12.31.2015

A-List Guide to Obtaining Dual Citizenship


Italian Consulate San Francisco, USA
Consolato Generale d'Italia
a San Francisco
It’s been over a year since I became a dual citizen and received my coveted EU passport. My dual citizenship with Italy was recognized in August 2014, and I went to San Francisco that November to get my passport. It is quite thrilling to find myself in this newfound status and all that it offers. Dual citizenship is a fortunate thing, but I wish I had thought of looking into it years ago when it would have been easier to actually “do” something with it. As it is, I often dream of living abroad and now I have the ability to do so in Italy and elsewhere in the EU with a lot less hassle.

12.24.2015

The DJ Suggests...Musical Recommendations for 2016

It's year three for the holiday card (year one and year two) and once again I'm glad to share some photos and musical recommendations with family and friends.

12.10.2015

The (Not-So) Great American Train Ride

Back in the day, Amtrak's Overland Route brought passengers to Laramie, Wyoming
At the train depot in Laramie
When I was younger, a growing sense of wanderlust found me longing to embark on a long distance train ride. Whether it was traveling from country to country in Europe or getting "a chance to see the real America" (as the cliche goes), it seemed like a good way to go.

12.09.2015

"So This is Yale" Moments

Yes, it was all I expected it would be
As an undergraduate, I attended a university located in the same city as Yale University. To this day I can recall a t-shirt I saw for sale in the Yale Co-op . It featured Charles Schultz's Peanuts characters staring up at a big Gothic building on the Yale campus and included the caption "So This is Yale."

12.03.2015

Mac Daddiez - A Delightful Treat for the Mountain Athlete

December is here but where is winter?! While weather in Bozeman was looking up for a while with a few small storms and cooler temperatures, it is now warmer and the long-term forecast (Ten day, according to the Weather Channel) isn't looking too good with temperatures in the 40s and questionable chances for snow. Despite the not so great start to the ski season, Mike and I have managed to get out for some skiing over the past few weekends. Nothing rave about and no great long days in the backcountry, but it was skiing none the less and that is always a good thing.

11.25.2015

Calling It Quits on My Big Read

As for the big read a mentioned back in March, I have decided to abandon it about 100 pages from the end. I made steady progress from the time of the post until I left for a holiday in May (It was too big of a book to bring with me) and when I returned in early June I made some progress. Eventually summer moved along and other books made their way into my life. It became that I couldn't even make it through a simple ten page chapter of the big read. I tried for most of the fall but it was not to happen. I returned the book to the library yesterday. Perhaps I will pick it up for the third time in about another 20+ years but for now I am through with it.


11.07.2015

Taking the Long Way Around - A Hiking Adventure on the Way to the Montenegrin Coast

751 trail Montenegro
I am realizing that while I included a brief write up on our three day walk in Montenegro in my previous post, the story would not be complete without going into detail about our last day of the trek.

Months have passed and I’m just getting around to writing about this but luckily I still have some emails sent shortly afterwards while the details were still fresh in our minds.

11.05.2015

Backpacking Stats

Ladder of Kotor as seen from across the bay.
Last summer I compiled a list of hiking highlights in a post so I thought I'd do a similar post this year. This summer was another stellar time for outdoor adventures and Mike continues to be a good activity partner. Thanks to him, it was the most backpacking I had ever done in one summer. 

9.26.2015

Reflections on a "Special" Place

We've all heard people talk about a "special place." One may call their grandmother's house, their beloved elementary school, a favorite summer camp, or any number of memorable locations a special place. Non-profit organizations remind supporters that their gift will help protect "this special place." As I think about special places in my life, I hope I can be more descriptive when I talk about and write about them. Yes, they are "special" but they are much more than that.

9.18.2015

September is Music Month in Bozeman!

Live music in Bozeman can be a hit or miss affair. It seems likes months can go by with few shows to choose from.
Other times, we have the high-class problem of having so many good shows to choose from that music lovers are forced to pick and choose. September is shaping up to be quite the month for live music with one of the most diverse line ups I've seen in a while.