Sunday, July 29, 2007

"come on, Lestah!!!"

(or Lester, for those of you not fluent in Bostonian) the girl behind me screamed that every time he took the mound. there were so many Sox fans at last night's game, it was awesome. The Trop likes to put up "make some noise for your Rays! show these Sox fans this is YOUR house!" on the scoreboard -- but i have to say, felt more like Fenway Park than The Trop. except for the crappy lighting & the lack of bullpen.

let's just say that may be my most well spent $55 ever. turns out i was four rows behind the Sox dugout. surrounded by loud & energetic Sox fans. we had "here we go, Red Sox, here we go!" chants going constantly. and can you top a twelve-inning 12-6 Sox victory?!

it was awesome. right down to the Sox fan blasting "Sweet Caroline" from his car in the parking lot after the game!

tough to give game commentary when you're caught up in live action (nowhere to take notes anyway -- which i usually do) soooo...

how about some photos instead? (click the photo -- it's a link to the album)

Sox at Rays - July 28, 2007


oh & i will have all of you know that i fully admit to applauding Lugo when his walk scored the go-ahead run in the twelfth that opened up the landslide of Sox offense -- and again when he came in toward the dugout at the end of the game. appreciation, if not love. but cheer, i did.

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Friday, July 27, 2007

Friday's Feast: July 27, 2007



Feast One Hundred & Fifty Three

Appetizer
Describe a toy you remember from your childhood.

i had some great toys when i was growing up. i wasn't much into Barbies, but i loved my Cabbage Patch Kids and My Little Pony and my paper dolls. but one of my very favorites were hand-me-downs. we had a whole collection of Little People. the family house. the play ground. the school (complete with school bus!). 123 Sesame Street. the castle. the garage. the farm. they had been around from our older cousins, but as well-loved as they already were when they came to us, it seems we never tired of playing with them.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how observant are you?

it depends on the situation. i do pay close attention to detail most of the time, especially if it's something i enjoy or pertains to someone i care about. i pick up on subtleties & body language, tone, inflection, body language. i remember dates, names, faces, details. it's also pretty important for my job that i be observant as well. notice patterns, people's coming & going, pay attentions to important dates, follow procedures. plus, being the quiet person that i am, i am often a half-step back, taking in the situation, watching, listening -- observing. =) unless it is something about which i do not care, i would say i am usually operating at about an 8 on observation, and often higher.

Salad
Where would you rather be at this very moment?

riding Soarin' at Epcot.

Main Course
When was the last time you learned something new?
i am constantly learning new things. aren't we all? or i would hope so anyway. the biggest thing i've learned recently is to maintain the accounts receivables for the company i work for.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have ____________ but I haven’t ____________.

i have been ready to visit California again for quite some time but i haven't made the arrangements yet. i will keep saying this until i do though!

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Friday Fiver: July 27, 2007



I'll always be there when you wake

1. Tea or coffee?
no thanks. cranberry juice?

2. Do you speak your mind?
sometimes. i will if it is important that i do so. i will if my hand is forced. i will to the people i trust the most. other than that, i tend to be more quiet than outspoken.

3. What is your escape?
locally: Disney World - you can escape just about anything by immersing yourself in some Magic. far-away: the OC - my sanctuary & possibly the most restful place i have ever been. no matter what my mood, it is impossible for me to be unhappy in those two places.

4. When is the last time you cried?
Saturday. just a little teary. don't really remember why now...

5. What are your bedtime rituals?
check my email one last time. shut off my monitor. check the locks on the door. set the air to a slightly cooler temperature. shut off the lights & the tv. wash my face. brush my teeth. set my alarm. plug in my cell to charge. climb into bed. arrange the pillows. take off my glasses. turn off the lamp. go to sleep.

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*not* a pitchers duel



1. i'm glad to know the Indians announcers understand what a pitchers duel actually is. the way they've been throwing that term around this series, i was starting to wonder.

2. speaking of the Indians television coverage. they do about the poorest job of any station i recall watching when it comes to keeping the game stats available. you know what i mean. the little box or bar that shows the score, inning, outs, balls-strikes, possibly runners on base. if they had theirs up for 50% of the game, that's probably a generous assumption.

3. you know all those runs that weren't scored the last two games? how about 14-9 Sox tonight. it's like the runs had gotten clogged up & couldn't get through, then something loosened them up & they all came pouring out, one right after another. for both teams.

4. Manny is being Manny. thank God for that. two home runs tonight. this feels more like it! they measured his first one at 481 feet. third longest ever at Jacobs Field. his second home run went 412 feet. he pointed to the crowd, as only Manny can, and the fans went *crazy*. please note: we were the *visiting* team. to quote Extra Bases: "I think it's safe to say that Manny Ramirez really likes hitting in Jacobs Field."

5. ok. i give. JFL is on a career-high fifteen-game hit streak. thanks for participating in some way, you slimy little human void. and that, my friends, all the "affection" i can muster. besides, i think Lugo is trying to kill Youk so he can take back that bat he stole. he threw some kind of weird toss to first in the seventh inning (it ended up deflecting off Youk's glove and being scored as an error for our illustrious SS) that left Youk kneeling on the ground collecting his wits and inventorying all his parts after being contorted in a very awkward position. he took so long getting up, i was starting to get concerned.

6. WMP got his requisite home run for every fifty at-bats. plus a single and two doubles. hey Theo? that means we can trade him safely now. he's done producing for the season.

7. another weird play by Julian, who made his first relief appearance since August of last year. he *bounced* a ball to Youk at first. Youk still made the out, laying spread-eagle, face-down, stretching his foot to the bag. it's like it was abuse Youk night or something. no need for that. he is hard enough on himself. but leave it to Julian to snap his losing streak and get his sixth win the first time he pitches out of the bullpen.

8. observation: we haven't seen Kyle Snyder pitch in a long time.

9. the baseball gods smiled. the Yankees, who seemed as though they might never lose again, who were "surging" and on their way back to take control of the division, were shut out by the Royals last night, who finally managed to stop their suck fest long enough to keep the Evil Empire from sweeping them. (i guess they should have saved some of that hell & fury they unleashed on us for their series with the Bombers.) the pendulum swings again... and we're back to seven-and-a-half.

so. tonight the boys venture down to my neck of the woods for a weekend series. Wakey gets the nod tonight, and in the climate-controlled environment of The Trop, i am hoping he gets down to the business of winning. looking back at the 45 runs the Crankees scored on Tampa over three games last weekend, i am hoping the Sox can find it in them not to be embarrassed by the absolute worst team in MLB. this should be three comfortable wins. right, guys?

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And I Quote: July 27, 2007

*perfect* for all of us non-number-oriented people who are pretty much lost doing much more than balancing our checkbooks:

"Equations are the devil's sentences."
(Stephen Colbert)

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Thursday, July 26, 2007

The Readers Take the Wheel: Round Two

so way back in May, i opened up the lines for you, the readers, to ask the things you've been wondering, gave it a few days, and then answered all your burning questions. got a pretty good response to it, and a few inquiries if we would do this regularly, so i thought we'd play again. whaddya think?

go ahead. ask those questions that have been lurking the deep recesses of your mind. you're not limited to one if you have more. make it fun. make it interesting. (*please* try to keep it clean!)

i'll leave it open... say... through the weekend? then get some answers up the beginning of next week.

oh & i did not forget that Dan Mega wanted to know: "If the White Sox are the Right Sox, what does it make Boston?"

ok, folks. i don't care if you're a regular reader, a new one, someone who visits occasionally, one of my best friends, or a lurker who's never commented before. this is *your* blog post. have at it.

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What It's Like to be Me: July 26, 2007

music geek that i am, here's the play list from today's drive home:

"Right Here Waiting," Richard Marx
"Angel," Sarah McLachlan
"I Need You," Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
"Lightning Crashes," Live
"Fast Cars and Freedom," Rascal Flatts
"Summer of '69," Bryan Adams
"Home," Daughtry

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ohhhh...

if i can't be on the West Coast, visiting my other home, then i want to be in Maui... Giuseppina posted the most beautiful photo over on her blog -- Notes in the key of G. just look at the way the colors form almost perfect stripes across the photo... my camera is whimpering...

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Thursday Threesome: July 26, 2007

brought to you by The Back Porch

::Lettuce and tomato::

Onesome: 'Lettuce'-- talk of salads and dressings: Is plain green your thing? ...or do you like 'stuff' mixed in or scattered over the top? ...and how about the dressing: what's leading your list this year?

i like stuff mixed in with my salads, if given the choice. even if it's just some tomato and green pepper. something. as for dressing? i am liking either ranch or Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette from Kraft.

Twosome: and-- how about those Mets, -eh? Actually, baseball's doing okay this week, with basketball, football and cycling having the problems. Is there any sports news you'd care to comment on?
yes!! stop talking about Mike Lowell being traded from the Red Sox!! and i think Asante Samuel is a fool for thinking he will sit out this season with the Patriots. this won't motivate them to offer a 30-million-dollar deal, and i don't see how this creates any interest from other teams. just take the $7 million you were offered with the franchise tag, play the season and *then* negotiate numbers, if you can duplicate what you did last year. also, talking about steroids in golf just makes me laugh. and i am really tired of hearing the following names: Barry Bonds. Michael Vick. Pacman Jones.

Threesome: tomato-- and lettuce: the perfect toppings for that hamburger someone will cook up for you at a Labor Day picnic in another month or so? ...or perhaps you have another set of condiments you like on your meat or tofu?
on a burger? cheese. just a little lettuce. a slice of tomato. and some ketchup. yum.

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And I Quote: July 26, 2007

"Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time. And for a brief moment, we have been among its many passengers."

(Narrator, Spaceship Earth, Epcot)

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trepidation



i truly hate this time of the season. scarcely daring to breathe while hushed whispers spark rumors about who is coming & who is going. i am hearing some things that are encouraging. like WMP to Oakland for a bench bat outfielder. and maybe something involving David Murphy -- not that i want to see him go, but there are others that i would rather keep if made to choose. but there are other, more troubling rumors. ones that involve Clay Buccholz, Jacoby Ellsbury... and... ::sob:: Mike Lowell. i will be so happy when August 31 is past. i know the trade deadline ends on July 31, but that doesn't mean much. any transaction not completed by August 31 means the player is ineligible for the post season so at least at that point i can rest easier for a while...

and now the freaking Yankees are only six-and-a-half back. i hate them. and their stupid pinstriped uniforms.

anyway. there was a game last night, wasn't there?

1. Pedroia Pocket has been very fiery lately. all feisty & up in people's faces & mouthing off. i think he forgets he's four feet tall. not that he goes all Julian Tavarez for no reason. last night he got plunked in the ribs by a pitch, then another pitch whistled by his ears. while i don't think there was intent to hit him, i do think he has a right to get ticked off.

2. Tito gave JFL & Mike Lowell the choice of taking last night or Friday as their day off. i have to believe that Mikey's opting for to sit last night & play in Tampa means he really wants to make sure i get to see him play. =P

3. i'm not sure who announced the game on the Indians network last night, but he seems to have played in Cleveland around the same time as Manny. he said that Manny;s reputation for being a sandwich or two shy of a picnic is kind of inaccurate, that he is one of the most disciplined athletes he ever played with, spends a lot of time studying & preparing for games. but he does have a habit of just taking whatever equipment he feels like using. stolen socks. stolen pants. stolen bats. this guy said it doesn't matter, Manny can hit with anything. give him a broom handle & he'll hit it out of the park. i know Manny can seem like a spoiled child at times, but then i reminded of the talent he brings to the table when i hear other players, past & present, speak about him with respect & admiration.

4. this game was far more pitchers duel than Tuesday night. in my opinion, the better pitcher lost in both games though. Joshy looked like a champ out there. just that one lousy pitch that turned into the lone run scored the whole game. Carmona looked good, but Joshy looked better. just like i think CC Sabathia had a better outing than Matsuzaka the night before. that's just the way it goes sometimes. i did hear this morning on ESPN that this was the first time two teams have traded 1-0 wins on consecutive nights since something like 1975.

tonight is Kason Gabbard. i am praying he remains undefeated. and that the Evil Empire finally stumbles...

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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

And I Quote: July 25, 2007

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive."
(Anaïs Nin)

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anticlimactic



well. that game was the reason some people think baseball is boring. my. God. ::yawn::

no. seriously. i slept through quite a bit of the game.

i don't know what kind of crappy games those Cleveland announcers are used to, but they kept raving about this awesome pitchers duel we were bring treated to. i have news for them: a) pitchers duels are often fairly quick games since the batters are usually retired in order, or pretty close to it. this game was the standard three hours in length. and b) pitchers duels do not typically have ten hits and three walks. i know that the 1-0 score (important to note that the Red Sox won) might indicate a real pitchers duel but... ummm... not so much. mostly it was just a fair number of guys getting on base but not scoring any runs. honestly, this game had the potential to be a very exciting pitchers duel, but it did not pan out that way. the good news in all this is that i had the best possible scenario play out with having my two best fantasy pitchers squaring off: Matsuzaka got the win, and CC turned in a good enough performance that he was still worth a decent amount of points.

and then i read this: "At the outset of the Teixeira trade talks, for example, the Rangers had insisted the Yankees include either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, one of the Yankees' top pitching prospects, and had asked the Dodgers for three top prospects. They had asked the Red Sox for pitcher Clay Buchholz and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury." (ESPN) no no no no no!!! the implications of this move make me want to cry. because we wouldn't pay that much for a bench player to replace WMP. Teixeira plays 1B. that's Youk's spot. which makes me think they would slide Youk over to 3B and... that's where Mike Lowell plays. this cannot happen. *cannot*. not to mention that i really don't like the idea of taking our two biggest minor league prospects out of Boston's future. while i don't want to see his bat land in the Bronx, i am praying he winds up on the Dodgers. or the Angels. or the Braves. i really hate the trade deadline. the rumors swirl til i get dizzy and start feeling ill.

anyway. 'nuff of that.

guess who will be at Saturday's Red Sox game, awesome seats, close to the field, third base line, right behind the Boston dugout? and for a price you would not believe.

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Saturday 8: July 24, 2007

hosted by Saturday 8

Crushing

1. who was your first crush?
the farthest back i can remember is second grade. that was Josh Miller.

2. do you currently have a crush on someone?
sure. ::looks mysterious::

3. what makes a crush a CRUSH to you? the fact that it's possibly unrequited? or that you can actually get the person at a later date?
i think it's the feeling you get from it. the silly butterfly feelings. the anticipation. the irrepressible grin. see here's the thing though: i think you can even be with said object of crush, in a bona fide relationship, and still have a crush on them too. i think that's just a good indication of how deep it goes.

4. who are your celebrity crushes?
oh just one for me, thanks. just one Mike Lowell, found playing third base for the Boston Red Sox.

5. have you ever crushed on a boss? did anything come of it?
::thinks back to all bosses::
::laughs hysterically::
::composes self::
there is no way.

6. have you ever crushed on a teacher? describe what made you fawn over them.
nope! seems half the girls in high school had a thing for the band director my senior year. some of them apparently acted on it, according to the trip i was "asked" to make to the police station, to be questioned if *i* was ever... errr... involved. despite the amount of alone time spent with said teacher, i can assure you, i was most certainly *not*. i don't think the officer (detective?) i spoke to believed me, but i swear i am telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God. unfortunately, it would appear that he did not have the willpower to make the right decisions when it came to the advances of some of these girls.

7. many people have met a spouse/fiance(e) at work. have you ever crushed on a co-worker, and how did that turn out?
i can think of a few times. we'll talk about two of them, both past tense, thank you very much. once... bad. got a ride home after work one night, said something that came out... way wrong, prayed for a hole to swallow me up. i think that killed the crush for me. another time... in retrospect, one the few guys that has treated me well, but at the time, i was young & stupid. very stupid. i can think of a few other instances. one other one that was good. the rest... ::shakes head:: bottom line: i am off the market, at work and otherwise.

8. have you ever crushed on a personal trainer, a work-out buddy, or a member of your sports team? what happened?
i've not had a personal trainer, work-out buddy or a sports team. safe to say i can't crush on people who don't exist.

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And I Quote: July 24, 2007

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."
(Confucius)

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Lester triumphant



(photo from Surviving Grady)

1. sure Jon Lester suffered his usual command issues, working himself into and then out of a very precarious bases-loaded situation. i find the latter more important than the former. i just wish he would trust the stuff we know he's got. and trust Cap'n Tek to guide him. that being said, i would be lying if i said i didn't feel tears prickle the backs of my eyes seeing The Kid back on the hill last night. his parents must be feeling so overwhelmed. way to go, Kid, way to go.

2. the boys brought bats for Lester. up 4-0 after half an inning even. please bring them tomorrow too. and every day after that.

3. Youk has his bat back for sure. i hope he chains it to his wrist. i hate to see him not hitting like i know he can.

4. lots of camera time focused on Mike Lowell. and i swear i didn't send any checks to the ESPN camera crew to make that happen.

5. there was a botched hit-and-run last night with Lowell at first & Tek at the plate. after he was tagged out at second, Lowell brought his sweet, shy smile back to the dugout with an apologetic head nod from Tek. Papi sat down on the bench next to Lowell & i thought he was going to offer a little encouragement or something. instead he started pulling all kinds of snacks out of his pockets! LOL! i was totally unprepared. and then, being the supportive kind of teammate we know he is, he just made Lowell crack up by making fun of himself & the way he can't slide!

6. coco's cornrows went 4-for-5.

7. i love listening to them talk about Pedroia Pocket. "he takes a big swing for a little man."

8. early in the game, the ESPN announcers said something that made me feel so good: "RSN is everywhere, they mostly encircle the world. The Red Sox fans, according to a MLB survey, have the most loyal fans in baseball."

tonight it's Matsuzaka squaring off against CC Sabathia. or as it is otherwise known: my two best fantasy baseball pitchers ensuring i will have a guaranteed loss. while on one hand i wonder if we will see 10K-Matsu or Meltdown Matsu, on the other, CC seems to have been floundering lately. i'm pulling for the Red Sox. fantasy baseball is fun, but the real deal trumps all. go Sox!

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Monday, July 23, 2007

what it's like to be me: July 23, 2007

just a few snippets from today:

1. i swear i have a roaring case of the clumsies today. i dropped my yogurt this morning (thankfully didn't spill), flipped a piece of my lunch out onto the floor when i was stirring it half way through reheating it in the microwave, dropped a box of paperclips (::sigh::) and just now, opening a new gallon of water, almost dropped the whole thing. i better not touch anything breakable the rest of the day.

2. rocking out to "Call Me When You're Sober," by Evanescence, in the car on the drive home is good. very good.

3. for absolutely no conceivable reason this morning, i remembered what my Gramp used to say when he was going for a hair cut. he used to say he was "going to get his ears lowered." made me smile.

4. today is my official three-year anniversary at my job. (unofficially it was in April, because i temped for the first three months, then came on permanently in July.) more importantly, it is the day my vacation renews. ahhhh... vacation... coming soon to a guest bedroom near one (well, technically two of you, but same guest bedroom) of you... ;-)

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they came. they saw. we conquered.



let's start with Friday, shall we?

1. that was one really bad call by the umpires which robbed JD Drew of a home run. it was clearly above the home run mark on the Monster. bad. *bad* umpires. it *is* good to see Drew hitting again though.

2. at one point during the game, NESN showed Manny's family--his wife & kids--sitting in the Monster seats. i know that tickets to Fenway aren't cheap to come by these days, but you would think he could have gotten them better seats than *that*. even if they wanted to be near where he plays in left field, there must be *something* closer to than Monster seats.

3. i love the way Tek makes an awesome catch fielding a pop up in the fifth and then acts all nonchalant about it, like it's no big deal.

4. 10 Ks for Joshy. *ten*. maybe he & Matsuzaka need to start up a friendly competition...

5. karma on that first-inning terrible call is a bases-loaded triple by Coco. how do you like *them* apples?!

6. reason #4923 why Papi should not dive: he is such a massive presence that he gets stuck in the divot his enormous body makes when it hits the ground. that & the shoulder strain he suffered as a result. i was going to let it slide (ha!) at first, since it was so good to see my boys playing with some fire again & then they had to pull him out of the game.

7. Julio F Lugo still has Youk's bat. i will give him an atta-boy for the grand slam. but he's still not getting any love from this girl. appreciation, yes. love, no. at least he's doing something productive with Youk's bat. about time he returns though, i'm thinking.

8. Coco really has acclimated well to playing CF in Fenway. i love watching him zoom all over the place, reading the ball, catching it & getting rid of it quickly.

9. welcome back, Mike Timlin. it's good to finally have you back in 2004 form.

10. the Other Sox have a reliever named Ehren Wasserman. Ehren. i will never understand why parents feel the need to get creative with names. you know he's spent his whole life spelling it out for people when they write "Aaron."

11. ten hits. ten runs. now that's what i'm talking about!

now, Saturday.

1. so. how 'bout that Kason Gabbard, huh? who knew?? Mr Schilling? i hope you've got a back up plan, because the chances are looking more & more slim that you'll be getting the offer you want from Boston in 2008... you have our hearts for the way you pitched in 2004, but youth trumps age sometimes. unless you're willing to sign a deal like Wakey has, i'm thinking we'll be remembering you fondly, and giving you a hero's welcome when you make your first visiting trip back to the Fens.

2. Dan, my friend, i feel your bullpen woes. i watched your relievers kill you over & over, and all i could remember was how sick i felt last year when i saw someone reach for *our* bullpen phone. that seventh inning was brutal. seven Boston runs scored, but *three* of them were walked in. if i'm not mistaken, i think Ozzie might be popping antacids like Tito pops bubble gum and sunflower seeds.

3. the umpires really had a bad series. another bad call against the hometown boys. this time Mike Lowell was called out at home. turns out on replay, it was a phantom tag. AJ blocked the plate but he never made contact with Lowell to tag him out.

4. Youk has his ass-wiggle. Matsuzaka has his little hoppy-skippy step. Big Papi spits on his hands. Coco? for Coco, it's his cornrows. have cornrows, will hit. 3-for-4 with five RBI. keep 'em in this time Coco!

5. do you know the last time Youk had an error at first base? July 4th. of 2006. =O

6. 11 hits. 11 runs. they're finally getting it! dear God... please save something for Wakefield on Sunday...

and speaking of Sunday.

1. i have so missed Manny hitting home runs. confession: i actually enjoyed the sight of him admiring his three-run shot into the Boston bullpen.

2. haven't i mentioned how much i love the knuckleball? i do. and i love that the White Sox have a knuckler in their bullpen.

3. did they just say JON LESTER is starting Monday?? WTH...?

3. Papi is not playing for the second game in a row since he messed up his shoulder diving into 2B on Friday. they are saying we may not see him til Wednesday now. not cool, Big Man. get thee better soon! and stop trying to be Coco, diving around!

4. Youk took his bat back. i can tell.

5. another three-run blast into the Monster seats for Mike Lowell. got that contract ready yet, Theo? we're waiting...

6. i am hearing rumors of Javier Lopez getting shipped back to Pawtucket to make room for Lester tomorrow. i guess that means i heard right about Lester coming back. i am not sure sending Lopez down is the right move though (you know, with all my professional baseball managerial experience & all)... no offense Pineiro, but you've been out weakest link out there, thus far.

7. holy crap. the Yankees scored 45 runs over three games?! ::deep breaths:: they're only playing Tampa... they're only playing Tampa...

8. Mr Papelbon. you damn near stopped my heart in my chest giving up two singles and a walk to load the bases with Thome stepping up. i will thank you not to do *that* again.

9. Red Sox scored eight runs for Wakefield. hugs for everyone. except Lugo. just a pat on the back for him. sorry, just can't make myself like him.

so... Jon Lester gets the start on Monday in Cleveland. it was Joel Pineiro sent to the showers after all (i do feel bad for him...) and Julian, good little team player that he is, moves graciously to the bullpen. i hope they cheer him every time he gets a call into a game. i also hope Lester is ready for this. i want so badly for him to succeed. not that he hasn't already won the battle of his life just getting back this far after being diagnosed with cancer ten months ago. but i want him to go out there & be the Lester we watched last year, slack-jawed with surprise.

here's to Lester triumphant!!

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Friday Fill-in: July 20, 2007



Friday Fill-In #29

1. pot roast with mashed potatoes & gravy makes me remember my childhood.
2. I like to use fresh veggies when I cook.
3.
someone i cannot be more specific about really pisses me off.
4.
I've been thinking about a long overdue visit to the West Coast lately.
5. The last song I heard that I liked was "Home," by Daughtry.
6. i've really been craving a trip to WDW by starlight.
7. And as for the weeked, tonight I'm looking forward to
hopefully watching the *Red* Sox stop their losing streak, tomorrow my plans include getting a little work done to my car and Sunday, I want to get the grocery shopping done nice & early so i can take it easy the rest of the day!

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Friday's Feast: July 20, 2007



Feast One Hundred & Fifty Two

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television?

ok seriously. have you never read my blog before? ;-) assuming you haven't, the answer to the question, if indicating football or baseball (American-style and professional level only!), it's safe to say that 10 is not a high enough number.

Soup
If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?

right now, two-thirds of the way through "The Two Towers," i think i would pick The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it would have to be both the books *and* the movies. there's so much in there, it's hard to remember what i've read four chapters ago -- and then remember the differences between the movie-version from what i'm reading.

Salad
What is your favorite breakfast food?

i am not a huge fan of breakfast. i usually just have a yogurt & a granola bar. or some fruit. or a bowl of Special K Red Berries. if i am craving something unhealthy, then donuts are good. or Sausage Egg McMuffin from McDonald's. or a slice of warm apple pie... mmmmm....

Main Course
Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.

i can go a Lakeland Tigers game and even get pretty good seats!

Dessert
How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?

it depends on what i did that day, if i napped, how much is on my mind, any number of factors. some nights i am asleep on the couch even before i go to bed. others i see 2am & i'm still wide awake.

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the rain delay ate my ballgame



oh yeah. and i now have a very strong suspicion that when Youk was out with his sore quad just before the All Star Break, Julio Lugo stole his bat. how else do you explain the fact that The Human Void can suddenly hit, but Youk of the 20+ game hit streak can't??

that's what i thought.

ok Dan, you called Game One of the Soxes series. you better be right about tonight.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

that scream of rage you heard was me



the Royals?!
we just lost a series to the freaking *Royals*?!
disgraceful.

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open letter to Boy Wonder



Dear Theo:

Just thought you might like to know that your current team is completely behind re-signing Mike Lowell--whose contract expires at the end of this season, by the way. We can only assume that you must have somehow missed this little detail, because why else would you have neglected to get this man some new paperwork to sign already... right??

Let me share with you the thoughts from a couple of guys on your team. You know, just in case his .307 batting average (which is higher than Manny's, if you missed that too), 14 home runs (second best on the team), 100 hits (also second best on the team), and team-leading 66 RBI don't speak for themselves. Yes, I know he's have an uncharacteristically bad season in the field, but that's what makes it uncharacteristic! The fact that he almost never performs poorly out there. Perhaps if he weren't trying to compensate for a certain useless player occupying the position to his immediate left...

Anyway.

David Ortiz says: "We like Mikey all the way around and he's doing a great job. I don't think they should wait any longer. He's a great guy on and off the field. He's done the job the two years he's been here and there aren't many third baseman out there, so what are they waiting for?"

And how about these words from your Captain: "I can't determine what they do, but I know it would alleviate a lot of (concern) for him if he knew he were signed, but every player has to deal with it. Would I like to see him back? Hell yeah. It's hard to replace that well-rounded of a player."

Are these *really* the two guys you want to have ticked off at you? Because I am thinking they could find ways to make your life miserable in all sorts of fun and uniquely painful ways. Come on now, Theo. We know you're smarter than you are making yourself look. You did assemble the 2004 World Championship team -- or was that just a stroke of Fate you had no real part in creating?

So if you & Larry are hell-bent on acquiring Slappy McWhippingboy when he makes his diva exit from the Bronx, I suggest you do it *after* you get Mr Lowell his pretty new contract to stay in Boston. Let ol' Blue Lips play at short & send Julio Lugo packing. I mean, we already have a short stop we don't like, so what would be the difference at this point? At least Slappy can produce, unlike the Lugo-sized hole we have at the moment.

Just do it, Epstein. Just give that third baseman a reason to keep giving us that slow quiet smile, and we'll all ride happily off into the sunset. Or there are other reasons to take someone into The Green Monster than just being curious what's behind a door (a la Manny being Manny).

Thanks for your time & prompt attention to this matter.
RSN-FL

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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

same-day Sox-blogging??

can you tell i had a nap? =P



1. if the Sox were going to lose a game to the Royals, couldn't they have done it last night when i had the unfortunate luck to have one of my fantasy pitchers starting against them?

2. i didn't realize that, despite the brutal lack of run support (which continued tonight), this is the quickest Wakefield has reached ten wins in a season since 1995.

3. there was one shot of JD Drew at the plate. a huge swarm of gnats was flying around him. i wonder how you manage to ignore them & concentrate on hitting. that would drive me insane. ok, further insane. whatever. -- man, they just showed Papi & the same thing. huge swarm of gnats. i guess that's the price you pay for hot summer nights when the weather is prime for going yard. not that we did any of *that* tonight.

4. the Royals have a reliever whose last name is Gobble. i think i might seriously consider changing my last name.

5. i think Manny may have confiscated Trot's old batting helmet for himself. there's so much pine tar on that thing, you can barely see the Boston B anymore!

6. as much as i hate when the Red Sox don't win, it absolutely breaks my heart when Wakey gets the loss.

7. seeing Youk stretching at 1B between batters, combined with his recent drop-off at the plate, gives me the unsettled feeling that he still isn't feeling all that great.

8. again with stranding runners on base. twelve hits but only three runs scored. i don't know which is more frustrating: not hitting or hitting but not taking advantage of the runners that get on.

9. our goofy reliever, Joel Pineiro, who insists on pronouncing his name "Joe-Ell," has broken Don Orsillo, who introduced the KC reliever as Joe-Ell Peralta -- except he pronounces *his* first name the normal way: Joel.

10. considering how frustrating it is, i take some kind of freak pleasure in announcing this depressing play on words every time it happens, like tonight when he ended the game: Whiffy Mo strikes again.

11. i made the mistake of texting Daniel that at least the Yankees were losing too. i should know better by now than to make a statement like that unless the game is a final score. they ended up winning in the tenth inning instead. eight games back now. queue up the horror movie music for when the bad guy is lurking in the shadows.

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feeble



attempts at homicide prevention via Sox-blogging i find semi-amusing, that is.

1. i told you Pedroia Pocket is wee. 5'9" my ass.


2. from Papel-blog
Whether or not Manny plays left field in Fenway too shallow is on the verge of passing Derek Jeter's grapefruit-scented intangibles as my least favorite pointless topic of baseball-related conversation. WE GET IT. HE PLAYS SHALLOW. I know that Manny is an idiot savant and all, but he's been playing here for eight years. If anyone on the coaching staff actually thought he was playing too shallow, don't you think somebody would have drawn a chalk line out in left field for him to stand at or something?


We've previously discussed the Papelblog's suspicion that D'Angelo Ortiz is the result of an experiment conducted by Theo to combine Papi and Manny's DNA, but I didn't realize that D'Angelo is actually version 2.0.

3. from Basegirl
Mostly because we eventually starting talking about ways to get Julio Lugo off the team and replaced with a bucket of baseballs, operating, of course, on what I'm calling The Easter Basket Principle, (created by the genius ladies over at the Papel-Blog), which modification reads that a bucket of baseballs, turned sideways in the basepath would field more balls cleanly than Lugo, just based on probability.

4. from Yanksfan vs Soxfan
El Vacío
I hereby propose this as the new nickname for Julio Lugo. This roughly translates to "The Void", or "The Emptiness".

5. from Touching All the Bases
Julian Tavarez (5-6, 4.39, 1.40): He's a crazy SOB, but he's our crazy SOB. My impression of Tavarez before he came to Boston was that he was a selfish lunatic who didn't care about the team and usually wore out his welcome with an ill-timed temper tantrum or two. My impression now is that he's a lunatic because he almost cares too much about the team, and it drives him, well, looney to let his teammates down. While his numbers aren't much prettier than his headshot, he's been a stalwart as far as fifth starters go. The cat can pitch for my team anytime.

Jacoby Ellsbury: Yes, I know he would benefit from playing every day in Triple A. Know what? I do not care. With his speed and aggressiveness, he can help this team, right now, even if it's as a pinch-runner/sporadic starter. I say he stays. Incomplete, but itching to see more.


6. from Surviving Grady
The return of Wily Mo Pena. And by return I mean... sending him back from where he came, or anywhere else for that matter. Surely we've still got the receipt and original packaging.

A cloning machine for Youk and Lowell. Oh, like you wouldn't want an army of these guys running amuck in the field...


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

and something that just occurred to me: Julian pitched on Friday the Thirteenth. that's what i call entertainment. or Tito has a sense of humor. or they really do just enjoy messing with Yoyo.

ok. that's it. that's all i've got.

carry on.

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the dark side

typically, i am the kind of person who is willing to have her unhappy moods fixed if the opportunity arises. i hate being in a bad mood. i rarely ever have meltdowns.

not today though.

today, i want no part of being anything except for cranky, stressed, ticked off and impatient. i am tired. i feel like crap. i am annoyed as hell. i feel one major meltdown brewing.

and i really don't care.

how's that for out of character?
=/

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short & sweet, like Dustin Pedroia



1. how does one as wee as Pedroia Pocket manage to hit a baseball almost over The Green Monster??

2. dude. complete game shutout for Kason Gabbard. take your time Schill. this kid is very interesting...

3. starting to feel like baseball season what with Manny & Papi homering in the same game & all.

4. just when you think Lugo might start to earn his keep with the first hit of the game, he gets picked off & then Ks twice.

5. i can't believe this is the same Dustin Pedroia we saw for a while last year. i have no problem admitting that i was completely unimpressed last season. though it still makes me sad not to have Mark Loretta, Pedroia has won me over entirely with his wee-nees, his scrappiness, and the awesome freaking defense he plays at 2B.

Wakey goes tonight. don't know how much i will see considering i got a grand total of three hours sleep last night. if it's another two hour and eighteen minute gem, i may be in luck. even more than that, i hope the boys bring a few bats for Timmy Knuckles tonight...

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Monday, July 16, 2007

if i had a fish tank...

...these would *so* be in it!


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Unconscious Mutterings: July 16, 2007



Week 231

I say ... and you think ... ?

Happen :: occur
Terribly :: miss someone...
History :: American
Master :: of ceremonies
Petrified :: terrified
Moan :: one of the many noises my car has started to make now that i own the stupid thing
Attack :: assault
Picture :: photo
Students :: teacher
Potter :: Harry (though i've never read a single book or seen any of the movies)

Week 232

I say ... and you think ... ?

Situation :: we have a...
Theme song :: "So no one told you life was gonna be this way. You're job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA..."
Kelly :: green
Club :: sandwich
Swerve :: dodge
Couch :: nap
Bigfoot :: legend
Arbitrary :: decision
Inventor :: Thomas Edison
Blazer :: Chevy

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i take my eyes off the screen for one weekend...



...and the freaking Yankees have closed our lead to single digits?? WTH. >=[

saw bits & pieces of Friday's loss. saw none of Saturday's win. was so exhausted from Saturday that i only half-watched yesterday's loss while i dozed.

i do have this to say about Sunday's game though, from what little i saw:
we lost 2-1. normally, one would assume it was Wakefield or Matsuzaka, or even Julian, with a final score like that. one would be wrong. it was Joshy. Joshy of the huge run support. much as i do like Joshy, i can't help but to feel vindicated just a little for Wakey that finally someone else got shown the cold shoulder from the bats. although to be fair, yesterday's lack of runs had nothing to do with quiet bats. Sox got eleven hits yesterday & then just played the stranding game. yeah, i didn't miss that throwback from last season. =P

hopefully they show a little love for Gabbard tonight.

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HELP!!

ETA: that was quick! no more sticky at the top because Jenny rocks & volunteered to fill the vacancy! yay!

i am going to leave this one sticky at the top for a bit so you'll have to look below it for the newer posts. i'll keep it short & sweet though.

i need one person to round out a Fantasy Football league. it's a Yahoo league, totally free. no prize or anything. just bragging rights. i had one person back out on me, and i need to fill their slot. i need an even number of teams. trying to get this filled because we run the auto-draft on Saturday to give everyone enough time to settle their roster & make moves before the season begins.

any takers? please?

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Monday Madness: July 16, 2007



July 16, 2007

1. Do you feel that children these days are disciplined enough?
oh boy. here we go with some controversial. =P i'm going to answer based on my experience with children as a daycare provider, because i obviously can't answer as a parent. -- no, i do not think that children are disciplined enough these days. for so many reasons. i think people live in fear of being abuse accusations. i think that we are told over & over so many times about building up kids' self esteem through praise, that discipline gets left by the way-side as "negativity," which is an unfortunate disservice to children, who are no longer being guided in how to properly behave & respect. i think we just don't want to be the "bad guy." and i think it's very tiring & demanding to be as consistent as one needs to be in areas such as discipline.

2. What are your thoughts about the "time out chair?"
i think it works to a degree, but i also believe that, like anything else, when it is overused or not used correctly, it is completely ineffective.

3. When YOU were a child, what form of discipline did your parents use most often?
my father & grandparents were firm believers in a quick swat on the backside when warranted, but more often than not with me, discipline consisted of a stern "talking to," and being sent to my room. i rarely ever misbehaved to the point where withdrawal of privileges needed to be enforced, and i was *never* grounded. it was punishment enough for me to have my father or gram say they were disappointed in me.

4. Did your parents have to constantly remind you of the guidelines they set for you, or did they just have to LOOK at you as a "gentle" reminder?
there wasn't a whole lot or reminding going on. there was definite use of The Look though! and you didn't get many chances. if you were told once & continued the inappropriate behavior, you got The Look. if you didn't get yourself back in line at that point, Dad did what he said he'd do, whether it was turn around & go home, or lose a treat, or whatever consequences he stated at the get-go.

5. What are your thoughts about screaming kids in public places?
sometimes kids melt down for any number of reasons. i do think that if you can't get the situation back in control in a reasonable amount of time, then the best thing to do is make an exit, whether that means going to a more private location, stepping outside, retreating out to the car, going back home, whatever. there's no reason other people should have to be subjected to a screaming tantrum. also, in my experience, sometimes that helps, whether it's the change of environment or the fact that the child realizes you mean business.

6. What do you feel is the BIGGEST mistake parents make when it comes to disciplining children?
*not* doing it enough or consistently. or trying too hard to be a friend, and not the parent.

and one i meant to get to but didn't...
June 25, 2007

1. How many times a month/year do you see the sunrise?
while i am often awake before the sun is up, i am not usually outside that early. i maybe see one a month or so. the last one i saw was in June, when i was on my way to the airport for my trip up to Connecticut.

2. How many times a week/month do you see the sunset?
i see it fairly often. probably two or three times a week, at least.

3. Do you go out at night and "gaze" at the stars?
occasionally. i don't usually set out with that goal in mind, but if i step outside & the night is clear, they will catch my eye, and then i will just look for a bit.

4. Do you ever look for star clusters, such as the big dipper, etc?
i can almost always find Orion without hardly even looking. the rest i barely ever see, even if they are pointed out to me.

5. Do you look for planets at night (with or without a telescope)?
if i happen to hear about one being particularly visible, and if i happen to be outside and remember, i will look.

6. Are you able to see the northern lights where you live? If so, about how often do they come around?
nope. no northern lights in Florida.

7. Do you like going outside during a thunderstorm and watching the lightening?
not so much. the lightning here in Florida is pretty intense. i will watch it from the inside sometimes though, unless the storm is right overhead.

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Sing Along: July 16, 2007

you've probably figured out by now that i am much more in tune to the little things, the simple moments that seem so ordinary, but that when i look back, define the greatest part of my existence, the times & places where the most precious memories are made. i think it's because of that, i find myself completely loving this song...

Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And I don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by,
It's the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

All of my regret
Will wash away some how
But I can not forget
The way I feel right now

In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate...


("Little Wonders," Rob Thomas)

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Friday, July 13, 2007

And I Quote: July 13, 2007

"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."
(Josh Billings)

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Friday Fiver: July 13, 2007



Here fishy fishy

1. Have you ever gone fishing?

when i was really young, i would go fishing a little with my Gramp. i don't remember ever catching anything though.

2. Do you have an aquarium?
no, unless you count the one here at work. i look at it all day. it's a salt water tank. we've had some cool fish in it. we had two die recently. wonder what they will be replaced with...

3. Do you eat fish?
mmmmmmmm... (the answer to this question has nothing to do with the previous one. i swear.)

4. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo?
i have! at Easter. Nichole put it in when she learned i hadn't seen it. and then we had an aquarium on the tv like a screen saver (bonus feature on the DVD) for a quite a while. we're easily amused. ;-)

5. What do you think of Sushi?
very little experience with it. i would try a little again, based on recommendations from someone i really trust though. we're all about purging out the bad experiences and replacing them with better ones, right?

With dead poets and drum machines

1. What do you do?
struggle to stay just close enough to sane so that i don't end up committed. =P

2. What makes you pay attention?
the topic or subject being something or someone i care about.

3. What's your inspiration?
anything. anywhere. inspiration just hits me like a bolt of lightning. i would prefer it *not* be a bolt of lightning though. just sayin'.

4. Do you believe in magic?
absolutely! not the "sleight of hand", hocus-pocus-abracadabra, pull a rabbit out of a hat magic. but you can't go to WDW and not experience Magic. unless you don't have a soul. and then there's other magic... i believe in that too...

5. What is your favorite subject to write about?
whatever is in my head.

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Friday 5: July 13, 2007



Games of Chance

Reminder: Zero percent means an impossibility, while a hundred percent means an absolute certainty!

1. Given as a percentage, approximately what are the chances that there is a french fry somewhere in your car? If you do not own a car, what are the chances that there is a french fry somewhere in the car you most frequently ride in?

0% - there is no chance at all that there is a french fry in my car. there hasn't been a french fry in my car, even in a bag, for at least six months and my car has been thoroughly cleaned since then.

2. Given as a percentage, approximately what are the chances that you will eat ice cream sometime in the next four days?
99.9% - it's July in Florida. i will be spending an entire day at WDW this weekend. it's hot enough to eat ice cream when i wake up in the morning, never mind being out in the heat for 14 hours. not only are the odds high that i will have some, but i will probably have some more than once. on the same day.

3. Given as a percentage, approximately what are the chances that you’ll get a personal, handwritten greeting in the mail sometime in the next week?
15% - there are no holidays or special days approaching, so i am shooting low on this one. you never know though. i have friends who are good for dropping little cards & notes in the mail to me without warning.

4. Given as a percentage, approximately what are the chances that there will be rain in your neighborhood within the next forty-eight hours?
the forecast says 50%. it's weird. this time of year i would normally say about 85%, because we typically get a thunderstorm every afternoon. we haven't the last few days though. the last time it rained was Monday, that i know of for sure. it got pretty dark yesterday for a bit, but no rain fell. so i guess i will say 65% and make the norm meet the forecast in the middle.

5. Given as a percentage, approximately what are the chances that in the next twenty-four hours, you will be in the same room as a naked person other than yourself?
0% - there is no way. none. end of story.

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you know you're in a bad mood if...



let's make that a little more accurate. you know *i'm* in a bad mood if the Sox pull off a 7-4 win and i am virtually indifferent. if that doesn't clue you in, add to that the fact that the Sox scored seven runs for Wakefield, we beat Roy Halladay, Youk was back on the field, Papi & Manny were getting the job done, and the Sox played all around good ball. and i *still* was in a rotten mood.

starting the second half on the right foot though. better than the way the first half ended. maybe the Sox just needed to get that out of their system. hopefully, that's the story with me too...

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see? blue.

saw this over at Stacy's and Debi's blogs. had to play along. unlike the time i came up pink, i am back to my typical blue or white results.




You Are A Blue Girl



Relationships and feelings are the most important things to you.

You are empathetic and accepting - and good at avoiding conflict.

If someone close to you is in pain, it makes you hurt as well.

You try to heal the ones you love with your kind and open heart.

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Thursday, July 12, 2007

midsummer

The batter swings and the summer flies...
( from "The Riddle," Five for Fighting)

how did we find ourselves starting out the second half so soon? wasn't it just April...?

now if my Sox can just have the same kind of second half as they did the first...

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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

you know what's gross?

when it's already 80* when you wake up at 6 in the morning. yuck.

i know, i know. i live in Florida. it's hot here. live with it. i can actually tolerate heat better than cold, because i am often chilly even down here. so rest assured that if *i* am saying it's gross out, it probably surpassed your comfort threshold a long time ago.

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too much info

the neighbors whose apartment is back-to-back with mine are... ::ahem:: loud. and also, morning people. if you catch my drift. and then she sings in the shower. i need thicker walls.

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Monday, July 9, 2007

Christmas *is* about the gifts.

but for me, it's the giving, not the getting.

i don't often toot my own horn, but i found, purchased, and have now received a perfect gift that i have been stalking for months.

it's in my hot little hands *right* *now*.
and i rock.

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Sunday, July 8, 2007

sorry Krystyn



i hate the Tigers.
i hate Comerica Park.
i hate Gary Sheffield & his stupid bat waving.
and i hate the Detroit announcers.

on that happy note, we now break for the All Star Festivities.

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Friday, July 6, 2007

pink?

usually i come up blue or white in these things.

What color is your soul painted?

Pink

Your soul is painted the color pink, which embodies the characteristics of love, friendship, compassion, femininity, relaxation, ability to overcome evil, honor, morality, general success, gratitude, appreciation, admiration, sympathy, health, and marriage. Pink falls under the element of Air, and is symbolic of gentle emotions and of emotional unions.

Personality Test Results

Click Here to Take This Quiz

quiz
Quizzes and Personality Tests

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celery! get yer six buck celery here!



that post title? i swear i heard some vendor at Fenway yelling that last night while i watched the game online. (yes! online! for some reason it wasn't blocked even though they were playing Tampa! yeah i could have still watched on tv but then i would have suffered through the painful Rays announcers, and instead i got NESN! i digress. what else is new.) i am 99.8% certain that is *not* what the guy was selling but i can't for the life of me figure out what he was actually yelling about.

and there you have it. explanation for a title that makes no sense.

and now... the highlights -- and lowlights -- from the last six games. yeah. i know. bad blogger. let's move along, shall we?

the good that made me smile:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury. just... *wow*. he *so* better not be included in any trade talks (which we know start soon -- i hate this time of year).
2. we managed to split the four-game series with the Rangers, even though games two & three were definitely beat with the ugly stick.
3.with Lugo in the kind of slump even *i* didn't think was possible from him, Cora got some time off the bench. got back in his groove. people have been looking smug, saying he was just a fluke at the beginning of the season, but i think he just needed to get back on the field to show he can produce. Cora for SS!
4. i am no longer cringing when JD Drew steps up to the plate. he's not my Trot. but i can live with him playing in Boston, if he can be consistent.
5. we chased the Rays starter out of the game before the first inning ended last night.
6. finally finally finally! beat Scott Kazmir.
7. learned that JD Drew does have a wicked strong throwing arm from right field.
8. Coco has found his bat.
9. Papi informing Joe Maddon: shift. this.
10. Hideki Okajima getting voted into the All Star Game.
11. swept the Rays. you would think that wouldn't be a such a big deal, given the fact that the Rays are in last place & on an eleven-game losing streak, but usually no matter how bad they're playing, they still manage to always win -- and thoroughly embarrass -- the Red Sox and the Yankees.
12. Kason Gabbard hasn't looked half bad. =)

the obligatory bad:
1. hearing from Wakey that when Dougie's done, so is he. i love that they are a package deal, but i am afraid Dougie will be done before Wake... =(
2. no Youk. again. that's three games in four days that he's been benched with a sore quad. and they are saying he may not play much this weekend in Detroit. =(
3. i'm going to whine for just one second. why can we score 15 runs in one game & yet split a series with the AAAA-quality Rangers, only scoring a grand total of 14 runs over four games?? not funny, guys. not funny at all. >=[
4. Jacoby Ellsbury was sent back to Pawtucket because we need a fresh arm in the bullpen. why can't we unload WMP & keep Ellsbury? =(
5. lost the 78-day reign on the best record in MLB. yeah, i know. most of you are thinking "boo hoo."

no ugly here. just the totally freaking awesome:
1. Ellsbury stealing home on a wild pitch. from *second* base.
2. Coco's grand slam in the first inning last night.
3. JD Drew 2-for-2. in the first inning last night.
4. Joshy retiring the first three batters he faced last night. on Ks. (nine in total over six innings.) so here's the pitcher we couldn't find in 2006!
5. three-run blast in the second for Lowell last night.
6. i have seen some plays turned by our infield (on the nights Cora plays at short) that are the kind of pretty we got used to seeing last year. you have no clue how happy that makes me.
7. "Hideki Okajima: This is the guy we figured we had to take to make Daisuke Matsuzaka happy. Holy sh-t!" "Mike Lowell: This is the guy we figured we had to take to make the Florida Marlins happy. Holy sh-t!" "Josh Beckett is 10-1, motherf--kers: This is the guy we THOUGHT we were trading for last year. So glad he showed up. Holy sh-t!" (Surviving Grady)

the just plain funny:
1. Remy talking about MatsuZOOka. i think he was having some problems with a tied tongue last night.
2. Don claiming Papi scampered home in the third. seriously. *scampering*? i don't think Papi moves in that speed.
3. Pedroia Pocket is so wee. he is the same height standing up as the home plate ump crouching down.
4. the expression on Carl Crawford's face when he's at the plate. he truly looks dim-witted.
5. listening to Remy trying to say Akinori Iwamura.
6. "I think Eric Hinske has officially surpassed Carlos Baerga as the Happiest Red Sox Bench Guy Ever." and "Speaking of Hinske, I have this bizarre desire to see him and Dustin Pedroia sitting on the dugout bench, dressed as Keebler Elves. Is it just me?" (Surviving Grady)
7. for as long as it lasts, this little exchange between Wally and the visiting (unidentifiable) Rays mascot.


oh yeah. in a category all by itself:
and Mike Lowell? killer. smile. just sayin'.

it's off to Detroit for a weekend series before we break for the All Star festivities (which do *not* include Papi's participation in the Home Run Derby, thank the Lord). i hope we saved the bats the boys used to hit last night. Julian tonight. Kason tomorrow against Bonderman -- gulp! and we close out the first half of the season with Matsuzaka on Sunday. time... it sure does fly...

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Thursday, July 5, 2007

look! see? see?

it's a post. =P

now stop with the hate mail. and the threats. and the whining.
oh, the whining.
God help me with the whining.

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Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Tuesday Twosome: July 3, 2007



Two Immediate Reactions...

1. When you are lied to?

i feel hurt & withdraw.

2. When you make a mistake?
i feel embarrassed & find out what i need to do to fix it.

3. When you embarrass yourself in public?
i try to laugh it off & then make an escape.

4. When you see someone make a fool of themselves?
i shake my head & roll my eyes.

5. When you realize you have hurt someone (emotionally)?
i apologize & ask what i can do to make the situation better.

The Daily Grind

1. What two things influenced the choice of your present job?
it's a good company, and the other job offer i got included a few "job responsibilities" that weren't safe for one smallish girl to be executing -- like collecting delinquent rent from low-income housing in one of the worst areas of town! yipe!

2. What two things do you enjoy the most about your job?
when my work is done, i can entertain myself quietly at my desk, and we have some awesome customers that i really enjoy helping.

3. What two things do you dislike the most about your job?
ummmm... i shouldn't talk about them here, but if you know me at all, you *know* what my two biggest issues are. =P

4. What two jobs/professions would you like to try out?
if money weren't an issue, and i could just "play" for whatever money i made? i'd like to pretend to be a photographer. and... hmmm... does being a stay at home mom count? no? how about... a private WDW tour guide? =P

5. What two jobs would/could you “never” do?
i could never ever be a surgeon (i admire Nichole so much for what she is able to do!) or be in sales. bonus answer: i also could not teach math!

Cock-A-Doodle-Do!

1. First two things you see when you wake up:
see? very little. can't see much without my glasses. ;-)

2. First two things you touch when you wake up:
put on my glasses and turn off the alarm clock before it goes off. (that's right. i am up before my alarm clock. i mostly use my internal "alarm clock" with the actual clock as back up. and the alarm on my phone set as insurance. LOL)

3. First two things you do when get out of bed:
go to the bathroom, then get a glass of cranberry juice.

4. First two things you eat in the morning:
every morning?? the most common answers are a yogurt at 8am, and a granola bar around 10:00. but that doesn't happen *every* morning.

5. First two places you ride/drive/walk/bike to in the morning:
uh. well. on weekdays, the first place i walk to is where i park my car. and then, i drive to work. these last two questions confused me...

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Monday, July 2, 2007

Unconscious Mutterings: July 2, 2007



Week 229

I say ... and you think ... ?

Compulsion :: open mouth, insert foot
Spiritual :: faith
Spray :: bottle
Compatibility :: good match
Pursuit :: Trivial
Fake :: artificial
Mobile :: cell phone
Ceremony :: wedding
Ribbons :: bows
Mozart :: classical

Week 230

I say ... and you think ... ?

Partner :: law firm
News :: headline
Foam :: bubbles
Paycheck :: work hard
Me :: rarely comes first
Eight :: Men Out -- movie about the Black Sox scandel
Dairy :: Queen
Exciting :: thrilling
Hockey :: ice
Socialite :: "The Great Gatsby"

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