Idea #19: Free Events

Before Labor Day, I flew to Seattle for a wedding. Before my fellow unemployed peeps wonder how I afforded such a trip, I will say that I booked this trip two months in advance using a free award ticket from Southwest (Which actually wasn't my own award so big thanks to Daniel!). Before the wedding though, my boyfriend and I headed to Portland for a couple of days for a little exploring! I'm not definitely not one to use my vacations as a time to sit around and relax. And when I'm in a new place then I really want to see and do everything.

No need for a paid tour bus or guide! I did an extensive search of things to do in Portland courtesy of their tourism websites, and found a self-guided walking tour. Though this tour wasn't organized in a preferable manner, it did highlight important things to see and enabled us to know where to head and make sure we didn't miss. The Pioneer Square Courthouse, which is an active Ninth District Appeals Court (the level below the Supreme Court) lets you explore the historic building for free. We managed to fool their librarian into thinking we were law students by asking some educated law-related questions, which I was felt pretty proud of. =) And the building was built in the 1800s, so you got a great look into Oregon history as well.

One of the best things we did during our 2.5 days down there, was attend an outdoor concert by the Oregon Symphony. Sitting on the waterfront park along the Willamette River, Daniel and I joined about 1000 other Portland-ers in listening to a 2-hour performance that included music from all over the world. The evening concluded with the orchestra playing the 1812 overture. But they didn't just play it beautifully....the National Guard was present to set off cannons during the song, and then there was a 15 minute fireworks show over the river when the music was over. It was a beautiful clear night, we had a blanket and brought food, and were to enjoy a night of great entertainment at no cost.

Buffalo also has free concerts every Thursday in a square downtown all summer long. I regret not getting out to any of them because it's good, free entertainment. In Delaware Park, also in the city, there were free performances of Shakespeare plays. I also missed these, so I sort of failed on the free summer entertainment.

However, my mistakes do enforce the need to keep an eye out for free events in your area. It's a good way to experience something new, add a little culture in your life, and it gets you out and about (ie not thinking about your lack of a job).

I just hope I can find some free indoor activities as I approach fall and winter in Buffalo.


Random sides...

I am SO relieved that the idiotic pastor down in Florida has decided to cancel the Koran-burning event, originally planned for September 11. I am still stunned that someone would think it actually okay to have this event in the first place. I'm disgusted and disturbed by the idea, and I cannot think of anything more un-Christian. I am so proud of the Vatican, President Obama, and everyone else who made it publicly known that this was obviously not okay. As we approach 9th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks, I would hope we could choose better ways to honor America and the victims than insulting another religion and potentially creating an international disaster.

Though I don't think either of them know my blog exists, congrats to Kate Albert and Kyle Ward who were married on September 6, 2010. It was great to be present at their wedding, and wonderful to see them so happy. They had a delicious brunch buffet during their reception which makes me seriously want to serve brunch food at my wedding.....

I've also done a mental calculation of people who have mentioned to me that they have read my blog...and that means I may now be approaching 7-8 readers. To all of you, THANK YOU!! I appreciate the support. I'll try to be better about writing more frequently, and hopefully can keep you all somewhat entertained.


(Obvious) Song of the Day: 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky
Give it a listen, I bet you didn't realize that the familiar samples of it were actually part of the 1812 overture as opposed to another famous piece of music. Plus you can hear where the cannons were added in.