Algiers

On Friday night, Ben and Em and I went to the Algiers Coffee House. It is the kind of place where they let you order a pot of tea and sit for hours and hours, so that's what we did.

Hi Rise, revisited.

I have written before about my adoration of Hi Rise on Brattle, my favorite cafe in Cambridge, and maybe anywhere, so it won't come as a surprise that when I found out they were moving, I got really sad.

I've been going here to read my books and think my thoughts for seven years now, so on their last day, of course I had to go back for one last turkey and avocado sandwich. They're moving, not closing, but no location will ever be quite as wonderful as this one. I'm going to miss it. Lots.

{No trip to Hi Rise is complete without a busted-up moleskine. I have thought at least sixty percent of my most important thoughts while drinking a latte and writing in a journal at Hi Rise.}

{No, you silly cafe, thank YOU!}

Hi-Rise

On Saturday, I took advantage of the gorgeous weather by spending some time at Hi-Rise, which might be the most perfect cafe, ever.

I've been going to this Hi-Rise since the summer after my freshman year of college, when I was taking acting classes at the American Repertory Theater down the block and nannying a little boy who went to summer camp right nearby. A year and a half later, I was back at home, nannying The Girl, and I went there every day for a cup of coffee* and some time to read before I got on the T to pick her up at school.

I especially love to go there when the weather is nice. Then, you can sit in their courtyard and think your thoughts and read your books and eavesdrop on the grad students discussing grad student things.

When I was at college and then again when I lived in San Francisco, as soon as I came home after time away, I would hang out with my family, and then, as soon as I could, I would excuse myself to go to Hi-Rise for a latte, a piece of vanilla loaf cake, and some quiet me-time. It was my calm-down ritual. It still is.

*True story: I had my first-ever cup of coffee at Hi Rise. It was a latte, and it was amazing.

P.S. On a completely unrelated note, today I am wearing yellow tights with boots for the first time this fall, and it makes me happy.