Tag Archives: Boston

Blowing bubbles and picking fights

Posted on March 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

Have you ever heard of Jeff Goodman?

Me either…until about 15 minutes ago.

march madnessDuring March Madness — the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ — I look forward to all the new names and faces and stories of teams going above-and-beyond what even they thought they could do on the road to the Final Four.

It’s the spirit of college sports.

Sure, we start with a Number 1 seed for the tournament, and Number 1 seeds for each of the regions.   But the games that truly inspire us — that have made this championship the tradition it is today — are those David-and-Goliath victories.

The Cinderella teams.  The lower-seed overachievers.  The bubble teams who prove they belong.

Which brings me back to Jeff Goodman, a CBS sportswriter based in Boston who seems to have forgotten all that.  If it is that difficult for you to watch, Mr. Goodman, simply look the other way.

The rest of us enjoy the view.

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Posted in Basketball, Commentary, Life, March Madness, Sports

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Pure as the driven snow

Posted on January 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

I arrived in Boston today — which has snow — and was immediately bombarded by television commercials for the local ski resorts, which also have snow.

My favorite?

Crotched Mountain

crotched mountainIt looks lovely enough in the ads, and in the promotional photos on the website.

But Crotched Mountain?

I can’t be the first person to experience a bit of mental whiplash at that name.

Apparently the mountain, located in western Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, was named by early settlers who thought its V-shaped peaks resembled the fork or “crotch” of a tree.

Huh.

My dirty mind has never heard “crotch” used in quite that context before.  But I’ll sure think of it now…

Every time it snows.

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Posted in Advertising, Humor, Life, Television, Weather

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Ticket to ride

Posted on October 30, 2012 | Leave a comment

Question: How many tickets does it take to get from Boston to New York City?

Answer: Five, so far

Hurricane Sandy’s path and aftermath have made every form of transportation here in the Northeast a big ol’ question mark.  So since Monday, I have been purchasing multiple tickets on the bus and train and waiting to see which one would be up and running when I was ready to head back to the Big Apple.  The winner?

MegaBus

They are not my usual carrier, but they have quickly become my favorite since they are the first to re-establish service between Boston and New York City.

212, I will soon be in you!

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Posted in Humor, Life, News, transportation, Travel

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Late

Posted on October 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

Rain in Syracuse.
Cancelled flight.

New itinerary.

Rain in Philadelphia.
Flight delay.

Class pushed back.

Rain in Boston.
Traffic jam.

Delay day becomes night.

Home…finally.
Sun tomorrow?

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Posted in Travel, Weather

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Look both ways

Posted on August 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

I’m en route to New York City from Boston — Rory, I’ll be home soon — and we just passed the ubiquitous…

Deer crossing sign

Goodness knows they are a legitimate safety reminder.  Deer certainly seem to be attracted to roadways.

But it got me thinking (because I’m bored) –

Are there no other animals that cross the road?

Of course there is the ‘chicken who crossed the road’ joke…but what about other wildlife who might mosey across the highways and byways?  Don’t they deserve their own bright yellow sign?

Turns out they do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny — suddenly I’m a lot less bored.

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Posted in Animals, Automobiles, Cars, Design, Humor, Life, Travel

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Sunset

Posted on July 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

I am terminally direction-challenged.

That inner compass most people are born with? No evidence here.  Which may partly explain why I always say I’m headed “down to Boston” to teach at BU.

(I live in New York City, so…..no.)

It might also explain why I always end up on the sunny side of the bus after very careful consideration.  Which side is east…and which is west?

image

If I ever get that straight, I’ll give you a holler.  Right now I am enjoying the sun’s warmth.

Ths bus’ AC is killing me!

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Posted in Commentary, Religion, Travel

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Name that bar

Posted on July 13, 2012 | 1 Comment

I am on my way to Boston, and was determined to find blog inspiration en route.

It only took two blocks.

On 10th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen is a bar called Lansdowne Road, New York City’s best sports bar if you believe their marketing. I don’t know about that, but the name certainly jumps out to me.

I lived off Lansdowne Road in Lexington, Kentucky..in my very first apartment of my very own. (Translation: no roommates)

After 12 years in the pricey Northest, the place seems even bigger in my memory. And at $350 a month for a one-bedroom with free parking, well, I don’t mind admitting — I just threw up a little in my throat.

Yeah, I may have to pay this Lansdowne Bar a visit, just for the nostalgia. If it is near a Target, I’ll move in.

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Posted in Commentary, Humor, Life, Travel

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In good company

Posted on June 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

I made a new friend today in the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

We had electricity.

Actually, he did. He was seated next to an electrical outlet in the gate area, the only one I was able to find. And he wasn’t using it. If I wanted to, I was going to have to sit on the floor…or ask him to move down to the next open seat.

I asked and offered some candy as a bargaining chip. He said that ‘being nice’ was reward enough.

So I took his seat and charged my phone for the next hour. And I learned that he worked in Dallas and lived in Boston — where we were both headed — making the flight home every two-to-three weeks. Today he was going home for Father’s Day. His daughter was picking him up at the airport.

And when we eventually parted company to find our respective seats on the plane, I couldn’t help but think…

She’s one lucky girl.

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Posted in Airplanes, Commentary, Family, Friends, Holiday, Humor, Life, Travel

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Park these cars

Posted on June 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

I was sad to hear that Tom and Ray were retiring after 25 years on Car Talk.

Then I felt incredibly lucky to know them.

I worked on the Car Talk website for two years.  On paper, the job was everything I loved rolled together.

The Internet.  Writing.  Humor.  Radio.

But Tom and Ray took the job to a whole other level.

Click and Clack are, in person, exactly who their listeners have heard on the air for over 25 years.  They are funny and cantankerous and smart and sweet and stubborn and incredibly generous.

They know who are, how they want to live their lives, what they do and more importantly do not want to do, and have managed to turn that into an amazing life for themselves and their families.

We should all be so lucky.

Enjoy being even lazier, guys.  No one deserves it more.

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Posted in Automobiles, Cars, Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Internet, Life, News

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Heads up

Posted on December 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

I have discovered the perfect holiday party accoutrement:

Reindeer antlers

While eating dinner last night at Post in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, my friend Suzanne and I took note of two private parties underway in the upstairs dining room.

The first party was seated at a large table in the back, the diners serenely enjoying their meals created by Chef Eric.

The second party was awaiting their table near the second level bar, and the gentlemen were all wearing reindeer antlers.

Who was having more fun?  Take a guess.

So to all of you party planners out there currently contemplating your menus, libations, and decorations, make your list.  Check it twice.

Wouldn’t holiday head gear for your guests be NICE??

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Posted in Animals, Christmas, Commentary, Design, Fashion, Holiday, Humor, Restaurants

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