When You Feel It, You Know

What I'm listening to today... Amy Winehouse

2012-02-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

Beautiful beautiful song.

Hey Improvisers, It's Okay to Care.

2011-10-26T14:34:00.008-04:00

7 dudes get out of their seats in the audience - and walk directly onto the stage with their hands in their pockets. Let's be honest - they're all wearing plaid shirts and jeans. A few of them are wearing hoodies. Once on stage, they chat to each other jokingly while one of the dudes gets the suggestion from the audience. "Hey could we just get like any word? Thanks."

Dear Improvisers,

I want to let you know... it's okay to "care" on stage. In fact, if you are performing improv because you love it and want to do it professionally - then you should care on stage. If you have a paying audience, then you especially should care - they deserve it.

A very visible, noticeable difference between improv in New York, (where I am now) and improv in Boston (where I performed for 9 years), is the lack of stage presence. Not only do improvisers get on stage in hoodies with their hands shoved deep in their pockets leaning against the back wall - but they even SPEAK to the audience like they don't give a shit. (IMHO) Improvisers instead tend to seem like they are performing for themselves. I've even seen (well known, reputable) groups speak to the audience as if they are doing them a favor - they don't really care if the audience is there or not. "Just give us one word and then don't shout out anything else. We'll make the funny. Thanks."

The truth of the matter is that although we may not be doing a scripted, highly directed or choreographed play - let's not sell ourselves short before we even utter a sentence. We are still a visible performance art form - and our goal is to provide a show so tight, that our audience comes up to us afterwards to ask the ol' "Was that scripted?" question.

In presenting ourselves as if we don't give a shit, we are short selling improv as an art - and short selling our audiences as well. Lastly, we get on the stage and provide this kind of show... but then we get pissed off when "civilians" (non-improvisers) shit on improv.

"The only people that are a worse hang than spoken-word poets are improv actors. All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women around them are merely an audience for their shitty plays." - Jacoby

No need for jazz hands or matching bowties. But, lets start caring a little more on stage. Put some pants on. Give your audience a little attention and be grateful for their being there. Let's respect this art form that we love so much - and show people why it's worth their time and money.

Please note - all of the above is just the opinion of one person - me. No personal offense to be given out or taken. Thankyouokaybye.

What I'm Listening today: Wye Oak

2011-06-28T17:24:00.004-04:00

This is what I'm listening to...

"Civilian" by Wye Oak

So great, right?

This is how long I've been doing improv...

2011-06-10T12:02:00.004-04:00

When I think about it... it's really unbelievable that I've been doing improv for 20 years. YES. 20. I never say that outloud, because then people think I'm like 50... but the truth is, I started doing improv and sketch at age 11 or 12. The Half Pint Players performed and wrote improv and sketch all over Connecticut and a bit in NYC - and most of the cast was under the age of 15.

BUT what is MORE amazing than that - is the number of us that are still in the performance/comedy business!

Clearly, I'm still rocking around the improv scene.
Chris Anderson is still performing and RAPPING in NYC. Hell yea.
Dan Levy is a writer/comedian/producer.
Danielle Kaplowitz is an actress in LA - who just recently was on 5 episodes of Community.
AJ Tesler started the ITV Fest and is now producing/acting/writing in LA.

Our cast photo circa 1993?

I was inspired to write this after the Stamford Advocate published (yet another!) article about Dan and how awesome his career is doing! DUH. He is hi-larious. Read article here.

Good job, Curtain Call on creating the Half Pint Players... performers for a lifetime!

What I'm Listening To Today

2011-05-27T12:52:00.001-04:00

This is what I'm listening to...

"You Got What I Need"

Improv Blogs that you should read: The House That Del Built

2011-04-22T14:41:00.004-04:00

Rachel Klein is a friend of mine. Rachel Klein likes improv. A lot. Rachel Klein is also great at improv - both performing and teaching.

Now, she is sharing her improv thoughts with the world in - what I find to be - the best improv blog out there.
She makes sense. She breaks down improv ideas in a way that is helpful as a performer and interesting to learn about as a reader.

Check it out. Let me know if you find any good tidbits in there.

Her Blog is called The House that Del Built: http://thehousethatdelbuilt.tumblr.com/

North Coast Rapping at ImprovBoston

2011-04-17T22:04:00.005-04:00

My free-styling improv group, North Coast, was invited to perform at my old stomping grounds (ImprovBoston) to do a set at their awesome Harold Night Show!

Here is footage of our opening. The rap and location was based on an input from the audience:

Starring Rachel Rosenthal, Boris Khaykin, James Robilotta, & Shaun Fisher on the mic!

Thanks again to Boston for having us and to Harold Night for the video footage!

More Info:
haroldnight.com
ImprovBoston.com
North Coast Improv

ImprovBoston: Hiding hilarious improv game within a podcast

2011-04-09T12:12:00.006-04:00

Are you an improv student? Listen to an episode of the ImprovBoston podcast, laugh your ass off, and be as amazed as I am at how they seamlessly weave "the game" into each episode.

I just listened to Episode 15: The Valentines Day Episode - Thorns (links directly to MP3) and couldn't help but realize "OH! That's game! That's effing funny."

The hosts are seasoned improvisers and you can see how they bring back their ideas in hilarious and sensical ways... and hit "the game" over and over again without ever trying.
You almost can't teach that...

All the episodes are here: http://www.improvboston.com/podcast
(There is a player at the bottom of the page... click the menu and scroll to any episode!)

Music: The Civil Wars - Forget Me Not

2011-04-06T15:19:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Jeremy Deal, of the amazing LunahZon Photography, for turning me onto The Civil Wars. I cannot stop listening to this band today.

The Civil Wars - Forget Me Not

Everyone Chill Out: We're All Getting Into Heaven

2011-04-06T08:32:00.011-04:00

I'm on the subway on my way to work this morning reading my new book, Escape by Carolyn Jessop. By the way, I just started it and it's already fascinating. It's the true story of a women who escaped the polygamist FLDS religion/cult. She was forced to marry at 18, and had 8 kids within 15 years... In any case, I'm on the train and reading a passage about the beliefs in the FLDS religion that "when the apocalypse comes," everyone will die and only the FLDS will be saved, protected, and brought into heaven. Thank you, Jesus!

As I'm reading this... I hear a voice on the subway. You've heard it before, I'm sure:
"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen. I am sorry to bother you on your ride this morning..."

Of course, I immediately assume, Oh great. Another person asking for money... but no, it's worse.

"I am here this morning to tell you that although you may not currently have a relationship with the lord, Jesus Christ - he loves each and every one of you. And unless you take Jesus into your hearts today and for always, you will have eternal damnation. If you accept Jesus as your lord and savior, then he will welcome you into the gates of heaven..."

You know the drill.

In any case, it struck me. People are going to have a big surprise when they get to heaven with everyone all up in that piece! Everyone's going to be there, pushing and shoving and totally confused...

"What are YOU doing here?"
"The FLDS are here?"
"The Christians?"
"JEWS? No one expected you!!"

But that's just it... do you really think that the one religion you've chosen is the only one? The correct one? And that... "jokes on you, everybody else!" - you're the REAL ones getting "saved?" The real winners? And... how is it that (except for the Jews) Jesus is involved every time? Can't we just leave Jesus out of it? Clearly he is telling a lot of different people the same freaking story...

And, I'm pretty sure there will be room for all of you once ya'll get there. I mean, it's Heaven - not a NYC studio apartment. Heyo! Nailed it.

Making time for yourself

2011-04-04T14:32:00.003-04:00

I wrote an article for my site, Bridesmaiding.com, about how to make time for yourself amidst celebrating everyone else. I thought I'd share it here as well, since this is something I deal with every single day.

You can read it here: http://www.bridesmaiding.com/wp/2011/04/time-for-yourself/

Tales from the Subway: Face Tattoo Teaches Us About Choices

2011-03-24T11:31:00.005-04:00

In the past, I've been known to teach a thing or two to random strangers at 7-11. But, yesterday, I learned something from a stranger. A lesson on choices.

So yesterday, I got on the subway and was sitting almost directly across from a guy with a FACE TATTOO. Yup.

Tattoo on face.

The tattoo looked like a word or two in script... not like a picture or design.

Anyway, Face tats was a chatty guy. And also - a bit intimidating. I mean, did I mention he has a tattoo on his FACE? I saw him on the subway platform talking to a stranger next to him. And then, the moment we got onto the train, he started talking to the guy sitting directly next to me. The guy handled it pretty well.

Face tattoo: You smoke cigarettes?

Guy: No.

Face tattoo: You should...

[Pause.]

Face tattoo: That was a joke, man.
Guy: Oh I know. That's why I was laughing.
(clearly scared and a bit uncomfortable and NOT laughing.)

[Pause.]

Guy: Did that hurt? (Pointing to Face Tattoo's face tattoo.)

Face tattoo: Hennessy, man.... Hennessy.
Hennessy and a little weed.
You have any tats?

Guy: No. No. Some of my friends do but I don't. I've thought about it.

Face tattoo: Don't sir. Don't.
Guy: Yea, I know. I don't know if I really would or not.
Face tattoo: Don't do it. Promise me, man. It's addictive. That shit is like crack cocaine.
(and then...)
Know who you are, man!

Guy: Well if anything, I'd do something sentimental. Something meaningful.

Face tattoo: Don't do it! That shit is forever, man.
Don't do it man... I'm telling you.

I have my girls name here (points to left shoulder)... didn't work out.
I have my other girls name here (points to right shoulder)... didn't work out.

[pause]

I got God here, though. (points to his NECK.)
That's still going on.

North Coast is coming to BOSTON! (video)

2011-03-20T23:23:00.006-04:00

New York's only free-styling long-form improv team is heading to Boston for a one-night only show at Harold Night!

When we were down at the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival, we improvised this quick promo video - check it out:

The show is Thurs. April 14th 2011
8pm
ImprovBoston, Cambridge, MA
Facebook Invite Here

And if you don't know... now you know.

This is what I do in my apartment alone

2011-03-05T20:17:00.007-05:00

This is literally what I do in my apartment all the time. I never thought I'd post these but... have at it, internet!

A little blues...

A little broadway...

Raero interviews Kurt & Kristen!

2011-02-24T17:10:00.007-05:00

Working for the Women in Comedy Festival has its perks! One of them being... I was lucky enough to sit down with two of the 2011 headliners, Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler, for an interview! Thanks GOODNESS there was a camera!

Their weekly show, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, is absolutely one of my favorites - always different. Always hilarious. So... I weaseled my way into an interview on behalf of WICF.

Check it out as they chat about comedy partnership, lady-things, sketch, improv and Boston - mixed in with a few clips from their Hot Tub show!

WICF Interview with Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler from WICF 2011 on Vimeo.

Special thanks to our amazing director and editor, Casey Donahue. Also thanks to Taylor Newhall!

New Song from Raero and Robert Woo (and Hardleft Productions)

2011-02-16T12:10:00.006-05:00

Just a little ditty about the most important 3 Rs! Race, religion, and relationships!
And Rice!

Feel free to Watch/comment directly on Youtube.

And this reminds me... we did a sketch abour Racism about a million years ago. Remember this?

I'm on another Hilarious Podcast!

2010-12-27T15:12:00.002-05:00

I had a BLAST sitting in with the ImprovBoston Podcast crew - Harry Gordon, Chris Cuddy, Michelle Barbera, and ImprovBoston Artistic Director, Will Luera.

Get Ready For:

Gossip Girl

Direct link to podcast is here.
Download it on itunes here.

Happy Holidays from North Coast

2010-12-21T14:46:00.004-05:00

Happy holidays from the rap group I love the most, North Coast, in conjunction with Driver Digital!

Comments, likes, and shares at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Wm79HJ9Ho

Why you do the things you do

2010-12-12T23:13:00.004-05:00

I just had one of those nights where I fell in love with Improv all over again.
Until it happens, you don't realize how important that moment is... to remember why you love your passion; why you are passionate about it in the first place. Sometimes we go through the motions... we've been doing what we do for so long, we forget why... And we forget how to enjoy it and love it again.

Tonight was just one of those nights. North Coast had a show at The Tank with two other groups. We had a packed house - but more importantly, we had a happy audience. It was just one of those nights where everyone in the room was on the same page. It was fun. It was energetic. It was revitalizing in so many ways... but mainly in that "oh YEA. That's why I moved here again... to do THIS" kinda way.

Everyone artist should have moments like these. Keeps you going...

Thanks, North Coast.

BAWSE

A love letter to DeCoster

2010-11-30T23:09:00.016-05:00

Why, in my opinion, DeCoster continues to do stellar improv shows

I just went to Harold Night at UCB, like I've done many times before... and I have to say it: DeCoster stands out to me as an outstanding improv team. And here are a few reasons why:

No cast member tries to be "the funny one." Talk about support! We all know how hard it is to hold back when you have a good line or tag out or whatever it is - I mean, why did we all start performing in the first place? For attention, of course! For laughter and applause! But, this team proves why holding those urges back and supporting the shit out of what is already going on on stage is the right move always. Always. (I could learn a lot from them.)

I am the first person to say I hate an organic opening. Who pays money to see improvisers make whacky noises, clap, and then turn into birds? But this group makes the Organic opening work. I'm thinking it's because - for once - it's truly organic. Because these improvisers are so supportive of eachother - and not jumping out to be the "clever one" or switch it to "their idea/their thing" - the opening just fluidly happens and grows and connects and makes sense. And from there you see the same thing with their scenes... and with the rest of the show. It's all moving... the opening is like a fluid microcosm of their show as a whole. I think my brain just exploded.

The show is so focused. I mentioned to a friend that DeCoster consistently has good shows - and the friend replied "because they probably just don't care..." but i think it's the opposite. I think it's that they do care. They care about the show as a whole - not about how they personally performed - and that makes a difference. Also, they clearly are comfortable on stage and with each other. I assume they've been working together a long time - and that's got to help. Right?

Improv teachers often speak of the idea of audience members having their minds blown by the smallest things you do on stage. This show does that for me. I am blown away by the connections they draw and how seamlessly they weave them in... and how I often don't see them coming.

As someone who is new to performing Harolds (and someone who doesn't particularly like the Harold), DeCoster makes it look so easy. It's finally the proof that I needed that when a Harold is good - it's good.

My hats off to you, DeCoster.

Note: I personally don't know anyone on this team. In fact, I feel like I know maybe one person on every OTHER team but this one. (And I'm sure those people are going to give me shit for this post when they read it 3 years from now when googling nerdy improv shit.) My point is - it's not one of those "you know the people so the show is funny" kind of things... These dudes aren't my friends.
(YET. BFF necklaces pending.)

Also, please don't think I'm putting anyone else down. There are so many talented people in this city - and especially performers on UCB Harold Teams. You are all lovely and talented, funny, and inspiring. Really.
This group just particularly moved me to blog today.

(Who am I kidding... no one reads this blog except my Dad and Matti Zimbler. HI Matti!)

p.s. I also googled "harold" in google images so this should explain a few things:

Raero is on Caitorade: A comedy Podcast!

2010-11-30T13:02:00.006-05:00

This is kind of awesome.
The extremely talented, Caitlin Tegart, has started a "weekly interview-based podcast about comedy, creativity, inspiration and, most likely, Roseanne reruns." And... I am the guest on her third episode!

We sit and chat all about moving to NYC from Boston to pursue comedy, North Coast, my Bridesmaiding website, and of course - Thai pop bands! Ya know...the usz.

Listen on the Caitorade website.
Or, listen directly here.

It's a real honor to be on the show and I hope you enjoy it.

Please check out this TV Pilot I was part of!

2010-11-26T13:25:00.009-05:00

Exciting Announcement!

Over the Summer, I was part of the filming of an original comedy series pilot called Rough Draft. The creators of the show wrote out plots and characters - but the dialogue is completely improvised!

Today, we have the website up and running with a trailer, videos, photos, cast info and more! I'd love for you to check it out and tell your (important and in the television / web series business) friends about it!

http://roughdraft.tv/
Please follow us us on Facebook and Twitter!
Like, Comment, and tell your friends!

Check out the trailer! More videos on the site.

Rough Draft: the trailer from Rough Draft on Vimeo.

An improv comedy series about everyday 20-something's life. Created Sean O'Connor and Paul Medico.

Nominate North Coast!

2010-11-24T11:00:00.001-05:00

Its time for the ECNY Award nominations and nothing would make me happier than you nominating the amazing cast of improv/free-styling hooligans -
North Coast for "Best Musical Comedy Act!"

http://www.ecnyawards.com/nominate/

This group welcomed me into their cast with open arms when I moved to NY a few months ago, and have been a huge part of my creative life here thus far.

Follow us on Twitter: @NorthCoastNYC
Follow us on Facebook: North Coast FB Group

Please take a moment to nominate us and tell your neighbor!
Thanks,
Rachel

Love after life

2010-10-19T11:28:00.005-04:00

My grandparents met when they were 11 years old. They lived in the same Brooklyn neighborhood. They were friends. As a teenager, my grandmother - being the beautiful woman that she has always been - was a sought-after lady! She still hung out with my grandpa - and kissed him at the door when he would leave but she dated other boys as well. He loved her. He always loved her.

And he waited for her... by that door side...

One day, he tells her - he is done waiting. He either gets her as his girl - or he is out of there.

She makes the right decision, obviously.

My grandparents were married for 70 + years. 70! Can you imagine that? Three daughters, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren.

Grandma Eve was an identical twin. When the baby girls were born - she was the smaller of the two and they did not think she would “make it.” When my aunt mentioned this at the funeral yesterday, I couldn’t help but think about the gravity of that statement. Look around at all of the people standing there in tears grave side... who literally would not EXIST if that had happened! Wouldn’t “make it?” An entire branch of life and families and children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren...disappearing from the tree?

As we stood next to the grave, a huge stone stood there. Ominous. And beautiful. It was engraved on one side only. On that one side - it had my grandfather’s name from 2004 when he passed away.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather.

And on the other side of the stone - blank.

It struck me so severely that even in death, My grandfather was waiting door-side for my grandmother.

And now... they are finally together again.

Mumford and Sons

2010-10-06T15:00:00.003-04:00

I swear this wasn't meant to be a music blog but man - I can't stop listening to this song...
Give it a listen and see if it doesn't grab your heart and squeeze...

Pomplamoose

2010-08-30T15:37:00.006-04:00

I kind of love them. I can't even pick just one song to post. They are all so fun.

Also, everyone knows I love the "double-clap" in a song.

Arrows & Things: A Raero original

2010-06-17T15:31:00.003-04:00

If you missed my live performance at Mortified (where I performed real material I wrote as a kid) - then please enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mZXi_gMZbI

PLEASE rate/comment on youtube.com, post to your facebooks and whatnots, and Forward to your friends!

everything I wanted to say, Jesse Dee said first

2010-06-07T15:07:00.005-04:00

Ain't it crazy how you could listen to a song a million times but never truly hear the lyrics until one day they hit you? And at that moment you realize that this song that you've been listening to forever says everything that you've ever needed it to say?

Jesse Dee is one of my favorite musicians. Check him out www.jessedee.com

I knew money wasn't enough!

2010-05-20T10:55:00.004-04:00

Check out this animated speech about "what motivates" us to work, create, and do well. The results are surprising.

Video Killed the Radio Star plus a lot of my own brain cells

2010-03-14T12:13:00.008-04:00

HOLY EFFING CRAP.

What just happened with the last ten minutes of my life? I'll tell you what happened. I watched the newest Lady Gaga creation (with Beyonce) - the new video for "Telephone."

I cannot embed this video but you can watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ95z6ywcBY

If you watch this video - be warned. You are going to come out of it wondering "what the F just happened!?"

The video is definitely entertaining, I don't know much about Lady Gaga but it's pretty clear that she is just trying to see how far she can push everyone - and it's working. Plus, it's hilarious. I love a famous woman who isn't afraid to "get ugly" or who wears anything imaginable on her head. (The different "telephone hats/hair styles" in this video = genius.)

This time, it seems that Lady Gaga is going for the full shock reaction by creating this full length story music video (a la "Thriller") that will leave you saying "Huh??" and "What the..."

To quote my friend, Elyse, the video starts in an "Androgynous sexy prison." If that doesn't intrigue you, then you and I are intrigued by different things.

There ain't too much more to say about the video; you have just just watch it. But for me, here are some highlights/dumbfounding moments:

1:09 - Prison Guard (after stripping Lady Gaga of her clothes) says "I told you she didn't have a dick." WHAT?

1:29 - Wait a sec... are Lady Gaga's glasses are made of.... lit cigarettes? Yes... yes they are. Bravo.

4:47 - Beyonce appears in the video, and behind her brilliant dialogue you can tell that she was questioning what she was saying/doing in this freaking thing. (Am I really saying this right now?!) "You've been a very very bad girl, Gaga." (Now let me feed you this phallic sandwich.)

5:13 - Gaga says "You know what they say. Once you kill a cow - you've got to make a burger." Then she stares directly at the camera like I do in an improv show when I want to admit to the audience that I just said something unforgivable - like a really bad pun. Bravo again.

7:16 - They KILL everyone in the restaurant. At first I thought she just had a problem with just that one guy...but no. Apparently, they kill EVERYONE and then proceed to do a (really rockin) dance all around the dead people. Hope they leave a good tip! (I look directly at camera.)

Lastly, the thing that kills me the most about this video - the thing that actually physically pains me: what is with all the blatant advertising throughout? It seems product placement isn't even TRYING anymore to be stealth. See if you can find them all: Virgin Mobile, Plenty of Fish dating website (of all things?!), Wonder Bread, Miracle Whip, and Polaroid.

Well, there went MY Sunday.

Just another embarrassing moment for AsianRo

2010-02-24T13:34:00.004-05:00

So apparently I love Asians. I'm pretty sure you guys picked up on this before I did - considering I left the USA to gallivant around Asia for 2 months last year? And also considering that the Mainstage cast started calling me "AsianRo." In any case, my personal discovery moment wasn’t really until recently - when I realized "my people" are all Asian. My doctor is Asian, my Woo is Asian, aaaand my MECHANIC is Asian! I mean - who has a Chinese Mechanic? This girl does.

I digress.

A few weeks ago, I had a doctor’s appointment. The doctor’s office I go to is in Chinatown and is actually mainly for Chinese immigrants. I’ve been going there for years though and I’m almost always the only non-Asian in the waiting room. You don’t hear much Engrish in the room and the TV screens show Asian game shows all day long - colorful crazy shows just like I saw when I was in Japan. It’s all very amazing. Well, this doctor’s appointment wasn’t different than any other except that I had to give blood. I usually try to avoid that at all costs and you’ll understand why in a moment.

I walk up to the Lab Technician and say what I always say before getting blood taken - mainly so she’ll go easy and be nice to me as I hate needles.

Rae: Just so you know, I’m kind of a wimp with taking blood.
Lab Technician girl: Do you need to lie down? Do you faint?
Rae: No, no I don't faint.
Lab Technician girl: Ok well then let's get started...
Rae: I mean, I used to faint. But I don't anymore.
Lab Technician girl: So are you sure you don't need to lie down?
Rae: No no I’ll be fine.
Lab Technician girl: (clearly worried about dealing with my nonsense/lifeless body in the future) Are you sure?
Rae: Yea I haven’t fainted in years.

5 minutes later...

My face is pale white and I'm totally nauseous. I can tell Lab Technician girl is annoyed because I told her I wasn't going to faint. And I apparently lied. I tried not to though, I swear! I tried to think of anything other than the blood getting taking from my arm thingamajig.

Rae's inner monologue: Don't look. Think about other things. Think about... think about work. Ok work. I should go back to work and finish that oh my god I can't believe how tight that rubber thingy is around my arm gross! Improv! Ok Improv. So I'm really excited for the festival this ew ew ew how much freaking blood is she going to take? This is taking hours! Wendy! I need to call Wendy. Oh wait, maybe she is already on vacation ok seriously the blood has to be done already... oh shit I might be fainting... yup, there I go. I'm fainting.

Next thing I know I think I'm in China but I realize I'm still in the U.S. of A. but I'm just surrounded by 6 Chinese nurses coming at me from every direction. They are all so extremely nice (although I'm sure one of them was laughing) and they are trying to take my pale, floppy body and place it in a wheelchair. Yes, wheelchair. The goal was to wheel me to a bed somewhere so I could lie down. (cue Lab Technician girl's inner monologue: I thought you said you didn't need to lie down.)

I am finally in the wheelchair but I'm only half-conscious and so it takes me a while to realize that there is no where to put my feet. That doesn't keep me from trying to find it though. Feet lift...fall. Lift? Fall. The nurse pushing the wheelchair - yes, she is definitely laughing now - is giggling as my fainty self keeps trying to put my feet on a foot holder that doesn't exist.

They finally get me to a room to lie down, re-check my blood pressure, and tell me I can hang out and lay down as long as I need to. But, I'm fine.

Once I feel the color come back into my face, I put my coat on and sneak out quietly to try to avoid any more embarrassment.
Let's be honest, though, they probably noticed the white girl with scuffed shoes sneaking out the door...

Follow Your Fear (and other advice from Del Close)

2010-01-15T19:26:00.009-05:00

I've been doing improv for 19 years. But, I've never been an improv nerd. I mean, I grew up doing comedy but I never knew or cared much about structures, rules, "the game" and all that stuff that I learned about as I got older. In the same vein - I've never known much about famous improvisers (like Keith Johnstone or Viola Spolin) or honestly cared to know who invented long-form vs. TheaterSports and all that.

So, that being said - I just finished reading "Guru" - a book about the life of Del Close. First off - the book was fantastic - mainly because Del Close was such a whacko dude who said crazy things, did crazy drugs and mingled with crazy people (Wavy Gravy, L Ron Hubbard, and Bill Murray for starters). But, I have to say - there were some pretty inspiring quotes in there as well... that I just couldn't escape from. I found myself relating to this crazy man in a "no day but today" kind of way. As I wrote about recently, I've been thinking a lot about the shortness of life and the importance of doing what we truly want...rather than wasting our time doing what we think is right or what is easy.

Crazy man, Del Close, seemed to have some of the same thoughts on life. And, of course, his passion for good improv; building quality scenes off of relationships... all of that is inspriring me now as well. I want to be a better improviser. And I want to live my life for today.

Anyway, here is some of the good stuff:

About life:
I was reading in the newspaper the other day about a skydiver who dived out of airplanes and did aerial acrobatics for several thousand feet. When he pulled the ripcord, the main chute did not open. And then what did he do? He did flips and acrobatics head over heels at the top of his ability all the way into the ground. Splat. Now that's my kind of guy. That's a kind of metaphor for life, isn't it? I mean, we're all going to hit the ground--splat--eventually, aren't we? So what I'm going to do is follow that guy's example and do acrobatics all the way out.

About Improv:
I'd like to see some goddamn integrity on stage. Are we so incompetent and unenlightened that we can't elevate ourselves to have some sort of dignity when we perform? You have to treat your scene partners like artists and poets. When you lower yourself, you pander to the audience and you insult your scene partner, your audience, and me.

The absolute worst thing you can do in a scene is be apathetic.

You need to conciously invest more concern in your scene partner than in yourself so you can explore all the facets of your existence and your environment.

Never blame the audience. They are much smarter than we are. If they didn't like it, it was our fault.

(To Charna Halpern before he died) Tell them that we succeeded. We created a theater of the heart - a theater where people cherish each other to succeed on stage. Tell the students - theater of the heart.

About Life and improv:
Follow the fear.

p.s. Thanks, Calvin and Sue, for giving me the book!

It's official. I've made it.

2010-01-05T12:03:00.001-05:00

I'm honored to be listed as one of Cambridge Day's "Comic's in residence!"

For the full listing and non-blurry text, check out the article, "Cambridge comedians, from A (Amit) to Z (Zach)" at www.cambridgeday.com.

Raero teaches the guy at 7 11 something new...again.

2009-12-26T13:07:00.004-05:00

So, I walk into my neighborhood 7-11 on Christmas Eve and the same guy is working. He remembers me and we reminisce about last week when I taught him what a menorah was.

He asks me, "What are you going to teach me today?" and I laugh and say I don't really have any more lessons, but he insists.

So, I oblige.

Me: So, you remember how there are people who celebrate Hannukah and not Christmas? The people that light the menorah?
Guy: Yes.
Me: Well, on Christmas - all those people eat Chinese food.

(dramatic pause)

Guy: So are you going to eat Chinese food tomorrow?

I admit I'm not this year... that I'll actually be with friends who celebrate Christmas.

He laughs. I laugh. We laugh. Jolly times are had.

Guy: Well, now you have to teach me something new every time you come in!

What will it be next week, kids? Stay tuned to find out.

Post Script: I totally at Chinese food on Christmas night.

Happy holidays!

Raero teaches the guy at 7-11 something new

2009-12-11T17:54:00.004-05:00

This week on "Raero's Life's Lessons" - Rachel teaches the guy at 7-11 about religion.

Me: Do you have candles?
Him: What?
Me: Do you have Hannukah candles?
Him: What?
Me: Do you have candles?
Him: Candles for what? A birthday party?
Me: No. For Hannukah.
Him: What?
Me: Like... instead of Christmas - some people celebrate Hannukah?

He admits that he probably doesn't have what I'm looking for but shows me Glade products and some birthday cake candles. I explain that won't work and start to walk about but he is eager to learn.

What happens next you ask? Well, I teach the 7-11 guy about Hannukah. No, I didn't go into the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days or anything like that - but I explained to him that not everyone celebrates Christmas. And if you are "Jewish" you celebrate a different holiday called "Hannukah." And to celebrate said holiday, you light candles on this thing called a Menorah.

Then we played this amazing game.

Me: Menorah
Him: (repeating) Men-or-ah?
Me: You got it!

We had a few laughs as we neighbors do...and then he smiles and says "You are Jew?" and I say yes and I laugh and he laughs and we are like old friends.

As I walked out the door, he said "Well, I learned something new today!"

I thought he was going to say "Happy Hannukah" but I'm good with that instead.

definitely today

2009-12-04T21:05:00.005-05:00

I’ve lost way too many people in my life for a person my age. I’ve known too many people who have fought illness and lost. I have too many friends who have lost parents before it was time. I’ve known too many people who have left us suddenly, tragically. Too many, too much, too young, too soon.

I lost my uncle Ricky 2 years ago to cancer. He never stopped inspiring me, always remaining positive – up until the day he lost the fight. He didn’t stop moving. He didn’t stop doing. He didn’t stop loving. SO optimistic, he never stopped living. I won’t even get into the number of people I know who are still fighting today… but I will say this: I am inspired. Scared – but inspired.

Get off your couch, people. Stop thinking about traveling and do it. Stop thinking about quitting your job to do what you love – and quit your job and do what you love. Stop thinking about reaching out to someone you have lost touch with, and just pick up the phone. Do you love someone? Tell them. We all need to realize that life is – really really is – too short.

We need to wake the fuck up.

We need realize - for real - that we have one life to live and we may as well live it how we want to. I don’t care if I sound cliché. I chose “definitely today” for my blog because I wanted to start living that way. Traveling was the first step for me. What’s the first step for you? Let's start living together.

Keith, we're all thinking about you.

Women Are Funny!

2009-12-02T11:08:00.005-05:00

Oh. My. lanta.

The Second Annual Women in Comedy Festival is now accepting submissions.

You should get in there.

http://www.womenincomedyfestival.com

the mac guy is a douche and I still don't know what computer to buy

2009-11-30T10:56:00.006-05:00

I'm in a serious, committed relationship that is coming to an end. Through break-downs and hiccups, true ups and downs - we have worked together almost every single day. We have traveled together; we have worked together. But after 5 years, I've come to the conclusion that the relationship is over - and in fact, was really over a year ago. We've dragged it out long enough. It's time to buy a new laptop.

I’ve been a PC girl since personal computers were created, and I work on a PC all day every day at work. I consider myself to be a "computer person." I’m pretty good with upgrading items, figuring basic things out, and I build websites for a living... so I have that base of knowledge. Hardware, on the other hand, is not something I completely understand. I can pretend to know about processors, RAM, hard-drives and whatnot... but there is a reason I brought a tech-savvy friend with me to go computer shopping. I need a translator.

The issue is this: because of my frustrations with my elderly computer, I'm starting to think about those damn Mac ads. Everyone seems to be a "Mac person" or a "PC Person" and I’m just getting lost in all of the opinions! I know that my main frustrations with my current PC Laptop are this:

battery life
loud
hot
slow
heavy

It's important to know, however, that my computer is 5 years old and desperately in need of replacement - so anything will be faster and lighter. But the battery never really worked well and the computer itself has always been loud.

I work from home a lot, although I access my work computer remotely. Therefore, my computer just needs the ability for VPN and remote desktop. I think I need to install Windows in order to accomplish this. I don't know if my company's VPN will work on Windows 7 and I don't know who to ask.

I think I’m ready to make the switch to a MAC... but I’m nervous I’m not going to know how the heck the thing works or where to start! As a "computer person," I find that not knowing incredibly frustrating whenever I’m trying to surf around on a friend’s computer.

Also - as dumb as it sounds, the smugness of the "Mac guy" in the ads really annoys me. I feel bad for PC guy. (And I'm not the only one. Just google "mac guy is a jerk" and you'll find numerous articles like this one.) Also, that smugness seems to translate to real life. When did Mac people become holier than thou The Mac associate at Micro Center yesterday was so self-righteous; I stopped talking to him and used my phone-a-friend lifeline instead.

Me: Do you know about how much it would be to purchase Windows separately to add on to a MAC?

Smug Mac Dude: To donate to the Bill Gates Retirement fund, will probably run you about $150... (Or whatever the amount was)

Ew. What makes you so much better than everyone else, Mac dude? If you love Apple so much, why don’t you get a real job at the Apple store?

Photo from: http://pantsinacan.com/2007/04/

Anyway, I know what I've read in reviews of the two types of computers. In all sorts of testing (downloads, upgrades, shut downs, restarts) Macs are just faster. Is that enough to risk a huge change in my life to a new computer? Am I ready for this commitment and change? Will a PC serve me just as well? And how can I figure out what operating system to purchase on a Mac in order to work from home? We need a match.com for matching people and computers.

Finally, photos

2009-11-29T16:55:00.003-05:00

I finally uploaded all of my Costa Rica photos! See link on the right to Snapfish album. Or, just click here.

Let's Change the American Traveler

2009-11-23T15:46:00.006-05:00

When traveling, it's quick to realize that Americans have a bad reputation. Regardless of politics and anything else that actually going on in our country - we just do. Bush out - Obama in? Bad reputation still in check. Why is this? I've decided the reason is two-fold.

1. We don't give ourselves enough credit.
Americans put Americans down. As I mentioned in my Asia Travel Blog, American Patriotism (unless you are from Texas) is low. Patriotism has become a bad word. People relate patriotism to conservative politics and war. It's unfair. When Tucker and I were traveling, we often found ourselves putting America down. When a Japanese friend asked us what is "typical American cuisine," we replied something like " We don't have anything that's our own. We just steal from other cultures...and add it to the melting pot." This bothered me.
We all (myself included) tend to further American stereotypes in conversation with other travelers so we can "fit in" and make a joke about Americans. (I'll admit though that once I realized I was doing that on my Costa Rica trip, I stopped... )

2. The wrong Americans are traveling.
I was in a hostel in Quepos, Costa Rica, listening to this North Carolina kid "explain" "American Things" to a German girl who politely pretended she was interested and ignorant. Once he finally said "see, we have this thing called American Football..." she finally was like "yea, I know." DUH. Who is this kid and why is he out there representing Americans?

So, we need to battle this reputation in both parts. Stop putting us down! Don't further the stereotypes - instead, show other countries what you've got; what we've got. And secondly, don't let mister Redneck represent us out in the world! You need to travel. Yes, you. The people in my life are interesting, smart, funny - and would make a great impression on any other traveler out there on the road. Travelers have often said to me that I'm not the "usual" American they meet traveling. Let's change that. We have so many awesome people here in Boston - and all over the United States - let's share our awesomeness with the world (literally) and change the reputation for American Travelers.

Ok?
Ready? Go.

Hey backpackers! When did tourist become a bad word?

2009-11-19T18:43:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I came to Manuel Antonio. I'm staying in the nearby town of Quepos with some peeps I met in Montezuma. The hostel here is actually really nice and my favorite part about it is they have 4 awesome dogs that just hang around. I love it.

Today, I headed over to Manuel Antonio National Park. To be honest, I didn't see much of the park... i did a very small hike to one of the beaches and then hung out there with other friends most of the day. I DID however see a ton of cool animals! There were monkeys everywhere! Also, SLOTHS. Yes, sloths. They really move so slowly and are the funniest looking creatures. Did you know they were furry? I didn't. Also... I wasn't expecting this but there were families of wild raccoons! I thought those only lived in our garbage cans in Connecticut.

One thing I've realized in the past few years is that I'm not really a backpacker. I mean, sure i carry a big pack on me and stay at hostels... but i can't really get behind much of the backpacker mentality. "Backpackers" seem to have become the most recent group of conforming non-conformists...along with hipsters and the old grunge crew from the early nineties.

#1 thing backpackers do that annoys me - they talk about money ALL the time. Everything is too expensive. Everything. I understand that you are used to paying $3 a night in Nepal but this hostel costs $12 and you are American. Are you really going to tell me that's "expensive?" It includes a pool and breakfast!
And I promise - I know what it's like to not have money but i don't understand why people can't realize that different people have different budgets. Would it hurt you to just say "go for it... i'll grab some cheaper grub and meet up with you later." Instead, we are often judged for spending a lot on something... like we are doing something wrong. We are breaking backpackers code.

I just think different people have different budgets. The end?

Similarly, you go to bust out your camera to photograph something and a "backpacker" comments "are you going to get all touristy on us?" Um... aren't we all tourists? Is it really a faux pas to take a photo while you're on vacation? If so, i'm going to faux pas away, thankyouverymuch.

When did tourist become a bad word? Aren't backpackers tourists too? Everything is "touristy." We are all using the same guidebook. Seriously. You see that dreaded kid in the hostel and that 50 year old man at the resort next door? You both have the same lonely planet book. I don't see why backpackers are "above" tourists. They are tourists! We all are.

Lastly, backpackers have become more and more hypocritical. They want to have the most "authentic" experience... yet a lot of the time, they don't like it when people don't speak English. I am trying my hardest to learn and speak as much Spanish as I can while other backpackers are still saying "San Jo- zay" (with a hard "j".) Really? You can't TRY to pronounce "San Jose" correctly? You have travelled the world yet you can't say "Gracias" instead of "Thank you?" Ridonk.

Ridonk, I tell you.

Aaaaanyway, that's the end of that rant. In other news, I'm hoping to get to a $15 all you can eat sushi buffet tonight... if the other backpackers don't scoff me for it! "$15? Its astronomical!" ;)

Tomorrow, i take a bus to San jose and then a taxi to Santa Ana. Apparently, I'm staying in a fancy hotel b/c it's all i can find. The backpackers may freak out but its my last night and i think that will be a nice treat for myself! aw yea!

still alive!

2009-11-17T16:25:00.006-05:00

Hey readers!

I'm in Montezuma and have been here since ... i don't know what day it is but i've been here a few days. I am staying at this awesome hostel for $9 and it's right on the ocean. I fall asleep and wake up every morning to the sound of the waves... we have balconies with chairs and hammocks just feet away from the edge of the water. Can you imagine? Totally amazing. The only thing the hostel doesn't have is internet which is why you haven't heard from me. I don't have a lot of time to write but here are some highlights from the past week or so...
- have you seen my previous post? I'm still high from that zip lining experience. Wow.

- going to a bar in Monteverde to watch the Costa Rica/Ureguay soccer match with all the locals! The energy there was amazing with everyone so excited about the game, and wearing their jerseys etc. Once the game ended, the dance music started pumping. Everyone here is such a good dancer... this salsa music comes on and everyone partners up... the guys are good, the girls are good. Its so much fun to watch. How do they all know how to dance so well?? My Canadian, English, and Australian friends and i tried our best to fit in. We looked like hacks but it was a blast.

- Montezuma is the littliest hippie town that ever was. Yesterday and today, i woke up at like 7am - the sun comes in and you just can't sleep late... and then, i just walked down the beach. Its really hot here so you can't be in the sun for long. But, there are these natural swimming pools off of the ocean. When people say "beach" i usually picture a resort beach, with chairs and bars and stuff. Nu uh. Here - its real just deserted beach after beach after beach. It's probably a great place to come with a special someone. It was weird to walk alone- especially know knowing what animals I'd run into - but once i made friends, it made it more interesting.

- wildlife! Montezuma especially has so many animals everywhere you look! Yesterday, i saw like 5 monkeys. One was dashing alone the phone wires. There are also butterflies, and some of the most amazing birds I've ever seen. This one bird near my hostel is huge! It is blue on the underbelly, and white on the other side with a little blue "feather hat" on his head. He looks like a cartoon! Today, i also saw this crab that was red, blue, yellow, and purple- no exageration. You'll see the photos once I'm using a computer that has that capability. ....which may be when i get home.

- And of course, as always, the best thing about traveling is the people you meet. Its like i forget everytime...and then re-remember again. I love making friends from all over the world and learning about where they have traveled to and hearing their stories. It is what makes the travel experience for sure.

I have a few more days left and i'm still trying to decide where to go and what to do! Tomorrow, i'm going to head either to Mal Pais/Santa Teresa or to Manuel Antonio. I haven't decided yet.

I don't want this trip to end...

Today I put my life in Costa Rica´s hands

2009-11-14T16:39:00.004-05:00

It´s been three and a half hours since, and my heart is still racing...

Have you seen the movie CLIFFHANGER? Well, I just lived it. But with less Stalone.
Today was literally the most insane day of my life. I have never done anything so scary, crazy, extreme...yea that about sums it up...in my life. I did a Canopy tour (aka zip lining) with Extremo Canopy tours. They call it extremo for good reason. DIOS freaking MIO. I swore a lot today and it may continue to pour out of me so I apologize in advance.

Ok Rachel, deep breaths. Mom, you might not want to read this.

So, I was in a group of 8 people, including my two Candian friends, Nick and Rob, that I met in Arenal. I have to say I was really brave and rocked out the entire course without pause. I thought I was going to be more nervous but it helps that you can´t really see how extreme its really going to get until you are way up in the mountains with no where else to turn. I went on a zip line once down a ski mountain in Park City, Utah. That was absolutely freaking nothing.

Here in Monteverde, you are suspended, hooked to just a thin line, and you are LITERALLY thousands of feet up in the air over a forest. I felt like I was so high, airplanes could have flown by. Am I getting through to you? I was speeding by a million miles an hour through the SKY just attached to a thin zip line. It was the most insane feeling I have eve felt. One of the lines was one whole kilometer long! (1,000 meters or 0.62 miles) Are you effing kidding me?

There were moments where it was truly apparent that I was putting my life in these guides´ hands 100%. For example, I did this rapelling thing, where i just went straight down... and then - the real insanity - the Tarzan swing. You jump (ok fine, they push you because its scary to make the jump) off a platform and free fall for a few seconds before going into a full swinging motion. The push and free fall was very scary but once you were swinging, it was aaaamaaazing! I have photos AND video so don´t you worry! Warning lots of swears in that video.

The last thing was the scariest of all- The Superman. Instead of sitting in your zip line harness like the others, you FLY parallel to the ground. You are attached by your back and feet and your arms are out like superman - stomach facing the ground. It was honestly the scariest thing I´ve ever done in my life. You have to understand how foggy and cloudy it is. And i was sooooo high up and the line was 1 km long... and i couldn´t see in front of me, or much below me... I think i started hyperventilating. Tears were streaming down my face, although i don´t think i was crying. Oh, did i mention it was raining? ya. It was raining. In the middle, i started to freak out that i wasn´t going fast enough and what if i got stuck out there without being able to see in front or behind me? Then i told myself to shut my brain off and just enjoy... it was insanity.

I´m still high from the adrenaline. I keep feeling my heart beating STILL so many hours later and I´m still taking deep breaths.

Tomorrow, i head to the beach - Montezuma. My body probably wants to sit on the beach for a little while. Two feet on the ground.

Tonight is a really big soccer match in Costa Rica so all the locals (and tourists) are going to a bar to watch the game. Should be interesting!

I´m going to see if i can get some photos up from this zip lining experience so check back soon!

monkeys and snakes and hot springs, oh my

2009-11-13T12:53:00.002-05:00

Last night i went on hike through a rainforest and saw a monkey (from very far away), and a little yellow viper snake!

Tabacon was unreal. Absolute paradice. GO there for your honeymoon. Do it. Yes, you.
I´ll explain more later but just picture real waterfalls and natural pools and you can swim from one to the next... and they are surrounded by rocks like you are in the raindforest ... oh yea, and the water is >HOT! from the lava. wha? Yea. YOu heard me.

If you can´t tell, i´m absolutely exhausted and hungry right now and the brain ain´t functioning. Went out to karaoke last night with my new Canadian friends and now im in Monteverde. about to go eaaaaattt..... more later.

what to do in arenal?

2009-11-12T15:27:00.006-05:00

Although I´ve really been looking forward to the Arenal Backpackers Resort to get somewhere new and meet other travelers, it hasn´t been as fruitful as I thought i would be. People here are friendly enough... but just not all that social or chatty. At least, not yet. It´s also mid week and sort of a slow time of the year for tourism, so i guess there aren´t that many people here. The one person i have chatted with is here writing the next Costa Rica Lonely planet guide! He has good tips for dinner and bars so that´s been cool. Can you imagine how sweet that job must be?

In any case... here i am. Arenal and La Fortuna.

La Fortuna is the name of the town. Arenal is the volcano that the town surrounds. The weather here is warmer, and more humid, than it was in Heredia. It´s also quite drizzly. Every hour or so, it mists for a while and then stops. La fortuna reminds me a bit of DaLat (vietnam) in the way that the town is just a hub... and you are really just in town to sleep. You need to book a tour and get out of the hub if you want to see what we are all here for.

In an hour, I will do just that. I´m doing a hike around the national park, then a stop at the volcano viewing point (where i likely won´t see lava because of the weather but at least it shoul d be a nice view) and then I´m going to some hot springs. I debated for a while on which hot springs to go to. The popular one for backpackers is called Baldi hot springs. From reputation and photos it looks like a combination of Water Country and Cancun. Bars in the water, water slides, young people etc. The pools are all hot springs and i´m sure it´s cool... but i´m really not in the mood for that scene. The fanciest (and quite pricey) hot springs are Tabocon. All my friends that honeymooned here said not to miss it! Supposedly, its the upscale hot springs option... more spa like and serene and relaxing. After hemming and hawing I finally decided that that is really more what i´m looking for right now. So, i splurged. I´ll let you know if it was worth it!

Besides the tours, there isn´t much to do in town besides restaurants, bars, hanging at the hostel. I´ve read a lot and written in my journal a lot. That´s about it. I was going to stay here another day but instead i´m thinking about cutting it short and heading to Monteverde tomorrow instead of the next day.

I know i´ve been gone for a while when i have to ask people what day it is...

I can´t remember if i mentioned this yet, but my last night in Heredia was awesome! Charlie took me to this Costa Rican restaurant overlooking an amazing night city view below. Also, he taught me lots of bad words in Spanish. (i asked!) Bueno! After that...drinks with Leo! I already miss those guys.

One of my favorite parts of the trip thus far was the ride from Heredia to La Fortuna. It was soooo beautiful and the more north you got, the more lush it was! The roads were Crazy with mountains and curves but the ride was gorgeous!

Heredia day 2 - coffee and updates!

2009-11-10T15:45:00.005-05:00

Last night, I went out to dinner with Charlie. Once again, it´s so great to have a local to take you places you wouldn´t otherwise get to. Even better when their English is awesome and they can translate the menu for you! Not only that but Charlie is hilarious! Wish we could bottle him up and bring him back to the States!

For dinner, we had a type of fried plantain pancakes for an appetizer as well as guacamole. For dinner, I had something that I don´t remember what it´s called but it reminded me of fajitas - chicken, peppers, onions, all that good stuff. ( Will Luera- i took photos of the food just for you!)

After dinner, we met up with another one of Mcgorty´s friends - Leo - and we went to a bar called El Bulevar and drank local beer (Imperial). I was shocked (and excited) to see Monday night football on!? Nice! (Of course, Hines Ward makes an amazing play the week i bench him from my fantasy team. ) Anyway - Tonight, i´m sure we will do more of the same!

The people in Costa Rica are so nice. All of them! Being here in Heredia is not too diferent from a small U.S. city... you see a lot of familiarity around you. But whenever I feel that way, i realize all I have to do is look up to the sky - and then i see I am surrounded by these amazing ominous mountains! I feel like they are calling to me... and I know I will be seeing them soon (tomorrow) as I start to travel north to the Arenal Volcano! I´m not going to lie - I´m looking forward to a little nature and some real deal hot springs!

Today, I went to Cafe Britt (http://www.cafebritt.com/) and did a tour. Cafe Britt is one of the most popular coffee manufacturers in the country. The tour was pretty silly at times (actors showed you different parts of the coffee process) but I have to say they were pretty funny. And, I got a lot of samples of coffee and chocolate covered goodness. Win win I´d say. Tucker and I saw coffee plantations when we were in Dallat Vietnam last year. The process is of course quite simliar. One difference, though, is how they use the leftovers. When you get a bean for roasting, you only use 20% of the original bean. In Costa Rica, they are required by law to recycle the rest of the bean and shell. So, they make it into fertilizer. (In Vietnam, they use the shell as fuel - they burn it to make fires or create steam to run their factories!)

Traveling alone has been really fine thus far. Sure, on occasion I´m looking around for Tucker or Wendy - but for the most part, being alone has been great. I think the fact that I live alone and have lately spent a lot of time on my own definitely helped to prepare me for this. I haven´t felt lonely at all and not having a cell phone has been really nice!

Sorry for the lack of photos. This computer is too old. Next stop, I´ll hopefully get to upload...
p.s. My espanol knowledge has more than doubled! I still reply in the wrong language sometimes (and today I accidentally said Oui instead of Si!) but i´m definitely improving!

cake, coffee and a little bit of culture shock

2009-11-09T13:40:00.002-05:00

I´m going to apologize in advance for my grammar and typing errors. This keyboard is not exactly in English and there are no question marks, at signs, colons, emdashes etc.

Day 1 Heredia
Well, Matt´s friend, Carlos aka Charlie, was so incredibly nice last night and picked me up at the airport! After 45 minutes at immigration, this was such a treat. I felt spoiled! Also it made the overwhelming ¨exiting the airport¨ experience so simple since I didn´t have to respond to taxi drivers or fight with them to turn on the meter.

Today, I´ve just been walking around this random little city, writing, reading. I feel like I went to sleep in the United States and woke up in another world. There is definitely a bit of culture shock for me. I´m not in a tourist town so English is not widely spoken. I feel like I´m the only non native walking around. Its cool, though, because I´m clearly having a truly authentic experience. Of course, this also means that I ate cake for breakfast. It was the only thing I recognized so I just pointed to it! Don´t worry, I also got a coffee. Ha!

When I try to reply to someone in Spanish, any language might come out of my mouth...portuguese, spanish, or hebrew. Its a crapshoot. My brain just isn´t in Costa Rica yet! I will say the little portugese I know is helpful since it´s easy to figure out the spanish equivilent. For example, De'scoo'pa in portuguese means excuse me and in Spanish its des coopa may.

There isn´t a lot to do here... so i´m sort of just wandering. I´m looking forward to when Carlos and friends get off of work so they can entertain me!

duffel up, people!

2009-11-06T17:04:00.002-05:00

What a perfect follow-up to yesterday's post! My friend, Jacob, sent me this cool trip-planning site.

(Too bad I didn't find out about this site until after my planning sessions.)

Looks pretty awesome though, for anyone planning a trip in the future: http://duffelup.com/

trip planning and the internets

2009-11-05T11:55:00.008-05:00

These days you have to be quite internet savvy to plan any sort of trip. It's never as easy as you think it'll be. You start on one site, click on a link here - a link there - and soon enough, you have webbed yourself so far off from where you started, you have to press the "back" button until you remember what you were searching for in the first place. Buses, private shuttles, hostels, reviews, the distance from one place the next (so key!)... the information you need is NEVER all in one place.

All the traveling I've been doing lately makes me think more and more about starting a truly handy travel website. The handiest site I've ever found was travelfish.org - which I used when planning for South East Asia. Thus far, I haven't found anything that handy for Costa Rica.

What DOES help when planning, though, are friends who have traveled or lived there before! Yay friends! Handy, indeed. My friend, Matt Mcgorty, has hooked me up with some of his local Costa Rican friends in Heredia - a town about 30 minutes outside of the country's capital - where I plan on starting my trip. His friend, Carlos, has already been extremely helpful in recommending hotels - and even offering to take me our for drinks and pick me up at the airport? Unreal.

I'm hopefully going to stay at this place, appropriately called HOTEL AMERICA. (If that isn't right up Mike Morrell's alley, then I don't know what is.)

Photo from http://www.hotelamericacr.com

Making a reservation there is so far proving to be difficult, as their site doesn't seem to work properly. But I'll make it happen. All of your fearing people out there ("What? You leave on Sunday and haven't booked anything? Be careful!") can rest knowing that I have a shuttle bus reservation from Heredia to Arenal - and I have a hostel reservation (Arenal Backpacker's Resort) for Arenal as well. It has great reviews, a pool, and best of all - (supposedly) beautiful views of the Volcano!

Photo from arenalbackpackersresort.com

OmgI'mGettingExcited.

oh, priorities

2009-11-03T11:38:00.002-05:00

- Set up a blog? CHECK
- Make haircut appt? CHECK
- Find someone to manage my fantasy football team while I'm away? CHECK.

Figure out where I'm staying the first few nights... maybe even book a hotel or something? Figure out how to get from one location in CR to the next?
Um... no, not quite yet.

You can see where MY priorities are, eh?

Because 2 1/2 blogs is apparently not enough...

2009-11-02T12:37:00.000-05:00

In a few days, I will take off for Costa Rica for a solo 2-week vacation. I have no idea what my internet access will be like, or if i'll be able to keep folks updated while I'm away. But, if I do - this is where I'll do it. So, "favorite" this one in your browser and away we go...

Thanks, Brett Dennen, for inspiring me with a name for my blog.