Photo Blogging Challenge – Color

The theme for the April photo blogging challenge was “color”.

Like others, my first image was taken around Easter.

These eggs were decorating the lobby of my apartment building.

I love the pink sunset in this photo – taken on Cape Cod – in Chatham, MA.

The seagull waiting for his dinner at the fish pier also made me smile.

This is the Boston Tea Party Museum

I like the yellow of the ship, red of the building, and even the blue windows of the new construction in the city.

This is from the carousel on Boston Common

I took this photo on the Saturday of Boston Marathon weekend – on a fun walk through the city.

This final photo is from the restaurant Novara in Milton, MA.
The space used to be a movie theater and they kept some of the posters.

I was amused that a movie that stars mostly black & white dogs was advertising it’s in Technicolor.

Thanks for checking out my photos this month. I always have fun taking photos that fit the theme all month, then seeing which 5 speak to me as the best to feature.

This monthly photo blogging challenge is facilitated by PJ of the Northeast Bloggers Network.

Thanks for inspiring me to take more photos!

Marathon Weekend in Boston

I love Boston Marathon weekend in Boston.

The whole city celebrates!

The residents of MA get extra friendly and help lost tourists and runners and their families visit Boston.

On the Saturday before the marathon, my husband & I headed to the free fitness expo.

I’m wearing my shirt from the BAA 5K on Boston Marathon weekend in 2014

At 2:49 pm there was a moment of silence at the expo in honor of the marathon bombing victims from 2013.

We walked along Boylston Street (Marathon Finish Line) and everything was decked in Boston Marathon colors of blue & yellow.

Another way the city remembers is One Boston Day.

After the expo, we wandered around the city – catching Pokemon and enjoying the warm weather.

We’re spoiled by how walkable Boston is! Instead of hopping on the subway near Copley Square, we walked up Comm Ave & through the Public Garden to take the subway from Park Street.

I walked 11,433 steps that day – about 4.77 miles.

I took a few other photos on the walk, so we’ll see if any make an appearance for the photo blogging challenge this month.

One of my friends jokingly calls marathon monday, “I’ll totally run a marathon next year!” day. Spectators, myself included, get inspired by the Boston Marathon runners.

For me, it’s the charity runners that inspire.

I like the idea of fundraising for a nonprofit, but I am not a fan of running.

I have a feeling my 10 hour Boston Marathon route time from the Jimmy Fund Walk will be my personal record.

Congratulations to all my friends that ran the Boston Marathon!

Below are just a few of their stories.

Dani ran for Teddy’s Team fighting stroke

Meagan ran for the Last Call Foundation – in honor of fallen firefighters

Hayley ran for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (The back of her shirt said “F*ck Cancer! When it gets tough, remember why you’re running”)

Alain completed the Boston Marathon, while on crutches – He’s also the founder of RACE Cancer Foundation. RACE Cancer Foundation gave out free sunscreen at the Boston Marathon start line.

Simpsons on Quincy

I’m amused and think this an extremely appropriate post after the “Your City” photo challenge.

The Simpsons had an episode this week spoofing Boston, and they made fun of Quincy too.

The pretty building on the back left is the Thomas Crane Library – the one I post photos of often

As I mentioned in my last post, Quincy is known as the “City of Presidents” so that’s why they joked about the “City of Mayors” in the Simpsons.

The “Er, ah” in the sign is a joke on the Kennedy type Boston accent. I don’t add “er, ah” in my sentences, but I do drop “r” in words. Yes, I do “pahk my cah” but not in Hahvahd yahd. (There’s no parking in Harvard Yard so that sentence making fun of the Boston accent just annoys me.)

I recommend checking out this episode of the Simpsons before it disappears from On Demand if you’re from MA and want a laugh.

Photo Blogging Challenge – “Your City” Quincy

The theme for the September photo blogging challenge was “Your City”.

I’m a proud resident of Quincy, Massachusetts (pronounced KWIN-zee).

Quincy is the 8th largest city in the state. It’s known as the “City of Presidents,” since it is the birthplace of two U.S. presidents — John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams — as well as John Hancock, a President of the Continental Congress and the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Ok – enough talk about the historical significance of my city – on to the photos!

Quincy has a vibrant public art scene

There is a lot of construction in Quincy Center (the part I live in) right now.

This spot is being turned from a street to a pedestrian walk way.

The church on the top left contains John Adams and John Quincy Adams tombs. I actually recommend a tour. Not as creepy as you’d think!

As part of the construction – the city put in these traffic lights – but they don’t make sense!

The shot above is what cars see when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. But most times, cars still barrel through and I’m taking my life in my hands when I step into the street.

The city is working on a public awareness campaign to explain the signals – but I wish they’d just installed normal signals everyone is used to!

Here’s a side view of one of my favorite places – the Thomas Crane Library

Our city seal is on the side of trash barrels in the city.

I agree that Quincy is beautiful!

Thanks for taking a tour of the center of Quincy, MA (my backyard). I love it here!

Quincy also has a beach, marina, and 4 different subway stops on the Red Line of the MBTA.

Here’s a bonus photo for you:

Me and my in-laws celebrating “Ring a bell for Rosies” on Labor Day

My husband’s grandmother (wearing the red around her neck and in her hair) is President of the MA chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association.

Photo above from left to right: My brother-in-law Doug, Aunt-in-law Ellie, Sister-in-law Jen, Uncle-in-law Michael, Mother-in-law Martha, Uncle-in-law Matt, Aunt-in-law Maria, Nana (Bertha Glavin), me, and my husband

My father-in-law Marcis was taking the photo and recording the day. The church I mentioned in the 1st photo is the one we’re in front of. They kindly rang their church bell for us, in celebration.

This monthly photo blogging challenge is facilitated by PJ of the Northeast Bloggers Network.

Thanks for inspiring me to take more photos!

Visiting Salem

On the week of my birthday, I decided to head north to Salem, MA and visit the Peabody Essex Museum before the city gets over run with fall tourists.

Entrance of the Peabody Essex Museum

The Rodin exhibit had these awesome dancers demonstrating sculpture poses

Frequent readers know I love historic building photos

Hope you enjoyed visiting Salem & PEM through my photos.

Boston Sports Clubs Salutes First Responders in Boston

I am constantly in awe of first responders in the Boston area.

I watch the show Boston EMS on ABC (in it’s second season – I recommend it).

I have an Uncle that’s a firefighter in MA & his wife, my Aunt & God Mother, is a 911 operator in the same city.

So, with love of first responders in my heart, I wanted to spread the word that Boston Sports Clubs is honoring first responders with free memberships in August.

Boston Sports Clubs is honoring the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to save the lives of others by deeming August, “First Responder Appreciation Month.” Throughout August, the company is offering complimentary gym memberships to all police, fire, EMS and military personnel, inviting them to work out for free at any Greater Boston location, including Back Bay, Newbury Street, Prudential Center, Downtown Crossing, Beacon Hill, South End, South Station, Fenway, and Government Center.

To any first responders who are already members, they may bring a guest for free workouts throughout August.

Parent company Town Sports International has a long history supporting first responders, dating back to 2003 when the company partnered with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) to provide memberships for over 10,000 candidates so they had free access to train for the FDNY physical exam – the department’s first exam following the events of  September 11, 2001. The offer complements the recently launched Bravest & Finest workout, a workout inspired by the physical challenges required to become a first responder.

“We recognize the tremendous physical and mental commitment that it takes to be a first responder,” said Michelle Ryan, CMO of Town Sports International. “We are truly grateful to all the men and women who respond without hesitation to protect and serve our neighborhoods and appreciate their daily commitment to keeping us safe.”

The first responders’ complimentary membership at Boston Sports Clubs runs through August 31, 2016. For more information on membership details and club locations, please visit www.mysportsclubs.com.

Star Trek / Boston Comic Con Red Sox Night

Boston Comic Con coming up in August (my birthday weekend) the Boston Red Sox will host a Star Trek / Boston Comic Con themed game night on August 12th at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox game will include a limited edition Captain Kirk Red Sox figurine and the ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk.

More details and tickets are available at http://m.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/info/star-trek

Edit: I got tickets to the game, so I’ll be there for all the geeky fun.