Snorkeling in Key Largo

Since we managed to make the three-year marriage mark, we decided to celebrate a little bit this year. We wanted to head down to Key West, but the drive was really turning us off. So instead, we just headed down to Key Largo. Just a couple of hours on the road and voila! The Florida Keys!

We stayed at the (in)famous Holiday Inn; it is what it is. Great location, convenient to food, supplies, anything you’d need really. And since it’s backyard is a also a marina/dock, several snorkeling/scuba/glass-bottom charter boats are parked right there. Seriously, we pulled up, checked in, I asked if any snorkeling boats were going out … 15 minutes later we’re motoring out.

The best part of catching the afternoon charter was that it made three stops — one of them being Key Largo’s Dry Rocks reef, home to the Christ of the Abyss Statue. I’ve always wanted to see this, and finally, crossed it off the bucket list. It’s so amazing to see things in person that you’ve seen hundreds, thousands of times in pictures, postcards and movies.  The Dry Rocks reef was full of life — fish, coral. It was definitely refreshing, as our last snorkel trip down in Key West was somewhat disappointing; just a lot of sandy bottoms and little fish. At Key Largo’s reefs, we saw two huge tarpon (at least, I hope, they were just tarpon!), fish everywhere, tons of conchs, plus varying and colorful coral types.

New tunes, new groove

I’ve been in a writing standstill. Eh, handstill.

But I’ve figured out why. I’ve been in a music rut. I haven’t changed out my (OK, I might date myself now …) cd case in months, and (OK, I’m not totally against technology …) I haven’t updated my iPod in weeks (OK, I kind of hate iTunes). Finally, though, I’m starting to break out and perk up. JP got me the new Beastie Boys album last week, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. I know people say they hate it when an artist doesn’t try new stuff and stretch their musical talents. But how awesome is it when they stick to what they kick ass at and just kick ass!?

Also starting to catch up on my music podcasts. My go-to is the 538 Dance Department podcast, because I love the Dutch accent of the host and because I love house music. Anywho, caught a set by Eric Prydz that surprised me in a good way. I love when I’m not paying attention and then catch the late thought train, ‘I didn’t think I was much of a fan, but I really like this.’

And so I’ll leave you with a new tune you can groove to … this one is from Santigold featuring the awesome Karen O, Go:

Sunday something

I don’t have much going on, but thought I’d leave you with some random musings. In any event, just something so you don’t have to be greeted with Senor Scott’s face first thing.

1. Summer is knocking.

2. My world-saving friend RC found this awesome blog post written by a high school freshman that totally breaks down the amazing fashion of Rayanne Graff from My So-Called Life. If you don’t know who/what/when Rayanne Graff or MSCL is, you can skip this.

3. It’s not until really far away, but … we’re going to Alaska!! I had to say something because I’m really excited, but that’s all I’ll say for now.

4. I’m stoked about the new Publix that just opened in Lake Worth. I have Boar’s Head subs at my fingertips. Well, a mile and a half-ish from my fingertips. Does anyone else get excited about a grocery store opening?

Happy Sunday! How’d your weekend go??

StoryCorps on the morning drive

My drive to work is 20-ish minutes.  I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it.  I actually like driving.  And driving by myself gets extra points, because  I can roll down the windows (even though it’s 85 degrees out with 85% humidity), turn the volume way up (my hearing goes down the tube a little more everyday), and listen to any damn song I want.  Sometimes I’ll listen to the same song on repeat, until I have that entire chorus memorized.  Sometimes I actually take my hands off the steering wheel (only at red lights, of course!) to clap along to my live in concert Madonna CD, as if I were standing in the stadium.  I also like to transport myself back to 1998 and thrown on a classic Oakenfold track.  Sometimes I think I could be on broadway as I sing entire songs from the Rent or Evita soundtrack.

Whatev.

But other times, I just like to listen to talk radio.  I heart NPR.  And in the morning, sometimes I’m lucky to catch a clip from the StoryCorps segment.  If you haven’t heard it, check it out.  The stories I’ve heard have made me laugh out loud and brought me close to tears.  Behold, the power of a good ol’ story or Q-and-A session.  It’s not always about asking the right questions, rather it’s about listening and getting an awesome answer.  Maybe it’s not the answer you were looking for, but …