I Love Healthcare Cities
We don't live in Scandinavia so, our healthcare isn't free. If your lucky enough, you have a job that helps you pay for your healthcare. Is this a good way to run things? Oops, this might start a political discussion. Anyway, the point is that all healthcare, in this country, comes from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Why else would they call it the Healthcare City? Am I naive? Reason why I love the birthplace of the people who skip out and leave me the co-pay include the Ale n' Witch, The NB Train Station, and now Stuff Yer Face. Oh yea, some cool people lived their once like JGood, Bindel, and Rutger. He went to the same University as his name? Ok, really gonna stay on track with the next paragraph...
I found myself traveling up the Northeast Corridor last Saturday morning. My normal Saturday morning activity as of late. This time, I hopped past Philly and stopped just south of NYC in the NB. I planned on spending some quality time with Jeff. The sun was shining, and it was making me high. The only way to stay up was stay outside. Jeff suggested lunch at a new establishment for me - Stuff Yer Face. This place is known across the NB for their "Bolis." Thats a Stromboli. What a great play on words? errr Unfortunately, the tables had not been setup outside. We sat by the bar and ordered Hoegaardens. My Boli of choice was spinach. I have to say - amazing. It had full leaves of spinach rolled into cheese and tomato sauce. After the meal, we retired to the now open outside bar. The next few moments of our lives were spent soaking the sun and Hoegaarden. Does a Saturday get better?
I burned Jeff up a copy of Odelay. Its goofing rockiness moved us home just before dinner. Jeff was off to a going away party at a sheik spot down off George Street. Teresa drove down, and she and I melted the day away into night. Before I could realize the time, it was midnight. Teresa decided to travel home, and I met Jeff out in the NB. Remember the opening? I was hoping for a straight stop into the Witch, but we had a solitary beer at a non-dive bar. My heart jumped at the notion it was time for the NB Institution.
The Witch (see 1st photo) wasn't too crowded. Jeff had just introduced me to his friend Gary. A cool guy that grabbed us a pitcher of Lager. I made small talk with a few patrons. Jeff played jukebox consultant extraordinaire. Gary kicked it to college girls. I had the esteemed pleasure of meeting a few regulars (Jeff's Family). They included the NB foosball legend ? I really did forget his name. It was after 130am when the light above the shoulders girl bartender closed this small part of heaven.
The next day, the 8th nicest day of 2005, we went back to Stuff Yer Face. Apparently, this is the spot to be on nice days. I had an eggplant boli for my daily meal. Just as good if not better then the meal from Saturday. Jeff invited his friend Bikar for the afternoon festivities. It was good to meet this character. He did not disappoint with compromising stories from his adventures the night before. You heard it first here, girls are trouble.
In the sun start to drop part of the day, I left this wonderful city. Thanks Jeff for the hospitality. Its good to do a bit of traveling for a month. I felt for the longest time, I was just stuck in Annapolis. Driving the weekend away is tiring, but rewarding. Ill be settling down just in time for the full on summer - maybe. It was awesome to see Teresa and meet Jeff's crazy friends. Y'all enjoy yourselves up there in the Healthcare City.
How could I forget. Why do I love the NB train station? Its like an airport. It can be happy and sad all at the same time. It takes you too and from New York City. Who are these characters Bindel and Rutger? The aforementioned is an extremely bright and slightly deranged Indian. He is currently sliding by somewhere in Jersey City. The man named after the State University of New Jersey is an awesome Dutchman that plays with tests tubes and cheese wiz. They both use to live in the U.N. with Jeff while in graduate university. The coolest thing we ever did together was watch a Euro 2004 game at the Golden Rail. Now you know everything about the Healthcare City.
Comments
good travel guide to the nb...i'm impressed...the nb foosball god is Phillipo...he's also teaching economics at UPenn this semester...a strange combination for sure...i'll tell Bindal you said hello...we're going to see the shins at webster hall on saturday...keep your ear to the ground...there might be a partial U.N. reunion in manhattan starting this summer....
