October 26, 2018

It's that time of year, the Halloween patrols.  This is the one day I love as a real life superhero.  Everybody dresses in costumes, so you don't feel odd.  Best of all, this the best time, the only time, you can feel free trying new routes & not worry.  And right off the bat (no pun intended, as you will see) it was fantastic.  As I left the garage, there was a guy wearing a Batman costume.  He spotted me, & loved what I wore.  I thought I'd do him a favor & tell him & his friends to take a picture for his social media of me & him, with me kneeling towards him.  He got a real kick out of it.  I told him & friends what I really was & how Batman was my hero.  They all got a real kick out of it.  That's when you know it was going to be that kind of night.
The funny thing of Halloween, it has its own full moon to it, & this night was no exception.  A man was standing in the middle of the street with on-coming traffic late at night.  This was textbook accident.  Worst part, the man was totally oblivious to what was going on.  I managed to yell at him to get at the corner.  Fortunately my presence got him to go to the sidewalks.
I was trying a different route with two guys actually talking about getting their girls about black being a fashion choice.  All of a sudden, a couple came by spotting me, asking for my picture.  Fortunately a couple girls came up, & helped them with it.  With watching the World Series & seeing a super hero, it was a day they would never forget.  I felt better being in different areas, knowing what would work & what wouldn't.  As I managed to cross past Haymarket.  A couple of ladies spotted me, & I told them I was a real life superhero.  They sighed a breath of relief, & asked if I could fly them.  I'm a real life superhero, not a real life Superman.  I passed by the bars & nightclubs to make sure all was in order.  One bar, some guys & a bouncer hanging out, spotted me & said, "Yes!!!  I knew there was a Batman!"  I explained who I was & what my gear was.  They were impressed.  Their only wish, I had a Batmobile.  What's the Powerball jackpot?  Maybe I should get a "Bas-mobile" (yes, I know it was bad.). I saw some people watching from outside the bars, watching the Red Sox play Game 3 of the World Series.  Odd, but it's one of those days.
Reality soon set in thou.  As I pass I know there are homeless still out in the cold night.  For we should never forget that while we can dress in costumes as ghosts & ghouls, there are those who face a horror, no one should face.  It's also humbling for me as well, knowing for everything I can do, there is little I could to help.  I might in the future have a separate pouch in my utility belt to carry noting but granola bars.  It may not be much, but it is something.
As I passed Downtown Crossing, there was a lady "dressed like a bat."  She looked at me as if I was an old friend.  Got to be the cape.  There was even a young muscular black man, red varsity jacket with a B on it, & a mask covering his mouth, spotted me & said, "Nice cape."  I wondered if should've been nervous.
There was a creepy moment.  As I passed a bar, there was a bouncer who spotted a lady wearing a little black dress.  He said, "Are you sure you can dance in that?" With things like the #MeToo movement going on, I knew that was a form of harassment that was unacceptable.  How to handle it should be looked into for future reference.  He may've said me, but with those outcomes, either would be unacceptable, due to poor timing & an immature attitude.
There were other spotters.  A couple guys past me, saying, "We should be scared of that?"  If you do something stupid, you should be.  A security guard, going home after a long night, spotted me.  Said nice costume.  I told him who I was.  After a brief talk we both wished each other safe.  This was the best Halloween patrol I had ever.  Now it's home watching the Red Sox & the World Series.

October 19, 2018

Today was the day I went to Dirty Water Media at the Greatest Bar for my television debut.  As I was greeted by the producer very kindly.  After some soda water (I am on duty), the interviewer introduced herself to me.  I knew I was in good hands.  As I met others from Dirty Water Media, I felt more comfortable.  The interview went well, but I had to take off the helmet & face mask to make myself more clearer.  It went very well, everyone did an excellent job.  I hope to show you the interview in a future blog.  I left immediately afterward, with all new confidence.  As I walked I noticed things looked a lot brighter.  Yes, I was still called Batman, but it felt like I had weight of my back.  I managed to get thru more areas.  One person, I think European, asked about what I had on me, it was odd.  Not as odd as considered as Dracula.  It was odd.  But the odder thing was when I passed some college boys, one asked iff I was part of the Proud Boys, whatever that was.  As I crossed different areas.  I felt more confident in my work, even doing something I never thought I ever did in my career, went for a second lap.  It wasn't a full lap but it was a significant step.  Getting a pat on the head was a sure help.  However, as I passed a food stand, a homeless man came up to me & asked, "Can you help a homeless man Batman?"  Unfortunately I couldn't.  I had little money, & no granola bars.  I said I'm sorry.  He said, "Hey Batman!  Even Robins need help!"  I was upset at myself.  But even the best real life superhero can't save everyone.

October 13, 2018

On my patrol to South Boston, I tried something new, I was trying a longer cape.  A little more controllable than the last one.  I managed to try it on a baptism of fire, or in this case, the wind.  I was going to South Boston.  I was trying the longer route, only because going the expressway was confusing.  So I went at a local McDonald's to go for a real what they don't have, something with nature (I joke, they do have apples.  no sick jokes!)  I ordered a lemonade in which my body was doing a riot like in the episode of Batman '66 where the Riddler was into silent movies & everyone was drinking poisoned lemonade.  Imagine in Batman today had the responsibility of West & controlled a riot like that.  Not that good.  Anyway, I managed to head there no worse for wear.  Still have to work on the cape.  I noticed an area I used to pass now transformed into a neuvo-night club.  The love of Southie!  Once again, no action.  Worries me.  But I had enough on my mind.  One of the negatives about being a real life superhero at night is that there is no bathrooms.  You can't always ask a business or a residence to let them use theirs.  First, I'm a freak! what do you expect?  Second, it's unconstitutional.  If a soldier can't go into another person's home and forces hospitality, then what business does a real life superhero have?  At least, that's what I think.  I can tell you you can always see a person true colors when they see great joy or great pain.  I was lucky.  I was prepared.  But it is something to look out for.  Damn my age!  Anyway, the silence is still unsettling.  I know the Red Sox are playing the American League Championship against the Houston Astros.  Very unsettling.  Anyway, work has to be done.

October 12, 2018

After a hiatus, I went back on the field.  Due to the recent violence last week, I covered Dorchester.  I managed to cover more of an area this late at night.  It started relatively quiet.  I always get funny feelings about places that are apparently bare.  When I passed Ashmont Station, there was a person hiding in the corner.  It would've been hard to see, until I saw him puff a cigarette.  Observation is one of the real life superheroes' most important assets.  Something to look at one the way back.  I managed to nod at one of the people hanging around the station.  I also managed to dip my toe deeper in the side streets.  One of which, I saw a person ran outside.  I made a mistake of walking on the same side.  Which lead to one of them saying, "Yo!"  I turned around & he asked if I had a light.  I was too basic when I said, "Don't smoke." & left.  I noticed a lot of people were wearing hoodies, hiding their head.  Except one person, who was wearing a hat that was very furry.  Whoever being in the inner city fashion is key.  As I passed a strip mall, I saw a lady with something on the ground.  She was frantic & yelled, "Por Favor" which, even if you don't know Spanish, you had an idea what she wanted.  So I walked to the area, only for a car to come by & talk to her, which I had to go back.  As I approached a turn I saw a father with his baby child.  I also noticed a police car riding while on patrol.  I had to approach it with the upmost caution.  If I went too fast, it would've been ultimate chaos.  Fortunately, he crossed by the time I was going in the opposite direction.  A breath of fresh hair.  On the way back, I managed to go to check another parking lot.  I heard some music that was very loud.  However, it was from a check cashing place.  I do admire the fact that work even in the late hours.  But something to watch out for just in case there's a robbery.  As I headed back.  I noticed a parent bringing a car seat with a baby & a small child running in him.  I saw somebody that might be a grandmother watching outside, so I'd feared I'd be burned, so I walked immediately back.  I also noticed what I believed to be a "Community Watch" van, probably Social Services.  When I managed to pass Ashmont Station again, I didn't see the guy.  I maybe wrong, but with the way I was observing, a ninja wouldn't hide from me.  AND NINJAS DON'T SMOKE!  I did notice a lot more people.  They always come out when you least expect it.  But empty patrols worry me.  Especially, with Red Sox in the playoffs (if you know me, you'd know what I'm talking about.  And I won't get more into that.). Something to watch out for next time.

September 29, 2018

A silent patrol can mean many things.  No crime, no activity.  It feels like a brisk walk.  But a level of complacency can a lead to somewhat of a disaster that no one expects.  That patrol was a quiet one.  Even thou it was fall, there was a full crescent moon, something that reminds that anything can happen.  As I crossed one street, someone called "Batman."  If I keep hearing that, I'll start thinking I'm my personal hero.  I passed Ashmont Station, & I saw a gathering.  However the T Inspector was handling it.  What add too much cooks.  I decided to try different routes.  A street I never been on, stuff like that.  As I crossed an area, I was about to cross the street, however I saw a young man walking hastily.  Knowing his body language I knew he was very nervous.  If I crossed I would've continued down, but at the same time I would make that person so uncomfortable he'd do something reckless.  And the way I'm dressed, I would spook Luke Skywalker (or the Joker, depending on Mark Hamill's wishes.)  So I cut it off.  I managed to go down a side street besides the park at Fields Corner.  My previous patrols in that area showed some kind of activity, I thought I'd give it a better look.  Fortunately, nothing happened, it was as silent as Royals Stadium during the postseason.  I managed to pass a man who heavily smoking a cigarette as an older man wearing noise proof headphones was heading out.  He said, I wasn't that scary.  I said, "Maybe I should try harder."  He said thou, "You look cool thou." As I passed Ashmont Station I saw a Table Talk box on the bench.  I picked it up & put it in the trash.  The first thing I thought, was Spongebob Squarepants impressing the Jellyfishers saying, "Everybody like pie." (God! that was awful.). I looked at areas where I could improve & I feel stronger that I can be better.  I hope next time I don't fall into a false sense of security.

September 21, 2018

I was supposed to meet with Dirty Water TV for an interview we agreed to.  More on that later.  As I approached & passed the Haymarket MBTA station, I noticed a couple spotting me (it's amazing how many times I'm compared to my favorite hero Batman.)  I explained who I was & it was a good start.  But when I went to the Greatest Bar, after confusion with bouncer (in which I think he did an excellent job.  Guys give that man a raise!) I found out there was no set.  It turned out it was more sports fare than Dirty Water.  Undeterred, I'd make the most of it by doing what I do best, doing a patrol.  As I crossed, I met this lovely homeless woman named Olive.  She was sweet as I explained who I was.  I wish I still had the granola bars that I could give her, but I am glad that I made her day.  As I crossed towards Downtown in Boston Common, a lot happened.  I was lucky since when I cross it, it's usually closed, but to take advantage of the opportunity was golden.  First ones to pot me was a couple doing a moonlight serenade.  The woman spotted me.  I explained who I was & I apologized for interrupting their romance.  But they didn't mind, they wanted to know more about me.  It felt good that people don't feel weird with me there.  A touching moment came as a woman named Stormy came up to me & asked for a hug.  I hugged her & she asked me to promise her that every time I see her that I give her a hug.  It was touching & made me feel good.  A scary moment came when I was passing a group of youths & they were asking me questions.  Some standard, but they soon asked me what I would do in a knife & gun attack.  It even went so far as he showed a knife in the conversation.  I told the boy to put the knife away or else there would be legal trouble.  They soon asked me to leave, saying I was "Strange as f**k."  I covered new areas, as I soon found out for a bad situation I made good on it.

September 15, 2018

It was a while since I covered that area, but the first with an area of confidence.  As I exited my car from the garage.  I felt more confident than usual.  The interactions with people were starting to get easier.  First person I saw was a bouncer who reminded me of Bowzer from Sha Na Na only more mature and more put together (God I missed when he tried to put his fist into his mouth.)  We nodded then we gave a fist bump wishing each other well.  Next I came upon a group of kids.  One noticed me, "BATMAN!"  As I was introducing myself, he said, "Not now.  I'm texting."  THE FUTURE GENERATION LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!  A real life superhero right there and he's still typing on his phone at night.  I was going to continue on Broadway, but I felt burned when a bouncer at one of the clubs looked at me with suspicion.  Continuing to go down the other side would bring unwanted attention.  So I went the usual turn.  One of the girls who was with her friends came up and said, "Love your outfit."  I said, "Yours isn't bad either."  I soon met two gentlemen, salt of the earth fellows.  One said, "Who are you supposed to be?"  I explained who I was.  The guy was rambling as if he was drunk.  The sober one told him to move.  Too bad it was close to another bar.  Speaking of which, there was a man who with an intoxicated lady holding a bag.  I was concerned, not knowing if there was foul play.  I came and asked if everything was alright.  He said, "I wish."  Now, I could intervene.  But if it was worse, there was no cause for citizen's arrest as the case would be thrown out and he would sue for false arrest.  But no foul play.  But even if I did help him, it would look like I would be tripping over him making things worse.  Begrudgingly, I had to leave it.  I hope all is well.  As I walked there were two men one who looked like one of the current cast members from Saturday Night Live looking like he was camping at Fenway Park.  Even with the confidence asking questions I still felt awkward, something I have to work on.  But a non call I was proud of was there were three boys who was new this nice new sports car, one who was without a shirt.  I have never seen the Fast & the Furious movies, & I don't intend to, but I know Vin Diesel wouldn't be so stupid to invite three passengers into a vehicle to steal to drag race.  Like I said, I never saw those movies so I wouldn't know.  I hope all is well.  This was the first time thou I actual made the full route, which felt refreshing.  As I made it back I made an observation of what is open and what isn't, besides bars & clubs.  One thing that was something I'll work on is going on another side of the street.  There was more activity, & it would make for sense to patrol there.  Otherwise, an excellent patrol.