Looking toward 2007

Okay, now that I've secured tickets for a three-game series at Fenway, and know that I'm going to at least one game at vs. the Braves and one game vs. the Padres, I'm starting to look forward to the 2007 season. Only three weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, and only 65 days until Opening Day. I actually bought two brand new scorebooks this weekend, so I'm nearly ready for the season. Only one more item on my to-do list: buy a Mike Lowell jersey. Which brings me to...

Recently, rumors and reports have emerged that the RS are in talks with Colorado to acquire the service of Todd Helton. Hmm. I'm intrigued by the idea - he's been pretty amazing for the Rockies - but what will that mean for Mikey? Youks would shift to third, Helton at 1st...and Mike?? I HATE for us to lose his service on a daily basis - not only his awesome defense, but, yes, the pleasing aesthetics he brings to each game....

Do I spring for the jersey? I suppose if I wait to buy one for any player, they quickly become outdated. And I'm still able to recycle: Millar for my Orioles games this summer, Bronson if I go to Cincy; Bellhorn for our hometown assignations...But if Mikey goes, who will be my new fav? Guess I better go study my media guide....

ETA: I just caught the link to this on Deadspin. It is an hysterical look at 1864 baseball by Conan O'Brian

VWR Hell

How I spent my Saturday afternoon....in the Virtual Waiting Room Hell. After 3 1/2 hours, you begin to think they're mocking you."Welcome to the Boston Red Sox Virtual Waiting Room!" Why the exclamation point? But, with like 12 windows open, I finally got thru. Got three games against the Orioles in July/August. I LOVE that July 31st Trade Deadline Game - it's been incredibly dramatic and exciting the past two years!

Yes, be warned

I caught this story on CNN this morning:

Family Asked To Leave The Plane Before Departure

In a story that's garnering a great deal of attention in the general media, three-year-old Elly Kulesza's temper tantrum got her and her parents removed from an AirTran flight preparing to depart Fort Myers, FL.

Now, I'm very sympathetic to the plight of parents travelling with small children. It's not easy (especially if you're like the woman I saw at Christmas with an infant, stroller, two carry-ons and a backpack!). But I have sat next to many a screaming kid in my time. It makes for a very, very, very long flight - one that usually ends with me having a headache. Almost as bad is when the child is in front of you and wants you to entertain them the whole flight, popping over the top of the seat and distracting you. (I try not to make eye contact from the get-go!) Whenever I see a parent and child under the age of 5 boarding, I hold my breath and silently pray that they're not next to me or in front of me. I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but I have to applaud the Air Tran crew for taking a stance. I've never flown on them, but I will strongly consider it next time I'm flying!

And don't get me started about kids who run wild in movie theaters and restaurants!

I love the end of this story:

In an interview on CNN, the Kulesza's said they've gone public with the story to warn other parents "the same thing could happen to them if their child is crying too much."

Yes, be warned. Keep your child under control or else!!

OMG!

From the Cincinatti Reds website:

Versatile veteran IF Mark Bellhorn has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training camp. Bellhorn, 32, spent last season with the National League West Division champion Padres. He has more than 200 career appearances at both 2B and 3B and also has played 1B (41g) and SS (31g). He was a member of the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox, and also has played for the Athletics, Cubs, Rockies, Yankees and Padres.

And, who is the AAA Minor League affiliate for the Reds? The Chattanooga Lookouts!!! AARGH! As much as I hope he gets an invitation for the big club......

ETA: Oops, in my excitement I promoted the Looks to the next league. They are in fact the AA club for the Reds!

The good news....

The good news is that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in 25 days!!!!

Phew

So, it wasn't Tommy's finest performance and the team looked pretty bad for the first three quarters. But just when I was starting to count them out, the Playoff Pats showed up. And they won 24-21 - a surprise victory for several of the pundits. But anyone who has followed the Patriots the past few years wasn't surprised. They always seem to pull something out. Yeah!

However, I don't think I can stand an entire week of the Payton & the Colts vs. Tommy & the Patriots nonsense!!

Love for librarians

I came across this excerpt from a new poetry collection by Nikki Giovanni calledAcolytes:

This is my first memory:
A big room with heavy wooden tables that sat on a creak
wood floor
A line of green shades - bankers' lights - down the center
Heavy oak chairs that were too low or maybe I was simply
too short
For me to sit in and read
So my first book was always big

In the foyer up four steps a semi-circular desk presided
to the left side of the card catalogue
On the right newspapers draped over what looked like
a quilt rack
Magazines face out from the wall

The welcoming smile of my librarian
The anticipation in my heart
All those books - another world - just waiting
At my fingertips.


I love this! This was my first memory of our public library. I hope you have such wonderful memories...

A ray of sunshine

(Photo by sittingstill)
Oh, Mikey Lowell in town for the Boston Baseball Writers Awards banquet. He got the Jackie Jensen Award for "spirit and determination." Great quote in the Herald:

“All of the experts said my career was on a downward spiral and each year was going to get progressively worse,” he said. “I was only 32. It’s not like I was 52. I was happy the Red Sox gave me the opportunity, not only to come here but to play every day.”

And we are sssoo happy they gave you the chance, too. How many days til Spring Training???

Onto the Pats' bandwagon

(AP Photo by Elise Amendola)
I'll be the first to admit - not a huge football fan. As a matter of fact, about the only football I watch most of the fall is a Michigan game. But I'll happily jump on the Patriots' bandwagon this week - spent some pleasant hours watching the cutie above and his teammates manhandle the Jets. Sigh...

Review: We Are Marshall

When I first moved to this area in the early 80s, I soon heard the story of the 1970 Marshall University football team. In November 1970, a charter plane crashed near Huntingdon, West Virginia. On board were 75 people - the entire Marshall varsity football team, their coaches and many important boosters. Nearly every family in Huntingdon lost a family member, a friend, their doctor, their city councilman - and 28 children lost both parents in the crash.

The new film, "We Are Marshall" follows the community in the year following the crash. Many felt Marshall should drop the football program; others felt that to continue would be a way to honor the memory of those who perished. And rebuild they did - going to to win two national championships in the 80s.

This film is a wonderful tribute both to those who were lost and to those who persevered. It is a heartfelt film, one that will move and touch you. Heck, I used four kleenex! I thought the two leads were terrific - Matthew McConaughey as Coach Jack Lengyel creates an interesting, believable character. He manages to step beyond a pretty boy role - he has some interesting and non-distracting mannerisms that create a believable person. Matthew Fox continues to grow as an actor - he shows range way beyond "Party of Five" and "Lost." I was also excited to see one of my all-time favorites show himself once again - David Straithairn as the University President is a fantastic addition. And always great to see Ian McShane in a non-profane role (I've loved him since that late 60s classic "If This is Tuesday, It Must be Belguim"!)

A nice story, an easy-going film. Perfect for a gray Thursday afternoon matinee - just bring the kleenex!

A Complaint

I am a proud graduate of the University of Michigan, and as a grad student, spent many hours researching in the archives at the Gerald R Ford Presidential Library. I supported Ford when he ran for President in 1976 - hey, it was during a brief rebellious period when I flirted with the Republican Party. I admired him, and think he had an incredible life of service to our country. I watched his funeral today, and shed a tear or two.

That said, WHY do we not get mail today?! We haven't had any since Saturday. It's ridiculous.

PS - about the funeral. I thought Kissinger and Brokaw were wonderful - Brokaw in particular was poignant and funny, too. Little Bushie, however - his speech read like an essay one of my 11th graders would have written for American history. It even read like the Wikipedia articles they crib from....

Review: Dreamgirls

Wow! I loved this movie. Excellent performances all the way around - but standouts were Eddie Murphy (what a treat to see him back in a well-acted dramatic role), Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson. If you don't know, this movie is based on the Broadway blockbuster from the 80s, which was loosely based on the story of the Supremes and Motown. Three girls in Detroit dream of stardom, and they soon find it. First as backup singers for Jimmy "Thunder" Early and later as a solo act. Success comes with a huge price - friendship. Lead singer Effie is displaced by the more photogenic (and pliable) Deena, and she quits the group. Deena (clearly Diana Ross) becomes bigger than the group, but still is held in thrall to her husband, Curtis.

Jennifer Hudson - a runner-up on "American Idol" - is awesome. I literally had chills during a few of her solos, and she had me in tears on her solo number "One Night Only." Beyonce was pretty credible in her emergence from supporting singer to headliner. And Eddie - wow!

The music is great - the costumes are beautiful - the choreography is wonderful.

NOTE: If you go to see it, stay for the closing credits. They are really cool - probably the best I've ever seen. They kind of highlight each person's contribution to the movie. Like, the costume designer credit shows sketches of her creations. Neat.

SIDE NOTE: Half time score: Michigan 3, USC 3 GO BLUE!!