Monday, September 26, 2011

Beth and the Beautiful Sky

I'm currently in a production of Little Women the Musical with the Wellesley Players.  Yesterday we went to the Orchard House, Louisa May Alcott's home, to perform a preview of the show.  It was absolutely amazing to see the house.  The Alcotts were way ahead of their time.  Louisa [Jo in the play] was so capable and confident.  May [Amy in the play] was an artistic genius - her drawings on the edges of her window are magical.  Anna [Meg in the play] was quite the "theatrical" - she met her husband in a play.  Then there is Beth, the character that I'm playing in the musical, who actually died before the Alcotts moved into the Orchard House.  One thing that I find fascinating is that we share the same birthday: June 24!  

In the musical, Beth's final scene is on the beach with Marmee and  Jo.  In this scene she is very close to death and makes an effort to convince her family to move on with their lives and not have her hold them back but simply remember her presence.  I believe she stays strong until the moment she is wheeled off the stage and takes one final look at the ocean and the sky.  She knows it is the final time she will see such a beautiful sight. 

This morning I woke up at 6am for school, right when the sun was about to rise, and when I looked outside, I was amazed.  For, the sky looked just like what I picture whenever I'm exiting of stage in my final scene. It's amazing how much emotion you can feel by looking at a beautiful, peaceful sky.  


Come see Wellesley Players' Little Women the Musical at the Arsenal Center for the Arts Black Box Watertown MA - running October 7 thru October 16th.  www.wellesleyplayers.org

Saturday, September 24, 2011

A Little Bath Tub!

The last couple of days have been SO foggy.  Lights from the boats passing through the harbor create a magical glow at night!

Now the sun is coming out!

Today I saw two enormous tankers.  The first was The Green Cove - a car/truck carrier.  It was very tall!  The second was The SCF Yenisei - an oil products tanker.  It flies the flag of Liberia.  The SCF Yenisei makes the harbor look like a little bath tub!

SCF Yenisei entering Boston Harbor

SCF Yenisei

SCF Yenisei with plane taking off from Logan in the background 

The Green Cove - very foggy!

Friday, September 23, 2011

The Dardanella

About a week ago the Dardanella docked at the Constitution Marina [very close to Shipyard Quarters Marina].  Such a beautiful yacht!  It has 5 staterooms, 4 crew cabins and holds 10 guests.  I love that it flies the flag of the United Kingdom.

The Dardanella

Monday, September 19, 2011

The Rita

The Rita is the ferry that travels from Charlestown Navy Yard to Long Wharf. People use it for all sorts of reasons - to commute to work, visit the Constitution and travel to different parts of Boston. It is actually one of the easiest ways for me to commute to school, for it is owned by the MBTA and runs year round. Such a great way to see Boston and realize how essential the harbor is to the city.

Traveling on the Rita from Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard.  In the distance you can see the Tobin Bridge. 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Schooner

Today the Schooner Liberty Clipper passed by the marina.  The Liberty is a "125-foot historic replica of an 18th century clipper ship".  People can book a trip on the Liberty by visiting http://www.libertyfleet.com/.  Such a beautiful ship!

Schooner Liberty Clipper
 

Friday, September 16, 2011

The Turn-Around

Today was the USS Constitution Turn-Around. Seven times a year they Turn-Around the oldest war vessel afloat in the world today. It's pretty spectacular! The water boats flank it and shoot streams of water high in the air. Crowds gather around the harbor to watch this special antique ship under sail.

If you go to the USS Constitution website, you can enter a lottery to spend the 4th of July festivities on the USS Constitution in the harbor!

I find it interesting that the Constitution, which was built in 1797, fought in 33 battles and was never defeated!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Going Aloft!

Today I kept hearing this odd sound.  It sounded almost like a fishing line being cast out into the water - yet it was still quite subtle.  However, when I looked up I realized what it was.  It was a man on a sailboat "Going Aloft" - this means that he was climbing the rigging and masts of his boat.  First of all, I'm not good with heights (I went on a ferris wheel once and it was NOT a pretty picture - I really wanted to get off of it), so the sight of someone that high up made my stomach sink!  Secondly, I have so much respect for serious sailors - it is not an easy task to keep a sailboat in great condition.  

Watching him come down the mask was pretty intense.  Happy to report that he made it down ok!



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Ahoy, Matey!

Last night, while I was on the top deck doing homework, I heard british accents off in the distance.  When  I looked across I saw four older, british ladies on a rental houseboat across from us.  The best part was that they were wearing sailor hats!  They were certainly enjoying themselves!

One thing that I love about living in the marina is that you see so many different types of people.  In the month that I've been living on the houseboat I've seen a bride and her bridesmaids prepare to go to a wedding and also families from France, England and Germany!

Very often we see large tankers going in and out of the harbor.  It is hilarious to see the faces of people renting a houseboat when they are seeing one of these ships for the first time!  I know I was in awe of the first tanker I saw - they are HUGE!

Large tanker entering Boston Harbor at night

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Shakespeare in the Park!

On Saturday I went to Shipyard Park in Charlestown Navy Yard to see the Orfeo Group perform The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).  It was presented by the Charlestown Working Theater in partnership with Friends of the Charlestown Navy Yard.  A hilarious piece of theatre! 

Orfeo Group performing in Shipyard Park

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9/11

Today marked the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  The Coast Guard were out in full force around the harbor and helicopters were circling Boston constantly.  However, there was the most stunning sunset.  Something I'll never forget on a day marking such a tragedy.  



























Saturday, September 10, 2011

Day at the Marina - September 10th

Coast Guard 
Boats across from our houseboat
Duck Tour



Boat pulling into the Marina

Boat outside bedroom window

Flags on a boat

Busy Harbor

Seagull


Cormorant swimming

Cormorants

Sailboat

Fixing a sailboat

Cormorant taking off!

The Green Turtle Inn 

Boats in the Marina
Tobin Bridge


Break water and view of Boston


Fishing boat surrounded by seagulls

Fishing boat surrounded by seagulls

Sailboat