When: August 24th, 2016
Where: Basil Boys
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| An actual plate I use... |
43 done ... 9 to go...
What: #12 Eat a calzone
When: August 24th, 2016
Where: Basil Boys
Why: Those who know me well are aware that I have the eating habits of a child. I love chicken tenders, grilled cheese, mac-n-cheese, PB&Js, and so on. If it's on a children's menu, it's probably one of my favorite foods. Those who know me also know that I love to travel, and so my comfort zone for foods has to expand a bit when I travel internationally...altho I've yet to enter a country that doesn't have delicious pizza (except you, Nepal). As I've gotten less young, I've tried to slowly integrate a wider variety of foods and flavors into my diet, and that has involved eating items for the first time that most people have already sampled at a much earlier time. Like avocados (thought I'd hate them, but I tried one about 3 years ago and I love them!) and calzones. A calzone is a big deal in my college town, but for some reason - likely the reason being that it isn't pizza - I never tried one. Ever. For decades. Then, when going out to dinner with my extended family, they all ordered them and I didn't want to feel left out, so forced by positive peer pressure, I caved and also ordered one. I chose tomato, mushrooms, and pineapple for my items, and along with the amazing dough of the crust (my stomach actually just gurgled thinking about how delicious it was!), it was a successful choice and now, probably, it's a food that I'll order and try again another time. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
When: August 24th, 2016
Where: Basil Boys
42 done ... 10 to go...
What: #46 Find out if I have an FBI file
When: July 28th-August 10th, 2016
Where: That's classified...
Why: For some reason, I feel like I might have an FBI file. Maybe it's the fact that my last name is pretty unique and seems to come from nowhere in my lineage, making me think that maybe it was simply created at some point to keep our family secrets. (Maybe I've also ready too many mystery novels or watched too many intriguing movies.) Also, I do a fair amount of traveling around the world, including places in the Middle East and parts of Africa that aren't always known for their stable governments, so I figured at one time or another, I'd likely have been flagged upon my re-entry to the United States. Plus, I am just a nosy person in general, and I crave information, and I like the chase of finding information beyond a basic Google search. I think I long for the days of card catalogs and microfiche and meeting with people to dig out a good nugget of information.
So, I set about filling out Form DOJ-361 to request my government held records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974. Much to my surprise - having filled out overly-complicated and lengthy tax forms for years - this form was a single page of efficiency! Within TWO MINUTES of emailing it to the proper authorities, I received confirmation that the official process was underway. By August 2nd, I had received a formal letter explaining the next steps and how to keep track of it online.
Finally, on August 10th - only TWO WEEKS after the initial request - I received the results. The letter explains that no results were found on me in their Central Records System. It goes on to say that "this response neither confirms nor denies the existence" of an actual file, nor does it clear my name of appearing on any watch lists. It continues by stating that "three discrete categories of law enforcement and national security records" were excluded from the information presented to me, and that again, "this should not be taken as an indication that excluded records do, or do not, exist." To me, it seems inconclusive, so I'm going to continue on my path with the assumption that I might have a file and I'll try to keep it minimal.
When: July 28th-August 10th, 2016
Where: That's classified...
Why: For some reason, I feel like I might have an FBI file. Maybe it's the fact that my last name is pretty unique and seems to come from nowhere in my lineage, making me think that maybe it was simply created at some point to keep our family secrets. (Maybe I've also ready too many mystery novels or watched too many intriguing movies.) Also, I do a fair amount of traveling around the world, including places in the Middle East and parts of Africa that aren't always known for their stable governments, so I figured at one time or another, I'd likely have been flagged upon my re-entry to the United States. Plus, I am just a nosy person in general, and I crave information, and I like the chase of finding information beyond a basic Google search. I think I long for the days of card catalogs and microfiche and meeting with people to dig out a good nugget of information.
So, I set about filling out Form DOJ-361 to request my government held records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974. Much to my surprise - having filled out overly-complicated and lengthy tax forms for years - this form was a single page of efficiency! Within TWO MINUTES of emailing it to the proper authorities, I received confirmation that the official process was underway. By August 2nd, I had received a formal letter explaining the next steps and how to keep track of it online.
41 done ... 11 to go...
What: #22 See Dolly Parton perform
When: August 4th, 2016
Where: Caesar's Windsor
Why: Dolly is an icon. Pure and Simple, just like the title song from her new album. I remember watching her and Kenny Rogers singing "Islands in the Stream" - still one of my absolute favorite duets - when I was a kid and loved her voice and her giddy spirit. Every time my family would travel to Tennessee to visit the Smoky Mountains, there were hints of her in her hometown that made it feel like she was accessible, which from time to time at Dollywood, I think she is! She also seems like one heck of an entertainer, still going really strong at 70, with a voice that's totally recognizable and a list of hits spanning pop, bluegrass, country, and gospel. When I heard she was touring ahead of her new album, I bought tickets the day they went on sale, and the 4 of us went to Canada to see her perform.
You guys, she looks amazing! I know it's a lot of make-up and wigs and who knows what else, but it's been her trademark and she does it very well. She even moves around and dances and belts out songs like a woman half her age. Another aspect of her shows is storytelling, and while the stories are the same from show to show (as evidenced in this piece from her show at Red Rocks), they come off as sincere and gracious and fresh and give her a depth that other performers lack on stage.
And briefly mentioned in that review from Red Rocks is her instrumentation. The woman played so many instruments! Guitars, banjo, piano, fiddle, recorder, harmonica, and more! That kind of musical talent isn't found in most performers today, and I soaked it up. If you want to, too, she is still touring around the US and Canada, so find tickets and get there; you won't regret it!
When: August 4th, 2016
Where: Caesar's WindsorWhy: Dolly is an icon. Pure and Simple, just like the title song from her new album. I remember watching her and Kenny Rogers singing "Islands in the Stream" - still one of my absolute favorite duets - when I was a kid and loved her voice and her giddy spirit. Every time my family would travel to Tennessee to visit the Smoky Mountains, there were hints of her in her hometown that made it feel like she was accessible, which from time to time at Dollywood, I think she is! She also seems like one heck of an entertainer, still going really strong at 70, with a voice that's totally recognizable and a list of hits spanning pop, bluegrass, country, and gospel. When I heard she was touring ahead of her new album, I bought tickets the day they went on sale, and the 4 of us went to Canada to see her perform.
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| She's so sparkly, you can't get a photo! |
And briefly mentioned in that review from Red Rocks is her instrumentation. The woman played so many instruments! Guitars, banjo, piano, fiddle, recorder, harmonica, and more! That kind of musical talent isn't found in most performers today, and I soaked it up. If you want to, too, she is still touring around the US and Canada, so find tickets and get there; you won't regret it!
40 done ... 12 to go...
What: #29 Visit Fort Wayne in Detroit
When: July 30th, 2016
Where: Fort Wayne (NOT in Indiana)
Why: Many years ago, I went to Fort Malden, and for one of the first times, I really found myself interested in a historic war. The intriguing part of it was that it was told from the British perspective, rather than the American viewpoint, and that gave me a deeper understanding of the War of 1812 (which, I think before that point, I probably thought had to do with Mexico or something; I'm seriously disinterested in war history, so neglected to ever brush up on it outside of memorizing dates for AP History in high school). Learning about the War of 1812 hit home more than the Civil War - altho I've seen my fair share of those hallowed battlegrounds and memorials and forts in my travels around the country. But this war happened here, and dictated borders I cross and gave rise to the nomenclature of places and roads that I encounter every day.
In 2007, a few years after my visit to Fort Malden, it became more difficult to cross the border to Canada and so for any continued interest in this time period of history, I would have to seek places on this side of the river, and that's when I learned about Fort Wayne. At the time, Fort Wayne was simply a piece of property owned by the City of Detroit as one of its parks, and it had fallen into disrepair. Only recently has it been open to the public for visiting the site, and after visiting dozens of other forts in my time, it was very interesting to see the level of decay and to feel more like it was truly 200 years old without much restoration over much of the property. The use of the fort has changed with the times, and as late as the Vietnam War, it was used for inductions (my uncle was inducted there).
For now, there are efforts being made to restore and preserve the complex of buildings and grounds, hopefully starting with the visitor center!
When: July 30th, 2016
Where: Fort Wayne (NOT in Indiana)
Why: Many years ago, I went to Fort Malden, and for one of the first times, I really found myself interested in a historic war. The intriguing part of it was that it was told from the British perspective, rather than the American viewpoint, and that gave me a deeper understanding of the War of 1812 (which, I think before that point, I probably thought had to do with Mexico or something; I'm seriously disinterested in war history, so neglected to ever brush up on it outside of memorizing dates for AP History in high school). Learning about the War of 1812 hit home more than the Civil War - altho I've seen my fair share of those hallowed battlegrounds and memorials and forts in my travels around the country. But this war happened here, and dictated borders I cross and gave rise to the nomenclature of places and roads that I encounter every day.In 2007, a few years after my visit to Fort Malden, it became more difficult to cross the border to Canada and so for any continued interest in this time period of history, I would have to seek places on this side of the river, and that's when I learned about Fort Wayne. At the time, Fort Wayne was simply a piece of property owned by the City of Detroit as one of its parks, and it had fallen into disrepair. Only recently has it been open to the public for visiting the site, and after visiting dozens of other forts in my time, it was very interesting to see the level of decay and to feel more like it was truly 200 years old without much restoration over much of the property. The use of the fort has changed with the times, and as late as the Vietnam War, it was used for inductions (my uncle was inducted there).
For now, there are efforts being made to restore and preserve the complex of buildings and grounds, hopefully starting with the visitor center!
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| Visitor Center lobby...yes, it's empty |
39 done ... 13 to go...
What: #75 See the Detroit City FC play a game
When: July 27th, 2016
Where: Keyworth Stadium
Why: In 2014, I was watching the World Cup at a bar in Detroit and a lot of the other patrons were wearing rouge attire. I figured out it was for Detroit City FC, and I've wanted to see a game ever since. Last year, they played at a high school stadium downtown, but this year, they had a home field in Hamtramck, and I managed to make it to their last game of the season. The stands were full of over 6,000 fans to cheer them on against Windsor, and the Supporter side looked like a crazy group to be a part of...tons of chants and songs and noisemakers (remember vuvuzelas?). For less than the price of a movie, this was a really fun way to enjoy an evening supporting a great Detroit team!
When: July 27th, 2016
Where: Keyworth Stadium
Why: In 2014, I was watching the World Cup at a bar in Detroit and a lot of the other patrons were wearing rouge attire. I figured out it was for Detroit City FC, and I've wanted to see a game ever since. Last year, they played at a high school stadium downtown, but this year, they had a home field in Hamtramck, and I managed to make it to their last game of the season. The stands were full of over 6,000 fans to cheer them on against Windsor, and the Supporter side looked like a crazy group to be a part of...tons of chants and songs and noisemakers (remember vuvuzelas?). For less than the price of a movie, this was a really fun way to enjoy an evening supporting a great Detroit team!
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| The crazy fans released so much of that colored powder...it make for an eerie sight! |