Monday, November 17, 2014
hmmm
Hi! Just seeing whether or not it's easy to write a post on my phone, mostly because it's cold, there's nothing good on TV, and I don't feel like reading. Phone posts seem feasible but not particurlary convenient. We'll see.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Wow, readers of the family blogs are going to wonder what is going on here. After visiting Dad's cheerful new post about his burial plot and headstone, they probably think the reading can't get to be any more of a downer. Well, have I got news for them!
I typed this out over the last couple of hours. The goal was just to make me feel better writing it down and reading it to myself. I didn't know if it was going on the blog until just now as I pasted it in. My few readers are family and friends, so I saw no harm in sharing. Between the writing and the pasting I omitted a lot of what I wrote. Specifics, mostly- I saw no reason to incriminate myself or others by relating some of our more entertaining anecdotes. Maybe some other time.
As to whether it helped writing it all down, the answer is "I have no idea." I'm sure it didn't do any harm, at the very least.
Anyway, here goes:
As to whether it helped writing it all down, the answer is "I have no idea." I'm sure it didn't do any harm, at the very least.
Anyway, here goes:
I lost a great friend last week. Gone with a phone call.
For a full year Ron had been an emotional and mental
mess. He knew it. Everybody who loved him knew it, too. He was seeing a therapist, he had medication,
he had family and friends all willing to help in any way possible. All of which turned out not to be enough.
I’m no expert in such things, but I think it’s common for
people to feel as if they should have done more in these situations. Thankfully, I don’t feel that way. I don’t doubt there’s more that I and we
could have done, or something we could have done differently, to help. But we did what we could and what we knew to
do, and what seemed right at the time.
If we missed opportunities to help- as I’m sure we did- it wasn’t for
lack of effort or lack of concern. You
just don’t always know what to do, and maybe sometimes there just is no right
thing to do.
Ron and I met at St. X. The first few weeks I knew him as the little
blond kid who pushed Anthony to class in the wheel chair, because Anthony had
broken his leg playing baseball. But
soon we were friends. Jim, Ron, me, Anthony, John, Bob (Alan! Or as
our friend Janet took to calling him, to cover all the bases, ‘Bob-Alan’). Our social circle certainly wasn’t
impermeable- we drifted in and out of other crowds, and others drifted in and
out of ours, but the six of us were frequently together and considered each
other our social base.
Ron and I became even better friends through our college
years (which stretched on and on- I took my time), and even better friends over
the years after that. I’m sure that’s
rare. Young friends often stay friends,
but they don’t often get closer as the years go by. Not these days, anyway. We were in each other’s weddings, we played
hundreds of softball games together, played golf on who-knows-how-many
weekends, played poker, hung out and watched football and basketball. I swam in his pool and played horseshoes and
cornhole in his yard I have no idea how many times.
We debated; always fun, because we agreed about virtually
nothing in the realms of politics, religion, or sports, but never got mad at
each other. That’s pretty rare, too. Once he told me a work friend was saying
something or other negative about atheists and Ron had used me as an example
against his friend’s argument. He said “I have a friend who’s an atheist, and
he’s one of the best people I’ve ever known.”
I don’t know if he was right about that, but I’ll never
forget it and I’ll always appreciate it.
He was a good man and his opinion meant a lot to me.
Ron introduced me to all my friends on the Yogis softball
team. They are my friends because of
him, and I’ve needed them. Thank you,
Ron, for that.
Ron introduced Jim to that team, too, which went a long way
toward healing a breach between Jim and me.
Thank you, Ron, for that. Jim is
a tremendous friend. I like to assume
we would have ended up friends for life, anyway- we’ve been friends for
decades- but I certainly don’t know that for sure. I’ve been glad of our friendship for years, and
now I’m not just glad, I’m also grateful.
Ron was a good friend for a long time. We had stupid juvenile fun together in high
school. We had stupid juvenile fun together in
college, too. We became adults together. We had stupid,
juvenile fun as adults. I guess we
never grew out of stupid, juvenile fun.
When my marriage ended Ron was a good friend in need. Just as later I didn’t always know what to do
for him, he also didn’t always know what to do for me. There wasn’t always something to do. But he was there, willing to help. I thanked him for that, even when he couldn’t
really help. He thanked us, too,
in this past year, even though we apparently we couldn’t really help.
You never know what’s going to happen. I know that, and I knew that already. But I admit I assumed Jim, Ron, and I would
be 75% of many more golf foursomes for many more years. I’m not sure how long it will take to get
used to the new reality.
I’m grateful, though,
for the 27 years I knew Ron. He was a
good and decent man. I was proud to call
him my friend. I am proud to say he was
my friend.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Well, the lots of softball games I could have played turned into only three. Two losses Friday and we were done, and one loss tonight. 0 for 3. Darn.
Tonight was typical, for Sundays. Everybody else loads up for the league tournament, bringing out ringers to strengthen their tournament team. But we were missing 4 players and filled in with spare parts, and lost 10-9. I'm done with that, as far as putting our own team in the league. Next year I plan on latching on with another team and just showing up and playing. I'll be much happier doing that than making 20 phone calls and sending 30 text messages every weekend trying to get enough players. I'll let someone else worry about that.
Friday night was rough. Incredibly rough. I have no idea how many games I've played at third base in my life, but our 2nd game Friday night was by far the most difficult I've ever had at 3rd base.
We lost our 1st game by a lot. We just had one of those games where we didn't look ready to play. We didn't hit, didn't field, and got blown out.
We then had to play the loser's bracket final, and I got beat up at 3rd base. I've never had anything even close to an experience like that. I came out of it with only one massive bruise on my chest, but if I'd been a little quicker I could have had more. Most of the balls hit at me I just didn't have time to get in the way enough to get hit. I certainly wouldn't have fielded them. I made a couple of very nice plays for outs, barely saw a few balls as they zipped under my glove or by my ear or over my head, and took a few off my arms and wrists and one off my chest. Nothing easy at all, and with the ones under my glove or right next to me that I didn't field, it didn't bother me at all that I missed them. They were that hard.
Three comments from three different teammates after the game, all of whom are good defensive players:
1)"I thought about asking you if you wanted to switch positions with me, just to give you a break, but I didn't want to go over there."
2) "Hell, if Kevin couldn't get a glove on it I didn't see any point in putting anyone else over there."
3) "I felt sorry for him but I wasn't going to volunteer."
Still, in the bottom of the 7th we were only down 23-20, bases loaded and nobody out, and I was at bat. I'd hit the ball good all night and I was confident. I'd also been hitting nice low line drives into right field and between 1st and 2nd base all night (and for the last couple weeks), and the right fielder (Brian Brohm, incidentally) was playing deep. I felt sure I could drop one in front of him and be on 1st base as the winning run.
And what happened? Well, I hit it hard. A nice line drive, easily over the head of a normal first baseman. When I hit it I thought it was perfect. But their first baseman (who had drilled me in the chest earlier) was about 6'6" tall, and he snagged it for an out. And our base runner on 2nd was about twenty feet off the bag as the throw came over and he got doubled up, so there were 2 outs suddenly and the rally was all but over. We lost.
I'm still a bit bothered by that bit of base running. There's really no excuse for getting doubled up on a line drive when we needed the runner on base BEHIND him to score to just tie the game. But that's how it goes. It happens to everybody at some point, but that was a bad time to make that mistake.
Tonight was typical, for Sundays. Everybody else loads up for the league tournament, bringing out ringers to strengthen their tournament team. But we were missing 4 players and filled in with spare parts, and lost 10-9. I'm done with that, as far as putting our own team in the league. Next year I plan on latching on with another team and just showing up and playing. I'll be much happier doing that than making 20 phone calls and sending 30 text messages every weekend trying to get enough players. I'll let someone else worry about that.
Friday night was rough. Incredibly rough. I have no idea how many games I've played at third base in my life, but our 2nd game Friday night was by far the most difficult I've ever had at 3rd base.
We lost our 1st game by a lot. We just had one of those games where we didn't look ready to play. We didn't hit, didn't field, and got blown out.
We then had to play the loser's bracket final, and I got beat up at 3rd base. I've never had anything even close to an experience like that. I came out of it with only one massive bruise on my chest, but if I'd been a little quicker I could have had more. Most of the balls hit at me I just didn't have time to get in the way enough to get hit. I certainly wouldn't have fielded them. I made a couple of very nice plays for outs, barely saw a few balls as they zipped under my glove or by my ear or over my head, and took a few off my arms and wrists and one off my chest. Nothing easy at all, and with the ones under my glove or right next to me that I didn't field, it didn't bother me at all that I missed them. They were that hard.
Three comments from three different teammates after the game, all of whom are good defensive players:
1)"I thought about asking you if you wanted to switch positions with me, just to give you a break, but I didn't want to go over there."
2) "Hell, if Kevin couldn't get a glove on it I didn't see any point in putting anyone else over there."
3) "I felt sorry for him but I wasn't going to volunteer."
Still, in the bottom of the 7th we were only down 23-20, bases loaded and nobody out, and I was at bat. I'd hit the ball good all night and I was confident. I'd also been hitting nice low line drives into right field and between 1st and 2nd base all night (and for the last couple weeks), and the right fielder (Brian Brohm, incidentally) was playing deep. I felt sure I could drop one in front of him and be on 1st base as the winning run.
And what happened? Well, I hit it hard. A nice line drive, easily over the head of a normal first baseman. When I hit it I thought it was perfect. But their first baseman (who had drilled me in the chest earlier) was about 6'6" tall, and he snagged it for an out. And our base runner on 2nd was about twenty feet off the bag as the throw came over and he got doubled up, so there were 2 outs suddenly and the rally was all but over. We lost.
I'm still a bit bothered by that bit of base running. There's really no excuse for getting doubled up on a line drive when we needed the runner on base BEHIND him to score to just tie the game. But that's how it goes. It happens to everybody at some point, but that was a bad time to make that mistake.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Lots of Softball on a Sore Toe
Lots of softball on a sore toe? Sounds like a disgusting sandwich. Maybe softball on a soretoe bun.
Anyway, I smashed my right big toe pretty good last Tuesday night. How? Cornhole injury, of course. It's a dangerous game. Actually, I was playing in our cornhole league tournament and there was a smelly garbage can nearby. It had rained the night before, so rainwater made it very heavy and the garbage was pungent. I was dragging it away so we couldn't smell it and I bounced or slammed onto my foot. Ouch. Smashed right onto my toenail, and the toe bled a lot.
I cleaned it decently while my teammate and opponents waited patiently, then came back and finished up the last two games of our best-of-three match. We won. Then we advanced to the next round, lost 2 games quickly, played again and won 2 straight, then again and lost 2 straight, so we were eliminated. I could use the fact that I had to play 8 games on a smashed toe as an excuse, but the 4 games we won Tuesday were more than we won in all of July.
I kept my injury clean, I thought, and even bathed it Betadine a couple of times, but by Friday I could tell it was infected. The two softball games I played Friday night were fun- big, big wins both!- but painful.
Saturday afternoon I went to an immediate care center. The doctor said 'yep, that's infected' and I received a tetanus shot and a prescription for antibiotics. I don't like tetanus shots.
Two more softball games Sunday-both wins again!- another win Monday night, two more wins last night! ( Lots of exclamation marks because it's a lot of wins.) All painful at times but fun, and even with all that softball my toe seems to be improving.
I tried to keep it wrapped as instructed, but seriously, have you ever tried to wrap a bandage around your toe and then put on shoes? I think it was doing more harm than good. Cleaning 3 times a day should take care of it, anyway, and it is getting better.
The weekend lineup is more tournament games. Minimum 3 games, maximum 7 on Friday and Sunday combined. Friday we are in the winner's bracket final so we'll play at least 2, and could play as many as 3. Sunday we're still alive but would have to win 4 straight without a loss.
I'm especially looking forward to Friday night. Our team has 5 current or former Yogis, and the team we play first has the same number. The 10 of us have all played a lot of ball together and like each other, so I think it will be a lot of fun. It's cool that both teams made it to the winner's bracket final.
Therefore, this 80 degree weekend will see no golf from me. I could play Saturday but I think I'll skip it with the hope of wearing myself out with softball winning streaks.
Anyway, I smashed my right big toe pretty good last Tuesday night. How? Cornhole injury, of course. It's a dangerous game. Actually, I was playing in our cornhole league tournament and there was a smelly garbage can nearby. It had rained the night before, so rainwater made it very heavy and the garbage was pungent. I was dragging it away so we couldn't smell it and I bounced or slammed onto my foot. Ouch. Smashed right onto my toenail, and the toe bled a lot.
I cleaned it decently while my teammate and opponents waited patiently, then came back and finished up the last two games of our best-of-three match. We won. Then we advanced to the next round, lost 2 games quickly, played again and won 2 straight, then again and lost 2 straight, so we were eliminated. I could use the fact that I had to play 8 games on a smashed toe as an excuse, but the 4 games we won Tuesday were more than we won in all of July.
I kept my injury clean, I thought, and even bathed it Betadine a couple of times, but by Friday I could tell it was infected. The two softball games I played Friday night were fun- big, big wins both!- but painful.
Saturday afternoon I went to an immediate care center. The doctor said 'yep, that's infected' and I received a tetanus shot and a prescription for antibiotics. I don't like tetanus shots.
Two more softball games Sunday-both wins again!- another win Monday night, two more wins last night! ( Lots of exclamation marks because it's a lot of wins.) All painful at times but fun, and even with all that softball my toe seems to be improving.
I tried to keep it wrapped as instructed, but seriously, have you ever tried to wrap a bandage around your toe and then put on shoes? I think it was doing more harm than good. Cleaning 3 times a day should take care of it, anyway, and it is getting better.
The weekend lineup is more tournament games. Minimum 3 games, maximum 7 on Friday and Sunday combined. Friday we are in the winner's bracket final so we'll play at least 2, and could play as many as 3. Sunday we're still alive but would have to win 4 straight without a loss.
I'm especially looking forward to Friday night. Our team has 5 current or former Yogis, and the team we play first has the same number. The 10 of us have all played a lot of ball together and like each other, so I think it will be a lot of fun. It's cool that both teams made it to the winner's bracket final.
Therefore, this 80 degree weekend will see no golf from me. I could play Saturday but I think I'll skip it with the hope of wearing myself out with softball winning streaks.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Dad's driving complaint reminded me that I've been very annoyed by other drivers lately. It's interesting, because my level of 'road rage' has decreased dramatically over the years, and especially lately.
I used to get quite angry with other drivers. Furious, really. But I've calmed down quite a lot behind the wheel.
At the same time, though, I think I've actually become more aware of all the stupid things drivers do. I think (though I'm not sure) that my own driving continues to improve. Over the years I have become more patient, more cautious, more aware, and more courteous behind the wheel, but this has made me even more aware of when other drivers do not behave properly.
I've also mellowed, though, so while I'm now ever more aware of how awfully everyone drives, it bothers me less, or at a lower level.
One thing continues to enrage me, however, and that's people who stick themselves into the middle of an intersection after the light from wherever they are turning from turns red. Please, people, don't move through the intersection until you know you won't stick yourselves into the middle of oncoming traffic.
There. That's all I have to say about that subject... until you are blocking me. Then you'll hear more.
Next topic...
I don't go to movies very often. Once every couple of years is about it. But now I have a feeling that every time I sit in a theater I'll spend at least 30 or 40 seconds thinking 'wow, there really is no good way out of here if someone starts shooting.'
I know it's a very small thing in light of the incredible pain he caused to the people of Aurora, CO., but really it's incredible how many people who will probably spend that half-minute of discomfort like I described while waiting for whatever crappy movie they are about to watch.
Thanks a lot, nut job.
Next topic...
My softball swing is finally coming around again. I hit better the first six weeks of the season than I've ever hit before, then slumped badly. But my last dozen at bats or so have been much better.
When I was slumping I thought I wasn't waiting long enough on the pitches. That wasn't the problem, though, so trying to correct that didn't fix anything. Turns out it wasn't a matter of waiting long enough, it was where I was meeting the pitches. I just need my weight behind me properly when I make contact. I realized that before my last at bat last Wednesday, made the adjustment, and have about 7 or 8 hits on the dozen or so at bats since then.
Next (and last) topic...
We've stunk in the Tuesday night cornhole league. I think we may be in last place, but I'm not sure. However, this week I stayed late and played in the $5 blind draw tournament and won, so that's a plus.
I love these tournaments, in theory. They start around 10:30, though, so I don't stay and play too often. If I thought I'd win $40 or $50 with any frequency I'd stay all the time, but otherwise I'm just donating $5 to lose an hour or two of sleep..
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Reading update: Nothing special. I'll finish Sacre Bleu tomorrow, probably. It's pretty good, but not worthy of a big recommendation.
Slicky Boys is also pretty good, I'm about half-done with it. Again, though, it's not so good that I'll tout it heavily. I will, however, endorse the series in general. There are six or seven books featuring the same two main characters, and this is the third I've read. They're all pretty good.
Next up is World Made By Hand ( I think. I might be wrong even about the title), by someone whose name I can't recall. It looks good, and I've been looking forward to reading it. I've sort of been saving it. After each of the last 3 or 4 books I've finished I've considered starting this one, but I have a suspicion it's one I'll practically inhale- that I will have some difficulty putting it down once I start it.
So I'll probably be disappointed by it since my expectations are so high.
Apparently I'm an official 4-nights-per-week softball player now. That seems like a lot, doesn't it?
Most of the leagues are nearing the end, though. Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday will all end late July or early August. However, the Monday league has a long time left and we'll be starting Tuesday/Thursday soon after.
I was already 3 nights per week officially, and subbing some on Fridays, including each of the last two weeks. Then last night I was talking with the guy I play for on Fridays and he basically told me I was expected to show up every week until the end of the season. I started to protest, then told him yeah, heck with it, I'll be there. It's not like I'm doing anything else.
As to how softball is going, it's a mixed bag.
My Sunday team started out great at 4 and 1, suffered through a lousy losing streak, but won yesterday against a good team.
Mondays we also started great, but have lost two in a row. We played okay both losses, though, so not so bad.
Wednesdays we've been terrible, with a few flashes of brilliance.
And now that I'm enlisted permanently on Fridays I suppose I'll have to care about that team, too, but I have no idea what that team's record is. Seems like a decent team. I know I like the guys on the team, at least. Yesterday, several of them stuck around after their own game to watch my Sunday team for one reason only- I was playing shortstop and they were waiting for a chance to razz me when I messed up. I have to respect that.
But I never messed up, and in fact I ended the game with a nice back-handed play. Kudos to me.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, 12:23 AM. I'm home watching Big Bang Theory, and head off to bed in 7 minutes, so this will be quick.
I arrived home around 5 today to 100+ degree apartment. That's the 4th time in 3 years my air conditioning has gone out. It has to either the a.c, or the apartment location (top floor, lots of sun exposure and lots of windows), because I'm sure it's not me. I set the thermostat on 74 or 75 in the summer, which I think is conservative- lots warmer than I'd like it. I'd be very happy with 65 degrees, but I try to keep it mild, both for cost and because I've learned my air conditioner has to work very hard.
With a Friday afternoon a.c. disaster I know I can't get it fixed until at least Monday. Two more 100 degree days coming up, and 4th of July week I'm not at all sure my landlord will get it fixed in a timely manner.
I called my favorite hotel, Casa de Tabler in the lovely Tyler Park neighborhood, and arranged lodging. Then I left to play softball, planning to come home, shower, and head to Mom and Dad's for the night. But when I got home a few minutes before 11:00 the temperature was down to 83 and my bedroom was even cooler- not a lot, but a few degrees.
The air conditioner definitely needs professional attention again, and it will definitely climb up to 100 degrees in here tomorrow, but tonight it seems fine as long as I have a fan blowing.
I didn't call to cancel my reservation. I hope I don't lose my deposit, but I figured nobody would be working the desk after 11:00. Or if I called that late I might make an employee cranky, especially since the guy who took my reservation was playing golf early Saturday in Lexington.
Nothing else to report, except softball doings. We won tonight, but that doesn't mean much to me because it's not my team. I was just subbing.
We lost 19-17 Wednesday to a team that crushed us by lots and lots of runs about 3 weeks ago. Nice to see improvement, but we were down 19-17 with bases loaded, 0 outs in the bottom of the 7th and should have won or gone to extra innings. Instead we got a fly out/double play on a failed tag up to home, then another out. I'd like to be mad at the guy who got thrown out but he got nailed by an absolut cannon of a throw to the plate which surprised me as much as I'm sure as it surprised him.
It was a rough night for me. Not a particularly bad night, but a rough one. I got four new bruises from ground balls off various body parts. It was the late game and I have a rough time fielding the ball cleanly under the lights. I was busy- lots of balls hit my way- and I did a decent job getting outs, but too many of them bounced off me first.
Anyway, that's it. I've run over into a 'Friends' episode, and it's just not funny. Bed time.
I arrived home around 5 today to 100+ degree apartment. That's the 4th time in 3 years my air conditioning has gone out. It has to either the a.c, or the apartment location (top floor, lots of sun exposure and lots of windows), because I'm sure it's not me. I set the thermostat on 74 or 75 in the summer, which I think is conservative- lots warmer than I'd like it. I'd be very happy with 65 degrees, but I try to keep it mild, both for cost and because I've learned my air conditioner has to work very hard.
With a Friday afternoon a.c. disaster I know I can't get it fixed until at least Monday. Two more 100 degree days coming up, and 4th of July week I'm not at all sure my landlord will get it fixed in a timely manner.
I called my favorite hotel, Casa de Tabler in the lovely Tyler Park neighborhood, and arranged lodging. Then I left to play softball, planning to come home, shower, and head to Mom and Dad's for the night. But when I got home a few minutes before 11:00 the temperature was down to 83 and my bedroom was even cooler- not a lot, but a few degrees.
The air conditioner definitely needs professional attention again, and it will definitely climb up to 100 degrees in here tomorrow, but tonight it seems fine as long as I have a fan blowing.
I didn't call to cancel my reservation. I hope I don't lose my deposit, but I figured nobody would be working the desk after 11:00. Or if I called that late I might make an employee cranky, especially since the guy who took my reservation was playing golf early Saturday in Lexington.
Nothing else to report, except softball doings. We won tonight, but that doesn't mean much to me because it's not my team. I was just subbing.
We lost 19-17 Wednesday to a team that crushed us by lots and lots of runs about 3 weeks ago. Nice to see improvement, but we were down 19-17 with bases loaded, 0 outs in the bottom of the 7th and should have won or gone to extra innings. Instead we got a fly out/double play on a failed tag up to home, then another out. I'd like to be mad at the guy who got thrown out but he got nailed by an absolut cannon of a throw to the plate which surprised me as much as I'm sure as it surprised him.
It was a rough night for me. Not a particularly bad night, but a rough one. I got four new bruises from ground balls off various body parts. It was the late game and I have a rough time fielding the ball cleanly under the lights. I was busy- lots of balls hit my way- and I did a decent job getting outs, but too many of them bounced off me first.
Anyway, that's it. I've run over into a 'Friends' episode, and it's just not funny. Bed time.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Due To Public Demand...
Here's another post, necessitated by a great outcry from my reading public (Mom).
I'll start with my current reading. I'm nearly done with The Windup Bird Chronicle, by Haruki Murakami. My opinion of this novel will hinge upon the last 50 pages. It has been interesting so far, with some terrific sections, but I'll need a good ending before I say it is a good book.
This is the second of Murakami's books I've read. 1Q84 was the first. Oddly, I can't quite say I really, really liked it. I can only say I found it extremely interesting. His writing style is unique, and I'm fascinated by it, but the plot was strange and not quite satisfying. The Windup Bird Chronicle is turning out to be more of the same.
I've never read anyone who writes at all like him. Though I can't quite form a coherent opinion of his work, I must like it because half-way through this one I saw another of his novels, A Wild Sheep Chase, and bought it.
The other novel I'm reading is Sacre Bleu, by Christopher Moore. I'm perhaps 1/3 of the way through this one. Very enjoyable, as are all his books. This one has driven me to Wikipedia a lot. The plot revolves around late 19th century painters. Henri Toulouse Lautrec, Pissaro, Renoir, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Whistler are all involved in the story.
I could probably fact check many of the references with Mark, and just a few years ago I would have, but now I have Wikipedia. And I turn to it frequently since my art history knowledge is (or was, until a week ago) non-existent. But I'm now learning quite a lot, especially about the post-impressionists.
Now that I think about it, The Windup Bird Chronicle has driven me to Wikipedia a lot, too. Lots of references to post WWII Japan, Manchuria, and Siberia have touched upon historical topics I find interesting but know very little about.
Other than my reading, and work, I've pretty much just been playing softball. In fact, tonight's game was my 9th in 8 days. That's too many. But I played 5 games in a tournament Saturday, so that skewed the numbers. It must not have worn me out too much, though, because after the game last night I was asked to sub this coming Friday and said 'sure, I'll play.'
Actually, I'd love to play in the Friday league all the time. It's a good league and the place is absolutely packed with people on Friday nights. It's a lot of fun. Plus I don't have to work on Saturdays.
One more interesting thing (interesting to me, anyway) about softball, then I'm done. For quite a few years I played two nights a week, and that was it. I played both nights with exactly the same team, hung out after the game with that team, then went home.
But the last 3 or 4 years I've played 3, 4, and sometimes 5 nights per week, and I've played in more weekend tournaments. I've played on different teams, too, and greatly increased the number of players I know by name and who know me. And what's most relevant to my point is that I've gotten to know almost all the umpires around town. Lots of them know my name, and almost all the rest at least know me by sight, and if they don't know my name they at least know who I play for and what position I play.
And the point is, I've noticed that I now get very favorable ball/strike calls. This year and last I've noticed that most of the time if I don't swing at a borderline pitch the umpires call it a ball. There are lots of 50/50 calls on ball/strike, but lately they all seem to go in my favor. Quite a few of them are pitches that I would have called a strike myself, but I get the call. I can't help but see a correlation between that and the fact that before my games the umpires see me, say "Hi, Kevin," and come over to talk to me for a minute.
I guess I'm finally starting to see the benefits of networking- just years too late and in a non-lucrative aspect of life.
I'll start with my current reading. I'm nearly done with The Windup Bird Chronicle, by Haruki Murakami. My opinion of this novel will hinge upon the last 50 pages. It has been interesting so far, with some terrific sections, but I'll need a good ending before I say it is a good book.
This is the second of Murakami's books I've read. 1Q84 was the first. Oddly, I can't quite say I really, really liked it. I can only say I found it extremely interesting. His writing style is unique, and I'm fascinated by it, but the plot was strange and not quite satisfying. The Windup Bird Chronicle is turning out to be more of the same.
I've never read anyone who writes at all like him. Though I can't quite form a coherent opinion of his work, I must like it because half-way through this one I saw another of his novels, A Wild Sheep Chase, and bought it.
The other novel I'm reading is Sacre Bleu, by Christopher Moore. I'm perhaps 1/3 of the way through this one. Very enjoyable, as are all his books. This one has driven me to Wikipedia a lot. The plot revolves around late 19th century painters. Henri Toulouse Lautrec, Pissaro, Renoir, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Whistler are all involved in the story.
I could probably fact check many of the references with Mark, and just a few years ago I would have, but now I have Wikipedia. And I turn to it frequently since my art history knowledge is (or was, until a week ago) non-existent. But I'm now learning quite a lot, especially about the post-impressionists.
Now that I think about it, The Windup Bird Chronicle has driven me to Wikipedia a lot, too. Lots of references to post WWII Japan, Manchuria, and Siberia have touched upon historical topics I find interesting but know very little about.
Other than my reading, and work, I've pretty much just been playing softball. In fact, tonight's game was my 9th in 8 days. That's too many. But I played 5 games in a tournament Saturday, so that skewed the numbers. It must not have worn me out too much, though, because after the game last night I was asked to sub this coming Friday and said 'sure, I'll play.'
Actually, I'd love to play in the Friday league all the time. It's a good league and the place is absolutely packed with people on Friday nights. It's a lot of fun. Plus I don't have to work on Saturdays.
One more interesting thing (interesting to me, anyway) about softball, then I'm done. For quite a few years I played two nights a week, and that was it. I played both nights with exactly the same team, hung out after the game with that team, then went home.
But the last 3 or 4 years I've played 3, 4, and sometimes 5 nights per week, and I've played in more weekend tournaments. I've played on different teams, too, and greatly increased the number of players I know by name and who know me. And what's most relevant to my point is that I've gotten to know almost all the umpires around town. Lots of them know my name, and almost all the rest at least know me by sight, and if they don't know my name they at least know who I play for and what position I play.
And the point is, I've noticed that I now get very favorable ball/strike calls. This year and last I've noticed that most of the time if I don't swing at a borderline pitch the umpires call it a ball. There are lots of 50/50 calls on ball/strike, but lately they all seem to go in my favor. Quite a few of them are pitches that I would have called a strike myself, but I get the call. I can't help but see a correlation between that and the fact that before my games the umpires see me, say "Hi, Kevin," and come over to talk to me for a minute.
I guess I'm finally starting to see the benefits of networking- just years too late and in a non-lucrative aspect of life.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
I couldn't decide whether to lead this post with something incredibly exciting, or save it for the big finish. Then I thought about it and realized there was nothing really exciting.
Softball and work. That's about all that's going on. And softball has gone downhill fast. My Sunday team is 4 and 2, but we've lost 2 of our last 3 and have been playing poorly. Today was especially bad.
I've played shortstop all 6 games for that team. I've been okay there. In a 35 and over league I'm adequate to play the position, but we'd be much better if we could find someone else to play there and move me back to 3rd base.
The Monday and Wednesday leagues have been ugly lately. The only bright spot has been the Monday rain outs. Looks like another one tomorrow. We need to start hitting soon or we're in trouble. I can't figure out how the same 11 or 12 guys can score 15 runs consistently for weeks, and then just stop scoring.
I was getting hits constantly myself, even through most of our team slump. But the last 2 or 3 games have been ugly for me as well. No worries, though. I've always been a base hit machine (ha ha. I've never been a hitter), so that will change.
On to books, then, since reading is my fun cheap entertainment. I've almost finished Collusion, the sequal (part 2 of 3, so far) to The Ghosts of Belfast. Very good, but not quite as good as good as the first. Stuart Neville is definitely a writer. He's good.
While reading the 2nd book I realized that they are both westerns. They're set in northern Ireland, post-Troubles, with cars and cell phones and all the other 21st century technology, and they are classified as crime noir, so it took me a while to realize it, but really they are westerns. The trappings are very different, but they're all about the reformed gun-fighter (IRAish 'freedom fighter'), his tortured past, and his being dragged back into violence- but this time for a good cause.
Still, marvelous writing and great stories. I really enjoy them. The 2nd book is not quite as good, but still better than most of what I've read in the last year or two.
I have a good list of books to follow, too. I have World Made By Hand, by somebody-or-other whose name I have forgotten. Some sort of post-apocolyptic thingamajig, but I don't recall the premise. Looks good though, or at least it did when I read the back cover a month ago. I also have the newest Christopher Moore book. He is always entertaining. And I'm going to plough through the rest of "That
Awful Mess on the Via Merulana," which has been a thorough chore but might be worth the effort. It's like reading James Joyce but without an at least passing familiarity with the culture, so it's that much harder.
Plus there is another Stewart Neville book, Stolen Souls. That will be high on my list. And I recently read two crime novels by Martin Limon (I'm not taking the time to figure out how to put the accent mark over his last name), and there are four more books in that series which I would like to read, so my list for the next few months looks good.
I also intend to take another stab at The Poisonwood Bible, but I don't know... I didn't care for the first attempt.
What else, what else....? My life is not must-see TV. Why do I enjoy it so much, then? I must be easily pleased. Well, the new girl downstairs is an absolute knockout. Wow. Just met her today. Over a decade younger than me and a single mom, but wow. We'll see. The pitcher might be throwing faster than I can handle, but if nothing else I might have to close my eyes and swing as hard as I can with this one.
Softball and work. That's about all that's going on. And softball has gone downhill fast. My Sunday team is 4 and 2, but we've lost 2 of our last 3 and have been playing poorly. Today was especially bad.
I've played shortstop all 6 games for that team. I've been okay there. In a 35 and over league I'm adequate to play the position, but we'd be much better if we could find someone else to play there and move me back to 3rd base.
The Monday and Wednesday leagues have been ugly lately. The only bright spot has been the Monday rain outs. Looks like another one tomorrow. We need to start hitting soon or we're in trouble. I can't figure out how the same 11 or 12 guys can score 15 runs consistently for weeks, and then just stop scoring.
I was getting hits constantly myself, even through most of our team slump. But the last 2 or 3 games have been ugly for me as well. No worries, though. I've always been a base hit machine (ha ha. I've never been a hitter), so that will change.
On to books, then, since reading is my fun cheap entertainment. I've almost finished Collusion, the sequal (part 2 of 3, so far) to The Ghosts of Belfast. Very good, but not quite as good as good as the first. Stuart Neville is definitely a writer. He's good.
While reading the 2nd book I realized that they are both westerns. They're set in northern Ireland, post-Troubles, with cars and cell phones and all the other 21st century technology, and they are classified as crime noir, so it took me a while to realize it, but really they are westerns. The trappings are very different, but they're all about the reformed gun-fighter (IRAish 'freedom fighter'), his tortured past, and his being dragged back into violence- but this time for a good cause.
Still, marvelous writing and great stories. I really enjoy them. The 2nd book is not quite as good, but still better than most of what I've read in the last year or two.
I have a good list of books to follow, too. I have World Made By Hand, by somebody-or-other whose name I have forgotten. Some sort of post-apocolyptic thingamajig, but I don't recall the premise. Looks good though, or at least it did when I read the back cover a month ago. I also have the newest Christopher Moore book. He is always entertaining. And I'm going to plough through the rest of "That
Awful Mess on the Via Merulana," which has been a thorough chore but might be worth the effort. It's like reading James Joyce but without an at least passing familiarity with the culture, so it's that much harder.
Plus there is another Stewart Neville book, Stolen Souls. That will be high on my list. And I recently read two crime novels by Martin Limon (I'm not taking the time to figure out how to put the accent mark over his last name), and there are four more books in that series which I would like to read, so my list for the next few months looks good.
I also intend to take another stab at The Poisonwood Bible, but I don't know... I didn't care for the first attempt.
What else, what else....? My life is not must-see TV. Why do I enjoy it so much, then? I must be easily pleased. Well, the new girl downstairs is an absolute knockout. Wow. Just met her today. Over a decade younger than me and a single mom, but wow. We'll see. The pitcher might be throwing faster than I can handle, but if nothing else I might have to close my eyes and swing as hard as I can with this one.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
1st new post in how long? I do not know. I didn't check the date, but that Freddie Mercury Google doodle was a long time ago.
Anyway, in the intervening time a lot has happened. I left the primordial soup, developed fins, lost fins, developed firmer appendages, learned to walk erect, developed opposable thumbs, learned language, was inculcated with a (then) necessary belief in a diety, zoomed right through my stone age and bronze age and on to a personal industrial revolution, slowly shed my superstitions, and now here I am, a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a still-full head of hair who has not much exciting going on in his life. But the opposable thumbs rock!
Don't get too used to this. I don't really plan on posting very often. I like my life fine, but nothing particularly exciting happens very often. I feel silly just describing my day when my day is fairly boring. Also, while I like expressing my opinions on controversial issues, the number of people interested in that opinion is not particularly large. My cult of personality just never really took off, I guess.
In the months I've been away I've read lots of books. I don't even remember what all I've read, but several have been very good. I recommend The Ghosts of Belfast to everyone. Terrific book. I won't recommend any others at the moment. Others have been good, but that's the one that really sticks out for me. That one grabbed me and wouldn't let go.
Hmmm... what else...? Activities: nothing exciting for most of the past few months. Softball has started up again, and I'm playing well. I sometimes think it's about time to consider quitting, or at least slowing down, but I'm actuallly a better softball player now than I've ever been, so I'll ride that high tide for a while and see how far it takes me.
Oh, as to why I quit posting- initiallly, I was sans computer. As a man with no smart phone, I had no options. Computer A was on its last legs so I bought backup computer B. Computer B, though, suffered traumatic brain injury when it crashed to the ground from my night stand immediately after the Michigan/Notre Dame football game (not anger, just an accident). Shortly thereafter, computer A expired from mostly natural causes. I found myself off the grid and without funds to get back on. The several months that followed were enough to ween me from internet dependency. I found that I didn't miss posting, or Facebook, or email, or much of anything else other than the occassional episode of 30 Rock. So I intend to mostly keep it that way. If I ever join the 21st century and get a smart phone, I might post here and on Facebook more often. But until then both of those things will remain infrequent. .
Don't get too used to this. I don't really plan on posting very often. I like my life fine, but nothing particularly exciting happens very often. I feel silly just describing my day when my day is fairly boring. Also, while I like expressing my opinions on controversial issues, the number of people interested in that opinion is not particularly large. My cult of personality just never really took off, I guess.
In the months I've been away I've read lots of books. I don't even remember what all I've read, but several have been very good. I recommend The Ghosts of Belfast to everyone. Terrific book. I won't recommend any others at the moment. Others have been good, but that's the one that really sticks out for me. That one grabbed me and wouldn't let go.
Hmmm... what else...? Activities: nothing exciting for most of the past few months. Softball has started up again, and I'm playing well. I sometimes think it's about time to consider quitting, or at least slowing down, but I'm actuallly a better softball player now than I've ever been, so I'll ride that high tide for a while and see how far it takes me.
Oh, as to why I quit posting- initiallly, I was sans computer. As a man with no smart phone, I had no options. Computer A was on its last legs so I bought backup computer B. Computer B, though, suffered traumatic brain injury when it crashed to the ground from my night stand immediately after the Michigan/Notre Dame football game (not anger, just an accident). Shortly thereafter, computer A expired from mostly natural causes. I found myself off the grid and without funds to get back on. The several months that followed were enough to ween me from internet dependency. I found that I didn't miss posting, or Facebook, or email, or much of anything else other than the occassional episode of 30 Rock. So I intend to mostly keep it that way. If I ever join the 21st century and get a smart phone, I might post here and on Facebook more often. But until then both of those things will remain infrequent. .
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Vacation Over. Bummer.
1) The Freddie Mercury Google doodle is awesome. I shouldn't complain about it, because it was really, really cool. But I've played with it a lot the last two days and I guess my one complaint is I'll have "Don't Stop Me Now" stuck in my head for at least a week.
2) For a 'staycation' this was pretty good.
I had three physical therapy visits, which helped tremendously even though they were pure torture. A few more weeks, plus lots of assigned homework in the form of self-torture.
Also two rounds of golf, two 90's on the scorecard. My last four rounds are now 89, 90,90,90. I guess that's consistency. Those scores are a minor miracle for a guy who drives the ball 190 yards and putts poorly. I'm straight as an arrow from tee to green, but I have no distance and I don't putt well when I arrive. Next spring's goal: add approximately 25 yards distance to every club. That sounds like a lot, but it would actually still leave me about 10 yards short of where I was 5 years ago.
Rest of vacation? Softball games, nights out, housework, reading. Fun stuff.
We've been struggling to score runs for quite a while, then tonight we scored 21 in the first inning. I guess we needed the 55 degree, rainy weather in order to heat up. I've been batting at the bottom of the order to minimize my plate appearances since I'm hurting, but I still went 2 for 2 in the first inning. Our leadoff hitter doubled, singled, and homered- all in the first inning. When the inning ended he was 5 batters away from a chance to hit for the cycle in the first inning.
Three more weeks to season's end. As usual this time of year, I'm still enjoying playing but also looking forward to the end.
2) For a 'staycation' this was pretty good.
I had three physical therapy visits, which helped tremendously even though they were pure torture. A few more weeks, plus lots of assigned homework in the form of self-torture.
Also two rounds of golf, two 90's on the scorecard. My last four rounds are now 89, 90,90,90. I guess that's consistency. Those scores are a minor miracle for a guy who drives the ball 190 yards and putts poorly. I'm straight as an arrow from tee to green, but I have no distance and I don't putt well when I arrive. Next spring's goal: add approximately 25 yards distance to every club. That sounds like a lot, but it would actually still leave me about 10 yards short of where I was 5 years ago.
Rest of vacation? Softball games, nights out, housework, reading. Fun stuff.
We've been struggling to score runs for quite a while, then tonight we scored 21 in the first inning. I guess we needed the 55 degree, rainy weather in order to heat up. I've been batting at the bottom of the order to minimize my plate appearances since I'm hurting, but I still went 2 for 2 in the first inning. Our leadoff hitter doubled, singled, and homered- all in the first inning. When the inning ended he was 5 batters away from a chance to hit for the cycle in the first inning.
Three more weeks to season's end. As usual this time of year, I'm still enjoying playing but also looking forward to the end.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Beer!
Overall, beer is a pretty good thing. I'm pretty sure of that. So I'll write a post that features beer.
I won't focus on different brands and styles and whatnot; I like pretty much all beer. My favorite depends on my mood, what I'm eating, the weather, who is buying, etc., none of which matters much. Oh, except for that last one.
Who is buying? That one has been on my mind a lot lately after softball games. My post-game beer economics have changed dramatically. I'm now paying some long-owed dues in that regard.
Years ago, as a 25-year-old new member of the team, and for quite a few years after, I made out pretty well in the post-game beer economy. I pitched in a minimal amount of money on the first go-round, made minimal contributions afterward, and consistently received good returns on my investment.
The last couple of years, however, as our older players have retired and I have assumed their role, I've noticed a substantial drop in my rate of beers-per-dollars. Where I used to be a hanger-on, benefiting from the "you want one more? I'm buying" question, I now seem to be the donor in these scenarios.
It's not like I NEED the beer. The situation just seems to unfold so that 4 or 5 guys are there late, not really wanting to leave yet, but needing a reason to stay. One more beer to be nursed for half-hour or 45 minutes will do the trick. But where I used to just have to answer "sure, I guess I can stay for another" I now just wait in vain for the question. And I end up asking the question myself and shelling out several bucks for all the other hangers-on.
Retribution, I guess, for my past freeloading. And sympathy for these young kids without my vast resources of hundreds and hundreds of Mexican pesos, which I've hidden in holes throughout the metro Louisville area.
Beer Part II: The Dark Side
For five weeks now I've had very little exercise. I play 3 or 4 softball games a week, but that just really isn't exercise. Knne pain and a quad strain have kept me off my bike and I don't really do much else.
And I've ballooned 10 pounds in 5 weeks. After having lost 15 pounds over the winter, gaining an acceptable 3 back over 3 months of softball/golf/hot dogs/beer/soft pretzels, I'm now right back where I was last September.
It is all very depressing because at right this moment I can't get any exercise that comes easy to me. I really like riding my bike- it's convenient, I can do it even when it's raining or 98 degrees, I can watch TV or video or even read while riding.
Without my bike I've been pretty much sedentary and yet eating and drinking the same things. If I can't start riding it again soon (without major pain) I might have to do something drastic, like change my eating habits.
I really don't want to do that.
I won't focus on different brands and styles and whatnot; I like pretty much all beer. My favorite depends on my mood, what I'm eating, the weather, who is buying, etc., none of which matters much. Oh, except for that last one.
Who is buying? That one has been on my mind a lot lately after softball games. My post-game beer economics have changed dramatically. I'm now paying some long-owed dues in that regard.
Years ago, as a 25-year-old new member of the team, and for quite a few years after, I made out pretty well in the post-game beer economy. I pitched in a minimal amount of money on the first go-round, made minimal contributions afterward, and consistently received good returns on my investment.
The last couple of years, however, as our older players have retired and I have assumed their role, I've noticed a substantial drop in my rate of beers-per-dollars. Where I used to be a hanger-on, benefiting from the "you want one more? I'm buying" question, I now seem to be the donor in these scenarios.
It's not like I NEED the beer. The situation just seems to unfold so that 4 or 5 guys are there late, not really wanting to leave yet, but needing a reason to stay. One more beer to be nursed for half-hour or 45 minutes will do the trick. But where I used to just have to answer "sure, I guess I can stay for another" I now just wait in vain for the question. And I end up asking the question myself and shelling out several bucks for all the other hangers-on.
Retribution, I guess, for my past freeloading. And sympathy for these young kids without my vast resources of hundreds and hundreds of Mexican pesos, which I've hidden in holes throughout the metro Louisville area.
Beer Part II: The Dark Side
For five weeks now I've had very little exercise. I play 3 or 4 softball games a week, but that just really isn't exercise. Knne pain and a quad strain have kept me off my bike and I don't really do much else.
And I've ballooned 10 pounds in 5 weeks. After having lost 15 pounds over the winter, gaining an acceptable 3 back over 3 months of softball/golf/hot dogs/beer/soft pretzels, I'm now right back where I was last September.
It is all very depressing because at right this moment I can't get any exercise that comes easy to me. I really like riding my bike- it's convenient, I can do it even when it's raining or 98 degrees, I can watch TV or video or even read while riding.
Without my bike I've been pretty much sedentary and yet eating and drinking the same things. If I can't start riding it again soon (without major pain) I might have to do something drastic, like change my eating habits.
I really don't want to do that.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
No one has chosen to tattoo their self with any of my creations, at least not as far as I know, so my goings on are not as interesting as Mark's. I'll make do with a brief update anyway.
Started fall league tonight with a loss. After our game last night I said I would only be in the lineup in this St. Helen's league when we needed me to have enough players. But we had enough without me and I batted anyway. And now I've pretty much decided I need to be on the field. What the heck, it's only 5 weeks. I'll have all winter to stop hurting.
It's more painful to watch other people try to play my position than it is to play it myself.
I have a week's vacation coming soon. I scheduled a physical therapy appointment for the 1st day of vacaction, and I expect I might try and have two more during my time off. I'm hoping to learn some strengthening exercises for whatever might be strengthened around my knee that could help. I also have a quad strain that needs to be healed so that I can get on my exercise bike, since cycling is supposedly good for my knee but I can't really do it right now.
Our annual pool party/golf scramble weekend was fun, though I spent most of my time losing at cornhole and then losing at golf.
Billy and I are playing in St. Martha's fall cornhole league. It starts in a couple of weeks. Should be fun. Playing with a firefighter means I'll need to find a sub a third of the time, though. I might call my younger brother at times- at least on weeks that don't conflict with whatever he has going on in September. I can't think of anything he's doing that month, though.
_________________________________________________
I've finally made a good dent in "The Satanic Verses." Wanted to read it for years, received it as a gift many months ago, and started it several times. I finally got into it. It's pretty good- seems sort of like an English/Indian, post-colonial, Thatcher-era "One Hundred Years of Solitude," except not as good.
'Not as good' sound like an insult, but I don't intend it as such. It's very good, but very few books are as good as "One Hundred Years of Solitude."
_____________________________________________________
Until recently I was watching a lot of "30 Rock" on DVD. I bought 4 seasons- a couple at used stores, a couple at Blockbuster's closeout sale, and I was breezing through them very quickly. Very, very funny, and I didn't realize until I started on the DVDs that there were a lot of episodes I hadn't seen.
But since I haven't been on my bike I haven't been watching much of anything.
Started fall league tonight with a loss. After our game last night I said I would only be in the lineup in this St. Helen's league when we needed me to have enough players. But we had enough without me and I batted anyway. And now I've pretty much decided I need to be on the field. What the heck, it's only 5 weeks. I'll have all winter to stop hurting.
It's more painful to watch other people try to play my position than it is to play it myself.
I have a week's vacation coming soon. I scheduled a physical therapy appointment for the 1st day of vacaction, and I expect I might try and have two more during my time off. I'm hoping to learn some strengthening exercises for whatever might be strengthened around my knee that could help. I also have a quad strain that needs to be healed so that I can get on my exercise bike, since cycling is supposedly good for my knee but I can't really do it right now.
Our annual pool party/golf scramble weekend was fun, though I spent most of my time losing at cornhole and then losing at golf.
Billy and I are playing in St. Martha's fall cornhole league. It starts in a couple of weeks. Should be fun. Playing with a firefighter means I'll need to find a sub a third of the time, though. I might call my younger brother at times- at least on weeks that don't conflict with whatever he has going on in September. I can't think of anything he's doing that month, though.
_________________________________________________
I've finally made a good dent in "The Satanic Verses." Wanted to read it for years, received it as a gift many months ago, and started it several times. I finally got into it. It's pretty good- seems sort of like an English/Indian, post-colonial, Thatcher-era "One Hundred Years of Solitude," except not as good.
'Not as good' sound like an insult, but I don't intend it as such. It's very good, but very few books are as good as "One Hundred Years of Solitude."
_____________________________________________________
Until recently I was watching a lot of "30 Rock" on DVD. I bought 4 seasons- a couple at used stores, a couple at Blockbuster's closeout sale, and I was breezing through them very quickly. Very, very funny, and I didn't realize until I started on the DVDs that there were a lot of episodes I hadn't seen.
But since I haven't been on my bike I haven't been watching much of anything.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Lost 2 straight tonight. As winners' bracket champs we were in great shape; win once and we win the tournament. But we got beat twice in a row.
Lack of offense was by far our biggest problem. I busted out of a slump by going 4 for 5 over two games, but I only reached 2nd base once. Complete lack of team hitting.
I was happy with my defense. Our opponent had a fast little leadoff hitter who relies on left side ground balls almost entirely. He's speedy and over the last 5+ years I've seen him get lots and lots of infield hits. But tonight he grounded to me 6 times and reached base on only one- I bobbled it for about a second and that was enough.
So I played pretty good. We stunk as a team, though. It's a lot more fun to complain about my own bad play after a win than it is to have the whole team moping after two straight ugly losses.
Two more Monday nights and 10 fall games and I'm done for the year. I've never looked forward to the off-season more. I need it.
__________________________
Batting slumps drive me nuts. Every time I'm in one it baffles me. And every time I get out of it- eventually- it's because I realize I'm doing some very basic thing wrong. Sometimes I realize I'm not really, really concentrating on seeing the ball as I hit it. Sometimes I'm just jumping out at the ball way too early. Sometimes I'm trying to force hits in a certain direction.
After a bad game or two I think about it and try to diagnose what I'm doing wrong, but sometimes it takes weeks before I figure it out, even though it's a simple problem.
This time I realized I wasn't swinging hard. How much more basic can you get? I was trying to aim hits into locations and neglecting to swing the bat like I meant it.
I've had a great year, but after three bad weeks I finally realized that very simple thing. So tonight I put zero emphasis on where the ball went, and concentrated completely on swinging the bat hard. The result was 4 hits that really zipped, and one hard line drive out. Duh! Simple stuff.
Lack of offense was by far our biggest problem. I busted out of a slump by going 4 for 5 over two games, but I only reached 2nd base once. Complete lack of team hitting.
I was happy with my defense. Our opponent had a fast little leadoff hitter who relies on left side ground balls almost entirely. He's speedy and over the last 5+ years I've seen him get lots and lots of infield hits. But tonight he grounded to me 6 times and reached base on only one- I bobbled it for about a second and that was enough.
So I played pretty good. We stunk as a team, though. It's a lot more fun to complain about my own bad play after a win than it is to have the whole team moping after two straight ugly losses.
Two more Monday nights and 10 fall games and I'm done for the year. I've never looked forward to the off-season more. I need it.
__________________________
Batting slumps drive me nuts. Every time I'm in one it baffles me. And every time I get out of it- eventually- it's because I realize I'm doing some very basic thing wrong. Sometimes I realize I'm not really, really concentrating on seeing the ball as I hit it. Sometimes I'm just jumping out at the ball way too early. Sometimes I'm trying to force hits in a certain direction.
After a bad game or two I think about it and try to diagnose what I'm doing wrong, but sometimes it takes weeks before I figure it out, even though it's a simple problem.
This time I realized I wasn't swinging hard. How much more basic can you get? I was trying to aim hits into locations and neglecting to swing the bat like I meant it.
I've had a great year, but after three bad weeks I finally realized that very simple thing. So tonight I put zero emphasis on where the ball went, and concentrated completely on swinging the bat hard. The result was 4 hits that really zipped, and one hard line drive out. Duh! Simple stuff.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
One Last Health Update
I don't intend to bring this up much again, mostly because the synopsis seems to be that my knee is always going to hurt and there isn't much I can do about it. However, since I've brought it up recently I might as well provide all the info.
Options for my knee are severely limited, at least until I need knee replacement. I have very bad arthritis, the bone is nearly exposed, and I can pretty much just take anti-inflammatories, infrequent cortisone shots, and do some exercises.
I still don't really understand why it started hurting so badly so quickly. I've had pain in that knee for a long time, off and on, but it's been generally milder pain, nothing as severe or as consistent as I currently have. Apparently it can just flare up like that very quickly, but it still surprises me.
If I'd paid more attention to all Dad's grimaces of pain over the years it wouldn't have been so surprising.
Today my doctor asked if the current anti-inflammatory was helping. The knee was still swollen, so there was no obvious improvement. I said "well honestly, I've played 7 softball games and a round of golf in the 12 days since my last visit, so I really have no idea. I think it might be helping, because it hasn't gotten any worse."
She seemed fine with that answer. Good for her.
____________________________________________________
I plan on spending Tuesday night at St. Martha to watch the end of the cornhole tournament. All 4 Yogis teams are still in it. I'm pulling for Sam and Chris, who finished in 2nd place. If they win out through the rest of the tournament they'll finish the year with 1 loss- which came on the night I subbed against them. That would be pretty cool.
____________________________________________________
Oh yeah, one more thing since I mentioned the round of golf. Round 5 on the year was an 89 at Glenmary Saturday. First round under 90 in 4 years. 48-41, and I screwed up a bit the last two holes to shoot the 41. Very encouraging.
Options for my knee are severely limited, at least until I need knee replacement. I have very bad arthritis, the bone is nearly exposed, and I can pretty much just take anti-inflammatories, infrequent cortisone shots, and do some exercises.
I still don't really understand why it started hurting so badly so quickly. I've had pain in that knee for a long time, off and on, but it's been generally milder pain, nothing as severe or as consistent as I currently have. Apparently it can just flare up like that very quickly, but it still surprises me.
If I'd paid more attention to all Dad's grimaces of pain over the years it wouldn't have been so surprising.
Today my doctor asked if the current anti-inflammatory was helping. The knee was still swollen, so there was no obvious improvement. I said "well honestly, I've played 7 softball games and a round of golf in the 12 days since my last visit, so I really have no idea. I think it might be helping, because it hasn't gotten any worse."
She seemed fine with that answer. Good for her.
____________________________________________________
I plan on spending Tuesday night at St. Martha to watch the end of the cornhole tournament. All 4 Yogis teams are still in it. I'm pulling for Sam and Chris, who finished in 2nd place. If they win out through the rest of the tournament they'll finish the year with 1 loss- which came on the night I subbed against them. That would be pretty cool.
____________________________________________________
Oh yeah, one more thing since I mentioned the round of golf. Round 5 on the year was an 89 at Glenmary Saturday. First round under 90 in 4 years. 48-41, and I screwed up a bit the last two holes to shoot the 41. Very encouraging.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
CHAMPS!
I wrote my storm post early Sunday morning but couldn't get it to publish. So I'll add this to the front and push the storm stuff to the bottom.
Champs! We beat the home team twice tonight to win the Sunday league tournament. After a 1 and 6 start to the season I doubted our wisdom regarding entering a team in this league. But six straight wins to end the year- and the last two against the team Ron and I played with until this season- and a perfect tournament run certainly makes it look like a great call.
That was fun.
We have a good nucleus for next year. Most everyone will come back, and now that we've weeded out the non-ballplayers the start of the season should not be as ugly. I hope Brian plays, though he seems doubtful. Defensively, he was definitely our most under-utilized player. Mulitiple times this year we played inferior players in spots where Brian would have helped us more, sometimes because we didn't know better and sometimes to ease egos.
I held up fine, although I landed on my bad knee fielding one ground ball and the pain was very similar to my previously mentioned (see post a couple of months ago) ground ball to the groin. I had a force out at third, but when I stood I realized I couldn't run those three steps without collapsing so I threw to 2nd instead.
________________________________________________________
Wow, that was quite a storm.
I have electricity, though it looks like there are only a couple dozen buildings in this little section of the neighborhood who are so lucky- at least as of 9 pm last night when I arrived home.
The high winds and torrential rain hit (suddenly! And I mean suddenly!) as I was in my car, waiting for the light to change at Bardstown Rd/Taylorsville Rd.
At first I thought I'd been rear-ended, but then I realized my car would not continue to shake for so long if that were the case.
The only things visible more than 20 feet from my car were the sparks from transformers.
I was heading to a cook-out but as I crept up Taylorsville at 5 mph I intended to turn back onto my street and wait it out at home. However, even at 5 mph I missed my own street in the blinding rain.
Plan B, I turned into a little lot near Stein Automotive. A few seconds later I felt some thumps and scratching on the roof of my car(oh no, the Hook Man!) and turned to see a tree fall across the road, then realized my car was draped in power lines.
I drove out from under the lines and parked on the other side of the building, then waited a few minutes until the storm's intensity decreased.
Then, after several detours around the neighborhood, I found a clear path back to Taylorsville Rd and headed to the party. Just about every traffic light was out, trees and branches were down everywhere, and both lanes nearest the curbs looked like Beargrass Creek. Branches and garbage cans and other debris were riding the rapids down Taylorsville Rd.
After a slight delay caused by trees down all over the street I was heading to, we all arrived at our destination and ate ribs off the grill.
Good ribs, worth the odyssey.
Champs! We beat the home team twice tonight to win the Sunday league tournament. After a 1 and 6 start to the season I doubted our wisdom regarding entering a team in this league. But six straight wins to end the year- and the last two against the team Ron and I played with until this season- and a perfect tournament run certainly makes it look like a great call.
That was fun.
We have a good nucleus for next year. Most everyone will come back, and now that we've weeded out the non-ballplayers the start of the season should not be as ugly. I hope Brian plays, though he seems doubtful. Defensively, he was definitely our most under-utilized player. Mulitiple times this year we played inferior players in spots where Brian would have helped us more, sometimes because we didn't know better and sometimes to ease egos.
I held up fine, although I landed on my bad knee fielding one ground ball and the pain was very similar to my previously mentioned (see post a couple of months ago) ground ball to the groin. I had a force out at third, but when I stood I realized I couldn't run those three steps without collapsing so I threw to 2nd instead.
________________________________________________________
Wow, that was quite a storm.
I have electricity, though it looks like there are only a couple dozen buildings in this little section of the neighborhood who are so lucky- at least as of 9 pm last night when I arrived home.
The high winds and torrential rain hit (suddenly! And I mean suddenly!) as I was in my car, waiting for the light to change at Bardstown Rd/Taylorsville Rd.
At first I thought I'd been rear-ended, but then I realized my car would not continue to shake for so long if that were the case.
The only things visible more than 20 feet from my car were the sparks from transformers.
I was heading to a cook-out but as I crept up Taylorsville at 5 mph I intended to turn back onto my street and wait it out at home. However, even at 5 mph I missed my own street in the blinding rain.
Plan B, I turned into a little lot near Stein Automotive. A few seconds later I felt some thumps and scratching on the roof of my car(oh no, the Hook Man!) and turned to see a tree fall across the road, then realized my car was draped in power lines.
I drove out from under the lines and parked on the other side of the building, then waited a few minutes until the storm's intensity decreased.
Then, after several detours around the neighborhood, I found a clear path back to Taylorsville Rd and headed to the party. Just about every traffic light was out, trees and branches were down everywhere, and both lanes nearest the curbs looked like Beargrass Creek. Branches and garbage cans and other debris were riding the rapids down Taylorsville Rd.
After a slight delay caused by trees down all over the street I was heading to, we all arrived at our destination and ate ribs off the grill.
Good ribs, worth the odyssey.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
We won a good game Wednesday night in 8 innings.
I'm up writing about it because I first arrived home very late and then had a bit of insomnia. I'm sure I'll sleep soon, and if not at least I have nothing to do Thursday night.
So anyway, 1st, the health update: my knee hurts. But now that I have more detailed info it doesn't bother me as much. Still hurts as much, but doesn't bother me as much. I knew I'd strained my quad and I knew my knee hurt too, but the type of pain was causing much fear.
I now know that the biggest problem with my knee is arthritis. That stinks, but since I've had bouts of inexplicable knee pain for several years and suspected arthritis it isn't much of a surprise.
Now that I know it's much easier to handle; it's nice to not be afraid to take the next step just because the last one hurt like heck.
Wait, did I say "1st the health update?" Sorry, there will be no 2nd. I'm getting sleepy after all. Time for bed. Whatever I was going to type next was probably unimportant.
{What did Kevin intend to discuss before his abrupt halt? A) his stellar defense B) his craptacular hitting C) the incredibly bright moon of Wednesday night/Thursday morning D) all of the above E) none of the above
If you guess correctly you may or may not win a fabulous prize}
I'm up writing about it because I first arrived home very late and then had a bit of insomnia. I'm sure I'll sleep soon, and if not at least I have nothing to do Thursday night.
So anyway, 1st, the health update: my knee hurts. But now that I have more detailed info it doesn't bother me as much. Still hurts as much, but doesn't bother me as much. I knew I'd strained my quad and I knew my knee hurt too, but the type of pain was causing much fear.
I now know that the biggest problem with my knee is arthritis. That stinks, but since I've had bouts of inexplicable knee pain for several years and suspected arthritis it isn't much of a surprise.
Now that I know it's much easier to handle; it's nice to not be afraid to take the next step just because the last one hurt like heck.
Wait, did I say "1st the health update?" Sorry, there will be no 2nd. I'm getting sleepy after all. Time for bed. Whatever I was going to type next was probably unimportant.
{What did Kevin intend to discuss before his abrupt halt? A) his stellar defense B) his craptacular hitting C) the incredibly bright moon of Wednesday night/Thursday morning D) all of the above E) none of the above
If you guess correctly you may or may not win a fabulous prize}
Monday, August 8, 2011
Softball and Medical Update
Not much news on the medical update. Knee generally feels better but not great, and it's making too much noise with movement for me feel splendid about it. Sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies at times. But the anti-inflammatory has helped.
I had an MRI Saturday but I don't know the results yet, other than that it cost me a lot of money.
We won tonight. I played- very poorly. Worst I've hit the ball all year. And I run like a turtle. I thought I was slow before, but a gimpy slow guy is much, much slower than a healthy slow guy.
I did make a terrific perfect throw on a short-to-third-to home double-play, though. I threw off my back foot and leaning the wrong way, right over the runner's shoulder and into the mitt for the tag. I was proud of it.
And on to the most important thing... we kicked butt on the 1st day of the Sunday tournament, taking care of business in our first round match-up and then knocking off the previously undefeated number 1 seed. Our pitcher the 2nd game walked a couple of guys in the 1st inning but then pitched a very good game. Personally, though, I give all the credit for that to the veteran replacement catcher who took over in the 3rd inning. He was a highly skilled, very smart ballplayer, and quite handsome, too.
I had an MRI Saturday but I don't know the results yet, other than that it cost me a lot of money.
We won tonight. I played- very poorly. Worst I've hit the ball all year. And I run like a turtle. I thought I was slow before, but a gimpy slow guy is much, much slower than a healthy slow guy.
I did make a terrific perfect throw on a short-to-third-to home double-play, though. I threw off my back foot and leaning the wrong way, right over the runner's shoulder and into the mitt for the tag. I was proud of it.
And on to the most important thing... we kicked butt on the 1st day of the Sunday tournament, taking care of business in our first round match-up and then knocking off the previously undefeated number 1 seed. Our pitcher the 2nd game walked a couple of guys in the 1st inning but then pitched a very good game. Personally, though, I give all the credit for that to the veteran replacement catcher who took over in the 3rd inning. He was a highly skilled, very smart ballplayer, and quite handsome, too.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Careful What You Wish For
Well, I said it would be a lot easier to figure out what to do if there was swelling.
Now my knee is nice and puffy. I'm going to my regular doc Tuesday. I expect him to poke around a bit and then tell me to see an orthopedist.
My insurance plan doesn't require me to see a primary care doctor first, but I'm doing it anyway with the assumption that in addition to poking around he will also prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine. Which would be nice.
And maybe painkillers. I don't really need those, because as long as I stay inactive it doesn't much hurt. But Tony Dollar$ can resell it for street value, which would also be nice.
Just kidding, Mr. Policeman. Carlos is keeping his nose clean now.
Now my knee is nice and puffy. I'm going to my regular doc Tuesday. I expect him to poke around a bit and then tell me to see an orthopedist.
My insurance plan doesn't require me to see a primary care doctor first, but I'm doing it anyway with the assumption that in addition to poking around he will also prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine. Which would be nice.
And maybe painkillers. I don't really need those, because as long as I stay inactive it doesn't much hurt. But Tony Dollar$ can resell it for street value, which would also be nice.
Just kidding, Mr. Policeman. Carlos is keeping his nose clean now.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Miscellaneous
I can't find anything I really want to read. I'm struggling through 2 or 3 books at the same time right now. None are really capturing my attention. The lack of a great read would not bother me so much if it wasn't 200 degrees* outside every day. I want to stay in and read a good book.
____________________________________
Softball
Sunday team won two today. Combined score 29-1, if memory serves. After a lousy season that's a good way to go into the league tournament.
Monday we won against a very good team, and we won our first tournament game Wednesday, so it was a good week.
I'm not so sure it was a good week for me personally, though. I can't quite tell yet, but I'm unsure whether or not I made it out of my 40th B-day month without a serious injury. Tuesday morning after my game I had some mild knee pain. Wednesday morning it was worse. I played Wednesday night and I believe it got worse.
Trying to describe the injury is difficult. I can run some with no pain, I can sometimes move left or right with no pain, but missteps or any odd direction change sometimes leads to incredibly sharp pain, like I've been stabbed or shocked in my knee. It goes away quickly, and there's no swelling, but when it hurts it hurts like heck.
Right now, it's scaring me a lot more than it's hurting me. It's such a sharp pain when it hurts that I feel like there's something seriously wrong. But then it goes away quickly. But then it hurts really badly again, and goes away quickly again.
If there was major swelling or something it would be a lot easier to figure out.
I've decided I definitely need to get it checked out, and tomorrow I plan to schedule something, but I also think I'll keep playing (in tournament games, anyway) until either I get it checked or until it hurts worse.
__________________________________________
Round 4 of the year: Nevel Meade w/Brian Saturday, 93. I hit like a sissy- partially because that's the way I swing, and partially because I was afraid of my injury. But I chipped and putted okay and my irons were reasonably on-target.
___________________________________________
For Mark's birthday I bought him a season of a show I'm almost certain he hasn't watched. I was very happy with the purchase and thought he'll love it, but it's now 1 hour to August and I still haven't given it to him. Therefore, his birthday season is stretching into the next month, so I'll boo myself on lack of timely gift delivery. But I watched a couple of episodes since I've had it, so that's some consolation to myself.
*Author error. The high temperature this year is actually only 174 degrees. - Ed.
____________________________________
Softball
Sunday team won two today. Combined score 29-1, if memory serves. After a lousy season that's a good way to go into the league tournament.
Monday we won against a very good team, and we won our first tournament game Wednesday, so it was a good week.
I'm not so sure it was a good week for me personally, though. I can't quite tell yet, but I'm unsure whether or not I made it out of my 40th B-day month without a serious injury. Tuesday morning after my game I had some mild knee pain. Wednesday morning it was worse. I played Wednesday night and I believe it got worse.
Trying to describe the injury is difficult. I can run some with no pain, I can sometimes move left or right with no pain, but missteps or any odd direction change sometimes leads to incredibly sharp pain, like I've been stabbed or shocked in my knee. It goes away quickly, and there's no swelling, but when it hurts it hurts like heck.
Right now, it's scaring me a lot more than it's hurting me. It's such a sharp pain when it hurts that I feel like there's something seriously wrong. But then it goes away quickly. But then it hurts really badly again, and goes away quickly again.
If there was major swelling or something it would be a lot easier to figure out.
I've decided I definitely need to get it checked out, and tomorrow I plan to schedule something, but I also think I'll keep playing (in tournament games, anyway) until either I get it checked or until it hurts worse.
__________________________________________
Round 4 of the year: Nevel Meade w/Brian Saturday, 93. I hit like a sissy- partially because that's the way I swing, and partially because I was afraid of my injury. But I chipped and putted okay and my irons were reasonably on-target.
___________________________________________
For Mark's birthday I bought him a season of a show I'm almost certain he hasn't watched. I was very happy with the purchase and thought he'll love it, but it's now 1 hour to August and I still haven't given it to him. Therefore, his birthday season is stretching into the next month, so I'll boo myself on lack of timely gift delivery. But I watched a couple of episodes since I've had it, so that's some consolation to myself.
*Author error. The high temperature this year is actually only 174 degrees. - Ed.
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