A Belated Marathon Monday Recap

Patriots' Day is a time for tradition and celebration in Boston and I'm not talking about the holiday commemorating a Revolutionary War battle. Patriots' Day is time for the Boston Marathon and Marathon Monday is one of my favorite days in Boston.

I love how the entire city focuses on the race and the race route becomes a cheerleadering section and day-long party. I also think it's great to see people of all ages clapping, yelling and encouraging runners on for hours at a time. I had a blast cheering during my first Marathon Monday last year, but this year was even better because I was waiting for Team Bodio to run by mile 23!

Rick and Kelly did very well in their first Boston Marathon experience and they raised thousands for the Melanoma Foundation of New England. A few friends came up for the day and we went crazy yelling and cheering when Rick and Kelly passed us.

Seeing thousands of runners taking part in such an awesome tradition and life list event almost make me want to run Boston someday...Almost...

Snow-ly Crap

I'm watching NBC Nightly News right now and of course, the broadcast is all about the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic snowstorm. (Poor Brian Williams is standing outside reporting from Rockefeller Center's ice skating rink. He's not wearing a hat, scarf or mittens and it's honestly painful just to look at him. But that's besides the point...)

It seems like everyone except Massachusetts is getting hit hard this winter. If you told me two years ago that DC would end up with more snow than Boston, I would have laughed and then probably shuddered at the thought. After spending three winters in DC, I witnessed firsthand the absolute panic and ineptitude that sets in when there is just two inches of snow dusting the DC streets. It always boggled my mind that the city would be crippled by any amount of snow since they do get at least a little snow every winter. Being the tried and true hardy New Englander that I am, I wouldn't have much patience for the un-plowed DC streets and the pre-storm supermarket panic.

But I have to give DC-ers a break this year. I can't believe how much they've been dumped on. (Check out my friends Kristin and Mike's blog for pictures of the blizzard.) I know that a blizzard is fun for a day or two, but DC has had two massive snowstorms in one week. Yikes! Here's hoping it melts for everyone's sake...

My Foiled Plan to Meet Jim

My roomie and I were thrilled to hear that Mass.-native John Krasinski (aka Jim from "The Office") would be at the Booksmith today. Jim-- I mean, John-- is promoting his new movie, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, which he wrote, directed and stars in. He based the script on the short story collection of the same name by David Foster Wallace, hence his appearance at the Booksmith.

Anyways, we were giddy at the prospect of seeing the dreamy and talented John live in person and planned to line up early for the free reading. Unfortunately, so did a few hundred other folks in town! Shortly after getting in line, someone from the Booksmith came around to say that there was no way anyone in the back of the line was going to make it into the event. Sigh. I guess we'll have to wait to see John the next time he's in town.

In the meantime, here are two great Jim clips from The Office courtesy of Hulu.com. One is hilarious and the other is heart-meltingly mushy.

Flu-ha-ha Bruhaha

The swine flu has dominated the news for the past few months and while I initially brushed off much of the coverage as hype, I'm now thinking I underestimated just how serious things could become.

Although my personal medical authority (Sally) says that the spread of the swine flu can be kept under control if people cover their mouths and wash their hands, we all know people are dirty and germs spread easily. I personally have been semi-OCD about clean hands since middle school, but what about everyone else?

I've never received a flu shot and I've never actually had the flu, but now I'm wondering if I should get a flu shot or a swine flu shot. I'm not really in favor of new vaccines, but what the swine flu really does spread everywhere this winter? Also, if it hits Boston hard, my nurse roommate will definitely be exposed it and what if it follows her home?

Complicating this issue even further is the fact that I don't have health insurance right now. Even if I decided to get a flu shot, I'd have to track down a clinic or pharmacy where I could pay for one outright. Not trying to bring the health care debate into this issue, but it will affect things once the swine flu vaccine is released.

For the time being, can everyone just please pledge to watch their hands frequently??

A City Says Goodbye

I made a brief slideshow of photos I took today as Ted's motorcade passed through City Hall. It was quite a scene and amazing to see how many people came out to say goodbye...

Take Care, Teddy

I know he was ill and I know he was 77, but I was still surprised to hear about the death of Ted Kennedy this morning.

Despite his flaws and scandals, he did so much for the nation and for the Bay State; it's difficult to argue with that fact. The Globe has a great multimedia package online, which was originally published a few months ago-- worth checking out.

It was confirmed this afternoon that Teddy will be buried at Arlington National Cemetary with his brothers. I've been to Arlington a few times and have to say that it is incredibly moving and I think every American should visit the site.

It's a fitting final resting place for three brothers who greatly influenced our country.

Photo: The Eternal Flame at JFK's gravesite in Arlington.

Zoo-nalysis

If you're not up to date on the world of Zoo drama in Mass, here is a brief update to fill you in:

Last week, John Linehan, president of Zoo New England, said that the group's two Zoos, Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo, would be shut down if their funding was not restored by Gov. Deval Patrick and that 20 percent of the animals would have to be euthanized since they would be difficult to find homes for.

Using my own (limited) Zoo experience as background, I tend to think that Linehan made the comments on euthanizing the animals to gain publicity for the Zoo's cause. His statements gained huge media attention for the Zoo, though Patrick accused him of scare tactics and other national zoo officials said few animals are killed in response to budget cuts.

Nevertheless, the statements got Zoo supporters up in arms and have some Mass lawmakers pledging support to the Zoo, so I'm thinking this was Linehan's aim all along.

If the Zoo was really going to have to put animals down, they probably wouldn't publicize it immediately since it is not positive press (unless you can point the blame elsewhere) and because animal rights activists can be extremely passionate and vigilant (more so than some other cause activists, I think).

So this may have been a brilliant PR move by Zoo New England, but I doubt if our furry friends at the Zoo were ever going to meet the pearly gates because of Patrick's budget cuts.


Photo is of my favorite National Zoo animals-- Gorillas! (Not my best work, but I do love those guys.)

Essential New England Books

The Globe's website had a cool interactive list today on the Top 100 books set in New England or written by New England authors. Readers could rate the books and mark the books they've read or want to read.

For the most part, I think the list was well done--especially since they included A Prayer For Owen Meany, my favorite book of all time. I would argue Cider House Rules should have been on the list, but that might have been Irving overload.

I also would've liked to see some Dr. Seuss on the list. Theodor Geisel was not only a Mass native, but anyone from Western Mass knows that his first book, And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street is named after a real street in his hometown of Springfield!

Think they forgot anything else?

Riddle me this

Something I was pondering all day yesterday at the Sox game... How come ticket scalpers still exist?

I mean, I know the supply-and-demand model keeps them in business since people will pay anything for tickets, but why aren't officials cracking down on scalpers?

Scalpers are all over Kenmore Square before every home game (or concert) and they're not at all discreet when they yell "Need tickets? Need tickets?" at every person that walks by. I even saw one scalper chit-chat with a cop directing traffic and then walk less than a half block away and start advertising his scalping goods! Isn't scalping illegal?!

I don't understand why the cops don't pursue scalpers. It seems like it would be relatively easy to catch them in the act and it wouldn't be hard to find them.

Maybe some feel like it's not worth the effort to pursue or there are more important problems to focus on. But with the state economy suffering like it is I think any money -- even small change made from issuing tickets for scalping -- would help good ol' Mass. Food for thought...