an atypical May Day

May 1 was a Saturday this year, and we spent this perfect spring day out exploring. We started at the Christian Science Center Plaza, where we saw lots of people out enjoying the fountains with their adorable and well-behaved puppies (how do busy Bostonians train their dogs so well?).

From there we wandered around the Prudential Center to look at Bundt pans at Williams-Sonoma (steep price, but after reading the online reviews, I'm thinking about it) and happened upon a Boston Pops small brass ensemble performance. It was so sweet to see a few of the older couples swaying along with the music, hand in hand to songs they recognized. We also can't wait until we get to experience the free Boston Pops concerts on the Esplanade this summer. It was a great preview!

We wandered over to Harvard and enjoyed the brightly colored chairs scattered across the lawn, which are surprisingly comfortable. It's a pretty popular location — most seats were filled, and we even saw a couple in a tux and wedding gown getting their photos taken sitting in the chairs. Harvard grads, perhaps?

But we didn't stay long — were distracted by a mariachi band performing for Harvard's early Cinco de Mayo celebrations. My favorite was the elderly lady watching front and center, singing along and dancing with a huge smile on her face.

From there, we headed to our final destination (pun intended): Mount Auburn Cemetery. It's the first landscaped cemetery in the country, making this a must-see spot for us. (In addition to being a landscape architect, Ian grew up in a funeral home. Yes. Like My Girl.)

And for me, the English major, we visited Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Wandering around a cemetery might seem creepy to some people, but it was beautiful and peaceful, and everything was bursting with spring colors.

A perfect way to enjoy May Day in Boston.

Run of the Charles 2K10

The day after eating six brownies and half a pint of Ben & Jerry's, Ian competed in The Run of the Charles, a canoe race down the Charles River. Every year Sasaki enters a handful of teams in this 24-mile relay race. And Ian, ever the adventurer, agreed to fill a spot.

We woke up early to hitch a ride with Joel, Ian's leg 3 counterpart, and his fiancée Nadia, who generously drove us around. After meeting up with the leg 3 canoers from the three other Sasaki teams, we headed to the transition spot.

Aside from the fact we spent over an hour waiting for the corporate relay teams to start arriving and I was t-minus allergy medication, it was interesting to watch competitors in other divisions. Especially the ones who stood on short surfboards and paddled standing up, also known as stand up paddle surfing. We also witnessed varying degrees of intensity and team spirit (a.k.a. mascots).

The Sasaki red team arrived shortly after the blue, and Ian and Joel took off, determined to gain ground.

I hitched a ride back with the exhausted leg 2 competitors to the finish line where fajitas awaited, and the Nesquik bunny handed out free juice and milk with a felt smile.

Sasaki was next to the Flickin' Chicken tent, selling mini rubber chickens a la the flickin' chicken game, to people who wanted to participate in an attempt to set a world record for the number of rubber chickens tossed.

They set the record with 265 rubber chickens flying through the air. I'm sure all participants have a deep sense of satisfaction.

Back to the race. The Sasaki red team put forth a valiant effort but finished behind the yellow team (whose members, every year, take the race a little more seriously than the rest of their coworkers). Despite the finish, a good time and an upper body workout were had by all!

celebrating nerdiness

Several weeks ago, Ian had to work on a Saturday. Not wanting to waste a beautiful April weekend, I decided to venture out on my own and explore the opening day carnival of the Cambridge Science Festival. Reading about free ice cream made with liquid nitrogen might have been a little extra motivation.

I took the bus down to Harvard Square and whipped out the piece of paper with my handwritten directions to the Cambridge Public Library. My excellent navigating skills had me lost in a few minutes. Since I'm old school and don't have a smartphone, I used the next best thing: Ian on speed dial. After a few minutes he was able to locate my position on Google maps and guide me to the carnival. I love my husband.

Upon arrival, I discovered I would have been better prepared if I borrowed a few kids to bring along. Most of the adults were volunteers or parents. I spent about an hour wandering around — enough time to enjoy a cup of freshly-nitrogen-frozen banana chocolate chip ice cream and blind taste test bottled and tap water.

Next on my itinerary was the MIT Museum, offering free admission in conjunction with the festival's opening day. I took the scenic route through Harvard Yard to the red line and spotted the Common Spaces chairs making a spring appearance next to a student-built wigwam.

The museum was relatively easy to find, just down Mass Ave. from the Central Square station. I started by wandering around on the first floor, which was an interesting amalgamation of research, from space suits to malaria to water droplet properties.

With thirty minutes to closing, I realized there was a significant second floor. I rushed upstairs and tried to fit in as much as possible. I saw "the ideal voting booth," the robot exhibit, and the kinetic art gallery before all visitors were kindly asked to leave.

In retrospect, I'll probably save a second visit to the science carnival for when we have kids who will appreciate things like free lab coats and bags of blue goo. The MIT Museum, on the other hand, is more adult friendly and definitely worth the trip to see it for free.

By the time I got home, Ian was waiting for me. I told him all about my day, including the ice cream. This prompted a grocery run for more ice cream in the form of Ben & Jerry's Fair Trade Chocolate Macadamia. We devoured the pint during the first five minutes of Bones. Only after we finished did Ian tell me he'd already eaten six brownies that day. We won't think about the nutrition science in all of that...

the MUTEMATH experience

I've been to shows, but all of the obscure niche heavy metal variety (Norma Jean, for example) where everyone is crammed into a tiny bar and skinny kids wearing red boxing gloves fling their limbs around like a spider in it's dying throes.

A couple weeks ago I had my first encounter with the standard rock experience — big venue packed with people, lead singers with towering mohawks, non-stop seizure-inducing strobe lights, the scent of a certain illicit substance in the air. I felt like Dr. Brennan from Bones — an anthropologist observing and analyzing a cultural experience as an outsider.

So what induced us to spend $80 for two tickets to an audio-visual overload? MUTEMATH.

If you've never heard of MUTEMATH, watch this.

We discovered MUTEMATH via this Conan clip, which Ian stumbled upon while searching for Spoon. And we were sold. The lyrics are amazing, the music is incredible, and Paul Meany does handstands on electric keyboards.

Fox, Ian and I left work at 5 p.m. sharp. The House of Blues is right across the street from Fenway. It was a game night, so we passed the ticket hawkers furtively glancing in our direction and food vendors selling sausage on a bun for $10.

The venue staff was very organized — before the doors opened they checked tickets and wristbanded those over 21 (I prefer that to the giant black-permanent-marker double X that lingers for days). Once the doors opened, employees manned every turn, checking tickets and clicking counters to ensure they didn't violate fire code. Our tickets, by no choice of our own, were standing room only, so we staked claim to a nice piece of wall in the center of the balcony.

Please note, I have a certain level of respect for artists, or anyone for that matter, who pursue their passions and are willing to share that with others, and that respect remains no matter how I critique them.

The show opened with Street Drum Core. We hoped it would perhaps be a sweet drum line. Alas, it was an angsty punk rock band in 90s garb singing insightful lyrics such as "I don't want to be alone, I miss you" (their power ballad) and ending with the lead singer shirtless in neon yellow and pink tights. Neon Trees was next, with catchy, albeit... carnal, lyrics. They put on a good show. I was most impressed with their female drummer who also sang vocal backups.

A quick set change and it was, in our minds, the main event.

MUTEMATH was by far the best show we've seen — you know they're serious when the first thing the drummer does is duct tape his headphones to his head. They sound even better live, radiating a passion that makes me think they wouldn't play their music any other way even if no one was watching. After they finished "Break the Same" with extended musical interlude/jam session/keyboard handstand routine, we knew it was worth every penny.

Then the HOB crew started the final set change and we waited, and waited, and waited. I should mention here that I was wearing boots with heels, we were in the standing-room-only section leaning against a wall, and we weren't there for the headlining band.

The strobe lights finally started behind a white curtain, flashing outlines of the band members. The curtain dropped, and 30 Seconds to Mars stood on a stage with 11 light towers. I should have brought my sunglasses because our center balcony spot was exactly where each of those lights aimed.

Lead singer Jared Leto was sporting a hot pink mohawk. He stopped the band in the middle of their second song to yell at the crowd, "My job is to bring out the (    ) crazy person in all of you!" and get everyone jumping. They were everything a typical rock band should be, and they knew how to create, as if on cue, the experience their fans wanted.

I felt detached, and my observation mode kicked in. I looked around at all the eyes glowing in the bright lights, bouncing to the music. From a heavyset woman in her 40s to the 20-something group of guys leaning over the railing, they were hooked.

We left after four songs. As we made our way down Landsdowne Street and Fox contemplated getting a late-inning sausage, I thought about the lifestyle we imagine rockstars lead. I wondered if those four guys on stage were content with their lives and why they live the life they do.

It reminded me of something I'd recently read in The Reason for God: "Everyone is building their identity on something" (pg 164). From wealth and fame to political affiliations to careers, we all derive meaning for our lives from something. But what happens when that something goes wrong or falls apart? People go bankrupt, stars fade, political parties make mistakes, jobs are eliminated.

"Identity apart from God is inherently unstable" (pg 164). I am so thankful that no matter what happens in my life, I know who I am and what my purpose is. It takes away the pressure to succeed and allows me to enjoy life and focus on using my blessings to bless others.

These thoughts have occupied me on and off for the past couple weeks. I still can't get over my perception in the dichotomy of the performances: while 30 Seconds to Mars seemed to be pursuing the rock life in a search for fulfillment, I felt as if MUTEMATH was fulfilling their purpose through their music — this is what they were created to do. And seeing that was inspiring. I hope when others see me, they see a life of purpose, full of passion and joy.

sunshine on a cloudy day

I had a rough time this morning — I couldn't seem to get things together to leave for work on time (Ian left early to get some extra work done), and I ended up just missing the green line train, then just missing the bus connection to work. It's so frustrating to sprint to a stop in time to see your train/bus leaving without you. A difference of only seconds, but it delayed my getting-to-work time by 30 minutes. I texted Ian about it, and he said "it's okay. I love you." And I felt better.

Then I got to work and opened my e-mail to this.

Hey you.

I'm sorry you're late today. I hope that other than just being late, the trip was otherwise ok. I love you.

Some brightside notes:

• the oatmeal is pretty darn good
• it's sunny
• it's tuesday (this one could go either way, good or bad)
• tomorrow's our lunch date :)
• we get to have fries w/ truffle oil
• and molten chocolate cake
• we have jobs
• we love each other

that's nowhere near an extensive list, but it's a start.

hope the rest of your day is awesome!

me.

And then, sent right as I dropped my lunch off in the kitchen fridge (he can see the kitchen from his desk):

one more thing... you look great in that pink jacket

I love him so much. He always knows how to make me feel better!

wanted: safe drinking water

A large water pipe supplying Boston and most of the surrounding area burst, and the secondary water source used to replace it isn't 100 percent safe. So we're all under a boil water order. We can shower, but we can't ingest any unboiled water — similar conditions to visiting Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines, for example.

Q. What are the risks if I drink the tap water?

A. For most people, minor gastrointestinal illness. The biggest concerns are for those with compromised immune systems, such as people with HIV or who are undergoing chemotherapy. (taken from Boston.com)

So we have to boil our water for a few days to avoid the stomach flu — it's a small inconvenience. Not to discount the issue (I realize this is a bigger problem depending on the situation), but it makes me appreciate what we have.

We still have water that comes directly to our homes — we don't have to walk for miles. Our water doesn't look dirty. We have kitchens that make boiling water simple. And even our contaminated water is a higher quality than the water almost one billion people drink on a daily basis (which makes the run on bottled water seem a little silly).

Enter Ian's birthday. Instead of asking for presents, he's asking for help in changing 250 lives. His goal is to raise $5,000 — the amount of money it takes to build a fresh water well in a village, providing 250+ people with clean drinking water. Just $24 can provide drinking water for one person for 20 years. Many people here are probably spending at least $24 for bottled water for just a few days. Consider boiling your water instead of choosing convenience, and donate your water money to someone who needs it more.

Help Ian celebrate his birthday, and help change the world.