Compelling reasons to live on Martha’s Vineyard

Image source: VineyardGazette.com 

It’s dubbed the 100-square-mile home of celebrities, ship captains, and people in between -- Martha’s Vineyard is a New England island that boasts beaches, farms, and enticing destinations in one fantastic location. It’s portrayed as charming and idyllic, but it needs to be said that Martha’s Vineyard also makes for a great place for permanent residence. Here are some reasons why.


There’s enough room for creativity and artistry

The place offers all the ingredients for a creative worker to channel their energies into creating something beautiful and lasting. There are plenty of local theater productions, there’s robust local news reporting, and events to showcase one’s artistry abound.


It’s as laidback as it can be

People on the island aren’t there to impress others; tailored suits or designer dresses are hardly showed off. In their place are an unerring island vibe and a casual environment where people know each other and can get their wardrobe at the thrift shop.

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It’s a whole lifestyle

Residents don’t really miss out on anything by living on Martha’s Vineyard. They have inspiring coastal cottages, beaches and dogs, and a sense of community. The shops are open, and the local restaurants and markets offer local, fresh gastronomic delights (think seafood!). There are activities to choose from, including pottery, the regular cocktails, and exploring the outdoors.


It’s small and beautiful

The island has no stoplights, and many secondary roads are one-lane only. It’s extremely walkable, and with most parking lots cramped it’s advisable to navigate the place on foot. The message here is Martha’s Vineyard remains a small-town dream.


Adam Smith is a retired banker who now live on Martha’s Vineyard. He loves to travel to Europe and is currently vacationing in Paris. For similar reads, visit this page.

Places in France to visit during autumn

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For many tourists, the most favorable season to visit France is spring, which runs from April to June. Some however, prefer the autumn months, September to November, because of the smaller crowds, lower prices, and cooler temperatures.


Below are recommended places, other than Paris, that travelers should go to see in autumn:




Burgundy


During these months, this historical region in east-central France is a treat to the eyes and the taste buds. The sun causes the Burgundy vineyards to produce a warm, golden aura that makes visiting them more memorable. The area is also known for its delectable cuisine and good wine.


Nice


Nice welcomes more than four million tourists annually, making it one of the most visited cities in France. But because there are fewer people in autumn, and the weather is much more cool, soaking in the French culture can be done in relative peace. Nice is littered with several museums, galleries, and shops that tourists should definitely explore.


Strasbourg

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Strasbourg is quite a busy city, especially since it is the official seat of the European Parliament, as well as other international organizations. Its ten districts are filled with historical structures and architecture, which when set in the autumn background, makes for a memorable visit.


Retired banker Adam Smith here. I enjoy traveling and Europe happens to be one of the destinations I love visiting. Follow me on Twitter to read more about traveling.

How Accurate Are Crime Scene Dramas?

In the last decade, networks have introduced a wide variety of shows that gave audiences a preview of crime scene forensics and what goes on behind an investigation. This genre, specifically criminal dramas and murder mysteries, was popularized by the very first Crime Scene Investigation show or CSI which spawned several spin-offs in different cities in the US. Later on, this show will be followed by NCIS, Criminal Minds, Psyche, Bones, and much more. But when comparing these to real crime scenes, just how accurate are these shows?

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First off, the speed with which these shows analyse forensic evidence such as DNA samples is remarkable. Of course if the shows portrayed the reality of weeks’ worth of processing evidence, it wouldn’t be as thrilling or as compelling.

These shows often feature state-of-the-art equipment with a machine for every test necessary and every gun there is for ballistics testing. While the same can be said about the labs of major divisions such as the FBI or the CIA, expecting local law enforcement to have these is certainly unrealistic.

Linking evidence to suspects isn’t as easy as it’s shown in these series. Not only are most results inconclusive, it takes a lot of time to test for these as well. And it just so happens that the writers make convenient plot twists like matching rare algae from the victim to the perp’s boat, or an indentation of a scar left in a bloody print. Those are just too unrealistic.

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My name is Adam Michael Smith, a lawyer based in New York City. One of my favorite pastimes is watching cop shows on TV. Read more about my hobbies by visiting this website.

Best destinations in France other than Paris

France is, for a lot of would-be or first-time visitors, all about Paris. While a trip there is, of course, something that should be part of everyone’s itinerary when in the country, there are many other touristy spots in France that you shouldn’t miss. Let’s look at must-visit places in the country other than the City of Lights. 

Image source: europeanbestdestinations.com

Marseille 

This majestic port city is a bastion of French history and culture, showcasing the country’s rich and diverse multicultural heritage. In 2013, it was designated as the European Capital of Culture. Take a stroll down the city’s old city streets and take snapshots of the charming architecture, then visit the museums and enjoy authentic French cuisine. 

Champagne 

The region’s name speaks for itself. Champagne is the only area for producing wine that is given the “champagne” title, especially those made in the wine-tasting town of Épernay. Aside from its rich history and respect in the winery industry, the province is also home to many quaint towns and villages like Troyes and Reims. 

Nice 

It’s pronounced like “niece” but it’s nonetheless more than just a nice alternative to Paris. It was once the frequent getaway locale for the British aristocracy. Nowadays, Nice is a top Mediterranean destination for its great year-round weather, nightlife, seafood, and beaches. 

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Hey there, Adam Smithhere. I’m a retired banker with a bachelor’s degree from Berkeley. When I’m not visiting Paris and other places in Europe, I’m enjoying the comforts of home at Martha's Vineyard. More of my travel posts and musingshere.

A Few More Unforgettable Cities To Visit

We’ve all heard of the great cities of the world like New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo.  In line with that, I’d like to add another three to the list.  Though these cities may not be as high-profile or as cosmopolitan as the aforementioned, they have enough character to be some of the most interesting places on Earth.

Venice:   While many cities in the world use canals instead of streets as their main thoroughfares, no other city has the mix of history, class, and romance of Venice.  This is definitely one of my top three Italian cities, alongside Turin and Florence.

Image source: lonelyplanet.com

Cape Town:  This South African port city is amazing.  It’s picturesque.  It’s historical.  And it’s home to some of the greatest sporting events in the world.  From huge cycling tours to world-renowned yacht races, Cape Town has been a venue for the best in sporting competition.

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Kyoto:   While Tokyo and Osaka can lay claim to being the consummate Japanese cities of the future, the former capital, Kyoto, is where the heart of the country truly lies.  The richness of Japanese history and culture can be seen in this city nicknamed Old Japan.  And when one traverses its streets, one can feel the spirit of Japan everywhere.

Adam Smith is a retired banker who loves traveling around the world. For more about him and what he does, check out this page.

True Crime Drama: The Appeal Of Crime Documentaries

Getting Netflix was probably one of the best ideas I’ve had in a long time. For the past few months, I’ve spent my downtime binge-watching old crime documentaries from the ‘90s. Back at the peak of my career, I’d consider myself lucky if I caught them when they were on, but today, I could just waste an entire lazy afternoon watching episodes of “New Detectives” or “Medical Detectives” (later titled “Forensic Files”).

Image source: criminalelement.com

I appreciate a good police procedural and courtroom drama, and many of these documentaries deliver, and then some. One advantage these docs have over their fictitious counterparts is by being documentaries, they showcase real cases and use actual forensic procedures in the proper context. They tended to depict police investigations accurately.

“Forensic Files” is a perennial favorite. Narrated by the late Peter Thomas (who was already 72 when the program began), it featured dramatizations and then cutting-edge reconstructions of many high-profile murders, along with the science used to identify them. Each of the bad guys caught (and each falsely accused person later exonerated) were real. Of course, there were episodes where no criminal was caught because there weren’t any criminals at all; famous from what I can remember from the show’s original title “Medical Detectives” is their episode investigating a mysterious illness now known as Legionnaire's disease.

The fact that many of these programs showed real timetables (cases take years to solve in some instances) and real science can make these shows a great learning tool for writers who want to create detective fiction. They may even be a good gateway to forensics for people who want to become detectives themselves.

Image source: TVTropes.org

I’m Adam Smith, a retired banker, traveler, and avid fan of crime and courtroom dramas from Martha’s Vineyard. Follow me on Twitter for more on my thoughts on crime fiction.

A Lookback On The Haunting Appeal Of “The Silence Of The Lambs”

The 1990s have given us some of the best detective and suspense thriller movies that people still come back to late in the 2010s.  Good examples are “The Usual Suspect” and “Seven.” The other classic of the decade is the adaptation of the Thomas Harris crime book “The Silence of the Lambs.”

The film would also usher in what is now called the Hannibal Lecter film series, which put on the screen other books in author Harris’ series.  Of course, the acclaim the film has garnered is due mainly to the pairing and memorable performances of actors Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.

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The film is a harrowing depiction of what goes on in the crime division of the FBI as newcomer yet driven detective Clarice Starling (Foster) has her “initiation” by handling a serial killer case that involves seeking the help of notorious killer Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins).

The progression and twists of the plot will have viewers holding on to their seats. Scenes of mutilated bodies don’t come across as just placed to jump scare moviegoers, too; they come naturally with the narrative.

Image source: qz.com

But more than the plot is the chemistry between the two main characters.  When we reach the end (and without spoiling anything), we sort of side not just with Starling but with Lecter, too.  Indeed, “The Silence of the Lambs” is worthy of all the critical acclaim it has achieved, as well as its continuing (and still haunting) legacy.

Hello, there. The name’s Adam Smith and I’m a retired banker now based in Martha's Vineyard. When I’m not traveling in Europe, I love binging on detective and crime & suspense flicks. More on my interests and hobbies here.

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Chuck Norris, The Tough Guy’s Tough Guy

There have been American action stars and there have legends. From John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, and Burt Reynolds in the ‘60s and ‘70s, to Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the ‘80s, American cinema has always had the action star front and center in big-budgeted movies that showcase machisimo and toughness. Dozens of action stars have created their own legacy in film, but very few, if any, have done it like Chuck Norris.

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For almost half-a-decade Chuck Norris has been an American pop culture and martial arts icon. He’s had his own style in movies, that though were never solid blockbusters, became cult phenomenons in their own right. He’s the tough guy’s tough guy, and as seen in the second installment of Sly Stallone’s ode-to-action franchise “The Expendables,” Chuck Norris had always been out of the mainstream loop, but was still as respected and as revered as the biggest of the stars.

However, what truly separates Chuck Norris from his peers is his rabid following almost 50 years later. Sure, Eastwood, Stallone, and Schwarzenegger still have their fan bases, but Norris’ just keeps growing. He has semi-retired from acting, and still the fans erect monuments and come up with humorous tributes to his invincibility.

Norris has made TV shows (“Walker: Texas Ranger”) and movies (“Missing in Action” and “Delta Force” among others) wherein he plays the tough “police of humanity.”

So many of his followers call him the one, true action hero of Hollywood. And though the jury may still be out, his more than faithful fans do have a solid case.

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Adam Smith is a retired banker from Martha's Vineyard. He loves to travel to Europe and is presently vacationing in Paris. He is also a huge fan of cop shows. For more about him, subscribe to this Twitter page.

What Sets Hawaii Five-0 Apart From Other Cop Shows

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“Hawaii Five-0” is a reboot of a TV classic of the same name and is one of CBS’s darlings. Since its debut in 2010, the show has been receiving great reviews and has had a stable viewership. And as it’s known to almost all its viewers that the show is a reboot, they know what the show is all about.

Its original version had a wonder-filled run that lasted for 12 years, from 1968 to 1980, with its glorious 12 seasons. At present, the show is still centered on the special task force the governor of Hawaii empowers to lead investigations for serious crimes. Audiences though are divided when it comes to the authenticity of the location, and the cinematography might be the reason for it. The show has such flawless cinematography that the fans argue whether the colors have been altered or are staying true to the beauty of Hawaii.

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As one review said, there is no shortage of good-looking actors in this series. With a good storyline, excellent cinematography, and beautiful actors, “Hawaii Five-0” showrunners may have just discovered the formula for long-term TV success. Another factor that is a standout is that the cast is phenomenally diverse. Most shows focus on characters that are of certain descents, but not this show. The show works with the genuineness of Hawaii, having individuals born of Asian, Caucasian, African-American, Pacific Islander, Latino ethnicities.

The show appeals to men and women, and it gives them just the right amount of entertainment one would expect from a cop show and other surprises.

Hi, my name is Adam Smith, and I’m living the retirement dream. Aside from traveling, I also spend time watching old police and courtroom TV shows. To know more about what I do, click here.