March 29, 2019

The past is one of those things that bring a time of innocence. But left alone, uncared for, it can die.  I saw a place where I went in my teens, come dry to danger, & I decided to help this one day.  I took advantage of a free parking lot & headed over.  A car with their lights left on was outside the parking lot.  It didn't look like an official car, so I dismissed it.  All looked relatively quiet, not like what I heard.  A few tourists past me, calling me Batman, which was cool.  Some asked for my picture, but I had to be careful, one was married for.  Don't worry, I told them I was no floozy.  It was odd as I walked I almost felt totally out of place, not like Boston.  I passed. by a couple talking about the past. They asked questions about me.  I told them who I was and left.  I heard sirens soon after, so I left immediately.  I felt embarrassed.

March 17, 2019

The second part of the St. Patrick's week-end patrols went better than yesterday.  First, I decided to grab a meal early before the traffic.  I went to the local Hooters restaurant in Dedham for a bite to eat.  The ladies there were great, especially for the beautiful lady behind the bar.  The manager was also understanding.  I had a buffalo chicken sandwich (of course).  After the meal, I hit traffic (so Plan A failed).  It was however easier than yesterday.  However, I went earlier than yesterday & it showed.  There were few people.  I had to do a couple of rounds just to make up for it.  Once again, I started to feel like a celebrity.  A couple of men asked for a picture with me.  I went to the North End for the second or third time, ever!  It showed as I passed a Pizzeria Regina, there was somebody who yelled as if I was trouble.  I left immediately.  I managed to pass by Quincy Market a few times.  A couple of men saw me & asked questions about what I do & my name.  They asked if I take mugshots?  I said I wear a cup.  They were grateful.  As I went to Downtown, I saw a police presence over at Boston Common due to the recent attacks in New Zealand.   I avoided the area.  I helped the homeless with cereal bars.  It was a very sobering moment.  While everyone else is having celebrations on holidays, there are those who can't afford to celebrate.  Two of the people I helped were grateful that I was the first to acknowledge them.  One of them was a veteran who was trying to take care of very ill woodpecker.  All the more reason we should be grateful for what we have.  The kids always give me a reason to love my job.  I could only imagine if I was their age & I saw Batman for the first time.  All the more reason this is rewarding.  Also as rewarding was when I went by a club called the 2Twenty2.  The bouncer was grateful & introduced me to his fellow security & staff.  For the first time, I felt like one of the fellow protectors in Boston officially.  I even high fives someone who rode in a Lyft.  This was for me, a great reason to be alive.

March 16, 2019

Part one of my two-part St. Patrick's week-end patrol started well.  All throughout I was referred as Batman.  It started at the bars of Haymarket, as some young adults spotted me.  I managed to give some pictures.  This was the norm all throughout the patrol.  For someone not dressed in green, I certainly know how to make the holiday interesting.  It was quite the norm as I had the club hoppers looking at me rather than causing trouble.  I am starting as well to develop a keen eye at spotting what's out of the norm, which is a good thing.  I managed to give some cereal bars as well to some homeless people as well.  I had a break taking advantage of Dunkin's Iced Coffee deal as well as the restroom, in which I for got to zip my fly afterward (awkward!). I covered the Common as well as Chinatown and the Leather District.  My first run-in to duty came in as I started on South Boston.  I spotted a car with the trunk open in the Post Office parking lot.  I was concerned.  Not only for a battery life but the possibility of a disaster.  I called the police.  The windy weather didn't help with communication.  They came later on & took care of the incident, thank God!  As I passed the bars on Broadway, it was very interesting.  One lady even tried to give me her number, but I had a feeling she had a boyfriend with her.  Also a guy yelled "H**y S**t!" as he ran away.  I found out from someone in Southie that the parade tomorrow will take up until evening, which means that tonight will be the only night I will cover South Boston.  But a touching moment came when a boy spotted me, as I talked to him, it gave me new meaning & purpose why I do a job that I love.

March 10, 2019

I did my first patrol in about two months & I showed no rust.  I worked with fellow real life superhero Shadowolf.  We covered a very conservative set bas I looked all around Dorchester.  The snow made it hard to walk thru, I might think about getting a smaller cape for situations like those in the future.  As well, I covered a large amount of territory, which was for me an amazement.  We talked a little bit but at the same time looked at the patrol.  There was little going on, especially for a Sunday night, fortunately the weather wasn't a problem, as it was bad earlier.  We managed to get some acknowledgement from some people hanging around, even thou they asked for a dollar or a light.  It was quiet, but a good patrol.  Looking forward to this weekend for St. Patrick's Day.