out, sings and dreams within us all."

Deeeeeeep.  Right?  Sounds a touch depressing, but unless you speak french, you'll probably miss most of the message and just be awe struck by the stunts.  That is what happened to me and JG at least.

Here are some pics to make you feel like you were there.

These guys were my favorite.  I could think of only two things while watching them.  1: Elphalba's song "defying gravity" from the musical Wicked.  You can listen to it here.  And 2:  I should GTL more.  

Especially the Gym. 

Mind boggling. 

Who comes up with this stuff?  

Like, who decides it would be neat to make a human hamster wheel that turns on its side?  

These lashes are not from the show.  But I want them. 

Deep in the heart of Texas

So I'm back from the Big D and here is my report!

1. Take advantage of Dallas Restaurant Week 
   Chicken Fried Steak at Tillmans?  Crab cakes at the Dallas Chop House?  Yes, please.  Food comas could not be avoided.
     
2. Make appointments at the Dry Bar 
   A truly ahmazing experience.  More on this later.
   
   
3. Visit the 6th Floor Museum 
   An hour at the Texas School Book Depository (Chronicles the legacy and assassination of JFK) was the only touristy activity of the trip--and very worth it. I recommend the 30 minute audio tour that allows you to quietly remember the presidency of John F.Kennedy.  Also, the lady running the front desk called me "sugar" 11 times in 2 minutes.  Loved it.
   
   
4. Enjoy the Heat wave 
   107 degrees at 3PM on a rooftop pool.  Might sound hellish.  But actually not a big deal if you have spf 30, an engrossing book (The Hunger Games), and a steady flow of ice water and salted nuts from the helpful and kind staff of the Fairmont Hotel.
     
5. Figure out who shot JR 
   It was Kristin.  Total brat.  And JR decided to not press charges since he was her baby daddy. Pfft. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXDBLuitItU)
    
6. Lightly stalk the castmates of Most Eligible Dallas. 
   I did pass by Teddy's Room.  But I didn't see the cast of the new Bravo shows.  Not a one.  I'm not a very good stalker.  

We also visited the historic West End, had drinks at Reunion Tower, and sampled the most ahmazing fried pickles at Gator's.   


Have you been to Dallas?  Seen Most Eligible Dallas?  Thoughts?

Dallas is hot.

I'm ready for autumn.

Where the wildcats are: Dallas

Guys--I'm off to the Big D for a few days.

My plan:

1. Take advantage of Dallas Restaurant Week
2. Make appointments at the Dry Bar
3. Visit the 6th Floor Museum
4. Enjoy the Heat wave
5. Figure out who shot JR
6. Lightly stalk the castmates of Most Eligible Dallas.

I'll report back!

Gettin the hell outta dodge.

I'm leaving on a jet plane today and heading to visit the lovely (and windy?) city of Chicago.

I'm looking forward to relaxing, reading, spending time with friends, and taking in all the city has to offer. 

Maybe we'll get dolled up and paint the Chi-town.  

 Or maybe we'll just soak up the mid-western sun. 

Either way, I'm sure its going to be awesome.  Full report to follow next week.

How are you wildcats spending the 4th of July?