Any that will still take your order! (Srsly OP… that’s your option. Start calling rn).

How’s your phone camera? Most modern cameras are extremely forgiving and flattering. I’m saying this as someone who suddenly has a famous pet, and I’ve monetized them to the point of having a calendar and merch. I’m not a photographer but a few basic articles and tips got me pretty far, pretty fast.

Also the animals are used to you. They may not want to act cute around a stranger (or even be in the same room, lol). Put the cat in some nice natural window light, hold a treat right above the lens out of frame, and start calling the cat so they look up, and snap away indiscriminately. Portrait mode on my iPhone gives me stunning results. Then, ALWAYS edit your photos. Use your simple camera software, always use the general optimizing button first, and then almost every photo in the world can use to be lightened, and sharpened. Then play with other settings like lighting style (natural vs studio), or saturation, if you want.

You’ll get good at it fast, and learn quick. Oops dirty laundry basket behind them? Never again! This is the window they look best in front of, this is how I get them to look, etc. Then use an online printing service to get the prints you want.

Good luck OP!

I agree the price tag isn’t worth what you’d get out of it. I doubt the kids would remember it past bedtime tonight. If it were cheaper, sure you could justify a disposable hour. But it sounds like it isn’t worth it for especially young kids (by design? Possibly) anyway. Maybe pick something more geared towards their age, and put this one in your back pocket for a few years from now, when they don’t require the dolphin.

Also, as someone mentioned cheap skates: for Frog pond prices, you could literally afford skates for all, some helmets and elbow/knee pads for the kids, a thermos full of soup and one full of coffee, and a tank of gas to a cute pond in a suburb where you could teach the kids to skate without pressure. Now that would be a memory.

https://adata.org/guide/service-animals-and-emotional-support-animals

It’s not an opinion, it’s not a gray area, emotional support animals are not recognized by the ADA as service animals and don’t need to be accommodated as such. Don’t be a contrarian just to make a point. It is what it is.

The ADA has specific questions that are appropriate to be asked if a business is trying to determine if an animal is a service animal. These questions are designed to protect the privacy and dignity of the disabled, and anyone with a service animal is well aware of these questions, and how to answer them.

Those questions are: Is your dog a service animal trained to assist with a disability? (And) What work or task is the animal trained to perform?”

As mentioned disabled people are well rehearsed in these questions, and others will look like a deer caught in the headlight as they try to stammer out answers. Even if someone confidently said “it’s trained to comfort me if/when I panic”, the answer is No because even emotional support animals are not recognized under the ADA guidelines.

This. They’re not allowed in places that serve food. Just because one restaurant/coffee shop is looking the other way about it, doesn’t mean others are going to. It can get a business shut down and it’s worth a strong response if a so-called customer is having trouble with that.

It’s not up to the owner if they serve food in Boston. It’s against regulation and they can get shut down for it.

I’ve worked for a few restaurants that have this now and honestly, there’s no way of knowing if the kitchen’s seeing [all of] the money. Supposedly it gets evenly distributed to whoever worked, ie similar to a tip pool distribution, and added to their paychecks. But who’s even tracking that? Who would know if they’re not getting the whole amount? It’s the same as getting a daily sales bonus… but not being told the day’s sales. Company’s just shrugs and says eh, you get paid what we give you. Take it or leave it.

My last job said it adds about $3/hour to the kitchen staff’s hourly pay. This is a place that also didn’t show FOH their tip pool, and it was like pulling teeth to get them to show us, if we wanted to see. Long story short: industry vet here and I don’t trust the kitchen fee, and I also agree that it’s being shadily snuck in as a triple asterisk in size 4 font and nearly cut off the bottom of the menu.

Petite woman here. If you’re looking for dress-shop level formal, try Bloomingdale’s or similar. They’d be more likely to have an assortment of sizes off the rack. And I just googled “bridal pantsuit” images and besides it being so inspiring, there were a few cute styles specifically at Bloomy’s. I love the variety of options, and they’re far more than just basic white suits. And my gosh the jumpers are great.

I can’t help, sorry (5:45 lol), but this is intriguing! You really think you can do this in 7 hours? With the green lines? Are you going to post the route and/or your progress anywhere? I’d love to follow along, or at least see the results!

Don’t let the above comment dissuade you. Yes it will be spendy and yes it will be crazy out there, but it’s all part of the fun. I’d stay away from the touristy areas, or notoriously young areas, so no Faneuil Hall, no Broadway in Southie, etc. But any established bars that already have solid, more local clientele are gonna be a blast. Think Lucky’s, Silvertone, JM Curley’s, stuff like that. And stand alone bars are gonna be less crazy than areas where people can bar hop easily and less competitive for those Ubers.

My favorite NYE was at a dingy pub in South London one year because we didn’t plan well and didn’t want to spend the big bucks. We had THE BEST TIME with the local Rastafarians and it was the highlight of my trip. Would never have found that place or those people otherwise.

Not women. Girls. He’s in his 30’s. 🤢

I don’t play golf but I value it as a sport that a lot of people can participate in despite physical limitations and/or particular skill. It’s a chance to get outdoors and do a little walking, while enjoying nature. Franklin Park’s golf course is especially important as being one of the only inner city golf courses, making golf accessible to demographics that otherwise wouldn’t get a chance to participate, including POC’s, and the economically disadvantaged.

Yes it takes up a lot of space. But it’s one of the only of its kind in the country.

A little, but it’s adorable. The brand is B&M and you eat them with boiled hot dogs, on a TV tray, in your jammies. If you want more just scream “Ma! Ahe thehe any mohe beans?”

I walk, all hours, it’s safe. Just don’t engage with anyone, ever. No matter what they’re calling after you for. You didn’t drop anything (a common one to get your attention), you don’t have cash for anyone anyway so why bother stopping, and you don’t owe anyone an answer to “ma’am can I ask you a question”. Just keep walking. Head up and alert. You’ll be fine.

You’re probably one of the savviest tourists I’ve ever encountered in this city, if you found McKennas. Good on you. If you’re down for a similar adventure, try Ethel and Andy’s next.

I’ve recently learned the nirvana that is Vietnamese coffee. I’m addicted now!

Sadly Victoria’s isn’t reliable anymore. The last 3 times I went there was a sorry we’re closed until…, typed sign on the door.

Second both of these for exceptional Italian. Bonus being outside of the North End.

Was heavy on the radar, thanks! Unfortunately the 1am close was a deal breaker. I was surprised they’re not a 2am close.

The Franklin, fortunately and unfortunately. For them it was fine for a bite to eat but “wasn’t ES”, and they really lamented the closing and talked about it all night. ES was just, so, special. Even to a group of visitor who only went once a year.

I’m in this club with you. Willing to check it out, with healthy skepticism.

Love Anchovies personally, but I was avoiding Americanized Italian due to the fact that this crowd is actually… Italian. Lol. It would’ve been weird to post that originally but since it came up…

Excellent comment thanks. Shore Leave was a bit “too much” for this crowd, and you’re absolutely right about Audubon. Uh, I mean… no you’re not. It sucks and the food is the worst. Anyone reading this should never go.

Drink was great for this crowd earlier this week. Once again, thanks so much!