Even the recession can be trendy

(image courtesy of: http://www.feltclubboston.com)

Living in the city isn’t easy on a budget – and believe me, I know this fact firsthand. I’m known to break my budget on a twice-a-day basis. On the upside of the current dreary American economy are food specials. I live in a city that doesn’t allow happy hour (literally, legally, it’s a Blue Book law), but this doesn’t prevent food specials. Thankfully.

While I’ve scoped out several deals in the city (10 cent wings at the Asgard on Mondays, one dollar tacos at La Verdad on Tuesdays), my personal favorite weekly event is Recessionista Wednesdays at Felt on Washington Street. My three childhood best friends, K, C, L and I attended a few weeks in a row and left both times impressed, with full stomachs and wallets. The special $3 menu features appetizers such as garlicky shrimp and entrees like chicken picatta and mini chesse or veggie burgers. Desserts include apple crisp in martini glasses. Surprisingly enough, the menu as a whole was inexpensive with a half-order of lobster risotto costing a mere $8. Drinks range from about $6 to $10, so choose wisely and have only one or two. We all seem to approve of the red or white sangria (and, let’s face it, when isn’t sangria a good choice?).

Best yet, Felt sets a theme to each Recessionista Wednesday. Two weeks ago it was a chocolate theme – complete with chocolate fountain, dessert samples from a local bakery and celebrity trivia. Future themes include the Boston Red Sox, celebrities and country (as in country music). Count me in and remind me to look photo ready.

-M

Tart Soft-Serve Goodness

(image courtesy of: http://www.woodenboat.org)

Since discovering Pinkberry in NYC earlier this summer (and learning that while P will be able to eat all the Pinkberry to her hearts' content in Kuwait, and I'm stuck with no Pinkberry whatsoever in Boston), I went on a one-woman-hunt for similar tart frozen yogurt in the greater Boston area. After a month, about one froyo a day and numerous pleadings with my boyfriend to, "please just take me so I can get one more today," I think I've exhausted my efforts. I've been to what I could locate as the four main soft-serve froyo venues near me (all within a MBTA subway ride distance). While Pinkberry resides within me as the creme de la creme, some of these come in awfully close behind.

In order of preference...

1.) Berryline. If I wasn't so obsessed with Pinkberry's aura, decor and atmosphere, I would maybe say that Berryline ranks #1 as the best soft-serve frozen yogurt. Their fruit is always fresh (I recommend the raspberries, strawberries and kiwi), and the workers pile it on. I went there twice today alone (true story). Prices are cheaper than Pinkberry by about a dollar and the soft-serve is creamy and delicious. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook and find their yummy deliciousness in Porter Square, Harvard Square or the Fenway area on Bolyston Street.

2.) Chill. When walking into Chill on Chestnut Hill Ave. in Brighton, I felt the Pinkberry influence. White counters. Bright lights. All radiated a certain sense of cleanliness. Also affordable (a small with two toppings runs just about $4), it's become a weekly staple in girls night dinner dates with my friend K. I still opt for raspberries and strawberries as toppings (I'm a creature of habit), while K opts for rainbow sprinkles (we're really 8 years old at heart). I find Chill's consistency to be a bit more watery than Berryline, but not so much so that it's unenjoyable.

3.) The disappointment of the bunch, U Good on Brookline Ave in Boston, next to the Regal Cinema and on the first floor of the Landmark Center. While their signs taut healthy food and healthy living, I felt awfully cheated (and angry, thereby unhealthy) when the worker piled on about 4 raspberries and 2 bits of strawberry as my "toppings" that have an additional cost. When I bit in, I swear, I tasted cardboard. Tangy and not tart. After days of fantastic froyo, my tastebuds were unfulfilled and disappointed. No good, U Good.

4.) Lastly, I put this only as a warning to others. On some internet pages, Cafe Kiraz in Cambridge is listed as having fantastic soft-serve frozen yogurt. Conveniently placed about, oh, twenty steps from my apartment, I decided to give it a try. When I ask the worker whether the soft-serve frozen yogurt is indeed my heavenly tart frozen yogurt, I get nods and affirming yes's. Negative. No tart soft-serve. Learn from my mistakes. If you want imitation Pinkberry, seek elsewhere.

Apparently in September, lucky me, Red Mango is opening on Huntington Ave. near Symphony Hall in Boston. I can hardly wait. Until then, Berryline employees can anticipate to see me every day, while Chill can be graced with my presence on Thursdays. Delish.

-M

People In Boston...

(image courtesy of polyvore.com & Google image search)

Do not know how to dress.

I know, this is a generalization. A blanket observation. An untrue one at that, since I am a Bostonian and I know how to dress. Quite possibly it is that Bostonians don't know how to appreciate fashion. Specifically, unappreciative towards those who are fashionable. Case in point.

My outfit today. Black Theory sleeveless top with a decorative side neck bow tie. Black footless tights (aka thin leggings, or tights with no feet, however you choose to describe them). Olive green and black Mary Jane heels (they are tall, granted, maybe about a 3.5" heel). And this Forever 21 skirt (which I love about 100x more in person than on the website).

Situation. Grabbing a 2:30pm coffee with co-workers because it's a dreary Monday and none of us can quite focus (plus, we don't really need an excuse for an afternoon coffee, other than we want one, so we went to get one). Walking out of Borders, a man (not skeezy looking) says that my outfit looks nice. Gee, thanks. Compliments. I love compliments like I love Skittles, so that's cool. Then we cross the street to get into my office building. Out of the elevator stumbles a middle-aged woman with stonewashed (ew) jeans that looks straight out of a 1980s music video. Cute for a themed party? Yes. Cute for the office? No. Appropriate for Stacy and Clinton on What Not To Wear? Yes. But I don't judge. She, however, takes no hesitation in judging me. Eying - and then scowling at my outfit! I'm sorry if I'm channelling my inner Lauren Conrad and look cute at work today. I'm sorry if I decided to not pick up the first ratty pair of jeans I saw in my room. I'm sorry if I work in a fashion-based industry where I like to look like a million bucks. Actually, I'm not sorry. Just frustrated. Do all fashionistas encounter this? Is it just me? Is my makeup smudged and I'm unaware? Answers? Anyone?

-M

Stand & Deliver

(image courtesy of: http://www.dailydouz.com)

There is something to be said about a band that can randomly go on tour, not have so much as a new album out within the past seven years and put on one of the most solid concerts that I've seen, in a sold out venue, no less.

No Doubt performed last night at the Comcast Center in Mansfield (not Boston, for the record), Massachusetts. They performed live, amazingly well, with a great setlist. I could rave all post about the performance alone, but I won't. Those are the kind of reviews you can go to Boston.com for. For me, seeing No Doubt live is a personal experience. I can say to very few bands that they helped get me through my (admittedly at times rocky) adolescence, through just about every breakup (hello, Ex-Girlfriend and Don't Speak and influenced my fashion (does anyone else still lust over the cropped yellow jeweled tank that Gwen rocks in the Don't Speak video?!).

While it wasn't my first time seeing No Doubt live, its been seven years and a few notable changes. Gwen Stefani's solo career opened No Doubt's fanbase hugely. I met new No Doubt fans who saw solo Gwen Stefani on tour. I saw people getting just as excited for Just A Girl now in 2009 like it was 1996 and the Tragic Kingdom tour all over again. Alas, I didn't appreciate the attitude of some (talking to you, mean lady sitting next to me for the second half of the show who scowled at me while I sung along to Different People - sorry if you don't know the lyrics but that's not my problem), but for the most part, convert No Doubt fans are just as good as the old-school-listened-to-Tragic-Kingdom-on-cassette-until-it-wore-out-and-wouldn't-play-anymore breed.

The setlist of No Doubt's 2009 summer tour mixes old (Tragic Kingdom era) with, well, new(ish?) (Rock Steady era). Gwen and the boys throw in their Gossip Girl featured cover of Stand & Deliver for good measure in halfway through the encore, but for the entirety of the almost two-hour show, it's a throwback to the late 1990s. It's easy to forget while watching that it's no longer 1995 (a good thing) but that means Gwen Stefani is no longer 28 or so and is not 40. Forty years old. Holy abs. Don't believe me? Check out the photos that The Phoenix has posted. Two kids and four decades. I can only hope for so much.

Thankfully not a hint of bubblegum pop Gwen Stefani (although I love everything she does, I swear!) can be found during this tour, making myself and my boyfriend happy at the end of the evening. If you're heading to the show (lucky you) take my advice and head to the merch table. Gwen's fashion career brings high-quality concert tees. Fitted, super soft, stylish and not ugly - I plan on pairing my Just A Girl tee with a pair of leggings every lazy Sunday morning.

-M

Why I Love My Red Sox

(image courtesy of: http://media.abc6.com)

I have been asked a'many times as to why I love the Boston Red Sox. As a girly girl fashionista, that keeps up with her celebrity gossip, those who initially meet me group me into the dreaded " Pink Hat Fan" category. College guys I dated questioned how I could love reading Vogue every month and lusted over Jimmy Choos in issues of Harper's Bazaar, while juggling MLB Gameday on my laptop. Impossible, everyone seems to think.

No, no no. Not impossible. Don't get me wrong. I have a vast collection of (what I consider to be) stylish Red Sox hats in multitudes of colors. I indulge in buying player t-shirts from my local Olympia Sports. But, I know what an ERA is and what a RBI is. I know current and past rosters. I loved the Red Sox before they became the popular, winning Red Sox team of today. I sat, 10 months old, in a Red Sox onesie in 1986 as the ball rolled through Buckner's legs in the World Series (we have all since forgiven him). My Dad recalls when him, my mother, and their friends all huddled around the television in our old Gloucester, MA house, champagne in hand, only to be letdown again. My father stood upset and unsettled in 1986, but never let his devotion wain. Let's just say I was bred to be a die-hard fan.

Another person who was devoted? My grandmother. My Grammie. She lived all seventy-something years before she passed when I was in middle school. She loved the Red Sox. Year in and year out. She wore her blue and red (not pink!) hat proudly, and insisted, like the rest of Red Sox Nation before 2004 that, "this is the year." Grammie never got to see the year that her team finally won. Her entire life she watched, rooted for and loved a team that never win. That's real loyalty there. Imagine staying with a guy for seven decades that never allowed you to celebrate. That's how Grammie and the Red Sox lived their life together.

The Red Sox mean a whole lot more than a few World Series wins and Green Monster seats to me. I recently stumbled across this article in the Boston Globe where Julianna Baggott wrote, "'Red Sox fans have steel-lined hearts - completely recession-proof.'" While I'm unsure if the Red Sox helped myself and my family prepare for today's economic downturn, I am sure of a few things. Being a Red Sox fan taught me how to bond with my family, regardless of adolescent tantrums and meaningless arguments. Being a Red Sox fan taught me the personification of determination. Being a Red Sox fan taught me to admire and be loyal, regardless of status. I'd be lying if I said that somehow, being a Red Sox fan somehow didn't shape me into the confident person I am today.

I'd also be lying if I said being a Red Sox fan didn't teach me to be the slightest bit superstitious. But, that's a whole other story...

-M

Just Call Him The Road Runner

(image courtesy of: http://blog.oregonlive.com)

I was lucky enough to be in attendance at Fenway Park last night for the final installment of the three-game series against the New York Yankees last night. Ultimately resulting in a sweep over the Yankees (I don't know when I've ever seen that before), the highlight of the game was the moment in the bottom of the 5th inning when Jacoby Ellsbury (my alternate boyfriend - sorry J), stole home plate. Yes. Home plate. While I'm sure that the replay will be Sportscentered all week long, catch it here to watch over and over again. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

-M

Look Who's Coming To Town...

(image courtesy of: http://sixfourthreeblog.files.wordpress.com)

While all the locals know, for those not in the greater Boston area, newsflash for this weekend. Along with the fantastic heat wave (85 degrees on Sunday afternoon people! Break out the flip flops and shorts!) come the Yankees. 7:10pm tomorrow night, 4:10pm Saturday afternoon and 8:05pm on Sunday night respectively. Catch the games on NESN, Fox and ESPN if you can't nab tickets. Don't feel like watching them all by your lonesome? Head over to watch it on the big screens at the House of Blues Boston directly across the street from Fenway Park on Landsdowne Street, on the projector screens at Cask'n Flagon on the corner of Landsdowne, or (if you can fit in the mouse hole sized bar), the Bleacher Bar - which looks directly out onto the Fenway Park outfield.

With the broad audience that this blog generates, it occurs to me that some readers might not (*gasp*) know the history of this age-old rivalry. Have no fear, we have trusty Wikipedia. Still confused? Just take a walk down Yawkey Way on Saturday afternoon and I'm pretty sure even the densest of baseball wannabe fans can grasp the story behind the rivalry.

-M

SONIC!

(image courtesy of: http://www.graphicdesignblog.org)

There are many things that I love about Boston and New England. I love the beach. I love the collegiate backdrop. I love the leaves getting crinkly and changing color after the first week of September. I love shopping on Newbury Street. One thing I don't love? My city (or rather, entire area)'s complete lack of the best fast food restaurant around.

I first tasted Sonic during Spring Break of my senior year of college. My boyfriend and I road tripped down south, and at the sight of the first Sonic, I was in love. Love. Love. Love. Their burger on texas toast (with a huge onion ring in the middle!). Their slushies that are half price during their 'Happy Hour.' Cherry Limeade. Strawberry. Watermelon. Delicious. From then on, Sonic was my Spring Break guilty pleasure. Designated specially for my vacation meals. With the complete lack of Sonic in the Massachusetts (or Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine or Vermont) area, I am Sonic deprived for the rest of the year.

Or rather, was Sonic deprived.

News broke yesterday in the Salem Evening News on the North Shore of Massachusetts, that yes, a Sonic restaurant is slated to open as early as August 2009 on Route 1 in Peabody, MA. Peabody, for all of you readers who don't actually know me, is the town directly next to my hometown of Danvers. Now, with every possible trip home to visit Mom and Dad, there's a Cherry Limeade slush and tater tots enticing me to see the parents and be a better daughter.

-M

Youk's beard speaks!

(image courtesy of: http://www.outincenterfield.com & twitter.com)

Hey Red Sox fans. I know, you're still reeling from the two losses in a row to Tampa Bay. I am too. Heartbreaking. Regardless, this will bring a big smile to your face. Kevin Youkilis's beard now has a Twitter page. I'm addicted to it. Currently the status reads as, "I love it when there is cold pizza left in my whiskers for breakfast in the morning." Um. Ew.

-M

Oh Yes Dice-K, Of Course I'll Marry You!

(image courtesy of me, my Canon Powershot and my Paint program)

Allow me to give my complete belated live blogging (via notes taken on my iPhone application) of my Opening Day 2009 experience here in Boston yesterday. Enjoy.

7:27am: 1st sighting of another person in Red Sox gear heading to work while walking through Cambridge. I get giddy at the fact that Opening Day will actually happen.

7:36am: 1st listen of 'Love That Dirty Water' by The Standells. If you don't know why, then obviously you've never been to Boston (or seen Fever Pitch). For shame.

7:41am: 1st strange look from random girl on the T for my outfit. Beckett t-shirt with a Juicy Couture navy blue long sleeved shirt. Jeans. Green BoSox hat. Red Sox Crocs. Big whoop. She was in a suit, professional? Yes. But there's no need to stare. Rudeness.

1:30pm: Co-worker asking me why I'm still at work. I'm wondering the same at the exact same moment, actually.

1:45pm: Another co-worker sees my feet and asks, 'Are you wearing Red Sox Crocs?!' I begrudgingly say yes, and silently vow to myself to never wear these ugly excuses for shoes out in public ever again.

2:00pm: Out of work! Hallejuah! Walk the 10 minutes to Fenway to meet up with my boyfriend in front of the Kenmore T station.

2:17pm: Quick McDonalds pit stop. I can never say no to a french fry (or fifty).

2:40pm: Walking down Yawkey Way and find an amazing balloon guy that makes a balloon Wally the Green Monster!!!!I turn into a five-year-old and decide that I must have one. While it's being made, I find myself staring at the life-sized Red Sox balloon player standing next to me and the balloon artist. I'm tempted to grab it and run to my apartment and put it in the corner of my room, but resist the temptation.

2:50pm: Walking down Yawkey Way... with my Wally the Green Monster positioned on my head. My boyfriend pretends not to know me (I don't blame him).

3:00pm: In the park and walking around the Grandstand SRO area to snipe a good location to see the festivities. We have bleacher seats, but I have a gut instinct about standing in the Grandstand.

3:20pm: Send my boyfriend off for a round of Sam Adams Summer Ale. I impatiently stand, holding my balloon Wally the Green Monster.

3:25pm: Two women stop and gawk at my balloon Wally. Reinforces the fact that I'm standing there, holding it like an idiot.

3:30pm: Suddenly see a row of Boston police officers lining up by the door directly to my right. Attempt to call my boyfriend because I know something's gonna happen. He doesn't hear it, oh well.

3:35pm: More police officers and security. I start to inch over closer.

3:45pm: The red door to my right opens and a line of white jerseys come walking out. It takes me (and everyone around me) 2.5 seconds to realize that we're staring at Dice-K, Smoltz and Papelbon walking out towards us. I squeal and run over.

3:45:30pm: Standing next to Dice-K. He sees me and smiles. I almost faint. Can a smile be a marriage proposal? Yes? Then, yes I will Dice-K. YES!

3:50pm: Almost forget that Papelbon is standing right next to me too. I contemplate jumping on him like a crazed fangirl, but resist. He looks very much in the game zone. Almost pitbull like. Frightening much? Meanwhile the guys standing next to me are having a full on conversation with Smoltz about playing in the outfield. Cannot.believe.this.is.happening.

3:51pm: Players go on the field. I squeal some more and go back to where I stood before. Boyfriend finds me, Sam Summer Ale in hand. Says he couldn't get through since they (obviously) blocked foot traffic, but he stood right near where Lester, Masterson and Wakefield walked in. Ridiculous.

3:53pm: First pitch with Jim Rice and Ted Kennedy. Won't lie, almost tear up. Poor Teddy Kennedy really isn't looking so good. :(

4:00pm: Jets fly over. So loud. My poor eardrums.

4:08pm: Beckett strikes out the first batter he faces of the season. A good sign for the rest of the year?

4:10pm: Making my way around Fenway Park to get to my bleacher seats. My feet get tired quickly in Crocs. While parting the seas of people waiting for beer, one of my balloon Wally's eyes pop. I almost want to cry.

4:14pm: Pedroia hits a homerun at his first at bat of the season! Definitely a good sign for the rest of the year. The homerun elicits chants of, "MVP! MVP! MVP" from all of Fenway Park. All I can think of is Pedroia's MLP 09 commercials (my personal favorite is this one). During this thought, I realize how cute Pedroia is. Maybe I need to hold off on giving Dice-K a definitive yes to his proposal...

4:25pm: I realize that bleacher seats aren't actually bad, as long are you're within rows 1-20. Sweet view of the bullpen and great atmosphere with other Red Sox fans who have the mentality of hockey parents. Awesome.

5:00pm: 1st Fenway Frank of the season. Best dinner I could ask for.

5:15pm: Double fisting hot chocolate and Legal's clam chowder in an attempt to stay warm.

5:50pm: Varitek hits a single homerun! I can't remember the last time I've seen him hit like that! Hallelujah. I knew it was good for him to sign back on for this season.

6:00pm: My hands are officially cold. Freezing. I forgot how cold Fenway Park gets in April. I remember to bring gloves, a scarf and maybe a blanket for game 2 of the series. I try to think of warm thoughts - like August Red Sox games where it's so hot that I can't stand melting.

6:38pm: Sweet Caroline plays. There's cameras around and I get a text from my friend in upstate New York that says, "I see you." Creepy? Was I on TV? Did anyone else see me singing along to Neil Diamond? I knew I should have put makeup on at Sephora before I left! Damnit!

6:35pm: Papelbon runs onto the field with Dropkick Murphy's blaring out of the speakers at Fenway. Everyone in the entire arena stands and starts clapping and dancing.

6:44pm: Red Sox win! Love That Dirty Water starts playing. I feel so at home as I walk out of Fenway. Yay for Spring!!!

8:30pm: Get back to my apartment after grabbing food at B.Good on Newbury Street. Immediately pull out my Lester t-shirt and jeans and put them in my bag for tonight's game 2. Yes, I am going to two games back to back. Don't judge me because I know you're just jealous.

-M

HAPPY OPENING DAY!!!

(photo courtesy of mlb.com)

So what if it's 1am and I have yet to go to bed before a half-day of work tomorrow? I feel like a child on Christmas Eve (which also happens to be my birthday, so imagine the kind of excitement I'm explaining). It is officially the best day to be a Bostonian (or a honorary Bostonian, I don't judge). It's OPENING DAY at Fenway Park!!! Yes, there is rain in the forecast, and rumors of the game (possibly) pushed till Tuesday, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. For me, I rest assured that tomorrow will be the day. Or at least I can only hope so much.

I will be wearing a red, Beckett (as he is the starting pitcher tomorrow), with dark denim jeans, Red Sox crocs (don't judge me, they are the only pair I own, I promise), a green Red Sox sweatshirt and my favorite Red Sox cap with a navy blue and red Ralph Lauren bag (much like this one).

Cross your fingers for no rainout (how would I explain another afternoon off to my boss?), lots of Sam Adams Summer Ale and Fenway Franks. A and I will be at Fenway and a full report tomorrow night will be posted!

-M

Summer = On Its' Way... Finally??

(image courtesy of: brewbrain.com)

It is no secret that I am a summer girl. Much like that oh-so-catchy '90s song by LFO (don't lie, you loved it too), I love the summer. I love poolside barbaques. Rooftop pools in the summer. Sailing on the Charles River. Sunday afternoon Red Sox games at Fenway Park. The beaches on the North Shore of Massachuestts. One of my favorite summertime things? Sam Adams Summer Ale. By far the best beer ever, and marks the first sign that summer is finally arriving in Massachusetts. I found six-packs on sale at my local Shaws supermarket and on-tap at my delicious dinner at the Salty Dog in Fanueil Hall last night. The Sam Adams website states that the Summer Ale is brewed with 'Grains of Paradise.' I'm not totally sure what that is, but a Google search yielded these results. Grains of Paradise, I thank you so much for my summertime treat.

-M

The Fame Ball Comes To Boston!

(photo courtesy of: http://neonlimelight.com)

Lady GaGa says time and time again in interviews that no, she is not just a pop musician, she is an artist. She's not Britney Spears, or Miley Cyrus - manufactured simply for pop music and tabloids pleasure. She is an educated (albeit NYU dropout, but we'll overlook that), talented, artist that wants to be the future of pop music and culture. In all of these interviews, I admit, I scoff. I love GaGa's music, The Fame ranks in as one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time (no joke). But a serious artist? I thought she was just another 23 year old girl that wanted to sing and dance for a living, and maybe score some free designer duds while she's at it. Haven't we seen this before?

I was wrong. Savor those words because you won't hear them often. I had the honor of being front row at tonight's The Fame Ball tour at the House of Blues in Boston. While I still feel iffy about the House of Blues as a venue, I feel confident in the artistry that is Lady GaGa. GaGa is what we at Pop Culture Paradox love and value. Her tour is infused with Andy Warhol and pop art. Her hour long set is broken down by video clips telling the story of "fame" taking over one's being -- heart, head and face -- one's full identity. While her album speaks of only needing, 'runway models, Cadillacs and liquor bottles,' GaGa (or at least her tour managers)' depth of studying fame and pop culture goes much deeper.

I became addicted to pop art, as we know from previous posts, at a young age. I loved pop art from my 5th grade art classes where we had to design the back of a men's button-down shirt in the style of our favorite artist. I chose Andy Warhol and his silkscreen, commercial style. I love the consumerism that pop art shows, and the idea that common items and people can be art. For a pop art addict, Lady GaGa's show is basically the equivalent of an acid trip. My eyes locked onto everything. Her fashion - including a bubble dress (and who really cares if it was ripped off from a designer?). Her constant use of pop art style glasses and hats to shield her face. Her lack of pants (for the entire show! Props to her for having the confidence to show her bum for a hour in front of thousands of fans!). Her show even intellectually stimulates the consumerist, future advertising executive within me where I see product placement in her Clockwork Orange style films (Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder - who else noticed it?) and costumes (Hello grafitti collection by Louis Vuitton in that final encore outfit).

I walked out of the House of Blues feeling more fulfilled by GaGa's concert than expected. While a good pop concert is always great, one that revs the intellectual stimulation comes few and far between. GaGa said that to her, Lady GaGa is a lie -- like a lie you tell your lover in hopes that the lie can become truth. By doing so, GaGa sets herself so far apart from all the other pop princesses of Hollywood. I expect no mental breakdown from this one - or at least we can hope. The only downside to GaGa's wonder - she's younger than I am! Talk about putting this blogger to shame.

Also worth mentioning. The setlist can be found at this review of GaGa's recent Chicago stop. Personal favorite song of the night? Eh, Eh, Nothing Else I Can Say - although it may be because it strikes a personal chord with me. Opening for GaGa was Cinema Bizarre, a German punk band with a four-song set. Chester French and The White Tie Affair also opened, who I have to give kudos for. Chester French's cover of Hella Good by the so-good-it-hurts-to-listen-to-them No Doubt made my night complete. The White Tie Affair is amazing live - they pulled off my favorite songs from their album (Candle [Sick & Tired] & Allow Me To Introduce Myself...) along with an AH-MAZ-ING Lil' Wayne cover. Yes, you heard me right, just click on the link. You'll love it too.

-M

OPENING DAY COUNTDOWN: 10 DAYS!

(image courtesy of: www.yawkeywaystore.com)

I said it in December, and I'm saying it now. M. Fenway Park. April 6th. Opening Day 2009. Thank you to all you fraudulant ticket buyers whose tickets got revoked, and thereby creating another online ticket lottery on redsox.com. Thank you because I now have a pair of Opening Day tickets - AND a pair of Sox/Yankees tickets. Spring smells so sweet.

-M

Farewell Schilling

(photo courtesy of deadspin.com)

My Red Sox news update email just informed me that, yes, Curt Schilling is retiring. As much as Boston still probably isn't over the fact that we paid him in 2008 for a season that he didn't end up pitching in, I'm still grateful for his bloody sock and for all the epic events in 2004. I, for one, will be a member of Red Sox Nation that remembers and appreciates what he did while in Boston.

-M

MVP! MVP! MVP!

(photo courtesy of: http://www.projo.com)

What a difference almost five months make. Boston's favorite MVP stepped back onto the batting plate yesterday looking refreshed going 1 for 3 for the day, and not thinking about his hip. Hallejuah - I swear I just heard Red Sox Nation breathing a huge sigh of relief.

-M

True Fans Watch Spring Training

(image courtesy of bostondirtblogs.boston.com)

Guess what? At long last, spring training is underway and the Red Sox 2009 season is off to its unofficial start. Today the Boston boys beat Boston College in an exhibition game with a score of 7-1. The real fun starts tonight though against the Twins. Watch it on MLB.TV -- or if you're in the Boston area, catch it on NESN.

-M

If it all adds up correctly...

(image courtesy of: modadimagno.blogspot.com)

According to a blink-and-you-missed-it blurb in boston.com last week:

"It's sounding like the Dave Matthews Band will be at the ballpark for a return engagement. (You'll recall that DMB and opener Sheryl Crow played two shows at Fenway in 2006.) E-mails to Live Nation, the team, and the band's publicist yielded no official comment yesterday, but we're told the jam band is indeed on board to play a couple of shows at the ballpark. Wondering about dates? Nothing's set, but for planning purposes, the Sox are out of town during the last week of June, the third week of July, and the first week of August."

Well what do you know. DMB summer tour dates were released today on the official website, and may I please point attention to 5/29 and 5/30. That's right. Boston, MA. Location TBD. Just a hunch, if it were to be at the trusty Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA as normal, it would say so. Better keep your schedules open for the end of May, and hope for another Dave Matthews rendition of 'Sweet Caroline.'

-M

Tea Heaven

(image courtesy of www.teavana.com)

Although the Prudential Center has taken away my beloved Mango, there is still Teavana to keep me satisfied. I have long been a tea and coffee addict. When I feel healthier, I go for teas. In high school I was the Starbucks Chai queen. I drink tea nightly while curled up on my couch, watching Friends reruns. It's delicious and I blame the Asian in me for being hooked.

Introduce Teavana to my tea fixation. Walls of tea of every flavor imaginable. Last week I tried the 'Sour Cherry Serenade' which tasted like a neverending red Sweettart (always a good thing). With A in tow, I tried the Raspberry Sangria flavor. Again. Delicious. Today I tell my trusty Teavana man that I have the start of a scratchy throat. He whips up some white tea peppermint blend with lots of honey. Hopefully it'll get the job done.

With prices comparable to Starbucks, Teavana isn't a cheap thrill, but it's worth the penny for the rest of you tea lovers out there. And if you can get away with it, just linger by the wonderful sample stations located in every store - I suggest the Chai they always have available - and drink to your hearts content.

-M

Mango No More?

(photo courtesy of mango.com)

That's right. The horrible US economy has taken my dearest Mango in the Prudential Center in downtown Boston away from me after only a few short months. I curse myself for not putting more of my own stimulus package into the store -- let's just hope that Zara on Boylston Street isn't next!

-M