What It's All About

Two hundred and thirty-eight years ago on March 5, 1770, this star marks what was the site of a "massacre". Five men were killed by British soldiers in the culmination of days of unrest. On Saturday, March 8th, we helped to reenact this historical event. As my friend Denise said, that is what living in Boston is all about. First, there was a reenactment, where I got to play the part of one of the victims, Patrick Carr, taunting the redcoats with shouts of "Lobsterbacks!" and "Go back to England!" and throwing (styrofoam) snowballs and ice. After we were shot in all the confusion, we proceeded to have a trial in the Old State House. This was nine months later, after the acquittal of their leader, Captain Preston.

The soldiers holding their bayonettes at the ready to hold back the crowds.... and.... the soldiers waiting patiently to hear their fate... these boys were so cute! When two were convicted they looked down at their nametags to see if he were the unlucky one. When he saw that he was, the boy in the blue pants pounded his fist and said 'Shoot!'

During the trial, I played the part of Dr. John Jeffries, who attended to Patrick Carr that night. I heard his dying confession that they went there looking for trouble. I was called as a witness for the defense by the soldier's lawyer, John Adams (who was the second U.S. President). Six of the soldiers were acquitted and two found guilty of manslaughter. Mr. Adams then requested the 'benefit of the clergy' and the two men had to prove they were literate enough to read the Bible. Their punishment was to brand an M on their thumbs to prevent them using the same defense in the future. Don't worry, though, Paul Revere was still able to use the event as propaganda to fire up the colonists to war against Britain.

Me, as a witness, being cross-examined with the objection of John Adams for questioning my judgment as a doctor... and... the Mercy Branding.

Afterwards, we enjoyed seeing the rest of the Old State House museum, including a printing demonstration and the original engraved depiction of the massacre. I really liked this gem of a pitcher to the right:
We continued the night with yummy food at the Cheers bar, eating pickles and enjoying tropical drinks, then watching an old movie with Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston called The Big Country. A favorite quote from the movie: "I'm not responsible for what other people think of me, only for what I am." It was such a fun day to get out and enjoy this "interesting" old town with great girls.

Charlotte, Rachel, Kristie, Denise, Christina

Super Star

A friend recently asked me what five alternate lives I would choose. Now, this probably isn't a surprise to anyone who knows me, but one of them was to be a star on Broadway. My cousin Jenni got me hooked on musicals. I recently found a cassette tape of Showboat she made for me in high school and have recently been listening to a Musical radio station on the internet at work. It is not rare to hear me suddenly break into song, and when I'm not singing, there's usually a song in my head. Since I love singing, I love karaoke in any form. On March 1, I went with a few friends to Do Re Mi for a little singing. We got our own private room and did a little dancing to songs like My Hips Don't Lie and even Part of Your World. I seriously sang myself hoarse, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Big Bad Wolf

I remember learning about lunar eclipses in junior high and thinking it would be pretty cool to see. My science teacher, Mr. Keddington told us that the moon turned red and that they happened often... as opposed to solar eclipses that only happen every hundred years. As it turns out, I have never actually seen one in the decade or so since then... until a couple of weeks ago (2/20/2008) and this was the last lunar eclipse until 2010, for two whole years. So... my first lunar eclipse... The moon didn't exactly turn blood red... or turn all red... but it was pretty howl-worthy nonetheless. ;)

Revolution

One thing about living in Boston is that people like to come visit here. My friend Jeremy and his friend, Kiley, were here last weekend. Jeremy was in my Sugarhouse ward and is doing an internship in DC this semester. It's actually pretty fun to play tour guide. :) We went on a little day trip Saturday, starting in Lexington. The British Regulars arrived here on April 19, 1775 at 6:00 a.m. and were greeted by 77 members of the Colonial militia. When the colonists saw they were outnumbered they began to disband when a gun shot rang out and the Regulars opened fire. Eight colonists were killed and nine wounded. The Regulars then proceeded to Concord, where their mission was to conduct a raid of colonist arms and destroy them.

Kiley & Charlotte in front of the Lexington Minuteman Statue on the Lexington Green

We also headed to Concord next, but we drove the five miles that it took the British about an hour to march. Here is the Minuteman Statue near the Old North Bridge. This is where "shot heard round the world" was fired and the beginning of the Revolutionary War. This was the first time American fired into the ranks of British soldiers. They were then fired on by colonists behind buildings, walls and trees for the sixteen mile march back to Boston.

The next stop on our trip was Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived and worked for two years beginning in 1845. The water on the pond was frozen over... and just a little scary to walk on. Yikes!

Jeremy being "chummy" with Thoreau

That night we met my friend Kristie for dinner in the city and a stroll on the Esplanade. I had so much fun with some great friends. It was good for me to have a reason to explore Boston and shake some of the New England Winter Blues.

Jeremy, Charlotte, Kristie, Kiley

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

A couple of weeks ago I went with Bethany, my friend at work, to her homestate of Kansas. We went to the KU vs. Mizzou game, a rivalry to match BYU vs. U of U.

Bethany & I sporting Jayhawk tattoos

I have never seen fans get so rowdy over a game. Here is the student section shaking their newspapers to ignore the Tigers as they are announced:

Afterwards they tear up the newspapers into confetti to cheer for each Jayhawk as he is announced. By the way, those newspapers say "Need we say more?" over an orange for the recent Orange Bowl victory. The Jayhawks also stomped all over the Tigers that night.

FINAL SCORE:

I also got to spend some time with my good friend Sally in Missouri. She and her husband Carl are expecting their first baby next month. Carl doesn't want to know what they're having, so Sally's not telling anyone. Shhh!

Baby Shower loot

It was so nice to relax in their beautiful, big house in the middle of nowhere. :) Thanks for letting me stay!