#16 Boston - Tug of War - September 23 2005
It has been a tug of war here in the hub between the summer and fall seasons - while the first signs of autumn are there and have claimed the early morning weather spot, summer has been trying to hold on, creating beautiful warm days and balmy evenings that invite New Englanders to rev up the BBQ one more time. I for one look forward to slightly cooler days, fall colors, fresh apple cider and the desire for hot chocolate. So far the only breaks we have experienced from the summer-fall tug-of-war have been hurricane-inspired torrential rains that led to my having to go home and change outfits in the middle of the day (don't ask).
Taking the chance that I might bore you to death with my running exploits, I would like to submit for your attention the events of this past weekend - a solo run along the Charles River Esplanade for a stretch of 10 miles that left me quite sore and with the knowledge that I might have to re-evaluate my recently purchased footwear for their appropriateness for long-distance running. On the fun side (still, I started out sore) the MGH Running Partners group participated in the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Run (5K aka 3.1 miles) on Sunday - 15 MGHers ran their hearts and soles out for a good cause. I ended up pushing my crippled self across the finish line in a laudable time of 28.26 (=9:09 min/mile). Last year's Komen race was the first ever road race in my one-year running career, and I do feel particularly fond of it. Yeah, Team MGH!!
Probably due to absolute craziness at work the week has been zipping by like a Japanese bullet train, and my as-usual packed social calendar has put me in a state of mind where I just want lay in my bed and moan for a while. Don't get me wrong, it was all good stuff, in particular a dinner with my old college friend Sigi, who I have not seen in I swear almost twenty years. Sigi lives in the US as well and also works in the scientific field, so our meeting at my favorite Thai place, The King and I on Charles Street in Beacon Hill, ended up being a good mix of talking shop and reminiscing.
My volunteer work with Boston Cares (www.bostoncares.org) is picking up again, mostly due to the fact that Boston's theaters and concert venues have started their performance seasons. First on the list was last night's play at the Boston University Theater "The Real Thing" (http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/production.aspx?id=1317&src=t). Written by Czech-born English playwright Tom Stoppard (http://www.complete-review.com/authors/stoppard.htm), this play definitely proved Stoppard's clever wizardry with the written word. His nimble weaving of a story line about the intricacies of love and passion - love itself, love of acting and writing, love for music, passion for social activism, was proof of his extraordinary talent. Curiously enough, it bothered me throughout the whole play that all the actors spoke in British accents (and I am always a sucker for that) - on occasion whole paragraphs were completely lost on me. Overall though - an enjoyable experience, and the play has been packing the house at the BU Theater since it opened.
Other news - I am now starting in on the bureaucratic nightmare that involves changing my name back to my maiden name (Loesch) and also renewing my green card - unbelievable! Oh my soul and body! Starting with the Suffolk County Court house to get a court order to get my name changed (for a nice little fee), and certain-to-be-enjoyable visits to the Social Security Department, the RMV, the IRS, the bank, the immigration service, this will be something you will hear me bitch and moan about for a while (a whine and jeez fest of sorts). So you better get used to it!
My friends, the weekend looms, I will attend a rock climbing fest tomorrow at the Quincy Quarries and on Sunday head for a road race in Somerville. As for tonight, I am leaving you with the promise that I will sleep 12 hours and with a little Boston trivia quiz:
Why is Boston called beantown?
1. Because pilgrims grew beans as their first crop
2. Because molasses was plentiful from Boston´s trade routes.
3. Because green beans are a primary crop of the Boston area.
4. Because of all the universities in Boston (bean is slang for brain).
I will provide the answer next week, and maybe the winner will get a price. Maybe not.
pet:)
Taking the chance that I might bore you to death with my running exploits, I would like to submit for your attention the events of this past weekend - a solo run along the Charles River Esplanade for a stretch of 10 miles that left me quite sore and with the knowledge that I might have to re-evaluate my recently purchased footwear for their appropriateness for long-distance running. On the fun side (still, I started out sore) the MGH Running Partners group participated in the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Run (5K aka 3.1 miles) on Sunday - 15 MGHers ran their hearts and soles out for a good cause. I ended up pushing my crippled self across the finish line in a laudable time of 28.26 (=9:09 min/mile). Last year's Komen race was the first ever road race in my one-year running career, and I do feel particularly fond of it. Yeah, Team MGH!!
Probably due to absolute craziness at work the week has been zipping by like a Japanese bullet train, and my as-usual packed social calendar has put me in a state of mind where I just want lay in my bed and moan for a while. Don't get me wrong, it was all good stuff, in particular a dinner with my old college friend Sigi, who I have not seen in I swear almost twenty years. Sigi lives in the US as well and also works in the scientific field, so our meeting at my favorite Thai place, The King and I on Charles Street in Beacon Hill, ended up being a good mix of talking shop and reminiscing.
My volunteer work with Boston Cares (www.bostoncares.org) is picking up again, mostly due to the fact that Boston's theaters and concert venues have started their performance seasons. First on the list was last night's play at the Boston University Theater "The Real Thing" (http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/production.aspx?id=1317&src=t). Written by Czech-born English playwright Tom Stoppard (http://www.complete-review.com/authors/stoppard.htm), this play definitely proved Stoppard's clever wizardry with the written word. His nimble weaving of a story line about the intricacies of love and passion - love itself, love of acting and writing, love for music, passion for social activism, was proof of his extraordinary talent. Curiously enough, it bothered me throughout the whole play that all the actors spoke in British accents (and I am always a sucker for that) - on occasion whole paragraphs were completely lost on me. Overall though - an enjoyable experience, and the play has been packing the house at the BU Theater since it opened.
Other news - I am now starting in on the bureaucratic nightmare that involves changing my name back to my maiden name (Loesch) and also renewing my green card - unbelievable! Oh my soul and body! Starting with the Suffolk County Court house to get a court order to get my name changed (for a nice little fee), and certain-to-be-enjoyable visits to the Social Security Department, the RMV, the IRS, the bank, the immigration service, this will be something you will hear me bitch and moan about for a while (a whine and jeez fest of sorts). So you better get used to it!
My friends, the weekend looms, I will attend a rock climbing fest tomorrow at the Quincy Quarries and on Sunday head for a road race in Somerville. As for tonight, I am leaving you with the promise that I will sleep 12 hours and with a little Boston trivia quiz:
Why is Boston called beantown?
1. Because pilgrims grew beans as their first crop
2. Because molasses was plentiful from Boston´s trade routes.
3. Because green beans are a primary crop of the Boston area.
4. Because of all the universities in Boston (bean is slang for brain).
I will provide the answer next week, and maybe the winner will get a price. Maybe not.
pet:)
posted by My Boston at
3:00 PM
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