GOING TO FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES IN MY PJ'S

Not exactly which is like so much else in this screed.  Turns out the synagogue I belong to streams its Friday night religious services.  Which, for me, raises the questions of what it means to "go to services".  I suppose (as someone near and dear to me suggests) it is another effort to reach out to folks who either don't, can't, or won't actually go to the services in person.  But what if one night (kind of like one of those pop up thingys) we all decided not to show--would there be a service?  It is all kind of too convenient.  Enough.

Let's move onto other items of note:
--Henry and Samantha have Scott back which is terrific.  Fortunately for me, I have not know any men or women who were in the military and served in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Then Scott got called up right after Henry's birth.  What a relief to know that they have been reunited.
--OK, no cruises for me.  I already was soured on them because of having to eat at the Captain's table and wear a jacket and tie.  But now you take your bowels in your hand if you hit the high seas with one of those ships.  Nope.
--Cardinal O'Malley has been castigated by his right wing brethren for receiving some sort of blessing from an Episcopal minister who lo and behold was a woman.  Can you imagine?  They probably think he has to go to the mikvah to cleanse himself.
--I would like to add the Wahlbergs and their foolish but large family to the list of things I no longer give a fuck about and don't want to hear about.  They join those folks on the Scituate waterfront who have continued to whine about winter storms--I may have to go down there in the summer to be sure none of them are bathing 2 feet from their front door since they seem so upset at the water coming over the wall.
I will check up on them for your reflection and thoughts.
--If Whitey Bulger did not exist, Keven Cullen of the Globe would have to either invent him or find a real job.  Really, 3/4 of his columns are about Whitey or his girlfriend or the victims or on something related. Who cares anymore except for old farts in Southie?
--Speaking of which, the saga continues in terms of who can march in that drunken mess called the St. Patrick's day parade.  Too much diversity is not a good thing and we still hate busing over there in Andrews Square.
--The Globe did have a terrific article about Southie and the recent election and the role of the new arrivals--and by that I mean the "yuppies" who have started to gentrify the neighborhood.  Some folks are mighty upset at their presence.  And still hate busing.
--When Obama delivered the State of the Union speech, each head-on shot of him showed both Biden and Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan).  Biden looked like a man in need of some serious tranquilizers while Boehner looked ready to puke at any minute. Had a hard time figuring out how to put his hands together in order to clap.
--David Remnick had a terrific but long article about Obama in the recent New Yorker.  Despite all the crap thrown at Obama, there are some major accomplishments that are forgotten. However, I do wish he closed gitmo and reopened a relationship with Cuba.
--It is time folks to get rid of those wreaths on your doors.  6 weeks since the holiday and it is time.  We know who you are and I am pretty sure you are not watching the live streaming of Friday night services just for the hell of it.
--Why do we  all of a sudden name winter storms.  It is so stupid and meaningless.  Must be those boys and girls at the Weather Channel have to figure out things to do at every staff meeting to enhance our experience.
--Stumbled upon a great Springsteen documentary on Showtime.  Called "Springsteen and I", it used footage from fans who had unique experiences at concerts--like the woman who got pulled up to dance with him and the guy who got pulled up to play guitar.  Used their words, their video--and of course his great music. Though I am not sold on the new album.
--And finally there is this--I knew no one growing up who had cancer or who had a family member with cancer.  Heart attacks for sure. Yet now, it seems as if every other person has cancer or has someone in their family who has it.  What's up with that?
--DCF has to be blown up and we have to start over.  All these committees and outside evaluations and investigations will leave us in the same position.  Without serious prevention efforts, piss poor parenting will continue to lead to children dying.
--Where indeed have all the flowers gone.  Pete Seeger is no longer with us.  Just a major loss and a link to some very ugly political times which should not be forgotten.

SPORTS TALK
--Did I tell you the Pats could not afford to fall behind?  I did but even so, if Brady hits Edelman and if Talib does not get injured--well "ifs" are worthless.  I do have one further thought.  Both Welker and the guy who took out Gronkowski could have delivered their hits (which were legal I should add) anywhere but both purposely went for knees.  Not to maim perhaps but let's not be naive.  Knees are risky business.
--I am beginning to hate Rondo.  Another article today about he might test free agency.  I never thought I would say this but now I am thinking he should be traded--he is a big baby.  And so is Big Papi except bigger and I would not add one dime or one year to his contract--live with it, big guy.

Sayonara