Me and the AE Tourney - Why I'm sad to see it go.

It is tough to find a place to start. I think it's because I'm having a hard time believing it's finished.

The America East Tournament has been a part of my life since 2002. Through the years I've brought other people in on the fun. With the group growing it's largest in 2013 when we had 11 people in our group! The countless memories from just traveling to the cities are enough to make me miss this tourney. It was for most of us our first escapes after a long winter. A chance to shake things up as the weather warms and the Madness of March crept in.

I got to know Boston, Binghamton, Hartford, and Albany. I got to take in match-ups between other squads from the conference. It was fun to see them battle each other and  just enjoy a game rather than be stressed or have big time rooting interest. I went on the floor at Walter Brown Arena to attempt a half-court shot (just missed), won $1000 for the Burlington Boys & Girls Club in Hartford, and this past year in Albany won a bouncing horse race (video available on Facebook). I could rile up opponents fans and then get ours going. Getting to play the "face" and "heel" roles often moments apart. I made fans laugh with my signs, chants, yells, and barbs. I watched Hartford players attack our fans. Jose-Juan Barea well before he hit the NBA. I witnessed upsets, shockers, buzzer-beaters. Heroic performances like Taylor Coppenrath's 43-point effort in the Championship game. I dressed as Kitty Catamount for the 2003 Championship game and stormed Boston U's floor as UVM made the NCAA Tourney for the first time. I stormed the court in 2012 when we took down Stony Brook on long island. I've helped cut down nets for UVM, and twice for Albany. I have formed relationships with past coaches, players, alums, and employees from not just UVM but other America East teams as well.

I feel like a part of this conference. A part of this tournament. I'm the guy always in full uniform. The young guy amongst the sea of elderly UVM fans. The guy who always gets it going with the fans and keeps it clean. This tournament will always be a part of me, and maybe more importantly to me, I felt I was a part of it.

To say the least, this tournament format change upset me greatly. Its about more than those high seeds getting home games. It's about more than trying to "protect the conference's better teams."

It's about a tournament our teams can win. Sure the NCAA Tourney is the goal, but really will an America East team ever win it all? Probably not in my lifetime. This was the time of year any team could win. They all came to a neutral site and at the end the high seed hosts the big game on ESPN. The way a tourney should be. The hottest teams playing good basketball at the time playing for a shot a glory.

Having this format enter so soon meant we only had a chance to do this one last time. I'm not sure if it will truly hit me until this same week next year. When there's no trip to plan. No games, hotel parties, or city wandering. No eating at different restaurants, seeing other teams fans and bands, or gathering with my friends to support our squad. No Madness.

I am constantly angered to think of the people who made this choice and okayed it. They never thought about how many people loved this tourney. It wasn't a "basketball" decision. It was a business one, and one I'd love to see numbers, or projected numbers on, because I don't buy it. Seemed a lot of non-basketball people made the choice and it makes about as much sense as if I changed the format of a soccer tournament.

I was further angered at this situation when it was first announced and I joined the nay-sayers. I was asked to remove a Tweet to the AE Commissioner that simply read "You should be ashamed." in response to a video she posted about the change. I wasn't asked by her, mind you, but my boss. Someone went through the trouble of calling UVM to have me take it down. I think it was petty. I didn't say anything inappropriate. I just shared my opinion. Then I was blocked from following our team on Twitter. Ridiculous, and immature if you ask me. Trust me, "You should be ashamed." was very edited from what I wanted to say. Nonetheless I said very little about it until now out of respect for UVM and my then employment there. I'm not one to rattle cages, or unnecessarily be a dickhead, but I felt my opinion was just, and also not alone.

I still feel the same way today as I did the day of the announcement. Now I'm just sad. Sad to know there won't be anymore great March moments like the ones in years past. New ones will have to be made, but it will never be in the same way again.

Now I'm having a hard time finishing this. I know it's because of how many great memories will start with "Remember that time at the America East Tournament...?" It's sad they will just be memories now... instead of future fun.

Good-Bye friend. It was a pleasure.

R.I.P. America East Tournaments Done Right

State of The Pich' Address / From Fieldhouse to Forum Part 2

Hey y'all. Back again and I realized I need to hand out the coveted hardware. The Pich' Awards MVP male & female. Basically the folks that led me to this point need to get their just desserts right here before our story continues.

As announced on his birthday Derek Rabideau-Campbell (or Dr. Soup as I'm now realizing we should have called him) was a co-MVP. The DRC was a good friend this past year and even added his name to my ever growing list of roommates. Me thinks that Derek and I have even more in common than maybe we both realized. For awhile I really felt we were two dudes just going through the motions of life. Not really happy with where we were, but making the most of it, laying low, and trying to find a better way. We didn't have as many fun times as we should have, but when we did they were always memorable. For being there as a good friend, roommate, and softball coach Derek was a co-MVP male in 2013! Thanks D-Train!

That of course makes you wonder. Who was the other co-MVP male? Doug Dupont. Doug and I reconnected in the past year and he was the key factor in to my getting in better shape over the summer. We often hung out watching MMA new or old, getting by on the McDonald's Value menu, working out, and grabbing some beverages at any bar. When I returned from Seattle my hours were supposed to change and they didn't. That coupled with the fuel to find something better, and Doug's new job, kept us from hanging out as often. But there is no way that 2013 would have gone as ok as it did without Doug. I always have a good time hanging with him and enjoy our conversations so much that we've always felt they should be documented. Someday maybe we'll make that podcast. Thanks for everything Doug!

That brings me to the MVP female. Never have I had a tougher choice to make. After  meeting the nominees you'll understand.

Judi Jerome is the name of the therapist I saw for awhile, and she was the person that got me to figure out how to control my adhd and anxiety. I tried medications, and scheduling. She taught me methods to remember things, ways to stay focused, I learned so much from her and I couldn't be successful at my new job without the skills she taught me. Really everyday I make a list, update my dry-erase calendar, or stay calm in an anxiety-ridden moment... it's all thanks to her. Thank you so much Judi. I couldn't have done it, or be doing it, without you!

Laura Ewell and I met years ago at the America East Tournament. We were introduced by Justin St. Louis, and I had no idea then, that she would become such an important person in my life. During last year's Super Bowl as her then roommate scooted out in a Ravens t-shirt to go watch the game, I was informed he was moving out. (SideBar: His team won last year then I moved in to that room this year. My turn? Go Broncos! Also DRC might want to move his stuff in to that room and bet on the Pack in 2015!) I inquired about living there because quite frankly I wanted a place to call my own. Living at the family's house was great for a lot of reasons but I needed my own space. Laura gave me that space. She joined us with our crew for the second straight year at the AE Tournament, was a great friend, and a better landlord! 2013 would have been a big bowl of suck without you Laura! Thanks so much!

Danielle Dufresne was as impactful as a person can be who lived in NYC the whole year. She seemed to be in Vermont at some keys times and then of course I weaseled my way into being one of her escorts to Michelle and Ryan's wedding in Washington state. That trip which still bears the "Best Vacation Ever" mantra, was probably enough to put her on the top of the MVP-female heap, but being there for me whenever I needed to chat, or needed to lineup a date of my own for the Companion-Bailey wedding, made Danielle a stand-out in 2013. Words really can't be formed to explain how much thanks I have for having her in my life. Maybe I'll come up with some for our "wedding" if she's still single when she hits 30. #BackUpPlan But seriously I love you Danielle. Thanks for everything, and don't think I forgot how you helped me move all my shit to New Hampshire, but that goes in your 2014 campaign!

Last but not least how could I not mention Brittni Simmons. I have to admit I think I'm about to piss some people off, but I  really have to get this off my chest. First off I understand why everyone has the ideas and views they have when it comes to Brit and I, but here's the thing. I'm not saying everything you think is wrong, but a lot of it is. I have always hated that I feel like I have to "defend" my relationship with her to some people, no matter what the official or unofficial label is or was. I appreciate that people were concerned for me. Don't think I don't. However I'm a grown man. If Brit was really as poisonous as people think for me then why the hell did I get so much out of our time together in all capacities? How many times did she give me a place to crash, a free meal, an ear? How often were we such a great team being there for each other? Often we were the only other person that could calm the other down. Who recommended I see someone to figure out what was up with me (ADHD & Anxiety)? Who taught me to be more accepting of Boston sports, and look past people's fandom? Who taught me to enjoy hiking, healther foods, Vermonter-type stuff? Who taught me to enjoy parts of Massachusetts? I WOULD NEVER HAVE APPLIED FOR A JOB this close to Boston before I met Brittni. For every inch of heartache I felt, it was met with something positive. If anyone ever takes the time to get to know her you'll enjoy the same giving, loving, caring person that I know. In fact her main downfall is that she gives to much, often loves too hard, and cares too much. Remind you of anyone? This isn't Rihanna taking Chris Brown back... this is two people who formed a damn good team, and learned a ton from each other in the process.  When I left I didn't have the good-bye moment with Brit because I left a day early. I couldn't bear the thought of saying good-bye. Even though I'm still pretty close by. I had a tearful good-bye with Sadie and left a note. I haven't talked to her much since, but I still think about her everyday. From every long relationship I've had I've gained valuable knowledge, and lasting friendships. The last thing I'm saying on this topic is the following. Hopefully it sheds some light on how I feel.

On a Monday morning in November I woke up and saw a picture of Brit on Facebook. For some reason seeing this picture made me realize it wasn't to be, at least right now, and it motivated me to re-start my search for jobs elsewhere. Honestly living in Vermont was ok with her in the picture but that picture seemed faded now. I applied to a job at a rink in East Boston online. 15 minutes later FMC called me and the rest is history...  So when people asked if I was "moving alone." It bothered me because internally it seemed so obvious. I later realized the other two times I moved away an ex was involved so it made sense to ask. Just when you think this isn't so different... think again. I stepped out to this place on my own because the job was so great, the situation was so perfect, other than missing all the fine folks of Vermont and UVM everything for me here is better. And I wanted a better life, and I'm having it. So another motivating moment from Brit led me here. I'm ok with that, because she's had a good track record with me. I always knew that. Now everyone else does to.

Thank you for everything Brittni! I love you and Sadie and I know I'll be seeing you guys soon! I hope you aren't mad at me for sharing this. I know you're a very private person but I wanted people to know how much you've done for me and how much you mean to me and always will.

All of that said I have decided that this year's MVP Female is the first ever 4-way tie. Oddly enough the ladies either don't know each other, or in one case had a falling out of being best friends, but you know what did bond them all? Me. I was lucky enough to be influenced, loved, and surrounded by 4 great ladies this past year and it's only fitting they all get a quarter of the award that bears my mother's name. When I look back at this award in the future I'll never regret having a 4-way tie, and it will always remind me of my final year in Vermont and how in each their own way, they helped me get what I needed out of myself to succeed as I left.

So there they are. The Pich Award MVP's from 2013. I'll return to the story of Hudson, NH, the Chelmsford Forum, and life here now next time.


P.S. Go Broncos! 

The State of The Pich Address 2014 / From Fieldhouse to Forum Part 1

It's been far too long since I last checked in. In fact I was recounting my trip to Seattle. Ironically the weekend I was there the Denver Broncos played the Seattle Seahawks in a pre-season game that the Seattle papers said could be a Super Bowl preview. I laughed at the thought of Seattle being up to the task, but earlier today as I start writing this we learned that to be true. 

I don't intend to go back and finish the description of the best vacation ever, but that takes nothing away from that trip which also was the 2013 Trip of the Year Pich' Award Winner (announced now, but really is anyone shocked?). 

On that trip I came up with the #DoMoreAwesomeThings or #DMAT initiative. That trip awoke something in me. I needed to be able to get out and do more awesome stuff, but why didn't I? Mostly lack of money. I set the summer of 2012 as my goal to leave VT back in 2010 before I even moved back from Milwaukee. My time in VT was growing stale. I wasn't satisfied with what I did, what I got paid to do it, or where my life was or where it was heading. The trip to Seattle was a wake up call I desperately needed to get back out there and search for that "more" that I can be.

Soon after returning others saw that spark in me too. People often asked when I was moving to Seattle, and to be honest it was the first place I started sending resumes. As time wore on I broadened the search. Eventually looking in the last place you ever thought I'd look...

Tangent: For folks that know me you know how much I like to share. For the past couple of years I shared less and less. I felt I had very little worth sharing and what I did have that I valued I didn't wish to share. As this blog continues, and I think it will be quite long, know that I have done so much in the past few months that is worth sharing. And I want to share it with you. Partially because I'm proud to have things to share, and partially as a way of thanking everyone who got me to this point. With me leaving, all the working, traveling, packing, the holidays... it was hectic, and I don't feel I gave a proper good-bye except for at UVM where the final day at work couldn't have been much sweeter. But I'll get to that... Along the way Ill also hand out some Pich' Awards, and tell you how much we have all lost in comedy and entertainment by my lack of a video camera. Soon that problem will be remedied. Until then read these words...

On November 11th I woke up and readied to search for jobs as usual on my day off. I found a job managing a rink in East Boston and sent my resume online. 15 minutes later they called to setup an interview for that Thursday. So secretly I told a few fibs and made my way down for the interview. Despite locking my keys in my Jeep not far from the office I made it there on time. 

During the interview I was vocal and earnest about why I was there. I wanted to do more than I was doing, and I wanted to earn more money. I'm still not exactly sure what I sold them on, I've still only seen the people I interviewed with once since I was hired, but I could tell when I left it went well because they had me stop by another rink that they would rather perhaps have me at. That's when I met the Chelmsford Forum and Casey Murdough (2013 Male Rookie of the Year). I had actually met Casey before a couple times at NEISMA conventions, but never in Vermont where we are both from. He worked for years in Essex at the rink there where his dad ran the building and he went to school. He had moved down to the Forum about 4 years ago. Casey had done a great job of maintaining the Forum and I could tell from things that were said that the company, FMC Ice Sports, was going to miss him. I guess maybe they felt another dude from Vermont was the best guy to step in mid-season and take the reigns?

11 Days after that Thursday I was called and offered the job. I took sometime to think about it and after weighing all the particulars I couldn't find any good reason not to go. The money was so much more than I made at UVM and I could train during December on my off days at UVM. Everything just started to fall in to place which was good because all of the sudden I had to relocate in a month!

Thus began a hectic December during which I only had glimpses of the holidays. If not for Brittni, her roommates, and family I might have forgotten the holidays entirely. I still feel like I missed out on a lot of it. I didn't really get gifts for people with my money tied up in a move. I did help get a Christmas tree, make a Gingerbread hockey rink, and take part in an epic unwrapping experience at Brit's family's place.

The farewell tour began at UVM. The travel began down to Chelmsford on the weekends returning on Tuesdays (they put me up in a hotel). While there and not working I setup places to look at to live. Then when I was back in VT I often spent time packing and trying to organize my move to wherever I ended up.

Mini-Tangent: Throughout this time I noticed that as I got ready to leave Vermont for the 3rd time, that unlike the other times where I only thought of the excitement and newness... this time I was sad to leave. My final days at UVM brought tears to my eyes as did saying good-bye to Sadie. Even not saying good-bye to some made me saddest. But at the end of the day then, and even more so now, I know I did the right thing for me. Not a doubt in my mind. I like that I'm only 3 hours away from home this time. I live in a bordering state for crying out loud. However this time I was smart enough to realize how much I've missed the 802 in the past. How much it shaped me as a man, and how wherever I go and whatever I do... even if I am embarrassed sometimes of the Vermont stereotypes and truths... I will always be proud to be a Vermonter!

And we're back. The last few weeks seemed to race by. And as the year came to an end I realized that I started the new gig on Jan. 1st! Talk about starting a new year differently! On my last trip down for training I headed back for Vermont on Christmas Eve. I had one last place to look at in the morning before I decided on which of the other places I'd seen, all of which I wasn't crazy about, I would live at. That's when I met Heidi. Tucked away not far from the major shopping area of Nashua, NH lies the town of Hudson. I met Heidi at her place and could tell right away she was pretty chill. We spoke for about a half hour during which she gave me the tour and then offered me the place starting whenever. I was further honored to learn that I was the only decent person she had met in the several months she had the place posted on Craigslist.

So at the last second I had found the perfect spot for me. Room bigger than my old one but at the same price. Therefore, with my making more money, I'll be able to pay off old debts, and eventually do that thing called, "Saving." I mean at some point in the next couple years I could actually afford a house, and that wasn't happening at UVM anytime soon. I mean I love the place, you know I do, but I was sick of having to have a second job to make ends meet or be able to afford food, clothes, gas, and basic things. If not for the painting job I picked up over the summer I would have never been able to go to Seattle. The #DMAT initiative may have never been born.

As the final days arrived I thought it and odd coincidence that the Catamount Cup was hosting not only Canisius & Clarkson but also UMass-Lowell. The Chelmsford Forum (formerly known as the Tully Forum) was the home of UMass-Lowell hockey for many years before they built a new downtown arena closer to campus. They still practice at the Forum on occasion in fact. I introduced myself to their staff throughout the weekend and then watched as the Riverhawks and Catamounts both won their games but with a last-second goal by UVM they won the overall goals tiebreaker and were declared Catamount Cup Champs. It was the best-case scenario for me as the new home team and the forever home team won both games and the Cats won the cup. It was a fitting end to my career there and the guys even wished me good luck via the scoreboard during my final ice. I even took an extra lap to wave good-bye to the fans. I will miss UVM game days more than you could ever know. The weekend was perfect and I will forever remember the send-off, well wishes, and great moments!

 

In the coming days I will get back to writing more. I will finish this mega-blog to update everyone on how it's going. This pretty much takes you up to when I left. Next time I'll get in to the actual leaving, arrival, and first days on the job. A polar vortex, non-working heaters, and growing pains sure made it interesting. Then of course the weekends around the Companion-Bailey wedding! So much to tell... This guy is off to bed for tonight. If anyone has an in for Super Bowl tickets let this guy know!

From Fieldhouse to Forum Part 1 was brought to you by:

Market Basket - A grocery store chain down here that is pretty cool.

Center Sports - The only place to get Chelmsford Lions gear!

&

Best Western Hotels - "We beat out several other Westerns for the title. Come see how the Best was won." 

(Those are all non-paying endorsements added for my own amusement, but c'mon that last slogan is good right?)

 

Best Vacation Ever - Day 3 Go West Young Man!

Once again pics at the bottom. Not a ton on this day. Without further ado... Wednesday August 14th 2013 Also if you're just jumping in to this scroll down and start with day 1 and work your way up unless you're one of those weirdos that likes reading front back to front!

I awoke and made plans to meet with Michelle Murray for lunch. I had to hustle to prep all my stuff so that as soon as I got back I could head right to the airport. I was supposed to meet with Christian later to go there and Danielle was coming from work.

Nonetheless I navigated my way down to where Michelle was and we had lunch at a solid little Italian place known for their meatballs. It was pretty good. I couldn't remember the last time I saw Michelle but it was great to catch up with her. I always enjoyed her zest for life and energy she could bring to any room in seconds. Lunch was short due to me having to get moving to get to the airport.

I boogied back to Astoria to get my bag and meet Christian. However he was running behind and that left me to navigate my own way to the airport. So I took my bag in hand, with wheels mind you, and headed for the right train. I did a great job all day knowing which train to take, which was an express, I was in a train zone not usually seen by a Vermonter with limited experience in mass transit. Soon I was boarding an air train for the airport as I texted Danielle and Christian the whole time. I felt like I was on the Amazing Race. I won.

My bag weighed in at 52 lbs but they didn't charge me extra. I think I'm finally getting the pretty person treatment because I'm no longer a big tub of goo anymore. While in line I found myself behind two ladies from Egypt. I actually made small talk with them when they weren't talking to each other and I was amazed to learn that Egyptians walk just like everyone else. What's up now Bengals?

After I got through the screening I waited for Danielle who was not too far behind me in line.  We headed for the gate and awhile later Christian joined us.

I feel this is a decent time to mention this. Danielle was mad stressing about a lot of stuff on this trip. Not sure whether it was feeling like she had to "mom" for Christian and I ( She didn't need too we were capable) or just wigging out about her wedding duties... I don't know what was up, but I was going to be glad the minute these kids said "I Do" cause I figured maybe then she'd chill out. We often made reference to a long email that was sent to everyone involved with the trip which seemed to itemize every moment of the trip. Not how I like to travel. This caused me some stress the day it came through but I was determined to play ball when I needed to, but also carve out my fun.

As we settled on the plane I was quickly introduced to the magic screen in front of me. Delta had an awesome array of games, movies, music, and more right in front of me to play with. After watching the best safety video I've ever seen (it had some comedy) we soon were in the air and heading west! I dug in to the magic screen and watched The Amazing Burt Wonderstone. It was hardly amazing. I also could track where we were with a feature that let us know how high we were, where we were, and so much more. Being a stat geek I loved it. I even filmed when we flew past the Minneapolis area putting me further west than I had ever been before.

Sidebar... I've always wanted to travel to every state in the U.S. and sadly I'm 34 and hadn't been any further than the Central time zone. A big part of this trip, for me, was to see some new territory. I was uber excited to see the Pacific ocean, have jet lag, and scope the left coast!

Eventually we landed, retrieved our bags and headed for our rental car. Danielle drove us towards Michelle and Ryan's place (the couple to wed on Saturday). Danielle's driving was... lets say erratic, and made me very nervous. But I instead tried to focus on all the new territory I was drinking in visually. I tried to take some night pics of Seattle as we drove by but they didn't really take. Soon we were north of the city at the apartment of Michelle and Ryan, which I labeled the Northwest Hideout (tribute to the Hideout in NYC).

I knew Michelle from her trips with Danielle to Vermont and a couple times when I went to NYC while she lived there. Ryan I had never met but quickly I realized this was a cool cat. They opened up their pad to us and at this point it was about midnight local time. This guy was hungry. A walk to the nearby store provided me with my first west coast surprise...

As I self-scanned some items I started to put them in a paper bag. I noticed I didn't see any plastic bags which I thought was odd for a city known for being wet. Then Danielle asked me if I scanned the bag. I was dumbfounded. Then told that I would have to pay for bags. PAY for bags! I understand the idea is to get people to bring their own, but what are we doing Seattle? And like I said before if I'm shelling out for a bag make it a quality plastic one that won't fall apart in the rain!!! Anyway I could go on but I won't.

We got back to the apartment and were awaiting the arrival of Danielle's mom and step-dad. It was now in the 1:30 range local time putting my clock at 4:30am. This guy was tired! Finally I regretfully had to excuse myself from the conversations and announce that I'd be laying on the floor and might sleep.

I awoke and was looking down the front of the UVM Zamboni. I was insane. I turned to face everyone in the living room asking what the hell? Turns out they had started watching my entire YouTube library while I passed out on the floor. Still for a second I feared I was right back at work and I still had vacation work to do!

Not long after everyone finally went to bed. I had gotten my first dose of jet lag whether I wanted it or not.

Day 4 comes your way soon! It's the most epic day where I'm led around town by Cara Greenwalt, and get to see Seattle's best tourist spots. Some you've heard of, and some you haven't. There's a lot of pics coming in Day 4 so don't be disappointed by the lack of pics today.

Shot of NYC down by where I met Michelle for lunch

Grainy pic of me and my wings I got for being a great passenger

Less grainy shot of me and the wings

Blurry shot of Safeco Field as we passed.

Best Vacation Ever - Day 2 NYC, a day of firsts!

Day 2 began as I had to make my way from Katie's place to Danielle's. A short walk but in the rain. I borrowed an umbrella which folded inside out after about a block and a half. Then I purchased a new umbrella to complete the journey. Upon my arrival at Danielle's I took stock of my surroundings and then showered and prepared to go into the city with Katie. Eventually I'd meet up with Danielle and Christian to head to the Yankees/Angels game which was the only thing I'd setup for the day.

After getting ready I waited quite awhile to hear from Katie.  She was running late which is sort of her jam.  Eventually we headed down to Times Square and moseyed our way to a place called Bareburger. Let me tell you something. Eat there. The grub was awesome. I had an Elk burger. ELK! They also had a bevy of other proteins and the menu is all natural stuff farmed... damn... I had a milkshake that almost blew my skull off. They had 3 dipping sauces for the fries and they were all unique. If you want a burger or American fare with a healthy twist, get your can to one of these throughout the city.

From there Katie had to get to work. And where does she work? She works on a play called "Once" as a costumer. She took me inside the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for what she called the "10 cent tour." She undersold it. After meeting a couple of people I soon found myself on stage! Katie and I took a picture and I nabbed a couple more. It was cool to be on a Broadway stage. Then I followed Katie as she distributed some wardrobe to the dressing rooms of the actors. I snapped more exclusive photos including some of drawings on the door of the child actors which amused me.  Soon after Katie had to do more work and I had to head to Lincoln Center to meet the group that would become known as "Team Northeast" for the Yankees game.  This would be the final time I would see Katie on the trip but it was great to see her again and spend some time with her. Hopefully I can watch one of her shows next time I visit the city.

I then made my way over to meet Danielle and then we met with Christian and headed for the Bronx. We arrived outside Yankee Stadium and headed to a local bar to grab a drink first. I was amazed at the old site for Yankee Stadium. It was now a series of smaller fields which had softball going on. It made me remember why I had my McKees jersey on under my Yankees jersey. Tonight my team back in Vermont was playing in the Championship round without me. I was eager to hear score updates.

Upon entering the stadium I quickly assessed that this was a big improvement over the old Yankee Stadium. Not the history, but the wide concourses, more comfortable seating, and better overall sight lines. An improvement but really nothing spectacular either. The Angels had a 2-0 lead before we got seated but it didn't take long before Alfonso Soriano, on his way to a 7 RBI 2 HR night, led the Yankee attack. The final would end up being 14-7 but when we left it was 14-3 Yankees. We narrowly escaped a small rain delay in the 8th which would have soaked us. Oddly in another interesting fact C.C. Sabathia started and won the game for the Yankees. He also pitched and won the first game I saw at Miller Park in Milwaukee. And overall C.C. is 4-0 in games I attend. I did my typical purchase of a souvenir cup for my soda. Choosing to not get any other memorablia to save funds. (Another under lying theme of the trip. I had enough to get to all this stuff but spending on shirts, and other stuff was really not in the budget. If it wasn't food or attendance, or transportation I wasn't in to it.)

Upon getting back to Danielle's she introduced me to the show "Drunk History" on Comedy Central. A must watch for anyone who has ever been entertained by drunk people while you were sober. I won't describe it more than that. Just watch it. You won't be mad about it.

Soon after it was time for bed and the day came to a close.

Stay tuned for tomorrow as I meet up with another friend for lunch in the city and then win the 3-person race to the airport... oh and of course I'll finally get to Seattle via the cross-country flight!

Stepping out in a rainy Astoria

Saying hello to Cal

Cal gets comfy in my luggage

No. I do not know why someone would write this on their mirror.

They park 'em close in NYC

Brilliant marketing

About to board a train bound for Manhattan

My Elk burger at Bareburger

Sign for the play Katie works for

Katie and I on stage

Looking out on the empty seats

A shot of the stage

Inside the actors dressing room

Child actors are such divas about who can come in.

Columbus Circle

Spot where Yankee Stadium used to be.

Spot where it is now.

Repping McKee's at the stadium

Snoopy selling himself to the pinstripes

Nice tribute behind us for "the boss"

The Best Vacation I Ever Took Day 1

Decided to do this in segments. Here is Day 1. Pics at the end after you read.

Here I am beginning to type and I'm already worried I'll leave out something cool from this trip. Quite simply put it was the best vacation I've ever taken. Before we launch in to the Vacation itself lets answer the question... "Why are you going to Seattle?" Simply put it was for a wedding and to visit a friend. Then I added some time in before we left NYC and after to see the two baseball teams newer stadiums to which I hadn't been. So with those items on the agenda the trip already looked meaty and damn tasty. What I didn't realize would happen was all of my favorite stuff from the trip wasn't stuff I had planned. The random stuff became king, and of course those other items were awesome too. It was pretty much the trip that kept giving. Which was awesome because I had never been on a vacation for such a length of time since I went somewhere with my parents, and I hadn't been on a vacation period in over 2 years. Ok, ok without further ado I take you to Monday August 12th...

Day 1 

6:00 am the alarm goes off. I got barely any sleep because I was excited but did enjoy some rest after a grueling weekend of softball. I had just played 9 games of softball in 2 days on a torn hamstring (on light duty but still giving all I had). The season had taken it out of me and I was ready to relax and stop running. I pulled myself out of bed and packed the final things needed and got out the door.  I stopped at a store to grab a snack, Monster, and a few other travel size accessories for the eventual plane rides. I parked my car in front of Gutterson Fieldhouse and walked over towards Royal Tyler Theater with quite the limp. Of course a few other people showed up and quickly realized the Megabus wasn't there. Apparently it picks up in a slightly different locale. So one of the peoples fathers packs us all in to his car and we book up there as the bus is pulling away! One of the more spry guys runs the bus down and holds it for us. That dude saved the day!

I slinked into the first available seat on the lower level just happy to be there and out of breath. Already an adventure just a few minutes in to the trip!

I started to discover and learn things about the bus as I traveled. Learning and discovering things is a popular theme to this vacation which was also why I liked it alot. I like to learn new things. Later that intuitiveness leads to the formation of a great team. But I digress...

Among the first things I learned on Megabus were that there's power outlets at every seat. Then I quickly realized that the hacking woman across from me was actually noisier when she slept. This led me to deduce that I should have sat somewhere upstairs on the bus, but with my leg still hurting and no one next to me I could stretch out across the bus. I was feeling ambitious so I started to organize some of my jokes and then later switched to reading, get this, a book! I got about 9 chapters in before I started to get tired and then it was nap time. Sleeping on public transportation is another theme that we'll keep coming back to. When I awoke we were soon near Amherst, MA and our first stop to pick up more people. A ton of people got on and I feared I'd lose my leg room, but the disgusting woman across from me was actually useful in keeping folks away from me too. Another stop in Hartford a short while later left every seat packed but ones near us and off we went for NYC!

I was facing backward by the way and I relished in seeing the New England go behind me as I headed for my vacation. I also took great satisfaction in knowing I paid $21 for this trip! Twenty-One! I mean talk about a deal! As I got closer to the city my texting about where and when I should be places was frantic. Finally the bus stopped and I followed Danielle's directions to the correct subway stop where after I got off I remembered right where to go and soon I met with Danielle.

She took my bag up to her office and we went to go get her some lunch at Trader Joe's. While there I discovered something a lot of people have already known about but I think rural America needs to know about it... escalators for carts. They make 'em they're amazing. Ok moving on. After we checked out we met up briefly with Christian. He would be the other fella joining Danielle and I on our trek out west. Danielle got to bring 2 dates because we also both know Michelle, we both are awesome, and quite frankly that how Danielle wanted to roll. She liked to refer to us as her "harem" but we later became known as Team Northwest. Anyway back to the story.

Eventually Christian left and Danielle had to go back to work. Now I was to meet up with Katie for the evening plan which was a going away party for a friend of hers. I was a little nervous to see Katie as I hadn't seen her since the time she came to visit me in Vermont when we were "dating" or trying to... I don't know but I shouldn't have been worried cause it was great to see her and we quickly caught up as we took a taxi to a bar on the pier. It was called the Frying Pan. Great bar/venue on a floating dock with boats around it a caboose on it and all of it is available to be on. They serve food, live music, sweet views of the city, and good damn times. It would be my favorite spot if I was a regular there.

Now most of Katie's friends are also from her line of work, costumer for plays/shows, so I don't have a super amount of stuff in common with them, and her friend who was leaving was leaving for Yale. However this dummy made some solid conversation, picked my spots for jokes, and then struck up a conversation with a young lady who had a different job then the others. She was a figure skating teacher. Later her boyfriend who used to work at the rink she works at came over and now i had someone I could talk shop with. Cards were given, emails were exchanged, and I left feeling great because I had a lead on a job! Of course ultimately we left because the ladies decided to spark up a doobie and we got kicked out. Weed is another common theme on this trip although I did not partake.  We left and hit another bar before heading back to Katie's place. Danielle had bailed on joining us and was sleeping cause she had to work the next day. So we headed for Katie's which is is Astoria and not far from where Danielle lives. In fact Katie lives in Danielle's old room in the spot known as "The Hideout." Some Quantum Leap was watched and I slept feeling like I had already had a solid start on Day 1!

Book I read before I got sleepy

Madison Square Garden

Train traveling

Sweet Fountain near Lincoln Center

Walkway to the Frying Pan

Near the front of the Frying Pan looking back

Selfie with the ladies from the gathering after getting kicked out

NYC knows whats good for 'em

Me and a slightly more notable object

Katie and I about to board the train for Astoria

My week with Boston.

It has been a strange week. Last Monday as I sat down to do some computer work, news broke about the Boston Marathon bombing. Immediately I read so many conflicting reports in the early moments that I turned it off. We all react differently to tragedy this was tragedy mixed with misinformation. I simply wanted to know what happened for sure, and was willing to wait to get good information.

Boston and I have a checkered past. To any people who have known me throughout the years I've been known to root for every team playing Boston, mocked their terrible fans, purchased anti-Boston shirts, and called it "The butthole of America."  And that's really the tip of the iceberg.

Over the past year I've tried to change my tune. Erasing the hate was a top priority of mine. I went even so far as to rip an "I Hate Boston" shirt on my show Talking Trash while it was still on. While I still dislike a lot of Boston fans, detest the Bawston accent, think "Sweet Caroline" is an awful song, and Hate the Bruins (Go Habs Go!) there is one thing I dislike more. Terrorism.

As I got the news of what happened I was preparing for a journey to Hyannis, MA for the NEISMA convention. It was a rare trip to get out of town for work. The NEISMA convention is an Ice Rink thing. The next day with many questions still unanswered and no suspects even named. Willie Adam and I headed south for Hyannis. we drove right through Boston. All of the billboards and signs after only a day astounded me. There was no doubt that Boston was strong. I had always known that. Had they not been strong before they wouldn't have posed a worth adversary for my hatred. 

As more came out the next day Willie and I again drove, or should I say crawled, through Boston. Again I saw the signs. even trying to take a picture of one. As I came back to Vermont I felt myself feeling angry, confused... we all were and still are. As New Englanders you don't just know one person in Boston. You know at least 50. On Friday as the city was shut down. I had a hard time conveying how I felt. Usually in tough situations I use humor, but in times like these all comedians aren't even touching "too soon" jokes.

As I saw others around me, on TV, and the Internet pouring out support, well wishes, and #BostonStrong hashtags, I was feeling weird. Finally I came to some realizations.

As I rode to Marlborough, MA on Sunday I thumbed through my issue of Sports Illustrated. The cover has a gripping shot. Then as I flipped inside many more images and stories, but one grabbed my attention. A view from near the finish line shows smoke and a large scene, but in the lower corner I noticed that the cover shot was being taken. See if you can see it.

This photo sparked in me a need to blog. I need to write about a time in my life that I was never conflicted about my support of Boston. A time when someone attacked the "butthole." America's butthole. Our butthole. I thought back to what David Ortiz said in the first game back at Fenway (See picture). This is our fucking city. Not Massachusetts', not New England's, not even America's. It's a city that represents the Earth. Good, Bad, and the ugly. Where FREEDOM should be respected, and sanity should rule the day. These type of acts show the good in people, more than they show the bad. Weak-minded people made us all #BostonStrong


So last night before I went to bed I did something that I should have done earlier in the week. I changed my Facebook profile picture to the B-Strong logo. A spot that has seen that same logo with a red circle around it and a line through it in the past. Tonight I'll head from Marlborough in to Boston. In to see David Ortiz and these "B" clad gents host the Oakland A's. I hope to purchase a shirt in support of these Red Sox or the city of Boston. Tonight when Sweet Caroline plays I'll sing along. I'll root for the home team (If they don't win it's a shame). I'll never forget a week I felt connected to a city I used to hate. And tonight I look forward to burying the hatchet with a city. A city that represents Earth. On Earth Day.

I expect tonight that I'll have more stories, sights and sounds to share. It has been too long since I last blogged. I needed this. Hopefully if you read this you got something out of it too.

Disclaimer: I'm not claiming to be a Boston fan when it comes to their sports teams. I still hope the Bruins lose every game. But that's based more on their rivalry with my Canadiens. It's nice to have separation between sports and the world and this issue solidified what I've been working on for the past year or so. No matter you're thoughts on teams, accents, or area, NoOne should mess with our freedom, livelihood, or resolve! B-Strong!