Category: Other Interests
-
“Matrix” engravings next to the label on vinyl records
When I first started buying records, I noticed that they often had hand-etched letters and numbers in the blank space between the last song and the label. At the time, not knowing anything about how records are made, I figured they were etched by hand onto each record by the company and denoted a numbered…
-
Finding weird and wonderful album covers
Since I just repaired our turntable I’ve been going to record stores to expand our collection. So far Princeton Record Exchange (PRX) in Princeton, NJ and Generation Records here in New York have been my favorites. PRX is well worth the trip if you’re starting a collection because they have so many classics for under…
-
Biking in New York is better since CitiBike
For the last few years, Paola and I have been proud annual members of CitiBike, New York’s bike share program. It’s completely transformed the way we get around the city. It’s the quickest way to get crosstown, period, and it’s less per month than the cost of a single tax ($169/year or $14/mo+tax, as of…
-
John Muir was right about Yosemite
Back in grad school, I was teaching assistant for a course called History of the American Environmental Movement. Each semester, I would grade perhaps 70 to 80 essays, including a section on John Muir, an advocate of preserving nature for nature’s sake, and Gifford Pinchot, who advocated responsible conservation of resources for human use. While…
-
Move Complete
I’ve put enough time and effort into the blog that it felt like time to take it to the next level with its own domain and custom design. This is that new site, hopstrains.com. Your feedback on the design and functionality of the site will only help me make it better. With that said, expect a return…
-
February’s 10 Best Stories in Travel
I’m back to share my favorite stories of the month from February 2016, including globe-trotting fish, freight-train travel across Africa, myths and facts about the Zika Virus, and a documentary about a continent-spanning road trip. Read on for the scoop. Is Farmed Salmon Really Salmon? The staple fish is having an identity crisis. http://nautil.us/issue/30/identity/is-farmed-salmon-really-salmon Love…
-
January’s 10 Best Stories in Travel
Photo: January at Labrador Mountain, Truxton, NY I’m here to share with you my favorite stories of the month from around the web. All have an international flavor, many explore the unseen side of the places we hear about in the news. If you’re wary of traveling there, at least you’ll be able to visit…
-
Making it Mexican Street Food
Mexico, despite popular misconception, is not the land of crunchy tacos, ground beef, and shredded cheddar cheese. It is the land of chili, lime, cilantro, and onion. Lime, chili, cilantro, and onion (and meat) on a tortilla are the essence of a taco. Likewise, in Mexico, lime and chili (hot sauce, especially Valentina brand) can…
-
Xochimilco, Mexico City
Xochimilco is known as the Venice of Mexico for its picturesque canals. It also happens to be the hometown of my wife and thus our home for the holidays during the last week of December and first week of January. The photos included here are from the streets, market, and and show my take on…
Hops Trains and Backpacks 