Happy September! You know what September means?

FOOTBALL!!!

Anyways, you don’t move 3,135 miles away from home without keeping an eye on your old stomping grounds.  Since I have moved to the west coast, there have been some interesting (at least to me) developments back in Massachusetts.

Pizza: The best pizza place in town is opening a location closer to my old home. Go figure.

Kevin: My best friend from college visited Boston last weekend.  I know that I just saw Kevin in Paris last month, but it was really weird to be texting him in Boston while I wasn’t there. For many years I hoped Kevin would come back and visit Boston again.  Finally, he did.

Miley: As many of you know, Miley is staying with my friend Chuck. Chuck must be the dog whisperer because he has Miley swimming and running off leash. Old dog, new tricks, etc…

Johnny Damon: Johnny Damon rejected a trade to the Red Sox. BFD. I cannot stand Johnny Damon. He was one of the stars of one of the best games I have ever attended, but I still really dislike the guy.  Anyone who leaves the Red Sox for the Yankees (after specifically saying he would not do that) will never be ok in my book – no matter what he did while he was in Boston.

Injury Bug: The Red Sox and now Patriots have been hit with the injury bug.  The Red Sox have made the playoffs six out of the last seven years. It doesn’t look like it is going to happen this year. With injuries to starters Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden, I see a trend developing that I do not like at all.

Casinos: The Massachusetts House and Senate passed the casino bill.  Sadly, the Governor has stalled it again. Nice work, Deval!

Driving Laws: Speaking of state laws (and I know this isn’t MA related), California has a hands-free law regarding mobile devices and driving. I wish we had this law back in Massachusetts because it has made me an infinitely safer driver.  I used to text, Facebook, tweet, talk and even email on the phone while I was driving. Because of this law, I don’t anymore. Just today my friend Z called me and I pulled over to take the call. Nice work, Governor Schwarzenegger!

My Name is Earl: Suddenly a hurricane is looming for the Commonwealth. Hopefully, it stays far away from shore.

Just Because: I have to post this again.

And last but certainly not least…

A few weeks ago a friend mentioned the Pit Stop Barbeque on Facebook, calling it the best BBQ in town.  I was surprised.  In this area, most people swear by Blue Ribbon or Redbones.  I had never even heard of the Pit Stop and after googling it, I found out it was in Mattapan.

I’ve been to a lot of restaurants, but the Pit Stop is totally my speed.  There is only one table in there (sans chairs) and the people were so kind.  When they heard it was my first time there, the woman behind the counter gave me a sample rib.  Also, one of the cooks threw a small container of the coleslaw in my bag for me to try.  I totally felt out of place amongst all the regulars, but they made me feel right at home.

Even better than the hospitality was the food.  They have the best barbeque sauce I have ever tasted.  The Pit Stop is a culinary anomaly.  It is a little shack that seems like it should be somewhere down south rather than just outside Boston.  Everything I tried was good (especially the brisket)!

I highly recommend this joint.  If you do go, keep in mind it is only open from Thursday to Sunday.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Yeah, I was wrong about Halladay. B-Rock, you don’t have to hate the Red Sox now!

I can’t believe I missed a Monday yesterday. Writer’s block struck in a bad way.  The funny thing is that I thought of three or four different things I could write about today, so I should have an entry up every day for the rest of the week.  Also, I know a promised a Miley update on the first Monday of every month, but at this point there really is nothing interesting new to report.

I also can’t believe that I haven’t mentioned this until now.  The musical Jersey Boys is in town.  It won the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical and is running at Boston’s Shubert Theater until September 26th.  I caught the show when I was out in Vegas and it is well worth checking out.

From the ticket link below:

“Too good to be true!” raves the New York Post for Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award®-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! Jersey Boys, winner of the 2006 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album, features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” “It will run for centuries!” proclaims Time Magazine.

If you’re looking for a fun night out (with some great music), follow these two steps:

1) Buy tickets here.

2) Thank me later.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Now that I have more free time on my hands, I will probably be switching up my posting patterns.  If you don’t see a new entry early in the morning, check back later.

As much as it sucks to lose your job, being a Boston sports fan doesn’t suck.  Today, the city has a chance to score its third sports trifecta in a row.  The nice thing about today is that the games are spread out a bit:

3:30pm – Red Sox at Angels

7:00pm – Celtics at Orlando (Game 6)

8:00pm – Hurricanes at Bruins (Game 7)

Every time you go and think things can’t get any better for sports fans in this town, things get better.  I think Boston sports fans are the luckiest fans in the country.  If it wasn’t for KG’s injury, Boston would have a legitimate shot at winning all four major professional championships, all within the same sports year.  This is simply unheard of these days.  We are so fortunate to have all four of our teams in such good shape.

The very best part about all of this is seeing all the diehards of each sport here happy.  While most fans root for all the teams, everyone has their own particular favorite whether it be the Sox, B’s, C’s, or the Pats.  I love being able to talk to all my Boston sports fan friends/relatives about a successful team.  It isn’t too often when it happens and it really is a special time.  As I’ve grown older, the best part about sports for me is seeing how much joy it brings to people I care about.  At this point in my life, it is why I watch.

By the time the Bruins and Hurricanes shake hands tonight, we will have a better idea of what the next two weeks of sports viewing will be like.

I, for one, hope the roller coaster ride continues.

Photo credit: David L. Ryan, Boston Globe

When my plane landed in Texas on Friday, I was astonished by the weather (7o nice). It has been such a miserable winter and I asked myself why I live in New England. I immediately threw on a pair of shorts and marveled at the snow-free ground. It felt like I was cheating the seasons.

Last night, I had some plans to meet up with a friend for drinks. She had a family issue come up and asked if we could reschedule. I actually didn’t mind because I’ve been exhausted from the trip and really could have used a night to relax. Plus, the Bruins were on and had a big game against the second best team in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals. I was so looking forward to curling up on the couch and watching the puck fly all around the Garden ice.

At 4:23pm yesterday, I got a text from my friend Maverick:

“I know it is last second, but do you have any interest in going to the B’s tonight.”

The first thing that popped into my head was Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, the reigning league MVP and one of the best players in the league. I also thought of how I tired I was and how I was looking forward to staying in for the night. Ovechkin and the B’s won out and less than an hour later, Maverick and I were in the car heading towards the city.

Maverick is probably the biggest Bruins fan I know. He made sure we had a TV to watch the Bruins game during the tailgate of the 2007 AFC Championship. He is a Bruins season ticket holder and hasn’t missed a game yet. As of last night, he didn’t intend to. Part of the joy in watching sports for me is seeing how happy it makes my friends. If they root for different teams than me and they aren’t playing each other, my friends’ teams become mine. Sometimes I find myself rooting harder for their teams then my own.

He ended up showing me a neat little spot in Charlestown where he parks for each game. After parking, we walked along the Charles River Basin atop some moveable walkways. During this walk, I got a new view of the city and great look at the Zakim Bridge (one of my favorite “new” Boston landmarks, as pictured in my new banner). I liked the view so much, I snapped the picture above with my phone. It’s rare when you can get a new perspective on a place that is so familiar. Everything old was new again.

The best part of the night was the game. His seats were fantastic and the game was action-packed. The game ended in overtime when David Krejci scored to lead the B’s to their first win of the season over the second best team in the conference. Surprisingly, the player I most wanted to see (Ovechkin) was a non-factor in the game. Watching the passion my companion followed the game with and his interaction with all his season ticket holder friends around him only enhanced the experience.

Elsewhere there would be no last minute calls/texts/emails seeing if I wanted to go to the Sox/Pats/C’s/B’s game. There’s no other place where I have a higher concentration of family, friends and people that matter. There is no foliage, funny accents, bad drivers and abrasive (until you get to know them) personalities. There is no spot at the end of Long Wharf where I love to sit and look out at the harbor. There’s not many views of a city like the one on Memorial Drive at the Mass Ave. intersection. There is no Good Harbor Beach nor a Point Gammon Light.  There are no hotties lounging around in Post Office Square at lunchtime on nice days.  There is no Woodman’s, Santarpio’s, Santoro’s, Buff’s Pub or Fenway Park. There are no fall Sundays spent tailgating at the Blade. (I say all this as I am waking up to another snowstorm in a town that has already exhausted its 2008-2009 snow removal budget.)

Whenever I am in an airport on the way home from wherever, I always smile to myself when I get to the gate and see “Boston” illuminated on sign above the ticket counter.

For me, there really is no better feeling.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As promised, here is my WEEI entry for their blogger contest. I’d like to thank everyone who offered to take the time to give it a read (John, Keri, Chuck, Mel, Emily, Julie, Paul, Jen, Chris, Mike, Beau, Dan, Kate, Devid, Sarah, Kevin, Phil, Courteney and Hope). You guys are awesome. The 10 finalists for this contest will be announced by 10/13. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, go Red Sox!

Since the 1960’s, Green Bay has been affectionately known as Titletown. Those beer and bratwurst loving cheeseheads enjoyed a great era in professional football. This year, ESPN ran a contest to find the current “Titletown” of America. In this “contest,” Valdosta, Georgia won the honor.

ESPN got it wrong.

On February 3, 2002, Adam Vinateri launched a 48-yard field goal through the Louisiana Superdome uprights. The Patriots became Super Bowl champions and a new Titletown was born. This kick began an unparalleled six year (and counting) championship run and during this period, Boston teams have won six titles.

Defining Titletown is as easy as 1-2-3: One NBA Championship, Two World Series and Three Super Bowls.

Consider that, in Boston:

- Kids think the Super Bowl is a game on the Pats’ schedule.

- You can’t cross the street without tripping over a championship trophy.

- President Bush owns six Boston jerseys from our teams’ White House visits.

- An entire state (Minnesota – KG, Papi, Moss) is used to develop sports talent.

- The scalpers all drive BMW’s.

- The Duck Boats have logged more miles during parades than sightseeing tours.

- Thanks to overtime details, Boston has the richest police force in the world. Other cities’ officers have coffee and donuts on break. Here, they have lobster rolls.

- Athletes come here for less money than offered elsewhere.

- Recently, enough Boston championship t-shirts and hats have been produced to clothe all of India and China. At once.

- There were so many championship trophies in Fenway on Opening Day 2008 that the glare could be seen from the International Space Station.

- When you say “defending champs,” you have to specify which one.

- City Hall has parade routes on file.

- SI calls their commemorative package the “Boston special.”

- Tom Brady goes to NYC to avoid media attention.

- Pedro Martinez would rather win one ring here than three somewhere else.

Titletown is Game 6 of 2008 Bruins/Habs, Milan Lucic, and renewed hope for the Bruins.

Titletown is #17, “the captain and the Truth” outdueling LeBron and Kobe, KG’s intensity, slamming Pachulia and pre-game chest pound, Ray Allen’s sweet stroke, Rondo breaking ankles, Posey hugs, Gatorade stain on Doc, Gino!, Heroes Among Us, and the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history.

Titletown is Brady, Belichick, Bruschi, Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, Snow Bowl, Vrabel catching TD passes, throwing snow in the air, snow angels, grey hoodies, www.truthaboutmike.com (shameless plug), “Crazy Train,” 48-10 record in the Blade, three undefeated home seasons, 21 straight (twice), 16-0, and being introduced as a team.

Lastly, Titletown is Fenway Park, 2004, 2007, Dave Roberts stealing second, winning the pennant in Yankee Stadium, the greatest comeback in sports history, Pedro, Papi, Manny, Tek’s glove meets A-Rod’s face, Dominican flags at Fenway, Beckett in the 2007 playoffs, Jon Lester beating cancer then throwing a no-no, “Dirty Water,” and the bloody sock.

Move over Green Bay and Valdosta.

Titletown is Boston, Massachusetts.

There’s absolutely nothing better than sitting at an airport gate with Boston as your final destination.

Well, that’s what I always say anyways. I have an unhealthy appreciation for where I live (which I will explain). I could never live anywhere else and (for me) it really deserves the “Hub of the Universe” moniker . These thoughts came to me Saturday, when I was driving into town for the wedding reception. I was just getting on the Leveritt Connector, and that cheesy Augustana song about Boston came on the radio. I’m totally nuts about this place and quite honestly, can’t speak about it rationally. Consider:

I still get excited when I see “Boston” on highway signs. No lie. I smile when I drive across the state line and the “Welcome to Massachusetts” signs greet me. Every time. There are three different points on the local highways I drive often, where the downtown buildings can been seen. Exit 33B on 128, the flyover exit ramp on exit 37C on I-93 and just before exit 14 on the Pike. Whenever I pass each of these spots I always look for the Hancock and the Prudential. It’s almost as if I check to make sure they are still there. Furthermore, there’s a point along I-93 coming from the north where the road bends and downtown becomes visible for the first time. Gets me every time.

Boston is a great place to live. America was born here and the area is rich in history. The sports teams are unbelievable (World Series, Super Bowl and now the NBA Finals – all in the past eight months!), the Cape is close and the mountains are nearby as well. Swim or ski. In the fall, the foliage is beautiful and I’d be lying if I said I’ve never taken a 60 minute drive “just to clear my head” in the fall. Stunning vistas include Castle Island, the Public Garden, Memorial Drive at Mass Ave., Long Wharf, the Esplanade and my second favorite spot in the Commonwealth: The Great Island lighthouse.

We have three of the best sporting venues in the country. Fenway Park is the closest thing to heaven (future blog topic alert!) I’ve seen on the planet. Tailgating during fall Sundays at the Blade has become something I look forward to all year. And lastly, watching the C’s rock the Jungle this spring has been complete and total joy. When my teams are home and I’m in the stadium, I feel like I am home as well. I’ll hear a raucous Boston crowd at a key moment in the game, look around and think to myself, “These are my people and this is my home.”

Now, before you think I’m completely crazy (too late!) let me try to explain. My family moved to Ohio at probably the worst possible time for me. We moved right after I graduated from high school. My idiot-father thought it was the best move for our family at the time. I went from being on top of the world (like any high school senior) to the lowest of the low, all within the course of a summer. The only good thing to come out of that summer was that my brother and I became closer than we had ever been. We had nobody else but each other during those months.

My funk lasted throughout most of my freshman year of college. I was very depressed and while all of my high school friends were going home for the holidays, I was headed to an empty house in Ohio. With each passing day, I became bitter, cynical and angry at the world; it was the end of the innocence for me. I was in such a state of depression that I considered suicide. A guy in my hall kept guns in his room and I seriously contemplated stealing one and blowing my head off. I thought of him after the Virginia Tech tragedy and to this day, have no idea how he was able to keep that kind of weaponry in a dorm room. Parents, please don’t make the mistake my father made. Never move your kids between the ages of 12-18.

Because of what happened, I gained a new (and again, probably unhealthy) appreciation for this area. When we moved away in 1991, I vowed to myself that I would move back here and buy a house in my hometown. I moved back to the area in 1998 and it wasn’t until then that I started to feel like myself again. When I finally bought the house in Pleasantville in 2003, it was quite emotional for me. At 30 years old, I accomplished a goal I set when I was 18 and it felt amazing.

For me, Boston is the best place to live on Earth. I’m like a fish in water here. My family is here, my friends are here, I was born here and I’ll most likely die here.

Oh I love that dirty water, Boston you’re my home.