Melanie Williams's Open Salon Blog

HARVARD WALK and CELTICS WIN!

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:11:53 -0500

11.7.10

Harvard and Celtics Win!

(Gates to Harvard)

I woke up got my coffee and clomped down Massachusetts Ave in my big black army rain boots to Harvard University. I was so anxious to see what all the fuss was over Harvard college. So many people say that Harvard is the Best College in the World and I wanted to know why. As I walked through the black gates of Harvard I felt like I was treading on snob ground. Only the smart rich kids go to this school and I kept studying all the students that rushed by trying to make it on time for their class’s. I splashed through huge rain puddles and leaves that reflected the large red brick buildings in the main courtyard. I saw alot of Chinese men taking pictures of the physics building and library which are exclusively only for students. I was dying to get a peek at Harvard's Library because I hear they have the original books and documents of the Sons of Liberty.

I walked up to a young female student and asked her how many students attend harvard. She said that she was a freshman and there were only 300 freshmen and she thought that maybe there was 1200 total students of harvard. I was surprised to see how multi-cultured the students of harvard were. There were students from every kind of culture you could imagine walking around campus. Its a given that all the students ride their bikes because there is no place to park cars at Harvard. I heard a large group of students cheering and screaming so I walked over to see what was going on. I noticed that it was a jewish group celebrating a young mans bar-mitzvah. They were all posing and getting pictures with the statues of Harvard.

(Me dreaming of becoming a Harvard Student)

I was really happy to see that 50% of the students were female. I think its so important for women to be educated because they can make such a influential difference. When I think of educated powerful women I think of Oprah. She has made such a positive difference in this world and someone that I seriously look up to. I would vote Oprah for President because of her reputation and track record. She could really fix some huge problems of America. Oprah did graduate in 1976 from Tennessee State University where she studied speech and performing arts and has done very well for herself. The fact that she opened a girls school in Afghanistan and continues to help educate and provide opportunities for young women is amazing.

(Notice the H at the top)

Candace and I were getting hungry walking all over Harvard's beautiful campus so we decided to cross the street and get something to eat at the Barnes and Noble book store. Candace said that she had a friend who was going to school at Harvard and called him up. His name was Shaym and he was attending harvard to get his writing degree. Candace had told me lots about him because he wrote two books and got published. He was born into a Buddhist community and wrote books about the inner secrets of the Buddha faith. His religion, friends and family hated him for it but he felt the need to write the truth about his culture and faith. He said that he got accepted into Harvard's writing program because he was published. Apparently you don’t haft to be a straight A student to get into Harvard, you just haft to have drive and passion. The fact that Shyam published two books looked promising to Harvard officials and they accepted him. He rents a small studio and writes many essays trying to keep up with the hard requirements of the Harvard teachers. I really liked talking to Shyam because we had so much in common. He came from a really strict faith like me and we talked about how hard it was to decode from childhood and become a normal person trying to survive in mainstream America. He gave me a signed copy of his first book titled “Sweet condensed Milk” which is a collection of inspiration small stories. His second book titled “wet hot and wild American Yogi” got him in alot of trouble with Religion, Family and friends. He was a special monk born to privilege and held alot of power at a very young age but he started to see through the sacred peaceful monks system and wrote about the hidden secrets of monks. If Harvard accepted Shyam for writing two books then I would write and publish two books and go to Harvard. I want to go back to school and dust off my brain and get the gears working again. I love learning new things and grilling teachers with questions. Why not join the snobby students of Harvard and see if I can learn from the leaders of America? or at least drink a few beers with them.

(Shyam and Candace at the Celtics Game)

Candace and I talked Shyam to join us for the Celtics basketball game that night in downtown Boston. We grabbed a cab to the Garden Center and found some tickets for 80 bucks a piece. I bought me a green Celtics hat so that I would blend with the Bostonians, if only they knew I was a Lakers Fan. I had to hide my taser gun from security which took a while and then we bought some UFO beers and found our seats at the top of the stadium. It was my first Basketball game in my life and I was so excited to watch one LIVE. Boston Fans are so passionate and loud about their team. It was surreal hearing the stadium filled with 23 thousand fans scream and cheer for every shot. I got sucked into the energy of the game and soon I was jumping up and down screaming louder than anyone around me. I got a few looks but I didn’t care because I was having the time of my life and I knew the Celtics would win. We went into overtime for five minutes and Celtics won 110 to Chicago bulls at 105. What an awesome Game! I was so proud of Allen and Rondo for stepping it up at the end. GO Celtics!

(Celtics Cheerleaders)

THE FREEDOM TRAIL - Boston

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 00:11:21 -0500

The FREEDOM TRAIL-11-6-10

(The Fierce Paul Revere on his Horse)

When I arrived in Boston, Candace kept telling me that I must see “The Freedom Trail.” I asked her what it was and she said that it was the history of the American Leaders and how they started the American Revolution. I googled how many miles long it was because I was considering jogging it. Google told me that it was 2 and 1/2 miles long which sounded perfect except that it was freezing cold outside. Our lovely couch surfing host Bryan introduced us to the local coffee shop called 1939 Coffee shop. We skipped across the street and ordered some vanilla lattes and walked to the train. We took that train into Boston where Bryan introduced us to the fabulous Boston Market in the middle of Boston. I couldn’t believe how cheap the fresh fruit was selling for so I bought me some golden delicious apples, green seedless grapes and some bananas for only 3 dollars Cash. I couldn’t pass up the pepper jack cheese and the Wisconsin cheddar. We tested the cheese and it was amazing because they made it fresh right there on the street.

(Fresh Pepper-jack cheese and some Wisconsin Cheddar 2 for $5)

(The Old Church-Where the lamp was lit to alert the minute men)

Candace and I walked up a street to the Old North Church which was the highest building back in Paul Reveres day. Its famous because its where Paul Reveres friends lit the lanterns to alert the “Minute Men to assemble themselves for the British” I was shocked to hear how fast the British went to the church to arrest the culprits who escaped out the back window. Candace and I sat in the boxed pews and listened to the tour lady tell us the whole story of Paul Revere. I was starting to get a huge crush on Paul Revere because he just sounded so courageous and Manly. Where are the Paul Reveres today in the 21st century? I would like to meet such a man!

(Paul Revere the Courageous Man)

So after the tour of the Old North Church we walked towards the city where we found a statue of Paul Revere on his horse looking fierce and ready for battle. I sat there smiling up at him so happy because he raised the bar to fight for what you deserve. I kept taking pictures of him trying to capture his expression to understand the man behind the statue better. I kept telling Candace that he was a Sexy Hottie. I kept laughing at the thought of me living back in his time and if I met him I would call him a Sexy Hottie. He would probably wonder what a “Sexy hottie” was. Its easy for me to get a crush on the “Sons of Liberty” because I feel that they are what every man should be. Strong, Courageous, Intelligent, Fierce, Bold, Wise, Confident, Protectors, Warriors, Dreamers, Survivors and full of Action. When I think of the Sons of Liberty It makes me smile because they took a stand and fought for their liberties and Freedoms. Its not easy standing up against the British but they did it anyway on their own turf with their own secret Free Mason codes.

(I am very happy to see Paul Revere, even if he is a statue)

We raced across Boston looking for the house of Commons where the 4:30 tour would begin. We finally arrived and bought tickets for 13 each and found our tour guide Chris aka Nathaniel. Nathaniel was all dressed up like Paul Revere and really put on a show as he walked us down the Freedom Trail telling us animated stories of the boiling point of the American Revolution. It was fascinating to see the real streets where all the History went down. I couldn’t help but ask him all sorts of questions about the “Sons of Liberty” I asked him how did the Free Masons do a handshake? He hesitated for a while and then finally showed me. It was very exciting to know how the secret society of the Free Masons “Shake hands.” Nathaniel took us to see where John Hancock was buried. John Hancock was a pirate who was wanted by the British. He found a way to escape arrest. He funded his own country America and funded the whole American Revolution to avoid capture. John Hancock had a really interesting history because he wanted to be president and his rival was of course George Washington. There is a rumor floating around that the skull of John Hancock is keep inside the secret society of Harvard. There was a movie called “the skulls” based on a secret sorority of harvard and that is where they claim John Hancock skull is.

(John Hancock- the pirate behind America)

Next we moved over to Paul Reveres headstone which was covered with coins and rocks. Paul Revere was a wild card and had many jobs. One of his jobs was making copper pennies and so today tourists will leave lots of copper pennies all over his grave. Even the bums respect the pennies around his grave and will not collect them for coffee money.

(Reveres Tomb- This is where his feet start)

Next we moved onto Samuel Adams grave. Nathaniel told us that Samuel Adams tried 3 times to make his own beer and failed so he went into American politics. There is a bar across from Sam Adams grave where you can order a cold Sam Adams beer while looking at the real cold Sam Adams in his grave.

Nathaniel took us to the first printing shop of all the American great authors. Then took us to the city hall and showed us the spring water which started boston, then told us about the famous code for the Tea party rebellion. The sons of Liberty painted their faces and dressed up and threw all the tea into the harbor of Boston which stained the water of Boston for a decade. The Kind of England was so angry that he ordered marshall law on the colonies to get tighter control but it was just the beginning of a brewing revolution. We saw the state building where all ships coming into the harbor had to dock and pay taxes on their goods. We also saw the exact location where the Boston Massacre happened.

Then we went back to the original state building where the sons of Liberty did business and learned about the golden grasshopper on the top of the building. I hear the golden grasshopper means “good luck” in business and in life.

(Me, Nathanial-our tour guide and Candace)

(Nathanial telling us about the Boston Spring Water)

Nathaniel took Candace and I see to see Paul Reveres house and gave us some more history of Boston. I was so excited when he took us to the Green Dragon Tavern. He told us that it was the Headquarters of the Revolution where all the future presidents of American would drink their beer and speak of the new world. We sat down and I ordered two Sam Adams beers and listened to Nathaniel tell many more stories of our forefathers. I would have never guessed that the Sons of Liberty were a bunch of beer drinkers, but for some reason I like them even more because they seem more human. I can hear them now at the bar gulping their beers and complaining about the British control.

(Green Dragon-aka Headquarters of the Revolution)

(Sam Adams beer while reading some history)

Candace and I took the train to go check on our Betsy bus that we parked 20 minutes out of town at huge parking lot in a movie theater. When we arrived we saw that Betsy was fine so Candace texted her harvard friend “Shyam” and invited him to come hang out with us. I got sucked into a magazine store where I bought me a boston hat and a Grey Harvard sweater. I quickly put my new gear on and felt like I truly belonged to the Harvard community. At last I was finally prepared to watch the long awaited “Social Network” the movie about Mark Zuckerburg and the birth of Facebook. We watched it at a small movie theater just outside of Harvard which was great to see all the locations they used for the movie.

Thats a wrap for tonight. I will dream about the “Sons of Liberty” and embrace the new found independence of my own liberty. Night!

Why DONT WOMEN VOTE Today like they did in the 1920's???

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 13:11:11 -0400

I keep asking myself the same question over and over. "Why do I keep spending in an Economy gone Bad?" Everywhere I look and everyone that I talk to keeps buzzing with fear of our economy. The Election for Congress and Senate has got America on its toes on how it will affect our economy. If America wasn't so divided right now perhaps America could come up with an effective solution for our economy. It seems the Red and Blue parties are at each others necks instead of trying to WORK TOGETHER to help this country out of a crisis. One of the questions I ask everyone I interview on the "Freedom Drive" is "What is a good American Citizen?" I haven't heard one person say a good American citizen is someone who VOTES yet.

I woke up early this morning and drove to the Gulu Cafe in Salem Massachusetts to make some day trades in the stock market. One fact is true about life in the stock market. You win some you loose some. It sucks to loose and its always great to win. However do you deserve to win if your not a good looser? I think part of winning is truly understanding what it feels like to loose because that makes a true Winner. You cannot Win if you do not play and take risks!

As I was watching the locals of Salem walk by I couldn't help but think about all the Women who do NOT vote. It shocks me that Women of America rallied together and fought so hard to be able to Vote, to have a voice and to matter in the 1920's. But today we have lots of lazy women who can't even get in their car and drive to a Poll and fill out a ballot. What is wrong with the women today? Is oppression of Women the only way that we will activate our rights and start fighting for what we deserve? The free woman seems to be asleep, relaxed and not active. I know many women who will not take the time to get involved in our countries crisis because they feel like they cannot make a difference. I keep wondering "who stole their hope?" "How can we get Women involved like they were in the 1920's?" Women do have the power to rock the vote especially when there are three women being born to one male ratio today.

Why is a woman labeled a feminist if she stands up for her rights? Is being a feminist bad? I thought a female who always searches for equal rights and a better future is something to be admired, respected and looked up to? I've been called a feminist a few times like its a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with being a feminist. The definition of Feminism is the doctrine and political movement that women should have the same economic, social, and political rights as men. Why are men intimidated by females having equal rights with them? could some males explain it to me because I just DO NOT get it? Does it really make a man feel more powerful to have a bunch of oppressed, dependent, uneducated, insecure weak women evolving around him? If so why? Why are men intimidated by a strong educated woman who desires equal rights?

I was born into a male dominating society where women had so many of their rights taken away and I think that is why I am moved and inspired to fight for my rights as a woman living in the 21st century today. I think that all women should activate their brains and inner power and get out there to the polls and start VOTING! We the women can make a difference! And we the women should take a big part of the responsibility for the way this country and economy is today. We should not stand by and allow it to get worse but start moving in the direction to fix the global economy and start creating opportunities everywhere!

So Women get your Brains to the polls Nov 6 2012 and start making a difference in your own lives!

MAINE -The unexpected A-MAINZING!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 02:10:22 -0400

MAINE-The unexpected aMAINZING Dream!

I was told by everyone in New Hampshire that Maine was boring and only had rocks and pine trees. Portland Maine is far more exciting than I ever anticipated. I was expecting a cold boring place full of rocks but what I’m realizing is that Portland Maine is so full of life and energy. It has plenty of beautiful Autumn foliage to last a fall time. We are staying with Shannon a couch surfer who is the best Host to nomad travelers. He introduces you to his inner circle of friends, takes you to the best restaurants, and shows you the history of Portland. He introduced us to the best Brewery’s. I have been drinking so many of the local Maine beers and I’m having the time of my life.

I was so excited to explore Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth and see my first LIGHTHOUSE in Maine. I was in a state of complete happiness taking pictures of the oldest lighthouse in Maine. I’ve always had a secret obsession with Lighthouses and to see them in real life makes me want to do a little dance, make a little love and get down tonight. Actually lighthouses make me very giddy inside and hard to hide my smile. When I drove into Maine I saw the Welcome to Maine sign and underneath it said “the way life should be” and they are right. Maine really raises the Bar on the Way life should be. There is so much to do in Maine. At first I judged Maine thinking it was far to cold for any human being to survive and be happy living in an Ice cold state. Maine comes alive at night when it is the coldest. All the local Lobster fisherman come to hang out and celebrate their catch for the day. Shannon’s roommate, Dennis is a real live lobsterman and shared his fishing stories with us.

Shannon told us that Lobster in Maine only costs two to five dollars a pound which is ridiculously cheap for great Lobster. In LA they charge you 50 bucks for a Lobster, plus tax and tip. I was really focused to find a fresh Lobster and devour it. Shannon took us out to a great restaurant called “The dry dock.” Shannon taught Candace and I how to break down the Lobster. In any other state they will only let you order the Lobster tail but you don’t get to try the Lobster legs, liver and lobster juice. Shannon directed us to order a “Fat ass in the glass” which is Allen’s Brandy flavored coffee with cream. He told us that all the middle aged women in main drink it. I usually don’t care for Brandy in coffee but the Allen’s Brandy version with cream is definitely fantastic! I ordered an “Allagash” beer which is a local light white beer brewed in Maine. I really liked the Allagash beer because it reminded me of my favorite beer “the Erdinger” from Berlin.

I think I would like to do a documentary about the best beers in America because I love to discover new beers. I was also introduced to the Pumpkin head shipyard beer which tasted like a pumpkin spice latte except in beer form.

When we first arrived in Portland Shannon took us to a great little restaurant called “Silly’s” where we ordered some massive bacon burgers, Nachos, Pizza, and the best sweet potato fries in the world. Later we went out to a bar named “Oasis” where we ordered 50 cent beers and one dollar red-bulls with vodka. I seriously don’t know how the bar can get away with selling alcohol for so cheap but It was really exciting to order good drinks while keeping the wallet happy.

The next night I met Alex one of Shannon’s couch surfing friends. She let me interview her about the American dream and had some really good answers. I’ve been tossing around the idea to do a side documentary about couch surfing because It hasn’t been done before and its such an interesting community of travelers. I tagged along with Shannon and his entourage to the Bull Feeneys where Shannon introduced me to another great Maine beer called “Bar harbor blueberry” which I fell in love at first taste. It was A-MAIN-ZING! I ordered a couple that night and ended up dancing up a storm to the local bands. I felt like Kate Winslet drinking with the Irish on the last night of the Titanic. It was a fun exciting night bonding with the local Mainer’s.

The next day we walked all over Portland taking pictures and exploring interesting old buildings. One of the interesting buildings was a church called “Grace” that was turned into an expensive bar and restaurant. Candace and I were craving some good sushi and our Good host Shannon took us to the spot. Shima was well known for having the best sushi in Maine so we ordered up a storm. I loved the “Godzilla” which was a mix of five different fishes tempura style. Then we all decided to try something new and ordered some frog legs. Who ever invented spice deserves a huge book of credit. You can spice anything disgusting like dead cat, insects and frogs and it will taste good because of spices. We ate the frog legs and it tasted just like chicken. One fear down, one million to go. When in Maine you definitely need to eat lots of fresh fish so that you get a happy sushi coma. There is nothing wrong with overdosing on fresh protein.

We were walking back to Shannon’s when we got sidetracked by the Pirates Hockey game. We got in line and bought some tickets, ordered some more beer and watched the Pirates beat up the Tigers. It was exciting and interesting to see them get in so many fights. All the players are out to prove themselves so they beat, trip, punch and slam each other around. After 3 periods of pure entertainment the Pirates won 2 to 1.

Brandon came over and we all sat around talking about our favorite movies while enjoying a beer buzz.

Im sitting in a Motel 6 in Augusta listening to some Enya sipping some Blueberry & Lemonade Smirnoff. Tomorrow Candace and I head down to the state building to shoot some interviews about America. I can’t wait to explore Bar Harbor and the famous Acadia National Park tomorrow night. Its full steam ahead as we drive all the way to the northeastern tip of America.

(The oldest lighthouse in Maine and also the most photographed)

NEW HAMPSHIRE! An Autumn Paradise

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:10:46 -0400

NEW HAMPSHIRE- A Fall Paradise 10-20-10

After I met Avery’s mom and said goodbye to Avery so she could go assist her dad who is getting surgery I drove to Concord the state capitol of New Hampshire. It took me forever to find the state building and a Starbucks. I contacted a local couch surfer that lived in Franklin who had an extra bedroom and couch for us to crash on. I spent most of the day driving around hunting down Fall Foliage because when I saw how Vibrant the trees were and I was immediately sucked into the autumn power. Never in my life have I seen such bold red, oranges, yellows, pinks and browns. Every freeway was popping with color and this might sound cheesy but I got so emotional I had to fight back the tears.

Autumn is my favorite season and always has been because the colors make me feel so happy, safe and warm. Even-though its freezing outside the bright colors warm my soul and heart. I got out of the Betsy Bus a couple times and took long walks with just me, the fall leaves and my camera. I had some of the best moments of my life that day. The colors and cool air made me feel like a little girl and so I danced through most of the leaves. I found my soulmate and my favorite state to date is truly New Hampshire. I had no idea she would be so beautiful.

I was originally going to spend two days in New Hampshire but the Leaves sucked me in and I didn’t want to leave. Candace and I found a cozy Starbucks in Trenton which was five miles outside of Franklin. We ordered our Tall Vanilla Lattes and used the free wifi Starbucks offered. I focused on my stocks and day-trading until closing time at 4pm. I find that day-trading on East Coast time is much more exciting that day-trading 3 hours behind in Los Angeles. The couch surfers we stayed with was a cute young couple who was engaged and we cooked them some sausage spaghetti to say thanks for taking us in. Their Tv was constantly on the History channel and it was hard not to watch all the fascinating history. I really loved New Hampshires motto “Live Free or Die” It kept making me want to watch the movie “Live Free or Die Hard” I did manage to find the movie Die Hard 2 on demand and watch it while it was raining outside. I loved the room I got to stay in because when you wake up, you look out the window and see hills and mountains full of fall colors with two huge rivers that join. It was such a great experience to wake up to a perfect Thomas Kinkade moment out your window.

The sun came out later that day and we drove to the Starbucks again and ran into a young piano artist playing at the Starbucks. His name was James Bjorch, a 24 aspiring musician. As I sipped my coffee I loved his music and I asked him why didn’t he record an album? He had a great personality and unique talent. Candace mentioned that he would be a good one to interview because He quit his job at Apple to follow his dream which was music. So we set up our cameras outside of the Starbucks and grilled him with questions.

Next we drove to Concord and interviewed three young girls who were going to a Catholic school in Virginia. All three of their dreams were the same. They wanted to be moms. Im sure the Catholic school teaches them thats all they can be is moms. I was just surprised that none of them had any other ambitions or goals. It was difficult for me not to judge them because I think its really important to have a passion outside of marriage and babies. Being a mom is great but I believe women are “meant for more” than only reproducing. Perhaps this is the Utah side coming out, because my mom had 15 babies and my grandma had 15 babies but what else did they do for society? My mom taught me that my only goal in life was to be a mom and be an extra wife. I wish my mom inspired and encouraged me to pursue greatness, to educate, to think and climb the mountain to intelligence. I think that God made women to be far more than reproduction machines and the young women of today need to tap into that. Women have so much potential if only they could move out of strict traditions, educate themselves and challenge themselves to BE MORE.

Travel is a Dream! New Hampshire is a Dream! Sometimes I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have the freedom and means to explore the planet and I truly do want to GIVE BACK. New Hampshire has made me such a happy girl and I never thought I would ever get to experience this feeling of complete “Joy!” I thought that I would have 15 babies and die in Utah and never get to see the Incredible world. I thank God for opening my eyes and opening the doors to life. I have learned that there is so much more to life than just being a mom.