January 31, 2007
The Great Trans American Adventure, Part 1
January 30th, 2006 (Tuesday)
Liftofff. We woke at 4 a.m. This morning after a crappy night's sleep (or non-sleep, as the case may be) and left for Boston at 5. It was really sad to say goodbye to my family (my mom, Mike and Casey last night, my dad this morning). I do not feel sad about going to Boston, but the thought that I might not see my family for a while is hard.
On the way out of Reno, we stopped to get gas, and found a cool little coffee stand that the Purple Bean (a local independent shop) has. The girl looked like she loved her job—the inside of the stand was lit by candle light and it seemed really peaceful. 5 a.m. Hot chocolates hit the spot.
Rye Patch, Nevada: Crappy gas station with clean bathrooms. All I wanted to do was sleep, sleep, sleep...Once we left, the sunrise over the desert was really beautiful. I am really going to miss the desert and the mountains—Boston doesn't really have very many of those.
Carlin, Nevada: Crappy gas station with crappy bathrooms. Stopped to make a phone call and try to get Miles and Rosie to eat something and drink some water. They were freaking out too much to do either. Rosie was so pissed off she attacked me, which was not awesome.
Wendover, Nevada?: This stupid little town is on the border between Nevada and Utah. I remember eating a weird dinner at a casino there one time when we were coming back from Wyoming. I have to say, though, I was thoroughly impressed when we stopped at the Chevron station and the bathrooms were clean, smelled really nice, and had marble countertops and music playing over the speakers. Way to go, Wendover. Now, if you could only change your name to something that doesn't rhyme with “Bend over.”
Bonnevillie Salt Flats: Wow. A whole desert of whiteness. It was kind of like being on another planet, except that every 5 feet there were pieces of trash and little mementos like “Billy + Shelly 4EVR” fashioned out of stones in the salt. I really just wanted to go crunch around in the salty dirt for a while, but didn't really find a good place to stop. Too bad pictures can't really do it justice—the salt flats were really breathtaking. Saw one of the weirdest sculptures I have ever seen, even more weird because it was in the middle of nowhere. Oh yeah, and I saw where the Morton Salt factory is. Good to know, good to know.
Salt Lake City, Utah: Smoggy, busy, and had too many Jesus signs. Okay, I really only saw like one Jesus sign, but that was enough. I think I have too many preconceived notions about SLC. In reality, though, it looked kind of cool—Maybe I'll visit, maybe I won't.
Coalville, Utah: Cheap gas, crappy bathrooms, gas station attendant with fantastic hair. Learned that you can smoke cigarettes at 18 but can't buy them until you are 19. Sounds kind of stupid to me, but hey, I don't make the rules. Coleville seemed like a cute little town where I could spend some time for a while. Got Miles to use the litterbox, which was a total breakthrough. Way to go, Miles. Rosie just freaked out some more.
Little America, Wyoming: Too many signs for the Little America hotel, but the room was really nice. It is super cold here. Grrr. We had to sneak the kitties into the room (easy) and their giant litterbox (not so easy). Miles is being a total trooper—he's not scared at all, but Rosie won't come out from under the bed.
So I guess is me, signing off on my first day not living in Reno anymore. To the Boston friends, I'm coming!!! To the Reno friends, you will be missed terribly. Drop me a line sometime.
Liftofff. We woke at 4 a.m. This morning after a crappy night's sleep (or non-sleep, as the case may be) and left for Boston at 5. It was really sad to say goodbye to my family (my mom, Mike and Casey last night, my dad this morning). I do not feel sad about going to Boston, but the thought that I might not see my family for a while is hard.
On the way out of Reno, we stopped to get gas, and found a cool little coffee stand that the Purple Bean (a local independent shop) has. The girl looked like she loved her job—the inside of the stand was lit by candle light and it seemed really peaceful. 5 a.m. Hot chocolates hit the spot.
Rye Patch, Nevada: Crappy gas station with clean bathrooms. All I wanted to do was sleep, sleep, sleep...Once we left, the sunrise over the desert was really beautiful. I am really going to miss the desert and the mountains—Boston doesn't really have very many of those.
Carlin, Nevada: Crappy gas station with crappy bathrooms. Stopped to make a phone call and try to get Miles and Rosie to eat something and drink some water. They were freaking out too much to do either. Rosie was so pissed off she attacked me, which was not awesome.
Wendover, Nevada?: This stupid little town is on the border between Nevada and Utah. I remember eating a weird dinner at a casino there one time when we were coming back from Wyoming. I have to say, though, I was thoroughly impressed when we stopped at the Chevron station and the bathrooms were clean, smelled really nice, and had marble countertops and music playing over the speakers. Way to go, Wendover. Now, if you could only change your name to something that doesn't rhyme with “Bend over.”
Bonnevillie Salt Flats: Wow. A whole desert of whiteness. It was kind of like being on another planet, except that every 5 feet there were pieces of trash and little mementos like “Billy + Shelly 4EVR” fashioned out of stones in the salt. I really just wanted to go crunch around in the salty dirt for a while, but didn't really find a good place to stop. Too bad pictures can't really do it justice—the salt flats were really breathtaking. Saw one of the weirdest sculptures I have ever seen, even more weird because it was in the middle of nowhere. Oh yeah, and I saw where the Morton Salt factory is. Good to know, good to know.
Salt Lake City, Utah: Smoggy, busy, and had too many Jesus signs. Okay, I really only saw like one Jesus sign, but that was enough. I think I have too many preconceived notions about SLC. In reality, though, it looked kind of cool—Maybe I'll visit, maybe I won't.
Coalville, Utah: Cheap gas, crappy bathrooms, gas station attendant with fantastic hair. Learned that you can smoke cigarettes at 18 but can't buy them until you are 19. Sounds kind of stupid to me, but hey, I don't make the rules. Coleville seemed like a cute little town where I could spend some time for a while. Got Miles to use the litterbox, which was a total breakthrough. Way to go, Miles. Rosie just freaked out some more.
Little America, Wyoming: Too many signs for the Little America hotel, but the room was really nice. It is super cold here. Grrr. We had to sneak the kitties into the room (easy) and their giant litterbox (not so easy). Miles is being a total trooper—he's not scared at all, but Rosie won't come out from under the bed.
So I guess is me, signing off on my first day not living in Reno anymore. To the Boston friends, I'm coming!!! To the Reno friends, you will be missed terribly. Drop me a line sometime.
January 29, 2007
My house is about 75% packed.
Miles is freaking out. He knows that he's in for some shit in the next couple of days. We leave early a.m. Tuesday morning. Wyoming. Boulder. Des Moines. Chicago. Somewhere. Boston. Sheesh.
I have an interview for a job the day after I get there. Please, please, please let me get this one. I'm starting to feel the pinch of being unemployed for the last month (though, I must say, my mind feels much much better lately). The company sounds really awesome. Oh yeah, and I got the apartment (sans 5 months rent up front) and it was $100 cheaper than I was originally told. Score.
In other news, the Prius-selling idea I mentioned in the last blog has become a reality. I have decided that I don't need it in Boston and can save approximately $500 a month (or more) by just riding my bike or taking the T to work. I can't wait to get in shape bumming around the city and read more books while I commute to work (though I'm not looking forward to the cold). AAAAAAHHHH! I can't believe I'm leaving in one day.
Okay, I need to pack. I have entirely too much crap. It is ridiculous the little things we accumulate in our lives and have the need to hold on to. I have a feeling there will be a second mass-purge when I get to Boston. "Just let it go" I keep telling myself. That is, until I forget and I start throwing everything in the box anyway just to get done with the whole thing. Just let it go. You don't need it.
I have an interview for a job the day after I get there. Please, please, please let me get this one. I'm starting to feel the pinch of being unemployed for the last month (though, I must say, my mind feels much much better lately). The company sounds really awesome. Oh yeah, and I got the apartment (sans 5 months rent up front) and it was $100 cheaper than I was originally told. Score.
In other news, the Prius-selling idea I mentioned in the last blog has become a reality. I have decided that I don't need it in Boston and can save approximately $500 a month (or more) by just riding my bike or taking the T to work. I can't wait to get in shape bumming around the city and read more books while I commute to work (though I'm not looking forward to the cold). AAAAAAHHHH! I can't believe I'm leaving in one day.
Okay, I need to pack. I have entirely too much crap. It is ridiculous the little things we accumulate in our lives and have the need to hold on to. I have a feeling there will be a second mass-purge when I get to Boston. "Just let it go" I keep telling myself. That is, until I forget and I start throwing everything in the box anyway just to get done with the whole thing. Just let it go. You don't need it.
January 21, 2007
A week's worth of ass kicking.
I flew into San Diego a week ago and haven't been able to sleep well since. I think it is going to take months before my sleep patterns go back to normal, which I guess is okay since I've never really had a problem sleeping before. Maybe I'll be hip like my friend Ryan and try on the insomniac hat for a while.
I came here to train with some of the worlds top Aikido instructors at the Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar. It has been an incredible experience and has reminded me to always maintain a beginner's mind. I one of the lowest ranking people there--glaringly white in a sea of black belts. And, the styles of Akido that Doran, Ikeda, Muroshige, and Tissier Shihans taught were very different from the style I train at home. I kept an open mind, though, and my aikido will never be the same.
It was cold much of the time, and since I was training all day, I didn't get to do much exploring. But, I took a trip to the beach (in my down jacket), walked around Hillcrest, ate some awesome food, and found a cool suspension bridge in the middle of a bunch of houses. I cannot tell you how nice it has been to be able to take a break for this long without having to be back at a job. Even though the cash flow is only going in one direction (out of my pocket), my mind feels more at ease than it has in a long time. It is worth it.
I got back into Reno last night, and thus begins a furious one-week pack-the-apartment-and-see-all-the-friends marathon. The kitties got a new present while I was in San Diego (a large cat-carrier with mesh walls) and they have been fighting for the last few hours over who gets to control the new space. I have really, really missed them (have I mentioned the fact that I am going to be a ridiculous cat lady when I get older?). I don't think they missed me.
And, on another note, I am 95% sure that I will be selling the Prius. I don't need a car in Boston, I can pay off my loan and my credit card and have a bunch of extra cash to play with every month. It just makes sense. If you don't believe me, go read this.
I came here to train with some of the worlds top Aikido instructors at the Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar. It has been an incredible experience and has reminded me to always maintain a beginner's mind. I one of the lowest ranking people there--glaringly white in a sea of black belts. And, the styles of Akido that Doran, Ikeda, Muroshige, and Tissier Shihans taught were very different from the style I train at home. I kept an open mind, though, and my aikido will never be the same.
It was cold much of the time, and since I was training all day, I didn't get to do much exploring. But, I took a trip to the beach (in my down jacket), walked around Hillcrest, ate some awesome food, and found a cool suspension bridge in the middle of a bunch of houses. I cannot tell you how nice it has been to be able to take a break for this long without having to be back at a job. Even though the cash flow is only going in one direction (out of my pocket), my mind feels more at ease than it has in a long time. It is worth it.
I got back into Reno last night, and thus begins a furious one-week pack-the-apartment-and-see-all-the-friends marathon. The kitties got a new present while I was in San Diego (a large cat-carrier with mesh walls) and they have been fighting for the last few hours over who gets to control the new space. I have really, really missed them (have I mentioned the fact that I am going to be a ridiculous cat lady when I get older?). I don't think they missed me.
And, on another note, I am 95% sure that I will be selling the Prius. I don't need a car in Boston, I can pay off my loan and my credit card and have a bunch of extra cash to play with every month. It just makes sense. If you don't believe me, go read this.
January 9, 2007
Breakdown.
I lost it this morning. I think it finally hit me that: 1) I don’t have a job OR an apartment, 2) I really miss the kitties and everyone else, 3) I haven’t been away from home this long in a really long time, 4) Boston is really far away from Reno, 5) it is raining and really shitty outside, and 6) I have been too sick to be dealing with all of this. I cried.. Oh, boy did I cry. I think I scared my mom a little.
I have prepared myself for this already. I know that it is going to be really difficult for me when I first get here, and I have allowed myself some time to freak out. I am kind of like a cat in that sense–if you re-arrange the furniture, it bothers me. The furniture of my life is being re-arranged big time right now.
Joe, Nan and I went to a yoga class at the community center, which I really needed. The room was small and the class moved at just my kind of pace–slow flowing movement with each pose being held for several breaths. Afterward, we went to James’s Gate for some food, beers, and trivia night. We didn’t win, but had a great time. I think we are going to make a standing date on Monday nights to go to yoga then trivia night, which makes me happy.
In that same vein, I’m feeling a little guilty about not finding an aikido dojo yet. All of the main schools here are really far away from JP, and since I’ve been sick, it is really a task to get there. I’m worried that I won’t be able to train as much as I want to. I guess if it is important enough, I will figure it out. I’m hoping that one will be close to my job, which will make it easier-- I can’t imagine not training.
I have prepared myself for this already. I know that it is going to be really difficult for me when I first get here, and I have allowed myself some time to freak out. I am kind of like a cat in that sense–if you re-arrange the furniture, it bothers me. The furniture of my life is being re-arranged big time right now.
Joe, Nan and I went to a yoga class at the community center, which I really needed. The room was small and the class moved at just my kind of pace–slow flowing movement with each pose being held for several breaths. Afterward, we went to James’s Gate for some food, beers, and trivia night. We didn’t win, but had a great time. I think we are going to make a standing date on Monday nights to go to yoga then trivia night, which makes me happy.
In that same vein, I’m feeling a little guilty about not finding an aikido dojo yet. All of the main schools here are really far away from JP, and since I’ve been sick, it is really a task to get there. I’m worried that I won’t be able to train as much as I want to. I guess if it is important enough, I will figure it out. I’m hoping that one will be close to my job, which will make it easier-- I can’t imagine not training.
Old Church in A Small Neighborhood in JP
(By the way, the sign says "We support Equal Marriage." I love Massachusetts.)
Sunday.
Went for a walk around the neighborhood with Joe and saw some really awesome sights. Had lunch at City feed (this really cool, really out of the way grocery in JP), then spent the rest of the day in bed feeling like crap. Joe and I watched this cool movie–Brothers of the Head. I would highly recommend checking it out. Nan made chicken soup. Word.
The Weekend.
Friday:
I was really sick but went apartment hunting anyway. The first apartment I saw was right behind Joe and Nan’s house, but the building felt so unstable I knew I would wake up one morning in a pile of rubble. We nicknamed that apartment "Pitch and Roll" and had a good time laughing about how we wouldn’t be able to defend our "Marbles Champion of the World" titles anymore for lack of a good place to practice.
The second apartment I found was really awesome–it had a breakneck, windy staircase up to the third floor, where the apartment was long with beautiful hardwood floors and a really nice kitchen (I cook A LOT). I thought I had found the right apartment at the right price.
Friday night we went to see a Dresden Dolls play at the Onion Cellar. One word–fantastic. The whole theater was done up to look like an old cabaret-style bar, and we had a table front and center. Nan got a flower from Amanda and a drumstick from Brian. We laughed. We cried. It was awesome.
Saturday:
I was still really sick and dealing with a lot of apartment drama. Since Joe and Nan were home from work, we decided to take a long walk in the Arboretum.
Joe and Nan’s decision to move to Jamaica Plain (versus any other neighborhood in Boston) was based on a number of factors, one of which was the fact that JP has more green space than anywhere else in the city. Franklin Park, this huge, 500 acre monstrosity, is right out their back door, and Arnold Arboretum (established by Harvard) is just around the corner.
The arboretum was really beautiful, though I must admit that I it still felt too "city" for me. I couldn’t get past the fact that there were cars driving by as we were walking and there were far more people there than would have been nice. I have been really lucky to grow up in a town where there is still a lot of undeveloped space and going outside to be alone is relatively easy. The adjustment is going to be difficult.
There is a part of the arboretum where you can climb to the top of a hill that overlooks the whole city. I have a feeling that I will be spending a lot of time up there–it was really peaceful and beautiful (except for the little gremlin pig-like pug with one huge eye, one little one, and the most horrifying bark I have ever heard in my life). While we were there, we ran into Sarah (a friend of Joe’s), which made it the second time in a week that I have run into someone I know here. In some ways, this place is a lot like Reno.
After our walk we decided to go to the North End (affectionately know as "Little Italy") and get some pizza for dinner. I think the North End has been my favorite part of Boston so far–the buildings are all really old and really close together, and because the streets are narrow (and parking is terrible) no one really drives around there. It almost feels like you are walking in a movie set.
Joe and Nan decided to take us to Pizzeria Regina, often hailed as the best pizza in Boston. We waited in line for over an hour to get a table, but it was worth the wait. The food was awesome.
After dinner we decided to walk around for a bit and get some espresso and dessert (not that I needed it after the HUGE pizza I scarfed down). Dessert was first–ice cream injected brownies from this shop that was a weird shadow of Krispy Kreme, very 50's technological revolution-ish. Ice-cream injected cupcakes didn’t really sound that good to me, but since everything comes in multiples of two there, Nan shared one with me--It was a brownie-cupcake thing that they injected with vanilla soft-serve ice cream as we waited. The brownie was warm, the ice cream cold, and it was delicious.
The next stop was for cappuccinos at this little Italian place with a band (actually, just two guys with a fiddle and an accordion serenading the customers). The coffee, like the dessert, was really good, and the street was even more amazing–everyone was standing outside shooting the shit, smoking cigars, and for a second I could imagine that I was in Italy. Really neat.
For a while after that we wandered around–by the ocean for a bit, then to Quincy Market. Quincy Market is this strange sort-of-mall sort-of-not kind of place where there are a lot of shops and people. We found this really cool street performer who played drums on pieces of trash that he found. I caught some cool pictures of kids dancing to the beat and one trying to take off with the money bucket that the guy had out.
On the way back to the train, we passed by the Holocaust Memorial, which blew my mind. It is a series of six tall glass rectangular cubes with numbers etched into the glass. Six million numbers to be exact. That figure really does not register until you actually see the numbers up close, then see how many are actually etched there. It was very powerful.
I also found out on Saturday that I will be searching for an apartment for one--Will isn’t quite ready to move yet, and I have sort of an agenda. This means that I will have more privacy (yay for privacy), but will have to pay a whole lot more for rent. And, as it turns out, there really are very few studios/one bedrooms in JP. But, I have faith that everything will work out. I mean, I am not the type to end up homeless/jobless on the street selling my body for crack (at least I don’t think so). So, unless I find myself in that position, everything is a-ok.
I was really sick but went apartment hunting anyway. The first apartment I saw was right behind Joe and Nan’s house, but the building felt so unstable I knew I would wake up one morning in a pile of rubble. We nicknamed that apartment "Pitch and Roll" and had a good time laughing about how we wouldn’t be able to defend our "Marbles Champion of the World" titles anymore for lack of a good place to practice.
The second apartment I found was really awesome–it had a breakneck, windy staircase up to the third floor, where the apartment was long with beautiful hardwood floors and a really nice kitchen (I cook A LOT). I thought I had found the right apartment at the right price.
Friday night we went to see a Dresden Dolls play at the Onion Cellar. One word–fantastic. The whole theater was done up to look like an old cabaret-style bar, and we had a table front and center. Nan got a flower from Amanda and a drumstick from Brian. We laughed. We cried. It was awesome.
Saturday:
I was still really sick and dealing with a lot of apartment drama. Since Joe and Nan were home from work, we decided to take a long walk in the Arboretum.
Joe and Nan’s decision to move to Jamaica Plain (versus any other neighborhood in Boston) was based on a number of factors, one of which was the fact that JP has more green space than anywhere else in the city. Franklin Park, this huge, 500 acre monstrosity, is right out their back door, and Arnold Arboretum (established by Harvard) is just around the corner.
The arboretum was really beautiful, though I must admit that I it still felt too "city" for me. I couldn’t get past the fact that there were cars driving by as we were walking and there were far more people there than would have been nice. I have been really lucky to grow up in a town where there is still a lot of undeveloped space and going outside to be alone is relatively easy. The adjustment is going to be difficult.
There is a part of the arboretum where you can climb to the top of a hill that overlooks the whole city. I have a feeling that I will be spending a lot of time up there–it was really peaceful and beautiful (except for the little gremlin pig-like pug with one huge eye, one little one, and the most horrifying bark I have ever heard in my life). While we were there, we ran into Sarah (a friend of Joe’s), which made it the second time in a week that I have run into someone I know here. In some ways, this place is a lot like Reno.
After our walk we decided to go to the North End (affectionately know as "Little Italy") and get some pizza for dinner. I think the North End has been my favorite part of Boston so far–the buildings are all really old and really close together, and because the streets are narrow (and parking is terrible) no one really drives around there. It almost feels like you are walking in a movie set.
Joe and Nan decided to take us to Pizzeria Regina, often hailed as the best pizza in Boston. We waited in line for over an hour to get a table, but it was worth the wait. The food was awesome.
After dinner we decided to walk around for a bit and get some espresso and dessert (not that I needed it after the HUGE pizza I scarfed down). Dessert was first–ice cream injected brownies from this shop that was a weird shadow of Krispy Kreme, very 50's technological revolution-ish. Ice-cream injected cupcakes didn’t really sound that good to me, but since everything comes in multiples of two there, Nan shared one with me--It was a brownie-cupcake thing that they injected with vanilla soft-serve ice cream as we waited. The brownie was warm, the ice cream cold, and it was delicious.
The next stop was for cappuccinos at this little Italian place with a band (actually, just two guys with a fiddle and an accordion serenading the customers). The coffee, like the dessert, was really good, and the street was even more amazing–everyone was standing outside shooting the shit, smoking cigars, and for a second I could imagine that I was in Italy. Really neat.
For a while after that we wandered around–by the ocean for a bit, then to Quincy Market. Quincy Market is this strange sort-of-mall sort-of-not kind of place where there are a lot of shops and people. We found this really cool street performer who played drums on pieces of trash that he found. I caught some cool pictures of kids dancing to the beat and one trying to take off with the money bucket that the guy had out.
On the way back to the train, we passed by the Holocaust Memorial, which blew my mind. It is a series of six tall glass rectangular cubes with numbers etched into the glass. Six million numbers to be exact. That figure really does not register until you actually see the numbers up close, then see how many are actually etched there. It was very powerful.
I also found out on Saturday that I will be searching for an apartment for one--Will isn’t quite ready to move yet, and I have sort of an agenda. This means that I will have more privacy (yay for privacy), but will have to pay a whole lot more for rent. And, as it turns out, there really are very few studios/one bedrooms in JP. But, I have faith that everything will work out. I mean, I am not the type to end up homeless/jobless on the street selling my body for crack (at least I don’t think so). So, unless I find myself in that position, everything is a-ok.
January 5, 2007
I'm sick.
I caught the Boston cold a few days ago and it has really slowed me down. I have spent much more time in bed than I had anticipated to spend on this trip--I guess one can only burn the candle at both ends for so long until one burns out.
I also had my interview yesterday--It was so-so. The position wasn't exactly what I expected and they can't really hire me if I get into Grad school, so I probably won't know for a month or more. I'm feeling kind of burned out on working in Biotech anyway. I think I really need to get my teaching license or something.
In other news, I went to see Body Worlds 2 at the Museum of Science, the exhibit where they have all of the plastinated human bodies. It was really, really cool. I highly recommend going for anyone who has access. I also went to this awesome Spanish tapas restaurant with Joe and Nan called Dali. It too was awesome, though my stomach is a little not happy this morning from the sangria and the meat (I must mention that I try to stay away from eating meat, but have had far more of it on this trip than I have had in a long time). Sangria was probably not a good idea since I'm sick, and I paid for it on the way home--my head was pounding so bad that it was all I could do to keep from vomiting. Needless to say, I went to bed really early, and will probably sleep most of today to let the mucous drain out of my head. gross.
I also had my interview yesterday--It was so-so. The position wasn't exactly what I expected and they can't really hire me if I get into Grad school, so I probably won't know for a month or more. I'm feeling kind of burned out on working in Biotech anyway. I think I really need to get my teaching license or something.
In other news, I went to see Body Worlds 2 at the Museum of Science, the exhibit where they have all of the plastinated human bodies. It was really, really cool. I highly recommend going for anyone who has access. I also went to this awesome Spanish tapas restaurant with Joe and Nan called Dali. It too was awesome, though my stomach is a little not happy this morning from the sangria and the meat (I must mention that I try to stay away from eating meat, but have had far more of it on this trip than I have had in a long time). Sangria was probably not a good idea since I'm sick, and I paid for it on the way home--my head was pounding so bad that it was all I could do to keep from vomiting. Needless to say, I went to bed really early, and will probably sleep most of today to let the mucous drain out of my head. gross.
January 1, 2007
New Years Eve (or) Way to Go, 2007.
Jet lag is a shitty thing. I don’t like feeling like crap and I absolutely hate sleeping in late—I always feel like it is a complete waste of my day. So, I wasn’t really happy when I woke up on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. I guess, though, I needed the sleep after the past few (frantic) days, so it wasn’t so bad.
Nan had to work, so Joe and I decided to strap on the walking shoes and see some of the city. I remember the last time I was here I had a terrible problem orienting myself—there are no mountains and no major landmarks here (save the Atlantic ocean, which you can rarely see), so I was determined to get my bearings this time. After a Dunkin’ Doughnuts hot chocolate (yum!), we ventured into the Financial District. Two minutes into our walk, I was lost. I have always been very good with directions, but this is going to take some serious adjusting. I saw the Atlantic up close for the first time (though I have still yet to touch it), saw the theater district and part of Chinatown, where we ate Pho with Nan after she got off work. Since we were close, we decided to walk around Boston Common for a little bit to check out the ice sculptures and events before things got too crazy.
New years in Boston is kind of a big deal—they have this event called First Night, where literally millions of people converge on the Common to eat, drink, listen to music, and generally have an awesome time. I flew to Boston a few days early so that we could all go together, but after thinking things over, we decided, that First Night would be too crowded and cold, and that we would rather spend New Years tucked in at James’s Gate (for the second night in a row for me and the third night in a row for Joe and Nan).
In front of Trinity Church we found this giant black box that piqued our interest, so we decided to check it out. We got in line and quickly learned that the box was actually a giant pinhole camera that some students at a local charter school had set up. The thing was awesome—on the inside we could see the church in clear detail reflected on the ceiling and the sky and several other buildings reflected on the floor. It was really interesting to hear the students talk about their project, too—they were really passionate about their cameras and knew what they were talking about. What an awesome way to learn.
A little cold and tired, we went home to relax in our jammies for a few hours until we went to the Gate. I love that about Joe and Nan—they always know just when it is pajama time. When it was time, Richard (formerly of Stephanie and Richard) and his new girlfriend JooYoung came over to meet us, we went across the street to grab Chad and his baby (yay for new Boston friends) and we all headed down to James’s Gate to meet Q.
The night was amazing—we ordered a bunch of appetizers and beer and sat down to a game of Trivial Pursuit. The fire was warm, and the owner was in a great mood—he passed out party favors for all of us to act silly. There was also word of a champagne toast at midnight.
The beer and food must have treated us right, for Joe and I thoroughly trounced everyone at the game. Somehow, though, we ended up being the only ones not to get drunk. Without getting into specifics, 5 minutes ‘till midnight is when the shit started hitting the fan. Joe, Nan and I became the calm at the eye of the storm that continued on through New Years day. Lost drunk people, shitty restaurant experiences and lots and lots of yelling started the year with a bang. Way to go, 2007.
Nan had to work, so Joe and I decided to strap on the walking shoes and see some of the city. I remember the last time I was here I had a terrible problem orienting myself—there are no mountains and no major landmarks here (save the Atlantic ocean, which you can rarely see), so I was determined to get my bearings this time. After a Dunkin’ Doughnuts hot chocolate (yum!), we ventured into the Financial District. Two minutes into our walk, I was lost. I have always been very good with directions, but this is going to take some serious adjusting. I saw the Atlantic up close for the first time (though I have still yet to touch it), saw the theater district and part of Chinatown, where we ate Pho with Nan after she got off work. Since we were close, we decided to walk around Boston Common for a little bit to check out the ice sculptures and events before things got too crazy.
New years in Boston is kind of a big deal—they have this event called First Night, where literally millions of people converge on the Common to eat, drink, listen to music, and generally have an awesome time. I flew to Boston a few days early so that we could all go together, but after thinking things over, we decided, that First Night would be too crowded and cold, and that we would rather spend New Years tucked in at James’s Gate (for the second night in a row for me and the third night in a row for Joe and Nan).
In front of Trinity Church we found this giant black box that piqued our interest, so we decided to check it out. We got in line and quickly learned that the box was actually a giant pinhole camera that some students at a local charter school had set up. The thing was awesome—on the inside we could see the church in clear detail reflected on the ceiling and the sky and several other buildings reflected on the floor. It was really interesting to hear the students talk about their project, too—they were really passionate about their cameras and knew what they were talking about. What an awesome way to learn.
A little cold and tired, we went home to relax in our jammies for a few hours until we went to the Gate. I love that about Joe and Nan—they always know just when it is pajama time. When it was time, Richard (formerly of Stephanie and Richard) and his new girlfriend JooYoung came over to meet us, we went across the street to grab Chad and his baby (yay for new Boston friends) and we all headed down to James’s Gate to meet Q.
The night was amazing—we ordered a bunch of appetizers and beer and sat down to a game of Trivial Pursuit. The fire was warm, and the owner was in a great mood—he passed out party favors for all of us to act silly. There was also word of a champagne toast at midnight.
The beer and food must have treated us right, for Joe and I thoroughly trounced everyone at the game. Somehow, though, we ended up being the only ones not to get drunk. Without getting into specifics, 5 minutes ‘till midnight is when the shit started hitting the fan. Joe, Nan and I became the calm at the eye of the storm that continued on through New Years day. Lost drunk people, shitty restaurant experiences and lots and lots of yelling started the year with a bang. Way to go, 2007.
To Boston.
Remind me never to book a 6 a.m. flight again.
In the days leading up to my trip I had very little sleep and was running on empty. The night before my trip was no different—I still had all of my packing to do and needed to clean my apartment for Chris who will be watching my cats for me while I am gone. Luckily, my mom is awesome and came over to help me pack/drive me to the airport. I set the alarm for 4 a.m. to make it to the airport by 5.
For those of you who have ever flown through the Reno airport, you probably know that the ‘two-hours-ahead-of-your-scheduled-departure’ rule is a little excessive, especially when your flight is early in the morning. There have been many times that I have gotten to the airport two hours ahead of time and have had to sit for an hour and a half before my flight left. So, I figured an hour would be good.
I still had a few loose ends to tie up in the morning and so didn’t actually get to Reno Tahoe International until about ten minutes after five. No problem--this is Reno, I thought. I’m good. Little did I know, though, that there would be about 1000 more people in the airport than I had ever seen. The place was an absolute zoo. The line for the United Airlines check in, for example, was literally out the door. Shit. I might not make it, I thought. My only option? Brave the cold, check in with the SkyCap people for a $2 fee per bag and pray that I would make it on the plane. Luckily, the clerk helping me pulled some strings (I had missed the check-in cutoff time), and I got out of there quickly. I must say, the TSA had their shit together that day—the security line was more efficient that I have ever seen it. Good job guys.
Halfway through the security line I began to notice girls in sweat suits carrying swim bags. For those of you who don’t know, I was a competitive swimmer for about 10 years, which has become a major part of my identity. I am very proud of the fact that I got to swim in college (even if it was only for a year—30 hour per week was too much training to handle while in school), and I still miss it a little.
Turns out, the girls in line were, in fact, the UNR swim team on their way to Ft. Lauderdale for a training camp, and, as luck would have it, we were all on the same flight. Even more strange was the fact that my old coach was in the seat directly across the aisle from mine. It was really nice to talk to everyone, update them on my new move to Boston, and hear about how well the team is doing. It was a nice way to start my trip.
My stars must have been aligned that day, for not only did I make my flight, but weather in Denver was absolutely beautiful. The previous day 500+ flights had been cancelled because of a snowstorm that dumped 2 ft. of snow on the entire airport. But today, no problem. I’m a lucky girl.
Joe and Nan greeted me in Boston with lots of hugs, some Christmas gifts (guides to Boston), and a trip to James’s Gate. I can tell already that the Gate is going to be a staple of my stay in Boston (my new Silver Peak or Shenanigans). It is an old Irish pub with a warm fire, yummy food, and good beer—all the things a girl needs to feel right with the world when it is cold outside. We’ll go when you come visit me, okay?
In the days leading up to my trip I had very little sleep and was running on empty. The night before my trip was no different—I still had all of my packing to do and needed to clean my apartment for Chris who will be watching my cats for me while I am gone. Luckily, my mom is awesome and came over to help me pack/drive me to the airport. I set the alarm for 4 a.m. to make it to the airport by 5.
For those of you who have ever flown through the Reno airport, you probably know that the ‘two-hours-ahead-of-your-scheduled-departure’ rule is a little excessive, especially when your flight is early in the morning. There have been many times that I have gotten to the airport two hours ahead of time and have had to sit for an hour and a half before my flight left. So, I figured an hour would be good.
I still had a few loose ends to tie up in the morning and so didn’t actually get to Reno Tahoe International until about ten minutes after five. No problem--this is Reno, I thought. I’m good. Little did I know, though, that there would be about 1000 more people in the airport than I had ever seen. The place was an absolute zoo. The line for the United Airlines check in, for example, was literally out the door. Shit. I might not make it, I thought. My only option? Brave the cold, check in with the SkyCap people for a $2 fee per bag and pray that I would make it on the plane. Luckily, the clerk helping me pulled some strings (I had missed the check-in cutoff time), and I got out of there quickly. I must say, the TSA had their shit together that day—the security line was more efficient that I have ever seen it. Good job guys.
Halfway through the security line I began to notice girls in sweat suits carrying swim bags. For those of you who don’t know, I was a competitive swimmer for about 10 years, which has become a major part of my identity. I am very proud of the fact that I got to swim in college (even if it was only for a year—30 hour per week was too much training to handle while in school), and I still miss it a little.
Turns out, the girls in line were, in fact, the UNR swim team on their way to Ft. Lauderdale for a training camp, and, as luck would have it, we were all on the same flight. Even more strange was the fact that my old coach was in the seat directly across the aisle from mine. It was really nice to talk to everyone, update them on my new move to Boston, and hear about how well the team is doing. It was a nice way to start my trip.
My stars must have been aligned that day, for not only did I make my flight, but weather in Denver was absolutely beautiful. The previous day 500+ flights had been cancelled because of a snowstorm that dumped 2 ft. of snow on the entire airport. But today, no problem. I’m a lucky girl.
Joe and Nan greeted me in Boston with lots of hugs, some Christmas gifts (guides to Boston), and a trip to James’s Gate. I can tell already that the Gate is going to be a staple of my stay in Boston (my new Silver Peak or Shenanigans). It is an old Irish pub with a warm fire, yummy food, and good beer—all the things a girl needs to feel right with the world when it is cold outside. We’ll go when you come visit me, okay?
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