Amazon. If it has to be a physical store, Barnes & Noble.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Gilded Latten Bones: A Garrett, P.I., Novel by Glen CookMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Garrett is back. Mostly. Some new, but not unwelcome directions. He's beginning to come across as something I'm not sure he needed to become, but perhaps necessary for future stories to develop. All the usual ingredients are here, yet the flavor was a bit off.
View all my reviews
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
good: the Halloween candy is 50% off! bad: Christmas candy is in stock.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
I'm a very tradional foodie. Not much weird stuff touches my plate; if it does, it doesn't touch my fork. However, I did try Rocky Mountain Oysters once.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Your odometer only hits 666 once...
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Worst movie ever was Dungeons & Dragons (2000). Saw it with my brother. When we got there (late show) they had closed the box office early, so we saw it for free. Yet we *still* wanted money back it was soooo bad.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
On Saturday July 10th I went to Fenway Park to witness "Futures At
Fenway", which was supposed to be two minor league games held there.
For some of the players, it might be their only chance to play there.
As it happens, I didn't get to see two games. What I did see was fun
though.
With tickets going cheap for this event (I paid $20 for 3rd base field
box seats!) this was affordable to many moms or dads to take the kids
who would never get to see a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, due to high
ticket prices. I stayed out on Yawkey Way until nearly game time
because I was able to witness - several times - the look of shock,
awe, joy & adoration on several younglings who had never been in sight
of Fenway Park before in their lives. Entering the park it was more of the same. Kids, who had never been
inside those walls before, walking as slow as they could while their
eyes darted about, trying to take in everything about them & fearing
they were missing something. Hard to believe I was once as astonished & amazed walking into a ballpark. The first game was Lowell hosting Jamestown. Jamestown got off to a
quick start and took an early lead. They kept trying to come back, but
the rains came and washed the game out. The rains lightened up
eventually, but not before field conditions had deteriorated so badly
that the second game, Salem hosting Potomac, was cancelled. Besides the looks on the children's faces, the next amazing thing was
a 'promotion' held between innings. A young lady was called down from
the crowd and was asked a trivia question for a choice of unknown
surprises. The question was placed on the giant scoreboard in center -
who was on the mound for the fiinal out when the Red Sox won the 2007
World Series? She answered correctly. Then she was asked to choose
Prize A or Prize B. When she made her choice, the scoreboard read
"WILL YOU MARRY ME?" She whipped around and found her boyfriend, a
player, in full uniform (he'd been playing) kneeling behind her with a
box in his hand. Trembling, she opened it and found a ring. She
embraced him then, to the cheers of the crowd. When she returned to
her seat from the field, both sections on either side of the aisle she
used gave her a standing ovation. So even with the disappointment caused by the rain, it was still a
great time. I plan to make it an annual event, and to attend the Cape
Cod League All-Star Game 7/28. With admission of $10 to see a game at
Fenway, who knows how many new memories will be created that night?
A Burning House by Keith R.A. DeCandidoMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another in a series of books looking at events on the Klingon side of the Star Trek universe. It continues to focus on the the officers and crewmen aboard a Klingon starship, and in government. Some of the characters have been on TV before, and a few are new, but all are interesting and unique and worthy of following.
View all my reviews >>
Monday, May 24, 2010
Congrats to the Eastern Conference Champion Flyers. Good Luck against the Blackhawks!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
An Irving Oil ship arrives in Boston to transfer fuel. A very large ship escorted & guided by 3 tugboats. Quite a sight this Saturday.
PS - Go Celtics!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Harpoon Leviathan Imperial Red. Should make for a good night!
Monday, April 26, 2010
I was reminded that I've mentioned my growing a Bruins Playoff Beard, but that it hasn't really been seen. So I've decided to correct that.
The goatee part is *usually* on my chin, so that's nothing new. It's the fuzz on the cheeks and under the chin that are new. Yeah, there's plenty of grey in the facial hair. My family, in particular my generation, has a history of premature graying. I'm just not full of myself enough to color it. Though I have colored it in the past, when I've colored my hair. In my younger and more wild days. I have not always had Bruins Playoff Beards for a few reasons. 1st, when I was old enough to discover sports I was living in Philadelphia. So my 1st hockey team were the Flyers. 2nd, my father always had a beard. So he never taught me about the tradition of growing a beard until your team was eliminated from the playoffs. Granted, I don't even know that it *was* a tradition back then either. Finally, this is the Bruins we're talking about. This once feared and legendary organization has not been a hot topic in Boston for some time. A win tonight will go a long way to keeping the people of Boston talking about them for some time. Go Bruins! And, of course, Go Red Sox!
Friday, April 16, 2010
If you've seen me lately, you know I've been rocking the 80's rock band hair. In honor of Boston's own Patriot's Day, I decided to get a trim. Then I decided to take it down more.
I went to one of the oldest barbers in Somerville, Tony's on Winter Hill. Remember that concert you still talk about? Tony's was Sinatra. A real gentleman. I'll be back, Tony. Best hour I've spent in a chair in the last year. Much better than I've had at my nearest Hair Cuttery. Do you use a local hair person, or do you use one of the box stores? Also, have a Happy Foursquare Day!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The best part of my company having a facility in Charlestown is that at the end of the night, I can drive up to the river and look out at the water while I compile my notes. Especially these days, as the gulls are back, and a few of them are always goofing off at night. So I sit in the car, listening to them chatter, the vehicles careening over the Tobin bridge, and the boats & ship sound their greetings to each other, while I look out into the inky darkness.
No matter how frustrating my day was, it helps calm me down so I can go home and leave the job behind. What helps you wrap up your day?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Yankees Zero. In the standings, anyway.
Quite a good game, overall. The Red Sox went down early as the Yankee power was displayed with 2 solo homers, though one curved into Pesky's Pole. The Red Sox closed the gap with some "small ball" play. Then the Yankees stole the enthusiasm from the Fenway faithful by scoring 3 more runs for a 5-1 lead. Just as my twitter stream began thinking "this again" the Red Sox rallied and tied it up, getting the fans back into the game. Of course the Yankees promptly put up two more runs to try to take control of the game again, but sure enough the Beantown Bombers rose up again and tied, then later took a one run lead, and even added an insurance run in the 8th. So The Closer (no, not Chief Brenda Johnson/Kyra Sedgwick) Jonathan Papelbon came out and while the Yankees were able to get a man on base, they couldn't score, and the Red Sox won the game, sending the crowd home happy and making many at home in Red Sox Nation start dancing in front of their TVs. Reportedly. Things that I noted were that the offense was able to overcome a poor performance by Boston starter Josh Beckett. He got a quick 1st inning, but then started laboring, giving up 5 of the New York runs. Yet the 'defense minded' team was able to get him off the hook by putting up 9 runs. Neither is expected to be the norm, but it was nice to see last night. Also noted that the 'new guys' seemed to do their share. Marco Scutaro played a solid shortstop, centerfielder Mike Cameron had a couple of hits & a walk, and third baseman Adrian Beltre had 2 RBIs. The only 'goats' were Jacoby Ellsbury, who went hitless, leaving a handful of men on base and not catching a ball at the Green Monster; Ramon S. Ramirez who was charged with runs 6 & 7 and only retired one batter, and the aforementioned Josh Beckett who allowed 5 runs and couldn't get out of the 5th inning. I also found out one of my flatmates is a Yankee fan (I had spent last year's playoffs watching at my grandfather's, so I never knew) and one is a 'pink hat' - he knows he's a Red Sox fan, but couldn't name a player, or tradition. He's moving out in a few weeks, so I've told the landlord we need to make sure one of the qualifications is to be a member of Red Sox Nation. Did you watch the game last night? What did you think?
A great win tonight from the Boston Red Sox over their foes from New York. They found a way to win.
What team(s) do you cheer for?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
After the vicious & nearly malicious rainstorms early this week, this feels good. How's it going where you are?
Monday, March 29, 2010
Poor Joe Java. Obviously left where he fell from the hands of one who wanted to love him on this windy cold rainy Monday. Hope your day is going better!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The people behind this display are either getting a jump on next year, or their window dresser has been out a while. What are you doing to decorate for the upcoming holiday?
Actually, the spider is crawling on the camera housing. But it sure made the people monitoring it jump!
Friday, March 19, 2010
I'd never have thought to film someone scratching off lottery tickets in hope of filming the reaction of a winner. Of course, a tirade should his tickets all be worthless would probably get more hits on YouTube...
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
No, I don't think so. No matter what y'all paid @JetBlue to think.
Monday, March 15, 2010
To answer, I have to explain something. Growing up I never had dreams of my life after a certain age. No dreams of being old, being in love, achieving anything. When I realized I had passed that point, that I was still here, beyond what I had believed I would exist for... that was my happiest moment.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
I know this picture isn't good, but I'm not getting out. That car is in water up to it's taillights. In a parking lot.
Be careful out there!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Yes, it's an Old Skool Celtics hoodie! Saw it on sale and ordered it. Going on a Pub Crawl in Cambridge for St. Patrick's Day with the BeerAdvocates. Wanna come? If so, speak up & I'll share the link!
I also made plans today to see Conan O'Brien in CT with two very nice young ladies who I met through Twitter. So the day just keeps getting better! Enjoy *your* weekend!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Today is the first time in weeks we have back to back nice weekend days in Bostonish. We never really had the crippling snow that often shut down the Mid Atlantic cities, but that didn't mean the weather was nice.
I have seen a lot of people out & about this weekend, enjoying the snap. I hope you have been able to enjoy it as well. I see the trees don't have their greens on yet - well, the seasonal trees anyway - and yet on days like this it's not hard to imagine what they'll look like in a few months. So enjoy!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
What is your favorite vegetable and how do you like to cook it?
My favorite vegetable is peas. I prefer to have other people cook them. Kitchens & I have issues.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Apologies to Troy Brown. You may not see many, but snow *is* falling in Charlestown/Boston. Not much, not heavy, but something!
Friday, February 26, 2010
I heard this piece this morning on Whole Wheat Radio and it spoke to me. I thought I'd share the lyrics with you.When you feel overwhelmed by the things you have to do
and you know you need to start but you haven't got a clue
When the hour hand is moving faster than it should
and you'd stop it in a second if you thought you could
When you wonder how on earth you'll make it through the day
and you feel like raising hell cuz heaven's just too far away
When anger and fatigue are running in your veins
and you're looking for he sun but the skies are full of rain
When every single breath feels like a chore
and the fears you thought were buried are knocking at your door
When every dream you built up is going down in smoke
and every prayer you whisper sounds like a joke
When the friends you thought you trusted turn their backs and walk away
and you want to speak your mind but you don't know what to say
When you're trying to remember but you constantly forget
and you're hanging on to hope but you're haunted by regret
When you're trying to take it easy but everything is hard
and you want to find your freedom but you always feel on-guard
When every single sunset only makes you sad
and you want to just forgive but you can't stop being mad
When the questions keep on coming but the answers lag behind
and you're lost in the confusion of the fog in your mind
When your heart is feeling heavy and your spirit's feeling down
and the look upon your face is frozen in a frown
When you wish that you were proud but all you feel is shame
and you're hiding in the dark 'cause you cannot see the flame
When you wish you could rejoice but all you do is grieve
and you're seeking our your faith but you can't seem to believe
When the colors all around you fade to gray and then to black
and you put your best foot forward then retreat under attack
When you think everything's wrong and you're sure nothing is right
and you hold on to your vision but the end is out of sight
When the song you're trying to sing is quiet as the moon
and the star you wish upon falls way like a balloon
When it hurts too much to laugh 'cause all you do is cry
There's a reason to continue I will tell you why
If you can hear this it means you are not dead
and every breath you take and every thought inside your head
is a crystal clear decree that God believes in you
and as long as you are here He's got more for you to do
But if you should stumble and fall down on the ground
and you look in all directions but see no one around
it could be that everybody else has fallen too
and as much as you need them somebody else needs you
So rise up, my friends, and welcome this new day with a shout
cherish every second and drive away the doubt
Walk right through the shadows, I promise there's a way
Then find out why the good Lord's given you another day-David M. Bailey Mr. Bailey's website is www.davidmbailey.com and I'll be getting his CD. Whole Wheat Radio is a homegrown grassroots online radio station originating from Talkeetna, Alaska. That's where I was able to get the lyrics to share with you. I very much recommend them if you're at all interested in independent music. Mostly folk, but just as often not. You can even request songs for them to play from their library. Please check them out. And if you hear a song you love, why not buy the CD? Chances are it's not available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Last.fm or Pandora anyway! Have a great weekend!
and you know you need to start but you haven't got a clue
When the hour hand is moving faster than it should
and you'd stop it in a second if you thought you could
When you wonder how on earth you'll make it through the day
and you feel like raising hell cuz heaven's just too far away
When anger and fatigue are running in your veins
and you're looking for he sun but the skies are full of rain
When every single breath feels like a chore
and the fears you thought were buried are knocking at your door
When every dream you built up is going down in smoke
and every prayer you whisper sounds like a joke
When the friends you thought you trusted turn their backs and walk away
and you want to speak your mind but you don't know what to say
When you're trying to remember but you constantly forget
and you're hanging on to hope but you're haunted by regret
When you're trying to take it easy but everything is hard
and you want to find your freedom but you always feel on-guard
When every single sunset only makes you sad
and you want to just forgive but you can't stop being mad
When the questions keep on coming but the answers lag behind
and you're lost in the confusion of the fog in your mind
When your heart is feeling heavy and your spirit's feeling down
and the look upon your face is frozen in a frown
When you wish that you were proud but all you feel is shame
and you're hiding in the dark 'cause you cannot see the flame
When you wish you could rejoice but all you do is grieve
and you're seeking our your faith but you can't seem to believe
When the colors all around you fade to gray and then to black
and you put your best foot forward then retreat under attack
When you think everything's wrong and you're sure nothing is right
and you hold on to your vision but the end is out of sight
When the song you're trying to sing is quiet as the moon
and the star you wish upon falls way like a balloon
When it hurts too much to laugh 'cause all you do is cry
There's a reason to continue I will tell you why
If you can hear this it means you are not dead
and every breath you take and every thought inside your head
is a crystal clear decree that God believes in you
and as long as you are here He's got more for you to do
But if you should stumble and fall down on the ground
and you look in all directions but see no one around
it could be that everybody else has fallen too
and as much as you need them somebody else needs you
So rise up, my friends, and welcome this new day with a shout
cherish every second and drive away the doubt
Walk right through the shadows, I promise there's a way
Then find out why the good Lord's given you another day-David M. Bailey Mr. Bailey's website is www.davidmbailey.com and I'll be getting his CD. Whole Wheat Radio is a homegrown grassroots online radio station originating from Talkeetna, Alaska. That's where I was able to get the lyrics to share with you. I very much recommend them if you're at all interested in independent music. Mostly folk, but just as often not. You can even request songs for them to play from their library. Please check them out. And if you hear a song you love, why not buy the CD? Chances are it's not available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Last.fm or Pandora anyway! Have a great weekend!
Who?!
Generic people. I'm very good with accents. I've been known to start a conversation with a neutral accent and finish it with the same accent they have.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
This post has nothing to do with God. I think.
I saw this flyer posted at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. It reminded me that my mother is part of a group that knits for her church. I used to crochet a *long* time ago, but I never learned how to knit. I know several people that do knit on a regular basis, and I won't say I'm amazed at their skill, just their focus & dedication. I mean, after a certain point the actions become ingrained, right? But doing something repeatedly has to have a reward to be worthwhile. To me, anyway. And while my mom, and the ladies that knit in their group, won't get financial wealth for their actions, I'd wager my mom feels good seeing her work on the head, around the neck, or on the hands of a needy member of her parish. That's all the reward one needs for helping others. Isn't that why we're here? None of us can do everything, so we help those we can, and believe that when it's our turn, someone will help us. We knit ourselves into the fabric of our families and our communities. And we can cause them to unravel as well if we're not cautious. Something I had to learn myself.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
If you could be on the cover of any magazine, which would you choose?
True Confessions. They *always* have those questionable ladies up there; I'd fit in.
What is the most embarrassing cd you ever bought?
I still have my copy of Spice World.
What are you most looking forward to right now?
The last Harry Potter movie. So I can watch & read them all.
On my way home from Mass Innovation Nights #11 (#MIN11 or @massinno on Twitter) I decided to pick up some beer to consume in the comfort of my home. {I game up cheeseburgers & milkshakes for Lent}
I went in thinking I would pick up some Naragansett (which they didn't have) or Harpoon IPA (which they did have) when I saw this pack.
The Beer Works has a few locations about. One in the shadow of Fenway Park, another down the street from the TD Garden (what used to be the FleetCenter which replaced that Boston Garden which should not be mistaken for the Boston Gardens which is another thing all together). They make their own brews there, and I've enjoyed my fair share over the years. I had not known that they were bottling any of their beers. So I decided to take it home with me and see how it tasted.
Plus, I'm a sucker for anything that suggests baseball, especially the local nine, the beantown bombers. Or bombahs, as the case may be.
PS - Pictchers & Catchers report!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
After watching (well, hearing about) my family in Philly & DC getting hammered in the last few winter storms to sweep through the East Coast, we finally have some of our own action up here in the Bay State. Here's the view from my window. How's it going for you?
How many churros can you eat in a minute?
I have never tried to do so, but based on the description in Wikipedia I'd say several.
via cubby-blue.com
Are they there yet? Are they there yet? Are they there yet? Are they there yet? Are they there yet? Are they there yet? Are they there yet? Are they...
Monday, February 15, 2010
How do you feel about boobs?
Very gently. You do not want to come off heavy handed.
What is your biggest regret?
My biggest regret is a misspent youth. Had I then then values I have now, I believe I would have done less damage to other lives.
How tall are you?
Six foot four inches when I awaken, six foot three inches when I go to bed.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
These are the photographs I took Friday at the Green Monster Truck
Rally. Also known as Red Sox Truck Day. I met Jenney at the Pru (where I was properly chastised for being late
& keeping a lady waiting - my mother would not approve) and we walked
over to Fenway Park (or Pahk) with winter warmers from Dunkin' Donuts. We walked around the whole stadium to find the truck. I was amazed
that it had been painted as it was; I thought it would have magnetic
siding at best. Jenney & I got free ballcaps & foam fingers promoting
the event. Clammy & Gansett of Narragansett Beer fame were on hand, as was Wally!
Jenney wanted a photo with her & Wally, and would not be denied. The media got to interview the truck driver out on the street, and he
gladly told his story. It was an honor to be chosen to drive that
truck, he said, and quite a privilege. Damn skippy it is! Then the truck was off, and a flatbed with Wally & Red Sox Ambassadors
followed. The ambassadors starting chucking baseballs at the crowd,
causing a moment's concern. However, the balls turned out to be foam
rubber & quite harmless. You can also see my YouTube videos, including the truck convoy rolling out. Go Red Sox!
Rally. Also known as Red Sox Truck Day. I met Jenney at the Pru (where I was properly chastised for being late
& keeping a lady waiting - my mother would not approve) and we walked
over to Fenway Park (or Pahk) with winter warmers from Dunkin' Donuts. We walked around the whole stadium to find the truck. I was amazed
that it had been painted as it was; I thought it would have magnetic
siding at best. Jenney & I got free ballcaps & foam fingers promoting
the event. Clammy & Gansett of Narragansett Beer fame were on hand, as was Wally!
Jenney wanted a photo with her & Wally, and would not be denied. The media got to interview the truck driver out on the street, and he
gladly told his story. It was an honor to be chosen to drive that
truck, he said, and quite a privilege. Damn skippy it is! Then the truck was off, and a flatbed with Wally & Red Sox Ambassadors
followed. The ambassadors starting chucking baseballs at the crowd,
causing a moment's concern. However, the balls turned out to be foam
rubber & quite harmless. You can also see my YouTube videos, including the truck convoy rolling out. Go Red Sox!
