(Sunday Paper, Year IV, Issue 30)

A couple of weeks ago my friend Kevin came to visit.

He was here Monday and Tuesday and we hung around Boston, as we usually do - checking out what was new around Boston University, which is where we met.

We frequented some of the bars around Fenway Park…and took in a couple of Red Sox games.

But it was Tuesday and Wednesday mornings that really stole the show.

I’ll let Kevin tell you about that since he’s writing this week’s Sunday Paper.

I really like dogs.

This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise to those closest to me or those who are loyal readers of the Sunday Paper. Last year I helped my dog write a guest post, so that should pretty much tell you everything you need to know.

I had a dog growing up, and I obviously liked that dog, but I think it has gotten out of hand as I’ve gotten older and gotten a dog as an adult. When I’m out for runs/hikes and I see someone with a dog, I always say ‘hi’ to the dog and almost never to the person. So you can imagine my excitement when a long-planned trip to Boston had a new wrinkle a few weeks ago.

Yes, it’s always great to see John. His kids are wonderful, his wife is amazing, and we were able to see two Red Sox games. BLAH BLAH BLAH. I was there to see the new dog. And hoo boy – that puppers did not disappoint.

First of all, I was thrilled because the dog was playing with the toy my dog got it. The Sucich family got the dog and that afternoon we sent them a toy and bones. This pup is full of excitement and puppy energy. I loved it.

You must understand that the dog bar is really high because I’m around a super-great dog every day. Zoey is full of life and love. In fact, she’s so great that my friends are now naming their children after her (I’m assuming…). For Tate to be even half as good would be an accomplishment. And she was that and more. It was great to see the family having so much fun with the dog and I’m sure that pup is set to have a great life with the Suciches.

I can’t wait to go back to visit her!

And John, I guess.

Comedy

*When we were in Massachusetts for Justin’s wedding a few years ago, John took us to a really great brewery near where he lived. He kept raving about how awesome it was, and he was right. Therefore, I assumed that Exhibit A, where you can see John’s comedy show, was that brewery. WRONG. So, on August 10, don’t go to that other place. Go to Exhibit A. [Note from John: You can buy tickets to that August 10 show at this link.]

*I have no interest in shows like Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, or whatever other super-serious drama that is the hot show now. When it comes time to watch tv, I am pretty much exclusively comedies. Check out Holey Moley and Schitt’s Creek– two shows I’ve been really enjoying this summer.

Speaking of what I’ve been enjoying…

What I’ve Been Enjoying

*Home ownership is pretty great, I’m finding. I bought a house back in December, so this has been my first summer in it and, while great, it is also really expensive. I’ve spent the last 19 years in either a townhouse or an apartment, so dealing with a yard has led to some new purchases - the biggest of which was a lawn mower. Because I’m scared of dealing with gasoline, I bought an electric mower. When I tell people this, everyone asks the same question: “Does it work well?” My response probably demonstrates how un-handy I am: “the grass shorter when I’m done, so maybe?” I see the looks on their faces thinking of a follow-up question that probably involves torque (is that a thing?) and giving up because they know I’ll have no idea. Not helping the un-handy-ness is the fact that the mower is neon-green, so it looks like something a five-year-old would use with bubbles coming out of it.

*Despite the excitement surrounding Tate, I should mention that I also really enjoyed the two Red Sox games in Boston. For someone who has been going there for a good chunk of his life, it really is remarkable what the ownership has done to that stadium and the surrounding area. It is an entire experience beyond just the game now and feels like a place that you would feel comfortable taking your family. I’m not sure it was always that way. As for us, we had great seats for both games – even managing to make it on TV during our bullpen-adjacent seats.