I promised a Harp entry before I left for the mystic east, but in typical fashion, I didn’t take the pictures for a bit, and then my camera cord went wonky, but now I finally have time. I know you all are anxious to hear about Korea, but I need to take a few more pictures before I have a whole entry on that. So this entry will do a bit of both.
If you know me at all, you’ve probably heard me talk about the Harp quite a bit. If I’m in the state of Massachusetts, I’m usually in my house sleeping/knitting/watching movies, working/drinking at the Harp or singing with the band. In fact, sometimes it seems like time for other things (like errands, or getting your Korea paperwork stamped) isn’t really there. While a few of the Minnesoters have had the luck to visit the place, the Harp has a charm to it that isn’t easily described. If this means anything: I LOVE working at the Harp when we’re getting murdered, but I like drinking in it best when it’s hovering around 10 people (4 of whom have never been there before/only come in once a year, 4 of whom are people even I, Ms. Back-of-house, know by name, and 2 of whom are in 3 nights a week.). It’s a dim place, and great for conversation when not overrun by UMASS hooligans. This is a Harp Thursday from a few weeks ago:
This is The Harp:
The view from our stoop/the deck looks like this:
Visuals like that one are among the few things that makes me actually homesick, which is not a feeling I have to deal with often.
This is my boss/owner/general manger, the infamous Harpo Power. He didn’t want me to take this picture, but I told him it was for you guys and he said okay:
The kitchen is small, and mostly focused on fish (fried and broiled), burgers/chicken sandwiches, and fried food, though we also do homemade stews and chilis.
This is my chili and beef stew, hopefully made to his specifications:
On Thursday nights around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, Irish Seisun starts, which means that local musicians come and play/sing folk tunes. We have it Friday night as well, but Thurs. is when lots of strings come, and the sound is a bit fuller. They play until somewhere between 6 and 8:30.
Around 9, folks set up for karaoke and we prepare for the kids to arrive. My mother waitresses that night, and Kayla and Mr. Brian Blaney (who also sings in the Friday seisun, his voice can fill up the whole bar) come on to check IDs at 9:30.
Kayla and Gabie being…. Kayla and Gabie.
Mr. Blaney himself
But eventually, we boot the fools and get to work (and have a shiftie):
Then we go home and get ready to do it again. That’s my home away from home!
(For the record, I don’t really work till close on Thursdays, but I usually stay when I get out at 11:30 so I can hang out with these fools. Unless the kids are really bad, it’s a great time. )
I’m going to work on a post about the band as well, because my last show was at the lovely harp, and I have some nice pictures of myself and the ladies. For now, though I will leave you with a picture of the view from my balcony in Busan, where EPIK’s spring orientation is. Keep in mind that I am living in a college dormitory:
Till next time, dollfaces. Anyeoung haseo!
