Archive | April, 2006

Reflecting on Copley Square

30 Apr


Over the years, I’ve walked around Boston and taken the same pictures multiple times.

But I don’t think I’ve ever taken these … until today. Continue reading →

I Saw United 93

29 Apr

I can’t say I was personally affected by the events of 9/11.

Thankfully, I knew no one who was on any of the four planes, and even though I am originally from New York and know many people who live there, no one I know died in the attack on the World Trade Center.

That said, I was really personally affected by the new movie United 93. And really, it’s hard not to be.

This is top-notch filmmaking, the kind of you-are-there movie that puts you on the plane, in the air traffic control centers, on the seat of your pants, and makes you feel like you were a part of the events of that day.

It all feels authentic, and it takes place in real time in almost documentary fashion, so you feel the dread when simple things happen, like the closing of the plane doors. And there’s probably no moment as uneasy as when the plane actually takes off. Continue reading →

How Far Is Six Miles?

27 Apr

As WalkAmerica gets closer (it’s this Sunday), people have begun to ask me if I’m ready (and even able) to walk six miles.

Ha.

Like that’s such a long distance.

Sure, I tell them. No problem. I’ve walked that much in a day before.

But today I got my first reality check: Six miles is about a quarter of a mile longer than the distance between my apartment and my office (at least according to Mapquest), and I don’t ever walk that. Continue reading →

Shhhhhhhhh …

27 Apr

Sorry I’ve been so quiet the past few days. Some weeks are just more exciting than others, I guess.

The Coolest Day of the Year

24 Apr

Forget Christmas, just for a day. Tomorrow, April 25, is the annual free cone day at Ben & Jerry’s, or as I like to call it, the most wonderful day of the year. That means even though the temperature is in the 50s, you are obligated to go to your local scoop shop and grab yourself some free Phish Food or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. If you’re like me, you can go from store to store grabbing a different scoop at each shop. (Don’t worry, I’m not really going to do that.) Baskin Robbins usually has their free cone night the day after, but there’s nothing on their web site yet. Stay tuned. When I know, you’ll know.

Walk This Way

23 Apr

Since it’s one week from today, just thought I’d post another plug for WalkAmerica, in which I’ll be participating next Sunday here in Boston.

As you may know, aside from being a great excuse to walk for six miles around the Charles River, this is a fundraising event to help in the fight against birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. (If you want to learn more, click here to read a recent story from Continental magazine.)

Like so many out there, it is such a worthy cause and I’m looking forward to being a part of this special event. If you are up to it, please help by making a donation. My company is generously matching all money raised by employes, so whether you give $5, $10, $20, $50 or any other amount (and anything you feel comfortable giving is appreciated), consider that doubled. Donating is easy, just click here. Thanks in advance.

Holy War?

22 Apr

My friend Kathleen called it my “holy war” yesterday. Whatever it is, today was the day I struck back at Shaw’s and Stop & Shop for overcharging on Passover food. I mean, if they’re gonna mark up this food, which isn’t all that good to begin with and is only necessary for a week, then I’m going to save my receipts and return whatever I don’t use so they can give me my money back. And I don’t know whether it was my 3-day trip to New York, or the fact that I ate not less but smarter during the week, but I ended Passover this year with more leftover (unopened) food than I have in recent years:
* A box of egg matzoh
* Two jars of mayonaise (one extra because I found light mayo at another store)
* Four cans of tuna (two extra because I found them cheaper elsewhere)
* A box of cookies
* A coffee cake mix

All that was worth about $27, which I’m sure I’ll give right back tomorrow when I do my normal grocery shopping, but for now, it’s safe and sound back in my wallet.

Gimme Five (More Years), Katie

20 Apr

Thank God for Katie Couric. Were it not for her this morning, I would never have learned that today is National High Five Day. I’m sure gonna miss that Katie Couric when she leaves the Today show in May. Her cute, sophisticated perkiness wakes me up every day. I love to hang out with Katie and her boyfriend, Matt, and their children, Al and Ann, every morning from 7:30 to 8:30, or whatever times I turn on and off the TV. I sure do enjoy their company while I eat my breakfast. Meredith Viera has big shoes to fill. Bigger even than Star Jones’.

But anyway, today really is National High Five Day, as decreed by a bunch of University of Virginia students. (It’s always the third Thursday of April.) The mission of the day is simple: just give out as many high fives as possible. When you get on the subway, when you see your boss in the office, when you go for lunch, when you get home and see your spouse or roommate, etc. The guys’ MySpace page has a further explanation, and videos explaining the proper way to give a high five are really helpful. That’s all. It’s a simple holiday, simply celebrated.

I’ll leave you to it. Thanks again, Katie, for everything.

Simple Pleasures

18 Apr

Nothing says Passover quite like the pleasant aroma — not just the scent but the aroma — of Manischewitz Coffee Cake permeating every inch of my apartment. It’s the best thing about this holiday. I baked the cake yesterday morning, and today when I woke up, I could still smell it. Mmmmmmmmm…

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby

17 Apr

So I feel like I’d be remiss (and I know I’d hear it from at least one of my readers) if I didn’t acknowlege that today is Jennifer Garner (ahem) Affleck’s 34th birthday. You may know that I’m a bit of a fan of Mrs. Affleck’s, so I wish her nothing but the best as she begins another year with us. And incidentally, though I never saw the last five episodes of Alias, I couldn’t be more excited for its return this Wednesday night at 8 p.m. So again, happy birthday, Jen! I hope we can celebrate together sometime soon — maybe one of the upcoming times you come to Boston to show off your beautiful baby, visit with Ben’s mother, and go to a Sox game with your husband. Let me know.

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