Seasons change and curses take too damned long to just die.

For me, there’s nothing like Fall in New England – it is my favorite season by far, for a number of reasons that I never really thought about until I sat down to write this piece.

The season brings crisp, cooler air, colorful scenery, political shenanigans at full tilt, gearing up for Thanksgiving and Christmas and typically another year of disappointment for Red Sox Nation. I said typically.

Other than the World Series, not much seems to be different yet this season – or does it? Have you been paying attention to recent and upcoming events?

I sometimes wonder if people in general pay too much attention to just one or two things at a time that are merely immediate and insular in nature. This could be the season and year that ushers in changes that will affect us all – both short and long term. Being prepared is only smart.

Here are some examples of change:

Bush vs. Kerry

If you take the spin masters and the television news types at their word, this is the most important election in our lifetime. To be honest, I doubt it.

Whether you like Bush or Kerry, you have to admit – they have us wound up like little kids just home from Trick-or-Treating.

There are important issues on both sides of the national political spectrum including stem-cell research, strong and unwavering leadership, pro-choice and private investment in social security to name a few.

No matter who you choose to be the next president, for God’s sake, make sure it’s not solely because you hate the other guy. Try and make an informed decision – not just a knee-jerk reaction.
Either way it goes, there will undoubtedly be major political change on our horizon.

Winter 2004-2005

The weather is something that we can’t get away from, unless you go to Florida for four months. Look, you don’t have to be Todd Gross to know that we are in for a crazy winter.

Aside the technical stuff I have heard that will bore you to tears, just take a peek at the long range forecast in the Farmer’s Almanac. It has a history of being eerily correct in predicting our weather patterns season by season over the years.

According to it, we will have a cold and very wet winter – starting with a nasty snow storm near the end of the second week in November and lasting straight into the middle of March.

I used to not care about the snow, but now I’m in my mid thirties, I have arthritis and I pay a stupid amount of auto insurance on three vehicles. I also have three dogs that have hair – not fur – they’re not cold weather pets. I guess a hidden benefit of living and working in the same city is that I can walk to work if I have to. Not everyone is that lucky – a lot of residents commute – and I hope they prepare for a brutal winter.

The Curse of the Bambino

The fat bastard is dead, or at least the stupid curse is. No more Yankee morons chanting “1918, 1918” like rabid little crack addicts. Pookie can take a dirt nap with Ruth as far as I’m concerned.

Try to put aside the “evil empire” and it’s arrogant players for a minute – tell me you didn’t smile when you saw that TV shot of the little eight year old kid with the Yankees hat on crying as his beloved team just lost to the lowly Red Sox. I hope he’s scarred for the next 86 years of his life.

The loyal members of Red Sox Nation will have probably the biggest immediate emotional adjustment to make. No longer are we the perpetually disappointed and gloomy fans with nothing but a lingering curse and a hopeless dream. Pedro, Manny, Pappi, Curt et al took care of that for us.

What makes it even sweeter will be opening day next year when they receive their World Series rings – in front of the Yankees. Remember when Larry Bird said “Moses does Eat Shit” back in 1981? Well, now Jeter and A-Rod can take a bite out of the big shit apple and swallow hard.