A programming note… July 5, 2008
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger.add a comment
Haven’t had a chance to blog during this 4th of July weekend. It’s been kind of a whirlwind, trying to catch up with everyone I wanted to and juggling schedules. More attention has been given to some friends than others. It seems the longer it’s been since I’ve seen someone, the longer I want to hang out with them. Luckily, I’ll be seeing more friends in Brooklyn next weekend, and will be making a return trip to Virginia Beach in August.
Stay tuned for more!
A hot new blog! July 4, 2008
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger, Millennials, Philosophy, Religion.add a comment
My dear friend Alex, who now goes by Brother Damian, has a new blog about his life as a monk! He is a novice-monk of the Missionary Benedictine monastery of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska. He’s just starting it up, but I know for a fact that this will be a great blog to keep up with!
Check it out at www.nebraskamonk.wordpress.com Or click on the link under my Blogroll to the right. Enjoy!
I’m home! (i.e. The 757, Tidewater, Hampton Roads, Vaaaa Beach) July 3, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Travel.5 comments
(Image courtesy of idcide.com)
I survived the 7 1/2 hour overnight train ride from Charleston, SC to Richmond, VA! All in all it was a fun ride, although I did have a hard time sleeping. Towards the end of the ride, an Asian gangster boarded who was obviously high on something. He was really nice, but he didn’t know where the hell he was. Every time the train stopped, he would pace the cars asking, “Is this Alexandria?” Alexandria, for those who don’t know, is a city in Northern Virginia. He had like four hours to go! Everyone on board kept rolling their eyes at each other. It was actually really funny.
After arriving in Richmond at 5:30 in the morning, we had to wait until 8:00 for the rental car office to open. We waited at an upscale McDonald’s that had CNN-HD. I thought a large coffee would get things going for me, but somehow I woke up in a daze realizing that I had passed out on a Mickey D’s table for an unknown amount of time. I went to the bathroom to try and pull myself together and the reflection in the mirror prompted a loud, “Yowza!” out of me. Craziness.
Anyway, we got the car and drove an hour and half to our hometown – Virginia Beach! My sense of direction came back to me immediately. Even though I’ve been gone for years, I navigated through town like I had never left. It felt so natural. I’m so excited to see people I haven’t seen in years. There are about 3-4 different circles of friends I have here. Some overlap. I feel anxious and strange. Butterflies are living inside of my tummy.
I’m about to shower, eat and take a nap. The plans are already forming for tonight, so I’ll need my strength. NettyD is back y’all!
One night in Chucktown July 2, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Lifestyle, Travel.4 comments
Last night we went back downtown to peruse the bar scene on East Bay Street. We had a great time.
When we fist arrived downtown, we parked near the Ashley River and it was high tide. I couldn’t believe how much the water had risen since earlier that day. It made me think that if a Category 2+ hurricane decided to hit Charleston, there would be severe flooding. While we were walking down the side of the river towards the bars, we noticed a homeless man hanging off the side of the railing. There was a police officer talking him out of jumping. The officer asked him if he was okay, and the guy said he was not. We kept walking and didn’t want to be disrespectful spectators, so we didn’t see what happened. It wouldn’t have been a far jump, so I think he just wanted some attention. Poor guy.
Anyway, the first bar we went to was “Wet Willie’s” and it was karaoke night! The bar basically serves alcohol slushys. Behind the bar there were about 15 slushy machines and some had cute names. These drinks were served with either Bacardi Rum, Tequila Souza, or 190 degree grain alcohol! Yikes! I decided to get a margarita. My brother got the “Shock Treatment.” Gnarly stuff…
We then went into “Squeeze,” which was a perfect name considering the size of the bar. Luckily, it wasn’t too packed.
Our last stop was “Brick.” It’s a huge bar with dart boards, pool tables, and even a Wii screen!! I had never seen that before, but I thought that was a great idea. What’s more hysterical than drunk people trying to work their hand/eye coordination skills?
The walk back to the truck was fun. I decided that it was time for a random photo shoot! Enjoy!
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO MAKE IT BIGGER
See what I mean about the water?
Wet Willie’s !
Why, yes I am!
A total Squeeze!
Wii!
Tried to get Andrew in the shot, but he resisted at first.
Then, success! Sort of 
Then he took off when I tried to get a better one!
I want to live here.
Yay for having fun!
Charleston’s Historic Downtown July 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Travel.2 comments
Today my brother and I decided to stroll through downtown Charleston. We did lots of walking and sightseeing. The city is full of beautiful historic houses and neighborhoods. My favorite part of the homes are all the porches and balconies. I imagined myself owning one of them and chillin’ on a second floor porch with a glass of iced tea or lemonade.
Along Market Street is a strip of open-air markets, surrounded by two rows of stores and restaurants. Market Street’s brick and mortar originated in the late 18th century, though the buildings were created in the 1840’s. (Associated Content.com) Its original construction was meant to house and sell slaves immediately as they came down from the harbor. Eventually, it changed to selling groceries and other products until it became the tourist attraction it is today. It’s been the basis for painters like John Booth, a Charleston favorite, and for the writings of Alexandra Ripley, where Market Street is a center location for Scarlet, the sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. (Associated Content.com)
We also decided to eat lunch at Bubba Gump’s! Like many people, “Forrest Gump” is one of my favorite movies of all time. I was totally stoked to eat here, although it is a tourist trap. It worked on me though! Our food was taking a little while to come out, so to pass the time our waiter decided to quiz us on our Forrest Gump trivia. My brother kicked my ass! He even knew the name of the football coach Forrest had at Alabama! I always knew he was the real nerd of the family.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO MAKE IT BIGGER
These basket weavers are all over Market St. They make their product right there in front of you. So cool.
Charleston’s nickname. It’s all my brother calls it.
Statue/Monument dedicated to the Confederate Army. It faces Fort Sumter on the opposite side of the harbor.
Fort Sumter is the little island in the distance to the right.
Kids fishing.
My brother loves it when I take random pictures.
Cool tree!
Statue of President George Washington
In the French Quarter
I’ll be 80 years old when this gets opened. Kind of weird to think about
This is how we communicated with our waiter. If the blue side was up, then it meant we didn’t need service.
If the red side was up, then it meant we needed service. Don’t you wish every restaurant had this?
The drink flip menu was attached to a ping-pong paddle!
Cinebarre July 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Reviews.3 comments
Tonight I went to the movies with my brother and his roommate to see “Wanted.” Instead of going to a regular theater, we hit up Cinebarre. We walked into the building, and in the center was a round, beautiful bar. Inside the theater, every other row of chairs were taken out and replaced with bars and tables. Waitresses were running back and forth taking and bringing orders. Everything on the menu was named after a movie, i.e. Lord of the Onion Rings, Children of the Popcorn, and Soylent Greens Salad. I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes sandwich. I hadn’t had fried green tomatoes in a long time and it was soooooo good!
I’d heard of this concept many times before, and I’d gone to a theater sort of like it in Virginia Beach when I was in high school. This chain, however, was definitely more upscale. There are only three in the nation: the one I went to tonight in Charleston, one in Asheville, NC and one in Thornton, CO. See more at www.cinebarre.com
The movie was fantastic by the way. I’m fixin’ to do a review of it soon, so stay tuned.
Glimpses of the tribe June 30, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Family, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
Growing up in a Cuban family, I’ve experienced all of the identifying characteristics of the culture: traveling in packs, four+ people speaking at the same time, eating lots of heavy food as late in the day as possible, and tons of gossip about each member of the family (present or not).
What makes me the most proud of Cubans, however, is our passion. The same passion that reveals itself when normal people discuss politics comes at the same intensity when Cubans discuss something like buying a pair of shoes. When my non-Cuban friends tell me that I need to tone it down after getting worked up about something small, I always chalk it up to my genes. Still, I could not be more proud to come from a place that cares deeply about everything rather than not having an opinion at all.
Here are some shots from my weekend with my Dad’s side of the family.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO MAKE IT BIGGER
My dad and his sister, my Tia Rose. She’s stoked about learning the treadmill.
With Dad and brother Andrew.
With grandma Lucy. Notice how we’re all looking at different cameras. Even in the digital age, when pictures can be copied and sent easily, Cubans still engage in photo shoots that would make even Annie Liebovitz jealous.
Tia Rose with her daughter Yvonne (my cousin and godmother) and her grandkid Stephanie (my cousin and goddaughter).
Bro and I at a pub in JAX Beach
Andrew and Cousin Matt at JAX Beach. Fun times!
Andrew and Dad’s dog, Zeus.
St. Augustine, FL June 30, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Travel.add a comment
On Friday, Dad and I took a drive to St. Augustine. For those who aren’t history buffs, this is said to be the place where Ponce de Leon landed in 1513. The city was actually established in 1565 by the Spanish Conquistadors. Throughout the years, the city has been under the control of the Spanish, the French, and the British. It’s made for a unique blending of style, architecture and culture within one little spot. Today, St. Augustine is a popular tourist destination. By day the little shops and museums thrive on out-of-towners. By night, however, many Floridians trek here for the popular nightlife scene. Apparently, the town is full of ghosts and it seemed that every time I turned around I would see a sign to promote ghost tours. Even during the day I felt a slight eeriness. Good times!
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO MAKE IT BIGGER
Statue of Ponce de Leon. This is said to be the approximate spot where he landed in 1513.
Old entrance into the city. Parts of the old barricade still stand on each side of these towers.
The oldest wood schoolhouse of the USA. The puppet in the window freaked me out.
Thought this was a cool pub name.
These signs were EVERYWHERE!
The fort.
The haunted lighthouse. If any of you watch the show “Ghosthunters,” on the SCI-FI channel, you’ll probably recognize this. They’ve done two episodes here and have found lots of paranormal activity!
Cathedral of St. Augustine. The oldest Catholic parish within the present day U.S.
City Hall
City Hall courtyard
Flagler College
Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles. Governor and Captain General, Conquistador.
Founded St. Augustine in September of 1565.
Inside the lobby of the old Alcazar Hotel. Now it’s a museum.
The Cubans are everywhere! Here’s a Cuban restaurant set up like the old-time Havana hangouts.
Cool painting of Cuban dancers!
Total Southern style architecture. This is a restaurant with a great upstairs porch/balcony.
A fuel efficient way to get around town!
A programming note… June 28, 2008
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger.1 comment so far
Just wanted to let everyone know that I’m in the middle of a family firestorm and I’ve wanted to blog more, but things are hectic.
My brother drove three hours down from Charleston, SC and another five members drove five hours up from South Florida for a semi-crazy family reunion.
I forgot about how the decibel level goes up whenever too many Cubans are in a room together. Seriously, a normal conversation with someone right next to you happens at the noise level of two people at a rock concert. After four and a half years of living in peaceful California, my ears are RINGING!!! AAAHHHH!!!
Anyway, I went to St. Augustine yesterday with Dad and took lots of pictures. Stay tuned for those and also some good family shots!!
I’m having a great time!
