I got back from work last night and was starving. I went through the cupboards and found a whole lotta nothing. I shouldn't say that, I did find some cocoa almonds (those things are amazing!). So I snacked on those and drank a few beers to unwind. I sat down and started to make a list of food I need. You see, I've been on my own since I got back from vacation at the beginning of the month. My wife stayed at home to help out her mom while she recovers from back surgery.
I have been trying to eat somewhat healthy while she is away. Sure, I've had a frozen pizza and grabbed some fast food, but I know how horrible the stuff is so I'm trying my best to stay away from it. The easiest way to do that is to have food here to make. The problem is that I have cooked and eaten everything that I bought when I got back. This problem has only surfaced while I have been working this weekend as it is my closing weekend and I don't have to cook dinner. So I get home at 11:00 at night and just want something to snack on. But there isn't anything because I haven't been cooking. I eat breakfast (okay, drink coffee) and eat lunch at work. Come Monday, though, I won't have anything to eat. So along with my grocery list I started last night, I planned out my week of dinners. I have taken some stuff out of the freezer for tomorrow (hopefully it's thawed out), I took inventory of what I have in the house now.
Having these food plans can keep you on track so you don't rush around on any given night wondering what is in the house to cook or eat. It also prevents you from just giving up and going out to eat. That's not bad to do every once in a while, it's nice to go out and have a meal. But to do it on a consistent basis or at least once a week is just poor planning. I know that things come up and not everything is controllable, but if you don't plan on going out and try to plan meals you won't find yourself at a restaurant. Simple enough, right?
If I didn't try to plan these meals out, I feel that I would try to survive on those cocoa almonds...and beer.
30 June 2013
21 June 2013
Conversations and Monologues (pt. 2)
Part one and a description of what these posts are about can be found here. Enjoy.
---
The one thing I remember from ice fishing as a kid is losing the feeling in my toes. Every single time. I could wear wool socks and regular socks and another pair of wool socks.
They would always go numb. I don't understand why. Being in a shanty with the propane heater.
It never failed. Just looking down the hole, watching the fish gather around the wiggler. Hoping for the big one to take it, but it never did. It was always the smaller ones. The best times can be so miserable.
---
'It always made me feel good going home during school breaks.'
'Yeah, it was nice to sleep in my own bed. Not some dorm room concentration camp type bunk.
'Well, that too.'
What were you talking about?'
'Whenever we go out to the bars and see everyone who didn't get out.'
'What about 'em?'
'It makes me happy. And sad. They are stuck here drinking their lives away. Working at gas stations and connivance stores. It's sad that it happens. But to whom it happened to makes me happy.'
---
I've only dealt with death a few times in my life. It didn't affect me at all. It was just one of those things that happens. Great Uncle So and So, Second Cousin Johnny, people you haven't seen in years. The people you met once when you were ten years old. How do you respond to that?
Okay.
That's too bad.
So.
That sucks.
You don't want to appear insensitive but at what point do you draw the line? Is it okay to not shed a tear for your second cousin, but have an emotional break down for a grandparent's ex-wife who was still awkwardly close to the family?
The lines need to be defined, but every person reacts so differently. To be emotionally cold is the way to be.
When I was nine, my dad's mom died. I don't remember him being outwardly upset. Maybe that is the way I am. In control on the outside, but deep down falling apart with grief and agony. I like that idea. A facade to show the world how strong you really are.
---
The one thing I remember from ice fishing as a kid is losing the feeling in my toes. Every single time. I could wear wool socks and regular socks and another pair of wool socks.
They would always go numb. I don't understand why. Being in a shanty with the propane heater.
It never failed. Just looking down the hole, watching the fish gather around the wiggler. Hoping for the big one to take it, but it never did. It was always the smaller ones. The best times can be so miserable.
---
'It always made me feel good going home during school breaks.'
'Yeah, it was nice to sleep in my own bed. Not some dorm room concentration camp type bunk.
'Well, that too.'
What were you talking about?'
'Whenever we go out to the bars and see everyone who didn't get out.'
'What about 'em?'
'It makes me happy. And sad. They are stuck here drinking their lives away. Working at gas stations and connivance stores. It's sad that it happens. But to whom it happened to makes me happy.'
---
I've only dealt with death a few times in my life. It didn't affect me at all. It was just one of those things that happens. Great Uncle So and So, Second Cousin Johnny, people you haven't seen in years. The people you met once when you were ten years old. How do you respond to that?
Okay.
That's too bad.
So.
That sucks.
You don't want to appear insensitive but at what point do you draw the line? Is it okay to not shed a tear for your second cousin, but have an emotional break down for a grandparent's ex-wife who was still awkwardly close to the family?
The lines need to be defined, but every person reacts so differently. To be emotionally cold is the way to be.
When I was nine, my dad's mom died. I don't remember him being outwardly upset. Maybe that is the way I am. In control on the outside, but deep down falling apart with grief and agony. I like that idea. A facade to show the world how strong you really are.
Conversations and Monologues (pt. 1)
I found an old notebook from college. It contained part of an assignment from the creative writing classes that I took. Yes, I took a creative writing class. Two of them, fuck off. It was a great escape from the history classes and were two of the best classes I took. Anyway, part of the assignment was to write something that could start or be part of a short story. I just re-read everything that I wrote and thought to myself that just having these conversations and monologues compiled together is pretty cool as they stand. So I think I'm going to try to continue this. I am going to continue this. I've always enjoyed writing. Some of this stuff is from college, some if it I am writing now. I won't put any dates on them to keep everyone guessing how old or how new something that they just read is. That's part of the fun.
I remember partaking in a summer activity called 'Young Authors' when I was a kid. I randomly found it in a box my mom kept for me from my childhood. It was a short story about a baseball that was hit out of Tiger Stadium by Cecil Fielder from the perspective of the baseball. The irony of his son playing for the Tigers now does not escape me. Anyway, I remember tying it up on the typewriter (yeah, typewriter) we had. I read it just a few years ago. It was awful, but what do you expect from a nine year old?
Anyway, I thought that it would be fun to put these 'conversations and monologues' out there for anyone and everyone to read. These are going to be shorter posts as I break up the writings so there isn't one long ass post that you get bored reading. So just a few at a time. And just a heads up, there is some strong language in some of these. I do my best not to censor myself when I write. And sometimes there are some dark themes. These are not my thoughts, these are my writings so don't worry about my mental state or anything like that. I am hoping to make these posts recurring amongst the political, sport, and the random. Enjoy.
---
Beep. Beep. Beep. Be.
Silence.
Groggy awakening postponed for nine minutes. Then eighteen. Then twenty seven. Then...Shit! Late again.
The covers fly off. Rushing to dress. Hoping time slows down so you can make it up.
No breakfast.
No shower.
No clean teeth.
They feel fuzzy from a night of cigarettes and beer.
---
'I love the sound of rain. On the windows, car roofs, tent canvas. It's....Zen.'
'Do you know what Zen is?'
'Does it matter?'
'If you find someone who cares about it, yes. It could, in fact, matter.'
'Do you care about it?'
'Not necessarily.'
'Then what's the problem?'
'I was just saying. You generalized. Generalizations can be bad. That's all.'
'Right.'
---
'You can't honestly tell me you are one hundred percent satisfied with your life.'
'Right now? No. There are some things I would change. But in the end, I think I'll be happy with it.'
'By the end, you may not know yourself. You could be stuck in a home confined to a wheelchair.'
'That wouldn't be good.'
'No. No it wouldn't.'
'But I would be satisfied that I did what I could to prevent myself from years earlier being confined to said chair.'
I remember partaking in a summer activity called 'Young Authors' when I was a kid. I randomly found it in a box my mom kept for me from my childhood. It was a short story about a baseball that was hit out of Tiger Stadium by Cecil Fielder from the perspective of the baseball. The irony of his son playing for the Tigers now does not escape me. Anyway, I remember tying it up on the typewriter (yeah, typewriter) we had. I read it just a few years ago. It was awful, but what do you expect from a nine year old?
Anyway, I thought that it would be fun to put these 'conversations and monologues' out there for anyone and everyone to read. These are going to be shorter posts as I break up the writings so there isn't one long ass post that you get bored reading. So just a few at a time. And just a heads up, there is some strong language in some of these. I do my best not to censor myself when I write. And sometimes there are some dark themes. These are not my thoughts, these are my writings so don't worry about my mental state or anything like that. I am hoping to make these posts recurring amongst the political, sport, and the random. Enjoy.
---
Beep. Beep. Beep. Be.
Silence.
Groggy awakening postponed for nine minutes. Then eighteen. Then twenty seven. Then...Shit! Late again.
The covers fly off. Rushing to dress. Hoping time slows down so you can make it up.
No breakfast.
No shower.
No clean teeth.
They feel fuzzy from a night of cigarettes and beer.
---
'I love the sound of rain. On the windows, car roofs, tent canvas. It's....Zen.'
'Do you know what Zen is?'
'Does it matter?'
'If you find someone who cares about it, yes. It could, in fact, matter.'
'Do you care about it?'
'Not necessarily.'
'Then what's the problem?'
'I was just saying. You generalized. Generalizations can be bad. That's all.'
'Right.'
---
'You can't honestly tell me you are one hundred percent satisfied with your life.'
'Right now? No. There are some things I would change. But in the end, I think I'll be happy with it.'
'By the end, you may not know yourself. You could be stuck in a home confined to a wheelchair.'
'That wouldn't be good.'
'No. No it wouldn't.'
'But I would be satisfied that I did what I could to prevent myself from years earlier being confined to said chair.'
MGT: 2013
It's funny to think I first thought about Man Grilling Time (MGT) back in 2009. It's been four years of grilling, drinking, and grunting. And four years of loin cloths (okay, maybe not). This isn't some national phenomenon like No Shave November or something that people have picked up on and made annoyingly popular. This is something that I started and shared with some of my friends. This is my thing. It's a great time. The past two years have been a little different for one reason: I have no grill.
I do, however, have a grill pan this year. So this is more along the lines of Urban Man Grilling Time. It'll taste the same. It's still steak. It's still beer. It's still a tradition I have tried to uphold for these past few years. Last year I did not have a grill pan so I missed out. No big deal. So what do I have this year? I have a rib eye, some Grain Belt beer, and baked beans. Who needs salad? Am I right?!
Every time I talk about this, my wife just kind of rolls her eyes and sighs. Everything short of patting me on the head. I know she's just jealous of the great time I have by myself. PARTY! Now I'm off to grill some meat.
I do, however, have a grill pan this year. So this is more along the lines of Urban Man Grilling Time. It'll taste the same. It's still steak. It's still beer. It's still a tradition I have tried to uphold for these past few years. Last year I did not have a grill pan so I missed out. No big deal. So what do I have this year? I have a rib eye, some Grain Belt beer, and baked beans. Who needs salad? Am I right?!
Every time I talk about this, my wife just kind of rolls her eyes and sighs. Everything short of patting me on the head. I know she's just jealous of the great time I have by myself. PARTY! Now I'm off to grill some meat.
18 June 2013
White Guy 'Honors' Native Americans
Let's just get this fact out of the way: Dan Snyder is a horrible human being. He is the Dick Cheney of the sports world. Are we all clear on that? Good. In a public statement, he made it very well known that he has no intentions of ever changing the name of the Washington Redskins. NEVER. He sees it as honoring the Native American people and culture. He sees the name as a great tradition and he couldn't let the fan base down by changing the name. No sir, you are wrong. Having a team name that is a derogatory term is not an honor.
There are professional and collegiate teams that have Native American inspired names. The Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Indians, Central Michigan Chippewas, North DakotaFighting Sioux, and Chicago Blackhawks just to name a few with which I am familiar. Just looking at those names, there is nothing that really jumps out as offensive material (their logos are a different matter). Yes, there are some controversy with some of these organizations, but not to the scale as the Washington Redskins. When the organization was first founded in 1932, they were the Boston Braves. That is just fine, but I'm sure their logo was horribly racist. There is nothing wrong with the name 'Braves' as I see it, but if you throw in some tomahawk chops we are done. The following year their nickname was changed to the Redskins. It has been shamefully there ever since. In 1933, 'Redskins' was probably in the everyday vocabulary and seemed to be okay to use.
It's one thing for an oblivious, douche-tastic team owner to think that it is in the best interest of his team and fans to keep an offensive name, but when the commissioner comes out in a public statement saying he will not force said oblivious, douche-tastic team owner to change the name, that is something else. That is Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL. He does not have the decency to stand up to Snyder and tell him that what he is doing is giving not only his team but the league a black eye. He is quick to jump at the opportunity to fine players for tweeting, or speaking bad on the NFL, but when it comes to a true issue, he goes soft. Roger Goodell is just as guilty as Dan Snyder in this situation.
Name changes happen in sports. Teams move places and change their name to fit where they now are. Or teams change their name for public relations reasons. Even within the city of Washington D.C. there has been a sports team change their name to help disassociate themselves with controversy. Show of hands, who remembers the Washington Bullets? Well, back in 1996 the crime rate in D.C. was extremely high and the owner thought it was bad publicity and bad connotations to have the nickname 'Bullets'? It took all of two second to change the name of that team to the 'Wizards'. You see how easy that is Mr. Snyder and Mr. Goodell?
Didn't feel like reading all of that? That's fine, here's some white guys honoring my people:
There are professional and collegiate teams that have Native American inspired names. The Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Indians, Central Michigan Chippewas, North Dakota
It's one thing for an oblivious, douche-tastic team owner to think that it is in the best interest of his team and fans to keep an offensive name, but when the commissioner comes out in a public statement saying he will not force said oblivious, douche-tastic team owner to change the name, that is something else. That is Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL. He does not have the decency to stand up to Snyder and tell him that what he is doing is giving not only his team but the league a black eye. He is quick to jump at the opportunity to fine players for tweeting, or speaking bad on the NFL, but when it comes to a true issue, he goes soft. Roger Goodell is just as guilty as Dan Snyder in this situation.
Name changes happen in sports. Teams move places and change their name to fit where they now are. Or teams change their name for public relations reasons. Even within the city of Washington D.C. there has been a sports team change their name to help disassociate themselves with controversy. Show of hands, who remembers the Washington Bullets? Well, back in 1996 the crime rate in D.C. was extremely high and the owner thought it was bad publicity and bad connotations to have the nickname 'Bullets'? It took all of two second to change the name of that team to the 'Wizards'. You see how easy that is Mr. Snyder and Mr. Goodell?
Didn't feel like reading all of that? That's fine, here's some white guys honoring my people:
15 June 2013
Thinking is Hard Guys
The month of May, writing-wise, was very good. I posted eight times which was the highest number of posts since last December. We now sit half way through June and I have one post. Part of it is the fact that we were on vacation, but to counter that I had access to the internet the entire time. But who wants to spend time writing when on vacation? I did come up with a few topics to write about. And they are going to be awesome topics to write about. NSA wire tapping, Dan Snyder still being a douche, hunger strikes, vacations and drinking, there's lots on my mind. But there in lies the problem.
Could I be writing about one of those topics right now? Absolutely. Do I want to be writing about one of those topics right now? Mostly. Do I have the ambition to actually do some research, get some facts, and compose arguments? Hell no. I enjoy writing posts that make you think. Posts that make me think as I write them. This isn't even close to one of them. Every once in a while, I just don't have the ambition to write something thought provoking. I don't have a family so you won't find a 'kids update' type of post here. This post is like game 159 for the Tigers while they hold a comfortable ten game lead against a Chicago White Sox team that is playing just for pride. In essence, a throw away.
I got back from vacation Thursday. I came back by myself while my wife stayed home to help her mom as she recovers from a back surgery. Working through the weekend, I haven't really had a chance to sit around and do a whole lot. I finally went out yesterday and got some groceries because we practically emptied the fridge before leaving. So it is nice to have food options in the hose and not just mac and cheese (although I could eat that for a few weeks if need be [granted I would die afterwards]). I have plans to do some cooking and I even bought a steak for some MGT which I am really excited about. I have plenty of movies lined up for some days off or even for after work if I want. It's nice enough now that I am starting to look for a frisbee golf course close by. So I got some stuff to keep me occupied so I'm not just sitting around twiddling my thumbs.
So hopefully I will find some ambition hiding somewhere in the back of my mind to compose a few posts that I can be proud of writing. This isn't really one of those posts. This is just one of those posts that I write to try and get the writing flow going again.
Could I be writing about one of those topics right now? Absolutely. Do I want to be writing about one of those topics right now? Mostly. Do I have the ambition to actually do some research, get some facts, and compose arguments? Hell no. I enjoy writing posts that make you think. Posts that make me think as I write them. This isn't even close to one of them. Every once in a while, I just don't have the ambition to write something thought provoking. I don't have a family so you won't find a 'kids update' type of post here. This post is like game 159 for the Tigers while they hold a comfortable ten game lead against a Chicago White Sox team that is playing just for pride. In essence, a throw away.
I got back from vacation Thursday. I came back by myself while my wife stayed home to help her mom as she recovers from a back surgery. Working through the weekend, I haven't really had a chance to sit around and do a whole lot. I finally went out yesterday and got some groceries because we practically emptied the fridge before leaving. So it is nice to have food options in the hose and not just mac and cheese (although I could eat that for a few weeks if need be [granted I would die afterwards]). I have plans to do some cooking and I even bought a steak for some MGT which I am really excited about. I have plenty of movies lined up for some days off or even for after work if I want. It's nice enough now that I am starting to look for a frisbee golf course close by. So I got some stuff to keep me occupied so I'm not just sitting around twiddling my thumbs.
So hopefully I will find some ambition hiding somewhere in the back of my mind to compose a few posts that I can be proud of writing. This isn't really one of those posts. This is just one of those posts that I write to try and get the writing flow going again.
08 June 2013
A Clubhouse Dustup?
After Justin Verlander finished the seventh inning of last night's game Jim Leyland waited at the steps of the dugout to shake Verlander's hand, a sign that the pitcher's night is done. To every fan's amusement, Verlander went to the far stairwell to walk down wanting to continue to pitch in the game. Leyland met him in the dugout, still got the hand shake, and it was done. The dugout was full of smiles and high fives and some laughter. In the post game interviews, Verlander joked about it saying he wanted to go back out. The media then went to Leyland and he sounded pissed. Here is a direct quote from the skipper:
Justin Verlander was solid throughout the game. Going seven strong, seven hits, three earned runs, six strikeouts, one hundred and eight pitches. If needed, he can throw another twenty pitches and still be good to go five games later. He is one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past three years and a workhorse. There are games when he struggles to get through five innings and there are games when he could seemingly pitch into the twelfth inning if need be. After last night's start he is averaging six and a third innings this year. He is at trusted starter and the apple of everyone's eye. He is also one of the most competitive players on the team. When things are going great, he's all smiles and laughing with guys in the dugout. When things are not going his way, he can act like a little kid. Angry at the world and just short of kicking the dirt on the mound if the opponents get to him. Last night, he was the happy Verlander and wanted to pitch more. He wanted to avoid the hand shake from Leyland and go back out. The lead was comfortable at four runs. Most people would think he could go out for at least one more inning. Most people are not Jim Leyland.
I think that Jim Leyland knows how long he is going to let his starting pitchers go regardless of how the game is going. He starts out with a game plan of letting them go seven innings and will manage from there. Take them out early if they struggle or let them go if they are cruising. I would also think that most managers have this mindset. You then have your set up man and the closer. I think that to everyone's surprise he was ready to take Verlander out after the seventh. There were no indicators that he was struggling to get guys out, his pitch count was not high enough to warrant getting pulled, the game was in hand. So what was going through Leyland's head when he decided to pull him? Who knows. I am not one to sit around and question the manager's moves. Very often at least. Just like everyone else, I have a tendency to yell at him for leaving pitchers in too long or pinch hitting or (god forbid) calling for a bunt. But that's all I do. I also feel that the players should back their manager unless they do something crazy. If he wants you out of the game, you go sit on the bench and cheer on your teammates. If he pulls you in the seventh, you shake his hand like a good little player and sit on the bench and cheer on your teammates.
You never want to show up your manager. Even if you are one of the best pitchers in the game right now. He is your boss and has the best of the ball club in mind. Leyland wanted to pull Verlander after the seventh inning because that seemed to be his game plan. Verlander did not appear to be mad about it after the hand shake and during the post game interview, but I would think that deep down he was a little upset about it. Again, someone like him who wants to throw a complete game every single start, it has to be hard to not have complete control over the situation.
So who was right in this situation? Did Leyland overreact to Verlander's actions? No. Should Verlander have avoided Leyland and his hand shake? No. Should Verlander apologize to Leyland? Yes. Leyland is too old school to let his players show him up and Verlander should know that. Shake his hand and be done with it. Nothing more should come of this unless the media lets it.
'You might think that was comical, but I don't think that was comical at all.'So where do we go from here? Is this something serious or is Leyland just being old and grouchy? How about we take a look at it from both sides, shall we?
Justin Verlander was solid throughout the game. Going seven strong, seven hits, three earned runs, six strikeouts, one hundred and eight pitches. If needed, he can throw another twenty pitches and still be good to go five games later. He is one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past three years and a workhorse. There are games when he struggles to get through five innings and there are games when he could seemingly pitch into the twelfth inning if need be. After last night's start he is averaging six and a third innings this year. He is at trusted starter and the apple of everyone's eye. He is also one of the most competitive players on the team. When things are going great, he's all smiles and laughing with guys in the dugout. When things are not going his way, he can act like a little kid. Angry at the world and just short of kicking the dirt on the mound if the opponents get to him. Last night, he was the happy Verlander and wanted to pitch more. He wanted to avoid the hand shake from Leyland and go back out. The lead was comfortable at four runs. Most people would think he could go out for at least one more inning. Most people are not Jim Leyland.
I think that Jim Leyland knows how long he is going to let his starting pitchers go regardless of how the game is going. He starts out with a game plan of letting them go seven innings and will manage from there. Take them out early if they struggle or let them go if they are cruising. I would also think that most managers have this mindset. You then have your set up man and the closer. I think that to everyone's surprise he was ready to take Verlander out after the seventh. There were no indicators that he was struggling to get guys out, his pitch count was not high enough to warrant getting pulled, the game was in hand. So what was going through Leyland's head when he decided to pull him? Who knows. I am not one to sit around and question the manager's moves. Very often at least. Just like everyone else, I have a tendency to yell at him for leaving pitchers in too long or pinch hitting or (god forbid) calling for a bunt. But that's all I do. I also feel that the players should back their manager unless they do something crazy. If he wants you out of the game, you go sit on the bench and cheer on your teammates. If he pulls you in the seventh, you shake his hand like a good little player and sit on the bench and cheer on your teammates.
You never want to show up your manager. Even if you are one of the best pitchers in the game right now. He is your boss and has the best of the ball club in mind. Leyland wanted to pull Verlander after the seventh inning because that seemed to be his game plan. Verlander did not appear to be mad about it after the hand shake and during the post game interview, but I would think that deep down he was a little upset about it. Again, someone like him who wants to throw a complete game every single start, it has to be hard to not have complete control over the situation.
So who was right in this situation? Did Leyland overreact to Verlander's actions? No. Should Verlander have avoided Leyland and his hand shake? No. Should Verlander apologize to Leyland? Yes. Leyland is too old school to let his players show him up and Verlander should know that. Shake his hand and be done with it. Nothing more should come of this unless the media lets it.
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