EMK & Me

This week has been kinda hard for me. It has a lot to do w/ Ted Kennedy, but it also has a lot to do w/ myself. I have been amazingly happy since I got to DC, I haven't for one second thought I made the wrong decision. In a way, that has been a bit disconcerting. Maybe its still the honeymoon, but when will that end? And will I come crashing down? How will I deal w/ that? What will come next? It took me a long time to learn to love Boston, but in a way that seemed like a normal, natural progression. Like most New Englanders, things usually have to grow on me. But w/ DC it was different, I came down here and right away knew this was the place for me. Basically, I never looked back... Within 6 months, I had a job and was packing my worldly possessions to take the plunge. I still think this is the right place for me, I'm loving my job, the city, my life-- personally and professionally. I'm interested to see how the Fall goes, when the weather changes, and being outside by myself begins to lose its appeal, but all in all, I think I'm good here...

Then Senator Kennedy died. We all knew he was sick. We all knew he wouldn't get better. We all know who will throw their names into the ring for the open Senate seat. But we all hoped it would be for Kerry's seat, not Teddy's. Then there's the timing. The end of August recess. The health care debate. Those town halls. The infamous filibuster. The 60 "democratic" senators (inc. Lieberman, ick), which we only just gained this summer w/ the recent seating of Al Franken. Looking back the signs were there; he didn't go to his sister's funeral, he sent a letter, dated 6 weeks prior, to Deval, Bobby and Terry asking for a quick, short-term appointment should he die before his term ends, but I never doubted that he would board that plane to come down and not only vote for health care reform, but likely speak on the monumental meaning of its passage. Alas, health care reform may have unfortunately died with him. One can only hope, as I did watching Orrin Hatch and John McCain speak at his memorial service tonight, that his death will reinvigorate the understanding of what this debate is actually for, and what the reform bills actually are comprised of.

But I wasn't ready, I am not ready to say goodbye to the lion of the Senate and the important and incredible work he did for the citizens of Massachusetts, and for all Americans. And, I wasn't ready for the feelings it would bring up in me about Boston, Massachusetts, and leaving. Overall, I know DC is the right place for me right now, for my political self, for my career, and likely my personal life too, but I can't help but think over and over this week, that Boston is where I should be. I should have been standing amongst my peers and colleagues on Bowdoin St, shoulder to shoulder w/ the guys from Capitol Coffee to bid farewell to my Senator. I've realized this week, that Boston truly became my home. I relate more as a Massachusetts resident, then I ever did as one from Connecticut. I know the inner workings, the main players, the inside jokes, the moonbats, and I miss them all. Maybe that will come in time w/ DC, but I'm not sure. DC is defined by its transient population. It is a place where people travel to for meetings, conferences,etc. It is a place where people from all over the country and the world come for short or long stays, but always with the plan to go "home" again. When I moved down here, I said I didn't know how long I'd be here, and that while I cannot say what the future holds, Boston was always a place I could see myself returning to. I didn't leave cuz I hated it, I left cuz I needed change. That is more apparent to me now than ever. In a way my future may be shaped by the loss of Senator Kennedy. The Massachusetts political landscape has just changed drastically, and depending on how it shakes out, it is possible I could want to be back there sooner, rather than later. Or perhaps a position would become available down here that would allow me to stay better connected to Boston. It is too soon to tell how it will all shake out, but this week has certainly made me think about my past, present and future in new and different ways.

And of course this week has made me reinvigorated in my career path. I am honored to work in the same field as Senator Kennedy, and I believe that he would value the work that I do daily to ensure that women (and increasingly men) have access to reproductive health care informed through evidence-based science.I look forward to the day when Congress passes the Edward Moore Kennedy Health Care Reform Bill, and the day that President Obama signs it into law. A fitting closing chapter to Camelot.

Lions and lambs

Well, here we are on 3/31 and lo and behold it IS sunny and around 50. Not quite what I asked for, but close enough. And it's even supposed to stay nice tomorrow. Thursday is when the April showers start. Now I'm just waiting on those May flowers...

But seriously, tomorrow is April. 2009 is already flying by.

Heroine?

So, I may have saved a man's life tonight. Working the second job, and one of my last tables was a father and son. After they got their meals, I realized the father was coughing non-stop for a bit and making some pretty horrendous noises. His son didn't seem too concerned, but I brought him over a glass of water, just to show that I noticed his discomfort. Later, much later, after he finally caught his breath, he thanked me profusely for my foresight. No biggie homes, just looking out. All in all kinda scary, but he was making noise the whole time, which is the sign that he's getting some oxygen in. Shook my hand when he left and thanked me again. I mean really, what else would you do in that situation?

Extreme Beer Fest

A few times a year Beer Advocate hosts various beer fests at the Cyclorama in the South End. I've been going to these since I moved to Boston since Sunset caters all the food. Each Beer Fest has a distinct theme, all of them amazing-- Belgian, German, American or Extreme. A few weeks ago, Jamie came to town for the Extreme Beer Fest.

I love the Cyclorama. It's an amazingly beautiful and as lame as this sounds, the bathrooms are amazing. All exposed brick and copper piping. So pretty.

Obviously, the Extreme Beer Fest is pretty intense. This year I did the best I've ever done in trashing beer I wasn't feeling: taking a sip and deciding, nah. Or maybe I was moving to quickly and hadn't finished my 2-3oz sample by the time I'd reached the next station. Whatevs. While, I generally avoid the Sunset food except what I can snag for free, I LOVE the Belgian waffles, despite their extraordinary price. They are TOO delicious to pass up. I think I also housed some tortilla chips and perhaps a Beer Pretzel. I'm sure I was also sorely disappointed that Marc hadn't made a batch of beer ice cream for this one... Regardless, we made a night of it, even tho beer fest ends at 930. We cabbed it back to Allston, hit up Deep Ellum and eventually made our way to Sunset for a nightcap and some SpinArt Dip. I'm sure I flirted and gropped Renaldo before I left beer fest. A day in the life...

Photo captions--
2: I'm sure that is how the actual Extreme Beer Fest flag looked to us as we left.
3: Me and Angie.
4: Me and Ben. I love how he's shrinking to not tower over me. Also, I'm not double fisting, but instead holding Jamie's brew, while he takes the picture.

Berry Pancakes

So far I think most of my entries have been brunch related. Brunch is easily my favorite meal, and if it were acceptable to eat it for every meal, I would. It is also the meal I'm the most comfortable making. As I've said, I look forward to the weekend to make brunch and take a break from mornings of quick breakfasts of oatmeal, frozen waffles and granola.

This morning I made cranberry/blueberry pancakes. I have pancake mix that you just add water to. I know it's not the best, but it's the easiest and I've gotten it down so I make exactly 2 pancakes. I don't think I'd ever make pancakes if it resulted in leftover batter. I also have a pancake pan that my aunt gave me for xmas a few years back. Both my mom and my aunt bestow wonderful kitchen gadgets on me, perhaps because they've both been homemakers and know the benefit of cutting some corners. I think I could probably make pancakes the old fashion way, but the pancake pan makes it so easy. It's pancake size and folds down over the pancake, so you just turn over the whole pan to flip the pancake. It is a bitch to clean tho, but that's more the fault of the fruit I add to the pancakes that kinda burns and carmelizes than the pan's fault. This morning's pancakes came out great. I like the tartness of the cranberry and the sweetness of the blueberry. I also do banana pancakes if I have bananas that are a bit overripe.

As a side note, cranberries are one of my favorite foods. I love them. I love the tartness. I love the juice, them dried, in salads, in oatmeal, etc. It's weird my favorite flavor profiles are fall flavors and fall is not my favorite season... I may like it more than winter, but only cuz of October. The rain and progressive coldness really grates on me. It's also weird cuz I'm not a Thanksgiving fan, yet some of my favorite flavors/foods are pumpkin, cranberry and fall/winter squash, especially butternut. Each year I buy a bag of cranberries and put them in the freezer so I can enjoy them all year round. I guess I really am a Massachusetts girl...

DST=Spring?

So less than 1 week after Mother Nature dumped a foot of snow on us, it is pretty much all melted. Today is the third beautiful day in a row. I think yesterday takes the cake, being 60, albeit overcast. Today its around 55 and while it was supposed to rain, it looks like the skies are crystal clear. I'm tempted to take the book I'm addicted to and to finish it in the park across my st, but I'm afraid of all the mud! I'll take a walk for sure tho. It is WAY too nice not too. I cannot wait for Spring to really be here. For buds on the trees, flowers poking thru and regularly walking home from work. Unfortunately that will also mean baseball season and hordes of drunk, obnoxious, rude Red Sox fans in my neighborhood... But for today none of that, but all of the excitement when Boston awakes from Winter and everyone comes out of their apts and walks Newbury and Boylston to window shop and enjoy the weather...

UPDATE: I did go read in the park across the st. I got a little cold and ended up strolling further into the city, stopping by a restaurant I used to work at to drink some sparkling lemonade and to say hi to my friends who were working. Once moving, I was perfectly warm and even took off my fleece. The sun felt great beating down and I stuck to the sunny side of the st as much as I could.

But, surprise, surprise it's supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow. Go figs...

Mini A'dam Reunion

Most of my posts have been abt food and that is not my sole intention, so here are some pics of me and my friend Clay who was up visiting this weekend. We met 5 years ago in Amsterdam while we were studying abroad. We have seen each other for 3 weekends in the past 5.5 months which is some kind of record, but has been absolutely amazing. I kinda want to just slip into Clay's skin. He has an UBER cheap apt in DC and works for the federal government. I have an expensive apt and work for the state... Our apts are painted in almost the exact same colors. He may be moving back to Boston, I may be moving to DC...
These pics are late night, after a long day of working at the restaurant (cuz my paycheck really isn't that big, moonbats), a few drinks and an adventure at a gay bar I never knew existed. But honestly, I have no idea why Clay's eyes are so bloodshot. Needless to say, I stayed in bed til around 6 the following day... a day in the life...

Roaring into March

So while I'm sick of the lion/lamb March references that have been made all over the place, it is pretty fitting considering we got one of the worst storms of the year on March 1. That being said, March 31 better be at least 65 and sunny. Even if it pours all day and is 40 on April 1. March, you owe us.

I was lucky and got a late opening today. I didn't really know that was possible and I would have preferred a straight up snowday, but hey, at least I got to roll over at 730 and go back to sleep until 10. We were supposed to be in by 12; I rolled in around 115. Anddd, I left a 415. Not too productive. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. And if the moonbats of the Herald ever find this blog, I'll come off as a normal, lazy state employee. Except that I'm a girl. And I didn't get my job thru my dad. But whatever, they'll look past that to complain abt my lack of work ethic and my big fat paycheck (ha).

But here are some pics of the wintry wonderland we now inhabit. Btw, I walked home from work on Friday. It was 60. No coat, no socks. Now that's what I'm talking abt.
Walking the freedom trail.