Boston's Common Grounds
Apparently the common grounds in Boston is Starbucks. You'd think that in the city famous for the Boston Tea Party I'd be able to find an old school coffee shop and get a cup of java; you'd be wrong. I saw more Starbucks Coffee shops in Boston than I have seen in my life (mind you I have never been to Seattle, and the last time I visited Manhattan was prior to Starbucks' invasion).
I thought I wouldn't like Boston, eventhough it is one the breeding grounds of Blue State mentalilty. I figured the New England accent (pahking the cah in Hahvahd Yahd) would grow tiresome quickly and I would be ready to kill someone faster than you could say "Reverse the Curse." I was wrong.
My hotel, the Boston Sheraton, was accomodating enough to give me room 1927 (think Murderer's Row -- 1927 Yankees) although being a Mets fan (and you should still be one too Kevin!) I would have preferred room 1986. From my room I could see Fenway Park to the left, the Prudential Center to the right, and the Charles River straight ahead.
What I learned is that I had to take to the streets in order to appreciate Boston, or at least the portion of the city I was able to see.
On Friday I noticed numerous pubs that fit the description of "my type of bar." Due to the wedding festivities and New Year's I was only able to make it to one of these, Bukowski's Tavern, home of the Dead Authors' Club and possessor of the Wheel of Beer. Unfortunately by the time I got there on New Year's Eve I was too drunk to appreciate either of those, but I was not so far gone to appreciate the box at the entrance which said "put your party hats here, you look stupid as shit wearing them."
Much to the amazement of my friends I woke early on Saturday morning and went for a walk. I walked down to the Charles and along it for a short while. The old trees along the Charles are amazing. They have character beyond belief, many of which have succumded to brisk winds off the Charles and have taken to growing at an acute angle as opposed to straight up and down. From the Charles I went up and walked along Commonweath, which has a wonderful median full of old specimen trees and statues. Commonweath reminded me of the Neutral Grounds commonly found in New Orleans. Finally on my way back to the hotel I stumbled across the 25 mile marker for the Boston Marathon. I briefly thought about traversing the last 1.2 miles to the finish line, but quickly came to my senses and went back to the hotel.
The reason for my Boston trip? Kevin and Christie's wedding. One of the best weddings I have ever attended. It's always a treat to see two people who looked honestly happy to be getting married. I thank them for letting me be a part of their lives, and I wish them the best!
My final conclusion? Boston was nice, a place I'd like to visit again, but there seems to be nothing there to lure me from leaving my life Inside The Perimeter.
Cheers (and I'm not talking about the bar based on the Bull and Finch)!
Paulie [eatl/ga]
I thought I wouldn't like Boston, eventhough it is one the breeding grounds of Blue State mentalilty. I figured the New England accent (pahking the cah in Hahvahd Yahd) would grow tiresome quickly and I would be ready to kill someone faster than you could say "Reverse the Curse." I was wrong.
My hotel, the Boston Sheraton, was accomodating enough to give me room 1927 (think Murderer's Row -- 1927 Yankees) although being a Mets fan (and you should still be one too Kevin!) I would have preferred room 1986. From my room I could see Fenway Park to the left, the Prudential Center to the right, and the Charles River straight ahead.
What I learned is that I had to take to the streets in order to appreciate Boston, or at least the portion of the city I was able to see.
On Friday I noticed numerous pubs that fit the description of "my type of bar." Due to the wedding festivities and New Year's I was only able to make it to one of these, Bukowski's Tavern, home of the Dead Authors' Club and possessor of the Wheel of Beer. Unfortunately by the time I got there on New Year's Eve I was too drunk to appreciate either of those, but I was not so far gone to appreciate the box at the entrance which said "put your party hats here, you look stupid as shit wearing them."
Much to the amazement of my friends I woke early on Saturday morning and went for a walk. I walked down to the Charles and along it for a short while. The old trees along the Charles are amazing. They have character beyond belief, many of which have succumded to brisk winds off the Charles and have taken to growing at an acute angle as opposed to straight up and down. From the Charles I went up and walked along Commonweath, which has a wonderful median full of old specimen trees and statues. Commonweath reminded me of the Neutral Grounds commonly found in New Orleans. Finally on my way back to the hotel I stumbled across the 25 mile marker for the Boston Marathon. I briefly thought about traversing the last 1.2 miles to the finish line, but quickly came to my senses and went back to the hotel.
The reason for my Boston trip? Kevin and Christie's wedding. One of the best weddings I have ever attended. It's always a treat to see two people who looked honestly happy to be getting married. I thank them for letting me be a part of their lives, and I wish them the best!
My final conclusion? Boston was nice, a place I'd like to visit again, but there seems to be nothing there to lure me from leaving my life Inside The Perimeter.
Cheers (and I'm not talking about the bar based on the Bull and Finch)!
Paulie [eatl/ga]
posted by Paulie at 5:39 PM
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