You're legally allowed to drink now, so we figured the best thing for you was a car.

WHO DROVE THROUGH NEW YORK CITY AND SURVIVED?! Yeah, that's me, thank you! *takes a bow*

Actually, as scary as the idea seemed to me, it really wasn't so bad. There was a shitload of traffic at 12:30 on a Tuesday, but I managed okay. We drove across the George Washington Bridge (sweet), and it sucks that I basically drove right past Drew's place! (He and Luis live about 4-5 blocks off the bridge.) Next time.

Honestly, driving in BOSTON, on the other hand, was a clusterfuck the likes of which I will never willingly experience again. It was 3:30 and the wall-to-wall traffic was everywhere. And this wasn't downtown! I was in the South part, then Quincy. Hot damn. I am stunned and amazed we all made it in one piece. You know that scene in Clueless when Dion accidentally gets on the highway in her convertible? Yeah, I kept picturing that.

We are, sans stuff of course, all moved in to our new place. Both cats have found their new spots, typical hiding places for both. Mouchette is on top of the cabinet above the refridgerator. Bourdain was hiding on one of the pantry shelves (if we left the door ajar). While we were at dinner, however, he felt this was not secure enough, choosing instead my half-empty suitcase (quite heavy, really, considering it was unzipped but lid down). So that is his bed for now.

I would upload pix, but I'm in our downstairs internet cafe and I "don't have privileges" to install hardware. I'll have to bring my laptop down here to load them...

Also, there are only three computers and I chose the one with the gimpy-ass mouse. There are few things as rapidly frustrating as a gimp mouse, you know?

Anyway, love Boston so far (it was very foggy yesterday afternoon and in the 60s!!), but it really doesn't feel like I live here yet. It just feels...odd. The apartment is not helping.

I really love our apartment, but the whole place really feels like a hotel. First of all, it's a high-rise. We're on the 8th floor. Also, all the halls have awful, mismatched brown-pattern carpeting. The place is immaculately clean, but it just screams out, "HOTEL CARPET."

Seriously, we're worried we're going to forget to lock the door, since it's weighted just like hotel room doors are!

The people are either incredibly friendly or utterly silent and stoic, it's taking some getting used to.

Last night we opted for Legal Seafoods, which is not cheap, but

A) it's on the wharf
B) I knew how to get to it
C) the crabmeat roll sandwich is orgasmic

Win! And it was really damn yummy. We even got keylime pie. (Still not as good as the pie at Union Station in DC.) Our waitress had a great personality and dinner was very, very yummy.

I was also introduced to some more ever-delightful liquor laws. I had asked beforehand: if I bought a bottle, could I get it corked for the ride back? Yes, came the answer, but according to the liquor laws, you have to drink at least half the bottle first. Then you must sign (two) things for it and it will be brought to you in a CLEAR (!!) sealed bag for the trip home. Strange.

Coming from a place that brown-bags it (if at all), I was a little surprised. Then again, I also come from a place where I have many times witnessed people order to-go cups for their "water." (Though in this case it's typically for margaritas rather than wine.) And one time I was with friends when a waiter suggested this! Oh, and let's not forget the ease with which one can order an "adult slushie" from your local Beer Barn.

Sigh. Ah, Texas. You shall be missed.