War Horse Ticket (12/25/11)

Starting in 1998 with Patch Adams, my sister had the idea of starting a tradition of going to see a movie on Christmas night. I will add the other tickets here if I find them, but for right now I will just write about last night’s feature.

War Horse was 2 ½ hours long, but went by much more quickly – a sure sign of a great movie. Based on a play of the same name, it (not surprisingly) tells the story of a horse that makes its way through World War I.

Like every war movie I’ve ever seen, it had me wondering why we can’t figure out our differences without fighting – the scene when two soldiers helped the horse out of barbed wire was my favorite.

The best part about War Horse was that is showed the horrors of war without spattering the screen with blood and gore. It was a very touching story about love, loss, and believing in destiny. More Christmas movies to come…

Boston Museum of Science Star Wars Exhibit Ticket and Mistletoe Card (2005, 2011)

It’s no secret that I’m a Star Wars dork. Exhibit #241 is this ticket to the Boston Museum of Science Star Wars Magic of Myth exhibit. I had previously driven down to Washington DC with Carl to see this exhibit at the Smithsonian in 1998 and to New York in 2002 to see it at the Bronx Museum of The Art, so a trip from Westboro to Boston was easy. I was teaching at an adolescent psychiatric unit at Westboro State Hospital in 2005, and I organized a field trip for another viewing (it was actually my 4^th time seeing the exhibit because I had already seen the Boston exhibit with my friend Glen). Even though not all the students were able to go, it’s always good for the ones doing well to be rewarded.

And here’s another card I gave to my friend Jen which reminds me of one of my favorite Trailer Park Boys moments:

Nine Inch Nails and Ansel Adams Tickets (11/8/05, 12/15/05)

After being a casual NiN fan since I was in college, I went to see them live for the first time six years ago. Nine Inch Nails played these songs, I was impressed, and my date (who is now married with kids) was a lot of fun. I also went with her to the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts that December, and I was impressed again. The MFA wasn’t quite as loud as the Nine Inch Nails show, but both were awesome in their own way.

One Man Star Wars Show Ticket

The name of the show really says it all. When you see One Man Star Wars, you see Charlie Ross acting out just about every scene of the “Holy Trilogy”. And The Force is strong with him.

Jam-packed into one hour, Ross takes on the roles of the main characters, droids, creatures, Sith, space ships, and vehicles in Episodes IV-VI. He hummed along parts with the poignant musical scores, and provided commentary whenever his gestures might be misunderstood (X-wing vs. Y-wings, The Emperor’s big hologram eyes when he’s talking to Vader). Just like me, the audience loved it. Although he did miss a couple of quotes (that only real dorks would notice), I can’t imagine any Star Wars fan not enjoying this show. My only complaint is that I didn’t think of doing it first. May The Force be with us all.

Bruins Panthers Ticket (12/8/11)

Hey Tyler, you missed breakfast with the Bruins. Do you know how many people would pay for that? I better see some production out of you tonight!

#3 Boston College vs. #20 Providence College Hockey Tickets (12/6/11)

Looking forward to watching this game with my older brother and nephew. I discussed the pregame meal with my nephew and his reply was, “I don’t care, as long as we eat somewhere.” I like that attitude. Go Eagles!

Notre Dame Academy West Side Story Ticket (3/23/91) and Hopkinton Middle School Our Town Program (12/5/03)

I don’t remember who went to the Notre Dame show or who was in it, but I know it was only a couple of months after I got my driver’s license. My girlfriend at the time was a sophomore at NDA, and it didn’t take a lot of convincing from her for me to visit the all-girl school for this play after a day at the all-boys Saint John’s.

I was teaching special education at the Hopkinton Middle School in 2003. I remember the day of this play vividly because the principal at the time came into my room during my prep period. My students’ 1:1 aides had taken them to the auditorium, and I was finishing something up before I headed there myself. I don’t remember what I said (“Hey, how are you doing?”), but I do remember her response: “You’re EXPECTED to go to the play, I hope you know.” There were a lot of things I wanted to say to her, but I kept my mouth shut. Full report coming in my book…

Thanksgiving Dinner Place Card and Muppets Ticket

I’m so freakin’ thankful. I started my day just like I’d love to start every day – by playing hockey. My Crohn’s was making my stomach hurt, but I played through it and made sure I burned some of the calories I was hoping to eat later.

After resting and recharging at my parents, it was off to my aunt and uncle’s for a perfect meal with my some of my favorite people. There was laughter, NFL football, my uncle’s wonderful grace, eating, playing football (a pick-6 was my highlight), dessert, and more laughter.

Then, it was another brief rest at my parents followed by seeing The Muppets with a group taking up almost an entire row. My nephews and niece gave it “so-so, pretty good” sideways thumb reviews, but I thought it was great. Someday we’ll find the rainbow connection, and I think it will be on a day like this…

Powerball Tickets

I already blogged about other lottery tickets, but last night I had a dream I won the lottery so I figured tonight would be a good time to buy some more. The funny thing about my dream was that no one in my family seemed excited that I won. So in my dream, I kept rechecking the numbers to make sure that I had – and I did. I hope their real life reaction is a little better than it was while I was sleeping…

BC UVM Hockey Ticket (11/13/10)

Even though the BC Hockey team got dominated by BU yesterday 5-0, I am not worried. Just about a year ago (see 11/13/10 blog), I went up to UVM and watched the Catamounts beat the Eagles in another early season upset. It wasn’t easy to watch, but it made my younger brother (UVM ’99) very happy.

I have full confidence that Coach York will help the BC boys bounce back and have another successful season and Frozen Four run. Boston College may have lost their #1 ranking, but there’s a lot of hockey left to play. GO BC!

Boston College Football Ticket and Parking Pass

Today was a great day. It started with a call from my nephew inviting me to the BC football game. Going to a game with my nephew and older brother? Not a hard decision. I won this parking pass at the Magnus Halloween show costume contest for last week’s game, so it worked out well and we used it today.

There was perfect football weather at Alumni Stadium, and BC won 14-10. There weren’t too many exciting plays during the game, but the end was close and BC’s defense came up with two huge plays – an interception in the end zone and a 4^th down stand. One of my nephew’s favorite parts (okay, mine too) was when a BC student ran across the field, high-fived a couple of the Eagles players, and was clotheslined by a NC State player.

BC football won’t be playing in a bowl game this year (or they’ll be in the Toilet Bowl as my dad says), but it was nice to see the team finish at home with a W. Also, I’m hoping it will help get them pumped for their game against Notre Dame next week. Bowl or no bowl, any season BC beats ND is a successful one in my book.

GO EAGLES!

Also - more BC Football Tickets

Van Halen Ticket (11/6/07) and 15-40.org Sticker

I would have blogged about this Van Halen ticket on the 6^th, but I was away from the then powerless Hope Lodge. Four years ago, when I had just started working at the Lodge, I was able to go out at night with any guests who wanted to do something. We went to movies, hockey games, and the occasional concert. The rational was that we weren’t a medical facility so if there was an emergency, anyone at the Lodge could dial 911 just as easily as I could.

So, when a guest told me he wanted to go see Van Halen, I told him I would be glad to. It was a great show (see set list), and the first time I had ever seen VH. David Lee Roth was back touring with the band, and Eddie’s son Wolfgang played bass in place of Michael Anthony. They rocked the place, and for a couple of hours the Hope Lodge guest and I forgot about cancer.

Even though I can no longer leave Hope Lodge to do evening activities with the guests (unless everyone goes), we still have fun sharing stories, watching movies, and playing games. And even though I love working here, I try to do as much as I can to fight cancer.

Lately I’ve been working with 15-40.org to raise awareness and share my story. Last week, I spoke to students at the Bancroft School in Worcester, and told them how I learned to listen to my body and not ignore symptoms. The Worcester Sharks are having a 15-40 night on January 7^th, and today I helped shoot a video promo for the game with Sharks (and former BC) player Nick Petrecki and Stephanie, another 15-40 spokesperson. It was a lot of fun, and everyone left with new15-40 gear (like this sticker), and they had Sharks hats for Stephanie and me. Keep your eye out for the video at Sharks games in December, and buy your tickets for the January 7^th game!

Queensryche Ticket (House of Blues, Boston, 10/26/11 – make up date from 8/6/11)

(See 8/6/11 blog here)

Music is a great and funny thing. I love the bands Pearl Jam and Extreme. I listened to both bands extensively during my chemo and “drinking days”. They helped me through difficult times, and their songs just got inside me. Last year, I even had “Tragic Comic” tattooed on my shoulder.

But, music is a funny thing. Different bands impress people differently. Instead of Extreme and Pearl Jam, my friend Carl loves Queensryche. He has their symbol tattooed on his shoulder, and he doesn’t miss any of their local shows. And just like me and “my” bands, he will defend their skills and songs until death.

Although Carl and I would love to believe we could convert the other into super fandom, it’s safe to say it will never happen. I have a fantasy where I convince Queensryche to let Gary and Nuno secretly write an album for them, and after Carl tells me how great it is, I triumphantly do my best Dark Helmet, “Foooooled you!!!”

Even though Carl and I will never agree who is the better guitar player or band (Nuno Bettencourt and Pearl Jam in case you were wondering), we still are willing to go see what all the fuss is about. Carl came with me to see Extreme in 2006, and I went to my first “Ryche” show on Wednesday. Going to my 2^nd Ryche show tonight, so now I will either have to make Carl see Pearl Jam with me or we can watch the Pearl Jam Twenty DVD I just bought.

Here’s a couple pictures and a clip from Queensryche signing “I Don’t Believe in Love” – only a minute long, and you get to see Carl headbanging away…

Paranormal State 3 Ticket (10/22/11)

I thought with tonight being the 25^th anniversary of Game 6 and Buckner’s error, I’d also write about a horror movie I recently watched.

First, Game 6. I was a 12-year-old in 7^th grade at Westboro Junior High. My favorite bands were Ratt, Motley Crue, and Cinderella, my favorite coed was a girl named Suzy, and my favorite teams were the B’s and Sox. And the Sox were on the brink of winning their first title since 1918.

That day, my younger sister (who was 6) accidentally shut the van door on her finger. We should have taken it as an omen for what was to come, but once she was stitched up and AOK the McGraths continued with the evening’s plans.

That night my younger brother Tom had a bunch of his friends over for a World Series/Birthday party. After the cake and presents, we all glued ourselves to the TV. The game went back and forth and was tied after 9 innings. When the Sox got two in the top of the tenth, my whole family started freaking out. Then when the first two Mets got out in the bottom of the 10^th, the screaming and jumping started. They were really going to do it.

That’s when the hits started. One after another, they got hits. Even though I was only 12, I knew I had to do something. I went into the kitchen and started watching it on the little TV we had in there. It didn’t work. The Stanley wild pitch and the Buckner error tore a part of my heart out. They lost. I went back into the partyless family room and my parents tried to console me with a reminder of game 7. It didn’t help.

I went to bed crying that night, trying to figure out how the Sox could have done that. How can you get so close to something and not get it? How could they ever bounce back and win game 7? Why, oh, why did Stanley throw a wild pitch with someone on 3^rd?

This game stuck with me for a long time. I never watched a replay of the Buckner error, turning my head away anytime it was on TV. Whenever I was watching the Sox on TV or at Fenway and they were ahead by two runs in the last inning with two outs I would remind those with me, “This is how close the Sox were to winning the Series.” It was an early life lesson that no matter how hard you work for something and how close you are to getting it, it can be taken from you right before it’s in your hand.

Thanks to the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox, this story has a happy ending. I am now able to watch replays of the Buckner error (and Boone’s homerun from 2003 - which I never saw because after the Yankees tied it, I left the house and drove around listening to the rest of the game on the radio), and I’m almost glad that game 6 happened because it made 2004 that much sweeter.

By the way, if you haven’t seen this RBI Recreation of the bottom of the 10th, you must. It’s really unbelievable.

Okay, time for another horror story that doesn’t have a happy ending – Paranormal Activity 3. If you liked the first Paranormal Activity and Part 2, you should like this one. It has a lot of the same elements, and parts that make you jump no matter how prepared you are. It’s hard for me to really judge this movie because I’ve lived with my share of paranormal activity. Although not as life threatening as the evil force in the movies, once you’ve lived it, it’s hard to be scared when you see it in a movie.

Daily Show Tickets (2/14/08, 12/11/08, 4/15/10, 9/30/10)

I have a Jewish hero. He didn’t die on a cross or walk on water. He just keeps me informed of current events while making me laugh out loud every Monday-Thursday nights from 11:00-11:30. Although some have criticized Jon Stewart and The Daily Show for being sexist, the female DS employees responded to this with an open letter. Whatever he and the workers do over there, I think it’s working. And I feel lucky that I’ve been able to attend these show tapings.

I went to the show on Valentine’s Day 2008 with my friend Kerry. The guest wasn’t very noteworthy to me, but this bit about Roger Clemens was hilarious.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

I went to the December 11^th show with my sister Megan (it’s her birthday) and my friend Adam. We really lucked out with the guest (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Jon even took a copy of my poetry book during the Q&A before the show. We also went to see Mike Birbiglia a couple of days later.

Although I was too late to make it into the April 15^th show (and guest Tracy Morgan, dammit), my friend Suzie got to go for the first time. And because I didn’t get in, the DS gave me VIP tickets to a future show – which turned out to be the September 30^th show with Justin Timberlake. If you look closely, you can see me when Justin comes out – I’m wearing the “Stew Beef” t-shirt (watch the Tracy Morgan clip if you don’t understand). Jess couldn't believe how close she was to Justin (10 feet, maybe?)

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Thanks for all the laughs, Jon. Hope to talk to you again, sometime…

Worcester Sharks Opening Night Celebration Invite and Ticket

Like I wrote for the AHL All-Star Program and Ticket, the Worcester Sharks were the first organization in the community that I contacted to try and make a connection with when I started at Hope Lodge. I was put in touch with Mike Myers, and he immediately told me Hope Lodge could get free tickets to any game we wanted. Awesome.

The Sharks also helped out when Mike designed a pink goalie mask for Thomas Greiss to wear for the month of October. It was auctioned off at $5000, with all money going to Hope Lodge.

A couple of months later, we had a 17-year-old guest staying at Hope Lodge. He wanted to go to a Sharks game, but they didn’t have any home games scheduled for when he was here. So, Mike Myers and Sharks player Riley Armstrong came to visit him at Hope Lodge. It was great, and you can read that whole story here.

I wondered if Hope Lodge would still get free tickets when the AHL All-Star game came to Worcester two years ago, and we did. I think the highlight for me was watching former BC Eagle Cory Schneider setting a record by making 18 saves on 19 shots in the All-Star Skills competition.

Not surprisingly, the Sharks helped Hope Lodge with Skating for Hope. Finz made two appearances, and the Sharks provided games and prizes to keep the event going.

Tonight, they continued their generous donations by giving me an invite to the 2011-2012 opening night pre-game celebration and tickets to the game. I took my friend Patrick, and we each got a goodie bag with a Sharks pennant, schedule magnet, and t-shirt. There was also free food and dessert, and Fins was walking around greeting everyone. The only thing we had to pay for was drinks; and the $4.00 sodas seemed pricy even after getting everything else for free.

The game had just about everything I could ask for: A lot of goals, fights, and 4 former BC players (Benn Ferriero, Nick Petrecki, Stephen Gionta, Peter Harrold). The Sharks beat the Albany Devils 6-1, and after I beat Patrick 10-2 in his first game of PS3 NHL12 Hockey. Thanks again, Sharks!

Red Sox / Indians Game 4 1999 ALDS Ticket, Pictures of Scoreboard (10/10/99)

12 years ago tonight I was at Fenway, and Fenway was rockin’. My friend Deb took me to many games when she had an extra ticket, and this one was probably the best.

After being down zero games to two in the best of five series, the Sox made a statement in game 4. Not only did they score in every inning they batted except the 6^th, the Bo Sox scored 23 times total and won 23-7. According to nationalpastime.com, they scored more than 19 NFL teams did that day.

The deciding game 5 that Boston forced was played the next night and on the back of Pedro’s 6 hitless innings of relief, the Sox won 12-8 and took the series three games to two.

Even though what happened in the ALCS that year was quite a different story, I wonder if any MLB team will ever score this many runs in a postseason game again. It truly was unbelievable to watch. Why did Deb have to get married and move to Montana?

Chieftans and Great Big Sea Tickets (2009, 2006)

If you like Celtic music and haven’t seen either of these bands, you should do what you can to change it. I’ve seen Great Big Sea a bunch of times (see other GBS tickets), but the Paddy Maloney and Chieftans show was my first time seeing them (hopefully not the last). If you’ve never experienced a night of Celtic music and live in Massachusetts, check out the free Westborough Session every Thursday night at Mulligan’s – you can thank me later.

Movie Tickets II

These tickets didn’t make it into my Movie Tickets Part I blog, but each has its own little story:

War of the Worlds – I saw this with my friend Cailin not long after Tom Cruise had his “couch incident” on the Oprah Winfrey show. Although I let that pass at the time, not long after I saw this movie I determined that Mr. Cruise had completely lost his sense of reality and I could no longer separate the art from the artist. I enjoyed War of the Worlds, but it would also be the last time I ever paid to watch a Tom Cruise movie. I will still watch classics he was in like The Outsiders and A Few Good Men, but I will no longer contribute to his career. See also: Mel Gibson.

Bruno: I watched this movie with my friends Glen and Krissy, and even though it wasn’t the best movie I had ever seen I laughed a lot. Glen and Krissy were living in Westboro at the time, so we hung out a lot that summer. Even though they broke my heart by moving out to Oregon at the end of 2009, I look forward to the day when I can afford to travel at will (I’m predicting somehow it will be here sooner rather than later).

The Town – I’ve always been a sucker for Boston/Massachusetts movies, and The Town did not disappoint. The shootout scene at Fenway alone was worth seeing on the big screen. I went with Jess, who soldiered her way through nausea for the entire flick. However, on the ride home, I had to hand her my travel mug to use as a receptacle. My car was spared of puke, and Jess slept for the rest of the day.

Bruins Opening Night Ticket

Last year, I wore my homemade Bruins “I B-elieve” t-shirt to the home opener and I wrote that I believed the B’s would win The Cup. Holy shit, I was right. NESN even published my story during the playoffs. This year, I believe even more…

The Boston Bruins are a team. They stay together, stick up for each other, and play hard no matter what (do NOT see also, 2011 Red Sox). They did it last year, so they know exactly what it takes to bring a title home. They may have not have Recchi, Savard, or Ryder anymore, but they still have most of the players who have their name on The Cup.

Even though tonight will be the last time we can really celebrate the 2011 Champs, the B’s have The Cup until someone successfully takes it away from them during the playoffs.

Last season and this summer were awesome, unbelievable, and dream-like; but tonight and the months ahead are reality. You know what it takes, so just do it again. Stick together B’s; stay healthy, and stay hungry. I hope you’re not satisfied with just one title…

GO B’S!!!!!!!

PS- I paid A LOT more than $25 for this ticket!