Random Ravings from Wallace

Birthdays

2011-12-01T15:20:00.001-05:00

Guess I've been reduced to status as a birthday-minder. Oh, well ;-)

December 2nd. Happy Birthday, Teesss. We may have our differences, but you are a wonderful person, and I admire you. Blessed be :-)

Happy Birthday

2011-05-19T06:03:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Andrea.

Peace, Man

2011-01-03T14:23:00.002-05:00

My son, Derek, has been accepted into the Peace Corps! :-) He has his degree in English, and will be tutoring students in English class..... in Jamaica!! He reports next summer, on a 27-month tour.

Here's a special mention to two of my friends who have an interest in the matter:

Thank you, Therese, for being supportive of the idea.

Thank you, Nikki, for indirectly coming up with the idea [you mentioned Job Corps with reference to Kevin, and that got me to thinking about Peace Corps, and mentioned it to Derek], and for being supportive of Drek when he was here.

Gee, I might even have to go visit young Master Derek down in Jamaica!

Carlos Zambrano and Pinstripes

2010-12-19T05:47:00.002-05:00

One news outlet in Milwaukee is heralding Zack Greinke to the Brewers as I write this [Sunday morning, 5:30 AM]. Aside from Wikipedia, I don't see any other references to this, but it could be true.

The thing is, as it always is, about risk mitigation and at what cost. Talking about the Yankees starting rotation, there certainly is significant risk as it is currently constructed:

What if CC Sabathia begins to show the effects of all the hard usage he has endured?
What if Phil Hughes has a significant setback [like Cole Hamels did in 2009]?
What if Andy Pettitte retires?
If Andy returns, what if he has more arm issues like last year?
What if AJ Burnett has another disastrous year like last year?
What if we have to use Sergio Mitre in the rotation?
What if Ivan Nova is not able to get batters out the third time through the lineup?

Now, if all of the above happens, the Yanks are not going anywhere in October. Then again, some of the above will occur. How to mitigate it?

Any solution which presents itself at present has risk attached. Greinke [assuming the deal with Milwaukee does not go through] would cost a lot in terms of prospects. Some say his issues would prevent him from having success in the Big Apple. Some say he would thrive in pinstripes. Thing is, not one knows for certain. Lack of certainty = risk, and we're talking risk mitigation vs. cost. I say the cost that KC would demand would be too great for the risk that the Yankees would assume.

Cue up the usual suspects: Mark Buerhle, Wandy Rodriguez, Carl Pavano, Gil Meche, Jarrod Washburn.... Why not Carlos Zambrano over with the Cubs? Zambrano can still pitch, if the tail end of last season is any guide. Risk? Sure - he's a hothead and might go completely nuts in the hot spotlight of New York. Plus, he still has a pretty hefty price tag [of course, this hefty price tag is exactly why the Cubs want to see him gone]. Might be able to pry him loose from Chicago for low to mid-level prospects [appropriate, given the high figure of his contract]. Here's why I think this will happen:

The Yankees do need another arm to eat up innings.
The Cubs are ready to move on without Zambrano, and would be glad to shed his contract.
Larry Rothschild, Zambrano's old pitching coach from Chicago, is now the pitching coach for the Yankees.
Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was Zambrano's catcher on the Cubs in 2001 and 2002.
The cost to obtain Zambrano will not be prohibitive in terms of prospects.

In a nutshell, it makes too much sense not to happen.

Another Birthday!

2010-12-02T06:59:00.000-05:00

December 2nd - Happy Birthday, Therese! :-)

So

2010-10-24T19:25:00.002-04:00

So, you think you have troubles?

Here's what has happened to me over the past two months:

The IRS hit me up for another 7.5 grand.

My truck broke down and cost me another two grand.

My girlfriend left me, went to Morocco, converted to Islam, and married some guy.

The Gators have lost three in a row.

The Yanks crashed out of the playoffs.

Celtic lost to Rangers.

Like Miss Scarlett said: "Tomorrow is Another Day".

G8rs

2010-10-10T18:28:00.002-04:00

Go Gators!

Gators and fans, take heart! This is a learning experience. Don't have a sense of entitlement - leave that for Ohio State sucks.... Everything good and worth having must be earned. Due are paid in sweat and tears, and sometimes, in blood. Take heart! Our guys are enrolled in the school of hard knocks, and right now, the tuition is due. Just wait until graduation... ;-)

Now, the issue of John Brantley and Trey Burton.....

Are they:

[1] Chris Leak and Tim Tebow?

[2] Terry Dean and Danny Wuerffel?

Go Gators!

BLT

2010-10-10T18:18:00.002-04:00

No, I'm not talking Marine Corps here [Battalion Landing Team] - I am talking the Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich!

White bread [I'm using the Merita Italian variant] with regular Iceberg Lettuce, Slicing red tomatoes [Beefsteaks are best], and Kroger Generic/Value Bacon.

Mayonnaise, the real stuff [I cannot stand Miracle Whip :-( ]

Good stuff!

Three of 'em.

1st one, an interesting twist - add Wasabi Mayo [not too much - it can be overpowering!]

Tangy!

C the Z

2010-10-06T04:15:00.001-04:00

October 6th....

Ne'er DID celebrate it properly.

10/6, not 6/10 :-)

Happy Birthday, Crombie -

you zombie, you!

Cents, not Sense

2010-09-29T17:36:00.002-04:00

I earned one cent from this blog today.

$1.41 overall [Not Orval].

I'm not Rich, either.

EPL

2010-09-29T17:33:00.001-04:00

Nope, not talking English Premier League [although I probably should be]....

Eat, Pray, Love - thank you for sparing me.

Love always,

the English Patient.

;-)

Just Win, Baby

2010-09-29T07:05:00.002-04:00

So, our Bombers beat Toronto last night and have now qualified for the post-season [yay!].

Unbelieveably, some Yankee "fans" are grousing that in light of recent struggles, the team should not have a champagne celebration.

Talk about the Generation of Entitlement.....

Almost every season is a struggle. Disaster lurks around every doorstep. For every 1927 or 1998 or 1961 [stellar Yankee seasons capped with resounding World Series triumph] there is 1906 or 2001 [where the team with the most victories was ultimately denied triumph].

Sturm und Drang......

This isn't a video game.

Less Random, More Frequent

2010-09-28T18:30:00.002-04:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You've heard it before, comin' outta my pie-hole.

This time I'm serious. Just like last time, and the time before......

Whatever.

I'm working on my recollections from AOCS.

Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Florida.

If I am already writing......

yeah.

We'll see how it goes.

Another 23 August

2010-08-23T09:06:00.002-04:00

Another 23rd day of August, another day to remember William Wallace. History did not record the day of his birth. 1272 perhaps, but the day is lost in the fog of years upon years. August 23 marks the day of his death at the hands of intolerable Sassanachs, livid that he would not swear fealty to the invaders.

A shout to my friends from Scotland, aye:

Margaret Fairhurst, my friend over in Texas

David Kleppang, my niece's husband

Nicola Reich, here at home.

Alba gu brath, eh?

A special hat tip to Therese FitzRandolph, who re-awakened my interest in Scots heritage;

I am eternally grateful for that.

Now, here's a stylized portrait of our William:

Good AJ, Bad AJ, Jekyll, Hyde

2010-07-18T06:45:00.002-04:00

So AJ Burnett threw a meatball and Reid Brignac [9th place hitter, by the by] deposited it over the wall for a two run tweet... AJ was [understandably] annoyed. On the half-inning break, he went to the clubhouse. Going in, he slapped the door open with his palms. The edges of the plastic lineup card holder lacerated his palms, but not so badly that he required stitches. He told the trainer that he had stumbled and scratched his palms in the process. Later, after the game, he 'fessed up. Meantime, full of adrenalin, he overthrew in the third and was yanked.

Now, here's the interesting part. Of course, the Yanks were in a hole. Of course, the long men gave up more runs, and the Yanks ended up on the short end of the stick, 10-5. "Fans" are now comparing AJ to Kevin Brown, who once punched a wall and broke his pitching hand. "Fans" are unfavorably comparing AJ to Paul O'Neill, because Paulie had "fire" and came through in the clutch [obviously, these "fans" are forgetting Game 2 of last year's World Series...{{Recap - Phils won Game One in NYC. AJ pitched a gem and the Yanks went on to win the WS in six games.}}]

Of course, Mister Torre covered for Paulie. Once, O'Neill jammed his thumb in the process of blasting a water cooler, and it affected his swing [causing him to slump at the plate for several weeks]. Hell, our Captain, Mr. November, Derek Jeter, scored the winning run in one of those colossal 2001 World Series games and while doing so, stomped the plate to the point that his ankles took a beating. In the regular season, he probably would have missed a few games. Mickey Mantle used to smash things with regularity. Once, while golfing, he muffed a shot. Whitey Ford gave him some guff, so Mick swung his club at a tree in frustration. Naturally, he missed. He DID follow through, though, and gashed his shin for several stitches.

Proclamation time! So many of these "fans" have the attention spans of gnats and/or the video game baseball mentality, that they truly do not understand. Have patience, learn the game, and stop pissing us fans off who actually know something about the game. By the way, those of you who have never played the game, stop pontificating. OF COURSE it was a stupid thing to do for AJ to whack the door. He was frustrated. That's an emotion. Baseball involves emotion. People are emotional. Numbnuts who want to immediately trade AJ [guess what, geniuses? With AJ's contract, you could not GIVE him away! hahaha!] could greatly use perspective. Too bad y'all sit in mom's basement, not getting any [perspective! Damnit - focus!]. For many reasons, I wish there was adult baseball in America. Not just for professionals, but neighborhoods, even. Guess the concept of neighborhood unity kinda went away with the advent of Suburbia, but that's the topic of another post, I guess.

So, give AJ a break. He's a good guy and respected in the clubhouse. He'll be back. Meantime, Chicken Littles and Negative Nancys, the Yankees are in First Place. Oh, and icing on the cake? Best Record in Baseball. Like the Ol' Perfesser always used to say: "You could look it up".

Back

2010-07-15T11:34:00.002-04:00

Back's doing better - the disc injury seems to be healing pretty nicely. Slow, out of shape [drinking beer has a lot to do with the general condition, too]. Twisted and got a strain in the checkout aisle of the local store, of all things! That was on Saturday. I have taken off from working out for several days, in order to let that heal up.

After work today, I am going to splash the Pelican boat and go for a nice kayak paddle. Nothing overly strenuous, as I have not paddled for ten months or so. Really. Afterward, reckon I will enjoy a beer. [Anonymous, do you still have that Chelada in your fridge? Mmmmmm..... prolly ice cold by now ;-)]

Loss

2010-07-13T20:05:00.002-04:00

Bob Sheppard has passed away. The PA announcer for Yankee Stadium since 1951, he was colloquially known as "The Voice of God". Bob served as a gunnery officer in the Navy during the war, reaching the rank of Lieutenant before returning to civilian life after hostilities ceased. Fair winds and following seas, LT Sheppard.

George Steinbrenner passed away. The Boss brought the Yankees back from Desolation Row of the mid and late Sixties, and he deserves great credit for it. I imagine Bob Sheppard announcing him across the Pearly Gates....

My condolences to the families of both men.

God Bless.

Soccer and Patriotism

2010-07-04T09:13:00.002-04:00

You might have guessed, I really enjoy soccer. I am also a patriot. So, here's two things which really annoy me:

[1] People who claim they are patriotic, but say they hate soccer and could not care less if the American team loses. Ever hear of Stephen Decatur? [Yes, dear "Anonymous", he was talking about foreign politics and I am drawing things out a bit, but whatever. No, "Whatever", I am not requesting your presence, either! ;-)] I say it's okay if you do not like soccer, and choose to remain oblivious. Personal right and choice and all of that. But, if you are aware of the American team and you hope they lose? Man, that's not cool [well, unless you are cheering on your OWN nation's team!]. Un-patriotic!

[2] People who claim to be soccer fans who say things like "I would cheer my own team, but they can never win the World Cup, so I will cheer on Brazil or_____ {fill in the blank with current favourite to win, and please note that Brazil just got their arses handed to them by Germany, 4-0, so pick another}. Point being, how do you know they can't win it? Did you think Georgetown would crush Villanova? Did you think the Dodgers would hold on and win the pennant in '51? Did you give up on the Yankees in 1978? How do you know? Stop jumping on the bandwagon already!! Cheer your own team!!

I think it is probably a generational thing. We had a good team back in the 20's and 30's, but lost something during Pax Americana.... I think we got in a habit of looking down on the rest of the world and saw soccer as part of that, thought we were superior and that everything foreign was contemptible. The American team beat England in the World Cup, 1-0, in 1950. Didja know that? Yet, the US team spent the next 40 years, fruitlessly being a small fish in a small, backwater pond [CONCACAF - basically North and Central America]. Lack of public support, and, public disdain even. We can do better. We ARE getting there.

Now, that band-wagon thing. Attention spans rivaling that of a gnat certainly play a part, and I am guessing that with maturity comes wisdom, and perhaps, patience. [Wishing band-wagoners would consider Cub fans, loyal since 1908.]

With that, Happy Independence Day!

Go, hot dog eaters! [Noon ET from Coney Island, on ESPN].

Go, Lance Armstrong! [Tour de France prelude was yesterday, full ride begins today.]

Go, Yankees!

Go, team!

and,

USA! USA!

:-)

Sassanachs

2010-06-15T22:51:00.002-04:00

Damn....
I just mentioned Sassanachs and [Black] Irish, and today the Derry Marchers have been exonerated. For Pete's sake! Give Ireland back to the Irish. Just do it.

"Well it was Sunday bloody Sunday
When they shot the people there
The cries of thirteen martyrs
Filled the Free Derry air
Is there any one amongst you
Dare to blame it on the kids?
Not a soldier boy was bleeding
When they nailed the coffin lids!"

- John Lennon

Wendy-Poo!

2010-06-15T01:10:00.003-04:00

D'ya know she has a button nose? Very, very cute. Very Irish, ya know? Her dad says they are "Black Irish" and I had an idea what that meant. Kinda right and kinda wide right! hahaha Sorry, Coach Bowden. Anyway, back in the mid-Nineteenth Century, misguided folks thought that the broad features of some Irish people harkened a close kinship with Negroid peoples (as a means of looking down on both sets of people). Poor scholarship as it were and not at all true, and besides, no reason to look down on anybody. We're all brothers, right? (Aye, even those Sassanach bastards ;-)

Well, another thought had been in the back of my mind - the Great Armada and 1588 and Drake and Hawkins and how the smaller English ships harried the Spanish behemoths and the storm forced them north, through the North Sea, where some wrecked upside Scotland and Ireland. Dark-haired fellows, for the most part. Betcha not all were killed upon landing. Ya know - some Celts are from the north part of Spain, even to this day...

Then again, some Irish chieftains employed Spanish mercenaries, and I would not bet against some intermarriage from that as well. Lately, some scholars have been looking at Iberian movements toward Eire as early as several thousand years ago. Many choices, and my bet is that a little of all the above is true.

Oh, and button-nosed Black Irish lass? She's blonde, with blue eyes. Pretty girl ;-)

One in a Month, One in a Million

2010-05-09T16:45:00.002-04:00

Let's talk a bit about Austin Jackson. Boosie was asking me the other day, and people on Yankees blogs have been wondering [and I know Angie has a vested interest in this, as well].

I like Austin Jackson, and he is certainly off to a hot start. Tigers CF, hitting about .370, making everyone forget about Curtis Granderson.... might even be Rookie of the Year! I truly wish him well, except for*: [1] When he plays against the Yankees, and [2] in the RoY voting, if any Yankee has a real shot at it [Cervelli? Is Eyes eligible?] That's a disclaimer.

This is all off the top of my head, so bear with me. Read the black and white: A-Jax will not hit .370 this year. A-Jax will not hit .370 in any full season between now and eternity. [Dita von Troll, or whatever your name is, this one's for you:] A-Jax will not finish the season with a higher batting average than all of the following Yankee ballplayers: Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixiera, Nick Swisher, and Robinson Cano.

Look, I know Austin is a good kid and tremendous athlete, and I want him to do well. * Here's the deal: He's hitting maybe 31% line drives as we speak. His BaBip [batting average of balls put into play - meaning, not home runs or strike outs] is .500 and change. .500!! [I am tempted to type .500!!!11!11! haha!]

Now, let's consider his projections. .250, .260. Newly revised ones at .270 or .280. What does this all mean? Austin is riding the crest of two combined waves right now: [1] He's on fire. Really. [2] The league has not yet adjusted to him. What will happen when the league adjusts to him? What will happen when he goes into a slump?

All things considered, he also has 35+ strikeouts right now. One home run. So, based on this trend, he will hit five taters and K over 250 times? Wow.... Last year, at SWB in AAA, his BaBip was pretty high, at .385 or so, and he batted .300 on the year. A similar BaBip right now would put him down around .250 or so. I think he would be back in AAA before that happens. We shall see.... What do I think will happen? The league will adjust, he'll adjust back, he'll develop a bit more power [or, playing in Fenway and YS will boost him up a bit], and he'll begin to cut down his strikeout rate. How does .280 with ten dingers sound for the season? Time will tell......

Six six

2010-04-17T23:45:00.001-04:00

Woo Hoo! I have earned sixty-six cents on my advertising for this blog.
Pay up, Blogger! hahahaha

There!

2010-04-17T23:41:00.002-04:00

I have de-coupled this blog from my Facebook account. It's nothing personal, but I have always felt a sense of ill-at-ease when writing some of the farthest-out concepts; having to control my language to fit in a family-friendly environment. Plus, I never felt right whilst calling people out.... that's about to change. Stand by...

Time Warp, Caught in Filter, Just Now Freed

2010-04-01T10:12:00.002-04:00

Happy Fool's Day, Everyone [Charming message from Google Topeka follows ;-)]

4/01/2010 12:01:00 AM
Early last month the mayor of Topeka, Kansas stunned the world by announcing that his city was changing its name to Google. We’ve been wondering ever since how best to honor that moving gesture. Today we are pleased to announce that as of 1AM (Central Daylight Time) April 1st, Google has officially changed our name to Topeka.

We didn’t reach this decision lightly; after all, we had a fair amount of brand equity tied up in our old name. But the more we surfed around (the former) Topeka’s municipal website, the more kinship we felt with this fine city at the edge of the Great Plains.

In fact, Topeka Google Mayor Bill Bunten expressed it best: “Don’t be fooled. Even Google recognizes that all roads lead to Kansas, not just yellow brick ones.”

For 150 years, its fortuitous location at the confluence of the Kansas River and the Oregon Trail has made the city formerly known as Topeka a key jumping-off point to the new world of the West, just as for 150 months the company formerly known as Google has been a key jumping-off point to the new world of the web. When in 1858 a crucial bridge built across the Kansas River was destroyed by flooding mere months later, it was promptly rebuilt — and we too are accustomed to releasing 2.0 versions of software after stormy feedback on our ‘beta’ releases. And just as the town's nickname is "Top City," and the word “topeka” itself derives from a term used by the Kansa and Ioway tribes to refer to “a good place to dig for potatoes,” we’d like to think that our website is one of the web's top places to dig for information.

In the early 20th century, the former Topeka enjoyed a remarkable run of political prominence, gracing the nation with Margaret Hill McCarter, the first woman to address a national political convention (1920, Republican); Charles Curtis, the only Native American ever to serve as vice president (’29 to ‘33, under Herbert Hoover); Carrie Nation, leader of the old temperance movement (and wielder of American history’s most famous hatchet); and, most important, Alfred E. Neuman, arguably the most influential figure to an entire generation of Americans. We couldn’t be happier to add our own chapter to this storied history.

A change this dramatic won’t happen without consequences, perhaps even some disruptions. Here are a few of the thorny issues that we hope everyone in the broader Topeka community will bear in mind as we begin one of the most important transitions in our company’s history:
• Correspondence to both our corporate headquarters and offices around the world should now be addressed to Topeka Inc., but otherwise can be addressed normally.
• Google employees once known as “Googlers” should now be referred to as either “Topekers” or “Topekans,” depending on the result of a board meeting that’s ongoing at this hour. Whatever the outcome, the conclusion is clear: we aren’t in Google anymore.
• Our new product names will take some getting used to. For instance, we’ll have to assure users of Topeka News and Topeka Maps that these services will continue to offer news and local information from across the globe. Topeka Talk, similarly, is an instant messaging product, not, say, a folksy midwestern morning show. And Project Virgle, our co-venture with Richard Branson and Virgin to launch the first permanent human colony on Mars, will henceforth be known as Project Vireka.
• We don’t really know what to tell Oliver Google Kai’s parents, except that, if you ask us, Oliver Topeka Kai would be a charming name for their little boy.
• As our lawyers remind us, branded product names can achieve such popularity as to risk losing their trademark status (see cellophane, zippers, trampolines, et al). So we hope all of you will do your best to remember our new name’s proper usage:
Finally, we want to be clear that this initiative is a one-shot deal that will have no bearing on which municipalities are chosen to participate in our experimental ultra-high-speed broadband project, to which Google, Kansas has been just one of many communities to apply.

Posted by Eric Schmidt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Topeka Inc.

Parasites

2010-03-04T22:23:00.002-05:00

Folks, my advance apologies: I have enabled "Comment Moderation".

You see, I am tired of spambots posting crap which has no relevance to the topic, generally advertising crappy pornographic products.

So, I will review all posts. Ones [even the ones I may disagree with] that are on-topic - I will allow them to be posted. Spambot crap, and any other crap which is not relevant - I will delete it. My decisions are final, and if you want somewhere to post your crappy ads for crappy pornography [or even pretty good ads for pretty good pornography!], go spam someone else. Likewise, if you just want a place to spout random shit, seriously, go start your own blog. It's free, and frankly, we don't want to hear it. Hardly anyone even wants to read what I put up, and at least my random stuff is pretty relevant. Got a beef? Go find the Wailing Wall.

So, just like Forrest - That's all I have to say about that. :-)

Malvinas, Dos

2010-02-26T22:07:00.002-05:00

Once again, Argentina is squabbling over not having possession of the Falkland Islands [referred to by them as Islas Malvinas]. Who cares about flyspecks? When there's oil involved, everyone does!!

This time around I do not see things coming to blows. While the British force levels have dropped perilously since 1982 [Round I], the Argentine forces have pretty much putrified. Lesson from Desert Storm: Quality will always trump Quantity. [Yes, I realize that there IS a limit; of COURSE there is. The British forces are not at it.] Word.

Redux

2010-02-13T03:55:00.002-05:00

Back to Portland. Back to Hippie-ville ;-) Back to temporary jet-lag, but alas, that too will pass. Back to running at Grant Park. I ran once while I was back in Virginia Beach: 53 and change to Rudee Inlet and back, along the boardwalk; it's 5.2 miles and seemed a bit longer. Been concentrating on shorter stuff on the track, building more speed. Time to cross it up and work on endurance, I guess.

Cuz was mentioning that it is time to share pics of the FB account holder with their significant other. I don't have one. I guess I could post one of WW from the movie with Murron, but that would be even farther out than posting a pic of Mel as my doppelganger ;-) Besides, I kinda like the blue wode and the maniacal expression in his eyes. Actually, I do not have many pics of me with former significant others.... not really sure why [guess they have passed to history]. I do have the nice one of Nikki and I at the hangar dance on Valentine's Day, 2009 [for those who are interested in seeing it, please check out my photo collection on Facebook].

President's Day is Monday. Thank you, Abe. Thank you, General Washington. Hail to the Chief :-) I'm working. Mardi Gras is Tuesday, so Lache pa la Potat`, eh? I'm working that day, too! Ash Wednesday is [you guessed it!] Wednesday. Not Catholic, no ashes. Working. hahaha!

Looking forward to seeing the gang again. Nice yukking it up at breakfast with Denine and the cats I work with; nice getting filled-up at Anna's [howdy to Anna herself, Amanda, and Shoesy {Liz} haha!].

Time to hit the rain locker. Good luck to Kevin, who is close to being selected for Job Corps. Good morning to all. I'll write more when I can.

Grant Park

2010-01-28T23:31:00.002-05:00

Keeps getting better. Ran a 2' 03" split tonight, so at some point I fugured out I should just run a mile. Weird timing. Second quarter was under two, third was two, so I cranked it up and got a 7' 48" for my mile. Yeah, I know that sounds really slow, but remember:

[1] Since Arlington, I have not run on the track. All city since then, so no real speed work.

[2] I am just now getting acclimatized to Portland.

[3] Fresh over the flu.

[4] Haven't been running as much as I should or would like to.

That's changing.

Breakfast at Anna's

2010-01-24T19:48:00.002-05:00

I don't have a link for this place, but that's because they don't have a website. They're just a wee bit busy! Anna's Island Cafe in Portland - it's in the Swan Island Industrial Area replete with train yards, trucking concerns, smaller factories, and shipbuilding docks. That's where I am working right now. There's a few places to eat, mostly of the McDonald's/Subway ilk and a few crappy pizza/Mexican joints. And then, there's Anna's.

Like specialty coffees? Greek food? Basic American chow [and lots of it!!] with a nice home-made flair? Go eat at Anna's. I enjoy the specials on a regular basis, but am also happy to order off the menu. Big tasty Gyro with lamb meat (one may also choose chicken), Greek Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese, Homemade Meatloaf, Navy Bean Soup..... oh, and Saturday I had a Greek Omelet [containing the usual suspects - Feta Cheese, Lamb Gyro Meat, Onions.... and I asked for Tzatziki Sauce: bonus points! It even contained bits of cucumber - nice touch!]

It's close to where I work, the food is good and plentiful, and the cost is reasonable (usually under ten bucks) and the atmosphere is friendly. Anna is always there [poor, tired gal! - we tease her that she should get roller skates!] and is very friendly. We crossed her up a couple of times by showing up en masse when she has not expected a business rush {like Saturday, when eight of us showed up at the same time for breakfast.... all at 6 AM and she was cooking/serving and running the register!!}. Oh, yes, she is indeed Greek. Special shout-out to servers Amanda and Candice, and Shoes [who wears colourful Nikes :-)] who are all a joy to chat with whilst having a meal.

Go eat at Anna's Island Cafe'. You'll be back.
Postscript - soon, Anna will have her liquor license, so you'll be able to stop by for dinner and a beer after leaving the shipyard [or wherever - go there on purpose, even!]. I like this place quite a lot, and I go back frequently :-)

R&T&me

2010-01-17T00:15:00.002-05:00

The Rose and Thistle [Rose for England, Thistle for Scotia - that's fer all U Sassanachs out there!].... It's aboot four blocks up and four blocks over, on Broadway here in Portland. Walked there, and I can have another Guinness Draught if I wanna withoot nae worries aboot DUI. Halibut and chips, and indeed it was good. Nice fish! Tangy, lemony mayonnaise as well, aye, and bonus points for it.

Good, quiet place. Not a lot of atmosphere, but a place I could have taken Nikki and felt equally at home as in Cambuslang. That was a long time ago and we each have moved along, but you get the picture.

I'll be back for sure. Sis, shall I save ye a chair? Or, is there a place for pixykin? hahahaha! See ya there :-)

2010-2

2010-01-17T00:13:00.001-05:00

Nephew and Niece, I have been working every day so far. I will keep you both apprised as to schedule, however. Back in VB from 2/7 to 2/12, then back here to Portland.

:-), Uncle Chuck

2010 -1

2010-01-03T16:18:00.003-05:00

Well, well.

Another year is now upon us.

Tomorrow morning, I am flying off to Portland for three months. Shipyard job involving ballistic missile defence. Chance to see some new territory [plus to see Randy and Cyndi and their families :-)]. Longer workday, longer workweek. Extra money [hallelujah!!].

Please keep Kevin in your prayers. I have set up everything I could think of. Canned, frozen and packaged foods for a month. Money for perishables each week. Money for the cab ride to Job Corps, when he reports. Even so, I worry. Time for lil' Bucky to fly on his own, though, and I'll cheer him on :-)

Good news! I'll control the TV [meaning, I will have plenty of time to read and to write. Not sure if anyone knows this, but I find it extremely difficult to concentrate when the TV is on, and it is ALWAYS on at the apartment. Always. I have managed one post each for the past three months. I guess I could be more prolific.... thank you to everyone who has actually visited RR.

Poll question:

I am thinking of uncoupling RR from my Facebook account.

Should I?

Thanks,

Chuck

PHD

2009-12-07T18:03:00.003-05:00

December 7th.

A day which will live on in infamy.

How many of you know what happened on that fateful day?

On December 8th, we had the will to win.

Look inside yourself.....

do we still have that will,

today?

Thank you, William, and I echo that sentiment.

To those who have served, I thank you.

Redemption

2009-11-05T02:24:00.002-05:00

27. It's a hallowed number, newly-anointed. Rodriguez, Matsui, Cano, Cabrera. Will those names evoke emotion someday, similar to that of Meusel, Hoyt, Ruffing and Page? Newly-crowned champions joining Posada and Pettitte, the Captain and The Great Mariano, and of course, #27...Our Pal Joey. This is a special moment, a special team, now firing on all cylinders. Cynics will quickly point out the payroll, and that is fine. When the Yankees have huge resources, and have finally figured out how to use those resources, watch out. The New Dynasty is awakening.... Go Yankees! Onward now, to 28.

Babylon Doors

2009-10-24T08:50:00.002-04:00

Here's a short posting, less weighty I suppose than the usual ones I have been engaged with of late. Lyrics. Have you ever wondered about song lyrics? You know the websites.... someone has faithfully and dutifully recorded the words to every song imaginable and created a website repository, in hopes of selling you ringtones. Who says the lyrics are actually correct?

Here's my point. Check into the lyrics for "Babylon Fading" by the Doors, and you'll see the phrase "bison's pipe" given. Wow. How impossibly ignorant [let alone, imaginative!]. Now, Jim Morrison certainly knew that bison's do not play pipes. Bison being an alternative name for the buffalo, they would have horns but not pipes. Said horns are affixed firmly to their heads. They do not play them. Where does that piping come from? Anybody remember that Jim Morrison is the son of a Navy man? Sure was, and Jim would know of Boatswain's Mates, guys who do all sorts of traditional sailor stuff [boats and anchors and mooring lines and such]. In Standard Navy Speak, Boatswain in pronounced Bosun. Long o, and the 'sun' is jammed together. The uninitiated might hear "Bison", but I assure you it is "Bosun".]

By the way, Jim spent time on the bridge of Navy ships while visiting his dad. Jim might have hated the fact that his dad made him get a haircut, but he was an observant fellow and would certainly have known that the whistle in question is correctly called a "Bosun call". "Bosun's pipe" is how he describes it so the masses would understand. As a Navy guy myself, when I hear the words "Bosun's pipe", I immediately think of the article clenched between Popeye's teeth.

So, Bison's Pipe? Thanks for the laughs.

Second Thoughts and Second Guessing

2009-09-22T18:19:00.003-04:00

Last week I was pretty convinced that Israel was getting ready to launch an aerial strike against Iran, targeting Iran's nascent nuclear weapons development program. I mentioned a few bits of information which I found possibly relevant - chief among these was the mysterious disappearance of Binyamin Netanyahu [Israeli Prime Minister] one day when it eventually came out that he was visiting Dmitri Medvedev and/or Vladimir Putin in Moscow. I postulated that this visit was to seek Russia's tacit approval for the strike against Iran.

Since I posted, President Obama has announced that we are not going to be deploying the Anti-Ballistic Missile Shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. In return, Russia has announced that they will not be deploying short-range ballistic missiles in Kaliningrad, and it also looks like we get overflight access as well as overland supply routes into Afghanistan. What else? What if there is a "pot-sweetener" that has not been announced? Namely, Russian acquiescence to stern economic sanctions against Iran, in order to [hopefully] cause Iran to abandon their program to develop nuclear weapons. So, follow me now: Russia approves sterner economic sanctions against Iran, Israel defers on ordering an aerial strike against Iran and waits instead to see what effect the sanctions will have, and the US declares that it will not pursue the Eastern European Missile Shield.

To date, my thought that perhaps Iran would get hit by September 21 [happily] has not happened. Well, read up on this link, though:

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=106809&sectionid=351020101

So, Iran is claiming that ""Glowing objects were sighted over the Persian Gulf. IRGC air defense targeted one of the objects successfully, forcing it to plummet and sink in the seas off Boushehr (Province)," said top regional commander, Brigadier Ali Razmjou.

"The three bright objects were detected by our radars when flying over the Persian Gulf Islands of Khark and Khargou," he added, according to a Monday report posted on IRNA.

Brig. Razmjou explained that when the radars indicated that they were not Iranian aircrafts, the IRGC fired at the three objects. He also added that the fallen objects' remains have not been found yet. " [This was copied from Iranian PressTV's website at 6:52 PM EDT on 23 September, 2009].

I have seen many times the inflated claims than Iran attaches to new wonder weapons and such, that are either absolute pieces of rubbish, or [even more brazenly] some other country's system. Usually there is SOME kernel of truth to be found.....

What if there WAS something flying over Khark and Khargou? Not extra-terrestrial: what if it was an Israeli or American UAV [Unarmed Aerial Vehicle]? How would that change things? Hmmmmm.... curiouser and curiouser.

Crawdad

2009-09-17T19:01:00.002-04:00

Well, let's see... we have crawfished, and are not going forward with the Eastern European Missile Shield. We have "other options".

Natanyahu visited Putin....

what is the best way to defend against Iran?

Ramadan ends with the new moon
[and a new moon is when it is darkest - best time for an aerial assault].
New moon is on the 18th.
Rosh Hashana is the 19th [probably nothing then].
Do we see something on the 20th or 21st?

Seriously, I hope not.....

[oh, one more thing -

the Iranians have always said that if they get whacked, they will close the Straits of Hormuz. Didja notice that 50% of our attack subs are deployed? Not just out of home port. Deployed.] Go figure.

China and the Afghanistan Policy

2009-09-06T09:27:00.002-04:00

Now, no sources [I am too lazy for that at this time of the day!], but a couple of thoughts:

[1] Afghanistan is all about boots on the ground. Sure, there are other factors in play [I'm not THAT simple-minded, after all], but it seems to me that we need to operate in accordance with the situation and environment, rather than in accordance with our prowess. [For example, why not have more troops interacting with the Afghanis, rather than bombing the krap out of targets? I know, I know, we have good intel and precise targeting, but mistakes happen and it alienates the Afghanis when we accidentally kill people who do not need dying. Afraid of losses? Then why are we there in the first place? Seriously.... there is violence inherent in conflict. People die. If we are not willing to risk people dying, then we should not put them at risk.]

[2] IF boots on the ground is a potential solution regarding Afghanistan, where do we get them from? To a small degree, we now have additional forces available thanks to the drawdown in Iraq, but our guys are tired, and the coalition of the willing is less-so these days.

[3] The draft? hahahahahaha. Good one. One of the reasons we excel nowadays is precisely because of the draft's passing. Draftees can indeed be paid less than professional soldiers. Ya get what ya pay for. With professional soldiers, much, much more can be done with less. Ya DO know the Iraqi's outnumbered us in BOTH wars, right? Heck, even the People's Liberation Army is moving away from conscription toward a smaller, professional force, which leads me to:

[4] China! Okay, first - India! Why NOT India? Well, Hillary is favoring China and Pakistan, for starters, and Afghanistan borders on Pakistan, and letting Indian troops in Afghanistan on the far side of Pakistan would essentially be allowing India to encircle Pakistan. Figure the odds of THAT ever happening.

[5] China! This time, let's discuss the China option. Strategically, China is okay with us being distracted elsewhere [especially if they have serious, immediate designs on Taiwan]. That is not necessarily the Chinese way, though. Single drops of water over time can crack granite - that is more the Chinese way. Perhaps Taiwan will sort itself out over time, to the mainland's favor. Wanna bet against it? So, if Taiwan will eventually sort itself out, and China is happy as hell with the current economic situation [any ideas who China sells much of it's product to? Exactly! What would they ever do without Wal-Mart? haha].

[6] Meantime, China has its own share of problems. Among them, separatist Uighurs out in Sinkiang in the far west. [Xinjiang]. Guess what? Most of these cats [Uighurs] are Islamic, and the radical extremist ones have ties in [you guessed it] Afghanistan. China has a vested interest in Afghanistan, in other words. Professionalizing their army, they will need practice. Killing two birds with one stone, they get practice in the very environment they need to practice in [cold, rocky, mountainous, facing Muslim extremists]. We get additional boots on the ground in order to stabilize Afghanistan.

[7] On the other hand, we risk allowing China to have additional influence in Afghanistan.

[8] What are y'all's thoughts on the matter? Be objective, give reasons - I'd love to hear what ya have to say.

Not Musubi

2009-08-28T17:03:00.002-04:00

Man, I sure had a hankering for Spam Musubi. It's Spam and rice with flavourings, wrapped in Nori [seaweed], kinda like sushi. Big, big fave over in Hawaii [Therese, since you are going over, try it! Oopsie - Teesss is a vegetarian! Never mind!]

**** Kathy and Hiro-san, my apologies: I'll likely be by for proper Sushi tomorrow :-) [Note: in Virginia Beach, visit Daruma of Japan for Japanese and Thai food, at the corner of Birdneck and Laskin Road, more or less.... wonderful, wonderful food and atmosphere, and the owners are truly treasures :-)]

Back to my story. Steamed up some rice. Had some Nori standing by [seaweed which one wraps sushi with]. Actually, I had Chef Kev standing by as well, but I elected to let him watch TV ;-) Pan fried some Spam in Teriyaki sauce until it was good and brown [actually, it was the generic substitute, and I pretty well charred it into oblivion....] - make sure there is plenty of sugar in the sauce! Dinna have a musubi press to form the rice, so I served the dish up as a plate of rice with Teriyaki Spam on top. [Not to mention I have been drinking beer, so my motor skills are ebbing a bit at the moment].

Hey! It's not horrible! Anyway, turning the remnants over to Kev, to see if he can salvage something. We often do that: I set a few random ingredients on the counter, and Kevin gets to make a meal from those and whatever else he chooses. Just like TV, and it keeps his skills sharp :-) Gotta scoot - more Teriyaki Spam on Rice awaits.....

Pelicans and the Great Get-Off

2009-08-24T19:02:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a pretty nice day outside, and seeing as how I had not gone kayaking for a while, I set out to. The 15 footer does not fit well in the back of my truck, and I intended to go south, in the canals, so I loaded up the 10 footer and headed down to Pep Boys to splash [there's a small floating dock that you can get into a canoe or kayak easily from - Derek has been there.]

The ten footer is a Pelican Pursuit. Plastic, injection molded, fairly light - around 40 pounds. Nice beginner and utility boat, nowhere near as fast as my other boat, but just the thing for a leisurely paddle. Pelican also makes plastic watertight cases, and they are awesome! I will explain why presently.

I wanted to head down the canal and get out at the dock on Princess Anne Road, where Nikki and I first kayaked together, back in December. Nikki was not along for this trip; we have broken up. I wish her great good fortune, but we are not currently kayaking together. It's about seven and a half miles, and I went with the current as we had just passed low tide and the flood was on. Nice, relaxing ride, and I did not tax myself overly.

South of Dam Neck Road, there is an awful lot of debris in the canals. Sadly, Virginia Beach does little to maintain their waterways [one feeder canal has a water pipe going across from one side to the other, about two feet above the water's surface!! Gotta go around....] At one point, there was a collection of several logs and branches, and much assorted other crap. Next thing I knew, the boat was rolling severely to the left. Sadly, no photographic record exists, for I surely wore a priceless look as I slid into the [dirty, smelly] water. No kidding, the boat was submerged most of the way with it's bow straight up in the air! [In retrospect, I think that my paddle lanyard, which is on my left, got tangled and somehow upset the apple cart. I've replayed it in my mind several times, but this incident did not unfold in slow motion!]

I clung to the log and managed to free my boat and laboriously get it to the bank. My paddle was tethered, so it came along for the ride. Whew! Getting the boat up the bank was quite an undertaking as it contained a lot of water. Note to self in the [hopefully unlikely] event that it happens again: Drag the boat out stern first. A Pelican Pursuit has a nice drain plug in the stern, but none in the bow. Tired [heavy!]. Wet and in a bad mood. My aqua shoes are great for water, but the soles allow sticks and stones to annoy the soles of my feet. Bugs. My hydration backpack has floated about ten feet down stream and lodged against the bank, so I used my paddle to hook it through one of the arm straps and retrieve it, setting it next to my boat.

All the while, I saw my Pelican Case floating along with the current. This is actually good news, for it contains my wallet and Blackberry phone. Thank goodness it did not sink!! Anyway, the Pelican case is wonderfully watertight and floats - mine cost $12, if I remember correctly. So, I take my paddle along and go off walking along the shore. About 200 yards away, there is a small feeder canal, which I have to cross in order to keep going. There's a log stretched across, so I walk across it, using my paddle kinda like a gondola pole. You guessed it - it the middle, I lose my balance and fall into the canal. Great. Keep walking. About 100 yards ahead there is another collection of logs and branches, stretched across the main canal. Sure enough, there it is. My Pelican Case is resting against a log. Near the far side of the canal, maybe twenty feet out. Too deep to wade out [maybe eight feet?]. So, back to the boat, managing not to submerge or tip whilst going over the bank into the water [Thank you, Lord!]. Down to the logpile, and unceremoniously snag my case. My wallet and phone are dry. Seriously, get a Pelican case. Get a Pelican boat, too - good stuff!

I decide to head back [in retrospect, Princess Anne Road is only a half-mile ahead, but I had expended a lot of energy and wasn't overly clear-headed, and I stand by that decision]. Getting back through the logjam where I had rolled was a nervous moment, but went without incident. By the way, I had not mentioned it, but I always wear my PFD [life vest] when in the boat. I am sure one might point out many errors in my narrative, but going without my PFD is not one of them. I won't drive without wearing my seatbelt, and I won't kayak without my PFD. On the way back, I have to fight the current for a while, but once high tide has passed, eventually the current favors me again.

Yes, I am tired and stiff [and sore!] - after all, it was a 14 mile journey. But, a good workout and a good experience. The mud, leaves, sticks and smelly stuff all washed away nicely. No injuries, no equipment damage, and nothing lost. Whew! A good day, all in all. I consider it fun. [and, yes, I'll be kayaking again. Soon!]

BMD and What to do?

2009-08-02T07:23:00.002-04:00

Another successful test for the Navy's Ballistic Missile Defense program out in Pac Fleet.... We are well past MAD [Mutual Assured Destruction] and I feel that the number of unreasoning, nonlogical players in the ballistic missile world [much as we all despised the Soviet Union, they DID reason and did not ever launch ballistic missiles against anything we protected] makes having some sort of ballistic missile shield [namely, a system which actually works] a good, common sense item.

Now that we have dispensed with the obligatory stating of where I stand on the issue, let's consider the possible impact upon the fleet, particularly the number of hulls available for various missions. Ballistic Missile Defense can be seen as a national strategic asset, similar to the concept of the SLBM [Sub-Launched Ballistic Missile].

Here's my chain of reasoning: Nuclear response capability is seen as a strategic asset. Providers of same are tasked with a deterring strike as their overall mission. As an example of this, consider the SSBN, the missile firing submarine which deploys to a given geographical region and drives around that area, silently, waiting.... Waiting for the order to empty it's silos and head for home [if it still exists, but that's another discussion for another day].

Following this reasoning, we get the Aegis Cruiser equipped with the ballistic defense versions of Standard Missile. Does this ship then get assigned to patrol the waters roughly between Alaska and Hawaii, waiting for the instance of some illogical regime to launch ballistic missiles in the direction of the US? [North Korea, for instance.] Let's suppose for a moment that the Navy has two zones to patrol, and two ships for each on a rotational basis, making a total of four ships that are now not available for the Navy to use for all of the other missions the Navy undertakes. The fiscal budget is tightening. Will a Democratic President and Congress pay for the Navy to have four additional ships? That's a lot of money, folks.

What should the Navy do? Downplay the BMD mission, letting it slip to the various air and land-based contenders? Play up the BMD, risking having fewer hulls for everything else that what is optimal? What are your thoughts on this matter?

July 31

2009-07-30T17:31:00.002-04:00

:-) Fun stuff..... tomorrow at 4 PM (Eastern) is the trade deadline in organized baseball. Naturally, I follow the going's-on like I do elections. Fun, deadline, hysteria. Where will Roy Halladay end up? Will the Yanks get one more arm for the stretch drive? Will the Sox get that crucial bat? What teams are buyers? [Phils, Yanks, Sox...] What teams are sellers? [Pirates, always]. What teams are on the fence? [Mariners].

It's especially fun to look at what deals affect what other situations. For example, the Phillies pretty much got tired of playing around, waiting for Toronto to decide on a package for Roy Halladay. So, they instead snagged Cliff Lee from Cleveland. That HAD to affect the Halladay situation [Doc has a no-trade clause, and will cost both a goodly salary, as well as a fair package of prospects.] Philly went for Lee. Dodgers? Angels? Yankees? 4 PM (Eastern) tomorrow......

Contrary

2009-07-18T07:52:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, I have a different view on things. I am not contrary for the sake of contrariness, and I hate revisionist history when it is coloured by someone's agenda.... [I hate hatefulness, too].

Walter Cronkite passed away yesterday. He lived a long, full life. As an adolescent and teenager, I trusted Uncle Walter, as did so many others. He was there to break us the news of our President's passing, and so many times, he was there as we breathlessly anticipated another launch into space.

I want to tell you that I am angry, and here is why: Yes, Professor McLuhan, the medium really IS the message.... there are so many television specials right now [not to mention internet stories] lionizing Walter Cronkite and mentioning his "brave stand against the unpopular Vietnam War" and many other words to that effect. Do you know that in the Tet Offensive, the Viet Cong were decimated? Do you know that after that [early 1968] the war in South Vietnam was to repel the forces of the North Vietnamese state? Years after the fact, Vo Nguyen Giap, the Commander in Chief of the People's Army, replied to the thought that the American forces had never been defeated in the field in Vietnam - he agreed, and added that it was also irrelevant. It was irrelevant because he and his forces never lost the will to win, while our society and government did. We lost our will to win in part because a man we trusted, our own fatherly Uncle Walter, lied to us. He proclaimed the war to be lost, and so we spat upon our brothers and turned our backs on those we had been helping. In the afterlife are over 50,000 American souls, lost in Indochina. They will undoubtedly be asking, "why?"

Don't look for any hints of this in the mainstream media. After all, they lionized Michael Jackson while ignoring Ed McMahon. The age of one trusted icon handing down Truth is gone, and thank God for that. Truth, it turns out, was merely Opinion, and we fell for it. Shame on us.

Starting Pitching

2009-07-05T18:59:00.002-04:00

Chien-Ming Wang to the DL. Joba Chamberlain struggling. What to do?

Well, first and foremost, CMW's spot on the 25-man roster. Jon Abaladejo is up for now, adding a needed bullpen arm. On Thursday, we'll need a starter. Ivan Nova and Zach McAllister are not on the 40-man roster, so they would not make sense. Sergio Mitre IS on the 40-man, and he has had his cup of coffee [for Joe Girardi in Florida]. Makes perfect sense.....

IF [and it's a mighty big if] Mitre works out right, then let us worry about Joba, who blew up today. Let's hope Mitre works out. I'd prefer to keep Phil Hughes in the bullpen this year - he is light's-out, and BP chemistry is a funny thing. Philip's been locking down the eighth inning, and can go more than one inning, if needed. We can win the WS, with him and Mo.....

Hopefully, Wanger will come back better than ever. THIS time, we can get his rehab right. Plenty of time in the inors, building up arm strength. Maybe he'll be back in September?

What if Wang is shut-down for the season? What if Sergio Mitre doesn't pan out [or, what if Joba regresses]? Alfredo Aceves. Several pitches and arm angles. Mature approach to pitching. Think Eddie Lopat or Ed Figueroa.... yes, he can.

[1] Sergio Mitre.

[2] Alfredo Aceves.

Joba back to the pen [just for this year]?

Go Yankees!!

Hot Dogs

2009-07-04T12:55:00.002-04:00

Silly me.....

I meant to wrap up the previous story by mentioning that I always watch the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest [Live at High Noon on ESPN] from Coney Island. Tradition.

So, we polished off the hot dogs last night, cooked Potatoes O'Brien and bacon, had some coffee, watched the tube. Joey Chestnut won again, three years in a row. 68 dogs in ten minutes! [The Great Kobayashi came in second, with 64.5 in a bad, bad haircut ;-)]

Now, I enjoy eating. Always have. I eat hot dogs on the bun, with condiments. I never snap the dog in half and dunk the bun in water. I would like to see a 'natural' hot dog contest, eating them as mere mortals do, on Independence Day, and other summer cookouts. Not too much to ask, is it?

July 4

2009-07-04T11:32:00.003-04:00

Happy Independence Day, everyone.

Even you Sassanachs who are all glum-faced.

70 years ago today, Lou Gehrig made his famous speech at Yankee Stadium, and indeed, he WAS lucky [and indeed, did catch a bad break]. Independence Day is celebrated by many things by many people, including baseball, fireworks, and hotdogs.

Derek and I went out to Harbor Park on Thursday night. Tides were hosting the Gwinnett Braves, and there were fireworks after the game. Derek's hometown team is the Atlanta Braves [and Gwinnett, heck, he lived over there when staying with his mom]. John Halama on the hill for Gwinnett and Jake Arrieta for Norfolk. We were also watching the two centerfielders: Jordan Schaefer, just sent down by the parent Braves, and Justin Christian, who had a short stay in the Bronx but is now in the Orioles organization.

I knew I had heard of Halama, but could not place him: came up with Houston, traded to Seattle in the Randy Johnson deal, etc etc.... sinkerballer. Sitting in the first row of the upper section, we could not see any sink, so I was naturally wondering if he was channelling Eddie Lopat. Through five he had given up only one hit, a bunt single by Mister Christian in the first.

Jake Arrieta seems to be the real deal. While Halama was hitting the mid-eighties, Jake was touching 95 on the gun. Across the aisle, just ten feet in front of us, two scouts had their radar guns out, and I trust those readings much more than the ballpark gun. Big guy, 6'4" and 220 or so, had some good movement as well. I feel we will be seeing him up for a cup [hey - it rhymes!] in September.

Jordan Schaefer had a miserable evening. He tipped a grounder in front of the plate and ran into it in fair territory. Out! Struck out as well and lipped off to the home plate umpire [Al Porter]. Later on, after his third weak out, he musta said something, because Porter ran him. Schaefer looked pretty good in CF, but lost at the plate.

Justin Christian. Got three hits, stole a base, played solid defense, showcased his speed. Two things: [1] He belongs in the bigs [2] but not in Baltimore. You see, I see JC as a scrappy, gritty, speedy guy, 4th outfielder, pinch-runner [sorta like what the Yanks already have in Brett Gardner, which is whyJChrist got the heave-ho from da Bronx]. As such, he fits best on a contender. Prove me wrong, J - win a starting nod at Camden Yards [I hope you do, and thank you for your time at YS].

Postgame ballpark fireworks are always cool [especially when wearing 3-D glasses - it made the moon look like something out of the Navajo mythos ;-)]. Across the Elizabeth River, someone was welding on a ship in drydock - it added to the sparkly lights. Nice touch.

Oh, the game? Halama had a one hitter going and gave up only one extra base hit. Arrieta looked good. After seven, Big Jake and the Tides were up 2-1. Both bullpens faltered. Gwinnett scored four runs in the top of the ninth and prevailed, 5-4. Enjoyable night :-)

Here's the text of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech [which I retrieved just now from www.LouGehrig.com - check it out!]:

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.

"Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I'm lucky.

"When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that's something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies - that's something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter - that's something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body - it's a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that's the finest I know.

"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

Amen, Mr. Gehrig.

God Bless Lou Gehrig, and

God Bless America.

Day Off

2009-06-30T07:36:00.003-04:00

I am taking a day off from work today.

My sister, Penny, is flying through Norfolk, and so Derek and I are going to stop by the airport in a little while and meet her for lunch. You see, she is picking up her grandchildren from her son's ex-wife, so we will get to see those lil' fellows too [and, Angela too - haven't seen her since she and Randy were at Rosey Roads when DETROIT pulled in; musta been 1993 or thereabouts].

I think this will be a good visit, and I am glad :-)

Ack! Pfft Pfft....

2009-06-23T05:31:00.002-04:00

Wouldn't ya know it?

I think I have a slight throat infection. Doesn't affect how I feel, just scratchy all of the time. My back is killing me - probably not sleeping right. Naturally, I am scheduled like crazy on the operational side of things. I am primarily the health and safety [and quality assurance!] guy at work, but I am qualified to drive two types of boats and can crew several more, and when things are tight, I put away the computer and hop into my life jacket. We have two crews at sea and a bunch of people on vacation, so I was on the op yesterday, plus I have one Wed, Thu, and Fri, and then Tuesday next week. I think I'll live.....

What do I do? Facebook friends, feel free to e-mail and ask. Blog friends, y'all already know. Short answer: we provide target support to the fleet. Fun, fun stuff [probably another reason my back hurts = Tony and I caught big air a few times and the seats bottomed out twice. They're on a shock-absorbing system, and that helps a lot, usually].

Happy Tuesday, everybody!

Happy June

2009-06-20T07:55:00.001-04:00

I'm not un-retired. I never retired, either. Time issues. I kinda like sleeping, and with so many other things going on, just not enough time to blog. Not like anyone was reading anyhow....

Back

2009-04-09T18:07:00.001-04:00

Yanks win! Man, this feels good :-)
Tex homers.
Swish gets 5 RBI.
Pena gets his first hit.
Damo pranks him.
AJ stands tall.
Good, good stuff.

Opening Day

2009-04-06T21:12:00.001-04:00

10-5 Baltimore. So, we're not going 162 and oh. No worries. CC Sabathia always starts slow. Deep breath, everybody.... Now, on to 161 and one ;-)

Overseas Navy Guy and War Bride

2009-02-15T10:56:00.005-05:00

Charming Miss Nicola and I attended a real live 1940's-era barn dance last night, at the Princess Anne Airport [not, not the one in Maryland - the one in Pungo]. Live swing music so she and I jitterbugged a bit, swing lessons provided, Cigar and Flower Girls parading about [I purchased two roses for Nikki - a red one for Valentine's Day, and a peach one to match her outfit - I offered to buy her a cigar, but she told me she's trying to quit ;-)]

Nice wee museum, too - mainly aviation, but some ground equipment as well, WWII staff cars, a German 88, various stuff.

Maybe half of the folks in attendance were in 1940's-era garb. Many zoot suits [although, truly, most of those were rented and appeared more from the Roaring Twenties], some Thirties getups [turtleshell caps and all]. Plenty of variegated WWII getups, aviators, Rosie the Riveters and all].

I wore Navy Service Dress Khaki consisting of khaki trousers, long-sleeved khaki shirt, black tie, Lieutenant's collar devices, khaki single-breasted jacket with gold buttons and Lieutenant's shoulderboards [gold star for Unrestricted Line, two gold stripes to signify O-3 Lieutenant status] along with khaki combination cover. No Surface Warfare designator device, no ribbons: the SWO pin and all of my ribbons were not in existence at the time, so I did without. By the way, facial hair was not the norm, so I shaved off my moustache and sould patch [aye, and parted my hair in a 1940's style, too].

Miss Nicola Crombie, Scottish War Bride from Glasgow [sadly, she cheers for Rangers instead of Celtic] looked lovely in a cream-coloured lace dress with a small rosebud at the Vee of her neckline. Matching heels and a wonderful lace hat [with 2.5 inch hatpins, she warned me!]. All finished off with a fur coat, the epitome of loveliness. Oh, delicate blonde hair as always; she did the front into bangs and the sides into pin curls. Truly, a lovely girl [and looks far younger than her 52 years, by the way].

Postscripts:
[1] After the dance party, Nikki and I went to dinner at our favourite spot, Daruma of Japan. I had just mentioned how sometimes when I have changed my appearance that I go unrecognized for a brief moment... we popped through the door and saw Chef Hiro busing a table [it was THAT busy!]; so I asked "Got room for two more?" Hiro-sama said sure, come on in, have a seat... about ten seconds later he started and exclaimed "Oh, Chuck-san, hello!" Hahahaha - took him that long to recognize me in uniform with no moustache. Good stuff, and please know that I am not making fun of my friend, just pointing out a funny circumstance. Daruma of Japan: it is a wonderful Japanese [and Thai!] restaurant with Sushi Bar, tables, booths and a Tatami area that I cannot get up from ;-) In addition to Chef Hiro, Miss Yoko and Miss Sophia [from Yokohama and Djakarta, respectively] were both there; Miss Noi [Hiro's mum-in-law] was back in the kitchen, and Kathy-san, Hiro's wife, came in later on. Good people I am happy to call my friends. Good food and friendly atmosphere - be sure to stop in if you are ever down on the ocean side of Virginia Beach.

[2] Nikki sent me an e-card a bit later thanking me for the best Valentine's Day ever :-) What a sweet girl, and I am so happy to be in her company. I kinda like her, ya know? By the way, I think we were the most authentic and best-matched couple there [and who knows, maybe we will have life follow art some day ;-)]

Verducci?

2009-02-11T07:42:00.002-05:00

So, Tom Verducci tells us that Selena Roberts has "a sterling reputation".
Go tell that to the Duke lacrosse players.
Take another hit from the pipe, Tom.

Clearly, clearly, you are in league with your fellow SI jobber.
Good for you. The cock's crowing, pal.....

Sel-Rod

2009-02-10T04:45:00.000-05:00

Selena Roberts.
False Duke Lacrosse rape story.
Alex Rodriguez.
Draw your own conclusions.

A-Rod, Saved?

2009-02-09T16:43:00.001-05:00

Today, Alex Rodriguez confessed to using steroids from 2001 to 2003. He added some value words "young", "dumb", "weight of the world...", all of which are good. Bottom line, he used, he is contrite, let the healing begin. Of course, it will help if he has a monster odd-year season. And, if the Yankees win the World Series. Let the healing begin ;-)

A-Rod, Numbnut?

2009-02-08T09:03:00.002-05:00

Lots of hue and cry about Alex Rodriguez, who four sources claim [and Sports Illustrated published a story about it on their website] used steroids in 2003.

[1] Steroids have been prohibited for use by ballplayers under the national agreement, since 1991.

[2] Until 2004, there was no penalty for having done so.

[3] As part of the program for determining whether or not baseball had a drug problem [it did], an "anonymous" testing was done on players during the 2003 season. The results were to be kept confidential with regard to individual players - only percentages of players using steroids was to be monitored. The level of overall usage was high enough that baseball instituted random testing and penalties for usage.

[4] I am mildly annoyed that Alex Rodriguez would use steroids. He has marvelous talent, and is a known workout fanatic. Then again, he's an insecure numbnut. Alex, pull your head out of your backside! You don't need any artificial enhancement. Now, stop thinking too much - confess to using, apologize, ask forgiveness, get on with winning the World Series. Be Pettitte, be Giambi. Don't be Bonds or Clemens.

[5] I am not upset with Sports Illustrated. After all, four sources.... if SI.com did not spill the beans, someone else would have.

[6] Four sources. Four sources somehow were able to connect names and samples, which for security, had been kept separate [even in separate states!]. The feds accumulated the information as part of the Balco investigation, and I don't have a problem with that, either, except that it enabled four individuals to talk about something which they should not have. Four sources divulging information. Not only Alex Rodriguez, but many other players will be identified, all after an "anonymous" testing. I am sure the MLB Players Association is/will be livid. For one thing, Major League Baseball ownership, at the moment, has no credibility. Good thing profits are high, or there might be labor issues. Four sources who are cowardly and hide behind anonymity, the very anonymity they stripped from Alex Rodriguez. Let the investigation continue. I want to know who these sources are, and I want to see justice enacted.

[7] Some have mentioned that Gene Orza gave prior knowledge to Alex Rodriguez that he would be subject to an upcoming drug test. If that is true, did anyone actually expect anything different? The MLBPA is a union. Nothing more, nothing less. Members tend to make more money than members of most other unions. Why would we expect greater pay to somehow create more ethical behavior? I have witnessed many shenanigans from another union which I will not identify here; my point is, the union is beholden to itself and to a certain degree, its members. If you believe otherwise, you come from a very naive perspective. Mr. Orza, if it is proven that he is guilty of some rule violation, will indeed be punished. I do not necessarily believe that he will be fired, or even that he should be.

[8] Naturally, this will serve to fan the flames of all who hate the New York Yankees in general and one Alexander Rodriguez in particular. That's fine. It truly is not easy being the "Evil Empire". So, haters, crow on. Everyone knows you are doing so out of envy. Besides, controversy stirs interest, which leads to increased revenue. You're welcome.

Hindsight Being 20-20

2009-01-27T05:23:00.002-05:00

In retrospect, I am happy.
Freddy Garcia went to the Mets, in part because he felt that the Yankees would end up signing Andy Pettitte, and that he would not be a serious contender for a spot in the rotation. He was right, and the Yankees DID sign Andy P. I'd rather have Pettitte, both because I believe that he will have a far stronger performance in 2009, but also because he is a True Yankee. I am happy. Go Yankees!

Rabbie

2009-01-24T15:31:00.002-05:00

Tonight is the annual Robert Burns Supper in Virginia Beach. I had hoped to go last year, but did not. This year, dating a Scotswoman is the additional impetus I required: Nikki and I are going to attend. Cocktails at six; dinner and festivities at seven. There will be recitings of Burnsian poetry and the obligatory haggis, along with many fine fellows in kilts [not I, this go-round - all of my Highland wear is far too informal.] I'll be in a tuxedo, and my bow tie is a subtle Black Watch pattern. Mr. McManus, and all members of the Four Twa, past and present, that's for you.

Illinois Moment of Silence Ruled Unconstitutional

2009-01-22T08:58:00.002-05:00

Here's an interesting story filed by the AP [all credits to AP and Mike Robinson for this story], which I have attached below.

I'll let you, the reader, decide for yourself what is right and what is not.

Seems to me that there oughta be MORE silence in schools, not less.....

By MIKE ROBINSON, Associated Press Writer Mike Robinson, Associated Press Writer – Thu Jan 22, 5:10 am ET
CHICAGO – A federal judge has ruled that a state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools across Illinois is unconstitutional, saying it crosses the line separating church and state.
"The statute is a subtle effort to force students at impressionable ages to contemplate religion," U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman said in his ruling Wednesday.
The ruling came in a lawsuit designed to bar schools from enforcing the Illinois Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. It was filed by talk show host Rob Sherman, an outspoken atheist, and his daughter, Dawn, a high school student.
Gettleman's ruling was not a surprise. He had already ruled in favor of Sherman in two previous decisions.
As passed by the Illinois General Assembly, the law allows students to reflect on the day's activities rather than pray if that is their choice and defenders have said it therefore doesn't force religion on anyone.
But Gettleman backed critics such as the American Civil Liberties Union, who say the law is a thinly disguised effort to bring religion into the schools.
The "teacher is required to instruct her pupils, especially in the lower grades, about prayer and its meaning as well as the limitations on their 'reflection,'" Gettleman ruled.
"The plain language of the statute, therefore, suggests and intent to force the introduction of the concept of prayer into the schools," he said.
It remained unclear if Gettleman's decision would end the dispute or merely signal a fresh battle in a federal appeals court.
State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Chicago, the chief sponsor of the legislation, said she hoped Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan would appeal.
"I strongly feel and I still believe that children should have a moment of silence at the beginning of the school day," she said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C., where she celebrated the inauguration of President Obama.
Madigan spokeswoman Robin Ziegler said the attorney general was reviewing Gettleman's decision and would have no immediate further comment.
Adam Schwartz, senior staff counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the organization was pleased with the decision "to strike down a statewide law that coerced children to pray as part of an organized activity in our public schools."
Last year, a federal court threw out a challenge to a 2003 Texas law that allows children to "reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other silent activities" for one minute at the beginning of each school day.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn upheld the constitutionality of that law, concluding that "the primary effect of the statute is to institute a moment of silence, not to advance or inhibit religion."

Another, Sadder, Goodbye

2009-01-17T09:43:00.002-05:00

Far sadder is our goodbye to Todd Drew, who recently passed away following cancer surgery. Todd was active in doing good things with the ACLU, and was a lifetime Yankees fan, and he could write. Boy, could he ever write. I read Todd's writings occasionally at Bronx Banter and on his own website, Yankees for Justice, and I urge you to check them out. Insightful, poignant, memorable. I interacted with Todd some time ago on a now-discontinued message board [kudos and a fond farewell, "Wolf in Pinstripes"], and found him to be a good source of Yankee lore, and a pleasant person to converse with. In my book, Todd Drew was a standup guy, and he'll be sorely missed; his words live on.... read them and enjoy, and in them, Todd lives on in our memories. May the Lord bless you and keep you, my friend. Go Yankees!

So Long and Farewell

2009-01-17T09:31:00.002-05:00

Coach Chucky is history.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just fired Coach Jon Gruden, along with General Manager Bruce Allen. Raheem Morris will take the helm, ending any speculation about Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan or [gulp!] Tony Dungy. That's according to Yahoo! Sports, by the way, so if someone else get's tabbed, take it up with Fred Goodall.

I was all set to rage against Morris' hiring, but I am not going to. Here's why: He took over as Defensive Coordinator after Monte Kiffin left to join his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee. Morris had been Tampa's Defensive Backs Coach..... anybody else remember a coach who played at DB and began his coaching career with the corners and safeties? I'm hoping Raheem Morris will have the same success that Tony Dungy enjoyed, and I will certainly cheer for the Bucs next season. Hey, I lived through the bad old days.

Raheem Morris - good luck, my friend, and Go Bucs!
Jon Gruden - best wishes to you, and thank you for our one Super Bowl win.
Tony Dungy - thank you for changing this franchise around. God bless you and your family.

Wasabi Mayonnaise

2009-01-14T16:30:00.002-05:00

Sadly, dear Nikki is not feeling well after today's liposuction, and is nodding off as we speak. [And, she wants no dinner.] So, we'll get together another time, perhaps tomorrow. Nonetheless, a quick note: I made burgers the other day, really simple ones, and I wanted to share the concept with ya :) Note there's no amounts listed; use your discretion.

I used Angus ground beef. My apartments do not allow grilling, so I seared mine in the pan. Used black pepper and some paprika, a little onion powder and garlic powder as well. I like burgers medium rare to medium, cook yours however ya like. I had some sourdough bread which I hacked into thick chunks. Spead one with regular mayonnaise, the other with wasabi mayonnaise which you can sometimes find in the Oriental Food section of yer local grocery store. In the pan, I had slices of mozzerella cheese melt atop the burger patties.

Fusion burgers, tasty and messy. I liked 'em a lot, and I shared with Hiro and Kathy over at Daruma of Japan :-) Hoping to hear the review shortly.

That's all for now.
Happy Wednesday, y'all.
Chuck sends

Hello and Welcome

2009-01-13T17:14:00.002-05:00

Hello, and Welcome!
That's right, I have now linked this blog to my Facebook page, and this is the first blog post since I did so [hint: Facebook friends, feel free to comment on this blog. Get's kinda lonely at times ;-)]

Been a little busy, both with work and with new sweetie. We have twenty people at sea right now, so those who are in the hangar are really turning and burning. I did vehicle maintenance yesterday [everyone from that shop is deployed]; today I helped build missile screens as the truck we were shipping them on showed up [several days early!]

Nikki keeps me busy as well - we have gotten into kayaking [which is a great way to exercise, by the way] and we hike and run together sometimes. It's cold and rainy tonight, so we are going out to dinner. Tomorrow, she is going to have liposuction, so I am going to cook dinner for her and the Triplets. That's right.... triplets! Identical, svelte, cute and fifteen. Oh, and very sweet lil' girls, too! Steak Sandwiches and Tater Tots, maybe some quick Spanish Rice as well [hoping they will pay attention and learn some cooking tips ;-)]

What else is new? Go Gators! I already posted on that, but still feels good. Yankees #1! Great offseason for the Bombers, and I have many posts on that. A quick hello to all; if I haven't written for a while, I will :-) Thanks for joining me.

Best wishes for a happy new year,
Chuck

Win One For The..... Timbow?

2009-01-11T11:29:00.002-05:00

24-14.
This, my friends, was the finest season in Florida Gator history. Sure, we've won the national title before, even won the title AND the Heisman trophy in the same season, and once even won the title, sandwiched by two basketball championships. All well and good - Go Gators!

This year, we lost one game by one point. I'm not going to say we SHOULD have won that game... only that we COULD have won it. Mississippi played well enough to win, and they did. We played well enough to lose by one, which we did, but we COULD have won it, and we DID win all of our other games.

After this loss, to Ole Miss, at home, when Tim Tebow was stopped on 4th and short, one of the grandest moments in college football lore occurred. It's new, but give it the test of time: After the loss, Tebow faced the microphone and apologized, and promised that no one would work harder or be more focused, or drive their team to the degree that he would. He was right. In a hundred years, this will equal "Win One For The Gipper." Wait and see.

This year, we almost took home the Heisman Trophy, and probably should have. This year, the statisticians ruled, and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma took home the trophy. Sam had a gaudy year, and led the Sooners to the national title game. In terms of leadership, he led his team to exactly the same title-game result that he himself accrued: mediocrity. Sam had a mediocre game, and the Sooners only scored 14 points. Tim Tebow did not have an especially gaudy year, statistically speaking [not like last year, when he threw for more than 20 touchdowns, and scored more than 20 himself, which no one in history had ever come close to doing]. This year was all about leadership. Tim took the team on his shoulders and refused to accept any other outcome than victory and a national championship. Because of that, because of that historic moment, because of the results, Tim Tebow should have won the Heisman Trophy. Again.

[Sooners fans know this: I cheered your team on when Jack Mildren was at QB and rejoiced when your team went undefeated, besting those hated Nebraskans. I respect Bobby Stoops and thank him in large measure for our first championship. I think Sam Bradford is a fine person and quarterback, and I wish him continued success, at OU and later on, in the NFL. I just feel that the Tebow legend this season was perhaps the greatest in history and will be remembered as such. Superman wears Tim Tebow underwear.]

Andruw Jones

2009-01-04T12:40:00.003-05:00

Andruw Jones, erstwhile Centerfielder for the Dodgers [and before that, Atlanta] is said to be available. At the behest of his agent, Scott Boras, his deal has been restructured so that his 2009 salary is approximately $5 million. More than likely, L.A. is going to release him prior to Spring Training [surely no team is foolish enough to trade for him?]

Now, the Yanks have two kids in CF: Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera. The burning question, then, is do the Yanks want to take a flyer on Jones? True, he is only 32 and two years away from a 41-dinger season [2006, that is]. Pete Abraham postulates that a minor-league deal is an option.

I say thee, nay! No way, no how, and here's my reasoning.... Andruw is an old 32. Never a workout fanatic, his body has gone to the dogs [even when he WAS having good seasons, one could see the pudge]. He's had problems with lax discipline before ["gentlemen's clubs" and such come to mind], he's lost his speed, and his bat speed should be measured with a sundial. He had a terrible off-season in Winter Ball. In a nutshell: stick a fork in it - he's done.

So Long....

2008-12-31T05:02:00.003-05:00

So long, not farewell!
So long it has been since I last updated, and so much has happened in the world.
Israel has finally had enough and struck back at Hamas.
The Broncos fired Mike Shanahan!
The Yankees signed CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira.
I went kayaking with Nikki, am sore, and now own two kayaks!
I might even try and update more often.
[I know, I promise to do so often and fail to deliver - so comment and
encourage me! haha!]

Happy New Year to all; I wish you peace and prosperity, with love for all.

Broke Busted, Disgusted

2008-12-09T19:42:00.002-05:00

Agents can't be trusted
Don't you work as hard as you play....

Immortal words of Creeque Alley, from The Mamas and The Papas

I've run once since before Thanksgiving
woke up late today
blew off working out
came home tired and slept
without running
ate far too much at Daruma
and drank!
Tomorrow, I'll get back on track
I promise.
Sadly,
tomorrow never comes.
I feel like a Butterball
only flatulent.
Great.....

Infamy

2008-12-07T10:27:00.003-05:00

East Wind, Rain. Climb Mount Niitaka. Tora, tora, tora.

December 7th, 1941.... the day which will live in infamy.

I ask you to remember our valiants: those who perished to defend us, those who survived and who have now gone to meet their maker, and those merry few who remain among us. I ask you to render honors, should you be sailing up or down Pearl Harbor, honors to port (or to starboard, as the case may be) as you pass USS ARIZONA. I shall not ask you to have goosebumps, nor for the hair to stand up on your neck or arms - that will occur, unbidden.

I ask you to forgive the Japanese airmen and submariners who participated in the attack, for they were doing their patriotic duty, just as our people were doing theirs.

I ask you to never forget.
I ask you to always hold the people responsible, responsible.
I ask you to say a prayer for our valiant fallen, and another for those who have passed.
God Bless America.

Threes

2008-12-06T20:24:00.002-05:00

[1] 31-20, Gators have beaten the Crimson Tide of Alabama.
[a] This has to have been the closest 31-20 game ever.
[b] 'Bama is a really good team; they should finish #2 in the nation but sadly, will not.

[2] Barry O has appointed Eric Shinseki as head of the Veteran's Administration. General Shinseki was Army Chief of Staff at the beginning of the Iraqi War. He said after the invasion that we would need a bunch more troops than what plans called for. Paul Wolfowitz, and especially Don Rumsfeld [a man who favors technology over troops - how naive!!] scoffed at the idea, and fired Shinseki. Events proved Eric was right, and this is his vindication. Don, on the other hand, opposed enough boots on the ground, armor for Humvees, and enough 5.56 ammo for the troops. Oh, and his minions cheated on the tests to show the Interceptor body armor was superior. It isn't. Rot in Hell, Don. I still don't care for Barry O, but this move gets my attention.

[3] I love Nicola Crombie.

You Might Just be a .....

2008-11-23T19:50:00.003-05:00

Racist?

Originally, I was going to point out that:

If you voted for John McCain only because his opponent was partially non-Caucasian -
you are a racist.

If you voted for Barack Obama only because he is [partially] non-white -
you are a racist.

Sadly, it goes deeper than that.......
If you send jokes along about the White House being painted black -
you are a racist.

If you joke that Air Force One should be painted with Curious George and/or watermelons -
you are a racist.

If you joke that Air Force One should have a new tail number [N1663R] -
you are a racist.

I don't care for Barack Obama, I have made that perfectly clear. I believe he is a Marxist and that he has never worked a day in his life. Shake his hand and count the calluses, and you will know what I mean. However, he is our President-elect. Give him a chance. This racist krap, this has nothing to do with doubting Obama. It's not funny, it's not appropriate, and we are better than that. My Christian cousins, is racism allowable? Is it not a sin? WWJD?

Loyal readers, you know I am not pointing out any deficiency of behaviour in any of you.

An Exclusive

2008-11-21T19:43:00.002-05:00

Sure, I have been busy. Many things occupying my time besides words.

I am dating Sweet Miss Nicola. We have decided to make it an exclusive relationship, so that we are only dating each other. Exclusive - you heard it here first :-) Yay team! I am very happy.

Welcome

2008-11-18T05:46:00.001-05:00

Hi, Nikki, and welcome!
As you can tell, sometimes I write prolifically.
Sometimes, not so much....
I am glad you visited, and hope you will return :-)

First Test

2008-11-08T19:53:00.004-05:00

My liberal friends who read what I have to say called it "trash" and a fucked-up situation left by my beloved W. {Their words, not mine}

So glad they have stopped inhaling.

Promises. Anyone can promise.

Now, stand and deliver.

I am beginning to think that Joe Biden's vaunted "1st Test" of Obama may have already begun. In world politics, hardly anything ever happens overnight, but rather, tensions build and things escalate until finally, the powder keg bursts.... Russia might be the place. Somewhat a proud government, did not take the Yeltsin years at all kindly and still feel that they are a world superpower. That they cannot afford to be one is immaterial to the process. We've already seem manifestations: Georgia miscalculated over South Ossetia. Russia stepped in and bloodied their noses [mainly because America had been training and supplying the Georgians]. Ukraine stepped up and refused to allow Russian ships to return to port in the Crimea [the ports are actually in the Ukraine, but the Russians have been occupying them asa carryover from when it was all Russia]. The Ukrainians want surplus Perry-class frigates from us, which will really make the Russians spin..... this is all background, unfortunately.

Up in the Baltic states, we have supplied Poland with an anti-missile system. We say it is to protect against Iranian missiles, and it will certainly do just that. Unfortunately, it will also protect against Russian missiles, and Russia:

[1] Feels that having missiles with which to threaten Eastern Europe is their right{perhaps mainly because

[2] Is extremely paranoid. Kinda hard NOT to be, when one had been invaded so often.Huns, Mongols, Vikings, Charles XII, Napoleon, Kaiser Bill, Hitler..... that's just a small summary. So, the Russians have deployed missiles as a show of force. Because they can. Voila! Instant crisis. Now, remember what I mentioned at the beginning of this message? Things never unfold quickly. We've got a missile shield in Eastern Europe and missiles directly opposite. And, a new president, whose VP has already stated that O will be tested by world crisis within the first six months. The crisis is teed-up and ready to be smacked down the fairway!!

Possibilities:

[1] "Peace in Our Time" (Part Deux) loses Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia back into the Commonwealth of "Independent" States. Maybe Poland, The Ukraine, et cetera as well.

[2] Another war beginning in Eastern Europe. Gee, what a great idea - wonder why no one thought of THAT before? [1914, 1939....]

[3] The campaign promises were not rhetoric and O rises to the occasion.

I am skeptical. I do not care for Barack Obama. I have detested Joe Biden for quite some time. I do not believe that a coalition of elitist social Marxists and those who wish to prosper from the labor of others makes for good government. Nonetheless, in two months that will be the government we will have to rely upon.

Expect the worst.

Hope for the best.

Prayer is good also.

God Bless America

Many, Not Mini

2008-11-08T19:00:00.003-05:00

Gators then went on to destroy Kentucky and Georgia. Now when I run in my gator tank tops, people are always "Go-Gatorsing" or making the sign of the chomp. Go Gators!

Barack Hussein Obama. I expect I shall have many words to write, but not for now. Later.

Kevin is moving to Champaign, Illinois, to live with my sister, Pam. I am driving him over at Thanksgiving [in the Blue Bug] and then flying back.

Tonight [in about an hour] Gators against Vanderbilt. Go Gators!

Bad blisters on each lil' toe limited me to 9.33 today instead of the 12 I set out upon. Each was hurting, particularly the right one. When it burst, I screeched to a halt :-(

Nikki is a sensible gal [in addition to being:

Blonde
Shapely
Scottish
Gainfully employed
A Nurse
Active
Willing to try wrestling and boxing events
Loves rock n roll
Love Celtic and Bluegrass, too
Cute
Sadly, a supporter of Rangers instead of Celtic. :-(]

Well, anyway, we are biking tomorrow, and she is procuring vittles.

Ya know, I kinda like this gal.... so, we are biking. Saves me toesies ;-)

51-21

2008-10-12T07:37:00.002-04:00

Finally, Dan Mullen heard what we were all yelling. Back in the Swamp, the Gators ran an offense that included more than Tebow running the ball, Harvin running the ball, and Tebow passing to Harvin. Jeffrey Demps and Chris Rainey are particularly noteworthy by their inclusion, and to take advantage of their world-class speed [think 10 flat 100 metre times, eh?], the O-Line widened their splits by about two feet. These Mighty Mites ran wild, Demps exceeding 100 yards and gaining 42 on one burst into the end zone. Rainey hurt his shoulder or he might have had more, but gained 21 on one gallop. Percy still claims that he is fastest, but the two freshmen beg to differ: the junior is getting up there in years ;-)

Meantime, Ricky Jean-Francois, you are a punk. Good job inferring that you were going to knock Tebow out of the game, and getting every Gator fired up. P.A.B, you then weaseled out by claiming injury and not even showing up in the Swamp, leaving your teammates hung out like laundry on the line flapping in hurricane winds. You have no cojones, miss, and by the way, xenophobe, it's Jean, not "Gene". Idiot.

Tim Terrific and the Gators prevailed over last year's champs, LSU, 51-21.

Go Gators!

Manny Being.... a Yankee?

2008-10-10T16:07:00.002-04:00

Why on God's Green Earth would the Yankees sign Manny Ramirez? Sure, he hits. So does Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui. Two of them might just end up looking for work here shortly.

Here's why not to sign Manny:
[1] He can't field worth a crap.
[2] He's slow.
[3] He's old [36 real soon].
[4] He's represented by Scott Boras.
[5] He can be selfish and brittle, which
[6] Can result in him being a clubhouse cancer.
[7] He'll want multiple years, for $20 mil or so.
[8] At that rate, why not just option-year Jason Giambi? At least he's liked.....

No, let's go with the youth movement. Stop the insanity. Now.

Initials

2008-10-07T17:14:00.001-04:00

CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett have both let it be known that they do not wish for the free agency process to take very long. Yo, Cash - get the Brinks truck ;-)

New Readers

2008-10-04T08:43:00.001-04:00

Yo, I'd like to welcome all the new readers out there!
Oh, there aren't any.
Oopsie!

Conversing With Kel

2008-10-01T20:47:00.002-04:00

Dear Sis had a few questions of me based on my life experience and education. It was good, writing things down causes one to codify thought a bit more cogently. So, read on. You might agree, you might disagree, you might be surprised; all good.

What are your thoughts on the war in Iraq?

I’ll analyze the whys and wherefores of the war in Iraq presently. Keep in mind that this is not the war in Afghanistan; in some ways they are related and in some ways they differ. The war in Iraq overshadows the war in Afghanistan so much that few remember that we are currently fighting two wars.

We are fighting two wars, and with the exception of economic consequences, few citizens at home feel any effect of the war. Society as a whole is impatient; we are in an internet age where attention spans are measured in mere minutes. We saw the nearly instantaneous wrecking of Saddam’s army, and we do not understand that winning peace is infinitely more complex, lengthier that winning a war.

We’re tired of war, yet we have not experienced it. We as a society are unwilling to accept the idea that things are not all black and white; we cannot merely smash an army and have everything in that area be perfect, instantly. We are spoiled and selfish as a whole, and our sense of entitlement allows us to criticize our own nation for its efforts abroad without understanding or offering any pulling together.

In one sense, this is symptomatic of a gradual disintegration of society. We see the effect in gangs, unrestricted illegal immigration and the breakdown of the family unit. The Arab world sees such non-state entities as Hamas, Hezbollah, and even al Qaida. The Romans had their barbarians, after all.

Afghanistan and Iraq are measures to reverse this collapse, to impart order upon a most chaotic area of the world which, if unchecked, could influence further destabilization elsewhere. Imparting order (“winning the peace”) is far more complex than smashing an army. That’s the part that society in general does not understand.

Should we have gone to war?

I’m going to answer this question in terms of Afghanistan (I have answered in regard to Iraq in the question below). Yes, we had to go to war. Al Qaida brought war to our lands; regardless of our response, we were at war. (Recall that al Qaida is not a state entity and as such, there is no “front line” of the battle;.) Supporting the “Northern Alliance” against the Taliban in Afghanistan allowed for the toppling of the Talib government of Afghanistan, a notoriously militant, extremist Islamic government which encouraged the training and basing of al Qaida, allowing al Qaida to project their power across the globe. After the first, lesser, bombing of the World Trade Center, the administration of the time fired off a few cruise missiles and called the threat eradicated. Events proved otherwise.

Should we have invaded Iraq?

It’s a good question, and certainly valid. The answer is, that depends. Depends upon one’s point of view. Taking the short view, no, we should have not gone to war. Forget about the weapons of mass destruction – that’s only a journalistic effort to sell more copy; were this 1898 we’d call it “yellow journalism” (which, ironically, spurred the populace to accept a war with Spain). War is expensive and people die. We have no business invading other countries – that’s why the world hates us. War destroyed the ruling bodies of Afghanistan and Iraq and helped the fragmentation of society there. In the case of Iraq, war increased the likelihood of a confrontation with Iran.

Taking the longer view, which I subscribe to, the war in Iraq was necessary for several reasons. Our administration believed that Saddam’s Iraq was developing, if not in possession of, weapons of mass destruction. In a nutshell, we did not understand that there were no such weapons, that they existed only in strong talk from Iraq directed toward neighboring nations (such as Iran). Saddam was a murdering despot who oppressed the majority of the Iranian people in order to serve his ends, and the war toppled his regime. Simply put, it was the right thing to do, regardless of cost. Additionally, with a pre-existing war raging in Afghanistan, and Al Qaida potentially relocating support facilities to Iraq, it made sense to carry the fight to Iraq in order to keep Al Qaida on the ropes. And, with a chance to establish a democracy in the Arab World, there is great hope for a bright, progressive future for the Middle East, to bring the Arab World into the modern age of education, tolerance, technology and a better economy, which would end the cycle of violence and oppression from radical Muslims, exposing as failed the notion of a reunion of the Islamic Caliphate. Finally, a strong, democratic Iraq would act to counter Iran in regional strategic affairs, essentially forcing them into a defensive posture and limiting the damage Iran could otherwise wreak.

How long should this go on (the US forces in Iraq)?

The common perception is that US forces should remain in Iraq until there is a functioning democracy. Another view is that forces should remain until the threat has passed. After smashing Saddam’s army, we have spent five years crushing the Sunni militias/Ba’ath Party henchmen and al Qaida-in-Iraq, and then worked to marginalize the Shi’ite militias and end the Iranian influences. We have spent five years and countless dollars rebuilding the army and police forces, finding leaders and getting them proper training and experience, rebuilding the country’s infrastructure. The job is nearly complete. What remains is for the elected government to ask us to leave, and for us to go. Only in such manner would the elected government have claim to legitimacy (and thus, permanence) as opposed to being puppets of the Americans.

The Cash Came Back

2008-09-30T19:53:00.001-04:00

Ya thought he was a goner
But the Cash came back,
He couldn't just stay away.....

Man, thank the Lord!
Brian Cashman has signed
a three-year deal to return
as Yankees GM.

In the immortal words of Pink,
Let's get this party started!

Lefty

2008-09-28T07:19:00.002-04:00

I was wrong about Johan Santana. Johan pitched a shutout yesterday, on three day's rest. The Mets are 89-72, same as Milwaukee, and just like last year, it comes down to one game. Johan cannot pitch today, so the bullpen will implode, leaving the Mess to cheer for whomever plays the Brewers.

That's all background. We could have had Johan Santana from the Twins last year, in exchange for Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, probably two other prospects. Alan Horne? Jose Tabata`? We should have pulled the trigger. Jo's 16-7 with the Mets. I daresay he'd have been 20-5 or so, with the Yanks. The fifth spot in the rotation has been home to several lesser luminaries so far this season [Ian Kennedy, Darrell Rasner, Dan Giese, Carl Pavano - who has actually pitched well - Kei Igawful.....]. I forgot the exact number, but the 5th spot has gone 9-19 or some equally rancid number. 12 games better? Yeah, we'd be in the playoffs. I was wrong.

Now, here's why I was wrong:
[1] I was afraid Johan Santana could not perform in the hot spotlight of Yankee Stadium. We cannot know for sure, but taking the ball on short rest after a career-high pitch count, and then throwing a shutout to keep your team tied for the last playoff spot with one game to go, that's gutsy. I think he'd be okay on the Yanks' hill.
[2] I was afraid of injury. Santana is not the biggest guy, and he showed signs late last year of arm fatigue. I could still be correct [I hope not, I like the guy, I like the Mets and wish them well, and I hope somehow we can pry Santana away from the Mets =:-0]....
[3] I overvalued some prospects. Kennedy has been a wash this season. Melky has returned to replacement-level player. Tabby displayed a bad attitude [and a regression in form] and got banished to Pittsburgh. That leaves either Alan Horne or Dellin Betances, if my memory serves me correctly. Essentially, we'd have sent Horne or Betances or some other prospect, along with three ne'er do wells, to Minnesota, for Johan Santana. I know, I know, hindsight is 20-20. In retrospect, I wish we had made the trade. We'd have made the playoffs this season.

Now, as far as next year goes, it looks like Cash is returning to right the ship. He has the right idea: build up prospects and plenty of pitching. In this one instance, getting Santana would have been the right thing to do, but overall, Cashman has the right idea. Pitching, prospects, speed. We'll be back, you can count on that, maybe even in 2009! [Speaking of back, now that I admitted I was wrong about Santana, does this mean Crazy Eileen is going to start hitting on me again? hahahahopenot.]

Go Yankees!

Abuelo's

2008-09-28T06:57:00.002-04:00

Abuelo's will have to wait. The Gators lost [in The Swamp!!] to Ole Miss. Personally, I felt the guys looked flat and showed little sense of urgency, as though they expected to win. After all, they're The Gators, right?

I hate such an attitude :-(

So, I believe good will come from this loss. Tim Tebow really seemed to understand, and he has promised that he will approach things differently. Tim's a real stand-up guy, and a team leader to boot [Quarterback, reigning Heisman Trophy winner and all].

The loss? By one point, as Mississippi blocked a point-after-touchdown kick, and then tackled Tebow on fourth and inches as time wound down on the Gators, driving toward the winning score. I hate losing, but I would far rather lose like this [a game we should have won] than by being clearly inferior.

Rebels? Congratulations on a hard-fought win in enemy territory. Maybe y'all will take this new momentum and gain a bowl berth. Pray you do not have to face us again, in Atlanta.

Gator defense seemed alright from the get-go, but then had some costly lapses. Entering allowing an average of six points, they got torched, and that certainly has to change. 31 points is unacceptable, and I am pretty sure Charlie Strong will have the boys running the stadium steps. I know I would.

The offense seemed totally unimaginative. I know it's the spread offense, but when 95% of the plays are either Tebow running the ball, or something in the flats to Percy Harvin [ok, ok, occasionally, Percy Harvin running the ball], it does not take a genius to key in on what's going to happen next. The offensive line was just that, offensive. Maybe if Jim Tartt had not succumbed to injury.... anyway, the backups need to step up when a leader goes down. No steak for the big boys; hot dogs on paper plates [and doing the dishes afterward!] for you.

We need blocking. We need a traditional running game. We need to throw to wide-outs. Dan Mullen, you are offensive coordinator. How about coordinating some offense, not just something offensive?

We stunk up the joint, but at least it was a team effort.
Now, let's win next week, and build from there.
Still early, plenty of time to get back into title contention,
maybe surprise some teams at the end, just like two years ago.
Let's get the SEC East, and go from there.

Go Gators!

Possible Pitching Prognosis?

2008-09-28T06:38:00.002-04:00

This is a short scenario, driven by a question from a friend who likes the Red Sox [he had postulated that the Yanks would land CC Sabathia, and that the Sox would snag AJ Burnett].

Here's a scenario I posted at The Post, envisioning a possible scenario for both clubs if CC goes elsewhere [I promise, I will still do a detailed look at pitching, later on :-)]

Truthfully, not so sure that CC won't turn down the money [and, make no mistake, we'll be lavishing plenty of $$$!]. That means we will make a play for AJ for sure. I still think Sheets is damaged goods [I just mentioned AJ Burnett and held him up as a healthy example. Obviously the world has spun off its axis!] Starting to sound as if Mike Mussina might not be back [that is Jim Palmer's opinion, and he spoke with Moose recently]. I still think Derek Lowe would be good for a year or two, until the kids catch up.

So, if we are correct on CC and Moose, that would give the Yanks:

CM Wang

Andy Pettitte

AJ Burnett

Derek Lowe

Carl Pavano/Phil Hughes/Alfredo Aceves

Notice I actually included Pav in the mix? We hold a club option for 2009 on him, and

[1] He's actually pitched solidly this time, and

[2] It would essentially be a walk year for him, and

[3] He always performs better in a walk year, and

[4] You can never have too much pitching, and

[5] Maybe, once he shows average ability, we could send him to a bad ballclub in need of pitching and get a star in return. Maybe Pittsburgh, and Nate McLouth? [CF]

So, that would leave Boston with:

Beckett

Dicey

Lester

Sheets?

Masterson/Buchholz/Wake/Schill

Plenty of arms to keep things interesting!

Oh, Ian and Joba? IPK's value is low. Keep him down on the farm, re-tooling. Maybe we can build him back up. Joba? 8th inning, building back arm strength [and, auxiliary closer, in case Mo's surgery goes badly]. Aceves? The man knows how to pitch. I really think he will be at Scranton along with Hughsie, mostly because they need to throw innings and be available if/when someone goes down. Andy will have a better off-season and be able to work out correctly. His mind will be far less troubled, and he's a lefty :-)

Center Field

2008-09-27T06:54:00.002-04:00

Jon Heyman, over at SI, feels that the Yanks are going to go after Nate McLouth in the off-season. Nate's the Pirates' current center fielder, and the Pirates and Yanks don't seem to have any obstacles to trading, having completed the trade which sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Bronx earlier this summer.

Here's the rub: While I like McLouth, I do not see him as an upgrade over Brett Gardner. McLouth looks to be an eventual 25/100/.300 guy. Gardner's game is more speed and finesse, and I don't see him ever hitting 25 homers or knocking in a hundred runs. It's not his game. I do see Brett doing exactly what he has shown so far: running like the wind, playing amazing defense, being pesky on the basepaths, and generally being gritty. His batting average so far is an extremely small sample size, but it has been picking up lately [he's over .200 finally!].

So, McLouth - love the player, hate the cost to acquire. Let's concentrate our resources elsewhere.

At least to me, Gardner projects as a latter-day Mickey Rivers, and that's something we should not turn our noses up at.

How Many Years?

2008-09-24T16:35:00.002-04:00

The Detroit Lions finally fired Matt Millen.
How many years overdue is this?

Only Six Games

2008-09-23T11:23:00.002-04:00

Hey, don't look now, but there's only six games left in the regular season.....
If we win all six, and if Boston loses all six of theirs, we tie for the Wild-Card.
The last three games are Yanks and Sox, from Fenway......

JDB

2008-09-22T17:02:00.000-04:00

Now, I ain't namin' any names, but read between the lines.....

"Just Die, Baby."

Yanks 2009: What if Money Were no Object?

2008-09-13T17:31:00.004-04:00

What if money was no object? The Yanks are mailing it in yet again, and I’m in a mood for distractions. Many writers consider who should be in the starting lineup, and that’s fine, but for this look, I want to throw money at the problem [namely, the Yanks are a fourth-place team, and we all want a first-place team], and invite a bunch of guys to Spring Training. Whomever doesn’t cut the mustard, cut ‘em. Now, this is theoretical: I don’t really hope the Yanks follow this model. Remember, a team may only sign three “Type ‘A’” free agents [yeah, more or less, depending on how many are available…].

Catcher

Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
Ivan Rodriguez
Chad Moeller
Each one of these guys has major chinks in his armor. Posada’s throwing arm has always been poor, and is now coming off surgery. He’s never been a master of calling games, either. He might be completely unable to catch. Molina can’t hit for crap. He calls a good game and throws out runners pretty well, but breaks down when he plays more than sporadically. Pudge can hit [not when wearing a Yankee uniform, alas] and can throw out runners. He’s maligned for not being interested in game-calling, and his power hitting is a faded memory. Moeller’s perhaps the best third-string catcher around, and doesn’t cost a bunch.

Wishes:
[1] We get to combine the finest attributes of all four:
Posada’s clubhouse presence and clutch hitting, plus power. Pudge’s batting average and throwing arm. Molina’s defense and game-calling. Moeller’s salary.
[2] Okay, okay, I said money was no object. Get Yogi Berra the Fountain of Youth.

Prognosis:
Posada makes the club, but is woeful behind the plate. If he can catch at all, it will be a rare occasion. Look for him to star at DH with appearances at 1B.
Molina makes the club, but cannot catch every game, and can’t hit anyway.
Pudge gets re-signed, which will cost both several years and a ton of money. He’ll hit more singles than Jose, which isn’t saying much.
Moeller spends time on the farm, biding his time until someone gets hurt, or Frankie Cervelli is ready for the bigs.

First Base

Mark Teixeira [Type ‘A’ FA #1]
Jason Giambi
Juan Miranda
Sign Big Tex and see if he can succeed in Da Bronx. If so, he’ll pretty much do it all, making the other superfluous. If no, he’ll be a costly mistake. Slow, but hits okay. Most of his AB’s come from the left side, and with the short porch, he could hit a jillion homers [unless he changes his swing like Giambi did]. Plays good defense, too. Giambino has an option year left. Sign him as insurance in case Tex wilts in the hot spotlight. He can always DH or pinch hit. Juan Miranda deserves a look, too. If we don’t land Teixeira, or if he $ux, JuMi becomes our first baseman of the future.

Wishes:

Reincarnate Lou Gehrig. Then, give ol’ Biscuit Pants the Fountain of Youth.

Prognosis:

If Tex signs, he’ll be the real deal. Giambi gets relegated to spot starts at 1B, plus DH/PH duty. Miranda stays at SWB, maybe becoming trade bait.

Second Base

Robinson Cano

Get ready to sacrifice chickens or goats or whatever, throw some salt, pray, do something. Kevin Long is going to re-tool Canoe’s swing.

Wishes:

[1] Long is successful. Cano hits .340 with 25 homers and 100 ribbies.
[2] We steal Larry Bowa back to get on Robbie’s a$$, keeping him alert in the field.

Prognosis:

There are other areas which will be more of a stretch than Cano. At worst, he’ll be an average second baseman.

Shortstop

Derek Jeter
At some point, Jeets will have to move to another position. Now is not the time. Sure hands but limited range. Hits for decent average with occasional pop and great in the clutch. Slowing down which is causing more and more groundings into double plays. Great leader by example.

Wishes:

DJ goes through another rigorous off-season training regimen, working on speed, quickness, range, and power.

Prognosis:

One more year. Keep it going for one more year. 2009 will be better than 2008.

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez
Let’s get something straight right off the bat: Alex Rodriguez will not be our shortstop. A-Rod plays a decent third base, runs, throws, hits, walks, hits for power….. when it flows, like 2007, he’s even a positive influence to the kids. Seriously, see a sports psychologist – can’t hit in pressure situations. Needs to channel Graig Nettles.

Wishes:

A-Rod realizes the nature of his frailty, and sees his shrink. Oh, and gets back together as BFF with Jeter.

Prognosis:

Like it or not, we’re stuck with the guy. Build the right team [that will succeed in the playoffs] and he will help get us there.

Utility Infielders

Cody Ransom
Wilson Betemit
Nick Green
Face it – none of these guys are good enough to start. Betemit strikes out way too much, and is eating himself out of being anything but a lumbering first baseman [which the Yanks evidently have a passion for, but we already have so many!!] Cody Ransom can hit, but is almost as old as Derek Jeter. Nick Green just can’t hit.

Left Field

Xavier Nady
“X” marks the spot. Surrounded by stars, X-man should see his productivity soar [although his average and probably his power will decline somewhat]. Decent fielder, decent arm. Best man for the job.

Center Field

Rocco Baldelli [not projecting as a Type ‘A’ or ‘B’ free agent]
Johnny Damon
Baldelli has been battling a mysterious mitochondrial problem. Dude’s Italian, and he wears #5 in Tampa. Get it? And, he throws better than JD. Damon hits for average and runs, has occasional pop and can hit in the clutch. Plus, he has sexy calves [he said so himself]. Sadly, he has a noodle for an arm and can be run on by Little Leaguers.

Wishes:

[1] Roc signs and fulfills the promise he has always hinted at.
[2] Damo works on that throwing arm in the offseason.
[3] We combine “JD” and “#5”….. yeah. Right. But, Ted Williams was cryogenically preserved, so……

Prognosis:

This one’s a stretch. Maybe we won’t take a flyer on Baldelli. Maybe we’ll try Melky again. Maybe……

Right Field

Bobby Abreu
Abreu is clearly on the downswing. His power is pretty much gone, his average is falling, and he is losing his selectivity/patience at the plate. Plus, he’s afraid of outfield fences. Still, signing him gives us an above-average player, and buys us time until the kids begin arriving. Remember, money is no object.

Wishes:

George. Herman. Ruth. Plus, he could serve as an occasional reliever!

Prognosis:

On the Yanks, Abreu will be above league average. On any other team, I am afraid his weakness will begin to glare. He’ll want a multi-year contract, which means we’d be eating one or more years.

Outfield Extras

Melky Cabrera
Brett Gardner
Justin Christian
These guys remain the Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Lounging in Scranton, they are essentially biding their time until Austin Jackson passes them by.

Wishes:

Bowa comes back and gets after Melky. Melky continues with the A-Rod workout [in the training room, peeps! Geez – dirty minds!! =:-0]. Gardner and Christian mature into stars.

Prognosis:

Gardner gets a little less overmatched at the plate. Christian has some fine numbers in Scranton. Melky shows he’s better than the 2008 model. The burning question is: how much better?

Designated Hitter

Hideki Matsui

All of those consecutive games are finally taking their toll on Godzilla. He'll need to split AB's with Giambi and Damon. Almost worth keeping him inactive until June or July, and then activating him for the postseason :-)

Starting Pitchers

CC Sabathia [Type ‘A’ FA #2]
CM Wang
Mike Mussina
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Alfredo Aceves
Sidney Ponson
Carl Pavano
AJ Burnett [Type A/B FA #3]
Humberto Sanchez
Sabathia should be an excellent addition, lefty, workhorse. Milwaukee has tried to burn his arm out, so he may have an injury or significant dead-arm period in 2009. If he works out right, will anchor the rotation. Wang is a perennial 19 game winner. He’ll do better, next year. Mussina has reinvented himself in the Jamie Moyer/Greg Maddux mould: at this rate, he will be nearly as effective next year. Andy P had a horrible off-season. With proper preparation, he’ll rebound significantly in 2009. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy get invited to ST but build innings in SWB. Alfredo Aceves comes along for the ride – I think he’d be better served starting regularly in Scranton instead of riding the pine in NYC. Siddy is insurance, as is Pavano. Sid’s a free agent, but will probably sign a one-year deal. Pavano has a club option for 2009, and pitches well when up for a contract. Plus, Pudge seems to find the best in him. AJ Burnett has proven he can succeed in the AL East. Can he stay healthy? Humberto has a power arm and is a local boy; probably needs a year on the farm.

Wishes:

Everyone stays healthy and comes back nicely from injury.
The kids mature and fulfill the promise we all saw in them.

Closer

Mariano Rivera
The Ageless One has another brilliant season.

8th Inning Guy

Joba Chamberlain
At least for now as he builds arm strength. Looks to start by end of 2009.

Relief Pitchers

Jose Veras
Brian Bruney
Chris Britton
Damaso Marte`
Darrell Rasner
Dan Giese
Phil Coke
Edwar Ramirez
Dave Robertson
Mark Melancon
JB Cox
Kyle Farnsworth [Non-Type A/B FA]

Farnsy seemed to find a groove, pitching for his ol’ battery-mate, Joe Girardi. The rest of these guys, shake ‘em up, throw ‘em against the wall, see who sticks.

Okay, that's the "money is no object" look at what can be done with the Yanks. Obviously, I am not serious about this [the payroll would surely be well over $200 mil], but there are some nuggets in there which I will expound upon later. Let's hope Hank Steinbrenner doesn't hear of this [unless he hires me! hahaha].

Mighta' Beens

2008-09-10T05:46:00.002-04:00

I haven't been posting of late. It's not because I have nothing to say; ye know me better than that. I've been writing for e-mails rather than posting here, and while that has been the norm of late, a dear friend told me that I should post this info here, so I did. This post, then, is dedicated to my one true reader. Thank you, Cuz :-)

This year is full of might-have-beens for the Yanks.

Play has been shoddy for a number of reasons and we have missed out on any number of golden opportunities.

Seems like half of the brand-new starters are rolled out to face the lads, who oblige by batting as though Cyclone Young or Amos Rusie have sprung back to life.....

I give Joe G. a little slack for this being his first year; but then, how many Yankees managers have won big in THEIR first season?

Bucky Harris, 1947, won WS
Casey Stengel, 1949, won WS
Ralph Houk, 1961, won WS
Yogi Berra, 1964, lost WS
Bob Lemon, 1978, won WS
Dick Howser, 1980, won AL East
Joe Torre, 1995, won WS

Dang! Is there ANY manager that went on to greatness AFTER the first season?
Well, Miller Huggins and Joe McCarthy come to mind.....
and that's pretty much everybody [1981 and 1982 are pretty much a blur - I think we had three managers in each of those years and lost the WS and LCS, respectively], oh, and Buck Showalter, made the playoffs in 1995, lost, lost his job.

So, Joe G. has his work cut out for him! Personally, I think he and Cash will both return, but I could be mistaken.

Georgia on my Mind

2008-08-10T20:25:00.003-04:00

Separatists in South Ossetia seceded from Georgia, which itself left the Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States/Unified Team after Mr. Gorbachev did, in fact, tear down that wall. So, the Georgians acted in turn to shell various positions and have troops take some positions. Russia, acting again like the old USSR, shelled the Georgian positions, and escalated things by bombing Georgia, proper, sending troops into Georgia itself, and putting up a naval blockade of Georgia's Black Sea coast. The Ukraine, sharing a desire to bond with the West and join NATO with Georgia, and sharing a resentment of many past Russian actions, announced that the Russian ships may not be allowed to transit through Ukrainian waters whilst returning to their Crimean ports. Things could be escalating.

Here in America, hardly anyone even knows what is going on, and fewer still actually care. This apathy is frustrating. I know it's not 1914 any more, and the shade of Gavrilo Princip is nowhere at hand, but this is dangerous stuff nonetheless. I can understand both the positions of the South Ossetians and the Georgians, and it's damned difficult. I can understand Russia's position, too, but once again, I must disagree with their societal paranoia. Let it go.....

29 Years ago, Today

2008-08-02T17:43:00.003-04:00

Twenty nine years ago, today
Our Captain went away.

Thurman Munson, Rest in Peace.

Diana, my condolences.

Now, Go Yankees!

Playoff Bound

2008-08-01T14:31:00.002-04:00

We got X-Man Nady to man left field. He's got a better arm than Johnny D, so we are stronger on defense. He's actually tearing the cover off the ball, and after an initial few games getting used to pinstripes, he has resumed same. Johnny can man DH, especially since Godzilla has been out. Even with a brace, the fluid will return. Betting money [other than house money] says he will have to go under the knife, ending his 2008 season.

We got Marte. We will soon get Bruney back. That made two guys expendable: Troy Hawkins [a good man but a mediocre pitcher], and Kyle Farnsworth, now pitching to potential. Hawk is gone for a prospect, and that's fine. Krazy went to Detroit for Pudge Rodriguez. Veras and Edwar, plus Davey Robertson [plus Marte and Bruney] make this a good deal. We can stand losing Farnsy [who actually cried when he left, bless his heart].

Posada got his right shoulder scoped. His throwing shoulder, eh? He'll be ready when pitchers and catchers report in mid-February. Now, here's the rub: his arm wasn't that great to begin with. Actually, it's weak, to be honest. He had an inflamed rotator cuff, plus a torn labrum and damage to the capsule. Projection: he'll never catch again. Contracts and money rule. He's got three years and about $30 mil to go. Pudge will get a new contract to be our catcher. Jose Molina will remain our backup. Posada will become our new first baseman [and not catching, should regain some power. Not being injured, should regain some average.], and he'll be an adequate glove man. I expect Big Sexy will be gone, and frankly, armed with this new info, I anticipate the Yankees giving Jason Giambi his $5 mil buyout for 2009.

For 2008, we are stronger. We didn't get Jarrod Washburn [yet] from Seattle, and no biggie. Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Chien-Ming Wang are all right around the corner. Don't look now, but Carl Pavano is rehabbing, too. [1] He's playing for a contract {somewhere}, [2] His arm HAS to have plenty of pitches left in it, and [3] I-Rod caught him in Florida, in 2003. 18 victories..... just sayin'.......

Playoff Outlook: Good.
Besides, Tampa is in uncharted territory, and Boston just lost Manny.
We could possibly win the division! :-)

Another Brick in the Wall

2008-07-26T18:58:00.002-04:00

Barack Obama wrote a prayer, as is custom, and slipped the paper into a crack in the Western Wall. Some opportunistic jackass dug it out of the wall and made the contents known, and now it's all over the web. Now, I don't especially care for Barry O, but let me tell you this: this is an outrage. What O wrote is between him and his deity, and should remain that way. People and publishers should be held accountable for this.

Gun

2008-07-26T15:42:00.003-04:00

There's a new sheriff in town. Joba Chamberlain went seven last night, and gave up no runs. He struck out nine. Yanks 1, Socks 0. All good stuff. Now, here's something even better: Joba pitches inside. Sure, he doesn't care for Kevin Youkilis, and Kevin Youkilis does not care for him. Joba pitched inside, and Youkilis bailed out. In the process of flailing around, getting out of the way, the ball ticked off his bat [methinks it ticked off more than just the bat!]. Both benches were warned, which is fine. Usually it is the Socks who throw inside, and both benches get warned before the Yanks can throw inside. Here's an interesting point: Josh Beckett sometimes comes inside, and we don't care for it, but that is how baseball is supposed to be played. Fear is and should be part of the batting equation. Joba comes inside, and of course Sock fans don't like it. But, there's a history between our teams. This is how it should be. I don't care for Josh Beckett. I don't care for Kevin Youkilis. I don't care for the Red Socks, but that's okay; I don't care for the Rays either. No offense, Melanie. I DO care for the rivalry, though, and it's heating up again. This is how it should be. Go Yankees! Let's win two ;-)

Crickets

2008-07-22T20:10:00.000-04:00

{Confidentintial to Miss Melanie:}

Buddy Holly sends his regards ;-)

Update on Chloe

2008-07-21T20:42:00.003-04:00

Hey! Remember Chloe Marshall? Miss Surrey? In the national competition, she placed second! Congratulations, Chloe - you're a winner in my book. Here's a bonus photo of the young opera singer trainee:

$564.54

2008-07-19T08:30:00.002-04:00

Five hundred and sixty-four dollars, and fifty-four cents.
That's what this site http://www.business-opportunities.biz/projects/how-much-is-your-blog-worth/ has calculated as the owrth of my blogsite.

How much is yours worth?

Woo hoo hoo!
I'm almost rich!!

An Exercise in Participatory Democracy

2008-07-19T07:05:00.002-04:00

Really!
Nope, not talking about the government here....
what I AM talking, though, is what do YOU, the reader, want to read about?

Let me know, even if you come across this site randomly and wish to anonymously request a topic. I may not have much to say [but maybe I will!], but if you want to hear about it, I will write about it. Really :-)

Big Sexy

2008-07-18T20:51:00.002-04:00

Richie Sexson, in his first at bat as a Yankee, singled in Bobby Abreu to tie the score for Moose, 1-1. Way to go, Big Sexy!!

Crash and Burn

2008-07-18T20:43:00.002-04:00

No, not talking about my love life [which is nice, thank you for asking: had a nice dinner with Miss Angela the other day, and Miss Ulrike texted me TWICE today!! :-)]

No, I'm talking running. I was in a rush this morning and did not get my stretching regimen done. Gosh, that hurts!! I ran the 2.6 down to Rudee Inlet, and despite the stiffness, was at 23 minutes and change. Not stellar, but not too bad. Made it past the 17th Street Pier to the 24th Street turn, and was outta gas. Bonked badly. I thought it was the lumbar. Tried to fire it up again, twice, but no dice. Strange..... anyway, ended up being about 4.5 in 38 minutes before the walking action began. So, good run, dinna quite take it to fruition. Still a good workout.

Wow! Melvin Mora of the Orioles just hit a home run off the left field foul pole! Big deal, right? Well, it landed right ON TOP of the pole!!!! I have never seen that or even heard of it before. Cool!