The Ideas Party

I'm getting terribly tired of watching America fall apart based on the fact that everything has to be political. Why does every thought, idea or statement come attached to some political party or movement? Why can't we get out of our own way and take pride in the fact that we have ability to do great things and solve the kinds of problems that have plagued society for decades.

I want to be part of the ideas party! I don't care who's idea it is, where it comes from or why it was created. We have serious problems and people can't detach themselves from politics long enough to acknowledge a good idea, no matter who's idea it is. Can't we put all of the problems on the table and deal with them in a rational, non-violent and civilized manner?

Having just returned from a trip in which allowed me to see the kind of poverty that should not exist anywhere I have to believe there is a better way. Don't the politicians understand that they are pushing people in there 20's and 30's away from politics. All of the talking heads and pundits get on TV and tell us what's best, do you really think anyone believes you are doing this for any reason other than yourself and your pocket? At this point everyone has gotten so wrapped up in the hate and discrediting the other party that nobody cares about the problems and realistic ways to solve them; it's just easier to blame the other side.

I want to be part of the Ideas party! Perhaps we can use the American Flag as our logo since it seems most people have forgotten what it stands for and all that it has the potential to be!!!

THANKSGIVING

Well there are certainly plenty of reason to be thankful this year and I couldn't possible account for all of them. Suffice it to say that my life is pretty great and that I don't have a lot of worries, at least in comparison to a lot of people. It's pretty easy to get caught up in own lives and forget that things are really not so hard or complicated.

So here is a list of things I am grateful for this particular year:

-My lovely wife
-My Family & Friends
-Football
-Pizza
-The comedic styling of Sarah Palin
-Low mortgage rates
-BBQ
-The United States of America
-Dustin Pedroia
-Acela
-Grouchy New Englanders

Have a great holiday and don't forgot how lucky you are!!
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Let's Try This Again

So I have decided to start blogging again as a means of stress relief and personal amusement.

I hope to comment on many of the comical things I encounter every day and those things that pop into my mind from time to time. For instance:

Yesterday I was watching a soccer match with a number of French players and I realized that even though they make millions of dollars playing for themselves around the world they could not come together as a group for the World Cup....yet the NBA stars (LeBron, Kobe, etc) who are widely considered the most arrogant and self-centered athletes in the world managed to play together and dominate the Olympics....what does that say about the French?

Why don't Band-Aid's come in a roll that you can just peel off, it's impossible to unwrap a band-aid when you gushing blood and trying not to cover yourself in it.

So while the summer of Brent may be over it not really over!!

So...What do you do all day?

This seems to be the most frequent question I receive so I thought I would present some pictures and words to fill in the less exciting days during the SOB, although I find most people seem to think the less exciting days sound pretty great as well.

1. Golf - It goes without saying at this point that I am playing at least 4 days a week. I'm waiting for my new clubs which are being built currently so I don't see a decrease in play coming anytime soon.

2. Sleep - A lost art in the day and age of the Blackberry and 24/7 information cycles, with only a cell phone to bother me it is very easy to turn it off and not catch up on messages for a few days, off the network, literally. I've even learned how to take a nap again.

3. BM5 (Buttermilk 5)- With the softball season getting into full swing I plan to spend extra time in the cages and taking grounders.

4. Sandwiches, Steaks and Overpriced Lunches -It's really great to catch up with everyone and spending some unhurried time with friends but after a while the $30 lunch takes a toll more on my stomach than my wallet. (*Reference Below) I have had more burgers and steaks in the last 4 weeks than in the last 4 months so at least I'm eating well as a deadbeat. I'm looking forward to grilling season after the little touch of summer we had a couple weeks ago and all the red meat I'm consuming.

4. Cooking - I am quickly establishing my plan to open a Bar & Grill as I am working on the menu at home through a variety of experiments that have taken place but it's all coming together. Rising quickly on my current favorites list are:

Four Cheese macaroni with Bacon, Tomatoes and Croutons.
Grilled Chicken Enchiladas

Beef Roast with Carmalized Onions & Carrots

Burnt Caramel Ice Cream and Molasses Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

I would also say that Heather seems to be enjoying the fruits of my downtime through many meals which greet her at the end of the day, although some may have not been as enjoyable as others. (Sorry about the overcooked scallops, they burn fast!)

In the immortal words of my friend the Omelet "Yeah Sports" I have been lucky enough to go to a few Sox games including a great win over the Yankees and last Fridays beatdown of the Rays. I am expecting to get to a few playoff games if the Celtics and Bruins advance so between that and a couple hours of ESPN daily I'm fully versed in the sporting world currently.

I am also well versed in the daily TV lineup for those days when leaving the house doesn't always seem appealing.

5. Charlestown - I thought I would take a moment to point out what a wonderful place Charlestown is this time of year. I suppose most places are nice in the springtime but I have to say this area can make you appreciate a quiet sunny day as much as anywhere.

Only a few weeks left until NE'09 (Northern Europe 2009) begins with stops already booked for Stockholm, Helsinki and St. Petersburg as well as a short cruise. Final plans for the rest of the trip are being finalized and it should be a great time although the food may be somewhat challenging. I'm awaiting my Russian visa which should arrive any day now.

70 Degrees & Sunny

So the SOB continues with the weather finally turning the corner and 3 rounds of golf under my belt I feel confident that I can put a serious dent in my handicap over the next couple of months. I'm starting to look forward to Europe with less than 6 weeks til departure and some time amongst beautiful Swedish women as well as one Italian.

I was also fortunate enough to provide the IRS with some additional blood money...I mean revenue last week, I'm sure my continued contributions will fund some more meaningless programs aimed to help everyone who is not me!

The next few weeks should provide for some good fodder as I have 2 Bachelor parties and 2 weddings before I leave the first week of June, I may leave the camera behind to protect the innocent but the stories will live on. I can only assume the guy who injured himself trying to sneak a fifth of whiskey into the Garden 2 weeks ago will certainly do something foolish during several big events in the next couple of weeks. Things should be quiet this week with a lot of golf and some gym time on the docket. I plan to be imbibing on the deck soon, so please keep me advised if a cocktail becomes necessary.

I'd like to thank the woman who attempted chat me up last night I've never had such an entertaining opening to a conversation, it was high comedy and I appreciate the effort, at least you have that going for you, which is nice.

Such is life during the SOB!

Having attended the 40 Days to FAGAWI party last night (solid work on the open bar) it is clear that people are ready for summer and so am I !!!!

I've died and gone to......Georgia?

While I am admittedly not a big fan of the "south" my trip to Talladega and last weeks road trip to Augusta have started to temper my opinion, maybe, no not really. However, Augusta National and the Masters are unlike anything I have ever encountered. Words, pictures and television do not begin to do justice to the beauty and difficulty of the golf course. A few pictures which I snapped along the way including Magnolia Lane, Amen Corner and me hanging out where I belong.

I would also like to thank the individuals who gave me the one finger salute as I weaved and tailgated my way south, for the record the left hand lane is for passing not traveling!!!

It is also very clear that folks south of the Mason-Dixon line are not usually in a hurry to serve you, answer your questions or provide feedback in a manner consistent with those of us who try to be productive; at least they are friendly.

I would commend the Augusta National Golf Club, anytime you go to a major event where people pay huge amounts of money to attend and the most expensive food item is $2.50 for a club sandwich you are trying to take care of the people, well done. In fact an entire lunch with a beer was no more than $6 including desert, amazing how much we have all become accustomed paying $8 for a side of potato salad.

Anyways it was a fantastic trip and I would tell any golfer to make the trip to Augusta if and when you ever have the opportunity. It is an amazing place that lives up to the billing in a day and age when few things do. Happy Easter, I'll be back next week to share my dislike of the IRS and with the start of the summer golf season. Summer is just beginning.

The SOB is off to a tremendous start, two days of basketball at the Garden including an amazing finish in the Villanova/Pitt game have set the bar pretty high for the next couple of months. Guinness consumption for the last 7 days totals 43, thankfully it's almost time for a "summer" beer. I have made a few observations during my first week including but not limited to:

- Daytime television is amazingly bad

- The studio audience at the Price is Right is either much smaller than I thought or they have moved filming to a high school auditorium

- The news at noon could be done in 5 minutes allowing for more amazingly bad daytime TV

- Traffic is always bad even at 11am

- It's a really nice feeling to have an entire day with no plans

- Bowling alleys are suprisingly quiet during the day, I can see why The Dude always had a caucasian in his hands

- Lunch is always better when you've done something productive that morning

I'm getting ready for a big roadtrip, heading home for a couple of days and then on to Augusta and a chance to check an item off the list with a visit to Augusta National and the Masters. Since I will be able to take a camera with me during the practice round so I expect to have plenty of

pictures upon my return. The Buttermilk5 is also getting ready for another season on the diamond and as you can see here http://www.buttermilkfive.blogspot.com/ ticket sales are brisk.