Nostalgic for the North End

I miss the North End. I've been saying this since I moved out of my shoebox of an apartment there to another shoebox in Somerville this past summer. But, it's worse now that I can't take a bus and a T ride and be there within the half hour. To get there now I'd have to take a PLANE (or a nine hour bus ride, depending on finances).

I miss all of the obvious stuff, like the charming little bakeries and restaurants, and the accordian player who I am convinced only knows the theme to "The Godfather". I miss old paesan's sitting in lawnchairs on the street to reserve their buddy's parking spot. I miss my old apartment that my mom called "Pisa" because of the slanting floor. Sometimes, when I'm really nostalgic, I even miss those damn tourists that seem to descend on the neighborhood between memorial and labor day. (Note: For those of you that have lived in the neighborhood, you know how crazy I am for missing this.)

More than all that, I am nostalgic for the people I met while living there. The laundromat owner's wife and the quick-tempered Romano chef. Camille at the bank who was always so sweet and who's last name means "With the angels". I miss my old North End friends who welcomed me into their neighborhood-- a sleepy-eyed Colombian who's funny walk rivals my own, a Persian prince who taught me the importance of slowing down and "chillin'" , and a writer who's knowledge and passion for wine left me stumbling back to my apartment on more than one occasion. I miss my old roommate (Scal!) and decorating our first apartment. I miss my Companion (as he would like to always be referred to) and lazy sunday mornings reading the paper and drinking coffee with him at Beanstock. Sigh.

I feel my time there is like an old home video now. It sits on a shelf in my brain and every now and then I put it in the vcr, for old time's sake. Today is one of those days where I can't help but push the rewind button and watch it over and over until I can recite the lines by heart.

Live From Our Nation's Capital...

I have my own blog? Gasp. I swore I would never create one of these but a perfect storm of new experiences, a new city, and mild work-day boredom have inspired me to start one.

Let me just start by saying it's February 6th and currently 71 degrees out. On days like today I wonder what on earth posessed me to stay in New England for so long! People in the office are complaining that it might rain later but I tell you what-- I'd take a thunderstorm over cold, slushy, "wintery mix" any day.

Second, here's what I've observed of DC: People always say its a lot like Boston but to me it couldn't be more different. Where Boston is the dirty and in-your-face junkie that hangs outside the 7-11 near Park St., DC is the clean cut, mild-mannered businesswoman in the Mercedes that lets you cross the street _even when she has the green light_. Of course every now and then I'm nostalgic for the thick Southie accents or a Dunkin' Donuts coffee-- but it's a refreshing change to have strangers say "Good Morning"...and SMILE! I had to laugh a little the other day when a car passing beeped ( a beep not a honk) and the man standing next to me said in the most serene, mild mannered tone "Oh, shut the fuck up". Everything is just so different!

We're gearing up for Japan Fest here at the center and there is a robot in the lobby that is way too realistic for my liking . More on that later.
S