A Lot to Celebrate
I hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday week, whether you were celebrating Christmas or Chanukah. I spent a relaxing day with my family, even going so far as to turn off my phone and avoid e-mail for the day. We opened our gifts after late Mass on Christmas Eve and then settled in for the night. After a hearty brunch, we watched a few new DVDs and then sat down to an enormous Christmas feast. It was a nice way to spend the day.
Anyway, things are now starting to get back to normal. Of course, football (and the New England Patriots2) is a big part of that equation. Call it what you will, but it was nothing short of poetic justice that the Pats defeated3 the Buffalo Bills4 this afternoon. The final score, 31 to 0, was identical to the score in their first game of the season, which they lost to the very same Bills. Also, I found out that Bonnie Bernstein5 does in fact still report from the sidelines for CBS6 (something I lamented the other day).
A more personal celebration is also taking place at my house this weekend, with my parents enjoying their 30th anniversary in the company of close friends and family. It's a major milestone that I hope to reach someday myself. Too often we hear about the frequency of divorce, so I'm grateful to have such amazing role models in my own life. If they've taught me anything by example, it's that perfect relationships are not devoid of arguments and differences, but are able to move beyond them to become something greater. It's a lesson we would all do well to learn.
Saturday, December 27, 2003 @ 18:00 » 
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Where the women at?
Say what you will about the controversy7 surrounding women on the sidelines (I believe that when an individual, male or female, is qualified there should be no controversy), but am I the only one who misses Melissa Stark and Bonnie Bernstein8 calling games for the NFL9? Both were quite knowledgeable and more than qualified for the role. And yes, they were both very attractive, too.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003 @ 12:03 » Comments
Tell me something I don't know.
With myself and Mark in mind, I'm not too surprised to learn that a scientific study has shown that Sagittarians tend to be speedy drivers10. And speaking of speed, something tells me this video11 will be making quick rounds on the internet soon. (Link via Ryan12.)
Monday, December 22, 2003 @ 17:38 » Comments
I miss crullers.
Next to the odd case of missing R's and occasional interjection of the word "wicked" in everyday conversation, nothing says Boston like Dunkin' Donuts13. And as a die-hard Bostonian, I often find that the comic Get Fuzzy, which is set in this fine city, hits awful close to home (thus its listing to the side under my Recommended Reading). It's an especially moving thing when the two intersect in my little Boston-centric universe. Today's comic14, in particular, strikes a raw nerve for me as I've repeatedly lamented the demise of crullers myself. Maybe it's part of the whole globalization thing and the DD elite are worried about confusing the donut-loving public of yonder overseas nation. Or maybe it's the ever-accelerating "dumbing down" of America, but I would think that the learning curve for figuring out that a cruller refers to that long piece of pastry is shallow enough that they shouldn't have to spell it out by simply calling it a stick. Next thing you know jimmies will just be sprinkles, bubblers will just be water fountains, and a frappe will just be a milkshake (in which case I'd have to blame that absurd new top 40 song about "my milkshake bringing all the boys to the yard" ... wha-huh?!). My point is, I practically survived high school on an early morning diet of chocolate crullers at the Prep15 and I refuse to let that noble pastry go quietly. Just pray for me the day that some Johnny No Stars16 at Dunk's looks at me when I ask for a cruller and says, "what?"
Update: Looks like my worst fears17 may be confirmed.
Saturday, December 20, 2003 @ 16:46 » Comments
The big two-seven.
Happy birthday to me! I'm having a big dinner with family and friends tomorrow. The presents are always nice (even when they're birthday-Christmas combos ... you December babies know what I'm talking about). I just get a little "aw shucks" about the whole all-attention-on-me atmosphere, so take it easy please!
Tuesday, December 16, 2003 @ 13:53 » Comments
Who's your Bagh-daddy now?!
Tuesday, December 16, 2003 @ 11:29 » Comments
12 Bars of Christmas
I had a blast at yesterday's pub-crawl-slash-fundraiser. We hit a few new places in Back Bay, but it was good to stop at the old stand-bys (McCarthy's, Daisy's). So trashy, I love it! Erin, Lizz, Jason, and Rob turned up at the halfway point and energized me for the remaining stops. We made some new friends along the way and bumped into a few other people (Kim, Vanessa) unexpectedly. Please direct all thanks to Frosty for another great crawl!
Sunday, December 14, 2003 @ 18:18 » Comments
Fun and Games
Even if you didn't experience last weekend's blizzard, you can still make your own snowflakes20 (mine's number 634,210) and then build your own snowman21 online. I opted for a more traditional snowman22, but some people23 got really creative24 (even if their taste is a little questionable25).
Thursday, December 11, 2003 @ 14:42 » Comments
Friends with benefits?
Interesting article over at Boston.com on the dating dynamic26 (or lack thereof) in today's society, with a strong focus on the "friends with benefits" phenomenon on college campuses nationwide. I'll reserve commentary for the moment, but perhaps later I'll add some thoughts here.
Thursday, December 11, 2003 @ 10:04 » Comments
Read this.
Lizz (the one in Texas) brought Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs27 to my attention recently (read an excerpt28). I think I'll put this one on my Christmas list ...
Tuesday, December 09, 2003 @ 10:59 » Comments
Blasts from the past.
I don't remember watching them religiously, but I recall quite a few obscure cult TV series from my youth, like The Greatest American Hero29 and V: The Original TV Miniseries30. Over the years, attempts have been made to revive some of them, but with limited success. Sci-Fi31, however, has had more luck making movies like Children of Dune32, which was supposedly faithful to the franchise. Tonight they premiere Battlestar Galactica33 (albeit with more appealing Cylons34). Along the same lines, someone is apparently bringing The Transformers35 to the big screen as a live-action film36, too. One guy even created his own CGI Transformer37. How long do you think it will be until other 1980's classics join them? Bring on the nostalgia ...
Monday, December 08, 2003 @ 07:59 » Comments
Gotta love Nor'easters.
Looks like the dusting we got earlier this week was just a tease. Meteorologists were forecasting a major storm this weekend and for once they got it right. Salem and the surrounding communities got between 30 and 36 inches of the white stuff! If this is a taste of things to come, then we're in for one snowy winter ... I love it!
Sunday, December 07, 2003 @ 20:41 » Comments
Patriots win!
No matter what happens, from persistent opponents to uncooperative weather, the New England Patriots38 seem to find a way to win. They've now won nine in a row and clinched the AFC East title39, which earns them a first week bye and home field advantage going into the playoffs. Today's game against the Miami Dolphins40 didn't have the same drama as the Snow Bowl41 against the Oakland Raiders42 two years ago, but that doesn't mean there was any shortage of excitement. From a new punter's debut (Brooks Barnard43) to 3-and-out offenses, there was an almost palpable tension to this game. The Pats seemed to be running offenses at will during the first half, yet they only managed to squeeze out 3 points on a questionable Adam Vinatieri44 field goal (it appeared to sail directly over, and maybe just outside of, the uprights). After Rodney Harrison45 forced a momentum-stopping turnover, Tedy Bruschi46 clinched the game by returning an interception for the game's first (and only) touchdown. Given that Foxboro had received over two feet of snow in the previous 24 hours, that critical play inspired fans to toss handfuls of the omnipresent stuff in the air in time to the music blaring over the speakers. The ensuing scene, as Tom Brady47 later said, "was pretty cool."
Oh, and my favorite stat from the game?
Seats filled with spectators: 45,000
Seats filled with snow: 17,000
Sunday, December 07, 2003 @ 20:11 » Comments
Highs and Lows
If I ever hear someone refer to the MBTA48 as the best public transportation in the country I'll probably snap and beat them mercilessly about the head with my shoe. After boarding five trains for various destinations at 11.30p (which, by the way, happens to be the latest train you can catch in Boston), two of them were declared "broken" and emptied of passengers. Now, nevermind that trains in NYC practically run all night, but the first train was replaced and sent on its merry way about fifteen minutes later. Meanwhile, the unfortunate suckers (myself included) on the Rockport-bound train were made to wait an additional hour and a half in frigid North (Pole) Station for a replacement train to come in from "the house." I imagine they were referring to the engine house, which by my estimation must be located somewhere west of Worcester. I'm only slightly satisfied that they didn't try to collect fares on the train, as I would have been forced to inform the conductor that he was crazy and that my time was at least worth complimentary transportation home at that hour of the evening, albeit in slightly more colorful R-rated language. Interested in what the big hold-up was? A switch was frozen just outside the station, preventing them from bringing the replacement train in on track 1. Hell, if it would have saved an hour they could have boarded the train on track 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or even 10 (our "broken" train was sitting on track 2). I would even have been happy to brave the wind and snow to walk 200 feet out to the waiting train if they had just asked. And for a final kick in the pants, they managed to fix the "broken" train just as they announced boarding on track 1.
So what could have prevented me from being in the foulest of foul moods at this point in the evening? How about four-wheel drive and deserted roads? Yup, my big black beauty of a truck was waiting a mere jog from the train at the wind-swept barrens known as Salem Depot. Said winds did a pretty amazing job of cleaning all the snow off my Xterra49, so I was able to hop right in and take off. Since all the local bars closed up over an hour ago, I had the roads to myself (with the exception of a tanker truck that had managed to jackknife itself on a ramp just outside the train station). There's something about the conditions I experienced on the short drive home that elicits a certain satisfaction, taste of adventure, and sense of glee. Have you seen the recent Volkswagen50 commercial for their new Touareg51 where it throttles over a pile of snow onto an uncleared road and the woman in the passenger seat declares, "beautiful52"? Well, that was me tonight. Don't get me wrong, I played it safe, but it was a blast to line myself up on a three foot snowbank blocking the entrance to my street and plow through it like a hot knife through butter. My street was completely empty as well, so I got to spin all four tires out and induce a few fishtails on the way home. It was all I could do to not head straight for the nearest mall and pull doughnuts in the parking lot. I must have had the biggest sh*t-eating grin on my face when I pulled into my driveway.
Sunday, December 07, 2003 @ 02:14 » Comments
Playing games ...
I played a whole lot of lacrosse yesterday in a very hot gym at a new Boston middle school. MetroLacrosse53 is starting an afterschool program there next spring and wanted to introduce the students to the sport and how it is played. A group of volunteers played three-on-three in a half-court setup, so things were pretty easy-going. I took a few good whacks, though. I caught one stick check inside my left forearm and another on my right thumb. Both are a little sore and have nice raspberries, despite the pads we wore. It's Metro's first foray into a joint program of this kind, but I think they stand a solid chance of success based on the interest we seemed to generate.
And speaking of games, turn on Wheel of Fortune54 tonight and you'll catch my friend Kasia as one of the contestants. We had a radio show on WGTB55 at Georgetown and we still keep in touch via instant messenger even though she lives in San Diego now.
Friday, December 05, 2003 @ 06:25 » Comments
Bored? Yeah, me too.
Here are a couple of links to get you through the mid-week hump.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003 @ 11:26 » Comments
Let it snow!
As far as I'm concerned, cold for the sake of cold is pointless. But cold for the sake of snow? That's another story! We got our first real accumulation of the year last night and although it probably won't survive the 10.00a sun, I was pretty excited to see a coat of white on everything this morning (looks like I picked up my new ski racks59 just in time). Since it's also now December (i.e. after Thanksgiving), this weather really puts me in the mood for Christmas. It's also perfect for the 11th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas pub crawl, which is coming up on December 13th (check out last year's). If you want more info, let me know. In the meantime, stop by the annual Harpoon Christmas Party60 this weekend.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003 @ 07:54 » Comments
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