Are you there Andy Oliver? It's me, Tigers fan.

As much as I have loved Phil Coke ever since he came over to Detroit in the Curtis Granderson trade, he is not a starting pitcher.  Even when he was pitching in New York, there was something about him that I just enjoyed.  It's his energy.  Coming out of the bullpen, that is what a team needs in the middle of the game.  Someone to come out and bring in energy.  But that's all he is.  A reliever who can pitch two or three strong innings and give way to a set up man and then the closer.  And that is what I saw tonight against the lowly Seattle Mariners (sorry Lauren, it's true).  He pitched well enough for four innings and then BOOM!  Implosion, party of one. 

I don't know if Andy Oliver is ready for the Show, but if he is the next big thing for the Tigers organization, why not?  Have him be the fifth starter and learn.  I know that Coke is a veteran and can handle the pressure of being in the spotlight, but a starting pitcher he is not. 

So far this season, the bats have woken up and can keep the Tigs in the game, but having a couple of starting pitchers that are shaky (Brad Penny and Rick Porcello I'm looking your way too) puts more pressure on the other pitchers and the batters. 

Futbol!

I found myself watching a soccer match on ESPN2 the other day.  It wasn't the World Cup, it wasn't the MLS, it was a European match.  There are way too many leagues across the pond to keep track of unless you are hardcore about soccer.  It was just fun to watch.

I have watched some MLS games every once in a great while and it wasn't anything great to watch.  It was entertaining, yes, but compared to the games that are played in Europe, it was nothing.  And why?  It's because of the atmosphere.  During an MLS game, there is not ninety minutes of loud continuous cheering from the stands.  And by cheering, I mean chanting.  Watching the European games, the fans (absolute definition of fanatics) stand for the entire match.  They have chants and songs of which are a ton better than the vuvuzelas that plagued the World Cup.  Just thinking of those noise makers sends shivers down my spine.  And when a goal is scored?  Holy shit, the cheers can shake the walls.  It's engrossing.  It's addictive.  It's what sports should be.  True dedication by the fans at the game for the entire game.  Think of all the sporting events you have gone to.  Are you on your feet for the entire time?  No.  It's a lot of sitting and sporadic standing up or jumping up and cheering.

I don't think this kind of fandom will ever catch on here in the U.S.  The fans here are not that dedicated.  Even the biggest fan of the best team will not stand for an entire game.  I wouldn't do it.  I wouldn't stand for an entire baseball game or a hockey game.  It's not ingrained in our sports watching.  We sit around, we drink beer, and swear at the officials.





At least sports fans got that last one right.  

But...you promised

The one thing that has baffled me since I have been old enough to be interested in politics (so, around twenty five or so) is how upset people get when politicians do not fulfill campaign promises.  It's not one political party or the other.  It's all of them.  Republicans, democrats, libertarians, tea party (douche bags), communists, socialists, nihilists.  From the uberconservatives all the way to the far left tree hugging hippies.  Whomever.  It's all of them.  This is a blanket call out on all politicians.  They're the high school boyfriend that promises to bring a condom to the prom after party but 'forgets' to and tries to convince you that it's okay.  Just as long as he pulls out.  Crude analogy, but pretty hilarious.  

If there is one reason to not trust any politician, this is it.  And it's not like they don't try to make some of their promises stick, it's just that everyone expects them to keep all of their campaign promises, which is pretty much impossible.  Especially as divided as the country is today.  The political parties argue in spite of themselves.  They do not have the interest of the people in mind.  All they care about is arguing the opposite point of the other party.

As long as we the sheep people go along with the thoughts that the politicians have our best interests in mind, we will continue to vote for whomever has the best promises.  Or whomever hides behind the flag more.  America!  Fuck yeah!  Grimace all you want, you know it's true.  I will concede that it is difficult to pass legislation through the government when all they do is battle each other. 

But if we can get signs that there is some progress, or at the very least, some efforts to fulfill these promises, you will keep you supporters.  However, if you completely screw the pooch and do not make an effort to get something done, even the smallest promise, you will be cleaning out your desk.  The people are fickle.









That's democracy for you.  And you can thank yourselves, politicians.  You made everyone hate you by being useless.  

Take your ham and shove it!

One of the nice things about not being close to family around the holidays is the fact that a big meal is not really needed.  During Christmas, we have family in town so we do get to have a big holiday meal, which is great, but there is a ton of effort that goes into it.  Plus, it takes most of the day to cook the food.  On the holidays when no family is in town, we have a few options. 

Our friends K & M are usually around town and we can have a meal with them, and we do.  And it's great.  It's nice to have them and we refer to them from time to time as our 'Wichita family' especially when it comes to the holidays. 

The other option is to find something to cook just for ourselves.  This is what we are doing this year.  I went out and bought some nice rib eye steaks and despite the fact that it's a little cloudy and windy outside, the grill will be on and the meat will sizzle with greatness. 



Enjoy the day everyone! 

Anniversary trip

I proposed to A that on our five year anniversary (which is next year) that we take a vacation somewhere.  Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Boston, New York, Chicago, wherever.  I thought that if we started to think of it now, we can start saving now and not have to worry about having to pay for stuff if we do go through with this idea.  Vacations are expensive. 

We haven't really had a vacation since we got married.  We went down to St. Thomas with our families and it was glorious.  When we do leave the state of Kansas, it is always to visit family.  These vacations are always great just because we live so far away from everyone and we only see them about two or three times a year.  However, we haven't taken a trip for ourselves to go to a new city to explore.  I always love going home and seeing our families, but I haven't ever been to Boston or New York.  I want to visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia.  I want to find old Yankee Stadium and take a piss on it (no, not really [or do I?]) or at least flip it off.  I want to get an authentic Chicago deep dish pizza and visit the Friendly Confines, I want to see a politician in a strip club in D.C. taking in the lunch buffet. 

We don't have kids right now (nor do we plan to have any in the near future) and right now is the best time to take these kinds of trips.  All we have to worry about is the cat, and she self sustains.  We have over a year to think about this, and a lot can change in that year.  Moving, jobs, etc.  This will be in the back of my mind for the next year or so until it comes to fulfillment.