Friday, April 8, 2016
I was enjoying a quiet moment sitting in the shade of my favorite old tree at Catalina Park earlier this week, blissfully unaware of my surroundings until I felt a small impact ripple across the ground. Mystified, I looked behind me and a young male had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. I stared at him for a second, trying to process where in the world this person could have come from. He told me that he’d been up in the tree, enjoying the beautiful day and if I was “feeling adventurous” I should try it out myself. He caught me on a laundry day in a pair of pants that have gotten a little bit tighter over the years, but I promised him I’d come see what the tree is all about when I’m wearing something stretchier. With a warm smile, he told me to have a good rest of my day in that very genuine Tucson-way that reminds me of why I love living here, and off he went.
Today, I came back to that towering (for the desert) tree. Using the gnarly old lumps dotting the trunk as footholds, I hauled myself up into the canopy and appreciated the view from 20 feet up, letting go of the stresses of four classes, two jobs and an internship for a few minutes and watching the storm clouds roll by through the tree branches. Sometimes strangers have good advice.
If you want to climb the tree too, look for the tallest tree in the southwest corner of Catalina Park at 900 N 4th Ave.
Tags: tucson , catalina park , tree , climbing , quiet place , quiet moment , Slideshow
Friday, April 1, 2016
On a weekend urban hike, I encountered these beautiful blooming roses by a bike path south of Old Main near the Forbes building. They were truly spectacular so I just had to document them. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Happy spring!
Tags: roses , bloom , spring , university of arizona , garden , landscape , rose bush , thorn , plant , slideshow , Slideshow
"The Tin Commandments" runs until May 1. Preview Carlson's tin masterpieces on his website and get more information regarding Wee Gallery's hours of operation here.
Tags: wee gallery , art , tin art , rand carlson , art exhibition , tucson life , the tin commandments
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Reproductive rights come up a lot during election season and not all politicians have great things to say. Esty shop owner Sarah Palatnik decided to make a statement about anti-feminist politicians and make periods better, all with a pair of underpants.
Introducing Bloody Marys: Underpants made of leak-proof, moisture-wicking, absorbent, anti-bacterial fabric with attachable heat packs, to make periods more comfortable and eco friendly. But those super-cool features are not the main draw of Palatnik's underwear line. That would be the Blood Dumpsters:
What’s a Blood Dumpster?! Just a U.S. politician who has tried in the past or who is currently trying to pass legislation that hinders women’s reproductive rights, and in so doing has had his or her face wind up in the crotch of a pair of Bloody Mary undies, for YOU to bleed all over! As a bonus, $3 of every Bloody Marys sale goes to a Planned Parenthood located in the state governed by your chosen Blood Dumpster. Have fun, look cute, and be totally badass on your period with Bloody Marys!
Tags: blood dumpsters , period panties , period underpants , Bloody Marys Period Panties , Planned Parenthood , reproductive rights , women's rights
Monday, March 28, 2016
Take a look for yourself:
1. Hub at Tucson, Sol Building and Luna Building at Speedway Boulevard and Euclid Avenue
Tags: transformation , skyline , apartment , government building , housing , tucson , change , Video
Native Arizona bands Asian Fred, decker. and Steff and the Articles performed a free show at the Flycatcher on Friday, March 25.
Tags: Steff and the Articles , Asian Fred , decker. , The Flycatcher , 4th Ave , bands , music , concert , show , Slideshow
Monday, March 21, 2016
There they were, the four of them talking so loudly to each other that they were almost yelling. Their Cajun accents were so strong that they would have better fit in a cartoon. Their voices drowned out the conversations in the seats next to them. Two of them had the lower lip and gum decay that only a lifetime of chewing tobacco can inflict on someone, and they all wore amazingly greasy hair. Despite the frigid December weather, they boarded the plane in sleeveless shirts and ripped jeans. Did I mention that they were loud?
My mind was set.
I fortunately sat far enough away that their voices faded out after 30 minutes and I slept deeply. I was awakened to an intercom announcement: “We are now making our final descent into Istanbul, please turn off all electronics and return your seat to the upright position.”
“Idunmind if they speak Turkush here, suhlonguz everone understanz English too!” cackled my Cajun friend. It had to have been a joke. Nobody who willingly leaves their own country really thinks like that. But nobody else was laughing. Not even the others in his group.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Tomorrow is the big day— St. Patrick's Day! The day to celebrate Irish heritage (honorary or not,) learn a jig, eat good food, and drink good beer!
Wondering where to celebrate? Don't worry. There are plenty of options for bar hoppers and families alike.
Bar Festivals
The Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
$3 at door if you're not wearing green
Party 'till 2 a.m. at Hotel Congress! The celebration begins at 11 a.m. when the Cup Café begins serving special Irish menu items. Club Congress doors open at 8 p.m. and your cover is free with green clothing! Drink specials begin after 4 p.m. The Great Guinness Toast will be at 10 p.m. in the hotel plaza.
O'Malley's on Fourth
247 N. 4th Ave.
Presale tickets $10
Green beer and whiskey will be flowing at O'Malley's! Doors open at 8 a.m., live music starts at 11 a.m. and traditional Irish food is served all day.
Auld Dubliner on University
800 E. University Blvd. #104
Celebrate a true Irish St. Patrick’s Day from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. at the Auld Dubliner, Tucson’s authentic Irish restaurant and bar. The pub will open at 6 a.m. The Beer Garden in Geronimo Plaza will open at 11 a.m. Food and beverages will be available in both areas.
Tags: St. Patrick's day , St. Patrick , festival , beer , booze , drinks , drink specials , over 21 , fun , celebrate , holiday , green
Monday, March 14, 2016
After less than 24 hours at my new job in coastal Mozambique, I decided it was time to leave. My new boss had changed his mind or been misleading about a couple of key things, then wouldn’t be available for several days to answer questions. I had a bad feeling. So I left.
First I wandered onto an island nearby and asked a hostel if they needed help. Unsurprisingly, they didn’t. I went to a hotel, asked the same question, and got the same answer. I decided to look for work at a hostel in a nearby city where I had grown impatient previously because there was nobody working in the morning. I grabbed my backpack and flagged down a van, stuffed to the gills with 25 people people and their bags. It broke down 30 miles into the 120-mile trip. The driver of course didn’t offer a refund.
I flagged down a Toyota Tacoma and rode in the bed for the next 30 minutes, then was left at a fork in the road. A passenger from the first minibus helped me find another ride and jumped into the bed of a farm truck with me.
We spent the next hour driving down a small highway, constantly surrounded by green plants, palm trees, and small hills. It was perfect. But the approaching grey clouds made us nervous.
Tags: into the mild , mozambique , africa , work , luck
Friday, March 11, 2016
Hitting up every single ones of these is pretty exhausting, so if you're not looking to really delve into all the Festival has to offer, but still want to stop by for a taste, be sure to check out these five events.
Tags: tucson festival of books , books , community events , tucson events , tucson , university of arizona
