FRS
Hurley Is A Citizen Too
Just after lunch today there was a knock at the door. We weren’t expecting anyone, but turns out that was wrong. When Donna opened the door there was the unlikely duo of Shannon Rutherford and Hugo Reyes. I knew Jack was a Sox fan, but I was surprised to find a native son of Santa Monica, CA was too. I had bid victoriously.
Here’s an item I won’t be victorious on — I don’t have quite enough cash in my PayPal account — David Ortiz “Yankees Curse” Jersey
I primered the the inside of the newly remodeled bathroom and then hung a towel rack, the TP holder and the shower curtain rod. We started to shuffle things around in preparation for moving our bedroom to the other end of the house. We cleaned out the two closets by carrying a dozen boxes up into the attic. Sunday night we’ll move the bed and our clothes to complete the transition.
Broke down and washed the car tonight, even though there is a chance of afternoon thunder showers tomorrow. Pine pollen season is all but over and it has been 6 weeks since the last wash, so I figured it was time. Plus we are going on a Post Office Safari tomorrow and the Emperor always like to put his best face forward even though he isn’t the primary photographic subject.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/08: 111
Official Citizen
Sounds kind of Socialist doesn’t it? (not that there is anything wrong with that.) My 2008 Red Sox Nation membership card came in the mail today. Got a sticker too.
I’ve been a member of the Nation since I was 10 years-old or so, long before the marketing department of Major League Baseball thought there should be such a thing. I swore the oath at 12 in that incredible summer of 1967. I really don’t need the card to validate my citizenship, but seeing as they want $14.95 to join and it costs the same amount as a subscription Gameday Audio (which I usually get and is included in the membership), I signed up.
Because this weekend is a three game series against the MFY I am only listening to one of the games. The other two are on TV, because when the Red Sox play the Yankees it is like the Montagues and the Capulets, the Hatfields and the McCoys, the Sharks & the Jets, high drama makes riveting television.
But after listening to last night’s game and watching today’s, the rivalry doesn’t seem to have the same intensity so far as it has had in the past. Maybe because the FRS are still jet lagged from the Japan trip. Maybe because the Red Sox have finally exorcised the “curse” with the two championships in 4 years thing. Maybe all the Yankees are sad about them tearing down the House That Ruth Built. Or maybe it is just me.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/08: 104
Good Day
It was definitely a good day to be a Red Sox fan. The players got their World Series rings today in a 45 minute ceremony prior to the home opener. Bil Buckner, that’s right Bill Buckner, threw out the first pitch. The FRS won the game 5-0 behind the pitching of the 13 Trillion Yen Man. The only thing that didn’t go right is my official 2008 Red Sox Nation membership card didn’t arrive in the mail.
But Blue Miata and Tia were waiting patiently in the mailbox for me today. The red ones are at work and I think these smurf blue versions will stay home. There are also gold versions out there too, but I think I’m going to pass on acquiring them. I think is time to buy some Lost “action” figures instead.
Hard to tell from this photo, but a lot was done on the bathroom project today. The floor was repaired, a real shower liner of vinyl was put in place, and most of the new moved wall was put up. The contractor picked up the tile today. We will meet with him after work tomorrow to discuss how we want it put in.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/08: 100
What Next?
The Home Shopping Network is going to start showing movies? First MTV, AKA Music Television, stopped playing music. Then CNN Headline News started doing stuff besides continual 1/2 hour news shows. The Weather Channel has stopped doing the weather 24/7. And now, tonight, the Cartoon Network is showing Jurassic Park 3. That’s not a cartoon. Although I guess some argument could be made that the CGI dinosaurs are and Bill Macy has a face that only a cartoonist could love…
We went for a nice walk in Hitchcock Woods this morning. It has only been a little over a week since our last visit and the woods have been transformed, all the dogwoods and the wild azaleas are flowering, plus all the other trees are budding and turning green. I took a couple dozen photos on our walk and I learned two things: 1) I suck at photographing flowers and 2) the add an image thing isn’t working in WP 2.5. Fixed.
Totally forgot about the FRS playing on TV this afternoon. Stumbled on the game in the top of the ninth inning and watched them go down in a ball of flames to the Jays for the 3rd straight day. Plus it just seemed so wrong to hear voices I associate with Braves baseball on a channel that used to do every Braves baseball game calling an American League game. Their record now stands at 3 wins and 4 loses, not a great start. At least the MFY are only 3 & 3 and we can blame the rocky start on the whole 3 country, 12 time zone road trip. Tuesday is the home opener where the players will get their World Series rings and the 0-5 Tigers are in town. Time to wake up and start looking like you want to repeat as WS Champs.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/08: 100
Weekend Wrap Up
We went downtown last night to get an ice cream. The place was hopping. That was to be expected because the middle jewel of Aiken’s Triple Crown, the Spring Steeplechase, was yesterday and it routinely attracts 30,000 people and a lot of them hang around town long after. The restaurants were packed and there were several venues with live music. We arrived at the Sweet Cow Creamery at just the right time, we were next in line to be served and by the time I paid for our ice cream there were a half dozen people storming the door to get in.
This morning after watching last Thursday’s episode of Lost with breakfast, we went out and got lost in Hitchcock Woods. As usual, we were not really lost, we just didn’t know exactly where we were. The map hasn’t been updated in a long while and there are quite a few new trails that can confuse us for a short while.
To help you through the next few dark days until April 24th, go to the Lost Island Video and see want some talented Losties have created.
So far I am 31 of 48 in my March Madness picks leaving me only 20 points behind the leaders and next round games are worth 15 points. That’s the good news, the bad news is that there are still 15 of the 21 people entered ahead of me. Unlike last year when I watched none of the games, this year I have actually watched a few of the games. The b-ball players these days love their tats. There was one guy playing for Memphis who I could have sworn had the whole Declaration of Independence tattooed on his upper arm.
We are taking the day off from work Tuesday because the BMW’s are coming to town. We can’t start driving until 9:00AM, but that is OK because I have the perfect way to spend those pre drive hours — baseball. The FRS open the season in Japan against Oakland and the game starts at 6:00AM on ESPN2.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/08: 86
Libra
Because of where the date of my birth falls in the Gregorian calendar I am considered a Libra. The symbol for Libra are the scales of balance representing the balance that Libras continually seek in their selves and their life.
I don’t put much stock in astrology and my wife doesn’t either, but one or both of us must subconsciously because it is my job to balance the checkbook. And when I get done posting here I need to get back to seeking what happened to the $5.41 the bank says we have that I don’t think we have.
An interesting side note (or maybe not): Libra is the only inanimate sign of the zodiac, all the others represent either humans or animals.
Might be something to this astrology after all, because I am constantly seeking ways to be inanimate.
The FRS almost didn’t go to Japan for Opening Day.
To get you ready for tomorrow’s Episode 8 of Lost here are a couple of theories on what the “Island” is all about:
1. Coolest. Theory. Ever.
2. The Great Gedanken Expriment, a Tale of Time Travel and Schrodinger’s Cat
They are kind of long, so you might want to save them for next Thursday night, because Lost won’t be on. Tomorrow is episode eight of thirteen total for this season and there is going to be a six week break before we get to see the last 5 episodes (dang writers strike.)
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/08: 85