A Boston Sports Fan's Lament

Fans of Boston's pro-sports teams are having a bad year;

Not a situation we're familiar with up here.

In the past, when one team isn't doing very well

A team from another sport gives their opponents hell...

Celtics were eliminated, so - no basketball.

Bruins didn't make it to the play-off games at all.

Red Sox are in free fall and will, likely, finish last.

Patriots - who've been New England's saviors in the past -

'though they won the Super Bowl are, currently, embroiled

In a scandal which has left their reputation soiled.

I might switch to watching women's soccer 'cause it's clear

Local teams aren't gonna give me very much to cheer.

FIFA? You Can Keep It.

Former FIFA leader is accusing the U.S.

Of pursuing charges in the current soccer mess

Only 'cause we're jealous that some World Cups aren't held here;

Angry that we're missing profits made from selling beer.

Why else would we care?, asks Warner - who we have accused

Of accepting bribery. He says that he's confused.

Since when do Americans, who don't watch soccer much -

Not big fans of footballs that a player's hands can't touch -

Worry what some FIFA leaders do behind the scenes?

Don't we know that's how the game is played on soccer greens?

Maybe so but, if that's true, then I don't wanna play.

Giving bribes to FIFA is too high a price to pay.

How Do You Say "Dittohead" In Russian?

Rumors on the internet (like FOX News, only worse)

Trolls who claim our President is trying to reverse

The protections that our Constitution guarantees.

Faking news supporting tales of vast conspiracies.

Claiming that Ebola's spreading through Atlanta's streets,

False reports of shootings were a "Leading Trend" in Tweets.

Some trolls work the chat rooms; I've encountered one or two...

They're the guys you find on-line espousing Putin's view.

Now we find that some trolls aren't your ordinary jerk;

Lying on the internet is what they do for work.

They are on the payroll of a Russian agency;

Putin should thank Limbaugh's fans...  They do the job for free.

The Seussilitis Commencement Address (With Apologies to Baz Luhrmann)

 

It is graduation season in our local towns;

Class of Twenty-Fifteen seniors, clad in caps and gowns,

Gather to receive diplomas they have, finally, earned.

Entering a world where all the calculus they learned

Won't help them as much as what great speakers can impart;

Lessons happy adults should adhere to from the start.

Best advice from a Commencement that I've ever heard

Was Baz Luhrmann's "Sunscreen" speech...  I second every word.

It boiled down to being kind to others and yourself,

Not to hide your talents 'neath a bushel on a shelf,

Carpe' every diem, gather rosebuds while you may.

Try to help the people who you'll meet along your way.

Offer your apologies to others when you're wrong,

Don't forget that life's a journey and the journey's long.

If you look around to find some rut in which you're stuck,

Forge a new path.  Wishing all of you the best of luck.

Promenade on the Chelmsford Common

My beautiful niece on her way to prom. (Photo/Courtesy of Peter S. Corr III)

 Here in Chelmsford, seniors - who are on their way to prom -

Stop and pose for pictures on the Common with their mom.

It's become traditional and draws a massive crowd;

Couples dressed in finery, their parents looking proud.

I've been there the last few years for nieces and my son;

Love to see the gorgeous gowns and pick my favorite one.

'though the crowds of people make the Center's traffic slow,

Once my own have graduated I still plan to go.

See Ya Later, Alligator

Stephen King's new book came out today...  I gotta go.

For, as my best friends and relatives already know,

I have zero patience and am not prepared to wait;

Certain, as I am, his latest novel will be great.

I'm a fan of almost everything that Stephen writes,

Even if his stories cost me many sleepless nights.

Not because of nightmares (though he's caused a few of those)

But because, until I'd finished, my eyes wouldn't close.

Later...  But not much.

Just bought Finders Keepers.  I am eyeing it with greed.

I hope no one wants me for a while -  I'm off to read.

Kudos to Chief Campanello in Gloucester

Chief Leonard Campanello. (Photo/riverhousechronicles.com)

Live in Gloucester, Massachusetts and you want to cease

Using drugs? Now you can turn yourself in to police.

Chief has said he won't arrest the addicts who arrive...

That he'll try to get them into treatment, where they'll thrive.

I applaud his motivation... Wants to save some lives;

Sick of notifying mothers, fathers, husbands, wives

That someone they love has accidentally OD'd.

He's aware it isn't jails, but health care, junkies need.

Problem is facilities are running out of beds

And the Chief has been advised of issues with the Feds.

Those could hamper this new effort by the Gloucester cops...

Still the program's worth attempting if one addict stops.