This past week has been a flurry of apartment searches and viewings. I think I've been to Quincy so often, I'll get an easy handle driving around when I move! So far, I have only 2 apartment contenders but I have another viewing Monday so we'll see.
Apartment #1 is in a great area, has a great price, and a lovely landlady. But it is basically in an attic with only 2 normal sized rooms. I have no idea how movers could get any large pieces of furniture up there without a chainsaw. It is so cute and tiny, I would never be able to entertain more than 2 people. This one is my fallback if nothing pans out.
Apartment #2 is in an apartment complex in an area I've known since my childhood. The price is hard to beat and my goodness, SO MANY closets! I could definitely entertain there. The only downside I can think of is noise - it's near the T and a restaurant. This one is a really close contender.
As I am looking for places to live, I have realized that there is a lot more to consider than rent, parking, and utilities. You also have to consider what the place says about you. Apartment #1 would say that I am poor and have no social life. Apartment #2 would say that I am an older professional who is a social butterfly. Hence, a better fit!
Timing a move is another issue. Both apartments are okay with a mid-September move but the High Holidays are Sept 18, 19, 27 and 28. So, that would put a crimp in moving plans for me. In theory, it would be perfect to move around Rosh Hoshanah - a new year and a new place. We'll see what happens!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Awesome, Amazing, Amorous Weekend
I went to one of the best weddings ever this weekend. In my anal, bitchy single woman mode, I have been complaining about the organization and details for this event. I officially renounce every catty comment I have uttered the past couple of months! Just because a wedding isn't being run the way I'm used to, doesn't mean it will be a complete disaster. For a while, I have been okay with the idea of never getting married. But darn it, this weekend made me really want to get married someday! It was held here. The grounds and staff were wonderful and accommodating. My cousin loves his new wife so much, it warms the dead cold cockles of my heart. They hired this band who kicked all kinds of ass. Seriously, hire them for every gig you have!
The food and beverages were all delicious. Also, there is a pool on the grounds. After a day and evening of 100% humidity, I was really tempted to jump in. But I didn't bring a bathing suit, my undergarments were all white, and my dress was a long maxi dress. So that was my list of dont's in true responsible, anxiety-ridden oldest mode. BUT in the midst of all the wavering, I saw my mother in the pool having a blast. So eff it, I got into the pool with dress, full makeup, jewelry, and all. It was GLORIOUS! Pitch black night and everyone lit by pool lights. When I wound up getting out, it started raining so I would have gotten wet anyways. One of my aunts had a trunk full of dry clothes bless her so I got to ride back all dry.
Oh yes, I haven't mentioned the ride. The family had rented a bus for the event. As we loaded in coolers, the beverages began flowing. I had the best sangria ever, margaritas, and beer just on the trip down. BTW, paper cups and red sangria on a bus isn't the best combination with formal wear. I didn't spill, but others did.
The wedding was amazing and I had a great time meeting new people and hanging out with the family. I am a drunk smoker so as I wandered around trying to bum a smoke, I found a nice couple smoking and I asked to bum one. The chick rolled me one like a pro. Of course half my family thought I was smoking a blunt... In proud family tradition, the teens were sneaking drinks left and right (with occasional help from older cousins).
So, yeah marriage looks kinda nice after this weekend. And I will make a really good mom one day. That's the up side about surviving a lot of shit in your life, it gives perspective and empathy. Fair warning to my cousins, I have dibs on Benjamin for a son's name.
The food and beverages were all delicious. Also, there is a pool on the grounds. After a day and evening of 100% humidity, I was really tempted to jump in. But I didn't bring a bathing suit, my undergarments were all white, and my dress was a long maxi dress. So that was my list of dont's in true responsible, anxiety-ridden oldest mode. BUT in the midst of all the wavering, I saw my mother in the pool having a blast. So eff it, I got into the pool with dress, full makeup, jewelry, and all. It was GLORIOUS! Pitch black night and everyone lit by pool lights. When I wound up getting out, it started raining so I would have gotten wet anyways. One of my aunts had a trunk full of dry clothes bless her so I got to ride back all dry.
Oh yes, I haven't mentioned the ride. The family had rented a bus for the event. As we loaded in coolers, the beverages began flowing. I had the best sangria ever, margaritas, and beer just on the trip down. BTW, paper cups and red sangria on a bus isn't the best combination with formal wear. I didn't spill, but others did.
The wedding was amazing and I had a great time meeting new people and hanging out with the family. I am a drunk smoker so as I wandered around trying to bum a smoke, I found a nice couple smoking and I asked to bum one. The chick rolled me one like a pro. Of course half my family thought I was smoking a blunt... In proud family tradition, the teens were sneaking drinks left and right (with occasional help from older cousins).
So, yeah marriage looks kinda nice after this weekend. And I will make a really good mom one day. That's the up side about surviving a lot of shit in your life, it gives perspective and empathy. Fair warning to my cousins, I have dibs on Benjamin for a son's name.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
I Am a Thread Too Slender
This is what a normal brain looks like...
This is my brain...
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away" - Phillip K. Dick
This is my brain...
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away" - Phillip K. Dick
Monday, August 17, 2009
The MBTA is Amazing and I Love Everyone Who Works There
I have angered the MBTA gods by my previous entry. How do I know? It took 2 hours to get into Boston this morning. My train died at my stop and we wound up having to be pushed into Boston by another train. On top of that, the conductors didn't even announce the correct stops.
In addition to this horror, I had a week's worth of Lean Cuisines slowly defrosting in my bag and a lady one row over was talking at the top of her lungs to someone in her office on her cell phone. She had to be shushed by fellow passengers to STFU when the conductor was making an announcement over the PA.
So should I sacrifice a goat or something to appease the wrath of MBTA?
In addition to this horror, I had a week's worth of Lean Cuisines slowly defrosting in my bag and a lady one row over was talking at the top of her lungs to someone in her office on her cell phone. She had to be shushed by fellow passengers to STFU when the conductor was making an announcement over the PA.
So should I sacrifice a goat or something to appease the wrath of MBTA?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Dan Grabauskas, Voice Stealer
One of the quirks about riding the commuter rail is timing and another is tracks. For example, I pick up my train at Ruggles and there are 2 other trains that arrive around mine. Only 1 other arrives on the same track. How do I know this? Experience and paranoia. I have never felt more foolish and panicked when I got on the wrong train (years ago) and I had to take a taxi home. Every evening commute home, I tell myself "The train never comes early, don't jump the gun." and "Left track only."
Those two rules sometimes get broken and that is when I really appreciate conductors who are on the ball. One night, the second train before mine never arrived and my train came on the other track. All the way up the platform, conductors were hollering "Needham Heights!!" Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This past week, and I'll blame Dan Grabauskas since he's the whipping boy of the MBTA, not a single conductor has said a peep on any line. I've seen the entire train platform empty out into a train and half of those poor souls had to walk back to the platform since they found out from a train passenger that it wasn't their line. It's like train conductors are hiding from passengers and have lost their voice. There are no stop announcements anymore. This Friday, fed up, I asked a conductor who was collecting fares about why no one announced what line the train was. He told me, "We did but you probably couldn't hear us going by 30 mph." I call bullshit. Not a single conductor was in a doorway as it pulled up to Ruggles.
Dan can you please come back and put an end to this bizarre work stoppage? Things were so much better with you around. I really don't want to end up in Providence by accident. That would be one hell of a cab ride home!
Those two rules sometimes get broken and that is when I really appreciate conductors who are on the ball. One night, the second train before mine never arrived and my train came on the other track. All the way up the platform, conductors were hollering "Needham Heights!!" Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This past week, and I'll blame Dan Grabauskas since he's the whipping boy of the MBTA, not a single conductor has said a peep on any line. I've seen the entire train platform empty out into a train and half of those poor souls had to walk back to the platform since they found out from a train passenger that it wasn't their line. It's like train conductors are hiding from passengers and have lost their voice. There are no stop announcements anymore. This Friday, fed up, I asked a conductor who was collecting fares about why no one announced what line the train was. He told me, "We did but you probably couldn't hear us going by 30 mph." I call bullshit. Not a single conductor was in a doorway as it pulled up to Ruggles.
Dan can you please come back and put an end to this bizarre work stoppage? Things were so much better with you around. I really don't want to end up in Providence by accident. That would be one hell of a cab ride home!
Friday, August 07, 2009
Top 10 Reasons to Love Working in Boston
1. The commute – the MBTA does have its quirks in safety and timeliness but overall it is 100 times better than driving. Time to wake up in the morning and time to decompress on the ride home.
2. Proximity – the city has everything and you’re already here if you’re going to a game/concert/ theatre. It takes the hassle out of going downtown at night. Also, if you need to run to CVS during lunch, it doesn’t take an hour – unlike working in the burbs.
3. Free news – the metro probably doesn’t qualify as news but you can catch headlines or articles from your fellow commuters on the T. Just read fast before they turn the page!
4. Variety – I love the variety of people you encounter while working in Boston. For example, you might feel like the ugliest person on Earth due to bad hair or a poorly planned outfit. But you will definitely see someone who looks worse during the day. Also, you might learn some tips from the people who look exceptionally with it. It’s so much healthier and practical than taking tips from magazines.
5. Money – my company reimburses 45% for monthly MBTA passes and also reimburses for parking. So, not only do I save money on gas by taking the train, I save money on fare.
6. Shopping ideas – shoes, bags, and clothing ideas galore on the train. I got myself a messenger bag by week 2 – so much better than a purse. On hot days, city ladies wear dresses/skirts and sandals. I need to bulk up my collection of work appropriate sandals.
7. Lunches – any kind of cuisine within blocks of work. Most have al fresco seating as well. Even if you brown bag it, there are tons of place to eat outside with stunning views.
8. Coffee – every 2 blocks, there’s a Dunkin Donuts and every 3 there’s a Starbucks so you don’t have to go far to get your caffeine. Me? I get my morning coffee upstairs from the train platform mere minutes from my office.
9. Crazies – granted there are many varieties of crazies and I do prefer the talking crazy over the fondling junk kind. There is this odd sense of equilibrium when I encounter a nutter. It’s like in a split second I feel, “Wow, I could have become you. Thank God for medication and therapy.”
10. Weather – the suburbs are a good 5 – 10 degrees hotter than the city. So, in the summer, that means even the most stifling heat is bearable downtown.
2. Proximity – the city has everything and you’re already here if you’re going to a game/concert/ theatre. It takes the hassle out of going downtown at night. Also, if you need to run to CVS during lunch, it doesn’t take an hour – unlike working in the burbs.
3. Free news – the metro probably doesn’t qualify as news but you can catch headlines or articles from your fellow commuters on the T. Just read fast before they turn the page!
4. Variety – I love the variety of people you encounter while working in Boston. For example, you might feel like the ugliest person on Earth due to bad hair or a poorly planned outfit. But you will definitely see someone who looks worse during the day. Also, you might learn some tips from the people who look exceptionally with it. It’s so much healthier and practical than taking tips from magazines.
5. Money – my company reimburses 45% for monthly MBTA passes and also reimburses for parking. So, not only do I save money on gas by taking the train, I save money on fare.
6. Shopping ideas – shoes, bags, and clothing ideas galore on the train. I got myself a messenger bag by week 2 – so much better than a purse. On hot days, city ladies wear dresses/skirts and sandals. I need to bulk up my collection of work appropriate sandals.
7. Lunches – any kind of cuisine within blocks of work. Most have al fresco seating as well. Even if you brown bag it, there are tons of place to eat outside with stunning views.
8. Coffee – every 2 blocks, there’s a Dunkin Donuts and every 3 there’s a Starbucks so you don’t have to go far to get your caffeine. Me? I get my morning coffee upstairs from the train platform mere minutes from my office.
9. Crazies – granted there are many varieties of crazies and I do prefer the talking crazy over the fondling junk kind. There is this odd sense of equilibrium when I encounter a nutter. It’s like in a split second I feel, “Wow, I could have become you. Thank God for medication and therapy.”
10. Weather – the suburbs are a good 5 – 10 degrees hotter than the city. So, in the summer, that means even the most stifling heat is bearable downtown.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Time After Time
Inspired by the time chart I saw on tv last night (Michael & Michael Have Issues episode), I decided to make up my own. This is how my time is alloted on a typical weekday.
I have been playing with ideas on how to fill that big slice of free time. Working out/getting healthy, find some class/lecture I'd like to attend, and start a hobby. My big getting healthy plan has been off to a rocky start (mini meals are a go but a lot of ice cream eating is mixed in). Most places downtown don't have their class/lecture schedules published yet. It's also hard to get into a hobby or regular activity since I'm planning on moving by October.
My plan so far is to save up first, last and security for an October move - hopefully to Quincy. I have figured out my rent range (monthly take home salary divided by two to find my upper limit). I'm waiting until October so I'll have time to save and so I won't have to deal with inflated fall semester rents. Luckily, most of my belongings are still boxed up in the basement and Rosh Hoshanah is on a weekend so I'll definitely have enough time off saved up to take a day to settle into my new place.
Also, I am so happy with the miniscule slice of commuting in my time pie. Commuting on the train has been a dream. There is this really cute guy who gets off at my stop but I found out that he's gay since he kissed his partner goodbye one morning. Oh well, that makes it easier to adjust my work schedule to an earlier day. Eye candy is nice but attainable eye candy is better. There's a Dunkin Donuts smack dab between my stop and work so that's another hurdle to my getting healthy goal. Speaking of, I was next to a CUHRAZY woman in line this morning. She was ranting out loud about how her rights are being infringed upon and how The Man is keeping her down. Then she started lecturing the employees on proper glove sanitation. The whole time I was thinking about how much I love Boston - even their lunatics are entertaining.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Fall 2009 TV
The Schedule
Monday
How I Met Your Mother - I think we're going to meet the mother this season and watching Barney and Robin deal with each other will be comedy gold.
Lie to Me - I am convinced that I can be a human lie detector thanks to this show. Where can I sign up? Plus, this goes to show that I can like a House-ish character outside of a medical setting.
Castle - Nathan Fillion and a revamped Moonlighting vibe.
Tuesday
The Good Wife - could be interesting, the cast looks strong
Wednesday
America's Next Top Model - the Sunday marathons got me hooked again, darn it!
Glee - as a former high school music nerd, this show is right up my alley.
Eastwick - this could be campy fun. I liked the movie and we have so many vampire shows and few witches...
Thursday
FlashFoward - this seriously looks awesome. I was hooked the second after I saw the preview. Considering that I loved the time travel on Lost, this show is made for me!
Bones - I'm very close to dumping this show after last season. Just DVR filler now.
Supernatural - damn the scheduling Gods! Lucifer has risen and the apocalypse is coming to town. I am so there.
Fringe - this really kicked a lot of butt towards the end of last season. I am a sucker for multiverses.
Community - two words: Joel Mchale.
Friday
Dollhouse - after seeing the Epitaph episode, I am intrigued about the direction of the show. I am still Joss' bitch even though Eliza can't act. Plus, I heard there will be cameos of Wesley Wyndham Price (Angel) and Apollo (BSG).
Numb3rs - I half understand the math talk and Rob Morrow is still hawt.
Monday
How I Met Your Mother - I think we're going to meet the mother this season and watching Barney and Robin deal with each other will be comedy gold.
Lie to Me - I am convinced that I can be a human lie detector thanks to this show. Where can I sign up? Plus, this goes to show that I can like a House-ish character outside of a medical setting.
Castle - Nathan Fillion and a revamped Moonlighting vibe.
Tuesday
The Good Wife - could be interesting, the cast looks strong
Wednesday
America's Next Top Model - the Sunday marathons got me hooked again, darn it!
Glee - as a former high school music nerd, this show is right up my alley.
Eastwick - this could be campy fun. I liked the movie and we have so many vampire shows and few witches...
Thursday
FlashFoward - this seriously looks awesome. I was hooked the second after I saw the preview. Considering that I loved the time travel on Lost, this show is made for me!
Bones - I'm very close to dumping this show after last season. Just DVR filler now.
Supernatural - damn the scheduling Gods! Lucifer has risen and the apocalypse is coming to town. I am so there.
Fringe - this really kicked a lot of butt towards the end of last season. I am a sucker for multiverses.
Community - two words: Joel Mchale.
Friday
Dollhouse - after seeing the Epitaph episode, I am intrigued about the direction of the show. I am still Joss' bitch even though Eliza can't act. Plus, I heard there will be cameos of Wesley Wyndham Price (Angel) and Apollo (BSG).
Numb3rs - I half understand the math talk and Rob Morrow is still hawt.
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