Sarahbear’s blog

Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon or a helicopter?  Where did you go?

I first rode in a hot air balloon when I was 5 years old.  My first ride was over the pastures and fields of crops where I lived and it ended on the Pismo Dunes.  To pack the envelope well inside the basket, my grandfather and uncle grabbed me by the arms and legs, then tossed me up and down which would make me giggle with happiness.  It was the start of what I would do several times a month throughout my childhood. 

My grandfather started flying in his late 40s and he took me up as soon as his daughter would let him.  He had a beautiful envelope, a rainbow spiral and he named his balloon the Galatea.  Ballooning is a team effort with a "chase", the group of people following the wandering balloon.  For twenty plus years my grandfather, fellow balloonists and chase members, who became lifelong friends, threw crazy balloon rallies.  More like parties which the younger crowd would grab a few hours

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There are really only two things I will miss by not ballooning.  First, the excitement it bought to novice and the experienced alike.  That is what I enjoyed most about those very early morning outings.  I would usually give up my spot for a ride for others to go up for the weightless passage.  Everyone on both sides of my family took part in the weekend adventures, along with nearly friend who passed my grandparent's path.  My most magical ride was when I was ten, in the Carrizo Plains, a huge flat grasslands which the San Andreas Fault is visible.  It was a quiet, cool morning and as we floated along we ran into a large patch of low lying clouds which overtook the Galatea.  I felt like an angel, it was mystical one of those life moments when you wish it could last forever.  The second I will miss the celebration which took place after every balloon outing.  There would be champagne, snacks, and something sweet for all to enjoy.  For the newly initiated balloonists my grandfather would ceremoniously share a toast, then dump some dirt from the land which the balloon last landed on each passengers' head and then rinse it off with some champagne.  Then it was usually off for some brunch and more champagne.  The whole experience was usually done by noon and the rest of the day was stretched out with opportunity. 

Thank you grandpa, I love you!!

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I just came back from New York City for my first time and loved every minute.  As soon as I got back to the West Coast I was ready to hop on a plane again and go back for more.  If you've never been, it's one of the most amazing places in the world and if you have been you know how addicting it can be.  I have never felt the throbbing humanity of millions of people on a tiny island, not in Paris, Vienna, or Prague period.  I was lucky enough to stay on Central Park South right at Central Park.  My room overlooked the Park, I would leave my window open and the ocean breeze would waft in currents across my bed.  Possibilities of adventure were everywhere, regardless of time or place. 
Some of my favorite things in The City of America (I love SF but NYC makes it seem like a ghost town).

1. Central Park - It is amazing in the middle of crazy human activity is this sprawling beautiful display of nature.  The ponds, bounty of trees, and peace for the taker.  Saw plenty of tourists, dog walkers with well-fed furry friends, couples kissing on wooden bench, and local school kids playing tag and softball.  If I could in a closet of a apartment and walk to the Park everyday I would, I mean it.

2. The American Museum of Natural History - I wanted to put on a plaid miniskirt and knee highs the moment I walked into this building.  It has great quotes in reverence of a old stone cathedral from Teddy Roosevelt in the lobby.  It's the place with all the dinosaur skeletons, they are even better in person and seem like aliens.  There is an exhibit dedicated to ocean life and in the middle of this three story room is a model of a blue whale.  You know the largest mammal on our planet.  Even though it was just a recreation of the real thing it made me feel so small, so small in nature in comparsion.  Another exhibit of the amazing butterflies had a collection of the various species.  An atrium of  real butterflies in a steamy jungle of plants allowed visitors to view the little beauties up close.  One even landed on me for about 10 minutes, finally had one of the workers take it off of me but I got a picture of my friend first.  Hint: the museum is free to all, but a donation is requested, whatever you can afford.                    

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3. Williamsburg, Brooklyn - I know how cool can Brooklyn be compared to Manhattan? 
It's a homey neighborhood that gave me that cozy feeling.  I actually met a guy on his smoke break from the same small California town as me and he gave me his take on his present home.  Christopher enjoys living in Williamsburg for it lively artistic community and relative closeness to all the downtown hub-bub.  It has in recent time been found by the gentry and the ensuing change from a avant garde grittiness to pacified suburb.  It still has alot of it alternativeness everywhere from what I could see.  I found awesome little finds in jewerly, furniture, clothing, and funky little restaurants.  One of my favorites pubs was there, they served a full pizza with every drink you buy, great find for the cash strapped traveler.                              

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5. Hudson Hotel - I have to mention this hip and happening hotel on the upper west side.  Of course, my brother and girlfriend stayed there while I had my pad at the Park. Uptown is not known for it's nightlife as Little 12th Street or Midtown is but this place definitely had it's perks.  The first night we hang out on the terrace, it was set up with loungey couches and rugs underneath the plearotha of manicured plants everywhere.  The other night we spent there was in their nightclub.  Pretty good spinning for the dance floor which was light up in all glowing white cubes.  A wedding party was spending their after party there which tipped the crowd towards a little on the crazy side.

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To the left is my brother and his girlfriend                 

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What are your predictions for the World Series?

The Boston Red Sox of course.  They will be the 2007 World Series Champs, no way they can lose to the Rockies for cryin' out loud.  But I will share my other motivation wanting the Sox to win, I just want to see Papelbum do his little dance again.  The man has nice legs and some rhythm.  Besides how long have the Rockies been a team, the early 1990s whatever, they need to go without a World Series win for at least a few more decades.  Go Red Sox!!!

So the Chicago Cubs were in first place NL Central Division for 48 hours?  It was great, can't complain but the Cubs need to get it back.  The month of June they started warming up and then really hit their stride in July with 17 wins to only 9 losses.  The pitching staff is amazing with Zambrano top in the league, although consistency and stamina has been lagging a little.  Some solid batters in Ramirez, Lee, Soriano, and DeRosa all in the .300 average range.  They have solid D with their fielding and throwing, usually.  But it's Lou Pinella who is such an ace in the Cubs dugout.  I like a baseball manager with some fire in his belly.  He's nearly retirement age but can still tangle with the umps, kick some dirt, and convey a few choice words in the same vein of Lee Elia, love it.  The Cubs have 53 more games to go this season, hopefully turn things around with the Mets this weekend, and increase their confidence for the rest of August.