I was lucky enough to receive Red Sox tickets from our local bar, Michael's of Stockbridge. I had worked a half day, the cooler was packed, my bags were in stow and off to eastern Mass I was. I was traveling with a very good friend, Jenine, and our first stop was to one of her college friends home where we would be staying after the game. When we arrived at Nuria's house we had a quick cocktail and put on sweatshirts and out the door went to catch the T. As we were making it across town, the rain started. And I don't mean a little girl sprinkle. I mean a big whopping daddy down pour. With thunder. And lightning. We ran from the car to the covering of the Red Line and the rain pelted us like paintball guns at target practice. We were soaking wet and with no sight of it to end. I had a look of disappointment, as I hoped the game wouldn't be cancelled. It's a long way out to Boston to turn around and come home without seeing the game!
We loaded the train with about 50 other hopefuls to make it to town. We were able to get three seats together. As we pulled into the next stop, more people filed in. Now it seemed to be standing room only. The next stop, even more people crammed themselves into our car. I was facing some man's crotch for the next 20 minutes. I usually like a man to take me out to dinner first, but what can you do? At about 10 minutes of the man's crotch in my face I started to get hot and uncomfortable. I asked Jenine if she had an Ativan; she didn't. Not helpful. It was so hot and steamy on that train, I wondered how long I would last. Finally, the crotch (errr, man) said hello and we were able to make small talk and have a few little jokes about his business in my face. Great times.
Finally, we got off the train and went outside to meet the bartender, Brianne, from Michael's of Stockbridge where we had won the tickets. She was around the corner at a bar called The Lower Depths. This was my second time there and second time with Brianne. She had already gotten there and was holding a table for us with another friend that lives in Boston. The bar was packed, never mind standing room only, there was a line out the door. We sat at our reserved seats, introduced one another and ordered up some food. Let me tell you, The Lower Depths is a bar with food that would be for kids, but is really for adults. Please see what we ordered: 2 plates of mac and cheese made with chorizo and hot wing cheese, chicken quesadillas with creme fresh and a mescalin side salad, and a huge plate of tater tots. Yep. They were smothered with melted cheese, bacon, scallions and had a side of Chipotle aioli. At this point, I should probably mention that The Lower Depths is a beer bar. They have whatever you can imagine. I must also remind you, reader, that I am a wine drinker. I am always that girl surrounded by her peers who are enjoying huge pilsner glasses of foreign, foamy beer, while I, the red wine drinker, is always having a short glass of Sutter Home. Now that is not entirely true at TLD, I remember having a very good Malbec in a big girl glass. But such is not the case at other beers bars.
Anyway, we finished eating, waved good bye to crotch man who was dinning outside and walked over to the stadium with about 10,000 other fans. I presented my girlfriend with the tickets, and Brianne, the seasoned veteran of Fenway Park, lead us up many flights of stairs until we got to the Bud Deck. We got our tickets checked and lead to our our four top table that came with it's own waitress. We had our own waitress at Fenway. We had arrived.
Upon placing our first drink order, our waitress, Doreen, informed us that our seats came with a $100 food and drink voucher. For us. To eat and drink off of until it was gone. Let the Daiquiri's be plentiful!!
To tell you the truth, I don't even remember who the Sox were playing that day. I was so happy to be with my friends, (and have our own waitress!) have so much laughter and great times, I didn't notice that the Sox were loosing the game. I did, however notice a cute boy at the table directly behind my seat. I whispered to Brianne, "Hey! I see a cute boy!" She grinned at me and asked. "The one who looks just like Ben?" (Ben is my currant roommate and sometimes traveling companion. Please read the post about our trip to Vegas!) ha! She is right! that guy looks just like Ben! We all found this totally amusing, except the guy that looked like Ben. He must have thought we were some 8th grade girls checking out a high schooler, as he was obviously embarrassed that we kept sneeking peeks at him and we even made it look like we were taking photos of each other but were really taking pictures of him! Ha! what great times! By the time the 7th inning stretch came along, we had used most of our food voucher and at least a barrel full of laughs. We paid Doreen, and, left the game just after the start of the 9th inning and I was in search of a sweatshirt.
Jenine and Nuria went to Jerry Remys and Brianne and I hunted for the perfect sweatshirt for me. We both ended up with some apparel, and we both certainly spent too much for it! I am still very happy with my over priced green zip up hoodie! Meeting the girls over at Remy's, we had one more drink before the journey back to Nuria's house. Brianne bid her farewells and went to her brothers house for the night. The three of us had one more drink and hit the pavement to get back on the T to go home.
Thanks girls, for such a great time!!
