A Traveler's Guide to Hobart, Australia

As Summer dawned across the United States, I had the privilege of traveling “down unda” to the Southern island nation of Australia. While I spent most of my time in the culturally diverse city of Sydney, I set aside a weekend to jet down to Hobart, Tasmania, the most southern point of Australia. Full of artistic, cultural, and historical points of interest, Hobart opened up and revealed a new side to Australia experienced solely in this area. Below I have listed some of the different destinations I visited and recommend to other travelers interested in exploring this area:

1.   Cascades Female Factory- As a former workhouse for female convicts, The Cascades Female Factory is one of the only remaining female factories with extant remains. From 1828 and 1856, Women convicted for petty crimes in England, Ireland, and Scotland were sent to live their final days in this confinement on Tasmania, far from their home countries. Cascades offers a clear representation of daily life for women within the penitentiary system, complete with historical tours and interactive reenactments. Individuals will leave with a more enlightened and knowledgeable perspective after visiting the Cascades Factory.

2.   Mount Wellington- For the most picturesque aerial view of Hobart, Mount Wellington must be visited. Nicknamed “Tabletop Mountain,” Mount Wellington offers a bird’s eye view of Hobart. All is visible, from the Pacific ocean to Burny Island and market area around the Hobart bay. The Observation room provides a map that shows the city outline and positioning for viewer orientation. The rewarding summit climb offers tourists a once in a lifetime photo-op. Unfortunately, on cloudy days, views can be obstructed. However, there are many places on the drive up to pull to the side of the road and take pictures of the whole family.

3.   Salamanca Market- Between 8:30am-3:00pm every Saturday, downtown Hobart transforms into an excellent cultural spot at Salamanca Market. Over 300 stalls offer a taste of the world as visitors navigate the farmer’s market in Salamanca. Be sure to arrive early in order to beat the sales rush and get good parking. Complete with a wide variety of restaurants, Salamanca Market has excellent eating and hang out options. The Retro Café is a great option. Its 1950s-60s atmosphere transports customers to a relaxed era while excellent food and coffee options are enjoyed. Dessert at the Retro Café is a MUST. From tasty cakes and cookies to scrumptious chocolates brownies, it is all delicious.

4.   Port Arthur- Another former convict settlement, Port Arthur is one of Australia’s most historically rooted cites. About 40 miles southeast of Hobart, Port Arthur provides tourists background to the male prison community. From 1833-1853, it was the final location the hardest criminals were sentenced and imprisoned. Rumored to be an inescapable prison, Port Arthur offers some of the most memorable and bizarre escape attempts. The town of Port Arthur also memorializes the tragic shooting of 1996. Memorial grounds in Port Arthur may now be visited to reflect and remember those that passed.

5.   MONA- The Museum of Old and New is located within the Moorilla Winery. As the largest privately funded museum in Australia, MONA features a combination of historical and modern pieces that provoke introspection and analysis. Depending on the time of the year, different attractions and events are held, including exhibits of local artwork and music performances. Go to http://www.mona.net.au/ to get specific details and tickets for a visit.

6.   Winery visit- Hobart featured wineries provide unique wine selections due to the area’s geographic isolation. Some of the best include Frogmore Creek, Stefano Lubian Wines, Moorilla Estate, Nocton Park, Pooley Wines, Bishop’s Vineyard, and Campania Hills Vineyard. These locations offer great wine tasting opportunities for all adventuresome adults.

7.   Burny Island ferry- For a great family day trip, visit Burny Island. The ferry offers speedy transport over the small strait separating Hobart and Burny Island. With time tables available online at http://www.brunyisland.net.au/Services/brunyislandferrydetails.htm, visitors can take full advantage of this transport. Round-trip tickets cost approximately $30/vehicle. During the short boat ride, great photo opportunities are available. Individuals of all ages will enjoy this day-trip. The ferry is complete with restrooms, just make sure to stick to the schedule.

8.   Get Shucked- Amazing Oyster bar on Burny Island that offers fresh oysters and drinks, Get Shucked is a pit-stop all seafood lovers must make. Delicious, well-priced oysters seasoned with simple lemon juice to carefully balanced herb combinations, Get Shucked leaves visitors happy they stopped in. Its located at 1600 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay TAS 7150, Australia and is open from 10am-5pm daily.

9.   The Neck Lookout- When driving from the north island to the south island, stop on B66 at the Neck Lookout point to capture idyllic photos of Burny Island. From this point, both the Pacific Ocean and the inland lake can be seen. Penguins even stop there seasonally to great visitors. Travelers can walk up a staircase on the ocean side for an unrivaled 360 perspective.

10. Jetty Café and Produce Shop- Resting on the northern most tip of Burny Island, Jetty Café and Produce Shop offers the most pristine, untouched views of Australian nature. Coupled with top quality coffee and pastries, Jetty Cages is complete with visitor information and a quiet deck to rest and relax on.

Acing their final with flying stars

9th Inning. Rangers took to the field in attempts to seal their victory against conference rivals the Oakland Athletics. The Rangers had experienced a bit of a dry spell loosing six straight games when they faced the Toronto Blue Jays during the prior week. Hoping to make a comeback against the A's, Pitcher Joe Nathan stood on the mound ready to throw the final pitch of the game. Seth Smith, outfielder for the A's, stepped up to bat ready to swing at whatever pitch came his way. With two outs already accumulated, there was a runner on first. The game would be decided in the final inning by the final play.

Nathan drew back his arm and threw the closing pitch. Batter Smith got a piece of the pitch and sent it flying out to center field. Craig Gentry, center fielder for the Rangers, made a class A effort to catch the ball as it flew towards him, but came up inches short. The ball bounced off of the ground and glanced off Gentry's glove. Quickly, Gentry retrieved the ball and threw a perfect throw to Elvis Andrus at second base who was able to relay the perfect save to catcher A.J. Pierzynski at home. Pierzynski then did the unthinkable.

With just seconds to work with, Pierzynski was able to tag Donaldson, the runner who had been on first, out at home. It was the play of perfection that won the game. It gave the Rangers a winning record, 3 of 4, against the A's. As Gentry told a reporter, "It's just instincts. You work on cutoffs and relays so much, it's second nature to come up and fire it to the cutoff man." It all comes down to speed and precision.

This series against the A's was a great way to show and reclaim the success the Rangers had lost in the week prior. As Rangers manager Ron Washington said, "We could've gotten buried if we didn't play well, but we played well." With these wins now under their belt, the Rangers have climbed back up in the standings, only one game behind AL West leaders, Oakland A's (ironically).

The Rangers will be going on the road, playing the St. Louis Cardinals tonight at 7:15 pm. The game will be televised on channel 21, so be sure to watch and continue cheering for the Rangers. You never know. You might see yet another amazing save and victory from the strong team.

Iron Man 3: A must see of 2013

I know, I know. Long time, no type. Well here I am, writing yet another blog entry promoting another A+ movie of the year. For those of you who know me personally, my obsession with the Avengers movies is obvious. I own all the movies from Iron Man to Captain America, quote the movies everyday with a big smile on my face, and countdown until the next episode in the series is released.

Well about two weeks ago, Iron Man 3 was released upon an eager and waiting fandom. I was able to work its viewing into my schedule like any and every loyal fan. It was AWE-wait for it...-SOME! Iron Man 3 took a new road, following a plot line focused on Tony Stark's human side rather than his indestructible superhero aspects. This element introduced a new character to the viewing public, but the Marvel production still contained the phenomenal special effects and witty humor that originally captivated audiences worldwide.

After The Avengers saved New York City, and took their deserved time off, Tony Stark was able to refocus his life on Pepper Potts. The love he realized he had for her altered his manner and way of thinking on a daily basis. For this reason, the plot of Iron Man 3 has a more dramatic side than before. Thankfully, the movie does not become too cheesy or predictable. The eccentric and unexpected nature of Tony Stark keeps the audience guessing throughout the movie. Enemies are also lie just around the corner, no matter what. That means the need for Iron Man doesn't lessen, even if Loki is locked up in Asgard.

Due to Tony Stark's sudden "free time" and the fact that he is a super genius, new developments on the Iron Man suit are to be expected. This is where the talented special effects team comes into play. Thanks to their jaw dropping talent, new Iron Man suits are featured throughout Iron Man 3. These suits are product of the latest technology. There are suits that can simply be stepped out of, suits that can be parked at the local bar while Tony goes in for a drink, and suits that Tony can actually call to his aid from miles away. Audiences will be amazed and entertained as they see what Iron Man has become in the past year.

Credit, in the end however, must still be given to the acting talent of Robert Downey Jr. His witty comebacks and banter with other characters during the movie is hard to compete with. It reminds me of Hugh Laurie's performance as Dr. Gregory House. Because of the character's unique and untouchable persona, the audience is never bored or indifferent. The character and acting ability are what make this movie and movie series so popular in the end. You can have all of the special effects, music, and costumes in the world, but without acting talent to fill the roles of a script, there is nothing. For this reason, I give two big thumbs up to Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man.

So if you are looking for a way to spend a couple hours of free time, go watch Iron Man 3. You will not be disappointed. There will be laughs and gasps and maybe even a few tears. One more piece of advice I have for all you readers before you go see Iron Man 3 is WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE MOVIE. When the credits are over in every Marvel movie, there is always an extra little tidbit that should not go unseen. So wait until the credits scroll by. You won't be disappointed.

Ring Day 2013

What defines a college in the United States differs campus to campus. Each has its own special characteristics and qualities that attract new students each year. Texas A&M University is one college that, because of its history, is based solidly on tradition and campus unity. One tradition that is striven for by every student at Texas A&M is to participate and receive an Aggie Ring. This symbol of the university links all Aggies, current students and formers, together because of what it represents.

The ring as we know it today was designed in 1894 by E.C. Jonas. On top of the ring, a large eagle and shield are displayed representing the desire to protect the reputation of the university and the agility and power each Aggie possesses in order to reach new heights. On the shield thirteen stripes stand out symbolizing the thirteen original colonies. Above the stripes five stars shine out in representation of the five phases of development every Aggie experiences: mind/intellect, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise, and integrity of character. On one side of the ring, a large star is engraved representing the Seal of Texas. This star represents the desire for peace and the strength each student possesses to fight for country and state. This ideal is heavily engrained into the Aggie identity because of the strong ties Texas A&M has with the military. On the opposite side of the ring a saber, cannon, and rifle lie symbolizing how Texas fought for their land. The saber stands for valor and confidence, while the cannon and rifle represent the steadfast preparedness and defense Texas and the US will always have. Along with all of these meaningful symbols lies the graduate's class year binding them together as a whole.

However, the symbols are not what make the Aggie Ring so valuable. While, yes, the symbols do have deep and powerful meaning, the ring is what links the student body together as a whole. After students graduate and go off to continue their life, the Aggie ring will identify them as a member of the upstanding university. If an Aggie sees another person wearing an Aggie ring, there is an instant connection. Class year does not matter. The link stems from the experiences all former students lived through while attending the university. Instant camaraderie is had when two Aggies, strangers or friends, meet. The ring is what brings them together.

So on this day, April 12, 2013, Aggie Ring Day 2013, a new group of Aggie students will be given their rings that represent more than what traditional symbols stand for. The rings given out today will represent the hard work each student has completed in their last years of college. Ernest Hemingway once said, "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." So students, as you get these gold rings representing your collegiate accomplishment, remember everything you were taught so that when you go into the future you will achieve everything you ever imagined.

The Agent Coulson in Everyone

Role Models. Everyone has them. Everyone needs them. Role models are the people we look up to and try to mimic in our everyday lives. Sometimes they are close friends. Sometimes they are famous people that we hope to be like in the future. However they are always present in our minds as we make choices and decisions.

Recently, a new role model has been presented to the world through The Avengers comic book and movie series. The person I refer to is not Iron Man/Tony Stark/Robert Downey Jr, no matter how smart and devilishly handsome he is. It's not Thor the God of Thunder/Chris Hemsworth or Captain America/Chris Evans. It's not even the Hulk/Mark Ruffalo, even with his genius IQ level and green alter ego. The person I am referring to, that should become a role model to people worldwide, is Agent Coulson. Jaw dropper I know, but stay with me. I know what you are thinking. Agent Coulson? Phil Coulson? Kaitlyn how can he be the role model from the Avengers when there are much cooler and attractive characters with extraordinary talents and powers present in the movie/comic series?

Well, for one, Coulson is the main human character present throughout the whole series. Coulson is the man who brings the Avengers together to fight the alien attack descending upon NYC. By confronting Tony Stark about his participation in the group and supporting Steve Rogers (Capt. America) after his long nap in the Arctic Coulson acts as one of the main facilitators of the super hero group. He physically helps bring the group together and believes in their abilities wholeheartedly. This is demonstrated through simple actions like the vintage trading cards of Captain America Coulson collects and the relationships he has with each character individually.

Additionally, Coulson also shows the bravery needed by each human when seemingly unbeatable obstacles present themselves in life. In The Avengers Coulson confronts Loki with simply a gun whose functions are unknown. Coulson stood up to the "indestructible" foe, Loki, with nothing more than the belief that The Avengers would be able to defeat anything that presented itself as a threat to the world. Coulson even told Loki that he would not win the war citing Loki's lack of conviction as his Achilles' heal. Coulson's infinite faith in the Avengers symbolizes the support that the real world fans show everyday. Gathering behind this group of heroes, people have found their rally point so that they can get through tough times and obstacles in life.

Lastly, in Coulson's death, the Avengers were able to find their inspiration to fight together as teams in order to safe guard the human population. After Coulson's body was found, the Avengers knew that they could not allow more innocent people to be harmed by the terrible forces that were approaching fast. I believe that Coulson knew that his death would be a uniting point for the Avengers because as he took his last breaths talking to Fury, Coulson says that the heroes will need something to avenge. This shows yet another element of humanity that is present in Coulson that all people need to possess. Coulson was able to sacrifice himself, his life, in order to achieve a greater good.

In the end, I believe every person should strive to be a little more like Agent Coulson, or as his friends know him, Phil. He was a person who was not self-involved. He always worked for the achievement of something more. Most people today only worry about themselves. How will this action make me look? What will people say or think about me? Phil Coulson, on the other hand, only cared about saving humanity and ensuring that the world would live on to see another, brighter day.

Over the rainbow and back again: Oz the Great and Powerful

"There's no place like home." This immortal phrase has been uttered by countless children who were captivated and transported into a dream world with Dorothy Gale. Accompanied by a scarecrow with unknown wisdom, a tin man with a secret heart, and a lion scared into bravery, children have been traveling cinematically into the land of Oz since 1939. Meeting talking trees, munchkin peoples, and flying monkeys, viewers have learned that one of the main obstacles humans face during life is their own self-doubt.

A new rendition of The Wizard of Oz is now released for viewers at a movie theater near you. In Oz the Great and Powerful, the story of Oscar Diggs is told to viewers for the first time. Oscar Diggs is nothing but a small town magician living in Kansas. With questionable ethics and minimal talent, Diggs is hurtled into Oz after crossing paths with a tornado cutting its way through the Kansas countryside. Once in Oz, Oscar must figure out who to ally himself with in order to save the Ozian world. Oz the Great and Powerful acts as a prequel to the story known and loved by many giving the audience a unique view into the Wizard's life. By providing jaw dropping images of the Ozian world, showcasing entertaining acting talent, and including parallels to the original story, Oz the Great and Powerful acts as a perfect generational bridge introducing the younger children to the classic tale.

Technology has become the tool in many movies that pulls the audience into the story. By making the scenery and fictional characters look more realistic, the audience becomes able to live in the dream worlds Hollywood is able to create. The special effects team of Oz was able to do just that when imagining and animating the settings and characters of the movie. When Oscar first arrives in Oz via hot air balloon, the setting looks to be nothing short of perfection. The colors of the plant life combined with the bright lights of the sun work to create a mythical world unimaginable. When first seen on screen, the world of Oz seems nothing short of a Garden of Eden. This was possible due to the fact that the production crew based Oz on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the original Wizard of Oz book written by L. Frank Baum. Because of this, all the details first envisioned were included in the final movie production of Oz. Due to all of this attention to detail, Oz offers imagines that allow the audience to immerse themselves in the plot and action of the movie.

The actors showcased in the movie also hold much of the responsibility in personifying the characters for the audience. In Oz many of the actors accomplished this task 100% of the time. Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams did superb jobs with the roles of the witches. All three women adopted the role wholeheartedly making the audience believe the feelings and motives behind their actions. My favorite performance by far was that of Zach Braff who played Frank, Oscar's assistant in Kansas, and Finley, the good winged chimp who devoted his life to the Wizard in Oz. Zach Braff was able to bring the perfectly timed comedy to the movie. Ironically, I thought that the worst performance was that of James Franco, Oscar the Wizard of Oz. As the lead role, he had the responsibility of carrying the plot throughtout the movie. However, his acting seemed mediocre and intermediate at times. Franco smiled that goofy smile which made me want to roll my eyes rather than root for his character. Thankfully, the supporting actors saved the movie in the end.

With Oz being a prequel of a successful classic, the most admirable quality that I saw was the numerous parallels it had with the Wizard of Oz. One that I have already mentioned is the fact that the wizard also was transported to Oz by a tornado, just like Dorothy. I will not give them all away, but I do challenge you to see how many you can find. There are also parallels to the Wicked book series written by Gregory Maguire. These are not as obvious, but are included none the less. The parallels work well in connecting the stories together. Plus they are fun to find. It will probably take multiple viewings in order to find them all, but I am up for it.

In the end, Oz the Great and Powerful acts as a great reminder and tribute to the story that captured so many hearts. It may not have the memorable songs or ruby slippers, but it teaches the important lesson that sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Self-doubt is a fatal weakness humanity possesses. Learning how to overcome it and become a better version of ourselves is what everyone must strive for.

Museum Exhibits Cathcing Attention

Sometimes the most exciting things can be found not at a concert building or movie theater, but at a local museum. History, science, and art allows for people to experience an attraction hands on and encounter past events first hand. Two exhibits offer these exact aspects for everyone in the Fort Worth area. At the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, an exhibit showcasing artifacts from the RMS Titanic is on display for the public to experience.  The tour gives spectators a personal experience and connection to the tragically sunk ship memorialized as its 100th Anniversary dawns this year. Additionally, at the Kimball Art Museum, a Bernini exhibit is being showcased. Bernini: Sculpting in Clay presents many of Bernini's most famous clay sculptures. These two exhibits provide an excellent opportunity to plan an educational outing for the whole family.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History offers everyone the chance to get a ticket on the infamous cruise liner RMS Titanic. As you enter the exhibit in Fort Worth, each person is given a Boarding Pass with the details of an actual passenger of the Titanic. For example, the identity I given to personify was that of Lady Duff Gordon, a forty-nine year old first class passenger. Lady Duff Gordon boarded with her husband, Sir Cosmo Edmund Duff, and her personal secretary. Lady Duff was a pioneer in fashion in the 1900s, and was the first to introduce slits in skirts for women. Other information included on the Boarding Pass includes the passenger's cabin, reason for traveling, and intended final destination. After receiving your boarding pass, exhibit guests are ushered into the world of the Titanic, from construction to wreckage discovery.

Each section of the exhibit focuses on a different aspect of the ship's grand history. At the beginning viewers are shown how the mammoth ship was first conceived, engineered, and constructed. Artifacts recovered from the Titanic's final resting place are on view throughout the exhibit. Further on in the exploration of the Titanic story, guests are shown the accommodations for each class. In the third class section, guests are also made privy to the constant engine sounds that would have been heard by the passengers. The most interesting section of the exhibit would be the section dedicated to the sinking of the ship. In this part quotations from actual crew and passenger members are displayed to demonstrate how different people separated by economic class experienced the tragic event. Additionally, a large piece of ice is on display so that all viewers can experience the conditions of the passengers forced overboard. It is a very humbling experience. At the end of the exhibition, a list of all the passengers is on display so that you can see if your passenger survived. This list also shows how differently the classes were treated with respect to rescue attempts. The Titanic exhibit is educational and touching at the same time and teaches everyone a lesson no matter his or her age.

At the same time, across the street at the Kimball Art Museum, the Bernini exhibit is displaying many of his most famous sculptures from across the world. This exhibit is spans across half of the museum exposing each step of Bernini's art to the viewers. Artwork pieces, such as the Fountain of the Four Rivers and the angels Bernini created for the Ponte San'Angelo, are displayed only in pictures since Rome could not be robbed of these divine pieces of art. However, preliminary drawings are shown displaying how Bernini designed these noteworthy creations. It is astonishing to see these pieces broken down into step-by-step fashion. Sculptures included in the exhibit are jaw dropping because fingerprints of the famed artist can be seen by the naked eye. It makes the art so tangible since most people have just learned about Bernini's creations from textbooks. I do have to say that I think this particular exhibit is for a more mature audience. Small children's attention spans are quickly burned through and the exhibit is quite long. I can say that most people high school age plus will enjoy this showcase immensely. Being able to see the history making artwork first hand is life changing and impacting for those who know of Bernini and the impression he left on the world.

Both the Bernini and Titanic exhibit will be in Fort Worth until the end of the month. The Titanic exhibit will end on March 24, 2013 whereas the Bernini exhibit will stay until April 14th. I highly encourage people to see both of these exhibits as soon as possible. Tickets can be purchased online at the museum websites. Prices are low, especially for museum members. Audio tours can also be purchased for a guided tour. So if you want a fun filled, educational weekend just plan for tours of your local museum and learn facts and details you never knew.