Day 119: The (real) Muddy Charles

The namesake of this Muddy Charles is quite impressive, and tonight after chorus, D. and I finally made good on our summer-long promise to jump in together. [Not a first in the slightest for him – for me, technically it was a first, as my previous experience swimming in the Charles was utterly non-intentional.  A few summers ago, when a bunch of my classmates at MIT and I decided to learn how to sail, we took a three-hour-long class on a very windy Sunday morning.  As I happened to be in a boat with a friend with whom I might be most ill-suited to cooperate of anyone ever, it was no surprise when a miscommunication occurred and I tightened the sail as we turned into the wind…  But what that experience taught me was that the Charles River is actually not an unpleasant, or terribly cold, place to swim.]

Tonight, it was another of those muggy days that turns into a not-quite-so muggy evening, and the water was cool and refreshing.  It was a stressful day, and my racing mind was set at ease a bit by it.  We jumped off a dock somewhere in between Central and Harvard and then walked down a little way to dry off with a beer.  Terribly peaceful evening – and great view of the double-tiered Storrow Dr. and I-90 heading westward into the country.

Day 70: The charm of the Thirsty Ear

This is the day when the idea of putting on a play with friends this summer became real, rather than just (very) wishful thinking!  After going back and forth with S. (who will act as director), it finally came to light that everything seemed a go with running the play in Georgetown, MA, where the Georgetown Theater Workshop S. has long been affiliated with is located, rather than somewhere in Cambridge. Pros: real lights and sets and things; cons: no AC, 45 min away; guess which won out?  As we had no prospects in Cambridge, it was quite easy to decide that Georgetown was a winner and that we had better act fast (groaning here; this one's for Ed) if this were to happen.  And after I finally got my hands on a copy of the script (Rumors, by Neil Simon) and read it through -- I was sold.

After work I planned to head to the Thirsty Ear to read through the script quietly.  [Aside: I tend to give the Thirsty more of a bad rap than I should, as it's a perfectly lovely venue to gather and has great beers.  This is pretty much only because my affinity lies with the only other MIT on-campus pub.  I like the more ruffian-looking crew gathered at the much more charming Muddy Charles, which has the additional perks of being both located in beautiful Morss hall on the Charles River and also the primary drinking site of the illustrious Straw Dogs.] However, the whole reason for choosing the Thirsty for this quiet evening was that a friend of mine was working tonight at the door.  It being much more fun to sit with him than on my own, and him being much more obliging than most, I was given the pleasure of reading the play in its entirety aloud to him at the door.  Our conclusion was that Neil Simon is a farcical genius and that this play must absolutely happen.

Day 23: Muddy Charles

Anyplace that claims it's a decent university has to have an on-campus pub.

MIT actually has two. One attempts to be social, but never has a good feel.  It's in a dorm, so it's mostly first-years and dorm hangers-on.

The other does not attempt to be anything other than a room in an old, old building across the Charles River from Boston (and right across from the MIT sailing pavilion), and it accomplishes that quite well.

Both have cheap beer, but the Muddy boasts free food (Wednesday is wings night) -- and you can bring your own.  I am never going to be able to portray the atmosphere right -- it's got a couple TVs, but it's got more wood than TVs. You can get a pitcher of Rapscallion for $12.  Down the hall is an enormous ballroom where there is often ballroom dancing being practiced.  Upstairs there is a climbing gym.  You can get up onto the roof on warm summer nights (and I have).  There are enormous pillars outside, in the entrance, above the stone steps leading down to Memorial Drive.

It's a pretty great place to go after sailing, or softball practice, or just a long day in lab.  Here's to you, Muddy Charles, for having such a great name and for being there.