Why I Love Ben Affleck's Boston

There are so many landmarks, symbols, colors, things that define the city of Boston, and almost all of them show up time and time again in Ben Affleck's movies.  I saw The Town today, and from the very first scene--bird's eye view of Boston with the Garden in the center--I couldn't help but miss that city.  I'm pretty sure people from the Boston area look at movies like The Town in aversion the way I look at the remake of Hawaii Five-O, but to me, the accents, the Bruins and Sox jackets, the Irish bars, the yellow and orange Fall trees reminded me of all the reasons why I love Boston.

It wasn't until I lived in Boston for college did I understand how it felt to love something so much (like BU hockey) that you would do anything for it or understand how it felt to love something so much that is hurt like hell to lose it (like BU hockey).  I had the fortunate pleasure of working with great people from the Boston area that I would easily call family and the pleasure of witnessing a World Series win along with a National Championship.  Boston is a city where bonds and traditions are strong, and Affleck's The Town perfectly captures the romantic notion of duty, brotherhood and passion.

It always confuses me how a city like NYC can never live up to its movie persona, because the actual NYC is less glamorous, more dirty and smelly and people don't live in 3 bedroom apartments with giant living rooms.  Boston movies, however, always seem more real.  Less icing, more cake.

The Town was an awesome movie and I recommend seeing it.  Now I can't wait for hockey season to start!

Whos says NYC is more romantic than Boston?

Harpoon Brewery Take 2

You can never get enough of a good thing--like BEER!  This weekend, thanks to a Noah and Hannah, I stopped at my old stomping (drinking) grounds Boston and revisited the good 'ole Harpoon Brewery.  Things have changed since a year ago when I last visited: 1) Harpoon is expanding (New Tanks. More Beer. = Happy People!) 2) The Saturday tours are very popular.  Arrive early to guarantee a ticket.  

However, somethings never change like the $5 fee for the tour & tasting (a total deal).  And, Tyler our wize (spelt with a 'z' for flair) tour guide is still here to answer ALL our questions.

While Tyler was pouring us unfiltered IPA, the rest of us either look very distracted (Couper), somewhat attentive (Reese) or very excited (Hannah).

But not as excited as me for the tasting! 100 Barrel series, Belgian Pale Ale are among the varieties they didn't have last year.  This time around I think they filled the tasting glasses a little fuller, so that people would not have as much time to try as many beers, so if you're interested in getting your bang for the five bucks, go straight for the Leviathan.

BU Beats BC at Frozen Fenway

Five months ago when the Boston University vs. Boston College hockey game at Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park was officially announced, I have been dreaming about what the glorious January 8, 2010 would be like--the crisp smell of clean arena ice, ball park food, hockey jerseys, lots of layers and (if I'm lucky) a nice consistent snowfall. Last night was exactly all of that. It was a magical, frigid night, temperatures in the low 'teens. I almost lost some toes, but it is okay because BU won the game 3-2!

Photo Recap:
Reese and I got matcing Hockey East Frozen Fenway 2010 BU Sherpa beanies
National Anthem--Check out the pretty snowfall!
Fenway even updated the Park scoreboard with the hockey game scoreI absolutely loved the BU Fenway jerseys which Coach Parker designed himself. Unfortunately, the jerseys will not be replicated and the team will be the only ones with it. I guess it makes it even more special. I must say the Red Sox font and blades on the Red Sox logo are pretty awesome. Photo courtesy of The Daily Free Press.
Our seats were right behind the BU bandSasquatch made a late third period appearanceLast night reminded me why I love this city, why I love BU, why I love this sport and why I should probably invest in long wool socks and winter boots.

First Snow of Winter 09

This is the first time that I have not seen snow until December. I guess I sort of cheated too, since I went to Boston last weekend and saw my first snow of the winter there. The snow started in the afternoon and went on all night. There was a few inches that stuck to the ground, enough to form snowballs and throw them at cars.

Phantom Gourmet Summer Beach BBQ

Last Saturday, I went to Suffolk Downs (horse racing track) on the Blue Line for Phantom Gourmet's Summer Beach BBQ! Phantom Gourmet is a popular TV show about yummy food in the Greater Boston area. I had high expectations for a Summer BBQ event, as last summer I had amazing ribs at the Big Apple BBQ in NYC's Madison Square Park for only $8. Shown below.Phantom Gourmet Summer BBQ recap:
A shuttle from the T station took us to the BBQ located in the parking lot of Suffolk Downs Horse Racing Track.Upon arrival we received purple mardi gras beads. There was a crowd with a beer in hand standing in a giant sand box (aka beach) in the middle of the parking lot yelling "I LOVE MICHELOB!" I'm not sure if this was a good sign.Every BBQ company had a giant stand set up with a wall of banners flashing awards their ribs or BBQ sauce has won.
I decided on Aussom Aussie's BBQ because it had a crowd and very persuasive banners. Their portions looked big too. I LOVE RIBS. Their half-slab with slaw, beans and bread was $15.
It was the juiciest ribs I've ever had and the bbq sauce had a fruit preserve-like aftertaste. After getting bbq sauce all over the creation and a plate full of bones, we witnessed a MJ dance contest and headed to the race track when the fog was getting thicker. MY FIRST EVER HORSE RACE!
Overall, the food was good but drinks and dessert overpriced (bottle water $3, cannoli $5). There were two major things wrong with Phantom Gourmet's Summer Beach BBQ: 1) The weather was cold, foggy and overcast. 2) Entrance fee was $10 at the door, $5 in advance.

Although Boston had the best ribs, I think NY's Big Apple BBQ wins for overall best summer bbq deal.

FitRec Student Employee of the Month

The last four years I worked at the coolest place on BU's campus, the Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center or I like to call it the most amazing gym ever. FitRec was my second home and the people at the front desk my family. After many 6 a.m. shifts, swim parents and guest passes, I am going to miss putting on my red shirt, but it looks like all my hard work paid off, check this out: Employee of the month baby! If you don't believe me, check it out on the 2nd floor of the gym near the basketball courts.

Thanks to Tom, Alec, Shaun, Katie, Murph, Joe, Deb, Erin, Laura, Michelle for being awesome managers and the PERD staff for keeping the front desk in line.
Remember NO ID. NO ENTRY. (except now we have a one-time courtesy admit, but I won't get into that)

Scooper Bowl Boston

The Scooper Bowl is the "nation's largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival" that raises money for "The Jimmy Fund, which supports cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute." It ends tomorrow and runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. It's at Government Center and cost $8. Totally worth it if you have a heart and really like ice cream.
I was warned by my friend Reese NOT to eat too fast, because you'll easily be done in. There are nine ice cream distributors with four different flavors each, and they give you a LEGIT scoop for each flavor. That's potentially 36 scoops of ice cream.

Trust me, all-you-can-eat ice cream sounds better than it actually is.

Photo recap:

Would have been nice if today was actually sunny

With ex-roomies Reese and Gabs

All the flavors at the Scooper Bowl. Click to enlarge.
Noteable flavor: Maine Lobster Tracks (vanilla ice cream with chocolate fudge and weird red candies filled with caramel that are supposed to look like lobsters)I'm always too scared to eat toxic colored ice cream, kids love this stuffI got through 8 flavors... I feel pretty accomplished

I highly suggest going, even if you aren't crazy for ice cream. It's nice just to sample different flavors. And if you REALLY LOVE ICE CREAM, you may not like it anymore after going... just saying.