Author: BenWoo_Admin

It Happened Again

I went to the Hanover Theater in Worcester, Massachusetts again tonight. This time I saw Classic Albums Live, the Michael Jackson – Thriller show. It was incredible. I took one of the children. We had a great time. The music was impeccably performed. It was billed as a bunch of musicians who get up on stage and play an album, note for note, cut for cut, start to finish, live. That might not sound too thrilling (pun intended), but it was amazing. They got up on stage and played Thriller, note for note, cut for cut, start to finish, live. Then they took a little break, came back, and played a whole bunch more Michael Jackson songs. The aisles were packed with people dancing: Kids; adults; older adults; really old adults. And they were all smiling. And clapping. And having a really good time. When there wasn’t any more room in the aisles, people stood up at their seats and started dancing. Everyone I saw was having fun. The performers were having fun. Even I was having fun.

This doesn’t usually happen.

But it did happen once before, and recently. And it was at the Hanover Theater again. This time, it was with the other child. And the boyfriend. We went to see Buddy Valastro, the guy from Cake Boss. He showed up in town with an even sillier premise. Take an Italian baker from Hoboken, New Jersey and stick him on stage in Worcester, Massachusetts with a bunch kids and parents from the audience. Add some cupcakes. He teaches us how to decorate them. We laugh at the audience members as they try to imitate his designs. He tells stories. And everyone smiles: The kid; the boyfriend; the dad; the people on stage. Once again, everyone in the room was having a great time.

Family friendly entertainment?

I didn’t think that existed anymore.

But it does.

Search it out.

Ben

The Price of Fighting the Fight

Ten years ago, our area was overrun by the Asian longhorn beetle. We’ve been fighting it ever since. Teams of specially trained inspectors have permeated our forests and neighborhoods as they search for the beetles and their paths of destruction.

They claim that the beetles threaten our trees, but to date, not one tree has fallen victim to the bug. This does not mean, however, that we are safe. So far, about 30,000 trees have been cut down. They say that they have done this to protect our woodlands.

I wonder who is winning.

Ben

Why We Need More Hurricanes

I believe that we should schedule hurricanes a little more often. I got an incredible amount of stuff done yesterday:

• The generator is all tuned up and working great.

• The sump pump (the one I installed hastily during the last flood) is now in its new hole in the floor and properly piped.

• The chainsaw has gas in it and runs well.

• The lawn furniture and the fire pit are stored in the garage.

• The barbecue grill has a full propane tank.

It’s a shame that it takes the threat of such destruction to accomplish so much.

Ben

A Great Cook?

One of the child’s friends was over for dinner the other night. I made chicken sandwiches on the grill. After the first bite, the friend exclaimed,

“This tastes just like something from Burger King … except better for you.”

End of story.

Ben

The Two Heroes of Harry Potter

Now that the Harry Potter sensation is coming to an end, I’d like to present my nominations for the the two heroes of the franchise: J.K. Rowling and Neville Longbottom.

J.K. Rowling is responsible for more kids reading more books than anyone else in the history of the world. She gets my deepest respect for pulling that off in this age.

If you were paying attention, Harry, Ron and Hermione just messed things up. Neville was the one who consistently got things right. I want to be like him.

Ben

Should Waiters Be Allowed to Talk?

I went to dinner tonight at a fancy brew-pub in Boston. The maître d’ seated us and left us with our menus. A few minutes later, our waiter showed up. He asked if this was our first time here. We admitted that it was. He explained that this place is famous for their homemade beers … they used to make them in house … but they don’t anymore. He went on to tell us that the place had been closed for the past four months to be reinvented and had only recently reopened. He said that the menu is new this month. He asked us if we had any questions about the changes.

We didn’t.

Ben

Why Even Bother Having a Phone?

Thirty-three years ago I decided I needed to get connected … it was time to become accessible. So I got a telephone. And a telephone number. Someone even printed it in a big giant book. And you can still call a special number, give them my name and address, and for just a few dimes more, automatically get connected.

Wow.

Then I got married. And then I had kids. They’re all great. They protect me. From all kinds of things. Including phone calls.

No matter how many times I tell them that our phone number is published so that if people want to talk to me — all they need to do is call — and I’d be happy to talk with them — 24 hours a day — no matter what I’m doing — they don’t get it. “He’s busy.” “Can I ask who is calling?” “Can I take a message?” Not my idea.

You have my permission to tell them that you want to talk with me anyway.

Ben

Easter

Have you met my family? They’re great. All of them. Most of us got together today to celebrate Easter. The problem is that today is Saturday and Easter really isn’t until tomorrow.

But we celebrated anyway.

That’s the way we are.

Ben