Librarian on the Run- Now With a Bun

in the oven!

Nick and I are due October 21 with our first- a baby girl!

We are slowly learning how freakin' expensive daycare is and new and exciting word combinations like "sleep sacks" "breast pump"and "stroller systems." These words on their own are harmless, but put together are scary and complex. So far, the only item I've purchased has been this:

The dreaded pink hat

All babies look like little boys unless you throw them in something pink or a dress. For the first year or so, a pink hat will have to do. I better not not hear any complaints- capice?!

Victoria's Soxret

I haven't had to pay for underwear in a long time. So, after receiving not 1, but 2 free panty coupons in the mail while we were away, I popped into Victoria's Secret during lunch to redeem my complimentary undies. As soon as I walked into the store, I saw the following display:

Pink Hat haters Beware

Now women can pick up some Sox gear, while bra shopping. My guess is that all those "real fans" who freak out when they see a pink baseball cap, probably won't be too thrilled about the Victoria's Secret branded Red Sox shirts with glitter and hearts. I didn't buy a shirt, but think they're kind of cute. As a woman, it's nice to have the option of buying a t-shirt that was designed with your figure in mind.

Opening Day in Photos

Yawkey Way pregame crowd

Welcome to Opening Day!

Relaxing before the game started & it was still sort of a pleasant temperature

As we got closer to 4:05, the winds picked up and we added more layers...

Layers + beer = warming strategy

The guy next to us started doing jumping jacks... then he asked us for our leftover pizza

A friend of ours couldn't make the game, so we were the lucky ticket recipients! These seats on the Bud Deck were awesome; you get a $50 food credit with them, so we splurged on an entire pizza. When the pizza arrived, Nick used the heat emanating from the hot pie to warm his hands for a bit before chowing down. The fact that the Sox won, we got to see Beckett pitch, Pedroia and Tek hit homeruns and Papelbon save combined with being at Fenway on Opening Day was very cool. The only downside was the weather, which was also very cool; however, that's a small price to pay for such an awesome experience. Go Sox!

The Stars At Night Are Big And Bright, Deep in the Heart of Fenway!

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal this morning, Fenway Sports Group now has a marketing deal with the PBR. No, not Pabst Blue Ribbon (although that would be pretty awesome.) In this case, PBR is Professional Bull Riders. I remember seeing one of the Nascar cars on the field at Fenway, will they bring a bull onto the field too?! That would be pretty ridiculous.

My favorite quote from the article is in regards to talking about PBR's mass appeal:

"Mr. Luker [creator of ESPN Sports Poll] says PBR ranks ahead of only arena football, beach volleyball and women's golf in the ESPN poll and its numbers have declined during the past three years. "

I can tell you right now, that of those 4 sports, PBR would be dead last in terms of what I'd watch on television.

Soxy New Look

Everyone is going to have an opinion on the new uniforms, and I'm sure a lot of those opinions will be negative. Although I like the new uniforms a lot; more importantly, I like the Sox and baseball. They could wear floral prints for all I care. Hurry up and get here Valentine's Day!

I love these guys.

Did You See that Catch Coco Made?!

I'll miss Coco. He looks like the type of player who always gives 100%. He had a highlight reels worth of amazing catches in the outfield. Nick and I are going to be in Kansas City this weekend; maybe we'll see Coco scouting out his new digs?

Publix Enemy No. 1?

After big wins, I like to browse the Sports sections of the losing teams' cities to see what their papers have to say. There's an interesting article in the Tampa Tribune that speculates whether or not a local grocery store jinxed the Rays.

777 is the New 666

Obviously, yesterday was not a good news day. So, in an effort to pitch in and raise spirits, I decided to display the Herald's back cover on the serials' shelf...

Go Sox!

Instead of the front...

(Both photos from BostonHerald.com)

My Pitch to NESN

I'd really like to see a show on NESN that works the same way "Cribs" does on MTV. They might have some trouble getting the bigger names to participate, but it would be a good way to highlight the up and comers, coaching staff, and perhaps even the NESN personalities. C'mon, who wouldn't want to see Big Papi making mango salsa in his own kitchen?

My Mom's 10,000 Step Plan; Plus a Fun Fact!

My parents came up to Boston for their 34th wedding anniversary this weekend. Happy Anniversary!

Mom & Dad at Mike's Pastry on Saturday night.

On Sunday we had tickets to the Sox, so I met them at their hotel before we headed over to Fenway. I asked them if they wanted to cab it over or take the T; however, my mom wanted to know how long it would take to walk. She had her pedometer in her pocket and was trying to reach her goal of walking 10,000 steps in one day; she was already up to 3300. We took a fairly direct route from the hotel, up High Street, through the Commons and Gardens and then down Comm Ave to Kenmore Square. When we arrived to our gate, my mom checked her pedometer and it read 9992.

So, I can now present this fun fact of the day: From the Boston Harbor Hotel to Gate D at Fenway park it's approximately 6492 steps.

Looking fresh and invigorated after 7000 steps and some Fenway Franks

By the time we walked back to the hotel, my mom was almost 19,000 steps into her day and could have probably knocked off another 10K had my dad and I been up for another stroll around the city. Instead, I went home, sat on the couch and got to watch the 4th quarter of the Patriots game. Yesterday was a monumental day; the Sox, Pats, and Bills all won... and we walked our daily recommended amount of steps.

Time to Recycle Another T Shirt...

I am very sad to see Manny go... I know my mom will be too as she has a t shirt that says: "This Fanny's for Manny." (I had one-that has since been cut into dust rags-that said: "I'm Claimin' Damon.")

Let's get the rhythm of the hot dog

Well, at least we had great seats last night. Seriously, I think Staci was able to get us the best bleacher seats in the park. We were just 7 rows back from Detroit's bullpen. I've never been to a game this early in the season before, and the bleachers were sparkling clean. The floor wasn't grimy and the seats were recently replaced, I think.
Everyone is going green these days and Fenway Park is no exception. Around the 5th or 6th inning, I think, a man came through aisles collecting the plastic beer cups to recycle, which is a great idea, and I'm assuming a volunteer position- so props to the brave souls who willingly go through the rowdiest section after people have had several hours to drink and collect recyclables.

Born Free

Last night I decided that it was finally warm enough to run outside after work. I changed at the gym and then ran a 6 mile loop, down Beacon Street to the Holiday Inn across from Jae's and back. I ran through Kenmore Square just as the game was letting out, which was kind of exciting since we won the home opener! I ran in my new Race Ready shorts to see if they'd be OK for the marathon, and they're great. What a relief to find running shorts with so many pockets!
American Idol was really good last night and I was so pleased to see that David Archuleta sang a Robbie Williams song! I've been waiting in vain for Robbie to become popular enough here in the U.S. so I can finally see him in concert...
Tonight I am going to the Red Sox game! Jon Lester's pitching, and hopefully I'll get to see a win!

Opening Day at the Office

If you can't be either at the game or at home or a bar watching Opening Day, the next best scenario is to have a big flat screen TV hanging in the glass walled conference room outside your office. (You can't tell from the blurry shot, but it's a clear view of the game from about a 43" flat screen.) Sweet.

No NESN at BSC Downtown Crossing = Bad For Business

Last night I left work a few minutes early so I could make sure to get a treadmill with a good view of the TV at the gym. The Red Sox played the A's at 3:30, so I planned on watching the game while I ran. Anyway, when I got to the BSC, I noticed the game wasn't on any of the TVs so I asked one of the trainers if he wouldn't mind putting the game on. Well, turns out the BSC Downtown Crossing doesn't get NESN anymore. The guy told me it had something to do with DirectTV, and I wasn't going to make a fuss about it there, but I know that NESN is available with a DirectTV subscription... I have no idea what the real issue is, but I really hope they find some way to get NESN, because half the reason why I'll go to the gym in the summer versus running outside is that I can watch the game while I run. Talk about bad for business! Anyway, I did run, but it wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped it would be since I was disappointed with the baseball situation...
Tonight my team, Britney Spares & the Federlanes, will hopefully kick some butt at the Junior Achievement Bowling Fundraiser tonight at Boston Bowl!

Definitely 'Party in the Back'

Daisuke Matsuzaka doing his best to bring back the mullet

But not quite 'Business in the Front' I wonder how many Sox fans will be sporting this pseudo-mullet come Opening Day?