Dirty Laundry

Another weekend for the archives! This Saturday I went to watch the intelligent yet weak Harvard wrestling team. I was really excited because as most of you know, I wrestled in High School and a bit in college. So I have a passion for it. Harvard does not have a good wrestling team sadly. The had two matches, and two losses. I still had fun, and after the match I even went out on the mat and beat up on some people. Yup, I still got it!

Sunday of course is dinner at Franks as always. It was a good sauce, mushroom and sausage. But before dinner I had to do laundry. Which is the basis of this entry. Most of us can agree that doing laundry lies somewhere between a trip to the dentist and a smack to the face as far as fun goes. But it gets better. For me to do laundry I have to pack everything up in a very large suitcase, drag the suitcase down three flights of stairs. Then I have to pull the suitcase several blocks (in the snow yesterday) to the laundromat. But wait, I forgot to get quarters. So now I have to try and hide my suitcase and run to the store. Now, with a pocket full of quarters, run back to the MAT to start the real fun. Sort all the laundry as fast as possible in an attempt to keep weirdos from checking out my undies. There is actually a benefit at this point. I can do four loads at the same time. This of course cost $4/machine. But things are moving fast. There is a sign posted which basically says "don't leave things unattended or they will be stolen and we really don't care". So I ignore that and run out for a cup of coffee. I am 50% sure I will return to find all my clothing gone. Or better yet See people wearing it on my walk back. I get lucky this time, everything is accounted for. Its dry time! I don't know why the dryers are so much larger than the washers. But I figure its so you can fit more. So I put my four loads in two dryers drop another $2/machine. I am also very smug thinking I have beat the system by putting two loads in each dryer, suckers. Guess what... Two loads, no matter the size of the dryer, takes twice as long to dry. So with this time I pretend to read a magazine and not eves-drop on the guy next to me conversation about his newest STD. I also hope I am not using any machines he used...(nothing itchy yet, I will keep you posted). Here is the best part of the entire adventure, folding. There are two types of folders. There are the people that hold their underwear high above their head and maybe even hang some about. And there are the people that quickly seek out all their underwear and stash them out of sight. Guess which I am? I actually like to see if I can get people to help me fold my underwear like its a sheet or something. Because of this I am no longer allowed in the MAT close to my place. Or within 100 feet of the entrance. But my clothes are clean, and I don't have to repeat the process until every last pair of underwear is dirty again... and still maybe not for a few days.

Boston is Slanty!

When I first arrived in Boston I stayed in a sublease for three months. The place was furnished and in a nice area. I had never seen it in person so was a little surprised when I arrived. My room was very slanty. I am talking like a 15 degree slant towards the door. The dresser was so slanty things would roll off. It was impossible to sit at the desk becasue the chair had wheels and you constantly would roll to the door. In fact it was so slanty I had to sleep backwards in bed to avaoid a head rush. But since it was only for three months I figured I could tough it out. My next apartment will be level, I thought.

Guess what? Its not. Nope not even close. The stairs up to my room are so slanty I have witnessed people climb up them gripping the handrail like its a Everest expidition. This of course becomes more entertaining if the climber has finished a few drinks first. It is nearly impossible to make our foosball table level. One side clearly has the advantage. So what have I learned? BOSTON IS SLANTY! Maybe the ground settles differently here. Maybe flat is not important. Maybe one of my legs is shorter than the other. Whatever it is, I live in a slanty-shanty. And I have become comfortable with it.

Flamingos In the woods!

So my Little brother Kevin is not impressed that I managed to find a flamingo in the winter wilderness. But I bet some of you are! So how did this happen? The answer is the STONE ZOO. After wondering around for a few hours and a close call with some ninjas, Frank and I found ourselves on a road. We started walking up the road picking up trash. (save the planet and such) After we had walked just far enough for me to become certain we were walking the wrong direction we found it. The zoo had a very meager entrance and not a single car in the parking lot. Our curiosity overcame us and we went to the ticket booth. There was a guy who explained the zoo was open. He also told us that a good number of the animals were hiding, to escape the cold. He was so desperate to actually have visitors that he gave a a discount and in we went. The Zoo was AWESOME! It was very small taking only 30 min to see everything. It was so wooded and quaint that it really accented the animals well. Ticket-Guy was right, many animals refused to show. I did see wolves, Mt. Lions, Meercats, and Flamingos. The Flamingos were super noisy. I really didn't know why they were making such a ruckus. It reminded me of the scene in ALICE IN WONDERLAND where they use the flamingos to play croquet. Frank and I tried to set up a game really quickly, but as we were the only people in the zoo we were found out quickly. They even had a "exotic Mexican rat" but I am fairly certain it was a gerbil. Still I like the Stone Zoo. A great surprise to a day of hiking!

**DISCLAIMER** Wondering and WAndering can be interchanged when traveling in the woods. Obviously AMTREKKERS don't know this. Maybe thats one reason AMTREKKERS are often lost. And can't read good.

Middlesex Fells

Hey everyone! So that little germ I told you about last week... He finally left. He put up quite a fight and actally I think he was a smoker. either that or he was smoking meat cuz my throat is sure itchy! I have a lingering cough to remind me of the little terror.

Another great weekend to report. I want to focus on my wondering in the wilderness though. Sunday my good friend Frank (the person not the cat) woke me from a very short sleep period to drag me into the woods. Don't worry, nothing unsavory happens at this point. We were going hiking. He had found a place 30min outside of Boston called Middlesex Fells. We drove out there and went wondering around in some very pretty territory. The place is mostly pine trees and granite rocks and it surround a very large lake. Frank told me that the lake is the fresh water supply for Boston. I am not sure i believe him but I threw some rocks in just for prinicple. I was really cold. I was carrying a bottle of water and it froze solid. So when my itchy throat needed some water I was left licking an ice block.Even with the bitter cold, walking around and frolicking in the woods was exactly what I needed. I left with a clear mind and a smile on my face! Here is a list of animals I saw on the hike.
Bald Eagle, several rodents, various birds, flamingos, canadian lynx, and a puma.
Now some of you may be thinking that I am "exagerating" or "stoned" but i assure you that I saw all the animals listed above in the Middlesex Fells. I have Frank (the person) as my wittness. Come back tomorrow and I will tell you how.

Cheers!

Man Down!

Most people that know me are aware that I pride myself on having a stellar immune system. In fact I have gone as far as to gloat that I have the immune system of a super hero. How did I acquire such a defense system. Some people attribute it to my eating things I find. Perhaps it is because I work in hospitals so am regularly exposed to pathogens. I think its just a natural part of being a bad ass. Something strange happen yesterday though. I sneezed. Then I coughed. And then, I got a fever and felt dizzy. Some crazy strong germ somehow managed to skirt my defenses and is now trying to make a living making me feel like crap. But don't shut yourself in the bomb shelter just quite yet. After taking enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy for the rest of my life I think I have him on the run. I refuse to be a good host, and have made it quite clear he is not welcome. Still if you fell the need to send soup, or whiskey, I will not stop you.

Sniff, Sniff-

Amtrekker

I have met many interesting people in my wanderings. Once such guy is named Brett. He currently goes by the name Amtrekker. We met in Boston when he needed a place to stay and found me through http://couchsurfing.com This site allows people to travel the world and crash on couches with locals. Conversely, you can allow people to crash on your couch. More about this later.

Brett had a great job with Disney designing sets for rides. His feet were itchy however, so he created his own adventure. He made a list of 50 things he would like to do in the USA. Then he quit his job, bought a train pass and left home. He has vowed that he will not return home until he finishes his list. Initially he stayed with me for a week in Boston. He has left and returned many times however. Now we are great friends. I have even been able to participate with some on the things on his list. I really like what he is doing and hope to do something similar one day. Check out his website, I appear more than a few times.

Cheers!

http://amtrekker.com

Weekend update

There is nothing I like better than spending time with friends, and that is what I did all weekend.

Friday, George and I finally committed some time to getting our keg system set up. A bunch of friends came over, with lots of beer, and worked with us on getting the taps setup. I am sure I am about to become very popular because I now have three beers on tap in my house! That's right we have a kegerator and three kegs of home brew up and running. It has been a goal of mine for a while. I finally worked it all out with the help of a couple friends who happen to be engineers. One more reason for everyone to visit me in Boston

Saturday my roommates and I hosted a party. We really like theme parties, so the theme was "bring your own holiday". My roommates dressed as, new years, 4th of July, Mardi Gras, St Pa tricks day. I was Oktoberfest. That involves me in some very small leather shorts, and lederhosen. My very hairy legs were a big hit. It was a fun party, and there were many good costumes. I will get some pictures up here at some point.

Sunday I woke to find the house in serious disarray. It smelled like a dive bar too. After some forced breakfast (nothing like grease to absorb alcohol) there was some serious cleaning. After the place was returned to normal I watched the Dallas Cowboys loose in the playoffs. I lost $5 on the game, so there goes the private jet I was saving for. The weekend was wrapped up with some bar trivia. We took sixth place.... too much fun, not enough focus on the questions.

Now I am back at work. I am actually glad to have some peace and quiet.

Cheers!

Cost 20 bones to be dry!

So this morning I awoke to the sound of machine gun fire outside my window. After hitting the deck and shreeching like a little girl further investigation revealed it was only rain. That's right, rain, loads of it, in December, in Boston. Not such a bad thing I guess. Except I had a meeting I had to be to at the hospital. Normally I walk to the hospital, its only 5 blocks away after all. As I was in the shower the solution came to me. A TAXI! I could call a cab and ride to the hospital thus avoiding the buckets of water falling from the above. I called a cab, it arrived promptly, and I was off. (I had gotten dressed as well, this story is PG) How does this story end.... it ends with a 30 min cab ride for 5 blocks. Why? Because its Boston! No one believes in courteous driving here. Oh no, block intersections, take up two lanes, and honk..... a lot! I did arrive dry, but the 5 block ride took twice as long as normal and cost me 20 bones-jones. Was it worth?, you may ask... well the cab smelled like fried chicken and urine, so ya it was worth it.

North End

Solast night I had dinner in the north end, which is little Italy here. There is a great resturant with very authentic food. There are only about four tables and a huge Guido looking guy at the door. You literally have to stand in a line on the sidewalk until a table is available. And of course it is cash only. Come to Boston and I will take you to meet tommy-two-toes (guy that works the door)!

Spring?

Hey kids,

Its really warm in Boston today. Feels like spring. But I will not be fooled. I hear its been really snowy in SLC. How is everyone holding out?

Don't faint Sue

Hey everyone. And by everyone I mean Sue. Becasue I am sure she is the only one reading this. I was so impressed with Brads blog that I decided you were right. It is a great way to share whats going on. PLus I really don't want to loose touch with all those people back West. Dallas is going to win the super bowl!