New England comes not Without its Perks

Dunkin' Donuts is offering customers a free donut on Tax Day, April 15th. The Canton, Mass.-based food chain said the donut is free with the purchase of a cup of hot coffee. "We know Americans work hard for their money and this is our small way of showing our appreciation," said Frances Allen, Dunkin' Donuts Brand marketing officer, in a prepared statement.

Also, Cold Stone Creamery is giving away ice cream on Patriots’ Day, April 21st.

But that one's available only in New England.

Here I Come

OK, kids. I'll be in DC the first weekend of May.
Make plans accordingly.

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Of Cici, Polly's, and NPR

While getting dressed this morning and idly listening to NPR, what (or rather, who?) to my surprise should I hear? Why, if it isn't Cici from the Polly's Cafe talking about U Street History! The article, Tracing a D.C. Neighborhood's Comeback from 1968, was a two-part feature on NPR about Washington D.C.'s U Street Corridor, the King riots of 1968, and the history of the neighborhood thereafter.

It's always fun to hear the voice of someone you know on the radio, though I can't help but wonder: Where was Rita-Jean in all this?

For Hooker and Peter Dino

All hail this website and their "Obey The Pure Breed" sentiment. I chose this lovely pit bull message because I love Hooker's dogs and because breed specific bans on dogs just aren't right. By the way, the site also has "Obey the Rat Terrier" items, which I think will be absolutely perfect for Vergie, considering her birthday is coming up. Ha!

Happy Birthday, BKDM!

A toast to my beloved on his birthday!

"Love Me, Love My Red Sox"

Here it is, 6:00am and I've been dragged out of bed to watch the Red Sox play an exhibition baseball game in Japan. (Siobhan's note: It's Opening Day!)
Well, I knew it was a package deal when we moved in together. Guess I'll go make some coffee....

Happy Easter, Everyone!

Here's my Easter basket - looks like a puppy and contains Pez, a chocolate bunny, marshmallow eggs and flowers. Thanks, Easter Bunny!
My gift back to the Easter Bunny: homemade mac/cheese. We're also having shrimp and coleslaw. A random, but by all accounts, delicious Easter Dinner of a sort.

This, My Friends, Is Why It's Called a Paddy Wagon

I'm just sayin'.
There were 17 arrests during the parade and we saw one of them.
There was already someone else in the wagon and the parade was at least an hour from making it to us.

Southie St. Patrick's Day Parade 2008

Maybe they dye the river green in Chicago for Saint Patrick's Day, but here it is the river of people that's green.

With every sidewalk filled and every rooftop lined, the parade commences sometime around 1:00pm near Broadway station. Every liquor store has a line, and most everyone who can fit one in their hand is holding a plastic red cup.










There was music.








There was dancing.







God help me, there were even storm troopers wearing green sashes. Hey, I'll see you guys next weekend at Anime Boston!


This event was unlike anything I have ever experienced. After the parade is over, people pour into the streets and have a giant festival, ebbing and flowing in and out of house parties, bars, and Dorchester Street revelry.

As for Siobhan and myself, we slipped around the corner by the old Iron Workers Local 7 and stopped in at Kiley's Tavern for a nip. If you're drunk and disorderly, or just a straight-up douche, the doorman will be happy to give you direction to Shenanigans. It's about four blocks that way and then take a right... next to the Burger King....

Dropkicks in Dorchester? Wicked Pissah

Here can be seen a tattered banner of the 103rd chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, located in Dorchester, MA. It's on Freeport St between Beach and Park (near the Fields Corner T stop), this hardy group of workers say it loud, and say it proud.

As we waited in line to enter the building we saw next to the handwritten "beer bar" sign another sign clearly stating "AA is at the school" with an arrow pointing across the street.
Siobhan's note: Can you think of a worse place to end up as you seek your AA meeting?



We entered what reminded me of a high school gymnasium decorated for the winter dance (with the primary exception being that it was ringed with electrical workers on security detail). It was not a crowded show, and almost all of the people that attended were from the area. It was definitely a local show, which was fucking awesome. One man - originally from the area - came down from Connecticut for the weekend and was going to see the Dropkicks four times. He said his four-year-old daughter was asleep under one of the tables in the back of the auditorium! Hahaha, awesome!
Siobhan's note #2: See prior "Child Abuse, Masshole Style" post.



The show rocked so much: from the IBEW [bag]pipers opening, to the Dropkicks inviting all the crowd up on stage with them, to Ken Casey bringing out his grandmother on stage for a song or two. We reveled in every mad moment. Siobhan's note #3: They played "Which Side Are You On," "Tessie," and "Dirty Water," thereby satisfying my burgeoning Masshole tendencies.













Bosox Siobhan blew out her voice from yelling too much Siobhan's note #4: I've never been quiet for such a long time in my life, and BKDM got some nice scrapes from the pit. How can you not love these guys? Siobhan's note #: Looks to me like BKDM might have some latent Masshole tendencies of his own.

Bostonians, Mark Your Calendars

The St. Patrick's Day season is upon us, and if you like your social calendar heaving like a bountiful bosom, then be sure to check out the following line-up:



Sat Mar 8 - Harpoon St. Patricks Day Festival (too late, it is already over with)
Fri Mar 14 - Dropkick Murphys concert at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Dorchester (Now this is gonna be a wicked pissah...Siobhan's note: It's Wicked Pissah as an adjective; lose the "a.")
Sun Mar 16 - Southie St. Patrick's Day parade (This parade remains the high point of the St. Patrick's day season, with people coming from all over the world to attend. Event transpires in South Boston - Boston's oldest traditional Irish neighborhood)
Mon Mar 17 - Saint Patty's Day (I've already scheduled this day off work) Siobhan's note #2: I have a four-hour coaching and managing training that day. Great.
Sat Mar 22 - Comedy stylings of Ken & Nate, at the Cambridge YMCA Theater (Two One-Man Shows by Two Guys Wasting One Life Each). Siobhan's note #3: I work with Ken and he is one funny bastard. Anyone reading this who lives in Boston, go to the show!
Fri-Sun, Mar 21-23 - Anime Boston (If you've never been to or heard of an anime con, be assured this is a painful new low for this massochistic Bostonian. Complete with a masquerade ball where people dress up as their favorite anime character, to a live anime-only karaoke bar it is extreme dorkitude of the highest order. It may not be very Irish, but it is definitely worth blogging about. Hynes convention center, $30 at the door). Siobhan's note #4: There isn't a chance is hell that you will catch me with this bunch of dorks.










Also, I am sure we will find time to cross the Medford-Somerville city line (why the Medford sign gotta be all brown and broken? see photo) to grab brunch at Sound Bites, or another fine nearby brunch spot.
Oh ya, Easter and our jobs are in there somewhere...

Child Abuse, Masshole Style

I just saw this DVD at a local store. Talk about gettin' 'em while they're young.
The kid on the cover will be saying "Wicked Pissah" within 2 years; that I guarantee you.

Harpoon st patricks season kickoff

It has come to this blogs attention that st patricks day is more of a season here in boston. Harpoon brewery kicks it off with their annual tour and parking lot brewfest. We kick it off ourselves with el dub double fisting at the brewery.

10000 bc my ass

this movie was complete bullshit. when I heard a 12 yr old boy dictate in perfect english: what happened to your people? I knew this was bullshit. the people in "10000 bc" are as sophisticated as north american indians in 1846. I silently chant my mantra: "I am here for the special effects. I am here for the saber tooth tiger."

Best Make-out Spot in Boston?

It's a seedy, old building down by the docks. It's where old ships come in to get loaded and unloaded. Located on Black Falcon Avenue near Drydock Avenue.

Wine Drunk & a Little Sad

A now-meaningless picture of an old friend, walking in Berlin, away from the mixed district, and towards the wall.

3:00am, the technology hour

Those of you that know me really well know that I've long been an advocate of consumer level bionics. For example, how come I cannot get a chip implanted that simply lets me know what time it is all the time. Timer chips have been around for years, and it seems like a fairly simple, innocuous implant could transmit the signal to the brain, yet the technology just isn't there on the bio-side to make this happen.

Enter: Emotive Epoc Neural Headset

"At Emotiv, we've created a robust system and methodology for detecting and classifying both human conscious thoughts and non-conscious emotions. This revolutionary patent pending neural processing technology makes it possible for computers to interact directly with the human brain. By the detection of thoughts and feelings, our technology now makes it possible for applications to be controlled and influenced by the user's mind."

Priced at $299.00 this is a great buy, but won't be available until late 2008. Don't worry you can reserve yours today - I did mine.

Moon Over Medford

Today is Bosox's birthday, and a total lunar eclipse will be visible from Medford from 10:01pm to 10:51pm EST. A total lunar eclipse occurs when a full moon enters the earth's shadow and is completely blocked by the sun, especially on the Medford side. The next such event won't happen until December 21, 2010.

Lots of people throughout history have understood lunar eclipses as an omen, good or bad. For example the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew predict the birth of Jesus after seeing the Star of Bethlehem, whereas some Wiccans today believe that a total lunar eclipse may create unusual magnetic fields or disruption of those fields, which may have a metaphysical impact on humans.

Over at the astrology zone they claim in their nine rules of eclipses that "If an eclipse falls on your birthday, the year that follows certainly will be quite eventful. You may experience a big change in lifestyle or in one specific part of your chart." Some new-agers even believe that a total eclipse means prominence and rebirth for the city of Medford, MA.

Okay, I made that last one up, but as for the TLE falling on Bosox's birthday: I believe it bodes well for 2008, and, if nothing else, brings astrological closure to all of the ups-and-downs, goods-and-bads that blessed and cursed her 2007.

These People Tried to Kill Me...

...in no particular order:

• Scott
• Matt
• Tara
• Michael
• Cat
• Tisha
• Randy (especially Randy)
• Jake
• Jay
• Timmy
• Iris
• Dancin
• Jarrod
• Jes
• Hector
• Jamie (why?)
• Mike of the Mike & Cindi team
• Cindi
• Victor
• Solly
• Mikey Zee
• Meagan
• Stoney's (via grilled cheese heart attack)
• That bartender at Matt's party with the tuxedo
• Andrea
• Bosox (yes, even bosox)
• BigTDog
• Kevin
• Anna
• Mary Rice (see nipple pics)

I also have sneaking suspicions about T and Feona.

Asollys on u

Alone in axis bar & grill

Wait, here come my friends...

Goldschlager with randy

halo

This is a timmy post

Big hair on u street. Okay I admit it: I miss dc.

The law come to town

Brunch?

Ship of fools, bus of idiots

The eagle has landed

Charm city

We bid a fond adieu to the queen city. two more stops at bwi and addison road (i think) before our destination, the nation's capital and many tasty beverages with lots of good friends. Holla!

Aberdeen not worthy

Bkdm: "see anything blog worthy?"
Bosox: "in aberdeen murylind? Decidedly not."

Farewell Gotham

Put more coal in the fire and get us to dc! 3 hours to go...

New haven passes with a beer

And we're off

Everything that could have gone wrong did. You can't park here. This subway car isn't going there today. The taxi driver got lost. Oh no where is my ID? Though the fates have conspired against us we are on our way to dc fueled with sparkling water and bagels. And I brought the goldschlager.

Ps is this picture sideways?

DC, Here We Come!

OK, so I'm doing laundry and packing.
I have my phone for mobile blogging.






I have my camera for taking pictures of chimneys, be they leaning, falling or being swept up.







And I have a flask of delicious Maker's Mark for the train ride.
It's going to be a fabulous trip!
See you soon DC peeps!

Sticking With the Home Team

During our weekly Saturday trek to the Harpoon brewery this past weekend to fill up our growlers, I noticed something amiss in our beloved brewhall.

Amidst the array of taps sporting various manners of delicious beer, an ugly "B" - for Brooklyn Lager - jutted forward like so many sneering New Yorkers.

That's right, Harpoon made a bet on the super bowl with the Brooklyn Brewery. The stakes: If New England won, the Brooklyn Brewery would have to serve a keg of Harpoon IPA on tap, but if the Giants won, Harpoon would serve a keg of Brooklyn Lager.

There is no need to revisit the painful outcome, but I can take some small solace in the fact that someone in my beloved hometown state of Colorado is drinking delicious Harpoon beer at an (as yet) unnamed brewery in a similar bet involving the Red Sox. (Siobhan's note: pitchers and catchers report on Thursday!)

I consider this a bet made by Harpoon on behalf of all their loyal beer drinkers, and, like Harpoon, I honor my bets. That's why, this week, I drank a Brooklyn Lager. Which, by the way, I would have to say, all in all, is not bad.

Medford Driving Akin to Brownian Motion

Brownian motion: "the random movement of particles..."











I submit to you, dear readers, two photos: one of nuclear fusion in the sun and the other, an overhead view of the Kappy's intersection in Medford where route 28 meets... well, everything else. Note the random direction of the randomly accelerating vectors in both cases.



















In a further case study, another image below shows the difference between the purported and the actual location of our voting place. The green arrow on the left shows the official address of the location, while the red circle on the right shows the actual physical location. The difference between them can take as much as two hours to navigate (Our observant readers may have noticed the large body of water between the two).


On the plus side, Jingle Bells was written in Medford, MA (possibly).

It's a Sick, Sad World

reference: Daria. For those of you who are curious what type of readers visit our blog, I thought I'd list a few keyword searches that readers are using to find us on the internet. They range from
Completely Innocuous

• boston steamer blog
• fiona four-legged friends
• how to get red sox tickets
  

To Social Entertainment & Tipple

• salty dog tavern
• beer growler koozies
• german boston beer
• harpoon brewery tasting

To Questionable

• boston steamer pics
• boston steamer pictures
• boston steamer wikipedia
• frottage fun
• jeffy steamer
• define boston steamer
  
• what's a boston steamer
  

To Outright Disgusting

• bukake (sic)
  
• pictures of the boston steamer
• boston steamer sex pics

If you don't know what some of these things mean, seriously, do not google them to find out. You are really better off not knowing.

Anything Else

Check out my new motherboard! Some people would call it a server-class motherboard because it supports 8 GBs of RAM, 12 SATA Hard Drives, 4 PCI-expressx16 slots, and two dual-core, 64-bit, AMD 3.0 GHZ chips. However, at $319.00 I think it was a steal. I only bought one processor for now, but will purchase the second soon enough. I will let you all know how it goes with setup and install.

BTW, I heard there was a football game tonight. I hope it went well. That sounds nice.

I Saw the Trophys!

I experienced a huge Masshole milestone last night -- I got to meet a few of the World Champion Red Sox players, Alex Cora and Javier Lopez (who though born in Puerto Rico, went to Robinson HS and UVa). Plus, I got an autograph from the team's manager, Terry Francona.
I was at the Hyde Park Lions Club Sportsmen of the Year Banquet; Cora and Lopez were recipients and Francona was there as an added bonus.
Oddly, I had the longest athlete-chat with Todd Collins, the Boston-area boy who started for the Washington Redskins toward the end of the season and managed to help get them into the playoffs. You know I don't care about the Redskins; this info is for Kevin.
The most exciting news of the night was when they announced that the 2 (!) World Series trophys were in the building and that we could have our pictures taken with them. I waited my turn and didn't knock over any kids, but I was so giddy that my hands were shaking. My co-worker Rich, who got the tickets, took my picture for posterity. Now I can mark one more thing off my "To Do List for Becoming An Insufferable Masshole." Next up: Superbowl XLII.

3:00am, the technology hour

It's time again, to cut some late night code, but before I do, let's talk technology. Some of you may have heard of the mythTV project; For those of you who haven't, it's like a DVR, only better. It is a free and open-source software project which turns the necessary computer hardware into a home theater personal computer. Author Isaac Richards explains his motivation:

"I got tired of the rather low quality cable box that AT&T Broadband provides with their digital cable service. It's slow to change channels, ridden with ads, and the program guide is a joke. So, I figured it'd be fun to try and build a replacement. Yes, I could have just bought a TiVo, but I wanted to have more than just a PVR — I want a web browser built in, a mail client, maybe some games. Basically, I want the mythical convergence box that's been talked about for a few years now."



Some features include

• automatic commercial detection/skipping,
• very simple interface with nice search option,
• pause/ff/rewind "live" tv,
• ability to burn recorded programs to DVD and more

Also available are several additional modules including live doppler forecasts, a Nintendo console, and more.

All you need to do is install one of the supported tv tuner cards into your computer, screw your standard cable cord into the computer, and boot up from a KnoppMyth CD-ROM (alternatively you could install MythBuntu or MythDora operating systems). Sound too complicated? Then by a completely MythTV ready, pre-installed system from one of the Commercial MythTV vendors for as low as £215.97.


Combine your MythTV with a Gyration wireless gyroscopic remote and keyboard for a power play. This programmable, in-air cursor control uses gyroscopic motion-sensing technology for up to 100 ft. away with no line-of-sight limitation when controlling your remote PC. Works on Windows and Linux with no setup.



Free, better, fully integrated DVD/PVR/computer systems are not a myth... I've seen them.