Dave Brigham's Blog, page 14

Inspiration

When I first started reading Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running I got bummed out. A friend had given the book to me because he knows I'm into running and writing, occasionally at least, and Murakami's book is about how he connects the two.

I didn't know Murakami from a pothole, but I was anxious to read the book. The book is thin, and after just a few pages I could tell that I liked the author's style, albeit style translated from Murakami's native Japanese.

But af...

Diggin'

Maybe it's nothing.

Maybe, as one wag on Facebook wrote after I posted this picture on my timeline and wondered whether it was an arrowhead, Stone Age tool or a petrified shark's tooth, "It is a shard of rock that by chance is somewhat triangular shaped and looks like all the things you mentioned."

Maybe I let my imagination run wild. Maybe it's a coincidence. Maybe some kid in my neighborhood spent a day fashioning a triangle out of stone in order to teach himself geometry.

Maybe.

I've long...

NYC Three Times

For the third time in as many years, we took the train from Boston to New York for April vacation. And despite one minor setback, I have to say this trip was the best we've done.

The trip down was relaxing, as usual, and the weather was terrific. Owen juggled my laptop, Beth's iPad and her phone, while Amelia listened to Wild Flag on my iPod and just hung out playing with her stuffed animals. I spent most of the time looking out the window, trying on numerous occasions to snap some pictures....

The Big City

I'm pretty good with directions when I'm driving or walking around town or in the woods. But for some reason, I get turned around in New York City. After several trips there over the last decade, I've gotten better. But when we arrive on Monday for our third April vacation in a row in the Big Apple, I'll rely on Beth and Owen to steer me in the right direction.

I guess this small-town boy just gets a bit overwhelmed by it all. I've lived in and around Boston for the last 20 years, and feel co...

Play ball!

This is Owen at his first Red Sox game, in September 2009, when he was 7. The good guys beat the Orioles, 10-0, behind six home runs (five of which we saw before heading home late in the game). We went with Owen's friend Zoe and her dad, Dave, who had the tickets. It was a beautiful night and a great milestone in a kid's life.

I don't remember my first Sox game, but I know I was younger than 7. I'm pretty sure Jim Lonborg pitched, although honestly he might have pitched in another game (or...

Goin' Underground

The MBTA is about to raise fares and cut some service for subway, bus and commuter rail passengers in the Greater Boston area, which is a shame. The move will result in some commuters leaving the "the T" in favor of driving to work or elsewhere, which will hurt the environment and add to Boston's infamous traffic woes.

It didn't have to be like this.

Up until 2000, the state legislature covered the difference between the T's income and expenses each year. Beginning that year, the state enacted ...

What's In a Nickname?

During my childhood, I had two favorite Red Sox players: George "Boomer" Scott and Rick "Rooster" Burleson. They couldn't have been less alike, both physically and attitudinally. A first baseman, Scott stood 6'2", weighed 200 lbs., and was known for his good sense of humor. He's black. Burleson, a shortstop, was 5'10", weighed 165 lbs., and was a very intense player. He's white.

What they had in common other than my loyalty and their service to the Sox, was terrific nicknames.

Other Sox...

Ain't That Odd

Perhaps like many of you, I first encountered the Odd Fellows via this R.E.M. song. I don't recall how many listens it took for me to ask myself, "What the hell is Odd Fellows Local 151?" I figured the group was similar to the Kiwanis Club or the Rotary Club, and didn't think more about it for years.

But on a recent excursion to Dedham, MA, to drop off tax information for my accountant, I walked past this place:

I decided I needed to once and for all find out just who these folks are. Seems...

They're Dead to Me

Three days after publishing a post called "Fire On the Mountain?" on my other blog (see March 12, 2012 "Fire On the Mountain?") I can't get the Grateful Dead's "Fire On the Mountain" out of my head.

Unfortunate, I know. Unless you're a Deadhead, which I'm decidedly not.

Seems like every other person in my high school was a Deadhead. We're talking flipped-collar, wide wale cord, Docksider-wearing kids right out of "The Preppie Handbook." As well as assorted jocks, burnouts and, of course...

Tribute to a Friend

My childhood friend Bene -- short for Benedito and pronounced "Benny" -- died seven years ago this week, six weeks shy of his 40th birthday. I'm gonna do something I haven't done on this blog before, which is to repurpose something I wrote for the previous iteration of my blog, at DaveBrigham.com, with some editing.

Last year, this is what I wrote about him:

One of the most honest and upbeat people I've ever known, Bene fought cancer for many years, and even went into remission. But the...