Lunch in Federal Hill

In Providence, the area around Atwells Avenues is known as Rhode Island’s own “Little Italy.”  It has a ton of great restaurants, mostly Italian of course, but not only. Atwells is slowly diversifying/gentrifying, with some nice stores as well. In addition, it is known for being the hangout of the mafia. No mob dealings for me, but I did have a great, greasy calzone.

Dark Knight

Ok, so I had to find the creepiest picture to truly do justice to my reaction to the film. Now, I don’t like movie theaters (don’t bother asking) and therefore, don’t watch that many movies. I did see the last Batman movie, in a theater, I think – but only because an ex-boyfriend made me. But, since I’m doing this whole try new things thing – I went with C and P to the IMAX, sold out show of Dark Knight. Let me repeat IMAX. SOLD OUT. aka – really big and lots of people – and did I mention I don’t like movie theaters? But, fortunately the crowd wasn’t too bad once seated and the movie started, and I was too caught up in the sheer creepiness of the joker character to pay much attention. I won’t say anymore in case someone actually does read this. I’ll end with just the sad note that I hate that Heath Ledger’s career had to end, but at least he went out with a serious good performance. Seriously good and seriously creepy.

Waterfire + IndieArts Festival

C and I headed downtown Saturday night to check out the IndieArts Festival and WaterFire. At the IndieArts Festival, we caught a burlesque show, BellaMinx Burly-Q, and a surprisingly good guy using a sampler, Joey Beats. We ended up getting there kind of later than planned, so we didn’t get to check out much of the booths. There were the normal crafty/vintage, Providence things, though I think. The beer garden was a disapointment in their selections, unfortunately. The best part was seeing the people who had (hopefully) entered the facial hair contest.  “Only in Providence…” was said more than once by either C or me.

We also walked over to WaterFire, which is a Providence summer tradition. From wikipedia, “WaterFire is an environemental art installation created by Barnaby Evans… It consists of a series of up to 100 bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence.” Check out the pictures for C and my interactions with the street art people.

Fog of War

Went to Huss’s class and watched Fog of War.

Will edit to add more details soon.

Ballet

I signed up for a kind of intense ballet class starting in the fall (it still counts as my new thing of the day, today).

I danced for 15 years throughout my childhood, starting at age 2…Now at 24 – I’m a little nervous. Hopefully my muscles have some memory of how to move. Just walking into the studio though was invigorating. The smell of rosin, the sight of the barre, the familiar french words, the music, and the movement. I loved dance and I’m excited to get it back in my life.

“The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word” – Mata Hari

Music – Hawksley Workman

A woman whose blog I read mentioned her new favorite song is Smoke Baby by Hawksley Workman. I’ve been in search of new music for quite some time. I’m pretty eclectic when it comes to music genres but I’m also oddly/particularly generic. I’m not really crazy about music (much to the chagrin of an exboyfriend). Despite owning two ipods, I still listen to the radio in the car – and when it is on I last maybe only 15 seconds on each station. In my itunes, I have an embarrassingly random collection of 90s music, pop, country, and even rap (thanks to teaching last year). But anyways, in an attempt to expand my musical horizons, I googled some of his stuff.

Am. In. Love.

According to wikipedia – Hawksley Workman is a “Canadian rock singer-songwriter who has garned critical acclaim for his quirky yet accessible blend of cabaret pop and glam rock.” Apparently I’m a few years behind (as always) to count him as a new artist, but he is new to me.

Check out his myspace to hear some of his music.

Prospect Terrace Park

Sorry for the lack of Monday update. I’ve been busy helping M move offices and studying for comps. So I welcomed P’s call at 4 to go walk the pup and watch some Sopranos. Then I ended up cooking with C and P before the Monday ritual of TV watching…nothing new or exciting to report, but a fun night. Well, not entirely true – C and I walked down to the elementary school and swung on the playground. Something I haven’t done in quite sometime but who doesn’t love a childhood swingset!

Anyway, this afternoon I finally visited a park I’ve had on my list to check out since living last in Providence. Prospect Terrace Park is a small, urban park, tucked away on Congdon St. on the East Side, overlooking a great city view of Providence (check Flickr later today for some pictures I snapped). It was established in 1867 and was another stomping ground for my friend H.P Lovecraft. The park is also home to Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island. His remains lie in the base of a 35-foot stone statue, work of Leo Friedlander. The only frustration with the statue is that somewhat difficult to see from the park itself as Williams looks outward from a promontory, down onto the city he established (along with unattractive tagging from various vandals). It is a great little urban park, nearby my department. Glad I checked it out now, while the weather is beautiful!

Habitat for Humanity

Right now I’m supposed to be over at the Habitat for Humanity site…instead, I’m still in bed. Why, might you imaginaray readers ask? Perhaps because I stayed up until 4 last night with food poisoning? From restaurant week? Big bummer, whatever it is. I think the newness may have to skip weekends, anyways.

Back Monday with somewhere new, exciting, and non-queasy!

Providence Athenaeum

After a great lazy morning, with some reading, napping, and dog-parking, I headed over to The Providence Athenaeum after lunch. As I went down Benefit St., I was again struck by the history and beauty of the street. It deserves its name as the “Mile of History.”

The Providence Athenaeum is one of America’s oldest membership libraries, founded in 1753 and the 4th oldest in the country. The Athenaeum was best known to me, for its piece of famous trivia – according to library, the poet, Edgar Allen Poe, courted (ultimately unsuccessfully) Sarah Whitman in the stacks of the Athenaeum. It also supposedly was a favorite haunt of H.P. Lovecraft, another influential horror writer. The library also owns a copy of the American Review in which Poe signed below his anonymously published poem, “Ulalume.” The buildings’ inside shelves are organized into great alcoves, with old fashioned desks and lamps. The history of the building is evident throughout, although the overall feeling is not outdated. In addtion, the handsome Greek Revival building, completed in 1838 is the only New England building designed by the great Philadelphia architect, William Strickland. I’m thinking it will be a great place for studying and treasuring hunting through the stacks. Check out Flickr for some photos!

Haines Memorial State Park

I stumbled upon this park at about 6:30 a.m. this morning.

I woke up this morning (night?) at about 3:30. Wide-awake. My body had no intention of going back to sleep. After a short bout of productivity creating a gmail group for school studying and an episode of House (I heart Hulu), I decided I wanted to spend the first hours of sunlight at the beach.

My plan was to go out to The Farm (aka- Tillinghast Beach – in Barrington, RI – land owned by RISD), but it was closed. I did stop for a minute to do a quick walk around a beautiful golf course next door with ocean views, but decided ultimately that 6 a.m. was a little earlier to be arrested for trespassing with the pup.

So, I started driving. Now anyone who has ever driven with me can tell you that I don’t like to turn around when lost. I always feel like if I keep driving, I’ll end up somewhere either worth going or where I wanted to be. I like to think I have a good sense of direction but really I’m just stubborn. But – it paid off today, as it has in the past. I ended up driving past huge, beautiful mansions on the water (again, too early for trespassing but don’t think I didn’t consider it).

On my way back, I found my way over to Haines Memorial State Park in East Providence. The park is over 100 acres, given to the city in the 1910s by Ida M. Haines, in memory of her brother Dr. George B. Haines. It wasn’t the most amazing park I’ve ever been to but it did have some nice ground for cooksites/picnics and places for the pup to sniff. In addition, there was a boat launch out into the water, where the pup and I got to go out on a pier. All I really wanted was a chance to get my feet a little wet, which I was able to. So the pup and I were happy. Really though, there’s nothing better than earlier morning light, the water, and boats.

I’ll definitely be back to explore Tillinghast beach and the rest of Barrington soon. Tomorrow, I’m thinking a trip to Providence Athenaeum, America’s 4th oldest library!