America the B-E-A-UTIFUL: Part II

Well, not only is the judicial system in America beautiful, but the landscape of America is likewise drenched with pulchritude. Over Memorial Day weekend I travelled to Bar Harbor, Maine with my family and some catercousins. We hiked in the nationally acclaimed national park of this united nation, Acadia, sauntered along Maine's sole sandy beach (that I am aware of), watched the sun fall from Cadillac Mountain and parambulated down Main St. In addition, we ate blueberries, lobster, looked for a moose and made a weak sauce attempt at meeting someone named Sal. You'll recall, I'm sure, from your youth, the book "Blueberries for Sal," set in Maine. If I had one more comma in that sentence you'd think I was writing this comma-tose. There is something unique about sitting in the sun on a rock looking out over the vast expanse of the ocean doted with lobster buoys, listening to sea bells clanging with the waves; and I think I know what it is. It's a five letter word that begins with P and rhymes with fleece. Yes, you guessed it, Piece. A piece of Heaven, that's what the feeling is (or was it Peace? You decide). It's a feeling of thoughtfullness, serenity, Elyssium and calm. The Ocean is an incredible creature, calm as a summer's morning one day and wicked as a gaggle of mother geese protecting their young the next. If you've never encountered a gaggle of geese protecting their babies, consider wrath like you can't even imagine. All in all, I'd rate Maine and my Memorial Day peregrination with a mighty A-.

America the B-E-A-UTIFUL: Part I

From now on you can officially refer to me by the title "Juror #1," for that is the most important civil title I will ever hold (unless I become Foreman Bennett, but that's at least three years away). Last Wednesday I reported to Lowell to serve as a juror, and I was selected as Juror Numero Uno. (I'll pause here for your applause.) For the next successive three days I travelled back to Lowell (Lowell was named after Mike Lowell, I'm pretty sure of that) to hear an enrapturing back-and-forth between a healthcare group and an insurance company about who should pay some patient bills incurred in the early Millenium. It seemed like a really insignificant argument, but I gained a lot from the experience. For example, I learned that eight residents of Massachusetts can be called in together and trusted to find the truth, and they will. I felt a unique bond with my fellow jurors and we were mostly unanimous (is that even possible?) in our opinions and decisions. We had a ball discussing the dramatics of the lawyers and the intricities of the courtroom. We were appalled at some testimonies, and dazzled at others, all in an effort to find the truth. This positive experience as Juror #1 has helped me realize how wonderful and blessed of a country we live in. Our Judicial System is up and running fairly smoothly, and we as Americans are helping to resolve disputes and correct wrongs. Amen to America the Beautiful!

Boston's Spectacular Sports

This weekend was a good time to be invovled in Boston Sports. On Friday the Boston Buckteeth defeated the Tallahassee Taproots in a thrilling match of badminton. The hard-fought victory made them the Eastern Conference finalists of the Badminton Athletics Department of Jousting, Origami, Kneeling and Entertaining, known more commonly by their acronymic label, B.A.D.J.O.K.E.
Don't worry, I didn't spend too much time on that one (but do keep in mind that I'm done with school at 3:00PM everyday so "too much time" is very relative!). But enough frivolty for one entry right? Let's get on to more important things, like the Celtics and Red Sox! This weekend the BoSox commenced interleague play with a three game sweep of Prince Fielder and the Brewsters. Let me just say that my buddy Prince in Milwaukee needs to change his last name to "batter" or "slugger" as opposed to Fielder. It just isn't filicitous as is. At the Garden, the C's put Cleveland away in seven exhilarating games. This year I have grown an appreciation for basketball that has never been experienced in my family before, and not only because we have a winning team this year. The real roots lie in my playing of the game. Every since I got cut from my seventh grade BBall team, I have had a sour taste in my mouth for leather balls. But then I joined an intramural team this Winter, and had a ball playing ball! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole season! So when I got home I started playing with some men from my Church as well. Every time I play I appreciate the game a little more. And plus, it's easy to be a fan on a team with as much Spirit as the Celtics. Yes sir, I do enjoy a good basketball game both playing and spectating.