In the Live Free or Die State

Last weekend I visited the great city of Boston. The weather wasn't the best, but the awesome people made up for that. Despite the rain and snow, I still got to see the bright and beautiful colors on the trees. LOVED it!

One of the highlights of the weekend was going to a firing range and shooting a handgun/pistol for the first time. My old friend Cameron and my new friend Stew brought their own weapons and I rented a 9 mm. The firing range we went to was in New Hampshire since that was the closest range that was open to the public. We had to wait a couple of hours, but it was well worth it. It was all too perfect to learn how to shoot in the "Live Free or Die State."


The firing range in New Hampshire


Cameron and Stew

My first silouhette

On the first night we saw two comedy shows at the Improv Asylum in the North End. That night I enjoyed a cannoli from Modern Pastry. We spent one late evening at the Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center. Cameron argues that it has the best view of the city. From what I saw, I couldn't disagree. Sadly, I did not take any pictures to document. You'll have to go there and judge for yourself. You should see it. There was a quartet (or maybe it was only a trio) playing fantastic jazz music for the few couples who felt like dancing. We got up and danced a few times.

Me and Sparsha at Border Cafe. Check out her jewels!

With my dear friend Sparsha, I started a terrible obsession with the movie North and South. I have watched my favorite scene from that movie everyday since I got home.

*Richard Armitage (with that irresistable scowl) and Daniella Denby-Ashe

I also enjoyed a wine and cheese party with Sparsha's friends (where I drank water) and then had a lovely dinner at the Border Cafe in Harvard Square. None of that is documented in photos, but I did get in some shots of the campus and surrounding areas.

This is a dining hall at Harvard that I thought was a church. I walked in and was easily spotted as an outsider. I would have been kicked out if I hadn't left so quickly after I was asked if I was a freshman.

An archway that states: "Enter to grow in wisdom."

This statue is known as the Statue of Three Lies at Harvard. The statue is not really John Harvard--it's someone else. It states that John Harvard is the founder, when in truth he was already dead when Harvard College was founded. It also lists the wrong year of the founding.

More of Harvard

It was a weekend where I had nothing planned and was therefore free to do whatever I pleased. I was very blessed to have friends to provide shelter and transportation to allow that sort of freedom. I've been craving that sort of "live free or die/vivre libre ou mourir" kind of adventure. I'm planning a similar spontaneous and freedom-filled trip to NYC next weekend to visit Rehana. It's a recipe for greatness.

beck

My Parents are Getting Old

For the past several years I have joked with my parents about getting old. It's all in good fun, right? I giggle when they hold up a paper and start playing trombone in order to read it. For my birthdays and most of my siblings' birthdays I often say this to my parents: "Wow, I can't believe (insert name here) is so old now." This is followed by a statement of concurrence. Then I follow up with a "Wow, Mom/Dad, you're getting old." They squirm. I smile just thinking about it. Ah, it may never get old.

But all jokes aside--since I'm really not that funny--my parents are getting higher up in years. And this year especially, and this week in particular, they've really had me worried.

The good news is that my sisters got my mom to go to the gym this week. Cody is designing a workout regime for all of them to do. More good news is that my Dad's test went well this week. The doctors were able to fix the problems they found.

I'm glad to have them for as long as I can.

beck

P.S. I'm on a train bound for Boston. I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend away from DC.

1...2...3...

And if I could swim, I'd swim out to you in the ocean,

Swim out to where you were floating in the dark.

And if I was blessed, I'd walk on the water you're breathing,

To lend you some air for that heaving, sunken chest.

'Cause they chose you as the model for their empty little dreams,

With your new head and your legs spread like a filthy magazine.

And they hunt you, and they gut you, and you give in.

And if I was brave, I'd climb up to you on the mountain,

They led you to drink from their fountain spouting lies.

And I'd slay the horrible beast they commissioned

To steer me away from my mission to your eyes.

And I'd stand there, like a soldier, with my foot upon his chest,

With my grin spread, and my arms out, in my bloodstained Sunday's best,

And you'd hold me; I'd remind you who you are under their shell.

I'd walk through hell for you,

let it burn right through my shoes

These soles are useless without you

Through hell for you, let the torturing ensue;

My soul is useless without you...

And if they send a whirlwind, I'd hug it like a harmless little tree.

Or an earthquake, I'd calm it, and I'd bring you back to me.

And I'd hold you in my weak arms like a first born.

I'd walk through hell for you, let it burn right through my shoes,

These soles are useless without you

Through hell for you, let the torturing ensue;

My soul is useless without you...

Now I've walked through hell for you.

What's an adventurer to do,

But rest these feet at home with you?

"A Walk Through Hell" - Say Anything
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crFQOkkWynQ

beck

"When you see a guy reach for stars in the sky..."

"...you can bet that he's doin' it for some doll."

I found these gems while searching for a video of the song "Guys and Dolls."

This is the part of the movie that puts the story in motion in the classic American musical comedy that is Guys and Dolls. Yes, that's Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.



I wish we still had crooners like this. So cute and so funny.


beck

The Paris Opera

I received this email from the Paris Opera today. I wish that since I am taking a day off in October that I could just hop across the pond and satisfy all my yearnings for the City of Lights in a short weekend--including the spectacular performances at the Paris Opera houses featured in the month of October. But I already have plans to go to Boston and that will be just fine for my budget.


beck