Catch Up

I have been neglectful here. Pretty bad gap in writing on ole Gibberish, I must say. Things have been hopping in soap land and most of my postings have been on my business blog and short, random updates on Facebook.

WORK

Though I am still getting used to the new routine, after four months things seem a lot more regular. I am a list person, now more than ever. With great freedom comes great scheduling responsibility. Jere just got a full time gig as a proofreader/copyeditor for a computer company, so this will lighten my financial burden a smidge. I have been working a number of markets, getting wedding favor business, and doing wholesale in addition to accepting orders on my website. I am trying to create a number of revenue streams so that I don't have to rely on just one or two. My dream is still to have that storefront, but most of the people I speak to who have stores tell me not to do it. That it isn't worth the additional overhead, etc. I think eventually, I will tire of transporting my store to various locations every week, but for now, it's fun.

RED SOX

We caught Jim Rice's induction on television yesterday afternoon. What a great ceremony! And in typical Jim fashion (no pun intended), he wore a spectacular tie. Congratulations, Jim! No more white knuckle rides - you are in!

Saturday night's victory was much needed. Lester was his usual, dominant self. Even from the bleachers, we could see flames shooting off the ball after he released it. Amazing guy, that Lester. Too bad about yesterday's loss, though. I thought we were on our way to regaining our place at the top of the division. I guess we are back to our usual post-All Star Break struggle. Unfortunately, this is about when the Yankees start heating up.

PROVIDENCE

Speaking of heat, we had the pleasure of attending the city's first water fire event! It happened conveniently after an event I worked on Westminster street at the beginning of the season. They are pretty amazing. If you like fire, by all means go to one of these things.

I feel like I am really bonding with the city. We've been here almost a year now and since going full time with Stella Marie, I have had a lot of opportunities to meet new people. It's a very unique, down-to-earth place. Perfect mix of urban/suburban. We live in the ity, but we have a yard and a garage and a driveway. It's also centrally-located to all the places we visit regularly. The ocean is always near, which is key for us. It is culturally diverse. It has a huge, kickass pulic park where they actually rent kayacks.

SHOUTS OUTS

Congratulations to ...

... my friend Ilene on her wicked pissa new release of children's music. This time, she has teamed up with her friend Tamara (her first release was with our friend, Steve) to create a bunch of fun kids' songs.

... our friends Anthony and Caitlin who are tying the knot this coming month!

... my friends Lyn and Pete who will be weloming their first child later this year!

... my mom - she is doing brilliantly! No chemo in 3 months and her cancer remains stable. She is looking and feeling great! She had a strontium injection a couple of weeks ago and this is supposed to target her bone metastisis. She has a lot of them in her pelvis and lower back. It takes 4 weeks to feel the results, so fingers crossed.

(wow, I just realized that this post is very "church newsletter"-like. Weird.)

Manny

I thought I would be more up-in-arms about this news, but really I'm just kind of , "meh." I suppose, when he went to the other side of the country and to a different league, he just sorted of fell off of my daily radar. Plus, he was rubbing his new found love and success in our faces and I guess I it was just too hurtful to pay attention.

It sucks to learn about yet another dirty player. I always thought Trot Nixon would be the first big name former Red Sox player to be found out. I mean, I love Trot. Absolutely adore him with every fiber of my being. But, he had anger issues, big face & neck syndrome and frequent injuries. You tell me.

I feel bad for Joe Torre. He spent many years trying to manage around this guy and now he has to deal with his dark side. Meanwhile, the Red Sox enjoyed many a season with him before he was caught. The irony. That's why he gets paid the big bucks, I guess.

Rocco Comes Home

It's about time.

I'm finally writing a baseball blog post.

The Yankees acquired Anthony Keitis (who Jere and I call Teixeira), CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. And to this I say: Big deal.

Teixeira is a fine player. Good numbers. Gold glove. But, lest we forget - the man plays first base. My grandmother could get a gold glove at first base (sorry if I am offending anyone here). That's where DH's go in NL parks. That's where tired short stops go. That's where they put Giambi, for heaven's sake. I actually like not having to give up Mike Lowell. I think another decent year could be squeezed out of the guy if he is healthy. Plus, I would like to see his famous hidden ball trick at long last! So, our infield stays in tact and I'm not upset about it (so long as they go with "Jed instead"). I'm also glad that Lucchino and Henry stood firm against Boras. Screw Scott Boras. I hate that guy. He is single-handily ruining baseball. Both Jere and I agree that it would have been nice to see Keitis go to Baltimore. That would have been a good lift for the birds. Plus, that's where he's from, anyway (Teixeira, not Anthony Keitis).

Truth be told, CC Sabathia is more than a little hefty. He's going to run out of steam. They've got him for 7 long years, too. They are going to have to put him on a diet. Actually, (out of the 3 newbies) he's probably the player who will make the most difference for them in terms of their chances of making the playoffs.

And A.J. Burnett doesn't scare me at all. It is very likely that he will wind up on the DL early/ often. He might be an A.J. Burden to some teams, but the Yankees can afford to sign Carl Pavanos like that.

I think we need to get a good number 4 starter (Sorry, Buchholz). And I'm not talking about getting Derek Lowe back. His sinker is nasty when he's got it. But when he doesn't, he cries on the mound. I don't want that. You don't want that. Nobody wants that. I like the guy ok. I enjoy being surprised by his height every time I see him in person, but that's about it. Also, when are we going to think about getting a back up for our number 5 starter? Wake is not going to fossilize on that mound or anything. He's going to weaken eventually and this could really be the year. We need 2 decent starters to back up Wake and Buchholz.

And I say we sign the Captain for a couple more years, then he and Wake can retire and become the new Dennis Eckersley and Louis Tiante. If Wakefield had a little kiosk on Yawkey way, what kind of food do you think he would sell? "Regular guy" cuisine. Whatever that it. Something totally non-adventurous. He could call it, "No Condiments" or something. His tag line could be: "How would you like a knuckle sandwich?"

We spent the last couple of days in Northampton, which was relaxing and fun, as always. I was disappointed to learn that they converted what I thought was a government building into an Urban Outfitters. I think I am officially done with UO now. This was the last straw. Especially since they are taking serious business away from Faces, which is an independent UO type of operation a few doors down. Not cool, UO!

The Celtics! The Celtics! The Celtics! 19 wins in a row! I am in awe. Can't wait for the Christmas match up with the Lakers. I hope Jack Nicholson cries in his eggnog. I'm sure he'll cancel whatever critical plans he has that day to be courtside for this one. What an a-hole that guy is.

Stuck in the Middle with No One

I always gravitate toward the places no one really goes. I like the products that get discontinued. I enjoy the television shows that get canned. I spent a good part of my youth listening to Rush. Enough said.

I cut mammals out of my diet several years ago. There is no label for this other than pollo-pescetarian or whatever. Last year, I cut out birds. Now, I am strictly pescetarian. This is comfortable for me, at this point in time. I might take this to another place some day, I don't know. But try explaining that to the rest of the world.

Mammal eaters tend not to respect anyone who cuts meat out of their diet. Some are very hostile about it. A few people I consider to be really good friends have made me feel ashamed for choosing to avoid them.

Vegetarians think I'm nuts. And they actually get mad at pescetarians because a lot of us tend to label ourselves vegetarians. I don't know why. We aren't vegetarians. I've heard that for some people, it's just easier that way. Otherwise, you have to keep pamphlets at the ready, explaining it.

I think that the poor vegans are never satisfied with their own veganism, let alone considering anyone else's dietary choices. It's not easy to be vegan and I respect those who accept this lifestyle and make this commitment.

People who know me realize that I am easy like Sunday morning. I really, really, really hate being preached to. Really. Really, really, really hate it. I try very hard not to preach. Even when it's very good information and done with the best of intentions, in a loving way. I cringe when people use their celebrity status to tell the world how wrong they are about something. I listen to NPR, I am informed, I make my own decisions. I am an only child, so I spent quite enough time feeling lousy about myself. I don't need to be scolded, browbeaten or shunned by society. I just wish we could all do our thing without judgement or criticism. If I brush my teeth standing on my head, it's because I want to. I am aware that my blood is rushing to my brain and that this might not be the best way to do it, but this is my preference so leave me alone.

Of course, I have to go and choose a diet that confuses most of the world. It makes perfect sense to me, but we are so caught up in all of our labels. I'm a [fill in the blank] are you a [fill in the blank]? I use them because I have to, but I think it's stupid. What if I wanted to be vegan, but still eat fish? This is actually a very appealing idea to me, but, unfortunately, I would be fucking with the whole order of things and we can't have that.

Completely unrelated: I am so very disappointed that the Red Sox didn't make it to the WS, but they played their hearts out and walked away with dignity (as opposed to losing in 5). I will be paying attention to the WS, but not hanging on every pitch. I've got lots of soap to make an whatnot.

Phillies

I've had the occassion to live in the greater Philadelphia area twice. Once, a stone's throw from the infamous "Rocky Balboa" art museum steps. During my second go, I became quite a fan of the Phillies. They are a pretty likable team, overall. When Ryan Howard joined the club, I swooned. I am still a little in love with the guy and I'm really pleased that they are going to the World Series.

Here's where I am torn, of course. If the Red Sox can manage to string together 3 more wins, then they'd be going, too. I understand just how unlikely this is, even though the '04 and '07 WS victories were won when their backs were up against the wall in the ALCS. Big difference, though. In '04, the Sox were playing a Yankee team that was showing lots of wear and tear. Determined not to experience a repeat of '03, the hungry Sox wound up advancing. Last year, I am not sure what happened, but the Sox were so much better than a team falling behind in a series with Cleveland. Seriously. This year, these Rays mean business. And it is not a convenient time for Beckett and Lester to poop out.

Jere and I will be at the game tonight. I hope the Sox can squeak out a win. If not, I'll be pulling my old Phillies t-shirt out of my closet and rooting hard for them.

Onion Headline

I love The Onion, don't you? Check out this recent story.



Painful game last night. 12 innings. Ugh.

RED SOX CLINCH WILD CARD BERTH

Hurray! And just in time for Johnny Pesky's birthday. Incidentally, the organization is retiring his number on Friday night.

By the way, why does Papelbon feel the need to embarrass himself every time the Red Sox clinch anything? Someone asked him if he would be dancing (as part of the celebration) and his reply was something like, "Yeah, in bed tonight!" Too much information, Jonathan.

* this photo is from Boston.com

Commute Woes

My morning commutes for this week:

Monday - 1 Hour, 15 minutes
Tuesday - 1 Hour, 45 minutes
Wednesday - 2.5 Hours (truck rollover on route 1)
Thursday - 1 Hour, 45 minutes

What the heck am I going to do? Obviously, this cannot continue. Leaving at 7:15, only to arrive a hair before 9 is unacceptable. My commute home is exactly 1 hour.

Rolling from Walpole to Waltham in the morning is a slow form of torture.

Meanwhile, what a disappointment last night's game was. This is what we get for letting Carlos Pena become a free agent. We should have retained our local boy. Liking some of these (Devil) Rays is new, weird territory for me. Hinske, Pena, Baldelli, Flyod. All old Red Sox players, with the exception of Rocco, who I like (a) because he is from Rhode Island and (b) that's one awesome name!

Boston Sports Media being Boston Sports Media

I really wish that baseball fans didn't have to be privy to the beefs between players and management. It's icky. I love Manny and I've supported him during past "Manny Being Manny" episodes because, let's face it, the Red Sox need him. I'm not going to take issue with one or two questionable moments when the dude brings it time and time again. I know that players and management have always had issues. Red Sox front office can be jerky (I'll never understand the abrupt firing of Doctor Morgan or Papa Jack). Baseball players can be jerky, too. Most of them are spoiled rotten and have sort of lost their connection to reality, especially the huge stars. As a big fan of the team and baseball in general, I don't want to have to be forced into these dealings. I just want to continue loving Manny and the Red Sox. I don't want to have to take sides. It isn't a fair expectation to place on fans. I blame the media, of course, because they hang onto Manny's words, take a lot of them out of context and ask him inappropriate questions about his relationship with FO. I don't want to know, but I have to know. Because it's splashed all over the front page of the Herald, which hits me in the face when I step out of my neighborhood coffee shop every morning.

Dear Boston Sports Media,

Please stop printing crappy baseball gossip about the Red Sox. If Manny says something like, "I want to be traded," simply wave your hand in an understanding gesture and say, "Yup, thank you, Manny," and be on your way.

Thank you.

I mean, I have plenty of anxiety about other stuff (REAL stuff) why do I have to worry about this, too? If Manny does get traded, I want to be able to wish him well. I don't want another heartbreaking Johnny Damon-style situation to contend with. I've invested in Manny. The least that he and the Red Sox can do is let us part from him on good terms.

In Mom News:
I'm so excited - she was able to skip a week of chemo! She had enough energy yesterday to do 2 loads of wash and clean the floor. She went out for ice cream, too! This is a major deal, since all she's been doing is sleeping or feeling like she's going to start sleeping for the past 2 weeks. She's going in for her body scans today and hopefully, the results will be in tomorrow. I am praying for something - ANYTHING - that shows that the chemo is working. This is such an agonizing process.

In House News:
We are on schedule to close mid-August and move in the last week of the month. Hurray! I can't wait!

You know, every day we are told that the housing market situation is more dire than the day before. If this is the case, why aren't people buying homes? Are they waiting for prices to go back up again? I don't get it.

Dirty Water - A Red Sox Mystery

I am lucky to know such talented people. I just posted about my musical friends, Leeny and Steve, and I thought I would take this opportunity to acquaint you with Dirty Water: A Red Sox Mystery. My boyfriend (Red Sox blogger, Jere Smith) and his mom (accomplished mystery novelist, Mary-Ann Tirone Smith) co-authored this gem and since I have an obvious bias, I won't attempt to create a review. I probably wouldn't do it justice. But I will say that if you enjoy mysteries and baseball, this book should be on your future reading list (particularly if you are a fan of the Boston Red Sox). You can pre-order a copy on Amazon by going here.

Reviews are just starting to come in. Here are a few snippets:

"Dirty Water takes us inside the Sox clubhouse and out into the neighborhood around baseball's little green chapel. Having spent far too many hours pacing that pavement, I can verify that Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and Jere Smith know the territory. This one's fun for mystery fans and Sox fans, and even more so if you're both."
- Stewart O'Nan, Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season (written in collaboration with Stephen King)

"These authors know Boston, they know baseball, and they definitely know the Red Sox. Real-life Red Sox players walk out of the clubhouse and right onto the pages of this murder mystery--along with bloggers, bad guys, and Boston's finest. An essential addition to any true fan's bookshelf."
- Melinda Boroson, author, 86 Years: The Legend of the Boston Red Sox

"To truly enjoy this extremely clever novel and its extra-innings ending, it helps if you are a fan of the Boston Red Sox, intimately familiar with Boston's Fenway neighborhood and conversant with the online practice of blogging.

But should you strike out on these topics, never mind. The book is still a good read and, let's face it, in Vermont and the rest of New England (otherwise known as Red Sox Nation) most readers will have at least some knowledge of the team and therefore an appreciation of its recent (and long-awaited) success on the diamond.

And, as a bonus, David "Big Papi" Ortiz, the team's superstar slugger and larger-than-life personality, adds a bit of zest to a plot that's already as tricky and slick as an unassisted triple play."
- A.C. HUTCHISON, The Rutland Herald


This is a well-crafted review from Nora of Horse Circle.

Check out frequent updates on the book blog, here.

*Editor's Note: In my original post, I wrote that Nora's last name was Ocala. Why? Because I'm an idiot. Clearly. Ocala is where she lives in Florida, but I completely misread this, looking at her profile information on her blog. What can I say? I don't know Florida all that well. My apologies!

Red Sox and Celtics - Holy Crap!

For the Boston fan, last night was a real pleaser. We attended the Rays-Red Sox brawl of a game and, besides the fact that it cut into game 1 of the Celtics-Lakers finals, it was pretty awesome. I arrived a little after 6 (They started the game early so that folks wouldn't have to miss the Celtics, but I think all players were in agreement that they weren't going to let the C's determine the length of their game.) and waited in what I thought was the left field pavilion, where our standing room seats were (it was actually one level above where I was). I was scanning the crowd, looking for my peeps, when all of a sudden I heard a huge roar. When I got a good view of the field, it wasn't clear exactly what had happened. My first thought was that an unruly fan dashed out onto the field. The last name I remember being announced was Coco Crisp. Surely, Coco wasn't involved in a brawl. I had to get bits and pieces of information from the people who actually did see this play out and I was pretty shocked. Even after watching the replays. I guess Coco used to box - this was evident when you see the way he avoids James Shields' swing. It was pretty wild and, of course, amusing. I hope Coco doesn't get suspended for too long. I agree that he should have let that mofo have it, but he is pretty key right now, particularly in the absence of Papi. Then, Jacoby came out of the game with a wrist injury after making a diving catch (it's going to be day-to-day) and Manny and Youk were fighting in the dug out. There is some speculation that Youk was pissed at Manny for not being more prompt in clearing the dugout to defend Coco. Nice night - and this was only the first half of the evening. We did move up to seats right near the Red Sox dugout in the 8th, as folks were clearing out to go home and watch the Celtics. Occasionally, the Fenway people put the Celtics score up on one of their MANY screens in the park. I guess they thought that leaving the score up would have been overkill or something. I was so mad. There was one screen that read: GO CELTICS, BEAT L.A.! Could they not have used this screen for something a little more important, like, saaaaaaaay, the score?

I must tell you, too, that on my way to the park, I saw at least 5 ambulances. Several of them were parked next to the river (alongside the Pike, in the Heminway area). The water is particularly filthy there, always foul-smelling. I don't know what was going on, but I could feel it coming in the air last night. Oh, Lord.

(photo at left: Senator John Kerry Governer Deval Patrick were among the important people at the Garden last night. Check out this gallery for more.) We watched the 2nd half of the Celtics game at home. By half time, the Lakers had a 5 point lead. The announcers were calling the Celtics "lucky" to have only been trailing by 5. Little did they know ... the C's were about to take the roof off the sucka. I was really scared when Pierce went down. He looked like he was in a lot of pain and at the point of his injury, he was on fire. What was worse, he fell because his legs somehow got caught up in Perkins' legs. As Jere said - can't even blame the Lakers for it. But remarkably, Pierce, with a nicely wrapped knee, came back in the game after seeking quick medical attention. And he was a machine, to boot. Now, let's talk about the Celtics amazing point guard - Rajon Rondo. This guy has been dazzling me all year. Aside from the fact that he is cute as a darned button (he's only 6' 1"), he is spot on. He was a rookie just last year, but he's been playing like a seasoned pro from game 1 of the regular season.

Garnett was his usual awesome self, shooting 24 points. And Ray Allen finally found his game!

I don't know if we'll see Eddie House or Big Baby in the finals. Eh, you never know. But probably not.

What a crazy, glorious night. Kobe is an unbelievable player and this is by no means in the bag.

*all photos from Boston.com

Where's Abe?

Does anyone know what's going on with Matt Clement? Haven't heard anything from that camp in a while. I suppose I could look it up, but alas, I am too lazy.

Red Hot Celtics

Can you believe it? I really don't know what to say. Last night's game was riveting. And a little bittersweet. I really like Delonte West. And in Red Sox news, you have to love being on top in the division standings, and 4.5 up on the Yanks. [Boy, the Yankees are in rough shape these days. And how about that psycho Yankee fan in New Hampshire, killing a Red Sox fan with her vehicle?]

I am on vacation from my day job this week, but it's been anything but a vacation! Doctors appointments, lots of Stella Marie work, shopping, softball, real estate research ... whew!

My mom is getting accustomed to her chemotherapy. And by this, I mean that she knows now what to expect. It's her week off, so she and her husband are spending several days at a Bed and Breakfast on the Cape.

Hodge Podge

Well, the Celtics lost their 3rd game in the series last night, despite a late rally. Garnett had 32 points. That man is a machine! On to game 4 (also in Atlanta).

Also, have you ever noticed that Jacoby Ellsbury looks a lot like Julianna Margulies?



So, my mother had her first chemo treatment last week and it went very well. She is experiencing some slight nausea, despite the anti-nausea meds they've given her. But we suspected as much since the oncologist's nurse had said that her kind of chemo would be especially nauseating. Nice. Thanks a lot. She's enjoying the Crazy, Sexy, Cancer Tips book I gave her, too. I think she is finding that she can relate to the author somewhat because she is also stage 4 (liver cancer = a total m*ther f*cker).

Oh, I forgot to report - our bad news bears-style softball team finally captured a win last week! We shocked ourselves to the core. We went through the entire frostbite season winless, and we even started out the spring that way (We lost our 1st game. Bonus: one of our best players fractured her index finger while trying to catch a line drive. She's on the DL for a few weeks.). We pulled a come-from-behind win out of thin air in the last inning! We screamed like a pack of little girls. The other team must have thought we were a bunch of pathetic morons. I wanted to let them know how huge this was for us, but decided it wasn't a good idea to inform them that they were the first team that stunk enough for us to beat. It was actually their pitcher's fault. She was a former fast pitch softball player and she just lost it in the bottom of the last inning. She was throwing shit way over people's heads and what-have-you. She walked a lot of batters. My proudest moment in the game was catching a high pop-up foul behind the plate (I am catching, still, until I get over the fear of blowing out the quads).

Switching gears: I had another successful spa party with my small soap business. The girls really enjoy complimentary facials! I was invited to a lovely home in Acushnet, MA and the turnout was sizable, so I did pretty well. My mom is hosting one for me in 2 weeks. And a gal from Raynham from the last party wants one, too. I feel really comfortable with the format now. Arrive, set up, mingle while people arrive, introduce myself and talk about my biz, allow the ladies to sample products while I make fresh facials (avocado/yogurt and oatmeal/honey), do the facials, set up the raffle (I raffle off draining soap dishes, loofahs, spa-style eye masks, a few of my products, pumice stones, etc), then do the money thing. It usually lasts 3-4 hours, but it goes by so fast. And all the girls usually know each other, so it's a nice way to spend an evening. Plus, I get to lower some of my prices a bit since there is no shipping involved and Yahoo/Paypal do not get their commission (I do the same at shows).

Speaking of my soap biz - I will be taking part in Somerville's Art Beat festival in July. Details to follow.

This Weekend Wrap

Well, the project from hell is officially over, save for a few minor details. I was able to take Friday off to spend time with Mom and prepare for Saturday's soap show. Check out the pics here.

After the show, we played kickball with friends of ours in Danbury, CT. I haven't down this since the 6th grade, but I must tell you that it was a lot of fun. I guess you just never really forget how to play and that pang of anxiety still hits you right before you kick the ball. I am still sore from playing. I'd better get over it quick, though, 'cause we start softball this week and we've got 2 games to play. Hope the quads hold up for me this year.

We also watched an awesome documentary called, "King of Kong" about 2 dudes competing against each other for the Donkey Kong record. I encourage you to rent this - it was very compelling. I remember when my parents bought me a ColecoVision. DK was a big time obsession in the house for many months. Video games sort of bore me now.

Mom starts chemo this week. She's getting "prepped" on Tuesday, then goes in for her first treatment on Thursday. I bought her a book called, Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips. She's a take charge type person, so I think that she will find this to be helpful. It's a real, "kick serious cancer butt" type book.

Speaking of butt kicking, both the Celtics AND the Red Sox were victorious yesterday. The C's made the Hawks look like a bunch of Strawberry Shortcake dolls in their 104-81 finish. And the Red Sox pulled the win out of thin air.

I can't believe the next Sox game starts in, like, an hour and a half.

Go Marathoners!

Down 5

I finally lost 5 pounds. It's taken me nearly 3 full weeks of careful dieting and devout workouts and virtually no alcohol consumption. Boy, it sure is tough to drop weight as you get older! And I've still got 10 more to go! The good news is that my thighs are now ready for softball. And this year, we have the option of joining a new "work" league, which is different from regulation Boston Ski and Sports Club style softball.

Went to see the Celtics cream the Bobcats at the Garden last night. And I finally bought my Eddie House shirt! I love #50! I adore Garnett, too, but everyone has a KG shirt. Why must House take a back seat? What an amazing game! Rondo is such a joy to watch, too. Not amazing: waiting to exit the parking garage afterward.

How weird is it that the Red Sox signed Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal? A few years ago, this guy was the Ace to beat. Now, with an extra 40 or so pounds on his body, he is vying for a position in the pen with Boston. Life is funny that way.

Work stinks right now. Can I just say that? I am really dreading it these days, as I am working on a horrible and hellish project with a client that should really know better. The good news is that it will only be horrible and hellish for about a month.

Not the Best Ending

Well, that certainly wasn't the outcome we NE fans were expecting on Sunday. It was a total stinger. Being that I am primarily a baseball fan, this disappointment isn't as hard to take for me personally as the 2003 ALCS loss to the Yankees. That one reduced me to a shell of a human being for several days. But this was definitely unexpected and hard to handle. I wasn't even that nervous when there were only 2 minutes left on the clock. I figured: these are the Pats and they'll find a way to win. But they didn't. I blame Belichick for wearing that horrible, tomato red, 3-quarter sleeve sweatshirt. He looked like a moron in that thing and I firmly believe that it had an impact on the outcome of the game. Who manufactured it? I've seen some poor apparel designs in my day, but this one is right up there.

Well, fellow Patriots fans - think not about the loss yesterday. Take comfort in the 3 glorious championships we've enjoyed this decade. And the 18-1 record of the season. That is still one hell of an accomplishment, people. If this isn't enough, think about the 2 World Series trophies we now have and the great possibility that the Celtics will go to the big show this year. Pitchers and catchers report in a couple of weeks. Soon, the crack of the bat will be delighting our ears. And I'm sure the Patriots aren't done winning Super Bowls.

A Night Out with the Sox

This past Thursday night, we went to a benefit in Connecticut where we met three outstanding Red Sox players - the always controversial/never dull Bill Lee, the charismatic Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, and straight man Rich Gedman. After a very interesting buffet-style dinner, we listened as Bill Lee turned every question into a philosophical or political tangent (he was super wasted - are you surprised?). Oil Can and Gedman were a lot more on point with their answers. But each player made a meaningful contribution.

I brought a Red Sox mini bat that my friend Taylor gave me for Christmas last year and had each player sign it. I asked Bill Lee to write, in as large print as possible, "Yankees Suck!" He was happy to oblige. Oil Can's signature is a piece of art. See below.

Ugh.

Dear Jim Rice,

These people are assholes. I can just see them all sitting around eating some shitty continental breakfast at some outdated hotel chain conspiring to keep you from getting in, all while dropping greasy, lardy croissant crumbs all over their cheap suits.

Next year, Jim. It will happen. Hell, we've waited 14 long years. What's another 365 days?

Hang in there. We, your loyal fans, love you no matter what happens.

Kim