Here and There Blog

October 30 is the date that Orson Wells managed to convince people that New Jersey was invaded by aliens from Mars. In honor of that anniversary the Cygnet Theater did a two night reading and recreation of the radio drama. It's hard today to fully understand how so many people believed what was going on but this production did a great job of putting you in the time and moment. The set was the CBS radio studio and the actors replicated what might have been the sound effects of an army (men stomping feet) or invasion noises (whistles and bells) and even simulated sloshing of water in a trashcan with a plunger. If you closed your eyes and only listened, and trusted the broadcasters to deliver the news, I can see how people would have panicked. The stage version was only 45 minutes long out of the original 60 minutes. The music was probably limited to a few seconds so we didn't have to sit through dead space on the stage while listening to 1930's hits. The cast was fun an...

One pumpkin turned out, the other ended up looking like a zombie ghost so you don't get to see that one.  It was a great day for beer, pumpkins, and friends (but not pumpkin beer).  I feel bad for the east coasters getting their storm on.

We don't have many pumpkin patches in San Diego but the grocery store parking lot can stand in for the real thing. So on what has to be one of the hottest days of the year, we braved the pavement to get a pumpkin.  I don't have the patience to carve a masterpiece so two small pumpkins fit my attention span perfectly.  Sherry was going for quality to ensure premium carvability.  Tomorrow is the day. We'll see how they turn out!

Sometimes life gets taken up by the actual tasks at hand to earn a living. What's going on right now? A lot as usual.  On Friday night I saw the Cruise Trekkers off as they went on this year's Star Trek cruise from San Diego - Hawaii - San Diego.  Next year's trip is the Paris on the Seine.  Cruisetrek link on sidebar of the blog. Met up with the usual gang at El Cajon Brewing Co. to check it out. Good beer, food -eh, okay, forgettable. Service, eh. If you go, go for the beer. It's a bit far from all of us but I wish the brewery well. This week - more work and preparation for Canada's great white north in November.

the Power of We. This year's Blog Action Day theme seemed to broad and so open for interpretation that I could not find a topic. 1st thought - the We that helps after a disaster and shows how communities, cities, countries, pull together when needed or when the media reach is so far that everyone feels better if they are part of a greater good movement. 2nd thought - the We that made up the Arab Spring for change. Then it went on to recycling, local movements, breast cancer fundraisers for the cure anything. The Power of We comes not any of these things but only from the on-going sustainability of the effort. We brought about some relief to Haiti.  The Power of We was needed to rebuild and make the lives of the citizens of Haiti better. We failed to keep the Power. The people in Arab countries were the We that brought about change. When people left the ideal of We, the Power was lost and the hope for all has not happened. The Power of We can happen but it takes conce...

Flight: Santo Domingo to Miami. Location: Somewhere over The Bahamas. The plane was low enough that the sandbanks came into view as we flew over a shallow section of the Caribbean. Water that was clear enough for any guidebook cliche allowed everyone (with a window seat) to enjoy the show.   The turquoise green is the sandbank under the water. Where the photo turns blue is the sky. I'm looking down from the window and the plane is above the clouds. The clouds cluster around the islands. A glimpse of the outer islands. All in all, this was one of the top photo taking flights ever.

I'm glad I got to the Dominican Republic. I've always wanted to come here and now that I did, I'm glad it was for work and not as a tourist. I am sure the beaches are wonderful but I appreciate the chance to work with and interact with people as part of life. I found everyone to be friendly and I really enjoyed the work this time around! Below is Columbus Park in the Colonial Zone. Reminds me of a hobbit tree.  Looking out from the fortress to the River Ozama.  Still a working river with access to the sea.

Small sculptures are tucked in buildings on the streets. Many are so old the words can no longer be read. This one looks like mother and egg or mother and R2D2.  An old theater in the colonial zone. Parking is at a premium here.  Everywhere the DR flag is displayed and church bells never go out of style.  Old city gates give way to the modern.

Presidente Light - ya know, these lagers from hot, humid countries all taste the same.  Not good unless you're really hot and really thirsty and even then water wins as the best choice. But this is my decision and live with it I must. So I bring you - Presidente Light from the Dominican Republic! Taken at Hard Rock Cafe in Santo Domingo.

The fortress complex has several buildings and exhibits and you are free to walk about after paying a small admission (70.00 DR pesos on Oct. 4, 2012). The fort is on the Ozama River and built by the Spaniards in 1502-08.  The Tower structure has been both home and prison at various times.  One door leads to another.  The arsenal walls along the river.  The statue of Fernadez de Oviedo, the first governor of the fortress and prison warden.

Oldest church/cathedral in The Americas. First built in 1514 out of palm trees, later rebuilt with wood and palm tree leaves for the ceiling but church was closed when it rained. Rebuilt again and again and here it is. Not so impressive on the outside. But quite interesting once in. The usual private tombs are in although this was was draped which was the attention getter.  High vaulted ceilings to evoke the original palm tree building.  Stained glass, we were lucky the sun was out to set off the glass.  More of the ceiling. Once inside you disconnect from the appearance of the building exterior. If you go in, prepare to fend off the guides who work off tips or simply negotiate a rate with one. We walked in and wandered with only a couple of guide requests.

I can see why people come to the Dominican Republic for the beaches. If this is what the coast looks like in the city then the tourist part must be fun and relaxing! When it's not raining the view along the water is colorful and the occasional splash of a wave reminds you that somewhere here, people are enjoying beach activities. In the shade and with an ocean breeze the temperature is not sweltering. Move away and heat sets in.  Along the seawall, all is seemingly quiet.  Trees are thick enough to block the view or provide the shade depending on your mood.  Random head. Not sure who this is.