Project 365: Pattern

     I'm not a very good photographer. So, when I attempted my own "Project 365" a year ago, I failed miserably. I was pointing and clicking at pretty much anything for the sake of taking a picture. That project did not last long. And for good reason. It served no purpose.

     So instead I took on a different challenge: 365 Facts. A new fact each day for a year. That actually lasted a while. But it's been four months since I've recorded a single fact, so I've had to retire that as well. On the bright side if you want to learn some really quick and random facts you can check out that short-lived project here.

     A week or so ago I was blog hopping when I came across Life in Limbo. Stephanie had recently done a Photo Walk while focusing on the patterns that she came across. Having always been a fan of art, I remember what I had learned about patterns.

     Patterns are everywhere. They are aesthetically pleasing, and are often used to draw the viewer's attention to a piece of art. It's pattern that suggests order and harmony. Yes, pattern deserves it's moment in the spotlight.

I had my inspiration. 365 days, 365 patterns from the world around me.

Here are some examples:

Follow my attempt on Instagram @fmlb365. I could use some motivation!

Half-Birthday Reflections- The Past Six Months

     Six months from today, I will turn 25. Ouch! Old, I know! Feeling the wrinkles setting in, I decided it's time to review my progress so far on my 25 before 25. What better time to reflect on what I have done, and what I have yet to do?

25 Before 25- Midyear Review

Complete:

1. Wash my Shoes
 

      The first thing I accomplished- and annoyingly enough what most people on Google are searching for when they stumble upon my humble blog- was washing my shoes. The buggers were oxidized to all hell and, although my cleaning technique worked, it was temporary (I have since bought new shoes).

2. Buy a Random Person Something off their Baby Registry

     Surprising a stranger with a baby carrier off of her registry felt good. Although I sent the carrier her way, I don't know if she ever got it. I never heard anything from her. I hope it made it to her, and that she is finding it useful.

5 Reasons to Visit The Bay State

     Something that was on my list of 25 before 25- and honestly something that I wasn’t so sure was going to happen- was moving back to Massachusetts.

     Don’t get me wrong- It isn’t as if I didn’t enjoy my time in Connecticut. ‘Connecticutians’ are a very friendly bunch, and we made more connections here than any other state in such a short period of time. But moving back to Massachusetts was a personal goal for a few reasons, mainly because of graduate school and the desire to be around both our extended families. 

     You certainly don’t have to live in Massachusetts to discover what makes this state so unique. In celebration of a successful move, here’s five reasons why you should put "The Bay State" on your travel list.

5 Reasons to Visit the Bay State

5. A Rich History

     I’m no history buff, but even I have a smitten appreciation for the saturation of history that surrounds me on a daily basis. The past permeates the present in Massachusetts- from creepy stone walls in the middle of the woods, to the inconvenient roadways that began decades before my parents were born. Churches are how they should be- big and proud with a tall steeple and a bell that rings though the town. The history that lies beneath these seemingly simple things are often overlooked.

      Of course there are the obvious historical places- From Plymouth Rock where the Pilgrims first set foot to the Boston Tea Party and the beginning of the American Revolution. You can visit Walden Pond while checking out Lexington, Concord, and the Paul Revere House. Simply put, the history here is endless.

 
4. The Food

     If you happen to be hungry while thinking about Mass, your mind may wander to Boston baked beans- or even better, Boston Kreme Pie. But, if you are a seafood fan, Massachusetts is the place to be! Massachusetts is wells known for its love of clams- especially Clam "Chowda" (delicious in a bread bowl, if you don't mind the extra carbs).  Fried seafood restaurants are literally everywhere along the coast and on Cape Cod. Not to mention our love for lobster, haddock, and sweet corn. Ever eaten a Cape Cod Potato Chip? You're missing out!

3. Boston

     Whether it’s hanging out in the oldest park in the country or following the Freedom Trail, shopping on Newbury street or paddling down the Charles River, there's always something to do in Boston. Grab some Dim Sum in Chinatown, or watch a soccer game in Little Italy. To avoid the stress of traffic and parking I love to take the train in and bike around the whole city!  It's quicker, easily doable, and it frees my mind so that I can truly enjoy my surroundings.

     One of my favorite places in Boston is the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Built in 1742, the only original part of the building today is a weathervane on the roof. Although Faneuil Hall still holds meetings, today it is better known for its shopping, delicious food, and entertainment. Faneuil Hall itself is surrounded by stores and street vendors, while behind it Quincy Market has some of the best Clam Chowder anywhere. Street artists perform acrobatic feats and draw large crowds all week.

2. Provincetown

     If you like making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape, there sure couldn’t be a better place for it than P-town. Located at the very tip of Cape Cod, P-town is a highly GLBT community that is both eccentric and oddly family-oriented. From sex shops to candy stores, whale watching to shows that will either "blow your mind or scar you for life", there is certainly something for everybody in this town. There is no such thing as wrong here. Street performers pick a side of the street and sing songs, perform magic, or transform in to unusually decorated statues. I’d like to say that the open-mindedness that permeates through out this town is what Massachusetts is all about.

1. Autumn

    It may seem a bit odd that the number one reason to visit is a season, but in Massachusetts Autumn can not be ignored. The night air is refreshingly crisp, and the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow.  Massachusetts is Apple Country, and there are countless orchards where you can pick the apples right off the tree which drinking freshly spiced apple cider. When I think Autumn, I think Massachusetts.

     Halloween is no joke. If you want the ultimate Halloween experience, there is nothing like Salem, where Halloween is celebrated all month long. Take a Trolley tour, trick or treat with the Mayor, or even join a witch circle on Halloween night.

     Autumn is a free experience in Massachusetts. Unless you’re raking leaves, You’ll end the crisp fall day with your soul a little lighter.

    

Karaoke- an Expected Crisis

Complete- Drop # 82: Sing Karaoke

     I've never quite understood the why people are attracted to karaoke. What's so great about singing in a room full of strangers? Do we all need our minute of fame that bad? Why is this on my list?


     I wasn't sure, and I have to say after doing it I'm still not sure. I don't have a lot of confidence- certainly not enough to regularly put myself in situations that smoke me out from the crowd. Maybe it was the thought of doing something completely out of character that attracted me to karaoke.

     Perhaps that's why people do it. It's an opportunity to put yourself in a potentially embarrassing and vulnerable situation. But, unlike most situations, to fail at this one is culturally acceptable. You're expected to be terrible at it. How many other opportunities in life do we have in which it completely okay to to fall flat on our face?

Opportunity Presents Itself

    For the first time since Lela was born, Vinh and I were presented with the opportunity of having a date night to ourselves. We took it. We went to the local hangout where it just so happened to be karaoke night. Great. Looks like I can't escape it!

     After singing a song with the hubby, I had enough confidence to do one by myself. It wasn't pretty. But, I did it! I'm by no means Christina Aguilera. Hell, to say I'm better than William Chung would even be a stretch. But, I have to admit, it was pretty fun.

     I asked Vinh to record me. Somehow this translated to record everything in the bar but me. Regardless, this is proof I actually went through with it :-) Apologies for the multiple levels of suckiness which is this video.

Have you ever karaoke-d?

Why does/did it appeal to you?