moving time; time to move; yanks on the move

  for once, i am at a loss for words and topics.  i am physically drained from all the moving i've done this past week.  boxing up stuff, boxing up more stuff, and carrying some stuff to the garbage.  it seemed to never end, and then today, when it was supposed to pour all day, it didn't really rain so i finished the move relatively easy - with the help of rene ruiz - my trusty assistant.

  now all that's left to do is unpack everything.  and believe me, i plan on getting rid of a fair amount of stuff.  it's a mess in there right now and poor nathan probably feels like he's trapped in a cave, but soon enough it'll start to look like something.

  bob's discount furniture screwed us.  they were supposed to send a certificate of insurance to the new building and never did.  yada yada yada.  i called, complained (to put it lightly) and they give me $75 store credit.  i wanted nothing to do with a store credit, so i had them take the money off my order.  jackasses.

  time for bullpen city.  game this saturday at njit.  let's see how this one goes.  last weekend wasn't all rainbows and lollipops.  we beat pace 8-7 in 17 innings thanks to a 5 run burst in the 17th when we put the starters back in.  time for some of these newcomers to make a move and step up.  some hustle in practice often leads to hustle in games.  that's the sad part, a lot of these guys don't hustle.  it's the easiest thing to do.  drives me nuts.

  yankees clinched a postseason birth for i think the 15th time in 16 years.  they still trail the rays by half a game in the east so hopefully they can finish off the job and take home another pennant.  the rays finish with two games at the lowly royals while the yankees take the trip up the mass pike for a showdown with the hated red sox.  c.c. isn't scheduled to pitch so hopefully the offense (if they all aren't resting) can make up for what they lack on the mound.  it's sad to see how bad the starting pitching drops off after c.c.

  anyway, one-way ticket to bullpen city.

New Stain; Lotta Rain

  In accordance with my father's birthday gift - a family crest tattoo - I added to my stains as well.  His appointment was at 6 down at Lone Wolf in Bellmore.  Jelena did the work on my father while Ron (the owner) took me in as a walk-in at 8.  He was nice enough to stay open a little after closing to finish me up, and the work was sick.  I will post a picture when it's good and healed up, but shit man, the thing looks awesome.

  Chances are, it's not going to be my last visit to Lone Wolf.  The shop was pretty cozy, but everyone in there was a good shit.  There wasn't any douche bag, I'm-better-than-you people around.  There was a guy from Noway, who lives and works out in California visiting.

  Rainy here in the Bronx.  Shitty.

Lights Out in Draddy-land!!!

  During the third set of last nights volleyball match with Lafayette, there was a sudden black out in the Draddy.  The Jaspers led 17-13 and were already up two sets to none and it was looking like a straight set victory - a real treat when you're in the gym for 14 hours a day like I am.

  After the 30th point of the third set, and after a giant unforeseen storm blew in to the Riverdale section, it sounded as if the roof would finally blow off the Draddy.  Lights went out in a flash.  Fans screamed.  Then it sounded as if a 500 lb. lead ball was dropped on top of the building.  My guess is lightning, but I was stuck inside so it'll be a mystery.

  After around 20 minutes or so, the lights started flicking back on and soon enough the third set resumed.  Lafayette went on a run and tied it up.  Immediately after they tied it, I thought I was in for a classic 5-set match, a real marathon.

  The Lady J's relieved my building stress and held on for their 6th W in a row.  That has to be as long a winning streak as they've had in the past 5 years. 

  Joe Clifford was pumped up for the game as well, and was very helpful when the lights went out, informing spectators to "remain calm, the lights will be back on shortly" even though he had no idea when and if the lights were coming back on.  Order was restored in the Draddy and after the breakdown of the game, I got the hell out of there before something else went wrong.

  This morning, everything looked good in the gym, the electrician is here trying to figure out why some lights are still out.

  Time to get a drink

T & Th Workouts

  In order for me to get my point across about working hard, it's now required that I partake in the Tuesday and Thursday morning workouts with the pitching staff.  A little pride goes a long way, and it seems as if I have to hold their hands along the pride-building trail.

  Anyway, it's a good excuse for me to get my ass in shape as well.  Today was a lower body day, but I mixed it up a bit.  It feels good to get out of bed and get your blood flowing a little bit. 

  I mean shit, if I can do it, there's really no reason a group of 18-21 year-old pitchers can't.  I never once bitched about lifting or trying to get myself better.

  Back to the house to get some breakfast and get ready for the day.  Not sure if there's anything to eat in the apartment, but I'll scavenge. 

  Make it a good day.

Every Time I Die - "Kill the Music"

Just the video/song that typifies my day so far. Not because of the title or lyrics, but because they are playing Webster Hall November 3rd here in NYC and depending on my mood, I may partake in some screaming.

Crosswalks

  Once used to keep pedestrians safe while crossing the street, they are often times overlooked nowadays.  Just this morning on my way to work, I nearly ran over a vagrant trying to cross Broadway - he decided it was a good idea to cross immediately after a bus passed him in the left lane.  The bus set a screen for me, and this schmuck kept on going.  I had to slam on my breaks, yelled a few choice words, and continued on my way to work.

  This is definitely not an isolated incident - this type of shit happens all the time.  And some people have the balls to just take a leisurely stroll across instead of running.  Hey, shit for brains, there are still crosswalks painted, and they even give you a white, lit-up walking man to remind you it's safe to walk (and a red l it-up "STOP" hand to tell you not to walk).  Sometimes I think the NYC educational system is totally off and really doesn't teach these morons a thing about real life.  Teach a "NYC Basics" class - walking and crossing streets, driving, subway riding tips, how to use words properly.  This would be more beneficial that the shit these kids learn.  "I is" or "I's" is one I hear all the time when I am walking around the area.  Unreal.

  I am in a no bullshit mood today.

The Raiders WIN!!; Yankees lose; Lady J's win

  The Silver and Black are tied for the 2nd best record in football after two weeks of play after former Toledo great Bruce Gradkowski led them to a 16-14 win over the hapless Rams.  It was a battle of former L.A.-based franchises who've since moved to greener pastures. 

    Jason Campbell was ineffective, so Tom Cable let loose some Bruce.  Good win heading into next weekend's game with the Arizona Cardinals, who got pumped 41-7 by the Falcons.  I mean they only managed 11 first downs and 20+ minutes time of possession.  Tim Hightower had 115 yards on the ground, so the Raiders need to key in on him in order to possibly put together a winning streak.  I'm not all that worried about Derek Anderson lighting them up through the air.  He did throw for 23 yards in a full game last season on 2-17 passing - in a 6-3 win over the Bills.  Looking to make it two in a row. 

  Al Davis isn't smiling yet, but he'll crack once they win two in a row.

  Yankees blew a two-run lead in Baltimore to lose to the pathetic Orioles 4-3.  They were up 3-1 going into the 8th, let up a run in the 8th and 9th and lost the game in the 11th.  On the bright side, Andy Pettitte looked pretty good in his first start since July 18th.

  The Manhattan Volleyball team beat St. Peter's yesterday in the first home match of the year for the Lady J's.  They could have wrapped it up a little sooner but took a snooze in the first set, before winning the next three.  St. Peter's had some height, but their lack of communication led to their demise on Sunday.  Plenty of balls dropped in between girls, and the Jaspers kept pouring it on.  An hour and 40 minutes later, the madness was over - 3-1 Jaspers.

  Time to scour through the fall stats and put them into a document, see who's doing what, and who needs to work on things.  Hitters first, then the arms.  Hope my eyes don't bug out.

Sweating to the Oldies

  Been working like a rented mule all day.  I've spent the better portion of 2 hours elevated 40' off the ground changing light bulbs and putting padding on backboards.

  Now it's time for the recreational part of the job, baseball practice.

 

Giants up; Jets down

  Although the Jets faced a much more formidable team in their Week 1 match up (Baltimore), the Giants did look like the better team this first week.  Carolina isn't anywhere near the caliber team the Ravens are, but the Giants made them look like second-stringers in the second half.

  I'll admit, I didn't see much of either game because of my split with the dickheads at DirecTV, but Anquan Boldin seemed to have a pretty easy time racking up 110 yards on 7 catches.  And did Revis even play Monday night?  Cromartie had an INT but couldn't find the end zone after returning 66 yards.  And the 0-1 record looms to be 0-2 when the Patriots (who looked pretty damn good last week) come to town.

  The G-Man looked pitiful in the first half, but once General Coughlin had at them at the half, they came  out with a little more fire.  Carolina manages a measly 2 points in the second half, while the Giants put the game out of reach with 17 points of their own.

  My Raiders looked mighty hapless against the Titans.  They get the Rams this week, so here's to a W by the Silver & Black.

  We got approved for the new apartment, move in depends on when the management allows.  We met with two board members last night (one of whom will live next to us) and they seemed to like us.  So that's a weight off our shoulders.  Time to move out of the shithole apartment we currently reside and into a nicer, well-maintained building with a doorman and all the fixings. 

  Time to get an idea for what practice will consist of and maybe take a tour around the facility.

  Game On!!

Online Casino/Sportsbook

  Just recently came across a solid site with plenty of options for both casual and serious gamblers.  The site has everything you can ask for with links to each and every site they offer.  Paypal casino Good Bonus Guide almost guarantees that there will be better odds through their site than you'll get from the bookie down the block.

  Not only is it great for Americans looking for some off-shore betting opportunity, No deposit casino bonus is needed either, and it's offered in 17 different languages to go along with 29 different currencies. 

  Not every online gaming site or sportsbook offers what you're looking for, so GoodBonusGuide makes sure the customer is getting the services he/she wants.  There are links to so many different sites, you gotta be able to find something you like.

  I'd bet on it.

Golf Outing

  1:00 pm today at Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course is our annual fundraiser golf tournament.  The turnout is in question but whoever decides to show up will certainly have a good time.  Golf, beers, giveaways, raffles, 50/50 - not to mention beers.

  I was asked what my handicap was, I said golf.  I hope I can keep it together for at least 6 or 7 holes before I totally fall apart out there.  I really don't have the patience on the golf course I'd like to have.  I try to have fun with it though.  It'll be tough without my sunglasses.  I left them in Long Island by accident.  I may go blind.

  Golden Tee, now there's a different story.  Not that I'm all that great at GT, but it sure is fun.  And you sure don't chunk any when you're playing.

  Practice begins tomorrow, 9:00 am.  Freshman pitchers are first out of the shoot.  Returners and walk-on guys pitch Sunday.  Looking forward to seeing how well (or poorly) these new guys perform.  Also interested to see who did what over the summer.  Should be pretty clear after two days of live AB's and live pitching to see who's ready and who's not.

  Tee it high, let it fly.  FORE!!

Target sells what!?!

  As I walked around our local Target store on 225th St. yesterday afternoon, I came across this jewel and couldn't resist taking a picture, which speaks for itself:

American Classics

  In a matter of 9 minutes, I once again became one with American history.

  Ever since our conversation with Paul and Jenny about a month ago, I've been on the hunt for Firecrackers.  Not the boom-boom-boom type, the cold, refreshing type, with 10% of your daily value of Vitamin C.  I left the house wanting to check out the Popsicle selection at the neigborhood Waldbaum's and came across something that seems to be closing in on extinction - the Firecracker, a.k.a. Mega Missile!!  You can go to any ice cream/drink vendor with the green and white umbrella and giant Good Humor selection board in NYC and they all give you the same answer:  "they discontinued", in some undiscernable accent with a smirk on their face.  Well how about you get yourself an updated sign of your ice cream selection because that one from 1983 seems a little outdated.

  I digress.  I went to the Waldbaum's and found the holy grail of Firecrackers.  There were like 8 or 9 boxes of 12 pops.  Granted, they're a bit smaller than the vendor size, but still.  What a score.  I picked up 2 boxes.  There are plenty of other Popsicle options that are fantastic (Orange Cherry Grape ice pops, Scribblers, SpongeBob Pop-Ups, Creamsicles, Fudgesicles) but all I wanted (needed) was that elusive Firecracker. Cha-ching!!

  On my way home from the gold mine, I stopped in Friendly's to get my wife a Conehead sundae.  For those of you who haven't been in the country for the past 25+ years, here's what a Conehead is (pictured to the right).  I got it in a to-go paper cup, which takes away from all that is the Conehead.  I refuse the whipped cream when I get one (it's been 15 years) but I went all out.  Probably the best $2.70 I've spent all week.

  I mean kids all over the country should be begging their parents for one of these American classics.  Mix it up though, get a flavor other than vanilla.  Kind of bland.  Still a great choice, I'm just saying.

  Go nuts and get yourself something that you've been craving.  It's Labor Day.  You earned it!!

The Yanks Lost!?; Revis Island back on the NY/NJ Shore; Scrabble Dominates

  For the first time in 8 games, the Yankees found themselves on the losing side.  No surprise who pitched - Phil Hughes.  Almost as inconsistent as AJ Burnett but making much less.  For that reason alone, he's the less criticized of the two. 

  Hughes is 5-5 with a 5.47 ERA in 10 post-All-Star game starts.  Get your game right dipshit.  They got you on an innings limit.  Maybe he thinks pitching like shit will get him out of the game earlier, thus allowing him to prolong the inevitable.  Figure it out.

  Burnett (who starts this afternoon) has seen his ERA steadily creep up in his past seven starts - from a 4.52 to an gaudy 5.15 when he takes the hill today.  TOR, SEA, CWS have been the last three to light him up.  Time to get it together AJ.  Don't let a one game losing streak become a two-game slide.  With TB right behind them (2.5 GB) and Boston (10 GB) and CWS (9.5 GB), the Wild Card isn't a lock either.

  Maybe he needs to get another tattoo to remind him he's getting paid an ass ton of money to win games.  $16.5 million.  $16.5!!  Get it together.  You're leaving too many ???'s in the rotation.  C.C. is the man, that much is the only certainty.  But he ain't God.

  In NFL news, The Jets defense once again became the #1 defense in the league when Derrelle Revis decided to come to his senses and sign a contract.  What a dick.  Way to put yourself out on an island.  I understand you're the "best" cornerback in the NFL, but I still think it was messed up to not play out the current contract before bitching about it.  You need to earn your stripes.  I hope Nnamdi Asomugha has a better year and you get flattened by Anquan Boldin on MNF.  Greedy mo-fo.

  My Raiders travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans in Week 1.  At least they'll be in first place until the early games end.  I'm expecting at least 7 wins this season.  OK, maybe I should temper my expectations - how's 6?

  And as far as gaming goes, Scrabble is far and away the best game out.

  Time for lunch yo!

Game Over

Thanks to Joe Clifford for the extra ticket. Yankees win. Thaa-a-a-a-aaaa Yankees win.

And Earl held off. Peace Earl!

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Enter Sandman

Non-save situation. No sweat. Gotta win em all. Rivera time!

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Jays-Yanks; Hold off Earl

  Headed over to the Stadium at around noon or so to catch a matinee between the Blue Jays and the Yankees.  Upstart Ivan Nova takes the hill for the Yanks while Brandon Morrow gets the nod for the Jays.

  Nova is making his third start since being called up from AAA (against TOR and CWS).  He's 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA. 

  Morrow has some electric stuff, 174 K's in 143.1 IP.  He's struck out 21 Yankees  in his two August starts against the Bombers (12 in a ND and 9 in a W).  This is a guy who struck out 17 in a one-hitter vs. Tampa on August 8th.  Surprisingly enough, his double-digit K games versus the Yankees and Rays are his only two of the year (he's had 11 other games on 8+ K). 

  They've seen Morrow before.  Just gotta figure him out and put the ball in play and anything can happen.  Toronto is 8th in the MLB  in fielding percentage (NYY are 4th).  Toronto is looking to play spoiler.

  Nova can't let MLB HR-leader Jose Bautista beat him.  He pitches well, the Yankees can open up a 2 game lead over 2nd-place TB (who visits the lowly Orioles tonight). 

  Hurricane Earl should hold off a little bit today, I'm hopeful.  It's a hell of a lot cooler outside, still muggy as shit, but you can't always get what you want.  Stay away Earl!!

  11pm Friday it should hit the NYC area.  That's tonight, for all you meteorologists.  We're the 2nd to last stop on the Earl Train.  From what I hear, they're preparing for a natural disaster off the Massachusetts coast.  Hope it's an over-reaction.  Earl needs to cool it.

  OK, time to get some stuff done.  Breakfast is the first order of business.

Happy Birthday's

  A feature I've gotten away from for the past several months - ah hell, I've gotten away from blogging for a while.  It's kind of difficult with no internet.  I just recently downloaded the Blogger application on my cell phone, so if I don't have a chance to sit down and really put something good together, I can always enter in a short entry.  Just to keep you readers happy.  Anyway, on to the birthdays.

  Terry Bradshaw turns the big 6-2 today.  The Hall of Famer is now an announcer for the NFL, I think on FOX5 here in New York.  He finished his career with 212 TD and 210 INT.  Not a great ratio, but considering he won 4 Super Bowls, I'd say he's HOF worthy.  He's pretty funny to listen to, but often times gets carried away and just likes to hear himself speak.

  He was also named to the 1970's NFL All-Decade Team (he was 2nd Team), a team that included QB Roger Staubach, RB Walter Payton, WR Lynn Swann on the offensive side of the ball, and DT Joe Greene, MLB Dick Butkus, and CB Willie Brown on the defensive side of the ball.  The punter was all-time great Ray Guy.  In any event, happy birthday Mr. Steel Arm.

  Turning 42 today is possibly the most well-known Mexican-American actress alive, Salma Hayek. She came to the US from Mexico but struggled at first to pick up the English language - she was dyslexic.  She bounced back pretty well, and seems to be doing alright for herself.

  Her US big-screen debut came opposite Antonio Banderas in the 1995 blockbuster Desperado.  She's also been in From Dusk til Dawn, Wild Wild West, and the cult hit Dogma (with Chris Rock).

  She's also always listed among the Top100 Sexiest Women in most men's publications.  And for good reason.  Feliz Cumpleanos Salma Hayek.

  That's all for now.  I am going to continue melting.  Unbearable heat.

Thursday Started with a Pissed Off Wednesday Night...

   ...and that sucker carried right over into the better part of the morning.  And, in unrelated news, I just heard a mouse scamper across the ceiling directly over my head.  Can't wait for it to get electrocuted in the wall panels and smell up the entire 110° office.

  King Douche of the Landlords decided to bill be a late fee - for last month.  Our fridge was broken for over 3 weeks and we lost about $100 in groceries.  So in essence, we lost $200 because we had to get all new ones.  I refused to pay the bill until it was fixed.  On the stub, it clearly states that the late fee is assessed after the 10th of the month.  The thing got fixed (read: they took the one from the vacant apartment downstairs) and I paid the month's rent minus the $200 - on the 11th.

  Get the monthly slip just yesterday, and I have an opening balance of $200.  Not gonna happen.  Then rent.  OK.  Then late fee of $50.  Again, not gonna happen.  This guy is quite possibly the biggest P.O.S. in the Bronx.  I mean he is the prototypical deadbeat landlord.  It's almost laughable.  But at the same time, it makes me want to turn his face into a bowl of earthworms.

  I called him one day a while back about the window leaking when it was raining.  He said sometimes it leaks when it rains, but he'd come by the next day to check it.  He called me the next day and asked if it was leaking.  It was 70° and sunny.  Why the shit would the window be leaking?  I said it wasn't and he said OK, sounds good.

  So the slip started my Thursday a few hours early.  I watched a few episodes of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" when I get home from the soccer game, made me laugh a little bit and forget about what a dick this guy is.  Charlie is the best dimwitted character since Kramer on "Seinfeld".  I can (and probably will) watch the first two seasons again as soon as I finish them.  Or maybe just order the third season on NetFlix.

  Time to take care of some minor housekeeping around the gym. Changing some basketball nets perhaps.

  Be well people!

Manhattan Wednesday Nights

Men's soccer on the pitch with the Knights from Fairleigh Dickinson. 2-1 FDU at the 27:00 mark of the second half. Seems like the free T-shirt toss encouraged the students to come out in droves. Lots of people. It's a far cry from last years crowds of 25 people plus parents.

Gonna go make sure my workers are on point. It was a long 45 minutes in the first half.

A lot of "well done"'s from the coaches on either side. I guess its a well played match.

Mosquitoes are out. As am I.

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