Hellhole Spring

As I walked home today, I noticed that Spring may really be here. Now if only they could fill the reflecting pool at The First Church of Christ, Scientist. [Soon Michael, soon!]

I totally agree with Duncan's observation...Urban Hellholes are less cavernous then you may think. I think that's the New York City view for most...and yeah, there are urban canyons all over that little island. But for the most part, our lovely hellhole here is not really that elevated (hell, we even started taking down some of our elevated stuff a while back...remember Orange Line T route, elevated Central Artery, Green Line T near the Garden).

Just a quick note on weather, too. I mentioned to my father about it not being a really hard winter for me, and he reacted with surprise. Which sorta surprised me. What I think may have happened is that he viewed the troubles Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York's weather with ours. This year, I'd say we were spared a lot of the pain they had...not to diminish the snow we did have...it did make the city look pretty (that's why I moved here).

Right now, it is still 55 degrees (F). That's pretty warm this late in the day and this early in the Spring. Look at this weather pattern so far this month:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/golf/monthly/02115?role=

We've pretty much already had 2 heat waves (two three day periods of well above normal temperature)...that's sorta what I see, but I'm no Al Roker. Seems this summer may end up being pretty harsh. For God's sake, I could golf tomorrow when it will be 70+ (F).

I'm still not knocking it...and I will get outside, but still...warm, isn't it?

Shame on Shaw's

Fresh food is something I think we all take for granted. I don't know if everyone knows that there are people behind getting that fresh food to your local market.

Our local mega-mart (Shaw's, formerly Stah Mahket) wants to cut the health care bene's of our local distribution center/warehouse workers. I don't think this is right or just...especially in these trying times [hopefully, a better health care system is in the works from our congressional leaders, but who the hell knows when they'll get 'round to it!]. I appreciate the market wants to show a profit...but not at a cost to the backbone of the business.

Here's the background:

WBZ

UPI

Therefore, starting today...I'll stop shopping at Shaw's until this gets resolved.

Sounds from the articles that Stop-n-Shop (the other mega-mart in the area) did avoid this. I don't know about you, but I think it'd suck getting a pay/benefit cut when I'm sure there were times when the market did well, profit-wise.

The union (UFCW local 791) has more details about the strike. I recommend fellow Bostonians avoid going into your local Shaw's and try some of the other vendors in your neighborhood...maybe try picking up your groceries at several different locales. For me, I'm hoping the farmer's market in Copley Square opens soon; but, I'll take my biz to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, CVS (for detergent, cleaners, etc.) and others until the parties sort this thing out. I'm hoping the Shaw's understand they are wrong in this issue, but who knows...maybe they really don't care?

What a difference a month makes

See...wasn't too long ago we were complaining about snow. And BANG! nice weather.

These are from the "hood" (as the kidz say)...the Mother Church for Christian Scientists and the reflecting pool. Unfortunately, we're about a month away from when they fill the pool and you get great reflections of the city.

I saw more people out today than I have in months. And, it was great! Of course, I do believe it's too early for flip flops, but to each his/her own.