The thing about having found an apartment is that it finally makes the fact that I am moving real to me in a way that before it was not.
I will be sending all my stuff off in a truck on August 11th. The next day, I will fly to the ASA meetings in Philadelphia. On August 16th, I will travel from Philadelphia to Cambridge, where hopefully I won't have to wait long for my stuff to arrive. My hope is that the period of "settling in" that follows will not be marked by soulcrushing lonesomeness, the way my first weeks--no, let's be honest, months--in Madison were. (I am, it should be said, optimistic on this front, as I think I will be in a better position to be proactive than when I was a new professor teaching two classes amidst one of the snowier winters of the past decade in Madison.)
9 comments:
can be snowy in cambridge too. but, if so, you're just a quick stroll do the many pubs, restaurants, etc. of harvard square.
It's not snowy in Cambridge in August. I started in Madison in January.
You should not be lonely in Cambridge. Don't forget, just about everyone at Harvard comes from somewhere else, and they'll be wanting to meet new friends (yes, I said friends). You'll be BUSY though. As for snow, you'll survive that nicely; and that's when you get to talk to neighbors who are digging out cars (you are on a narrow street and plows do a great job of covering up and packing in cars). You can offer help!
You are near some very good restaurants: Mass. Ave., certainly.
And over on the Somerville line, there's a burger place that's popular. If you sit at the bar, people will talk to you.
Don't wear any Yankees/Giants/Knicks or other NY teams' gear in or outside of Boston (probably all of Mass and R.I. too)...that is one sure fire way to scare away friends in Boston as well as to invite enemies.
If you want more variety - Sailing Club on Charles River Basin is a wonderful place to meet great people. Sign up for short term membership (you can take lessons or just go out with a member who's looking for 'crew'. Really painless and nice).
Appalachian Mountain Club has good people, too. They have trips nearby, not just mountain climbing.
But there's more. You'll see.
Whew! They're lining up to cheer you on. I almost cried when I read your post this morning. Buck up, Jer, and in your lonely moments remember to thank a benevolent being that you don't have to sit though a chamber meeting in your sad, petty home town (like I did on Monday). Then again, I'm sure we would appreciate your input......
Yeah, and if all else fails, go over to Museum of Fine Arts for their weekly 'do' for singles (or whatever). Popular with professionals who don't want to meet in bars.
You can wander around galleries with drink in hand and check out others and the art.
ummm... I think I'll be flying to Boston then... I wish there was something similar here...
-jnsys
See? Already they follow you. How can you be lonely?
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