I'd rather be a good liver than have one
Sep. 1st, 2008 10:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
partheniaAm back from a 4-day bender weekend break visiting my old friend Tina in Boston. This is mostly for my benefit.
Wednesday
Out on an elderly American Airlines flight which was trying, I swear, to fly us straight back into the 1970s. Cabin crew were wrinkled husks, not far off their first Zimmer frames; in-flight magazine was packed with ads to improve your business sales potential.
Tina got divorced a few years ago from her somewhat deadbeat husband, and has moved to a pretty, rambling apartment on the top floor of a clapboard mansion in south Boston. My friend collects interesting art and is very neat and tidy; also possesses the most comfortable guest bed ever, one of those Posturepedic $3000 dollar mattresses, oh my.
On Wednesday night Tina made a vast, authentic paella for me and six friends. *weeps with culinary joy* She also made an extraordinary salad with spinach, fresh pineapple, dried sour cherries, red onion and feta cheese, which sounds somewhat digusting but was very delicious.
Thursday
Up late-ish and drove over to Harvard Square to mooch around bookshops, craft shops, and Crate and Barrel; then went for a late lunch (seared Asahi tuna with fresh salsa, smooth guacamole and grilled romaine lettuce, with a large glass of Chenin Blanc).
Regrouped at home and then went out to see jazz - big band style, at Ryles jazz club, playing a mixture of Duke Ellington and modern compositions. The band leader, for any aficionados out there, was Greg Hopkins, and this was one of his scratch bands. Jazz was preceded by dinner somewhere I don't remember - the one and only duff meal, greatly brightened by a large and salty margarita.
Friday
We went for a run in the morning, doing several laps of Jamaica Pond, a pretty lake which seems to exist entirely to be run round by middle-aged joggers (ahem) trying to run away from death.
Drove to Newbery Street near downtown Boston for window-shopping and people-watching, while Tina pointed out all the art galleries and gave me a run-down of how attractive their previews were, based on the quality of the wine and snacks provided...
Went for lunch (er) at an Italian restaurant on Newbery St. I had a Cosmopolitan (ZOMG) and then a Sidecar; my companion had mint julep followed by a bone dry Martini. We sat in the sunshine and watched the pretty people.
Also, I had a very large rocket salad. Vitamins are so important.
*facepalm*
Bought a number of things I didn't really need from the bookshops and boutiques of Newbery St, and then headed home for general regrouping and leftover paella with scallops.And quite a lot of pink wine.
Saturday
Breakfast of sourdough toast and then a very very long walk around Arnold Arboretum, a vast park, looking at giant beech trees and 250-year old bonsai.
Drove over to Jamaica Plain to buy some presents and also to visit JP Licks, aka best icecream parlour in the (New) world. Note to self: Coffee. Oreo. Icecream. *nods*
Then we drove down to Providence, Rhode Island for Waterfire: this is a cunning city festival, where the river that winds through the heart of the port is lit up by a hundred bonfires, which float on the river like a giant fiery necklace.
But, er, first, we went to an Italian restaurant buried in the docks and I had deep-fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta-herb cheese and fresh tomato sauce. This so-called appetizer was the size of my head but also the most delicious thing ever so I ate every single scrap, peaking much too early. Then the main course arrived - sage pork chop with crushed potatoes, sausage and wilted greens - yummm; unfortunately, this was the size of a small child. But! We were in America, where it is entirely acceptable to box up your dinner and take it home, so I suspect Tina's having it for lunch.
We strolled around Waterfire, which is very atmospheric - motorboats glide by, full of locals dressed in black, lighting the braziers and stoking them with extra wood; music plays, from New Agey whale music to opera. We came across an opera tenor singing, and dancers spinning torches.
Back home I had two Perfect Manhattans (oh, just yes) and some Trader Joe cashew trail mix and stayed up late shooting the breeze with Tina, before cramming all my (new) possessions back into my suitcase.
I took a day flight home yesterday, notable only for the end part where Heathrow had some weather problems and we couldn't land; and then when we did we couldn't get a gate so we sat on the tarmac for an hour. I did not feel the need to drink. ^-^
(Partial) Shopping tally:
Jo Malone scent, Heathrow
Lots and lots of books including Cryptonomicon, and To Say Nothing of the Dog, yay
Painted ceramic earrings
Buffalo horn ring
Mini cocktail shaker
Chipotle salsa, dried sour cherries, Trader Joe's
Little painted bowls and bamboo salad servers from Crate and Barrel
Deeply overpriced soy shampoo and pomegranate conditioner from Fresh in Newbery St (a Cosmopolitan-fuelled purchase if ever there was)
Metal letter E from Urban Outfitters
Lots of magazines (fashion, decorating, Details)
And then I came home and went to bed and woke up and had breakfast and wrote this and then it was now :D.
Wednesday
Out on an elderly American Airlines flight which was trying, I swear, to fly us straight back into the 1970s. Cabin crew were wrinkled husks, not far off their first Zimmer frames; in-flight magazine was packed with ads to improve your business sales potential.
Tina got divorced a few years ago from her somewhat deadbeat husband, and has moved to a pretty, rambling apartment on the top floor of a clapboard mansion in south Boston. My friend collects interesting art and is very neat and tidy; also possesses the most comfortable guest bed ever, one of those Posturepedic $3000 dollar mattresses, oh my.
On Wednesday night Tina made a vast, authentic paella for me and six friends. *weeps with culinary joy* She also made an extraordinary salad with spinach, fresh pineapple, dried sour cherries, red onion and feta cheese, which sounds somewhat digusting but was very delicious.
Thursday
Up late-ish and drove over to Harvard Square to mooch around bookshops, craft shops, and Crate and Barrel; then went for a late lunch (seared Asahi tuna with fresh salsa, smooth guacamole and grilled romaine lettuce, with a large glass of Chenin Blanc).
Regrouped at home and then went out to see jazz - big band style, at Ryles jazz club, playing a mixture of Duke Ellington and modern compositions. The band leader, for any aficionados out there, was Greg Hopkins, and this was one of his scratch bands. Jazz was preceded by dinner somewhere I don't remember - the one and only duff meal, greatly brightened by a large and salty margarita.
Friday
We went for a run in the morning, doing several laps of Jamaica Pond, a pretty lake which seems to exist entirely to be run round by middle-aged joggers (ahem) trying to run away from death.
Drove to Newbery Street near downtown Boston for window-shopping and people-watching, while Tina pointed out all the art galleries and gave me a run-down of how attractive their previews were, based on the quality of the wine and snacks provided...
Went for lunch (er) at an Italian restaurant on Newbery St. I had a Cosmopolitan (ZOMG) and then a Sidecar; my companion had mint julep followed by a bone dry Martini. We sat in the sunshine and watched the pretty people.
Also, I had a very large rocket salad. Vitamins are so important.
*facepalm*
Bought a number of things I didn't really need from the bookshops and boutiques of Newbery St, and then headed home for general regrouping and leftover paella with scallops.
Saturday
Breakfast of sourdough toast and then a very very long walk around Arnold Arboretum, a vast park, looking at giant beech trees and 250-year old bonsai.
Drove over to Jamaica Plain to buy some presents and also to visit JP Licks, aka best icecream parlour in the (New) world. Note to self: Coffee. Oreo. Icecream. *nods*
Then we drove down to Providence, Rhode Island for Waterfire: this is a cunning city festival, where the river that winds through the heart of the port is lit up by a hundred bonfires, which float on the river like a giant fiery necklace.
But, er, first, we went to an Italian restaurant buried in the docks and I had deep-fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta-herb cheese and fresh tomato sauce. This so-called appetizer was the size of my head but also the most delicious thing ever so I ate every single scrap, peaking much too early. Then the main course arrived - sage pork chop with crushed potatoes, sausage and wilted greens - yummm; unfortunately, this was the size of a small child. But! We were in America, where it is entirely acceptable to box up your dinner and take it home, so I suspect Tina's having it for lunch.
We strolled around Waterfire, which is very atmospheric - motorboats glide by, full of locals dressed in black, lighting the braziers and stoking them with extra wood; music plays, from New Agey whale music to opera. We came across an opera tenor singing, and dancers spinning torches.
Back home I had two Perfect Manhattans (oh, just yes) and some Trader Joe cashew trail mix and stayed up late shooting the breeze with Tina, before cramming all my (new) possessions back into my suitcase.
I took a day flight home yesterday, notable only for the end part where Heathrow had some weather problems and we couldn't land; and then when we did we couldn't get a gate so we sat on the tarmac for an hour. I did not feel the need to drink. ^-^
(Partial) Shopping tally:
Jo Malone scent, Heathrow
Lots and lots of books including Cryptonomicon, and To Say Nothing of the Dog, yay
Painted ceramic earrings
Buffalo horn ring
Mini cocktail shaker
Chipotle salsa, dried sour cherries, Trader Joe's
Little painted bowls and bamboo salad servers from Crate and Barrel
Deeply overpriced soy shampoo and pomegranate conditioner from Fresh in Newbery St (a Cosmopolitan-fuelled purchase if ever there was)
Metal letter E from Urban Outfitters
Lots of magazines (fashion, decorating, Details)
And then I came home and went to bed and woke up and had breakfast and wrote this and then it was now :D.
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no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 12:16 pm (UTC)*shudders*
I have very veyr VERY bad memories of my last brush with Ahi tuna at The Abbey in LA - let's just say I was extremely ill from 6am through to noon the next morning. I am never, ever ever ever eating it again.
Sounds like you had a fabulous time. Shopping for stuff you don't nede is always such good fun and I am glad to see toiletries on the haul *g* A girl can never have too many toiletries!
Must meet up soon. Next week may be manic as if all goes to plan I shall be moving back to the flat but the week after (w/c 15th) is maybe doable!
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 03:30 pm (UTC)Oh, it was lovely! A real rest cure - conversation, walks, great food and laid-back company.
P. starts secondary tomorrow - am about to go and iron on lots of name tags and double-check the uniform and pencil case.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 02:00 pm (UTC)I am curious though - a mini cocktail shaker? Is this an attempt to cut down? ;)
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 03:31 pm (UTC)funny thing is, my friend has this superhealthy/over-organic approach to just about every other food group. I suppose it's not a food group.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 03:04 pm (UTC)Let me know when you might be jaunting Northward: I have a hankering for one of Peter's Manhattans.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 03:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 03:35 pm (UTC)It sounds like you managed to get around quite a bit in a short time, and worked brilliantly around the blue laws. Now next time you must aim just a bit farther south to come find us in New York.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 03:48 pm (UTC)We had to put our leftover wine, stoppered, in a sealed plastic bag, on order to take it home. Strange place.
It was great food, I have to say. I got my fix of all the US favourites in three-and-a-half days.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 04:34 pm (UTC)US laws about alcohol are generally insane, and very confusing between states. Viz: In New York, liquor stores may sell only wines and spirits. They may not sell beer, nor mixers for liquor, nor delicious salty snack foods to consume with wine and spirits. Beer may only be bought in grocery stores. Categorized with beer are other light grain beverages, such as Zima and many of the commercial "coolers." But across the river in New Jersey, liquor stores sell beer, wine, and spirits, as well as mixers and snacks. However, in some counties, only beer and wine may be sold on Sundays, so the section of the shop with spirits is gated off one day a week.
Bergen County, NJ, where I work, is carpeted with shopping malls, none of which are open on Sundays, though malls in neighboring counties thrive all weekend. It seems especially punitive to the towns that have large Jewish communities, many of whom won't do business on their own sabbath. Happy weekend, suckers.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 09:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 06:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 09:36 pm (UTC)I have been trying that. Spa water for a while. I wasn't out of it by any stretch but it was all a bit more than my usual intake.