One of my favorite reads comes out 2x a year - I'm talking about the greatest 'zine of all time the immortal Weird NJ!
Issue #32 has just arrived and I am about 15% in - great stuff about the wit and landscape of the Garden State. I'm sure denizens of other far-reaching places think they can be weird too, but NJ tops 'em all.
And another thing that's weird; remember when you were a kid and your teacher taught you 'I before E except after C and in neighbor and weigh when it sounds like A'. Never said a thing about weird.
Weird?
4.30.2009
4.26.2009
Mercy 2.0
About a week and a year ago I posted something called The Mercy Rule. And today we felt the bitter taste of the mercy in a travel game. Rough.
Played a good (maybe great) team of 10 year olds from a very large town - which tends to allow you to get the pick of the litter, so to speak. I wouldn't trade my boys for anyone, but these guys came out and laid a can 'o' whoop-ass on us. It was 10-0 by the end of 1, and the final score was too obscene to write down. I actually lost count after they scored 17. The ugliest of uglies. It was also about 92 degrees, so standing out there while these kids teed-off like it was BP was tough. Some of the boys gritted it out and took one for the team on the mound, while others just phoned it in.
After it was all done, what can you say? I basically gave the speech that it was a good team and that happens, use it as a learning experience, etc. We'll come back to win more games than we lose, I have no doubt.
And in exciting pool news, the filter and pump are running, and the oasis in the backyard is getting going. In case you were wondering!
Played a good (maybe great) team of 10 year olds from a very large town - which tends to allow you to get the pick of the litter, so to speak. I wouldn't trade my boys for anyone, but these guys came out and laid a can 'o' whoop-ass on us. It was 10-0 by the end of 1, and the final score was too obscene to write down. I actually lost count after they scored 17. The ugliest of uglies. It was also about 92 degrees, so standing out there while these kids teed-off like it was BP was tough. Some of the boys gritted it out and took one for the team on the mound, while others just phoned it in.
After it was all done, what can you say? I basically gave the speech that it was a good team and that happens, use it as a learning experience, etc. We'll come back to win more games than we lose, I have no doubt.
And in exciting pool news, the filter and pump are running, and the oasis in the backyard is getting going. In case you were wondering!
4.25.2009
Local Opening Day - Best Day Ever
Say that every year - today is our local opening day for baseball and softball. Begins with a parade (well actually with setting up the fields, but only a few of us will show up to do that), then some ceremonial stuff, and then a giant free-for-all known as field day where coaches run activities for the kids. Fun.
Spent about 5-6 hours down there, then went home to clean out the garage, get the pool filter going (I know I'm early, but that pool is a gem), and run some errands. Then it's back to the field for more baseball as my in-town team had their first game. Won it 13-3, never in question. At this level pitching wins games. And we can pitch. So we won. Stay tuned.
Mets win two in a row since the St. Louis massacre this week. And the Yanks lose two in Beantown to the Bosox. Good times, good times.
Spent about 5-6 hours down there, then went home to clean out the garage, get the pool filter going (I know I'm early, but that pool is a gem), and run some errands. Then it's back to the field for more baseball as my in-town team had their first game. Won it 13-3, never in question. At this level pitching wins games. And we can pitch. So we won. Stay tuned.
Mets win two in a row since the St. Louis massacre this week. And the Yanks lose two in Beantown to the Bosox. Good times, good times.
4.23.2009
Woe The Mets
It's early, and I can already here the Met Faithful calling the FAN like it's a suicide hotline. Aside from complaints about CitiField (I thought it was tremendous), everybody should get a grip.
That being said you can't leave this many men on base and win a whole lot of ballgames.
So here's the SoulSlam hitlist:
Wright - too many strikeouts too early, looks a little off at the plate
Reyes - I'm undecided
Delgado - good thing he's a bog offensive threat
Beltran - slide next time
Murphy - a little remedial OF work should begin
Church - off to a good start
Santana - too bad you have to have fielders
Perez - you are an enigma my amigo
K-Rod - not too many chances yet
Putz - patience with your LF
Castillo - couldn't ask for a better start
Maine - better learn to throw less pitches
Pelfrey - get the ball down
Let's Go Mets. Nats come in for three this weekend. Time to tear it up.
4.20.2009
Back to Work
Today is the day, back to the grind. Been off since Good Friday, so it's been awhile. Flying to Cleveland this afternoon for an overnight stay. Indians are off, so I won't be seeing Progressive (Jacobs) Field.
For those of you following along, my 10U Baseball team swept a doubleheader yesterday by scores of 8-7 (won in bottom of 6) and 6-4. Since I am a little short of pitching, it was a big day.
For those of you following along, my 10U Baseball team swept a doubleheader yesterday by scores of 8-7 (won in bottom of 6) and 6-4. Since I am a little short of pitching, it was a big day.
4.18.2009
Fishing
When I was a lad, I used to fish at the local lake, about a 1/2 block from my house. Simple times. As I grew up, I fished less and less, until I stopped completely.
So when I was home this week, I decided to take the boys fishing. Went to a big-box retailer who shall remain nameless and picked up a couple of Zebco rod and reels, dug some worms, got everything in a bucket and we walked over to that same lake, now about a mile from the homestead.
Didn't catch a thing, but it didn't matter; spent quality dad-time with my sons, and my youngest is really excited to go fish again. Pretty nice.
4.17.2009
Draw Your Own Conclusion
The name of the post has to do with how you will react after reading this. Read on.
So during my vacation away from work I have been doing odds and ends around the House of SoulSlam. Since Spring is here, there are tables and chairs to put out, some yardwork to do, and the "placing of the statues". We have a lot of statues here. Some are too big to put away for winter, some not. That is where this story begins.
In our backyard is a rose arbor and large rose garden. Besides these very nice flowers, we have statues of angels, etc. So I set out to place them yesterday.
The two largest statues are of Mary and Joseph. They get put away for the winter in the attic of my garage. They are each about 40" tall, and probably weigh about 80 lbs. or so. I went upstairs, grabbed Joseph and descended the steps. And as I got to the bottom, I misjudged how many were left, and overshot the bottom two. My ankle rolled under and I went down. Hard. Never let go of Joseph though. I remember thinking as I went down that I had probably broken my ankle.
Sat in a heap at the bottom of the steps, Joseph strewn across my legs. Time to move my leg, waiting for the pain and...
None (in my ankle at least).
Maybe I sprained it? Placed Joseph on the ground, and tried to get up, slowly, knowing my ankle was going to be a problem and...
It wasn't. I had more pain in my lower thighs from where Joseph landed when i went down, and my head for banging it against a wall, but the ankle that I was convinced would be broken was not. Shaken, I walked outside to clear my head, not thinking too much about what just happened.
So what did happen? I went down hard, probably one of the harder falls I have ever taken in my life. I have no doubt that I should have snapped an ankle. But I did not. So did Joseph have something to do with me being safe.
I like to think so.
So during my vacation away from work I have been doing odds and ends around the House of SoulSlam. Since Spring is here, there are tables and chairs to put out, some yardwork to do, and the "placing of the statues". We have a lot of statues here. Some are too big to put away for winter, some not. That is where this story begins.
In our backyard is a rose arbor and large rose garden. Besides these very nice flowers, we have statues of angels, etc. So I set out to place them yesterday.
The two largest statues are of Mary and Joseph. They get put away for the winter in the attic of my garage. They are each about 40" tall, and probably weigh about 80 lbs. or so. I went upstairs, grabbed Joseph and descended the steps. And as I got to the bottom, I misjudged how many were left, and overshot the bottom two. My ankle rolled under and I went down. Hard. Never let go of Joseph though. I remember thinking as I went down that I had probably broken my ankle.
Sat in a heap at the bottom of the steps, Joseph strewn across my legs. Time to move my leg, waiting for the pain and...
None (in my ankle at least).
Maybe I sprained it? Placed Joseph on the ground, and tried to get up, slowly, knowing my ankle was going to be a problem and...
It wasn't. I had more pain in my lower thighs from where Joseph landed when i went down, and my head for banging it against a wall, but the ankle that I was convinced would be broken was not. Shaken, I walked outside to clear my head, not thinking too much about what just happened.
So what did happen? I went down hard, probably one of the harder falls I have ever taken in my life. I have no doubt that I should have snapped an ankle. But I did not. So did Joseph have something to do with me being safe.
I like to think so.
4.16.2009
The Asterisk*
I was reading a post on a bulletin board this morning that prompted this...
Essentially somebody posted how great it was that MLB honored Jackie Robinson last night, everybody wearing #42, etc. Somebody responded that it was a joke and how is it that MLB doesn't honor Babe Ruth, here is the post exactly, started as when is -
"BABE RUTH DAY.....correct me if I'm wrong but the sport might not exist professionaly if not for him.what a joke"
So everybody is entitled to an opinion, right enough. And I got to thinking about the times when an asterisk* is suggested for any records. Like Roger Maris' 61 homers*, or the suggestion that Bonds or A-Rod should get an asterisk for their records, etc.
But what about The Bambino? Doesn't anything he did deserve an asterisk*? He played nearly all games in the daytime, against very few teams, limited travel schedule, and with no players of african or latino descent. Great as he was, was he really playing against the best? So given the argument of adding an asterisk* to anyone else, doesn't that figure we should add one to his records?
Let the hatemail begin.
Essentially somebody posted how great it was that MLB honored Jackie Robinson last night, everybody wearing #42, etc. Somebody responded that it was a joke and how is it that MLB doesn't honor Babe Ruth, here is the post exactly, started as when is -
"BABE RUTH DAY.....correct me if I'm wrong but the sport might not exist professionaly if not for him.what a joke"
So everybody is entitled to an opinion, right enough. And I got to thinking about the times when an asterisk* is suggested for any records. Like Roger Maris' 61 homers*, or the suggestion that Bonds or A-Rod should get an asterisk for their records, etc.
But what about The Bambino? Doesn't anything he did deserve an asterisk*? He played nearly all games in the daytime, against very few teams, limited travel schedule, and with no players of african or latino descent. Great as he was, was he really playing against the best? So given the argument of adding an asterisk* to anyone else, doesn't that figure we should add one to his records?
Let the hatemail begin.
4.14.2009
Skel Style
If you don't know what a skel is - click here Boyo.
Anyway, why is it that people who seem: a. down on their luck; b. needing financial support in terms of welfare or food stamps; c. regulars on Cops; always seem to have enough dough for a pack of smokes and tattoos.
Just wondering.
Anyway, why is it that people who seem: a. down on their luck; b. needing financial support in terms of welfare or food stamps; c. regulars on Cops; always seem to have enough dough for a pack of smokes and tattoos.
Just wondering.
4.13.2009
No Dogs Allowed
SoulSlam loves dogs. I have two. Max and Maggie, litter mates from a rescue. They are Cockapoos, meaning they are a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix. The best dogs in the world.
So when a sign at a municipal field says "No Dogs Allowed" - what don't people understand? Is it "well they must not mean my dog"? Or is it the fact that most people are so self-absorbed that they just don't seem to think that any rules apply to them? I'm not sure. What I do know is that I don't bring my dogs to places that they are not allowed. I like rules. Rules keep us in line. Follow the rules.
While I'm typing, maybe you've seen the commercials from IBM and others about the Smart Grid...
I watch this testament to how this will help us all, and all I can think of is SkyNet and The Terminator, and how it all begins. Prophesy?
So when a sign at a municipal field says "No Dogs Allowed" - what don't people understand? Is it "well they must not mean my dog"? Or is it the fact that most people are so self-absorbed that they just don't seem to think that any rules apply to them? I'm not sure. What I do know is that I don't bring my dogs to places that they are not allowed. I like rules. Rules keep us in line. Follow the rules.
While I'm typing, maybe you've seen the commercials from IBM and others about the Smart Grid...
I watch this testament to how this will help us all, and all I can think of is SkyNet and The Terminator, and how it all begins. Prophesy?
4.11.2009
Holiday Weekend
Happy Easter to all, not sure you can say that exactly without offending the non-Christian types you encounter.
I guess if you just secularize Easter with bunnies, baskets and eggs, everybody can participate. But once the spectre of the religious importance takes it's place, then you get people lathered up. So lather up folks.
I guess if you just secularize Easter with bunnies, baskets and eggs, everybody can participate. But once the spectre of the religious importance takes it's place, then you get people lathered up. So lather up folks.
4.10.2009
Kids and Baseball
I coached my group of 8 year olds tonight - good bunch of kids for the most part. This is our second practice - and some are still trying to grab the basics of catch and throw. Now, you may say 'why is that important?' - in SoulSlam's world of youth baseball, catch and throw is one of the biggest things that kids have to master. Can't get any outs if you can't catch and throw. True enough.
My point (I do have one); it would appear that very few of these kids ever get to catch and throw, except the two times a week we get together. Whatever happened to playing catch? With dad (or mom), an older sibling, etc. It seems as if this Twitter-crazed, American Idol watching society has eliminated the basic need of the young ballplayer. Namely to have a catch with them. Sad.
So tomorrow, or the next day, or the next (just pick a day) - have a catch with a kid. Maybe you will make a difference. I'm done preaching (for now).
My point (I do have one); it would appear that very few of these kids ever get to catch and throw, except the two times a week we get together. Whatever happened to playing catch? With dad (or mom), an older sibling, etc. It seems as if this Twitter-crazed, American Idol watching society has eliminated the basic need of the young ballplayer. Namely to have a catch with them. Sad.
So tomorrow, or the next day, or the next (just pick a day) - have a catch with a kid. Maybe you will make a difference. I'm done preaching (for now).
4.09.2009
What to Blog About
Just sitting in my kitchen, enjoying a beer and thinking "what should I blog about?" And nothing really hits me, so that means maybe I should blog about nothing, but that would make me a little too Seinfeldesque I think.
Oh, now I remember, I'm on vacation! Began about 5:35PM this evening when I left the grindhouse for a week and a day off. Work has been kind of a coffin lately (no offense to coffins) - and I can use the time to decompress. No plans, other than hang with the kids and get some yardwork and other stuff done.
What else... oh, baseball with my in-town teams started. I coach two of these in addition to travel ball. My 8 year old son is on one, my 10 year old on another. Based on what I've seen so far, these kids (the other ones, not mine) need to get out and play ball more. I asked one young individual if he watched baseball and he told me 'of course, I have MLB2K8 for my [insert name of gaming system here]'. I guess that's what passes for 'watching baseball' with the youth of America.
Let me rail against something else. Not only does Microsoft Vista bite it, and IE8 is following close behind, but can I rant about Office 2007? I was made to upgrade to this new and improved suite at the job, and can I tell you - what a pile of horse-sugar. Now I'm a pretty bright guy when it comes to a computer. Not like the guy who created [insert the name of your favorite social networking site] bright, but I know how to get things done. And now, with the touchy-feely Office apps of 2007staring at me, I feel like a dope. Hey, Mr. Gates - time to get the house in order.
Blogged Out.
Oh, now I remember, I'm on vacation! Began about 5:35PM this evening when I left the grindhouse for a week and a day off. Work has been kind of a coffin lately (no offense to coffins) - and I can use the time to decompress. No plans, other than hang with the kids and get some yardwork and other stuff done.
What else... oh, baseball with my in-town teams started. I coach two of these in addition to travel ball. My 8 year old son is on one, my 10 year old on another. Based on what I've seen so far, these kids (the other ones, not mine) need to get out and play ball more. I asked one young individual if he watched baseball and he told me 'of course, I have MLB2K8 for my [insert name of gaming system here]'. I guess that's what passes for 'watching baseball' with the youth of America.
Let me rail against something else. Not only does Microsoft Vista bite it, and IE8 is following close behind, but can I rant about Office 2007? I was made to upgrade to this new and improved suite at the job, and can I tell you - what a pile of horse-sugar. Now I'm a pretty bright guy when it comes to a computer. Not like the guy who created [insert the name of your favorite social networking site] bright, but I know how to get things done. And now, with the touchy-feely Office apps of 2007staring at me, I feel like a dope. Hey, Mr. Gates - time to get the house in order.
Blogged Out.
4.06.2009
Opening Day
I don't count the game the night before, thanks for asking. (although it was nice to see the Phil's cough one up!)
Today is the day - OPENING DAY! All over the good ol' USA (and one point north of the border), every MLB team has exactly the same record and by theory, the same chance to win it all so many months down the line. But theory isn't all it's cracked up to be Einstein.
In the good news dept. - the NY Mets won a 2-1 contest vs. the Big Red Machine in Cincy. Santana with the win, K-Rod with the save, Murphy with a HR and two RBI. Very nice.
In the good news if you hate the Yankees dept. - NYY loses a loooong one to the Orioles by a score of 10-5. CC gave up a six-pack, but was mysteriously wearing what appeared to be a heating pad in between innings on the bench. The big man said he was just trying to stay warm. Sure you were. And Joe Girardi (aka Clueless Joe) had the wisdom to say "Sometimes, you feel great, and the results aren't what you want. He said he was fine."
A SoulSlam prediction: I give Girardi until June 1 before he's shown the door.
Anyway, a lot of baseball on today - right now I have MLB Network on and I'm flipping back and forth with the A's - Angels on ESPN. Baseball is back. Yeah baby.
Today is the day - OPENING DAY! All over the good ol' USA (and one point north of the border), every MLB team has exactly the same record and by theory, the same chance to win it all so many months down the line. But theory isn't all it's cracked up to be Einstein.
In the good news dept. - the NY Mets won a 2-1 contest vs. the Big Red Machine in Cincy. Santana with the win, K-Rod with the save, Murphy with a HR and two RBI. Very nice.
In the good news if you hate the Yankees dept. - NYY loses a loooong one to the Orioles by a score of 10-5. CC gave up a six-pack, but was mysteriously wearing what appeared to be a heating pad in between innings on the bench. The big man said he was just trying to stay warm. Sure you were. And Joe Girardi (aka Clueless Joe) had the wisdom to say "Sometimes, you feel great, and the results aren't what you want. He said he was fine."
A SoulSlam prediction: I give Girardi until June 1 before he's shown the door.
Anyway, a lot of baseball on today - right now I have MLB Network on and I'm flipping back and forth with the A's - Angels on ESPN. Baseball is back. Yeah baby.
4.05.2009
Field of Dreams
And like a dream, the new Citi Field, home of the NY Mets is something out of baseball heaven.
I went to Shea for about 35 years, and I've probably seen 100 games or so at that monolith. I would go to other team's ballparks with a spark of jealousy - Citizen's Bank in Philly and Camden Yards being the two that come to mind. Well now, the fans of the Amazin's have a new place to call their own. And if I had to, I'd say it's kind of a cross between the two aforementioned parks. Sweet.
The weather was a little rough - we had some pretty nasty winds, which is saying something considering we're about a 1/2 mile off the bay. But the park was so special for everyone, it didn't really matter. The SoulSlam's had tickets four rows back of the Mets dugout. Outstanding. Great sitelines all around. A large concourse that goes all the way around, and a cool fanzone that included some live-toss batting cages, a wiffle ball park and a dunk tank (they were dunking but no agua). Food stands are everywhere, but if I heard a complaint or two, it was the long lines on these. Prices are what NY ballpark prices are nowadays - not cheap.
Anyway, had a great day, one that I hope my boys remember like I remember the first time I went to Shea.
And just so I reveal all - the Ollie P. Odyssey (OPO) is apparently just beginning. When you can't get out of the first, it may be time to make some adjustments amigo.
4.03.2009
The Bad Guy
So it had to happen - if you have not heard, the NY Mets (SoulSlam's approved brand) has signed Mr. Gary Sheffield. Here you go...
Here's the way I think of Sheff - I don't vouch that everything is 100% accurate, just what I remember.
So maybe that bat will help the cause - at this point you can't argue with the signing for the dough.
And tomorrow SoulSlam and family will venture to CitiField for the Mets-Red Sox exhibition game. Excited I am. I'll try to get you some pics by Sunday.
4.02.2009
Good Advice
I always tell my sons this:
Do your best in school and work towards a career you will enjoy when you get older. let me tell you, when you don't have that (and the economy is a b***h), work becomes miserable...and spills into your life.
Not happy.
Do your best in school and work towards a career you will enjoy when you get older. let me tell you, when you don't have that (and the economy is a b***h), work becomes miserable...and spills into your life.
Not happy.
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