Twelve Black Code Monkeys

I went to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville for graduate school. I loved, and continue to love Charlottesville. Outside of Tuscany, and southern Bohemia, it’s one of the most beatiful places I’ve been to, and I would love to live there. In fact I tried to live there after grad school but at the time there just weren’t any jobs there that my experience fit.

The picture here is one that I took yesterday in Troy, VA, which is only 15 minutes or so to the east of Charlottesville, close to Monticello. I was there for a party, a party that is held at least two or three times times a year, but only once a year or so in Charlottesville (most are held in the DC area). Steve owns a house and lots of land in Troy with an amazing view and big pond. Very idyllic! You can take a look at the other pictures I took here.

After coming to DC for work (it was the closes place to Charlottesville that had the type of entry-level computer job I was seeking) back in 1995, I would go back to Charlottesville often to visit my fellow grad students and professors who were still studying there or just working after having graduated.

But part of the impetus of going was to visit a Japanese restaurant that I’d become fond of called “Tokyo Rose.” The sushi was better than anywhere else I’d had it. There were all kinds of interesting combination rolls. I started getting new friends from DC to come down with me and the visits became a kind of annual sushi pilgrimage! The last time I went before yesterday was two years ago! Things got busy and I went off to many other places within these last two years (having met my fiancee). Alas, our visit yesterday did not include sushi because we spent the evening at the party. I think it was the first time I’d been in Charlottesville without going to Tokyo Rose in at least 4 or 5 years!

Another great place to go in Charlottesville (which we also did not go to this time) is Michael’s Bistro. This is a small pub on “The Corner” adjacent to UVA grounds where there are lots of bars and restaurants. This place had good food and lots of interesting brews. Nothing like the Brickskeller in DC, but a nice selection of stuff you don’t see most places. Also, at least they used to have a selection of cigars. I’m not much of a cigar smoker, but once a year it’s a nice treat. Really the way I’d enjoy them most is with a cider (cigars tend to try your mouth out but the cider keeps it hydrated and the sweetness moderates the sometimes bitter taste of the cigar), and Mike’s often had Ace Pear cider which was a great choice.

Charlottesville will always be my local version of Tuscany, I suppose, so it’s a wonder I only get there with such infrequency.