Annapolis
It's nearly official that I will be (semi-permanently) relocating to Annapolis, MD, at the end of the month. A few days ago I told my supervisor that "I won't be returning in the fall," and repeated that pronouncement later to my landlady. Tiffany (my landlady) no longer owns her old yoga studio and has decided to concentrate entirely on real estate. She was a bit upset to hear that I wouldn't be occupying her studio apartment, but I think she'll recover soon since she's planning to raise the rent $100 for the new occupant. It's a little upsetting for me to think of leaving New England right when things are starting to bloom outside and the students have finally cast off the looks of death and despair that seem to to go along with winter here (a black hooded sweatshirt is the uniform for the season). I hope to spend the last few weeks of my stay enjoying the area. Maybe I'll drive up to Concord soon and bask in the Therauvian glow of Walden Pond, stalk the wild crocus and whatnot. Boston should also be nice this time of year, and I hear that in Providence during the summer the city puts on a street festival every couple of weeks called "Firewater" (the name is refreshingly direct) in which they put fire in big rounded metal bowls and set them on the Providence river, inviting bands to play and local vendors to stay open late into the night. However, I am also looking forward to returning South of the Mason-Dixon line to the land of my fathers. Jeremy, Kelly, hope you enjoy your trip out west. A good literary companion might be Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, about his Thoreau-inspired living experiment in Arches National Park - one of Dr. Engel's favorite books, I believe. All the best to the rest of you as summer gets into the swing.
6 Comments:
Our little elves had told me that this was coming, but perhaps you'd formally enlighten us as to what exactly you'll be doing in Annapolis and what led you to that choice?
Is Annapolis south of the Mason-Dixon line?
Steven,
Annapolis is below the Mason-Dixon on both counts. Geographically, the line, which was surveyed between 1763 and 1767, is Maryland's northern boundary. And culturally, in the early morning folks downtown are quite friendly. I've had many a pleasant conversation as I have been sweeping our sidewalk. And though there were fewer people about in the winter, several thanked me as I shoveled snow. As the day progresses, however, people tend to mind their own business a bit more than in my hometown.
Also, I believe the only reason that Maryland did not secede is because Lincoln immediately occupied Annapolis. The strategic location of the port made it invaluable. St. John's was also commandeered as a war college through the entire war.
You'll love Annapolis...I miss it more and more everyday. As Everett said, it's not quite the friendliest place, but I found that working at the cafe downtown endeared me to many of the local residents, who have some great stories to tell (especially the watermen).
But before you leave CT, make sure to spend a sunny day at the Mansfield Hollow reservoir, its about 10 minutes east of the art buildings. I spent many happy spring days there.
yeah, I'm with the Wanderer on this one. What gives?
I'll be attending St John's College, which I think will be a better fit for me at this point. After that I may try to get into an English program in the DC area.
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