A Weekend In Boston - Observations
Written by whoorl · Filed Under lists, strange, indeedy, travel, photos
1. Warm, sunny weather is my life force.
2. A trench coat is not a coat.
3. People stare. At the airport, walking down Newbury Street, running errands, everywhere. (Booger? Spinach in the teeth?) While having lunch at Zaftigs, the woman seated next to us literally turned her chair towards us and stared the entire meal, completely ignoring her lunch companion. I’m going to hold a seminar on my next visit entitled, Quick Sideways Glance: learn it, live it, love it.
4. I met the lovely Miguelina for coffee. What is the DEAL with all of the East Coast soul sistahs I’ve encountered? Why aren’t these types of women living in Orange County? (Wait. Don’t answer that.)
5. I couldn’t help but pretend I was Ali McGraw while visiting my brother-in-law’s school. Of course, my superstition got the best of me and stopped thinking that, because um, she DIES in that movie.
6. The stoplights in Boston must not employ sensors, but use timers lengthy enough to allow drivers to take a quick snooze (and possibly prepare an omelet) before getting the green light.
7. Strong headwinds will make your flight home quite lengthy. As in, Very. Long. (6 1/2 hours, to be exact.)
8. While watching BBC on said flight, I encountered a show where a dietitian actually trifles through people’s poop. In tupperware. A family of four stood around while this woman dissected their poop IN FRONT OF THEM. This has crossed some sort of television-viewing boundary, and yet, I am intrigued.
9. Fresh baby head smells really good. Yet, not good enough to persuade me to have another baby right now.
10. I will enjoy the beach today with renewed fervor. Flip flops! Sand in my toes! Warm sun on my face! YES YES YES!
Boston, you and I will meet again, my bipolar friend. Preferably in the spring.
Kristin
March 18th, 2008 7:38 amThe show must have been “You are what you eat” right?
jonniker
March 18th, 2008 7:38 amYeah, people do stare. I’ve grown so used to it, I don’t even notice it anymore. In a strange way — and this just reveals how East Coast/New England I really am, I guess — I find it comforting. At least I KNOW they’re looking at me, whereas in other areas, I have to play the, “Is she looking at me? Is there a problem? Did I see her look at me sideways?”
I love the directness of the East Coast. I love that in the workplace, if they’re coming after you, they are all up in your face all, “I AM COMING AFTER YOU, YO.” My last job was packed with Minnesota-nice, and I couldn’t handle it — they were coming after me, but faking it with smiles. I missed the staring and the semi-rudeness.
Also, I used to live up the street from Zaftigs and ate there three times a week. God, I would give ANYTHING for their stuffed cabbage and a knish right now. ANY. THING.
I think it has everything to do with where you grew up and what you are exposed to from the get-go. I was taught that staring is rude, but I was also raised in the Bible Belt, with PLENTY of its own problems. ;)
I appreciate the differences, but I guess I’m just a “nice” Western girl through and through.
Jen
March 18th, 2008 7:48 amI’ll be in Boston next week for work (only my second time in the city), so this guide of sorts is quite helpful. Thank you for the heads up on the staring. How very weird! Do you think it’s because you’re such a handsome-looking family? Or they really indiscriminately stare at random people like that?
Good question - I have no idea, but honestly, it was UNCOMFORTABLE at times.
Anna
March 18th, 2008 7:51 amSounds like an interesting trip. :-) I love the hat you’re wearing in that picture. And I had no idea about the East Coast directness thing. But it makes sense, as I think about the East Coasters I know.
sizzle
March 18th, 2008 7:54 amI am kind of grateful to the internet for introducing me to so many East Coast soul sisters. More people to visit! :)
Bethany
March 18th, 2008 7:58 amhaha… people stare because your little family is so stylish and good-looking! Thats why most of us love snooping on your blog I think : ) Oh… and you have a great personality!
Miguelina
March 18th, 2008 8:16 amYou went to Zaftig’s? Go you!
People stare. And then they will ask you point blank - “Where are you from? Because you’re not from HEAH.” You get used to it.
Loved meeting you!
Abbie
March 18th, 2008 8:27 amI am guilty of the staring. I’ve always attributed it to some combination of my own social awkwardness and the fact that my parents do it, but now I know I can blame it on where I’m from!
Perfect!
ashley
March 18th, 2008 8:33 amI LOVE sunshine and warm weather.
I grew up in tropical countries near the equator and, in college, spent a semester in Hawaii. The ocean flows through my veins. I THRIVE in sunshine.
And yet. I love my family SO much I live in Ohio.
Yep. That’s love, right there.
Also? Poop on TV? I just can’t believe you. That’s insane, I tell you. Reality TV’s gone too far.
kate
March 18th, 2008 8:40 amI’ll tell you right now why people stare at you: because you and your husband look like freakin’ super-models. Seriously, they probably think you’re on TV or something. And the east-coast thing causes them to not care one damn bit if you see them staring; they need to discern WHICH tv show they’ve seen you on so they can tell their friends and family.
“Boston, my bipolar friend!” ha!!! I love your writing, Whoorlie.
Danielle
March 18th, 2008 8:51 amHoly hot husband! They had to have been trying to figure out which superstars you were….!
Not enough babies to be Angelina and Brad- too many babies to be Demi and Ashton. Or something like that.
Beautiful family!
Question: Wito- is it like “widow” or like “wee-toe” and is that a blog name? Like ” ‘Whoorl’ makes off spring and names him’?’ …”
Just curious. Sorry for staring. :)
Yes, it’s his blog name. I called him Whoorlito while I was pregnant and shortened it after he was born, so you can pronounce it however you want! :)
Nothing But Bonfires
March 18th, 2008 8:53 amYes! You Are What You Eat! Isn’t it AWFUL? Isn’t the woman on it GHASTLY? I very innocently watched it for the first time while eating my lunch, which was a terrible idea. Unless you’re their doctor or their parent, you should NEVER have to see another person’s poop. Especially on television, right when you’re least expecting it.
At least they blur it out. GAH.
Loralee
March 18th, 2008 8:54 amHot Whoorl (Channeling Ali McGraw)
+
Hot Husband (With scarf charmingly tied in same fashion as Hot Whoorl)
+
Adorable offspring of the two “Hot’s”
+
Human nature that renders people unable to look away from hotness
= STARING.
Seems simple enough to me.
Erin
March 18th, 2008 8:54 amHaha! We DO stare! Like Miguelina said, we can tell when you’re not from HEAH! As a lifelong Bostonian I will attest to that. You should probably come back in the fall, September/October. The weather is pleasant, still relatively warm but without the gross summertime oppressive humidity.
Angella
March 18th, 2008 9:38 amThey were staring because the three of you are too beautiful for most people to handle.
People only stare at me when I trip over my own two feet or have my kids’ snot trails on my shirt :)
Rebecca
March 18th, 2008 9:52 amYou were watching You Are What You Eat. It’s a fabulous show! Fortunately, they don’t actually show the poo although she gets quite a lot of info from it.
You know, I live in the Boston area, grew up in New England and have never noticed that people stare. I guess I’m just used to it.
Marissa
March 18th, 2008 10:42 amI’m an east-coaster. We have no manners, I apologize. But what is this you say about stop lights with sensors? Is the rest of American not able to finish a novel or two while waiting for the lights to change?
By the way, I started reading your page a while back for hair ideas, but since I go my haircut I now read just for your comedy writing which seems to cheer me up no matter what kind of day I’m having.
Leah
March 18th, 2008 10:42 amPeople can’t but stare at the hotness. I mean, you are lovely all on your own, but add that baby and that baby-daddy and yowza, y’all are some sort of freak show of prettiness.
sunny
March 18th, 2008 11:18 amnow the flights home to OK will feel so fast!
whoorl
March 18th, 2008 11:28 amOkay, SERIOUSLY, y’all can stop with the hot family comments. (Although, thank you! May a buy you a pony?)
The staring was probably because the locals couldn’t over the fact that a chick was shivering uncontrollably when it was a balmy 45 degrees outside.
(It was the wind! The wind, I tell you!)
Olivia
March 18th, 2008 12:30 pmI went to Boston last spring around mid-May. The weather was freaking awful. It rained the entire four days we were there so we didn’t get to do much site-seeing. I’m thinking I’ll try Boston again in late-summer or fall.
Aimee Greeblemonkey
March 18th, 2008 2:14 pmAwesome pic. And the staring is all up and down the east coast.
metalia
March 18th, 2008 3:14 pmIt’s so funny you mention the staring–when I was in Boston last week, I called J at one point specifically to tell him that I suspected much of the town had a pregnant lady fetish. Such was the BLATANT STARING. I’m not used to it, coming from NY, where everyone pretends not to see you and barrels straight ahead. And possibly directly into you, if you’re in the way. They’re hardcore like that.
Wait.
That isn’t going to help my campaign to get you to visit NYC next time you head East, is it? Um…everyone here is friendly! No one bumps into you in the street! And the personal hygiene of the crazy street people is beyond reproach!
It’s funny you mentioned this because I was going to write about how I’ve never noticed the staring thing in NYC during my multiple visits. So don’t worry, NYC and I have a very happy relationship. (Personally, I am ALL FOR the pretending not to see one another thing.)
Lady S
March 18th, 2008 3:43 pmGrowing up in New England, I guess I assumed everyone stared at everyone else. They probably were trying to figure out why you weren’t staring back.
That’s New England. Next time come to Vermont. They will stare and say “Hi”.
Elizabeth
March 18th, 2008 5:11 pmhee hee
Thanks for sharing your lessons and I think I know some people that need to take your class ;)
am'ti b
March 18th, 2008 8:20 pmi say forget spring, return in the fall-the only time i like here. then a trench would be perfect.
margalit
March 18th, 2008 9:59 pmFunny that you mentioned the staring. As one born and brought up in LA, but that has lived in Boston about 30 years, I never notice the staring here in Boston at all, but when I”m in CA, OMG, the stares! The blatent, ewwww, look at that woman’s butt stares of disgust. Perhaps because you could win beauty prizes people were staring because you look slightly exotic compared to our pasty Bostonian faces. We’re all looking shell-shocked that winter continues to bite us in the ass, and you come along with your adorable hair and your sweet face and of course we’re going to stare. We just don’t see folks like you around these here parts right now.
Glad you were able to eat at Zaftigs. Did you get some bagels at Kupels. Now that’s a real treat!
Bokker
March 19th, 2008 1:12 amThey don’t blur the poo on British TV.
Catlin
March 19th, 2008 2:11 amI looove Ali McGraw and her wicked style! And fresh baby heads odor too!
Karen
March 19th, 2008 5:14 amI love Boston, only been once but it’s on my list of places to go back with the kids. It does look like it was pretty cold there, but at least no snow.
I think people were staring because of your beautiful family … they probably thought you guys were a big celebrity couple that they should know…. and they SHOULD know you. Or maybe a lot of them read your blog?!
Kate P
March 19th, 2008 5:26 amLooks like a chilly, but fun, trip.
Completely off topic, what kind of stroller are you using? You seem to be taller (is that right?) and yet, completely comfortable standing behind that stroller. My husband and I are both tall (over 5′9″) and are still struggling to find a comfortable lightweight stroller. (Our son is about a month older than Wito. This has been a long process.) I am at the point where I am asking everyone over 5′7″ what their preference is, even people from the internet that I don’t know, so your input would be incredibly helpful. Thank you!
That is a Maclaren Volo that I bought at Babystyle. I’m 5′7″ and my husband is 6′ and we both feel super comfortable pushing it around. Actually, I bought it as our “travel” stroller because it’s so light and easy to fold down, but now use it WAY more than our Bugaboo or BOB. (Which are both silently crying in the garage.)
Moira
March 19th, 2008 6:46 amHeh, heh- I, too, am from Boston originally and was nodding my head and laughing as I read your post. When I first moved away in my 20s and people could always tell where I was from, I didn’t get it…so silly. Bostonians are definitely a breed apart!
am'ti b
March 19th, 2008 7:25 ami forgot to mention that i watch “you are what you eat” and my favorite part is when she checks their pooh and when she feels all over their bodies and can tell what they lack from their tongues and the feel or their organs. the brits are fantastic! what would i do with out my bbc america?
Heather B.
March 19th, 2008 3:05 pmYou know you could move to the east coast. Just sayin’…
Or we could all move to OKC and be happy people constantly full of tater tots and diet cherry limeade. Just think about it.
BeachMama
March 19th, 2008 4:01 pmAww, you guys look gorgeous. Sorry that you were chilled while visiting the East, but seriously if you wanted a little chill you should have veered a little further North. We could have made you love the beach just a little more as I sit here staring at snow, yes tomorrow is Spring and I still have two or three feet of snow in my yard if not more. Glad you enjoyed Boston!
Must Be Motherhood
March 20th, 2008 7:51 amG-Damiit, girl! Now I am craving the carbfest that is the Zaftig’s Strawberry Pancake more than life itself.
Sigh. I miss Coolidge Corner and Boston all around. But not the driving so much.
Super Sarah
March 21st, 2008 4:10 amGood old Gillian on “You are what you eat”. Strangely I wasn’t as bothered by the poo so much as I was horrified by the scene where they lay out all the food that the person consumed in a week for the shock value. I just can’t help thinking of how much it costs to do that!
heather
March 21st, 2008 11:41 ampeople were staring because you’re such an incredibly handsome family. seriously. your husband? rowr. of course you know that because you married the dude. and he is one lucky man!
Amy
March 21st, 2008 12:22 pmI want to see that show! It’s mentioned in this awesome post about poop:
http://aveganfordinner.blogspot.com/2008/01/scoop-on-poop.html
amanda
March 21st, 2008 5:56 pmI find the more you enjoy yourself, the more people stare. Consider yourself lucky, and, as so many before me have said, gorgeous.
Christy
March 21st, 2008 9:03 pmWito is adorable all bundled up in that pic.
But, seriously, do you realize how freakin’ HOT you and your husband are? I mean, you are each beautiful on your own but then you put the two of you together and it’s like, the kind of hotness that makes one want to stare. I know I would stare. I would try not to, but I know eventually I would just turn around and gape.
Wito is going to be one beautiful adult.
Mrs. Flinger
March 22nd, 2008 2:14 pmEr, I was going to say she was staring at your hot family but maybe I’ll just say, DUDE you got great taste in HOT DADS. Go, Whoorl!
Megan
March 23rd, 2008 11:29 amOh man, I love when people stare rudely. Whenever I visit New York I always find someone on the subway who will just gawk, and believe me, it’s not that I’m ever looking spectacular or wearing something nice. I’m usually the typical hot tranny mess, people are just WEIRD. So of course I have to talk to whoever I’m with, or get on the phone, and be like, “Well, I guess I should say something really interesting since someone is fascinated with watching me!” One day this will come back to get me when a hobo is like, “WHY YES I AM.”
Mareshia
April 3rd, 2008 12:47 pmI am an unwilling Californian cum Bostonian (at least until I slay that elusive dragon that is my PhD) that said, having dated a number of know it all New England men, I have learned (and you must know) that the timers are so the snow doesn’t trip the underground sensors. I have this great idea that headlights should trip the sensor. Too progressive for the New England Puritan mindset.