Lost? Catch up with this video...

Anyone who knows Bev and me knows that "Lost" is one of our favorite TV shows. It's appointment viewing in our house, one of the few shows we watch live and don't DVR. The show has its flaws and its many detractors, but for sheer mystery, suspense, and viewer involvement there's nothing like it. Obviously, one of the drawbacks of "Lost" is that it requires weekly viewing. If you miss an episode, you'll likely end up like one of the castaways -- confused and, well, lost. After its long hiatus, "Lost" is returning for the start of its 4th season on Thursday January 31. From the looks of it, the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 are going to be rescued. What we don't know is whether this is a good or bad thing? Who can forget the closing images of Season 3, when -- once rescued -- a broken alcoholic Jack (my beard will soon reach Jack-ian proportions, by the way) tells Kate "We weren't supposed to leave the island...We have to go back!" Good stuff. In case you want to join the cool people (us) and tune in this season but you don't have time to watch 3 seasons worth of DVDs, here's a well-done 8 minute recap of everything's that's transpired. I can't wait!

Tom Brady = George Bailey

The guys over at Flatusyahu.com (don't ask, I was linked here by another great blog, CNNSI's Extra Mustard) have compiled a list of sports stars and their Christmas character counterparts. My favorite was their choice for George Bailey. Our own golden boy, Tom Brady.

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Tom Brady seems the only obvious choice for George Bailey. Everybody knows the story of George Bailey, but let’s looks at what would have happened if Tom Brady was never born.
First of all, Damon Huard comes in to replace an almost dead Bledsoe. We don’t see the years being quite the same…

How come the Brattle didn't show this ending?

Yes, indeed. We had a blast watching It's a Wonderful Life at the Brattle on Friday evening. Bev's homemade smuggled popcorn was delicious (just the right amount of salt) and the movie was great, of course. My favorite line is when Clarence warns George not to visit Mary at the Pottersville Public Library: "She's become an old maid! She's about to close up the library." Reminds me of my wife. Anyway, we stayed till after the closing credits, hoping to see the lost ending, but it looks like we'll just have to settle for YouTube.

A Christmas Tradition

I think Price and I have started a new Christmas tradition. On Friday afternoon we went to see It's a Wonderful Life at Harvard Square's Brattle Theater. There is no better way to enjoy a true classic than the big screen. The Brattle is also a very cool place, a now non-profit theater that has been in Harvard Square since 1953. It's a Wonderful Life is actually very funny and, of course, very uplifting. The movie is a great way to start a Friday evening and a great reminder of what we should be thankful for in this busy season. After our second annual viewing, I'm happy to have a new tradition to look forward to in years to come!

Merry Christmas!

Brothers Behaving Badly

Banks and I were pretty straight arrows growing up. We never did anything overly devious or dangerous as far as I know. Banks bogarted some chocolate from other people's Easter baskets. I broke some decorative plates and blamed it on the cat. Typical boy stuff. Of course, there was also that snowy winter night we aided and abetted a certain somebody as he borrowed firewood from a neighbor. But we had our reasons for that, I assure you. The power was out, we were freezing, they had a generator. It was a real Marxist revolution.

Anyway, it looks like there are some great movies either in the theaters (Sidney Lumet's "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead")

or coming soon (Woody Allen's "Cassandra's Dream")

that feature brothers behaving badly. Maybe Banks and I could see them and get some ideas before we embark on our life of crime. There's no doubt we'd bungle the crimes, so the only questions remaining are: Who's Ethan Hawke and who's Philip Seymour Hoffman? Who's Ewan McGregor and who's Colin Farrell?

Rejoice!

We had our first snow of the season yesterday. Nothing big -- just an inch or so -- but of course it was pretty and made for a good night to curl up under a blanket.

(Courtesy of Snoopy.com)

Beat Kansas!

GO HOKIES!

Our girls are better than looking than yours! GGB!

Sk8r Guy

Looks like Lindsay caught onto a Boston tradition before it was cool. This past Sunday, the Globe had an article on the famous "skater guy" from Boston's frog pond. This guy is the real deal. He's a 52-year old tree surgeon from Concord, NH and makes the drive to Boston at least twice a month to entertain what sounds like a growing crowd. The real kicker? He's never had a lesson! Not many people could possibly pull that off so well.

Now that the weather has turned nice and chilly, Price and I are sure to be spotted on a bench in the common to catch a glimpse of this guy.

*Side note for Banks: I know you mentioned park ranger, but how about getting in on some tree surgeries? Sounds pretty green to me!

My ears are still ringing...

Bev and I went to the Garden last night and saw Bruce and the E Street Band play their second Boston show. As you can imagine the concert was awesome! Here's a setlist for you aficionados:

(1) Radio Nowhere (2) Night (3) Lonesome Day (4) Gypsy Biker (5) Magic (6) Reason To Believe (7)Darkness On The Edge Of Town (8) Candy's Room (9) She's The One (10) Livin' In The Future (11)This Hard Land (12) 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) [chosen in place of "Coming Down" -- damn] (13) The E Street Shuffle [chosen in place of "Backstreets" -- double damn] (14) Working On The Highway (15) Devil's Arcade (16) The Rising (17) Last To Die (18) Long Walk Home (19)Badlands (Encore) (20) Girls In Their Summer Clothes (21) Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out (22) Kitty's Back (23) Born To Run (24) American Land

Bev had scored us sweet lower level tickets (about 30 yards from stage left), so you knew already the show was going to be better than Hartford, where we sat in the balcony behind stage. He played for 2hr 20min and once again went deep into the catalogue (as in "The Wild, The Innocent, The E Street Shuffle" deep)to pull out some good ones. "Working on the Highway" was great because Bruce seemed to be having such a fun time with it (appropriate song for Big-Dig Boston, no?), "Sandy" was a nice surprise, "Lonesome Day", "Long Walk Home", and "Badlands" were energizing as always, and the encore was highlited by a Clarence-heavy "Tenth Avenue Freezeout" and a joyful version of "American Land." We actually really liked how the show ended with American Land -- its lyrics and chorus (There's diamonds in the sidewalk, the gutters lined in song; Dear I hear that beer flows through the faucets all night long; There's treasure for the taking, for any hard working man; Who will make his home in the American Land) are very appropriate for Bruce. The boys are off to Europe for a while now, but I actually saw they're playing a few more shows stateside in February and March, including a second stop at Hartford (2/28). Bev, you up for another show? Sadly, although I know Bev would be up for it, I don't think our wallets would be. It looks like my quest to hear "Thunder Road" live will have to wait till the next tour. My ears may still be ringing then.

"...You know that flag flying over the courthouse, means certain things are set in stone. Who we are, what we'll do, and what we won't. It's gonna be a long walk home..."

Chicagoland

Just a week ago today, Price and I were on our happy way to Chicago. We had a nice, long weekend ahead of us and couldn't wait to get to the big city. OH WAIT...it wasn't that simple! How could I forget our debacle at NY's JFK airport? I am officially afraid of that place, since I have now never passed through there without horrible problems. This trip proved no different. Price and I ended up on a plane with a bad brake and had to get towed from the runway to our gate. Here are the emergency crews racing towards our plane...eek!

Then we switched planes and just like that, it was 5 pm rush-hour! We have many great things to say about Jet Blue and are so happy with the service they provide between us and Richmond, VA (so convenient for traveling home). But they still seem to have trouble getting people to their destinations on time. At least we were compensated with some vouchers to cash in another time. And we did make it to Chicago and back, safe and sound :)

Onto the good stuff....

This was my first time to Chicago. I was so excited to experience another city and was very impressed. Chicago is beautiful and so wide open, much more so than NYC. Chicago is also a very clean and very well lit city, good for us nightcrawlers!

Our visit was a whirlwind and definitely warrants a return trip, but we had great fun doing just about everything.

Walking the Magnificent Mile.

A visit to the famous Billy Goat Tavern. "Cheezborger, cheezborger!"

An Architectural Foundation river tour.

Great food. Garrett's Popcorn is just melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The Chicago mix is what they are most known for - cheddar cheese and caramel crisp all mixed in one bag.

Millennium Park.

The Chicago Art Institute.

Riding the El.

Wrigley Field.

More great food.

Did I mention food yet? This is the original Uno's. It's a tiny place, just below street level, and all the pizzas are made-to-order. MMmmm, cheesey gooeyness! And I cannot forget to mention the holiday window display at Macy's. The theme this year is the Nutcracker (did they know I was coming into town?). I think this was my favorite thing!!Price, what was your favorite?

Fenway Improvements

It sounds like Fenway is getting more band-aids...sorry, improvements...added this offseason. Don't get too excited, though. Ticket prices went up by 9% and, as always, they'll be impossible to get without either great connections or the pleasure of waiting in massive lines (online or at the park). Among the noted improvements:

• 800 new seats, plus standing room tickets, in the State Street Pavilion.
• A new "standing room" corner on the 3rd base side.
• New scoreboards on the second level facades.
• And last but not least...Bleacher Bar and Grill, a year-round restaurant, will be opened under the center field bleachers. The restaurant will open onto Lansdowne St and have views onto the field, which could be pretty cool. Even better, I don't think you have to have a ticket to eat there either.

I'm guessing the ownership will continue to make these incremental improvements until 2012, when Fenway turns 100 and the park can gain landmark status. Then it can never be torn down. After that, here's hoping they open a new Fenway...same dimension, same intimacy...on the South Boston waterfront. I love the old ballpark, but it's time for more comfort and more seats.

A Blair Reunion - D.C. style

Price and I had a perfect weekend in D.C. last week. Thanks to party-planner Raine (just give the girl a headset and clipboard and she's all set to be your personal party assistant, too) we kicked-off the weekend with a trip downtown to the happenin' Velvet Lounge. Don't you want to host your next social event here? Just don't ask for more than 1 Captain and Coke - yea, they ran out!

Tommy, Gordon, and Price

Brooke and Will Blair's band, East Hundred, was playing that night and it was a great time seeing lots of family. Raine's fab. roomies, Lindsay and Kim, along with Susan and respective bf's and fiance's in-tow, dutifully came along for the Blair experience, too! It was a late night, but totally worth it!

The cousins.

Saturday's festivities got started in a smoky bar in Arlington, VA (cough) for the Liverpool v. Blackburn soccer game.

Price is quite the dedicated fan!

Mary, Raine, and I were along for the bloody mary's, so when those ran dry and half-time arrived, it was either naptime or sight-seeing time. We decided to head to the National Mall for some classic sights. We walked ourselves silly, but it was fun.

The new WWII memorial is beautiful; very peaceful.

It sure was a fun weekend seeing our family!

More coming soon....we're headed to Chicago tomorrow.

Eat Your Wheaties!

WE DID IT AGAIN!

I love being a Red Sox fan!

Sorry to break the news, Raine...

Imagine the sweat dripping off his face when he popped the question.

From Boston Globe:
Youk gets a 'yes'; charity party is a hit:
Congrats to Kevin Youkilis, who's engaged to girlfriend Enza Sambataro (inset). The Sox first baseman popped the question a few weeks ago, but the pair haven't set a date yet. "We haven't had a free moment to think about where or when," Sambataro told us yesterday. "It'll have to be next off-season, because this off-season would be too difficult."

Looks like you've got a year to break it up.

Gobble Gobble

Yes, indeed, Raine. Turkeys are taking over Boston. That must be a good omen for Tech on Thursday night.

By the way, when I first looked at this picture, I thought the turkey was walking with a cane, and I said "Sweet, a pimpin' turkey!" Then I realized it's just a crack in the sidewalk. Damn.

Millar Rally Cry

I grew pretty tired of Kevin Millar when he was here, but he was always a good Red Sock, and he loved the team and the town. Sure, he's a little sad, a little Al Bundy-ish (Polk High football rules!), dying to come back to Boston and relive his glory days, but did anyone else get pumped up last night when Fox played this promo before the game?

"Come on, Red Sox fans, don't give up now. You gonna jump off the Tobin Bridge? You're only down 3-1. We were down 0-3 and down in Game 4 in the ninth inning, when I had to draw a walk, they pulled my fat butt in there, put Dave Roberts in to steal, and then BOOM we're the World Series champions. So get out there, support your Sox. You got Papi, you got Manny, you got Big Beckett, you got Schilling hanging his bloody sock. You never know what's going to happen right now, but go out there and support them, and it's time to cowboy up!"

Sure, Fox may be a little biased, pulling for the Red Sox for market and broadcasting considerations, but shouldn't they have to cater to us after repeatedly subjecting us to Tim McCarver ripping Manny?

Get Your Rally Socks Ready!

Heard this on the radio this morning:

The Indians and Rockies and every other team under the sun have their rally towels, but here's a good idea for Fenway (and everyone else at home) on Saturday night . Wave a bloody sock. You remember what happened last time Big Schill (Bev's Favorite) pitched a Game 6? Maybe this would make the atmosphere at Fenway that much more electric. Obviously, it doesn't have to be actual blood, but get creative...ink, cranberry juice, daiquiri. Stain the side of that sock red and cheer like there's no tomorrow. If Schill can find a way to come through again in a big game, there's no way...repeat, NO WAY...our Sox would lose a Game 7 at Fenway.

LET'S-GO-RED-SOX!

Funny FedEx/Kinko's Commercial

Raine, is this what your office is like?

Are You a Stetson Man?

It looks like our Golden Boy is at it again. Tom Brady has replaced Matthew McConaughey as the Stetson poster boy. I'm beginning to think that maybe -- just maybe -- Gisele is influencing Tom. How are we supposed to make fun of Peyton Manning for pimping himself out when Tom's posing for every advertisement under the sun? Oh well, as long as he keeps throwing TDs, he's free to pose with goats or go all Brokeback.

All of you ladies and fellow man-crushers can download wallpaper of these shots at Stetson's website. You have to check out this blog post, too, which analyzes the evolution of Tom Brady's hair. Funny stuff, especially the "Frat Boy" and the "Adult Virgin". I'm personally a big fan of the "Offshore Fishermen" and the "Military Grunt", though I'm sure Bev would beg to differ. And on a related side note, what are the chances that this goat later became Tom's Stetson jacket?

RAISE YOUR HANDS...

If you're ready for the ALCS!

LET'S-GO-RED-SOX!

GET EXCITED

It's Soxtober!!

Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake

If anyone out there has a hankerin' for cake, this is the one to try. I made this cake for Price's birthday in August and it was great! It's a 2-layer cake and takes some effort and close attention to the directions, but it's well worth it in the end. It takes some time to bring all the ingredients to room temperature, so bear that in mind. Let me know if you give it a try :)

Coconut Cake

Ingredients:
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pans
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup milk
4 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

For the frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
6 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, then line them parchment paper. Grease them again and dust lightly with flour.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until light yellow and fluffy. Crack the eggs into a small bowl. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl once during mixing. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well. The mixture might look curdled; don't be concerned.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the batter in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the 4 ounces of coconut with a rubber spatula.

Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans and smooth the top with a knife. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the tops are browned and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack for 30 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a baking rack to finish cooling.
For the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and almond extract on low speed. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until just smooth (don't whip!).

To assemble, place 1 layer on a flat serving plate, top side down, and spread with frosting. Place the second layer on top, top side up, and frost the top and sides. To decorate the cake, sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve at room temperature.

*recipe come from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa

prep time: 35 minutes
inactive prep time: 30 minutes
cook time: 50 minutes
yields: 10-12 servings