Yar! Treasure from the Shipyard

I have told you before that I have a crazy but fantastic family. My four siblings and I may have completely different personalities (the only common trait is that we are all strong-willed), but I believe that they are key to making me who I am. While I’m seldom called out for my smart-ass comments in the space of my “professional” life (and really, this only encourages me), Hallinans never hesitate to speak up and smack me back into the pecking order as Kid Number Three.

I am sure that this last sentence will have endless painful repercussions the next time I am home.

So I checked the mail yesterday and had a package waiting for me that didn’t come from InternetLand. Not expecting this bonus delivery, I was excited to spot my Dad’s tell tale block lettering written with a Sharpie carefully brushed into the address lines. You know that there is always going to be some fantastic randomness included in these types of shipments, and it’s almost as much fun to not open it and allow the suspense to build for awhile. But I opened it up quickly and the contents didn’t disappoint.

So, as a thank you to my Dad and bro for their spot-on care package craftmanship, I am posting this entry in tribute to them.

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The latest crop of provisions (they crammed a lot of stuff into that tiny USPS box.

Here’s a brief rundown of the stuff inside:

  • One package of beef-flavored ramen noodles (if you read about the Armageddon Cellar, then you know why I got this).
  • Two DVDs of Bruins games from January (yesssss)
  • A new black t-shirt that proudly labels my origins
  • A postcard announcing this year’s Race For Hope, complete with photos of my amazing and inspirational friend BethAnn
  • A box of Crunch ‘N Munch with “You Rule!” scribbled across the front
  • A Crunch ‘N Munch t-shirt, circa 1998

Why the heavy emphasis on a box of shelf stable, sugar-glazed popcorn?

Unless you have faithfully spent the past decade or so faithfully following and attending Bruins and Celts games, I don’t expect you to understand the Crunch ‘N Munch box or accompanying t-shirt. You can check out an old Sports Guy mailbag if you want to learn more, but suffice to say that I found it quite fitting that this old shirt ended up in West Africa- the very place where all  unloved t-shirts go to heaven for a new eternity of love and usage.

Speaking of t-shirts, there was another one that came in this box too (it’s black, you can see it in the photo above). It might not be 12 years old, faded t-shirt and purchased just outside of the horribly-named Fleet Center- but it is still pretty fantastic if you know anything about me. 

I have mentioned in several postings how you see the wackiest t-shirts being worn by Africans. Unintentional comedy is high here. New England Patriots 2008 Superbowl Champions t-shirts? They are here somewhere. That breast cancer “I ♥ Boobs” t-shirt that you gave to the Salvation Army a few years back? That’s walking around as well- because I have seen it. 

My new t-shirt fits in perfectly, and today was my opportunity to give it a test run while downtown. Of course, it’s only funny to me because I’m probably one of the only people who get it- but it still shows that I am learning to integrate better with the culture.

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Taxis might see my white skin coming a mile away, but now they will have fair warning about my demeanor once I step into their car. Incidentally, see that traffic light? Yeah that doesn’t work- and I don’t know if it ever did.

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This shirt says it all: I’m from Mass, I’m Irish-American, and I love Bruins hockey.  How was this t-shirt not made for me?

Okay so that’s it for now.  Boundless thanks as usual to my Dad and brother for thinking of me out here in the land of compulsory optimism. I love my stuff, and in a further tribute to my family, I just might cook up that ramen the next time I am hungover.

You Rule!