Medical conditions with which I am afflicted:
Schemohydrolysis - more commonly "water poisoning," or "over-hydration," triggered by consuming too much water in a given interval, and tipping the water/mass ratio of the body (normally 60% in favor of water in males, 55% in females) over the 68.5% mark.
Hydro-tunemia - A related condition affecting blood vessels in which all of the blood in the body is replaced by water. Dr. Maurice Hogan (1802-1888), of London, who named the condition once quipped "If you prick them, do they not leak?"
Also, possibly, fulminant hypocephalopathic fantachondria, or, the belief that one is afflicted with imaginary diseases of one's own creation.
-t
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sweep Dreams: An Open Letter to the Red Sox*
Dear Boston Red Sox,
Please sweep the Rockies in the World Series. Firstly, because it would be awesome. Secondly, because these three-hour-plus games and post-game press conferences and analysis are really, really, cutting into my normal sleep schedule.
It's not bad at all during the regular season when NESN carries the games, and they start at the very reasonable time of 7 PM (EST). Then even a four hour game will see me in bed well before midnight satiated, full to the brim of good baseball and wise, thoughtful, well-produced post-game commentary by the studio team of Caron, Remy, and Eckersley.
It is bad when Fox, with their late start times, pandering to their West Coast audience, broadcasts these games. When the first pitch is thrown at 8:15 PM (EST), (or even later!) even a much quicker three-and-one-half-hour game is pushing the midnight envelope. I'm lucky to be in bed by half-past twelve, or asleep by one o'clock!
Now, as a baseball fan, I am compelled, hard-wired, you could say, to watch every pitch, every at-bat, every, single out of playoff baseball, I would continue to do so even if the series went to seven games, each one decided in not less than six hours, lasting no fewer than twenty-three innings. It would ruin me, physically - and probably get me fired - but I would do it.
But, I am asking, instead, that you, Boston Red Sox, please sweep the World Series, so as to maximize both my happiness, and my well-restedness.
Thank you,
Tom
*Thanks to Tyler for the updated title.
Please sweep the Rockies in the World Series. Firstly, because it would be awesome. Secondly, because these three-hour-plus games and post-game press conferences and analysis are really, really, cutting into my normal sleep schedule.
It's not bad at all during the regular season when NESN carries the games, and they start at the very reasonable time of 7 PM (EST). Then even a four hour game will see me in bed well before midnight satiated, full to the brim of good baseball and wise, thoughtful, well-produced post-game commentary by the studio team of Caron, Remy, and Eckersley.
It is bad when Fox, with their late start times, pandering to their West Coast audience, broadcasts these games. When the first pitch is thrown at 8:15 PM (EST), (or even later!) even a much quicker three-and-one-half-hour game is pushing the midnight envelope. I'm lucky to be in bed by half-past twelve, or asleep by one o'clock!
Now, as a baseball fan, I am compelled, hard-wired, you could say, to watch every pitch, every at-bat, every, single out of playoff baseball, I would continue to do so even if the series went to seven games, each one decided in not less than six hours, lasting no fewer than twenty-three innings. It would ruin me, physically - and probably get me fired - but I would do it.
But, I am asking, instead, that you, Boston Red Sox, please sweep the World Series, so as to maximize both my happiness, and my well-restedness.
Thank you,
Tom
*Thanks to Tyler for the updated title.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Blogtoberfest: Update
A few headlines, and a quick update on this post from last week:
THE RED SOX ARE THE 2007 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPS!
JENNY FRAZIER MAKES 'TOP TEN PARTY FOULS OF 2007' LIST!
Seriously, Jenny, Blogtoberfest couldn't have been scheduled for some Thursday in November when there's zero chance of the Red Sox playing a meaningful game? I mean, that could work, right?
Also, to those who commented on the earlier post, Eileen, regarding jinxing Boston's chances of making it, I would just like to reiterate: I know where the line is, and I was well behind it. Well behind.
THE RED SOX ARE THE 2007 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPS!
JENNY FRAZIER MAKES 'TOP TEN PARTY FOULS OF 2007' LIST!
Seriously, Jenny, Blogtoberfest couldn't have been scheduled for some Thursday in November when there's zero chance of the Red Sox playing a meaningful game? I mean, that could work, right?
Also, to those who commented on the earlier post, Eileen, regarding jinxing Boston's chances of making it, I would just like to reiterate: I know where the line is, and I was well behind it. Well behind.
Doubting Thomas
Ok, I feel like I have to be honest with you, readers.
Watching this live, there was a split second, one tiny, minute, very, very, small, fraction of time when I thought, maybe, Coco wasn't going to catch this one. That, maybe, this ball was going to drop over his glove, and bounce.
It's right when he changes direction. You can see him making a beeline for this ball, and just as he reaches the track, curling out, toward the triangle.
This catch, I think, is both a demonstration of his reknowned speed and athleticism, and symbolic of his character: Crisp put it on the line, smashing into the wall, not because he's been playing there everyday, but in spite of being a defensive replacement.
I didn't see one interview with Crisp after the game. I saw Papelbon, Youkilis, and Pedroia on three different networks; I saw Ortiz and Ramirez; I saw Francona, Epstein, Werner, and Henry.
I'm gonna be pissed if Crisp doesn't walk away with the Gold Glove this season.
-t
I was looking for a highlight reel of Crisp's catches this season. I found this.
(and, ok, ok, there are a bunch of videos with Crisp on NESN. Way to go NESN! including some post-game interviews.)
Watching this live, there was a split second, one tiny, minute, very, very, small, fraction of time when I thought, maybe, Coco wasn't going to catch this one. That, maybe, this ball was going to drop over his glove, and bounce.
It's right when he changes direction. You can see him making a beeline for this ball, and just as he reaches the track, curling out, toward the triangle.
This catch, I think, is both a demonstration of his reknowned speed and athleticism, and symbolic of his character: Crisp put it on the line, smashing into the wall, not because he's been playing there everyday, but in spite of being a defensive replacement.
I didn't see one interview with Crisp after the game. I saw Papelbon, Youkilis, and Pedroia on three different networks; I saw Ortiz and Ramirez; I saw Francona, Epstein, Werner, and Henry.
I'm gonna be pissed if Crisp doesn't walk away with the Gold Glove this season.
-t
I was looking for a highlight reel of Crisp's catches this season. I found this.
(and, ok, ok, there are a bunch of videos with Crisp on NESN. Way to go NESN! including some post-game interviews.)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
How I leanred to Internet!!
I love these guys. This is totally my favorite youtube video.
I hope somebody makes t-shirts.
Fax us your email address!
-t
I hope somebody makes t-shirts.
Fax us your email address!
-t
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wishlist
Topping out my wishlist this holiday season (specifically the time between Halloween and Dan Goldin Day) are these two video games:
Assassin's Creed:
Ok, I'll be honest, this game looks totally awesome. You're part of an assassin's guild, and you're taking out the Templars...or you are a Templar and you're taking out their enemies...or something. Anyway, the game looks sweet, and early reviews have compared its style of gameplay to Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time which is a totally awesome game.
Check the trailer:
The Orange Box:
This is basically five games for the price of one. Half Life, and Half Life 2, bestsellers and world famous PC games (Counter Strike, which some readers are familiar with, is a Half Life mod). The disc also has Portal, a puzzle/platforming game which utilizes portals that will transport you instantaneously from one to the next, like in cartoons. And finally, Team Fortress 2, a multiplayer shooter with nine player classes, like Sniper, Doctor, Engineer, Soldier, and DemoMan. The game is designed in The Incredibles style and the promos are hilarious.
Portal:
The Engineer:
The Soldier:
The Heavy:
There's also a rumor about A Prince of Persia prequel trilogy. Sweet.
-t
Assassin's Creed:
Ok, I'll be honest, this game looks totally awesome. You're part of an assassin's guild, and you're taking out the Templars...or you are a Templar and you're taking out their enemies...or something. Anyway, the game looks sweet, and early reviews have compared its style of gameplay to Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time which is a totally awesome game.
Check the trailer:
The Orange Box:
This is basically five games for the price of one. Half Life, and Half Life 2, bestsellers and world famous PC games (Counter Strike, which some readers are familiar with, is a Half Life mod). The disc also has Portal, a puzzle/platforming game which utilizes portals that will transport you instantaneously from one to the next, like in cartoons. And finally, Team Fortress 2, a multiplayer shooter with nine player classes, like Sniper, Doctor, Engineer, Soldier, and DemoMan. The game is designed in The Incredibles style and the promos are hilarious.
Portal:
The Engineer:
The Soldier:
The Heavy:
There's also a rumor about A Prince of Persia prequel trilogy. Sweet.
-t
Blogtoberfest, the second!
Ok, folks, just an f.y.i. to you baseball fans...who I know are out there...
Blogtoberfest is scheduled for Thursday October 25th.
World Series, Game 2, is also scheduled for October 25th.
The party starts at six. The game starts at eight.
I'm just sayin.
You know.
Be aware.
This has "Party Foul of the Year" potential all-over it.
I'll be parked under the television for the first pitch. Do come join me, it's a great game.
-t
Blogtoberfest is scheduled for Thursday October 25th.
World Series, Game 2, is also scheduled for October 25th.
The party starts at six. The game starts at eight.
I'm just sayin.
You know.
Be aware.
This has "Party Foul of the Year" potential all-over it.
I'll be parked under the television for the first pitch. Do come join me, it's a great game.
-t
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
You're mad? Call me back.
Overheard, as I log in to my computer this morning. Speaking, Trade Manager (on the phone), Cash Team Manager (next cubicle over):
[on the phone] "...Ok, you're mad... If you're mad, call me back in an hour when we can talk." [hangs up]
"Dude, she's mad? Do you know what kind of emotions you're mixing right now? The relationship emotions, now the getting engaged emotions, and, who knows, maybe that...other thing - that's a wild card."
"What?"
"You know, that "old friend," the thing we're not allowed to bring up ever? You know what I mean. It's an excuse. They can be mad just because they want to be mad. We pay the penalty."
"Yeah, I told her, 'call me back in an hour so we can talk' - she calls me back a second later [squeaky voice] 'you think I can't talk!?'"
"Playing with fire, man. Playing with fire."
Maybe you readers can guess which manager is married and which is engaged.
It's stuff like this that prompts coffee breaks fifteen seconds after I walk in the door.
-t
[on the phone] "...Ok, you're mad... If you're mad, call me back in an hour when we can talk." [hangs up]
"Dude, she's mad? Do you know what kind of emotions you're mixing right now? The relationship emotions, now the getting engaged emotions, and, who knows, maybe that...other thing - that's a wild card."
"What?"
"You know, that "old friend," the thing we're not allowed to bring up ever? You know what I mean. It's an excuse. They can be mad just because they want to be mad. We pay the penalty."
"Yeah, I told her, 'call me back in an hour so we can talk' - she calls me back a second later [squeaky voice] 'you think I can't talk!?'"
"Playing with fire, man. Playing with fire."
Maybe you readers can guess which manager is married and which is engaged.
It's stuff like this that prompts coffee breaks fifteen seconds after I walk in the door.
-t
Monday, October 08, 2007
Crazy Fire Army
The coconut crab, in itself, might be enough for a blog post.
But, reading up on what is, in fact, an animal, and not a special effects creature, I found a mention of the yellow crazy ant, and I thought, that is enough to warrant a blog post.
Yellow. Crazy. Ant. That's like the coolest name ever. People don't have awesome names like that. It's just animals, and insects, ants especially, seem to get really awesome names. Army ants. Fire Ants. Yellow crazy ants.
I decided to top them. Using the Yellow Crazy Ant Naming Protocol (YCANP), I have come up with the following list of awesome animal names.
Incidentally, the YCANP is a three step procedure akin to Mad Libs. Pick a color, pick an adjective, pick an animal. There are a few caveats: Basic colors are usually better than obscure colors ("blue" not "cerulean"), opt for fewer syllables when possible ("pink not "magenta", and "white" is usually replaced with "albino" (though artistic touches are encouraged within reason: "midnight" instead of "black"); As with any good Mad Lib adjectives are almost unlimited; and as to animal choices, unnerving is better than cute: insects, crustaceans, or reptiles, instead of koalas or meerkats.
I have also taken the liberty of inventing some additional info for some.
YCANP Awesome Animal Names:
Blue Spitting Hornet
- Native to Northeastern US, eats bees and some wasps, characterized by vertical blue stripes along abdomen and venom laced with hydrochloric acid
Albino Moon Otter
- Only active during full moon phase, characteristic white fur and red eyes lacking pigmentation, cannibalistic.
Pink Bladed Mallard
- This unusual duck grows to three pounds (male) or two and one half pounds (female) and is noted for its white and pink feathers. The male also has two large talons on the outside of its webbed feet used to hook prey, and sometimes mating rivals.
Green Spinetail Dragon
- A subspecies of komodo dragon, this large lizard can be found in Asia. Named for twin rows of spiny scales running along its tail. Poisonous.
Orange Kicking Chicken
- Bred in captivity for viciousness and agility. Renowned in cock-fighting circles as the bird to beat. Also makes tasty buffalo wings.
Midnight Jungle Panther
- This large cat typically grows to over six feet in length (excluding tail) and eats primarily lowland gorillas. Usually solitary, has been known to form small packs to take down large game like elephants.
Christmas Island Red Crab
- Small land crab which breathes through gills, native to islands of the Indian Ocean. During yearly migration to the sea can overwhelm local infrastructure by their sheer numbers.
Wailing Red Herring
- Rare fish noted for loud mating calls mimicking whale songs. Often early whalers and marine biologists would track the songs looking for humpback whales, only to find these fish, prompting the metaphor of the "red herring."
Yellow Mystery Toad
- Currently found in, but not native to, England. Was illegally imported and released by Belgian researchers in late 1800s. Mostly yellow with red markings and two distinct pointed black "mustachios" just above upper lip.
Bangladesh White Tamarind
- Small monkey found along the southern shores of the Indian subcontinent. Exceptionally intelligent, ability to use tools, and specimens in captivity may have been shown to understand voice commands.
Cerulean Blind Viper
- Not actually blind, but so named due to opaque eyelids visible when agitated. Scale pattern is alternating stripes of white, black, and bright blue. Native to northern Mexico and parts of Texas.
Redstripe Ribbon Snake
- Semi-aquatic lives in swampland, eats small amphibians, excellent swimmer, mediocre at bobsledding.
Purple Fascist Snake-eater
- (extinct) Once found abundantly in the South Pacific this chondrophore, or colonial-animal, was hunted to extinction in the early 1500s by seafaring Kiwis. Stinging tentacles and digestive organs were dominated by an intelligent "brain" polyp which consumed most of the food-energy gained from free ranging sea snakes (see Star-Bellied Eel)
Star-Bellied Eel
- Not actually an eel, but a large, flat sea snake. Green and blue scales above and shiny white scales on the underside. Nocturnal, exposes underside to moonlight, purpose is speculated to be for mating or communication with other herd members. More research needed. Sought by poachers for scales to be used as jewelry. Endangered.
Red Blood Moth
- The red blood moth is thought to be a unnatural mutation of the Atlas moth, possibly due to exposure of Atlas cocoons to radioactive or chemical runoff. This large moth is similar in appearance and markings to the Atlas moth, but the females feed on the blood of large animals.
That's all for now. See if you can pick out the real animals from the list above!
-t
But, reading up on what is, in fact, an animal, and not a special effects creature, I found a mention of the yellow crazy ant, and I thought, that is enough to warrant a blog post.
Yellow. Crazy. Ant. That's like the coolest name ever. People don't have awesome names like that. It's just animals, and insects, ants especially, seem to get really awesome names. Army ants. Fire Ants. Yellow crazy ants.
I decided to top them. Using the Yellow Crazy Ant Naming Protocol (YCANP), I have come up with the following list of awesome animal names.
Incidentally, the YCANP is a three step procedure akin to Mad Libs. Pick a color, pick an adjective, pick an animal. There are a few caveats: Basic colors are usually better than obscure colors ("blue" not "cerulean"), opt for fewer syllables when possible ("pink not "magenta", and "white" is usually replaced with "albino" (though artistic touches are encouraged within reason: "midnight" instead of "black"); As with any good Mad Lib adjectives are almost unlimited; and as to animal choices, unnerving is better than cute: insects, crustaceans, or reptiles, instead of koalas or meerkats.
I have also taken the liberty of inventing some additional info for some.
YCANP Awesome Animal Names:
Blue Spitting Hornet
- Native to Northeastern US, eats bees and some wasps, characterized by vertical blue stripes along abdomen and venom laced with hydrochloric acid
Albino Moon Otter
- Only active during full moon phase, characteristic white fur and red eyes lacking pigmentation, cannibalistic.
Pink Bladed Mallard
- This unusual duck grows to three pounds (male) or two and one half pounds (female) and is noted for its white and pink feathers. The male also has two large talons on the outside of its webbed feet used to hook prey, and sometimes mating rivals.
Green Spinetail Dragon
- A subspecies of komodo dragon, this large lizard can be found in Asia. Named for twin rows of spiny scales running along its tail. Poisonous.
Orange Kicking Chicken
- Bred in captivity for viciousness and agility. Renowned in cock-fighting circles as the bird to beat. Also makes tasty buffalo wings.
Midnight Jungle Panther
- This large cat typically grows to over six feet in length (excluding tail) and eats primarily lowland gorillas. Usually solitary, has been known to form small packs to take down large game like elephants.
Christmas Island Red Crab
- Small land crab which breathes through gills, native to islands of the Indian Ocean. During yearly migration to the sea can overwhelm local infrastructure by their sheer numbers.
Wailing Red Herring
- Rare fish noted for loud mating calls mimicking whale songs. Often early whalers and marine biologists would track the songs looking for humpback whales, only to find these fish, prompting the metaphor of the "red herring."
Yellow Mystery Toad
- Currently found in, but not native to, England. Was illegally imported and released by Belgian researchers in late 1800s. Mostly yellow with red markings and two distinct pointed black "mustachios" just above upper lip.
Bangladesh White Tamarind
- Small monkey found along the southern shores of the Indian subcontinent. Exceptionally intelligent, ability to use tools, and specimens in captivity may have been shown to understand voice commands.
Cerulean Blind Viper
- Not actually blind, but so named due to opaque eyelids visible when agitated. Scale pattern is alternating stripes of white, black, and bright blue. Native to northern Mexico and parts of Texas.
Redstripe Ribbon Snake
- Semi-aquatic lives in swampland, eats small amphibians, excellent swimmer, mediocre at bobsledding.
Purple Fascist Snake-eater
- (extinct) Once found abundantly in the South Pacific this chondrophore, or colonial-animal, was hunted to extinction in the early 1500s by seafaring Kiwis. Stinging tentacles and digestive organs were dominated by an intelligent "brain" polyp which consumed most of the food-energy gained from free ranging sea snakes (see Star-Bellied Eel)
Star-Bellied Eel
- Not actually an eel, but a large, flat sea snake. Green and blue scales above and shiny white scales on the underside. Nocturnal, exposes underside to moonlight, purpose is speculated to be for mating or communication with other herd members. More research needed. Sought by poachers for scales to be used as jewelry. Endangered.
Red Blood Moth
- The red blood moth is thought to be a unnatural mutation of the Atlas moth, possibly due to exposure of Atlas cocoons to radioactive or chemical runoff. This large moth is similar in appearance and markings to the Atlas moth, but the females feed on the blood of large animals.
That's all for now. See if you can pick out the real animals from the list above!
-t
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Fired Up: MLB Playoffs
Rockies/Padres one game playoff to determine the National League Wildcard winner. The game goes to extra innings, and then home plate umpire Tim McClelland screws up the game-winning call.
First, the delay itself was the call. An ump delaying that call at the plate means the play isn't over, it means the runner hasn't touched the plate safely, and the fielder hasn't tagged out the runner. The no-call is itself a call. Four seconds. That's how long it took to make that call. What the hell was going through his mind during those four seconds? "Hoffman is undoubtedly going to blow this game, because there's no way he's getting pulled, and the Rockies are smashing the ball, and we're in extras already, and I'm not working the playoffs, we might as well get out of here now...ok, Safe."
COME ON!
Check the footage! Every close play at the plate! Every one! The umps practically jump up and down screaming "SAFE!" or "OUT!!" and when they don't, it's because the play isn't over!
This isn't about debating instant replay for home runs vs. ground rule doubles (which we've seen the umps get right after conferences, ahem, Bellhorn), it's about a BAD CALL, a WRONG CALL.
This isn't about ump's not being able to see a ball land fair or foul thirty yards away from them at a bad angle along the outfield warning track, this is about a play-at-the-plate, HE WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE PLAY.
Maybe he was trying to fix the game, sure, but even if we assume he wanted to see the Rockies get to the playoffs he botched that too! If you're going to give them that call, then give them that call and let Kruk and the boys debate it later or wax philosophical about instant replay, but to let your instincts as an umpire kick in, delay the call and THEN think "Oh, right, I like Colorado...Safe!" is downright awful.
It's bad officiating or it's poorly executed cheating. Either way this guy sucks at his job.
Instant replay absolutely cannot replace real-time human umpiring. Can't do it. If you eliminate the opportunity for human error and judgment calls you also eliminate one of the greatest laments of all fandom: "The refs hosed us."
In the history of bad calls, which are the most memorable? Playoff mistakes, championship botches - and in every case, how does the fan base of the losing team react? Hatred, in the short term, for the refs, and, in the long term, hope, resilency. The bad call is justification to keep on believing. "We would have had it...if it weren't for that F-ing call."
They can't take that away from us. It would be un-American.
First, the delay itself was the call. An ump delaying that call at the plate means the play isn't over, it means the runner hasn't touched the plate safely, and the fielder hasn't tagged out the runner. The no-call is itself a call. Four seconds. That's how long it took to make that call. What the hell was going through his mind during those four seconds? "Hoffman is undoubtedly going to blow this game, because there's no way he's getting pulled, and the Rockies are smashing the ball, and we're in extras already, and I'm not working the playoffs, we might as well get out of here now...ok, Safe."
COME ON!
Check the footage! Every close play at the plate! Every one! The umps practically jump up and down screaming "SAFE!" or "OUT!!" and when they don't, it's because the play isn't over!
This isn't about debating instant replay for home runs vs. ground rule doubles (which we've seen the umps get right after conferences, ahem, Bellhorn), it's about a BAD CALL, a WRONG CALL.
This isn't about ump's not being able to see a ball land fair or foul thirty yards away from them at a bad angle along the outfield warning track, this is about a play-at-the-plate, HE WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE PLAY.
Maybe he was trying to fix the game, sure, but even if we assume he wanted to see the Rockies get to the playoffs he botched that too! If you're going to give them that call, then give them that call and let Kruk and the boys debate it later or wax philosophical about instant replay, but to let your instincts as an umpire kick in, delay the call and THEN think "Oh, right, I like Colorado...Safe!" is downright awful.
It's bad officiating or it's poorly executed cheating. Either way this guy sucks at his job.
Instant replay absolutely cannot replace real-time human umpiring. Can't do it. If you eliminate the opportunity for human error and judgment calls you also eliminate one of the greatest laments of all fandom: "The refs hosed us."
In the history of bad calls, which are the most memorable? Playoff mistakes, championship botches - and in every case, how does the fan base of the losing team react? Hatred, in the short term, for the refs, and, in the long term, hope, resilency. The bad call is justification to keep on believing. "We would have had it...if it weren't for that F-ing call."
They can't take that away from us. It would be un-American.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Woe Owe is me
I came very close, this afternoon, to walking out of the office, taking the train home, getting in my truck, driving to Los Angeles, and never coming back.
That is to say, I thought really hard about it.
My grandmother visited us last night, and because it was too late for her to drive home, she slept at our house. This morning she offered to drive me to the train on her way home.
And she proceeded to badger me about getting a masters degree. Or a law degree. Anything, because "a bachelor's means nothing nowadays."
For those of you without grandmothers, this isn't really the greatest lecture to kick off a typical public transit commute to a mind-numbing, creativity-stealing, free-time-eating job you hate but begrudgingly show up for day-after-day because it's the most practial way to make enough money to buy a house (someday) provide for a family (someday) and maybe, if you're careful, and only two of the kids need braces, and if they all go to state school, maybe, have enough money, or credit, left over to go back to school yourself and get a master's degree.
You could say I started the day off on the wrong foot. (You could probably also say something about using "off on" consecutively.)
I was a little upset... because I think she's right.
But what am I supposed to do? I owe more money on my car loan and oustanding student loans than I have in the bank; I can't save money for big important purchases (goodbye three bed, one-and-a-half bath, in a good school district) if I'm going into debt to finance a degree; and what the hell program am I supposed to register for anyway? What am I supposed to study!?
I hate what I do. I hate it. So I certainly don't want to pursue that! Goodbye MBA.
But without any other experience, how am I to know what else is out there, or how much I'd hate that?
What if I were fresh out of college? What if I hadn't jumped at gainful employment right after graduation? What would I do if I weren't burdened by these practical concerns? Why not major in that?
I'll tell you why: If I were just out of college, if I managed to convince myself to live in the moment and not work for some far-off dreamed-of payoff (in this case, the payoff is a monthly mortgage payment), if I really just wanted to be happy, and nothing else?
I'd scrape together six hundred bucks or so, buy some clunker I could trust to get me cross-country, drive to LA, or however far the car would take me, and then open up a t-shirt printing shop. The equipment's cheap if you get it used, like three thousand bucks. I could make that in a few months as a short order cook, or something.
But now, it doesn't make sense. If I'm to get a master's degree, I'm gonig to need to pay for it, which means keeping this job. Dropping fifteen grand a year to work in a different field I might hate anyway isn't a good bet.
So, woe is me. The life of a steady-income, car-owning, college graduate can be pretty tough. Almost as tough as making excuses when you know, when you know, your grandmother is right.
-t
That is to say, I thought really hard about it.
My grandmother visited us last night, and because it was too late for her to drive home, she slept at our house. This morning she offered to drive me to the train on her way home.
And she proceeded to badger me about getting a masters degree. Or a law degree. Anything, because "a bachelor's means nothing nowadays."
For those of you without grandmothers, this isn't really the greatest lecture to kick off a typical public transit commute to a mind-numbing, creativity-stealing, free-time-eating job you hate but begrudgingly show up for day-after-day because it's the most practial way to make enough money to buy a house (someday) provide for a family (someday) and maybe, if you're careful, and only two of the kids need braces, and if they all go to state school, maybe, have enough money, or credit, left over to go back to school yourself and get a master's degree.
You could say I started the day off on the wrong foot. (You could probably also say something about using "off on" consecutively.)
I was a little upset... because I think she's right.
But what am I supposed to do? I owe more money on my car loan and oustanding student loans than I have in the bank; I can't save money for big important purchases (goodbye three bed, one-and-a-half bath, in a good school district) if I'm going into debt to finance a degree; and what the hell program am I supposed to register for anyway? What am I supposed to study!?
I hate what I do. I hate it. So I certainly don't want to pursue that! Goodbye MBA.
But without any other experience, how am I to know what else is out there, or how much I'd hate that?
What if I were fresh out of college? What if I hadn't jumped at gainful employment right after graduation? What would I do if I weren't burdened by these practical concerns? Why not major in that?
I'll tell you why: If I were just out of college, if I managed to convince myself to live in the moment and not work for some far-off dreamed-of payoff (in this case, the payoff is a monthly mortgage payment), if I really just wanted to be happy, and nothing else?
I'd scrape together six hundred bucks or so, buy some clunker I could trust to get me cross-country, drive to LA, or however far the car would take me, and then open up a t-shirt printing shop. The equipment's cheap if you get it used, like three thousand bucks. I could make that in a few months as a short order cook, or something.
But now, it doesn't make sense. If I'm to get a master's degree, I'm gonig to need to pay for it, which means keeping this job. Dropping fifteen grand a year to work in a different field I might hate anyway isn't a good bet.
So, woe is me. The life of a steady-income, car-owning, college graduate can be pretty tough. Almost as tough as making excuses when you know, when you know, your grandmother is right.
-t
Friday, September 14, 2007
A.K.A. Copernicus
So, I've been a bit obsessed lately with this new multimedia portable internet device.
Here it is:
It's the Helio Ocean, and it's amazing. Firstly, it has a keypad and a qwerty keyboard. Secondly, IM access. I'm not kidding. IM. I can stop there.
(But I won't, it's also got wireless internet access, email, unlimited txt msgs, stereo bluetooth, sweet user interface, great address book options, mp3 player, camera, video, and one-push uploads to Flickr, MySpace, and YouTube!)
Anyway, it's wicked awesome, and I totally want one, plus they're super cool. Just check out what these guys are saying about it:
Think about it, how awesome would it be to be hanging out at some fantastic party just when something crazy goes down (Donny doing the lawnmower, maybe), and shooting a video and some hilarious pictures with this and then within seconds uploading them to YouTube and Flickr for the whole world to see what they're missing!
IMing people from work! At your desk! Even thought your work sucks and they won't let you go online at all!
Checking the Red Sox/Yankees score at a wedding ceremony in real time!
The possibilities are endless. I will so let you know when I get one.
-t
Here it is:
It's the Helio Ocean, and it's amazing. Firstly, it has a keypad and a qwerty keyboard. Secondly, IM access. I'm not kidding. IM. I can stop there.
(But I won't, it's also got wireless internet access, email, unlimited txt msgs, stereo bluetooth, sweet user interface, great address book options, mp3 player, camera, video, and one-push uploads to Flickr, MySpace, and YouTube!)
Anyway, it's wicked awesome, and I totally want one, plus they're super cool. Just check out what these guys are saying about it:
The bottom line: The Helio Ocean is a great beginner smart phone, with a fantastic array of multimedia features and Internet capabilities that are sure to please both consumers and mobile professionals. -cnet.com
I'm just going to blurt it out here: I love the Helio Ocean.
-mobileburn.com
It’s a widely functional media device with massive hipster appeal. There is something decidedly cool about whipping it out in public and having people ogle from across the room. -crunchgear.com
Think about it, how awesome would it be to be hanging out at some fantastic party just when something crazy goes down (Donny doing the lawnmower, maybe), and shooting a video and some hilarious pictures with this and then within seconds uploading them to YouTube and Flickr for the whole world to see what they're missing!IMing people from work! At your desk! Even thought your work sucks and they won't let you go online at all!
Checking the Red Sox/Yankees score at a wedding ceremony in real time!
The possibilities are endless. I will so let you know when I get one.
-t
Monday, August 27, 2007
Easy Street
I'm in the hunt for a nice place to go and chill out for an hour a day outside lunch time.
I'm bringing lunch instead of buying it, and eating at my desk instead of wandering the financial district looking for a sandwich that will cost less than a weekly MBTA pass.
Working through lunch gives me an hour's break everyday I can spend before noon for errands, a coffee break, or finishing the chapter I started on the train that morning.
Except I can't find a comfortable chair.
So I'm re-embarking on a quest I'd started years ago in college (No, not the quest, you BU grads). I'm looking for an easy chair in a quiet room to relax.
It took me a few years at BU, and I never found a space accessible to the public that really met my needs. The best chair I found within a ten-minute walk from class was in the science building (third floor lobby). It was quiet, no foot traffic, and well-lit. The chairs could have been a bit more comfortable, but they were miles beyond the normal comfort curve BU furniture usually rests on.
Now I'm based in the financial district and I've got the same needs. Well-lit, not busy, comfortable, and warm - especially with winter coming up.
And I refuse to retreat to Starbucks.
I'll keep you updated.
-t
I'm bringing lunch instead of buying it, and eating at my desk instead of wandering the financial district looking for a sandwich that will cost less than a weekly MBTA pass.
Working through lunch gives me an hour's break everyday I can spend before noon for errands, a coffee break, or finishing the chapter I started on the train that morning.
Except I can't find a comfortable chair.
So I'm re-embarking on a quest I'd started years ago in college (No, not the quest, you BU grads). I'm looking for an easy chair in a quiet room to relax.
It took me a few years at BU, and I never found a space accessible to the public that really met my needs. The best chair I found within a ten-minute walk from class was in the science building (third floor lobby). It was quiet, no foot traffic, and well-lit. The chairs could have been a bit more comfortable, but they were miles beyond the normal comfort curve BU furniture usually rests on.
Now I'm based in the financial district and I've got the same needs. Well-lit, not busy, comfortable, and warm - especially with winter coming up.
And I refuse to retreat to Starbucks.
I'll keep you updated.
-t
Friday, August 24, 2007
Next Stop, Forty
I am so old.
Twenty-five years and one month. Crazy old, right?
When I hit twenty-five, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the day I was born, I wasn't able to comprehend the enormity of that time span. "Congratulations!" my relations would say, "Now you're a quarter of a century old!" I got a birthday card with a picture of a train on it that said "Next stop, Forty!"
I laughed, uneasily, being polite, but knew I didn't really understand what was going on. I decided to give myself more time.
So here we are, four weeks later, I'm even older than I was (though I suppose we all are...unless one of you out there has access to some pill, or fountain, or some magical youth-rendering treatment (wherein, I can only imagine, you kidnap youths and slowly heat them over a low flame to remove their youthiness (like truthiness) as you would fat from bacon)) and desperation is setting in.
What have I really accomplished in all this time? (Oh my God, all...this...time...It's been so long!)
Sure, I've survived to see twenty-five, but that's not such a big deal anymore, it may even surprise you to learn that most people born in Western indulstrialized countries to middle-income families with access to the world's greatest hospitals are expected to make it to twenty-five.
And sure, I've passed the crucible that is our education system (heated unequally by elementary, secondary, and collegiary flames), so there's that, I guess.
I was able to obtain employment, doing a job only about seventeen million other people across the country do, in a manner, and with an outlook that is almost exactly the same (haphazard, and apathetic, respectively).
I used the money I earned to purchase symbols of my financial status, demonstrations of my worth. I've got a car of my own (only thirty more payments!) I've got the Xbox 360, I've got um...shoes.
But look at the total package! What have I realy accomplished?! What have I done that people will remember me for? (Except that game of assassins I orchestrated in college. Man, that was totally awesome. Oh no, I think I'm starting to live in the past! My finest hour is behind me! WHAT HAVE I BECOME?!)
World takeover bid? That's a young man's game. Climbing Mt. Everst? Not with this arthritis. What's left but to run for public office? I'm almost old enough to run for the presidency! And then what's left? Retire to Harlem, like the great presidents before me, and then take my place next to them in the eternal resting place of our past leaders in Grant's Tomb.
Anyway, twenty-five's pretty damn old. I'll probably be using a walker the next time you see me, if I can even get out of bed for company. That's it. It's over man, game over. This is the end. They were right, all downhill from here. Last trip around the sun. The long goodnight. The last mimzy. Serpico. Fin.
25. Next stop, forty.
-t
Twenty-five years and one month. Crazy old, right?
When I hit twenty-five, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the day I was born, I wasn't able to comprehend the enormity of that time span. "Congratulations!" my relations would say, "Now you're a quarter of a century old!" I got a birthday card with a picture of a train on it that said "Next stop, Forty!"
I laughed, uneasily, being polite, but knew I didn't really understand what was going on. I decided to give myself more time.
So here we are, four weeks later, I'm even older than I was (though I suppose we all are...unless one of you out there has access to some pill, or fountain, or some magical youth-rendering treatment (wherein, I can only imagine, you kidnap youths and slowly heat them over a low flame to remove their youthiness (like truthiness) as you would fat from bacon)) and desperation is setting in.
What have I really accomplished in all this time? (Oh my God, all...this...time...It's been so long!)
Sure, I've survived to see twenty-five, but that's not such a big deal anymore, it may even surprise you to learn that most people born in Western indulstrialized countries to middle-income families with access to the world's greatest hospitals are expected to make it to twenty-five.
And sure, I've passed the crucible that is our education system (heated unequally by elementary, secondary, and collegiary flames), so there's that, I guess.
I was able to obtain employment, doing a job only about seventeen million other people across the country do, in a manner, and with an outlook that is almost exactly the same (haphazard, and apathetic, respectively).
I used the money I earned to purchase symbols of my financial status, demonstrations of my worth. I've got a car of my own (only thirty more payments!) I've got the Xbox 360, I've got um...shoes.
But look at the total package! What have I realy accomplished?! What have I done that people will remember me for? (Except that game of assassins I orchestrated in college. Man, that was totally awesome. Oh no, I think I'm starting to live in the past! My finest hour is behind me! WHAT HAVE I BECOME?!)
World takeover bid? That's a young man's game. Climbing Mt. Everst? Not with this arthritis. What's left but to run for public office? I'm almost old enough to run for the presidency! And then what's left? Retire to Harlem, like the great presidents before me, and then take my place next to them in the eternal resting place of our past leaders in Grant's Tomb.
Anyway, twenty-five's pretty damn old. I'll probably be using a walker the next time you see me, if I can even get out of bed for company. That's it. It's over man, game over. This is the end. They were right, all downhill from here. Last trip around the sun. The long goodnight. The last mimzy. Serpico. Fin.
25. Next stop, forty.
-t
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Skate
skate is awesome.
It's a video game, about skateboarding. EA is looking to upset the Tony Hawk Pro Skater monopoly on next generation consoles with this title, and, after playing the demo, they just might.
Now, I've gone on record citing THPS for N64 as the greatest video game in the history of video games, a stance I will maintain forever.
It was so crazy awesome that the series quickly grew from a "skate and collect demo tapes to get sponsors!" game to "try to go off this ramp and attain near-earth orbit then grind on the Great Wall of China in a three million point combo" game.
But it was still awesome. Sure the controls were getting a little repetitive, but if it's not broke... and sure, they were running out of cool places to skate (how many generic skate parks in West Coast cities can you see before getting bored?), and sure, the only thing gamers kept coming back for were ridiculously inflated combo scores and Newtonian-defying inertia bonuses (it's physically impossible to speed up while grinding a level rail, as it turns out).
So THPS went on to tremendous heights (literally, I once jumped into a sixth story window), and raked in the cash hand over fist.
Enter skate. The demo takes place in an ordinary skate park. You're an ordinary skater. You do ordinary skater things like ollie, kickflip, heelflip. This game is aimed toward realism - you won't see any of these skaters magically pull a boombox out of their backpack in the midst of a one-footed smith grind.
But the real magic is the control scheme. It's new! It's exciting! It barely uses the face buttons at all! (seriously, "A" to push off was the only one I used the whole time).
You control the board with your right joystick, your body with the left. Tricks are performed by moving the joysticks up, down, left, right, and rotating them in either direction.
In no time I was flying around the park jumping over obstacles, pulling sweet looking grabs, powersliding into quick turns, and grinding low rails. And loving every minute of it.
Because as phenomenal as I am at Tony Hawk Pro Skater (I am phenomenal, seriously), I'm already feeling how easy this game will be to pick up. I'm going to dominate.
Exaggerated vs. Real - Button Mashing vs. Inuition
Everybody wins! (unless you're playing me... then you will lose.)
-t
It's a video game, about skateboarding. EA is looking to upset the Tony Hawk Pro Skater monopoly on next generation consoles with this title, and, after playing the demo, they just might.
Now, I've gone on record citing THPS for N64 as the greatest video game in the history of video games, a stance I will maintain forever.
It was so crazy awesome that the series quickly grew from a "skate and collect demo tapes to get sponsors!" game to "try to go off this ramp and attain near-earth orbit then grind on the Great Wall of China in a three million point combo" game.
But it was still awesome. Sure the controls were getting a little repetitive, but if it's not broke... and sure, they were running out of cool places to skate (how many generic skate parks in West Coast cities can you see before getting bored?), and sure, the only thing gamers kept coming back for were ridiculously inflated combo scores and Newtonian-defying inertia bonuses (it's physically impossible to speed up while grinding a level rail, as it turns out).
So THPS went on to tremendous heights (literally, I once jumped into a sixth story window), and raked in the cash hand over fist.
Enter skate. The demo takes place in an ordinary skate park. You're an ordinary skater. You do ordinary skater things like ollie, kickflip, heelflip. This game is aimed toward realism - you won't see any of these skaters magically pull a boombox out of their backpack in the midst of a one-footed smith grind.
But the real magic is the control scheme. It's new! It's exciting! It barely uses the face buttons at all! (seriously, "A" to push off was the only one I used the whole time).
You control the board with your right joystick, your body with the left. Tricks are performed by moving the joysticks up, down, left, right, and rotating them in either direction.
In no time I was flying around the park jumping over obstacles, pulling sweet looking grabs, powersliding into quick turns, and grinding low rails. And loving every minute of it.
Because as phenomenal as I am at Tony Hawk Pro Skater (I am phenomenal, seriously), I'm already feeling how easy this game will be to pick up. I'm going to dominate.
Exaggerated vs. Real - Button Mashing vs. Inuition
Everybody wins! (unless you're playing me... then you will lose.)
-t
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Foresight
I'd just like to go on the record as saying I'm totally OK with paying through the nose this offseason to get A-Rod to come play third base for us. Or shortstop. Or second base. Or first. Or closer.
I like Mike Lowell at third base. He's having a hell of a year. I'd be totally ok with extending his contract through 2009 or 2010 and letting him retire in Boston.
But I'm also totally ok with replacing him with maybe the greatest baseball player in the history of baseball. I've hated A-Rod since he became a Yankee. I will continue to hate him as long as he's a Yankee or playing in the American League East - but man, how messed up are you if you don't want him playing on your hometown nine? He's practically a force of nature! The numbers! They're incredible! Can you even comprehend what sort of offense Ortiz-Ramirez-Rodriguez would generate? I can't. I'm telling you, I cannot comprehend it. Hell, A-Rod would make J.D. Drew a better hitter!
So, Theo, I totally trust you, and only want to let you know, there is at least one fan who gets that putting Alex Rodriguez on the payroll would be freakin' awesome.
For clarity's sake, however, (and my Boston reader's sanity) I will reiterate the following:
Just wanted to get that out there.
I like Mike Lowell at third base. He's having a hell of a year. I'd be totally ok with extending his contract through 2009 or 2010 and letting him retire in Boston.
But I'm also totally ok with replacing him with maybe the greatest baseball player in the history of baseball. I've hated A-Rod since he became a Yankee. I will continue to hate him as long as he's a Yankee or playing in the American League East - but man, how messed up are you if you don't want him playing on your hometown nine? He's practically a force of nature! The numbers! They're incredible! Can you even comprehend what sort of offense Ortiz-Ramirez-Rodriguez would generate? I can't. I'm telling you, I cannot comprehend it. Hell, A-Rod would make J.D. Drew a better hitter!
So, Theo, I totally trust you, and only want to let you know, there is at least one fan who gets that putting Alex Rodriguez on the payroll would be freakin' awesome.
For clarity's sake, however, (and my Boston reader's sanity) I will reiterate the following:
- I hate Jeter, and will hate Jeter now matter how long he plays or how many different teams he plays for (Ha. Right. Like Jeter is ever not going to be a Yankee).
- I hate Giambi. I have always hated Giambi.
- I hate the entire Yankee organization.
- I hope A-Rod doesn't get a clutch hit for the remainder of his tenure in New York, and I hope he commits three (costly) errors a game.
- Go Red Sox
Just wanted to get that out there.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
The Most Important Things
This is completely ridiculous. I need a job that gives me more free time. I just can't fit work, blog reading, and blog writing into my current schedule, and blog reading and writing clearly aren't going to get cut.
Publishing seems to call to me. I think, if I could do it succsesfully, writing would be the ideal career. Any kind of writing, really - I would certainly enjoy the wacky adventures of a freelance novelist of the Wonder Boys ilk; and I had a blast writing for my high school newspaper and would guess daily publishing is much the same (in addition, I would undoubtedly be presented with myriad opportunities to solve murder mysteries and uncover nefarious plots, like these famous reporters - oh, and let's not forget this guy.)
Upon re-reading that second point, it seems to me it is not so much the freedom of a flexible schedule that I seek, but is, in fact, super human abilities.
But if that isn't the best job perk going I might as well just get myself fired and file for unemployment.
Publishing seems to call to me. I think, if I could do it succsesfully, writing would be the ideal career. Any kind of writing, really - I would certainly enjoy the wacky adventures of a freelance novelist of the Wonder Boys ilk; and I had a blast writing for my high school newspaper and would guess daily publishing is much the same (in addition, I would undoubtedly be presented with myriad opportunities to solve murder mysteries and uncover nefarious plots, like these famous reporters - oh, and let's not forget this guy.)
Upon re-reading that second point, it seems to me it is not so much the freedom of a flexible schedule that I seek, but is, in fact, super human abilities.
But if that isn't the best job perk going I might as well just get myself fired and file for unemployment.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
The Monday Meeting is supposed to take place on Monday.
Why, sure, I'd love another group meeting, we only had one last week. What's on the agenda today?
Introductions for the new girl who joined the group Monday. (Hey, guys, it's Thursday...introductions were taken care of Monday, you know, when she started)
Tech Support updates. (Nothing new to report? Really? You mean the requests you sent for your pet projects that you've been talking about for three months are still sitting in the IT inbox? Unread? So your report is "nothing to report." Great.)
Brand new organizational chart! (Damn I am so excited, the last one of these we saw was pretty blasé, all grey and black. Maybe this one will have some yellow or red, with arrows! It really is a shame we only get these once a week. New org charts would be a huge hit on a daily basis.)
Finally, new responsibilities! Yay! The most experienced guy is moving to another group! Everybody else gets bumped up one spot, I get moved from the medium difficulty funds to the really giant hard funds, sweet. Today international mutual funds, tomorrow, the world!
Thanks for giving up an hour of your processing time, now get back to work and make sure you still get everything finished by the afternoon deadline!
Stupid Meetings.
Introductions for the new girl who joined the group Monday. (Hey, guys, it's Thursday...introductions were taken care of Monday, you know, when she started)
Tech Support updates. (Nothing new to report? Really? You mean the requests you sent for your pet projects that you've been talking about for three months are still sitting in the IT inbox? Unread? So your report is "nothing to report." Great.)
Brand new organizational chart! (Damn I am so excited, the last one of these we saw was pretty blasé, all grey and black. Maybe this one will have some yellow or red, with arrows! It really is a shame we only get these once a week. New org charts would be a huge hit on a daily basis.)
Finally, new responsibilities! Yay! The most experienced guy is moving to another group! Everybody else gets bumped up one spot, I get moved from the medium difficulty funds to the really giant hard funds, sweet. Today international mutual funds, tomorrow, the world!
Thanks for giving up an hour of your processing time, now get back to work and make sure you still get everything finished by the afternoon deadline!
Stupid Meetings.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
.500
Final softball game of the year!
Reviewing my season's stats before the game I was 11-for-23 going into the game and would need a 1-for-1 performance to hit the .500 mark for the season.
My first at bat came in the second inning, and I beat out an infield hit! I advanced to second base on a walk, but was tagged out trying to slide under a tag on a ground ball to third. My team (the blue team) took the lead.
Unfortunately, a few throwing errors in the field gave the bad guys (the red team) a few runs back and made it a ballgame.
I didn't help much by grounding out to first base my next time up - which also dropped me back below .500!
We scored a few, they scored a few to keep it close, and then in the seventh inning I led off with a hit up the middle and scored on a two-run home run. (.500 again!)
And in the bottom of the sixth I played some stellar defense to hang on to the one run lead. After a pop fly to third base to start the inning the bad guys loaded the bases with a few hits and a walk, then brought in two runs with a single to make it a one-run game.
So, with one out and runners on first and second I caught a screaming line drive at first base and dove at the runner, caught off the bag, to apply a tag and double him off to hold the lead!
We scored twice more in the top of the seventh and got three quick outs in the bottom of the inning to win our final game.
Go blue team.
Tom's season totals:
AB 26
H 13
AVG 0.500
BB 0
K 4
R 9
RBI 8
2B 1
3B 1
HR 1
SLG .731
OBP .500
OPS 1.231
Not too shabby for my first season in organized ball since freshman year of high school. Next year I'll be shooting for zero strikeouts and more doubles.
-t
Reviewing my season's stats before the game I was 11-for-23 going into the game and would need a 1-for-1 performance to hit the .500 mark for the season.
My first at bat came in the second inning, and I beat out an infield hit! I advanced to second base on a walk, but was tagged out trying to slide under a tag on a ground ball to third. My team (the blue team) took the lead.
Unfortunately, a few throwing errors in the field gave the bad guys (the red team) a few runs back and made it a ballgame.
I didn't help much by grounding out to first base my next time up - which also dropped me back below .500!
We scored a few, they scored a few to keep it close, and then in the seventh inning I led off with a hit up the middle and scored on a two-run home run. (.500 again!)
And in the bottom of the sixth I played some stellar defense to hang on to the one run lead. After a pop fly to third base to start the inning the bad guys loaded the bases with a few hits and a walk, then brought in two runs with a single to make it a one-run game.
So, with one out and runners on first and second I caught a screaming line drive at first base and dove at the runner, caught off the bag, to apply a tag and double him off to hold the lead!
We scored twice more in the top of the seventh and got three quick outs in the bottom of the inning to win our final game.
Go blue team.
Tom's season totals:
AB 26
H 13
AVG 0.500
BB 0
K 4
R 9
RBI 8
2B 1
3B 1
HR 1
SLG .731
OBP .500
OPS 1.231
Not too shabby for my first season in organized ball since freshman year of high school. Next year I'll be shooting for zero strikeouts and more doubles.
-t
Monday, July 30, 2007
Last Ditch Effort
Hey, everybody. Still here, but still very busy working, and driving cross-country, and assembling flat-pack furniture, and playing softball (one more game), and not blogging.
Unfortunately, I cannot forsee when this hecticity (totally a word) will change, or become more manageable. So, I present to you a choice:
(1) status quo - I will pop in with sporadic and usually un-entertaining updates when possible, a few minutes a month
(2) more frequent, still un-entertaining, news-related updates - specifically I will attempt to use the "blog this" feature on my RSS reader, and post exerpts and (some) commentary on internet goings on
Also, be sure to check out intransitivity for a few new sketches.
-t
Unfortunately, I cannot forsee when this hecticity (totally a word) will change, or become more manageable. So, I present to you a choice:
(1) status quo - I will pop in with sporadic and usually un-entertaining updates when possible, a few minutes a month
(2) more frequent, still un-entertaining, news-related updates - specifically I will attempt to use the "blog this" feature on my RSS reader, and post exerpts and (some) commentary on internet goings on
Also, be sure to check out intransitivity for a few new sketches.
-t
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