For years, your city's visitor tourism office has directed people to the same lame restaurant, the same crowded attraction, the same tourist-trap shop.
As a traveler, I'd rather get recommendations from a local resident than from an agency that's probably getting kickbacks from businesses.
Here's your chance to set the record straight.
Tell us: what are the essential experiences in your city or town, and what can we skip?
Here are mine...
City: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Food
Do: get a homemade tortilla. Our go-to weekend place, Taqueria Vallarta (several locations) has great flour tortillas - soft, thick, and perfectly grilled. Their corn tortillas are out of this world - pliable and tasty - we think they may have egg in them because they have a crepe texture. Both are amazing with any filling. Also great: Eddie's Taco House on Cevallos.
Skip: Mi Tierra restaurant. It's like eating at a Chi-Chi's in Indiana (which I did growing up, so I know) - the least interesting Tex-Mex food in the city, and a crowded tourist trap to boot.
Attractions
Do: walk the Riverwalk, starting at Houston Street and going north. This section winds past our big, red public library; an old convent that now houses the Southwest School of Art & Craft; a brand-new lock system; San Antonio Museum of Art; the VFW Post 76 (oldest in Texas); many cool art installations; and the restored Pearl Brewery. [Bonus tip: by 2013, San Antonio hopes to complete the Riverwalk's southern branch, which will lead to the missions.]
Skip: the Riverwalk from La Villita to Houston St, especially the spur that goes to River Center Mall. This area is chain bars and restaurants, extremely crowded, and has nothing to do with the river itself.
Shops
Do: try the shops and galleries along South Alamo Street in Southtown (South of Durango Blvd). Lots of unique, local art and craft here.
Skip: El Mercado. Yeah, if you want a Mexican blanket, go here, but better yet: cut out the middle man and go to Mexico. This is a collection of stalls filled with kitsch, which would be cool if it was unique in each stall, but they all have the same stuff.
Please give us some tips on your city or town in the comments!
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Friday, July 31, 2009
Your City: the Must-Dos and the Don't-Bothers
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Book Covers: What Are Your Favorites?
There's been a lot of discussion about book covers this past week -- one in particular, anyway -- and it got me thinking about my favorite covers.
What are yours? Do you go for iconic images? Photo over illustration, or vice versa? Words only? Will you buy a book for its cover? How often do you love a cover more than its book? Do covers matter to you at all?
Some of my favorites, with links to their GoodReads pages...
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Pre-Half-Marathon Training Begins
Did I get enough qualifiers in that title?
This is exactly what our running path looks like. Except it's shorter, flatter, concrete, and there are no mountains or pine trees. There are also no super-fit runner chicks. YET!
Monday night, Dave asked if I wanted to go for a walk in a nearby park. It was cool(ish) and breezy, so we hopped on his scooter and rode over. The park has a nice level, wide path winding around some soccer fields. After we walked a lap (3/4 mile), Dave suggested we try running. We weren't really dressed for it, but we gave it a go and ran a bit. Clenchy calf muscles caught up with us quickly, so we stopped to stretch, then tried again.
Last night, we got the right gear on and tried again. I did the math and found that 18 laps will cover our half-marathon distance. I shared this with Dave. He told me to stop doing math.
This pre-training is coming at a good time. We're both making great progress losing weight, we're gaining flexibility through yoga, and we haven't (completely) lost our cardio capacity from spring gym trips. But a plateau is coming, and we both need to step it up. I'm proud of Dave for pushing us. And the three friends flying in from NYC and Germany to run the race with us are motivating, too!
So it begins.
What about you? Have you recently tried a new route to fitness? Do you use events to motivate you (like a race or class reunion), or other fitness goals (like better-fitting clothes)? Do you work out alone or with friends?
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Set Your Frighten Clock, Mes Frères
On Saturday, I posted that you can simplify your mornings by preparing for them the night before.
On Sunday, I found my post had been translated onto a Québécois blog.
And by translated, I mean made hilarious in a French fashion because I think it was translated into French and then back into English.
Anyhoo, wanted to share the fun as a suggestion that, as you make your way along the rocky path of social media, you use a GOOD TRANSLATOR when you need one.
Each line of my (admittedly substandard) English is followed by its wacky English-to-French-to-English transmutation...
It's super-simple.
It’s super-simple.
So simple, you've probably heard it before, but maybe you forgot.
So humble, you’ve perhaps heard it ahead of, but peradventure you forgot.
Ready?
Ready?
Right.
Right.
Basically:
Basically:
If you can do it the night before, do it!
If you can do it the ceaselessly ahead of, do it!
How easy is that?
How uncomplicated is that?
A few of the things you can do the night before:
A barely of the things you can do the ceaselessly ahead of:
Pack your briefcase/backpack/laptop.
Pack your briefcase/backpack/laptop.
Put your wallet/purse/ID case next to your briefcase.
Put your wallet/purse/ID box next to your briefcase.
Put your keys next to your wallet.
Put your keys next to your billfold.
Pack your lunch.
Pack your lunch.
Pack lunch(es) for your kid(s).
Pack lunch(es) as far as something your kid(s).
Pack your gym bag.
Pack your gym Highland rig out-moded sporran.
Load your mp3 player.
Load your mp3 trouper.
Check the forecast.
Check the vaticination.
If it'll be rainy, put your umbrella near your raincoat.
If it’ll be rainy, place your screen forthcoming your raincoat.
If it'll be cold, make sure your hat/gloves/scarf are with your coat.
If it’ll be fair, be dependable your hat/gloves/scarf are with your jacket.
Get a coffee maker with a timer, prep the coffee and filter, and set the timer.
Get a coffee maker with a timer, prep the coffee and cheesecloth, and prepare b start the timer.
Or, set your water kettle, tea cup, and tea bag out so they're ready to go.
Or, prepare b start your be unbelievable kettle, tea cup, and tea Highland rig out-moded sporran out-moded so they’re friendly to natter.
Set the table for breakfast (our German friends do this -- I love it!).
Set the food as far as something breakfast (our German friends do this — I puniness it!).
Put any meds and/or vitamins where you'll remember to take them the next morning.
Put any meds and/or vitamins where you’ll deem back on to remind one of them the next morning.
Put your shoes and glasses where you'll find them easily.
Put your shoes and glasses where you’ll arouse them definitely.
[Whoa, hey, this is a PG-rated blog!]
If you use an alarm clock, set it.
If you utilization an frighten clock, prepare b start it.
Finally, spend five minutes alone and quiet, putting today's crap out of your mind.
Finally, allot five minutes on oneself and quietness, putting today’s crap out-moded of your chastise.
With your prepwork and some luck, the next morning will be smooth.
With your prepwork and some fortune, the next morning desire be naked.
[PG-rated!!!]
I do most of these; the rest I'm still learning to take care of ahead of time.
I do most of these; the be situated I’m nevertheless fellowship to remind one of come to nothing of at the of every now.
[What?!]
For some reason, they seem to take less time the night before than the morning of.
For some plead with, they non-standard like to remind one of less every now the ceaselessly ahead of than the morning of.
Maybe because my pillow is calling to me.
Maybe because my pillow is district to me.
* * *
Whew, lesson learned, eh?
I puniness you, my crazy Québécois brethren!!!
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Agency News, and a Few Hard-Won Words
How awesome is that logo?
The crow's out of the bag, so I can share in brief: agent and former editor Michael Stearns has left Firebrand Literary to form Upstart Crow Literary, and my agent, Chris Richman, has joined him, as has agent Danielle Chiotti.
Alice Pope, editor of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, blogged the news this morning with this statement from Michael:
"Chris and Danielle possess that mix of literary savvy, good taste, and dedication to their authors and books that marks them as either potentially crazy or simply crazily dedicated. I feel fortunate to embark on this new venture with the two of them, as well as with our talented list of authors, all of whom will be following us to our new home.
"We'll be making our first Upstart Crow submissions next week, and when the site goes live the week after that, I hope you'll stop by and take a look at what we've got in the works."
When Upstart Crow's website goes live next week, I'll link to it via the logo in the left sidebar.
When I heard the name of the new agency, I Googled it and found this on Wikipedia:
It is not known exactly when Shakespeare began writing, but contemporary allusions and records of performances show that several of his plays were on the London stage by 1592. He was well enough known in London by then to be attacked in print by the playwright Robert Greene:
"...there is an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger's heart wrapped in a Player's hide, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country."
Scholars differ on the exact meaning of these words, but most agree that Greene is accusing Shakespeare of reaching above his rank in trying to match university-educated writers, such as Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Nashe and Greene himself. The italicised phrase parodying the line "Oh, tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide" from Shakespeare’s Henry VI, part 3, along with the pun "Shake-scene", identifies Shakespeare as Greene’s target.
So, it's a Bard thing, which you guys prob'ly already knew.
Also in writing news: New Words!
Exactly 792 of them, and it was like trudging through sand to get started.
I dithered with my scene list . . . I made a playlist on iTunes . . . I sat on my yoga mat and willed my brain to complete character arcs . . . I stared at my screen.
Even though I know my planned revisions are going to make BRIAR-BOUND exponentially better, I was overwhelmed by the task. Dave wisely suggested I choose a moment I know is going to happen with the new girl character, and just write it.
So I pulled up my big-girl pants and wrote it.
And it feels great.
I haven't found her voice yet -- right now the scene's written in my voice -- but it's a start.
It's also creepy in the way märchen used to be, so . . . sehr gut, ja?
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Sunday, July 26, 2009
Podcast: Two Gomers Run a Half Marathon
Dave and I will soon be training for the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll half-marathon in November. I know some other folks who read this blog are training for races, too, so I chose this podcast for today's rec.
Basically, you have Anthony (Gomer 1) and Steven (Gomer 2) training for a half marathon. They're best friends, but they live several states apart with their respective families. So they can't beat on each other's front doors in the morning to make sure they're training. They have to motivate each other long-distance.
Which they do, with varying degrees of success...
I don't generally listen to people talk about running, but these guys are so honest and funny about being distance-running noobs that they kept me listening. Plus, they genuinely care for each other, and if one doesn't do his miles in a given week, he's still super-excited that the other one did. Their discoveries of running hazards (chafed nipples, accelerated bowel movements, and mind-numbing boredom) are hilarious and no-holds-barred. They also do a segment called Songs To Run To that can hook you up with some good, driving workout music.
I came to the Two Gomers podcast a week after they ran their half marathon, so I got to listen to their progress with no breaks between episodes. Tiny spoiler: they're getting ready to train for a full marathon and will podcast their progress toward that, too. I'm looking forward to hearing it.
Recommended!
BTW, if you're non-religious (like me), it may jar you the first time Anthony or Steven mentions his faith. They truly dig their Lord. I found, though, that these are two guys living a very down-to-Earth spirituality, one that manifests in absolute empathy and support for one another.
If you like the podcast, you can friend the Gomers on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter (Anthony, Steven).
[image via Two Gomers Run a Half Marathon, made using Simon Pegg's profile in Run FatboyRun]
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Saturday, July 25, 2009
#1 Key to a Relaxed Morning
It's super-simple.
So simple, you've probably heard it before, but maybe you forgot.
Ready?
Right.
Basically:
If you can do it the night before, do it!
How easy is that?
A few of the things you can do the night before:
Pack your briefcase/backpack/laptop.
Put your wallet/purse/ID case next to your briefcase.
Put your keys next to your wallet.
Pack your lunch.
Pack lunch(es) for your kid(s).
Pack your gym bag.
Load your mp3 player.
Check the forecast.
If it'll be rainy, put your umbrella near your raincoat.
If it'll be cold, make sure your hat/gloves/scarf are with your coat.
Get a coffee maker with a timer, prep the coffee and filter, and set the timer.
Set the table for breakfast (our German friends do this -- I love it!).
Put any meds and/or vitamins where you'll remember to take them the next morning.
Put your shoes and glasses where you'll find them easily.
If you use an alarm clock, set it.
Finally, spend five minutes alone and quiet, putting today's crap out of your mind.
With your prepwork and some luck, the next morning will be smooth.
I do most of these; the rest I'm still learning to take care of ahead of time. For some reason, they seem to take less time the night before than the morning of. Maybe because my pillow is calling to me. Who knows?
What do you do to make your mornings more relaxed?
[image via Tea 'n' Sanity]
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Daily Pie Field Trip: Kayak.com
For fun today, let's traipse over to Kayak and check on some fares.
Choose ROUND TRIP.
Put a big-city airport in the FROM box. I choose Newark (EWR). [Why not my home city? Because a lot of times, I can find a fare to a big city on a discount carrier that Kayak doesn't search. For example, if I plan ahead, I can get from San Antonio to Islip Airport (Long Island, NY) on Southwest for $120 -- much cheaper than most other domestic carriers.]
Put your destination city in the TO box. I choose Paris (CDG).
Choose to depart September 1 and return September 15. For ease, accept the defaults of 1 traveler and economy class. Uncheck any boxes that may be checked (I've unchecked Priceline).
Click SEARCH...
My best fare: $673 on Continental (happens to be non-stop).
Now modify your search. I'm advancing my dates, at 2-week intervals, to see how the fares change. You may choose to leave on a different day of the week, or lengthen your trip. Try changing only one factor at a time to see how it affects your fare.
Here are the fares I found:
Sep 15 - Sep 29: $673 (Continental, non-stop)
Sep 29 - Oct 13: $652 (multiple airlines, 1 stop)
Oct 13 - Oct 27: $630 (multiple airlines, 1 stop)
Oct 27 - Nov 10: $596 (multiple airlines, 1 stop)
Nov 10 - Nov 24: $596 (multiple airlines, 1 stop)
Nov 24 - Dec 08: $596 (multiple airlines, 1 stop)
Dec 08 - Dec 22: $616 (multiple airlines, 1 stop)
Dec 22 - Jan 05: $727 (Continental, non-stop)
Jan 05 - Jan 19: $642 (Continental, non-stop)
Jan 19 - Feb 02: $616 (multiple airlines, 1 stop)
There's definitely a sweet spot from late October to early December. You can see how the December holiday season affects the price. Dave and I love to travel in the off-season for our destination countries/cities -- but more about the joys of off-season travel in a future post.
So! Where did you choose to go? What were your time frames or departure days? And what were your results? Were they what you expected or different?
[image via Kayak]
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Favorite Authors = Most-Read Authors?
I went through my GoodReads to find the authors I've read most. The results:
Stephen King - 18 books
Dr. Seuss - 12
Judy Blume - 10
Laura Ingalls Wilder - 9
J K Rowling - 7
Bryce Courtenay - 6
Michael Crichton - 6
L M Montgomery - 6
Jack Whyte - 6
Wow. So I knew I liked King, but 18? No wonder he's a bajillionnaire. If I -- the slowest reader on the planet -- got through that many, I can't imagine how many he's sold in a lifetime.
And yeah, Dr. Seuss just rocks. I probably read more than that. Though Dad says I just read GREEN EGGS & HAM over and over and over.
Blume and Wilder defined my young, independent reading years. I didn't discover Montgomery till high school.
Rowling I read because I loved the characters, and Whyte because I loved the setting (post-Roman Britain). I loved Courtenay's THE POWER OF ONE, and read more hoping for the same experience (didn't quite get it). I suspect Crichton's high on the list because his books are really easy to find when traveling abroad.
Some favorite authors I haven't fully consumed: John Steinbeck, Roald Dahl, Frank McCourt, Tom Stoppard, and David Sedaris.
Are the authors you've read the most actually your favorites? If not, why do you think there's a discrepancy?
Finally, for fun, a montage from my GoodReads account...
[top image via Westport Library]
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