Merry Christmas

Have you shipped out all your Christmas presents to family back in New England?  Just barely for me.  I did some online shopping this year as well, but I was even late with that too!  I had a hard time getting into the "spirit" this year.  Maybe I'm getting grouchy in my old age or maybe it's being away from home.  (funny, I've been away from Cambridge for almost 20 years and I still call it home)

Trust me, I don't miss the snow, but I miss the spirit that comes with the cold weather.  If your like me and moved to a warm climate, it has an effect on your holiday moods.  Floridians tend to go over board on the decorations, I guess in search of that holiday spirit that naturally comes with winter time of the North.  It seems to manufactured, forced almost.

This year my mom is coming down for Christmas, so I'll get a taste of New England for a week.  I also call my grandmother about once a week to keep my holiday spirits up and my quota of sports talk up.

To all, Happy Holidays!!

Jesse

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Massholes

Is it me or is everyone from New England a smart ass? Judge for yourself.
Below is an actual email I sent to my buddies in Mass to entice them to come down to Florida. After that, you'll find the response I got from my buddy Auggie. Enjoy!!

"Boys,
I know your sick of me talking about playing golf while you guys are
freezing your butts off, but I can't help it! I'm making up for all
those times that you all were planning golf during the summer and of
course I couldn't go!!

Went out yesterday for 9 holes at the end of the day. Shot a 47, but I
felt like my game should have been better. Anyway, on hole 16 (par 5 -
465yards) I hit my drive left of center and just barely miss going into
a trap. Now I'm on kinda of lip just past the trap and I've got some
tall palms trees in front of me. I say "Eff" it and pull out the 3
hybrid and put the ball in front of my stance to get some height, 'cause
I'm going up and over! I never thought I would make it (which equates
to a nice and easy swing) and BAM! The shot goes up and through the
palms and lands a little right of the green on that first cut stuff.
(not officially on but damn close) Close enough to putt.

So, I'm screaming and of course, no one can hear me 'cause I'm by
myself. (it's fun to play with other guys, but would I play as good?)
Now I'm thinking eagle. My putt is around 25 feet, but uphill and
through some first cut crap. I'm thinking makeable after my incredible
shot to get here in two or at least a birdie. Now all this is swirling
in my head and I three putt! AARRRGGHHHH

I double bogey the next par 3 and then finally get my head straight and
bogey the final hole.

All this rubbing in of playing golf on Dec. 6 in 75 degree weather is
supposed to entice you to come and visit me and play golf all weekend!!
Myrtle Beach in September and Casa Turtle in January?!"

Here is the reply by my buddy Auggie (frigging funny!)

"I've got a similar story.

I was shoveling the snow off my driveway last week.

I only had 10 minutes before I would be late for work.

I say "Eff" and pull out the Ames Super Scoop snow shovel and widen my stance, making sure not to use my legs (which equates to spine-safe lifting method) and BAM! 5 minutes later and I'm almost done.

So, I'm screaming and, of course, my neighbors think I'm crazy, and I'm thinking I'll have time to go through Dunkin's drive-thru and get a bear claw and moccachino-soy-latte.

Now all of this is swirling in my head, and I go to shovel the last 10 feet of the drive way, and all the leaves that I didnt rake last week slow my shoveling down to a snails pace.

I end up being 15 minutes late to work, and no Dunkin's.

All of this is supposed to entice me to visit you too..."

Jesse
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The Evil Empire

My friend Auggie sent out a picture with the subject line: "The Evil Empire". Of course, I thought of the Yankees, right? Wrong, it was the Pats coach Bill Belichick with his three Super Bowl rings on and his middle finger up. I disputed to my buddies, that you can't call any team "The Evil Empire" 'cept the Dreaded Yankees. They pointed out that if you ask anyone outside of the "Nation" they might say The Patriots.

After serious reflection, I've come up with this: They have gone from being the "new" America's Team to cheating bullies of the NFL in a matter of a few years! Spygate helped spawn this new hatred of The Pats, but it started early than that. People love teams that can repeat championships, but seem to feel bad for other teams when the same team keeps winning. Why are dynasties out of favor? Is it our society that wants everyone to be a winner (don't get me started on that topic!!) Or is it the major sports leagues that want to spread the wealth around?

Second (and probably most important), the Pats are blowing teams OUT! Apparently, only folks in NE think this is a good thing. What's wrong with scoring whenever you can? Isn't that the point? What would happen if the Pats let up on a team and then lost late in the fourth quarter? Every sports writer in the country would be all over them. These guys are professionals and they are being paid to score points. So, why not score as often as you can? It's not Pop Warner football, ladies, this in the NFL

Last note: Undefeated season? Yes. Super Bowl? Yes. Champs again? Yes. (and I can't wait for the Miami game!!)

GO PATS!!

Jesse