I'm currently on a Megabus (top level, the only way to go) en route to Boston from New York. Yesterday, I finished part two of three anti-microbial treatments meant to rid me of Lyme Disease. After part three on Monday they'll test me again to see if there are any little Lyme fuckers left in my body. Unfortunately, during this part of the treatment, any symptom I've ever had can come back and a few good ones have. Welcome back sinus infection, muscle twitches, body ache and gastrointestinal trouble. Welcome back perma-headache! You always were my favorite.
On a brighter note, despite the needles, headaches and pill popping, I've had some really good times with friends in the last two weeks. And, on my friend Corbin's recommendation, I've given the new Vampire Weekend album a second listen. It's still not as solid as their debut but it is quite catchy, particularly the title track "Contra."
So, Noelle's highlights from the last two weeks, in reverse chronological order:
- Marathon Monday - I love that Boston has turned its marathon into a holiday, Patriot's Day. Sadly, the holiday isn't recognized by the Public Interest Network so this was my first time celebrating. Watching the runners was awesome but the crowd of babies, dogs, homemade signs, cowbells and drunks was just as entertaining. As Veronica noted, there's something beautiful about strangers cheering on strangers. I joined Wyatt, Nate and Ross in a percussion pep band along Beacon St in Brookline and did my best to keep up on cow bell, wood block and tambo.
- Welcome back dinner with the roomies - We made some vegan goodies from Bryant Terry's cookbook, i.e. garlic potato soup, and Emily made an amazing dinosaur berry pobbler. "Pobbler" because it was halfway between a pie and a cobbler: baked as one, served as the other. In a shout out to Ula's signature Squirrel pumpkin pies, she put a Graham cracker crust dinosaur on top. I will post recipe.
- High School Friend Reunion - Before I left New York I had lunch with my friend Nick Riccobono. We hadn't seen each other in seven years but, after hugging with enough enthusiasm to knock over a water glass and cause a huge scene, it was clear we had it goin on, and got along like two peas from the same nerd pod. I credit the fact that we're both Capricorns but maybe we were just meant to be buds. After lunch we explored Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights. That place rules. Not only do its trees, soaring heights and pretty flowers make you forget you're in Manhattan, but there is a bar/restaurant in the park with a great happy hour. I couldn't take advantage of it, given current dietary restrictions, but you better believe I'll be going back there for a $4 beer on the wooded patio.
Other highlights included walking through the fairly new high line park in Chelsea, catching up with good buds in Bushwick, visiting the famed waffles and dinges cart with my Mom and crusing around Red Hook, possibly my favorite part of the five Burroughs.
