Catching Up
Oct. 30th, 2004 05:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
plumtreeblossomThere have been numerous things I’ve wanted to write about this week, but between work, the show, and commitments unending, I’m just now getting the chance to sit down and breathe (which will last exactly 3 hours, at which point I’m off to a Halloween party).
Look closely at the sushi on the tray. It’s not sushi – I made it out of Rice Crispy marshmallow treat and fruit roll-ups. This was for Sunday dinner last week at The New Neighborhood (house of Lou and gang). The “sushi” was primarily a sight gag, and I didn’t expect anyone would eat it. Yet it was mostly gone by the time I left, and people couldn’t resist the childlike weirdness of them. (all photos by Jim Nemesh).
Here’s a close-up of the faux-sushi. As you can see, those are Swedish Fish gracing the top. I couldn’t think of a way to make faux soy sauce other than diluting Hershey’s syrup with water. Um, no.
Peter enjoying my geisha attentions.
Our gracious hosts Lou and Melissa tucking down dinner with guests.
Never in a million millennia would I have guessed that one of the most memorable nights in my entire 10 year residency in Boston was this week when the Red Sox finally broke their curse and won the World Series. Everyone knows I am an infamous sports hater, and that fact that the Firsties dragged me to a viewing of game 1 was in itself a miracle. Yet somehow, an indefinable Bostocentrism overtook me, and I ended up watching and very much enjoying all four games, either with them or at New Neighborhood. Jude offered up her house and large TV for viewings after rehearsals. Spence chastised me for saying one of the Cardinals was cute (well, he was!). We hooted and hollered together until that final game was won. That’s when the truly amazing part began.
We all put our coats on and began hurrying to Davis. I wasn’t quite sure why. But as we approached, I could hear the distant rumble of happy crowds. Rather large crowds, so it seemed as we reached the square, and growing. Unbelievable…. As we reached Elm St., the clientele of every bar had poured into the streets. People were hurrying out of their nearby homes and down to the square for the most gleeful spontaneous block party I have ever, ever witnessed. Hundreds packed into tiny Davis, dancing, chanting, hugging strangers, high-fiving everyone within palm-reach. It was midnight, and more and more revelers kept coming. They (and we) spilled right into the street. Cars inched through with their happy riders waving out of sun roofs like grand marshals of an impromptu parade. I saw a bus driver dancing in his seat. We chanted ourselves hoarse, soaked up the ecstatic energy and stayed up too late on a weeknight. It was worth every sleepy minute the next day.
I’ve never before been a part of a celebration of such simple, unrestrained and unedited joy. It was a shared neighborhood moment of sheer jubilation that I didn’t think Americans as a group were capable of anymore – not since maybe WWII. Pro sports are no WWII, but the collective huzzah of the spirit that night was nothing short of that. And to have been a part of it … unforgettable.
Look closely at the sushi on the tray. It’s not sushi – I made it out of Rice Crispy marshmallow treat and fruit roll-ups. This was for Sunday dinner last week at The New Neighborhood (house of Lou and gang). The “sushi” was primarily a sight gag, and I didn’t expect anyone would eat it. Yet it was mostly gone by the time I left, and people couldn’t resist the childlike weirdness of them. (all photos by Jim Nemesh).
Here’s a close-up of the faux-sushi. As you can see, those are Swedish Fish gracing the top. I couldn’t think of a way to make faux soy sauce other than diluting Hershey’s syrup with water. Um, no.
Peter enjoying my geisha attentions.
Our gracious hosts Lou and Melissa tucking down dinner with guests.
Never in a million millennia would I have guessed that one of the most memorable nights in my entire 10 year residency in Boston was this week when the Red Sox finally broke their curse and won the World Series. Everyone knows I am an infamous sports hater, and that fact that the Firsties dragged me to a viewing of game 1 was in itself a miracle. Yet somehow, an indefinable Bostocentrism overtook me, and I ended up watching and very much enjoying all four games, either with them or at New Neighborhood. Jude offered up her house and large TV for viewings after rehearsals. Spence chastised me for saying one of the Cardinals was cute (well, he was!). We hooted and hollered together until that final game was won. That’s when the truly amazing part began.
We all put our coats on and began hurrying to Davis. I wasn’t quite sure why. But as we approached, I could hear the distant rumble of happy crowds. Rather large crowds, so it seemed as we reached the square, and growing. Unbelievable…. As we reached Elm St., the clientele of every bar had poured into the streets. People were hurrying out of their nearby homes and down to the square for the most gleeful spontaneous block party I have ever, ever witnessed. Hundreds packed into tiny Davis, dancing, chanting, hugging strangers, high-fiving everyone within palm-reach. It was midnight, and more and more revelers kept coming. They (and we) spilled right into the street. Cars inched through with their happy riders waving out of sun roofs like grand marshals of an impromptu parade. I saw a bus driver dancing in his seat. We chanted ourselves hoarse, soaked up the ecstatic energy and stayed up too late on a weeknight. It was worth every sleepy minute the next day.
I’ve never before been a part of a celebration of such simple, unrestrained and unedited joy. It was a shared neighborhood moment of sheer jubilation that I didn’t think Americans as a group were capable of anymore – not since maybe WWII. Pro sports are no WWII, but the collective huzzah of the spirit that night was nothing short of that. And to have been a part of it … unforgettable.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-30 03:53 pm (UTC)Reading your description of the post-WS victory celebrations makes me miss home all the more. I would have really loved to see that.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-30 04:01 pm (UTC)I thought of you during the wonderous night street celebration. It was a "John would have loved this" moment, to be sure.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-30 04:10 pm (UTC)Damn I wish you were going to this party tonight!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-30 04:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-31 06:09 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-30 09:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-31 06:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-31 12:38 am (UTC)But mostly I wanted to drop a note to say: The place I ended up tonight was, in fact, exactly where you wanted to be. Next time I will make sure you are there as well!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-31 06:07 am (UTC)And yes, I will be bringing food to your party. Vegan chocolate my well play a role...
(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-31 06:42 am (UTC)-Dej