You Guys Are Lucky

You know why? Because apparently, I am “a human Google”.

Here’s the story. I took the Metro North today to my friend Jen’s parent’s house. They invited me to their Passover seder (yes, a week early) … I have been invited for, oh, 8 years now? This is the first year I have been able to go. So I got up at the fiery crack of 8 a.m., made my way to Grand Central, and got onto the train.

I sat there, looking out the window at the gleaming Hudson to my right, the cliffs of Jersey, and yes, because I’m a geek, I thought of all of the things that happened up and down that river and along that cliff during the Revolutionary War.

10 minutes into the ride north, I heard the guy in the seat in front of me say into his cell phone:

“No, man, listen, I heard that there’s a Red Sox bar in Manhattan.” Pause, pause. “I have no idea where it is, bro – but I heard that there is one. Look it up or something … I know there is one …” Pause, pause, pause. “All right, man … I’ll talk to you later. All right. Bye.”

He hangs up.

And I could not resist.

I leaned over the seat in front of me and said, “Hi … sorry … couldn’t help but overhearing …”

And he looked at me with… that look. I can’t explain it. It was polite, but reserved. Maybe a little fearful. Like: why is this random person talking to me? The guy was just a classic Boston guy. Can’t explain that either, but you just knew he was from Boston. And NOT just because he was wearing a Red Sox hat. He had that blunt open face … the kind of face you rarely see in Manhattan.

So I saw his hesitation and plunged on, getting to the point: “There is a Red Sox bar in Manhattan, and it’s called The Riviera.”

In that moment, all of his hesitation dissolved, and we suddenly became best friends. His whole face changed.

“Are you from Boston?”

“No, Rhode Island … but, you know. Same thing.”

“I’m from Belmont.”

“Oh! Okay!”

Then came this huge laughing smile on his face … “So wait … what’s the name of the bar?”

“The Riviera. It’s awesome. 50 TVs, they’ve got NESN … it’s THE place to go to see Red Sox games in New York.”

“Where is it?” He already had his phone out.

“It’s right across from the Christopher Street stop, on the 1, 9. It’s on 7th avenue south.”

He dialed.

I heard the following conversation (this is pretty much word for word):

“Yo. Bro. The name of the Red Sox bar in New York is The Riviera.” Pause. “Yeah – I was sitting here, and a very helpful woman just gave me the name of the bar.” Pause. “It’s on …” He had forgotten, he glanced back at me.

I said, “It’s on 7th Avenue South – across from the Christopher Street subway station.”

He repeated into the phone: “It’s on 7th Avenue South – across from the Christopher Street subway station.” Then: long pause, as his friend spoke. Then: “Dude, you want the exact address? What?? Bro, I’m sittin’ here next to a human Google, and you want the exact address? I say to you: ‘There’s a Red Sox bar in New York’ – then this woman appears and tells me not only the name of the bar, but the subway stop and the street it’s on – and you want an exact address? You’re nuts, dude. Look it up.”

I felt proud. I had helped this lost soul find a Red Sox home, and … I got called “a human Google”.

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11 Responses to You Guys Are Lucky

  1. Just1Beth says:

    Now, can you imagine if he had been chatting to a friend on the phone about our founding fathers?? I can’t even fathom the human googling that would have occurred….

  2. bill says:

    Sheila,

    I love that description. Somehow alien sounding and utterly complimentary at the same time!

  3. Dan says:

    I liked the bit about the Boston face; I know it well. ;-)

  4. The Colossus says:

    A human google, and for a good cause, too!

  5. red says:

    Colossus: Hi! Yes, a very good cause indeed. As a Red Sox fan smack in the middle of enemy territory, I feel I must pass on the good news.

  6. Sylvia says:

    Wow! That totally beats “human encyclopedia.” Way more cool too. Wonder how long it will be until we hear it on CNN?

  7. gbfan001 says:

    quick copyright it red like “threepeat” you could make ton of money lol

    Gbfan

  8. popskull says:

    By necessity, I can’t comment on the whole second half of your post, BUT have you ever gone to West Point? It is not far from you at all and you will LOVE the history, the power, and the beauty of it.

  9. siobhan says:

    and also there is boston 212 on 28th and madison–where only sox games are played. plesae come there to any boston fans and tip well. we are a Red Sox Bar as well.

  10. red says:

    siobhan – I didn’t know the address of your bar, or I would have passed on that info too.

    Let me know when you’re working this week – maybe me and Rachel will come in!

  11. siobhan says:

    working every night there’s a sox game, except friday!

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