"Suddenly I didn't know if I had dreamt things, or if they existed..." -Bergman

Ingmar Bergman passed today, at the age of 89. The picture is from Scenes from a Marriage, which is one of my favorites.

Tim sent me this Woody Allen quote earlier about Allen seeing a Bergman film when he was a teenager...

"Less than ennobling was the motive for seeing my first Ingmar Bergman movie. The facts were these: I as a teenager living in Brooklyn, and word had got around that there was a Swedish film comign to our local foreign film house in which a young woman swam completely naked. Rarely have I slept overnight on the curb to be the first on line for a movie, but when "Summer With Monika" opened at the Jewel in Flatbush, a young boy with red hair and black-rimmed glasses could be seen clubbing senior citizens to the floor in an effort to insure the choicest, unobstructed seat."

Now, its getting personal...Schuerholz

you've got to be joking...i swear this HAS to be a personal attack.

Dear John Schuerholz,

Please don't trade Jarrod Saltalamacchia. No matter what you do, please don't. It'll break my heart.

Thanks,
Katherine

Dear Senator Edwards

I thoroughly enjoyed your town hall meeting in Georgetown, SC today. Had I not been starving and fighting off a heat stroke, I would have stayed around afterwards to shake your eloquent hand, but I couldn't...and so I wanted to ask you a few questions. I mean, hell, everyone else in the world is posing questions, so why not me, right?

For one, now I understand the fact that we are not always in control of our destiny...or our schedules, but as a teacher, tardiness is simply not something I'm fond of. See, I left my house an hour and fifteen minutes before the time you were scheduled to speak. Unfortunately I drank half a bottle of water before I left the house, which meant I had to make a pit stop midway through my trip. And no, I'll never forget the fella at the Shell station who informed me that his bathroom was not in working order! But...regardless, I found myself battling beach traffic and pit stops...and I was running late. So I tore through Litchfield, Pawley's, downtown Georgetown to make a concerted effort to arrive on time. I arrived at 1:32pm. I ran down the street where I had to park...upon my entrance into the union hall...I discovered that you were in fact running about 15 minutes late from your previous engagement. Cool. 15 minutes. That's fine, I thought.

Well, the union hall was flippin' hot. It was packed. And when we were informed that you would be arriving a full hour late...I started to get a bit irritated. So we all stood there, anxiously looking to the door, fanning ourselves silly. Like I said, I understand that things don't always happen exactly as planned, but your tardiness today was unacceptable. (Yes, I'm being slightly dramatic for blog sake). I only feel worse for the people in Atlanta who were next on your journey. Leaving Georgetown at 3:45 and being scheduled for Atlanta at 4:45, well that's just poor planning on the behalf of your crew.

For two, yes, as I mentioned, it was hot. Its SC in late July...and before you arrived, the crowd was alerted to the fact that it was the preference of your people that we not use the frisbees that people were using for fans. Apparently, the fans would look distracting on camera. I suppose my passing out on the floor would have looked okay. Yes, yes, I know I know...you are running for president...but still.

For three, I really enjoyed most of what you said. I like your ideas about social class. I like the fact that you are self-made man. I like the fact that Elizabeth has different opinions from you (primarily on gay marriage). I do have a question for you...and had I not been too star struck and nervous, I would have asked you...

It's about minimum wage. Yes, we all thank the powers to be that there is a slight increase today, and more increases in the years to come. That's awesome. You mentioned you thought it wasn't good enough. I can't agree with you more. You then said you'd like to raise the minimum wage, as president, to $9.25 or $9.50 (my memory is failing me, I blame the heat). I encourage this increase. You then stated by 2012. I'm not sure many people heard this. At least, I'm not sure that the loud applause would have been as loud. So, yes, increases are good. But that will stay with the same pace that its increasing in the next two years. So, is $9.50 an hour really that great? Particularly for 2012? How much will the standard of living increase by that time?

I have my students complete a budget in class. They assume they are single parents with two children. The assume they are making around $11 to $12 dollars an hour. I even allow them to have health benefits from their job, which we know for this type of job is probably not a likelihood. The reason I like doing this assignment is because my students quickly realize how difficult it is to survive in this family type. Most of them immediately give up any source of entertainment. Next they cut their food. Most of them say that even if they had insurance, they wouldn't be able to afford a co-pay. They usually stick their children in some type of childcare, which I could only imagine might be substandard considering they only budget 20 dollars a week for it.

So I can't help but question that in 2012, this minimum wage will still lack what we call "a living wage".

For four, I wanted to ask...and this was my real question. I know you speak quite a bit about social class. Ending poverty is your thing. Quite commendable. As you mentioned, some of your other plans of action all intersect...education, health care. So, you'd be helping the issue of social class in a myriad of ways...but I wonder how you plan to approach issues of race and gender, as they intersect with social class. Of course, social class exists as its own issue, but what about race issues and gender issues outside of social class?

I was surprised during the youtube debate the other night that you said you wouldn't pay reparations to African Americans for slavery. I understand there are bigger issues and that simply making a pay out wouldn't "solve" the problem. Perhaps we could do both? In that some type of reparations would possibly be merely an apology...and then we could also focus on the other issues that affect this group...like education, health care, discrimination...the list could on, now couldn't it? I don't think it necessarily should be one or the other.

Yes, I agree, there are two different Americas for those of us who live here. BUT, there are also many different Americas. There is certainly a different one for me, than for the individuals in poverty. And yes, my America is quite different from the one for someone like you. But there are still many other issues...there are different worlds for African Americans from whites. There are different worlds for women and men. I do admire you pointing out these systems of domination and stratification, but I also don't want to look at the problem and simply believe that its merely just social class. Cause it isn't.

Lastly, I admire you being the first democratic candidate to grace our area. That really means quite a bit to me. I enjoyed getting to see you in person, standing merely 15 feet away from you. You seemed interested. You made eye contact with all the people in the room. I think it certainly shows an interest in South Carolina. You handled the questions well and with a great eloquence, which is a welcome change from some of the candidates.

Thanks for your time,
Katherine

PS Do you think next time you could ask your crew to bring some John Edwards fans for the heat, just in case?

please please please let me let me let me...

overall, a good week. i spent some time down in charlotte for a few days. the day before, i finally bought an ipod. yes, it pains me that i felt the desire to spend that much money on a piece of entertainment...it also pains me that it was probably made through some form of slave labor...but goddamn, i love it. i have all my music and pictures on it. this made for a much more enjoyable drive down.

let's summarize...i met one of my mentors from graduate school for happy hour. it was nice to talk with someone who understands my ideas about teaching, engagement rings, and research...i also had some drinks with jennie ann and ellen...always a good time. i also met (as you can see above) stephanie and eric for drinks. we had a great time at MADD DOG! Again, its wonderful to sit and discuss issues with people who are brilliant and can give me ideas and suggestions....whether its our farm in canada or our farm baby! i also had a good time hanging with the family. my mom is always so amazing.

I also came to the conclusion there are two things that i would like to accomplish...at which point in time, i would feel that i "arrived" as an "academic" (using that word in a loose way). for one, i want to coin a term...and for two, i would like to be called by npr to comment on something.

on saturday, i taught my last telecourse class in concord. then rapidly drove back to the beach...as morrissey was playing one mile from my house. driving into myrtle beach on a saturday afternoon is an awful idea. i got stuck in traffic about 1 hour outside of the beach, so i turned around to take a back way...i was happily driving along (with my ipod) for an hour or so...and i ran into more traffic. it was unavoidable.

after 5.5 hours of driving, i finally arrived. i was greeted by tim and tim returning from the beach with a wonderful new bocce ball set. the three of us had a fish fry before heading out to the morrissey show (shhh. don't tell morrissey). the show was excellent. he slayed me when he played please please please let me get what i want...and of course, girlfriend in a coma. it was an excellent show.

the rest of the night was fun. it was somewhat of a blur. but surprisingly, i woke up feeling great.

i just finished watching the democratic youtube debate. very interesting. tomorrow, i'm going to see john edwards in georgetown. he'll be at the steelworkers hall...and i'm so very excited. i've heard he is a very inspiring speaker and he'll be talking about minimum wage. i'll give you more details tomorrow or so...

and oh yeah, its sabine's birthday. she had some tuna. she loved it. she's a bit of a messy eater.

what am i so thankfull for?

i don't know how well you can see this, but i wanted to start documenting when things are spelled incorrectly...at least when i'm not the one doing it.

so please don't do anything smart-ass and take a picture of a spelling error i made in a previous blog and post it as a response. i have just always found it entertaining when someone makes an error like this on a huge sign. there is a sign on the drive from MB to charlotte that reads, CRAB LEGES. ha.

its been a real busy week for us. we saw a pelicans game on thursday. thirsty thursday at that. i love this water tower at the park. and chris isn't so bad either.







then what else?

on saturday, shawn came to visit...which was a welcome surprise. its always nice to have some old friends down here. we took him out to new orleans connection where some of our new acquaintances play jazz. then we made our last call by rockefeller's, because how could we not?

on monday, we made our trip to wilmington for the dondero/buckner show. it was fantastic. of course, it could have been more enjoyable had it been a few blocks away...but we still had a great time.

here is something interesting though...it goes along with my issue with audiences. the whole time david dondero was playing, there were these three people standing right up front, carrying on a loud conversation. i understand the need to occasionally make a comment...("hey, did you hear that line about charlie parker?")...but i also generally whisper this...if i felt the need to carry on a loud conversation, i'd probably move to the back of the venue.

i don't know how musicians do it. just in teaching, i get pissed when i hear a whisper. perhaps that is something i can work on...blocking it out.

it was also weird to be around "hipsters" again...as there were more than a handful of them at the show. see, here in myrtle beach, you just don't come in contact with a lot of people like that. in mere moments i was feeling inadequate in my coolness.



but i bet most of them don't have these cool peppers they grew at home. aren't they beautiful? i think i waited too long to eat them.

so, i'm heading to charlotte tomorrow. i get to see some old pals...and have my teeth cleaned. how about that? i'm excited...and then i'm returning to MB to see morrissey. you heard me. at the house of blues. and oh yeah, tim long too.

Temperature

So...remember I mentioned our neighbor. The one that helps me gauge the temperature outside? Well, just so you know...I just saw him check the mail in nothing but khaki shorts. Not even flip-flops. Yes, its that fucking hot here.

Constructive Feedback

Do yourself a favor and watch this video.

Do yourself another favor and start watching Flight of the Conchords on Sundays.

Going Tourist Crazy!

what has happened?

i got drunk with my students and slurred about the greatness of education...i'm sure that was convincing. then...i felt sick for a couple of days.

tim and i decided to look at a farm house today. yes, to buy? i'm not sure why we are trying to buy a house, plan a wedding, and have jobs...but apparently that is our new plan. yes, that or move to rhode island. the farm house was awful. in the few moments we were trying to find the house, we ran across a man sleeping on a park bench behind a church, two young teenagers with what i call puss-tasches and a easter egg blue banged up trailer home. so, now, i will not be living out my dream of living in a farm house with cows and horses and chickens. oh well.

the main point of this whole blog is to tell

TIM LONG....WE MISS YOU! COME VISIT!

fish fry on the fourth

so, i've had a weird few days. a few nights ago, the house right across the street had a wedding. that's right, a wedding. it lasted until 11:30pm. now, when i was young and wild, that hour seemed reasonable for playing music loud and partying. now, it just seems obnoxious. so yes, we heard all the typical wedding songs...well as much as i could hear through flight of the conchords (which was turned up as loud as possible to block out "the electric slide".)

that night...tim and i vowed to move to rhode island. why the island? too much to explain right now...but it seemed like a place where we could avoid the drones of tourists.

independence day at the beach is wild. tons and tons of people load up and drive to the beach. with fireworks in tow. and hell, every child they can find too. its been packed on the beach. packed on the streets. and fireworks going off every moment.

tim and i decided to have a fish fry for the 4th. we invited over our neighbor patrick. we cooked some delicious food. here is a picture of the food. i told you tim is one hell of a fish fryer...





after our fish fry, we walked out to the beach to watch the fireworks. there were tons of "camps" of people shooting off fireworks. i've never quite been that close to fireworks, but it was beautiful. to stand on the beach and watch the fireworks all along the coast from one town to the next.

and so i decided, i think i can handle a little traffic now and again.

hey, its beautiful here too.

so, koch, where the hell are my brownies?

so yes, its been an interesting few weeks...

for one, i'm dealing with all this wedding stuff. its complicated. way complicated. tim and i are putting together our engagement party...and i think our clever, fun idea is going to be misconstrued as "ohhhh and ummmm, cool"...at least that seems to be the response to it.

and i'm pretty sure i don't have to tell you this...but i'm not really the god type. i had already decided that i am not planning to get married by god or anything of the such. tim and i planned to have a ceremony that was devoid of any of the normal religious traditions; however, i wouldn't mind throwing in some random ones that i enjoy (regardless of where they come from)...as i also mentioned, i'm not keen on the idea of being "given" to tim by any member of my family...

this being said, we had planned on paying for most of the wedding and stuff ourselves...but hell, its expensive...so we were hoping that our families could help us out (if only my stepdad read my blog!) that being said, when you allow someone to pay for something= they get a say in your party...and i think that sucks.

when i was down in charlotte this past weekend, my stepdad and i had breakfast. i was telling him about our plans. he mentioned that my step-aunt patsy could marry us, since she is a minister. i sort of stopped and asked him, "wait, so do ministers still believe in god? because if so, i don't really think thats going to work for us." i mean, how could i? why would i have a ceremony as such when i don't follow the religion? wouldn't it cheapen the whole experience? i don't want to say "i do" to tim under a false premise!

anyways, now i'm working the elope route on tim.


but what else....i decided that i need to put into place goals for myself. so here are my goals for fall 2008... (i'm not attempting to do all of these, just one by then)

1) start a phd program
2) have a full time teaching position with benefits
3) have a book deal, while teaching part time


so funny story...tim sent me an email about a show in wilmington...it is david dondero and richard buckner. he asked me if i've ever listened to dondero. i felt like i had heard his name. upon investigation, i figured it was because conor (oberst) gives a shout out to dondero for his musical stylings. so i gave it a listen...and you know what, it sounds fucking awesome. then i thought, i'll buy an album. when i read what was written about the album, it mentioned his previous band, sunbrain.

i got very excited...because when i was in my first couple years of college, there were three bands that i spent lots of time listening to (well besides cat stevens)...silly, sticky, and sunbrain. well okay, i also listened to unfound logic. i even remember staying at this guy's house once. i remember it so vividly because it was july in atlanta...and it was an old house without air conditioning. the show will be something to look forward to.

this weekend, tim and i are attending our first rock show at the beach. i'm hell bent to add names to that short roster of friends we have here. we've also got a fourth of july party to attend.

it was igor's birthday last week. here he is...



.
.
.
.



i heard this song today on my walk, it seemed suitable to my life right now...

the bottom the earth i have to fall
but you really caught me
you really caught me, dear
at the bottom where i'd fallen
and slowly dear ask that you dance with me
here with the shades down
lights off

when i didn't know you
and everything i do
done badly
now i'll love you always
even when i say
you distract me

and sit tonight in some strange place
if we have no friends here
well i had a few to begin with
and i'll love you always
when we leave this place
and drive back to carolina
and down to savannah

-part one by band of horses

accidental weekend

i love when you have no solid plans for the weekend...and things just work out perfectly.

so...on friday evening, tim and i had dinner at a restaurant that is new called new orleans connection. its off the beaten path. its in a strip mall (which actually most of the awesome restaurants are in MB...its one of the secrets here). upon entering we were seated at a table right in front of the jazz band that was playing. this was distinctly a different experience from when we had dinner at a german restaurant a couple of weeks ago and our dining experience was mostly just trying not to make eye contact with the accordion player or his dancing wife. the jazz band was actually pretty good. it supplemented the meal, rather than distract.

so, yes, the food was delicious. the music was great. and i even took a slice of sweet potato cheesecake to go.

afterwards, we decided to swing by ol' rockies to check in. one my students happened to also be there...and she sent us drinks over. wait, am i not allowed to accept gifts? it was certainly a great night.

saturday...i slept in. believe it or not. i don't sleep in often, unless i'm intensely hungover...so this was a treat. i don't know why i have this issue...but i feel like i'm wasting time if i sleep in. even on days i don't have to...i wake up at 7am...i know, its pretty fucked up. its probably also something you do when you cross the 30 threshold. regardless...i made a concerted effort to not turn on an alarm clock.

upon waking, we made some breakfast and set out for an afternoon on the beach. i had about 40 papers to grade, so i decided to make it more entertaining with the ocean, sand, sun, and tourists. it was rather fun....and i have the sunburn to prove it. later that evening, we watched one of the latest christopher guest movies...for her consideration? or something like that. it was fair.

yesterday, we woke up early. took a beautiful walk on the beach with all the other old people who wake up that early....made breakfast. have i told you about my love of soy sausage? i know, its weird...but i dream about my fake sausage omelette that i make on the weekends. unfortunately i had to spend the day doing school work, but after such a pleasant weekend...it felt okay.

last night, tim decided to have an impromptu fish fry. he stopped by a local fish market and bought some flounder...and made us homemade slaw...we sat out on the porch for dinner. it was FANTASTIC. when you all come to visit, pressure tim to have a fish fry. you'll enjoy it.


see. what i'm saying is....i approached the weekend thinking that we didn't really have that much planned...and it turned out to be wonderful. man, i love beach weekends like that.

this one is for you, igor's mudcats

that's right. verlander did it for my fantasy team. a no-hitter. perfect. now, i can move out of 11th place. that's right...its out of 12.

more to come in the next few days: philip glass on leonard cohen at spoleto, swan lake, modern day audiences, and my latest plan to become a ballet teacher.

May on the Coast

So first things first....WELCOME LAILA! That's right...There is a new baby to celebrate. Ewing had her baby on the 19th of May! She was very early. (Wait, I am getting old, two of my blogs in the last 2 months have been to celebrate babies!) Regardless, here is a picture of Laila and her dad, LeVar. I'm still waiting for a picture of mom and baby....But I'm very excited to meet Ms. Laila and to teach her to play baseball.

What else?

Bright Eyes and ATL
We had a great time. We stayed at The Highland Inn (you should stay here too). We had lots of good food...Pura Vida and Eclipse di Sol. The show itself was perfect. The Fox is a beautiful venue, expansive. So expansive in fact that twice Conor commented about what a beautiful night it was, this outdoor venue. The funny part is that Fox has a ceiling that is painted to look like the night sky. You'd think they'd tell the musicians that before they make comment on it...

After the show, there was a reunion of sorts backstage. It was Andy Lemaster's birthday, as well as some old Athens pals were around: Clay and Casey. It was fun to catch up with everyone, particularly Mike and Conor...as well as to look over and see Gillian Welch relaxing. We drank some beer, ate some vegan cake, and hugged alot. There are two moments that stick out to me the best (and keep in mind these are vague at that...)

1) When we are all leaving for the night, Conor came over to hug us all. As he hugged Tim, he told him he was a very lucky man...(and this wasn't because Tim is damn sexy or smart or any of that- though he is....but because we had told the crew about our engagement)...and I realized that if I was a book jacket, that'd be one of the things you could put on the back.

2) When we finally made our way outside, we were behind the band. We had no idea where we were going...and suddenly we hit the door to the outside...and there were like 100 kids waiting to see the band...waiting to get an autograph or catch a glimpse of the rockstars as they got onto the tour bus....it was weird to have all those people standing around looking at you, as you exited the building. I thought about stopping to sign some autographs, pretending to be Arienette or something...but thought better of it.

Beyond the show, another highlight was seeing my good friend Greg. We had brunch with him the next morning. He is a treasure, for sure.

We loved ATL...so much in fact, I'm going to look into graduate schools there.

School

Some classes have officially started. Good so far. In one class, I've got two Iraq War veterans. For some reason, that makes me feel weird. I don't feel like getting into that today...I'm still waiting to hear about one other class. If that class doesn't make, come visit me at the Wings, Eagles, or Pacific Beachwear.

Some other things that happened to me: my truck is barely hanging on, the mosquitos are attacking me which has resulted in me looking like i have chicken pox, and i believe i nursed an injured cat back to help with only antibiotic ointment. Oh yeah, we survived both of the Bike Weeks!!!

So, its my day off...I've got a full load of preparing for classes this week. And oh yeah, movies on HBO to watch. I think if I get an opportunity to watch Must Love Dogs once more...I'm not sure what will happen.

bush for your hog

that's right. its bike week 2007...wait, i think they call it like spring bike rally or something or another. no, its not too terrible. if you can get use to the sound of extremely loud grasshoppers. i was even fine with the "good girls gone bad" tour bus parked outside of the crazy horse a mile from my house...i mean, why should i judge. perhaps they wanted to go bad. i also wasn't too upset about the girl dressed in all black leather outside of the bad kitty, waving for customers. but then, i saw something that floored me. i hit my limit.

there is a plant nursery right up the street from us. i went in once to ask for a cypress tree (which they had never heard of)...regardless, yesterday when i drove by they put a sign out front that read, "put a bush on your hog"....can you fucking believe that? yes, i only pull out the f-word for serious situations as such. i wondered, are there many bikers who put a potted plant on their bike? are they hoping to draw in some of their business?

other than that...its been interesting to watch the internal tension of bike week...i saw a fella wearing a shirt that read, "i rode my bike to trailer week"...see, there are the "real" riders who actually ride their bikes to bike week...then apparently there are the "others" who bring them up in trailers and only ride them when it's just sunny enough out. i think its pretty funny.

my all time favorite item so far has been an accessory that the women wear. its for women that have long hair. they put their hair in a braided ponytail and then they put this leather cylindrical piece with studs and shit in it around the ponytail. its hot. seriously. i'm getting one.

so...yes...tim and i saw a ballgame. i'm still trying to ease into my vacation, but it ends next week. i've watched lots of movies. i've exercised more than normal. and tonight, we are going to atlanta. and what i'm most excited about? seeing my mom...and maybe also, greg, john and patrick...and maybe also conor and mike...but seeing my mom will be the best.

How'd he do it?

I suppose enough time has passed that I can honestly blog without feeling like I was holding back. See, Tim and I got engaged on April 26th. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the congratulations through the airwaves. Of course, most of my students sent me emails that said, "CONGRADULATIONS"...goddman, what are they teaching those kids in the public schools?

Anyways...we haven't settled on a date yet. we are thinking may of 2008. how is that for advance warning. so its tough being a feminist who is planning a wedding. hell, it was difficult being a feminist trying to negotiate an engagement. it was even worse trying to plan it with two feminists. and we figured our way...a way that we felt still had the traditions that our family, friends, etc. would be asking for....but added our own way.

we both bought each other engagement gifts. we stuck with an engagement ring for me...and tim's was more difficult. men's rings are UGLY and TACKY....so we opted for an antique wristwatch for him. we proposed to one another out on the beach with some champagne. people seem really resistant to this idea. they don't understand how you can propose to one another. and after "lemme see the ring", the second question is..."how did HE do it?"

its interesting to me the types of traditions that are so difficult for people to let go of. so i'm thinking of writing a book (a wedding book...so i can make some real money!)...but one that demonstrates how hard it may be to negotiate an engagement and wedding, while maintaining your dignity and values. its going to be an interesting year.

the next big issue is about walking me down the aisle. hell, i don't know if there will be an aisle (which most of my students spell ISLE)...but i sure as hell know that i'm 31 years old and i'm sort of resistant to the idea of someone walking me down the aisle or giving me away. i know, it sounds bitchy...but i gotta draw some lines.

so i'll keep you updated.

i'm in vacation mode right now. the semester finally ended. i'm so pleased. i'm moving on to planning for my summer and fall classes. i think that staying home all day is right up my alley...except that i start wanting a beer at 3:00pm. wait, that's right now.

you should check out the new feist album. its awesome.


ps. my neighbor just checked his mail...he is wearing shorts, flip flops, and a shirt that has 3 buttons un-done...yeah, its a bit cooler than usual here.

at least we still have hope...

its been a busy few weeks. i'm trying to get caught up. i turned 31. i saw my first baseball game of the season. the semester is coming to a finish and i'm awfully glad.

i don't want to get into too much "news", but i felt like last week would have been an awkward time to write. i felt depressed about everything that had happened...

we saw the flaming lips last week. and i swear, it was just what everyone needed...with so much around us that makes us sad- the lips know just how to make you see the hope, the joy, the lightness of life. it was a fantastic show. photo credit above go to scott smallin (i hope that is how you spell his name...)

whats coming up next? my vacation. a trip to atlanta for the bright eyes show.

my nephew

so, yes...i'm an aunt. this is my nephew, emmett liam boyd. isn't he beautiful?

other than meeting my nephew this weekend, i had a great time in CLT...

mostly, i was celebrating my birthday. spent some time with jennie ann. mom and i celebrated on saturday. shopping. dinner. movie. it was awesome.

but not to overshadow my fun this weekend, i'm sitting here waiting for the opening night baseball game to begin. glavine is pitching...and he is on my fantasy team. wish me luck.

Spring Training 2007

okay, i'm finally recovered from spring training...so you get the opportunity to hear about it. i'm in full baseball obsession.

i think i'm going to only include highlights, as you can take a trip down my memory lane through the photo album...click on the picture below and you should be able to access the album.

Spring Training

1) dodgertown

dodgertown has to be hands in my top three of grapefruit parks. its small. intimate. vero beach is beautiful, at least the ocean front areas. too bad this was the last year for ol' dodgertown.

Game 1: Dodgers and Nationals
got to see nomar (up close and personal...see pictures), luis gonzalez, betemit, furcal.the dodgers won.


2) Tim's Birthday aka Day 2 of Spring Training

We were seeing two games on tim's bday.

Game 1: Yankees and Astros
astros stadium leaves some to be desired. sat through my first rain delay...yes in a green poncho.got to see cano, damon, a-rod. i just asked tim who won the game, because after the beer we drank at the game...i'm not sure i'd remember...but we are pretty sure the astros won. take that yankees.)

Game 2: Braves and Cardinals
we had to head straight to cracker jack from game 1.i'm not a big fan of the stadium, because its very large, very commercial, very Disney. the line up for our first braves game: johnson, renteria, andruw, mccann, frenchie, and diaz. tied ballgame, called over at the end of the 10th inning. in one day,we saw 2 ballgames, about 6 hours of baseball, spent about 8 to 9 hours in ball parks. man, what a birthday, eh tim?


3) The Black Angus Bar
after the game, we drove the 6 miles to our hotel and decided to check out this bar attached to the hotel. it was called the black angus bar. they had karaoke. it was fucking fantastic...not necessarily the people singing, but it was ripe with fiction stories...so tim and i had some shots.

4) DAY 3
it was our last day...honestly, i was a little tired. it was st patricks day. we were seeing the braves and cardinals again. we had press passes, which wouldn't allow us into the clubhouse. the highlight of this day was watching the minor league team. many people don't know this, but the minor league teams play games during the "main" game...so we watched some of the myrtle beach pelicans play. we saw sammons, ka'aihue, elvis andrus, among others. it was a great experience, reminded me of a high school baseball game (with the dug-outs and player conversation). during the game a sky writing plane wrote, "JESUS LIVES" in the sky.

so those are some of the highlights. there were many great moments...i'm devising a plan so that i an stay at spring training for an entire month. here's hoping.

4 games, 3 days

this is me after the spring training trip. 4 games in 3 days.

its over now. we are back home. the bags have been unpacked. toiletries put back in their proper place. so i'm feeling mournful.

and when i'm done mourning the florida sun and baseball games, i'll give you a trip synopsis. while i write it, i'll drink beer out of a plastic cup...just to recreate the feeling.

i think it can best be summed up by something i heard uttered by a man who was attending the first game of our trip...we passed by him and he said to his companion, "spring training is GREAT!"

yes, indeed. great.