Sweet Caroline, Please Go Away

A few observations after attending my first Sox game of the season last night:

First off, it's always comforting returning to Fenway.  I like the familiarity of the place; the Wall, the tricky corners, the uncomfortable seats, the Play Ball song.  I love the fact that I can share these experiences with each generation of my family.  I love the easiness of the park and the game itself. It forces me to slow down and I appreciate that.

The start of the season usually means some changes were made at Fenway.  This season is no different. There are some new concession options near my seats in the Third Base Deck.  The usual stuff is there, hotdogs, chicken tenders, fries, burgers, pretzels.  They’ve got fancy burgers now too. A Tasty Burger is now open in the Third Base Deck area.  There is also a bar in that section now. I don’t get the bar thing.  Why pay for a $30 ticket and then sit at the bar drinking $9.00 beers?  Why even go to the game if you’re just going to sit at the bar?  You can do that anywhere. I don’t see the appeal. 

First pet peeve of the night: People leaving their seats during the inning.  I get it if you have kids. Kids are kids. No problem.  But there's always the knuckleheads who are constantly getting up during a 3-2 count and blocking my view and the view of the person behind me.  Can't you go between innings?  I thought it was one of those unwritten baseball rules.

When the Sox were up during the first inning, their walk-on songs were displayed on the screen. A.J. Pierzynski walks on to a song called AJ Scratch. Did someone create that just for him? Hmm...at least it's not country.

Speaking of music, the organist did a bang up job last night. I heard some Rolling Stones, some Beyoncé. My favorite was when "If You Don't Know Me By Now" played during a pitcher/catcher meeting on the mound. Love those little moments.   The 8th inning of course brought Sweet Caroline.  I hate Sweet Caroline. I am a loyal Sox fan but I am so sick of that song.  It’s become a staple at Fenway and it won't go away. It feels so forced now. I know people love it but can't we try something else? Daft Punk anyone? 

The best part of last night's game was that the Red Sox won.  First home win of the season.  Red Sox nation can release the panic button for now. 

What's Your Playlist?

Every week my older brother emails me his 80's song of the week.  I always look forward to his song choice because it inevitably triggers memories of our childhood.  Every week it gets me thinking how a song is like a time machine that can immediately connect you to moments in your life.  For example, whenever I hear Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know", I think of my first trip without my parents and how I bought Whitney's album with my own money.  It was a very independent moment for me.  Might sound like a weird connection but it meant something to me.  When I hear Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer", I think of my friends Dave and Vicki and our time cruising around Vegas and blasting that song.  It was a feeling of pure joy and total freedom. When I hear The Who's "Baba O'Riley", I think of Fenway Park. Fenway you ask?  Yup, because "Baba O'Riley" would always be played at approximately 6:50pm over the PA system at Fenway before first pitch.  So whenever I hear it on the radio my mind travels to Fenway.  When I hear the Beatles version of "Twist and Shout", do I think of the Beatles, one of the greatest bands in music? No, I think of Ferris Bueller lip syncing the song on a parade float in Chicago. I could go on and on. Thankfully, I have an iPod and can create as many playlists as possible. Some playlists are directly connected to memories, some are strictly Springsteen and some playlists are just songs I enjoy at the moment. My question to you: what's on your playlist?

Walkin'

I took a walk today during my lunch break.  I usually tend to ignore everything on my walks. Today, I made an effort to take it all in.  So instead of rushing through the crowds at Downtown Crossing and dodging the tourists on the Common, I took my time and took in the scene. What did I see?  Well, I saw a lot of folks doing the same thing as me. They were going for a walk. Anyway, here are some photos from today's walk:

 The Public Garden.  Looking peaceful without the Swan Boats.

A piano on the Common. This is actually pretty cool.  Starting this week there will be pianos scattered throughout the city for public use. Anyone is allowed to play just like this guy in the photo. The piano concept is presented by the Celebrity Series of Boston. Visit this site for more information:  http://streetpianos.com/boston2013/





I always walk by this book store on West Street and I never stop. Today I stopped. This is the Brattle Book Shop.  They sell discounted books outside and have a varied selection inside including a rare book collection. I love that an actual book store still exists. I'm really glad I finally paid a visit.

 Check out their site: http://www.brattlebookshop.com/

Enjoy the View

View from Columbia Point     

     I'm always searching for a good view of Boston and while I've been lucky to observe the city from a bird's eye view, I always come back to my favorite spot:  Columbia Point in Dorchester (also home to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum).  The view is free and far enough away from the hustle and bustle of town plus you can enjoy the sea breezes off Dorchester Bay.  The area is also part of the Boston Harborwalk where you can stroll the perimeter of the bay and eat lunch while sitting at one of the picnic tables.   Feel free to take a peek at the public art sculptures across the street on the UMASS campus or take a look at President Kennedy's sailboat the Victura which is on display during the summer season.  If you have an hour or two, explore the JFK Library and Museum. It's a $12.00 admission fee which is fairly inexpensive compared to some of the other museums in the city.  The exhibits give an insightful perspective from that era.  You'll leave feeling optimistic no matter which political affiliation you fall under. That you can count on.



The nautical flags spell out JFK and JBK for
John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

The Harborwalk



JFK's boat, the Victura


 

All photos by Jennifer Stanish 2013
    

A Scorcha!

My Rating System    

4 Dunkies-Wicked Awesome; Add to DVD/Blu-Ray Collection

3 Dunkies- Wicked Good

2 Dunkies-  I’d rather be at Fenway during a rain delay.

1 Dunkie- I’d rather be stuck on the Red Line during the morning commute.



I'm giving The Heat 3 Dunkies. If you've seen the trailers and read the reviews then you already know the movie stars Sandra Bullock as the uptight FBI agent and Melissa McCarthy as the Boston detective. It's your typical buddy cop flick except this time it's two females in the lead roles.  It's rated R for a reason as it's a bit raunchy and lots of F-bombs are dropped but it all works. Melissa McCarthy is typically awesome in the role of Detective Mullins. Just when you think she's over the top with her verbal jabs she displays a sincerity in her delivery that pulls you back in. Bullock and McCarthy have a fun rapport that makes you think they had a great time filming this movie.
    It's obvious the movie was shot in Boston and the supporting actors prove it. There is a scene where Bullock as Special Agent Ashburn is talking with Mullins' brothers at the dinner table. They ask her if she's a narc and she doesn't understand them because of their thick Boston accents. Normally, I hate scenes when the Boston accent is so exaggerated for laughs but this time it felt natural and I did laugh out loud.  It probably didn't hurt that Joey McIntyre was in the scene too. What can I say, I'm a little biased.
    So, to sum it all up, go cool off and see The Heat.  I guarantee you'll have a few laughs.


Oh wait, one more thing...I saw the movie at the AMC Theaters in Braintree.  The theaters now have reclining chairs! When did that happen?  It was so comfortable. I would definitely recommend seeing a flick there at least once.


 

Still Strong

Photo by J. Stanish

 

I spent some time in town today and visited the memorial on Boylston Street. The Mayor's office recently announced the items would be removed in a few days and archived for a future memorial site.  It's been just over two months since the marathon bombings.  In those two months, we've been pleasantly distracted by a tremendous Bruins playoff run and a good start from the Sox but it still doesn't erase what happened in our city.  We're reminded every day when we see the Boston Strong logos adorning buildings, trains, buses, cars, hats and t-shirts. We're reminded when we stroll down Boylston and see the words Finish Line painted on the street. And we're reminded at the memorial site where hundreds of sneakers hang on the fence and thousands of messages of love from all over the world are scribbled in notes to the people of Boston. Stay Strong.  We have and we will.

 

Photo by J. Stanish

 

Photo by J. Stanish

 

 

 

Donations to The One Fund Boston can be made to:

 

https://secure.onefundboston.org/

 

All donations assist the families who lost loved ones and those who were severely wounded in the attacks.

 

 



Train Trek

South Station       J.Stanish

I have a love/hate relationship with South Station.  I love it in the afternoons and hate it in the mornings.  Like many commuters, mornings are not my friend.  It takes a little time for me to ease into the daily grind. I always feel a slight dread when the automated voice announces "next stop, South Station".  That announcement is like a second alarm clock forcing me to buck up. Time to trudge through the terminal with the other weary commuters. We walk past the big board listing all the day's destinations. Every time I see the board I want to turn around and hop on a train to New York or somewhere else.  
The afternoon is a different story though.  I usually have a bounce in my step and a relaxed attitude as South Stations's lovely granite facade welcomes me into it's grand terminal. I read the big board once more listing all the destinations and wait for my train to depart. Time to go home and not think about the office. I'll do it all again tomorrow. That is unless the big board beckons me to play hooky.  I think I feel a sick day coming on. 



Postcard Therapy

The start of this year I decided I would be a tourist in my city and blog about the sites and attractions here in Boston.  There are tons of sites I have never visited or that I haven't been too in a long time.  Initially, I wanted to visit a place every weekend but being that it's March now, obviously my plan hasn't worked out.  Today, I finally put my plan in action and visited the Museum of Fine Arts.  

 

                                   

 

One of the reasons I wanted to visit the MFA is because they have an exhibit called The Postcard Age on display until mid-April.   I love postcards.  I always ask my family and friends to send me a postcard whenever they travel.  I don't even care if the card comes a week after they're returned from the trip; I just find it refreshing to recieve a piece of mail that isn't junk or a bill.  Recieving a postcard allows me to get my fill of wanderlust and gives me ideas of where to go next.  So to say the least, I really enjoyed the postcard exhibit at the MFA. It was interesting to learn the history of the postcard and how it evolved over the years.  Check it out before April 14th if you can. Of course, there's much more to explore at the museum like the Art of the Americas wing, Ancient Worlds, Art of Europe and more. Visit www.mfa.org for more information.

 

Keep sending those postcards folks! 

 

 

Remember

What are you doing this Memorial Day weekend?  Beach? Barbecue? Shopping?  If you are in Boston, I highly recommend visiting Boston Common where 33,000 flags have been planted in honor of every Massachusetts fallen service member since the Civil War until now.  It's a lovely tribute and a timely reminder to remember those who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedoms.
For more information visit www.massmilitaryheroes.org

My Wicked Fun Day Off

The Rink at Fenway

I had the day off today.  Know what I did?  I went ice skating at Fenway Park and it was awesome.  I attend many Sox games during the season when Fenway is bursting at the seams. Today I experienced Fenway in a much different atmosphere. There were no vendors hawking their goods, no crazy fans heckling from the stands, no hot dog and sausage scents floating in the air. No beer. Hot chocolate trumps beer when it's 40 degrees outside. Music was playing over the PA system but really the best sound was the "swoosh, swoosh" of the blades gliding across the ice.  It's such a unique perspective skating in a rink constructed on the grounds where so much happiness and heartbreak have intersected over the years.  As I was skating around and taking it all in, I wasn't thinking about how the Sox tanked last season or the dismal state of the economy and other problems. Nope, I was thinking about all the times I've spent in this old ballpark with my family and friends.  Might sound corny I know, but looking around the park, those stands weren't empty; they were full of memories.  Not a bad way to spend the day.

The Green Monster

I didn't fall once!

Step right up...

A cool view

Thanks to my friend Betty for inviting me to this terrific event!

                                                                                                                  

P.S:  I was walking down Comm. Ave on my way to Fenway and these five souls caught my eye.  I hope the rest of their day got better.

Donuts and Beer

Taking the lift down Wachusett Mountain

Nothing beats October in New England. It seems like every sleepy town in New England shines a little brighter come fall. Maybe it's the cool crisp air or the vibrant foliage acting as our own big coloring book, there's just something special about fall in New England.  One of my favorite things about the fall are all the festivals that take place every weekend.  We've got Octoberfests, pumpkin festivals, applefests, fall film festivals, fall foliage tours, maple syrup-paloozafest. Ok, maybe not the last one but you get the idea. 

Don't think these will fit on the porch.

    Today I visited Applefest at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA.  It's located off Route 2 about an hour from Boston.  The foliage in that area hasn't quite reached it's color potential but the festival was a good take nonetheless.  There were lots of craft vendors, activities for the kids and giant pumpkins. Visitors could take a ride on the chair lift to the top of Wachusett and enjoy the lovely view.

View from the top.

My favorite part of Applefest was the food and drink particularly the cider donuts and beer. In my opinion no fall festival is complete without cider donuts and a beer tent.  I love cider donuts. I remember going apple picking as a kid and just waiting for it to be over so I could indulge in my donut treat.  Obviously as a kid I couldn't partake in the beer festivities but now I happily engage in a brew or two as an adult. I wholeheartedly believe that beer tastes better when you have a cider donut in one hand, a beer in the other and the Jolly Kopperschmidts Band entertaining you in the beer tent.  It's a joyful feeling swinging your glass side to side while singing a song that ends in "beer here".  Yup, I love October. 

The Jolly Kopperschmidts Band

                                              

Me and Mom enjoying the atmosphere.

For a list of more festivals in New England, click on the link below:
http://gonewengland.about.com/od/fallfoliage/a/blfallweekends.htm

Rise Up

This song always gives me hope.  

God Bless America.

View from the Pru

Every summer I make a list of places I'd like to visit and every summer without fail I never actually get to those places. I become busy with other things whether it's work, family stuff or just plain laziness. I'll admit there were a few afternoons this summer when I got sucked into a Real Housewives marathon on TV. Another day lost.  Anyway, one place on my list this summer was the Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center located in the Back Bay. I had found some old photos of Boston taken from the Prudential in the 1960's and I figured I would see how much the city has changed since then.  Plus the view from the Pru is pretty spectacular.  Gazing out from 50 stories on a clear day it's easy to forget about hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters like all the college kids moving back to town.                      

This photo is a bit fuzzy. The old Hancock Tower is shown in the center. The Custom House tower is in the background on the left.  The building in the foreground on the left is still located on Boylston Street.

 Today, the newer Hancock Tower aka the Giant Mirror blocks the old Hancock Building and there's a lot more buildings in the background.

1960's Boylston Street. The middle building says Bentley College.

2011- Boylston Street.   The two buildings on the left are the same as in the photo above.

Looking out over the Charles River, Back Bay and Mass. Ave. bridge.

Not too much has changed...maybe the Charles is cleaner?

1960's Prudential Tower. Kind of ugly.

2011- Prudential Tower...still kind of ugly.

 Boston's Gem- Fenway Park

The Citgo sign watches over Kenmore Square.

The Longfellow Bridge also known as the Salt and Pepper bridge connects Boston to Cambridge.

 Oh, Boston, you're my home.

For more information about the Skywalk Observatory visit this site:

 http://www.prudentialcenter.com/shop/shop_detail.php?id=64