blocked & marathon Monday

I've been tagged by Bad@ Life and I'm working on a post about 6 things you don't know about C$, but can't seem to get anything out tonight. Not sure what's up with the brain, but things are just not meshing well.

An another note, I missed Marathon Monday in Boston yesterday

For people not from Boston or for those that have never spent a couple of President's Days in the City, you have no idea what Marathon Monday is to the city of Boston.

It's a great holiday. You get the day off from school/work/any sort of obligation because of Patriot's Day. Only MA and ME celebrate, so it's kind of like an exclusive club only for New Englanders. Both the Boston Marathon (this year was the 110 running) and a 11:05 Red Sox game is played on the same day. If you live in Boston, your job is to get down to the marathon route (there are 26.2 miles of it, I'm sure you can find a spot at some point!) and cheer along the runners. Just like your real job, you have responsiblities at your marathon job. They include, but are not limited to:

1. Wearing as little as possible It's a rite of spring, once the sun breaks through those clouds, the short skirts, tank tops and flip flops come out of the closet. I say this is a rule, but in fact, I actually HATE it. Girls in Boston are so unorginally--they are all wearing the same thing (or some variation) of whatever is in style that year. It makes me angry, but wearing less clothes is key to an enjoybable Marathon Monday. Plus, it is usually the first day in which anyone could get any sun, so what is better than going back to your 'real job' with a marathon tan--it's awesome.

2. Drink lots of beer (or whatever your drink of choice is) The cheaper the better. It is also best to start drinking once the race starts out in Hopkinton (around noon). In honor of these people killing themselves along the course route, you my friend, humble employee of Marathon Monday, Inc. must drink to their accomplishments. The more you drunk the faster they will run, so go my friend, drink away. Plus, it makes actually watching the race that much better AND cheering them on is only more entertaining when you can't quite get the words out.

3. Eat glorious food I can not stress this enough, these (crazy) people are running 26.2 miles on one of the toughest marathon courses in the world. There is a reason why they call it "Heartbreak Hill" it's rough and anyone that attempts at running (or walking) it must be a. commended for the committment and b. take in for a psych eval--they are crazy. But anyway, I digress. In honor of these crazy folks, you employee must eat horrible, yet wonderful food all day long. BBQ with all the fixins, sandwhichs with red meat and lots of mayo-yes all of it. All of those calories the runners are burning off must be consumed by marathon watchers.

4. Continue drinking Basically the marathon is 11 to 4ish with the end at Copley. You must drink those 5 hours, plus more. The city is bascially shut down, so there's no need to stop drinking and 'get back to real life. Just like your real job, we expect, at min., 8 hours of quality work from you, employee so get to it. When the cops start letting the traffic go down the streets and the marathon is reduced to just a 5 foot lane for those struggling to finish, move your party to another location, whether it be an apartment/house, backyard, rooftop or local bar. It is required. If you must plan out your own marathon route prior to the actual day, do so. Know where and when to get off the street and into real party mode.

5. Take pictures of the event Just like every other mile stone in your life, take pictures of the big day. Next week, you will look back at them fondly, remembering the fun times but still remember the horrible hangover on Tuesday and the pain from your sunburn, but you'll remember all the laughs you had. As you get older those pictures will be priceless, you'll remember that you once were cool and hip, that you were able to dress with style and drink like a champion.

Those are C$'s rules to Marathon Monday. I'm sure i'll think of more later on, but wanted to get these out there while still fresh in my mind. My Boston friends and I all lamented on Sunday the fact that we would not, for the first time in 4-5 years be in Boston for the big day. Would it go on without us, we asked one another. Well folks, it did. Maybe next year, so we will.