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A Hot Tip – not really!

The Kentucky Derby – I got a hot tip.  A sure winner.  I never bet and rarely watch the Kentucky Derby but it sounded like fun thing to do – go to Suffolk Downs, do some people watching and bet on a few horses.  So I did a quick study on the field, Roy did some studying on how to bet and with money in hand we went to Suffolk Downs with L and M and J and C who relied on us and our knowledge (they’re very trusting).  We had a system.  Roy would bet on the ones that weren’t favorites and I bet on three favorites including my sure thing.  I had to bet on Wicked Strong because he had a Boston connection and a portion of the earnings are going to the One Fund; Intense Holiday, my sure thing; and, Riding on Curlin, another Boston connection.  Well, they say that the favorite hardly ever wins but he won yesterday.  Six of us betting and six of us lost!  Oh well! Continue reading “A Hot Tip – not really!”

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There Goes My Cholesterol Level!!

We went to The Sinclair in Harvard Square last week.  It’s a much needed live music venue with multi levels to view a show.  Bruce in the USA was playing and if you’re a Springsteen fan and need a fix, find this guy.  Three hours, yes three hours of Bruce.  A look alike, with all the mannerisms, a great band and if you closed your eyes, you would think you were hearing the Boss himself Continue reading “There Goes My Cholesterol Level!!”

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Boston – Feast Time in the North End

If you live in or are visiting Boston, and are here on a summer weekend in August, it’s mandatory that you experience a Feast in the North End, Boston’s Little Italy.  This weekend was the opener, Festa di Sant Agrippina.

The North End is Boston’s Italian neighborhood, a few tightly packed blocks full of restaurants, cafes, shops and a lot of local color.  On Feast weekends it’s wall to wall people, lights, live music, old fashioned carnival games and FOOD.  Have some raw bar or sausage with peppers and onions at one of the street stalls or have dinner in one of the many restaurants that line the streets and then after dinner, take a stroll, have a cannoli and enjoy the street scene.

At the beginning of each Feast, the Madonna is paraded through the streets.  She is slowly covered in cash which goes to the Church.

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Music – every weekend has a free show.  People dance in the street and the old timers pull up lawn chairs  or hang out their windows to enjoy the music!  Some people (I’m not saying who!) have been known to get up on the stage to sing Disco Inferno with the original group, The Trampps!

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A little raw bar anyone?

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Boston’s Finest!

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The street scene

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North End Feasts – one of the many reasons Boston is a “wicked awesome” city!

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Tapas at Estragon

A warm summer night is perfect for tapas.  After Roy’s haircut in the South End that’s what we felt like so we headed over to Estragon.  It was early so there was lots of room for 2 at the bar.

The restaurant is a big, airy, informal space with a nice sized bar, hi-top and cafe seating and some comfy, mismatched overstuffed chairs and couches.  It kind of reminds me of a restaurant in Madrid that’s been around for generations.   Continue reading “Tapas at Estragon”

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Once Upon a Dream with The (not so young) Rascals

The Young Rascals or  later known as The Rascals were a group which was part of the soundtrack of our teenage years for those of us who grew up in the 60’s.  Remember Good Lovin, A Girl Like You, Beautiful Morning, Been Lonely Too Long?  I’m sure you know where you were when you heard those songs.

Well, Steven Van Zandt, yes Little Steven of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, had an idea about getting one of his favorite bands back together and you know if he is involved in something musically it’s probably going to be good.   He succeeded and put together a show that played Port Chester, NY and then went to Broadway.  This week they brought the show to the Opera House for a five night stand and of course we had to go.
Continue reading “Once Upon a Dream with The (not so young) Rascals”

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Mario Testino

I was lucky enough to see the Mario Testino exhibit entitled “In Your Face” at the MFA with my friend G this week.  Mario Testino, fashion photographer extraordinaire, who’s name became known after he was chosen to photograph Princess Diana for her Vanity Fair shoot in 1997.  Photos so good they can be considered art and museum quality, obviously. Continue reading “Mario Testino”

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An Intelligent Movie….

Amour .  A tough movie that tackles the subject of aging.  It’s French.  It’s about a loving elderly couple faced with what happens when one suffers a stroke and the downward decline that ensues.  It’s as much about the person who’s failing as it is about the caretaker.  After all, no one ever thinks about what the caretaker goes through.  This movie handles it.  It’s an intelligent, thoughtful, heartbreaking piece of work worthy of the awards it has already received.  The leading actress, Emmanuelle Riva, nominated for an Oscar (and deserving of it), was in the famous movie Hiroshima, Mon Amour and the actor Jean-Louis Trintignant was in another famous French movie, A Man and a Woman.  Isabelle Huppert plays their emotionally barely there and hardly interested daughter.

Why aren’t there any movies about the subject of aging?  There are lots of us baby boomers out there dealing with our own mortality or dealing with aging parents.  There are movies about being 40, action hero movies, lots of stupid movies for 13 year olds, but no intelligent movies that deal with the subject of aging and the end of life.  Granted it’s not an easy subject and I suppose people don’t want to face it or be reminded that it will happen, especially when the reason they’re going to the movies is to be entertained.

Do yourself a favor, go see Amour before it leaves; and then, go see a stupid movie!

After the movie we needed wine and some good food.  So with our friends G and B we headed over to Abigail’s.  I’ve reviewed Abigail’s in the past.  It’s on Third Street in Cambridge where there’s a lot going on.  We immediately ordered wine, which we desperately needed and  took a look at the menu.  We had so much on the table we couldn’t fit anything else on it if we tried.  As with our last visit, we loved the restaurant.

See you at the bar…..