Adventures in Gastronomy

Thanks to Karyn, here are some 4’s:

Four Jobs I’ve Had in My Life:

• Paper Boy – Cape Cod Times
• Dog Walker – some rich guy in Osterville
• Store Designer – Stride Rite
• Administrative Director – Harvard Law School

For Movies I Would Watch Over and Over

• Beautiful Thing – so sweet
• Annie Hall – so funny
• Pillow Talk – so naughty
• Hedwig & The Angry Inch – great music, great visuals

Four Places I have Lived in My life

• Osterville, MA (childhood)
• Boston, MA (most of the past, gasp, 17 years)
• San Francisco, CA (6 months in 1997)
• Salem, MA (2001-2003)

Four TV Shows I Love to Watch

• Strangers With Candy – yeah, yeah, it’s off the air…but it shouldn’t be
• Big Brother – I’ve been addicted to every season
• My Name is Earl – I’ve talked about this one before
• The Daily Show – I can never stay awake to see it at 11PM…I wish it would repeat at 7PM again (instead of 8PM)

Four Places I have Been on Vacation

(This is tough. I’ve been to more than 4 places this past year alone: Washington, DC, Paris, Amsterdam, London, New York City, Provincetown, White Mountains. But I guess the most memorable trips of my life include:

• Paris – so beautiful, I’m ready to go back
• New Mexico  – Santa Fe and Taos are simply amazing
• New York City – everything you hear about that city is true
• Provincetown – so close to home (and very close to my childhood home) but I never tire of the place

Four Websites I Visit Daily (…and trying to keep this list clean)

• Boston Globe Online
• My blog
• Architectural Boston
• Yahoo

Four of My Favorite Foods

• Fruit (bananas, strawberries, blackberries, grapes)
• Belgian dark chocolate (Trader Joe’s has this great 1-pound bars for only $3.99!)
• Brownies
• Chicken (I seem to eat it way too much)

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now

• Paris – Paris plage is taking place right now!
• Switzerland – I’ve been craving a trip there for years
• Lounging about in a condo I actually owned (verus an apartment I rent)
• Worry-free (but I doubt I’ll ever make it there)

August 24th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 8 Comments

It was bound to happen. I heard on the news this morning that somebody released two rattle snakes into a cinema showing the new movie “Snakes on a Plane.” Even before the movie came out, I said said to myself “Somebody is going to release snakes in a crowded cinema.”

I really did!

Though, my predictions are not always so accurate. After seeing one of the Scream movies (I believe the second one) where Jada Pinkett Smith gets murdered in her seat while watching the horror movie, I was determined that somebody was going to get murdered in a movie theatre.

Fortunately, that never happened. But it has prevented me from seeing another horror flick anywhere but in the safety and comfort of my living room.

Oh, and speaking Snakes on a Plane – did anybody else receive a voicemail message from Samuel L. Jackson promoting the film? I received mine a week or two ago. How strange. It was funny, but I’m not too keen on the idea of receiving these calls. I mean, isn’t this basically telemarketing which, through the do-not-call list program, is technically banned except for charities or companies you already do business with?

Or, since you can order tickets by computer now, do the movie companies already know you’re a customer of the local movie theatre and have the ability to track you down?

Oh dear…that may be scarier than the movie itself.

August 23rd, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

I always seem to get screwed with things. I buy an iPod at full price, and the next week I find out Harvard will give employees a decent academic discount. I but various seasons of DVD’s for a tv show and then find out a box-set is coming out that includes “extras”. I buy plane tickets and then fare-wars begin and prices drop.

Today I discovered that Harvard is now offered a Masters in Management (as opposed to the MBA program at Harvard Business School that I’m ineligible for as a Harvard employee). When I graduated in June, I received a Graduate Certificate in Management (8 graduate level courses). The new Masters program is the same exact program but requires 12 courses instead.

Conceivable, you’d think I could simply re-enroll, take the 4 more classes and come out with a Masters degree. Well, I got an email today from some fellow recent graduates who said they contacted Harvard about doing just that but were told that EXISTING certificate students (which I was merely 3 months ago) are eligible to switch progams. But graduates are not eligible. If we want to get a Masters, we’ll have to start from scratch and take all 12 courses all over again.

This seems absurd to me. Had I known that a Masters program was in development (which the school must have known by earlier this year when I applied for the Certificate), I would have waited. But they never informed me.

Perhaps there is just some confusion and I am allowed to transfer the credits? I mean, these courses are the exact same ones I’d be taking over again: same materials, same professors.

Wow – I feel really pissy and whiny today.

August 22nd, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 1 Comment

At almost the very last minute I managed to find a room on the Cape for Saturday night. I’d been checking the online “last minute availability” list all week and nothing showed up for any of the weekend evenings. Finally, late Friday afternoon, I managed to find a place in North Truro (about 3.5 miles from Provincetown). YAY ME!

My friend, Adam, arrived at my place on Friday night where we walked around St. Anthony’s Feast for a bit before watching (don’t laugh) “Pillow Talk” on DVD.

I said don’t laugh.

On Saturday morning, we got up bright and early and headed to the Herring Cove Beach. Traffic wasn’t too bad…but it was bad enough. After about 4 hours on the beach we drove back to North Truro to check-in to the hotel. The place was called Horizon’s Edge and it was your standard strip motel…but on prime waterfront real estate. There was a 2-story beachfront building, 2 pagoda style buildings on the dunes and a 3-story dune-side motel building. That’s where we were…but our 2nd-floor room had a balcony overlooking Cape Cod Bay and, to the right, Provincetown.

After showering off the salt and sand, we headed back into town for dinner and sight-seeing. I’d hoped to catch up with Fred after the Cyndi Lauper concert, but that unfortunately never happenend. After dinner at Bubula’s (mmmmm) we continued walking and going into the shops. I love going with new people because they go into the shops that I never go into (since I’ve been going for years). Aside from the t-shirt shops, things change over the years in many of the shops/galleries and I always fail to realize that.

And for the first time in years, we never managed to get to a show. But we still had fun…

Until Sunday when we decided to drive back. It was raining so we headed back around 10:30AM. What took just about 2 hours the last time I returned from Ptown, took 6 hours yesterday. I’ve always had such good luck at avoiding the traffic by leaving on a Monday. Leaving on a Sunday is just a mistake. There was traffic near Truro where the highway goes from 2 lanes to 1. Then again toward the Orleans Rotary. Then, randomly, on suicide alley between exits 12 and 10 (inexplicably). Then it was just mayhem from exit 5 to the rotary (quite a long distance). We detoured and visited my parents for a spell before using the side roads to avoid the highway traffic. And even those were horrible as we approaced the canal.

Add in some torrential rains between Plymouth and Weymouth, plus Big Dig airport tunnel detours and this short drive becomes a full day event.

In case you couldn’t tell, the photo on top was looking toward the right from our hotel room in North Truro. The photo below shows the view looking more-or-less straight out.

And this is Adam being adventurous in the cold Atlantic waters. I only managed to get up to my knees. I guess he’s got bigger balls than I do. Well, maybe not after being in the water.

August 21st, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 2 Comments

…that ousted Harvard president, Larry Summers, appears in the television campaign advertisements for republican gubernatorial candidate, Kerry Healey? Yep. After she talks about “the issues”, she’s seen walking down a street with Larry Summers on her right (the viewers’ left). There are also, I believe, 3 other men with her.

He’s also beaming ear to ear. Funny, he never looked that happy while at Harvard.

And what an odd person to appear on screen with her considering how he was such a polarizing character in these parts. You’d think she’d select less high-profile people – like her hair colorist or landscaper. Then again, Mr. Summers’ removal from Harvard was pushed through by uber-liberals so maybe this makes sense that he’s teaming up withe the lone republican candidate. Maybe she’s got a role for him in her administation if, heaven forbid, she wins?

Still stranger things have happened. Remember when wrestler Jesse Ventura became governor of Minnesota? Or when Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett? Or when everybody wanted Cabbage Patch Kids? Or when Marisa Tomei won the Oscar for My Cousin Vinnie?

August 18th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 7 Comments

You know how you’ll put on a coat after not wearing it since the previous season and you’ll discover a dollar bill (or some forgotten change)? CHA-CHING! It’s usually something you discover in the morning and it sets the mood for a great day.

Well, I had a similar experience yesterday. I was balancing my first bank statement since returning from Europe and discovered that the balance I had in my checkbook register was incorrect! And, rarest of rarities, it was incorrect in my favor! Apparently, I’d forgotten to add a paycheck that was direct-deposited into my account while I was on vacation! That, on top of the Flexible Spending Account checks I deposited yesterday gave my checking account (and mood) a nice boost!

Oh, and in case you couldn’t tell, the photo above is my side of the street. Going back to yesterday’s conversation, most of my block is your standard late 19th-century North End. The photo below is the copper and slate remodel that is taking place across the street. You may notice that the first floor is non-existent: it’s like a Florida car port.

Yet based on the comments I’ve received, the whole slate and copper design is rather pricey so the owner must be rich (or nouveau-riche). Maybe I’ll grow to love it over time (or I’ll just keep my blinds drawn).

August 17th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 10 Comments

Actually, most people would be snoring at that ungodly hour. The neighbor across the street used to have brown vinyl siding. Mind you, this is in a dense urban neighborhood consisting exclusively with brick buildings. Even worse, the siding ran vertically instead of horizontally.

Ghastly – plain and simple.

In April they removed the vinyl siding and added slate shingles to the top floor wall. Despite the facade being flat (not sloped), it still seemed to work. Since then (it is now nearly 4 months later…August) the building has been exposed and incomplete (I’m guessing it was insulation I’ve had the pleasure of looking at for the past few months).

Until yesterday.

The lower floors are now being covered in copper. Yes, copper. Bright and shiny, brand new, penny-looking copper. Perhaps when it’s weathered green it will look better. But vertical copper strips? (what’s up with that owner and his insistence on vertical facades?)

But what REALLY gets to me is that they began work this morning at 7:00AM. Now, my little court (alley) is a mini-canyon of brick buildings – all hard surfaces that reflect sound. And copper is a rather metalic and loud material to be hammering onto a facade – especially at that hour of the day. I mean, I know contractors start work early…and if they were installing carpet INDOORS that would be one thing. But out in front there were two guys hammering copper onto the exterior of this building.

And that’s how I started my morning.

August 16th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 16 Comments

After work yesterday, I got together with my friend, John, and headed over to Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. I had hoped to do it on Sunday with Adam, but we ran out of time (and it’s easier to reach the cemetery by car since it’s not downtown).

Anyway, this was John’s first time and I think he really enjoyed it. It’s so plush and hilly and well maintained. The first thing we did was climb the tower in the middle of the cemetery. From the top you have a 360-degree view of the entire metropolitan area (it’s shocking how quickly things go from urban to plush). We sat up there for about an hour enjoying the view, the conversation and the phenomenal breeze. A few other sight-seers joined us at times, but mostly we had the place to ourselves and just enjoyed the perfect weather.

We then descended and drove around looking at various memorials and ponds and paths. So lovely – despite being home to thousands of corpses.

And speaking of death, it appears that my relationship with Mike is officially dead, too. When I got home, he and I ended up chatting most of the night – discussing issues we both have been facing (or avoiding?) lately. In the end, despite having lots in common, I think it’s best we be friends only. I don’t think either of us is angry at the other. I suspect we both feel disappointed or hurt in some way, but it’s been quite amicable.

I don’t think I’ve blogged about it, but technically, we’ve been “on break” since shortly after returning from Europe. Basically, we were giving each other space to see if we could figure out what we’re looking for.

Apparently we found out.

August 15th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 6 Comments

I had a great weekend. I did!

On Friday I came home from work and rested…but then my friend, Eric, picked me up and we headed off to a bar to play pool and chat. I talked my friend and co-worker, Mark (Veselka Slut) to join us. Three games of pool were played:

Karl vs. Eric (I lost by scratching at the very end while trying to get the eight-ball in)

Eric vs. Strange Man (Strange Man one)

Strange Man vs. Mark (Strange Man won – but it was a close game).

All in all, it seems the three of us had a great time.

On Saturday, I did my normal morning errands, then met up with a new North End friend for a chat and such. Afterwards, I got together with somebody who I’ve known for nearly 2 years but lost contact with. Around 2PM I headed up to his Beacon Hill penthouse and we laid up on the roof deck catching the sun for a few yours. As sunset approached, Mike joined us and we sat up there eating pizza and watching the sun set over the Back Bay and Charles River. Quite lovely – and comfortably cool temperature wise!

Mike and I then l planned on seeing a movie, but we were both too tired. We ended up watching a horrible indie film on DVD before he went home and I fell asleep.

But the best day of the week was Sunday. I had a new friend from Connecticut drive up and I got to play tour guide all day. I warned him that there’d be lots of walking…and there was. We met in the North End and walkecd down Prince Street to North Square (Paul Revere house) then Columbus Waterfront park. We had lunch at Rowe’s Wharf before taking the elevator up to the nearby Custom House Tower observation deck (Thanks, John, for letting us sneak in!)

From there were walked up State Street to the Old State House, then to the Granary Burial ground, Boston Common (and the “new” and current State House built in 1797), then to the Public Garden, Back Bay, Newbury Street, Copley Square, Copley Place, Prudential Center and our furthest west spot: the Christian Science Center.

This space is definitely a city gem. The long reflecting pool and grand mother church are so wonderful. Being tourists, and since I hadn’t been to the Mapparium in over a decade, we opted to do that. Now, when I used to go, it was a free exhibit. You just entered this room that housed a 3 story stained glass globe that you can walk through over a glass bridge (so you’re inside the earth looking out).

Now it’s part of a $6 admission price to their “museum”. What a joke. The Mapparium is still worth it, but the musuem is just a bunch of computer kiosks and displays telling you about the religion and it’s founder. Propaganda at it’s worst.

There was one fun exhibit that somehow projects your image onto the wall and then does all of these psychedelic things with your shadow. But I’m not sure of the inspiration for this exhibit since their religion doesn’t allow medicine…yet the creator most definitely had to have been a fan of LSD.

The Mapparium was still cool – though instead of just letting you walk through, they’ve created this silly audio tour.

After the Mapparium, we walked into the South End (having cookie and drinks at Francesca’s Cafe), the walked toward the Theatre District, Chinatown, financial district, Post Office Square, then back to the waterfront and North End. We basically did a circle of the entire central city. He loved it, too (I was worried I was boring him with my stupid trivia – but apparently not). He’s eager to come back to Boston to take in more sights

And I’d be more than happy to have him return so I can put on my tourguide visor again. I miss doing that.

August 14th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: Comments Off on Please keep your arms and heads inside the tour bus at all times

Trigger West Bay is apparently my porn or drag name (my first pet’s name and chilchood street address) and that’s who I was yesterday as I woke up with a bit of laryngitis. Of course, I didn’t realize this until a few hours later while at work when my phone rang. Since I live alone and work in a private office, I’ve come to realize that I have very little communication with other people.

Then my phone rang, I picked it up, and I sounded like a drag queen. It caught both me and my caller by surprise.

The funny thing is this little speaking issue isn’t accompanied by any other symptoms. Maybe it’s because I’ve had the fan blowing on me at night? There is a bit of pain if I try talking too much (but living the solitary and antisocial life that I lead prevents that from happening).

Oh, my plans tonight with high school friends have been postponed due to family issues. And for once, they’re not mine! I guess Jessie needs to take care of the kids while her husband has some law school thing to attend.

OK – so here’s a List of Five type thing I snarfed from Karyn’s blog (Vexed in the City):

Five Things in My Closet

• an Aibo robot dog. I inherited this in the break-up with Matt because he owed me money (it in no way comes close to the amount he owed, unfortunately). It scared him because it had red eyes or something. I meant to sell it on ebay but it’s just sat in my closet for a year and a half
• Original Beatles toys/magazines/cards from the 1960’s. I discovered these while cleaning out my friend, Regina’s closets after she died.
• Clothes. More than I ever wear. I should probably go through and weed some out
• Games. Like Scrabble, Clue (Simpsons version), Gayopoly, Pervartistry. Plus playing cards (some with nude men)
• Zwiffer.

Five Things in My Car

• NOTHING. I don’t own a car.

Five Things in My Freezer

• Fish (from Whole Foods)
• Trader Joe’s broccoli (I wrote that just for you Karyn!)
• Edy’s “all-fruit” popsicles…that had apparently melted in transit so now the sticks are completely surrounded by popsicle so I haven’t figured out how to eat them yet.
• Eggo blueberry waffles (over a year old…must be freezer burned)
• Trader Joe’s organic asparagus

Five Things in My Bag

• Magazine (Boston Spirit)
• Aspirin
• Blue pen.
• Business cards
• coupon to Herrell’s Ice Cream Shop

Books on My Nightstand

• Um – I don’t really have a nightstand. Just a mini file cabinet. But on it you’ll find “The Life and Times of Harvey Milk” (the only book there), plus an alarm clock, table lamp, ear plugs, and a remote control for my bed (it’s a Sleep Number bed).

August 11th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 14 Comments