Fun, Cheap Things For Me To Do Here In Portland By Myself
1) Go to an afternoon show at the Cinemagic 16, which I guess is technically in Westbrook but only ten minutes drive from my apartment on Brighton Avenue.
I never get over the thrill and delight experienced during the opening minutes of a movie I've never seen. "Will it be good?" "Will it be great?" "Is this a movie I will remember for the rest of my life?" No matter how many clunkers I see, I still love the experience of going to the movies. And, at $7 for a matinee here in Maine, movies are still just about the cheapest form of entertainment around.
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2) Work out at World Gym on Marginal Way.
Another cheap form of entertainment. How can you beat the price: $15 a month? As I exercise about five times a week I pay less than a dollar a visit. The vibe is good at World, as there is a pleasant mix of heavy duty lifters and recreational folks (I'd say I'm right in the middle of those two groups). The staff is always friendly and pleasant and does a great job keeping the place clean (a must for any gym [...that means you, Lifestyles!]). I'd recommend World over Planet Fitness, which is just down the street, as PF has low ceilings, is always packed ("Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded" -- Yogi Berra), and has less space for lifting.
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3) Sit in my car down at the Back Cove parking lot for an hour or two.
Does this make me a letch? You won't see too many runners this time of year, though there are some that make the effort. But as a time killer in the more seasonable times of year here in Portland, I can easily spend an hour just people watching.
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4) Shoot baskets on the outdoor court on the Eastern Promenade.
Though often very windy, the court overlooking Casco Bay is a nice relaxing place to shoot hoops in the summer heat. Beautiful views of some of Maine's most picturesque water.
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5) Window shop at Whole Foods.
I may be poor but that doesn't mean I don't have taste. Spent a half hour yesterday afternoon just wandering the aisles of the priciest supermarket in town, wondering what I would buy if money and calories were not to part of my eating equation.
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6) Get a haircut at SpaTech.
Highly recommended because at $6 a pop for a men's cut you can't beat the price. And the students who do the work are unfailingly friendly and pleasant. I've been going for years and have never had a bad experience.
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7) SeaDogs and Pirates games.
You can't beat the price for SeaDogs tickets, at about $8 for reserved seats. But getting a seat during the nice weather can be troublesome. The Pirates are more expensive but you can always get a seat the day of the game. One of the best things about living in Portland is having three minor league teams in town, though I have not been to a Red Claws game yet.
I never get over the thrill and delight experienced during the opening minutes of a movie I've never seen. "Will it be good?" "Will it be great?" "Is this a movie I will remember for the rest of my life?" No matter how many clunkers I see, I still love the experience of going to the movies. And, at $7 for a matinee here in Maine, movies are still just about the cheapest form of entertainment around.
---------------------
2) Work out at World Gym on Marginal Way.
Another cheap form of entertainment. How can you beat the price: $15 a month? As I exercise about five times a week I pay less than a dollar a visit. The vibe is good at World, as there is a pleasant mix of heavy duty lifters and recreational folks (I'd say I'm right in the middle of those two groups). The staff is always friendly and pleasant and does a great job keeping the place clean (a must for any gym [...that means you, Lifestyles!]). I'd recommend World over Planet Fitness, which is just down the street, as PF has low ceilings, is always packed ("Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded" -- Yogi Berra), and has less space for lifting.
-------------------
3) Sit in my car down at the Back Cove parking lot for an hour or two.
Does this make me a letch? You won't see too many runners this time of year, though there are some that make the effort. But as a time killer in the more seasonable times of year here in Portland, I can easily spend an hour just people watching.
--------------------
4) Shoot baskets on the outdoor court on the Eastern Promenade.
Though often very windy, the court overlooking Casco Bay is a nice relaxing place to shoot hoops in the summer heat. Beautiful views of some of Maine's most picturesque water.
--------------------
5) Window shop at Whole Foods.
I may be poor but that doesn't mean I don't have taste. Spent a half hour yesterday afternoon just wandering the aisles of the priciest supermarket in town, wondering what I would buy if money and calories were not to part of my eating equation.
---------------------
6) Get a haircut at SpaTech.
Highly recommended because at $6 a pop for a men's cut you can't beat the price. And the students who do the work are unfailingly friendly and pleasant. I've been going for years and have never had a bad experience.
---------------------
7) SeaDogs and Pirates games.
You can't beat the price for SeaDogs tickets, at about $8 for reserved seats. But getting a seat during the nice weather can be troublesome. The Pirates are more expensive but you can always get a seat the day of the game. One of the best things about living in Portland is having three minor league teams in town, though I have not been to a Red Claws game yet.
posted by joe sweeney at 8:32 AM
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