Those
in attendance were Paul Girard, Joe Lapiana, Brother Tim Paul, Joe Pignatiello,
Steve Winter, Mark Ryan, Ed DeSchuytner and Jim Terlizzi. You can see some
photos at the Picasa link below ….
https://plus.google.com/photos/108806068200291783388/albums/5868363360430929441?authkey=CMaPkvzOtf3DjwE
Although we were to be seated at a table inside we sat
outside on the patio to enjoy the sunny day until most everyone was there. It
was a great day and the sun was out and it felt like spring although there are
still several weeks of cool weather still ahead.
When most arrived we moved inside and our waitress
Jennifer took the drink orders which consisted of beers, margaritas, manhattans
and sodas. We then ordered a few appetizers to share around the table and then
the main course which consisted of seafood chowder, chilli, salad, steak tips, Guinness
Beef Pie, Shrimp Scampi on Flatbread, Burgers and Ham and Cheese sandwich.
The meal was served quickly, small lunch portions but
very good and the waitress was very attentive. Not a bad place to come for
lunch. The décor included outside patio and large inside eating area with full
bar with several TVs scattered about.
The conversation was lively as always and involved the
latest news headlines. We talked about the Marathon Bombing and were all
saddened by the horrific events. As of this writing, the suspects have been
identified and captured (one dead and one alive). It is everyone’s hope that
all the questions will be answered to why it all happened and if a larger group
of terrorists was responsible. The outpouring of condolences and solidarity all
over the world was astounding, “Boston Strong”.
We also talked a little about other things sports, trips,
and gardens. Brother Time talked about his flying exploits and how he uses an
iPad Program that helps plot flight plans and everything else you would want to
know while flying a plane.
We also talked about airport security now with the
bombing and also beforehand. Brother Tim told us a story about going to pick up
a friend at Logan Airport several weeks ago. He was early and parked his car in
the terminal general parking garage where there is a great view of the Traffic
Control Tower and runways. As an avid pilot he has a radio that gets the
airport frequencies where he likes to listen to the traffic controllers give
directions to incoming and outgoing planes. As he listened on his radio and
looked out at the runways from the parking garage, an airport security car pull
up and asked what the “bleep” he was doing. He explained and the guard said he
wasn’t supposed to do that. Brother Tim said that it was perfectly legal and he
does it all the time.
He then left the garage area by himself and went to the
arrivals area to meet his friend. When he got there some State Troopers came
out of a side door and surrounded Brother Tim and told him “Don’t Move”. They
questioned him and he told them who he was, gave them his identification and said
he was meeting a friend. After some time they then let him go but waited until
he met his friend and watched him leave.
It is nice to know that security personnel are vigilant but it’s also
scary for innocent people to be hassled.
Jim then said he went to a Red Sox game in Boston with
his grandson. He ordered the two for one hotdog with a soda and a beer. The
beer was five bucks and came in a tiny cup. The prices keep going up and the
sizes keep going down.
Jim then asked me about Jet Blue Park in Florida since I
went to see a spring training Red Sox game in early March. I told him it was a
great take in. Jet Blue Stadium is like a miniature Fenway Park but brand new. There
were great views from all over the stadium and there were hawkers for food and
drink walking up and down the aisles. You
could also go to the vender stands outside the stadium walls but inside the
park property. Like always, baseball is
a money-making business and the prices were high.
There was a fence all around the stadium grounds and a turn style gate to show your ticket. However, inside the fence on the stadium grounds was a farmers market setup where you could buy fresh Florida produce at great prices. There was also a store to buy sports memorabilia like hats and shirts. I had to buy a special “Red Sox - Spring Training” hat for $25. I know I could probably buy one back home at TJ Maxx for under $10 but it’s not the same.
We then talked about where to eat next time and several
suggestions were given. Jim will send you an email shortly.
