Jenn Martinelli Blogging in Boston

That's why I don't like hotels with grand entrances, because then I have to walk into them - and I don't make grand entrances.

Rob Reed

So Clementine and I had a very nice birthday date yesterday but all the forces of the universe were working against us!

First I was running late, then I couldn't get ahold of Clementine. Then I got to the Public Garden where we were meeting and still hadn't heard from her. Had to text robreed and ask him to check and see if there was a problem with the red line because she was coming from Harvard Square. No red line advisories.

I waited for a bit and I think tried calling a couple more times. It's very very unlike Clementine to just go missing like this so I started to get kind of worried. I debated calling Hashbrown for a while because I didn't want to worry her but then I did just in case she knew something I didn't or Clementine had left behind her cell phone or something. Hashbrown didn't know either so she said she'd call her.

A few minutes later I got a call from Clementine - she had just stepped out of her coffee date and happened to notice her phone ringing when Hashbrown called her - she was shocked at what time it was and could barely get the story out for all her apologizing. I know she felt really bad but I wasn't mad, just glad she wasn't in a ditch somewhere or something!

Turns out her watch had very recently died (on her birthday!) and although she had her cell phone on a very loud setting and was listening for it, never heard any of my calls and lost track of the time.

Anyway, after all that insanity was over we met up at DeLuca's market but it was too crowded so we walked to Bella Vita Cafe where she bought a sandwich for us to split (she was originally going to bring cheese and crackers but didn't have time after being so late). Then we got delicious Starbucks drinks and walked over to the park to have our birthday picnic.

She had brought Rosie's chocolate cake and I had brought spinach salad with raspberries and blueberries and balsamic dressing, as well as two cupcakes from Sweet, which robreed and I had just walked by in the morning - it had just opened very recently. See his weblog for a review of the cupcakes. Let's just say "Sweet" is a good description for them!

The weather was nice - not too hot or cold, the clouds came and went a bit, but no real threat of rain. There were tons of people out and about in the garden and there was lots of good people and pet watching to be had. We saw some really cute puppies and babies.

Thanks for a great birthday date, Clementine! AND for not being kidnapped.