Thoughts on the Bruins, some tunes

A tiny hiatus has been ceased. I’m back in the blogosphere ready to shed light on nothing particularly important. I mean, what could possibly be newsworthy after that wedding?

I’m overjoyed that the Bruins were able to go out and get one. The people around these parts couldn’t handle another letdown.  A loss would mean finding new coping mechanisms for the masses. I use overjoyed because if the floppers of Montreal advanced it would validate my harsh sentiments toward Gary Bettman. The constant embellishment brings out the worst in the game. It’s fraudulent and has no place in the game. If I wanted to watch diving, I’d watch competitive diving…or European soccer. The diving penalty is no longer part of the game, which is something I don’t understand since it was an integral call in the past. 

Was there any doubt that Bruins-Habs would go seven games? The implications and weight associated with game seven bring ratings -- not to mention a  Bettman wet dream. It was Boston and Montreal, a true original six dream matchup for the NHL. That, combined with fan hatred for each other, creates a recipe for every last drop of hockey.

But it’s on to the Flyers. The Bruins are underdogs and they should be. They’ll have trouble matching their size, offensive depth and power play. The only advantage the Bruins have is goaltending; Tim Thomas must steal a game for them and play on his head. In fact, he is accountable for that because the team has to have it. Here’s the interesting twist about the upcoming series in my view: The Flyers’ trio of goalies have to perform decently and keep them in the game. The Flyers' offense will carry them. So please, Thomas, steal a game and give yourself an opportunity to advance. Your team's power play is not going to throw you a bone.

The Bruins are surprisingly healthy and the Flyers are a little banged up. That said, if the Bruins falter in this series I won’t be surprised given Claude Julien’s inability to adjust during a series. He’s a modern day Bill Belichick. They both can’t seem to make the proper changes in the locker room when it matters most. Indeed, Julien did a better job in the Montreal series (I’m slow to dish out credit to him), but that team is soft. Adjusting to offensive schemes and containing true goal scorers is different than adjusting to a defensive trap and small wingers who create space down the boards. The latter of which wasn’t adjusted until gave seven. Julien will ultimately save his job by advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s black and white in that regard. Bruins fans need it too, but more for their sanity and patience.

Furthermore, I blame the Bruins for a lack of blogging in the last week. It’s just easier that way since they are usually the sure-handed scapegoat of Boston sports.

There’s not too much else to report. Work is going well thus far. (Hi guys, I know you’re there...well now I do...there will be bark) I know some other people who were recently hired or switched jobs all together, so if I haven’t said congratulations to you, congratulations. New challenges keep this world spinning.

Lastly, I have been listening to a lot of City and Color lately. He’s such a talented guitarist and has a booming voice. His demeanor is perceived as melancholy by many, but I think that’s what happens you take personal stories, convert them to lyrics and condense it into four minutes or so. He alluded to that in an interview at some point, too.

The next concert on the list is Guster at the House of Blues, which is next weekend for the girlfriend’s birthday. I've always posted videos to Facebook and pictures on the blog, so I’ll try to do that again.  I do realize I have videos in this blog post. 

Anyways, I have not seen Guster in eight years or something. Their newest album is alright, but could do without all the Jesus references. I am stuck in a Two Points for Honesty, Barrel of a Gun and Demons phase. I know I am not alone there. 

Left: Biggest Guster fan I know

Next week will be Guster dedication week and hopefully some shorter posts. That’s manageable, right? I guess that depends on how the Bruins fare.

Happy weekend, all. Cheers.

Friday things -- Easter and Jewish bagels.

Happy Easter weekend all!

My last post said there would be forthcoming Iron & Wine picture(s), so Sam Beam is gracing the background as promised. Again, my dearest apologies for a lack of wrinkles, sweat stains and emotions in the picture. It was simply not happening this time around.

Such fancy attire, per usual

Working from home on Friday's certainly has its perks. Besides work work, I get to cook and prepare meals for future consumption. Today, for example, I made turkey meatballs from scratch with all the fixins, and then they were seared, sauced and simmered.

 

I also made the girlfriend my version of the "ultimate Jewish bagel." It's pretty simple: toasted bagel, cream cheese, good quality lox and a sprinkle of scallion. It was delicately devoured. I have not convinced her to try gefilte fish a second time, but that's ok. I also bought macaroons (not the cowardly French type) and they remind me of being a kid.

My take on the perfect Jewish bagel

iron and sangria

Last night I saw Iron & Wine with the girlfriend and friends at the House of Blues in Boston. Although I did not have the most visually appealing seats -- balcony in the center -- the sound was flawless. I still got glimpses of Sam Beam's grizzly beard as he belted in front of a sold out crowd. He played an interesting set filled with long tracks, horns and keyboard solos. It was a mix of old and new music, the latter including selections from Kiss Each Other Clean. The set varied in tempo so it's difficult to follow a strict rhythm. It's a blessing or a curse depending on the concert-goer, but it was musically satisfying for a Tuesday evening in rainy Boston. I do not have photos to add yet, but will get them uploaded soon. I apologize in advance if the forthcoming quality is subpar.

Prior to the show we ate tapas at 94 Mass Ave. It was sinfully delicious and perfect for a party of four. Arancini, balsamic glazed gnocchi, salty meatballs and mediterranean calamari all washed down by white sangria was the perfect opening act for the evening. 

Happy Hump day!

adjustment period, and JBT part deux

A lengthy week one at my new post has come to a close. Adjustment will suffice as the adjective while absorbing the last five days. Although some processes remain the same from previous endeavors, by and large there's a hefty learning curve -- one that takes time, and sometimes I forget that. Reflection is also a welcomed commodity in moments of change. I'll be doing a plethora of that.

That said, it's on to the weekend; some reading, lounging and happy hour-ing is on tap. Perhaps, this will be the weekend the Red Sox show some life. Perhaps, this will be the weekend the Bruins score a goal. And, naturally, we have no idea what the Celtics are going to do. It's not as if their window is any larger, and the green-teamer's bandwagon has seemingly departed from the station.

Lastly, I'll be seeing John Butler Trio again this summer thanks to the girlfriend ordering tickets this morning. They co-headlined with State Radio last summer at the BOA Pavilion, amassing Dispatch's 2004 Hatch Shell show as the greatest concert I've seen. With Barefoot Truth's show last night, Iron & Wine next Tuesday and Guster in a month, fulfilling the quest for more live music in 2011 is in motion.

John Butler, summer 2010.

musical Thursday

The girlfriend and I just got back from a Barefoot Truth show on Newbury Street. There's no need to rehash the past on my admiration toward BFT since it's well documented. They played an acoustic set and, to my surprise, packed a lively 30-person or so crowd who clapped along and made the best of a small venue. And by venue I mean a Patagonia store. Unfortunately, the below picture does not include Wayno, the band's piano player, as there was a light in front of my lens. And, to reiterate, they did not have much room to work with. All in all, they tuned up and performed a comforting set. Seeing live music on a Thursday -- which in my mind hints at the impending weekend -- is something I want to do more of. I am going to post a few videos to my Facebook page, so tune in shortly for some new beats!

BFT, minus Wayno.

new music to get you through the week

Brett Dennen released his newest album today, Loverboy. He has a very unique sound. It takes some getting used to. Have a listen to Sydney (I'll Come Running)  in the video below and check out the album if seeking new tunes. It will add some flavor to your iPod.

simple reflections on vacation

Like changes in the weather, vacation has come and gone. Florida’s in the rear-view mirror and, as vacations usually unwind in hindsight, it went by quickly. That being said, a week of pure uninterrupted leisure does wonders. The crux of vacation in its simplest form was achieved by the following: Hours at the beach, reading, napping, eating, drinking, looking at old photo albums and walking the streets with the locals. Naturally, there were particular drinks that stung the nostrils, meals embodying umami and moments that garner more explanation, but vacation is a feeling more than anything; it’s a mindset rather than specific activities on a to-do list. The feeling of premature sunburns, waves substantially larger than Duxbury Beach creating a white noise sensation, accompanied by a constant breeze is enough for me. The girlfriend and I fully embraced being away from chilly Massachusetts, just being together in a place I visited every winter as a youngster. It allowed me to reflect back on a simpler time and encourage those same thoughts to the current stay.

The next chapter begins on Monday. I'm ready. Happy weekend, everyone.

Some sights: