Boston It Is Part 2

Well, we are almost at the end of my second week in Boston and I must admit, I will miss Atlanta. I just returned from there, after spending a day with the moving crew that will bring all my stuff to Boston. And that is a good thing, because my Boston apartment does not feel like home as yet, without my books, CDs, stereo, etc. Besides, sleeping on an air mattress is getting really old.

I'm not sure I like moving anymore. It makes me take stock of my life and I've been doing this all too often lately. I have realized that I accumulate too many things, that I am tied to these things and don't want to part with them. And I don't like that. I don't like feeling so dependent on accumulated objects. I do want to have few nice, even prized possessions, but that's about it. Everything else seems to be superfluous. Sunil, what do the Hindus say man? I know what Buddha says, and I know what Mohammed and Jesus say about earthly possessions. I still need some light though.

Anyway, too heavy. Let's get on to some fun stuff. My first week in Boston was good. There are times when I'm driving around, going to the office (which is far from being Boston, and I'm sure I will feel different when winter's snow storms arrive in time), or just walking around, that I feel that I belong here. At least for the next little while. Darn, I need to find a new hairdresser too!

Alrighty then! So, my first Saturday in Boston I spent getting lost driving around, trying to find my way. In other words, familiarize myself with the terrain. I woke up early, went downstairs to the gym for a short workout, and then went running on the path along Charles River. Darn! I didn't know how long it was. I did 5 miles before I realized how far I was. Of course, if it weren’t for all those lovelies on that fine day, I wouldn't have gone that far. Then I had to take my sore ass back, and that wasn't pleasant. But I came to the realization that if I were to do a marathon (maybe Boston next year), I would be bored to TEARS after 10 miles or so!!! There better be some good bait dangling in front of me mate!

Driving around was mostly pleasant, even when getting lost. Now I know of at least three different ways of driving from Watertown to Marlborough. And I also know that getting lost in Allston isn't fun. Cambridge on the other hand, I have to do by foot this coming weekend. It looked cool when I drove through it. It's just a bitch trying to get to the Mass Pike from there. Tad, I want to thank you for helping me choose a location to stay. Watertown is so close to everything.

Sunday was such a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the Greeks were walking. Really, a perfect day for the annual Greek Independence parade through downtown Boston. The actual date of the celebration, the time Greeks kicked Turkish butt, is on the 25th of March, but the Greek community decided to have it on Sunday, April 10th. The parade started at 1:00 pm and went along Boylston to Charles where it ended at the park. I didn't see much of the parade, as at first I couldn't find my way around and got lost in South Boston. Nice area, upcoming, with lots of expensive shops, restaurants and overpriced condos. And home of the alternative lifestyle! Those from Atlanta, please refer to Ansley down towards Piedmont Park and you've got the idea. I'm glad I found my way back to where the parade was taking place though!

On the other hand, I did find a very nice furniture store in South Boston called Design Within Reach (I had briefly ran through the one in ATL). Before you say, "All right, Nick! You found a cheap design-furniture store", actually, "Within Reach" means really expensive furniture from the Modernist and Post-Modernist era (John P., Sunil, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about), manufactured somewhere in the Netherlands, but warehoused in the U.S. I don't think I will be paying mucho dinero no matter who originally designed the frigging piece! Well, maybe a table and lamp won't hurt a lot. Keep in mind Nick, "few nice, even prized possessions".

Back to the parade for a moment, and then it's time to sign off. It's been some time since I've seen so many Greeks concentrated in one area outside of Athens, Greece. It reminded me for a moment of Danforth Ave. in Toronto, where Little Greece is. All I could hear when I was walking around was Greek. But, unfortunately or not, this lasted only until the parade was over and the festivities in the park finished. I'm not sure if Boston has a concentrated Greek area like Toronto, NYC or Chicago, but that's all right. Familiarity breeds contempt after all. Well, I continued my walking around that part of Boston, where a bunch of restaurants and some really fine shopping exist. I ended up recovering a little from all my walking inside the Prudential Center, at Barnes & Noble's for a good cup of cappuccino and some relaxing browsing before heading back home.

This coming Saturday, it's off to Avalon to see Moby in concert. I can't wait! His new CD rocks. Molly, I'm sending you a copy, no matter what. Leigh, I'm sorry you will miss him, but you never know.

I miss some of you in DC and Atlanta. You know who you are. I wish we were all in the same place. You have been an inspiration to me, and you will continue to be.

Till then,

Peace and Love.