Bye Bye Manny (Don't You Cry)

It finally happened. Every year there were rumors that Manny would be traded. Well, this year there were no rumors, only a trade. That's right. The longtime fan-favorite will no longer be seen in a Red Sox uniform. Manny Ramirez has gone to the Dodgers. The fist thing that crossed my mind was, "Wow, Manny's gone. I don't know how I feel about this." The next thing was , "Ha, he went to the Dodgers. He's playing for Joe Torre! That's ironic" (Manny ruined many games for Torre). And the third thing was, "This seems a bit familiar...Nomar Garciapara: longtime fan-favorite traded minutes before the deadline. Red Sox fans shocked. This is all too familiar..."

Now the last thought has a part two. After I thought of Nomar, I remembered what happened in that magical post-season: the Red Sox had the greatest comeback in sports history, and then went on to win the World Series. I had the same exact feeling about 50 minutes ago that I had four years ago to the day: a twinge of sadness, but a good feeling overall. It's ironic the way this trade happened. I think we'll have the same outcome that we had in 2004.

So Manny's gone, and we now have Jason Bay. He's a career .331 hitter in the five-hole, which is fine with me. He drives in about 100 runs a year and has somewhere between 25 and 30 homeruns a season. No complaints there. I'm excited to see how this turns out. Oh yeah, and I'll get to experience the majority of Bay's playing time this season in Boston.

All's Well That Ends Well

So as you know I went to the Red Sox last night and today (my hotdog theory has been proven wrong--which is almost good because I no longer have to spend $4.50 on something I really don't care for.  However, I will still buy the shirts).  It was my birthday present.  And after much to do, it ended up alright.  Let me explain...

I entered one of my parents in a lottery in February to get a chance to buy either Opening Day tickets or tickets from any (or two (they limit you)) Red Sox/Yankees games.  I (well, my mom or dad..I think my dad) didn't win the first round.  So they put our name in for a second chance to win a chance to buy the tickets.  Well, we won in the second round.  However, I had to be at school the day you could get the tickets (it was Friday, February 15).  I wasn't home to sit at the computer and wait for good seats to come along.  So i had my mom do it.  She called me up at school to ask me something about the tickets.  She eventually gave up.  My dad decided to give it a shot.  he came back with two loge box seats for two games (last night's and today's..or so we thought).  I got home from school and was WICKED excited!  I've always wanted to go to a Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway (although I don't think I can allow myself to go back. I'm 0-3 with Yankee games, and 0-2 at home), and I was going to two.  So pretty much, it was the best birthday gift I could have.

Fast forward to July 23rd.

A few days before the games, I'm running around the house looking for the tickets.  I said we never got them, my mom doesn't remember, and my dad says we got them and that I took them.  I keep saying we didn't get them as I tear my room apart.  Needless to say, they were no where to be found.  I go online to the Red Sox ticket site to see what to do when it comes to lost tickets.  In order to replace them, you have to go to the Will-Call window the day of the game and present your receipt and ID.  So we plan to be there earlier enough to get my tickets.  Plus I like to be there as early as possible.

While driving down to Boston, I couldn't believe I was actually going to a Red Sox/Yankees game.  It felt too good to be true.  Well, it turns out it was..sort of.

We get to the ticket window and explain what happened.  So the girl was like, 'Okay, hold on.'  We waited for about 15 minutes, then the customer service guy in the booth comes on the microphone and says that we don't have the tickets.  Somewhere along the line, the information didn't match up (the name on the raffle card didn't match the billing or shipping), MLB sent us an email asking us to fix it (we never paid attention to it, apparently), and we received a credit.  I was devastated.  My mom felt terrible, and I didn't know how to react.  The guy also felt equally as bad.  He told us to go to a certain area that will remain unnamed for more than one reason, but he told us to go there because there's a good chance I'd be able to get one ticket.

As we were walking down Landsdowne Street, I thought I was going to faint.  My hearing became muffled and filed with static, and I felt light-headed, but I knew I couldn't faint there.  Luckily, I didn't faint at all.  When we arrived to the unnamed location, I no longer felt faint, but I did begin to cry.  Think about it: You drive to Boston, book a hotel, get to the field only to find out you have no tickets.  Oh yeah, and it's your birthday present.  How would you feel?  I didn't want to cry, I didn't think I would cry, but I did.  So we're at the spot, and maybe..twenty minutes later, I had a ticket that I bought for face value, and it was a better seat than the one I originally had.  How do you like that?  Josh Beckett pitched, and I had a blast.  Granted, we lost 1-0, just being there was amazing.  I still don't feel like I was there.  Even as I walked back to the Copley Plaza decked out in Red Sox garb, I couldn't believe I had just walked out of Fenway Park.

So the next day (today), I go down to the same place.  Only this time I get there at 12:30, three and a half hours before the game.  I stand out in the hot sun for almost three hours.  The girl ahead of me in line was looking for one ticket as well.  So that didn't make me feel very good about my chances.  She got her one seat.  It was standing-room-only, but it didn't matter--it's red Sox/Yankees!  In my head I was saying, "Dammit dammit dammit!  That should be MY ticket!"  So I continue to wait.  About half an hour after the girl in front of me got her ticket, I got mine.  And mine was a hell of a lot better than standing-room-only.  I had to pay more for it, but I paid face-value for it so I didn't care.  I was in Field Box 50, THREE ROWS FROM THE FIELD!!!!!  Field Box 50 is the first section behind home plate that isn't behind the net.  Needless to say, it was amazing.  Best seat I ever had.  I had an absolute blast.  Just being there was incredible (again).  And to think I almost didn't go down to try and get a ticket.

Even if the Red Sox lost, I had the best birthday presents ever.  It's still weird to think that I was there.  I don't know if I'll ever allow myself to go to another Red Sox/Yankees game, though.  My superstitions may get the better of me...

Who am I kidding?  I do believe in superstitions when it comes to baseball, but I think it's all null and void when it comes to Red Sox/Yankees games.  Anything, and I mean anything, can happen.

Happy (Almost) Birthday To Me

Tomorrow is my 18th birthday.  18!  I'm still trying to embrace it and realize that it is not as big of a number as I think it is.  So many things come with being 18--the most important one is being able to vote.  I promise I will vote.  I swear on Big Red that I will vote.  Another cool thing about being 18 is that I'll be able to enter radio contests!  I've always wanted to be able to enter radio contests.  I could have won so many free concert tickets.  I knew the answers more often than not, but I could never call in to win because I wasn't 18.  After tomorrow, that will change.

Unlike many 18-year-olds or soon-to-be 18-year-olds, I could care less about being able to drink in Canada.  That doesn't interest me: drive five hours to get drunk.  That's just silly.  On top of gas, you have to buy the alcohol, AND get a hotel room.  And the conversion rate is even.  Dollar for dollar.  Nope, sorry, you go and have fun, I'll stay home and play guitar.

Starting tomorrow I'll be able to have my own eBay account.  That's awesome.  I no longer have to use my mom's.  I'll be able to buy and sell as I please.  I actually have quite a few things I need to sell..And buy.

The only thing I'm not looking forward to about tomorrow is tomorrow.  That looks and sounds funny, doesn't it?  Well, see, for the past like..five years, I have had lame/uneventful/boring birthdays.  Last year I went to the movies with my parents, and backed into my friend's car (that put a damper on things).  Most of my friends have been gone for my birthday, and this year is no exception: Drew's in Canada, Alex is in Australia, and if they're not out of the country, then they're working.  It doesn't bother me at all this year, really.  Tomorrow might be the day I was born, but I care more about the next two days.  Instead of having tangible presents, I have something much better, and much more personal: Tickets to two Red Sox/Yankees games.  I can be in the worst mood ever, but when I think about those games I instantly become happy.  Very few things could be better than that.  Fun fact: The day of the infamous fight between A-Rod and Varitek was on my birthday, July 24th, 2004.  Thought I'd share that with you.  I think it's wicked cool.

At Long Last

For the first time ever I'm sitting in my den watching 'Stranger Than Fiction' typing this on a Macbook Pro.  Yes, a Macbook Pro.  After many months (possibly years) of asking to get a Mac, I have one.  It's not technically mine, but I get to use it until I get my own at Berklee.  I love it.  Everything about it is wonderful.  I hope that once my dad gets his paws on this he'll never want to use a PC again.  Maybe when I get back from Berklee I'll come downstairs to find a beautiful, powerful, and indestructible iMac perched upon a brand new desk.

I would take a picture of it, but the camera is kind of attached to it.  Cool.

The Who

Sometimes I forget how much I love a band or an artist. Up until about a week ago I had forgotten how much I love the Who. I really love the Who. So much so that I'm posting twice in one day. That is a rarity, and shows how much I love the Who. Did I say I love the Who? There is a good story in this, I swear. Just wait. And read.

In the past week, VH1 reminded me of how much I love the Who because this year their "rock honors" went to the Who. And last night was the actual concert and the Who played and my mom and I watched and sang and danced like fools. She was saying how she would go back "in a heart beat." We saw them in 2006, and it was the best concert ever. And if not, it definitely rivals Billy Joel. The two concerts were so different, as was the artist..So those two concerts were the best I've ever been to. Anyway, keep going, it gets good.

I've been on a cleaning binge these days. My car is spotless, my room is spotless, my basement is organized, and my virtual stuff is also clean/organized. While I was going through my old Yahoo! email account, and I don't really pay attention to anything but where the message came from. I had over 900 messages, most from Facebook, but there was one from the Who's website and the subject line was, 'The Who announce US Tour dates!' so I immediately clicked on it. And it was like fate. The show is on Friday October 24th. I'll already be in Boston, so my mom can just come down and if her friend Beverly comes with us, she can stay over there and the two can come spend Saturday with me if they want if my schedule (and theirs) permits.

See, the Who and I go back. My now famous sign debuted at the Who, and it's like I'm getting a second-chance. It couldn't be any more perfect. The tickets go on sale August 11th. I'll be in Europe, not cool, right? Wrong. I'll have the Macbook Pro at my side, and nothing can stop me from getting those tickets.

Things In My Life That Are Bad-Ass

I do not think of myself as bad-ass, but here are some things in my life that I consider to be bad-ass. In no particular order (except for Natalia and Kedzie, they are the most bad-ass things in my life. They are Number One (that's for you, Kedzie)):

--Natalia and Kedzie. Julia went to a conference in Washington DC this past March and befriended some of the coolest, nicest, and most talented kids I've ever met. Natalia hails from Nebraska, and she's probably the coolest girl I know. I've only known her for like three days, and I already love the girl. She's amazing. Why does she have to live in Nebraska? Just come and stay here. It's too bad she's not going to be in Boston this fall. I hope she transfers out there. It would make college that much better.
Kedzie is wicked awesome. His name alone is awesome. He's one of the most genuine people I've ever met. He's so sweet and innocent (haha). He means what he says. I met him earlier this year because he's an amazing runner, and the New England Championship Track Meet was held at Thornton Academy. So Julia and I went to go watch him run. He's going to BU this fall so we will definitely be hanging out.

--My dad's sudden..I don't even know what. I have no idea what came over him a few days ago, but we went from getting a Macbook Pro, to not getting a Mac at all, to getting a regular Macbook, to not getting a Mac at all, and now we're getting a Macbook Pro. It will be here by July 25th. Basically I get to use it until I get my own at Berklee, and then Steph will get the one we got, and he'll take her laptop. I love it. I can't wait for it. I was gonna let the whole idea of getting a Mac go, and then my dad said we'll get a Macbook Pro and I didn't say no. The Macbook Pro is also bad-ass.

--My new guitar case. My new guitar case is probably the most bad-ass thing ever. Look at this:





It's made by a company called MONO. I found it because of Gmail. You know how they have those little links above your inbox? Well, that one happened to catch my eye. So I clicked on it and immediately knew I had to have that case. I really needed a new case. Mine has seen it's better days. I can barely zip it sometimes. This case is basically indestructible. Which is exactly what I need. It's jet black, and it's waterproof. I could literally wear it in the shower and Big Red or USA would be fine.

--My mom. Just in general. Liz is bas-ass. She just is. I don't need to explain it because if you know her, you know she is. And if you don't know her, you're definitely missing out. She's the best.

--The Red Sox/JD Drew. The Red Sox are currently in first place and will hopefully stay in first place until the last day of the season. I'm going to two games (July 25th and July 26th) next week, and that's my birthday present. I'm wicked excited to go to those games because they aren't normal games--they're against the Yankees.
JD Drew is bad-ass because not only has he had an AMAZING season so far, he was the All-Star Game MVP, and rightfully so. No one gives him enough credit. I said it last year: he'll come in big in the playoffs and be amazing in 2008. Well, so far I'm right. Even Mr. Curit admitted that JD is playing great ball (because he is).

--Turning 18. I better just embrace it. I still think it's weird, but now I can VOTE! It's not even a question: Barack Obama has my vote. He's had my vote all along. I remember watching him on TV the day he announced he was running for President, and right then I knew that I would vote for him.

--My eye doctor (and the office staff). Yes, my eye doctor. She is the shit. I've been to the eye doctor's like..eight times this month, and I really don't mind (I actually enjoy it) because she's so cool. We still haven't figured out my prescription yet. I'm going back next week..For (roughly) the ninth time this month. It's going to be strange not going after we figured out what I need.

--All the concerts I've been to. Actually, this piggy-backs my mom's bad-assness. I've seen so many great artists this year and if my mom didn't like concerts, I wouldn't have been to half as many.

--My family. My whole family is awesome.

--My friends. I have the best friends anyone could ask for.

--Berklee. Berklee is going to be amazing. It's right around the corner! I can't wait. I really can't. Well, actually the only thing that makes me sad about going to Berklee is below. And most of you know what it is already.

--Bob. I don't think I would ever describe Bob as bad-ass to someone, but right now he can be. Without Bob, I wouldn't even be going to Berklee. The saddest part about going to Berklee isn't leaving my best friends (half of them will be in Boston/the Boston area anyway, except Drew and Jordan), it's knowing that I won't see Bob on a weekly basis. That is the only drawback to going, but I have to go. He knows it, I know it, the world knows it. The first person I plan on seeing when I get home is Bob. Definitely Bob. I'll get home, and probably immediately call him up.

So yeah, I'm sure there are a few things I forgot to mention, but I got the bulk of them covered.

Do You Ever Wanna Be More?

I'm not going to begin to try and describe how amazing John Mayer was Saturday night because I can't. He was too good for words. It was my third time seeing him, and the first time I didn't cry of excitement when he came on stage (in a Red Sox jersey. Coco Crisp's to be specific). And like usual, he talked to the crowd a lot and one thing that he said really stuck with me:
"I think it's safe to say that everybody in the world is driven by the need to want to be more than they were yesterday..Or more tomorrow than today. I'm obsessed with it."
That's not the whole quote, he continues on about hotel keys and how he needs to keep it in a lead box because he might "really have to poop later." Hilarious, yes. He then went into one of my favorite songs, "Bigger Than My Body."

It's safe to say that John Mayer and I have the same theory. It's not about wanting more, it's about wanting to be more. If you are more, you'll get more, but that's not the reason I want to be more. It's hard to explain where my drive comes from, or what it even is. I've got most of it figured out. I just need some more time to get it all sorted out. I gotta test some waters and see what feels best. I think I know the answer, but I'll keep it to myself and a few close friends for the time being.

Drive is a funny thing. It's funny how much it's changed over time. When was the last time you heard someone want to say, "I want to be a mailman," (And no, Mr. Stebbins doesn't count) or anything like that. You ask a seventeen-year-old what he or she wants and more often than not you'll get, "I don't know," which is fine--you have your whole life to figure it out. It's either "I don't know" or "I want to be famous." Okay, for what? That seventeen-year-old doesn't have an answer. Do you want to be a reporter? An actor? A musician (yes, please)? An athlete? A businessman? Pick something! Fame is not an occupation. Ignore those people that are just famous for being famous (Paris Hilton, and anyone on MTV). They don't count. They don't do anything.

I can't remember who said it but fame is just a good seat in a restaurant. And if you're talented enough and driven enough, you can attain fame. Maybe not right away, but it will come. It will come. Another thing that was lost (the first is a sense of reality I guess you'd say) is patience. Like the lion in front of the New York Public Library. Patience, my friend, is a virtue.

Mick Jagger vs. Jon Bon Jovi

I went to see Bon Jovi this past Thursday, and it was by far the most high-energy show I'd ever been to. Now had I been down in a Loge at the Stones..Might be a different story, but since I wasn't, Bon Jovi wins. Either way, one thing I noticed (and always have really) is that Jon really wants to be Mick Jagger (who wouldn't?). It was really evident in his (incredible) live performance. He's not as spastic as Mick is, but he's got the presence and the moves down pat. And while Mick Jagger oozes with sex appeal, Jon is a better looking guy. He is very nice to look at for two hours.

From the expressions to the movements to the energy. Jon wants to be Mick. I can't blame him. Mick puts on a damn good show. As does Jon.

Some more pictures as evidence:





Now I must say that I too have used many of Mick Jagger's facial expressions and I play the Rolling Stones as loud as I can and strut, move, dance (whatever you want to call it) around my house like Mick does on stage. And it wouldn't surprise me at all if someday Jon himself said, 'You know, I learned how to perform by watching Mick Jagger. And back in the day, I used to blast 'Satisfaction' and strut around my house like I was Mick.'

There's no one better to learn from.

The Variety Hour

I couldn't think of a title for this one because there is so much to cover.

I got contacts. See, I used to wear glasses. I had them for seven years. Then my eye doctor told me that if I didn't want to wear them, I didn't have to. So I didn't. I had braces at the time, and I really didn't want both. So I opted out of glasses.
Then recently I began to notice that my left eye was (and always has been/always will be) significantly weaker than my right eye. So I went to the eye doctor's and got contacts. And they were a lot harder to put in than I thought they would be. I can put them in fine now, but it took three people to put them in the first day. I have incredible blink-reflexes (and just good reflexes in general). When I see something coming at my eyes my immediate reaction is to shut them--like most people. If you've ever tried to put eye-liner on me, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. I have to go back next Thursday to make sure the prescription is right. We've been having problems with that. First it was too weak, and gave me a wicked headache. And it's possible it may be too strong now. We'll see.

Moving on.

I had a skimboarding competition Sunday. I was the only girl, so I automatically won in my division. I got a cool sweatshirt and some stickers. There's another one at the end of the month, and I'm definitely entering it. It'll be at Biddeford Pool, my home field. The one on Sunday was at Old Orchard Beach at high tide, and it was bad. Luckily I was the only girl because I did horrible. Sunday was also the day of Wimbledon which I will not talk about.

I had a "lesson" Monday. It wasn't really a lesson at all. Bob and I just sat there and talked, and then my mom and Dale came over because Dale wanted to meet Bob. So to make her happy, I let her meet Bob. She picked a good day to meet him because we didn't do anything with guitar. It was more like, "What do you want to do?" "I don't know..What do you think we should do?" "I don't know..It's hot." My mom and Dale showed up around quarter of five. So Bob gave us the Grand Tour (I was the veteran of the group), and Dale was happy. Then we did our favorite thing (aside form music)--we talked..conversed sounds better. I love my guitar lessons. I love seeing Bob. It's the best part of my week. I love my other friends more than I could say, but they can't play guitar. And we all know how much I love guitar.

I don't feel like talking about my horrible mini-golf round. I played so bad. We went last night (My mom, Dale, myself, Danielle, Alyssa, and Lyn), and after a certain point I just stopped trying because I played so bad. Alyssa won.

Today I went to the beach. It was beautiful. Dale and I went in the water, and then I was so tired from waking up at 7:45 to go to the eye doctor's for the third time this week, I fell asleep. I never take naps, and I never nap at the beach. But the sun was just right and I was so tired that I just dozed off. I had planned on reading, but that didn't happen. I'm still tired now. My mom said she's never seen a generation as tired as mine. So many of my friends nap all the time, it's crazy. I never nap. I hate naps, once I'm up, I'm up. Let me go full speed ahead until 11ish or later, and then I'll sleep like a baby. Which I will do tonight I'm sure.

It looks like we're ordering my mom's Mac tomorrow. My dad is still anti-Mac. Once he tries this, he won't want to go back to PCs. Macs don't break. They're much more use-friendly. And they're more fun. And I'm all about fun. They might be a bit more money, but they're worth it in the end (because they don't break).

The other day I figured out a way to record and have both the guitar and the vocals sound decent. The actual quality of the recording is still bad, but it's better than nothing for now. But you can't get very good quality with a computer microphone that cost sixteen dollars. If I don't get the Mac, then I'll go out and get a 4-track and a good microphone. Either way, I'll get a good microphone. But the Mac has an infinite-track recorder with Garage Band.

I think I'm coming down with a cold. I better be over it by Saturday (John Mayer!!). Speaking of JM, I gotta call Matt and figure out what time we're gonna leave.

My hand hurts. I'm gonna go now.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is my favorite athlete. I like him more than any baseball player--even more than any Red Sox players. He's like the Eric Clapton of tennis. He's just that good. And he's that good (almost) every match. Yes, I know he lost to Nadal today, but give the man some credit! He was down two sets, came back and won the next two seven games to six. And Nadal had TWO Championship Points in those two sets. He came back from a 15-40 situation to make the last set go to a grand total of 16 games. SIXTEEN GAMES! In ONE set! That is a ridiculous amount of games. I don't think I've played 16 games of tennis in my life, never mind in one set. Roger Federer may not be ranked Number One in the world any more, but he still has numerous records, and he won Wimbledon five years in a row. However, he is still Number One in my sports-loving heart.

He also has a really cool logo/hat. I want one.