I saw this pretty little juvenile Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) on my hike through Rutland State Park. Isn’t she cute?
All posts by mattn308
Matt’s Picks: AA= #1 (All Animals Are Equal)
Recently, I have decided to listen again to one of my all time favorite albums by one of my all time favorite artists, AA= (All Animals Are Equal) aka Takeshi Ueda. His first album under the moniker of AA= is the appropriately tited #1. The name AA= is a direct reference to George Orwell’s Animal Farm and even the mascot for AA= is a pig. The pig motif is present in all of AA=’s artwork and music videos. I ordered #1 when it was initially released in 2009. It is a masterpiece of fast-paced hard electronic rock music.
The tone of the album is pessimistic, but ends with a feeling of hope. The intro track titled “4Legs Good, 2Legs Bad” is pretty down on the human race, outlining the seven deadly sins before going right into the second track named “I hate human.” The third track is the lead single, “Peace!!!” It has a message about taking action if change is going to occur. Each track keeps with the theme of all animals being equal and eventually the human animal is added into the mix. The final track “R.I.P.” is all about saying goodbye to each of the deadly sins after equality has (hopefully) been achieved.
Overall I would give #1 a rating of AA+. The hard and fast electronic sound is not for everyone, but I absolutely love it. Standout tracks include: “Peace!!!,” “Loser,” “Roots,” “All Animals Are Equal,” and “Starry Night.” Give this one a listen.
Spooky Sunday: Prison Camp Rd.
Hello dear readers. This is the first in a new series of reviews about investigating abandoned places. Today I visited Prison Camp Rd. in Rutland, Massachusetts. Prison Camp Rd. is located on the grounds of Rutland State Park. During the warmer seasons, you can drive the 2 miles to the site. I chose to walk the road. Upon arriving, one can see some cement structures where some of the old buildings used to be.
The largest structure appears to have been used for storage. Graffiti is pervasive at the site. Inside is always nice and cool. Not far from here is a free standing building that one can climb (carefully) up onto the roof. Back toward the road is an old tunnel one can walk down. Be careful as the pathway to the entrance has large holes where one could accidentally fall down into the tunnel. I met some fellow adventurers and showed them how to access the tunnel in the safest manner possible. I have been to this location multiple times, but have not experienced anything otherworldly. It is just a cool place to visit if you have some time and the curiosity to explore. If you go, be careful and have fun.
Grilled Grass Fed Beef (Steak is Good Food)
I tried some locally sourced grass fed beef recently. I grilled up two cuts of meat for my father and I to share along with a heaping helping of veggies. Here is the result:
Into the Lair of the Beast
When I wandered into the forest to get my daily exercise, I encountered what appeared to be the lair of an animal. It looked like a cozy place to stay for a coyote, bobcat, or small bear. As I approached the entrance to the cave-like rock outcropping, I heard a howl in the distance. I picked up a stick for protection (just in case it came closer), and noticed what appeared to be the left overs of the creature’s lunch lying at my feet. (See Below) I did not see the creature on this day. It is still lurking out there, behind my house…
Let’s get ready to Rhumba (Not Really)
Did you know that a group of rattlesnakes is called a rhumba?
This is not a rhumba. These little guys are the symbol of my home state of Massachusetts. Can you see all three of them? Do you know which type of snake they are? These are Garter Snakes. I spotted them while on a hike this afternoon. A group of snakes can be referred to as a den, nest, bed, pit, or knot. Next time you are out in the forest, keep your eyes peeled for snakes! These ones are harmless, so please don’t be afraid and please don’t accidentally step on or hurt them. Happy April 15th!
Shaved Brown Sugar Ice Dessert
Walking through the night markets of Taipei, we craving something cool and sweet. We were not in the mood for a meal, but rather dessert. I was not in the mood for any dairy so ice cream and boba tea were out of the question. We knew what we had to get: Shaved Ice.
We happened upon a local shop selling the confection we desired. The shaved ice itself contained brown sugar and the toppings we chose were taro, sweet potato, red bean, and jellies. The perfect cool treat for a hot night.
Shizuoka Cha Green Tea
In our travels throughout Japan, we acquired some Shizuoka Cha Green tea bags. I was not able to sample the flavor until after our return. The color/flavor is light, even after a full 5 minutes of steeping. It is a nice tea to sip in the afternoon when you need a mild boost.
Mongoose on the Loose!
It was dusk when we first spotted it. It quickly ran across our path into the hedges. We searched for any trace to no avail. The following evening, I heard a rustling. It was there! It appears to be a common Indian Gray Mongoose. Look at his little nose!
Kathakali Dance of Kerala
We had so much fun seeing a Kathakali dance performance! The Cochin Culture Center did a wonderful job introducing the dance, the story, and the skills of the dancers.
the mint tea drinkers society 