libel involving the Pats? Of course! -- and old college friends

Leonard Shapiro, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame election committee and columnist for the Washington Post, committed the biggest sin in the journalism world. It is a big uh-oh. Shapiro wrote that Bill Belichick was fined and docked draft picks for taping another team’s walkthrough and subsequently using it at a later time. That is factually inaccurate and epitomizes public libel. Belichick was incorrectly portrayed for the reason he was fined by the NFL. The tidbit regarding using the footage for a later advantage is not accurate and what’s more, the Patriots did not tape the walkthrough but rather the signals, which were later transcribed by New England’s staff. The Washington Post has since added a correction on the piece, but it makes me wonder…where is the editor? John Tomase, who erroneously reported that the Patriots taped the St. Louis Rams’ walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI, no longer covers the Patriots for the Boston Herald because of the incident. He issued an apology but Shapiro has not said a peep. If the Patriots did film a walkthrough – and it was proven from the NFL – Tomase would still be covering the Patriots. It amazes me how Shapiro did not learn from Tomase's faulty reporting. Where is the accountability from Shapiro?

Shapiro: You're better than this.

This evening I met up with two old college roommates for a beer in Boston. They were my roommates freshman year and although we lost touch a little, it was great to see them. I had not seen them since graduation in 2009. We reminisced about memorable moments and recalled some timeless memories. Collectively, we agreed that freshman year was the wildest time and if we could do it all over again...we would, tenfold. 

Another old roommate of mine recently posted a status on a cloud of nostalgic thoughts towards college. Fast-forward 48 hours and I'm sitting down with two college pals. Timing is everything.

thank you powder

Major kudos to Mother Nature for doing her part. I have no work today, marking the second snow day of winter. I'll gladly take a day off on hump day. Much of today will be spent reading TIME Magazine, watching Bobby Flay, listening to John Butler Trio and hangin' with the girl. Eventually, I'll tackle the elements to shovel but as you can see, it's a doozey.  

                                                                                            Back porch view.

                                           Impala -holla- is buried.

Milk and Honey, Monday Blues -- and looking ahead.

Two years ago today I was in Israel. It was a life changing experience that I’m grateful for. As it goes, I touched down in the midst of the Gaza War. I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn about the conflict while it was unfolding. Even with a war happening merely miles away, I was content. It was a trip of bonding, of trust, of being vulnerable in a different place. I met remarkable people. We brewed up a collective gumbo that left lasting impressions and lasting smiles. The images still play in my head. I can still hear the echoes.

Hangin' over Jerusalem

Oh man, today. It was one of those Monday’s; one where you wake up 20 minutes before your alarm and debate whether to close your eyes again. It’s an uncomfortable thought in the most comfortable of places. It sets the tone for the week, at least for me. Trying to get through this week is a daunting task because there’s much on the horizon. I am relying on spin and yoga to tide me over, but it’s all about the weekend.

On Saturday, my best friend is celebrating his 24^th birthday at Foxwoods so we’re all headed there for smoky lounges, grossly expensive drinks and reckless attempts at making money. It will probably get sloppy rather quickly. I am not big on the gambling scene and rarely even dabble. The birthday boy, though, is quite the shark and I’ll gladly offer moral support as he fulfills his resolutions on the felt. Sunday brings us the third installment -- and rubber match -- of Patriots-Jets. It’s truly the Divisional round and as a fan, you couldn’t ask for more. We Bostonians are accustomed to winning and I can't see the Patriots losing this one. Only a major hiccup would allow such a disaster. It’s Super Bowl or bust around these parts. 

Maybe Mother Nature will throw a bone. Four more days.

Weekend things -- and a brick of chilies.

That was a long week. It was my first full week back at work in two months since I used my vacation time to make each week four days long. The girlfriend works from home on Friday's so it's been a treat to be home with her. Today's a snowy day and we just got back from Boston's Chinatown where we dined on authentic Dim Sum at Chau Chow City. I was introduced to it not too long ago and it's typically served Saturday and Sunday for brunch. It's not the greasy in-a-box type of Americanized Chinese cuisine, but rather steamed and fresh. There are only a few items that fried. The staff pushes around carts and you simply pick.  Generally, they do not speak English so the pointing method is effective. It ranges from steamed dumplings to steamed chicken feet. There is something for everyone and it's one of those eating experiences you just have to try.

                                  One of the better spots for Dim Sum in Boston, Chau Chow City.

It's a variety: dumplings, shrimp rolls, pork buns, spareribs. My favorite, which the girlfriend absolutely won't eat, is the steamed chicken feet. It's traditional in Dim Sum and the only way I can describe it is it's textural and gelatinous.

 

 Don't be afraid to try  new things... 

Especially food! 

You might stumble upon something satisfying.

                                                         A Chicken foot prior to eating. It's a staple.

After brunch, we walked to get Boba Tea, also known as Bubble Tea. It's a refreshing beverage with pearls of tapioca at the bottom that you suck up by a thick straw. It comes in different flavors depending on your taste.

The girlfriend and her spot for Boba Tea, Boa Boa Bakery & Cafe. She is very particular about where to get the best so I oblige. She is a seasoned veteran.

Get yourself some Boba!

Chinatown is relatively small and everything is within walking distance. There is a lot of yelling on street corners, car horns and interesting smells. I love it.

Then, we stopped at a different bakery for sweet treats to bring home and at a grocery store where I got a massive brick of dried chilies. As you'll see above, it has some serious bulk to it. I'm a spicy food junkie. Groceries are uber cheap in Chinatown and these chillies were only $12.

Before I can hunker down to watch football, it's time for Ugg shopping. I shouldn't joke about getting the girlfriend a new pair because that's where I am headed...right now.

Happy weekend all!

Barefoot in February

One of my favorite bands, Barefoot Truth, is playing on February 20th at the Brighton Music Hall. Tickets are around $15. Super cheap.  Before I took a blog hiatus, I posted a brief description of the band. I just got word my tickets were being shipped. I am planning on taking the girlfriend, even though she doesn't dig them like I do. We listen to most of the same tunes and this here is one of the exceptions. She is a sport though and will give anything a try. It will be a fulfilling way to wrap up a cold February weekend, a Sunday-funday if you will. I hope to get some of the fellas to join as well to highlight our wild winter activities.

                                                        Barefoot Truth

Inspirational.

TIME Magazine's most recent cover story focused on Aung San Suu Kyi, the recently released political activist of Burma who continues to fight for human rights and democracy. She was on house arrest for nearly 20 years before her release two months ago. She is credited with spearheading the National League for Democracy (NLD) despite her political rights seemingly vanished. Furthermore, there are clauses in Burma's new constitution that prohibit Suu Kyi from becoming Prime Minster, according to TIME's story. Her message is clear, and it should be reverberated. She constantly preaches kindness and even values it over love saying, "Love comes and goes, but kindness remains."

Although imprisoned for all those years, her new found freedom and acts of kindness towards the hungry,  impoverished, sick and dying is more than admirable. She's a small woman with a large political agenda, seeking liberty for her people and unequivocal balance in government. It's yet another example of radical forces derailing peace, or at least the prospect to get the wheels turning. She does not know how long her freedom will last, but promises to make the most of it.

That's the reason Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and that's the reason she deserves our attention.

Check out TIME's story, it's well written and honest: The First Lady Of Freedom

                                                                 

NH 11', the gift of music and...Dispatch

2011. It's here and promises to be a good one. We're all back from New Hampshire, where we partied hard and made a memory. Everyone brought delicious appetizers and different finger foods. What's more, most of it was homemade. My favorite moment of the night came when everyone was in a large circle and took turns stating their best moment of the past year. As expected, the answers varied and everyone got a cheers in response of their moment. Without a doubt, my best moment was moving into an apartment with my girlfriend. It was a special night with special people.

                                       Some of the crew, courtesy of Kevin's iPhone.

In other news, I am giddy over a music overload. January brings new albums from Iron&Wine, Amos Lee and Ben Harper. My girlfriend bought me tickets to see Joshua Radin at the House of Blues in Boston in February for a birthday gift. She knows the way to my heart. Radin is mellow and acoustically driven for the most part. He's becoming mainstream so if you don't know him already, you soon will.

                         Joshua Radin and the cover of his new-ish album: The Rock and the Tide

Lastly, in the most important development of all, DISPATCH is on tour this summer and returning to Boston on June 25 at the Garden. They're also playing Colorado, Illinois, California, New Jersey and Georgia. Dispatch revolutionized music for me and I cannot wait to see them again. Tickets go on sale in three weeks.

Tour logo.

Dispatch. The Best.

Another highlight: The night before we left for New Hampshire a buddy of mine gave me a groupon for a Thai/Tapas bar in Somerville so the girlfriend and I went. It was a tiny place and half the seats used pillows on a bench for comfort. It was tasty and very very fresh. If in the area, check out Ronnarong Thai Tapas Bar in Union Square.

The rest of the weekend has been relaxing and lazy. Some reading, some sports. Speaking of, the Patriots concluded a 14-2 regular season and have a bye week before their postseason starts. You did not see that coming. It's Dallas or bust!

Again, Happy New Year everyone!