“No Flash”

Boston, Mass. – A worker holds a sign in front of on-lookers in Copley Square as Ben Affleck and an actress film a scene (in the background) for The Town.

November, 2009

Taken by John Forrester

(flickr/johnsforrester/all rights reserved)

Started this post on October 21st, but forgot to finish it. It’s close enough to a full entry, though, so I thought I should just get over myself and post it. That, and I really don’t want to think about the taste of the cooked broccoli and arugula again. I did try the pizza with tomato-basil soup, and it did help mask some of the cooked veggie taste. I will not be making this one again. I like my veggies crispy. Cooked veggies and I are just not going to be friends, and I’m okay with that.

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Tried Eating Well’s Green Pizza. Broccoli has looked awful at the store recently, so I was thrilled to find some at the Copley farmers market today. (I also got a mesclun mix from a different farm, and an Herbs De Provence mix and lavender honey from the lovely people at the Herb Lyceum. It was a good day at the market.) So of course, when I get to the grocery store tonight, there’s broccoli, and it doesn’t look half bad. Not as pretty as my farm broccoli, but much better than it has in the last two weeks for sure. So I buy some store broccoli, thinking that if this pizza experiment goes horribly wrong, I’d rather not waste the “good” broccoli on it. I also needed to use the once-beautiful arugula I bought on Friday from the same stand that I bought the mesclun mix from today (Atlas Farms in South Deerfield). I meant to use it for salads over the weekend, but between the rain and the pears not being ripe, I forgot about it for a day or two. I salvaged enough for the pizza, though. Since the arugula gets cooked a little bit before putting it on the pizza, it didn’t matter that the leaves weren’t all as crisp as I’d want them for a salad.

Note: store pizza dough horizontally, or you’ll end up with a deformed pizza like mine.

I’ve never really liked cooked veggies, aside from corn. In fact, I’d have to say I’m opposed to cooked vegetables. I prefer them ripe and crunchy, if I’m going to eat them. (If I were in charge, it would be a punishable offense to cook celery.) I was rather forcibly reminded of this fact when I uncovered the steamed broccoli. After I added the arugula, I felt like I’d murdered my garden. That’s what the smell reminded me of: plant death. I was certain the zinnias were plotting revenge even as I stood in my kitchen. I made up for this by putting a little more cheese than called for over the green things, and I probably could have added more pesto as well.

In the end, I overcooked the pizza both before and after the toppings were added. I burned a bit of the dough, but only because it was thin in spots (due to my not storing the tube horizontally for the entirety of its time in my fridge, I imagine). The pizza wasn’t awful, and I imagine if you actually LIKE cooked broccoli and such, you’d like this just fine. I’m not sold, however. I am wondering, though, if perhaps it would go well with the tomato-basil soup. And by “go with,” I mean, “maybe if I dipped the pizza in the soup, I could mask some of that vegetable taste.” We shall see.

So I braved the wind and the rain on Saturday to go to the first annual Boston Book Festival.  It was an all-day event held at and around Copley Square, with exhibits, lectures, readings, free food, and interactive events for people who write or enjoy poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.  Oh, and there were plenty for kids to do, too.

So below is a report of my “field trip,” complete with photos.  Pardon my photography – I’m not the best, but I try!

I was originally planning to go with a friend, but she had to cancel due to a family emergency.  But I still wanted to go, so I took the train into Boston’s Back Bay station despite the icky weather.  The train came 30 minutes late (go figure!), so I didn’t make it into Boston till 1:00pm.  At least it had stopped raining.

Vendors and exhibits at the 2009 Boston Book Festival

Copley Square was packed when I got there – and you could tell that there weren’t many passersby.  Clearly this event had gotten lots of promotion in the city, and people were to see what it was all about.  There were two (or three?) rows of exhibits and vendors at the square, all in small white tents because of the weather.  Some tents were for the event sponsors, like State Street, E-Ink, and Green Mountain Coffee; or local media like Mix 104.1, Boston Globe, and NECN.  Most of the tents were for literary-related exhibits: local literary journals selling discounted subscriptions, small booksellers with selected books for sale, city colleges/universities with information on their writing programs, etc.  And if you were hungry, you could get some Legal Seafood Clam Chowder or Brigham’s ice cream – for free. 

The festival had close to 30 events planned that afternoon, each housed in one of four buildings bordering Copley Square: Trinity Church, Old South Church, Boston Public Library, and the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.   Here’s a list of some of the events, just to give you an idea:

• Spoken Word Showcase
• StoryPlace (kids’ event)
• Matters of Faith
• Book Worms and Net Crawlers
• The Power of Place: Struggles in a Strange Land
• The Examined Life: Memoir
• Thrillers and Killers
• Eat Your Words
• Jumpstart Your Writing (limited seating workshops)

I didn’t have a lot of time, since I wanted to be back home before it was too dark.  So I went right away to one event I had my heart set on: The Guided Open Mic, held at the Library.  It was hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan, Channel 7 investigative reporter by day and mystery author by night.  (She actually has three mystery novels published – I never knew that!)

Guided Open Mic, hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan

Here’s how it went: Attendees who wanted to read signed up before the event.  When it began, Ms. Ryan introduced herself and her books briefly, then gave her top 10 tips for reading at open mic events.  Then, she called the readers up in the order they signed the sheet.  (I was #26, so I had no chance.  Oh well!)  Each reader had 3 minutes tops to read original work: poetry, short story, excerpt from a longer story of any kind, etc.  When they finished, Ms. Ryan critiqued their performances, telling them what she liked and what could be improved.

Also, just before the event, I saw someone I knew… My local writers group had talked about the festival briefly at our previous meeting, but no one had mentioned anything about going at the time.  Well, just before the open mic began, one of the group members walked in!  So that was a pleasant surprise, and it felt more comfortable sitting next to someone I knew.

Johnny Duke and the Aces, peforming at the Festival Stage

After the Open Mic, I walked around Copley Square a little more, took some pictures, and visited some of the exhibits.  (Oh, and got some ice cream. *lol*)  The weather had improved drastically by then: It was warmer and clearing up, and very windy!  I also spent a few minutes by the Festival Stage near Trinity Church.  Musical performers were scheduled throughout the day at this stage, and the band I got to see was Johnny Duke and the Aces.  A local blues band with some jazz, rock, and funk influences.  Pretty good stuff.  Of course, they had the wind to contend with at that point.  I was afraid the tent was going to fall down on them at one point!

3:30 came around – time for Writer Idol at Old South Church.  To describe the event: Attendees could submit the first page of their working manuscript, and during Idol pages were selected at random to be read out loud by a professional actor to a panel of judges.  Not Simon, Randy, and Paula, obviously; here, the judges were local literary agents and editors.  The judges would listen to each reading either until the end or, if they really didn’t like it, until two of the judges raised their hands – meaning they would have rejected the story!  Then the judges would explain what they didn’t like and offer suggestions on how to improve that first page.

This event must have been hotly anticipated – I arrived just a minute or two before it started and took the last empty seat.  My friend from the writers group had submitted the first page of her novel-in-progress, so I didn’t want to miss it.  And Writer Idol did not disappoint.  It was extremely entertaining, and very informative.  One of the agents was hilarious, and between his comments and some of the readings people were laughing to the point of tears.  I think we all imagine literary agents to be tough cookies, but this event really proves how difficult it is to grab their attention and never let go.  Unfortunately I had to catch my train back home before Writer Idol finished.  But if the BBF organization had Writer Idol next year, I’d definitely see it again.

Trinity Church, and the crowd at the Boston Book Festival

All in all, I had a great time at the Boston Book Festival.  I’m sure it’ll be held next year; the turnout was great, and there was something for everyone.  If I were to go next year (which I’m already planning on it), I’d plan on spending the whole day there and get as much out of it as I can.

Here’s a link to the festival, in case you’re interested: http://www.bostonbookfest.org/index.php.

~ Sara

..to share all that I’ve been doing these last few days. Along with the Craft Fair on Saturday Matt took Kim and I up to Pocumtuck Ridge where his Ham Radio group has a repeater. The guys were doing some maintenance work so Kim and I took advantage of the chance to enjoy the view up there.   It’s amazing for as long as we’ve lived here and had no idea it existed. From the road you wouldn’t know there were hiking paths and this beautiful overlook.  I’m looking forward to the chance to get up there as the leaves turn.

Monday was Kim and my day in Boston. We couldn’t have had a more picture perfect day, or 400+ perfect pictures day.  We met up in Northampton at the Dunkin Donuts and fortified with our coffee and Kim’s TomTom for directions we were on our way a little after 7 am. We park at the Riverside T stop in Newton and take the rails into the city. It’s so easy and saves you fighting traffic or parking. It’s always fun to people watch on the ride in. We depart the subway at Hynes and our first view is Newbury Street, a shopping mecca with stores like this Betsy Johnson and Vera Wang. We were as happy as the Life is Good smilie on Newbury to see what a beautiful day we had to be in our favorite city. With over 100 Dunkin Donuts shops in the city and probably near as many Starbucks cafes I thought it’d be fun to take a picture of every one of each we came across during our day. This is the first Dunkin we saw while on Newbury.  Walking up Newbury we then headed over to Boylston Street and a building that dominates the skyline of Boston the John Hancock Tower.  I love the mix of old and new buildings in Boston and how they blend together so well like Trinity Church seen here with the Hancock Tower on Copley Square. There’s a beautiful green in front of the church that’s a gathering spot for concerts and many other events. While we were there they were setting up for a yoga demonstration.  There’s also some interesting statues and sculptures such as John Singleton Copley, for whom the square is named, an american painter famous for many portraits of many important figures in Colonial America. There’s also a small meditation garden on the side of Trinity Church, this statue of Phillip Brooks, rector of Trinity Church in the late 1800s.  And the whimsical tortoise and the Hare statues, a tribute to all the runners who have participated in the Boston Marathon. Before moving across the street to the Boston Public Library Kim and I made sure we crossed the finish of the Marathon and let me say by the end of the day we walked enough miles to have really done it!

I can’t focus today.  I’m chilly and I keep looking out the window at the ominous clouds building up.  I just posted an update on FB:

MA  is in complete denial that there is a 60% chance she will have to bike 125 miles in chilly showers tomorrow. She is requesting that all her FB friends do a series of Sun Salutations to increase her odds of blue skies…http://bit.ly/168wi0

…and, as of 29 minutes ago, I have friends in Miami and Meridian Mississipi facing north with their special sun dances and singing, “I’m walking on sunshine,”  while stomping feet.  But my office is cold, the clouds are getting darker, and I continue to lose focus on my work.

So I’m making a list to make sure that I will remember everything:

Already packed:

• Toiletries including tooth brush, floss, and contacts.  √
• Pajamas for Wuggs and Me √
• Undergarments for each of us √
• Blue Jeans: 2 pair √
• Change of shoes for MA √
• 2 long sleeve shirts (and an extra sweater and raincoat packed by Wuggs and a sleeveless fleece for MA) √
• Night guard for Wuggs √

To Do:

• Log onto H2B site and watch safety video.
• Pick up bike from Back Bay Bicycles after work (I get FREE tune ups for life since I bought my road bike there!!!).
• Don’t forget my clip shoes, helmet, bike lock and safety reflector vest.
• Program the H2B emergency phone number in my phone.
• Pick up rider jerseys and number tonight between 4-8pm at Club Cafe.
• Drop off any last donations received in the last week tonight at Club Cafe.
• Drop off the giant back pack loaned to us by Randi (thanks Randi!).  Remember to stuff the book I’m currently reading, The Time Traveler’s Wifein at the last minute so I have reading material on the Ferry ride on Sunday.  Try to remember to have one of us watch the bike while the other jams in the bike lock at the last minute…don’t want any extra weight tomorrow!
• Carb up for dinner but also try to include at least 5 fruits and veggies today.
• Lay out my riding gear: bike shorts, jersey, sports socks, bike shoes, helmet, camelbak, sun block (who am I kidding!), rain gear (more like it), ziplock bag for my cell phone.
• Try to find a way to go to sleep by 7:30pm tonight so I can get 8 hours of sleep (YEAH RIGHT!).
• Double check the riding gear I’ve laid out about 10 times to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.
• Set my alarm clock for the ungodly hour of 3:30am.
• Double check the alarm to make sure its on.
• Check the alarm again to make sure its set for AM and not PM.
• Check the clock again to make sure that the real time is set for PM setting (or opposite of alarm setting).
• Try to sleep without tossing and turning…doing everything I can including meditating and counting sheep to relax my mind and body so I feel rested for tomorrow’s ride.

Saturday Morning Checklist:

• Wake up (or just roll out of bed if I haven’t been sleeping) at 3:30 am.
• Pad to the bathroom and take a warm shower–try to embed that memory in my head to access when I’m tired, soar, or otherwise cold/soggy today.
• Dress in the first layer of gear.
• Check the weather forecast again.  If the sky has cleared and the sun miraculously is out–do the happy joy dance and thank the heavens for our incredible good fortune.  If the forecast still calls for rain–throw on the second layer of gear:  water proof pants and jacket.
• Fill camelbak that Randi gave me with water and fill water bottle with electrolite drink.
• Remind myself to thank Randi for being my guardian angel on this ride!!
• Make sure Wuggs is awake and dodge her the rest of the morning (my sunny morning disposition only fans the flames of her not-a-morning-person-fiery-disposotion).
• Try to eat some oatmeal.
• Remember to stretch.
• Leave the house by 4:30 am to reach Copley Square in time for a smooth check-in, protein-filled breakfast, and opening ceremonies at 5am.
• 6am–The ride begins!!!

Did I forget anything????

***

This is an entry from th adventurous, thoughtful and occasionally humorous journal of my training escapades in preparation for two great century bike rides: Harbor to the Bay and El Tour de Tucson.  To find out more information or to make a pledge, visit our home blog, The Amazing Adventures of Two Girls on a Bike.

I can’t focus today.  I’m chilly and I keep looking out the window at the ominous clouds building up.  I just posted an update on FB:

MA  is in complete denial that there is a 60% chance she will have to bike 125 miles in chilly showers tomorrow. She is requesting that all her FB friends do a series of Sun Salutations to increase her odds of blue skies…http://bit.ly/168wi0

…and, as of 29 minutes ago, I have friends in Miami and Meridian Mississipi facing north with their special sun dances and singing, “I’m walking on sunshine,”  while stomping feet.  But my office is cold, the clouds are getting darker, and I continue to lose focus on my work.

So I’m making a list to make sure that I will remember everything:

Already packed:

• Toiletries including tooth brush, floss, and contacts.  √
• Pajamas for Wuggs and Me √
• Undergarments for each of us √
• Blue Jeans: 2 pair √
• Change of shoes for MA √
• 2 long sleeve shirts (and an extra sweater and raincoat packed by Wuggs and a sleeveless fleece for MA) √
• Night guard for Wuggs √

To Do:

• Log onto H2B site and watch safety video.
• Pick up bike from Back Bay Bicycles after work (I get FREE tune ups for life since I bought my road bike there!!!).
• Don’t forget my clip shoes, helmet, bike lock and safety reflector vest.
• Program the H2B emergency phone number in my phone.
• Pick up rider jerseys and number tonight between 4-8pm at Club Cafe.
• Drop off any last donations received in the last week tonight at Club Cafe.
• Drop off the giant back pack loaned to us by Randi (thanks Randi!).  Remember to stuff the book I’m currently reading, The Time Traveler’s Wife in at the last minute so I have reading material on the Ferry ride on Sunday.  Try to remember to have one of us watch the bike while the other jams in the bike lock at the last minute…don’t want any extra weight tomorrow!
• Carb up for dinner but also try to include at least 5 fruits and veggies today.
• Lay out my riding gear: bike shorts, jersey, sports socks, bike shoes, helmet, camelbak, sun block (who am I kidding!), rain gear (more like it), ziplock bag for my cell phone.
• Try to find a way to go to sleep by 7:30pm tonight so I can get 8 hours of sleep (YEAH RIGHT!).
• Double check the riding gear I’ve laid out about 10 times to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.
• Set my alarm clock for the ungodly hour of 3:30am.
• Double check the alarm to make sure its on.
• Check the alarm again to make sure its set for AM and not PM.
• Check the clock again to make sure that the real time is set for PM setting (or opposite of alarm setting).
• Try to sleep without tossing and turning…doing everything I can including meditating and counting sheep to relax my mind and body so I feel rested for tomorrow’s ride.

Saturday Morning Checklist:

• Wake up (or just roll out of bed if I haven’t been sleeping) at 3:30 am.
• Pad to the bathroom and take a warm shower–try to embed that memory in my head to access when I’m tired, soar, or otherwise cold/soggy today.
• Dress in the first layer of gear.
• Check the weather forecast again.  If the sky has cleared and the sun miraculously is out–do the happy joy dance and thank the heavens for our incredible good fortune.  If the forecast still calls for rain–throw on the second layer of gear:  water proof pants and jacket.
• Fill camelbak that Randi gave me with water and fill water bottle with electrolite drink.
• Remind myself to thank Randi for being my guardian angel on this ride!!
• Make sure Wuggs is awake and dodge her the rest of the morning (my sunny morning disposition only fans the flames of her not-a-morning-person-fiery-disposotion).
• Try to eat some oatmeal.
• Remember to stretch.
• Leave the house by 4:30 am to reach Copley Square in time for a smooth check-in, protein-filled breakfast, and opening ceremonies at 5am.
• 6am–The ride begins!!!

Did I forget anything????

***

This is an entry from th adventurous, thoughtful and occasionally humorous journal of my training escapades in preparation for two great century bike rides: Harbor to the Bay and El Tour de Tucson.  To find out more information or to make a pledge, visit our home blog, The Amazing Adventures of Two Girls on a Bike.

$18! Chai! Jews, special alert. Or anyone really. I’m so there.

From the press release:

The Copley Square Hotel, Boston’s newest boutique property located in the heart of Boston’s vibrant Back Bay is turning 118 years old this summer and wants you to be part of the celebration, with rates starting at $18. Visit the Copley Square Hotel’s website at http://www.copleysquarehotel.com/birthday on July 14, 2009 from 1:18 p.m. – 3:16 p.m. (EDT) to grab the low $18 rate. The sale will last 118 minutes or until all the rooms are sold. Room rates for boutique rooms start at $18 and go up to $118 and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Guests can book their stay from July 14 until September 24, 2009 and up to 5 rooms per night will be available at $18, with at least 5 more at $118.