Archive for March, 2008

Cherry Blossoms

March 30, 2008

 
Washington, DC
Current Earworm (song stuck in my head): Ellis Paul, “Washington, DC, 5/91″
Given all the traveling I do, you’d think I’d be a more skilled tourist.  Like, for instance, if I were going to go to a major city for a few days with my wife for a little vacation, I might realize that a [...]

Somewhat Less Impressive Travel Karma

March 25, 2008

The trip home today involves four flights, the second of which is the thirteen hour jump from Sydney to LA. After my great luck with the three empty seats on the way over, I paid my dues in the dreaded ‘middle seat’ on the way back, with a huge man in the seat in front [...]

National Folk Festival

March 25, 2008

I’m headed home after the Australian tour, flying from Sydney to Los Angeles. For the last few days I’ve been performing at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Australia’scapital city (nope, it’s not Sydney). I played this festival six years ago and made some good friends, and many of them were there again, so on top of all the great music and general festival fun, I got to spend some good relaxed time with some good relaxed people.

Bang On

March 18, 2008

Melbourne, Australia

It’s a hot morning in Melbourne, which is nothing unusual, actually.  Brisbane tends to be even hotter, but forty degree days haven’t been uncommon lately, and that’s 104 where I come from.

I’m staying with my old friend Liz Frencham and her very cool beau Steve.  Liz and I played a small festival near here on Sunday [...]

A few more Brisbane pix

March 16, 2008

Here are just a few more pictures of Brisbane and the University of Queensland:  

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Brisbane wrap up

March 15, 2008

 
The last day in Brisbane was as good as the first two, taken up mostly by a tour of the city and environs with Judy Magub, who works with the Peace Fellows from the Rotary side, and an evening party where some of the class five Fellows were welcoming the new class six Fellows and [...]

Day 2 in Brisbane

March 14, 2008

Had a great day on campus yesterday with Cassio, a ‘Class 5′ Fellow from Brazil. We rambled all over the campus and had a ball. I met a couple of professors and several Fellows, then went to a class last night, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I took two pages of fairly dense notes even though [...]

Other Side of the World

March 14, 2008

So you remember how when Bugs Bunny dug a deep hole he always came out in China? If he was digging straight down, he’d have to come out in the southern hemisphere, no? Ever think about that?
  Me neither. I was just trying to eat up my Cap’n Crunch before it got soggy.  
But here’s the thing: If [...]

First Day in Brisbane

March 13, 2008

I suppose this counts as “hitting the ground running.” 
 
After arriving at 7AM, making my way to the hotel and getting settled in, I checked email and found an invitation from Judy Magub, who is the Rotary liaison for Peace Fellows at U.Q. She said there was a Rotary meeting Wednesday night where three of the [...]

From somewhere over the Pacific…

March 12, 2008

Qantas Flight 741, LAX – BNE
12:23 PM (Black Mountain, NC), 2:20AM (Brisbane, Australia)
 
Mmmm… good travel luck: This flight to Australia is a long one, especially on top of flights from the east coast, but somehow I ended up with  a bank of three seats to myself. I offered to switch with  the pregnant woman across [...]