I am terrible at seasonal transitions. When the weather changes, it takes me a few days to adjust accordingly.
Perhaps this is due to my having been raised in the deep south, where our seasons are as follows:
January-February = Winter (There is a possibility of temperatures below 40)
March-October = Summer (HOT)
October-December = Fall (Not as Hot)
The last few weeks have been quite pleasant here in Nashville. However, it has been raining most of the last week and with the extra moisture, colder temperatures have arrived. I'm usually a shorts-wearing type of guy, so it took me a bit to realize that I needed to switch to pants.
So I'm well into my pants and light jacket routine this week, and randomly, I woke up this morning and I was freezing. I checked weather.com and saw that it was 42 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside. I quickly formulated in my head that it would be a good idea to take a nice, hot shower and get the blood flowing.
Apparently, I got overzealous.
I ended up taking the hottest shower on record. It was like a sauna in my tiny bathroom. I realized that saunas are just plain weird. The hot water and steam that I had intended to wake up my senses ended up leaving me drained. I was weak and lame (not that I'm not usually weak and lame, but this is totally different). I felt tired all day and generally "blah".
I then started to think of why saunas even exist (I've got a LOT of time to think during the day, when I'm driving in my truck). I looked it up on Wikipedia. And I can't appreciate the idea of sitting in a blazing hot room (sometimes as hot as 212 degrees) with a bunch of naked dudes. Not that there's anything WRONG with that.....it just so happens that it isn't my particular flavor of diet soda.
So keep your towels on in the steamroom and reduce the heat in your showers.
Rock on people.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Art of The Quick Trip
I am always surprised whenever I make a trip back to Baton Rouge, it never matters how long I stay, I usually end up thinking that I should have stayed one or two more days.
This past weekend was no different.
The only real change from my normal pattern is that I actually made a concious effort to spend time with my parents and tried very hard not to stay out past 4am. I succeeded in both categories.
Friday night I went out to eat with my Mom and Dad and my sister, Robin. Afterward, I ended up crashing in the arm chair while watching tv. Not the most hip way to spend a Friday night, but I'm okay with that. I, of all people, am not hip.
Saturday was also an effort to stay home, as I had two offers of LSU vs. Auburn tickets...and each of them were equally enticing.....but I decided to spend the day with my Dad and watch the game in glorious HD(!).
I made my way out late Saturday, after the thrilling Demetrius Byrd catch (seen below), to hang out with some quality people that I know. The only drag was that I could hardly see them due to the smoke machine that a noise-post-[insert music genre adjective here] rock band had employed throughout the evening,
Sunday, John and I forced the Amazing Brand-O and Christy to watch the Dark Crystal. I'll be absolutely honest. I loved this movie as a kid. And now, after having seen the special features, knowing how much time and work was put into making this film, I am still a big fan. But I do think the movie lacks something. Yes, I've gotten older (and recently older, still), so maybe the movie has lost that fantastic quality it once had.
I sloshed out of town on monday morning. No, I wasn't hungover....it was raining. I actually didn't drink that much this trip....believe it or not. The biggest disappointment was receiving a phone call from my boss after a solid six hours of driving, having just passed Tuscaloosa, AL, telling me that he didn't need me to come to work on Tuesday. So that long-desired, yet elusive, extra day slipped through my grasp again. Had I recieved that call somewhere near Hattiesburg, or maybe even Meridian.....I'd have pulled a cloverleaf U-turn and headed right back to BR.
All in all, I had a good trip. I saw a lot of the people that I specifically wanted to see, I unexpectedly ran into a few people that I was glad to see, I spent quality time with my family, and I got to see LSU win, albiet only on tv. Sadly, I missed out on seeing some people whom I intended to see....and to Tom and Holly and others, I sincerely apologize.
Until next time....which I hope is sooner (Thankgiving), rather than later (xmas).
Rock on peeps.
Go Rockies!
War VA Tech beating BC!!!
This past weekend was no different.
The only real change from my normal pattern is that I actually made a concious effort to spend time with my parents and tried very hard not to stay out past 4am. I succeeded in both categories.
Friday night I went out to eat with my Mom and Dad and my sister, Robin. Afterward, I ended up crashing in the arm chair while watching tv. Not the most hip way to spend a Friday night, but I'm okay with that. I, of all people, am not hip.
Saturday was also an effort to stay home, as I had two offers of LSU vs. Auburn tickets...and each of them were equally enticing.....but I decided to spend the day with my Dad and watch the game in glorious HD(!).
I made my way out late Saturday, after the thrilling Demetrius Byrd catch (seen below), to hang out with some quality people that I know. The only drag was that I could hardly see them due to the smoke machine that a noise-post-[insert music genre adjective here] rock band had employed throughout the evening,
Sunday, John and I forced the Amazing Brand-O and Christy to watch the Dark Crystal. I'll be absolutely honest. I loved this movie as a kid. And now, after having seen the special features, knowing how much time and work was put into making this film, I am still a big fan. But I do think the movie lacks something. Yes, I've gotten older (and recently older, still), so maybe the movie has lost that fantastic quality it once had.
I sloshed out of town on monday morning. No, I wasn't hungover....it was raining. I actually didn't drink that much this trip....believe it or not. The biggest disappointment was receiving a phone call from my boss after a solid six hours of driving, having just passed Tuscaloosa, AL, telling me that he didn't need me to come to work on Tuesday. So that long-desired, yet elusive, extra day slipped through my grasp again. Had I recieved that call somewhere near Hattiesburg, or maybe even Meridian.....I'd have pulled a cloverleaf U-turn and headed right back to BR.
All in all, I had a good trip. I saw a lot of the people that I specifically wanted to see, I unexpectedly ran into a few people that I was glad to see, I spent quality time with my family, and I got to see LSU win, albiet only on tv. Sadly, I missed out on seeing some people whom I intended to see....and to Tom and Holly and others, I sincerely apologize.
Until next time....which I hope is sooner (Thankgiving), rather than later (xmas).
Rock on peeps.
Go Rockies!
War VA Tech beating BC!!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Softball: Final
Wow.
7 weeks went fast!
Last night was fantastic.....We swept the double-header and finished the season 5-9.
Having started 0-fer, that's a good thing!
As a team, we really started to play well, and we found a pretty decent lineup that allowed us to score early....and as we discovered last night, often!
Game one started as a major victory and ended up almost a nail-biter.
We jumped out to a 12-3 lead and ended up winning 12-10. All of our offense came in the second inning when we batted around. I singled and walked, drove in two and scored twice in that inning alone. I walked again later in the game but was stranded at second.
Game two was probably our greatest game and biggest accomplishment as a team.
We fell behind quickly and dug ourselves into a deeper hole with some bad defensive plays....mostly my fault. Somehow, I forgot how to catch the ball. I was playing catcher for the first time all season and I had to field a couple of plays at the plate.
The first play was a lady tagging from third who honestly had no business charging the plate. I caught the ball early and stood my ground as she barreled into me. No harm, no foul. She was out by a mile. The next play was a relay throw from shortstop and I completely missed the ball as my eyes wandered to the much larger guy coming down the line full steam, with absolutely no intentions of stopping on account of me standing there.
Thankfully, we were able to overcome our mistakes and make a solid comeback. Everybody in the lineup came through in the clutch. Tara made some great pitches in the last few innings. Whether by pure skill or by pure luck, the ball danced to the inside and outside corners of the plate and for the last six or seven outs, the other team couldn't make any solid contact.
Jeff showed some incredible hustle, circling in from first on what ended up being a double. Cecilia made the most out of the least contact at the plate...she reached base three or four times, drove in two or three runs and scored at least twice. Our "ringer" Eric had arguably his worst night at the plate, popping up twice and drilling a line drive single, but our team was able to score a lot of runs without the longball.
So we came back to win game 2, 14-13.
Way to go team!
For those keeping track (i.e. me), my final line is .591 avg (13-22), 7 Runs Scored, 9 RBIs, 5 BBs, and an OBP of .667
Can't wait for next season. But my legs (after crouching all night) are more than happy for the break.
Go ROCKIES!!!!
7 weeks went fast!
Last night was fantastic.....We swept the double-header and finished the season 5-9.
Having started 0-fer, that's a good thing!
As a team, we really started to play well, and we found a pretty decent lineup that allowed us to score early....and as we discovered last night, often!
Game one started as a major victory and ended up almost a nail-biter.
We jumped out to a 12-3 lead and ended up winning 12-10. All of our offense came in the second inning when we batted around. I singled and walked, drove in two and scored twice in that inning alone. I walked again later in the game but was stranded at second.
Game two was probably our greatest game and biggest accomplishment as a team.
We fell behind quickly and dug ourselves into a deeper hole with some bad defensive plays....mostly my fault. Somehow, I forgot how to catch the ball. I was playing catcher for the first time all season and I had to field a couple of plays at the plate.
The first play was a lady tagging from third who honestly had no business charging the plate. I caught the ball early and stood my ground as she barreled into me. No harm, no foul. She was out by a mile. The next play was a relay throw from shortstop and I completely missed the ball as my eyes wandered to the much larger guy coming down the line full steam, with absolutely no intentions of stopping on account of me standing there.
Thankfully, we were able to overcome our mistakes and make a solid comeback. Everybody in the lineup came through in the clutch. Tara made some great pitches in the last few innings. Whether by pure skill or by pure luck, the ball danced to the inside and outside corners of the plate and for the last six or seven outs, the other team couldn't make any solid contact.
Jeff showed some incredible hustle, circling in from first on what ended up being a double. Cecilia made the most out of the least contact at the plate...she reached base three or four times, drove in two or three runs and scored at least twice. Our "ringer" Eric had arguably his worst night at the plate, popping up twice and drilling a line drive single, but our team was able to score a lot of runs without the longball.
So we came back to win game 2, 14-13.
Way to go team!
For those keeping track (i.e. me), my final line is .591 avg (13-22), 7 Runs Scored, 9 RBIs, 5 BBs, and an OBP of .667
Can't wait for next season. But my legs (after crouching all night) are more than happy for the break.
Go ROCKIES!!!!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
"Yack In Da BAWX"
I regret my decision-making ability.
Tonight was a great night.
LSU eeks out a win over Florida.
I chatted up a pretty girl at the alumni meeting.
Drinks a-plenty.....
After Party attendance......
Jack In The Box meal at 2am.
That's where it all went wrong.
Why can't Wendy's be open 24 hours? Why is Jack in the Box the only fast food joint open at 2am? Why does every Jack in the Box only hire hispanic women to work the drive thru, when they can hardly even say "Jack in the Box" properly?
I rarely eat at "Yack in da Bawx".....and for good reasons.
1) A number of years back, some people died from eating the food.
2) Of the, let's say six, times I've eaten there in my lifetime, four of those times have resulted in horrible stomach ailments (see above link).
3) People DIED eating there.
But sadly, it is the only place open at 2am in this godforsaken state.
So cross your fingers that tonight's Combo Number 5 doesn't come back with too much of a vengence!
Tonight was a great night.
LSU eeks out a win over Florida.
I chatted up a pretty girl at the alumni meeting.
Drinks a-plenty.....
After Party attendance......
Jack In The Box meal at 2am.
That's where it all went wrong.
Why can't Wendy's be open 24 hours? Why is Jack in the Box the only fast food joint open at 2am? Why does every Jack in the Box only hire hispanic women to work the drive thru, when they can hardly even say "Jack in the Box" properly?
I rarely eat at "Yack in da Bawx".....and for good reasons.
1) A number of years back, some people died from eating the food.
2) Of the, let's say six, times I've eaten there in my lifetime, four of those times have resulted in horrible stomach ailments (see above link).
3) People DIED eating there.
But sadly, it is the only place open at 2am in this godforsaken state.
So cross your fingers that tonight's Combo Number 5 doesn't come back with too much of a vengence!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Softball: Pt. 10
I'm sensing a pattern.
From now on, Thursday's Game Blog will most likely happen on Friday, as I am usually exhausted by the time I get home on Thursday night.
Good news though!
We won our first game last night!!!!!
12-7. I don't know how it happened, but we put up 12 runs against what was supposed to be a really good team! I went 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored....and the thing is that I'm more impressed that I got 4 AT BATS!!!!! FOUR!!!!! I never get four at bats. I usually get one....maybe two. But four?! and I was batting eigth in the order!
I don't know what got into our team, but it was dramatically different from the previous five weeks....in a great way!
Game 2 is when we came slightly back to form.
We got drilled 18-2. Our pitcher tired out a bit. Our fielding was still better than it has been, but the other team just started popping the ball over the infielder's heads and in front of us outfielders. I went 1-2 at the plate with one RBI and a run scored.
The run was a controversial one. I was on second as the ball was hit to right-center. I was gonna pull up and stop at third, but Seth (coaching Third Base) started flailing his arm and screaming "GO HOME! GET IN THE HOUSE!!!! SLIDE SLIDE SLIDE!!!!"
So I turned on what's left of my old high school speed and barrel around the bag and head to the plate. Just as I thought the relay man now hs the ball and I'm racing against his throw. I get to the plate after the ball and hit the deck. The catcher had caught the ball and was blocking the plate and my only play was to bowl him over. So I did and the Umpire initially called me out....but then as the dust cleared, the catcher didn't have the ball! I had jarred it loose from his mitt and Blue called me "SAFE!"
That was rewarding. Especially, because of the blood that I spilled. I jacked up my back somehow and I sustained a nice scrape on my right knee. It's smaller than it seemed last night. I guess it shrank after it was finished squirting blood.....or maybe I'm just a wuss.
Don't answer that! It was rhetorical.
.538 avg (7-13), 5 RBI, 4 Runs Scored, 2 BB, and a .600 OBP.
I could play for the Royals!!!! Then again, that might be too much work. But the winning percentages would be similar!
From now on, Thursday's Game Blog will most likely happen on Friday, as I am usually exhausted by the time I get home on Thursday night.
Good news though!
We won our first game last night!!!!!
12-7. I don't know how it happened, but we put up 12 runs against what was supposed to be a really good team! I went 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored....and the thing is that I'm more impressed that I got 4 AT BATS!!!!! FOUR!!!!! I never get four at bats. I usually get one....maybe two. But four?! and I was batting eigth in the order!
I don't know what got into our team, but it was dramatically different from the previous five weeks....in a great way!
Game 2 is when we came slightly back to form.
We got drilled 18-2. Our pitcher tired out a bit. Our fielding was still better than it has been, but the other team just started popping the ball over the infielder's heads and in front of us outfielders. I went 1-2 at the plate with one RBI and a run scored.
The run was a controversial one. I was on second as the ball was hit to right-center. I was gonna pull up and stop at third, but Seth (coaching Third Base) started flailing his arm and screaming "GO HOME! GET IN THE HOUSE!!!! SLIDE SLIDE SLIDE!!!!"
So I turned on what's left of my old high school speed and barrel around the bag and head to the plate. Just as I thought the relay man now hs the ball and I'm racing against his throw. I get to the plate after the ball and hit the deck. The catcher had caught the ball and was blocking the plate and my only play was to bowl him over. So I did and the Umpire initially called me out....but then as the dust cleared, the catcher didn't have the ball! I had jarred it loose from his mitt and Blue called me "SAFE!"
That was rewarding. Especially, because of the blood that I spilled. I jacked up my back somehow and I sustained a nice scrape on my right knee. It's smaller than it seemed last night. I guess it shrank after it was finished squirting blood.....or maybe I'm just a wuss.
Don't answer that! It was rhetorical.
.538 avg (7-13), 5 RBI, 4 Runs Scored, 2 BB, and a .600 OBP.
I could play for the Royals!!!! Then again, that might be too much work. But the winning percentages would be similar!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Softball: Pt. 9
Okay, Sports fans. Here goes:
I'm in a much better mood, but a much more battered body.
We won!!!!! We split tonight's games against our opponent....and we almost pulled off a double-header sweep!! Almost.
Game 1.
We lost 10-9, but we were leading most of the game. Our defense was much improved and we may have found ourselves the proper position. Somehow, we ended up on the wrong end of a much debated triple-play. I personally still think it was a bullshit call and have no clue how they came to the decision that two people can account for all three outs?!?! Oh well.....who knows if we could have gotten that run what would have happened....
I went 1-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored.
Game 2 was the best game we've played.
Pitching was fantastic, Fielding was way better, and our hitting was pretty incredible. I did however take a liner off the bottom of my right shin and it bruised up in no time.
I went 1-2 again, with a walk, and an RBI.....sadly, I struck out like an idiot too! I swung right over the top of what should have been "Ball 3". That was embarrassing.
So the stats are good.
.526 Batting Average (10 hits in 19 ABs), 5 RBIs, 2 BBs, and 3 runs scored.
OBP is .571.
And most importantly we won!
I'm in a much better mood, but a much more battered body.
We won!!!!! We split tonight's games against our opponent....and we almost pulled off a double-header sweep!! Almost.
Game 1.
We lost 10-9, but we were leading most of the game. Our defense was much improved and we may have found ourselves the proper position. Somehow, we ended up on the wrong end of a much debated triple-play. I personally still think it was a bullshit call and have no clue how they came to the decision that two people can account for all three outs?!?! Oh well.....who knows if we could have gotten that run what would have happened....
I went 1-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored.
Game 2 was the best game we've played.
Pitching was fantastic, Fielding was way better, and our hitting was pretty incredible. I did however take a liner off the bottom of my right shin and it bruised up in no time.
I went 1-2 again, with a walk, and an RBI.....sadly, I struck out like an idiot too! I swung right over the top of what should have been "Ball 3". That was embarrassing.
So the stats are good.
.526 Batting Average (10 hits in 19 ABs), 5 RBIs, 2 BBs, and 3 runs scored.
OBP is .571.
And most importantly we won!
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