We take a lot of pictures. Inevitably, one of us is not paying attention. 9 out of 10 times, it is me.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
not camera ready
We take a lot of pictures. Inevitably, one of us is not paying attention. 9 out of 10 times, it is me.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
becoming brand loyal
Funny..
I work for a coffee company- and this note went out in a weekly blog (usually done by the CAO, but guest written by the Frank, the front desk guy / Mayor of "Brand Central").
Note to orientation employees: If the hotel you’re staying in doesn’t have our coffee then don’t bring in another brand. It won’t get by me. Wait until you get here and I’ll get you a good cup.
I wonder if they actually didn't think twice and brought the competitor?!
I work for a coffee company- and this note went out in a weekly blog (usually done by the CAO, but guest written by the Frank, the front desk guy / Mayor of "Brand Central").
Note to orientation employees: If the hotel you’re staying in doesn’t have our coffee then don’t bring in another brand. It won’t get by me. Wait until you get here and I’ll get you a good cup.
I wonder if they actually didn't think twice and brought the competitor?!
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Pope comes to NYC
The Pope was in NYC this weekend, as was I. I went to visit a friend, and didn't really consider the Pope's presence, or consider the additional crowd that would be in the city to see (stalk) him.
NYC is full on a normal day. Then, on the weekends, there are plenty of tourists. Add on to that gorgeous weather that brings everyone out of the house, and a visit from the Pope, which is a pretty big deal to some people. I think one of my favorite sights was the group of about 15 nuns parading down 5th ave. . attempting to keep some semblance of a line, like the rows of little girls in the Madeline books. http://www.madeline.com/
We were fighting the crowds within a 10 block radius of 72nd street. Roads from E. 72nd Street, Madison to Fifth Avenue were shut down, even to pedestrians. You could still go to certain places, such as the MOMA, but if you didn't go in that museum door, turn around and go back because you couldn't go past the museum entrance. It got a bit frustrating when we found we couldn't cross the street to get to Central Park. Every police officer we asked said we could turn down a different street. I was beginning to think it was an inside joke they all were in on.
Us: "At what street can we turn to get to Central Park?"
Cop: "Hm, 68th."
Us: "Great, thanks."
@ 68th St.
Us:"Looks like this is blocked too.. excuse me, officer, where can we turn to get to Central Park? Another cop told us 68th.."
Cop: "Ha, I don't know who told you that!" (and so on...)
Anyway, we passed by many entrepreneurs selling Pope merchandise. . t-shirts, buttons/pins, even flags. (What do you do with a Pope flag? ) Finally we made it to the park. (My first time there! Crazy, I know.)
It was much calmer on the inside paths of 'The Ramble' and we breathed a sigh of relief to be out of the craziness. We wandered around, and wondered why Central Park didn't have a lot of signage, or why the map given to us at the Belveldere Castle was missing so much information. We listened to stage performer violently strum his guitar and sing unintelligible lyrics, then continued on to find the elusive Strawberry Fields section.
After a ton of walking in what I've determined are not the best walking shoes (but they are so cute!), we headed back to the Bronx for our favorite snack (chips & salsa), Corona, and finally a fabulous hibatchi dinner at Ohana in City Island.
NYC is full on a normal day. Then, on the weekends, there are plenty of tourists. Add on to that gorgeous weather that brings everyone out of the house, and a visit from the Pope, which is a pretty big deal to some people. I think one of my favorite sights was the group of about 15 nuns parading down 5th ave. . attempting to keep some semblance of a line, like the rows of little girls in the Madeline books. http://www.madeline.com/
We were fighting the crowds within a 10 block radius of 72nd street. Roads from E. 72nd Street, Madison to Fifth Avenue were shut down, even to pedestrians. You could still go to certain places, such as the MOMA, but if you didn't go in that museum door, turn around and go back because you couldn't go past the museum entrance. It got a bit frustrating when we found we couldn't cross the street to get to Central Park. Every police officer we asked said we could turn down a different street. I was beginning to think it was an inside joke they all were in on.
Us: "At what street can we turn to get to Central Park?"
Cop: "Hm, 68th."
Us: "Great, thanks."
@ 68th St.
Us:"Looks like this is blocked too.. excuse me, officer, where can we turn to get to Central Park? Another cop told us 68th.."
Cop: "Ha, I don't know who told you that!" (and so on...)
Anyway, we passed by many entrepreneurs selling Pope merchandise. . t-shirts, buttons/pins, even flags. (What do you do with a Pope flag? ) Finally we made it to the park. (My first time there! Crazy, I know.)
It was much calmer on the inside paths of 'The Ramble' and we breathed a sigh of relief to be out of the craziness. We wandered around, and wondered why Central Park didn't have a lot of signage, or why the map given to us at the Belveldere Castle was missing so much information. We listened to stage performer violently strum his guitar and sing unintelligible lyrics, then continued on to find the elusive Strawberry Fields section.
After a ton of walking in what I've determined are not the best walking shoes (but they are so cute!), we headed back to the Bronx for our favorite snack (chips & salsa), Corona, and finally a fabulous hibatchi dinner at Ohana in City Island.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Big Papi's jersey fetches $175K
Big Papi's jersey fetches $175K
April 24, 2008 11:05 AM
(Frances Roberts/AP)
Frank Gramarossa, project executive for the new Yankee Stadium, removed the jersey from the floor of a service corridor 10 days ago.
By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff
It’s not much of a shirt, it’s true. It’s torn. It’s dirty. Being buried in the concrete under a stadium construction project and then being drilled out by jackhammers will do that to you.
But the David Ortiz jersey that a construction worker buried under the site of the new Yankee Stadium is a quirky piece of baseball history -- and it sold this afternoon for $175,100 on eBay.
The Yankees, despite being the targets of the would-be curse, donated the jersey to the Jimmy Fund, which auctioned it off to raise funds for cancer care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
The website says that 282 people placed bids before the auction ended at 12:30 p.m.
people love to overreact
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/sports/baseball/14jersey.html?em&ex=1208404800&en=beb30cd4426cc6c4&ei=5087%0A
So - a construction worker/Red Sox fan in NY buried a Red Sox Jersey in the foundation of the new baseball stadium, and all hell is breaking loose. The Yankees' president and COO were on site as two workers dug through concrete to get the jersey out of the ground.
Radio DJ's in Boston (WBCN) thought this was mildly ridiculous, because people were saying that removing the jersey will eliminate the risk of a curse on the team. Red Sox fans were calling in saying that the construction worker was attempting to actually 'reverse the curse' and put it on the Yankees. I laughed out loud as I was driving home listening to the DJ's (Toucher and Rich) go off about how insane this was.
"OOh he put a curse on us! What is this, a witch trial?"
"Put him in a tank of water and if he drowns, he wasn't a witch"
"You cannot curse people! There are no such things as curses!'
But people love to overreact... and this dude might have charges against him for ..... burying a shirt?
______________________________________________
April 14, 2008
The Big Dig: The Yanks Uncover a Red Sox Jersey
By SUSHIL CHEEMA
With dust swirling around them on Sunday afternoon, Frank Gramarossa and Rich Corrado extracted a Red Sox jersey that a construction worker had buried at the site of the new Yankee Stadium. After workers used jackhammers to break through about two and a half feet of concrete, Gramarossa and Corrado pulled out a dusty, torn David Ortiz jersey.
Randy Levine, the Yankees’ president, and Lonn Trost, the team’s chief operating officer, presided over what Levine called an “excavation ceremony.” The New York Post had reported Friday that a Red Sox-rooting construction worker hoping to curse the Yankees’ new stadium had buried a Red Sox jersey at the site last week.
But Levine said the team knew the location that was initially reported was inaccurate, because workers did not pour concrete in that area on the day the jersey was said to have been added to the mix. On Saturday morning, the Yankees got a tip from two other construction workers on the location of the jersey.
“Two thoughts occurred to us,” Levine said. “One is that it’s never a good thing to be buried in cement in New York, so we thought about just pouring more cement on it.”
Instead, the Yankees decided to turn what Levine called a “bad, dastardly act” into a good one.
Levine said the extracted jersey would be cleaned up, put in a display case along with a Yankees Universe T-shirt and sent to Boston. There, the Ortiz jersey and Yankee T-shirt will be auctioned to benefit the Jimmy Fund, the Red Sox’ primary charity, which is affiliated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Trost said that the Yankees were speaking with the Bronx district attorney’s office about whether there was any criminality involved in the act and that the team was considering filing charges against the construction worker, identified by The Associated Press as Gino Castignoli, a Bronx resident.
“We take great pride in hiring Bronx residents,” Levine said. “He abused the privilege.”
Like many of the workers at the site, Gramarossa said he was a big Yankee fan. “A lot of construction workers are proud of this job and were upset it was in there,” he said.
So - a construction worker/Red Sox fan in NY buried a Red Sox Jersey in the foundation of the new baseball stadium, and all hell is breaking loose. The Yankees' president and COO were on site as two workers dug through concrete to get the jersey out of the ground.
Radio DJ's in Boston (WBCN) thought this was mildly ridiculous, because people were saying that removing the jersey will eliminate the risk of a curse on the team. Red Sox fans were calling in saying that the construction worker was attempting to actually 'reverse the curse' and put it on the Yankees. I laughed out loud as I was driving home listening to the DJ's (Toucher and Rich) go off about how insane this was.
"OOh he put a curse on us! What is this, a witch trial?"
"Put him in a tank of water and if he drowns, he wasn't a witch"
"You cannot curse people! There are no such things as curses!'
But people love to overreact... and this dude might have charges against him for ..... burying a shirt?
______________________________________________
April 14, 2008
The Big Dig: The Yanks Uncover a Red Sox Jersey
By SUSHIL CHEEMA
With dust swirling around them on Sunday afternoon, Frank Gramarossa and Rich Corrado extracted a Red Sox jersey that a construction worker had buried at the site of the new Yankee Stadium. After workers used jackhammers to break through about two and a half feet of concrete, Gramarossa and Corrado pulled out a dusty, torn David Ortiz jersey.
Randy Levine, the Yankees’ president, and Lonn Trost, the team’s chief operating officer, presided over what Levine called an “excavation ceremony.” The New York Post had reported Friday that a Red Sox-rooting construction worker hoping to curse the Yankees’ new stadium had buried a Red Sox jersey at the site last week.
But Levine said the team knew the location that was initially reported was inaccurate, because workers did not pour concrete in that area on the day the jersey was said to have been added to the mix. On Saturday morning, the Yankees got a tip from two other construction workers on the location of the jersey.
“Two thoughts occurred to us,” Levine said. “One is that it’s never a good thing to be buried in cement in New York, so we thought about just pouring more cement on it.”
Instead, the Yankees decided to turn what Levine called a “bad, dastardly act” into a good one.
Levine said the extracted jersey would be cleaned up, put in a display case along with a Yankees Universe T-shirt and sent to Boston. There, the Ortiz jersey and Yankee T-shirt will be auctioned to benefit the Jimmy Fund, the Red Sox’ primary charity, which is affiliated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Trost said that the Yankees were speaking with the Bronx district attorney’s office about whether there was any criminality involved in the act and that the team was considering filing charges against the construction worker, identified by The Associated Press as Gino Castignoli, a Bronx resident.
“We take great pride in hiring Bronx residents,” Levine said. “He abused the privilege.”
Like many of the workers at the site, Gramarossa said he was a big Yankee fan. “A lot of construction workers are proud of this job and were upset it was in there,” he said.
Monday, March 31, 2008
those life lessons from kindergarten were quite important
It's funny how things that are relevant at age 6 are perhaps more relevant at 26.
Whatever happened to "Two wrongs do not make a right"? Do you really feel better when you have hurt someone back the way they hurt you?
It makes me think that the simple rules of life - that we learn in kindergarten - are really some of the most important ones to live by.
Whatever happened to "Two wrongs do not make a right"? Do you really feel better when you have hurt someone back the way they hurt you?
It makes me think that the simple rules of life - that we learn in kindergarten - are really some of the most important ones to live by.
Monday, March 10, 2008
playing it safe
I have typecast myself in my own life. Strange, right? because I am the writer and director of it. But I realize that I typically play it safe. I'm afraid to get in trouble, play just far enough outside the comfort zone to have some adventures but nothing too crazy.
If I continue on this path and look back in 10 years, I will be thoroughly disapointed. If someone else came to me with the adventures and outcomes I can imagine for myself - I would be insanely jealous. So, it would be a no brainer to go out and fix this, right??
If I continue on this path and look back in 10 years, I will be thoroughly disapointed. If someone else came to me with the adventures and outcomes I can imagine for myself - I would be insanely jealous. So, it would be a no brainer to go out and fix this, right??
st. paul
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/usworld/news-article.aspx?storyid=103979
Smoking has been banned in bars in CT and MA for quite some time... I can't imagine ever going back to it! However, the rest of the country is still working on banning smoking in their restaurants and bars. . and it seems people aren't taking it well!
St. Paul, MN bar owners are finding loopholes to the new rule, by claiming that their bars are "theaters" and that patrons are "actors" in an improv show. Smoking inside is legal - if it is part of a theater production. I could credit their creative interpretations, but is smoking inside really that important? I heard this story on NPR, where they quoted a smoker/bar patron saying something to the effect of 'things are back to normal, I like that I can smoke and not be inconvenienced.' Ok buddy, what about the inconvenience you are causing non smokers? Is it really such a big deal to just go outside? If so, maybe the best thing is to stay home and smoke inside, only damaging your own lungs and affecting your own clothes!
Smoking has been banned in bars in CT and MA for quite some time... I can't imagine ever going back to it! However, the rest of the country is still working on banning smoking in their restaurants and bars. . and it seems people aren't taking it well!
St. Paul, MN bar owners are finding loopholes to the new rule, by claiming that their bars are "theaters" and that patrons are "actors" in an improv show. Smoking inside is legal - if it is part of a theater production. I could credit their creative interpretations, but is smoking inside really that important? I heard this story on NPR, where they quoted a smoker/bar patron saying something to the effect of 'things are back to normal, I like that I can smoke and not be inconvenienced.' Ok buddy, what about the inconvenience you are causing non smokers? Is it really such a big deal to just go outside? If so, maybe the best thing is to stay home and smoke inside, only damaging your own lungs and affecting your own clothes!
Friday, February 22, 2008
la la la
My IPOD is possessed. I literally have it nearby all the time, since I have realized that music keeps me sane. (or happy, excited, or calm - whatever the situation calls for.)
Anyway - I KNOW I turned it off after the gym last night. Then pressed the 'lock' button so that when I shove it in my pockets or bag it won't turn on and drain the battery. I double checked it. OFF.
Not so much. Last night, around 11 I'm lying in bed and hear this faint noise like singing. I start wandering around my room - sure enough my IPOD is playing through my headphones. Strangely, it is still in 'lock' mode.. which means it could not have turned itself on. And, it is on a different playlist than what I had it on. Perhaps our house ghost, Eugene*, enjoys my music as much as I do, and wanted to listen?
*He's real, he flickers lights, turns off the TV while we are watching it, turns on the faucet, hides our things, and leaves dishes in the sink. Apparently he listens to IPOD's as well.
Anyway - I KNOW I turned it off after the gym last night. Then pressed the 'lock' button so that when I shove it in my pockets or bag it won't turn on and drain the battery. I double checked it. OFF.
Not so much. Last night, around 11 I'm lying in bed and hear this faint noise like singing. I start wandering around my room - sure enough my IPOD is playing through my headphones. Strangely, it is still in 'lock' mode.. which means it could not have turned itself on. And, it is on a different playlist than what I had it on. Perhaps our house ghost, Eugene*, enjoys my music as much as I do, and wanted to listen?
*He's real, he flickers lights, turns off the TV while we are watching it, turns on the faucet, hides our things, and leaves dishes in the sink. Apparently he listens to IPOD's as well.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
npr
Yes, I am a dork. In the past month or so, I have become addicted to NPR - national public radio. For those of you in town - 90.0 (WBUR) carries NPR.
I find myself switching to this station more than the alterna rock or pop stations, or even the simple station surfing I used to enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I still love WBCN from 3-7 pm which (usually) is the funniest radio show - Toucher and Rich. (Ridiculous, and slightly immature humor, sometimes crosses the line, but nevertheless, hilarious.)
Who would have thought that I would care to listen to the political updates, and BBC news? I guess I sometimes get caught off guard when I realize that I actually am an adult.
I find myself switching to this station more than the alterna rock or pop stations, or even the simple station surfing I used to enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I still love WBCN from 3-7 pm which (usually) is the funniest radio show - Toucher and Rich. (Ridiculous, and slightly immature humor, sometimes crosses the line, but nevertheless, hilarious.)
Who would have thought that I would care to listen to the political updates, and BBC news? I guess I sometimes get caught off guard when I realize that I actually am an adult.
Monday, February 18, 2008
crushes and covers
This weekend I saw The Last King of Scotland http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455590/.
Great movie - A bit graphic/gory at times, but a good story. (It is the story of Idi Amin, the president /dictator of Uganda from 1970-1979...and all the corruption and genocide that ensued during his reign.) On a lighter note, one of the main characters is my new celebrity crush. . James McAvoy. You may remember him as Mr. Tumnus the fawn, from The Chronicles of Narnia. Judging from his pics on http://www.imdb.com/, he is cuter in films. I think it was the Scottish accent in The Last King of Scotland that got me.. I have a thing for accents apparently.
Is it possible to have a 'crush' on a song? How else would you describe the short lived obsession with a song that causes you to download it and play on repeat (and perhaps sing it ridiculously loudly in your car, by yourself)? I know other people who do this too, I'm not crazy! Anyway, I currently am a fan of the Jim Sturgess covers of Beatles songs from the Across the Universe soundtrack. Particularly "Girl", "Something", and "All My Loving." Check him out on the soundtrack, or more simply, on his myspace artist profile - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=152893222
Great movie - A bit graphic/gory at times, but a good story. (It is the story of Idi Amin, the president /dictator of Uganda from 1970-1979...and all the corruption and genocide that ensued during his reign.) On a lighter note, one of the main characters is my new celebrity crush. . James McAvoy. You may remember him as Mr. Tumnus the fawn, from The Chronicles of Narnia. Judging from his pics on http://www.imdb.com/, he is cuter in films. I think it was the Scottish accent in The Last King of Scotland that got me.. I have a thing for accents apparently.
Is it possible to have a 'crush' on a song? How else would you describe the short lived obsession with a song that causes you to download it and play on repeat (and perhaps sing it ridiculously loudly in your car, by yourself)? I know other people who do this too, I'm not crazy! Anyway, I currently am a fan of the Jim Sturgess covers of Beatles songs from the Across the Universe soundtrack. Particularly "Girl", "Something", and "All My Loving." Check him out on the soundtrack, or more simply, on his myspace artist profile - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=152893222
Monday, February 4, 2008
families
I heard on NPR about how some families were suing a teacher/school district due to questionable material presented in an elementary school class. The lesson was on types of families, and the book being read included a family with a same sex couple as parents. I can see where this is going, but have a hard time understanding why.. but I'll get to that in a minute.
So, some parents are upset that the teacher did not alert them of the lesson, so they could exclude their child from it, due to its 'questionable material', stating that same sex couples were against their religious beliefs. Again, I understand, maybe you want to be alerted so that you can discuss how your personal beliefs fit in with the lesson.
However - my issue is - you can teach your child that their religion is intolerable of certain things, or holds certain beliefs, but as members of society, these children need to be aware of what is in their world. If they make friends with a kid who has two moms, or two dads, do you forbid them from hanging out just because your religion does not allow same sex unions?
People love to overreact. The parents really need to take responsibility themselves and say to their kid, Yes, you learned this is part of society, however our religion believes in 'x'. And then, they have to be prepared to deal with the questions the kids have, and the possible revolt against religion that their kids could have. It is not the teacher's responsibility to make the religious connection for kids (in a public school). Maybe these parents should home school !
So, some parents are upset that the teacher did not alert them of the lesson, so they could exclude their child from it, due to its 'questionable material', stating that same sex couples were against their religious beliefs. Again, I understand, maybe you want to be alerted so that you can discuss how your personal beliefs fit in with the lesson.
However - my issue is - you can teach your child that their religion is intolerable of certain things, or holds certain beliefs, but as members of society, these children need to be aware of what is in their world. If they make friends with a kid who has two moms, or two dads, do you forbid them from hanging out just because your religion does not allow same sex unions?
People love to overreact. The parents really need to take responsibility themselves and say to their kid, Yes, you learned this is part of society, however our religion believes in 'x'. And then, they have to be prepared to deal with the questions the kids have, and the possible revolt against religion that their kids could have. It is not the teacher's responsibility to make the religious connection for kids (in a public school). Maybe these parents should home school !
Monday, January 28, 2008
fandom
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/01/26/a_giants_fan_tests_passions_in_the_den_of_the_patriots_faithful/
I read the above article in the Boston Globe this past Saturday, and became so annoyed that I sort of want to denounce any allegiance, affiliation or support of any New England or New York sports team. (the article is below, in case the link doesn't work)Sports in general are fun - fun to watch, fun to train for, cheer on, compete in, etc.
I enjoy professional sports, living vicariously through talented athletes who are able to entertain millions with their abilities. It would be cool to be that talented and to be paid for playing a game or sport I love. But when the fans become so involved that it turns mean, what is the point? I do not understand why Boston and New York must hate each other. I started watching Yankees games at home, since my family did. I came to MA during and after college and enjoyed the fun atmosphere of Red Sox games. I cheer for the Sox because I can go to their games, and like live games better than televised ones. But I don't hate the Mets, or Yankees simply because they are from NY. Maybe I'm missing something.
Anyway, back to the article - a reporter dressed in Giants gear and walked around Boston, knowing he was fueling a fierce fan fire. I would expect adults in a city to be able to look at another team's jersey and say, "Hey, good luck to your team." (or even nothing at all.) I was horrified to read the article and see that adult reactions to the Giants jersey in Boston was, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me....I don't like New York, period. Giants, Jets, Knicks, Yankees, I don't care. I don't approve of it." Or how about this one, "Eli Manning sucks! Peyton Manning sucks! Even Archie Manning sucks!" yelled one man about 100 feet away from the store. "That's right. You heard me."
SERIOUSLY??? What gives anyone the right to disrespect anyone else's choice in supporting a professional sports team? It is ridiculous to be harassed for wearing a sports jersey. What is this attitude and behavior saying about our culture... to ourselves, to kids, and to other countries? Granted, there are some fierce soccer fans in this world, and you might need to watch your back at a game for fear of being stabbed... but those sporting events in Serbia, Brazil, etc. are tied up in political turmoil. (See "How Soccer Explains the World, an unlikely theory of Globalization" by Franklin Foer http://www.amazon.com/How-Soccer-Explains-World-Globalization/dp/0066212340)
And Archie Manning, Peyton and Eli's father, sucks? Would you ever think to say that to someone? Imagine being in a conference room at work, and you learn someone else got the job you were working for. It would never fly to say, oh well, Your mom or dad suck. People are nuts. And after reading this article, people are embarassing. I don't want to be affiliated with Patriots fans like this. I can't believe there are grown adults that don't understand what good sportsmanship is. I think sometimes these superfans get confused. They make comments such as, "We're the team to beat, we're the elite" but they aren't playing the game.
My bottom line is, I enjoy watching sports. Going to games is more entertaining than watching them on TV. . and I know that in going to events, I will have to put up with the fan heckling. But, I hope that this article makes a lot of people think of how unnecessary it is. I wish we could just cheer for our team, and say "good game" when it is over.
_______________________________________________________
The article:
A Giants 'fan' tests passions in the den of the Patriots faithfulTo anyone who believes two World Series championships and three Super Bowl victories in six years have mellowed Boston sports fans, about New York, about success, even about life, Jarrod Fonfield has some choice words."Oh, you've got to be kidding me," he seethed.Fonfield, a 29-year-old construction worker and die-hard Patriots fan, happened to be taking a lunch break outside a Downtown Crossing convenience store yesterday. He wasn't speaking to anyone in general, but to a man passing by dressed in a New York Giants cap and a XXXL Eli Manning jersey."I don't like New York, period," Fonfield muttered contemptuously. "Giants, Jets, Knicks, Yankees, I don't care. I don't approve of it."Neither did a lot of others. To test a theory that local sports fans are getting complacent in victory, entitled with all their success, a Globe reporter put on the full colors of next Sunday's Super Bowl opponent and wandered from the crooked streets of downtown to Copley Square and Commonwealth Avenue, from the bowels of the Green Line train stations to the silent stacks at the Boston Public Library.Drivers rolled down windows to hurl expletives, pedestrians wearing Patriots garb stopped in mid-step to point, yell, and snicker at the loser in the jersey."Take that off!" yelled one man wearing Patriots gloves, hat, and coat."[Expletive] you!" said a man outside Boston University, pointing, smiling, and chuckling with glee as he climbed into his silver sedan.One woman simply made eye contact, then stuck out her tongue. A cheery-faced man trying to collect money for a children's charity on a Downtown Crossing street corner avoided shaking hands, saying only, "Giants? Giants?"The first mission of the day, though, was to find some Giants gear, which was not an easy task."You're in the wrong city," said a man dressed like a referee at a downtown Foot Locker."We focus on the local teams," said an employee at City Sports around the corner.Only the Champs Sports at Downtown Crossing, which also carries Yankees jerseys, had some Giants left among Brady, Moss, and Maroney. But all that remained were sizes large enough for a linebacker.Immediately after the reporter exited the store, expressions from passersby changed. Some people whispered from behind. Others broke out in condescending, knowing smiles.There was outright disdain not just for the Giants quarterback, but for his entire family."Eli Manning sucks! Peyton Manning sucks! Even Archie Manning sucks!" yelled one man about 100 feet away from the store. "That's right. You heard me.""What bet did you lose?" asked Scott Smith, a 31-year-old construction worker from Dorchester who has Patriots season tickets. "You're lucky I don't have any drinks in me."Near Copley Station, a truck window lowered and out came, "Giants suck!""You got a quarter, bro?" asked a panhandler outside of Wendy's in Copley Square. "Hey, Eli Manning sucks!"There were looks of disgust in the hallways Boston Public Library's McKim Building. There were distrustful eyes on the inbound Green Line train, as if the guy from New York was about to pick someone's pocket.Still, the vitriol for the Giants - the only remaining obstacle to a historic undefeated season for the Patriots - does not appear to approach Boston's level of loathing for the Yankees. The Patriots and Giants are in different conferences and don't face each other often. The underdog Giants, who haven't won a Super Bowl since 1991, are a team that some locals quietly respect. Others remember rooting for the Giants before the Patriots came to New England in 1959."The Giants, I like them," said Mike Miselman, a 62-year-old cabdriver who remembers pulling for Mel Triplett, Frank Gifford, and Dick Lynch. "They were our adopted team before we got the Patriots. A lot of New Englanders feel the same way."Though the rivalry with the Giants is barely a rivalry at all, it fits into the larger feud between the Capital of the World and the Hub of the Universe. Boston has always had a chip on its shoulder, sporting victories aside."We just want respect," Bryan Puglia, a 23-year-old tuxedo salesman from Wakefield, said near the steps of the Old South Meeting House. "People should respect what we've done - and Spygate has nothing to do with it. We've proven we can go 18-0 without cheating. We're the team to beat, we're the elite."Dwight Logan, leaning on his cane outside a downtown Borders bookstore, a cigarette dangling out of his mouth, has seen all the rivalries during his six-plus decades watching sports. "Because it's New York, there's hatred," he said. "But it doesn't have the legend of the Celtics-Knicks, Yankees-Red Sox, or Bruins-Montreal. This is new. But it's intense."
I read the above article in the Boston Globe this past Saturday, and became so annoyed that I sort of want to denounce any allegiance, affiliation or support of any New England or New York sports team. (the article is below, in case the link doesn't work)Sports in general are fun - fun to watch, fun to train for, cheer on, compete in, etc.
I enjoy professional sports, living vicariously through talented athletes who are able to entertain millions with their abilities. It would be cool to be that talented and to be paid for playing a game or sport I love. But when the fans become so involved that it turns mean, what is the point? I do not understand why Boston and New York must hate each other. I started watching Yankees games at home, since my family did. I came to MA during and after college and enjoyed the fun atmosphere of Red Sox games. I cheer for the Sox because I can go to their games, and like live games better than televised ones. But I don't hate the Mets, or Yankees simply because they are from NY. Maybe I'm missing something.
Anyway, back to the article - a reporter dressed in Giants gear and walked around Boston, knowing he was fueling a fierce fan fire. I would expect adults in a city to be able to look at another team's jersey and say, "Hey, good luck to your team." (or even nothing at all.) I was horrified to read the article and see that adult reactions to the Giants jersey in Boston was, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me....I don't like New York, period. Giants, Jets, Knicks, Yankees, I don't care. I don't approve of it." Or how about this one, "Eli Manning sucks! Peyton Manning sucks! Even Archie Manning sucks!" yelled one man about 100 feet away from the store. "That's right. You heard me."
SERIOUSLY??? What gives anyone the right to disrespect anyone else's choice in supporting a professional sports team? It is ridiculous to be harassed for wearing a sports jersey. What is this attitude and behavior saying about our culture... to ourselves, to kids, and to other countries? Granted, there are some fierce soccer fans in this world, and you might need to watch your back at a game for fear of being stabbed... but those sporting events in Serbia, Brazil, etc. are tied up in political turmoil. (See "How Soccer Explains the World, an unlikely theory of Globalization" by Franklin Foer http://www.amazon.com/How-Soccer-Explains-World-Globalization/dp/0066212340)
And Archie Manning, Peyton and Eli's father, sucks? Would you ever think to say that to someone? Imagine being in a conference room at work, and you learn someone else got the job you were working for. It would never fly to say, oh well, Your mom or dad suck. People are nuts. And after reading this article, people are embarassing. I don't want to be affiliated with Patriots fans like this. I can't believe there are grown adults that don't understand what good sportsmanship is. I think sometimes these superfans get confused. They make comments such as, "We're the team to beat, we're the elite" but they aren't playing the game.
My bottom line is, I enjoy watching sports. Going to games is more entertaining than watching them on TV. . and I know that in going to events, I will have to put up with the fan heckling. But, I hope that this article makes a lot of people think of how unnecessary it is. I wish we could just cheer for our team, and say "good game" when it is over.
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The article:
A Giants 'fan' tests passions in the den of the Patriots faithfulTo anyone who believes two World Series championships and three Super Bowl victories in six years have mellowed Boston sports fans, about New York, about success, even about life, Jarrod Fonfield has some choice words."Oh, you've got to be kidding me," he seethed.Fonfield, a 29-year-old construction worker and die-hard Patriots fan, happened to be taking a lunch break outside a Downtown Crossing convenience store yesterday. He wasn't speaking to anyone in general, but to a man passing by dressed in a New York Giants cap and a XXXL Eli Manning jersey."I don't like New York, period," Fonfield muttered contemptuously. "Giants, Jets, Knicks, Yankees, I don't care. I don't approve of it."Neither did a lot of others. To test a theory that local sports fans are getting complacent in victory, entitled with all their success, a Globe reporter put on the full colors of next Sunday's Super Bowl opponent and wandered from the crooked streets of downtown to Copley Square and Commonwealth Avenue, from the bowels of the Green Line train stations to the silent stacks at the Boston Public Library.Drivers rolled down windows to hurl expletives, pedestrians wearing Patriots garb stopped in mid-step to point, yell, and snicker at the loser in the jersey."Take that off!" yelled one man wearing Patriots gloves, hat, and coat."[Expletive] you!" said a man outside Boston University, pointing, smiling, and chuckling with glee as he climbed into his silver sedan.One woman simply made eye contact, then stuck out her tongue. A cheery-faced man trying to collect money for a children's charity on a Downtown Crossing street corner avoided shaking hands, saying only, "Giants? Giants?"The first mission of the day, though, was to find some Giants gear, which was not an easy task."You're in the wrong city," said a man dressed like a referee at a downtown Foot Locker."We focus on the local teams," said an employee at City Sports around the corner.Only the Champs Sports at Downtown Crossing, which also carries Yankees jerseys, had some Giants left among Brady, Moss, and Maroney. But all that remained were sizes large enough for a linebacker.Immediately after the reporter exited the store, expressions from passersby changed. Some people whispered from behind. Others broke out in condescending, knowing smiles.There was outright disdain not just for the Giants quarterback, but for his entire family."Eli Manning sucks! Peyton Manning sucks! Even Archie Manning sucks!" yelled one man about 100 feet away from the store. "That's right. You heard me.""What bet did you lose?" asked Scott Smith, a 31-year-old construction worker from Dorchester who has Patriots season tickets. "You're lucky I don't have any drinks in me."Near Copley Station, a truck window lowered and out came, "Giants suck!""You got a quarter, bro?" asked a panhandler outside of Wendy's in Copley Square. "Hey, Eli Manning sucks!"There were looks of disgust in the hallways Boston Public Library's McKim Building. There were distrustful eyes on the inbound Green Line train, as if the guy from New York was about to pick someone's pocket.Still, the vitriol for the Giants - the only remaining obstacle to a historic undefeated season for the Patriots - does not appear to approach Boston's level of loathing for the Yankees. The Patriots and Giants are in different conferences and don't face each other often. The underdog Giants, who haven't won a Super Bowl since 1991, are a team that some locals quietly respect. Others remember rooting for the Giants before the Patriots came to New England in 1959."The Giants, I like them," said Mike Miselman, a 62-year-old cabdriver who remembers pulling for Mel Triplett, Frank Gifford, and Dick Lynch. "They were our adopted team before we got the Patriots. A lot of New Englanders feel the same way."Though the rivalry with the Giants is barely a rivalry at all, it fits into the larger feud between the Capital of the World and the Hub of the Universe. Boston has always had a chip on its shoulder, sporting victories aside."We just want respect," Bryan Puglia, a 23-year-old tuxedo salesman from Wakefield, said near the steps of the Old South Meeting House. "People should respect what we've done - and Spygate has nothing to do with it. We've proven we can go 18-0 without cheating. We're the team to beat, we're the elite."Dwight Logan, leaning on his cane outside a downtown Borders bookstore, a cigarette dangling out of his mouth, has seen all the rivalries during his six-plus decades watching sports. "Because it's New York, there's hatred," he said. "But it doesn't have the legend of the Celtics-Knicks, Yankees-Red Sox, or Bruins-Montreal. This is new. But it's intense."
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