June 1, 2019

Today I did a patrol of South Boston, & even when there wasn't much activity, it felt like the most active in a while.  Things started rocky as a bicyclist almost attempted to run me over.  Fortunately, I soon got to fist-bumped the bouncer.  there were a lot of admirers as I heard Batman calls.  As I passed an American Legion, three ladies who served in the military spotted me.  We talked about what we do & we all admired each other.  One of them even was being very flirtatious.  batman is right, chicks really doo dig the cape.  As I went down a different route, I noticed it was a lot darker and a lot lonelier.  But I didn't quit & I didn't give up.  When I heard a woman called for help, I came immediately only to find out it was kids being kids.  They apologized soon afterward & we all took a picture.  They asked me to wave habit I did the Vulcan peace sign.  I did a lot of minor checks.  It helps to keep focused.  Even one group asked me to photo bomb their shot, which I did.  I did the Seaport area for the first, and I believe the last.  As I passed a steakhouse, one guy dressed as if he worked at Target said, "Comi-con was over."  I even believed he might have tried to call the police on me.  There's always an idiot.  As well as another one calling me a "f****t."  You deal with all sorts in this work,. but that's what makes it worth it.

May 31, 2019

If a word can describe the patrol it would be rebirth.  As I got out of my car to start, a boy asked, "What's Up?" to me as I passed.  As I replied, he had no idea what I said.  More on him later.  I noticed that there was lawn bags over at Dorchester Park.  Pretty nice to get ready for the summer by cleaning up the area, although "Spring Cleaning" came a season late.  I started to feel more comfortable getting in my work.  I even managed to check side streets better as I watched over them. As I passed Gallivan, that kid along with two other friends spotted me.  It was awkward, but when you cross the street, delay isn't the thing to do.  We talked.  I think one fo them was trying to be silly by saying he has the ability to fly. I wish some people learned, that just because you're a superhero or a real life superhero, that doesn't mean your Superman, a super scientist, or a ninja, or whatever the hell that comes from that drawing board.  We did get a picture, which I felt cool.  I managed to make more of an impression on the people I was helping.  Although it was odd as I was at a crossing by Ashmont station, the guy next to me, was keep pressing the walk button.  I heard "Wait" as if it was a broken record.  I told him to calm down and let it come.  But he jolted too soon.
As I crossed one side street, I heard laughter.  I stopped immediately and checked the area.  It was nothing more than some kids fooling around.  I soon saw from what I believed to be a drag queen (don't quote me on it, even thou I think she was wearing red boots from the musical Kinky Boots) looking like Cleopatra Brown, trying to cross the street.  I helped where I can, and she thanked me.  As well, I passed some residents, in which one asked what I was doing here wearing what I did.  I told him, & he asked if I was a vigilante.  I said no, I was "an unofficial public servant."  He said be careful.
I was going to go the usual route, but I noticed Park & Adams were covered with blue lights, meaning that the police were there.  What make things more difficult than it was, so I diverted my patrol.  Then when I found out the were more lights & sirens down Dot Ave, I had to call it short.  Noticed I said call it short, not call it a day.  I decided to take advantage of more side streets to get a feel for my area.  I grew more confident with each walk I did.
What I found heart warming was on the field in Fields Corner, there was a baseball game at night.  The field looked so beautiful, it was untouched by the sins of society.  It brought a tear to my eye to see that we can make Dorchester, the way it used to be.  And for me to know, that I can be one fo the vital parts to keep it going.
As I passed a side street, I noticed a man saying, "Hey (name), do you have what I need?"  Not knowing what to expect, I walked down and pass.  Fortunately, it was just a call, and he was just grabbing a bottle.  Not much, but great superhero work.  Another tip I want to share is as I was crossing the street, I let an older man pass, but when I saw a somewhat suspicious fellow, instead of accusing, I decided to cut the path by walking over the man in question.  This is not to catch them in the act, but to prevent a problem from possibly occurring.  I even helped a person paraell park, & if you know Boston, you would need all the help you can get,  I got a huge uplift.  When someone complimented my mask, & I explained what I was, he said, "Keep it up.  You're doing a good job!"  Warmed my heart.  A great patrol.

May 24, 2019

Getting myself  in gear for the summer of 2019.  I went into Downtown, feeling. little warm, thinking it would be spring weather & myself wearing long sleeves.  As I found out, I was right.  As I managed to pass a formal party.  I noticed men in tuxedos talking about me, while the ladies looking at me from outside.  I flapped my cape out & they blushed.  Guys, capes are in!  As I walked a lot more people were noticing me, with one saying that there is "A Superman vibe"while others felt more confident, even a bouncer at a nightclub.  Near there however, there was a homeless man who was very weak.  I asked if he was all right, he was but asked for money.  I couldn't help him with that, but I helped with a cereal bar.  I managed in my patrol.  People were spotting me, calling out Batman (unlike the CW Batwoman, you want to be that, OWN IT!). There was a man in a Bruins sweatshirt, asking me for $16.50 for a pizza that he would give to a homeless shelter.  Stupidly, I said I didn't have it (in which I should've went to the pizzeria with him and bought it) I tried to give him a cereal bar, but he couldn't have blueberry (of all times I had the wrong bar!). More parking attendants & bouncers were feeling comfortable with me, which helped tremendously.  After I had my iced coffee from Dunkin, I saw a lady asking for food from 7-Eleven.  Although she really wanted things like chicken wings, I gave her the other cereal bar I had (I think it still counts).  There were people who were amazed I was there, even at corners.  (NO BLANKET OF DARKNESS CAN HIDE FROM THE BASILISK!). As I went towards the Common/Crossing, I had a little trepidations.  One as I passed a Burger King I noticed a police car stopping around the area.  I also noticed some kids acting rowdy & spotting me as if they spotted a goof.  I would stay & talk, but the last thing I wanted was police trouble, so I continued to walk away.  As I later found out, there was another police car, parking down towards Downtown Crossing.  As I managed to walk thru the Theater District, I saw a homeless guy acting like he was doing suggestive moves towards the hood of the car.  As I checked, he stopped & as I asked if there was any trouble, he said there was none.  Well, at least he stopped.  As I crossed another area, there were a bunch of men, one guy was asking where's my tent, & I thought to myself, "Huh?"  As I talked calmly while he was getting more violent.  Fortunately, one of his friends was the calmer voice of reason, & calmed him down.  As I walked passed Otis Street, I saw a marron sedan with New Jersey plates, having its hazard lights on.  As I looked in the window, there looked to what looked like a caucasian woman, black or dark-colored dress, above knee, bare-legged in the passenger seat.  I thought there might be trouble since by probable cause it looked exceedingly odd that someone from outside Massachusetts, especially Boston would pick a dark corner to stop their car.  I went to the other side to check, but I felt like I was more of a nuisance & left.  I should've stayed or at least asked questions.  I still have to work on my confidence in my abilities if I need to get over this hump.  On a brighter note, it looked like I developed some fans as they passed me a few times in my patrols.  I also have someone who wants to call me, if he was ever in trouble.  Things are developing, I need to get my act in gear of I was to let it work.  I only hope Boston Police will look at this blog to see just in case there was any problems on Otis Street with that car.

May 8, 2019

This was my first weekday patrol in years (No!  Fridays don't count as weekday patrols)!  But already, it was going to be one of those nights.  The clasp on helmet slipped off.  This was the second time it happened so I had to fix it.  Try doing that in the dark.  The first hing I passed was an owner with a big, white dog.  It was the park so it had to be expected.  But when I looked at the sign only to find out they're doing street cleaning in this area after midnight, I knew I had to get this patrol shortened.  After all the times I've been at Dorchester, this was something that was so obvious.  STUPID ME!  I noticed this wasn't warmer than usual, probably the weekday.  There wasn't much to report in the beginning.  But there were a lot of people going home for the night, as I saw a lot of people by Ashmont station.  I did talk to a family only they had to be inside soon.  Frustrating, but understandable.  I managed to get to a Subway near Gibson & Dorchester Avenue.  The people there were great.  I grabbed an orange juice.  I thought I'd go a little longer since it was 9:30.  However, my clasp slipped off again.  So I had to cut it short.  But even with a wardrobe malfunction, unlike the mask last year, I still went to work.  The helmet being loose wasn't something thou that made me comfortable.  As I crossed an area, I heard a pop.  I looked at the area I was in.  Nothing, but a smell that looked supiscious.  I did some more investigating.  But as I went down the street, I saw a person walking towards me.  I stopped immediately, since it would be trouble for me in the sense of me looking suspicious.  But good overall investigation of the situation, just need to react to it better & be more invested & stop worrying about the damn clasp.  Also at the 7-Eleven I heard a guy yelling from afar.  I thought he was sick, hurt, or in a craze.  But it turned out it was communication.  I wished the other guy walked closer to make it better.  That guy had a cane!  Not much in time, but a very worthwhile patrol.

April 27, 2019

I was thinking of doing South Boston today after my hiatus, but I figured Downtown due to the ease. A s well, I did it earlier that usual due to an engagement & an obligation I have to do tomorrow.  That turned out to be my mistake.  Right off the bat, the clasp on my helmet went off in which I had to manually get back on.  There were police cars all around the area I wanted to cover.  I thought the Bruins were going to play at eight o'clock, but this Boston and this is the playoffs, nuff' said.  So I had to reroute.  I was going to do a patrol at the Common, but there were tents around as well, I would stick out a sore thumb, as well, as getting it chopped off, figuratively speaking. So once again, I had to reroute.  During the walk I helped some homeless with some cereal bars, helped some guys move, held the door for a lady in a kimono pushing a baby, the small things.  But this gave me a chance to covered some uncharted areas.  As I got a photo taken with one of our fine citizens.  I covered the Back Bay after a longer hiatus.  When I got nervous about it, I went to the South End, FOR THE FIRST TIME!  It was nothing spectacular.  There were some places in the South End that reminded me of why I chose to not do the Back Bay, because I felt like a freak.  For example, I noticed some people near me when I walked laughing at me, but I paid no mind.  As well, as I noticed a family not knowing where they were, as I tried to help, they pushed me off as if I was a freak.  I don't want to tell you what happened at Dunkin Donuts as I forgot my gift card I wanted to use (face palm in effect).  But it wasn't all bad, as I helped someone do some parallel parking, in which both he & the car behind him were grateful (try parking Boston & you'll know what I mean).  What really helped were two things at the end.  As I was heading back, a lady with a little girl spotted me.  They were so sweet as I talked to them & the girl gave me the warmest of smiles.  Then two guys getting ready for the Bruins game spotted me.  I explained what I was.  They asked if I could jump over a bench.  I told them by being a superhero I would have to be a role model.  They understood & we gave each other high fives & we yelled, "Go Bruins!"  Those things gives me reasons to do what I do.  I won't settle however for that in a sense that I would rest on laurels.  Like the Patriots on their quest for greatness, I have work that much harder to be at my best so I will prove my worth to the city I love.

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.