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Girl Power!
Posted on March 31, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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For the past three weeks, and going into a fourth, I have been taking part in the Duxbury Police Department’s Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program held at the senior center. When I first learned about the program I knew it was definitely something I wanted to write a story about. After giving it more thought I decided the best way to tackle the story was to get into the action and take the class.
It has been too long since I have put myself into a story and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back into the action. Plus, I would be learning some pretty valuable lessons.
I will admit it was a little awkward taking a class with girls half my age, but it also made the class that much more interesting. It has been a while since I was in high school. The young girls brought me back and gave me some insight into why a high school girl would be interested in participating in the course.
For the most part the young women were freshman and sophomores, with one senior, and one in eighth grade. As a senior preparing for college a class like RAD is essential, especially when most for of these girls it will be their first experience away from home. The important lessons taught to the young women during the 12-hour course are useful for women of all ages from teenager to senior citizen.
I found the class especially helpful for my own safety because I am a small girl and not as in shape as I once was. The class also made me realize, on another level, why it is so important to stay in shape. Aside from health reasons, the ability to know and use your own strength could be a matter of life and death. The course not only teaches women about self-respect, self-empowerment, self-esteem, it also prepares women, regardless of age and size, to defend themselves if the occasion should ever arise.
One of the wonderful aspects of this program is the lifetime enrollment. For $25 a woman can take the 12-week course to become RAD certified, and then take it over and over again as many times as she would like for the rest of her life. The most important aspect of staying safe is having the mindset of how to protect yourself readily available, and the best way to achieve that is through repetition and constant refresher courses.
The two women who teach the RAD course, Sgt. Kristen Golden and Paddi Donato of the Duxbury Police Department not only teach the skills, they approach the situation from a realistic point of view. It is unfortunate in our world that women need to take these classes to be safe and prepared, but the reality is women are viewed as easy targets, and it is important not to fall prey to the mindset. While they are preparing women how to react if attacked, they are also drilling into our minds that we are not victims and not powerless.
Yes, for the most part women are smaller and weaker than men, but we have the power, both mind and strength, to keep ourselves from becoming victims. The younger girls start learning these important skills the better chances they will have of believing them.
Saturday night, when I learned the debt exclusion for the police and fire station didn’t pass I felt awful. The police and fire departments have provided so many services, outside of their day-to-day duties, such as the RAD program, DARE, safety days, child safety seat installation, PAL, TRIAD and much more.
Hopefully, the Public Safety Committee will get together and come up with a smaller scale solution that will reduce the cost associated with the project. Both the police and fire chief said they understand it is a lot of money at a bad economic time. As a person who has followed these projects from the beginning, I understand the $1 million proposed was to begin the site costs and designs, and the committee was still hoping to find a cheaper alternative. I also understand the financial burden the projects placed in the citizens at a very bad time. The only question is how long can these buildings wait, and how much more will it cost down the road?
For all the parents out there I strongly suggest encouraging your daughter to take part in a RAD program, it will not only help protect them if the need should arise, it will also help build their self-esteem and strength.
A green day off
Posted on March 20, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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I had an entire Saturday off this weekend and instead of cleaning, or lounging around, my friend Kathy and I decided to head to Boston and take part in some culture. We took a noon tour of the Sam Adams Brewery where we walked the basement where the hops are mixed and fermented, and learned all about the process a fine pint of Sam Adams beer goes through.
As we walked around listening intently to our tour guy Ross, he carried around a handle glass filled to the brim with golden delicious beer. The only job where drinking on the job it not only allowed, but encouraged.
Ross was a hoot, often throwing in a joke with the occasional adult ears only remarks for the adult beverage tour, he kept us all laughing and thirsty. As promised, we had an opportunity to taste the product we had just learned all about. Shoved into a small makeshift bar, similar to German-style establishments with long wooden tables and chairs, three kinds of tasty brews passed through our hands.
The three choices for the afternoon was of course, the staple Boston lager, and then the more summery white ale, often enjoyed with a lemon or orange, and my favorite, a Belgium influenced hefeweizen. After tasting all three beers, all of which I have enjoyed previously, it was off to another Boston landmark, Doyle’s Café in Jamaica Plain. You may remember Doyle’s from the infamous scene in “Mystic River” where Tim Robbins’ character is finally and forever cured of his phobias. It was a cool Irish pub, with great spicy wings, cheap Killian’s Irish Red on tap, and a fun atmosphere of Irish fun on the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day.
To complete my weekend, the strangest thing happened on Saturday night. As I was dining at Joe’s American Bar and Grille at the Braintree Mall, halfway through dinner, some patrons starting clanking their glasses like you would do at a wedding when you want someone to say a speech or kiss. After a few minutes of the clanking a man stood up and said, “can I have your attention, this you have got to see.” Then this eight or nine year old boy stood up on the table and started singing “God Bless America.” Before I knew almost everyone in the restaurant were on their feet singing along to “God Bless America.”
It was the most unusual and funny experience I have ever seen, I kept waiting for someone to bring out a camera and say it was all a hoax. It was so odd. I still can’t get over what took place.
Why would you subject your child to that? I suppose these are the same kids who go on American Idol when they can’t really sing, and sing because they think they are good and their parents probably encouraged them and pushed them because they thought it was so cute.
So anyway, I hope you all enjoyed your St. Patty’s Day. I missed the parade in Southie because I had to work late, but I made up for it by having some black and tans at an Irish pub in Quincy. What a weekend I had, this St, Patty’s weekend is one for the record books. I will never forget the fun, the strangeness, and the odd events that took place. The whole weekend was filled with unexpected events, some good, some weird, some a lot of fun!
Move the question!
Posted on March 17, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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I survived another Town Meeting in Duxbury, and so did you. As I begin writing this Insider an hour before round two Monday night I can’t help but think, very few articles got accomplished for the small amount of debate that took place on Saturday.
I went into the meeting on Saturday expecting to only get through the budget and not even touch the debt exclusion, but when the budget passed quickly, I thought the other articles would sail through. I was fully prepared for an all out, no-holds-barred debate for the debt exclusion articles regarding the police and fire departments, but the discussion went on about hour longer than I had anticipated. I guess that made up for the fact that not one person got up to question the capitol exclusion.
As I write this while fueling up for the upcoming Monday evening events, I can only anticipate the Percy Walker Pool discussion will be promising, however, I am on the fence on whether or not it will pass. Part of me thinks people will just see it as a small fraction of what they have already agreed to, the other part thinks people will feel they have spent enough and this project can wait.
Only time will tell!
As much I truly love giving up a full Saturday for debate in the cozy digs of the Performing Arts Center, I am very happy it was a miserable day outside. Well, that was until the meeting was over and had to make a mad dash to my car, and still had some grocery shopping to do. Needless to say my groceries, my car, and I were soaked by the time I got home that night.
And so it goes, Town Meeting heads to round three.
Tuesday night had promise. Funds for the pool were approved with little debate, mostly just teenagers and people in favor of the project speaking about what an asset the pool is to the town and how much it desperately needs the renovations described.
The majority of the evening was eaten up by Power Point presentations describing the articles at length, with two and three presenters standing up at the podium trying to sway the crowd to pass their articles. I give them kudos, the best way to get the town on your side is to give informative presentations, with thought and effort put into them, and several people to back the article up with heart felt concern for the projects. In most cases the tactic worked, but it might be the final time we see the Tarkiln Building on a Town Meeting warrant, as the town decided not to move forward with its renovations.
The only hope now is that the state comes through and puts it in the list of historic places, and somehow miraculously saves the schoolhouse. It is kind of sad to see a building that has stood the test of time get swept under the carpet in a matter of moments. It was a good debate between the residents, but the discussion tired quickly and was called to be moved before everyone had a chance to defend it. I guess I can see it from both sides, but wouldn’t it be nice 20 years from now to have a circa 1871 one-room schoolhouse as part of the historical preservation of your town?
C’est la vie, we move onto to day three!
Who knew people would have so much to say about farming?
As Duxbarians you’re proud enough to make sure it is known that the famous Island Creek Oysters are grown in your town, you’re proud enough to make sure people are aware that the O’Neil Farm, one of the only working dairy farms in the southeastern part of the state, is in your town, and you made sure your new grocery store carried organic and all natural foods, but you debate a bylaw that would proudly say Duxbury is a farming community? I agree with the lawyers, maybe the average person might misconstrue what the bylaw is really saying, however, if I am a person considering going into the farming business, I think it would be my duty to not only understand the town laws, but also review the state laws.
Aside from the farming article, and, of course, the (save) pay-as-you-throw citizens’ petition, the meeting moved smoothly. I understand the need to debate the farming article, for most it was the first chance they had to voice their opinion, but PAYT – come on, it was like beating a dead horse. Maybe that is just me, because I had to sit through the five or six previous selectmen’s meetings where the issue was debated, and passed by the selectmen. And I admit it was late, and I was tired of Town Meeting, but I was caught. As one person spoke at length about the reasons to support PAYT, an argument I have heard so many times, and also believe in myself, I was getting a little restless. As I sat up front facing the board members, listening, without thinking that anyone was looking at me, or without thinking, I started motioning my right hand with my index finger pointed out in a clock ward motion as to say speed it up or move on. Well, at that moment a member of the Finance Committee saw me doing this and started laughing at me. It was a little embarrassing. The only thing more embarrassing was the fact that he was standing at the podium to speak on the article. I made sure to pay full attention to his argument and not motion him to move along!
Another Town Meeting over with, and as Town Moderator Allen Bornheimer said, “I think this one of the better Town Meetings we have had!”
Greatest words ever uttered at Town Meeting: “Mr. Moderator move the question.”
Going green
Posted on March 6, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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Since green is my favorite color I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the upcoming green holiday. The time of year when we get to drink green beer, eat green bread, wear “kiss me I’m Irish” buttons, even though we probably don’t even have a hint of Irish blood in us, get Guinness mustaches, and do shots of Jameson – well at least that is the American version of St. Patrick’s Day.
The true holiday in Ireland is more about the Catholic religion and the celebration of the Saint Patrick. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, as the religious feast day and the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.
According to History.com, on St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 1, 1762, not in Ireland, but in New York City. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through the city with traditional music to help them reconnect with their Irish roots.
Today, people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada and Australia celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Although North America is home to the largest celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.
In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. Until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick’s Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin; a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.
My second year living in Boston I attended my first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Southie, and have gone several years since then. This year, depending on my work schedule, I may or may not get to enjoy the festivities, but either way I will have a pint and show my support by wearing some green. And perhaps pin a shamrock to my sweater.
Actually, when I was a little girl I use to spend hours combing the fields outside the playground looking for a four-leaf clover to bring me luck. Even on my trek to Ireland many moons ago I was in search of a little luck of the Irish.
Based on several Web sites, including the History Channel’s, the original Irish shamrock (traditionally spelled seamróg, which means “summer plant”) is said by many authorities to be a white clover (Trifolium repens), a common lawn weed originally native to Ireland. Occasionally, a fourth leaflet will appear, making a four-leaf clover, which is said to bring good luck to the person who discovers it.
The four-leaf clover was especially valued because of its rarity. Some believe the four-leaf clover had added power because the Druids of Ireland used the four-leaf clover in spells and believed the leaves represented the four elements of alchemy (Water, Earth, Air, and Fire) or the four seasons of the year. The introductory of Catholicism to Ireland co-opted the belief in three-leaf clover (the shamrock) by saying this represented the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. The rare four-leaf clover added a leaf for God’s grace.
Although, may people believe the emblem of Ireland to be the Shamrock, the true emblem of Ireland is the harp. Just look at the emblem on a bottle of Guinness.
The Celtic harp found on the presidential flag, state seals and uniforms Ireland, is inspired by an exquisite harp periodically displayed at Trinity College in Dublin. This harp, also known as the Brian Boru harp, named after the famed High King of Ireland, is the oldest surviving wire-strung frame harp in existence.
There was a significant decline in harp playing since its introduction in the 12th century. In recent years, the instrument has made a comeback and is still recognized as the symbol of Ireland, despite popular belief that the shamrock is the symbol. Although the shamrock is the most widely displayed symbol of Ireland, and is the symbol of the major airline, Aer Lingus, and many other Irish associations, the harp remains the true emblem of the country.
In many places in Massachusetts the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will be taking place on Palm Sunday, to much dismay. Going back to the true Irish tradition of St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating one holy day with another is a blessed event.
Go green or go broke
Posted on February 29, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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As a reporter it is my job to report the news without bias, prejudice or opinion. In most cases I don’t have an opinion, and if I do, I do not make it known. This is usually pretty easy for me because I do not live in any of the towns I cover, but there are some things I feel very strongly about. In my articles I will not show my opinion, but in my Insider I will.
For the past several weeks I have been working on an article for a special section for CNC newspapers published in March. The section, titled “Progress,” deals with businesses, industries and innovations in the area. For this section I chose to write about the Green movement, something that I am very passionate about, and deeply interested in gaining more insight on. Ever since I was a small child I have been concerned with living creatures, the planet, and our environment. I took this opportunity to learn all the ways the Bay State is working toward alternative energy, and conservation.
From solar homes to small wind turbines placed on rooftops to blended heating oil and hybrid cars, People in Massachusetts are trying to make a difference. Although I do not have my own home to install any of these alternative energy products, nor the money to buy a hybrid car, I do what I can where I can. From recycling to conserving water and supporting companies that are working towards green incentives. I have even gone as so far as to try and convince my parents as they remodel their home to install solar panels and a small wind turbine on the roof.
My father, whom I get my environmentally conscience ways from, has already started looking into alternative energy sources. Living on a bluff in Plymouth they are in a prime location to utilize both solar and wind energy. Of course the biggest hurdle associated with these measures is the town’s approval. Although these measures are environmental sound, they may not always be the most aesthetic features for neighbors. Hey, no one said it was easy being green, not even Kermit the Frog.
As I sit through countless meetings and debates regarding the pay-as-you-throw trash service I can’t help but side with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Works. I do understand the cost increases associated with the program, and I truly believe in the end it will be cost effective and environmentally sound. I also agree that for those with large families it might not be as affordable for them as it is for smaller families, and for that I believe there should be state funding provided to ease the burden for those who are truly trying to make an impact and feeling the burden from these new programs.
The reason I believe the comments made for PAYT regarding how it will be cost effective for those who recycle, and cost more for those who do not, is this; my sister, (Ali, I am sorry I am using you as an example but maybe this will help you see my point), and her husband do not recycle. They throw everything into one bag and change the bag a few times a week because it fills up so fast. Because they live in New Jersey, they can get away with this, for now. If they lived in one of the many towns in Massachusetts, which has adopted PAYT, they would see how much money they were wasting by not recycling. For them the $2 bags would fill up fast, and the costs would rise quickly. Through this process they might see the financial benefits in recycling since the environmental ones don’t seem to be in the forefront of their minds.
After all my research and discussing alternative energy with various companies throughout the state I learned a lot about what is being done to help our planet. This is what I learned:
Each year companies pop up all over the Commonwealth with new, innovative, means of providing alternative energy. Feb. 2 and 3, the 2008 Boston Going Green Expo took place at the Bayside Convention Center with over 150 businesses, organizations and individuals lined up to help turn Massachusetts and beyond green. These companies are committed to providing residential and commercial information and options for alternative energy sources in Massachusetts to help move forward today for a greener tomorrow.
Through each decade a new layer of the Green movement has been added as more and more people become interested in how humans affect the earth. With each new layer added only a very small amount of past damage created by human impact is reversed.
I am not an expert on PAYT, (but I do live in Scituate, a PAYT town with drop off trash service) nor do I consider myself an environmentalist, I have only just started my quest into the world of going green. However, I do believe through recycling, new innovations, alternative energy, and a little conservation from everyone, the benefits being made today will pay off tomorrow.
MySpace my memories
Posted on February 25, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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Life is about balance. Mixed throughout my amazing weekend, spent with one of my best friends from back home was the realization of sadness, getting older and unfortunate death.
As it usually goes when you spend time with old friends you find yourself reminiscing about the past and remembering fond memories, and talking about things that have happened. This December marks 10 years since the death of a very good friend of ours. Many of us have moved on from the small town we grew up in and have grown apart. This summer, in memory of him, he is bringing us all together for a weekend memorial service.
As we honor him we will also honor those bonds that were once held so tight. Friends we saw every weekend like clockwork, faces of friends that have aged and changed over the years, and lives that now exist outside the confines of the small town of Kinnelon, N.J.
A MySpace page has been created in his memory and to keep all our friends in contact.
For a while I dismissed MySpace. I said I never had time, and thought it was just for high school and college-age kids. However, I signed up for a page after seeing a bunch of old friends during Thanksgiving break in 2006. I used it once or twice until I started talking to other people back home and found out they were on it as well. Now I have talked to so many people I have not seen in a while. Some I missed and didn’t realized I missed, some I still talk to but am glad I have a new way to do it, and some I didn’t really care to talk to but have no problem catching up with.
So through this MySpace experience I have been able to reconnect with the town I grew up in, where I spent the majority of my life, and thought best to just leave it all behind and not look back.
Seeing old friends just reminds me of all the good times I had as a teenager. For some of us when we graduate high school it means leaving those awful teenage years behind us. For others it is leaving the comfort of your surroundings. As we get older we can appreciate where we came from, who we have become, and how much those years shaped us for better or for worse.
As I sit and remember my youth, I wonder why I wanted to sever all ties from the community I grew up in?
I had friends, played sports, belonged to clubs, went out and still talk to people from home. Those people who made me rethink my town are no longer a significant part of my life, and those who made an impression on my life are still helping mold the person I am. People can surprise you, and sometimes it takes 10 years to remember what you felt in the moment but managed to forget when looking back through tainted eyes.
Someone once told me it takes the half-life of a relationship to fully get over it and recover. All it takes is time. My time is up.
On Monday morning my 96-year-old great aunt passed away. She lived a long and good life. I can only hope I will be so lucky. She has been reunited with her soul mate and is in a better place free from pain. Florence Bennett will be remembered for her loving disposition, her cooking, and her big heart for a very tiny lady.
Living to 96 is considered a long life, but in the scheme of things, life is too short.
It has been too long since I saw my good friend Alex, and many of my other friends who live close enough where we should see each other more than once a year. There was once a time in our society when family all lived in the same town, or a few towns over, and they saw each other every day or weekend, not just on holidays.
That is definitely not true with my sister whom I see on holidays and occasional weekends in between. This past New Year’s was the first time I been out to visit my brother in three years. I usually get to see him once a year, but considering our relationship that is not enough.
I have thought about moving down south for many years now, and have come as far as looking for a place to move and what jobs would be out there for me. The thought of not being able to go down to my parent’s house on a Sunday afternoon for dinner is what keeps me planted in Massachusetts. Although they would never hold me back from moving, and I could be furthering my career plans, I have an old-fashioned heart. For me family, and friends come first, those are things that truly make a rich life.
I won the lottery!
Posted on February 15, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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On Saturday afternoon, as I attended the New England Press Association conferences in Boston, my lovely parents sat by the computer and waited for my name to be selected to purchase tickets to Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox.
Last week one of my fellow colleagues and Sox fans found out he had won the lottery to buy tickets for Opening Day or one of the nine Red Sox-Yankees games. Although I was very happy for him, I was thoroughly disappointed I had not won the lottery. He in turn said he would purchase four tickets to the last Red Sox-Yankees game and I would bequeath the other two tickets. The following day when I found the Wally lottery god had blessed me as well, I in turn said I would purchase four tickets to Opening Day and we would have bookend tickets.
As I sat through the two-hour lunch break I kept in contact with my ‘rents as they patiently waited. Low and behold only two and half hours after waiting in the virtual waiting room they were ushered to the virtual purchasing center. From there my dad navigated his way through to try and get me the best seats possible. At that point the only seats available for four tickets together were in the bleachers, but, hey, I will accept anything for Opening Day.
I have wanted to go to Opening Day for several years now and have either never had the opportunity, or as in last year’s case, I passed up the opportunity so I could take someone else to a Yankees-Red Sox game. As the wonderful daughter that I am I offered my father a ticket to go with me, but he is not interested in sitting in the bleachers with the crowds at the game. Next on the list was my brother, who lives in California. I told him if he can get a plane ticket out here the seat is all his.
So now my brother has almost two months to secure a flight and get here. I have less the two months to prepare for the big event, or count it down. I already alerted my boss I would not be into work that day and would taking a personal day, and already have my outfit picked out. My number 19 Beckett T-shirt and number 19 Becket hat – maybe this year I will finally get his attention.
If the Patriots had, well you know, I was planning on heading to the parade in a short white wedding dress with red high-heels and giant sign asking Wes Welker to marry me, but I guess I will just have to wait for good old number 19.
Pats ‘Lost’
Posted on February 7, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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I would first just like to start this Insider by saying, yes, the Patriots lost the Super Bowl, but they also went 18-0, winning more consecutive games in one season, more than any other team. The Dolphins may have been undefeated, but so were the Pats if you consider they won 17 straight games. Brady sill had 50 touchdowns in a regular season, breaking Peyton Manning’s record of 49, Moss broke the record held by Jerry Rice for touchdown catches by catching 23 touchdown passes, and the list goes on.
The 2007 Patriots will still be regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time.
By the way, the only reason the Super Bowl lost hurt so much is because the fan base that was so used to losing and being heartbroken suddenly got used to being on the winning side. No matter how comfortable it gets at the top, you should always be prepared to fall.
I started last weekend on Thursday night with the season premiere of the highly anticipated, highly talked about, and highly blogged about fourth season of “Lost,” and like the Super Bowl, all the hype made the disappointment that much harder to take.
“Lost” has never been known for having killer season premieres, but they have that way of keeping you hooked by reminding of why you loved that show in the first place.
For two weeks, possibly a month, before the season premiere of “Lost” it was being talked about on various Web sites, previewed in magazines, and teased everywhere else. “We have to go back,” the famous line that gripped you last season was playing in your mind, on TV, and everywhere, is still keeping you hooked. We thought we would have a little more knowledge of what that line was referring to, yet we know nothing.
The hype behind the show made you believe something about Penny, or Sam, from the search for flight 815 commercials, would appear. Although the season premiere did not blow me away, I will always be hooked waiting to see what happens next because of last season, and the season before that, and so on.
So as I dwell on the “what ifs” with the Super Bowl, I remember how great the entire season was. And next year when the Patriots kickoff the regular season I will be hooked once again, because I know what they are capable of.
Living up to perfection is hard to do, which is why most people say there is no such thing as perfect.
On Thursday before I sat down to watch “Lost” I went to Kohl’s with my Naynay and my mother so Naynay could get a Patriots shirt for the game. All Patriots merchandise was on sale, and anything that had AFC Champions on it was 50 percent off. They were trying to sell all their merchandise so they could make room for their Super Bowl merchandise. A little pre-emptive thinking that ended up biting them, and the rest of New England in the bum. It worked out for me because I got an AFC sweatshirt for $20 and a Brady-Moss T-shirt with all their record-breaking numbers on it for $10.
I for one will always remember the 2007 Patriots for what they accomplished, not for what they almost had.
And the same with Lost, I was not thrilled with the season premiere, but I know what the show is capable of, and it will always have me as a viewer.
The moral of the story is, don’t just love your sports teams when their champions, love them because they are champions.
Pats pursue history
Posted on January 24, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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Well sports fans, here we go again, another Boston, or New England, versus New York rivalry.
Who would have thought, several weeks ago, that the New England Patriots would be facing a Manning in the Super Bowl?
A great deal of people had their money on another Patriots versus Colts AFC championship showdown, that Brady versus Manning was expected, but I never thought the Giants would make it to the Big Game.
The football playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular and mind blowing. Based on the statistics, a betting man would have placed his money on the Cowboys beating the Giants to advance to the NFC championship game, and the Colts beating the Chargers to head to Gillette for the AFC championship game, but those scenarios didn’t pan out. The only sure thing this post season was the Patriots going to Arizona for Super Bowl XLII!
I was shocked when I heard the Colts lost to the Chargers. I missed that game because I had to work, and I really wished I could have seen it, just to see the look on Peyton Manning’s face. An injury-plagued game where the Chargers took charge and were on a mission to revenge their home loss to the Patriots last year, 24-21, and taking away there chance to advance to AFC championship game against the Colts.
On the flip side, the Patriots, or at least many of the fans, were hoping for a Colts-Patriots AFC repeat to settle the score after last years disappointing 38-34 loss to the Colts. The loss prevented them from heading to the Super Bowl, and it came after the Pats had an 18-point lead in the second quarter. It was an exciting game, and if you are a Colts fan it was a great game. I remember watching that game, as I did this year’s AFC championship game, at the Cask ‘n Flagon in Boston, among a sea of Colts helmet-shaped piñatas. Everyone was looking forward to smashing the helmets in celebration; instead, the disappointed fans cleared the bar faster than the last day of school before summer vacation. The Cask learned from last years’ mistake and didn’t do any tantalizing decorating, just good old-fashion sports and beer.
I got home just in time to see the end of the third quarter and the fourth quarter of the Giants-Cowboys game last weekend, I kept hoping Tony Romo was going to connect in the fourth, he had several chances, but he never made it. I believe most sports fans thought the Cowboys would meet the Patriots in Arizona. Romo was on a role this year, and he had a chance to pull out the win, like he had in several close games this season.
Eli Manning said, in interview after the game, he had learned of his brother’s loss right before his game started, maybe this rivalry goes a little deeper than sports, deep like blood.
He plays in the shadow of his brother, and he received a lot of criticism this year for his play, this was his chance to prove himself. And prove himself he did. Not only did his brother not make it to the AFC championship game, Eli is taking the Giants to the Super Bowl, trying to get his own Vince Lombardi Trophy. If it were another game, another time, I might root for the little brother, but not this game, not against this team.
The Pats Chargers game was exciting, but nothing compared to the nail biting, down to the wire, game the Giants played against the Packers. Brett Favre did not play his best, and although there were a ton of mistakes and misses made by the Giants, they pulled through in the end. I was beginning to think Giants’ kicker Lawrence Tynes was in the wrong position, he kept missing, but when it counted he hit his mark and the Giants advanced in overtime. Really the game could have gone either way, it was touch and go. The Giants got lucky with the interception and scored a field goal 2 minutes into overtime to reserve their ticket to Arizona.
The Chargers fought a good fight and played hard, but this team of Patriots is unstoppable. The 10-6 Giants, who beat the 13-3 Cowboys, and the 13-3 Packers to advance to the Super Bowl, must now face the 18-0 Patriots. The Pats have history riding on their win, and no Manning, older or younger, is going to take that perfect team, perfect dream, away from them.
It will be a game that’s for sure; hopefully it will be a great game with a Pats victory!
Posted on January 17, 2008 by Andria Farrell
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Generally I live for this time of year, movie and television-wise, because of all the award shows and the push to show high-quality, thought-provoking films. However, with the recent writers strike, a wet blanket has been pulled over the entertainment industry.
I still tuned in Sunday night for the Golden Globes to see who won, who lost, and where the upsets were, but I admit it was not as thrilling without getting to hear first-hand the reactions from the winners. I could do without the red carpet, and dress discussions, but I enjoy hearing some of the speeches, especially first time winners, who are not expecting a win.
However, the reason behind the canceling of the show is far more important than hearing a few celebrities say words of thanks after receiving an award.
As a writer, I fully support the strike, the reason behind the strike, and the loss of money because of the strike. The most important thing that goes into any movie, television, show, advertisement, video clip, web trailer, teaser, and newspaper is the writing. All the glitz, glam and recognition goes to those in front of the camera, or calling the shots, but without the writers it would just be improv.
A face, a person, a camera angle, shot, car chase scene, or special effects, can sell the movie and make the money, but the writers are the mice spinning the wheels. Much like in the newspaper industry, without the writers and reporters there would be no paper. No paper for the advertisers to sell the space and make the money.
Although most people purchase a paper to read the news, a paper is sold based on advertising space and money.
I applaud the writers for making a stand. Why should actors, producers, and directors, make all the money? Writers work very hard, working through draft after draft before getting something that is presentable, and may or may not be bought, or bought in its entirety. It is a sad reality that those behind the scenes, putting in the tough hours, holding the heavy equipment, get little recognition for their hard work, and little recognition in their wallets.
There are many people, like myself, who sympathize with the writers and their strike and feel it is for a good cause. There are just as many people who want their shows back and feel the writers are being greedy. Think of it like a pizza, when you start adding toppings you have to pay for each additional topping. All the writers’ want is to be paid for their additional topping, the web version of their written word. ABC.com is making money from the advertising used during the streaming of “Lost,” why shouldn’t the writers get a slice of the pie, not a sliver.
The Internet is a whole new ballgame for much of the media industry, and it is hurting and affecting every form of media from print journalism to radio. Although the writers are not necessarily doing more work for the particular piece they write, in some cases, they are getting more exposure and the company is reaping the benefits, so why shouldn’t they?
A lawyer would never give 20 minutes of extra time, or offer his legal expertise without being heavily compensated, again, why should writers give their expertise to millions for pennies?
In March 2006, I took a job as reporter for the Duxbury Reporter for MPG Newspapers. Almost two years later my job description has morphed, I still do everything I did before, only now my job also includes web content, and some video content. I sit in the same boat as the Writers Guild of America, only I have no union to fall back on for support.
Give the writers what they deserve. Although I am really mad about the changes made to my favorite, character driven, heavily writer-infused, and compelling drama, “Lost,” I understand and support the reasons. Without writers there would be no shows. Don’t you think we have enough reality television? Life is reality – I want fiction!
