b l o g o r e l l i

Out in the Bean (for only a few beans)

With the whole "economic situation" happening out there, Mark has taken to sending me lists of fun yet bargain activities in Boston. A few of my favorites from here and here (both via Boston.com):

$5 Community Classes at Back Bay Yoga
90 minutes long, five days a week, with a price tag that might actually force me to relax

(image from Back Bay Yoga's web site)

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A Veally Good Deal from G'Vanni's in North End
Two meals, one bottle of wine, $29.99 M-F 12-6 and S-S 12-5
(then walk the Rose Fitzgerald Greenway, "a series of four parks connecting the North End, the Wharf District, Dewey Square, and Chinatown")

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Weekday Lounging at the Colonnade Hotel's Rooftop Pool
Where else can you sun, swim, people watch and sight see for 30 bucks?
(I've always wanted to check this place out.)

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The Irish Heritage Trail
Note to self: You are marrying a 100% Irish American, time to study up

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Camping on the Boston Harbor Islands
$8 per state resident/night...but you gotta make a reservation, leave being the alcohol and fireworks, and don't forget to factor in the ferry fees

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Salsa like it's warm outside with the Havana Club
Two hours of lessons, three hours of dancing afterward, partner not required, $12 = Um, YES!

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See stars at the Coit Observatory and Harvard Center for Astrophysics
Both places have free nights open to the public

Weekend of Labor (and Leisure)

The past looong weekend seemed to hold so much time that I managed to cram in a ton of fun and productive activities...

On Friday night, The Prof and I bid a fond adieu to his friend Beth as she prepared to begin her adventure in the Princeton Libraries (starting today!) As a tribute to 'DaVille, we brought Dial-a-Pizza; the pie was a hit -- and gone before I could snag a slice. Beth had a bookshelf of "free" items that partygoers could take (great idea to shed belongings pre-move,) and we got a vegetarian one pot recipe book, which I'm excited to try come fall.

Saturday morning, I headed to Sofra in Cambridge solo to meet up with Half Pint, Mr. Car, and baby Will P. Unfortunately, the bakery was mobbed and didn't have any tables, just benches along the windows (not so baby friendly;) we met at Vicki Lee's instead for some breakfast goodies. Will Parker slept the entire time <le sigh> but I was happy to visit with the slightly tired parents and see their new VW Jetta sports wagon, which I now covet after Mr. Car showed off the massive amount of cargo space.

The bright Sunday morning offered the perfect day to head out to Walden Pond with the Dairy Queen/Skydiving in Stilettos. We hung out, swam (her,) read wedding planning books (me,) and just enjoyed the uniquely New England-ness of our surroundings. The evening brought a cookout at The Prof's friend NPY's apartment, where we finally got to play Wii! After a little drumming in Rock Band and a few sets of tennis, I declared that if The Prof registers at Home Depot, then I'm making my wild card location Best Buy. The only things on my registry will be a Wii and Wii accessories.

When I woke up on Monday, Friday seemed about 100 years ago -- not a bad thing. The Prof and I suited up and went to meet Cho and the BBK for a little adventure at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester. The weather cooperated perfectly again, and watching the BBK manically run into the waves and back onto shore in concentric circles, stopping only to bring little handfuls of saltwater to his mouth and take a hearty lick (how much do I love this kid?), I had to admit the weekend worked New England's trifecta on me: great weather, beautiful scenery, fun activities. I don't often admit the thought, but sometimes I simply love living in Boston. There, I typed the words, put it in your pocket for the next six months (during which time I'll be bitterly hating the winter weather. Harumph.)

The day ended with hot dogs in Rockport, car washing at home, beers on the porch, planting some mums for fall, and a delicious dinner while watching Season 3 of Lost. What a life, sometimes...what   a   life.

Rockport Harbor

 

Peg Leg Inn or Motel Peg Leg? Guess that choice depends on preference and means.

 

End-of-summer garden

Day(s) Away

This afternoon, we saw Mom-orelli off at Logan Airport, and came back to resume "normal" life. Having taken Thursday and Friday on vacation from work, I feel like I haven't sat at my desk in months (which is kind of a great feeling, actually.) As usual, I got so sad saying goodbye to my mom, having her around is always a total treat, both because we are so close and also because she spoils me rotten.

My mom requested a "relaxed" visit this time around, so I only planned one out-of-town jaunt, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We drove up on Saturday and spent a few hours walking around, seeing the sights, having beer and apps, and enjoying the sunshine. I'd definitely go back to check out the Isles of Shoals, Strawberry Banke Museum, and maybe even stay at the "Grand Dame of the Sea."

All of the photos from our day away here on my Flickr photostream.

 

Letterpress n' Things

A little over a month ago, I finally got to take a drive out the Northern MA way to visit Letterpress Things. The morning itself was slightly grey and the drive a bit monotonous, but well worth the effort when I met John Barrett, proprietor of all things letterpressed. On certain weekends, he opens his third floor warehouse space up so that typophiles (is that even a word? Well, you know what I mean) like myself can sift through his giant collection of type cuts, presses, cases, and supplies. The Prof and I have tried to make the trip to LPT two times before, once thwarted by other plans and once by a snowstorm. We lucked out this time, though, because the morning we did happen to go to Chicopee, it was just us and John for most of our three hour visit.

John runs a printshop during the week, but LPT is his real passion, and he not only gave us the full tour but also did an impromptu demonstration back in the print shop, where we inked up a press and I got to pull my first print! Luckily, The Prof was there to photograph the whole momentous occasion...

Here's a little description of our process (I'm remembering the best I can, so please excuse if something is in the wrong order.)

Step 1: Pick out something to print
In our case, John chose a kicky little parrot, which we ended up using over my Swiss-looking cut of two children because it had better metal.

Step 2: Lock the type into the case
This step involves arranging a bunch of little pieces of wood to steady the type (or parrot) and locking everything tight with a key.

Step 3: Ink the plate
Pretty self-explanatory, except that the ink was pretty sticky and concentrated. Luckily, I have a light touch.

Ink smear on plate, how very Pollock, no?

After spreading the ink on the plate, you've got to turn the plate and run the rollers over it a bunch of times to get everything coated to the right consistency. John said that it kind of sounded like rolling wet paint onto a wall (it did) and that as a person letterpresses more, s/he knows when the ink is exactly at the perfect consistency by sound alone.

Step 4: Lock in the chase
Basically, we got the whole metal/wood thingy-ma-bob and slid it into the press.

John makes an adjustment to the guides so we don't crush the expensive little pieces in the big metal press.

Inking the type/parrot...

Step 5: The proof
Before you just "take it there", a proof is pressed to check ink coverage and positionng. This is when I first got to see the positive impression of our parrot; I'll call him Morty.

Step 6: (Deep Breath) Pulling a print

Here I am, pulling my first print of Morty. I guess most people don't have a photographer front and center to capture this moment, but luckily The Prof was there. Now we can look at this foto and remember the exact second when I stopped sinking all of my auxiliary money into Catherine Holm pots from Ebay and instead started amassing letterpress things.

Me and Morty; could I look more eerily excited?

Morty immediately after his "birth."

Karate Kid and my letterpress Mr. Miyagi (he said I was a natural.)

I loved my time at Letterpress Things and am planning to buy a press there, a little Kelsey that is in the process Mr. Barrett and start my new hobby -- as an amateur letterpresser. Wootie-woot!!!

Look, we even made the LPT blog! (click on "continue" to read, and look at some more fotos of LPT here.)

Blogorelli from the Block

Although I'd prefer to find the doppelgänger of this perfecto house near Boston and just move in, I'm anticipating more than a struggle to locate even another apartment (if we must). Finding an acceptable house in the right price range? A maybe impossible task. Hurumph.

I've been doing some initial research, and thought I may have found a possible developing neighborhood with lower priced housing nearby to Roslindale: Hyde Park. Like Roslindale, Hyde Park is part of the Main Streets program which revitalizes communities. Residents of the area can access a few commuter rail stops, it used to have a thriving central business district, and the area still maintains some of its notable Victorian architecture. Supposedly, the artists are moving in, and I found at least one promising restaurant.

The excitement dispersed when The Prof came home and told me a co-worker of his who lives in The Ros said moving to many places in Hyde Park would be like living, as Elvis so notably sang, "in the ghetto." Still, I'm interested in the developing artists' lofts.

"The chronicles of Westinghouse Plaza deliver a tale of American industry and technological progress. Originally built in 1908, the many buildings that encompass the property have served a variety of industrial roles ranging from the development of aircraft to the manufacturing of crank shafts for the US Navy in World War II. At one point, over 5,000 people worked three shifts at the site, some in buildings with the windows painted opaque to ensure the black-out conditions.

Over the decades, Westinghouse altered its focus and developed other contemporary technologies. Although Westinghouse long ago sold the property, to this day, the vibrant life of the buildings has continued to provide a place for companies to build, create and provide services. An example of the diversity of members of the Plaza is one of the largest uses at the site: The School of the Pacific Rim, a charter school, one of the best in the country.

Today, the vibrant property is transforming again. One of the largest buildings on site, Building C, a 120,000 square foot three-story building, is about to become a living/working artist community."

I'm always game to learn about the history of nearby places and drive by, check things out...so long as that "drive by" is of the Sunday afternoon variety!

A Thirty Something (Ok, Just 30)

If the past week, or heck, even the past three days, are any indication as to the general quality of my upcoming thirties...then bring it ON!

My last few days in Asheville went great; I'd found my groove with the city and managed to see and do pretty much everything on my mental list. I arrived home Thursday night refreshed and relaxed. I had Friday, my actual birthday, off from work, so I settled in slowly and went for a fun lunch with Cho to celebrate. The Prof came home from work around 5:30, and we headed to Dali Restaurant for tapas and sangria. Of course, we had to arrive at the geriatric dining time of 6:15 to get a table, and I missed a bunch of people calling to wish me "happy day." I really enjoyed all the voicemails during the car ride home, though, so thanks to everyone who called.

Saturday was MOSCOW CATS THEATRE DAY! Yippeee! The Prof and I had a lazy morning and then got dressed and drove to John Hancock Hall for the 1:00pm matinée performace. Inter-net, I will post photos, but I only have one word to describe the insanely entertaining feline and Eastern European antics of the show: WOW.

After 75 minutes of Moscow Cats, I needed a little recharge when we got home. I took a short cat (ha) nap and then dressed for what I thought was a casual dinner with The Prof, Cho, and Bobby Crocker. As we walked through Roslindale Village on the way to have a drink, the ChoBos paused right in front of our neighborhood cheese shop, a cute place that I raved about during my initial exploration of The Ros.

We decided to go in and check it out, but the door was locked. A woman came to the door and asked if we were with the private party. I said, "No, no" and started to walk awway. The Prof stopped me and said that, actually, we were there for the party. I thought he was being goofy and trying to get us into the shop so the ChoBos could see it. Ever clueless, I tried to leave twice before I realized that the private party was for ME! The Prof rented out the cheese shop, invited my nearest and dearest...and planned a classy wine and cheese tasting party for my birthday!

I was completely shocked. I've also never felt so happy, loved, or excited. A few photos:

Me and Bobby Crocker

Wine and cheese table shot

Jeffé, Sarah, Lil Kim, and Kevin

The Prof with his sisters, in age progression, youngest to oldest, from L-R

The NACHOS(!) and P. Natty

Two Queenies: Dairy and Birthday

I'll have that  Prof with a side of (The) NACHOS

And the requisite photo of me in my SHIT shirt, sent from Ohio courtesy of The Polish Princess:

Just when I think that I am coming back to Earth, I arrive at work this morning to find:

Perhaps thirty just might be my best year yet...

Safe, Sound...and 30!

Well, I made it back to The Bean -- and (eek) into my THIRTIES!

Full report on Monday.

TAT*

Thanks to everyone for checking in on me here and leaving positive comments. The past two days "down south" have really made me scream -- internally, anyway -- "I'm on VA-CA-TIOOOON!"

Yesterday, I got up and ventured away from the hotel...but not too far...for a real downhome breakfast at The Haystack, a little Southern cookin' place right at the end of the hotel's driveway (told you that I didn't make it far, especially without coffee.) After a delicious plate full of eggs, bacon, grits, and freshly baked bread, toasted, I headed out on an adventure tailored uniquely to me -- checking out all the thrift stores in the greater Asheville and Western Asheville vicinity. The weather was a bit cloudy, so I thought it was the perfect day for some indoor exploring. Sadly, the thrift scene here is not so robust as I had hoped, but I still picked up a few things for the store and a few for me too!

After a BBQ late lunch (many details later,) I drove waaay up into the hills for my special vacation 'treat'...a one hour private tub at the Shoji Japanese spa. Interestingly enough, I totally bought into the spa's brochure because the descriptions of its treatments reminded me of another Japanese hot tub place I've  visited -- Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe. As I checked in, I came to find out that Shoji is based on TTW...they even carry its line of amazing bath and body products. Woo hoo!

I settled into my tub and looked around at all the colorful leaves and beautiful mountain views. As my hour progressed, the sky went from light to dark and a light rain started sprinkling. Everything seemed perfect and I felt myself relax into...vacation. I even cold plunged *4* times, in case anyone who witnessed my lame cold plunge attempts at TTW was wondering.

Today, I got up and had a quick breakfast (yes, at the hotel -- so I'm cheap!) then took the winding road through Western North Carolina's "Apple Country" to Chimney Rock. The Rock (that's what they call it) is almost 3,000ft into the mountains and there's an elevator running directly through the middle of it, which takes visitors up 250+ feet in 30 seconds. So I took the elevator up and saw the most beautiful views of my trip. I hiked down and then, after a quick lunch, drove over to another popular attraction, the Biltmore Estate.

Ok, the Vanderbilts succeeded in making tons of money, and it seems appropriate that their estate also excels at this particular goal. The entrance fee to the Estate's 8,000 acres was a hefty $55...whoa. But since I bought my ticket after 3pm, I'm going back again tomorrow. Today I explored the Farm, the Inn, and the Vineyard. Normally, I hate tourist attractions and particularly ones where I am jammed in with (other) people, but since I've stayed mostly off the radar this trip, I figured that some typical tourists and  their off-hand comments would be a refreshing break from my solitude.

I was wrong.

However, the grounds of the Estate are amazing and I'm looking forward to going back tomorrow and spending a few hours in the house (which has 250 rooms, 43 of which are bathrooms.) Then I'll have lunch and it's off to the airport! Tonight, I'm going to explore a few places downtown which I missed and maybe try to catch some live bluegrass.

On Sunday night while drinking at Applebee's bar, I could never imagine how I'd fill five days by myself. I even broke out in a stress rash that first night. BUT now I can hardly believe that tomorrow is the last day of my solo 30 trip. There are a few things about traveling alone that I may never get used to -- like having to initiate conversations with people sitting next to me at bars who usually turn out to be in the Navy (?) and always being called "that lady over there by herself" -- but, for the most part, this trip has made me come to some important realizations. Don't worry, I'll share them here, along with some photos, once I'm back home. Overall, I don't think you can deny, Inter-net, that I've pulled myself up by my (Appalacian) bootstraps in regard to this vacation! Oh, and two things:
1. the stress rash has healed
2. I'll never travel without a laptop again

So tomorrow night, I fly back to Boston, and turn the BIG 30 while in flight since the plane lands at 12:35am and I entered the world at 12:02am back in 1977. Seems an appropriate entrance into my third decade, don'tcha think?

Biscuits with gravy on top,
Blogorelli

* Total Asheville Tourist

Day 3 in The Paris of The South

Well, Inter-net, don't send reinforcements -- my vacation is back on the right track (I think.)

I went to Bon Paul + Sharky's this morning to talk to Joe, the owner, about a refund. He was totally understanding and gave me back all of my cash, except for $35 for the first night since they couldn't fill the room after I unexpectedly departed. Feeling much better, I headed downtown and just spent an hour sipping coffee and looking through my maps outside the Grove Arcade -- how Parisian is that? The weather is warm and sunny...and my overall demeanor might just follow suit today.

Although I realize, in retrospect, that spending *5* days by myself might have been a little long, I think that I can actually fill the time and have a fun trip. Things are not at all as bad as I may have initially indicated, so I apologize if I put anyone on alert. I'm a little melodramatic sometimes. The whole hostel thing really just made me feel like an over-optimistic chump, but with the refund, I feel better.

Anyway, it's early in the day, so I plan to finish up this entry and then do a comprehensive walking tour of downtown Asheville (and take lots of digipics.) Later tonight, it's off to eat some "authentic" Southern BBQ and check out some contra dancing at a local music hall. It's a combination of square dancing and line dancing -- and unique to Western North Carolina. Didn't ya'll know that ?

More tomorrow...
Blogorelli

PS: Apologies for the lack of links and photos -- the computer in the coffee shop isn't allowing me to do that stuff.

Asheville, Day 2: The Sun'll Come Up...

Ok, so yesterday did not go quite as I had planned. This morning, I woke up, determined to REALLY start my solo trip. I also wanted to rebound from the melancholy I felt last night, when I ended up crying on the phone to Dad-orelli and The Prof before having to resort to comfort drinking at the Applebees across from the hotel.

After eating the complementary hotel hot breakfast (pancakes and sausage), I took a short drive to check out "historic downtown Hendersonville"...a 10 minute drive from the hotel. Of course, this being the South and a Sunday, everyone was in church. So I strolled around the cute main street, took a few photos, got back in the car and went for a short drive on the Blue Hills Parkway. There are mountains surrounding the Asheville area, which makes for a beautiful panoramic with the leaves just in the final stages of their fall colors.

I talked to Mom-orelli, who assured me that everything would be fine, and I was off to explore the New York Times-hyped River Arts District's Open Studios. Now, I've said this while visiting the South End Open Studios, Somerville Open Studios, and basically any museum ever...one can only look at so many pieces of 'art' before slipping into a saturation coma. I made it for about two hours. Good lordy, do western North Carolinian (?) artists love the ceramics. Also present: a lot of metal working (blame the mountain culture and history), which I actually enjoyed.

After the Open Studios, I headed downtown to check out a little of the Asheville local flavor. I'm there right now, in a little cyber cafe. So more updates to come tomorrow...but I'm now enjoying my vacation -- and I might actually make it to Thursday!