Essay on the 2004 Red Sox and Leaving Boston

CJM

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 2, 2009
1,124
Oklahoma
I've got an essay up on Gulf Coast about being a Sox fan and Bostonian in (self-imposed) exile. 2004 is well-charted territory, especially for SoSH, but I thought some people here might enjoy another personal story about how the championship was a life-defining moment. A "Win it For..." mention didn't make the final edit, but SoSH was part of the reason it was all so sweet. 
 
http://gulfcoastmag.org/online/summer-2015/expats/
 

Bergs

funky and cold
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2005
21,627
CJM said:
I've got an essay up on Gulf Coast about being a Sox fan and Bostonian in (self-imposed) exile. 2004 is well-charted territory, especially for SoSH, but I thought some people here might enjoy another personal story about how the championship was a life-defining moment. A "Win it For..." mention didn't make the final edit, but SoSH was part of the reason it was all so sweet. 
 
http://gulfcoastmag.org/online/summer-2015/expats/
 
Jesus fucking Christ, that is a great read.
 

CJM

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 2, 2009
1,124
Oklahoma
Thanks for all of your kind words. I don't post much here, but I lurk constantly. In terms of the quality of readers and depth of knowledge, SoSH is the audience I was aiming for. I dreaded bricking on some basic Sox fact and getting hammered here. I'm glad so many of you enjoyed it. 
 
Wilked, Dybek's awesome. He doesn't get the cred he deserves, but he's a great short story writer.  
 

terrynever

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Aug 25, 2005
21,717
pawtucket
Even a Yankee fan can appreciate this story. Good writing, character sketches. Low moments. Happy ending. Except for the Oklahoma thing. You gotta fix that part. Need an O'Henry ending.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Dec 24, 2002
48,214
You don't need to thank anyone here.  Instead, let us thank you for sharing.  You have a way with words Murphy and its clear you not only put a lot of work but also your heart into this piece.  Thank you.
 

Witters

New Member
May 2, 2011
130
From one "expat" to another, thank you for this. Resonated with me in a lot of ways. Great stuff.
 

catomatic

thinks gen turgidson is super mean!!!
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
3,393
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Chris, That's a simply fantastic read. Because it's late here, I clicked on it with the intention of reading it tomorrow but, after no more than 2 lines, I was in. Wonderful writing, wonderful voice that's just excellent company. Well fucking done.
 

Bunt4aTriple

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Jul 15, 2005
4,348
North Yarmouth, ME
Objectively, it just seems so silly that a game can hold so much weight in your psyche, but this does a great job of explaining it in a way I never could.  Kudos.
 

CJM

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 2, 2009
1,124
Oklahoma
Lose Remerswaal said:
Good stuff.  What else have you written that we can read?
 
 
Not much that's readily available. I've got tons of stories and a completed novel manuscript but landing stories is tough and, as Catomatic can tell you, landing novels is even trickier. I've had a few pieces published in small print journals and one online (http://fivequarterly.org/christopher-murphy/). Someday my non-fiction collection about strip clubs across America will be published to wide acclaim and deep familial shame.