Aside from the Neil Entwistle trial, it's been a slow news week here in Boston. Therefore, I wasn't surprised at the uptick in postings regarding the "pink hat" craze that's got a lot of Red Sox fans in a tizzy. To a lot of long time Red Sox fans the pink hat wearers represent the cash cow of Red Sox nation, a new phenomenon created after the 2004 Series that's "ruining" baseball at the expense of their life-long fans. I think the real problem here is that the Red Sox practically gentrified baseball overnight, and a lot of people are using the pinkos as a way to vent their frustration.
Although I'm sure it was a long time coming, the Fenway experience has gone from a semi-affordable family outing to strictly an expense account activity. I don't have a problem with the fact that they're a popular team and therefore buying tickets may require some planning. What I do have a problem with is the fact that the Red Sox force you to pay a fee to Red Sox Nation in order for the opportunity (not guarantee) to even buy them. Those who choose not to be extorted in this manner can opt to be extorted in another - by buying scalped tickets through Ace Tickets. Apparently in the autonomous Red Sox Nation, charging your fans over face value for tickets has gone from illegal to shady to downright encouraged.
Wanna know why a lot of Red Sox fans are pissed? Because they've just been dumped for the new, rich popular kid at school. They've been frozen out of Fenway in favor of the wealthy 30-something who thinks nothing of paying $100 for a $40 seat and drinking their weight in beer at $7/pop. Regional immigrants from New York, Ohio, and California come to Kenmore in droves, poking fun at the Boston accent and reciting gibberish from that morning's sport page, while proving they're really one of us by wearing a barely broken in pink Red Sox hat.
The frustration with Red Sox Nation is a symptom of everything that's changed about this city in the last two decades. Boston has gone from a fairly traditional working class city to a financial and scientific mecca that's brought urban sprawl, traffic, and different ideas on how to work with these challenges. Renters who have lived in Boston for decades have been forced out to make way for luxury condos. In the name of progress the city has revamped neighborhoods, switched around school districts, and even taken away the right to a dug-out snow spot. Now the Red Sox have taken a wonderful childhood experience and turned it into an upscale destination. While it may seem minor but for a lot of people, the influx of Pink Hats appears to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
People may be trading in Fenway Franks for Dice-K sushi rolls, but unlike the redeveloped neighborhoods, Red Sox Nation is probably not here to stay. The Red Sox are a great team right now, not to mention a very popular one, but like everything else their success is likely to be cyclical. The Red Sox are a unifying force in New England, and while I hope that the fan base continues to be a major force in baseball I'm pretty confident that once the excitement dies down that the universe will be restored to its' natural order and Fenway will be Friendly once again.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth 450 Grams of Cure
This morning I read another article about the deceptive marketing practices companies are using to repackage their supermarket goods. Old half gallon ice cream tubs now come in 1.5 quart containers, 20 ounce beverages are now half-liters (16.9 ounces), and a "pound" of coffee now weighs in at around 11 ounces. The price of the packages haven't changed, just the amount of consumables in them.
60 years ago beverage and liquor companies would brag that their product came in "honest quarts" (32 ounces). At the time a lot of liquor came in "fifths", which was equal to one-fifth of a gallon (25.6 ounces). In the 70's the industry changed a standard size of liquor bottle once again, making it the metric equivalent of 750ml (25.2 ounces). Today most liquor and sodas come in liters while milk, water, beer, and ice cream is sold in pints, quarts, and gallons.
From a consumer and marketing standpoint, switching over to the metric system once and for all makes a ton of sense. Afterall, why spend $4 on a gallon of gas when you can get a liter for only $1? Buying non-sensical measurements of items (eg: a pint of sour cream) only makes it easier for companies to trick us by shrinking the product and changing the packaging. It's disappointing and confusing when a recipe calls for a cup of non-fat yogurt and you realize that the old 8oz container is now 6. Buying consumables in grams and liters would eliminate a lot of these dishonest marketing ploys.
60 years ago beverage and liquor companies would brag that their product came in "honest quarts" (32 ounces). At the time a lot of liquor came in "fifths", which was equal to one-fifth of a gallon (25.6 ounces). In the 70's the industry changed a standard size of liquor bottle once again, making it the metric equivalent of 750ml (25.2 ounces). Today most liquor and sodas come in liters while milk, water, beer, and ice cream is sold in pints, quarts, and gallons.
From a consumer and marketing standpoint, switching over to the metric system once and for all makes a ton of sense. Afterall, why spend $4 on a gallon of gas when you can get a liter for only $1? Buying non-sensical measurements of items (eg: a pint of sour cream) only makes it easier for companies to trick us by shrinking the product and changing the packaging. It's disappointing and confusing when a recipe calls for a cup of non-fat yogurt and you realize that the old 8oz container is now 6. Buying consumables in grams and liters would eliminate a lot of these dishonest marketing ploys.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
When It Comes to Medical Advice, My Money's on the Braintree High Grad
After being out in the Cape Cod sun last week I noticed a brown streak starting to develop on my upper lip. Completely freaked out, I immediately googled my ailment to try to figure out what it was. I spend a great portion of my summer weekends in the sun and since I have a lot of weddings this summer, I don't want to be forever memorialized in wedding photos as the girl with the funky, Hitler-like 'stash. Deciding that further medical advice was necessary, I went to my PCP last night.
Doc: How's it going? Do you have a boyfriend?
Pahkcah02: No, Doctor.
Doc: Right. (reading my chart). I guess you're concerned about dark pigmentation that's developed on your face?
Pahkcah02: Yes. I was out in the sun last week and noticed a dark spot starting to appear above my lip. According to google I have something called malasma but that's generally only a problem with women that are pregnant, which I am obviously not.
Doc: Are you sure? I can do a pregnancy test if you'd like.
Pahkcah02: No, I don't think that will be necessary.
Doc: Hmmm...here's a referral slip. You should probably see a dermatologist. I have no idea what that is.
Pahkcah02 calls the dermatologist this morning to explain the situation, including my fear of upcoming wedding photos. I'm told that the earliest appointment available is September 5.
This evening I went to see Brenda, my waxer/therapist for my three-week eyebrow wax.
Brenda: You've got some weird shit starting to develop on your upper lip.
Pahkcah02: I know! What the hell is that?
Brenda: You on the pill?
Pahkcah02: You betcha.
Brenda: Uh, huh, you've got malasma. The pill fucks up your hormones. Don't worry, it's wicked normal. You should stay out of the sun, but since you won't, apply SPF 50 and you should be all set.
There it is, folks. For the price of a PCP co-pay, my money's on the aestician from Braintree.
Doc: How's it going? Do you have a boyfriend?
Pahkcah02: No, Doctor.
Doc: Right. (reading my chart). I guess you're concerned about dark pigmentation that's developed on your face?
Pahkcah02: Yes. I was out in the sun last week and noticed a dark spot starting to appear above my lip. According to google I have something called malasma but that's generally only a problem with women that are pregnant, which I am obviously not.
Doc: Are you sure? I can do a pregnancy test if you'd like.
Pahkcah02: No, I don't think that will be necessary.
Doc: Hmmm...here's a referral slip. You should probably see a dermatologist. I have no idea what that is.
Pahkcah02 calls the dermatologist this morning to explain the situation, including my fear of upcoming wedding photos. I'm told that the earliest appointment available is September 5.
This evening I went to see Brenda, my waxer/therapist for my three-week eyebrow wax.
Brenda: You've got some weird shit starting to develop on your upper lip.
Pahkcah02: I know! What the hell is that?
Brenda: You on the pill?
Pahkcah02: You betcha.
Brenda: Uh, huh, you've got malasma. The pill fucks up your hormones. Don't worry, it's wicked normal. You should stay out of the sun, but since you won't, apply SPF 50 and you should be all set.
There it is, folks. For the price of a PCP co-pay, my money's on the aestician from Braintree.
Monday, June 23, 2008
It's been one week since you blogged at me
Admittedly, I do not vacation well. I could blame it on the fact that I work for a small company and therefore may need to field the occasional e-mail or two while on holiday but I was pretty much like this while working for my previous Fortune 500 employer. While I can survive for short 72 hour stints without Wi-Fi, Heaven help you if you drag me off to some redneck paradise without cell phone reception. One of my exes did that once. I won’t say that’s the main reason why I didn’t marry him and bear his children but it did weigh heavily into my decision.
Since my definition of summertime camping means roughing for a weekend at a three-star hotel, I generally don’t have this problem. Afterall, living in New England one doesn’t need to stray too far from the city lights and cell phone towers in order to get away from it all. Last week I managed to escape down to the Cape for a few days to relax and re-live some of the Allen Street days. While I wasn’t there to personally witness it, rumor has it that DU’s were involved and everything.
We had a swimming pool growing up so my parents never took us to the Cape. Obviously I had spent time at the beach before but it wasn’t until well after college that I managed to actually cross the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. I got some sun, hung out by the pool, tossed back some wine, ate my weight in hummus, and managed to relax to the best of my pahkcah02 ability.
I’ll probably never be a carefree vacation person, but I can see why people return to the Cape year after year. While in the past few years the Cape has become trendy, the majority of vacationers are local people who merely want to forward their voicemail, set their e-mail to vacation mode, and cut loose for a couple of days. It’s not as exotic as Vegas, as exciting as Paris, or as hip as New York but if hanging at world-class beaches and parties with local flavor is your thing, then it’s easy to get sucked into the magic of Cape Cod.
Plus there’s plenty of cell phone reception to go around.
Since my definition of summertime camping means roughing for a weekend at a three-star hotel, I generally don’t have this problem. Afterall, living in New England one doesn’t need to stray too far from the city lights and cell phone towers in order to get away from it all. Last week I managed to escape down to the Cape for a few days to relax and re-live some of the Allen Street days. While I wasn’t there to personally witness it, rumor has it that DU’s were involved and everything.
We had a swimming pool growing up so my parents never took us to the Cape. Obviously I had spent time at the beach before but it wasn’t until well after college that I managed to actually cross the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. I got some sun, hung out by the pool, tossed back some wine, ate my weight in hummus, and managed to relax to the best of my pahkcah02 ability.
I’ll probably never be a carefree vacation person, but I can see why people return to the Cape year after year. While in the past few years the Cape has become trendy, the majority of vacationers are local people who merely want to forward their voicemail, set their e-mail to vacation mode, and cut loose for a couple of days. It’s not as exotic as Vegas, as exciting as Paris, or as hip as New York but if hanging at world-class beaches and parties with local flavor is your thing, then it’s easy to get sucked into the magic of Cape Cod.
Plus there’s plenty of cell phone reception to go around.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Dang D'Angelo
A few weeks ago I parked my ass on my couch and watched the Phantom Gourmet talk about lobster rolls for a full 60 minutes. By noon I was obviously jonesing for a hot buttered hot dog roll stuffed with lobster salad. D'Angelo's recently launched their version of the lobster roll, which I assume is a spin off to their massively popular lobster sandwich. While phoning in my order I was pretty specific that I wanted a lobster roll, the kind in a hot dog roll (not the kind in a bulky sub roll). While paying for my order I was assured up and down by the man behind the counter that my lobster roll was in fact a lobster roll and not a lobster sandwich. When I got home I discovered that I got a lobster sandwich, which most of you D'Angelo lovers know is a completely different item.
So they screwed up my sandwich...big deal, right? While I'm certainly not one to get seething mad over something as trivial as a sandwich, I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't mildly annoyed. After all, I paid $11 for the sandwich and for $11 I feel that I should receive what I asked for. Rather than simply rant and rave about the experience on a blog I did what any smart consumer should do - I logged onto their website and explained my experience in less than 300 words.
Much to my surprise, I received a lovely form letter from D'Angelo yesterday along with a coupon for a free lunch combo. I didn't expect a response at all, though I wouldn't have been totally shocked if they e-mailed me back a statement explaining that shit happens and to get over it. D'Angelo's is back in my good graces which is excellent considering that their sandwich chain is one of the many factors that keep me in New England. I'll definitely be using my free lunch coupon shortly, although this time around I'll be sure to take the time to order my sandwich in person. After all, there really is no such thing as a free lunch.
So they screwed up my sandwich...big deal, right? While I'm certainly not one to get seething mad over something as trivial as a sandwich, I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't mildly annoyed. After all, I paid $11 for the sandwich and for $11 I feel that I should receive what I asked for. Rather than simply rant and rave about the experience on a blog I did what any smart consumer should do - I logged onto their website and explained my experience in less than 300 words.
Much to my surprise, I received a lovely form letter from D'Angelo yesterday along with a coupon for a free lunch combo. I didn't expect a response at all, though I wouldn't have been totally shocked if they e-mailed me back a statement explaining that shit happens and to get over it. D'Angelo's is back in my good graces which is excellent considering that their sandwich chain is one of the many factors that keep me in New England. I'll definitely be using my free lunch coupon shortly, although this time around I'll be sure to take the time to order my sandwich in person. After all, there really is no such thing as a free lunch.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Restaurant Review: Beni Cafe
Restaurant: Beni Cafe
Address: 405 Hancock St, Quincy, MA
Website: www.benicafe.com
Rating: B
The Troll and I have an unofficial ritual of trying new sushi places whenever we're visiting one another. Before the Troll moved to Baltimore in 2002, sushi restaurants on the South Shore were few and far between. The Quincy dining scene has not only exploded since then but has become down right cutting edge. Beni Cafe in Wollaston is a great example of a dining concept geared specifically towards the young professional demographic.
Owner Jimmy Liang (creator of the Fuji restaurant chain in Quincy) takes the idea of quick serve dining to the next level. Beni Cafe serves the same type of food you'd expect to find at the flagship Fuji in Quincy Center in a much less formal atmosphere. The menu is displayed on 2 large LCD TV's behind the counter where diners give their order. Free WiFi is broadcasted throughout the restaurant though free computer terminals are available should you happen to leave your laptop at home.
The Troll and I both started with what I consider to be hands down the best avocado salad in Boston. For our main course we split an order of five assorted rolls, all washed down with bottles of Poland Springs water. The rolls were on the small side, which is the one complaint that I have with all of Mr. Liang's restaurants. However, with the lunch tab coming in at $25 total, ordering an extra maki or two definitely will not break the budget.
Beni Cafe is located on the corner of Hancock and Billings Street, not too far from Wollaston Beach. Free street parking is available.
Address: 405 Hancock St, Quincy, MA
Website: www.benicafe.com
Rating: B
The Troll and I have an unofficial ritual of trying new sushi places whenever we're visiting one another. Before the Troll moved to Baltimore in 2002, sushi restaurants on the South Shore were few and far between. The Quincy dining scene has not only exploded since then but has become down right cutting edge. Beni Cafe in Wollaston is a great example of a dining concept geared specifically towards the young professional demographic.
Owner Jimmy Liang (creator of the Fuji restaurant chain in Quincy) takes the idea of quick serve dining to the next level. Beni Cafe serves the same type of food you'd expect to find at the flagship Fuji in Quincy Center in a much less formal atmosphere. The menu is displayed on 2 large LCD TV's behind the counter where diners give their order. Free WiFi is broadcasted throughout the restaurant though free computer terminals are available should you happen to leave your laptop at home.
The Troll and I both started with what I consider to be hands down the best avocado salad in Boston. For our main course we split an order of five assorted rolls, all washed down with bottles of Poland Springs water. The rolls were on the small side, which is the one complaint that I have with all of Mr. Liang's restaurants. However, with the lunch tab coming in at $25 total, ordering an extra maki or two definitely will not break the budget.
Beni Cafe is located on the corner of Hancock and Billings Street, not too far from Wollaston Beach. Free street parking is available.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Move Over Windex, Nail Polish Remover Has My Back
The best part about being young and moving out on your own is the fact that tons of relatives come out of the woodwork to unload their old furniture on you. While I've managed to upgrade a lot of my hand-me-downs over the past three years one thing that I still refuse to part with is a massive framed floral poster that resides above my couch. I'm not really a framed floral poster type of gal, but since it fills in the wall quite nicely I've tried to make it work. When I rescued this piece from my uncle's basement there was a streak on it. Nothing major, just a piece of masking tape that didn't want to release itself from the right side of the portrait.
I attempted to remove it with Windex a couple of times until I finally got used to the eyesore. Spivie was over a few weeks ago and informed me that I could remove the streak with nail polish remover. Hmmm....I finally gave it a whirl this morning and it worked like a charm. Then again, Spivie said it would work so I'm not really sure why I assumed that it wouldn't.
Could nail polish remover be the new Windex?
---------------------------------------------
In other news, I am totally summer lovin' Hotwire.com. I'm in charge of booking my own travel and in an attempt to help control costs, I use hotwire.com to book all of my hotel rooms. The only caveat is that Hotwire will not tell you the name of your hotel until after you've booked a non-refundable reservation. However, one has to assume that a four star hotel in a major city is going to be located in a fairly reasonable neighborhood. An Intercontinental on Michigan Ave (Chicago), a Westin in Wanamaker Square (Philadelphia), or a Sheraton on Queens Street West (Toronto) for less than $100/night? Yes, please!
---------------------------------------------
Someday a full week will go by that I'm home for the entire seven days. It didn't happen last week, this week, and it's definitely not going to happen next week either. So long as the Herald bandit doesn't steal my newspapers while I'm gone then I can totally deal.
---------------------------------------------
I've closed a lot of business deals but never over a scotch in an upscale steak house. This week I managed to do that while wining and dining a CIO of a New England college. I felt like a character in the AMC hit show Mad Men - it was fantastic!
---------------------------------------------
Last summer Attorney Lee and I casually spoke of renting a house on the Cape. Incidentally our girl Mags has managed to procure one for all of next week and was gracious enough to invite us all down. While I can't take a whole week off, I am excited to get some R & R on the beach for a few days. Do you think that state beaches are wired for WiFi yet?
I attempted to remove it with Windex a couple of times until I finally got used to the eyesore. Spivie was over a few weeks ago and informed me that I could remove the streak with nail polish remover. Hmmm....I finally gave it a whirl this morning and it worked like a charm. Then again, Spivie said it would work so I'm not really sure why I assumed that it wouldn't.
Could nail polish remover be the new Windex?
---------------------------------------------
In other news, I am totally summer lovin' Hotwire.com. I'm in charge of booking my own travel and in an attempt to help control costs, I use hotwire.com to book all of my hotel rooms. The only caveat is that Hotwire will not tell you the name of your hotel until after you've booked a non-refundable reservation. However, one has to assume that a four star hotel in a major city is going to be located in a fairly reasonable neighborhood. An Intercontinental on Michigan Ave (Chicago), a Westin in Wanamaker Square (Philadelphia), or a Sheraton on Queens Street West (Toronto) for less than $100/night? Yes, please!
---------------------------------------------
Someday a full week will go by that I'm home for the entire seven days. It didn't happen last week, this week, and it's definitely not going to happen next week either. So long as the Herald bandit doesn't steal my newspapers while I'm gone then I can totally deal.
---------------------------------------------
I've closed a lot of business deals but never over a scotch in an upscale steak house. This week I managed to do that while wining and dining a CIO of a New England college. I felt like a character in the AMC hit show Mad Men - it was fantastic!
---------------------------------------------
Last summer Attorney Lee and I casually spoke of renting a house on the Cape. Incidentally our girl Mags has managed to procure one for all of next week and was gracious enough to invite us all down. While I can't take a whole week off, I am excited to get some R & R on the beach for a few days. Do you think that state beaches are wired for WiFi yet?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
