The ramblings of a madman

con recap

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:44:36 GMT

Finally up and about at 7PM Sunday accurately describes how things went.

Thanks to a situation involving my sister I was not in the best of moods since Wednesday. I got Carrie (who only joined us because it was my birthday) from work and headed to the hotel in Lombard and met Bill in the room to go over set up.

We then headed to Ed Debevic's for dinner and while at the table recorded an episode for the Pod of Destiny cast. Then it was back to the room and after moving the beds and two tables, Bill set up the open cola while I got Rock Band set up. Brick who made the trip now understands my "singing ability" as I tested the mike.

Knowing I was going to be in the room most of the night and not wanting to drink since I had to be somewhere on Saturday and not hung over or tired, I figured getting a full weekend badge would not be necessary. Once things got rolling, I discovered that some of the songs on my hard drive did not show up on the playlist and others would not play because I was not on XBox live. Bill was able to use his 3G card and an ethernet cable to get me live.

In spite of the over 300 songs available, it could not suit everybody. People would ask about groups I either not heard of, never downloaded or are not available but everyone found something worth playing. At $2 each, I only get songs I like and being 44, my taste is different from most of the patrons. We did put the Beatles game in later since people wanted to try that and one person was amazed by how well she sang.

When Luke and Sara showed up, they surprised me with a cake. I also discovered that the microphone volume in the game had to be turned to the lowest since the mike was actually picking up the sound from the tv. When I tried the second mike for the Beatles game, feedback made it not work.

Eventually we shut it down shortly after 2 and I had to pack up the system for Saturday evening.

I got to the con about 10:30 in the morning and got a Saturday badge which saved me $10. Though I went to the Dealer's room, the only thing I bought was the new Toyboat CD when I saw Eric Coleman in the lobby. After picking up Kiki from her house, I saw Luke drive up so I carried two tubs. Though there were shirts, they seemed awfully heavy but I managed.

Luke's show was the only con event I attended in full. Saw Marvel Poppins done live for the first time and joined Bill and Sara on stage for the Da Da Slide. I had to adjust since I did not want to hurt myself. While packing the merch, I discovered there was only one tub of shirts and the other one I carried had cds.

After getting the merch to his car, I did stop by Tom Smith's show for about 10 minutes before having to head home and change for the charity event at my nephew's school. They were hoping for 60 players but when only 38 showed up for the event, my help was not needed so after getting my swimsuit from home, headed back to the hotel to meet Josh and Carrie (who made rice Kristi treats) among others.

After some time in the hot tub, I got some alcohol and headed back to the crowded Dementia Radio party room to watch Dr Horrible and then the musical Buffy episode with various clips in between. Singing with the literal video version of Take on Me with everyone there was awesome. Due to shadowcasting the Buffy episode and preparing for it, I have seen it over a hundred times and impressed Bill with my call backs as him and others were making them too.

After more alcohol and stopping in the Dark City themed party room, it was time to set up Rock Band. Mr Tuesday was there so I did not have to be there all the time. Bill, Kiki, and Luke were among the many on the mike. Everyone did well even the people who have never done something like it before. We played until shortly after three as Sara finished it singing Tom Sawyer shortly after a big man sang Just a Girl in a heavy Scottish accent.

After eating at Denny's, I got home shortly before five AM. Woke up after noon, took Jered home and spent most of the day nodding off until coming down here to post.

Thanks to everyone who made this weekend as awesome as it was.

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:06:24 GMT

Since I decided to not bother responding to my grammar school "reunion" Facebook invite I have gotten two Facebook wall comments and one Facebook chat asking if I was going and then expressing disappointment for me not being there.

As people have said, time makes most memories fade away and yes, it would probably be a good thing if I go.

However, since Windycon might be the last time with my friends in about 4 months, it is best for me to still be there.

huh?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:52:18 GMT

A couple of days ago I posted http://madmanotl.livejournal.com/364007.html explaining why I won't miss a con party with my friends to see people I graduated from grammar school with 30 years ago.

As I stated in the post, I was initially involved with wanting to meet them. I know I posted messages on their Facebook pages and even called the local newspaper to see about placing an article and then my mom to get a list of the people in the class since no one had it and I know she saved the paper with the graduation picture on the front page. When I looked at a box of things from my mom's attic last summer, a lot of bad memories were rekindled and my desire to meet them was no longer there. However, I decided if someone else made arrangements, I would go if I could.

Once I found out they were meeting on a day and time I can't attend, I realized it was for the best. I determined that maybe someone there might want the items I initially tossed out in an attempt to put those miserable four years of my life in the past and since I know where the person who is organizing it works, considered going there to give it to him.

I just want to know what is so wrong with that?

Believe it or not I had forgotten much of those four years. I know that is very hard for people to believe that it could happen to me but that actually did. I know I am not the first person to have bad memories locked away in one's mind to only have someone present a key.

While writing this, I realized something: As I was told that at conventions, I get FOMS or fear of missing something and I also know that I get real irritated whenever excluded. I now know why.

Eventually those memories will again get locked away. I initially was helping until I realized I can't.

New entry

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:39:00 GMT

http://notnormalworld.blogspot.com/2009/10/family-circus-style-driving-part-6.html

Once you read it you can guess why I linked it here.

Timing

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:46:33 GMT

A year ago in April was my high school 25th anniversary. Since it was the same weekend as Penguicon. The choice was obvious. Though it would have been nice to go, There was no doubt in my mind where I should be and I went to Michigan.

Thanks to Facebook and my sister, people from my grammar school class found me about 6 months ago. Someone got a bug up their ass since it is 30 years and have been trying to get everyone together and I was helping. However, in the summer as I was recovering from my surgery, my sister brought to me a couple of containers from my mom's attic and that changed my attitude.

Among the items was memorabilia from my grammar school class. As I was looking through it, I realized how much I hated all of them and how happy that I have not seen any of them in over 25 years except for the person who got into a car accident in front of my mother's house. I also remembered throwing that stuff away since I wanted to forget. Apparently my mother took it out of the garbage.

Today, I got a Facebook message that people from my class are meeting in the neighborhood by my school on November 14, Windycon Saturday, the day of the Dementia Radio party there and also the day I won't be working the charity event at my sister's kid's school.

As much as I want to make a bunch of people I hate confused, I won't reply or go. Since I know one of them works at a hot dog stand in Kenosha, Wisconsin, I might make a trip there with the crap my mom took out of the garbage and give it to him to show those assholes there.

Time to rock

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:13:48 GMT

With Kiki and Jered, we headed to my house this evening to jam on the plastic. My wife and daughter were playing the bass with Kiki singing, Jered on lead and me on drums. Led by Kiki's singing, we achieved a best local score for the game on the Mc Frontalot song from last year along with kicking ass on other songs.

Though it would have been nice to be at PAX or Dragon*con, it was enjoyable tonight.

Not so psychic

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:49:23 GMT

Today at work the person in shipping told me last week he bowled a 284 game. My first reaction was two eighty four? Usually the score will be 287, 288 or 289. He confirmed that was the score and asked if I could figure out how he did it.

I thought for a few seconds and replied: (items in parentheses explain in detail what I stated) You got the first nine strikes in the row, pulled the first ball in the 10th frame (threw the ball left of where you were aiming) but it held the line (turned less than normal) and you got carried the strike. Then on the 11th ball, you overcompensated for the previous shot, threw it slow, it hooked early, hit the head pin on the nose and you left the big 4 (4,6,7,10 pins) and picked up 2.

Stunned, he asked how did I figured that out. I stated it was the most logical way to shoot that score and that he was not the first person to throw two shots the way he did since it is natural in a high pressure situation with most everyone in the bowling alley watching to try to help the shot instead of letting things work naturally.

For those who did not know, in January 1994 I "figured it out" as far as bowling was concerned averaging 215 for a 40+ game span in three places. I then went bowling my my fiancee after bowling earlier in the evening even though I told her I shouldn't. On the second ball, I felt a pop in my left leg. It eventually got to the point where I had to go to rehab. That summer bowling against the best in the city, it popped again and I ended up falling down the lane. I could never bowl in a league again.

Every once in a while I will put on the shoes and find out I still have it until the pain returns. I saw a doctor about it who said it is bursitis and that there is no surgical procedure to fix it. Whenever I put my weight entirely on my left leg, it eventually develops spasms and starts to fail. At that point I can no longer bowl well and rest is the only thing that makes it better.

As much as I hated bowling, I do miss it.

spoiled

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:26:45 GMT

Today I finally saw HP6 and though it was overall enjoyable, knowing what was going to happen made me feel like it was not the first time seeing it. There was no suspense or excitement that one gets when they don't know what is happening.

Thinking about it, this was not the first time I saw a movie where I knew what was going to happen. When it is based on historical facts or past sporting events and I know what happened in them, my enjoyment of the movie becomes based on the presentation.

Maybe if I would have thought of that before I watched the movie, it would have been more enjoyable.

Note: I am still not happy about how I found out about HP6.

catching up

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:35:45 GMT

Over the past month or so thanks to PBS and SyFy (and the DVR we now have for cable) I have been catching up on the Martha Jones and Donna Noble seasons of Dr Who. (Seasons 3 and 4 of the new series or 29 and 30 for those who count from 1963)

Since I did see the ending episodes from both seasons I was wondering how many more are there that I have not seen so I found the listing of all the episodes on Wikipedia. (3 for Jones, 6 for Noble to see)

Then for the hell of it knowing I was born on a Saturday, I looked back to see what was played on the day I was born. It was the first episode of the 12 episode story called "The Daleks' Master Plan".

It took place during William Hartnell's (the first doctor) third season. Back then each episode was 25 minutes long and for most the first three seasons each episode had an individual name.

The one that aired the day I was born is called "The Nightmare Begins"

Ball game

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:55:53 GMT

Shortly after 8 Sunday morning, I got a text message from my brother-in-law wanting to know if I wanted to go to the White Sox game today. Though he had tickets for my niece and her friend, they were not in the mood to go so I decided why not.

Unsure where the seats were and knowing the forecast I decided to wear long pants hoping that I would be along the first base side in the shade. When we got to the seats from his work, they were in the 5th row in the 500 section about where first base was. Though I was high up at least I could see 98% of the field unlike in the non major league ballpark in Chicago.

My brother-in-law advised me to not buy pop when I got my food since they have a deal where if you sign your name as a designated driver, you get a coupon for a free pop. Though ball park prices were paid, the polish, pretzel, pizza slice and hot dog were all good. *burp*

In spite of the Sox playing a poor Baltimore Orioles team and them having their worst starting pitcher, the Sox struggled. It took until the 5th inning to get anything going and could not get the big hit when needed.

As the innings diminished and knowing those seats were paid for by his work, I excused myself with two outs in the top of the 7th inning and headed for the bathroom. Just like last year, I was sitting on the toilet when the prayer was sung and flushed just as it ended. My knees were hurting from walking down the stairs to get food and to use the bathroom and I did not want to create another problem like what happened 5 years ago.

When the game ended with the tying run on second, it was time to return to the car. Walking down the ramp was not comfortable. I am a little sore in both knees and had to ice them.

update

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:56:11 GMT

Gencon - Fun weekend. Actually did more than sit at the merch booths. After 10+ years of Scrabble and a couple of years recovering from the burnout, I am interested in games again. Luke and Tom Smith did awesome shows Saturday evening. Due to discomfort in my knee and stomach, I did not see much of the wenches show but did see two of them join Luke for the Dada Slide during his show.

There were games I was interested in getting but decided on one that I know my family would want to play. I explain that here: http://notnormalworld.blogspot.com/

Work was difficult all week. Both knees were giving me problems. I went to therapy three times. Today, I had ice on both knees when I was done. For the most part, my left (surgical) knee is better but the right one hurts. If my right knee is still hurting in a couple of weeks the way it is now, I will have to see the doctor again.

On Thursday I found out that Rifftrax was doing a live performance that I could see at a local theatre. I decided someone else could cast my show and went. I had never seen Plan 9 from Outer Space and it was as bad as advertised. They did an awesome job with the movie.

Before the movie, Carrie, Josh, Luke, Sara, Kiki, Matt and two of his friends ate at Sweet Tomatoes. It is a buffet without meat. As much salad, veggies, and bread one can eat for just over $10. After a large plate of salad and mixed veggies and awesome garlic bread, I was ready for either chicken, beef or ribs. No luck. When we left I was still hungry.

This weekend I will try to catch up on some housework including the weeds behind the house which are way overdue and cleaning the dryer vent since clothes don't dry like they should causing my wife to either run them through another hour or fold them still wet.

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:34:32 GMT

Fans of Rock Band and Jonathan Coulton, read this and vote! FYI: Still Alive and Skullcrusher Mountain are already available.

What Jonathan Coulton songs would you buy and play on Rock Band?

Posted using ShareThis

meeting therapist

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:19:26 GMT

For the third time in less than four years I walked into the center for my first physical therapy appointment.

The surgery report was helpful and measurements were taken.

Left calf diameter - 1" smaller
Left knee diameter - 1" larger
left thigh diameter - 3/4" smaller
Left knee bending - 16 degrees less.

The knee readings are consistent with someone who had the procedure I did. However, the muscle sizes are not. A 1/2 inch difference is the most that is considered normal even with someone who was a kicker like me.

She also did not like was the pocket of fluid above the knee where the leg was torqued to perform the procedure and that the knee was warmer.

I was given three at home exercises to do and will see her again Thursday afternoon. There we will decide if I should take another couple of days off next week if not the whole week.

follow up visit

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:59:56 GMT

When I got to my doctor today, I was pleasantly surprised there was no co pay. He looked at my knee and saw it looked fine. He explained that there was damage in the back inside of the meniscus of my left knee and that he had to remove about 1/3 of it to alleviate the tear so it was definitely something that had to be done. The only thing the doctor was not happy with was that my range of motion has not returned as much as he hoped. Having the leg be basically dead for three days to the point where I had to either use my right leg to pick up my left or get my wife to lift it onto the couch or bed is what probably caused that.

I also got the therapy order and will make arrangements tomorrow. With the discomfort in my left leg, caused by surgery and the injury 15 years ago, both the knee and leg will be on the order. I go back in 4 weeks for a follow up.

reality check

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:05:44 GMT

Woke up this morning and found an 8 hour marathon of season 3 Dr Who on the SyFy channel. (last 8 episodes) Since I had only seen the last 2, it was interesting to follow the storyline catching all the subtle hints leading to the last two episodes. Yes, I avoided spoilers for the other six.

No, I am not and was never interested in streaming the new ones the day of or after they are broadcast in England. I will wait to see them on SyFy even though I know they have been edited for American commercial television. (and might have understood the Vote Saxon posters at Convergence 2007)

I needed to take care of a couple of details at work so I headed there with crutches even though I don't need them at home anymore. After a little while, my legs started to feel it. Eventually I got my daughter from the pool where one of the other kids asked me where I got my Marscon 2008 artist t shirt and headed home to watch the ones I recorded knowing I could not watch them eight hours straight.

Answered three phone calls including one about my disability and got confirmation for the checks which first mail next Tuesday. Had one from Summit I could not get to in time. Did not leave a message. Then my daughter tells me I got a cel phone call. It was from someone from the second shift at work asking me about something there. Apparently, neither he nor his boss knew I had my surgery last week.

recovery day 2

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:59:03 GMT

After my show last night, I headed to the stairs and realized my legs were to sore to climb them. I sat on the 4th step and used my right leg to push myself up one stair at a time. Then I had to do the same thing to get up the second flight of stairs shortly afterward.

For the second time in the day, I was crawling, this time from the stiars to my bed and with my wife lifting my left leg, get on the bed.

The muscle above my knee was in full out pain. I was considering going to the ER about it. During surgery, the discomfort there caused the doctor to sedate me since bending my leg to the outside to access my injured area was causing me much distress. Fortunately, the pain medication allowed me to be able to sleep.

This morning I felt better and it was nice to take a shower. I was able to stand on the leg but can't walk on it. With help, I got on sandals and was able to go to the car with my wife to get my daughter from the park district. I was sticking my head out the window trying to enjoy the fresh air.

From what I can tell, I should be well enough to drive my car by Monday. I believe the worse of it is over.

I'm in the wrong business

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:13:10 GMT

After watching Mark Buehrle throw the 17th regular season perfect game in Major League baseball history, some reporter who I have never seen before was interviewing him. When the reporter asked him how it felt to give this to the fans who have not had a perfect game thrown for them since 1922, I wanted to reach through the tv and choke her.

The pitcher she was interviewing won game two of the American League Division series and the American League Championship series and recorded a save in the 14th inning of the World Series in 2005. All those games mean far more to me than today's game and the no hitter he threw a couple of years ago when Sammy Sosa (playing for Texas) was the only batter to reach against him with a walk.

For the hell of it, I turned on ESPN news to see what they would say. One "expert" stated that today's game shows how consistent Buehrle is as he has pitched 2 of the last 7 no hitters in the game. No, it just shows how good a pitcher he is. Nolan Ryan who had 7 no hitters in his career was the least consistent pitcher ever. Had he tried to not strike out every batter he faced and pitched smarter, he could have won 400 games with the stuff and longevity he had instead of being second on the all time losses list.

Maybe it was the fact I smell a combination of iodine, sweat and cat piss from lying on the couch much of the last 24 hours and that I can't shower until tomorrow that made me so upset.

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:24:12 GMT

Woke up before 7 this morning. Can't sleep in no matter what anymore. Remembered to take no water, no food. Left the house shortly after 11.

When I got the the clinic at noon, they said the doctor was running late. Eventually it was time to get changed. After the nurse started my iv, she made an error causing my size 5X gown (from what I can tell there is nothing between large and 5X) to get wet forcing it to get changed.

About 130, just before my procedure was scheduled, my doctor showed up explaining his first one of the day took longer than anticipated pushing back his schedule. He marked my knee and went to take care of the man before me.

An hour later, he returned with his giant size syringe. Ronnie who was there had a great view of all the numbing fluid being put into my knee through a long thin needle and me suffering and sweating as it was going in. Then the knock out doctor (unable to even try to spell it) was telling me he will keep me awake unless it becomes an issue.

As I went in, it was weird since I had glasses and a mask on and a view of the monitor. Once they started, I was surprised by how much they were moving the leg. A couple of times it put me in a uncomfortable position and it was hurting my leg. I was also having problems relaxing my leg as this was being done. Where they had to do the work caused them to put my leg in the uncomfortable position that they did.

Soon they were done. The doctor increased the dose to relax me so they can get it done easier and I don't remember much else. Since the doctor had to ASAP take care of his next patient, I never got a chance to ask him what he saw. I know he took pics. When I see him in a week, I will find out more.

I was out of the building shortly before 5. Though I had a bag of crackers, I was starved and in spite of their instructions about what to eat ate fast food. I had no nausea so I figured I would be ok. I had crackers later in the evening.

As the evening wore on, the numbing medication started to wear off and the knee now really hurts. I am taking one pill to fight against infection, one for inflammation, and yes, one for the pain. The same type I took 10 years ago.

The previous two scopes, I was able to live with the pain. Not today.

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:30:05 GMT

After work Tuesday, I went to get groceries. Heading to the store exit, a toddler ran in front of me (from my three o'clock to nine o'clock), tripped over his own feet and fell face first into his brother's stroller. His mom turned her attention away from the bank teller she was with, looked at the kids face and when I saw no blood I walked away figuring the kid was ok as one teller was talking to her in Spanish.

Then I hear the woman screaming in Spanish frantically as I walk out of the store. I head home, unpack my groceries and as I was about to get my daughter from the park district, my doorbell rang. One policeman and his female partner wanted to know if I was at the store. I told them what I saw happen and what I did and why there was no way I would have been able to deliberately trip the kid with how sore both my knees were.

They took my statement and my cel phone number and said they would call if they had any more questions. I asked them to look at the video since the kid was at least a foot in front of me.

Maybe if the parent had more control over her kids, this would have not happened.

convergnece recap

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:45:27 GMT

I will be packing soon and leaving before Luke's regular show today since I need to be at work at 7 AM tomorrow and will be working alone.

Good:

Watching Luke propose to Sara during his mini concert and having the special privilege of recording it on camera. They look great together. Knowing what was going to happen was the deciding factor for attending the con and I am very glad I was there.

A Minnesota con with a very well stocked con suite. The three other times I was there, the decent food was too little and too far spaced apart for me. It seemed like when I started to get hungry, they either had pizza or sandwiches available.

The Coca Cola company going under the Pepsi bid to provide soda. I probably saved 1500 calories from being consumed by drinking Diet Coke rather than Mountain Dew or regular Coke from a bottle.

The Michigan contingent which always makes a con better. I know a couple of cool things that would not have happened if they were not there.

The Minnesota fan base which with Possible Oscar rocked the stage on Friday night, Emi who broadcasted her show and the great news, and the fandom which provided awesome themed parties one which had a Wheel of Fish and a device that when set to 11 goes into Ludicrous Speed, and the awesome costumes.

The MISFITS room which provided pizza and had a well attended charity kissing booth. Twice I paid money to have two of the girls kiss each other. One of them was a mistress who made me ask nicely for them to kiss and after telling her that I always obey a mistress ordered me to turn around and bend over for a spanking before doing their kiss.

The Space lounge which had black light mini golf and the machine which I got my Pengo fix.

Holly and Angie doing their LOL bellydance. They both were awesome.

Spending time with Carrie and Josh who provided me with on site crash space.

Fulfilling the remainder of my good con experience requirements unexpectedly while heading to the elevators about 4:15 early Sunday morning.

Bad:

My knees were really hurting Friday night and I had to go to bed early and take my pill. Because of the medication I needed to take, I attended a Minnesota con for the first time without being drunk at any time.

Driving from Elgin through Madison there and from the Dells through Elgin on the way back. At times stop and go traffic on the expressway.

Carrie being unable to enjoy the con as much as she wanted to as she was hurting as much as I was.

Not having a camera to allow me to take some pics and video and see what I took. I busted the view screen at Carrie's wedding.

Getting driver's side sunburn on the trip there since I did not consider sunscreen until it was too late.

Having to get there later than many and leave early.

Being unable to get a Cinematic Titanic DVD since they sold out just before I got to meet teh cast. I did buy a t shirt for them to autograph.

medical update

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:24:54 GMT

Finally saw my orthopedic doctor. Explained to him what happened as he was looking at my x rays and MRI. When I pointed to where the pain is, he looked at that picture and noticed the tear in the meniscus I saw in the report mailed to me. He examined my leg on the table and I explained to him for a while my leg would not bend completely but it does now when I basically screamed in pain and jumped up. He touched the part that hurt.

Stating that I have been in pain since September and favoring my left leg caused my problems in my right knee he stated he should operate to clean it up. I am scheduled for July 22.

I just need to make sure the same problems that happened at my last surgery in October 05 (yes, I scheduled it for then to watch White Sox championship baseball) won't repeat causing my wife and I to scream at each other for three weeks. Of course the White Sox not winning a title in July won't make my Cub fan wife more miserable than normal.

championship game and thoughts

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:33:29 GMT

Yesterday my niece played in her league championship game which was rescheduled from Saturday.

When I got there just before seven and parking on the street since the lot was full, I heard an awful sound emanating from the speakers: Whitney Houston's long, way overdone version of the National Anthem done before Super Bowl XXV where she sounds like she has a vibrator inside her and is having an orgasm.

Anyway, four minutes later, I closed an open gate in the outfield fence to the thanks of someone there and waddled to where my sister was sitting. I then noticed the sun was shining beyond the left field fence facing the batter which is dangerous. (Note: It is common practice for a baseball field to face towards the east so the afternoon/early evening sun is not in the eye of the batter. This field faced northwest.)

The sun in the batters' eyes, the strong west wind blowing in, and questions about a rule and the strike zone (which made an ump eject a loudmouthed fan from the stands) made the first few innings interesting as a couple of hard hit fly balls by their opponent hung in the wind allowing them to be caught and two other potential hits turned four hits into 5 outs as poor base running created a couple of double plays. In spite of that my niece's team was down 4-2 after four innings since the other team was using their best pitcher and my niece's team made a bunch of errors in the field.

I got into a conversation with someone at the neutral site park about the field set up and found out that the mayor's office in Glendale Heights decided on the direction of play without considering input from coaches. He also stated they would have preferred an instrumental version of the National Anthem but could not find one.

While talking to him, I noticed my niece's team settled down defensively along with the wind and their offense started to hit the other teams second pitcher as rules only allowed four innings pitched per player per game. A hard hit fly ball which would have probably been an out earlier in the game got past the outfielders scoring three putting my niece's team up 7-4.

After a second 1-2-3 inning, my niece led off the bottom of the sixth in her final park district at bat. Just like in her first at bat which I saw years ago, she got hit by a pitch. She scored the teams eighth run and with one more, they were up 9-4.

My niece had the view from center field as her teammate threw another 1-2-3 inning to win the title for the second straight year.

I was concerned about my niece playing softball when I saw how she was in her first game and now I will be seeing her play in high school next year.

full circle

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:03:09 GMT

This morning eating lunch at work, I checked my e mails and noticed my daughter has a playoff game the same day at 6. I decided to meet my daughter at the pool after work so we can get home earlier and with the hot day decided to fill our cooler with ice and water. (after cleaning it out since Sara's awesome punch was the last thing in it.

We get to the park and no one else was there. I called Carrie to check my e mail to make sure we were at the correct place and we were. Her first game in 50 degree weather was there and now seven weeks and 40 degrees later, we were at the field which still needed work to make playable from the weekend rain. I helped the coaches from the other team to rake the footprints out of the field and the drying compound onto it. By six, the field was in as good as shape as can be expected.

However, only five of her teammates were there. According to her coach, one had her tonsils removed last week, one was out of town, one quit, and one was too tired after swimming all day. Two others were trying to get to the field and stuck in traffic and one they had no idea. When two of them showed 25 minutes later, they were able to start. The ninth player got there during the bottom of the first inning.

Her team which was seeded 12th out of 15 was very outclassed by the 5th seeded team. Their pitcher struck out six of the first seven batters faced as the pitcher on Erin's team walked 13, hit one batter and gave up two hits in two innings only retiring one batter allowing the maximum 5 runs in each. After Erin drew a walk to lead off the third, the next three batters made an out, one of them putting a ball into play.

After another pitcher allowed the maximum five runs, two of Erin's teammates drew a walk and I thought she would get another at bat but the player before her struck out to end the season with a 15-0 four inning no hit loss. Had it not started to get dark at eight PM or if there were lights at that field, they would have continued the game.

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:32:00 GMT

Last game of year canceled due to pond in left field. Will find out about playoff game later. They were able to only play 12 of the 16 scheduled games due to the rain.

At parents house. It is in the 80s and there is no air conditioning. When I lived with them 15 years ago, I would be at a golf course right now. Today, I am sticking to my shirt.

Buddy part 2

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:27:30 GMT

On Monday, I got a text at work stating my wife let the cat back after hearing it meow at our door. That night, my wife is upstairs and shouts out, "Buddy is dead!" I limp upstairs to discover the cat barely breathing and limp while assuring my crying daughter that the cat is not dead since it was breathing. Since the cat was very wobbly on its legs, I was not sure how long it would last.

We start to call places to take the cat including the police. Nobody wanted it. We could take it to an emergency vet but I was not interested in shelling out hundreds of dollars. Then my wife decided to let the cat back out. I stopped her not wanting the cat to die in the neighborhood outside. Eventually, he was doing better and he stayed the night.

Since my wife had a half day on Tuesday, when she got home, she eventually got the cat to the county shelter after getting lost, calling me, and going the wrong way unable to tell whether or not she was going east or west at 3 PM in the afternoon.

When I got my daughter from school, she did not understand the cat's probable fate and I was not going to explain it to her. My wife did right away when she was asked the question.

On Saturday, we got a phone call from a number in the city. My wife answered it and said it was a recorded message from one of the shelters we called on Monday night. Then I got a call a couple of hours later about the cat we reported earlier today. When I explained to her what we did, she said I condemned the cat to death and it did not matter how sick the cat might have been or how it could have made our cat sick, we should have not taken it to the shelter and that I should have left messages until I got a response. It did not matter that we waited 18 hours after calling the place nor that my wife was considering keeping it.

After asking why I did not get a call earlier I said I noticed two other strays in my townhouse complex and asked if she wanted one of them instead. She hung up on me.