Back By (un)Popular Demand.

Greetings! Wow, it has been a while!  I know this is (really) old news but Tim Pawlenty has ended his campaign to become the GOP nominee for president in 2012. I only bring this up so I can let those who don't already know that he has chosen to support Mitt Romney's bid for the nomination. In my opinion Pawlenty would be a great VP choice, though! Conveniently, however, Romney is also who I have chosen to support. I'll discuss reasoning for this in a later post because for now I just wanted to say "Greetings!" and "Believe in America!-Romney 2012!"

A Personal Digression

Greetings! This morning I want to talk about things that I really like. This is not meant to be educational or enlightening in any way as I simply want to discuss a few items/activities/concepts for which I harbor positive sentiments.

1. Exercise
Running, swimming, biking, hiking, playing tennis, playing squash, anything that gets the blood pumping is good in my book. I can't stand people who don't exercise because I want to yell "YOU'RE MISSING OUT" to them. The sweaty tired feeling after a morning run, or the slight shoulder ache after a hard swim, or the accomplished feeling after a friendly game of squash are all reminders that we're alive. I love feeling alive.

2.Twitter
So simple, yet so satisfying. Retweet, reply, follow, #hashtag. I can't really explain it but I love it. If you don't have one, make one. (follow me at twitter.com/wilddaisyflower)

3. Mexican Food
Does anyone not like Mexican food? I ate a burrito for dinner last night and it was delicious. If I had to pick a type of food to eat everyday for the rest of my life I would choose Mexican - think about all the guacamole and hot sauce! Although, if Mexican were the only food I ever ate I'd have to double the amount of #1exercise I get.

4. Tanning
Everyone looks better with a tan. Tanning is potentially one of my favorite activities and as a result I spend the majority of my time thinking about my tan. "Does this shirt show how tan my back is? Will this bathing suit give me bad tan-lines? Should I use tanning oil or just not wear sunscreen?" etc. etc. I am a firm believer in a healthy summer glow, all four seasons of the year.

5. Outdoor Showers
If the option is available, always shower outside.

I'll add to this list in the future but in the meantime I've got to get back to my tan.

Election 2012

Now with some news that pertains to all of America.

It is raining here on Chappaquiddick and thus a perfect opportunity to use the internet to draw attention to the 2012 presidential race. While I am someone who considers myself to be argumentative and brash in many respects, I do not want this post to be one which illuminates President Obama's glaring flaws and short-comings but rather one that discusses and highlights the strengths of one of our nation's top GOP prospects come 2012: Tim Pawlenty, former Governor of Minnesota. He boasts impressive grass roots support, and is considered to be a Main Street Conservative appealing to moderates and conservatives alike. Part of Pawlenty's appeal comes from his record of balancing the Minnesota budget without raising taxes, or cutting useful and necessary programs and initiatives. I personally like Tim because he seems genuine and honest, characteristics that most politicians seem to lack. I also like him because he is not a celebrity and doesn't try to be. In fact, one of the biggest challenges that his campaign faces is that his name is less known than other Grand Old Party front runners like Mitt Romney and Ron Paul or the Hollywood Status Obama Family.

Moral of the story is not to vote Pawlenty but to simply consider voting for a candidate other than the incumbent. Exercise your right to vote! Think about who you are voting for! Think about what you want from the next President of the United States and what you can do to make that candidate's campaign a reality. Pawlenty may not be your guy but he's definitely mine.

The Summer Solstice

Greetings, I hope that I find all of you enjoying your summer with a good book, barbecues a-plenty, and a healthy sunburn-tinted tan. This post is obviously overdue, but late is better than never, I suppose. I write this morning, from my kitchen overlooking Edgartown Harbor, and North Neck of Chappaquiddick. It's overcast today but yesterday was a beauty: high in the 90's, slight northwest breeze, no clouds. While I have been busy on Martha's Vineyard since before Memorial Day, the summer only officially began yesterday, on the day of the year when the earth's axis is most inclined towards the sun, and thus the debauchery and excitement that the summer promises still has ample opportunity to manifest.

The breadth of this post is clearly vague and meant only to serve as a reminder that I am still alive and happily rambling about my native region in the north. I make no guarantees, but the interval at which I post should soon become more frequent as I continue to settle into my summer routine. I hope everyone is enjoying the sun although you can rest assured that your tan will never be as perfect as mine. Happy summer, New England.

Let's Talk Food - #1

I don't want anyone to be fooled into thinking that this blog is an excuse for me to rave solely about sports- no matter how proficient I am when the Red Sox are the topic of conversation. So to change pace a tad, I'd like to draw attention to one of the best eating establishments in my hometown, The Eastside Grill on Strong Avenue. Eastside has been around since 1985 and boasts an extensive menu of seasonal American cuisine and a casual dining atmosphere. The bar is small but the bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly. (My Father's favorite is Jake - he knows how to make G&T's just like the old man likes.)

As for appetizers my personal recommendations are the crab cakes (paired with a house salad could serve as an entrée), and the warm and creamy spinach artichoke dip with crispy sweet potato chips.

As for entrées the eight ounce Eastside Top Sirloin is a go-to, amongst a collection of possible steak options, served with a choice of potatoes and gorgonzola butter. The restaurant also offers a blackened fish of the day and a entrée special which vary frequently. The blackened salad with a gorgonzola vinegrette is leafy and chock full of red onions and is served with a choice of spicy tuna, steak, shrimp, scallops, salmon or chicken.

When the time comes for desert the creamy lemon cheesecake with a raspberry coulis is untouchable.

The Eastside Grill boasts an extensive martini menu as well as beer menu bubbling with both local and seasonal drafts and your standard imports. The wine list is impeccable as well.

The service is friendly, prompt and helpful. My father is the type who knows everyone in town and he'll vouch for all of the employees as he is on a first-name basis with everyone lucky enough to work at the restaurant.

Eastside is easily one of my favorite restaurants and earns a gold star from me personally. I reccomend it to all  who visit the Pioneer Valley as it is both comfortable, reasonable and most importantly delicious.

I ate at Eastside tonight (yes, that is what prompted this post) and left as satisfied as possible. I leave the western part of the baystate tomorrow for Martha's Vineyard so restaurant posts are sure to become more frequent. I hope everyone likes seafood and Harpoon IPA! Cheers!

A Date With History

Today the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs meet at Fenway Park for the first time in 93 years. The last time the teams played in the historic ballpark was during the World Series in September of 1918. The Red Sox won the series four games to two as World War I was simultaneously menacing. The 1918 World  Series would be the last that the Sox would win for 84 years until the "Curse of the Bambino" was broken in 2004.  The match-up this evening between Boston (23-20) and the Cub (19-23) may not promise the excitement of rivalry that a Yankees/Red Sox series presents but it does allow two of the most historic and quintessential baseball organizations to match-up at one the the oldest and most historic ballparks in the nation. (Fenway is rivaled in age and history only by the Cubs own Wrigley Field.) Obviously, I hope that the Red Sox extend their six game winning streak tonight to seven and tomorrow to eight, but I also look at the 2-game series as a beacon example of America's Past-Time. No matter who wins, it is always nice to be reminded of the history and spirit of the game of baseball.

First pitch is at 7:10 on NESN for those of you viewing in New England.

Keeping The Faith: I'm talking about the Bruins

Greetings from New England here with some Bruins & Red Sox news!!

With game two of the Eastern Conference final a matter of hours away I know I'm not the only one hoping that some of the good fortune the Red Sox have been having could make its way across Boston from Fenway to the TD Garden. (I said some, not all.) The Bruins are coming off of a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game one and leveling the series (1-1) would allow many New England sports fans to rest a bit easier. With forward Patrice Bergeron potentially out of the line-up again with a concussion, the Bean Town Bears have some compensating to do. It is no secret that the Bruin's power play has been lackluster with the B's capitalizing on just two of 41 opportunities this post season. The Bruins need to take an aggressive offensive stance early on so as to let the Lightning know that this is going to be a fight. Thomas will do his job in the net as he has all post-season, let's just hope the TB net sees some action on the opposite side of the ice. Game two faces off at 8:00PM and airs on the Versus network.

Gonzo after his epic walk off last night in the 9th vs. Baltimore

Another game of note tonight is game two of the Red Sox home-stand against the Baltimore Orioles. Last night, Daisuke pitched a dismal first few innings giving up six runs to the O's before the sixth inning. The Red Sox struck back, with a recently achieved .500 record to maintain the dirt dogs were not about the go down without a fight. By the time the bottom of the 9th rolled around the Red Sox were within one run. With the two lead-off men (Ellsbury and Pedroia) reaching base, Adrian Gonzalez was in the perfect position to be the hero of the night. Gonzo was behind 0-2 in the count when he blasted a two-run walk-off double off the left field wall to win the game 8-7. The Fenway Faithful who had stuck around despite the intermittent rain and cold temperatures got what they were hoping for - a win in true BoSox fashion, something I'll never get tired of seeing. First pitch from knuckle-baller Timmy Wakefield (my personal favorite, filling in for an injured Lackey) is at 7:10PM on NESN.

Good Luck to the Bruins & Sox!!