Music x Art - Pretense = Jon Foreman

I first heard Jon Foreman's music in the late '90s, when he was the lead singer and songwriter in the band Switchfoot. His thoughtful lyrics and mellow rock sound were the right kind of up-tempo, inspiring tunes to soothe my late-high-school/early-college angst. In recent years, he has branched out into some truly ambitious territory as a solo artist. After releasing a series of four EPs between 2007 and 2008 that were each inspired by one of the seasons, his latest work is another four-EP collection with a grand scope and universal themes.

The project, collectively titled "The Wonderlands," encompasses 24 songs, one for each hour of the day. Each of the four albums will have six songs devoted to the titular window of time. "Sunlight" was released in May, and "Shadows" was just released last week. ("Darkness" is due in September, and "Dawn" follows in October.) On his website, Foreman invites us -- as listeners of music and as fellow humans -- to travel with him on this journey that we have all shared in our own ways. Each track was a collaboration with a different producer, so the amount of cohesion within each EP has been surprising and impressive. Even more impressive is Foreman's ability not to come off as self-aggrandizing or trying too hard; the behind-the-scenes effort in producing this caliber of project is obvious without being overbearing.

As the first album in the collection, "Sunlight" builds slowly, as if kicking off the daily routines that we all go through, before establishing itself as a fitting mission statement for the project's pending scale and status as an opus. It's not the kind of pop-rock whose insistent beats force you awake during your commute. Instead, "Sunlight" plays out with the ease of a well-paced morning after a good rest.

Foreman opens the first track, "Terminal," with a startling lyric: "The doctor says I'm dying." But fear not; his description of death here is a metaphor about the challenges and failures that await us when we allow ourselves to be "fatally flawed" by not approaching each day with the right attitudes. On "The Mountain," he faces figurative obstacles, but the song evokes the serene calm and peace after climbing and crossing an actual mountain when taking in the view from the top and the light from the other side.

As an ode to naturally-unfolding love with a swelling verse and a soaring chorus, "You Don't Know How Beautiful You Are" shows Foreman writing about tried-and-true topics with the precision of a veteran musician and without dipping into youthful cliches. The folksy charm and harmonica playing in "Caroline" are a slight departure musically but certainly not thematically. "Patron Saint of Rock and Roll" cleverly laments that such a saint doesn't exist while pointedly calling out the good ol' boys who would judge or deride Foreman's calling as a musician. Closing track "All Of God's Children," which seeks the best in others, drives home Foreman's inspirational side and reminds us that if nothing else, at least we all have music in common.

"Shadows," the more recent release, is definitely an album that reminds you of those relaxing activities when you start settling in for the evening -- leisurely but no less profound. This group of songs is the sonic equivalent of a nice dinner and conversation with friends, kicking back with a good book and a glass of wine, or curling up and lighting a fire (weather permitting, of course).

On "Ghost Machine," Foreman sings with a bluesy, soulful rasp that's absent from his other music, and it's a worthy experiment. Don't let the title of "My Coffin" fool you; it's a breezy, introspective tune that dovetails nicely into "Fake Your Own Death," a standout in an already solid set of songs. "Fake" touches on mortality in the wake of our sense of individual purpose in life, which clearly weighs on Foreman now that he's older. The ebb and flow of the music, punctuated by lonely horns and spare drum riffs, combines with echo effects to invigorate this bold, haunting track.

"Good For Me" poses hard questions about the people and things in our lives without being preachy, while "Your Love Is Enough" is closer in tone and message to his work with Switchfoot. Whether he's talking to another person or to God, "Enough" is a gentle, poignant reminder to keep it simple amid life's chaos. Foreman ends this EP with "Siren's Song," alluding to the mythic beings that are synonymous with distraction and temptation. The contrast of his rocker croon with the hushed backing vocals is an effective way to close the album. With this track, we are beckoned to look harder and listen closer -- both to what's going on in our own lives and to what he has up his sleeve next.

I'm curious to see how fully Foreman's vision will be realized by the time "Dawn" is released. As it stands, this single day that he is musically illustrating is a puzzle that's halfway finished. Its existing pieces fit together beautifully, while its remaining pieces are shaping up to become a one-of-a-kind masterwork. When all four of these albums are finally available, who's up for sitting down and having a consecutive listening party? (You probably can't see it, but I'm raising my hand emphatically. Pick me!) In actual time, only about two hours would pass, but Foreman's uncanny ability to convey so much with so little will keep his fans and the public listening for years to come.

New Exhibit Spills About "Poison"

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science sure knows how to mix it up! Earlier this year, visitors could find attractions about the Silk Road or mythical creatures like mermaids, dragons, and unicorns. Yes, this is still a museum with nature and science in its name. The Silk Road installation was fascinating but largely historical, with little to no natural or scientific content. To follow that up with a debate about creatures with no basis in fact -- obviously, no credible evidence, carbon-dated remains, or live specimens to display -- feels like they're pandering to the imagination (and wallets) of the public.

This isn't supposed to be Disney World; a museum's job should be to educate and enlighten as well as entertain, and such flights of fancy are better suited elsewhere. Thankfully, the latest DMNS exhibit, "The Power Of Poison," is a complete 180-degree turn and a welcome change from the previous programming. By discussing the biological, cultural, and practical applications of these controversial substances, the museum is living up to its name and its mission.

The first stop upon entering "The Power Of Poison" is the rainforest... well, a small-scale re-creation of one. Through informative placards and models, the exhibit explains how poison in both plants and animals helps maintain this intricate ecosystem. There are even poison-dart tree frogs on display -- one of the most dangerous animals in these jungles -- safely housed inside a small, temperature-regulated case.

The next major section is a brief survey of notable appearances by poison throughout culture and literature. While this area is not specifically nature or science-oriented, it was interesting to see wide-ranging perspectives about the uses and fears of these substances. From an ancient Sudanese legend about the origin of death to the prolific mystery writing of Agatha Christie, poison has been an element of storytelling for centuries.

The exhibit really exceeds expectations by offering several fully interactive displays that challenge visitors to use some of the knowledge they've been acquiring. First, a live, 15-minute demonstration involves a real-life case from the 1800s and how its game-changing evidence improved the detection of toxins. In the next room, there are two additional iPad-based activities to determine if you can identify the sources of accidental poisoning in the described scenarios.

Finally, the installation concludes with a focus on the medicinal and pharmacological uses of poison, something that doesn't come up very often. A series of wall panels highlight the many unexpected benefits from unlikely creatures and plants, which helps to take the stigma out of words like "poison" and "venom." It says a lot about the natural world that these substances, regularly dismissed as dangerous, can be used in so many different ways that are actually helpful.

I actually learned a lot from "The Power Of Poison." Stop me if you've heard these facts before!

The poison-dart tree frog is roughly 3 inches in size, but just one of these frogs has enough toxicity to kill 10 people at a time.
Bad things come in small packages! But they look so cute and colorful...

There are over 3,000 different species of snakes on the planet, but only about 10% of them are venomous enough to harm people.
I'm still staying away from any snake just in case! Unless I'm having a Britney moment.

The Mad Hatter from "Alice In Wonderland" may have been a real person.
The expression "mad as a hatter" comes from the mercury poisoning and subsequent mental deterioration that many hat-makers experienced during their production.

Arsenic was such a common method of murder during the French aristocracy that it earned its own nickname, which translates to "inheritance powder."
Equally horrible and hilarious. I'd tell France "nice work," but that might make me an accessory...

Venom from scorpions, snakes, spiders, and even jellyfish has been synthesized in treatments for conditions like arthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
It's about time for those critters to do something other than scare me!

The yew tree, which contains a powerful, cancer-fighting chemical, only yields about 10 grams of medicine per ton of harvested bark.
Which may be a more effective method of production than trying to create it in a lab!

As a special treat for attending the exhibition's opening party, which offered "poison apples" (a.k.a. red cheesecake pops), we were given the opportunity to make a few "potions" of our own. The first table was for emotions, and participants could mix their own room fragrance or body spray by combining essential oils. I chose to make the courage blend, which contains the essences of spearmint and fir and provides a fresh, earthy smell. The second table was for healing, and it allowed people to use very small amounts of poisonous plant oil to create a healthy additive for water, tea, or other beverages. According to the staff, my concoction of foxglove, mandrake, and poppy (with an orange base for scent and flavor) is intended to promote fortitude and stamina, new perspectives, and positive thoughts, respectively.

"The Power Of Poison" will be available through January 10. It doesn't take very long to get through the whole thing -- about 90 minutes, maybe longer if you stop to read literally every detail. Even at an expedited pace, it still feels like you're really getting something out of it. The exhibit is included with your admission (no extra charge for this special attraction), so be sure to add it as part of your visit in the next few months. Even if you don't attend DMNS regularly, it's definitely worth a special trip to see what's bubbling up.

Holmes Verdict Reflects Pressing Issues

Three years after the horrific Aurora movie theater shooting that killed 12 people, injured 70, and crippled our country with terror and outrage, a verdict has finally been reached. James Holmes is guilty of murder on all counts. My faith in the judicial system is not yet fully restored, but this is a significant step in the right direction. At a time when riots happen after faulty judgments in cities like Ferguson and Baltimore, and when law enforcement finds itself under intense scrutiny, it's a relief to see that justice can actually still be served.

Because Holmes acted deliberately and also with extreme indifference, he was found guilty on two counts for each victim -- bringing his total charges to 24 counts of murder, 140 counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of explosives -- as well as a sentence enhancement for a crime of violence. With this resounding verdict, the trial will now move into its sentencing phase later this week. The jury will hear arguments from the defense for life in prison and from the prosecution for the death penalty, which The Denver Post reports has not been sought in a Colorado trial since 2009.

In the time that passed between the shooting, the trial, and the verdict, a concept that has always confused and frustrated me has taken center stage: the use of the term "alleged." I'm fully aware that it's a fundamental right in our judicial process that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Let's say that a blue car speeds away from a bank robbery with a masked man behind the wheel. Suspects who meet vague descriptions and who drive blue cars are brought in, but witnesses are unable to tell who actually did it. Those suspects would appropriately be classified as "alleged" robbers because there is reasonable doubt.

However, in a rare case like this -- with plentiful witnesses and absolutely no other suspects -- I don't understand why the legalese and the media kept calling Holmes the "alleged" shooter, especially after he confessed. It was a three-year slap in the face to the families who lost loved ones and to the people still recovering physically and emotionally that we had to consider this man "innocent" until the verdict was delivered last Thursday.

Adding sting to that slap is how the jury will ask Holmes to answer for his crimes. I've always been staunchly divided in my opinions about the death penalty. I'm neither completely for it nor completely against it, but it's a valid option when considered on a case-by-case basis. The idea of a criminal spending the rest of his life behind bars and being tormented every day by the things that he's done seems like it would be a fate worse than the easy way out brought by death. Holmes, on the other hand, shows no signs of regret or remorse for his actions, so what would he think about or learn from this kind of sentence?

Holmes even had the audacity to claim insanity when he spent months cruelly calculating how to most effectively carry out this sickening assault. Spending his life in prison seems wasteful to the system and to the taxpayers. Would it be easier for everyone if he simply no longer plagued the world with his darkness and his hatred? Then again, killing him would make us no better than he is. I go round after round after round with myself on every case where I think about the death penalty, and the answers don't come any easier with time.

We are at a critical intersection in our society. Gun-related violence is more prevalent than ever, and it has increasingly been a hot-button issue at every level -- locally, nationally, and even globally. There is more at stake and more for this jury to consider than ever before. Yes, we have the constitutional right to bear arms, but even the most gung-ho Second Amendment purist can surely concede that there are certain responsibilities to safely and successfully guarantee that privilege. The pervasive nature of this kind of violence over the last few decades leads me to speculate just how ingrained these destructive tendencies are in "civilized" populations, and why Americans seem to be the most predisposed to it when compared with crime rates in other countries.

Therefore, it is absolutely essential that these jurors look inside themselves and genuinely reflect on the weight of their decision. The obvious knee-jerk reaction is to fry Holmes as soon as possible, but this verdict and this sentence are about sending a message. Not just to criminals, but to our allies around the world. America used to stand for many ideals, but freedom and opportunity have given way to fear and instant gratification. As long as the jury approaches its sentencing from a place of promoting a sense of lasting peace and justice -- rather than swift but empty vengeance -- they will be right in the eyes of the law and their fellow humans.

At this point, it may be too soon to say that the worst is behind us, but hopefully the healing process can begin anew. Whether the jury decides in favor of life or death for Holmes, we can rest assured that it's finally an official acknowledgement of his guilt, without question. Either outcome is suitable for someone who so callously and violently stained another page in our nation's unfortunate recent history.

Schumer Conducts Lively "Trainwreck"

Anyone who has ever said that women aren't funny clearly isn't paying attention. We're in a renaissance of brilliant female actors, comics, and writers -- Lena Dunham, Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Amy Poehler, Aisha Tyler, the list goes on -- who are standing their ground and showing men more than a thing or two about how to get laughs. (Hint: you have to EARN them, not just word-vomit a bunch of jokes and hope something sticks!)

Everyone should know by now that Amy Schumer is also funny, thanks to her insightful stand-up, her wicked jabs at celebrity roasts, and the pointed, feminist-oriented satire of her Emmy-nominated, Peabody-winning Comedy Central sketch series "Inside Amy Schumer." But by writing and headlining her first movie, the real question becomes two-fold: can she act, and is she comfortable sharing the spotlight?

The answer to both questions is a pleasantly surprising yes. "Trainwreck" takes us further inside Amy than ever before, with Schumer making light in interviews about how loosely the film is based on her own life. Fact or fiction, it's nice to see a comedy that shows how people in a relationship can help each other learn and grow, rather than only one person being "right" and forcing the other to change. Schumer has a broader dramatic range than the nature of her comedy would suggest, and she has given us a well-rounded debut screenplay that performs a delicate balancing act. Yes, it's big on laughs, but the movie (like its main character) hides a big heart without being gushy or overly sentimental, especially where her family interactions are concerned. It's rewarding to see her play a human being, flaws and all, rather than the alleged ideal of how a woman in this or any movie is "supposed to" behave. If I have one complaint, it's that director Judd Apatow ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up") gets a lot of great material out of his actors, but he doesn't always know when to call cut on a scene, bit, or running gag. "Trainwreck," an otherwise solid movie, ends up clocking in long for a comedy at 125 minutes.

Critical to any love story, humorous or otherwise, is the amount of chemistry between the leads. Schumer shares a comfortable yet dynamic rapport with Bill Hader, and their banter and comic timing -- perfectly honed from their respective years in the industry -- are absolutely endearing. It doesn't matter in the slightest that neither of them would be considered attractive by (misguided) conventional Hollywood standards, mainly because they are a supremely talented pair. The ups and downs of their relationship are exponentially more convincing as regular people falling in love, particularly when compared to the phoned-in facades of the Jennifers (Aniston or Lopez) and their interchangeable male counterparts. It's also incredibly refreshing to see a female lead who looks like she's actually eaten something this month. Like Melissa McCarthy and Rebel Wilson before her, Schumer is getting work not in spite of her figure, but because of it. By embracing herself and her body, she is sending a strong message to Hollywood: skinny girls are no longer the norm!

As great as the leads are, this is hardly Schumer's vanity project. She and Hader give the supporting characters their fair share of winning lines and moments. For all of the jokes made at the expense of athletes -- Hader plays a sports doctor and Schumer doesn't understand the appeal -- two such personalities offer memorable performances. John Cena is known for his tough-guy bravado as a WWE wrestler; as an early suitor of Schumer, he is amusingly self-conscious and shows an exaggerated sensitive side. Cena's movie theater meltdown during one of their dates is a revelation of his unexpected knack for comedy. Basketball player LeBron James is also cleverly cast as Hader's client and friend, playing a version of himself that doesn't enjoy his own fame or wealth. In most comedies, the role of dishy confidant is assigned to the female lead's friend/co-worker/neighbor/etc, but in a stealthy, gender-swapped maneuver, James delivers all of his doting, supportive dialogue with surprising aplomb. Bringing more A-list cred to an already stellar cast, Oscar winner Tilda Swinton shows up as Schumer's demanding magazine editor. In a hilarious, transformative turn (seriously: she looks, moves, and sounds like a totally different person), Swinton aces some of the film's most biting one-liners without overselling them. Eagle-eyed viewers can also catch plenty of cameos by stand-up stars and "Inside" regulars like Dave Attell, Mike Birbiglia, Bridget Everett, and Tim Meadows, as well as a few more appearances from the wide world of sports.

"Trainwreck" is ultimately a romantic comedy for discerning adults who don't mind a little raunch. More than likely, the film's frank discussions, bad habits, and awkward sexual encounters ring true from either your own experiences or those of close pals. Schumer comes across as the kind of well-meaning, troublemaker friend that you have, had in the past, or have been yourself. Among other attributes, it's her uniquely relatable screen presence that carries the movie above many of its contemporaries. The finale may be a tad predictable for some, but despite adhering to certain tenets of the rom-com genre, at least the movie gets there in its own forward-thinking way -- earning both its laughs and its happy ending.

"Scream" Scares Its Way To TV

Sometimes, the best way to keep a good thing going is just to start over. "Scream" has arrived on MTV -- this time as a television series -- more than 18 years after the first film hit theaters and four years after the franchise's last movie. Fans of the original entries should take note: the show version introduces a completely new story and characters as well as a different masked killer. Three episodes have aired so far, which is my typical window for evaluating whether or not a series will continue to hold my interest. My early impressions have been generally favorable... with a few minor critiques, of course.

In its televised incarnation, "Scream" opens on a familiar horror scenario: a young woman, home alone, being stalked by a mysterious stranger who may or may not be inside the house. Unlike the stunning, jaw-dropping sequence with Drew Barrymore that opened the first movie, this scene is heavy on exposition but light on suspense because let's face it: we have a pretty good idea of what's going to happen. As it turns out, Nina (the opening victim) was no angel, and the secrets brought to light by her death begin to affect her circle of high school friends, acquaintances, and enemies.

Enter our heroine, Emma, played with backbone and genuine, girl-next-door charm by Willa Fitzgerald. Her absent father is the sole survivor of a now-legendary murderous rampage in their small town years before, and her mother may or may not hold vital information about what really happened that night. All of this suggests that the current killer has something to say, since his/her/their threats and crimes seem to revolve around the town's dark past -- and its even darker future should that information be revealed. By completely rewriting the saga in a different time and place, this version of "Scream" is able to weave more complex threads into its backstory than the more straightforward narrative of its filmed predecessors.

As a huge fan of the "Scream" movies, I'm thankful that the network didn't shamelessly reboot and rehash the same plot and characters, or worse, attempt some kind of half-baked prequel and/or sequel when "Scream 4" was a more-than-fitting conclusion to that previous world and those beloved characters. Instead, the producers clearly respect the audience's sensibilities, and we're treated to something that carries the same name and spirit without lazily copying its source material. The films featured a mix of established and rising stars, but the series wisely chooses to fill its cast with relative unknowns, giving them a chance to prove their mettle amid the hype and expectations of this adaptation. The core characters are also skewed younger, presumably to lend authenticity to their roles as well as add longevity to the show if it continues to do well.

The traditional high school archetypes are all present and accounted for, but the writers keep them fresh by adding layers and traits that give depth to and possibly cast suspicion on those individuals. In fictional Lakewood -- so generic that it could take place anywhere, which ratchets up the fear -- we discover that the "good girl" may not be so virginal; the "bimbo" is more intelligent than others realize; the "smart guy" has a mean streak; and the "new kid" may actually be the most well-adjusted of the bunch. Also notable is how the show taps into the prominence of digital technology, smartphones, and social media; in the time between "Scream 3" in 2000 and "Scream 4" in 2011, these items became firmly established in the mainstream. In our frightening real world of cyber-bullying, hacking, and data breaches, the series offers a subtle but timely commentary on how the things that are intended to bring us together can be used to drive us apart when in the wrong hands.

On the other hand, this kind of show is smart not to take itself too seriously, at the risk of alienating viewers who want a respectable ratio of laughs to plot to scares. The self-aware, meta-level humor that largely characterized the movies can be found on the small screen. However, some of it feels a bit forced, rather than the sly verbal or situational homages that the films relished. Yes, we get it: you're all tech-savvy and pop culture-literate youngsters, but go easy on the post-modern references! There was actually a mention of "Terminator: Genisys" in the second episode, when it would have just opened literally the week before that episode aired. Too soon? In addition, a few of the jumpy moments are a little too telegraphed ahead of time to be effective when they finally happen. "Scream" and its three sequels delivered their shocks and surprises so successfully by toying with the horror formula and subverting those elements. Series writers, pay attention: don't try as hard to be so current and obvious. Instead, try dabbling in more of the classy banter and twists of dramatic irony that helped the movies be acclaimed by critics and adored by fans.

An advantage to the serialized format is that the story plays out over a longer period of time, allowing you to really invest in these characters and root for them... as well as worry if and/or when they will be the next to drop. A potential disadvantage, which won't be clear until the finale airs in September, is which direction the future of the series will take. If the creative team is opting for a centralized, ongoing mystery -- which could grow tiresome if not resolved or revitalized in later episodes -- they will have to make an extra effort to craft a strong narrative that supports the weight of its sustained plot and character development. Otherwise, an anthologized approach (like "American Horror Story") that wraps up everything by the end of the season, before introducing a whole other story and cast in each subsequent installment, could be a way to keep the show alive against the growing onslaught of summertime cable-TV competitors.

Either way, "Scream" gets a passing grade on my three-episode test, so count me in! There are seven remaining episodes scheduled, and it has done well enough that it's already been renewed for another season. Overall, there's a lot of potential here. Maybe not for the next golden age of television, but certainly for an intriguing murder-mystery that keeps viewers guessing and continues the legacy of a great modern franchise.

What I Wish I Knew At 25

It's official: I'm old. My little sister MaryBeth turned 25 today. Yep, I'm ancient! In all fairness, I was only 25 in 2008, but somehow it feels like longer ago. Seriously though, where did the time go? I have to say (and I'm not just sucking up) that I'm incredibly proud of her. She is very resourceful, she has made great strides in a relatively short time at her company, and she is mature and responsible with a good head on her shoulders. I really wish I had her gumption when I was that age! So naturally, I started to wonder... if you could, what advice would you give to your younger self?

25 is a very transitional age. You're a few years out of college and you've got some career experience under your belt. Maybe you're pursuing a master's degree or thinking about a doctorate; maybe you're dating, married, or even starting a family. Life changes happen at different paces for everyone, and the early-20s have become a time in this post-millennial era where the concept of the quarterlife crisis has evolved. That panic you feel when your degree doesn't give you the tailored experience that you thought it would. That envy you hide when you see an old friend or classmate doing "better" than you are. That twinge you get when your first actual adult problem hits, and all you want to do is run home to your parents and hide from the world for a while.

No one ever said that graduating from high school, college, or the school of life would automatically include the answers to every problem that we face. The quarterlife crisis is just a fancy name for growing up -- we've all been there at one point or another, and we need to remember that it's okay not to be perfect, even in today's image-conscious, success-driven world. The way I see it, each new day on this planet is an opportunity for growth and change, regardless of your personal status and circumstances at that moment.

That said, here are the five most important things that I would want myself at that age and any other 25-year-olds to keep in mind:

Stick to a budget, but still find ways to treat yourself.
At 25, I was only working a part-time job, so money was beyond tight. Living paycheck to paycheck, I pinched pennies so hard that I thought more pennies would come out, but alas. Regardless of where you find yourself financially, you should always set aside the time and the money for something fun or unique (within reason) to reward yourself for being so frugal elsewhere. I missed out on so many good times with friends because I didn't plan ahead and save as much as I should have, which left me feeling resentful and burned out on the job because it was all work and no play. Yes, you should work hard so you can play hard, but don't forget to add "save hard" in the middle.

Feel free to party, but know your limits.
Speaking of playing hard, there's definitely a time and a place -- you're only young once -- but there's also something to be said about knowing when to stop. Around this age, I watched several friends experience some of the worst results of too much partying. Accidents and DUIs made the mistakes of one night last for so much longer. While I never personally got to that point, I should have been more comfortable and confident speaking up and taking a stand when others were approaching that point. Knowing when to cut people off will differ from person to person, but it's always better to check on your friends too much than not enough, and always do so without judgment. After all, let he/she who is without a drunk night in their past cast the first empty bottle. It may seem like nagging at the time, but you'll be thanking each other the next day when everyone is safe, happy... and hopefully, not too hungover.

Be more aware of networking opportunities.
There's a reason that "It's not what you know, it's who you know" has become a cliche: it really is that true. If you find yourself with no room left to grow in the workplace, you're doing something wrong because you're not talking to the right people. At work or even around town, you're bound to see or run into individuals who are outside of your immediate circle of influence. Go meet them! You'd be amazed at how many people I crossed paths with during my part-time job in a totally different industry that have popped up again as unexpected sources of information during my current full-time job. At worst, you've made a new acquaintance with whom you may or may not swap contact info. At best, you've made a new connection who may actually have insight or a foot in the door to the next opportunity that you've been seeking. You won't know for sure unless you put yourself out there and try!

If you choose to be in a relationship, do it for the right reasons.
Putting yourself out there does take guts, especially in the dating world. I was in a pretty serious relationship when I was 25, but it wasn't a good situation. It was fairly obvious to both of us early on that we weren't an ideal match, but we continued to be involved for 2 more years. Why? Because we were both at a crossroads in our respective lives and we were lonely, so it was easier being with someone as a distraction than worrying about being fine on our own. Had we been honest with ourselves and each other, things probably would have worked out differently (though we definitely would have still broken up! Too much baggage...) Either way, make sure that the person you choose to spend time with is your equal when it comes to interests, outlook, and most of all, self-esteem. Otherwise, you're stunting your growth as a couple and as an individual.

Keep your options open.
Life plans are a great thing to have. Whether it's a general outline or you've rigorously constructed specific, time-sensitive goals, you should always be prepared for your best-laid plans to go astray. At 23, I had a clear-cut plan in mind for my life and career after college, but by 25, things were so far removed from this plan that I didn't think a comeback was possible. So I settled. If you take nothing else away from this post, please remember this: NEVER SETTLE! I didn't fight for my dreams, and now, here I am at 32: getting closer but still trying to make them happen. Any number of personal circumstances can change, but it's how you adapt to those changes and get yourself back on track that define how you reach and/or modify those original goals. That way, when the inevitable bumps in the road come along, you won't feel like you've been thrown such a curveball.

For all of its laughs and its abundance of puppets, the musical "Avenue Q" makes some pretty spot-on observations about modern life. The one that sticks with me tells us that everything in life is only for now, so make the best of what you have while you have it. Speaking of puppets, MaryBeth just got one. It's custom-made and everything! See? Proof that getting older and wiser doesn't mean the end of youthful whimsy; it just means knowing how and when to let the inner child out to play for a little while. At any age, we can all make it a point to cut ourselves some slack and not approach life as a crisis to be managed.

Burlesque Festival Heats Up Colorado

For a good time, call the Colorado Burlesque Festival. If you're looking for an authentic tease, the Cher and Christina Aguilera movie version is harmless fun, but there's nothing quite like the real thing when it's live on stage in a crowded theater.

2015 marked the sixth festival in Colorado, but national burlesque festivals and conventions have been around since 1991, with the Hall of Fame located in Las Vegas. In fact, burlesque as we know it can trace its roots as far back as 150 years ago with the can-can girls who danced in the saloons of the Wild West. And the best part? You don't have to be intimidated by how skinny they are! Burlesque dancers do stay in shape, but they actually have healthy weights that make them look like real people, rather than the skeletal remains gliding across the stage in other mediums.

Don't get it twisted: burlesque is not to be confused with stripping. The performers in burlesque and boylesque (yep, that's really a thing... I should know!) do remove clothing in a provocative way, but it's more about the art of the tease. In a way, each act is like a mini-musical. There are costumes, props, and sometimes set pieces, and the dancers interact with the music by essentially telling a story with their movements and their bodies... all leading to a big finish, of course. The tone of these acts can range from the simple and the silly to the smoldering and the sultry. Burlesque will show just enough skin to keep it from being family-friendly, but there's no actual nudity -- just a celebration of the human body in all shapes, sizes, and colors. For that reason, my friends who perform often tell people how liberating and empowering burlesque can be, and I wholeheartedly agree.

I learned a lot about the burlesque industry from my two years as an emcee for local variety shows. I've seen a little bit of everything, and so many of those visuals are indelibly printed on my memory: a routine set to The Doors' "Alabama Song" while dressed as V from "V For Vendetta"; a synchronized duo performing the cats' "We Are Siamese" song from "Lady and the Tramp"; and even a performer undressing while riding a unicycle. Despite my background, this year was only my second time attending a CBF function, but it more than made up for lost time.

The festival itself takes place over three days, offering workshops and events with regionally and nationally-recognized titleholders and award-winners in the burlesque community. The signature event, however, is the Saturday Night Spectacular. Held at the Paramount Theater with an audience of more than 1,000 fans and enthusiasts, this showcase features a wide selection of the many performance styles that fall under the burlesque umbrella. Host Naughty Pierre from Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret -- a sponsor of the event and home to many of Denver's best-known performers -- said from the stage that over 200 acts apply to appear as headliners, and only about 20 of them are selected to take the main stage each year. All of them bring their unique interpretations of the genre, but there are always a few that stand out above the rest.

Best Song Choice

Denver's Kitty Crimson, arriving on stage in an elegant gown and cape, performed a routine set to the slow, throbbing electro-jam "Two Weeks" by FKA Twigs. The contrasts of the traditional burlesque wardrobe and movements with the ethereal vocals and pulsating beats of the modern music made her act fascinating as well as entertaining.

Best Costume

Vivienne Vavoom is credited with bringing the burlesque scene back to prominence in Colorado and the region, and she often performs in classic garb with feather fans for a more vaudevillian style. For her "Elephants On Parade" act, the costume perfectly served two purposes. The couture dress was sparkly, colorful, and nice to look at, but it was also an integral part of the routine (rather than simply being removed and discarded). Inside the matching arm-length glove, her hand became the elephant's trunk and creatively helped her out of the clothes.

Best Homage

Whiskey Darling, hailing from Colorado Springs, gave a performance inspired by the classic comedy "This Is Spinal Tap." Making her entrance shrouded in Druidic robes before revealing brighter attire underneath, she danced to the fictional band's hit song "Stonehenge." In keeping with one of the film's most amusing moments, a too-small replica of the monument was brought onstage; rather than getting upset, it was the perfect size to hold her prop cocktail glass.

Best Boylesque

There weren't many men appearing in the showcase, either solo or in group numbers, but Portland's Russell Bruner had larger-than-life stage presence. A former boylesque champion, he also works in a more vaudevillian vein, knowing exactly how to prove himself as a showman and a dancer before showing just how much fun he finds the act of undressing in front of that many people. Boylesque presents a unique challenge -- modeling a physical form that isn't as curvy or shapely as a woman -- but Bruner brought the right level of frisky, masculine energy to displaying his talents and his body.

Best Solo Act

Shelbelle Shamrock came all the way from Dallas and brought down the house with a sequined tracksuit and a breakdance routine set to Bel Biv Devoe's "Poison." She worked the crowd into a frenzy with flirty glances at the first few rows as well as a masterful blend of burlesque moves and acrobatic precision. This was one of the few acts that had the audience on their feet applauding and cheering at the end.

Best Group Act

The Clockettes, the resident troupe at Lannie's, danced to a medley of Janet Jackson songs ("Nasty," "If," and "Rhythm Nation") and nailed every step of the intricate group choreography. Their spin on the standard reveal of both pasties, instead exposing only the right one in tribute to Jackson's notorious Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction," was especially clever.

Burlesque is a truly inclusive art form with something for everyone -- male or female, straight or gay -- to enjoy. Colorado's festival and its showcase challenge cultural perspectives on beauty and self-image by promoting the values of diversity and appreciation. Needless to say, I'm already looking forward to this time next year. Save the date!

Not A Bean To Be Found In Boston

I don't always like to travel. This may be surprising, especially considering the number of trips I've taken in the last few years, but it comes down to enjoying the shared moments -- rather than the increasingly cumbersome process of getting to and from each place. This was especially evident in my lack of enthusiasm for Friday morning's flight to Boston, which left Philadelphia at 8:30. This isn't normally early, mind you, but it meant arriving at the airport by 6:30, which IS early when you're supposed to be on vacation!

Transit options to the airport at that hour weren't as timely as we had hoped, so Chris continued his winning streak by using a $20-off Uber promo code that he got from one of ISTE's exhibit booths. The fare was only $18, so we ended up getting a free ride! Upon reaching the airport, I wasn't really sure what to expect. It was my first time flying with JetBlue, since they had the only reasonably priced airfare between Philly and Boston, but the experience was pleasant enough. Even though we were flying on July 3, our flight number was (appropriately) 1776. If nothing else, it was definitely a relief to have a pre-assigned seat after paying selection fees with Frontier and braving boarding groups with Southwest for so long.

I have it on good authority that you're not supposed to call Boston "Beantown," despite its legitimate historical claim as one of the originators of baked beans. But the phrase is in local advertising, in the names of stores and restaurants... it must be a double standard to prevent tourists from fitting in! After the free airport line shuttle connected us to the subway station, we arrived at our hotel. The Boston Park Plaza is situated in the Back Bay neighborhood and within a block of the Boston Common park. Scenic AND centrally located for all of our transit needs. If you guessed that we were tired of walking by this point, you guessed correctly!

After acclimating to yet another set of new surroundings, I was thrilled to discover that there was a Shake Shack in the area. We had missed chances to try them in New York in March and in Philly earlier in the week, so I didn't want to miss out again! For the record: yes, Shake Shack is pricey depending on what you order, but yes, it's also as delicious as everyone says. For $16, I got a double ShackBurger, an order of fries, and vanilla frozen custard with pieces of whoopie pie blended into it. Beyond steep by typical fast-food standards, but that's close to what you would pay for all of that at a sit-down restaurant, and Shake Shack's quality does rival that of its more gourmet competitors. Everything was fresh and cooked to order, and you can tell from the first bite that this is no ordinary burger. (Someone get me the recipe for Shack Sauce, stat!) The fries were crinkle-cut -- my second favorite kind after curly -- with the right amount of crunch, and the custard was great on its own even without the toppings. It's probably for the best that Shake Shack hasn't made it to Colorado yet. While it would be cost-prohibitive to eat there with any degree of regularity, I would certainly be amenable to treating myself from time to time.

Refueled and recharged for the day's exploration, we first headed to Old North Church, the site of the legendary hanging lanterns warning the colonists that the British were coming. It's a beautiful and well-preserved building, and I didn't realize that it's actually still used today for Episcopal services. They even have the original square pew boxes that families would purchase for private use. Honestly, I would feel uncomfortable being in an important landmark on such a regular basis. I wouldn't want to be the one to break anything at such a nice, old church!

Continuing our historical journey, we also visited the Paul Revere House, home of the famed midnight rider who helped spread the news heralded by the church's lanterns. The area around the house is currently undergoing an expansive renovation project, which will hopefully improve the quality of information that is available as well as the flow of visitors through the site. As is, there's not a whole lot to see, and it's way too many people crammed into one rather small house. Given that we were even closer to Fourth of July than when attempting to see Philly's patriotic sites, I was surprised by how quickly we were able to get in and out of the house.

We weren't as lucky later that afternoon, when we took one of the harbor ferries (free with our transit pass) over to the Charlestown Navy Yard. We saw the USS Constitution, which is the oldest commissioned ship in the world. And by saw, I mean we literally just looked over at it; the lines to board the vessel were astronomical and the yard was closing soon. Boston is a city so full of history and unique places to explore that you could probably spend several weeks there and still not get to do everything! After a brief detour so I could pose in front of the converted fire station that was used as "The Real World: Boston" house (yes, I am THAT much of a pop-culture junkie!), we consoled ourselves with a fabulous Italian meal at Antonio's Cucina in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. While my eggplant parmigiana was the first parmesan dish I've ever had that wasn't breaded, it was a generous portion -- possibly the whole eggplant -- with a hearty red sauce and a perfect blend of cheeses. Near the end, though, I did wish for a little breading, as the eggplant became a bit soggy under the weight of the sauce and cheese with no outer layer to protect it. (I know: picky, picky...)

Saturday's adventures spanned more towns outside of the metro area. In the morning, we took a commuter train into the one and only Salem, the witchiest place on Earth. Society may never know what started all of that trouble or what really happened during the witch trials, but the town sure does have fun explaining it. After touring the Witch House, home to chief judge Jonathan Corwin during the trials, we walked down the picturesque main street and caught glimpses of the Witch Museum (poorly regarded and thus skipped) and the House of the Seven Gables (well-regarded but we ran out of time). We severely underestimated how much there is to do and see in Salem, and our brief visit barely scratched the surface. We could plan a whole trip around just that town... as long as it's not in the fall. Apparently, some holiday in October brings out all the crazies!

I have family in Andover, which isn't too far from Salem, so we got together at their house for a few hours on Saturday afternoon and into the evening. My aunt Kathy, my cousin Meagan, and Meagan's husband and son were there, as well as my other cousin Nick and his wife and daughters. It was a mini-reunion for my mom's side of the family! Everyone finally got to meet Chris (except Aunt Kathy, who met him when she was in Colorado in April), and I got to meet Harrison, Meagan's son who was about to turn a year old. He's such a character, full of faces and sounds that already show his budding personality. Plus I'm super jealous of his little Ninja Turtle costume from last Halloween, so that may be part of it too! The cool thing about kids at that age is you can watch them taking in everything around them with wide eyes and putting it all together in their mind, even though they may not know exactly what to do with it yet.

After a delicious home-cooked dinner courtesy of Meagan's husband, it was time to head back into the city for the big Fourth of July fireworks display. We made our way down to the harbor and found a great spot to sit under a big tree right by the water. The Boston Pops played leading up to the main event, and their concluding piece, the 1812 Overture, featured actual cannon fire. Pretty cool stuff! The fireworks themselves were magnificent, but set to a weird, pre-recorded mix of pop, R&B, and country songs -- none of which really fit the mood. They didn't even shamelessly use Katy Perry's "Firework," but there was ultimately no need for any music at all. The real show was in the sky, and we had a perfect view.

By Sunday morning, my feet and legs were literally sore all over, especially my shins and calves. I've done quite a lot of summertime walking in sandals and flip-flops before, but this trip takes the cake. While we were walking around (correction: Chris was walking, I was hobbling) and looking for nearby restaurants at lunch, we randomly discovered the Bull & Finch Pub, which provided the inspiration for the bar and its exterior shots on the hit '80s sitcom "Cheers." While I was never a huge fan of the show, it was always amusing enough, so we figured why not? The food was above-average for pub fare, but it was a far cry from some of the finer cuisine we had enjoyed elsewhere on the trip.

Our next stops were back in the historic vein that we started on Friday. The Granary Burying Ground holds the graves of several key colonial figures, including Mother Goose, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams. In a fitting show of solidarity, a previous visitor to the cemetery had left an empty bottle of Sam Adams beer near the tombstone. I think more people stopped to look at the placement of the bottle than the actual grave! When setting out for our next destination, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, we put the address into Google to get walking directions. Google Walk (as I jokingly call it) is still in beta, so every few blocks, it kept correcting itself and sending us in entirely different directions. In a city like Boston, you may think, "How hard is it to find the water?" Since it was a specific part of the harbor, we didn't want to get it wrong and we kept blindly following Google, thinking it would get us there eventually. And it did... almost an hour later, long enough for us to miss the last window of time to enter the museum before it closed. You would think that popular sites like these would extend their hours for the busy holiday weekend or heightened summer tourism in general, but alas. Now I call the app Google Fail. In frustration and in protest, I may or may not have pretended to dump my own tea into the harbor.

Every cloud, however, has a silver lining, and if it weren't for Google's spectacular inability to provide simple navigation, we would have never enjoyed dinner where we did. The Barking Crab sits right at the waterfront, and while it may look kind of divey from the outside, the quaint interior belies an authentic seafood restaurant with a solid menu. My grilled (closer to seared) tuna in a lime soy sauce with ginger vegetables and jasmine rice was an excellent choice, and Chris got some gargantuan crab legs that may very well have been caught right outside earlier that day. Seafood tastes a lot better away from a landlocked state like Colorado, and it was the right note on which to start winding down our colossal, multi-state adventure.

I prefer to think the trip ends on that pleasant note, but reality had other plans. During Monday's ridiculously early arrival at the airport (5:30 this time), our good friends at the TSA randomly selected me for additional screening. In the process, they totally unpacked my perfectly packed luggage and gave me a thorough -- and thoroughly mortifying -- pat-down. It took everything I had not to make terrible jokes to the agents about how I wanted to light a cigarette and ask for cab fare after my inspection, but more than anything, I was cranky from not being fully awake and I was just ready to be home. Or in my case, ready to go right from the airport to the office. (Boo...) In the end, that's the true sign of a good trip: when you got to do just about everything you wanted to, but all you can think about is getting back to where you started so you can already plan where to go next.

It's Sometimes Sunny In Philadelphia

Before this trip, I had already mentally prepared myself for the potential heat and humidity of Philadelphia in late June. Thankfully, the temperatures never got above the mid-80s, and the frequent cloud cover and occasional rain kept things cooler than expected. The humidity stuck around, of course, but it never felt as oppressive as the warmer summers I've spent here in the past. I say all of this to demonstrate how kind the weather was to us during our walks to and from various destinations. So... much... walking. Philly is a very walkable city, but just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should!

Another such hike on Wednesday morning took me south of Penn's Landing and the waterfront -- much farther than it seemed on the map -- to a slightly more commercial area with stores and strip malls. It was here that I found the oasis that I was seeking: the closest movie theater. With Chris in the last day of his sessions and myself already having visited a lot of what I wanted to see, it was time to treat myself to a little magic. Mike, that is. It was only 10:30 in the morning, but showings were in full swing. Sure, it was just me and seven random middle-aged women, but at least we were smart enough to avoid the swarm later that night.

"Magic Mike XXL" is the kind of movie that needs to be seen in a theater. Not because it's a work of art or a technical achievement, but because it's just that much fun -- especially when people are comfortable interacting with the screen in a group setting. The movie is smart in how it makes the audience invest in the characters and the story (yes, there actually is one!) for the better part of an hour before giving them what they bought tickets to see. While I personally squealed audibly at only one scene (Joe Manganiello + a certain Nine Inch Nails song = WOW), it was doubly entertaining not only to see the dancing on screen but also to hear the cheering when something memorable happened. Definitely the crowd-pleasing pick of the summer!

Back in the real world of the big city, in an attempt to keep trying new places and restaurants, dinner that night was Mexican food. It was a craving I had since our arrival, but Philly isn't exactly famous for it. After extensive online research (no Zagat rating this time), we settled on Lucha Cartel, a small, upscale spot on Chestnut Street that had great reviews in local publications and websites. Chris was even more excited after landing us a 1,000-point reservation through OpenTable! Their ambiance stood out immediately as one of the most unique restaurants where I've ever dined. The color motif was purple and black with gold accents, and their decor was an eclectic, almost surreal combination of luchador (Mexican wrestler) and Day of the Dead. I wanted to take pictures, but it didn't seem right in such a small place with so many other diners -- most of whom were actually blocking the shots with their tables and chairs, so it would have been super awkward anyway. (Excuse me, would you mind moving your entire party of guests and your meals to accommodate this gawking tourist?)

Now on to what really matters at a restaurant: the food! After an appetizer of housemade tortilla chips and their seasoned bean dip, my coconut milk margarita (not as weird as it sounds) was a nice complement to my pollo relleno, a chicken breast stuffed with apple chunks and gruyere cheese and glazed with a zesty white-wine-and-pepper sauce. It definitely had a kick, but there was a nice balance between the flavor and the spice -- not all spicy foods are able to pull that off! The sides of red rice and mixed greens were simple, flavorful touches to offset the heat of the dish.

As good as dinner was, none of their desserts grabbed our interest. We explored the area on foot before once again turning to the wisdom of Zagat to find The Franklin Fountain, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda shoppe with a line out the door -- and for good reason! The scoops are massive, and the homemade waffle cones are enormous enough to house them. In addition to all of the standard flavors, they had a few special offerings, including my instant choice: Teaberry. Named after a brand of gum that was popular on the East Coast way back when and is still made to this day, this ice cream looked and tasted just like the gum -- only the flavor lasted much longer in ice cream form! Full of nostalgic enthusiasm and with eyes bigger than my stomach, I sprung for the large, a 3-scoop waffle cone. Whoops. It was definitely the largest and most expensive ice cream cone I've ever enjoyed (more than $10 and worth every penny), but any photos proving my ability to eat this monstrosity would surely violate some kind of public indecency laws and possibly even break the Internet.

By Thursday, the ISTE conference was over, so Chris had more free time to do some of the tourist attractions that we had been talking about. Heading into Fourth of July weekend, both Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell were overflowing with crowds and lines, so we decided to skip those since we had both already visited them on separate occasions (albeit a long time ago). Apparently, this is the only weekend when people get the urge to visit patriotic sites!

We settled on the Franklin Institute, a nature and science museum that was always a favorite of mine growing up and still holds a certain charm. As an added bonus, Chris's membership to Denver's Museum of Nature & Science was reciprocal, so we only had to pay a small upgrade to access the special exhibitions. The Institute's emphasis on interactivity makes visiting fun for all ages (even two grown adults), and the Genghis Khan exhibit was really fascinating. We also got to see the Giant Heart, manually power light bulbs, and even record a weather forecast in front of a green screen. In short, our inner children went bananas!

When lunch rolled around, I knew we were running out of time for a staple food that is uniquely Philly: the cheesesteak. As we headed back toward the hustle and bustle of downtown, we stopped at Reading Terminal Market, a.k.a. the busiest food court known to man. Every kind of cuisine you can think of is represented, but nothing could distract me from my mission. Of the several cheesesteak options in the Market alone, Spataro's was well-regarded enough for my liking, so I got the classic sandwich with peppers, onions, and cheese whiz.

Normally, I wouldn't go anywhere near something with "whiz" in its name, especially as a connoisseur of cheese, but this is my one exception. The way the whiz blends with the grease from the ribeye adds a delightful (if unhealthy) layer to this most holy of steak sandwiches. Chris made the mistake (mis-steak?) of getting provolone cheese and wasn't nearly as impressed, mainly because the cheese just sat there on his sandwich instead of interacting with the toppings and dancing as happily across his taste buds as they had on mine. To someone like me, who is originally from the East Coast and has a healthy appetite, the cheesesteak is food porn at its finest.

Slowing down a little after filling our bellies and walking all the way back to the hotel, we enjoyed some air-conditioned, feet-elevated, channel-surfing downtime before heading below our new friend South Street to meet some of my family for dinner. My mom's best friend Joanne (also my godmother), her husband John, and my sister MaryBeth -- who Chris and I had recently met up with during our New York trip in March -- joined us at Hawthorne's. A small but elegant answer to the typical bar and grill, this restaurant featured a great menu and a self-serve cooler (brilliant!) for bottled and canned beers in addition to their expansive selections on tap. I was desperate for vegetables after the day's earlier indulgence, so the arugula salad with apricots, mango vinaigrette, and salmon was a welcome change. The meal was a win all around: Chris got to meet Joanne and John, and I enjoyed catching up with them too since our last visit had been over three years ago. And needless to say, it's always great to see my sister whenever I can! After Joanne and John headed home, MaryBeth was kind enough to drive us back to the hotel (less walking!), where we had a nightcap at a small bar around the corner (only brief walking). The service was atrocious, but the drinks were good and the company was even better.

As the night came to a close, an early-morning flight to Boston loomed ahead of us. Some people go on vacations to relax and unwind by doing practically nothing. It's safe to say that we're not those people! I can do nothing when I'm at home, so if I'm going somewhere -- even if I've been there before or I'm from the area -- you can bet I'll be out there seeing and doing as much as possible. There's always plenty of time for adventures both big and small.

A City Of Brotherly Everything

My last visit to the East Coast in March 2012 was a much shorter and more impulsive trip. There was no real agenda or itinerary; I just thought of things to do and I did them. This time, however, there's been a lot of ground to cover -- literally and figuratively -- so there has been a method to the madness.

Leaving New Jersey on Sunday afternoon, we took a winding path that allowed us to avoid toll roads because a.) tolls are for suckers and b.) regular roads help you see more of where you are. Since this was one of the relatively nicer parts of the state, it may have taken longer but at least the view was more scenic! The route suggested by the GPS took us through Trenton, NJ, which borders Morrisville on the Pennsylvania side and is only two towns over from where I grew up in Levittown, PA. A distant suburb of Philadelphia, I'll admit, but it saves a lot of time explaining where you're from if you give people the closest major city. Technically, I grew up geographically closer to Trenton than to Philadelphia, but I would NEVER say I'm from New Jersey! (And to think that I did so well being nice to Jersey in my last post...)

Needless to say, Levittown became our first stop in Pennsylvania. Among the points of interest in the quick drive-through tour were my elementary schools, my old house, and that paragon of retail excellence, the Oxford Valley Mall. Aside from the schools, none of those locations look the same as they did in my childhood, or even like they did as recently as 2012. The times they are a-changin', but it was nice to be able to finally give Chris a visual reference for these places that I often mention when discussing the old neighborhood.

The only place we couldn't find was the recent site of national news coverage, where a girl's 16th birthday party had waste dumped on it by a passing airplane. None of the articles or clips we found online mentioned the specific part of Levittown where this occurred, but my morbid (still unsatisfied) curiosity demanded to know in case I had ever set foot near there. This lack of discovery also scrapped our duck-and-cover-drill photo shoot on their front lawn. Probably for the best...

After heading south again on the highway and returning our rental car to the airport, we took a train back into downtown Philadelphia and checked in Chris for his conference. After taking a few minutes to get our bearings, we walked toward the waterfront and arrived at our hotel on Penn's Landing, which is such a unique and historic part of the city to be in the first place, let alone stay down there. Our neighbor to the north is the Ben Franklin Bridge, which is quite majestic and also surprisingly quiet given our proximity to it.

During dinner at La Peg, a small French bistro adjacent to the hotel, the night sky was illuminated by rescheduled fireworks from the night before (apparently, the rain we experienced in New Jersey spoiled a lot of plans elsewhere too). We couldn't quite see from the angle of our table, but every so often, a stray burst of light or color would match the booming festivities. I did find it odd that nearly an entire restaurant full of people abandoned their food and beverage to go outside and watch a small-scale display that would surely be dwarfed by the upcoming 4th of July spectacle -- especially since the staff was so trusting that they would all return -- but hey, I guess it makes for a good story.

Monday was Chris's first full day at the conference, so I spent the better part of it wandering around and re-orienting myself with the downtown area. Once I got my bearings, I dedicated myself to that most noble of pursuits: the search for the perfect soft pretzel. Unlike the more traditional looped soft pretzels, East Coast pretzels are more compact and rectangular. The dough somehow seems softer and they are always salted the right amount. Accept no substitutes!

After his sessions ended, Chris and I had dinner at Ocean Harbor, a Zagat-rated Asian restaurant in Chinatown. I tried the crispy lemon chicken, and Chris had the pepper steak. The accolade was no accident; that was some legit Chinese food! For dessert, we decided to walk down through parts of the "gayborhood" and pay a visit to Big Gay Ice Cream, another Zagat-rated establishment with unique flavors and sundaes. Chris had vanilla and dulce de leche ice cream topped with crushed Nilla wafers, and my ice cream was vanilla blended with dark chocolate pretzels and dipped in chocolate. I had no idea that Zagat covered dessert items along with other types of food, but their recommendations have yet to steer us wrong!

We walked back toward Penn's Landing and our hotel via South Street, which is basically Philadelphia's answer to Denver's Colfax Avenue. While South doesn't hold the distinction of being the longest continuous street in the country like Colfax does, it has the same mixture of boutique shops, vacant buildings, and restaurants both upscale and dive -- not to mention some of the best people-watching this side of the Mississippi.

On Tuesday morning, I got good news and bad news courtesy of Paddy's Pub from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" fame. The good news is that the bar is in fact inspired by a real place; the bad news is that the bar featured on the show is not the same place as the pub in question. Despite the opening credits and many of the exterior shots indeed being filmed on location, the same can't be said for Paddy's itself. I was looking forward to taking a ridiculous selfie or two in front of such an infamous (though fictional) site, but alas, that dream will have to wait until my next trip to southern California. 2016, perhaps?

That afternoon, I went to the Pennsylvania Convention Center (where Chris was attending his conference for the International Society for Technology in Education, or ISTE) to visit their massive expo hall. Any picture I tried to take wouldn't have captured the sheer size of the exhibit floor, with over 30 aisles of booths and tabletops that represented nearly 500 companies and organizations. State-of-the-art display screens and fun concepts (like a booth shaped and themed as a 1950s diner) provided something to look at and think about in every direction. While education and technology are not specifically my fields, I enjoyed seeing the many kinds of products and services that are leading the way and changing these vital industries for the better.

Dinner on Tuesday was less about Zagat prestige and more about convenient location. Equipped with some generally positive online reviews from everyday people, we found ourselves at the nearby Old City Pizza. For individual pieces, their Mega Slices of pizza are not just a catchy name; they are literally the largest pieces I've ever seen (and I've eaten a lot of pizza in my day). Meanwhile, my personal-size pie was a Greek pizza -- the combination of my cravings at the moment -- topped with gyro meat, feta cheese, green peppers, grilled onions, and diced tomatoes. Zagat or not, good pizza is good pizza, and Philly is a primo destination for inventive twists on popular menu items.

As we collapsed into bed, Tuesday ended like every night on this trip has so far: exhausted from walking our way through the city, full from the gourmet meals, and content in the knowledge that several days of fun are still ahead.