2005: BOSTON “LET’S GET R DONE”
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DAY 1: PALOOZA HITS EAST COAST
The 10th edition of Colopalooza is also its farthest reaching, as the boys make their way to Bean Town. There, they gorge themselves on a steady diet of Irish beer, Italian food, and American sports. Enjoy the highlights!
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DAY 1: ROCKIN' JOINS THE FRAY
Donning the look of an insane lumberjack to ward off any would-be hazers, Gary awaits the long-anticipated start of his first Paloozian experience.
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DAY 1: NO HAZING?
And this is the look Milo gave him when Gary suggested that he might be excluded from any of the typical Paloozian hazing.
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DAY 1: OPENING BEERS
The first Palooza beers are served up at "Cuffs", named for its location at the former site of the Boston Police Department.
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DAY 1: GARY IN THE HOUSE
Yet unaware of the insane level of eating that is about to transpire, Gary is all smiles after his first sip of beer.
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DAY 1: UNION OYSTER HOUSE
The Paloozians then move on to the oldest continuously-running restaurant in America. Union started serving seafood when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were still alive.
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DAY 1: NOW THAT'S AN OLD BAR
Check out the backbar piping at this place. Pretty sure it has been there for at least a few weeks. I bet Sam Adams was a busboy here before he started brewing beers.
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DAY 1: THE GUEST OF HONOR
Minutes after sitting down, the boys are treated to a delicious bowl of Union’s finest—New England Clam “Chowda”.
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DAY 1: WHAT? NO HURRICANES?
Craig reacts in shock over the news that the bar didn't serve Hurricanes. He was really looking forward to seeing Milo “blow chowda” during tomorrow’s graveyard tour.
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DAY 1: THE BLACK ROSE
After dinner, the boys venture off to one of Boston’s best Irish pubs for a round of Guinness. Milo swings and misses on a poorly constructed margarita. When in Rome…
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DAY 1: THE CACTUS CAFE
Driven by Milo's insatiable need for a decent marg, the Paloozians head to The Cactus Cafe, which features a life-sized stuffed Buffalo overlooking the main bar.
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DAY 1: AGUA DE DIABLOS
There, Milo busts into an attempted cadillac marg that is immediately named the worst drink ever served at Colopalooza. Boston just doesn’t do Mexican.
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DAY 2: OFF TO A DELICIOUS START
Our best day of the trip starts with a bang at Pizzeria Regina, the reigning champion of classic Boston pizza.
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DAY 2: WHERE ARE OUR PIES?
Milo and Al are anxiously awaiting the arrival of several Regina pizzas as the scent of sausage and pepperoni surrounds them.
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DAY 2: ITALIAN PERFECTION
As you can see, their pizza are spectacular. Good solid crust, just the right amount of toppings evenly proportioned, and even that zesty pepperoni oil that bubbles to the top.
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DAY 2: THE NORTH END
After pizza, the Paloozians cruise the "North End", one of the best Italian neighborhoods in the country, in search of strong cappuccinos and fresh cannoli.
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DAY 2: PALOOZIAN DREAMS
The Paloozians stare aimlessly, pondering their existence and wondering if they're going to get yet another Palooza bill after all this.
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DAY 2: TRAYS OF GOODNESS
The Paloozians spot these two gents carrying out a few hundred treats and figure they might as well give it a shot.
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DAY 2: A SOLID BAKERY
Modern Bakery proves to be a great little spot. But the crown jewel of pasty places down the street still awaits.
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DAY 2: ALL HAIL THE CANNOLI
Cannoli is the thing to get in the North End. In Boston, they come in all different flavors with a wide variety fillings and toppings. It’s quite a sugar rush.
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DAY 2: THE BRITISH ARE COMING!
Is this the statue commemorating Paul Revere’s midnight ride warning of a British invasion or is he just trying to snag some of our prized cannoli?
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DAY 2: WHERE THE WAR BEGAN
Behind the statue is the Old North Church, the site "One if by land, two if by sea.” Paul put too lamps on in the steeple, crawled out a window and the rest is American history.
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DAY 2: OLD NORTH CHURCH
Here's a closer shot of the church, which is actually in better condition than many of the Paloozian hotels we’ve stayed at.
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DAY 2: TICK TOCK
Boston has a lot of "oldest in America" type stuff, including the oldest continuously-running clock, here inside the church.
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DAY 2: THANKSGIVING FOUNDERS
After checking out the church, the boys head up to an old Puritan graveyard. It's hard to believe these pilgrim headstones have been sitting here for hundreds of years.
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DAY 2: SKULL BIRDS
Just about every headstone features this creepy skull + wings combo. I guess the Puritans believed that they needed this to ensure their soul would fly up to heaven. Nice touch.
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DAY 2: MATHISON CAMEO
The Paloozians are met by local Bostonian, Ryan Mathison from their fantasy football league, who joins them for a few hours before the Red Sox game.
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DAY 2: THE CASK 'N FLAGON
Ryan and Al enjoy some pre-game beverages. Ryan tried to put the fear of god into us regarding those "crazy Sox fans" who were going to tear us from limb to limb. Not so much.
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DAY 2: MONSTER TIME
Most of the Paloozians opt for cheap seats in right field. But Craig and Sean take seconds on their homes so they can sit atop the Green Monster—a decision worth every cent.
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DAY 2: WHAT A VIEW
Craig and Sean go in early to check out their seats on top of the fabled Green Monster and try their luck at shagging a batting practice homer. The view was absolutely spectacular.
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DAY 2: HEY BATTER BATTER!
Craig holds up his glove as a visual target during batting practice. An A-Rod homer misses Craig's head by a foot when he wasn’t paying attention. Jeter would have hit him cleanly.
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DAY 2: STORIED FENWAY PARK
Fenway opened it’s doors in April of 1912, with the Red Sox playing their first game just as the Titanic had begun it’s fafeful voyage from England.
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DAY 2: DOGS AND BREWS
Sean comes back with some reinforcements—some Italian Hots and couple of frosty cold ones.
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DAY 2: THE TOP OF THE MONSTER
Wreck taking some important calls at our standing room only "seats" with a blimp hovering high above his head.
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DAY 2: THE FIRST PITCH
Craig spots Wade Boggs walking by on his way down to the field to throw out the first pitch. Sean's shakes his hand and notices that he’s wearing his Yankees World Series Ring. Ballsy.
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DAY 2: MONSTER FRIENDS
Attending a game atop the Monster is like going to a New Years Eve party. Here are a few of our many new Monster friends. The one in blue was the female incarnation of the Sox diehard that Jimmy Fallon played in "Fever Pitch".
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DAY 2: CASK 'N FLAGON FINDER
The view behind our seats, with a Cask 'N Flagon sign pointing us in the direction of pending post-game refreshments. Monster seats are easily the coolest in all of sports.
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DAY 2: THE REST OF THE PALOOZIANS
The rest of the Paloozians have a great time in right field’s football crowd atmosphere (X marks the spot). But man, that extra $160 would have been money well spent.
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DAY 2: HALL OF FAMERS EVERWHERE
It was a game full of all-time greats. And this shot doesn't even include Alex Rodriguez, who was standing on third.
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DAY 2: WHAT A GAME
The Red Sox beat the Yanks 5-3 and move into a tie atop their division with two more to go in the regular season. The crowd spills out in search of beers to drink and Yankees fans to taunt.
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DAY 2: WE HAVE A NEW LEADER
The other half of the crowd waits a full 15 minutes in the stands to watch the scoreboard operator manually move Boston to the top of the standings. These people are nuts.
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DAY 2: PART OF THE WALL FOREVER
With the crowd starting to thin, Craig borrows a Sharpie to ensure that Colopalooza is permanently part of the legendary Green Monster.
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DAY 3: HARVARD CAMPUS
Saturday begins with a walk around the Harvard campus. We take turns touching the statue of John Harvard, a tradition known to bring you a burst of knowledge. It doesn't work at all.
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DAY 3: ROWING THE CHARLES
A trip to Harvard wouldn't be complete without spotting a rowing crew working their way up the Charles.
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DAY 3: MORE DOGS
After checking out the campus, it is time for some football. And you know what that means--pre-game sausages are in order.
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DAY 3: HARVARD VS LEHIGH
Although it is very cool to see once, I think I can safely say that we've probably attended our final Ivy League football game at Colopalooza. The energy from the huge crowd was palpable.
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DAY 3: HALFTIME HIJINKS
After watching Lehigh take an early lead over Harvard, the Paloozians are treated to a halftime show that rivals Sloshball in it's disturbing strangeness.
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DAY 3: NOT FEELING IT
It is about this exact point where Sean realizes that we aren't at Fenway anymore. Solution? Go back to Fenway. So once the halftime debacle is complete, we are off again. Lehigh goes on to win 49 -24.
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DAY 3: BOSTON DEATH MARCH
And thus begins the Boston Marathon--a self-induced 26 mile trek through the windy streets of Boston in a quest of some cold pints outside Fenway. Sure, we could cab there in 7 minutes (Craig's hair-brained idea)...but noooooooooo!!
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DAY 3: BACK TO FENWAY
The view outside Fenway, right behind home plate. That's the green press box on the distant left above the brick facade. And down a bit lower are their championship banners.
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DAY 3: TIME A FOR A BEER
Cask 'N Flagon is great for the history but the coolest bar we visit near Fenway is Boston Beer Works. It's pretty slick, and has about 20 microbrews to choose from.
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DAY 3: MORE ITALIAN
Early that evening, the Paloozians hit another fine Italian establishment, this one suggested by Sean who had been there on a business trip. L’Osteria Ristorante serves up a gem.
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DAY 3: CANNOLI RUN
After an epic meal, the Paloozians visit the best bakery in America, Mike's Pastry. Home to the largest selection of cannoli and an entry line that extends down the block.
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DAY 3: THE GOLDEN SPOOLS
Mike's draws thousands of cannoli fans on a warm Saturday night. They quickly pack boxes with their magical treats and then pull string from these golden spools to tie them off.
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DAY 3: A FINAL REMINDER
If you’re ever in Boston, this is the place. Don’t forget!!!
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DAY 4: OFF TO FOXBORO
Our last full day in Boston gets rolling with a train ride out to Foxboro to see the Bolts take on the Pats. Be sure to make a mental note of this scene featuring the energetic Allie.
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DAY 4: GILLETTE STADIUM
New England’s stadium is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. It's a full hour out of Boston by train and in the middle of a massive wasteland. No space in Boston, I guess.
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DAY 4: GREAT DAY FOR A GAME
Milo and Craig in Gillette. Check out the vast expanse of nothingness behind them (no, not the Pats defense that day).
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DAY 4: HEY, I HAVE AN IDEA
Let's see, it's Colopalooza, we're at a sporting event and it's between the hours of 6am and 3am. Time for some sausage. Here are Al and Gary digging into yet another tasty link.
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DAY 4: HUGE UPSET
For the first time in three years, the Tom Brady-led Patriots lose a home game, and it’s at the hands of the Bolts. The 41-17 trashing leaves the crowd stunned—the quietest NFL game the Paloozians have ever attended.
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DAY 4: WEST SIDE!
With his notebook and tissue in hand, Sean flashes gang signs to let the east coasters know the west coast is the best coast.
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DAY 4: SLEEPTALKING
Al dozes off while on the phone. "Yeah Terri, we're having a blast, the game was great, I had sausage, and then…zzzzzz.”
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DAY 4: AND HE'S GONE
Now in full McGough-mode, Al let's it all hang out on the trip back to Boston. He'll need his beauty rest, as we still have a full agenda of Italian dining and cannoli-eating on the horizon.
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DAY 4: MORE EPIC ITALIAN
Back in the North End, the Paloozians hit Giacomo, which is quite solid. Most of the Paloozians order a $35 plate of Lobster Fusilli, which goes down as an all-time Paloozian dish.
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DAY 4: GARY IS BLOATED
After a long weekend of Italian carb-loading, Gary reveals a suddenly protruding gut that has emerged out of nowhere.
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DAY 4: THE ITALIAN STALLION
Sean and Al have a brief dustup over some bizarre Italian cultural clash. This picture captures Al’s mood at the time.
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D5: WHO'S UP FOR ITALIAN?
Our final day begins at Pagliuca’s and yet another hearty Italian meal for lunch. It is at this point that Gary realized that he needs to slap on about 30 more pounds before he can withstand another Palooza. This process takes 17 years.
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DAY 5: MORE CANNOLI? WHY NOT.
"Hey fellas, our flight isn't for a few hours, we could still cruise over to Mike's to get another round of cannoli.” Cue to Gary vomiting in the street, and another Palooza is in the books.
Inside Colopalooza: Gary Oakes