That Guy From Bawston

Cross Roads

2010-10-17T19:09:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wonder if things really do happen for a reason? I have asked myself that very question a few times in the last year. It's been a bumpy ride, but I feel really good about the road ahead. With the support of my family (Mila gets wife of the year!) and friends, I have been able to navigate some deep pot holes and come through with only a few dents.

I am on a new career path at Eckerd College (the school that changed my life) and I get to make a real impact by visiting with parents and alumni in New England, my home away from home. I'm so excited about the future, it's crazy. It's an honor and a privilege to be able to assist my alma mater in achieving it's long range goals to keep Eckerd as one of the top small liberal arts colleges in country. As my mentor Mark Smith always said, "Givers always win and takers always lose." (I won't tell you all the other things he said in mixed company!)

So, as I look back at the at the path I traveled, I see right turns and wrong turns, but I got here just the same and for the better. As I look forward, I see new relationships, reacquainted friendships and a renewed confidence. Has everything in my life happened for a reason? I have come to realize, that the answer is Yes.

Summer in Cambridge

2010-07-31T18:42:00.003-04:00

I still know the back way home from the Mass Pike after all these years. Down Storrow Dr., cross the Hahvahd bridge and turn left onto Memorial Dr. Take Mt. Auburn 'til the Tennis Club and take a right, then a left onto Brattle. Bear right and then a quick left on the street that has the BBN school. Up to Huron and take a left, go past Armando's Pizza and take a right. Go past the fire station that you used to be able to by 25 cent tonics from and past Raymond Park, past Fitzy's old house, down the hill on Walden St. and take the third right onto Sycamore.

So many things have changed in Cambridge, yet it still seems the same. The city itself has physically changed, but it feels just like it did 30 years ago. I watch my son, Owen, play catch with my nephew, Liam on the dead end street, during a cool New England summer night. I sit on the front porch and chat about the Sawx with Big Yiayia and drink in the moment. I want it to last forever. I want to be 11 years old again. Play on the street 'til dark and have Ma yell for us to come in. I'm glad my kids can experience, for at least a few days, what I did.

Mila, Zoe and Owen are tired of me pointing out every personal landmark in Cambridge as we walk around the City, but I do it anyway. My old elementary school, the house where Bill Walton lived during his Celtic days, the pit, plus Davis Sq., Porter and of course, The Square, all have stories. Some I can retell and some I can't. And that's what makes Cambridge special to me. Especially in the summer.

The 3 B's

2009-05-20T12:29:00.002-04:00

Everything happens in 3's right? So, last week when the 3 Boston teams (Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins) all played on the same night and all won, you'd think that same scenario would happen 2 more times, right? Wrong! Oh, all 3 teams won the second time they all played on the same day, but with the odds like 564,997 to 1 they would repeat the feat for a third time, it was hard to bet on it. The Bruins lost game 7 in the garden and the Celtics would follow a few nights removed and lose their game 7 in the garden. When was the last time THAT happened? So, it's up to the Sawx to continue the battle of the 3 B's. The Bruins and Celts both have time to watch the remaining 120 Sawx games. Maybe a repeat of last years ALCS with the Rays?

-That Guy from Bawston

My Brother Joe

2009-03-10T20:54:00.003-04:00

So, my brother Joe came down for a weekend of R and R. Well, he really came down for a lot of G (Golf) and B (Beer) and we did lots of both! Man, it was great to see him. Yeah, we talk on the phone, exchange emails, text back and forth, but come on, it's not the same as having him down for a visit. We had a blast!

First, the week leading up to his arrival is just agonizing. We both are having a hard time concentrating on work. We're both just so amped. (that's Joe's phrase - I'm AMPED!) Friday morning finally rolls around and I'm like a giddy school girl. Driving to the airport to get him, I have the windows down and the stereo pumping. As I'm getting off at the airport exit, I get a text from Joe that says, "Just landed!" Damn, I'm late? No, he's early, which is perfect, 'cause we have a 12:08 tee time. The next scene is like a movie. I'm trying to find him in a maze of college softball players down for spring break. Baggage claim is hopping with folks ready to get the heck out of the Boston cold. And then the crowd parts and in a perfectly crystal clear moment, I hear, "What up, Brother!"

We grab his golf clubs and we're off. Run home, drop his stuff, change, head to El Caps for a quick burger (maybe the best in St. Pete!) and a few beers before our tee time. It's now an hour and a half since Joe has been here and it feels like he's been here for a week. It's so comfortable. He doesn't know this, but I miss him. I miss all my brothers. Joe, Fitzy, C-Dogg, Auggie, D-Bomb, Dave. I would do anything for them. I've got their backs and they have mine.

That's what brothers do. They stick up for each other. Even when they have different mothers. Yes, even though Joe and I look striking similar, we aren't blood related. We are, however, just like all My Boys, brothers.

So, the rest of the weekend is perfect. We play more golf, drink more beer and eat lots and lots and lots of wings. We got a chance to really talk, catch up on our busy lives and just plain goof on each other! I had a blast. It's always not enough time, but I'm glad he came down. We're already talking about next year. I can't wait.

Jesse

(Oh, I almost forgot, I finally beat Joe in golf! Gotcha Brother!)

That's it, it's over.

2009-02-25T17:49:00.004-05:00

Well, the winter of '09 is officially over! Put the sweaters away, drain the gas from the snow blowah and get your swim trunks out. What am I talking about, you ask? Let me rephrase, the winter is over in FLA. That's right boys and girls, after a few cold fronts, spring is back with the first pitch of spring training baseball! Ah, the boys of summer are here again.

Oh, we had it rough in St. Pete this winter. I actually had ice (yes, I-C-E) on my windshield about a month ago. It had been so long since I had seen ice on my windshield that I almost forgot what to do. O.K., it was pretty thin and I just wiped it off with my hand, but still!! I felt like I was back home in Cambridge. Getting up early to clean the car, heat up the engine and fight bumper to bumper traffic on icy roads. Now, it wasn't exactly like that but traffic was heavy 'cause all the rest of the true Florida natives had no IDEA how to clean their windshields!

So, baseball is back and the Grapefruit league is underway. The cold fronts are gone and the weather is perfect. Spring is the season I love the most in Florida. It's not hot and humid yet, but warm enough to break a sweat raking all the leaves in the yahd. Playing golf or tennis is a joy and not a chore as it is when you play in July or August. The mornings are crisp and the afternoons delightful. Enough? I get it. As my brother Joe Mazzei would say, "Don't hate the player!"

So, as you endure one more snow storm, leaking basements and the flu, just think of me as I enjoy a Narragansett, watch the Sawx trot out prospect after prospect and think to yourself, why do I live here again?

Pursuit of the Perfect Christmas Tree

2008-12-17T21:15:00.003-05:00

I've been buying Christmas trees in Florida now for almost 20 years and I still can't get over the fact that I can wear shorts and a t-shirt while looking for the perfect tree! A few nights ago we took the kids out in search of the Turtle Christmas tree. (To tell you the truth, we were so late this year, we were just looking for ANY tree.) Now, in the movies, Christmas tree shopping is magical It's always snowing and the family is always happy and out in a beautiful city scene or a rustic tree farm. Our trip was a little more down to earth. First, we were rushing around after work trying to get out the door so we would still have enough time shop, then come home, get dinner ready, eat, put up the tree, finish homework, get the kids to bed.....you get the picture. Second, the kids are goofing off, ("I can't find my shoes" and "Owen, quit it!") so I'm getting louder and louder. Smells like Christmas spirit, right?

So, we finally get out the door and it's about 75 degrees out. Ah, Christmas time in Florida! We've got the windows down and the Christmas carols blasting on the radio. First place we stop, sold out! Second place, sold out! GULP! So, we try a local supermarket that I think sells trees. (I know, it sounds weird, but in Florida, everybody sells Christmas trees, including the dive bar down the street!) Well, they had 4 trees left and with a sign that read, "All Trees $15" Sweet! Three of the trees were about 20 feet tall and weighed 2,349 lbs. The fourth tree was over in a corner on the ground. One of the kids yells, "Hey, mister? What about that one over there?" The tree guy picks up the tree for us and says, "Yeah, ya'll can have this one." A tear grew in my eye and rolled down my cheek. Or it could have been sweat, I'm not sure. It was perfect. The tree guy gave the tree a good thump to open up the branches and half the needles fell off. "We'll take it!"

So, as I unloaded the tree from the roof of the car and the kids and Mila went to kibitz with a neighbor, I thought to myself, it's not about perfect Christmas weather or the perfect setting or perfectly behaved kids, it's about the pursuit. We were all together. We all had an adventure and now, we all have a story to tell. I hope my kids tell their kids and they tell theirs.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Torn between two teams

2008-09-30T19:11:00.003-04:00

As I predicted, the Rays won the division and the Sawx won the wild card. For the past 10 years I have been a Rays fan and of course for the last 40 years, I've been a member of Red Sox Nation. (BII-Born Into It) This year has been different. The Rays are good. Actually, not just good, but damn good! So, now I find myself torn between my HOME team (the Sawx) and my adoptive home team (the D-Rays, oops, sorry, the Rays)

So, what is a Cambridge/St. Pete kid supposed to do? Pull for both teams and hope they both meet in the ALCS. That way I can at least go to the parking lot of the Trop and feel the atmosphere. Tail-gating is allowed at the Trop parking lot and believe me-you, I'll be there in full regalia! At that point, it's all about the Sawx. I love the Rays and want them to go as far as possible, but, come on..... Gotta go with the Sawx!

GO SAWX!!!!!

Commute

2008-09-07T19:02:00.002-04:00

Wow, it's been awhile!! A lot has happened since my last post. The most significant change has been that I now commute to work. My previous commute had been about 30 seconds from my bedroom to my home office. Now I drive about 9 miles to my new job and it takes me about 30 minutes. It's pretty frustrating!

O.K., it's not a New England work commute, but still.... Some of you have to commute many miles and hours to get to and from work. It's a right of passage. Some folks take a train, some drive with the rest of the shmucks and some take a bus. Here in Florida, the traffic isn't as bad. Some of my friends go up to Tampa or Clearwater. They complain, but it's nothing like Boston!

I'm finally getting used to the drive. It's been 6 months so far and I really shouldn't complain. A 30 minute drive to work?! It's a piece of cake compared to New England.

Greatest Month of the Year

2008-02-28T17:41:00.003-05:00

Let's face it, March is the greatest month of the year. First, you've got spring training. It's exciting 'cause you've got guys who are trying to make the team and are busting their butts. Plus, you can watch a game in sunny Florida while the rest of your buddies are still freezing up North. The Sawx look good again and we could use a boost in the arm after the Pats blew the SuperBowl.

This video of the Drop Kick Murphy's will get you pumped for the Sawx Spring Training games and St. Patty's Day!

Second, you've got St. Patty's Day. Crazy celebrations in New England since half the population is Irish (or claims to be) and you can drink at 10 am and no one cares! Third, spring skiing. Tons of snow and you can ski in shorts. I always say that I'll go back up North to do some skiing in March, but I can never get around to it. Heck, I also say I'm going to get to the beach more often (it's 10 minutes away) and I never do that either!

And lastly, March is the greatest month of the year 'cause of March Madness. College hoops has to be one of the most exciting sports to watch and the Final Four is never without a cinderella story or spectacular highlights. Remember when Pat Ewing blocked (goal tended) the first like 6 shots during the Final Four. Or when Chris Webber called a timeout, but didn't have one? March Madness is one and done. The way a playoff/tournament should be and that makes EVERY game, EVERY possession, a potential top ten play on ESPN. It's a great way to end the Greatest Month of the Year!

Jesse

Surprise 40th Birthday

2008-02-14T07:27:00.008-05:00

First off, a tip of the cap to The Giants. They hit The Pats where it hurts, right in the Tom Bradyies. Ouch! I haven't cried that long and hard since I lost my first little league game. I'm still shaking my head, saying to myself, "What happened?" Well, as they say in the sports world, "I just want to put this behind me and move forward" So on a happier note:

My buddy Joe's 40th birthday was this past Sunday and his wife got him the best present ever. A trip to spend the weekend with his friend in Florida (me), playing golf, drinking beer and goofing on each other. If you remember in a past post, I was complaining that none of my buddies from Mass came down to visit. Well, this planted the seed in Joe's mind and he kept talking about and his wife got the hint.

When Joe's wife, Jen, called me about the trip, this is how the conversation went:
-Jen: "Hey, Jesse, it's Jen. I'm calling to see if it's O.K. if I send Joe down to your house to play golf?"
-Me: (picture me holding the phone and saying nothing trying to process if this was a surprise present for Joe or for me)
-Jen: "Jesse, are you there?"
-Me: "Jen, call me back on my cell. I'm headed to the airport to wait for Joe"
-Jen: "But he doesn't come down for two months!"

You get the picture. So, the first thing I do after hanging up, well the first thing I did was scream like a nine year old at a Hannah Montana concert, but after that, I call up my two other buddies and get them in on coming down too. But we don't tell Joe. My buddy Fitz gets a flight out the night before Joe comes down and my other buddy, C-Dogg, gets on the same flight as Joe. We keep the secret for the whole two months! Joe is busting chops the whole time that no one else can go on the trip. He has no idea.

C-Dogg keeps the secret going, by hiding from Joe on the plane and actually sits four rows behind Joe and he still has no clue. How do you not notice a guy who is 6-4, 240 lbs who happens to be one of your best friends? Joe finally recognizes C-Dogg by baggage claim. He's like, "C-Dogg?, what the "bleep" are you doing here?" "Is Fitz here too?" Colin plays the fool and says no.

The ruse continues. Fitz is hiding in my kitchen. Joe and C-Dogg get to my house and after a few minutes of "I can't believe you guys" from Joe, we go into the kitchen and Fity is standing there with a video camera! The reaction from Joe was priceless. His first words were, "You Mother "bleepers". After that he just kept repeating the phrase for about ten minutes.

The weekend was filled with a lot of golf, a lot of beer and even more busting chops. Most of all, it was a chance for us to hang out and just be ourselves, like in high school. Joe summed up the weekend perfectly. He said, "I'm blown away." We'll talk about this weekend for years now. Happy Birthday Joe!

Jesse
That Guy From Bawston

I'm Smahta Than You

2008-01-31T10:28:00.000-05:00

Am I smahta than you? Why yes, I am. Do you know why? 'Cause I'm from New England, that's why. With over 260 universities and colleges across New England (with Mass having the most at 111) it's no wonder that we've got the smahtest people in the country. New England also boasts award winning authors, past presidents, and scientists such as Calvin Coolidge, Henry David Thoreau, Norman Rockwell, Louisa May Alcott just to name a few.

Now, your thinking every region has knuckle heads and New England is no different. It just seems to me that the rest of the country has more knuckle heads and NE has more thinkers. So now your saying, why did I move away from NE and to Florida? Well, I'm just smahtah then the rest of the folks back home suffering through long winters, dense traffic, and short summers. I fled to the Sunshine State for college and never went back. I've got the best of both worlds. New England upbringing and warm winters!

To further illustrate my point, the smahtest person I know is my grandmother, Nora (Big Yiayia). She is 93 years old and is still pretty sharp. She reads, does crossword puzzles and is an avid sports fan. Her memory is going some, her knees ache from years of arthritis, but when I call her to talk about the Sawx or Pats, she is quick with the wit and can remember every detail of the game. She has inspired me to exercise my brain as she does and I started doing crossword puzzles everyday and reading more novels. I can only hope that I'm half as smaht as she at 93.

And of course I will be, 'cause I'm from New England and your not.

The BUZZ

2008-01-16T10:50:00.000-05:00

Everyone is talking about the NE Patriots and how they could go 19-0 this season. They're talking about the playoff game this Sunday against the Chargers. You see folks everywhere wearing Pat's hats, gloves, jackets, etc. Me, I can't see or hear any of that 'cause I'm in FLA. I can't feel the buzz down here. And that's one of the things I miss about being away from home.

Yes, I talk to my buddies via cell phone and I read all the hype on the web, but it's not the same as being in the thick of it. I love being able to walk down the street and high five some guy I don't know, just 'cause he's got on a Pat's sweatshirt! Oh, I'll see the occasional NE fan down here in the grocery store and we may exchange a few words like "Go Pat's" but I want the full out onslaught of seeing the flying Elvis or Pat Patriot logo everywhere! Some lucky fans outside of NE have a sports bar that they call their home away from home (Foxboro Tavern for example in Naples, Fl or Sonny McLean's in L.A.) In St. Pete? Nothing.

So, I sit at my computer and read the Boston Globe, email buddies and sulk. Most of the time I'm so busy, I don't really miss being in Mass (especially during a snow storm!), but during the playoffs, I'd love to be able to fly up for the week and be in the buzz!

Jesse
(Sawx Tee Shirts on sale now until spring training starts at Bawston Tee Company!)

Merry Christmas

2007-12-20T10:20:00.000-05:00

Have you shipped out all your Christmas presents to family back in New England? Just barely for me. I did some online shopping this year as well, but I was even late with that too! I had a hard time getting into the "spirit" this year. Maybe I'm getting grouchy in my old age or maybe it's being away from home. (funny, I've been away from Cambridge for almost 20 years and I still call it home)

Trust me, I don't miss the snow, but I miss the spirit that comes with the cold weather. If your like me and moved to a warm climate, it has an effect on your holiday moods. Floridians tend to go over board on the decorations, I guess in search of that holiday spirit that naturally comes with winter time of the North. It seems to manufactured, forced almost.

This year my mom is coming down for Christmas, so I'll get a taste of New England for a week. I also call my grandmother about once a week to keep my holiday spirits up and my quota of sports talk up.

To all, Happy Holidays!!

Jesse

(shameless promotion: Sawx T-Shirts on sale now for $15! And free knit winter hats for every order @ Bawston Tee Company)

Massholes

2007-12-12T16:54:00.000-05:00

Is it me or is everyone from New England a smart ass? Judge for yourself.
Below is an actual email I sent to my buddies in Mass to entice them to come down to Florida. After that, you'll find the response I got from my buddy Auggie. Enjoy!!

"Boys,
I know your sick of me talking about playing golf while you guys are
freezing your butts off, but I can't help it! I'm making up for all
those times that you all were planning golf during the summer and of
course I couldn't go!!

Went out yesterday for 9 holes at the end of the day. Shot a 47, but I
felt like my game should have been better. Anyway, on hole 16 (par 5 -
465yards) I hit my drive left of center and just barely miss going into
a trap. Now I'm on kinda of lip just past the trap and I've got some
tall palms trees in front of me. I say "Eff" it and pull out the 3
hybrid and put the ball in front of my stance to get some height, 'cause
I'm going up and over! I never thought I would make it (which equates
to a nice and easy swing) and BAM! The shot goes up and through the
palms and lands a little right of the green on that first cut stuff.
(not officially on but damn close) Close enough to putt.

So, I'm screaming and of course, no one can hear me 'cause I'm by
myself. (it's fun to play with other guys, but would I play as good?)
Now I'm thinking eagle. My putt is around 25 feet, but uphill and
through some first cut crap. I'm thinking makeable after my incredible
shot to get here in two or at least a birdie. Now all this is swirling
in my head and I three putt! AARRRGGHHHH

I double bogey the next par 3 and then finally get my head straight and
bogey the final hole.

All this rubbing in of playing golf on Dec. 6 in 75 degree weather is
supposed to entice you to come and visit me and play golf all weekend!!
Myrtle Beach in September and Casa Turtle in January?!"

Here is the reply by my buddy Auggie (frigging funny!)

"I've got a similar story.

I was shoveling the snow off my driveway last week.

I only had 10 minutes before I would be late for work.

I say "Eff" and pull out the Ames Super Scoop snow shovel and widen my stance, making sure not to use my legs (which equates to spine-safe lifting method) and BAM! 5 minutes later and I'm almost done.

So, I'm screaming and, of course, my neighbors think I'm crazy, and I'm thinking I'll have time to go through Dunkin's drive-thru and get a bear claw and moccachino-soy-latte.

Now all of this is swirling in my head, and I go to shovel the last 10 feet of the drive way, and all the leaves that I didnt rake last week slow my shoveling down to a snails pace.

I end up being 15 minutes late to work, and no Dunkin's.

All of this is supposed to entice me to visit you too..."

Jesse
Coming soon to http://www.bawstontee.com - Free knit Bawston Tee knit hats with every order. Check it out!

The Evil Empire

2007-12-06T11:43:00.000-05:00

My friend Auggie sent out a picture with the subject line: "The Evil Empire". Of course, I thought of the Yankees, right? Wrong, it was the Pats coach Bill Belichick with his three Super Bowl rings on and his middle finger up. I disputed to my buddies, that you can't call any team "The Evil Empire" 'cept the Dreaded Yankees. They pointed out that if you ask anyone outside of the "Nation" they might say The Patriots.

After serious reflection, I've come up with this: They have gone from being the "new" America's Team to cheating bullies of the NFL in a matter of a few years! Spygate helped spawn this new hatred of The Pats, but it started early than that. People love teams that can repeat championships, but seem to feel bad for other teams when the same team keeps winning. Why are dynasties out of favor? Is it our society that wants everyone to be a winner (don't get me started on that topic!!) Or is it the major sports leagues that want to spread the wealth around?

Second (and probably most important), the Pats are blowing teams OUT! Apparently, only folks in NE think this is a good thing. What's wrong with scoring whenever you can? Isn't that the point? What would happen if the Pats let up on a team and then lost late in the fourth quarter? Every sports writer in the country would be all over them. These guys are professionals and they are being paid to score points. So, why not score as often as you can? It's not Pop Warner football, ladies, this in the NFL

Last note: Undefeated season? Yes. Super Bowl? Yes. Champs again? Yes. (and I can't wait for the Miami game!!)

GO PATS!!

Jesse

Thanksgiving in South Beach

2007-11-26T11:03:00.000-05:00

What's it like to have Thanksgiving among the beautiful people? Well, I found out. This year I packed the family in the SUV and headed to South Beach Miami to spend Thanksgiving with some friends. They have a condo right on the southern tip of SoBe (trendy way of saying South Beach, actually everything is trendy in SoBe!) and they live on the southern side of the building with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean from the 35th floor. Not exactly what you think of when you picture Thanksgiving in your head.

Growing up, Thanksgiving was about bundling up in a warm coat, going outside during halftime of the football game and working off all the turkey you just ate, so you could eat more pie. While I was in high school, I was always playing football on Thanksgiving, which meant I was always in a bad mood because my high school team stunk and we always lost. Now that I have my own family, we have created our own Florida version of T-Day (basically the same thing, except I fry a turkey)

In South Beach, it's all about how long you can stay at the pool before your pre-cooked turkey heats up! Tan and beautifully enhanced women and buff men are laying out by the pool like it's a normal day. Most are on their cell phones, some are ignoring their bratty kids and some are replaying the previous night's party.

Our friends made a traditional turkey dinner with all the usual sides so that brought back some sense of a real Thanksgiving. The football game was on and we had apple and pumpkin pie and we had our friends parents there too, so it felt like a family. But as we walked back to our hotel at 10 pm, we saw a restaurant full of people eating dinner outside. Who eats dinner at 10 pm on Thanksgiving Day?

The Beautiful people of SoBe.

Best Poet in the Universe

2007-11-14T10:57:00.000-05:00

So you are thinking that maybe it's Emily Dickenson or Walt Whitman? Not in my poetry book. It's Irene Koronas. Never heard of the critically acclaimed Cambridge, MA poet/artist? She lives in the Hub of the Universe, so that makes her the Best Poet in the Universe. You might know her better as my mother.

Yes, she is the women who carried me for 9 months and gave birth to me. But, what you might not know is that she has been creating art, both visual and written, since the age of twelve. She has a fine art degree from the Mass School of Art, she is the Poet Editor of the Wilderness House Literary Review, the "word catcher" for the Bagel Bards (a weekly gathering of local poets) and most recently a finalist for the first ever Cambridge Poet Populist.

I have been exposed to art, in many forms, all my life because it was always around. Not only in my house, but in New England. Many a weekend days were spent being dragged to another gallery, outdoor sculpture garden or bookstore. Then I was a little brat, now I'm gratefull to have grown up in a region rich with culture. I love living in St. Pete, FL, but it's nothing like the Hub of the Universe.

Enjoy this poem by Irene Koronas:

the following poem is in gratitude to the people in the city I love:

tree line streets and gingko leaves pressed between pages

some refer to my city as the republic of Cambridge

when blizzard pounded my door, the funds needed to rescue

when other doors were shut, this city released relief

my groceries in reusable bags, an easy carry,

to the dead end street where I've lived forty years,

where maple and ash trees change from green to yellow

as often as good neighbors

resting at night beside great grandmother, grandfather,

students, doctor, architects, artists and a photographer.

conversations with mothers, computer programmer,

office worker and retired factory help. our street has seven addresses,

four houses and two abutters

where else can I meet the world on a small short street.

where else can I hear dialects, differences a close beat

where else can an old woman walk one block to a bus stop,

two to four blocks to grocery store, post office, coffee shop,

or pass by the elderly center for a yoga class, or just to ask,

is this the center of the universe

Irene Koronas

Gone Baby Gone

2007-11-08T19:43:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the new movie, Gone Baby Gone? (or is it Gawn Baby Gawn?) It's the new Dennis Lehane movie set in Dorchester and directed by Ben Affleck and starring Casey Afflect, both Cambridge, MA boys. Dennis Lehane is also a MA kid (Dorchester) and wrote Mystic River. I had the great pleasure of seeing a pre-screening of Gone Baby Gone through an Eckerd College event with Dennis answering questions at the end of the film.

The film is entertaining, compelling and authentic. And by authentic, I mean, it's got a real Boston feel, not the usual fake accents and sets made to look like Boston. Ben Affleck does a great job at capturing the Dorchester attitude in his directorial debut and Casey Affleck is phenomenal in developing his character.

The film brings to mind other movies set in New England that are believeable and others that aren't. Obviously, Good Will Hunting is on top of the list. I'm on the fence about The Departed. Marky Mark does the accent justice, but not really on Martin Sheen. I'd so no on Fever Pitch. Too cute and other then the Fenway shots, it's not true to New England. Let me hear your comments on others. I know I'm missing a ton of movies. What was the one set in Maine with Kathy Bates?

Side note about the Pats: 9-0 Baby!! Thought the game against the Colts was going to be an offensive slugfest, but was way below the over. I can't really see them losing. Any takers on a bet?

Jesse

Eight in a Row - Sox Champs Again

2007-10-31T11:58:00.000-04:00

The Red Sox are the 2007 World Series Champions!! Did you believe they would sweep the Rockies? Did you think they would sweep the Cardinals in '04? Me neither. Eight world series games in a row. How do I feel? I can't put it into words. I just want to celebrate with the team and live in the moment. To tell you the truth, I'm a little jealous that I'm not back home now, celebrating with the Nation. It's just not the same watching the Rolling Rally from Channel 4 streaming video.

I remember when my dad took us out of school to watch the Celtics parade in '86. It was awesome. You felt like you were part of the team. Something I'll never forget. We actually saw Bill Walton driving through Harvard Square after the parade on his way home. These are the times when I feel home sick. So, like everyone else, I rely on the internet and my cell phone to keep me in touch.

I call my 93 year old grandmother and get her thoughts on the game. She loves Wakefield, but hates Schilling. She is a die hard Boston sports fan through and through. I call my family, my buddies, I call anyone who will listen to me rant and rave about the Sawx. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.

So now we can bask in the glory of another World Series win, look forward to hopefully seeing the Pat's in another Super Bowl, actually get to watch the Celtics on T.V. and see them win with the new Big 3 and possibly be home to the BCS Champion Boston College Eagles. Life is good for NE sports fans. Let's ride the wave.

In honor of the Red Sox World Series win, I'm offering a special "Buy 3 get 1 free" deal for your favorite T-Shirts from The Bawston Tee Company. Just use coupon code: GOSAWX
*Offer expires on 11/7 so buy now and save!

Hey, you're that guy/girl from Boston!

2007-10-24T16:03:00.000-04:00

Have you heard "Hey, you're that guy (or girl) from Boston, right? If you're like me, you've heard it a thousand times. And you know what, it doesn't get old. I've been down in St. Pete, FL for almost 18 years now, but I'm still proud of being from Cambridge. I'm still a die hard Sox, Pats, C's and B's fan. I scour the internet for every piece of news out of New England. And I try to get my hands on any t-shirt or hat that has anything to do with the Northeast.

I'm thinking this New England pride is not just felt by me, but by thousands of people who grew up in NE and now live somewhere else. This has led me to two things. First, I've started a company (The Bawston Tee Company) which allows me to create T-Shirts that celebrate the colorful language of our fair region. And second, this blog, which I hope will be a gathering place for all us New Englanders out there living across the country.

So far, we offer four designs in 100% organic cotton. We'll be offering several more in the months to come (and all in 100% organic cotton-just trying to do our part!) If you have an idea, post it here or send it to me @ jesse@bawstontee.com. I'll be adding a "what do you think" section to the blog as well, so everyone can vote on t-shirt designs. Who knows, if I pick your design, I'll be giving out free stuff. (I don't know what the free stuff is yet, but it'll be cool!)

I'll be posting on a regular basis on various subjects of interest to the "Nation" (I'll herein refer to "you", people born and raised in New England, but now living somewhere else, as The Nation and yes I'm stealing this from Red Sox Nation, it's just easier) I'll also be posting T-Shirt design ideas and asking for ideas too! So, visit often, comment, post pictures, and subscribe! And don't forget to check out BawstonTee.com

Jesse