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?