Posts Tagged ‘ to take the train ’

48 hours in new orleans

catahotel2

we tried our best to do a 48 hours in new orleans this past weekend.  actually, it was more like 36 hours in new orleans.  we left early on saturday morning and flew home late on sunday.  we fit in as much as we could.  i’ll do my best to keep this semi-bulleted as there is a lot of information to unload.

our goal was to use the hotel tonight app to book our hotel room at the last minute.   the premise behind the app is great.  you can only book 7 days out, so your hope is that the prices come down the day of and you can find a deal.  i ended up finding a deal earlier in the week at the catahoula boutique hotel for $69.  the pictures looked fine and the reviews were decent, so i booked.  more on that in a second.

the airport ride was 20 minutes to the hotel and a flat rate of $33 via uber.  that’s pretty pricey for 11 miles if you ask me.  we got the skinny on the rate from our driver on sunday.  the airport is in kenner and they charge an $8 tax on uber to pick up and drop off at the airport which explains why it’s so damn expensive.  lyft isn’t even allowed to go there.  crazy.   Continue reading →

2017
03/28
CATEGORY
travel
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look who has a facebook page

ttttfbpage

welcome to the 21st century, to take the train.  everyone seems to have a facebook page these days, so why not me.  i realize that if i’m going to post blog updates on facebook that i don’t need to be doing it from my own account.  (this was an excellent suggestion from my girlfriend who said i didn’t need to blow up peoples timelines with my bulls**t.  i don’t disagree.)  if you want to receive updates on the reg via the fb, then please like or follow my page.  here’s a deal: if i get over 1000 likes or follows by the end of april, i’ll get a tattoo or something to commemorate this achievement.  how about about that.  you can’t lose.  here’s the link one more time: facebook.com/totakethetrain.

2017
03/20
CATEGORY
life
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new(ish) instagram and (re)branding

totakeinsta

yesterday i read an article on getting more followers on instagram.  i wish i would have liked it on twitter or remembered who wrote it, but i can’t seem to find it anywhere.  the gist of the article was to be a leader rather than a follower.  what i took it to mean is being proactive with finding people to connect with.  one idea the writer mentioned was letting people in your social network know you have an account and asking them to follow.  i tried that on twitter last night and 3 more people added me on instagram.  i’m going to call that a success.  i may do the same on facebook tonight.  i will keep you posted on the results.

p.s. if you want to follow, you can find me here: www.instagram.com/totakethetrain

you may be wondering why this is important?  well, let me explain.  i’m in the middle of a branding process, so to speak.  i’ve had this blog for 6 years now and it really hasn’t progressed.  it’s mostly my fault.  actually, it’s all my fault.  i’m the only writer on here.  internet 101 says you have to create content on a regular basis to be successful.  i haven’t done a good job with that lately and that’s ok.  i’m not mad about it.     Continue reading →

2017
03/07
CATEGORY
blog
life
writing
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happy anniversary

thebeatlesbow

today is the 4 year anniversary of to take the train.  this photo of the beatles was one of the first things i posted.  i had this theory that if i posted (and tagged) pictures of things that would get traffic, then people would come.  it didn’t quite work out that way, but that’s ok because i had help from a couple of friends (thank you valet, esquire, and every other site than linked or mentioned this blog).

it’s been such an amazing 4 years since i started to take the train.  i’ve gone through some major life changes, i’ve met some good friends (that i hope to meet in person one day), and i’ve had a place to write – which is something i love to do.  i realize i don’t write as much as i used to, but that’s about to change.  it’s a part of me i can’t deny.

all that to say…THANK YOU (first uppercase letters ever used on to take the train) to everyone who has ever read a post or clicked on this blog.  it means a lot to me that you would take the time to stop and read or view ramblings from a person that you don’t know.  i’m excited about the next 4 years.  i think they’re going to be some of my best.  let’s see how long i can keep this thing going.

2014
08/24
CATEGORY
life
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hey, i’m on instagram!

Screen Shot 2014-08-17 at 4.18.06 PM

well, i bit the bullet and created an instagram account for to take the train (it’s totakethetrain_).  the goal is to keep the blog going on social media since i haven’t done an excellent job of updating to take the train in 2014.  (i promise i’ll do better.)  i went down to the billy reid shindig this past weekend and had every intention of taking a million photos for the newly christened instagram account, but these were the only 4 i posted.  it was a shame too because it was a baller weekend.  i’ll definitely be going back next year.  in the meantime, if you’re looking for a new instagram account to follow, click here and do it.  you won’t be dissapointed – at least not for a little while i hope.

unnamed-1

(classic shoes on the floor photo.  classic.)

2014
08/17
CATEGORY
blog
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high fives: favorite movies

jawsposter

i’ve been writing on this website for almost 4 years.  i cannot believe that.  where did the time go (that’s a rhetorical question – we all know how time works)?  if you’ve been coming here for awhile, then you probably feel like you know me a little or maybe not at all or maybe you just want me to shut up and post pics of clothes.  regardless of how you feel, i had the bright idea yesterday to start posting random lists.  who doesn’t love a list.  i will stop traffic to read a list.  these lists might give you a better idea of who i am or it might inspire you to watch a movie you’ve never seen or pick up an album you never thought you’d listen to.  and if you’re not a fan of lists, then you must be terrible human being and i cannot help you.  i’m kidding ’cause that’s what i do sometimes.

we’re going to start this new series i’ve dubbed “high fives” with my top 5 favorite movies.  unfortunately, jaws barely missed the list.  that movie still frightens me to this day.  big thank you to my sister for making me watch it at a very early age.  i didn’t get in the ocean for a solid year after said viewing.  it’s also an incredible resource for fall style inspiration (see here).  other movies that barely missed the cut: raiders of the lost ark, one flew over the cuckoo’s nest, the godfather, cool hand luke, and the dark knight. 

5. the departed

thedeparted

scorsese is and will always be my favorite director.  nicholson and dicaprio are two of my favorite actors.  the departed is a no-brainer on my high fives list.  i realize it’s heresy to put this movie ahead of taxi driver, raging bull, and goodfellas, but this is my list and i’m not trying to impress the internet or some a-hole critics.  after all, the movie did take home best picture and best director at the 2007 academy awards.

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2014
06/08
CATEGORY
film
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my christmas list

xmaslist2012

we still make christmas lists in my family.  (how else are people supposed to know what to get you.)  i had a hard time coming up with a list this year.  i have everything i need and want in the world, so it came down to a few things that i’ve been hesitant about buying and a few things i could always use.  here it is in no particular order:

fjallraven greenland jacket: i can’t figure out why i don’t have this jacket yet

ipad mini: i have the ipad 2, but i’m ready to ditch it for something a little smaller.

ebbet’s field flannel twill ballcap: i bought a red one this summer and love it.  i need another one to add to the rotation.

camp socks: they will keep your feet warm in the colder months.

jawbone jambox wireless speakers: best bluetooth speakers on the market.

glenn o’brien’s book how to be a man: i’m a big fan of the style guy, but haven’t read his book yet.  shame on me.

patagonia kleen kanteen: we went green at work.  no more bottles of water.

ledbury shirts: i want them all.

titleist velocity golfballs: i should probably be playing pro v1s, but i really like these.

dog bones: it’s christmas for riley too.

pretzel m&m’s: my weakness.

 

2012
12/07
CATEGORY
life
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thank you great lakes prep

i wanted to give a quick shout out to nick yoder at great lakes prep for including me in his “you ought to be reading” series.  he sent me a couple of questions to answer about to take the train and they are posted here.  i hope i don’t sound like a total d-bag.  thanks again, nick.

2012
04/11
CATEGORY
blog
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the beatles took the train

a lot of people keep asking me why i named the blog “to take the train.”  i’ll try to explain the best way i know how.  a lot of the old movies i love have great train scenes (“hard day’s night”, “north by northwest”, “butch cassidy”, “from russia with love”).  back then when you traveled by train it wasn’t just a means of transportation but an experience.  all the people in these movies would meet interesting people or be put in interesting situations.  on top of that the trains were always associated with elegance.  they had nice sleeping quarters and dining cars.  i originally thought i would name it “take the train”, but takethetrain.com is being held for ransom, so i settled on totakethetrain.com.  i hope i explained it enough.

2010
10/07
CATEGORY
fashion
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