Adventures in Gastronomy

So after moving this past weekend I spent two days in Paris. Well, sort of. Since Monday was a holiday and Randy ditched me for some business trip in Texas, I decided to go to the movies. The movie I picked was “2 Days in Paris.” This movie has been playing for months and I’ve been wanting to see it. It was cute – but what I liked the most about it (aside from Adam Goldberg’s lean and surprisingly tattooed body) was the urban scenery.

The movie captured Paris so vividly and perfectly. The apartment she lived in was very real – I felt like I was there myself. The streets where the film was shot were quintessential Paris. All in all, it felt as thought I’d gone back for a few days myself (even if it was for only 90 minutes).

Now I want to go back. It’s a good thing Buenos Aires is considered the “Paris of South America” since that’s the closest I’ll be getting to Paris for at least a few months.

Anyway, so that was my weekend: moving and some world travel.

Then last night I got together with my friend Deano for some dinner (thanking him for helping me move) and Scrabble. I’m not going to say who won here…but let’s just say that I woke up this morning to an email from him asking for a re-match for next week.

That’s all I’m going to say.

October 10th, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 2 Comments

I’m in! Well, I’m also out. But I’m officially IN to my new home. Things went really well and very smoothly. Randy and I had originally recruited two friends to help (Deano and Jeff). But at the last minute two additional friends (Ben and Zach) helped out.

Since I’d already moved all of the boxes to the new places gradually over the past month, all that was left was the furniture. This was officially the quicket move of my life. It took less than 45 minutes to load up the truck and only 30 minutes to unload at Randy’s our place.

Most of the furniture came to our place, but we also brought a few things down to my parents (bed, desk, TV stand) after we’d finished settling into Randy’s our place.

Speaking of that, I think it’s going to take some time for me to stop refering to OUR place as RANDY’s place. I mean, it’s been over a year of calling it his place so it’s not going to be overnight that I can also consider it my place. But one room in particular looks like my old place. The guest room/office is where nearly all of my furniture went. In fact, only one piece of furniture in there is his. Otherwise, we’ve managed to put little bits of me into every other room – even the basement.

Of course, less than 36 hours after moving in with Randy, he’s already gone. Yep, he’s on his way to Texas on a business trip this morning. And then he’s off again next week. Oh, and between now and the end of the year he’s  got at least two trips to California and one trip to Virginia confirmed, plus possible trips to Belgium and Japan.

HMMM – in some ways, it still is like I’m living alone!

October 8th, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 3 Comments

As I was getting off the train this morning I realized that this was my last morning commuting the way I’ve been commuting for nearly four years. I’m crashing at Randy’s place tonight so will be doing my new commute tomorrow. By next week, I’ll officially be living in, gasp, Somerville and will never be on that same train again (the 8:55AM to Fitchburg).

I wish I’d realized this before getting on the train this morning. I’m a geek – I like to fully appreciate and reminisce life’s moments. Instead, what made me realize it was seeing a familar as i stepped onto the platform (a man with Down’s Syndrome wearing a Brandeis maintenance uniform: he must work there). I’ve seen him nearly every morning for years – always holding his large coffee in his hand.

I shall see him no more.

OH! And speaking of commutes, I was heading home last night on the Green line. These trolleys are entered by climbing 3 steps. I was standing on the lower step of a crowded train (on the side where the doors don’t open so i was completely out of the way). A man was standing on the actual floor of the train (two steps up) so his ass was at the level of my face. A woman was standing across from me on the same step (we were facing each other).

Anyway, I’m reading my Blender magazine bee-bopping to some S.O.S. Band on my iPod when all over a sudden the most foul odor starts eminating from this man’s ass (which, i repeat, was literally in my face). I looked over at the woman and she placed her finger against her nostrils to block them from the stench. It was so bad I had to fan my surroundings with my magazine.

Nasty. I suppose I should be thankful that my new commute won’t place me on the Greenline.

October 4th, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 3 Comments

I can’t believe that I’ll be moving in with Randy in only three days. That’s just three more days in my swinging bachelor pad. Well, it never really did swing. Hell, it barely ever swayed. And I guess this means that it never will, either.

But that’s OK.

With nearly all of my packable belongings at Randy’s already, the move itself should be a snap once we get the computer desk out of my current place and into the truck (thatss the one item my movers had trouble with three years ago when I moved in).

If it doesn’t fit down the stairs, I think I’ll either leave it for the new guy….or take joy in smashing it to bits (a good way to release energy).

Oh, I finally got more photos from this past weekend and will post them at some point today. Our friend, Scott, took the one that I’ve posted above…..adorable, huh?

October 3rd, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 2 Comments

Those words easily describe my weekend. Not just because together those words are so gay, but because I was in Provincetown: the gayest place on the east coast.

Randy and I headed down Friday afternoon and met up with our friends, Scott and Deano, once we got there. We all coordinated so that we were staying at the same guest house. I’d narrowed the choices down to two: one place that I’d stayed in previously which was literally on the water (waves crashed against the concrete foundation and a private deck overlooking the harbor), or another guest house a block from the water but with a hot tub. Randy picked the place with the hot tub since it at least provided an extra activity for us to enjoy.

Good choice.

Our room was small, but decent (with loads of glass collectibles just waiting to be knocked over). Scott and Deano’s room was a huge octagonal suite with fireplace and a connected kitchen and sitting room (the latter being used for a few games of Scrabble…in which I won and lost).

That first night we took it easy – walking along Commercial Street and sitting in the hot tub. At first it was just the four of us, but then three other guests showed up. Inerestingly enough, two of those guests were at the same guest house as us when we were in Ptown back in July. Small world. Later that evening we all headed to one of the clubs before calling it a night (but not before grabbing pizza at Spiritus, of course).

The weather was flawless the entire weekend so on Saturday we continued walking/exploring the shops and also walked along the breakwater as high tide approached. Along the way we also ran into two more friends, Kit and Lisa (and their baby, Lincoln) who were renting a house in the West End. After that, we got together with even more friends who were down this weekend (Fred, Matt, Mike) and had lunch at Burger Queen: a place I’d walked by for decades but never ate at. It wasn’t bad, actually.

After lunch, Randy and I headed to Herring Cove Beach and laid out for an hour or two. Relaxed and refreshed, we reconnected with our friends for dinner at Bayside Betsy’s before hopping into the hot tub again (this time just the four of us), playing Scrabble, then heading out to one of the clubs.

The perfect weather continued through Sunday. Unfortunately, Deano had to return home mid-day so after walking around all morning, he headed home and Scott, Randy and I headed to the Pilgrim Monument where Randy and I climbed to the top and took some photos. Then we all got together with Fred and Matt and went on a bike ride along the bike paths through the sand dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore…simply beautiful!

That evening we had dinner at a new restaurant, Jimmy’s Hideaway (good food….loud atmosphere), played some more Scrabble, did some more hot tub time and then gave up on the idea of going to one of the clubs since we were all so exhausted.

Before you know it, Monday reared it’s ugly head and we all returned home (well, I went straight to work). Looking back, it was an incredible weekend full of everything you’d want: reconnecting with friends, beautiful weather, decent eye candy (hehe), relaxing hot tubs, lovely walks, scenic bike rides, and friendly (yet still competitive) game playing.

Check out my photo gallery link (to the right) if you want to see a few photos taken by Scott and Randy. I hope to post more once I get them from Randy’s camera. Anyway, the photos are in the Provincetown album…but at the end so you’ll have to scroll a few pages to get to them.

October 2nd, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: Comments Off on Absolutely Fabulous

I mean, you don’t choose to have a disability – it’s either inherited or a result of an accident of some sort. You DO choose to have a child, though.

I should probably stop there and go back a bit (for you non-local readers). There is a local woman reciving a Ph.D. from Harvard. While at med school she had two children and is currently nursing at least one of them. This woman also had Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyper-Active Disorder (ADHD). She failed the state medical exam last spring and is taking it again.

She’s already requested that she get extra time for her test because of her two disabilities. That request was granted under the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and her exam has been spread out over two days instead of just one (which I’m okay with). Now she’s suing the board because she’s nursing her baby and wants even more time for breaks.

A judge ruled against her (in my opinion, correctly). She appealed and now the appeals judge has approved of her request (idiot). It’s rare that I get incredibly angry over stuff like this. I mean, I’m by no means a bleeding heart liberal, but I usually do sympathize with the underdog.

In this case, I want this woman to fail the medical exam again. I want potential patients at Massachusetts General Hospital (where she’ll be a resident if she passes the exam) to refuse to see her.

She’s a perfect example of the spoiled generation these days (of which I’m also a part) who believes they have this sense of entitlement to anything and everything. These are the types who decry playing Tag or Dodgeball in school as developmentally stunting. These are the types who sue over every little thing. These are the types who tell their children (and must have been told themselves their whole lives) that they’re special.

Well, news flash. You’re not. We’re all individual, but all we’re not special. Life isn’t fair – you can’t always get what you want.

It also goes without saying that I’d be a bit reluctant to go to a Dyslexic doctor with Attention Deficit Disordor. Doctors are human to begin with and prone to mistakes – just like everybody else. But when lives are at stake, I’d be a bit concerned if a doctor is a) easily distracted, b) more likely to invert numbers in prescriptions, and c) need to run off in the middle of an appointment to nurse a child. If I’m paying you $100+ and hour, I want your focus on me and me alone.

Anyway, I was relieved to read in the comments section of the Boston globe that nearly everybody (including nursing mothers past and present) is disgusted by this woman.

Phew – that felt good. Thanks for letting me vent!

September 27th, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 3 Comments

There was a period in my life where all of my family and friends dreaded receiving postcards from me. You see, I used to move…

…a lot.

Since renting my first apartment at 20 years old, I’ve moved 17 times. That’s 17 times in 16 years. In just over a week we can make that 18 moves in 16 years.

So every time people received a post card from me, it was not to chronicle a joyous vacation, it was to notify them that they’ll have to change my address in their address book. I can’t tell you how many people bitched to me that they had to buy a new address book all because of me (my advice: use a pencil).

Anyway, everything seems to be going smoothly with this move. My original plan was to hire movers and move on or around Columbus Day. However, I’ve been continuously purging and packing over the past month and gradually brought things over to Randy’s. I’m at the point now where there is really nothing left but the furniture (and after living in 500 square feet for three years, there isn’t even much of that). It would be silly to hire movers (who require a 3 hour minimum) when it will likely only taken them an hour to do the job.

Fortunately, a few friends have offered to help since there is so little to be moved. In fact, the first few volunteers offered their services independently (without me requesting it) back when I was originally planning on using movers. I’ve never had such offers before. That’s probably because I’ve always had this rule: I will never ask you to help me move, if you never ask me to help you move.

It’s not a selfish thing, really. It’s more of a laziness thing (and a strong distate for unnecessary perspiration).

Anyway, the big day will be Saturday, October 8th. I suspect the move will be quick since there is so little there. The biggest trick will be getting the computer desk/armoire down the stairs….

…and keeping off Randy’s nerves with my naturally adorable quirkiness (AKA: neurosis) before I move in just over a week from now.

September 26th, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

I had my annual physical this morning. Actually, it’s been 1.5 years since my last physical. This past year has been a very healthy one for me (aside from the weight gain). I’ve not called in sick to work once in the past 12+ months, and the worst I’ve had was a cold while in San Francisco. Well, that and the apparent allergic reaction to sunblock in both Mexico and Crane Beach this summer.

Anyway, I was a bit relieved to hear my doctor say that I’ve only gained 13 pounds since my last doctor’s visit. I thought I was approaching the 20 degree mark. I very well might have gained 20 pounds at one point – perhaps I’ve begun losing a bit (I can hope).

Everything else seemed to be A-OK, too. He took 5 vials of blood for closer inspection so I suppose we won’t know the full truth until those results are revealed. I hate waiting…ugh.

Oh, and my dog-sitting duties are over! My parents were supposed to return Sunday night between 8:30 and 10:00PM. They ended up not arriving until nearly 2:00AM on Monday morning! But Dusty was thrilled to see them…and I was thrilled to see Dusty stay with them as they drove away from the subway station later on that day!

All in all, she was a pretty good guest. She didn’t mess in the house, she became more mellow at work and home as the week went on, and she really is adorable when she’s napping. We took her to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Saturday and exhausted her sufficiently so that she was quite well behaved Saturday evening.

Randy has come to nick-name her Princess. I suppose it fits…as long as he accepts being known as the queen.

September 25th, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 4 Comments

Nearly every contract we sign has an expiration date: a lease, a mortgage, a car loan, a cell phone plan. Expiration dates seem logical. They give you the legal and convenient opportunity to get out of a contract if you’re unhappy. A life long-contract under those examples would be ludicrous.

A German woman (I believe a politician, in fact) has recently proposed expiration dates to marriage. Since so many marriages end in divorce anyway, she proposes marriages have a 7 year expiration date, with the option to renew. If you’re unhappy after 7 years, the contract ends.

I find this to be a brilliant concept. I mean, why should this contract (and marriage is essentially a contract) be any different than all of the other types? I do hope this idea catches on. I bet more people would be willing to marry (something the government would actually prefer) if people knew that there would be fewer complexities if things didn’t work out. And for those who want to marry for life, you can still do that…just renew the vows (or keep old-school style marriages available for the clueless (I mean, die-hard) romantics.

September 21st, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

It’s official.  Randy has booked our tickets for Buenos Aires. In fact, he’s coordinated my ticket with his frequent flyer miles so that I’m flying down first class for the first leg of the trip and business class for the second leg of the trip. WOO HOO!

Now I’m responsible for finding a condo for us to rent. I can’t believe how cheap things are down there. We can get a luxury condo for under $400/week in the best neighborhoods of the city (the Back Bay or Beacon Hill of Buenos Aires).  Subway rides are only 27 cents and cabs, I hear, aren’t much  more. We can live the high life…for less!

I suppose this only makes sense since Randy is the king of bargains (and he initiated this trip).

Oh, and I’m still dogsitting for my parents. She was a lot better yesterday than she was the day before. Maybe she’s getting used to city life?

Then again, last night she was licking her paws constantly. I tried inspecting and she snapped at me. It appears that all of this city walking (on concrete) is making her paws sensitive. And she has been doing a LOT of walking (I have to park in Somerville and walk to Harvard from there). Still, she’s being really good.  She hasn’t gone to the bathroom in the house once. She’s eating her food. And she’s staying in bed all night long. AWWW.

September 19th, 2007
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 1 Comment