SpongeBob is Sad Today

So, Steven Hillenberg, the creator of SpongeBob Squarepants passed away from ALS yesterday at the age of 57.

When I saw the news this morning, I was, at first, kind of ambivalent. I did not know Mr. Hillenberg. But then I started thinking of all the SpongeBob episodes I watched with my two sons as they were growing up. We had a lot of laughs. Unlike other cartoons they watched, SpongeBob was actually one I enjoyed. So as I reflect on memories of times spent with my sons, I feel sad about Mr. Hillenberg. He left an indelible impression on millions. I'm sure everyone in Bikini Bottom is crying today.

RIP.

The Homestretch

As SoulSlam types, it is November 26...which means we have about 35 days left in 2018. Holy Cow! Time does fly.

Just a little obviousness on this Monday back from a long weekend.

Let The Brine Begin!

Tomorrow, being Thursday, is Thanksgiving. SoulSlam has already begun. Got up around 5:30AM to place my 20-22 lb FRESH TURKEY in a brine solution (salt, peppercorns, turmeric, bay leaves, hint of Old Bay). It is sitting snug in the fridge in the basement as we communicate.

This evening will maybe consist of me setting the kitchen in order. I'd like to hit the gym, then it's out for a few drinks with friends.

Tomorrow I will arise early (6AM or so) and begin. The turkey must be drained and dried. Let it rest at room temperature for a couple of hours. Cooking time will be about 5 hours (your actual time may vary) so it's on the grill (yes, I cook on the outdoor grill!) by 9:30AM.

In addition, SoulSlam is making Veal Osso Bucco for the first time. Got some nice veal shanks so I'll make that. Also on menu:

Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Carrots

Sauteed Mushrooms

Green Beans

Stuffing Galore! (BWSS makes iT!)

Brussel Sprouts (courtesy of Renee!)

Mashed Turnips (I think I'm the only one who eats them)

Assorted breads and rolls

Cranberry something

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

ACHY BREAKY BACK

So after the marathing to get home on Thursday night due to NJ Gov't blowing chunks, it was a Torquemada like existence.

So Friday.. awake around 5AM, out of bed at 5:45AM. Had to wait until 7AM or so (due to dark) to start clearing driveway. Got the Ariens Beast out of hibernation. Lots of heavy, packed snow and slush. Some shoveling as well (which YSSS helped greatly with) since SoulSlam needs a new driveway. This took about 75 minutes. Then get ready to go to work. Made it in by 9. Worked all day. Left at 5.

Decided to hit the gym since I didn't go Thursday (let's not make this a thing)...told myself, no squatting! Had a little lower back twinge. Got to gym, went to locker room, got out and went straight to the power rack. For squats. Kept it simple:

Barx5

135x5

135x5

135x5

185x6

185x5

225x5

135x5 Pause Reps

Then proceeded to finish legs and get in a bicep workout.

Saturday was a day to visit local university with BWSS and YSSS. That was AM duty. Hit gym at 1pm for an hour of chest. Then home. To build a new desk my wife bought. Un-boxed said desk. There was literally a million parts. Holy cow. I just kept taking stuff out of a box. So I spent the enxt 2.5 hours hunched, sprawled, kneeled and prone building the desk. Boom. Then a trip to mall (What was I thinking). Some dinner at local taphouse. Home. I'm beat.

Wake up Sunday AM at 6:15 and I feel like somebody literally dragged me behind a car. Everything Hurt. Go to gym? Stary home from gym? Sit in a chair all day?
Despite my desire to stay behind, I left for gym around 8:30AM. Figured I'd meander about of nothing else. After about 20 minutes of back workout I started feeling human again. Finished off an hour of working out back & shoulders. Now I feel good. Lesson learned.

Mother of All Traffic Jams

Took me three (3) hours to get home yesterday the back way. It's 8 miles basically. You can do the math...

ROY Consideration

Two evenings ago, MLB Channel announced the Rookie of the Year in both leagues. R. Acuna Jr from the Atlanta Braves won in the National League. In the American League, the Angels' Sho Ohtani won decisively.

Which made NY Yankee fans apoplectic. Seriously.

A couple of months ago a pal who's a Yankee fan said Miguel Andujar was ROY (before season was even over). To which I responded, "no, Ohtani will win it". He was incredulous. But he shouldn't have been. But he was. Because he's a Yankees fan, and they are the worst fans. Sorry, the truth hurts.

Listen, Andujar had a great rookie season on a great baseball team (you have no idea how hard that is to type). But Sho Ohtani pitched and hit. Well. Yes, his pitching was curtailed by an injury, but when he did, he was really, really good. And hitting? Let's start here:

He had 5 less HRs than MA, in 240 less ABs. He had a higher OPS due to higher slugging and on base percentages. He performed at a higher level with two outs and runners in scoring position (.240 vs .423 average). He was basically a stud, just with a smaller sample.

But NYY fans think because he played in NPB that he's technically not a "rookie". He is. He's young. He could've stayed in Japan another couple of years and cashed in due to their service time rules. He did not. You'll also hear things about Andujar being the most "consistent hitter" and on a team that won 100 games. Great, Neither makes you ROY.

Your Civic Responsibility

Did SoulSlam mention he was assigned jury duty? No?

OK, so the Big S was called for jury duty in early October for a Two Day/One Trial cattle call audition. Arrived at the courthouse as expected. Around 10:30AM they called approximately 60 potential jurors to a courtroom for possible seating on a civil trial. Looking for eight jurors apparently. Anyways, they had seven selected and they just couldn't seat the 8th from what I could tell. We were in there for about 2.5 hours (wrapped around a lunch break) and there was about 10-12 sad folks still waiting to be interviewed when I heard my name called. Uh-Oh.

So long story short I got picked. Juror #1.

Trial started a week later. Here's the breakdown of days:

October 16-19 aka week one: 3.5 days in court

October 22-25 aka week two: 3.25 days in court

October 30 and November 1: The completion of trial

Now, you may be saying to your inquisitive self "wow, that must have been a large corporate trial regarding millions of dollars in question". You'd be wrong. It was between two guys that own machine shops basically.

To say this got very ponderous would be an understatement. While I understand my civic responsibility to complete jury duty when called, the length of time on this trial was overwhelming for all. Anyways, on the last day, SoulSlam was named foreperson and I took it to completion in earnest. Held for plaintiff. He'll most likely never collect from defendant. That's the judicial system!

It's Grey. Or Gray?

Anyway it's a dreary day. That's all I got.