I know. I know. I’ve been bad. I’ve hardly posted, haven’t added any photos or recipes…
Le sigh. Sometimes, these things happen.
So, as you might know, I’ve returned from the Great Adventure Abroad, and I’m now back in Boston (er, Somerville), via Los Alamitos, for the summer. Since I last wrote, I wrapped up my kiwi experience, flew from Wellington to Auckland and then to Los Angeles, saw my parents (hi mom and dad!), picked up Piper from the airport, went back to the airport and flew from LA to Boston, finally landing on the evening of July 4th. Since I arrived, things have been uneventful, you know, moving in, seeing a few friends here and there, going out to celebrate Independence Day in crazy, overrun, intoxicated Boston…
Alright, admittedly, that last one isn’t exactly ordinary fare. In fact, the night that began with house-hopping on College Ave ended with an impromptu karaoke session in the cab on the way home from Chinatown at 3 AM. We managed to get down to the Charles River so we could see the fireworks over the city – absolutely spectacular – and then fought the insane crowds as we walked all the way through Cambridge into Boston, from Kendall Square over the bridge to Government Center and Faneuil Hall. It was a great evening to start my summer off with a bang.
The next few days will be focused on getting a job. I’ve been perusing Craigslist several times a day, and will be hitting the pavement starting this morning, making rounds at places nearby that I hope will be interested. If anyone has any connections to people in Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, Watertown, or Medford, please, let me know! I’m also following up on a few leads for journalism-related internships, with the intention to carry something over from summer into fall. Soon, I’ll be trying to get the ball rolling on a senior thesis project. Visits from two of my favorite boys (John and Jacob) are in the works. Alan and Libby’s wedding is right around the corner. Things are moving!!
I’m also hoping to see some live shows this summer – not theatre, for once, but pop and rock. If anyone is interested in seeing Katy Perry on July 25, John Legend on August 7, Journey on September 12 (Manchester, NH), or P!nk on October 2, let me know! I’ll go see and review theatre shows on my own, but I much prefer to have company in a big noisy crowd.
Speaking of concerts, I had a great opportunity to see Midnight Youth, a New Zealand-based rock band that is making waves in the Australasia scene and will hopefully be crossing over into the Euro-America market soon. They performed at SXSW in March, and at the Viper Room in LA, and are currently touring New Zealand to promote the release of their first album, The Brave Don’t Run. I love it – I actually bought it (!) – and I’ve been telling everyone I know to check it out. Srsly. I first heard their second single, “All On Our Own” on one of the many afternoons I spent watching music videos on C4 at my flat at Uni Hall, and then, after buying the album and totally loving it, jumped at the chance to see them live at the San Francisco Bath House in Wellington. SFBH is a small, bar-sized performance space upstairs on Cuba Street, and we were in the company of maybe 200 other fans as we rocked out (close enough to touch the stage) to MY’s kickass tunes. Their sound ranges from soft Jack Johnson-esque folky rock to the pumping beats of a Muse-like prog rock, to the achingly beautiful ballads of the Gabriel Mann ilk. Jeremy, the lead vocalist, has some incredible pipes with an impressive range, and Alex, the guitarist, can shred like the best of them. Here’s to hoping that this great band makes it huge – I’m certainly rooting for them!
All On Our Own – Midnight youth
I promise to try to post more often. Hopefully soon, I’ll have some good news about my money making (and resume padding) prospects. Alex and I will be sure to cook to our hearts’ (and stomachs’) delights, so I’ll make sure to note those as well.
And if you’re in the Boston area, give me a ring or shoot me a message – I’ve missed you all and can’t wait to hear from you!
