VERY un-SUPERSTITIOUS

I have come to the conclusion that I have no control over the outcome of Chicago Cubs baseball games. For that matter, I have very little control over many things by wearing the same socks, wearing a lucky shirt, etc. I used to be quasi-superstitious, but no more. It is difficult for a Cubs fan not to be superstitious for one reason.; the Cubs lose a lot. It has nothing to do with a goat curse or anything like that. They just get outplayed. In fact, in some systemic way believing in superstitions may actually cause lower performance. If you are unable to perform a superstition then you may feel like your chances of success are lower. By thinking this you may actually perform worse, blaming it of course, on the superstition.
I am not just applying this to sports. I have no problem walking under ladders (except for the whole danger aspect). If I break a mirror, so what?
So, unfortunately, no matter what I do -save preventing Moises Alou from catching a fly ball-I cannot change the outcome of a Cubs baseball game.

HOLY KNIT

My wife likes to knit. She has made some really cool stuff for me. The latest present is the black man bag that is on my right. In honor of her dedication to knitting gifts for me, I decided to model all the gifts, at the same time.
Starting at the top is my first gift and her first project, the navy and yellow scarf. Also around my neck is the gray tie she made for me over the winter. As you can see I am holding up the chess board she put together over a year ago, it came with the man bag on my left that contains smaller bags to hold pieces. The sweater I am adorning was given to me over the winter (seems logical).
The socks were a Valentine's Day present and the house shoes were a Christmas present. Now I need knit pants to complete my collection. My wife is awesome.

BIRTHDAY, CUBS, SCHOOL

Today, yours truly turns 24. I got a cool present from my wife. She knit, felted, and sewed a man purse for me(picture to come soon).

Cubs are in first place again.

Today is the first day of school. My birthday has been on the first day of school, or around it my entire life. When I was a kid it was quite a struggle for me to look forward to my birthday because that was when school started. I am over it.

Happy Birthday to me.

MIKE AND MIKE?

This is bordering ridiculous. Mike and Mike in the morning is starting to become false advertisement. A tell-tale sign is when my wife asks where Mike (Golic who has been out for I am not sure how long) is. I reply, "vacation maybe?" She replies, "Are you sure he isn't dead?"

The good ol' days of Mike and Mike was before HD in the Sportscenter studio. Before they were hosting Spelling Bees. I remember a time when they were consistently both on the show at the same time and were on the air more than the Sage Steele Sportscenter update.

Bring back Mike and Mike the way it used to be.

HEARTBREAK IN CINCI

This weekend in Cincinattai I caught a game between the Reds and San Diego Padres. Former Cub great and one of my favorite pitchers plays for the Padres. Greg Maddux (Pictured above). We were at the game early so we went to the outfield seats to wait for some possible batting practice homers. Incidentally, my cousin grabbed one that landed in the seat Erin had been sitting in before she left moments before to go to the bathroom. But before that, Maddux was taking infield and shagging balls. I was really excited to see him and I was bragging about his work ethic and the non-existent ego of such a legendary pitcher. I may have been off a tad.

I stood directly behind where he was in the outfield; I was starstruck. A ball came to the wall directly below where I was standing. I was feet away. I was toungetied, I had nothing to say. A kid beside me asked "Mr.Maddux can I have a ball?" Maddux's reply (which is what broke my heart) was "nope". Nope? That's all he had for a 9-10ish year old boy who called him Mr. Maddux. Granted, visiting players are not supposed to throw balls in the stands like home players often do during batting practice, as none of the other players did that day. He could have handled it without being rude, though.

On a positive note, Mike Cameron's son was in uniform (he is roughly 12) and he was showing off some leather in centerfield during BP. Seriously. He had at least three web-gems. I should have taken a picture of him, I wouldn't be suprised to see him in "the show" someday.

E-GRAMMAR

I do not claim to have perfect written or spoken grammar. At least I try. In the generation of e-mail, instant messaging and facebook I have noticed that grammar is on the decline. R U cng wht im talkin bout?

So, I have an idea. Since instant messaging has done much to increase the words typed per minute among my generation, I think that communicating on the computer can be a great form of learning grammar. What if every comment or post was blocked without the use of proper grammar? So, instead of "whatcha doin 2nite?" the post would read "What are you doing tonight?" Is that too much to ask?

NEwayz, ttyl.

SMOKIN'

I got a problem with smokers. They get a pass on at least two major frowned upon actions. Slacking off at work and littering. In high school I worked in the mall and those who smoked got smoke breaks. Non-smokers, meanwhile, continued to work. Annoying as that is, what is worse is the break on litter. Most people refrain from throwing trash on the sidewalk and out there windows while driving, smokers can throw out their cigarette butts. If I finished my candy bar and threw down my wrapper I would get dirty looks and rightfully so, however, smokers can throw down their cig and stomp it out and get away with it. Somehow this double standard needs to be stopped.

100th POST

I feel like I should make the 100th post something special. After all I have hit the century mark steroid free. I achieved my post on the first try, I didn't leave the fans hanging at every at bat or pitching outing. So, I would like to thank my fans and if there was a commissioner of blogging I am sure he would stand and applaud my achievement.

FIRST PLACE

I try not to write too much about the Cubs, but I couldn't resist. Could it last?

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US (PART DEUX)

Through the years:


Us nearly on our 2nd anniversary in Maine.


















First anniversary trip to Hot Springs.














Newlyweds on their honeymoon in Michigan (this was a day trip to Canada).









I love you wife.

SPORTS CAN BE GOOD OFF THE FIELD

There is more about this to learn I am sure, but it sounds awesome. It makes me want to go to Redbirds games.

I AM STARTING TO UNDERSTAND

In the 90s as I was getting old enough to register sports information for trivia and meaningless discussions, my Dad seemed to be starting to grow weary of professional sports, specifically baseball. I only say that because I think I know where he is coming from. My good ol' days were what he found wrong about sports. I never knew a time when athletes weren't paid out the ying yang like he does, but I do remember a time when sports were more than a soap opera for men.

Face it fellow sports fans we get wrapped up in a reality show soap opera. The rumor mill and indictments are just as much a part of "sports" as pennant races and Super Bowls. ESPN saves more airtime for arguments about off the field issues than sports highlights. Who's "Now"? Who cares? I don't care how cool Derek Jeter is for dating some actress, I want to watch athletic competition. Since when did ESPN executives decide that people tuned in to ESPN for things other than sports? MLS has even gotten in on the act bringing over a glamorous soccer star for off-field attention.

But, if ESPN is going to have shows dedicated solely to football year-round they need something to talk about, unfortunately for sports fans it is legal scandal. The NFL is really messing up by having so much off-season coverage. The reason their sport is the most popular right now is because there is limited supply-fewer games. With all the coverage they are going to take the excitement of the weekly games away. They are also starting to rival the NBA in thug appeal, but still can't hang in mobster appeal.

So, what I am starting to understand is how pro sports can make you long for the good ol' days.

ONE STANDS OUT

Can you guess which apartment is ours?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIFE

July 10th 2007.

The picture says it all.

IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING...

Watch this video:




The motivation for the Phillies helping with the tarp is either for the fans or for the sake of enjoying playing the game. They were winning and it was through six innings, meaning the game would have been official. I thought it was really cool how the visiting team helped out with the home team's grounds crew in the hard wind and rain. I guess this shows professional ball players are not always completely self-absorbed. By the way, where were the Rockies players?