I'm Smahta Than You

Am I smahta than you? Why yes, I am. Do you know why? 'Cause I'm from New England, that's why. With over 260 universities and colleges across New England (with Mass having the most at 111) it's no wonder that we've got the smahtest people in the country. New England also boasts award winning authors, past presidents, and scientists such as Calvin Coolidge, Henry David Thoreau, Norman Rockwell, Louisa May Alcott just to name a few.

Now, your thinking every region has knuckle heads and New England is no different. It just seems to me that the rest of the country has more knuckle heads and NE has more thinkers. So now your saying, why did I move away from NE and to Florida? Well, I'm just smahtah then the rest of the folks back home suffering through long winters, dense traffic, and short summers. I fled to the Sunshine State for college and never went back. I've got the best of both worlds. New England upbringing and warm winters!

To further illustrate my point, the smahtest person I know is my grandmother, Nora (Big Yiayia). She is 93 years old and is still pretty sharp. She reads, does crossword puzzles and is an avid sports fan. Her memory is going some, her knees ache from years of arthritis, but when I call her to talk about the Sawx or Pats, she is quick with the wit and can remember every detail of the game. She has inspired me to exercise my brain as she does and I started doing crossword puzzles everyday and reading more novels. I can only hope that I'm half as smaht as she at 93.

And of course I will be, 'cause I'm from New England and your not.

The BUZZ

Everyone is talking about the NE Patriots and how they could go 19-0 this season. They're talking about the playoff game this Sunday against the Chargers. You see folks everywhere wearing Pat's hats, gloves, jackets, etc. Me, I can't see or hear any of that 'cause I'm in FLA. I can't feel the buzz down here. And that's one of the things I miss about being away from home.

Yes, I talk to my buddies via cell phone and I read all the hype on the web, but it's not the same as being in the thick of it. I love being able to walk down the street and high five some guy I don't know, just 'cause he's got on a Pat's sweatshirt! Oh, I'll see the occasional NE fan down here in the grocery store and we may exchange a few words like "Go Pat's" but I want the full out onslaught of seeing the flying Elvis or Pat Patriot logo everywhere! Some lucky fans outside of NE have a sports bar that they call their home away from home (Foxboro Tavern for example in Naples, Fl or Sonny McLean's in L.A.) In St. Pete? Nothing.

So, I sit at my computer and read the Boston Globe, email buddies and sulk. Most of the time I'm so busy, I don't really miss being in Mass (especially during a snow storm!), but during the playoffs, I'd love to be able to fly up for the week and be in the buzz!

Jesse
(Sawx Tee Shirts on sale now until spring training starts at Bawston Tee Company!)