Considering the routine I had during the week, no surprise I was looking forward to the weekend when there is no pressure to work on client cases and I can do whatever I want guilt free. Having sent an email informing the one nervous client that I won’t be available until Monday, I enjoyed the weekend in a good company of friends.
It is believed that New England (region in eastern coast of the US, containing Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island) is at its nicest during autumn foliage. Which may be true both because of the colors (Canadian maples turn gorgeously red, not just in the yellow brownish patterns we have in Latvia), and because of climate. At the end of September most days in Amherst are pleasantly warm, temperature often hitting over 20 Celsius. So, if you want to visit New England, plan for the end of September if looking for nice weather or beginning of October, to see the colors.
On Sunday I had a short trip around Berkshire – a county in Western Mass, enjoying hikes in nearby hills, nice weather, pleasant views and tolerable shopping (Speaking of hikes - one can do a part of Appalachian trail here, it crosses MA here).
Saturday, on the other hand, was spent lazily on a sunny deck and by the dinner table of my good friend ex-professor of sociology and management Neal Pruchansky, and his family and friends.
Saturday, on the other hand, was spent lazily on a sunny deck and by the dinner table of my good friend ex-professor of sociology and management Neal Pruchansky, and his family and friends.
Neal is an old friend. I first met him in 2004 during my first ever visit in the US. We met later in Riga, as he loves the city since the days he was a Fulbright scholar there. When I prepared my application to get the scholarship 3 years ago, he was of a great help. Neal is always ready to tell a story or give an advice (especially in relationship matters, and during these years he has done his best to matchmake me with some guys), but one of his stories I remember since 2004, is about Walmart shop assistants. We were doing shopping for suitcases, when he drew my attention to the fact that no one is offering to help us. He told me that Walmart has 10 feet rule – the assistants should ask “How can I help you?” if you have come closer than mentioned 10 feet. So, they spend their days avoiding customers coming too close to them. He is also a proponent of flying first class, asserting that this is the best way to meet and marry a wealthy guy.
Considering our long history, you may not be surprised that I felt slightly guilty being in Amherst for already a week and not having visited him yet. It turned out, though, that he and his wife Robin had just got their third vaccine shots this week and were slightly under the weather for a day, so I was excused.
The BBQ at their place turned out to become quite a surprise party: we were joined by Robin’s son Eli (who does crazy stuff with helping kids learn math and love learning math – desmos.com is his thing, and I only start slowly grasping what it means) and their family friend, Latvian/origin strongman Martins, usually living in California, both guys being quite a friends, and both being in Amherst just for a day and both being overjoyed to meet each other there.
I love listening to a good story and among them all I could enjoy plenty. Missed only G being there.
The BBQ at their place turned out to become quite a surprise party: we were joined by Robin’s son Eli (who does crazy stuff with helping kids learn math and love learning math – desmos.com is his thing, and I only start slowly grasping what it means) and their family friend, Latvian/origin strongman Martins, usually living in California, both guys being quite a friends, and both being in Amherst just for a day and both being overjoyed to meet each other there.
I love listening to a good story and among them all I could enjoy plenty. Missed only G being there.
RSS Feed
