I have been running around like crazy for the last several weeks...working and holidaying. Cannot wait for the summer to come...hoping for a bit of a break. Anyway here's the update:
Opening Day: (Cinci and then at Home) CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! We won the actual opening day, but better yet, won our home opener -- which we haven't often in recent years. The weekend was not a disappointment as we swept the Cardinals.
Holy Week: Was a blur of activity. Mostly it was me working a lot trying to meet some deadlines. I worked until 4 AM on Friday morning and missed Holy Thursday mass. It stunk, but the nice thing was, I met the deadline and didn't have to worry about it over the weekend.
Easter Sunday: Crazy. 21 people in my parents house for the holiday. Yes, I did clean the upholstery -- seems to be my thing. My sister stayed in Ohio and went to Easter with Jason's family. That was the only bummer. I missed having her home.
Present Day: Derek Lee broke his wrist in 2 places. Argh. It's April. What a bummer! I was listening to people b**ch about the Cubs last night and the Tribune Co and Hendry and MacPhail and I thought, it is April 20th, this can't be happening already. I actually said that I couldn't think this way in April. I just couldn't. So today, I officially start my "Call Brandon Sing Up" campaign. I figure he is a good hitter, a decent fielder and he is available in our own farm system. Can't he help out while we wait? I mean, ESPN 1000 was saying all these crazy things like get Clemens (how is that helping), get Soriano (yes, someone else who can't field / throw)...can't we look within and work with something we already have?
Okay. That is what I am thinking for now. Have another entry forming in my head. Hope to post it soon.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Why I Love March Madness
I am a little behind on this post, but I have been sleep deprived and in basketball overload for a few weeks now.
Well, I don't think that 2 games could've ended in crazier, more exciting fashion than the UCLA v Gonzaga and Texas v West Virginia games did. It was probably some of the best basketball I have watched all year.
I will say though that the sight of Morrison on the floor in tears was a bit heartbreaking -- even if he helped knock out my favorite Musketeers in the first round -- I still felt bad for the kid. (I know that many a sports writer has debated the very punny "no crying in basketball" theory, but frankly, the kid is in college, he just lost a huge game in front of a lot of people, he is already a wee-bit emotional and he is probably spent. So he fell to the floor and cried. So what. I'd take that over ambivalence any day.)
Back to Morrision on the floor and in anguish...Nat and I kept wondering why no one would go help him off the floor. His teammates seem to be oblivious and far away. It was all very strange. However, skimming the next day's news, it seems that someone (Afflalo) did offer a helping hand -- it just didn't get shown in the replay...
And that one gesture is why, I love March Madness - for all its crazy upsets, amazing shots, fierce competition -- there is an underlying sportsmanship that is awesome.
And so I will continue to watch, depriving myself of sleep and my body of nutrition (damn bar food; damn beer)! , because it is the best sports competition there is...congrats UCLA, Texas, LSU, Memphis, Florida, George Mason (yes, I wrote George Mason), UConn, Villanova...see you in the next round.
Side Bar: I wrote this before the Saturday / Sunday games. I will say, the games just keep getting better. A final four in which none of the Number 1 Seeds made it? To Hell with my brackets! Go George Mason! Go Florida! Go LSU! Go UCLA. (I should mention that UCLA was the only one I actually picked correctly. Oh well. I am a Cubs fan and there is always next year!
Well, I don't think that 2 games could've ended in crazier, more exciting fashion than the UCLA v Gonzaga and Texas v West Virginia games did. It was probably some of the best basketball I have watched all year.
I will say though that the sight of Morrison on the floor in tears was a bit heartbreaking -- even if he helped knock out my favorite Musketeers in the first round -- I still felt bad for the kid. (I know that many a sports writer has debated the very punny "no crying in basketball" theory, but frankly, the kid is in college, he just lost a huge game in front of a lot of people, he is already a wee-bit emotional and he is probably spent. So he fell to the floor and cried. So what. I'd take that over ambivalence any day.)
Back to Morrision on the floor and in anguish...Nat and I kept wondering why no one would go help him off the floor. His teammates seem to be oblivious and far away. It was all very strange. However, skimming the next day's news, it seems that someone (Afflalo) did offer a helping hand -- it just didn't get shown in the replay...
And that one gesture is why, I love March Madness - for all its crazy upsets, amazing shots, fierce competition -- there is an underlying sportsmanship that is awesome.
And so I will continue to watch, depriving myself of sleep and my body of nutrition (damn bar food; damn beer)! , because it is the best sports competition there is...congrats UCLA, Texas, LSU, Memphis, Florida, George Mason (yes, I wrote George Mason), UConn, Villanova...see you in the next round.
Side Bar: I wrote this before the Saturday / Sunday games. I will say, the games just keep getting better. A final four in which none of the Number 1 Seeds made it? To Hell with my brackets! Go George Mason! Go Florida! Go LSU! Go UCLA. (I should mention that UCLA was the only one I actually picked correctly. Oh well. I am a Cubs fan and there is always next year!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Smart Girls Come with Chips...On Their Shoulders
I endured the lecture the other day from someone who didn't know me, but had me pegged -- at least in his mind. I confess that he was partially right. He said that I was jaded and that I had a thing against guys and that I could be vicious.
All of that is partially true. Really. I admit it. I am a bit jaded and I can be vicious at times. In my defense, it is my self-protect mode. Since I was 16, I was the girl that everyone told would be the good wife. (Of course, that means that no one that age ever wants to date you). I am the friend that everyone calls in the middle of the night. I make soup for you when you are sick. Hold your hair when you throw up (usually, because I am a sympathy-puker, I join in the fun). I am the reliable one. The responsible one. Which means that I am often not pursued at all. Which is frustrating, but mostly it is hurtful.
On a Saturday night, I am often the best damn wingman that you even seen, but other than being the diversion-ation, I am usually the one that makes sure we all get into cabs and get safely home. I have been trying lately to be the irresponsible one. I have stayed out too late. Drank too much. Flirted like a hussy. (Who doesn't love the word hussy?) Talked to guys. Tried to be the carefree, crazy type.
But, it’s not me and it’s not what I want. I like a cocktail with the best of them, but I would rather be on a couch, cuddling someone, with a fire going, a movie on and a dog at my feet. This sounds much better to me than a Jaeger-bomb and a noisy bar.
So, what’s a girl like me to do? I try to meet people, though I am a smidge gun-shy. I talk to people in different settings. Lately, I have tried talking to interesting guys and then allowing myself to be open to the possibility. (a.k.a, I have given my number out). I have gotten nibbles, but no bites. I have friends that can get a million first dates and I can’t seem to get the phone call. I’m pretty proud that I have at least attempted to be open to the possibilities. I acknowledge that I am still jaded with a chip on my shoulder. Really though, I just want someone to notice me and like me for who I am…not who they think I should be.
All of that is partially true. Really. I admit it. I am a bit jaded and I can be vicious at times. In my defense, it is my self-protect mode. Since I was 16, I was the girl that everyone told would be the good wife. (Of course, that means that no one that age ever wants to date you). I am the friend that everyone calls in the middle of the night. I make soup for you when you are sick. Hold your hair when you throw up (usually, because I am a sympathy-puker, I join in the fun). I am the reliable one. The responsible one. Which means that I am often not pursued at all. Which is frustrating, but mostly it is hurtful.
On a Saturday night, I am often the best damn wingman that you even seen, but other than being the diversion-ation, I am usually the one that makes sure we all get into cabs and get safely home. I have been trying lately to be the irresponsible one. I have stayed out too late. Drank too much. Flirted like a hussy. (Who doesn't love the word hussy?) Talked to guys. Tried to be the carefree, crazy type.
But, it’s not me and it’s not what I want. I like a cocktail with the best of them, but I would rather be on a couch, cuddling someone, with a fire going, a movie on and a dog at my feet. This sounds much better to me than a Jaeger-bomb and a noisy bar.
So, what’s a girl like me to do? I try to meet people, though I am a smidge gun-shy. I talk to people in different settings. Lately, I have tried talking to interesting guys and then allowing myself to be open to the possibility. (a.k.a, I have given my number out). I have gotten nibbles, but no bites. I have friends that can get a million first dates and I can’t seem to get the phone call. I’m pretty proud that I have at least attempted to be open to the possibilities. I acknowledge that I am still jaded with a chip on my shoulder. Really though, I just want someone to notice me and like me for who I am…not who they think I should be.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Putting Myself Out There
There is this guy that I have liked for awhile. Dare I say, I have had a bit of a crush on him for years. Why, you ask, have I had a thing for someone for years and not done anything about it? Well, that's my MO. I crush from afar. It is easier to carry a little torch for someone than to actually put your self out there and into the pursuit. It's safer.
I like to think that I am bold and brave, but really, I am a coward. I don't like the idea of rejection. I flirt, but I don't really put myself out there. Really out there. Instead, I put on a bravado, smack talk a bit, become the sassy girl that calls it like she's sees it and stay safely hidden in my shell. And I wonder why my girlfriends get dates--even the crazy ones, while I am left drinking beer with the boys.
What I don't know how to do is fix it. How do you come out from behind the shell and fearlessly flirt? Without alcohol...(anyone can fearlessly flirt with alcohol...when in doubt, you trump the "drunk idiot" card, thereby excusing any rejection you may have received.) How come some girls (even the crazy, scary ones) can attract a guy every time and maintain his interest?
I usually attract the guy (though often, I am too clueless to realize it), but then I put on my strong face and the next thing I know, said guy is searching for tipsy bimbo. My friend advised me once to trump the bimbo card -- it works, but I don't want to get the guy that way. I don't want to force myself to be something I am not. So, how do I maintain myself, my opinions and my being, without turning into the scary, fem-nazi girl that intimidates guys? Is there a balance? Are there guys out there that want the pretty, smart, feisty, intriguing, fun-loving, slightly-flawed girl? That's a silly question. I know that there are...I just need to figure out how to approach them...
I like to think that I am bold and brave, but really, I am a coward. I don't like the idea of rejection. I flirt, but I don't really put myself out there. Really out there. Instead, I put on a bravado, smack talk a bit, become the sassy girl that calls it like she's sees it and stay safely hidden in my shell. And I wonder why my girlfriends get dates--even the crazy ones, while I am left drinking beer with the boys.
What I don't know how to do is fix it. How do you come out from behind the shell and fearlessly flirt? Without alcohol...(anyone can fearlessly flirt with alcohol...when in doubt, you trump the "drunk idiot" card, thereby excusing any rejection you may have received.) How come some girls (even the crazy, scary ones) can attract a guy every time and maintain his interest?
I usually attract the guy (though often, I am too clueless to realize it), but then I put on my strong face and the next thing I know, said guy is searching for tipsy bimbo. My friend advised me once to trump the bimbo card -- it works, but I don't want to get the guy that way. I don't want to force myself to be something I am not. So, how do I maintain myself, my opinions and my being, without turning into the scary, fem-nazi girl that intimidates guys? Is there a balance? Are there guys out there that want the pretty, smart, feisty, intriguing, fun-loving, slightly-flawed girl? That's a silly question. I know that there are...I just need to figure out how to approach them...
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Seriously Long Overdue
I'm back. I won't say better than ever, but I am back. I am sorry that there has been such a dry spell. It is weird though. The holidays got so busy and messy that I didn't have time to write. And then, my blog became the person I never called. You know, the one you meant to call, but didn't and then too much time elapses and you are too embarrassed to call -- even though you want to...and so you hide a bit and hope the person doesn't recognize you on the street.
So many times, I thought of things to say, but then I thought, how can I post now? No one is reading anymore. My blog-junkie friends have stopped nagging me about posting. They have given up on me. I would have too.
So, here we are...2 months and 7 days later...I am going to wipe the slate clean and begin writing again. Mostly, because I miss it. I miss this avenue of communication, even if it is only with myself.
So, I am back. I'm sorry I stayed away for so long. I am going to try and be more reliable.
So many times, I thought of things to say, but then I thought, how can I post now? No one is reading anymore. My blog-junkie friends have stopped nagging me about posting. They have given up on me. I would have too.
So, here we are...2 months and 7 days later...I am going to wipe the slate clean and begin writing again. Mostly, because I miss it. I miss this avenue of communication, even if it is only with myself.
So, I am back. I'm sorry I stayed away for so long. I am going to try and be more reliable.
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