BOSTON IS THE BEST
I'm quite liking the fact that I live in such an amazing little city.
More importantly, I'm liking the fact that this was the first weekend in a month where I did not have to travel back to CT.
Adam and I definitely made the most of this fact.
Friday night: Adam and I met up directly after work at the Boylston stop, which is literally right next to the Common, Boston's answer to Central Park. Neither of us had actually seen it yet-- and it was lovely even in the rain. The Loews AMC Theater was also right out side the T stop, and that was our ultimate destination. We grabbed some dinner at Dunkin' Donuts and mosied over for the 6:50 showing of Prince Caspian.
I had been to this theater once before to see a sneak peak of Wallace and Gromit, and I love it because it's got a huge screen and stadium seating, which is ideal for viewing the latest epic fantasy installment. Narnia was of course exceptionally beautiful and entertaining-- it was really nice to be back in that world again. I absolutely adored the little sword slashing mouse, and the effects were impressive. Overall, a very solid sequel to the first. My only real complaint is with the theme of the material itself....personally I find the fact that Aslan comes in at the very end to save the day yet again sort of undermines the rest of the effort. Maybe I just want to believe that four kids can team up with the Narnians and save the day themselves. Sorry if I don't find the whole God--- ah hem, I mean Jesus--- ah hem, I mean deus ex machina-esqe appearance of Aslan spiritually fulfilling. In my world, it should be power to the people--- mythological and fantastical beings alike.
However the best part of the night had to be after the film, as the credits were rolling and a very small boy (maybe 5 or so?) was running around swooshing his little arm around with an invisible sword, no doubt impersonating his on screen heroes. It was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.
Anyway.....
On Saturday, Adam and I slept as long as we wanted, which we haven't been able to do in a very, very long time. Then we spent the majority of the day cleaning house. I loved every minute of it. Then we watched Juno, which I had been waiting forever to see. I was not disapointed. I really loved it just as I knew I would. Extremely clever, witty, and sweet. Fantastic characters who were really believable. Ah....smile and sigh.
On Sunday Adam and I were up early to re
ady ourselves for our special guest of the day, my great friend Melissa. She made it to our place around 11, and we visited for a while at the apartment before heading into the city to go to Faneuil Hall. Yet another Boston staple that had so far eluded us, Melissa set us straight on that one. It was a super cute place and a fun little adventure all around. We ate in the big eating hall with a domed roof, and I ate some delicious Chinese food which I had been craving for weeks.
After we browsed all the shops, we headed over to the corner mall at Downtown Crossing so that Adam and I could get some new walking shoes. After that we all headed back to our apartment, then had dinner at S&S, and then Melissa drove us to Central Square on her way home so that Adam and I could head over to the Devotchka concert at the Paradise Rock Club.
I really had an awesome time hanging out in the city with Melissa, and I'm so happy that we've been able to reconnect after all these years. It's funny the special bond formed between childhood friends, and how even after so long living our separate lives we can be friends again. Especially interesting is how well we get along and how similar some our interests are. It's really nice to have another creative friend who understands that side of things. Yay!
So anyway. Adam and I got to the club super early, but we didn't mind. We watched the opening acts one of whom was Basia Bulat. We both fell in love with her sound, and were pumped by the beautiful violins, ukelele, chello, and auto harp mixed with her folk/country-esque voice. A very unique sound.
And then came Devotchka.
WOW. AMAZING. It was so much fun to see a band like them play. An "articulate union of Eastern European, Southwestern, South American, and American roots music, both punk and folk..." I certainly can't describe their sound, but wow, can they make pretty music!
It was the best.
They played all my favorites, including How It Ends and Undone-- and they finished with three encores including the final song accompanied by Basia Bulat. It was really phenomenal. It was also a very late night, the show ending sometime well past 11, and us making our way home around 12:20. It was worth it.
So today it's back to work. But next weekend I plan to spend some quality time with my family back home, doing work but also relaxing. I have a painting to complete by June 8th for the Noah Webster House, so I really need to get to work on that.
I can not believe it's the third week in May.
Slow down, Life.
More importantly, I'm liking the fact that this was the first weekend in a month where I did not have to travel back to CT.
Adam and I definitely made the most of this fact.
Friday night: Adam and I met up directly after work at the Boylston stop, which is literally right next to the Common, Boston's answer to Central Park. Neither of us had actually seen it yet-- and it was lovely even in the rain. The Loews AMC Theater was also right out side the T stop, and that was our ultimate destination. We grabbed some dinner at Dunkin' Donuts and mosied over for the 6:50 showing of Prince Caspian.
I had been to this theater once before to see a sneak peak of Wallace and Gromit, and I love it because it's got a huge screen and stadium seating, which is ideal for viewing the latest epic fantasy installment. Narnia was of course exceptionally beautiful and entertaining-- it was really nice to be back in that world again. I absolutely adored the little sword slashing mouse, and the effects were impressive. Overall, a very solid sequel to the first. My only real complaint is with the theme of the material itself....personally I find the fact that Aslan comes in at the very end to save the day yet again sort of undermines the rest of the effort. Maybe I just want to believe that four kids can team up with the Narnians and save the day themselves. Sorry if I don't find the whole God--- ah hem, I mean Jesus--- ah hem, I mean deus ex machina-esqe appearance of Aslan spiritually fulfilling. In my world, it should be power to the people--- mythological and fantastical beings alike.
However the best part of the night had to be after the film, as the credits were rolling and a very small boy (maybe 5 or so?) was running around swooshing his little arm around with an invisible sword, no doubt impersonating his on screen heroes. It was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.
Anyway.....
On Saturday, Adam and I slept as long as we wanted, which we haven't been able to do in a very, very long time. Then we spent the majority of the day cleaning house. I loved every minute of it. Then we watched Juno, which I had been waiting forever to see. I was not disapointed. I really loved it just as I knew I would. Extremely clever, witty, and sweet. Fantastic characters who were really believable. Ah....smile and sigh.
On Sunday Adam and I were up early to re
ady ourselves for our special guest of the day, my great friend Melissa. She made it to our place around 11, and we visited for a while at the apartment before heading into the city to go to Faneuil Hall. Yet another Boston staple that had so far eluded us, Melissa set us straight on that one. It was a super cute place and a fun little adventure all around. We ate in the big eating hall with a domed roof, and I ate some delicious Chinese food which I had been craving for weeks.
After we browsed all the shops, we headed over to the corner mall at Downtown Crossing so that Adam and I could get some new walking shoes. After that we all headed back to our apartment, then had dinner at S&S, and then Melissa drove us to Central Square on her way home so that Adam and I could head over to the Devotchka concert at the Paradise Rock Club.
I really had an awesome time hanging out in the city with Melissa, and I'm so happy that we've been able to reconnect after all these years. It's funny the special bond formed between childhood friends, and how even after so long living our separate lives we can be friends again. Especially interesting is how well we get along and how similar some our interests are. It's really nice to have another creative friend who understands that side of things. Yay!
So anyway. Adam and I got to the club super early, but we didn't mind. We watched the opening acts one of whom was Basia Bulat. We both fell in love with her sound, and were pumped by the beautiful violins, ukelele, chello, and auto harp mixed with her folk/country-esque voice. A very unique sound.
And then came Devotchka.
WOW. AMAZING. It was so much fun to see a band like them play. An "articulate union of Eastern European, Southwestern, South American, and American roots music, both punk and folk..." I certainly can't describe their sound, but wow, can they make pretty music!
It was the best.
They played all my favorites, including How It Ends and Undone-- and they finished with three encores including the final song accompanied by Basia Bulat. It was really phenomenal. It was also a very late night, the show ending sometime well past 11, and us making our way home around 12:20. It was worth it.
So today it's back to work. But next weekend I plan to spend some quality time with my family back home, doing work but also relaxing. I have a painting to complete by June 8th for the Noah Webster House, so I really need to get to work on that.
I can not believe it's the third week in May.
Slow down, Life.