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I saw a guy
Posted on April 27, 2009 by Kathy Koch
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It was Tuesday of last week that I started feeling really sick, and the next day I didn’t feel much better. The thing was, I had this coupon for Stop & Shop that I needed to use before Thursday, so I went shopping after going to work. That was last Wednesday.
While I was walking up one of the aisles, I looked up to see a man wearing a strange blue mask on his face. Only now do I wonder if the guy had recently visited Mexico and was exposed to the swine flu.
I hadn’t read anything about the swine flu at that point, and I just thought it odd the man was wearing the mask. I have no idea what his story was, but it’s not so unusual to see people wearing blue masks anymore.
I hope the guy was OK, and I know I don’t have the swine flu. I just wish I felt better. Someone told me I would feel better after seven days. We’ll see how I feel in the morning. Signing off.
I’m O’bit Irish
Posted on March 17, 2009 by Kathy Koch
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Some people in the Plymouth office like the American tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, but I am not one of them. I’m just not a fan of corned beef and cannot stand cabbage. I generally like my vegetables raw and like a good cole slaw.
Besides, I’ve had my share of real Irish fare. I filled my quota of traditional Irish food eating blood sausage and trying haggis in Ireland. Ireland was one of my Dad’s favorite places to visit on our travels together, and I tried some interesting food when we visited there.
Now that Dad is gone, I doubt I will return to Ireland, or at least any time soon. I won’t be eating black pudding or food made from a sheep’s stomach. I’ll stick with my Guinness and Irish stout to celebrate Ireland. I’m raising a glass to Dad today. Signing off.
Just where is Greenfield?
Posted on February 25, 2009 by Kathy Koch
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As a reporter intent on getting things right, it bugs me that Massachusetts Banker magazine thinks that Greenfield, Massachusetts is located “right off I-95.”
Having grown up in a small town next to Greenfield, it sparked my interest when the magazine arrived on my desk with a story inside entitled “A Tree Grows in Greenfield.” I thought it was fun there would be a story about the Greenfield Savings Bank’s unique ATM-in-a-tree. Yes, there is a fake tree in the Big Y shopping plaza built around a money machine.
The story is full of puns. My favorite is the reference to branch banking. But as I am reading I cannot believe that it says Greenfield is located off I-95. I’m not sure how many people will notice, although I’m sure the bank’s president and CEO who is quoted will, and anybody else who travels Interstate 95, and some of the people who have traveled on Interstate 91.
It is true that many people have been to Greenfield and just don’t know it. It’s a popular stopover for travelers. If I’m asked where Greenfield is, I’ll describe its location and it’s often happened that the person says, oh, I’ve been there. It’s where Route 2, as the Mohawk Trail, and I-91 intersect.
Just don’t look for Greenfield on I-95. And feel free to let me know of any mistaks I make. I hate hypocrites. Signing off.
Seven years or bust
Posted on February 20, 2009 by Kathy Koch
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This Saturday I will return to Spa-tique in Marshfield for a Swedish aromatherapy massage. It will be my second visit to the day spa, not counting the interview I did for a story about it opening. I wasn’t sure I would be able to use the gift certificate I was given four years ago for Christmas, but I learned a little something about gift certificates.
What I learned is that you have seven years from the date on a gift certificate to redeem it. That’s state law. So if you turn up an old gift certificate you thought you lost, don’t worry. You are not out of luck if you thought five years was the limit. It’s seven years or bust.
Not that I would encourage waiting four years to use a gift certificate. Would you really want a gift certificate to say, Circuit City, right now? I doubt it. I lost out on this spa machine at Cape Cod mall because I waited. I don’t remember what it was called, but I like a good massage. I had my first as my 18th birthday present to me.
I have two more gift certificates for massages at two different place to use. Hopefully they stay in business until I’m ready to use them. Signing off.
Nevada ranks first
Posted on January 7, 2009 by Kathy Koch
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For all of you frustrated with the speed of your Internet connection, you won’t believe a word of it, but Massachusetts has the ninth fastest Internet service in the United States.
PCMag.com has named the fastest Internet Service Providers in America, and Massachusetts ranks ninth due to the services provided in the state with surf speeds of 695 Kbps. I searched the Internet to find out what ”Kbps” stands for, but that was taking too long with no result. They say the national average is 557 Kbps.
The title of ’state with the fastest surf speed’ goes to Nevada. New Mexico was in last place in PCMag.com’s ranking. The slowest surf speed in New England goes to Vermont in 47th place.
I really have no complaints about the speed of my Internet connection either at home or at work, but I wish Microsoft wouldn’t keep shutting down when I’m right in the middle of writing a story on the office computer. That’s what gets me most frustrated. Signing off.
Happy Birthday Bunny!
Posted on December 31, 2008 by Kathy Koch
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It’s a gift that keeps going and going and going. If I have attached my photo correctly, you have probably already guessed that I’m talking about my Energizer Bunny. He was with me at the old office in Plymouth, transferred with me to the Marshfield office and returned with me to Plymouth to write for the Old Colony Memorial out of the new Standish Avenue office.
I am writing about my Energizer Bunny because it’s the beginning of his 20th birthday year. The celebration started at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City when he was a big hit with parade spectators. While I missed seeing him, I only have to look at my computer because my Energizer Bunny sits on it.
Interestingly enough, there’s an actual Web site, www.energizer.com/bunnybirthday, that people can check out to see the Energizer Bunny on the streets of New York City and more about one of America’s favorite icons, and, I agree with Energizer officials, one of the most energetic. Ha Ha.
So that’s about all the celebrating I’ll be doing. Happy Birthday Bunny! Signing off.
Why worms make you squirm
Posted on November 20, 2008 by Kathy Koch
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The bag of peanuts sitting on the counter in the Plymouth office on Standish Avenue creeps me out. The other day when I opened a peanut shell, a little worm fell out.
Eeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww!
It brought up a memory from my childhood that I try to repress. I took a bag of chips out of the lower cabinet, reached in for a handful of chips, and pulled out a worm.
Eeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww!
I try to forget that first worm, but every once in a while something reminds me of what happened. Obviously, the worm in the peanuts was a trigger. Both times I was just grossed out, and I’m not sure which time was worse.
I can’t look at the bag of peanuts without shuddering so I don’t get too close. Nobody else seems to have found a worm in a peanut, but I just won’t take the chance. I would be happy if they threw the bag out. Hopefully they aren’t offered to people coming into the office. There could be a lawsuit or some screaming at the very least. All I know is, it won’t be me. Signing off.
Those nine words
Posted on November 14, 2008 by Kathy Koch
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A friend of mine recently sent me a post entitled “Nine Words Women Use,” and I’m afraid to show it to my fiance. I don’t want him to know what I really mean when I say “fine.”
It really is true that when I say “fine” I use the word to end the argument when I am right and he needs to shut up. Number two doesn’t apply to me. I like to be on time. I think I may use number three the most. When I say “nothing” it really does mean something, and he should be on his toes and be ready to hear “fine.” I also use “whatever” often. I can’t be explicit, but it’s not a nice thing to say.
I think he has somewhat of a grasp of what I mean when I say “fine,” “nothing” and “whatever,” but you can never be sure. Men say they are an open book, but they are often proven otherwise. Sometimes I say exactly what I mean and he thinks it’s something else. What can you do? Signing off.
The Rock returns
Posted on October 2, 2008 by Kathy Koch
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The Department of Conservation and Recreation has come through by meeting the latest deadline of Oct. 1 for the completion of the Plymouth Rock Portico project.
Taking a walk on the waterfront Wednesday evening after work, it dawned on me as I looked ahead into the distance that when I got to the portico I should be able to see the Rock unimpeded. Sure enough, there were several people inside the portico looking at the Rock.
I wanted to tell them what good timing they had but didn’t take the time to stop. I just walked on through. It’s a habit I’ve had since I moved to Plymouth. I don’t stick to the sidewalk. I have to take a look at the Rock close up. It’s just my thing.
It was good to be able to see the Rock again. Not that it wasn’t more interesting to watch the geese, about 35 of them as close as I could count, on the grass just past the portico and then flying into the water. I’m sure I looked quite silly, but sometimes you just have to step and watch the world around you.
Let the world know that when they visit Plymouth they will be able to see the Rock.
Way too long
Posted on September 9, 2008 by Kathy Koch
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It’s been way too long since I last blogged. It was way back at the start of the Summer Olympics. By the way, our Rock Paper Scissors guy from Massachusetts won bronze in the tournament. But really, how hard is it for me to blog more often?
Let’s think back to Sunday. For Patriots fans it’s impossible to forget. During warmups before the game started I found myself looking at Tom Brady’s legs. Right there was the story of the game even before it became THE story.
One of the most demoralized people in the whole stadium had to be the guy who announces the plays. Even his “another Patriots first down” calls sounded subdued. I hope he’ll be over it and ready to get back to form next home game.
I’m curious to see whether Brady will be on the sidelines at all the home and away games the whole season. Taking a quick poll, it’s been mostly guys who say of course he’ll be on the sidelines. I supposed they’re right, but we shall see. Signing off.
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