Prices these days
I am a fan of the Boston Red Sox, partly because I come from a long line of frugal, impassive New Englanders, and partly because I grew up with a deep, abiding hatred for the Evil Empire. My painful memories range from Bucky Effing Dent to Aaron Effing Boone, though coming back from down 3-0 in the 2004 ALCS did a lot to purge the demons. As I age mature, I've tried to make my sports loyalties about the love, rather than the raging, volcanic antipathy. It's easier now that my boy is such a huge Yankee fan. (Although the rings help.) And I'm especially happy that when the Sox and Yankees play each other, Robert feels no hesitation when it comes to trash-talking his old man. ("Hey, Daddy! Giambi just hit a three-run ding-dong! How 'bout them apples?")
In the city, the relationship between Sox and Yankee fans has mellowed. Gone are the days when I would attend Yankee games with my Sox hat on and be told by pinstriped yobs to go attempt something incestual or biologically impossible. The bar scenes can still be a little sketchy, however, so many of us Sox fans feel most comfortable in the handful of Soxeasies that dot the five boroughs. These are places were a fella can bust out the red and blue and scream lustily for Papi and Yook to knock one off the Mawnstah.
One such Soxeasy is a few blocks from the apartment, and after I walked in the door the other night the ID checker tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a $10 bill. "This dropped out of your wallet," he said. I thanked him, and he said, "It's no bother. Hardly enough to buy a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas."
So I went and bought a gallon of beer.
OK, this is going to sound stupid, I know that, but how's a girl to learn if she doesn't ask, right?
My love for the Sox somehow managed to coincide with my moving from Red Sox Country to NYC and here I've (mostly) stayed for over 20 years. But I don't know where the Soxeasies are. Where can I find some, please?
Posted by: Kizz | May 13, 2008 at 14:07
Most graceful use of the recovered funds!
Posted by: Becky | May 13, 2008 at 14:11
It's good to see that $10 still buys a little civility, but in precisely what bar is beer $1.25 the pint? Gimmie.
Posted by: braine | May 13, 2008 at 16:30
Please do share a list of these Soxeasies with this Boston-to-New York transplant! Thanks.
Posted by: Abacaxi Mamao | May 13, 2008 at 17:49
The Evil Empire is really Microsoft:)
Posted by: WCD | May 14, 2008 at 03:38
What a great post. I wish I knew an influential journalist so I could tell them to check it out. I think you found a really evocative metaphor to describe the state of the economy.
Posted by: Melissa | May 14, 2008 at 07:52
It's sad that soon, we can all probably switch to filling our cars with beer instead and spend less.
Posted by: LiteralDan | May 14, 2008 at 10:36
What better way to spend $10?
Nicely written!
Posted by: Brenda | May 15, 2008 at 08:50
Wicked nice job with four paragraphs LOD (as the Bahstonians would say). I should try it sometime.
I would disagree however that the relationship has mellowed. It's just that so many brand new fair weather BoSox fans have invaded the city that the ratio has improved in your favor.
Posted by: Mom101 | May 15, 2008 at 19:42
Good choice!
Posted by: Christy | May 16, 2008 at 10:13