Beantown Bound

For someone who grew up on the other side of the country, I’ve managed to see quite a bit of the East Coast. In fact, I’ve been to almost every state from Connecticut all the way down to Florida (with the noted exception of Delaware, and I still question whether or not our hotel was in Maryland or D.C.)

I still have not managed to really break into much of New England but I’m seizing the opportunity over Labor Day, which is my first three-day weekend since starting work (and my only vacation time until Thanksgiving). I’ll be in full road-tripping force as I drive from little town in Jersey through New York, into Connecticut (::waves to Kerri: and up 1-95 into Rhode Island for a day before arriving in Boston in the evening on Saturday, September 1. I’ll be in Beantown until late Monday afternoon before I make my way back home.

This will also be my very first venture into “Pump It Your Damn Self” land. I’m kinda nervous.Yes, I’m 22 and I have never pumped my own gas. Please do not die of shock. I just happen to have only lived in the only two states in the country that have people pump your gas for you. Why do you think I moved to Jersey in the first place? Kidding… Kind of.

I’m très excited to go and I’m looking for suggestions on what to do while I’m there. I’m staying at a youth hostel in the Back Bay area - no idea where that is or what it means, but apparently it’s a good location, so there you go. Any suggestions for what I should see, do, eat?

Better yet, does anyone want to go with me? (This is, by the way, a perfect example of what I explained last week.) Please email or leave a comment if you’re in the general vicinity. Even if you can’t make it to Boston, I might be able to make it to you. Maybe. If you ask nicely. And are not a psychopathic stalker.

In other news: I’m becoming quite the Broadway aficionado these days. I attended Curtains, my second Broadway show this summer, last Wednesday with my friend Yuliya, an old college housemate, and her boyfriend. Curtains has brought my Broadway count up to five shows, with four of them actually being on Broadway (the fifth was The Lion King on tour in Portland). I cannot say enough about this show. David Hyde Pierce is hysterical - actually, the entire cast is amazing - and the musical numbers were unbelievable. The show was a perfect mix of sharp, snarky banter and make-your-heart-sigh ballads.

This Friday, I’m off to yet another play. This time I’m seeing The Year of Magical Thinking, starring Vanessa Redgrave. I don’t know much about the play other than what is on the website, but it’s Vanessa Redgrave. Not only do I get the tickets at discount through work, but this is also the last weekend the show is playing and I would regret it if I didn’t go.

And on top of that, I get my brand new red couch this weekend!

Which I think I’m looking forward to more than anything.