Postcards From Home

A Blog About Experiences, Travel, Music, And Sometimes Food.

[tamuandgardas]

John Mulaney (and Eric Hutchinson) in one weekend!

As Gardas stated, we've been busy bees and haven't gotten around to post. In February, I had the opportunity to see John Mulaney's stand-up show, "Kid Gorgeous" at Radio City Music Hall. It was one of the best weekends ever. First off, I've been a fan of John Mulaney since 2012, when I was watching his "New in Town" show on the tiniest desk I ever bought in a one bedroom apartment I shared with two other roommates in NYC at the time (last year of college). I remember loving the show so much that I began looking up other clips and comedy albums he released.

Now, I may seem like I'm going off-track, but I promise this ties in together: Also in 2012, I started becoming a huge fan of musician/singer Eric Hutchinson, and I was also a bigger user of social media, and began winning Eric Hutchinson's contests on twitter and livestreams. I went to one of his shows in NYC, which was awesome, and saw that John Mulaney was sitting off to the side in a roped off VIP like section. I wanted to say hi to him, but never got the nerve to. Skip forward to this February 2018, and I am standing in the lobby of Radio City Music Hall, thinking about whether or not to buy a soft pretzel at the stands, when I look over and I see Eric Hutchinson, standing there on line to buy soft pretzels. I had to make a decision then and there to say hi, but I saw my two friends had returned from the bathroom and were ready to head in to get to our seats. I then frantically kept saying, "One minute, one minute!" to my friends, before I made a B-line straight for Eric, tapped his arm, and asked if he was (CLEARLY) Eric Hutchinson. He said "Yes," and my face surely got 10 degrees warmer and I told him how I loved his music and just wanted to tell him that. He asked my name and shook my hand, and told me thank you. I quickly scurried away, not wanting to bother him too much.

My friends, who were confused at this point, asked me what happened, as I was extremely flustered after we got to our seats, and I told them why I shook that "stranger's" hand.

Anyway, back to the show, there were 2 opening acts - Max Silvestri, who was pretty great with his set and Jon Brion who did musical scores for a bunch of different movies. He ended up playing this machine that controlled "rooms" that arch around the ceiling of Radio City Music Hall, and play different instruments. His last song, opens the curtains and brings on the beautiful, bright set - Arches of gold, purple, and blue lights (with the colors changing at specific points in the show). It looked straight out of a 1970s variety/game show.

John Mulaney was great as usual - with jokes and stories about his parents, wife, puppy Petunia, and the Catholic Church. I had never seen my friend cry from laughter during his set about the Catholic Church. It was a full night event - I won't spoil any of his jokes because you will just have to wait and see when Kid Gorgeous comes out (most likely on Netflix). I was hoping for an encore (something I expected since it was being filmed and I know comedians like to add some extra stuff in for editing later on, and also audience reaction), but unfortunately it was the end of the show. Overall, it was amazing and I am so happy I got the opportunity to see him live. It certainly made my NYC weekend unforgettable.

-Tamu

[tamuandgardas]

Tending the Fire: Three reasons I like to listen to Vinyl Records (and it's not the sound quality)

It's been a while since our last post, but, we've been busy as bees working and playing. One friend even called us "weekend warriors" recently. We'll hopefully post about some of our latest endeavors, but, for now, I wanted to write about some great news: We finally set up our vinyl record player after moving 7 months ago. Our move (which technically is still happening) has been in piecemeal, so, still we have furniture and other items at family's homes. When we visit, we hope to grab a few things, but, because of weather and also sometimes our schedule (or our unwillingness, ie laziness) prevents us from committing to moving the bigger items and unpacking more boxes, ect.. However, the record player is here and set up and sounding good! With that, here are three reasons why I enjoy listening to vinyl record albums: 

Tending the Fire experience: With vinyl albums, there is is this ritualistic aspect that needs to involve the listener in order to play the records. Some might consider it like a tea ceremony -- I like to think of it as tending the fire. We need to store our albums neatly like a nicely chopped wood pile, we need to select the record we want and carefully (hopefully) deliver it from its cover and sleeve and if needed (clean the record) and place the needle on it. We listen to the music perhaps while looking at the cover or just listening. If we do something else while listening (a meal or chatting) we still need to keep an ear to the music because we're going to need to flip the record form Side A from Side B (or if you're weird, Side B to Side A). And, that level of engagement provides a nice relaxing listening experience that ties the listener in a little more. This process takes time, and, it can't really be done in a hurry, so, it really does mean, "I am committing to this listening experience by listening to a vinyl album". Speaking of commitment...

The album art and the commitment (from the artist and the listener): The album art is really enjoyed as that, nice bigger coffee book style of art that have been tied together with the album. An artist has put a lot of commitment into making this music as well as having art tied with the music. With that, we've also committed to this listening experience in a way that goes beyond just music. We have this piece of art to look at, perhaps fancy liner notes or gate-fold covers that showcase even larger pictures or images. Maybe even there are little cool pieces of paper or art within the album itself. In fact, the only reason I picked up the album The Singing Nun by Soeur Sourire at a thrift shop in Woodstock, NH was because it had these amazing paintings of a monastery by the singer herself included with the record. I thought if nothing else, I have these awesome pictures. Fortunately, the album was so beautiful as well (only later did I read of the tragic backstory connected to the church and how it destroyed the singer's life as she didn't receive much of the royalties the church (and record company) decided was theirs from her music but SHE was responsible for all of the taxes). Finally,

Bring people together: The most enjoyable thing I love about listening to vinyl records, is that it's easy (easier) to get people together to enjoy each other's company. Just like a real campfire and coffee might bring people together, the "tending the fire" experience and coffee book size artwork that is available only lend to further conversation about a song, an album, a backstory, an artist, a concert, a memory, a story, or simply to have a good time listening to music with people you enjoy to be with and care about - no matter the age, background or personality. The experience just has an authenticity to it that allows for good times and memories to be made. This experience even made an impression on a good buddy of mine who went out and bought a record player of his own, mostly because of the experience of listening to Gordon Downie's album, Secret Path, that came with a graphic novel that told the story of Chanie Wenjack and the horrific Canadian residential school system, which piqued his interest and a deep conversation. I know many people huddle around phones or TVs with streaming services or video and share laughs or hear new songs together. But many times people do not listen to full albums or even full songs for that matter. However, by the time you're 30 seconds in, people are searching their phones for the next song talking over each other about if they heard or seen that (let alone all the advertising that is stuck in there as well). When you listen to vinyl, people have to commit to the experience, which is something that is happening less and less these days, like when we make plans but cancel last minute via text. Before cell phones, we really needed to make plans and commit or else we would be standing people up. These examples I feel show we are not fully committing to each other or ourselves in a way that adds up overtime. Listening to records (especially when together) provides that moment for us to feel "hey, we're listening to and enjoying music, a wonderful and amazing thing that humans have created -- human music".  

-Gardas Photo Credits: 00_black-and-white-black-and-white-gramophone-707697   Photo by Andrea Turner -- https://www.pexels.com/@andrea-turner-223355 01_burn-burning-campfire-134073   Photo by monicore -- https://www.pexels.com/@monicore 02_art-artist-brush-102127   Photo by Daian Gan -- https://www.pexels.com/@daiangan 03_activity-adult-adventure-344100   Photo by Alexandr Podvalny -- https://www.pexels.com/@freestockpro 04_adult-blur-branch-850274   Photo by Alexandria Baldridge - https://www.pexels.com/@alexandria-baldridge-273133

[tamuandgardas]

Bethlehem Brew Works

Tamu had never been to the Brew Works. It's a brewery that also makes and serves food. I remember they had the best veggie burger about 10 years ago. We went spontaneously on a weekend night - crazy kids that we are. It happened to be something called "Restaurant Week". I didn't know what that is so I called ahead to see if a reservation could even be had, knowing how these things might be. They do not do reservations on a weekend night. Oh, no! I asked how long the wait will be. There is no wait, they said. Oh, I thought. 

Turns out "Restaurant Week" is just when a group of restaurants in a town all decide to have a special fixed menu and when you go to one you can order a three course meal off that special menu. You can still totally get their normal food items too. I didn't see their veggie burger but I saw they had a quinoa burger and wondered if it would live up to that veggie burger memory I have, which is a nice, juicy homemade veggie patty that was equally filling as tasty. To be determined for another time as we decided it was "Restaurant Week", let's try this special menu. So, we each chose an onion soup starter that was stewed with their stout beer. That was nice and savory. So much so I chipped away at the cheese caked on the side of the bowl to enjoy even more (though I gave it up when the bus boy came for our dishes). Then I got an entree pasta dish that had little asparagus spears and shells that were folded like a tied up beach umbrella, kind of sunny and clumsy looking. It had a spicy kick to it. That was surprising and tasty. Tamu's entree was a piece of beef cooked in some more stout, and nice little cinnamon potato (sweet potato?) wedgies. We each ate half of ours and then switched so we both got the full experience. Then, we shared the desserts - an amazing chocolate pudding and  an apple thing that was also good and made us happy. 

We also had beers on tap along the way too. Tamu took on the Wit beer (which I took some sips of and found refreshing), and I first tried a triple IPA, which I couldn't believe how not hoppy it was, especially for 11% ABV. It went down smooth. I then tried a extra special / bitter ale with my pasta (and continued for my dessert) and found it also to be really smooth and thought it was more like a pale ale. Many smooth beers to be drunk here (or cooked in your food). It's not all the time we get a three course meal, but each part gave us something to enjoy and something to look forward to. Dessert (anticipated or otherwise) will always feel like a smile - Afiyet olsun!

-Gardas

[tamuandgardas]

Tapas on Main Street

My current favorite restaurant in the Lehigh Valley would have to be Tapas on Main Street in Bethlehem. Mostly because of this dish:

These are croquettes and they are freaking delicious. Especially the Blue Crab Croquettes. As in the name of the restaurant, tapas are meant for sharing, and I reluctantly do so with this dish.

They make other great food items, and if you catch them at Happy Hour, you will have the wonderful opportunity of drinking and eating select items at $5 each! I had a red wine sangria, chorizo and manchego, and chicken wings all for $15 one time. It was awesome.

The restaurant décor is pretty simple, dark wood, warm colors, and dark lighting.

So far, this is my favorite place - but I just moved to the area a few months ago, so I hope to explore more of what the Lehigh Valley has to offer!

Location:Tapas on Main500 Main StreetBethlehem, PA 18018

 -Tamu

[tamuandgardas]

Thinking About Zero Waste

I have lately been focused on producing less trash. I heard about the Zero Waste Movement a couple years ago, when I had watched a Ted Talk with Lauren Singer, aka Trash is for Tossers, where she explained that her trash from the past few years was contained in a single mason jar.

I remembered being interested in this idea as I listened to her talk. And then I forgot about it.

Until recently, while watching some YouTube vlogs, her videos popped back up in suggestions. I started watching and was intrigued once again by this movement. I began watching video after video of different vloggers talk about Zero Waste lifestyles. I started looking up blogs. I picked up a book at the local library on garbage (Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash by Edward Humes).

Since then, I have decided I will take steps to, if not get to zero waste, to at least get to less waste.

Some steps I have taken so far:

-Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car.

-Getting reusable cotton bags in different sizes for produce when grocery shopping.

-Using my Contigo coffee thermos when I buy coffee at my work's cafeteria.-Keeping a reusable Contigo water bottle around to refill on water instead of buying/using one-use plastic water bottles.

-Using tupperware as much as I can instead of any cling wrap or plastic ziplocs.

It didn't take much to make these few steps. I hope to take more! I am looking these wax made wraps that are reusable and compostable instead of using plastic cling wrap. However, I am currently not using plastic cling wrap anyway - so I may not need to get these wraps after all. But it is a good option if needed! See here: https://www.beeswrap.com/

I also hope to get some jars, preferably if I have any around the apartment or at a thrift store, that I could use to buy items in bulk, like tea leaves, rice, beans, or lentils. After watching a video on how people buy in bulk without packaging or using the plastic bags that stores usually have available for you, I am thinking this would be an easy way to further produce more waste.

There is also the Package Free Shop, started by Singer, in Brooklyn, NY. The next time I visit NYC, I hope to stop by that store to see what it has available - from soaps, shampoos, to other little items I may be in need of! See here: https://packagefreeshop.com/

But I must remember first: Refuse, meaning that I should ask myself, do I really need it? If not, I shouldn't buy it, because that would still be wasteful in the end. 

Here’s to my journey of figuring out how to be less wasteful!

-Tamu