Da-dum... Da-dum...

I've been terrified of sharks for most of my life.... {read more}

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Penguins & Sharks

The last two months have been incredibly busy on the work front, and two of my recent writing projects are now live on the National Geographic Channel's website. Please check out the informational photo galleries on PENGUIN PALOOZA and SHARK ATTACK EXPERIMENT, my article Sharks in Trouble, and the corresponding television shows!

P.S. For the rest of the year I'll be in my writing cave, juggling multiple writing projects – including an article for a national print magazine! So stay tuned for more news as articles publish. Thanks for all the support.  xo

Writing Project REVEALED!

So.... you know that secret writing project I've been working on? Well, I can finally spill the news!

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Nat Geo WILD launch!

Today, the National Geographic Channel launched a new network WILD! This new television channel has an exciting line-up of new series and specials all about animals. Recently I interviewed one of the WILD hosts, Mireya Mayor, about her shows "Mystery Gorilla" and "Wild Nights."

For any of you animal lovers out there, I hope you'll check out the National Geographic WILD website & channel, and share your favorite shows below!

Learn all about WILD.

See new show video clips.

Read my Nat Geo WILD blog posts.

View the entire programming schedule.

{all screenshots photo credits: ngc wild website}

* © passport in my pocket *

Embrace Your Wild Side

Animals are on my brain. I've been writing on various wildlife issues today, so I thought I'd share some work-related animal news with all you critter-lovers.... Nat Geo will be launching a brand-new television network called WILD! The website is now live, so check it out to get the scoop on animals and learn about the exciting upcoming programming.

I had the opportunity to interview one of the television hosts last week. It was so much fun – her name is Dr. Mireya Mayor. She will be hosting two different shows for NGC: Mystery Gorillas and Wild Nights. Mireya has an energizing personality and her passion for animals is contagious!

Read my profile piece here.

{screenshots taken from nat geo tv online}

Get a glimpse inside Mystery Gorillas:

Learn all about WILD.

Take an animal quiz. 

Check out WILD programming promos. 

 What's your favorite wild animal?

* © passport in my pocket *

Television for a Snowy Day

 {screenshot taken from the nat geo tv website}

One of my favorite Nat Geo TV programs is Locked Up Abroad. Do you all watch it? In each episode, real individuals who have been incarcerated abroad (meaning, outside the USA for my international readers) tell their personal story in an interview. The show is edited to cut back and forth between the interviewee and a dramatization of the events. (Side note, the people who cast this show are eerily good at their jobs – the actors look almost identical to the interviewees!).

The reasons for "being locked up abroad" are all different – maybe they were kidnapped, or tried to smuggle drugs – and you never know the outcome until the very end of the episode. Some of these individuals are still in jail, even after many years – others were released after a few short months. And.... new episodes start next week! Yay. 

Check out the Locked Up Abroad promo:

Watch full videos from past seasons online for free. If you're new to the series, I'd recommend checking out Taiwan, Phillippines and Peru through that link (to just name a few) but all of the episodes are different, enlightening and terrifying in their own way.

Which episodes are your favorite? 

* read some of my Nat Geo Channel content here *

* © passport in my pocket *

Top Chef's "Craftbar": Is it Worth the Hype?

I really like Top Chef. Especially Tom Colicchio.

 

 photo credit: time magazine

So, when we tried out one of this master chef's restaurants, Craftbar, for lunch today, I had high expectations (admittedly, too high). While we found the casual interior appealing and the customer service excellent, our inventive sandwiches fell a little short of Top Chef-delicious... 

THE LOCATION

 Positioned on 900 Broadway, Craftbar is conveniently located near the 23rd Street subway stop, Madison Square Park and Union Square. The neighborhood-feel of the Flatiron District is home to many Manhattan businesses (like photography studios, advertising agencies and real estate offices), making low-key Craftbar an appropriate complement with the neighborhood.

 THE SCENE

Dubbed "the informal sister restaurant to upscale Craft," Craftbar has a pleasing, industrial-inspired decor that lends an association with contemporary loft living. The restaurant's energy falters below the normal vibe of a hip bistro, but there's no doubt to the popularity of the Tom Colicchio-owned place.

THE FOOD

The lunch menu prices rivaled that of dinner entrees in New Jersey (from $12-$25 per plate). Our beautifully-fried oyster appetizer was light, greaseless and moderate in quality. The batter seemed of a cornmeal variety, giving the oysters a delightful grainy texture.

For our lunch entrees, we each ordered the Craftbar take on a sandwich staple: the BLT. However, this revised BLT was like nothing I've experienced before with a hot, fire-roasted tomato (sounds good right?), locally-grown, fresh spinach (thumbs up), and thickly-sliced bacon (and wait for it...). The bacon had the light, soft, flaky texture of cod. Although the bread was toasted, the mushiness of the whole sandwich left little to be desired.

THE DRINKS

We shared an In Heat Wheat hefeweizen from Flying Dog Brewery (Maryland) and a Sweedish Koppareerg pear cider. The beer was excellent, the pear cider a little on the sweet side (change out the chilled glass and it could have been a pear martini).

Overall, Craftbar has an attractive atmosphere, worthy of a casual drink with a friend. Sample from the extensive, unique drink list and admire the trendy, fresh decor (but pass on the BLT).

* © passport in my pocket *