Greetings from Boston! I'll admit it!.....there's no denying it....I'm completely in love with this city! If you have never been to Boston, you need to go.

Today was the first time that I drove on I-93 through downtown which most people know as "the big dig" ...and boy is it big! Its huge. I couldn't help but think about the lady who died a few weeks ago when one of the concrete tiles from the tunnel fell on her car as she was driving through the tunnel. Then I was thinking, "God, how unlucky she was". There must be millions of cars that go through that tunnel everyday and you were the ONE car that a piece of concrete falls on. I think your chances of winning the lottery are better. I do have to say that you have to have your A-Game on to drive in this city. But you know, I've driven in Toronto, Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia and for some reason I have never had any major problems. I tend to luck out when I'm driving. There are times where I honestly have no clue where I'm at and then all of a sudden I'm where I need to be. I think it has something to do with my Grandma Fischer's rosary I have in my car. The woman drove until she was like 88 years old--and I have no clue how she did it. When I first put the rosary in my car I was like "well, so far I haven't had any wrecks--so grandma's in heaven keeping me safe when I'm driving". But then last winter I hit a deer--I must have pissed her off somewhere along the line. So, note to self: Don't piss Grandma off!

I stayed in Salem, Massachusetts last night. I drove down from Bangor and was planning on going by the Salem Witch Trials Museum, but it was dark by the time I got there. So I drove by the Salem Commons and saw where the women were burned at the stake. Pretty cool! or hot!..however you look at it.

Today is the first day of classes for all of the Boston schools (Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Tufts, and Boston College) and you can definitely see that Cambridge is buzzing again. It reminds me so much of school at the University of Minnesota being in a big city. I'm sitting at a Starbucks on the corner of Mass. Ave and Prospect..which is known as Central Square. After I get some work done this afternoon I'm going to take a stroll down to Harvard Square. I need to get some pics of Harvard. Last time I was here, it was raining, and today would be perfect. My friend from Minnesota just started her first year at Harvard Law (yeah, she is a genious--and asian--go figure!) so I'm going to give her a ring and meet up for a few minutes.

My visit to Maine was a good one. They actually understand what it means to run an organization. The past visits have been at chapters that are clueless on how to run an effiecient organization. So it was great to not have to spend a lot of time on the basics. I made a comment earlier about Maine being the land of Subaru's and LL Bean. I was not lying. They love the Subaru Hatchback...they are EVERYWHERE. The people of Maine also have different personalities than the peeps in southern New England. I would go into gas stations and get 20-questions about my job and what I do. I can't just tell people "oh, I'm a consultant for my fraternity" and that be it. I get the "Oh, what is that?" or "Oh, wow! that must be an easy job." or "So, what year in school are you?" or my favorite "So, you help the guys put on parties right?". And then my response is (in my head) "NO! you dumbass! I have a degree from the University of Minnesota...this is a challenging job....NO! I don't help them put on parties. But alas! I calm down, gather my thoughts and say "Actually, its a great opportunity. I get to travel the northeast and help advise and support 15 chapters by providing them resources that assist them in creating a values-based experience."--This is then followed-up with a blank stare and a nod. I walk away thinking, "oh well, I tried."

Anyways, its a beautiful day in Boston! I start my meetings with the MIT undergraduates tomorrow. Should be a good time.

I have two visit reports which I have to write today...which I'm going to do! Don't believe me?...just wait. Alright, I don't get paid to right in my blog all day. I'm out!

-T