Monday, January 23, 2012

Downton Abbey! Are You Hooked???

Oh my! I hope the title of this blog post has caught your attention. If you are not a Downton Abbey fan then I must beg you to be come one! If you like English History, costume dramas, well rounded characters and Maggie Smith (she's just not Professor McGonagall after all!) this is for you!

I have long been a fan of British television. It doesn't really matter what the show is...if it is British then I like it. My obsession started as a kid as my parents and I gathered around the television to watch PBS Mystery. Inspector Morse was the one I remember liking the most, and the series has continued on with his partner Inspector Lewis. I have about five of Inspector Lewis on the DVR right now!  

From there my tastes progressed: Keeping Up Appearances, Ab Fab, The Vicar of Dibley. Classics.

Then came along BBC America and You Tube where you can watch about any show you want. There were many many new ones to add to the list: The Office, East Enders, Coupling, and Monarch of the Glen.

Monarch of the Glen was a particular favorite. Set in the Highlands of Scotland what happens to a family when a man rejects his hereditary tittle of laird (lord) and would rather live in London and run a restaurant?

One of the characters of Monarch of the Glen was Lord Kilwillie - who was played by Julian Fellowes. Hmmm, does the name sound familiar. Not only a fantastic actor, Julian Fellowes is a writer that has brought us Gosford Park and you guessed it - Downton Abbey!

I am so excited that Downton Abbey has caught on in America. It is a beautiful piece of work that I look forward to every Sunday. Every morning when I switch on my computer I am amazed and delighted to see all the articles floating around out there about my favorite show.

In fact waiting for the second season to premiere here in the US has been torture. So much so I was afraid I was going to read some of those articles floating around out there and stumble across some spoilers.

Downton was every where. And I wanted it to be every where while I didn't want it to be every where!

Finally it was season two premiere day. I could hardly wait. I was dying. And  then I pulled into my local grocery store parking lot and saw this:






A Downton Abbey billboard! In fact there are pictures of Downton Abbey all over the city. Not just billboards, but at bus stops and on the side of buses.

Silly I know, but I loved it!

So are you a Downton Abbey fan? Are you cheering for Anna and Mr. Bates? Who do you hate more? O'Brien or Thomas? And does Edith drive (literally) you bonkers?

How about a British television fan? What is your favorite?

If you like Gosford Park and Downton Abbey I highly recommend Julian Fellowes novel Snobs. A delightful read!


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Review - Rise and Dine

Last weekend the Jet Lagged Vagabond visited a little breakfast place in Emory Village called Rise and Dine. I had heard a lot about this place so I wanted to check it out for myself. And I was in the mood for some pancakes!



Rise and Dine in Emory Village. Not a lot of parking so be careful. I hear the CVS lot across the street will tow you.


Really cute yet simple interior.


Only twelve tables so get there early or be ready to wait. I waited 30 minutes on a Saturday morning.


Whimsical art work is everywhere.







 Nutella and banana pancakes and a side of bacon.


Lox scramble with chicken sausage thrown in for good measure.


The overall experience was moderate. Good but not great. I will definitely go back again, but I am not planning on it right away!


Jet Lagged Vagabond Rating: Somewhat Jet Lagged *


*Jet Lagged Vagabond Rating System* - Always a work in progress!

Severely Jet Lagged:  Did Not Like
Somewhat Jet Lagged:  Okay but it lacked something
No Jet Lag Detected:  Wonderful Experience


Monday, January 16, 2012

Trip Review - Germany and OKTOBERFEST!

The Jet Lagged Vagabond has a friend from Chicago who travelled to Germany specifically to attend Oktoberfest. This is the real Oktoberfest. Not some local Mom & Pop place in your home town slapping down sausages while the Polka Band in the corner annoys you. This is the real deal. The real Germany. With real German beer. The authentic German experience!


Sadly, the Jet Lagged Vagabond has never been to Germany (it’s on the list), but I think it has moved up a notch from this trip report!

If you LOVE beer and even if you don’t check out her trip report and pictures below!




A city square in Frankfurt




Enjoying a glass of Frankfurt's famous apple wine!


The upscale town of Baden -Baden.




A super posh casino in Baden - Baden which is very popular. I wonder if James Bond has played a hand or two there?




The town of Bacharach - one of the many medieval towns along the Rhine River. I could insert a Burt Bacharach joke here but I won't.


The view of Bacharach from a Rhine River cruise. Best known for their Riesling and other sweet white wines, Bacharach has wine vineyards up and down all of the mountains as well as beautiful castles.




PRETZELS!!!  PRETZELS!!! 
These tasty treats are found all over city centers and my Chicago friend declared, 'They are the best thing I have ever eaten!' All I want to know is - where is the beer? =)



Rotenburg - Our friend's favorite city of the trip.





A shot of Rotenburg from inside the city walls - I can see why it was her favorite city!


The night watchman of Rotenburg - he tours you around the entire city at night and tells you all about it's history and legends.




The entrance to Rotenburg from outside the city walls.


 

Munich! The home of OKTOBERFEST!


 

Hofbrau House Tent at Oktoberfest!



 

Inside the Lowenbrau tent.




BEER at Oktoberfest! Mmmmm...beer...


Monday, January 9, 2012

2011 Travel Year in Review

2011 was an exciting year in travel for the Jet Lagged Vagabond full of firsts. 

This year saw my first ever cruise:



To read my review of the Celebrity Summit click here!!!




My first time in the Caribbean:



Met lots of people not from this world at Dragon Con:



To see more awesome Dragon Con costume's click here!!



And my first time in Seattle (finally!):



To read my review of Seattle click here!!




I can't wait to see what 2012 brings my way!

Thanks for reading my travel blog!!