Nov 5, 2011

Jimmy, Dave, and I met up and began our public transportation jamboree by driving to the train station in Woodcrest to catch the High Speed Line into Philly. The train was on a delayed schedule so I was getting worried that we wouldn't get there in time, but I recalled another bus stop we could catch by Independence Hall.

We got there with plenty of time since we didn't have to catch the subway so we hung out watching a group of monks chanting in a plea for freeing Tibet until the Megabus arrived on the corner. The ride was smooth until we got to Hoboken and hit stopped traffic to the tunnel.

Once finally inside the city we took the subway to meet Nathan and walked to a bar called the Ear Inn. It's one of the three oldest bars in the city. It's a quaint little place with a decent beer selection. We hung there and chatted for a while drinking our first beers and, when we realized wouldn't get a second anytime soon, we headed out to find other taps.

We found a bar around the corner that was a little more classy and a lot more empty. We grabbed some drinks and some food while we chatted with the bartenders and waitresses, all of whose first day or first week it was working there. We had a good time talking there.

When the time came we parted ways with Nate and made our way to the pier on Houston Street to stand in line for a while and then board our magical ferry. This was the little boat we got on, though I had no idea what to expect.

The cruise took a while to get started, but once we were on the river we sailed down the Hudson and around the Statue of Liberty, providing breathtaking views of the lower Manhattan skyline. It was amazingly beautiful. It was a little chilly out and the small deck for viewing got crowded with smokers but you could not beat the view. We sailed under the Brooklyn Bridge for another unbelievable sight and then up the East River. I want to go back just for this.

The reason we were on the boat was to see Less Than Jake perform Hello Rockview in its entirety while we cruised! We planned on drinking but the prices were a bit outrageous. I was also informed by the website that the show would be on an outer deck so we dressed in many layers to prepare. Instead we crammed into a plexiglassed-in lower room that was filled with sweaty drunks in overcoats. The show was great despite the overheating. They were on the same level with us so being tall helped see a little bit of the show where you mostly just had to enjoy the music and dance a bit.

They played a handful of extra songs at the end, seemingly at Roger's urging. Chris seemed a bit annoyed most of the show. It ended well and we had a good time. The boat docked and we found our way out and walked up Eighth Avenue to find some food. We grabbed some slices and ate them before catching the bus and riding home smoothly.

Next issue was they didn't drop off at the same bus stop so we had to get a taxi to our train and then wait to get back. It was such a long commute; next time definitely just paying for a parking garage.

Dec 19, 2010

This Boston post is long and full of arguably unnecessary photos (and unnecessary words, for that matter.) Fair warning. I didn't sleep very long so when I got up I wanted something good for breakfast. Finagle a Bagel was the answer I sought and they served me with the most glorious breakfast sandwich I've had since last time I was here: jalapeno bagel, tomato, egg, avocado and black bean spread. I was ready to go after that sandwich.

We walked the chilled streets down to Quincy Market to browse the food we could have eaten for breakfast and planned to eat for dinner. Boston is definitely a walking city and there is something to see everywhere. The architecture is very unique and I always like to see it.

Though I've never watched the show, I recognize the inside of the Cheers bar at this replica location inside Quincy Market. I mostly took photos for Chuck, but he's been there before.

I wanted to go to the water so we walked in that direction, stopping at this dock to take some photographs of Cambridge and the frozen river.

While I took photos, Jackie entertained herself doing this. It looked like fun, but I was wearing regular shoes and preferred to not get my socks wet.

We walked over Harvard bridge toward MIT, being passed by runners constantly. Boston really is a running town. I need to do that again. Not in this weather though.

I was happy to see that the construction/repairs on the main dome of the Maclaurin buildings was complete and unobstructed this time. I feel inadequate just standing in front of this structure. It symbolizes such high-thinking and innovation that it leaves me awestruck while reminding me how little I have achieved.

We walked over to the Stata Center to see the wonders of Frank Gehry's architecture. We got a different view of it this time.

This is just a detail of one of the buildings; a very recognizable section to anyone who knows Gehry's work. It's such a work of art but still maintains functionality. As we passed the windows, we saw robotics (one dressed like a pirate) and the kind of things we would never see elsewhere. I guess that comes with the territory at the most prestigious technical institute in the world.

I had an interesting time taking photos in the reflective surfaces on the buildings. This is the best I can do. I construct poorly composed photographs with amazing architecture in them.

We walked back toward the river and found the phrase on the ground that I really love from the last time I was there. I took some time and got some good shots of it this time.

Somehow I have a perfect map in my mind of the city from last time I walked around Cambridge because I easily found the pub we went to last time and went in for a drink and some curry fries to warm up.

Another cold walk back through town and through the Common and we were back to Jackie's place to take a nap.

Once rested, we went back to Quincy Market to look for food and see the tree lit up. The lights were nice but the market was closed so we couldn't get anything to eat. We went back and got some Chinese on Boylston instead.

While Jackie packed her things I went back out the Public Gardens and shot some photos from the ice. I took a lot of reflection shots with the bridge in it. It's the nicest view I encountered while I was here.

We packed up and headed to South Station, where we caught the midnight Megabus to Philly. Luckily I'm not the only one who was up late so I was able to have a conversation via text to keep me occupied for a long while. Stuff You Should Know kept me occupied once again for much of the trip and then Jackie woke up when we got to Jersey.

A few train rides and a short drive home later and I was home, ready to sleep with the morning sun lighting up my room.

Dec 18, 2010

I had to do some things when I got up before packing and getting ready to head to Philly. I took the train and a the subway to 30th Street station with a group of Santas on their way to a pub crawl.

I caught the Megabus and settled in for a long six hour ride to Boston. I spent my time listening to Stuff You Should Know podcasts, watching Garden State and listening to music while I tried to sleep for a little bit. It wasn't that bad.

When I arrived at South Station, I wasn't sure exactly how to get where I needed to go but I enjoyed just walking around looking at the decorated city anyway. I came to an area I knew and found my way to Remington's Bar, where Jackie and friends were waiting.

I went in and had a beer and some fried food. Not much on the vegetarian side on that menu but the zucchini and mushrooms were decent. I spent a lot of my time having an awkward conversation with a guy I didn't know who was friends with the group.

Eventually I got to talk to Jackie for a bit and play the picture game and trivia on the barcade machine. After a few games, everyone was ready to leave.

I was happy to go, as I was extremely tired at this point. I was ready to go to sleep and really didn't have much trouble.

Aug 21, 2010

I woke up later than I'd hoped and needed to catch a ride to Philly to the bus station. My grandmom graciously took me and we got to the bus literally as they were closing the doors to leave. Luckily the opened them for me. I had a nice ride up to New York, reading a lot of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis on the way. I really like the way he writes.

When I got to the city I immediately went to Jamba Juice, where I met Jackie and had a berry topper thing with fruit, granola and honey. If there's one reason to move here..

Once I dropped my stuff at her place we went out walking toward the park and came upon this street fair on Fashion Ave. It was like a big flea market with delicious looking food everywhere and a big Coca-Cola igloo with snow inside.

We got through crowded street and took a walk through the (only slightly) less crowded park. We weren't heading anywhere in particular, just walking. It was a nice day for a walk in the park, with a cool breeze blowing most of the time. I got schooled on the working of the music industry as we walked.

I couldn't resist a corn covered in garlic butter, parmesan cheese and hot sauce when we got back to the street fair. It was pretty amazing. I would never think to put all that stuff on corn but I'm glad someone did.

We went for a midday drink at an Irish pub. I had a beer and then a strawberry daiquiri. Say what you will.. it was great. Jackie had a margarita and we were mixing them. Daiquirita is what I call it. It should be a thing.

We went back to the roof at her place to regroup and figure out what to do while we had some more beers. The roof is a good place to do thinking. I've always wanted a roof to sit on.

We decided to get sushi but before we ate I did my first sake bomb. It wasn't really what I expected. Much easier to drink than other "bombs" that I have done. The beer was good and the sake was pretty decent as well. It's my first time.

I got a tuna jalapeno roll, which was not as good as I'd hoped it would be and a sweet potato roll that was great. I like that place.

We walked around and ended up taking the subway to the Brooklyn Ale House once again. This time we played some pool. It was pretty serious. I was doing well somehow. Not amazing by any means but I was sinking what I was aiming for which is surprising in itself.

We played a few games before being challenged by incoming people. We actually won the first game we played against them and only lost the second by one ball. It was fun anyway. We got some sandwiches at a deli around the corner before catching the train back to Manhattan.

We went up to the roof again when we got back and I took some long exposure shots that I really like. Some I took with Jackie and others of just the surrounding buildings. I was leaning close to the edge of the roof for a few of them. I was more worried about my camera falling than myself.

We retired to the apartment after a while where Jackie fell asleep quickly and I stayed up chatting and watching Bear Grylls interviews for a while before I got myself tired enough to go to sleep.

Sep 12, 2009

It was raining pretty hard in the early morning. I had breakfast and waited it out for a little while. It eventually turned into a constant mist which I could deal with. I got a chai tea from Starbucks, which was perfect for the weather.

I went to the T stop down the street and took the Orange line out of the city center.

It was a pretty short walk from the T to the Sam Adams Brewery.

The brewery in Boston is the first that Sam Adams had and is where all the flavors except the Boston Lager were created.

I got my ticket, which is just a beer label, for the free tour and it started very shortly after that.

We were led into a room where we learned about the four main ingredients in beer: hops, grains, water and yeast. There were hops hanging around the room. They passed around three examples of different grains they use to give beers different flavors. They tasted like Grape Nuts.

Next we went into the main room with all the tanks and learned about the process through which the beer goes to become what we drink. Our tour guide told us about the different ways beers ferment depending on the types of hops and grains used.

Next, we went into the tavern serving area where there were pitchers filled and waiting for us.

We were each given a 7oz glass for our samples. The first beer we sampled was the Boston Lager. I've had it before, obviously, as had all but one person in the room. Like a wine tasting, we were shown the proper way to evaluate a beer from the look of it to the sweet vs bitter taste on your tongue. I think Step 5 was fill up your glass for another drink.

The next beer they passed around was the seasonal Octoberfest. I really like this beer. This is another one I've had before and I had two tiny glasses of it here because the pitcher ended up in front of me and they wanted it back to put the next beer in so I had to empty it for them..

The third and final beer we tried was the Oatmeal Stout which was the winner of a brewing contest they hold annually and which is only sold at Gillette Stadium during games. It was a little too heavy for my taste but it wasn't a bad beer.

I got a picture with our tour guide/fellow taste tester after she rinsed my glass for me that I got to keep.

After checking out the gift shop I boarded the free trolley that runs between the brewery and Doyle's Pub, the first bar that sold Sam Adams beer. They have a good deal going with each other. We got a free glass for buying a beer. I ordered a Lager but I think I got Octoberfest and that's fine with me too. I only had one and the trolley was back so I got on and headed back into town.

I took one last walk around the Common and stopped for another tasty bagel before I went back and packed up to leave. After it stopped raining it was a really nice day out.

I walked to the train station after it started to rain pretty hard again. Once I got there it stopped raining altogether of course. I boarded my bus and we headed off on our four hour trip back to New York. I didn't feel too great some of the time but I watched Good Will Hunting and it didn't seem horribly long.

The bus in New York was half an hour late so I stood on the sidewalk for about an hour waiting for it. Once it was finally there I got a table on the lower part of the bus where I could put my feet up since the bus wasn't crowded at all. It was actually a great ride where I ended up talking to the two girls across the row from me about movies and Arrested Development the whole time. It made the ride go really quick. Katie picked me up at the train station in Philly and I was finally home, ready for some sleep.