I was offered a violin position in a mariachi band the other day.

Since this started as a way to talk about my travels, I must first mention that there will be travel posts within the month. My current travel plans for the next year go something like this:

• Tuscon, Arizona -- Kitt Peak Observatory -- October 19th-26th
• Long Beach, California -- American Astronomical Society Meeting -- January 2009
• The banks of the Danube River -- Lehigh Philharmonic Orchestra Tour -- May 2009
• Split, Croatia -- International Conference for Physics Students -- August 2009

I'm still traveling, which is exciting. I want to take advantage of this as much as possible while I can, especially those free trips.

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What else can I do with this blog? I do so much more than travel; I think it might be worthwhile to throw in a few things outside the realm of travel once in a while.

I promise soon there will be thoughts and reflections on graduate school. Trust me, I have a lot.

I have to also introduce you to the most disturbing aspect of the internet that I have found lately. Please greet my traffic feed. It's over there on the right side of the screen. It shows me where my readers are. The fun part about that is I can zoom in on them. I tested it out yesterday at school. I was pinpointed to Lehigh's campus, but at least it didn't get my specific building. I'm amused. I pretty much know who is looking at this thing anyway, so it is just a way to see those random worldwide hits.

Oh, by the way. I'm in Philadelphia! Tonight is a short trek over to Camden to see Weezer and supporting acts. Excitement! But before that...shopping. That's right, I'm going shopping.