The Home of AlexDW

I just got back from Indiana a few days ago, and things have been going pretty well. Took my girlfriend out to meet my family (they all loved her), and give me a chance to catch up on what has been happening in my absence. My grandmother had a pacemaker put in on Christmas Eve, and she is feeling much better. She says it is much easier for her to stay awake now. The train rides went well, and things were going pretty well here, until water started shooting out of the radiator...

Things have been getting fairly interesting here in Boston lately. I have only been here one month, and I've already made lots of friends, and even met a girl that I like! I never imagined that things would be going so well so quickly for me, but I'm very glad that they are. Although there have been a few complications, it has otherwise been enjoyable.

I finally got to visit Haymarket, this time with Jane. There were several blocks lined with street vendors selling various fruits and vegetables. The weather was cool on Friday, so the vegetables had not been forced to sit in the hot sun all day. Apparently, though, some of the produce was marginal, as it had rotted between purchase and taking it out of the bag a few hours later. It was a fun and interesting experience, though, and I would like to go back. With a little practice, I think, I will be able to get some really nice cheap food.

Well, my plan to go to Haymarket today was a total failure. I met Greg and Doug at the Davis Square station, and they said that Haymarket is only open Friday and Saturday. Who knew? (I wish Jane had mentioned this yesterday...) Anyway, they were going to a festival in Chinatown, so I tagged along. While I was down there at the annual moon festival, I picked up a few things for the house, and a gift for my grandmother. On the way back, I stopped at Porter Exchange and picked up a few more things, thus allowing me to remove a few items from the new house list. I will try Haymarket again next weekend, but only if the weather is favorable. (If it is too hot, the veggies will be spoiled by the time I get there.)

I have found some of the people I know around here on LiveJournal, but not all of them. As I was leaving the train to go to Porter, I realized that I should have asked if Greg and Doug had accounts. That would have removed some of the guesswork. Ah well...

I got a new MP3 player yesterday, a Creative Zen V+. it was less than $100, so all is well. I had to hike up to the Alewife Staples to get it, as the store I went to in Harvard Square was completely out. It can supposedly play videos, but so far the results have been less than inspiring. It played none of my videos, and its "pack-in" videos do not play on my computer. (What kind of codecs does it use?) Oh well... at least now I don't have any excuses not to continue listening to my language learning materials.

Jane called yesterday to make sure I was watering the garden. The veggies got a quick bath, and seem to be much happier now. I guess I'll have to remember to do that every evening from now on. Tim isn't here to do it, as he has taken off for "somewhere southwestish." As a result, I have the whole house to myself for the next two(ish) weeks. Joy of joys.

After scolding me for not watering the plants Jane suggested that I visit Haymarket. So... the plan today? Load up my freshly-charged MP3 player with language materials, find a seat on the T, and make my way to Haymarket. I have mixed feelings after reading some reviews online, but I'm hoping for the best. With any luck, I might meet some new friends there! (Hasn't worked so-far...) At least I might be able to find some additional veggies to go with my nappa.

My here-to-fore mostly unused LiveJournal account is has now been re-activated. I had previously created this account so that I could take part in the forum for the Vampires game. (Boy, that brings back memories!) With any luck, everything I post here will get mirrored there... but I somehow doubt it. The LJ plug-in for Serendipity is a little flaky. (Won't this look stupid when it is read at LJ? Oh well.)

Mood? Who cares!?!

I'm currently attending a party in downtown Boston, held by my company to honor a member of our team who is moving on. The food here is very different, but quite good. The view, however, has to be seen to be believed. I'm up on the 42nd floor (by all accounts,) and can see most of the west side of Boston and part of south east Cambridge. It is quite a beautiful view; recommended for all who can do it.

I'm finally getting settled in to my new place here in Medford. We've been doing some gardening, some grilling, and many other fun activities. Our cable internet service is working here, but it took quite a bit of pain. Apparently, Comcast only wants you to connect a single computer running Windows to their service. Thankfully, I had a computer lying around that happened to have Windows 2000 on it. I got the service set up, and then cloned that computer's MAC address with the wireless router. (Of course, the wireless router in question was TRG's from-the-trash router. It has since been replaced.) We still haven't gotten completely settled, though... the carpet cleaning that GJM ordered was for the downstairs only, and so we are going to have to find another solution for the icky upstairs carpets. There is hard wood under the carpets, so we will probably rip them up, sand them down, varnish them, and be done with it. Wish me luck!