I was raised in a town without weather. Where it’s almost always hazy in the morning, burning off to a dry hot afternoon. The weather and the seasons are so boring, never too hot and humid, never snows, that even the plants are confused about when the best time to bloom should be.

Perhaps that’s why I live in Cambridge now... Life is more interesting in a place where things change. You never know if it’s going to be an exciting day sailing, or a day when you get out the paddles.

Yesterday, I took off from the office a bit early to show some out-of towners my fine city. We parked at the hospital, and strolled over the bridge. It was warm, and the people at the boathouse addressed me by name. I wondered to myself “That’s odd, do I have THAT notorious a reputation around here?” The staff just politely reminded me of polices and that I shouldn’t be offended if they chased me down out there, and had someone else commandeer the boat.

Anyhow I sail around, give a gradual lesson to the customer. They’re not too interested in the lesson, so I don’t press it. He’s got his video camera, it’s a light wind day. I take off my shoes. I’m just enjoying being out on the water.

I head back to the dock, buzz the dock, ask them what I want to do. Noboday's paying attention, I can't tell if I'm supposted to dock or not. I turn around and head back out for one more pass. Five minutes later, five minutes later the staff chases me down so someone else can commandeer the boat. I don’t sweat it and just get out.

We walk back, pay for the parking, I’m pleased that the hospital is only charging us the validated rate, not the guest rate, even though we had nothing do with the hospital. Yay! We drive to Harvard sq.. We find parking right next to the restaurant. Score two! We walk into the square. I call my girlfriend from the salesmen’s phone. She’s perplexed that the caller ID shows a number from Germany. But finding out that it’s me, agrees to come out. Yay! I show them the yard, and the touristy things. The customer buys a Harvard sweatshirt. We go out to dinner, I like the restaurant, even if it’s both a little bit pricey, beer as always is good. I order ostrich, because I was intrigued... next time I just get a sirloin... duh....

Se sit around the restaurant, some more co-workers arrive. Pretty soon there’s a possee of fifteen.... I meet spouses, I meet girlfriends. We go to another bar, we pass because it looks too yuppie... We go to the brewhouse... It’s more our style. I call it an early night at 10:30, and head home.