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.
4.11.2009
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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