Here's how this story begins: Rene and I were both called back for
Sox Appeal. Without knowing it, we made appointments within 20 minutes of each other. The call-back was at
Maura Tighe Casting on Berkley St. Rene was having a hard time getting through the traffic and I was early, so we switched times. The interviews were the same as the last time but neither Rene nor I felt we did as well as we did the first time. I guess the first time it was just silly fun and then the second time is was more real and more anticipated. My sweat-stache was in full beading mode. Drip drip drip. Hotness.
Anyway, Rene made it right on time for the 6:10 appointment. She didn't want to drive home through the traffic again and how often are we in Boston around dinnertime? So we went to dinner. And this is where the magic of library-ness occurs.
We used my Charlie card (pronounced: chaaaaaahlee caaahhd) for a few stops on the train and then walked from Government Center, passed the
Big Apple Circus--seriously!-- over to the North End. Truth be told, I've only ever eaten at Cibo for dinner. This is a little criminal. What the hell is my problem? So, instead of going to
Cibo, I let Rene suggest another place. She picked
La Famiglia Giorgio. Only she couldn't remember exactly how to get there.As we wandered the streets, we came across the North End branch of the Boston Public Library. I figured we could pop in and get directions.
The circ worker (that's circulation desk, for you lay people) didn't know where the restaurant was, but the library--being the haven of information that it is supposed to be--had maps of DeNothind (the North End).
As Rene looked over the map to jog her memory, I then remembered I had signed up for a Boston Public Library card online. I asked the guy if I could pick one up at any branch and he said yes. So then, I picked up my new BPL card. (These are the library cards in my wallet: Auburn PL, Lewiston PL, Pittsfield PL, Old Town PL, Bangor PL, Maine State Library card, MaineCard for Orono, Weymouth and now my new Boston PL. And if I wanted, I could get a USM ID card and use that as a library card.)
Rene still didn't know exactly where to go but--magic of magic--with my new library card, I had access to the internet, so registered and Rene looked it up on Yahoo. Isn't that amazing?
So, armed with the knowledge that libraries are gateways to grant, we walked outside, down the street, then we turned the corner to 112 Salem St and ate dinner.
It was the saddest thing: they ran out of mussels. So I had the vegetarian sauce (eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, marinara sauce) with the homemade pasta. The pasta was good. The sauce did have a nice taste, but it wasn't special. I mean, I make a really badass veggie marinara that's just as good, if not better. I prefer to eat things I would never make for myself--like mussels--when I go out to eat. Rene had ricotta stuffed eggplant over penne. I had two bites of hers and said, "Dude, I'm stuffed." And indeed she was stuffed--we both were--after our meals. the portions are gargantuan. Also, the wine comes in juice glasses, which is adorable. We took Haymarket back and watched a slew of little ones along with parents hop on the train. We were a little confused but then Rene remembered the circus was in town. This is why 5,6,7,9,12 and two, childless, 20 somethings (very odd) all had cotton candy and plastic jugs with squiggles straws and elephant decals on the train with them. They all got off at Park St (pAHk street) to take the Red Line back to the suburbs. We got off at the new Arlington, which should now be called Berkley, and walked back to Rene's car, but now before we came across Ben. Well, it may have been one of the Nyms, but whatever was, it certainly was one gigantic bubonic totin' sewer rat. Awesome.
Anyway, that's the story for yesterday.
