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Photo of the Day (December 2nd, 2010)

Huge Tornado Funnel touches down

Photo of the Day (December 1st, 2010)

It's December!

December Already?!

It's kind of hard to believe that it's almost December already; just one more day! With December comes winter, ice skating, and holidays. And by the end of December, we will have entered a new year. I don't know about everyone else, but 2010 has gone by really fast. It's a cliche, but it seems like it was only yesterday that the year began. It's too early to begin talking about New Years Resolutions or anything like that, but it isn't too early to begin thinking about the year that was. A lot has happened in 2010. We've had controversies with TSA pat-downs, country defining elections, and many other game changing events. But for all the bad, there was a lot of good as well. I got this fantastic job I have, for one thing, but in general I feel the economy is improving. The unemployment rate may still be low, but I think it won't be long before it goes down. Anyway, what was everybody elses thoughts about this year?

Zach,
Your Friendly Neighborhood MetroFlats.com Superhero

My Favorite Christmas Carols

Even though I hate the fact that certain radio stations (106.7 Lite FM) are playing Christmas Songs weeks before Christmas even begins, I actually do like that kind of music a lot. It brings up memories of when I was little and watched all sorts of classic Christmas movies like Home Alone. Most of all, the songs are catchy and have a good musical variety. Here are some of my favorite Holiday Songs for 2010:

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

This is one of those songs that instantly brings memories of Home Alone to me, mainly because that movie is where I first heard that song. Rock and roll is my favorite genre of music, and this is a great holiday rock song. I really love the melody and the vocals of singer Brenda Lee. While I am not listening to Lite FM during their absurd habit of playing these songs, I will keep it on if I hear this great song, or any of the covers of it.

O Holy Night

Let's get one thing straight: not only am I not very religious, but I am also Jewish. However, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy songs like "O Holy Night." I love the calming feel it has, and it always seems to give me chills every time I hear it (even Eric Cartman's version). The choral arrangements are simply beautiful, no matter who is singing it. I always take the opportunity to hear this song anytime I can, and it really puts you in the holiday mood.

So those are some of my favorite Holiday Songs. What are yours?

Zach,
Your Friendly Neighborhood MetroFlats.com Superhero

Some More Road Trip Ideas

So Jared wrote an article about a pretty cool road trip idea, but I have some thoughts for myself. Besides, this could help out my co-worker Dave, who wants to go on a road trip this weekend. So let's say you gout a MetroFlats.com vacation apartment in New York City. You certainly love it there, but maybe you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city for a little bit. Well as long as you have a car, there are plenty of places that aren't too far of a drive from NYC. So here are some places you could visit for the day:


Boston




Believe it or not, Boston is not that far of a drive from New York City. It's only about a 3 1/2 hour drive. So if you leave really early in the morning, you can spend the entire day in Boston and then drive back to NYC in the evening. In terms of Boston activities, you have plenty of options. Unfortunately, baseball season is over right now so you won't have the chance to see any baseball games at Fenway Park, but you can still visit the historic stadium. I was actually in school in Boston for two years, but I never went to a Red Sox game...mainly because I am a Yankees fan and I think Fenway Park is ugly, but that's just me. But Boston isn't just about sports, you know. There's some great food as well, and I would urge you to visit Quincy Market if you visit Boston. While you are there, you can get a great New England Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, or other great meals. Quincy Market restaurants make up the whole first level, while the 2nd level of the building has plenty of seats.

If you are a fan of parks, Boston has plenty of those too. My favorite was the Boston Public Garden located on Charles Street. Home to the famous Duck statues, this is a beautiful park that I visited often when I went to Emerson College.


Burlington, Vermont


Vermont is a bit of a longer drive than Boston, but it is worth it if you are going to visit Burlington. While it's not as big of a city as Boston, there are still some fun activities for you to enjoy. While it's not in Burlington, the Ben and Jerry's Factory is located in a town just outside of the city. You can take a tour of the factory and you get to sample many different flavors of their famous ice cream!

The city of Burlington itself is a very quaint little city that, while lacking some of the excitement of a big city, is very homely and relaxing. You actually might find it to be very refreshing after staying in New York City. There are many great Burlington Shops to visit. There are also other attractions just out the city (like Ben and Jerry's) that are worth checking out. If you have kids, you should stop by the Vermont Teddy Bear Company which is located in Shelburne, VT. Here, you will get to see how these adorable teddy bears are made on the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tour and, at the end, will have the chance to buy your very own Vermont Teddy Bear.


So there are two cities that you could visit if you grow tired of hanging out in the Big Apple. If you have other ideas for great road trips, feel free to chime in!

Zach,
Your Friendly Neighborhood MetroFlats.com Superhero

Road Trip Idea: US Presidents Birthplaces-By Jared

Every time I commute into work I pass Grover Cleveland's birthplace in Caldwell, NJ. Quite honestly, I had no idea that we had any president born in this state, but it appears that we do. I knew that Woodrow Wilson was a politician here in New Jersey, but he came from all the way down in Virginia, as did most U.S. presidents. If you're on the east coast of the U.S., I think it would be an extremely fun road trip to visit some of these birth sites if you're into that sort of thing. I've never been to any of these sites, save passing Cleveland's, but I'm sure that they're very interesting. If I were to do it myself, I would use a particular itinerary. Allow me to explain...

If I were to start someplace, I would start at Hyde Park, New York. Again, I've never been here, but the photos are spectacular (see right). Here they have his home in Hyde Park and, nearby, is his birthplace in Springwood, NY. It's interesting because this is where Roosevelt was born, lived, and is now buried. There's an awful lot to see here and definitely worth the trip no matter where you're from. Even if you don't agree with his politics, you've gotta check it out. From here, I would travel to the far less interesting Grover Cleveland birthplace in Caldwell, New Jersey. Realistically, it's a stopping point. Caldwell isn't exactly the most fascinating town in the country, but it should treat you well enough. Plus, if you travel down to Caldwell, you're mere minutes from the MetroFlats HQ! Come by and stop for a visit! At any rate, Cleveland's birthplace from what I can tell as I pass by it is modest by presidential standards (but wait until we get to Lincoln). It's definitely worth a look-around, though. Now, bear with me here because this next bit is a hike, but you'll enjoy what you see when you arrive. The third stop is Point Pleasant, Ohio where Ulysses Grant was born. This home was originally a one-room home that was expanded to three. It's situated in a very quiet, rural area of Ohio: a beautiful area if you're into that sort of thing, which I am. There isn't a heck of a lot to do in Ohio, but it would be fun to walk around the area and just see the sprawling farmland when Grant grew up. From here, you have a bit more of a hike to Kentucky. But, once you're there, you can stop at Lincoln's birthplace in Nolin Creek. Now, since Lincoln is widely accepted as one of the greatest presidents of the United States, you're going to get more than you expect from this site. It's built up quite a bit and nearly makes the proverbial log cabin pale in comparison. Simply a tastefully done site that, judging from the photos, will take your breath away. A nice long trip across the Bluegrass State will spill you out right into Virginia. This is where all the fun is. You have a great number of birthplaces to visit in Virginia. In fact, it is where the majority of our presidents originated; there are eight. Among those eight are Washington, Taylor, Tyler, Madison, Jefferson, Wilson, Monroe, and Harrison. Most of these presidents you've either never heard of or couldn't care less about, so take your pick. If you're into the beauty and magnificence, go for Washington's birthplace in Westmoreland County. It's quite amazing, really. You can travel from here to really anywhere. You would think that Jefferson's birthplace would be amazing, but no. There's simply a sign. Keeping that in mind, head on over to Barboursville to visit our forgotten president's birthplace: Zachary Taylor. This looks like a neat place, to be honest, but you take your pick from any of the eight sites and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

I hope you all take this into consideration. I think it would be a fun trip and hope to do it myself some day. And, if I do, I would probably make my arrangements with MetroFlats. It just makes sense fiscally. If you plan on heading out and doing this trip, please let me know how it goes, especially if you use MetroFlats for your accommodations :)