Go Sox, Go!

The Boston Red Sox are having a banner year. At last check, their record was 65-42, with the Yankees seven games back.

And this morning, the Today Show announced that Fenway Park is its latest pick in the America the Beautiful series. Well... to be politically correct, they officially named the #7 spot, "Legendary Ballparks." But, the broadcast was live from Fenway, America's oldest baseball stadium. (This pick makes three places I have visited out of the four they've chosen so far.)

Now, if I had my choice of adjectives to describe Fenway Park, I don't know that "beautiful" would be the first thing to come to mind. But what an amazing place. Hordes of loyal fans dressed in red, white, and blue, eating Fenway franks, cheering loudly as Big Papi steps up to the plate, and singing in unison to "Sweet Caroline" during the seventh-inning stretch. And it doesn't hurt that the Sox have had some really strong seasons as of late.

Adding to the shared spirit is a stadium that has stood for close to 100 years. The history here is almost palpable. Yet, every so often, Boston talks about tearing down Fenway Park to build a new stadium that can hold more fans. Luckily, nothing has come of those plans.

Until the next time I can figure out how to score some tickets to a Sox game, I'll appreciate the beauty of watching the occasional Red Sox game broadcast in HD in Charlotte. Go Sox!

Take a Vacation, Already!

According to a new poll released by Harris Interactive, only half of Americans will be taking a summer vacation this year. Half of those vacationers will be visiting family and friends, whereas 35% will take a scenic trip and only 30% will visit the beach.

We’ve all heard that American workers receive fewer paid vacation days from their employers than do workers in other countries. Apparently, however, many Americans don’t take advantage of the small amount of vacation days they are granted. Thirty-five percent of respondents to an Orbitz poll said they take 0-5 vacation days per year. And nearly one in five workers said it has been three years or more since they took a weeklong vacation.

What’s the deterrent? Cost seems to a be a frequently cited reason. But a vacation need not be expensive to be enjoyable. This morning, The Today Show began a new series called America the Beautiful. They’re counting down the most beautiful destinations in the US of A, and I’m guessing there will be one not too far from the backyards of all those non-vacationers.

Okay people - you know who you are - turn off those CrackBerrys, take a couple days off, and get out there!