Been Busy

Too busy to type something here every now and then it seems. Bad SoulSlam. Bad Bad SoulSlam.

Anyway, with the cold of winter here, and no MLB games to watch, I am catching some TV when I can. Shows I recommend:

Leah Remini's Scientology Aftermath show

The Selection

Hunting Hitler

Curse of Oak Island

Man in the High Castle (Amazon)

If you didn't watch Twin Peaks in 1991-1992 then watch that as well so you can catch the new Showtime series when it comes out.

Merry Christmas

Day late. 

Solstice

Winter solstice 2016 in Northern Hemisphere was at 5:44 AM on Wednesday, December 21 All times are in Eastern Time.

Now we start getting those precious minutes back.

And Now, Holidays!

We are counting down to the big one. Christmas! Best time of year (other than summer and opening day MLB that is).

Frigid Weather

December here and I have been absent from this blog of blogs. Was in Dallas TX last week for work. BBQ all the time!

Now it's the shank of December, 11 days until Christmas and we are in for a blast of mighty cold weather. Too soon say I.

Countdown is on. My shopping begins in earnest manana.

The Mother of All Headaches (UPDATE)

Monday yesterday and my lower back is barking...and my work chair is like a torture rack. Ask the FM for a new chair (I've had this one about 8 years), by his timetable it will be summer before I see one. Right now I'm sitting forward like I'm kneeling in church with a small pillow behind my back. The thought of getting out of chair is excrutiating in itself.

With that in mind I took the night off from lifting. And that's a tough on eto make since I cannot go on Tuesday night typically. Went to bed early, and woke up with the Mother of All Headaches!

Right now it's hanging low on my brow. And working its way into my traps. I'm walking around like a castmemeber (the dead kind) on TWD. The weather is shitty so I don't think that is helping.

11:30AM UPDATE: I GOT A NEW CHAIR. FEELS BETTER ALREADY!

GET READY FOR SOME TURKEY!

Be home in 90 or so...gotta clean my fresh bird, then brine the living bejesus out of tomorrow evening's most spectacular guest. Got a Pork Loin I gotta truss up and get in a rub. Most of my peelables (Sweet Potatoes, Turnips) are peeled. I'll peel the white taters later or manana. Then it's a few cold ones with some neighborly types at the local dive bar.

Book Review

Being a fan of the band Alice in Chains, I purchased and read the book pictured stage left. Great band. Pretty sad story.

Lesson: DRUGS WILL DESTROY YOU.

Dumb Co-Workers

I don't have the heart to tell people that work at same company they are stupid. The fact that they are and don't have a clue means they probably wouldn't get it anyway.

Civic Duty

SoulSlam was called for jury duty (for the 4th time!) and I was supposed to be at the courthouse today...but last night I got a text saying I was excused. So I didn't have to go.

But unlike others I speak to who do their damnedest to get out of JD, SoulSlam feels that this is a civic duty we should all be proud to participate in. But what does SoulSlam know?

5K Truthers

So Saturday our little burg held a 5K. 10th annual. And since the BWSS (Beautiful Wife of SoulSlam) is in charge of running it (as well as running in it), so I get roped asked to announce the winners at the end and help out generally. This year I hung out at the finish and made sure ALL runners knew the proper protocol to follow as they finished (basically stay in order and hand the bottom of your race number to the folks for tracking). If you've ever met me you know one thing, I am a loud person. Big voice. When I want to anyway. Saturday I was just that.

So first guy comes in at 15 minutes and then everybody thereafter. Now some people may take a long time to finish. The DFL was probably close to an hour. So after this happens the race times are quantified and certified by an independent race organization. Now the fun starts.

We all assemble at the local community center gym...where there's ample water, bananas and a DJ playing some tunes. And of course, every human has their social media machines so they can stay occupied. But apparently waiting is not in anybody's lexicon of things anymore. Person after person comes up and asks "when we will announce the results?" To which I reply "when I get the numbers". It's 10:30 AM and you juts ran a race...relax superstar.

So results come in and SoulSlam gets down to announcing overall winner, female and male. Ladies first. "Overall top female is blah blah blah from Wayne NJ with a time of 19:44..." and this nice person comes down to inform me that WAS NOT HER TIME, HER TIME WAS XXX. So at that point I say into the mike, OK we're done announcing times. I'm not fighting with these dopes.

Lots (some) of people complaining about this and that and this and that...you are an adult. You will never be a world-class runner. So stop acting like 15 seconds means anything, stupid.

DST Blues

I've noticed as I get older I'm having sleep issues around the daylight savings time (DST) dates. After barely sleeping Saturday night, I passed out early Sunday night (so I have to watch TWD on-demand later) but I was wide awake by 4AM. And that means it's gonna be a looooooong day.

And Now...Broscience

I like the whole #Broscience thing. It's whatever you want anything to be. So you don't have to worry about anything.

A Series for the Ages

Great World Series...7 games, comeback and extra innings then a threat to tie again. Wow. Drama.

Of course I was so wrong on my predictions I won't eb getting work as a fortune teller.

MO-Vember

I'm thinking about rocking a mustache this month...

I Hate Halloween

I said it. It's true.

The whole figuring out a costume thing is depressing. Then going someplace dressed up is another task. When I was a kid I tolerated H-Ween for the candy, like any kid would. But as I got older...not so much. Then as a parent, you do what you must. But now that they are 18 and 15, the dressing up for them is over, at least I think it is. I still decorate the front of the house, I don't mind answering the door for the "Trick or Treat", and I even emcee the annual Halloween Parade/Party/Costume Contest/Night of Chaos. But dress up? No.

THE KID

YSSS is 16 today!!! AND HE IS AWESOME!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

Perspective

Found on the Chicago Bar Project website:

20 EVENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE CHICAGO CUBS WON THEIR LAST WORLD SERIES

Both radio and TV were invented

Fourteen teams were added to Major League Baseball

George Burns celebrated his 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th and 100th birthdays

Haley's comet passed Earth, twice

Harry Caray was born, and died

The NBA, NHL and NFL were formed, and Chicago teams won championships in each league

The US fought in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan War

Man landed on the moon

Sixteen US presidents were elected

Eleven amendments added to the Constitution

Prohibition was created and repealed

The Titanic was built, set sail, sank, and was re discovered

Wrigley Field was built and becomes the oldest park in the National League

Flag poles were erected on Wrigley Field roof to hold all of the team's future World Series pennants, which have since rusted and been taken down

A combination of 40 Summer and Winter Olympics have been held

Thirteen baseball players have won the Triple Crown

Swing music, bell-bottoms, and disco came in style, went out of style and came back in style

The Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Florida Marlins have all won the World Series; what next, the Nationals?!?

The Cubs played almost 15,000 regular-season games, losing the majority of them

Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Oklahoma and New Mexico were admitted to the Union

That's why I'm rooting for the Cleveland Indians. Prediction: Indians in 7.

Way Too Many

So this fall, YSSS is playing ball with a bunch of kids from a town about 20 minutes from us. A little clarity; SoulSlam goes toa gym in Wayne NJ...one night I roll on in and there's a kid who used to play for me, he's 16 now. He and his dad are there, we exchange pleasantries, catch up. Kid moved from my little burg to live with his mom in another town/county. Anyway, tells me he's wrestling (he's a big strong kid), doesn't play baseball anymore. As long as he's active I am all in.

So summer comes around sometime in early July and he tells me he's playing baseball for the summer. And they need kids. And he wanted to know if YSSS was available...but YSSS was playing with our slipshod American Legion team (playing be a loose term) and wasn't interested. He was working 20-25 hrs per week as well so no big deal. The big kid did give my number to the HC of this team who also happens to be a guy I see at the gym sometimes (though hadn't spoken too since I am a mute at the gym, but that is another story). Anyway, fall is rolling around so I get asked if YSSS is interested. We talk and he decides to give it a go. Now he's a pretty quiet kid, so jumping in with a team full of kids is pretty drastic sometimes. Anyway, we go, he's one of better kids (actually the best according to dad, coach, SoulSlam) and we get ready to play. We have a couple of practices in August that I think at max 10 kids came to. I'm also informed that in summer they usually only had 9 or 10 at a game. I get asked to be Asst. Coach too.

Anyway, turns out we have 13 kids on Sept. 1. And right before first game on 9/11 HC says he added another kid. Great I think. Except HE BATS THEM ALL! AT 16U! So we bat kids that are almost guaranteed to be automatic outs including:

A kid that runs track, though he actually isn't bad. Fast as a shark

A kid who would have trouble making a rec team, doesn't play HS baseball and is a 50/50 on any flyball right too him

A kid who i thought was 13 when I first met him. Seriously in need of a growth spurt he looks like he still watches Caillou

A kid that is our backup catcher that can't catch a ball from the pitcher. That is why YSSS had to catch a game a couple weeks ago

A kid who told me some schools wee looking at him. Ummmm, no they are not.

A kid who once asked me incredulously why he was expected to cover 2B on a force play becuase he was playing in

A kid who was apparently home-schooled and has the demeanor of one. He goes to a public HS now. I asked if he's playing HS baseball and he said "no"

So all these kids make up an interesting group. One thing the HC stressed to me was he didn't care if we won or lost. OK. Then the other night around 10:15PM I get some texts along the lines of "we need more pitching for last few games", I have two kids I'm gonna add to roster", etc. My only real response is we cant bat them all. He agreed. So what happens Wednesday night? 15 show up, 15 are in the lineup. AAAAARRRRGGHHHHH!

Soon to be over.

Inching Closer

That's what I would say to the guy I saw heard ina restroom today. Heaving, huffing and puffing, I've heard people that have finished marathons in record time be less out of breath. If you have that kind of respiratory difficulty just walking around you should start planning for the afterlife now.

Two In One Day!

So after I pretty much didn't call the earlier rounds correct (well I got NLDS' right but I had tanked on WC games so that makes me below .500), here's the SoulSlam picks for the AL and NL Championship Series:

AMERICAN LEAGUE - Indians over the Blue Jays in 6. LeBron James becomes biggest cheerleader in history.

NATIONAL LEAGUE - Dodgers over the Cubs in 7. Everybody in Chicago cries for months on end.

A Cup of the Black

So...

SoulSlam used to drink a lot of coffee. Started when I was a teenager working at a diner, early 5:30AM shifts. Cold out. So you start drinking coffee to warm up. Then it becomes a staple of your diet. So for the next 30 years or so, I drank coffee. My way was a regular (NY/NJ speak) or a light & sweet. UMMM, good.

Then about 3 years or so ago I started going to the gym regular like and watching what I eat a little more closely. And I realized that the morning coffee(s) I was consuling with all that milk and sugar was probably equal to drinking milkshakes. So I tried to cut back but that was tough. Then one day that was that. NO more morning coffees...the House of SoulSlam doesn't even have a coffee maker in the kitchen anymore.

But over the last few months I've gravitated back slowly. But now I drink it BLACK. Badass. 2 calories a cup. If I'm feeling it I mix in a little protein powder for a boost. After not being able to choke it down w/o the curlyQ stuff, now I'm all Type A about BLACK Coffee. But I can't buy it to go. I can only have the free office coffee or something with a meal. I feel cheated paying the same price for coffee as people putting 10 sugars and a glass of milk in theirs.

SO let's go back to the future: whilst working in the diner and being a teenager I once had tix to see Van Halen (DLR era) for a Sunday night. Had an early AM shift so I had to get up early. And I figured that I'd be a little gassed by the first notes of EVH's guitar. So I drank coffee. A lot. If I remember it was around 20 cups. Guess what? VH cancelled concert that night for some reason or another. So here I am, jacked to the bejesus with a caffeine rush. I don't think I slept that night. Ahhh, memories.

I'm Batting 1.000

So far in playoff picks. I am batting 1.000 in being WRONG! Wow.

WildCard Wrong!

I couldn't be more wrong on either of my WC picks. I'm 0-2 now.

MLB PLAYOFF PICKS PART ONE!

All with my head not my heart:

AL Wild Card will be Orioles over Blue Jays

NL Wild Card will be Mets over Giants

ALDS will see Rangers beat the WC Winner and Red Sox over Indians

NLDS will be Cubs over WC Winner and Dodgers over Nationals

I'll update as we move along. As you can see I don't think my beloved NY Mets will make it out of the DS. But given that they were all but dead six weeks ago in SF...I can't be disappointed.

Nine Twenty Nine

Has a nice sound doesn't it?

The quiet in the House of SoulSlam since OSSS went off to college is deafening. He was certainly the loudest person in the house. And we miss him greatly, but he's doing what we always wanted for him. College boy!

About 4 days left in the MLB regular season and the Mets are in the Wild Card pole position in the NL. I have zero idea how far they can get with the makeshift pitching staff but after years of no playoffs ever, Mets fans will take whatever October excitement they bring.

YSSS is having a great fall season with this new team. One young man who's the team cheerleader (as well as speedster) started calling YSSS "Hibachi". SoulSlam asked why. The kid responded, cause he's as hot as it gets at the plate. Nice to hear and see.

Tonight is back to school at YSSS' HS. I'll try to stay under control but I have some questions for some of these educators.

The Clown Apocalypse has begun. #ItWontBeZombies

Fall Baseball

YSSS is playing on a 16U team this fall in a town about 20 minutes from us. There are kids from a few towns but this is hardly a club team. I would call this a town-travel team. If I was starting a team, there are about 5 kids I'd let play for me (we have a 14 player roster). Some of these kids look like they've never played sometimes. Remember, it's 16U. YSSS is 15. And he is without a doubt better than everybody else by a longshot. That's not a brag, just so.

How we got here? Over the last year or so I've been seeing a kid that used to play with OSSS (he was a little younger but B-I-G) and his dad at the gym I go to. Small talk and at that time, he told me he wasn't playing baseball anymore, just wrestling for his HS. Cool. Then around May-June he told me he was playing for a team. And they needed players. At that time, YSSS wasn't too interested. He had a summer job and was playing on the local American Legion team (what an experience). But with autumn approaching and the need to find a team to play with in the fall, this seemed ok. HC is aguy I've seen at the gym. Nice guy. And on day 1 of practice I got roped into being an asst. coach. Which is good because watching these guys hit fungoes or explain the finer points is ponderous.

So we practice a bit. First game was last weekend, YSSS went 2-3 (also reached on an error) with a double, stolen base and 3 RBIs. He's batting cleanup. Started game in CF but played 1B for last 5 innings. Yesterday we had a DH. First game was a mercy killing on us, I SYN (shit you not) the score was like 23-2. We won the second game 7-6. YSSS was 3-5 with a triple, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. So far he's ripping the cover off the ball.

So I was asked (by a club team coach) why is YSSS playing with this team. They are a good bunch, so that's a plus. But the goal of fall baseball isn't to win some mythical championship, it's to get in the work. And I can't see paying hundreds or thousnads of dollars for what amounts to 10 weeks when the leaves turn. So if he wants we'l explore the club option for next summer so he can do the tourneys, etc. But right now he is working hard and succeeeding. All you could ask for.

---

PS: In OSSS at college news he squatted 405 over the weekend. He's a beast.

Wow September

Anyhoo it's the anniversary of Mrs. SoulSlam and SoulSlam. 19 years. She's still hot!

Off the Grid

SoulSlam decided that during this years vacation, it was PC off for the duration. Since I have one of them new-fangled iPhone thingies I could check my personal e-mail that way but I stayed off the internet and lived like the Amish.

OSSS aka Jack is now a college student. Living away. The House of SoulSlam is pretty quiet. This is one of those bittersweet moments in life I think.

24 Hours to Go

Until the House of SoulSlam is on a flight to Turks & Caicos. Then we get back early next week and take OSSS to college. Wow.

The End of a Ridiculous Career

Today is the day. Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez retires from the NY Yankees (BOO!) and MLB. It's been quite a ride.

SoulSlam uses ridiculous not as a derogatory term. This may be one of the most talented guys to ever play baseball. He has the numbers for Cooperstown, but he will most likely never get there unless he's a paying guest. He was the greatest SS during a period of great shortstops (he was better than Jeter, Garciaparra, Tejada). He's dated Madonna (well banged anyway). He dated big movie stars. He dated ex-wresting chicks. He's been MVP (3x!). He's done steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. He's lied about steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. He's cried on TV. He's eaten Jason Varitek's catchers mitt. He baby slapped a ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove. He called Bronson Arroyo "Brandon". He hated on Jeter. He came to the NYY and changed positions for Jeter. He had a no-doubt man-crush on Jeter. He was suspended a year. He finishes not in a fury, but a little whimper.

I will miss A-Rod*. There, I said it.

Yup

You Are a Robot

That's the word. Some type of genetically engineered bio-mechanical mega monster. And the end is nigh.

Just typing nonsense today. And in great news, the new version/season/life of MST3K will be on netflix! YES!!!

My Kind of Cheat Day

So the looooonngggggg roadtrip to Pittsburgh PA was had this weekend. Left Friday AM for the 6 hr drive to the hotel, which was directly across the street from PNC Park. Got there around 3:45 or so...quick change, wash the hands and down to the ballpark.

Nice place to see a game...they close off the street around PNC on Friday night for a block party. There was a band (whoI only saw tuning up for a while, so I call them the Tune Up Band); FoxNews The Five were doing a live remote from in front of Clemente Bridge (they had just ">trekked in from Cleveland); the park is cozy...a little tight here and there. Nice folks. The river is a nice backdrop.

Anyway, I didn't gorge myself and remained under control. I did order two hotdogs which, I am sorry to report, may have been the worst hot dogs I've ever eaten at a ballpark. Some Iron City and IC Light beer to quench my thunderous thirst was had as well.

Anyway, I figured I'd gain a lb. or 2 on the weekend. I lost a lb.! YES!

THE PIEROGI RACE! How Pittsburghian!

The Deficit

Trying to lose some poundage. So far I'm down about 12, all due to increased physical exercise and now a hih caloric deficit. This leads to some interesting meals. Let's look at yesterday:

Breakfast: Protein Shake 300 cals (basically what I have every AM)

Lunch: 2 hard boiled eggs, 4oz turkey, TBSP guacamole 275 cals

Snack: Protein Bar 200 cals

Dinner: Lean Cuisine Margherita Pizza and 3 oz turkey 500 cals

Add that up and we get 1275. I had a Michelob Ultra to drink with my dinner as well, which came after 1:15 of lifting (Shoulders and Forearms).

Consider that the deficit recommended to me is around 2000 cals, and my normal maintenance cals is 2800 that's a wee portion, Boyo.

Today's breakfast is the same. Today's lunch is basically the same. Gotta keep it up. Going to Pittsburgh PA on Friday w/ the Sons of SoulSlam to catch a Pirates game. I'm sure a cheat will be had.

PS - we found a small hole in pool liner. It's been repaired. I am not in despair.

Full Swing

That's what SoulSlam likes to see on a 2-0 count. Well any count to be honest. Hit it hard.

But seriously townsfolk, we are in the full swing of summer, and it's been hot round these parts. Except for last Saturday when it wasn't (and I got drenched trying to escape Citifield after the Nats laid the smackdown on the Mets. We just had a whale of a thunderstorm minutes ago; that's what all this heat and humidity brings.

Summer baseball for the Sons of SoulSlam is O-V-E-R. So I have a lot of time on my hands. Time that I am using to hit he gym H-A-R-D. I've also taken up ruckpacking a bit, hiking on trails with a 20+ lb. sack on my back. Took a spill Monday night on a more challenging trail...saw a root sticking up, said to my bad self, watch out for the root and of course got tangled and down I went. Hard. On my right knee. Which is not my good knee. Little bit of pain I tell ya. But I wrapped it up last night and dd 1:13 in G-Y-M like a BEAST!!!

oh well.

Pokemon Go!

The craze sweeping the nation is also the craze in the House of SoulSlam. Both OSSS and YSSS are avid players. Lots of walking around apparently. OSSS told me "you even see kids that never leave the house walking around"...so if it gets the bambinos off the couch I am 100% for it.

It's Really HOT!

Round these parts, the first heatwave of the season has begun. We've got a reading (at 4:22pm) of 93...feels like 94. No lie that's what it says. Better than freezing my ass off though.

In the South Pacific the "strongest storm on Earth is closing in on Taiwan" according to weather.com. That's a headline you just gotta click everytime.

Today is July 1

Happy Birthday to the OSSS aka Jack. I couldn't ask for a better son.

Summer In Earnest

It is truly summer now in North J. Funny, without coaching baseball this year makes me more leisurely on a whole.

Just in...state of NJ will raise gas taxes 23cents per gallon...but they will give a 1% reduction in sales tax. Now that sounds great except...the gas tax goes in immediately and the sales tax starts in 2018. If that's not a load of buckshot I don't know what is.

Some things I am watching:

Animal Kingdom (TNT)

Aquarius (NBC)

Preacher (AMC)

Deadliest Catch (Disc)

This Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Down around 10 lbs on my June cut. Got aways to go but it's a nice start.

Graduation Week

So time flies is the expression...and it's 100% correct.

This week, OSSS aka Jack will graduate from HS. Actually two HS'...on Tuesday he will march with his classmates from Butler HS, get name called and get a blank piece of paper. On Thursday afternoon he graduates from the school he officially attended, the Morris County Academy for Law & Public Safety. Either way, I can still remember his first day at school vividly...and while it is a time for absolute joy, it's kind of bittersweet in a way too. He (and his brother YSSS) has made me the proudest dad in the world. I couldn't ask for two better sons.

Wow. On to the next chapter for us...

Crystal Clear

After a lot of work and stress I am ecstatic to report that the pool is crystal clear. It took about 8 rounds of shock, and a full dose of chlorine tabs but it got back to my expectations on Friday. Vacuumed the bad boy on Saturday AM (after I worked out at the GYM!). Cleared pool filter and away we go.

Something I have spied early in, a lot of leaves in pool. Never really been a problem before but we've had some really blustery days so I'm seeing leaves. I'll see what I can do to trim back a couple of BIG TREES next weekend. One is virtually impossible though. Too big and branches are too high.

In other news I've started ruckpacking. I'll give you an update after next expedition.

Swimming Pool Woes

After a few sparkling crystal clear days, my pool is now a mess. Could be all the rain we are getting; it might also be that I was still using a pool filter cartridge from when I got the pool (I keep spares).

So after realizing I had the suction of a 100 year old vacuum, I went to local pool store and picked up a new cartridge. After install the flow is tremendous. Ran it for about 24 hours but it's still not at my level of greatness. Would have tested and adjusted chems last night but we had a monsoon blow in about 6pm. So that changed my plan. Turned it on this AM and will let it run. I'll check it when I get back from the gym (LEGDAY!) tonight and adjust accordingly.

Hoops

Prediction:

CAVS in 7 (because I'm pretty sure the NBA fixes a game or two to go 7).

Backyard Perfection

Even with the winter seemingly lasting through early May...

And parts replacement galore...

And the late removal of the winter cover...

And a business trip that interrupted work on my oasis...

Today I have this:

Season Over

So the HS baseball season is over for bot Sons of SoulSlam. If you've been following along you know that OSSS's had to return to their opponent on Tuesday to play extras. And they lost in 8. OSSS came up in top of inning and laid down a sac bunt as asked...but they stranded runner on 2B. Oh well. Then in bottom of the inning a misplayed ball in the OF was the decider.
So on the OSSS side, he's done playing HS ball. He had a tremendous senior season. I couldn't be more proud, but at the same time I'm a little sad that I won't see him in his Bulldogs uniform again.
YSSS's team had it's challenges but at the end of the day he had a great time this year as freshman starting on varsity. He got his varsity letter last night, so that is an accomplishment in of itself.

Now they both play American Legion for summer on the same team. So that will be something I can keep in my memory banks for a long time.

And stay tuned for a full pool update soon. I'm all in!

The Pins and The Needles

State Tournament game for OSSS was yesterday. 2-2 tie. Bulldogs up, man on, OSSS coming up to bat. And the lightning detector goes off around 5:50 pm. That means a 1/2 hour wait from last lightning/thunder event. After 45 minutes they suspend until today at 4:00 pm. SoulSlam can't go so I'm awaiting text updates from BWSS.

GO BULLDOGS!

Memorial Day Winter

It's about 10 days or so from Memorial Day and the weather is pretty terrible. Last couple have been ok, but the weekend will be a wet one I hear. I was away for work (in FLA) but apparently it was actually in the 30's one night here.

HS Baseball in North J (and all of J) is winding down. OSSS's team played last regular season game yesterday, and will begin state tournament on Monday. They are the 14th seed on section, and will play a pretty good #3 seed. If they play to their potential they can win here.
YSSS's team plays final game today. No states for them. He's had a great frosh season. He (and his brother) will play American Legion this summer so he'll face some older (and tougher) competition.
There will be a pool 2016 update sometime this weekend. I'll have you know the cover is off. Working on it this weekend.

Tuesday Tuesday

It's Tuesday, so I made the title two for Tuesday.
While you wouldn't call the weather here in North J stellar, at least it's stopped raining, and for the most part, the chill has left the air. SoulSlam was rocking a monstrous head-cold over the weekend, so getting to be like spring was a nice piece of weather-related news.
HS Baseball down to last few weeks round these parts. The Sons of SoulSlam have some games left, including a BIG matchup versus each other on Friday. OSSS' team is a senior-heavy HS team, while YSSS' team is from an Academy/Tech HS, so they are a little challenged in spots. It will be awesome to see them on the field together, even if they are wearing opposing uniforms. It will also be bittersweet. They will play together this summer for the American Legion team, so I have that in my sights as well. When I think of OSSS' time playing HS and club ball over, I get a little sad. Love watching my boys play and compete. He's 50/50 I think about playing in college; whatever he decides is OK with me. I just want him to succeed.

Weekend in Sickbay

SoulSlam is rocking a tremendous headcold/cough and general shitty feeling. Had it all weekend, went to bed so early it was almost still light out. Did get in a couple of workouts but sniffled the whole time. Now it's back to work.
Due to the incredibly crappy run of bad weather last week there were no HS baseball games this weekend. Too wet. Hope to see some games this week.

Youthful Rivalry

So, OSSS's HS team played the local HS that had three of his friends growing up on it, as well as a couple other kids he's played with in Legion ball. This is the last time they will play against each other in high school, so it was a pretty big deal to me at least.

The final score was a mercy 13-3 with the Bulldogs coming out on top, so OSSS had the last hurrah. He also went 2-3 with a double, an RBI, 2 runs scored and a sac bunt. Pretty good day at the office.

Anyways

SoulSlam has been laying low on the SoulSlam blog you could say. No specific reason. Sorry bout dat.
The weather here, in a word, blows. It's May 2 and it feels like October 24. Which is pretty depressing. And this week is a rain-fest apparently, unlike the last three weeks which threatened almost daily to be rain-fests. Makes for some cold HS baseball watching let me say.

College Bound

Looks like OSSS has picked a college:

Some Post

Random name for random thoughts:

Netflix Daredevil is awesome. Just started season 2. Punisher Rules.

Person of Interest is coming on for final (short) season in a couple of weeks. It's a great show.

Mets are looking pretty good early on. Fingers-crossed.

OSSS is having a great senior season so far.

YSSS is having a great frosh season, lots to look forward to.

My knees ache.

There really is no candidate for POTUS I like. But change must come so I will vote for change.

At's April 20 and I keep thinking the trees should have some leaves on them in North J.

I aerated a patch of lawn last night with brown grass. Trying to resurrect the turf, so to speak.

I am lifting some very heavy weights at the #gym.

The Guys You Grew Up With (GYGUW)

If you follow the incredible exploits of SoulSlam, you may know my two sons (the Sons of SoulSlam) do not attend the local public HS. They are in an academy program and attend schools that most of the GYGUW do not.

So today, OSSS's team (Bulldogs!) play the Bombers, which is full of GYGUW. Three of the starters are some of his oldest friends, particularly when you talk baseball. So in about 10 minutes I'm hightailing it out for the 15 minute ride to go see the game. Should be fun.

BTW, both sons' teams won a game this week so the big goose egg has been cracked.

Checkpoint

Here we are in basically mid-April and the weather has been, in a word, shitty. Cool and cold, wet and damp. Today looks like it might be the turning...let's hope so. As I type it's 50 and sunny, with temps going to 55 or so. Weekend might get in 70's so maybe the cool grip of early spring is over.

All this weather of ill-fortune has caused havoc with the North J HS Baseball season. Both boys teams are o-fer...in the OSSS's case it's a bit surprising. They have some talent there, but the bats have been cold for the most part and the pitchers' not making the pitches. Happens when you don't got no rhythm (had to look up that spelling!). They have some winnable games coming up so they need to right the ship now.

YSSS's team (aka THETECH) is an academy school. So the talent is pretty all over the place. He's starting on varsity, either OF or catcher, depending of starting catcher shows or not. On Saturday, they had a game. 9 kids showed up to play (out of 14). So the commitment is not really there, IMO. As I tell him, just do what you have to do. He also has to play the JV games, getting in innings behind plate (that's a good plan), and (I've been told) he's taking charge there. That's all I can ask.

Before you know it, May will be here.

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

Are as great as they sound!

Where the H-E-Double Hickey Sticks Am I?

I looked and it's been about a dozen or so days since I waxed poetic at this place here. Sorry about that, townsfolk.

After a spite of good weather, now we get the bad weather. So bad the beginning of NJ HS Baseball is all postponements and cancellations. Both boys have gotten in one game since Friday. Oh well.

Other than that, SoulSlam has been going to the G-Y-M generally 5 days per week now. With zero coaching responsibility I have some time on my hands. But I've sung that sad song before I think. Don't feel sorry for SoulSlam. He doesn't need your pity.

I did stop by the program's 12U team's first spring game Friday night, a couple of guys kids are on team so I thought I'd check them out. What we have there is Daddyball at it's finest. Calling the two yahoos that coach this team "coach" is an insult. They are more like head lineup writers. In the end, since the biys have been taught very little, they lost big time. I feel bad for the boys on the team but the parents there (with a couple of exceptions) are a big reason to blame the whole travesty on.

Anyways...it's spring sort of. Check back soon.

Now HS

The day finally came yesterday, that is YSSS played in his first HS scrimmage. Wow. No longer my little guy I guess. Anyways, SoulSlam took the roadtrip in some mighty frigid weather, got there just before gametime. Bottom 1st, team takes field and YSSS is trottin' out to LF! This is a varsity game so that was pretty exciting.
He played:

2 innings in LF

2 innings in RF

3 innings behind plate

At the plate he was 1-2 with a walk, a sac fly, w RBIs and a run scored. Hit the ball hard a couple of times. Batted in 8th spot so the pressure was off for the most part. Great ABs all. He gets to play some baseball now, which is what he loves.

It was really quite a day for me.

Yesterday, looking at YSSS I told him I was going to pick him up a new pair of baseball pants for practice. He was wearing a pair of grey flares that he's has since 13U travel. He's starting to look like Huck Finn wearing them (high waters y'all).
Then he hit me with this:

"Dad, get me a black pair."
I stared. Really?
Apparently his HS wears BLACK BASEBALL PANTS. I am beside myself. Wow.

At least they're not pinstriped.

The Goal To Eat Healthier

It's a lofty and attainable goal. I try hard. I've basically given up alcohol (I've had about a dozen beers since early January), walk away from fast food, try to eat the veggies, add protein shakes to make up the difference. Yet still I have trouble losing weight.
I've been going to the G-Y-M regular for 2+ years. I've ramped it up quite a bit in last two months, typically going at least 5x per week. I do weights and cardio. Different says means different things.
So while I have lost weight (lb-wise) it's not all that much I think. But when you look at SoulSlam you can definitely see a difference. A lb is a lb. But from my looking into, a lb of muscle takes up 4x less space than a lb of fat. That's me.

So people say "you've lost weight!". Not really, I've just changed. I used to stress about losing weight. Now I stress about getting bigger.
Bro!

A Week In

to NJ HS Baseball season...OSSS' team (BULLDOGS!) has first scrimmage tomorrow AM. He's looking forward to getting out and playing. He'll start at 1B and get his ABs in. Sweet.
YSSS was designated as a "floater" on his HS team (DEVILS!). He'll be playing both Varsity and JV this season. That's best of both worlds since he'll get the starts on JV and spot start or fill in on V as a freshman. Good for him. They have him doing some catching as well as CI and OF so we have to get some work done on that.

Springlike

From the looks of this here screen capture you could say we're having some warm weather:

Boys are actually having HS baseball practice outdoors already (last season they didn't practice outdoors until late March). But the weather twerps have a way of taking the air out of the ball and say April and May will be cool and wet due to El Nino! Great.
While we're here let's plug a few random TV shows SoulSlam enjoys:

Outsiders (WGN)

Supernatural(AMC)

Major League Legends (Smithsonian)

The People vs. OJ (FX)

Colony (USA)

NJ HS BASEBALL

STARTS TODAY!

Sons of SoulSlam from a couple years ago!!!

And just a couple of months ago!

March Is Here

We've had really mild weather the last few days so March kind of came in like a lamb...but the wind is picking up and the air is getting colder so the lion lies in wait.

The best thing in March is baseball. We've got spring training games where we get to see players again. And in NJ, we begin HS baseball this Friday in earnest. OSSS is a senior and is ready to go. He'll be starting at 1B and batting someplace 3-4-5 in order. YSSS is a frosh on a team of tech kids. So he's got a decent shot at seeing some real varsity time this year. They both go to different schools so that should be fun zipping around all over to see them.

Death Penalty for Parking Infractions

I'll bet that would stop people from:
a) parking in handicap spots, even though they are "just waiting for somebody"
b) eliminate the parking in the fire lane at most supermarkets
c) keep people from parking wherever they want regardless of parking lanes at the movies, church, mall, fill in the blank

The Economics of Cheating the American People

Gas is pretty cheap right now...in North J we are around $1.50 a gallon. It was a couple-three years ago that gas was upwards of $3.00 if I remember. And at that time, everything at the supermarket went up in price or down in size. A lb. of turkey from deli went from $6.99 to $7.99. The response was "gas prices have made companies raise their prices!".

So now gas prices are low. But the things that went up in price haven't come down. So that's The Economics of Cheating the American People.

Just received the forms for health benefits through work for next year. For me to keep the benefits I will pay almost 32% more than I did this past year per paycheck?! The Economics of Cheating the American People.

Property taxes in my area are high. But they iumposed a 2% cap on property taxes. Now a cap does not mean you have to go all the way to the threshold, you just can't go over. But looking at the analysis of PT for 2016, it seems that every town is meeting the 2% cap. The Economics of Cheating the American People.

In Flint MI, they have tainted water that they have known about for a long time. The kind of water that might just kill you eventually. But it was cheaper to give that to the citizens of Flint than do the right thing. The Economics of Cheating the American People.

It's Election Year. And right now I would say the candidates still standing are bleak. I have zero hope any of them are going to do what's right for the people instead of their own self-interests and party grandstanders. The Economics of Cheating the American People.

Se7en

"what's in the box?!"

Trolls

The anonymity of the WWW really pumps up some of you doesn't it? Absolutely laughable. 

Lent

If you are Catholic, today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. I went to Mass at 8AM. Lots of people commenting about dirt on my forehead. Oh well.

In theory you are supposed to give up something. I gave up drinking about 6 weeks ago, not because I'm headed to AA but all of my beer drinking was basically happening after I get home at night from gym...so what's the point of going to gym if I'm swilling 300 calories of cold brewy goodness afterwards. I don't eat too many sweets for the most part so giving that up is easy. I guess I could give up coming to work but I think my J-O-B would notice.

Anyway, Happy Lent!

The religious tone of this post is about as religious as I will ever get.

Halftime Travesty

Ok I was right. It blew. 

First, Coldplay. I didn't even know I knew a Coldplay song. Two of them sounded familiar. And these maudlin ballads were awful. The guitarist in the green pants was also awful.

Second, Bruno Mars. Talented little fellow. Matter of face when I saw him a couple of years ago I was impressed. With that being said why was he on again?

Third, Beyoncé. Tragic. She's a cow. Get a haircut. And apparently she's an activist. I have an idea: take all the moo-la-dee you and the Jay man have and go solve some problems. But that'd would require you to part with your dinero, comprende? Cow. 

Last, CBS. Who in the holy hell booked this shite? 

SB50 Prediction

Lots of commercials, some good some lame. Too much talking blah bah blah. Halftime show will blow (Coldplay?). 

And either the Panthers or Broncos will win. I could care less who. 

It's February

Shortest month, though this year it's longer than usual. February brings us:

Superbowl (Ok)

Groundhog Day (Thanks Bill Murray)

The Oscars and other awards shows (don't care)

The Walking Dead returns (yes!)

Spring training begins (double yes!)

More winter (boo!)

Valentine's Day (always a hit with the ladies)

Groundhog Day (get it?)

Other stuff

Winter Blues

Last weekend we had the mother of all storms...nearly 30" in parts of NJ (about 27 by me). This week we have temps in 40's and some melt. Forecast even shows a day near 60 next week!

SoulSlam is pretty much retired from coaching for the foreseeable future Two boys in HS will do that. I've made myself scarce at the PAL gym over the last month or so...no reason to hang around and watch. Instead I've been going to the G-Y-M to lift weights and do cardio. I've been pretty good at going 5x per week. It's a nice diversion, gives me something to do and other than the muscle aches, I feel great.

Boys are getting ready for HS baseball season. With them attending different schools (don't ask), there should eb a ton of games to go to in the spring. I am looking forward to that.

Forgetful People

I get it, as you get older it's sometimes harder and harder to remember. Well maybe you should retire.

We Got Snow

The blizzard of Jonas came and went. Looks like we got about 22" of the white stuff on Saturday. So Sunday AM was driveway (and we got a big driveway) cleaning. Which basically made this a pretty dull ass weekend. 

All My Strength

Not to do grievous bodily harm to certain individuals.

Weekends R2 Short

Word.

Supplemental

taking supplements is sometimes a hit or miss proposition. Some may make you feel great while others make you fell sick. Right now I am feeling sick. Could be this place (J-O-B) but I'm not sure.

Tough it out.

RIP David Bowie

Prior to being the epitome of SoulSlam, and the man I am today, I was a singer. We never achieved anything but some local talk, but them's the breaks. One of my biggest influences growing up was the immortal man himself, David Bowie. AKA Ziggy Stardust, AKA the Thin White Duke, AKA Aladdin Sane.

So when I heard the news this morning that Mr. Bowie passed away I was a little sad. He always remained on the cutting edge (generally getting there before everyone else) and he was a tremendous artist. RIP.

Mike and Junior

Well, first Happy New Year for real.

Now, on to my HoF predictions. I was 50%. And the immortal Ken Griffey, Jr. and Mike Piazza got inducted. Here's an interesting fact: Griffey was #1 pick. First player ever to go #1 and get in HoF. Piazza was picked in the final (162nd) round. The highest player drafted to ever get in HoF was in 22nd round!

In other predictions:

I said Raines gets in, he missed by a little over 5%. Last year on ballot next year so he gets it then.

Hoffmann on first go gets 67.3%. He's a lock. Probably a lot of 'not first year' sentiment.

Bagwell falls just short (a little over 3%). See you next tear big fella.

Schilling made a push but he's a ways off.

Mussina got 43%. I said 40%. I'm a genius.

Bonds and Clemens still out.