Long Before These Crowded Streets

Here Stood My Dreaming Tree...

Things I've Been Wondering Lately...

1. Where did the warm weather go?
I thought spring was here fo shizzle and then it left this weekend, and all I have to wear are my pretty skirts and sleeveless shirts. Today I begrudgingly dug out my warmer clothes again.

2. Why is it that shots in a beaker seem so much more mature and professional?
I was out at a social networking event with my friend Harveen and was content drinking wine all night, but the Boston Billiard waitress brought around blue shots in test tubes and we couldn't resist. Now Dr. Harveen was probably reminded of research at Beth Israel, but I was reminded of beakers and bunsen burners in science class, and for some reason the Scientist feeling of it all made it a lot less college-like. And the blue tastiness made me go for round two!

3. Will I really win a Red Sox Ring or a new Volvo?
I hope so. I figured I would try it on since I already had a picture of me wearing the 1st World Series Ring in 86 years.

4. Why can't people learn how to drive?
I honestly think people should have to retake their driving exam every certain amount of years and prove they're not total idiots.

5. Will I ever stop getting a kick out of the wild turkeys that parade across our lawn and parking lot?
Probably not. This nature thing is so neat to live around. The wild turkeys make me laugh the most; we also have seen many bunnies, ducks, frogs, and the regulars.

6. Will I ever get flowers again?
After 2 1/2 years of marriage the Hub finally remembered that though I'm practical, I am still a girl, and desire flowers once in a while. I think the last time he got me flowers delivered to work was when he proposed in 2004. Yeah, I'm keeping track! So just in case i have to wait another few years I took a picture of them so I could remember how beautiful they are.

Say Goodbye to Trans Fats in Boston

So I've been following the proposal to ban trans fats in Boston restaurants and am happy to hear it will actually happen!
It's so unhealthy and I love to eat out but don't necessarily always "know" what I'm eating and just how bad it is for my health, other than the obvious salad being better than a burger and fries. Let's face it, when going out to eat it's more about taste than health. At home I can cook with ground turkey and olive oil rather than loads of butter, but chef's are pretty focused on wowing customers with a delicious dish, something they'll remember and come back to order.
In our increasingly smart and health conscious society I thought this would be well received, but some user comments really surprised me (I'll put them in the comments section of this post, some good, some dumb, some followed by my own comments on their comment!)

Here's to our health!

Public Health
Boston trans fat ban receives final approval
March 13, 2008 04:46 PM
By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff

Boston health regulators today unanimously approved a ban on artery-clogging trans fat in restaurants and grocery stores.

Boston joins a growing number of cities, including New York, Philadelphia and Brookline, in banning the food ingredient, commonly found in french fries, donuts and other fried foods. Trans fat have been linked to heart disease in humans and diabetes in experimental animals.

The first phase of the ban goes into effect in September and will apply to the use of cooking oils, shortening and margarine that contains artificial trans fat. The makers of baked goods will have a year to eliminate trans fat from their products.

Packaged goods clearly labeled as containing trans fat can still be sold. Most major manufacturers have already removed trans fat from their products.

The Boston prohibition would include all restaurants, including school and hospital cafeterias, as well as food that is prepared in kitchens inside groceries and delis.

City inspectors will visit businesses to make sure they comply with the ban, and scofflaws could face fines of up to $1,000 for each violation.

Studies estimate that having as few as 40 calories of trans fat a day can boost the risk of a heart attack by 23 percent. A fast-food meal of chicken nuggets and French fries, if prepared with artificial trans fat, can easily contain more than 100 calories of the substance.

Here Comes the Rain

So I've been keeping a close eye on the weather this weekend and hoping for a clear Sunday with the MS Walk and all.
The forecast changed from rain all weekend to just Friday night and Saturday. It actually held off for most of today and we got some errands done like looking for a grill so we can feed and thank our hungry fellow walkers afterward tomorrow, going grocery shopping for steak, burgers, dogs and buns, and getting a new hanging bird feeder. We forgot the beer and milk (along with wine my favorite dinner beverage).
So after watching the tarp being pulled over the field of Fenway I figured I better make a run to Pam's Market for some milk at least while the Hub got the butternut squash risotto going. I made my dash and sure enough as I was pulling into our place big fat drops started to fall. It's nice to be forewarned by the televised Sox game. I was feeling lucky so I also grabbed a mega millions b/c who couldn't use millions of dollars?!?! If you don't hear from me in a while it's probably b/c I'm on my long awaited Tahiti trip!

Tonight will be a quiet night so we can be well rested for the Walk tomorrow. Thanks a bunch to all those who have so generously donated to this special cause--it really means a lot to me!

Still crossing the fingers for clear skies along the Charles River...

Opening Day!

The boys of summer are back home!

Tomorrow I'm going to be at the game; not working it but as a paying customer =)
Daisuke had a great game pitching a shut out game.
Buckner threw out the 1st pitch to my surprise, but I did think it was a nice gesture and luckily the crowd actually gave him a warm reception and standing ovation. The experience, Buckner said, was "probably about as emotional as it could get."

I do miss my days at BU where I'd go to Fenway just for the excitement and opening day posters...there was always an energetic buzz on opening day.

Can't wait to grab a beer and devour my Rem Dawg tomorrow--though it has probably a year's worth of grease in it--kinda worth it!

He's Pregnant?

Apparently, along with engagements, getting pregnant is also the thing to do--even if you're a guy!

I saw this on TV yesterday as I was home sick and watching Oprah. I guess he/she is going to be on Oprah today. Of course your 1st thought is how could this be?!?!? Followed by, maybe my husband can be the one to feel like crap for 9 months and then squeeze a 7-8lb human out...

I guess this "guy" was really born a female, and went through the transgender changes except never got rid of his female reproductive parts. I'm curious how this works since I studied this in my college Abnormal Psych class, (I think the Doc was in this class with me? Or maybe that was just Statistics that we had together, hmmm...getting old) and I know they have to go through a lot of testosterone therapy. This guy has facial hair and stuff, but I guess the repro organs were not affected by it. Strange, but to each their own.

Also, attesting to the fact that getting pregnant is the thing to do, I read an article a couple months ago about how they're calling this another "baby boom" of sorts, as the U.S is experiencing the highest birth rate in the past 45 years!

JON COOK
Special to The Globe and Mail
March 31, 2008 at 11:44 AM EDT
These days, babies are the new black. Popular culture is obsessed with them: from Angelina's exotic adoptions and Britney's bizarre custody battles to Hollywood blockbusters Knocked Up and Juno. Birth rates are rising along with the mercury, spawning a multibillion-dollar industry selling high-end baby goods to googlie-eyed parents at an unprecedented rate.

And I thought pale was the new black...perhaps sun protected pregnant women (and men, I guess) are the new thing.

Speaking of movies, I really want to see Baby Mama with Tina Fey and Amy Peohler--looks LMAO funny!