Love That Dirty Watah

Spent the last 2 days bumming around Boston.
First thing I did was let a nice lady drain 3 vials of blood out of my arm (welcome home!)

Then, I walked from Joslin Clinic (near Longwood Station) all the way to the church in front of the Hancock. It was the best 3 miles I've walked in ages. Listening to the sirens, the car horns, the random pieces of intellectual discourse as I strolled past a dozen universities, the smell of 102% humidity mixed with wafts of curry, teriyaki and Burger King fries, and all the relaxing feelings that stem from both knowing you're home and NOT knowing exactly where you are. As I was walking along the pool in front of the First Church of Christ, Scientist... I saw a 70+ year-old man walking up one step, right on the side of the pool. Just like any 6-year-old would do. Just like I was doing when I saw him. I jumped down to let him pass. He smiled at me and strolled on. I thought two things at that moment, as I jumped back up to the side of the pool: (a) I'm so happy right now, I feel like I'm in a remade music video for Dave's "Everyday" and (b) it's nice to see proof that you never get too old to balance on the side of a pool just for shits.

The proverbial finish line to my stroll down Memory Lane was Anthony Richard Ring. For anyone who knows him, you are also striken with how appropriate this is. Dinger is the quintessential Bostonian. If I had my way, he would be digitally imposed somewhere in the background in Good Will Hunting, Mystic River, Celtic Pride, and Blown Away (did you know that was set here, too?) Anthony and I sharpened our small-talk skills en route to Whiskey's w/ Jim & BH. Heading to a bar with these 3 was a step back in time. But if that's not all, Whiskey's ended up being 5 of my friends from SU, 5 from HIGH school and a truckload of 10-cent wings. (p.s. Lynn, seeing you was an utter surprise and one of the most pleasant of my entire trip... and the fact that you backed me up when I made my most brazenly offensive comment of the evening, I feel like we've come full circle. I always think of you while planning my next holiday away message. Seriously, you're awesome and we should chat more often).

Random surprises proved to be my Homecoming Theme.

On Monday, I'm visiting my sister in Waltham and walking down an aisle in CVS when I run smack into Andrew Pollard... a dear friend from middle school I haven't seen in about 2 years. He had no idea I was home; I had no idea he was still in Waltham.
Back to Tuesday, I ran into Pat Gillooly, a dear friend and fellow journalist who directed my senior play in which I babysat a bunch of mentally challenged individuals. It remains my favorite work, tied with playing Nikhil's father that same year.
I also ran into Casey, our recently departed intern (yes, in EL PASO). He goes to BU... and apparently to karaoke bars on Tuesday nights.
My fifth surprise came last night at Fenway. Fly ball. Deep right. Trot Nixon goes back to grab it at the wall. I stand up. My dear friend from high school, Vicky recognizes me from 10 rows back. So we spent 2 innings catching up; I met the lucky boy. To make this encounter even more special, she's also taking a week off from San Diego. Crazy, crazy odds...

(by the way, I did hold my father's hand when I walked out of the tunnel. And in Waltham, Emmy and I played Dr. Mario, Kirby's Dream Golf and rummy-500 while downing Oreos for 3 hours... Vacation: Complete.)

And the stars keep lining up... Lil Bro 1.0 has a big interview in Boston today so we'll be doing dinner. So I've seen both Little Brothers & Emmy this past month... I guess that puts Jennifer & Vito on-deck. Can't wait, you two...

If you don't know any names I've mentioned (except maybe Casey's)... it means I haven't seen you in a week. I miss you all, I miss normal humidity, I miss anything spicer than BBQ sauce. I do not, however, miss "Hips Don't Lie." I've heard it 4 times this week... why does all of America love that damn song?

Two more days before the 8 becomes a 5 again...

Peath Out,
JaRube