Quote of the week:

The only constant is change.

– Heraclitus, Greek philosopher (c.535 BC – 475 BC)

Travel Inspired Indie Music

In Boston tonight? In the mood for some good music? Then I have a little treat for you! Denver based band Tennis will be playing at the Middle East in Cambridge tonight. The duo, comprised of husband and wife Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, are making quite a splash in the indie-rock scene with an exciting throwback to the ’50s and ’60s: beach-washed guitars and sun-kissed vocals. They describe their music as “poppy”.

Tennis was formed about a year ago, as a result of a seven month sailing trip the couple took together on the Eastern seaboard. During the trip they started writing songs as a soundtrack to their experiences.. After meeting in college, the twosome pulled together money (inspired by the fact that they had both grown up landlocked) and bought an old sailboat in Florida, and then hit the high seas until the money ran out and they landed back in Denver.

Now just a year later, the group has been featured in the New York Times, and was recently signed by Fat Possum Records, home of the Walkmen, Band of Horses, the Black Keys, Andrew Bird and more

Pretty cool huh?

Check them out tonight:

Tennis With Family Portrait & Girlfriends

Today, Monday, Dec 6 8:00p

at Middle East Club: Middle East Upstairs, Cambridge, MA

WWOOF!

Last night, while my roommate was cooking one of her favorites London dinners – potatoes filled with beans and cheese – we began a detailed conversation about careers and flexibility. Steph, my roommate, had lived in London for 8 months before she moved in with us in Boston this September. While in London she met her current boyfriend, and with Steph graduating in December, the two of them have been discussing locations to move to and start their careers together. What we talked about next prompted me to write this post and share with the SANE approved community. Steph told me excitedly that they were contemplating moving to Africa and working as organic farmers for a local family. Fantastic, I thought! I asked her for more information. She told me that there were places all over the world where you could sign up to work for families in exchange for food and shelter. Steph and her boyfriend are considering doing this for a year. She said there are many websites that can help you participate in such programs and gave me a link to one of the most reputable ones. Here is the link: http://www.wwoof.org/

I think this is such a great way to help preserve our environment, help families across the world, and build character. For some more visual information check out the wwoof movie here: http://www.wwoofthemovie.com/

If you know me, you know I’m all about saving our planet. The environment is so important, I cannot stress that enough. Here is an opportunity to combine travel, education, work, and environmental consciousness. These are great programs for those post-graduate or still in school. Who says you need to be conventional? Maybe take a year off and doing some farming! Haha Cheers – Nora

Nora’s Top Five Coffee Houses in Boston

1.       ERC – http://www.espressoroyaleboston.com/

• Why- the cappuccinos – baristas create awesome designs in my drinks, keeps me coming back…its homey and if you go there enough, it becomes a second home
• Perk – $1 epic Choco Chip Cookies

2.      Pavement – http://www.pavementcoffeehouse.com/coffee.html

• Why? Sister store of ERC that’s why, a lil more artsy and classy than ERC
• Perk- when you order tea you can get an entire tea pot to pour and refill at your convenience!!!

3.  Boston Common Coffeehouse – my new find – http://www.bostoncommoncoffee.com/

• Why? – the panini’s are to die for , esp the Salem, and then come with a side (bean salad FTW) all for under $7. I hear their quiches are to die for …mushroom quiche? I gotta try this.
• Perk- Their cappuccino’s have more espresso than other places so you actually feel like you get your moneys worth

4.  Trident Bookstore and Café – http://www.tridentbookscafe.com/

• Why? It’s a bookstore with epic food and coffee that’s why!
• Perk: you can read and eat. I recommend their breakfast, A lil pricey but the fruit and granola won’t break the bank and will leave you stuffed and happy!

5.     Crema Cafe (Technically Cambridge) – http://cremacambridge.com/

• Why? It’s Harvard Square’s cutest café if you ask me! Yes it is right in the center but go inside, this main street wonder is worth it. They brew their own coffee! YUM.
• Perk: Their sandwiches are amazing, really cool combinations like Rosemary, Goat cheese and honey…COMEON! They also have really tasty pastries- I love their macaroons. It’s Harvard so it is a little pricey…but the atmosphere is awesome. Go with a friend and share!