March 2k13: it happened

Boston sauntered into March with the expectation that Winter would peacefully transform into Spring, as it is wont to do every year.  Jokes on us, because instead of a calm transition into outdoor funtimes, I was obliged to deal with multiple snow storms and temperatures that never went above 55 degrees.  THANKS SO MUCH, IT'S BEEN GREAT.

However, this March has still managed to be eventful despite the horrible weather.  It included a trip to Blue Hills Brewery (followed by a night at the Harpoon Beerhall, which has yet to end in a sober night), a St. Patty's Day shindig complete with 20 lbs of corned beef and 20 lbs of potatoes, and the return of old highschool LAN parties in the form of online Age of Empires II.  Awesome.

In addition to this, we had the annual Boston St. Patty's Day Parade, complete with the traditional pre-parade Power Hour.  It was somehow a struggle.  But it's ok, because after a long T ride on a very full train, we saw the parade for about 30 seconds before needing to go to the bathroom and heading to a party in Southie.

Who needs elbow room when everyone on the T is un-sober?

After the parade, I then went to meet Sarah.  I managed to take the T three stops in the wrong direction before realizing my error, but who doesn't do that?  I then made a Bee-line to a Brazilian BBQ place and got a to-go plate of "all the steak you have."  After giving me an insane amount of meat, I then repeated myself until he gave me all of the steak they had available.  So that was a $30 plate of only meat.  But I wasn't done there.  We then went to Stop n Shop, where I procured 4 lobsters, because why the fuck not?

March for me culminated in an excellent Dodgeball Haus reunion trip to Seattle.  Lord Michael 9/3 Cronin moved out there for his pre-med residency (that's what I'm calling it now), and 6 of us helped destroy his new apartment with our extreme raditude.

Kyle and I arrived Wednesday night to the shock and awe of an amazing view of the city from Cronin's rooftop.  It was magical and there weren't even Unicorns or anything.  The next morning, while Cronin was at work "helping" "children" at "hospitals," Kyle and I pumped our bodies full of delicious food (and I tried Seattle coffee, which still has that barf-like taste just like coffee from anywhere else) and then walked around Lake Union.  We met up with Nate and then proceeded to travel across Fremont, going into costume stores and breweries before meeting up with Cronin at Von Trapp's German beerhall.  James joined as well for a night of merryness that did not lack in ALL THE SAUSAGE and liter-sized beer mugs.

Friday was another working day for Cronin, but with the arrival of Matt, we were all set to take a Ferry over to Bainbridge Island.  We filled our faces with some fine breakfast (this trip was more than just eating even though it doesn't seem that way) and strolled along the waterfront/neighborhoods/wherever the sign told us to go.  It was ok, but the best part was the view of the city on our return Ferry trip.  So awesome.

This is normal

 Kyle and I then visited James at his place of business, which was awesome because they just had rocket parts strewn about.  The night ended in a series of Ramen/Bar establishments and it was a great series.  And Jordan arrived!  Just one more to go.

Saturday was gorgeous.  We got some noms, went to Pike Place, got disgusted at the gum wall: pretty much a fairly touristy morning.  We then collected Arlen, our final companion, at the train station and took the monorail (MONORAIL) over to the Space Needle.  After two previous visits, the weather was finally nice enough for me to pay the troll toll up to the top.  And holy crap, it was worth it.  The views of the mountains and the Sound and the city were amazing.

Seattle, in all it's glory

No but really

 SO NICE OUT.

I forgot how packed this day was.  After the Space Needle and the fountain, we wound up at the REI flagship store, which is like Jurassic Park with a climbing wall.  Our fatigue called for a dude's night in with pizza and about 14 episodes of Archer.  Just like old times.

The whole Seattle gang perfectly blocking the view of the city from Cronin's roof (thanks for letting me steal your pictures BTW Kyle)

Sunday morning included a great trip to the EMP Music Museum.  This horrific barf-pile of an architectural structure housed some pretty great stuff, including some great Nirvana/Hendirx exhibits, a Sci-Fi exhibit, and a great piece on Horror movies.  There was also a little bit on the Evolution of Videogames, which Jordan and I ate up with a spoon.  We were also able to do a surprise studio recording of Wonderwall and Wild Horses.  Unfortunately, this was the downswing of the weekend, because Matt, Nate, and Kyle had flights to catch that evening.  Jordan, Arlen, and I walked around the hills of Seattle before grabbing some steak and having a nice BBQ on Cronin's roof.

Monday turned out to be perfect weather, AND Cronin didn't have to work, so we were able to hike a nearby mountain (Mt. Tiger)!  The Cascades are so friggn close to the city.  So easy to go out and hike.  And we got back in time to check out some of the beaches in Ballard (beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains) and we got some great seafood right on the water.  Definitely a good bookend to the trip.

The very next weekend was Easter, so Sarah and I saddled up for a drive down to Philly for a relaxing weekend at home.  And when I say relaxing, I obviously mean we ran a 5k in the morning followed by smashing all of the fencing around our yard down with an ax.  My Mom took us to Longwood Gardens for a crazy brunch and a lot of walking around flowers.  Sarah really enjoyed the flowers.  I really enjoyed the Longwood Cat, who is still in the same place as he was two years ago and still looks like he might be dead but actually isn't.  To sum up the weekend, it was great food and a good chance to see the gentlemen of Malvern: Geoff, Colin, and Gary.

The ride back to Boston, however, was atrocious.  Eight hours of driving in traffic.  But then it was ok, because we watched the Walking Dead season Finale and Game of Thrones season Premier and they were everything I could every hope for.