November 11, 2018

On the day in which on which we honor those who serve our country, I had one of my most important patrols.  Earlier in the day, I was having knee pain which was lasting for the past weeks.  Thru all the aids, it couldn't go away.  While I was at a restaurant watching the Patriots game, in which I was wondering which one was more painful, the pain was getting worse (I guess that was the answer).  Someone noticed & asked if I was okay.  Try holding a brave face with a bad knee is worthy of an Oscar I think or at least the world's bravest soldier.  The waitress told me that she dealt with knee pain.  I knew this waitress, & her optimism & hard work inspired me to fight.  And as well I remembered, the brave soldiers who fight for our country time after time, & thru the toll still defend our country with honor, the cheerleaders, from Pop Warner, High School, College, Pro; one sports more get injured.  And thru the branches, bandages, & ACL, they still cheer.  If all of them can, then I sure damn well I can, & no bad knee can ever stop me!  So afterward, I managed to get a brace to work with.  I brought the cane I used previously in my patrols.
I did South Boston as a testing mark.  Other areas would be a lot harder, whether in travel or situation, Southie is middle ground.  Since this would be done again next week, if possible, I would try new ground I normally wouldn't try.  And with a cold weather & the knee I had to play conservative.  Which meant a shorter patrol.  But quality always beat quantity.  So I tried new areas.  I kept going on my original path but instead, I went straight.  I was going to keep going, but it looked residential, something I wouldn't take a chance on fearing scrutiny from the neighbors.  So I turned back.  But to be smart I actually covered side streets, & boy were there many.  It gave me new ideas to work with that I'll look at in the future.
I would tell you it was pretty quiet, not many people for a Sunday night.  I believed there was Sunday Night Football, a good one.  The Eagles playing the Cowboys.  But let's face it, do you want to see a team that beat us in the Super Bowl playing?  Not many people would, especially if they have work tomorrow.  So not many people, which always was a danger sign to me of what might happen & worry that you will be in a situation where you will rest on your laurels.  The only this that was interesting is when at the corner of West Third & A Streets, that there was a man changing his black jacket, showing his white shirt.  Odd, but the shirt looked more like a chef's jacket & there were restaurants, pubs, bars, & taverns around the area (Of course!  It's Southie!). So I let it go at that.  I hope it wasn't a danger sign.
As I head, I promised myself I'd go to the doctor about the knee.  But before I do, I hope that waitress looks at this blog.  I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart.  With her determination, she determined to be a better hero.  She was a cheerleader & a hero to me.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  You made Boston a little more safer tonight.

November 3, 2018

After the windy day we had earlier, I patrolled Dorchester.  I started earlier than usual, which would be odd but something I'd get used to.  First person who spotted me was a lady who thought I was Batman, but when I tried to explain myself, she immediately told me of a fashion faux pax.  At least she wasn't Edna Mode from the Incredibles, no way I'm giving up my cape.  There were more people around, probably due to earlier hour at night.  But I also noticed a lot of cars idle with their lights on. It would be odd, but we have to remember, this is the beginning of November.  I passed by a restaurants with some people.  I notice they were talking Vietnamese.  I didn't get what they were saying but when the trace of Halloween in the dialect came up, I can tell it wasn't admiration.  Next, as I passed a closed bank, before that I saw an old man exiting with a limp.  As I passed, I noticed a man dressed in black, with an uncanny resemblance to Martial Arts star Jet Li, outside smoking a cigarette.  He nodded.  I passed and I thought it was odd.  After a few blocks, I doubled back to check it out.  As I returned, it turned out it was part of security, which MIGHT be a huge sigh of relief, only to see others hanging around in the ATM room of the bank.  I looked at the same time, watching to the light.  Fortunately, one in which I thought was a cigarette, turned out to be a lollipop.  But I was parallel from them as they left.  I remained calm.  Further suspicion would indicate racial profiling AND assumed stalking.  So I let it go.  I soon encountered group of men out on a good time.  They spotted me and asked about me.  I almost fell for a cheap joke that brought me back to my times being bullied at high school.  I have to be better than that!  When I told them they had to hurry before the light changes, they thought I was an idiot & left.  OUR FUTURE ROLE MODELS LADIES & GENTLEMEN!  I did pass what seemed to be a tool case near a brand new car.  It looked too odd, & to sell it off or drop it off without hiding would seem a bad place to put it.  I called the police on a cautionary note.  The operator was nice & treated me well.  I told what I saw & she said she would bring a police car over.  I did remember there was a situation there a few months ago about someone vandalizing tires in the area.  A good patrol, however ugly.

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.