shiny happy people

Everyone is friendly here. Well, let me preface that by saying I did just happen to move from DC, which is pretty unfriendly by comparison. There never was a truer statement than the one made by JFK about DC in the early '60's: "Washington, DC is a place of Southern efficiency and Northern charm." This is still true today. Don't get me wrong, I love DC. I miss it and my friends every day. And for as much as it was loud and dirty and noisy and mean, it ain't got nothin' on New York. If you want to feel like a tiny fish in a giant, smelly pond, go to New York for a few days. Coming home to DC was like a peaceful paradise in comparison.

As I was saying, Bostonians seem very pleasant. If that weren't enough, every town has a "Pleasant Street" running through it,  just as every road in Atlanta is named Peachtree. How could a place called Beantown not be charming? I used to find the Boston accent irritating, but now I love it that everyone here sounds like one of the Car Talk guys. And I don't even really mind that it's boogers-freezing cold outside or that I have to drive around huge mountains of snow to try to find the one parking space left in my entire town that's half the size of my car. There's just something about it here that is so enchanting. It's like when you first start dating someone, and all their little quirks are adorable.

I must sheepishly admit I have not actually been into the city yet. But I am excited to report that we'll be getting a babysitter and traveling the whole 10 miles into Boston (sarcastic gasp!) for Nate's 30th birthday. That's right, the big 3-0. I am looking forward both to the night out and for the chance to put on my smug face now that Nate will no longer be able to hold it over me that he's in his 20's still and I'm not.

Once Boston and I have been dating a bit longer, I'll have to let you know if its personality begins to perturb me. For now, I'm enjoying the new love bliss.

p.s. One of my favorite comedians, Mike Birbiglia, is from Boston. There's an animated version of one of his old jokes with a bit about Boston here. I'm reading his book right now, which includes a few jokes about the city. Interestingly, I'm finding the book to be much deeper than I expected, and although I should be going to sleep early to catch up, I find myself staying up to read more.