War, West Virginia

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Somebody

War. What is it good for? Well, it seems like it was good for mining once. Not much now. There are less than 1000 people there and the poverty rate is nearly half.

According to Wiki, there is only one town in the US named War and it is supposedly nicknamed, “West Virginia’s Most Southern City.”

Its name is derived from War Creek, whose confluence with Dry Fork is located within the city. Legend has it that War Creek was in turn named by the local Native Americans about 1788 because of a battle which occurred near the source of the creek. … War was formerly known as Miner’s City.

Thoughtful of the Indians, when reminiscing about battles, to kindly use the English word for war to name the creek.

Today, War is known for somewhat rosier reasons:

It is well known for being a setting in the movie “October Sky” as writer Homer Hickam is a Big Creek High School alumni.

Isn’t that a terrific name for a writer or folk hero of any kind?

Posted in Uncategorized, West Virginia, Wiki Travel | 1 Comment

The Colony, Texas.

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Somebody

Colonies might be becoming things of the past, but The Colony has been doing alright for itself lately.

New Jersey Nets point guard and Olympic gold medalist Deron Williams played for The Colony High School, as did Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter.

Dweebs rejoice. The Colony isn’t just for athletes.

In May 2009, Griffin Middle School student and The Colony resident Eric Yang won the National Geographic Bee.

As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, Somebodyisfromhere.com has no problem believing Dallas thinks highly of itself. But “dream city”?

The Colony did not exist before 1969, when home developers Fox and Jacobs (owned by Centex) purchased most of the land located around State Highway 121 and Farm Market Road 423. They planned the development of a new “dream city” modeled after the city of Dallas, consisting primarily of single family homes grouped as a “colony”.

And more recently?

In 1976, one of the original homeowners associations petitioned the city of Frisco to remove the area from its extraterritorial jurisdiction. A vote was held in January 1977, and the City of The Colony was officially incorporated at that time (the name Colony was already in use, and thus the current name with the definite article was chosen).

Somebodyisfromhere.com, through quick research, learned that “extraterritorial” does not mean to imply Frisco thought The Colony was inhabited by space aliens. That’s all he learned, though. He was too busy watching American Horror Story.

Posted in Texas, Wiki Travel | 1 Comment

Indee Nemani

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Somebody

The Very Imposing Taj Mahal.

Editor’s note: Indee Nemani worked on Rain of Petals. He currently lives in the Middle East. He travels well and is a good sharer.

Here’s his video…and his incredible zoom. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTkkqwtLLh0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

Posted in Indee'sCorner, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Parachute, Colorado.

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Somebody

Meet the descriptively named Parachute Colorado. The origin story:

The name comes from the appearance on a map of several streams converging on the town as do the shroud lines of a parachute combined with the arc of the ridge line above the streams which resembles the canopy of a parachute. The town was previously named Grand Valley.

See? That’s pretty cool. Later Wiki adds:

Parachute Creek was named such when the original surveyors mapped the area.

Alright, that’s in the same spirit of the first thing. It sure does make Somebodyisfromhere.com wonder how long parachutes have been around. At least, how long have the been prominent enough to name things after?

Wiki then changes its story faster than a teenager in an interrogation room.

Parachute, Colorado was named after Parachute Creek. However the name of the creek came from the Ute Indians in the area. The mouth of the creek was between two mountains that were very similar. The Ute word of twins or same was Pahchouc. The settlers of the area mispronounced the word and the town was thus named Parachute. The story of the name of the town was written in the Grand Valley Newspaper, June 30, 1910. It was also passed down to those who lived in the town.

Well, what the hell are you talking about Wiki? Pick a story, man. Focus.

In 1908, the town’s name changed to Grand Valley in order to lure travelers. The name was changed back in the 80s when they returned to their senses.

Posted in Colorado, Wiki Travel | Leave a comment

Hey, Sherlock.

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Somebody

A reminder when the first Sherlock came out Somebodyisfromhere.com wrote a travel review of Baker Street. That can be found here:

http://somebodyisfromhere.com/blog2/2011/05/23/baker-street/

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

UK for the Holidays

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Somebody

Here’s an article from a guest of the site Olivia Lennox. She writes about the UK. It figures…a real bonafide girl comes to the site and Somebodyisfromhere.com didn’t even have time to tidy up. Enjoy!

The UK in Winter

by Olivia Lennox

Ever since The Holiday was released way back in 2006, I’ve been hankering to head over to the UK – well, Cameron Diaz made it look so gorgeous wrapped up in her knits while strutting around the countryside and falling in love with Jude Law!

And ok, while most people are jetting off to someplace warm and sunny in the winter months, here at somebodyisfromhere we’re embracing the notion of grabbing one of those last minute cruise deals and sailing over to the UK. We know it won’t be sunny, we’re sure there will be rain and maybe a bit of snow, but at this time of year we’ll avoid the hordes of tourists and see the country at its prettiest. So without further ado, let’s get on with discovering the place…

London

Ah, the home of HRH Queen Elizabeth – Buckingham Palace. On a misty winter’s morning with snow dusting its roof and the statues out front, this place looks absolutely stunning. Plus there’s hardly anyone else around so taking the perfect snapshot is a cinch.

Onwards from here, it’s time for a bit of fun at the Somerset House ice rink. It’s staged by Tiffany & Co so you can expect all-out glam. The busiest times are from dusk onwards so go during the day if you’d like a bit of space to skate around. If you’re not skating you can always sit back, relax and watch the merriment from the comfort of the bar, or wander around the Tiffany Shop where you’ll be able to find delicious artisan chocolates from master chocolatier, Cocomaya. We know which we’d rather be doing!

Just like a trip to New York isn’t complete without a trip to Broadway, a holiday in London isn’t complete without seeing a show in the West End. If you’ve got kids in tow then Matilda the Musical is the one for you – it’s showing at the Cambridge Theatre until 21st October 2012 so there’s plenty of time to book and plan that trip.

Edinburgh

From London, hop on a train at Kings Cross Railway Station (or Euston if you want a sleeper train) and journey north for around four hours until you reach the Athens of the North, Edinburgh. If you thought London was cold be prepared for it to get even colder! However, if you can bare the chill, this beautiful city is a definite must-see on a trip to the UK.

For a truly luxurious treat book a room at The Glasshouse – a five-star hotel within walking distance of Princes Street. Beds are huge, bathrooms sumptuous, and the breakfast to die for. If you go for the continental expect mouth-watering offerings like smoked salmon and cream cheese, miniature pastries, and smoothies packed with fruit. It’s a help-yourself affair so it should keep you going until dinner time.

In between meals, wander up cobbled street of The Royal Mile and have a look around Edinburgh Castle which sits high above the town perched on volcanic rock. You’ll probably need another day to enjoy a walk up Arthur’s Seat, but Calton Hill should be do-able. And it’s well worth the walk as up on the top you’ll find several monuments and buildings including the Robert Burns monument and the City Observatory. Make it up here for sunset and you’ll be in for a real treat – especially if it’s a clear day. Then amble back down into town and enjoy the best coffee in town at Artisan Roast on Broughton Street.

Countryside

If you’re hankering for a bit of countryside you’ll be spoilt for choice in the UK. But one of the most picturesque parts of the country has to be Yorkshire. With its moors, dales, lush wooded valleys, and old seaside charm, it’s up to you what sort of countryside you fancy. For an old school seaside retreat head to Whitby. Here you’ll find tales of Dracula and plenty of gothic ambience. Meanwhile, the cool hippy town of Hebden Bridge tucked away in the Pennines is perfect for café culture and hilly walks. If, however, you’re a Harry Potter fan make sure you head to Goathland. The train station here is Hogsmeade station in the film and kids of all ages will enjoy a trip on a steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Posted in Intl | Leave a comment

George Clooney Goes To Hawaii.

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Somebody

(Somebodyisfromhere.com allows himself a 30 min break from studying. Let’s see what he can write.)

Hawaii has been in movies before just not like this. Historically, it has just been an excuse to put the likes of Kristin Bell in a bikini.

And Somebodyisfromhere.com is eternally grateful.

Kristen Bell is not in the Descendants and therefore she is NOT wearing a bikini in the movie.

The Descendants promises a different kind of Hawaii. In fact, Clooney’s character explains it to us in the first scene. He says, people from the rest of the country think people who live in Hawaii are on a permanent vacation. He then articulates that this is a falsity and that they have the problems everybody else does. The camera pans out to show Clooney in a hospital room where his wife lies in a coma after a boating accident.

The Descendants is a hard movie to explain (Heck, it’s a hard movie to say which is something Somebodyisfromhere.com learned when his friends kept asking him “What is The Sentence?”). Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything less from director Alexander Payne.

Payne has always had a unique storytelling ability. It’s sort of a dark humor that focuses on a reality that somehow resonates. He pulled this off most popularly in Sideways.

Sideways had some bleakness in it but, in the end, it was always grounded in the fact that it was probably going to end in a wedding. The Descendants, on the other hand, is grounded in a Coma. And infidelity.

What makes The Descendants real is that it recognizes that just because your wife is in a coma doesn’t mean that everything that preceded that event was wonderful.

Take the infidelity. Clooney’s character learns that his wife was sleeping around on him from his daughter played by Shailene Woodley. From there father, 17 year old daughter, her boy friend, and a 10 year old daughter go on a search for the other man.

Of course this is a journey and like all cinematic journeys it is as much about finding the intended goal as it is about finding out about oneself.

The father is a workaholic lawyer. His relationship with his wife was strained and he was, as he described, the backup parent. As the movie progresses you might imagine how that changes.

Clooney and Woodley are together frequently. Somebodyisfromhere.com hadn’t seen anything she was in previously but she was terrific in this movie and he looks forward to seeing more of her.

The Descendants shows viewers there is more to Hawaii than meets the eye. It also shows that there is also more to Clooney. He can be a family man, too. And sure, he still plays a lawyer. But this time he gets to wear a Hawaiian Shirt.

(time’s up. pens down.)

Posted in family, Hawaii, Movie, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Coming up…

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Somebody

“tis the season for Somebodyisfromhere.com to be busy as hell. School. Work. You name it. To make up for it, though, he’ll post a couple of things from guests in the upcoming days. He’ll post pictures from India and a story from the UK. Don’t feel shy about sending your stuff his way. crodgers@somebodyisfromhere.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Aloha

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Somebody

Having an island name in the Mainland is pretty cool. It’s not inexplicable like Grand Island, Nebraska. It’s just sorta quirky like giving your child a name that doesn’t match child’s ethnicity.

That’s the coolness of Aloha, Oregon.

Or, at least, it could have been. See Aloha decided to go a different way with it. They disappointingly pronounce the town, “Ah-lowwa rather than Ah-lo-ha.” By disappointing, Somebodyisfromhere.com means that it’s a waste. It’s like living in a town called Awesome and calling it A-wee-so-may.

The town name predates Hawaii’s becoming one of the good guys, so it is likely that the town name has nothing to do with the word as we know it today. Still, it’s origins are unknown. Best guess? “In 1983 Joseph H. Buck claimed that his uncle, the first postmaster, Julius Buck, named the office “Aloah” after a small resort on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. Supposedly the last two letters were transposed by the Post Office Department during the application process.“

Posted in Oregon, Wiki Travel | Leave a comment

Zombies.

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Somebody

Somebodyisfromhere.com went to a Zombie walk in Asbury Park to learn that the town itself is undead (compliment).

Somebodyisfromhere.com met up with a friend and their friends. He had a lot of time to check his phone. Unfortunately that led to his updating his phone throughout the night:

October 22 at 3:54pm via mobile: At a zombie situation in asbury.

Editor’s note: Asbury Park has an annual Zombie walk. In 2010 it set a Guinness World Record for most zombies in one place with over 4,000 in attendance.

People put a lot of thought into their costumes. Some kids would walk around dragging their feet. Some zombie brides. Makeup stands supplied people with blood.

Somebodyisfromhere.com didn’t dress up per se. He kind of went halfway. He wore a blazer and the most tattered hoodie he owns. He has always found that most Halloween villains are well dressed if not unkempt.

He never did get around to adding the blood. It just didn’t happen. But, hey, he’s naturally pale and that’s sorta undead.

October 22 at 6:33pm: Holy crap. Asbury is awesome.

Editor’s note: Somebodyisfromhere.com went to college near Asbury Park. Asbury was a town known as where Bruce Springsteen would occasionally perform. It also had a reputation for being kind of Camden on the Sea (not compliment). Indeed, the most famous thing about the town was its creepy mural.

Asbury used to also have cheap beer. Somebodyisfromhere.com had a crappy car (but awesome) so he could go in town to buy beer without looking too strange. The lady behind the counter once told him, “All you white boys who come in here look the same, I always recognize you though, because of your big eyes.” Somebodyisfromhere.com didn’t and doesn’t especially know what that means. His eyes are spectacular. Sometimes they are green. Sometimes they are blue (hey, that’s kind of like a mood ring!)

Somebodyisfromhere.com had a friend who rented a college house in Asbury who was held up at gunpoint.

Somebodyisfromhere.com hadn’t been in town in a few years.

Last weekend, he went in town only to find that it was delightful. The town always had a fairly famous convention center. Today, the town isn’t 100%, but the changes have been remarkable. There is a pretty nice boardwalk. There are bars along the boardwalk. Bagel joints too.

The downtown is popping up as well. There are fancy condos and another strip of restaurants.

October 22 at 7:15pm: I see a bunch of obey things. Nice message to go with a zombie walk.

Editor’s note: Shepard Fairey is the guy that created the Obama Hope poster during his historic campaign.

He recently has set his sights on Asbury Park. Some of his stuff says, “Obey.”

October 22 at 10:51pm: I’m going to Start live facebooking: Next bar gives a slice of pizza with every beer. I dont want to go there, inasmuch, as I want to marry it.

Editor’s note: Ignore the premise, of course. All Facebook is live, but Somebodyisfromhere.com was feeling more bloggy than Facebooky.

Somebodyisfromhere.com went to several bars. He started at the Annex and its twin, The Brickwall, before going to some place whose name escapes him. The evening culminated at Johnny Macs. Johnny Macs twitter page reads: A kick Ass authentic Irish Pub with a cool vibe great atmosphere and phenomenal staff. Ice cold beers, delicious drinks and free pizza open to close.

Agreed.

October 23 at 12:24am: I’m Hanging out with a white bald (shaved) man named Tyrone.

Editor’s note: That’s weird sober, right?

October 23 at 1:12am: Windmill!

Editor’s note: There’s an iconic hot dog joint in Central Jersey. The main one looks like you’d expect. The others don’t.

The Windmill in nearby Long Branch

Posted in Ghosts, Holiday, New Jersey, Uncategorized | Leave a comment