Girl Meets Boston

boston may not buy me chocolates and flowers, but...

2008-02-14T12:19:00.007-05:00

It's Valentine's Day. Love it or hate it, it's here. Instead of musing about the beauty of the world's most noble emotion or ranting about the commercialized nature of the holiday, I'd rather talk about my newest love, and conveniently the focus of this blog, the city of Boston. How do I love Boston? Let me count the ways:

1. The accent.

I'm a suckah for anybody with a cah anywhere near Hahvahd yahd. I don't think it will ever get old, and that is perfectly fine by me.

2. The library.

Make all the nerd jokes you want, but I love love love The Boston Public Library. Maybe it's the cathedral ceilings or that perfect old book smell, but I could happily spend hours and hours in that place and still never want to leave. If you've never been, I suggest you grab your coat and leave now. Finish reading my blog later.

3. The history.

Coming from Philadelphia, I am well-versed in national history and walking tours. Despite that, I still always stop and read every one of those landmark signs I pass, and I'm always amazed. Paul Revere, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John F. Kennedy. The city's a living textbook that as taught me more than any history class ever has.

4. The baseball.

I am a Phillies fan for life. A lifetime of disappointment, maybe, but what's a girl without her loyalty? That being said, I have to give Boston credit not just for the sports teams, but for the fan dedication. I've never seen anything like it. Right about now, those among us who are anti- Red Sox are thinking of a word that is something along the lines of "bandwagon." That may be so, but once you're here, living mere blocks from Fenway, you're a believer. I'll never cheer for the Sox, but who am I to argue with Boston's tenth man?

5. The T.

Sure, it can be unreliable. Yes, sometimes it stops running all together. But I love the T. It's the New York subway system and the Disneyworld monorail in one. Best ride for my $2.

6. The DD obsession.

I'm talking Dunkin' Donuts, not Dungeons and Dragons. With over 1,000 locations in and around Boston, I think it's safe to call it an obsession. And Boston, that's okay. The first step is admitting you have a problem.

7. The Fens.

About 10 steps away from my front door, it's beautiful. Maybe not so much at night. (It's known for it's crime after dark) But during the day, there's nothing I love more than a stroll through the Victory Garden or reading a book in the rose garden.

8. The Matt Damon.

Okay, so I haven't see him. Yet. But one day it'll happen. Boston in general is growing in popularity as a filming destination. Just the other day I auditioned to be an extra in a new Scorsese/DiCaprio movie. Obviously I don't have my heart set of rocketing into stardom, but it's a good story to tell and something interesting to see happening. I'll let you know when I make it to the Academy Awards.

9. The people.

I love Bostonians. True, they all don't go around holding hands. Get them behind a wheel, and they might as well be New Yorkers. But the people in Boston seem to have this unspoken camaraderie happening. I'm comfortable here and though it may not be my hometown, it sure is beginning to feel like it.

"Love that dirty water; Oh, Boston, you're my home"

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

mortality and philadelphia

2008-02-13T11:56:00.004-05:00

It's been a while. Frankly I've been super busy with classes and the procrastination that comes with those classes. A full schedule. One of my favorite latest assignments was my own obituary. Yes, that's right, I had to write my own obituary for journalism class. I went through about four versions (heart failure, brain cancer, falling down the stairs, etc.) before I settled on a freak skydiving accident on my 80th birthday, Harold & Maude style. Never seen the movie? It's one of my favorites. Please consider putting it in your Netflix queue.

On a completely unrelated note, Forbes has released their list of the ten most "miserable" cities. Find the original article here. To compile the list, Forbes looked at unemployment rates, income taxes, commute times, weather, crime, and pollution. Topping the list was Detroit (not exactly a surprising choice), and coming in at number five was my hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, yes, I know this blog was to chronicle my life in Boston, but something had to be said. I love Philly. I love it with all its imperfections, of which, according to Forbes, there are many. And I quote:

"How miserable is Philly? The residents of the City of Brotherly Love once booed Santa Claus and pelted him with snowballs at an Eagles game. Maybe it's the long commutes, violent crime and plethora of toxic waste sites that has people grumpy. Philadelphia scored in the top 20 in all three areas."

Ouch, Forbes. I don't think that's really fair. All right, so the snowball thing did happen. December 15, 1968. But what most people don't know is that he had it coming. Check out this article from USA Today. So let's give the angry fan reputation a rest. And as for the long commutes, violent crime, and toxic waste? Welcome to urban living in any city. I love Philadelphia and it loves me back, whether Forbes thinks it's miserable or not.

Now that that's over, let's all be friends and watch your newest favorite movie:

"Go and love some more."

a snow day

2008-01-14T19:19:00.000-05:00

Finally experienced my first official New England snowfall. I'm pleased to report that (1) I survived, (2) classes were cancelled. As a result, I was able to reach an entirely new height of unproductiveness today. Though between episodes of "Weeds," I did manage to document some of the new scenery.

A look down the Fenway at the Museum of Fine Arts

My home in Boston, Kerr Hall

The snow-blanketed Fens

Overall, it was a successful snow experience in my book. I didn't fall, get frostbite, or get hit by (too many) snowballs. And the snow just makes Boston look that much more beautiful, if that's possible. Downside of snow days: I did not do any homework. So that's what I have to do now. Math problems, here I come. Wish me luck!

a slow day

2008-01-13T22:19:00.000-05:00

While I wait for amusing things to happen to me, enjoy "Grape Lady." I know I always do.

poor man's journalism, if you ask me.

2008-01-13T21:08:00.000-05:00

So I was told that I should start a blog. I’m a journalism major at Northeastern University, and apparently journalists today do more “blogging” than anything else. Shocking, I know. Frankly I think I picked the wrong major.

Anyway, so I moved to Boston this fall to start school, and I’m liking it so far… minus the whole inferiority complex I’m developing as a result of the region’s super human sports teams. So for now, all I have to say is prepare yourself for upcoming retellings of my adventures in “The Hub” (that’s Boston for you non- New Englanders) and cross your fingers that I get a snow day tomorrow!