The Gates of Hell

"You can stand me up at the gates of hell/But I won't back down"

- Tom Petty

Tonight, Dad and I ventured out to Yankee Stadium to see our beloved Red Sox take on the hated Yankees. Now, as neither one of us had ever been to the Toilet before, being in New York, we decided to avail ourselves of some day-of-game seats (we'll get back to that in a moment) and jump on the 4 Train and make the journey to Da Bronx. As the elevated train lurched toward the hulking beast on the East River, I mentioned to my father, "You ever feel like you were on a Landing Craft about to take Juno Beach?"

I didn't wear a hat, or a t-shirt or a jersey, or anything that would denote me as a member of the opposition. Although, had I done so, I would not have been alone. The first surprising thing to me was exactly how many Red Sox fans, in full regalia I might add, were there with us. In my section - Main Reserved 1, BEHIND HOME PLATE - there were at least 10 of us. And though we were, may times, drowned out by the drunken birthday party in the next row, we still got a few "Let's Go Red Sox" chants out with nary a battery thrown.

And from Manny's home run to Tavarez's effective pitching, throughout the game, I came to be even less enamored of Yankee fans than before. The "fans" in the expensive seats were just vindictive. I mean, I probably would be too if my team was getting its collective ass served up every night, and my owner was paying through the nose for team that probably won't win eighty games. The difference between me and the typical Yankee fan, however, is that I get the references I just made. They wouldn't. They also did not take kindly to our playful needling. Maybe it was because they were just rude, maybe it's because they can't exactly think of a comeback right now. But either way, when one slightly inebriated fan shouted "Hey, Coco Crisp, I ate you for breakfast today!" and thought highly of himself, I just let it go.

On the A train coming back to Times Square, I summed the evening up to my dad. "Well, now they can never say we didn't walk into the lion's den. And we also never have to do it again." I stood my ground. I watched my team win in a hostile environment. And I didn't back down.

Thirsty Thursday: 2005 Perrin Reserve, Cotes-du-Rhone, France

Summer has come to New England. So it's time to start reviewing some lighter wines. These are wines you can enjoy on one of those lazy summer nights, when the sea air kicks up in the afternoon and cools down the heat of the day. Something to pop open on the porch with some grilled fish, or just in anticipation of the long, summer sunset. Tonight, we're featuring a rose. And it's in a screwcap bottle. But lord strike me down, it was good wine. Seriously, don't be afraid of pink wine. Except for white zin. If I catch you drinking that stuff, I'll hunt you down. Or just call you out on this blog, whichever is easier.

And now, on to the notes!

The bright strawberry nose mimics the beautiful light red color in the glass. The palate boasts light raspberry flavors which while not as tight or controlled as one might hope are still flavorful and lush, with just a touch of spice from the addition of syrah in the traditional regional blend. The light finish is reminiscent of a cool, calm summer night, with the flavors returning for a few seconds as the taste drifts off into the sunset.

Overall: 90, Purchased at Cape Ann Liquors, Gloucester, MA, $9.99

The End of the Beginning

I walked out the door and as the hot New England sun glinted off my face I realized that there was to be no fanfare, no momentous feeling, none of that. It was a distinctly odd feeling, but rewarding all the same.

At 2pm this afternoon, I walked out of the Political Science department in Eaton Hall, having just dropped off my very last assignment to be completed in anticipation of my Bachelor of Arts degree at Tufts University. With that simple act, done on my way to work, I finished the five-year odyssey of college.

It didn't happen the way I always envisioned that it would. Graduation will take care of the pomp and circumstance, but all I had this afternoon was the knowledge that I had completed something, and done it well. There is a tendency to get sentimental at this time in a man's life, of challenges met, of obstacles overcome, and of a life ready to begin. But in this moment, knowing that work for the preparation for that life is complete, there is only satisfaction in a thing done well.

What's next?

Thirsty Thursday: 2002 Eos "The French Connection" (Proprietary Blend), Paso Robles, California

I'm sorry I've been a blog delinquent lately. I've been busy trying to graduate from college. I'm in the midst of writing a 20-page paper, my very last assignment before getting a diploma, on the merits of regional integration in West Africa. With 9 pages already written, I'm settling down to watch Daisuke pitch at home and thought I'd pass on another wine review.

I actually picked this wine up last weekend, celebrating the completion of my two toughest exams of the semester. Okay, to be fair, only one of them was tough. But I still wanted to celebrate, and what I found with Eos was a smooth wine with lots of body and rich flavors.

Here are the notes:

Blackberries dominate the nose and remain a main feature on the palate. The fruit forward palate is rather languid, even subdued, with a lot of smoothness in the mouth. The fruit notes of raspberries and ripe cherries are lovingly accented by a taste of cedar. The finish is mild and smooth again with mint an more cedar flavors rounding out this very balanced wine.

Overall: 89, Purchased at Cambridge Wine and Spirits, Fresh Pond, Cambridge, MA, $19.99