July 13, 2019

Before I did my patrol of South Boston, I had to do one important thing, play my bills. Y es it was by phone and everything was all set but a true superhero has to always make sure he does his responsibilities.  The weather was pretty decent, not as hot as it was in the past weeks.  As I managed to go my usual route I noticed it was more active than usual.  Saturday night & summer means more night life.  As I was passing a store closing for the night, I saw a store keeper trying to get his wares away.  I offered to help, but he said he could do it, but thanked me anyway.  As I started to notice the bouncers were more receptive towards seeing me.  As well, one person commented the neighborhood watch is here.   His words not mine.  I noticed some people hanging on a side street by the steps, but they said they were fine, in very Ben Stein-y voices.  I'm lucky Matt Seigal from Matty in the Morning on Kiss 108 doesn't do my job.  Knowing the way he is on the radio, he would complain more than usual.  Billy Costa?  Possibly a little better.  I had to go to a pizzeria to get a Gatorade.  Then it was off to experiment.  As I went down I passed a bachelorette party, where one of the bridesmaid congratulated me on the cape.  Odd, especially since the bride had a veil like like a cape.  I told them that the real congratulations should go to the bride.  They were very thankful.  I soon passed a man would said that I looked like Captain America.  Got to admit that was a new one, but I know the colors on my uniform isn't red, white, & blue (okay, a little blue).  As I went down the dark road, I actually took a different route at J Street.  I will tell you it was pretty dark & pretty silent.  A lot of closed warehouses & parked cars.  It was one of those things I know Supermom would've panicked about back in the time.  But here I felt more confident, more focused.  Former real life super villain Swordkane once said as real life super heroes we had to challenge ourselves with the unknown & meet it head on.  Well, my friend, I did & I never felt more proud of myself.  As I approached the Seaport, I saw a group of ladies in party dresses, ready to go to the event.  I was at the crossing signal & we headed on.  They asked who I was & I explained.  And where I told them where the name came from one stated that the basilisk died in the Harry Potter movie.  But I told them it was from a type of dragon in which I was honoring Bruce Lee.  They soon asked me where the place Lucky's is.  I didn't drink but I was willing to help.  So I took out my phone & used my GPS.  Fortunately, it was seven minutes away, so they asked me to walk them there.  During the way they asked questions, complimented me, said they had a police escort, then changed it to a superhero export.  All of it made me feel good.  But I will tell you it was not easy.  With the fact that they was a lack of sidewalks.  I told to stay close & walk single file so not to get hit or cause traffic.  I kept looking at the streets to find safe areas & my GPS to make sure we are going in the right direction.  Mayor Walsh, if you are looking at this blog, get better sidewalks in this area.  A GIRL WITH BAD SHOES HAD TO WALK THERE BAREFOOT!  IMAGINE IF THAT WAS YOUR WIFE THAT HAD TO DO THAT!  (And yes, I was offering to carry her as a courtesy, but she said she could do it.  I even looked at my first aid kit to find something, but there was nothing.  When we finally got there they thanked me, & we took picture.  The confidence I had gave me the spirit to walk an extra lap.  I could tell you people were starting to spot me.  Some people were impressed with seeing a superhero, some even feeling the honor of seeing on for the first time.  Some people who were waiting in line were giving me a high five.  There was even an escort to clear the way for me, name any other real life superhero that gets that.  People were grateful, there was even a man who was impressed by me.  He was drunk thou so I told his friend to make sure he gets home.  I checked with a bouncer to make sure everything was alright.  There was even a lady who asked me to have a picture with her.  I noticed she was a little wobbly, so I offered to carry her.  I think she had the time of her life, & I got to admit, for my ten-year career it was the first time I carried a lady like Superman carried Lois Lane.  My last check there was a couple with the girl sitting, but they said they were waiting for Uber.  I got to admit that I am damn proud of my patrol tonight!

July 7, 2019

The patrol in Dorchester got interesting once I crossed Ashmont station. I saw a group of young men hanging around the Dunkin Donuts opposite the train station.  To make sure nothing was wrong I crossed to the other side of the street to check it out.  You know you made the big time when some people who look tough, are impressed that a superhero is there.  I guess anybody can be a fanboy at any age.  They actually complemented my approach, but warned me that the helmet won't do much here.  One of them did ask me to buy them a beer, but I had to refuse.  I think they would be lucky I wasn't Wolverine.  They took a picture of me to send to their friends.  The only thing I wish they didn't do was remind me of the bad part of "The Dark Knight" when there were fake Batman who was doing a failing job honoring the Batman.  I left them.  They were goofballs, but they were good spirited & fun to talk to.  I felt more comfortable in my part.  As I crossed at the strip mall in Fields Corner by Gibson & Dorchester.  I saw another group to check it out.  Being discovered by some kids yelling, "Batman!" didn't help my stealth, but I managed to go there.  Fortunately nothing wrong came.  I managed to pass a local priest going on his evening exercise.  We both introduced each other which made me confident.  As I was at Adams, I saw something else entirely.  Two men standing by from what I believe is a Vietnamese restaurant standing there with a walk signal on.  I checked it out.  Fortunately one of them had a son that was going to pick them up.  But the big test came when I was at a section & a patrol car was at the line waiting on a red light.  I saluted the officers & told them to be safe.  You know you're doing a damn good job when the officers give a thumbs up twice.  Once actually using a siren to get your attention to say it.  It made me smile.  As I was passing a 7-Eleven, there was a man standing out there.  He asked if I smoked.  I told him no, but he wished me to be safe.  As I turned back things went weird.  As I passed a man who was starting his scooter, I asked if he was okay.  He said he was fine but asked about the helmet, which is weird.  Want to know what's weirder, he even asked if I had a gun.  Nobody even asked me that question before in my entire career which was a shock to me.  I told him I don't kill, I'm a real life superhero.  He told me to get out of here.  I did see some people hanging around late at night.  I check to make sure nothing's wrong.  Fortunately nothing devious, but probably some possible fans for the upcoming Bill & Ted sequel.  As I crossed to the park, there a van yelling to me.  I had a feeling that the driver was jerk, when he asked, "What are you helping from?"  Some people are idiots.  The sad thing however, I saw a man with facial burns & possible injuries hanging at a bench.  He asked if I was helping.  And noticing tone & the spaced out feeling he had, communication would've been very hard.  So I had to leave him be.  There were two cars passing by me.  One which was white by the hospital was asking me a lot of questions, some an eight year old would've asked (Our role models ladies & gentleman!). To just give you an idea, "What planet are you from?"  Most superheroes I believe have origins in Earth.  Second one was a black, who said that some people had a problem with me helmet.  However he gave me the best advice as to keep my cape flapping.  Got to get that superhero prestige.

July 5, 2019

Things started quiet as I left the garage.  As I crossed the club section of Faniuel Hall, the bouncers wished me luck on my war on crime (their words, not mine).  A couple came across me.  They loved the fact I was here and asked questions.  Then they took a selfie and a picture of me and asked where I am on social media.  Since the heat was worrying me, I managed to go to Dunkin Donuts to grab an iced coffee (yes, it was that hot).  As I was traveling down the West End, I saw a man sitting.  I asked if he was alright.  He was fine, he was waiting for his wife to get the car.  But he thanked me for being concerned.  I replied, "That's what I'm here for."  I checked on people hanging around to see if they were okay.  I passed by a young man, who was waiting on the outside of a bar.  We talked for some time.  He was even offering me some weed, which is legal in Massachusetts, but I refused because I'm on the clock.  Anyway, he asked for a selfie, I was more than happy to ablige with that.  I checked on an old man waiting on a bench in Government Center MBTA station.  He was alright, but asked who I was.  I explained, & he was thrilled shouting to the heavens.  I managed to pass by some kids.  They were very interested in, thinking I was a crimefighter.  I even managed to by them a double cheeseburger and a couple of waters.  As I made my second lap, a makeshift band was "arguing."  I asked if everything was alright.  They said it was.  One of the band members even showed me Batman tattoos on his knees.  Impressive!  As I made the walk, I saw a couple & for the first time, I was mistaken for Spider-Man.  She took some pictures.  When I saw her again, I said, "We meet again."  She said, "Hell yeah."  I think she was flirting with me.  One of the sad stories came was when I saw a homeless lady who was developmentally disabled.  When I told her my name, she immediately knew it was a snake.  I told her it was actually a dragon like Harry Potter, but she was right on.  I felt sad I didn't have anything to give, since I was out of cereal bars.  But what she asked for a blanket until the people from Pine Street in came.  I honestly felt bad for her.  A man popped up & asked what was going on, I told him we were talking.  It's sad when there time not problems can be solved by superheroes.

As I was heading back, a lady came by asking if I was a superheroes.  She watched a video on our movement & was really impressed by the job I'm doing.  She said thank you.  For the ten years I've done, for all the insults, staples, lost friends, hurt reputations, sacrifice, & hard work; getting the love & working to earn it makes it all worth it.  This was the most active patrol I ever felt, & boy did my heart race three beats.

July 4, 2019

My first offical Independence Day patrol, & I can feel good that there were no aliens blowing up anything.  This was the first time I was going with the mouth mask.  I was having hard times breathing with it so I thought I would try without it.  I was already seeing fireworks happen.  I don't know about the protocol on fireworks, unless it's use 911 just in case anything burns or anyone becomes the Human Torch the wrong way.  I ran into a young man named Sonny who was returning home from visiting friends.  He told me that his girlfriends was going to see the fireworks at the Esplonade.  I asked if she was worried about traffic, but he said was going to be driven to.  As I walked I will tell you a lot of people were busy watching fireworks that were not done officially.  Pinpointing it would be a very hard problem.  I passed Jubilee Church again & I saw a couple of headlights.  This time I came to investigate.  Thank God it turned out it was from the other side of the fence.  As I crossed the street at Blue Hill Avenue, there were some kids who were watching the fireworks who spotted me.  I told them who I was & I asked my Junior Dragons to be safe.  They said bless you.  God, it feels good to see the kids when they see me. After I was helping a man parelell park, I saw a man walking funny.  I asked him if he was okay.  He said yes, but I asked him if there is anyone I can call to make sure he gets home safe.  He left.  Guess I got my answer.  As I made my way back, I can tell you the lights on Blue Hill/River don't work.  I could only imagine the street in the day time & how dangerous it is for cars & pedestrians.  As I cross I made it was safe.  Then a car took a right turn on me & a walker side without using their lights.  I told my fellow walker to move quickly.  The car missed us.  He did thank me in his usual way & we told each other to stay safe.  There was an instance I saw someone starting to use an illegal firework, like I said the protocol I didn't know & I was very nervous to have egg on my face, especially with the whole family seeing.  One of those learnable patrols.

June 28, 2019

I felt confident going on this patrol that night. I wanted to get more thorough.  But already I can tell I was sweating thru my mouth mask, that's going to be a problem.  As I passed Asmont Station, I met a photographer who wanted to take my picture as well as a couple who were just as intrested.  I told them who I was & where to find me on Facebook.  I managed to go deeper in a few side streets.  One time I had to stop because I heard a small dog barking, why start trouble.  Then when I got to Whitten Street.  I just walked, I saw a lady walked out & walked immediately back in as I turned around.  Still got butterflies.  As I crossed too Gibson, there were these bunch of kids who looked at & asked, "What are doing dressing up like that in the hood G?"  I told them, I'm here to help.  Then as I left, I told them to be safe, in the return they told me to be more safe.  I walked a long part of Dorchester.  Already I felt sweaty, tired.  You could play the Battle Hymn of the Republic to this, or any hip-hop song.  As I turned back, I saw this couple.  One of them asked for money for food.  I wouldn't give them the money, but I offered to pay it for them.  I went to the local pizzeria, & order ten chicken wings, a soda, & juice for myself.  They were grateful, but when they asked for money for cigarettes & bus fare, you you know you had to slow your role.  But on the bright side, I had my juice with them on the park bench.  As well, I saw a lady who was having trouble with her bicycle.  There was somebody who was also taking care of it, but I decided to offer to help.  I gave them my flashlight, & the repairs went much easier.  She thanked both of us as she rode away.  I noticed the mouth mask was getting worse.  I think for next patrol I'll do without it.  I'm comfortable in my won skin.

June 22, 2019

Things got hot the minute I got out of the garage.  A homeless man called me out.  He did some one-handed push-ups.  He then threatened to hurt me real bad.  He was also holding an urn in his hand that he was using as a weapon.  I knew I was in a situation that was no-win.  Open up, I would be hurt; fight, I'd be arrested.  I had to remained calm, yet confident to handle the situation.  Calmly, I said, "Frankly, you're not worth me time."  I walked away.  However, the guy was getting more crazier.  Yelling & screaming, I decided to head back because his craziness could hurt an innocent person, or himself.  I had to head back.  I told him this lunacy should end.  And he was ready to attack.  He roared at me.  Unimpressed, I said, "Pussycat."  I went to the defensive position immediately.  He went for a kick, but he was far away, it didn't land.  He threatened, "That kicked would've broke your jaw."  That would be true, if I was three feet tall.  I knew then he wasn't a threat in that sense but I had to be prepared.  A security guard soon called & told me to walk away since the attacker was crazy.  I did, just to make sure there were no more messes.  It would count as a win since I handled myself calmly in a tough situation.  I knew I had to make the patrol short, who knows what he might do.  I got a lot of Batman calls, which felt good.  I just found out there was an Ariana Grande concert, which meant tons of people.  I felt more confident as I walked.  I couldn't do the usual area, since there was a fire engine & an ambulance in my way.  As I went back, the crazed man was there, fast asleep on a bench near a wheelchair.

June 15, 2019

This was a double duty night for my patrol. First I patrolled South Boston, walking (more on that later).  I wanted to try different routes on the other side again.  First, I covered the usual.  I saw a bunch of young adults screaming at me, "Rachel!" in their Christian Bale Batman voice.  Got to admit, some of it is much better than the original.  As far as PR, it went well, better than expected.  More people taking pictures, more people asking questions.  It felt like I was getting more & more comfortable. I w as also trying a new mask, because with the old mouth mask, it was hard for people to hear me coherently, & it did help a little.  I think I might have oily skin.  The trouble however started as I was on West First Street.  I saw some cars doing U-turns around me looking at me dead in the eye.  I almost feel that there were some that were trying to report me or ruin me.  I will keep an eye for future patrols.  As I reached my destination, I decided to take a left.  My first interaction came when I saw a young woman, sitting on the ground next to her own vomit.  I asked her friends if they need help.  They said no, that they just got a taxi.  No need to pursue, but on future research to study on the types of vomit, just to have a better understanding.  For what I see I see I was heading to a different place, but not the place I was heading, since I was closing in to a government building, which would make it an automatic no-no.  So I headed back on the other side.  By the time I made it down the stairs, for unforeseen reasons, I stopped my South Boston patrol.
Knowing I wasn't done with a good thing, I decided to do a drive patrol of South Boston/Dorchester via Dorchester Avenue.  Noticing a police car failing to use a blinker when making at turn on the corner of A & Dorchester, doesn't look well for police as role models, just saying.  The patrol went rather quiet.  Nothing to prove otherwise or get out of the car.  I decided to take a turn on Adams Street, which was pretty interesting.  But other than that a pretty full patrol.