Adventures in Brattleboro

First Appearance of Moving Wonder

(if you try to watch this and it doesn't work, let me know. I can't tell if it is functioning properly or not.)

Note: The video we initially filmed was 20 minutes long. However, my computer only saved the first four minutes. We have collectively agreed that this is really, quite sincerely, for the best.

If you watched the video above, you may have deduced that I am at home, in the lovely town of Brattleboro, Vermont. I traveled the harrowing trip of a one hour drive in order to witness a fantastic spectacle: the a cappella festival concert at Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro. Let me say with no reservation, it was nothing short of epic. This event included seven different a cappella groups: Voicestream from Ithaca College, Jabberwocks from Brown, The Wesleyan Spirits, The Trinity College Pipes, The Dartmouth Aires, The Notables from University of New Hampshire, and last but most definitely not least, The Tufts Beelzebubs, who appeared in the recent NBC show/competition Sing Off, and placed second. All of these groups contain members from the Brattleboro area, a number of whom I went to high school with. Tickets for the event sold out a month and a half ago, and my goodness, I completely understand why. It was absolutely amazing. Not only this, but I instantly fell in love with about fifty different a cappella singing lads in one sitting. In fact, I spent about half an hour hovering near the singers after the show, trying to determine how to A) seduce someone I have never met and B) decide which of them I would want to seduce given the opportunity. Unfortunately, this was never a problem I found myself in the position of needing to solve.

While the Tufts Bubs have been my favorite a cappella group for years and were undoubtedly the celebrities of the event, the Dartmouth Aires and the Jabberwocks deserve a shout out. Both were absolutely fantastic (well, everyone was, really, but I was particularly smitten with these boys). The Aires wore colorful clowny outfits, had sharp, funny choreography, and unbelievable soloists. The Jabberwocks had that ivy league fancy suit charm while sporting beautiful voices and a fun attitude to boot.

In short, I really love a cappella. A lot.

And Now for Something Completely Different:

I really love SNL, as well. Especially when it involves grape fights. Yeah, you heard me.

Tea Lounge

I also love the Twilight Tea Lounge. It is a tiny tea shop in downtown Brattleboro, tucked beneath a knitting store. If one were to continue walking past the shop, one would find himself down by the train tracks, where I spent many hours of my vagabond youth. In the Tea Lounge, glass jars filled with loose leaf teas line the walls, and board games and books fill the cupboards. It is one of my favorite places in this world. Therefore, I was quite contented in the fact that I got to go there today. I drank chai and ate a chocolate chip cookie while visiting friends. If you are ever in Brattleboro, you are doing yourself a great injustice unless you make a visit to the Tea Lounge. Try the Strawberry Cream Tea, it's my favorite.

It is now time to sleep in my own four poster bed in the center of a very large room with a real rug. Not only this, but I have access to snacks at all hours of the day, as well as a shower where I do not have to wear shoes. Oh dorm life, how you have made me appreciate the simple things...

Love,

GennaRose