The Problem With Walking and Shopping

Here, let me help you avoid the prime grade doofusosity that I rock so finely.

Are you spending a hot, late summer day gallery and shop hopping? Are you starting in Coolidge Corner, Brookline and walking down to Park Street Station (four miles, not counting all the wandering about). Are you planning on stops at the comic book emporium in Kenmore Square? Maybe popping into Newbury Comics while you’re at it? Sounds like a lot of walking, eh? Best to travel light and wear your fabulously supportive New Balance sneaks—amirite?

Did I? Pfffft. You know I didn’t.

After a grand walk down Beacon Street, I got to Kenmore Square where I was meeting Joe. He was running a little late so I had time to stop into Hunt’s to check out the mirrorless cameras. Word is, they’re small (so will fit in my wee triking pack), light and able to take high, high, high resolution images. Why do I need a lot of resolution? Printing. Sometimes I need to output my shots and, what looks great on screen, won’t necessarily print pretty.

Hunt’s had an A6000 Sony package deal (lens et al included) for $700. How’s this compare quality/price-wise with an Olympus or a Canon. In a fit of maturity and general good sense, I decided that I need to do more research before shelling out that huge stack ‘o’ skrilla.

Comicopia was next where I was not so successful in keeping my wallet shut. I managed to walk outta there with just two books (I KNOW—shocking innit!). After mega dithering, I winnowed my stack to There Is A Cat On The Internet by R. Stevens  and The Cartoon Guide to Sex by Larry Gonick and Christine DeVault. It was that or The Cartoon Guide to Physics. That’s next!

My pack did NOT feel as though I was toting a pair of sumo wrestlers. Yet.

We stopped at Newbury Comics where I bravely, admirably didn’t buy the Wonder Woman T. Couldn’t. I’d passed over the Wonder Woman collection at Comicopia (too heavy to tote all day AND too pricey)—can’t have one and not the other, don’cha know.

Hieronymus Bosch—The Garden of Eartly Delights

Much has changed in the, mebbe, ten years since I worked in Back Bay. There used to be a BRILL used bookstore across of Newbury Comics—The Avenue Victor Hugo Bookshop—seller of used and rare books. They were YUUUGE! Two floors of rows and rows, stacks upon stacks, a seemingly endless labyrinth of paperbacks, hardcovers and mags. Yeah, in short—Book Heaven.

They’re gone from Bricks and Mortar Land—priced out by the Gods of Greed. Landlords. I’ve not found another, similar, Novel Nirvana though Rodney’s in Central Square, while lacking Victor Hugo’s atmosphere, comes close.

Mind you, if Victor Hugo was still there, I’d have loaded myself down with a dozen MUST HAVE tomes. I have exceptionally poor impulse control in used book stores.

Earthly Delights panel three on Docs!!!

In and amongst all the actual art gallery hopping, we came across the Doc Marten’s store. Oh baby, OF COURSE I dragged Joe in there! I was doing OK, not overly tempted and then, THEN, my pal points out the most exquisite pair of boots I’ve ever seen. Heironymous Bosch, Garden of Earthly Delights Docs? C’MON these are an obvs necessity!

I had a brill bright purple pair. I saw them in an Edinburgh shop window 20 years ago and couldn’t resist. After tramping all over hell and back in ‘em (for TWO decades), they died a righteous death. Between their passing and the fact that winter’s just a few months away, I TOTES think I should invest in these.

Oh yes I do!

More on all the cool galleries that we popped into tomorrow. Meantime, I gotta go find the Ibuprofen. My back and me dogs are still barking madly at me for all the walking in my beloved but not terribly cushioned Vans while carrying a purse, the weight of which might very well have equaled the Queen Mary’s.

RILLY!