Friday night I finally had another softball game. Last week there were no games because of Memorial Day, and I missed the week before that to judge the battle of the bands in Mount Horeb...it felt like a completely new season this week since it had been so long since my last game. We played at 6:30 at Olbrich Park, which is a nice place to play. The sun was pretty intense behind first base - but there weren't any mosquitoes, so no complaints here.
No complaints about the game, either. I led off again, and this time didn't do anything radically stupid on the basepaths! I started the game off with a single through the right side, but got stranded at first. Oh well. I played center field most of the game, but I think the other team hit maybe one ball to the outfield...nothing happened out there. Pretty boring.
My second at bat came in the third inning I think. Our team had a pretty successful second, so we were up something like 5-0. In the third, I was up fourth. I batted with one out and runners on first and third base...I took a pitch up in the zone and lined a solid shot into center field. Eric stopped at second, so I had to stop at first (probably for the best). The next batter grounded to third, where the other team got the forceout. I was standing at second with two outs as the batter hit a grounder to the third baseman. I am not exaggerating here - she beat me to the bag by ONE STEP...and I sort of hit the brakes about five feet from the bag so I didn't run into her and hurt somebody.
My last at bat was in the fifth with runners on first and second, one out. We were leading 10-2. I stepped into the pitch and pulled it down the right field line for a two-RBI triple (briefly entertaining thoughts of bolting for home before I decided otherwise). Unfortunately, the next two batters couldn't get me home, so I ended the day stranded at third.
Eat at Joe's (1-3)
Game
H/AB AVG OBP SLG OPS R HR RBI
3/3 1.000 1.000 1.667 2.667 0 0 3
Season
H/AB AVG OBP SLG OPS R HR RBI
6/8 .750 .750 1.000 1.750 2 0 3
One cool thing about this game was that the opposing team's manager was blind. Twice in the game he came up in the lineup, so they brought out a tee for him to use to hit. He had somebody run with him to first base, and somebody was ready to run for him should he reach safely. Both times he grounded into a forceout at second. It was a cool situation that I've never seen in a softball game before.
May 31, 2009
May 28, 2009
Rule 3
Thomas B. Marlow is back with perhaps his most controversial rule to date.
There is an undeniable link between certain times of the year and what pies are eligible to be eaten. Sometimes, as in the case of strawberry-based pies, the link is primarily agricultural. Fresh ripe strawberries are tops - if you can somehow manage to not eat them while you're making your pie, props to you. Other limits are based more on aesthetics rather than, you know, logic. Regardless of my motivations for determing the vagarities of Pie Law, Marlow's Laws are not to be debated.
There are several pieces of information that jump out from this primitive graphic. First, I think it's clear that under no circumstances is it ever okay to eat Banana Cream Pie. Gross. It would be much preferable to just eat a cream pie and a banana separately. Come on.
Rule 3: Temporal Limits on Pie Consumption, or When Not to Eat Certain Pies.
There is an undeniable link between certain times of the year and what pies are eligible to be eaten. Sometimes, as in the case of strawberry-based pies, the link is primarily agricultural. Fresh ripe strawberries are tops - if you can somehow manage to not eat them while you're making your pie, props to you. Other limits are based more on aesthetics rather than, you know, logic. Regardless of my motivations for determing the vagarities of Pie Law, Marlow's Laws are not to be debated.
Pumpkin Pie is acceptable - even suggested - from October 1st until December 1st.
Apple Pie immediately before Pumpkin, Pecan immediately after...these are all logical.
Cherry Pie is to be eaten on a family vacation to Door County, Wisconsin in mid-August. Otherwise, pass.
Blueberries are gross, but I can almost understand eating them in a patriotic-themed pie around Independence Day. Maybe.
If you wanted to twist my arm, I could probably be convinced to make Pecan Pie a year-round item.
If you wanted to twist my arm, I could probably be convinced to make Pecan Pie a year-round item.
May 26, 2009
Font of Knowledge
On Friday night, I got into a discussion (argument) with my friend Kelly about fonts, of all things. Apparently she's not a big fan of Helvetica or Times New Roman. I don't really care about TNR - but it does have its place. Helvetica, on the other hand, is pretty and doesn't deserve to be hated.
Anyway, this isn't meant to be a defense of one typeface or another. It did remind me of a really helpful mapping tool called TypeBrewer. A grad student at UW-Madison created this site and it's a great way to get a template for your map typography. It's pretty cool just to play with the sliders too :)
Anyway, this isn't meant to be a defense of one typeface or another. It did remind me of a really helpful mapping tool called TypeBrewer. A grad student at UW-Madison created this site and it's a great way to get a template for your map typography. It's pretty cool just to play with the sliders too :)
May 24, 2009
Whiffleball Match 1
Thursday Joe came to town and we played a game of whiffleball - 6 innings -3 balls is a walk. 2 strikes and you're out. After we had established the distances for doubles, triples and home runs, we started. I was the visiting team, so I batted first. I've had a lead in a whiffleball game with Joe now!! I had a twelve "run" outburst in the top of the first, and actually didn't cough it up right away. The game did go downhill from there; I think I lost 28-19 or so. Some highlights/lowlights:
In the bottom of the first, Joe was batting left handed as 'Craig Counsell' (yes, we adopt the lineups of the Cubs and Brewers. No, we're not 13 years old.) and had a hilarious swing and miss. I must have thrown a pitch with a lot of movement into a left handed batter, because after Joe swung and missed the pitch it hit him square in the crotch. Solid comedic moment. Nasty pitch.
Sometime when I was pitching, Joe popped up a pitch behind me and to my right. This was during one of my rough pitching innings, so I really needed to catch the ball. Outs were not coming along too often. Anyway, I ran back (yes, as 'Ted Lilly') to catch it. I briefly had it in my hands but I was an idiot and dropped it. To make matters worse, I lost my balance and fell - right into some dog crap. I got up and thought to myself, "That's weird. My hand's all muddy, but the ground isn't that wet. Huh...oh. OH NO come ON!"
This is where the 'imagining we're cubs v. brewers' thing falls apart - they don't have dog poop at wrigley field (unless you count Neal Cotts! ZING!)
After the game we threw some more pitches back and forth, and let's just say that next game is mine. We found out that I have a little Mariano Rivera-esque cutter (minus, you know, the velocity. And effectiveness.) and a huge sweeping Randy Johnson slider (early vintage Randy - you know, with absolutely no idea where the pitch is ending up). Once I use these new pitches and hopefully learn to lay off the pitch 6 inches off the outside corner, I'll be unbeatable!
In the bottom of the first, Joe was batting left handed as 'Craig Counsell' (yes, we adopt the lineups of the Cubs and Brewers. No, we're not 13 years old.) and had a hilarious swing and miss. I must have thrown a pitch with a lot of movement into a left handed batter, because after Joe swung and missed the pitch it hit him square in the crotch. Solid comedic moment. Nasty pitch.
Sometime when I was pitching, Joe popped up a pitch behind me and to my right. This was during one of my rough pitching innings, so I really needed to catch the ball. Outs were not coming along too often. Anyway, I ran back (yes, as 'Ted Lilly') to catch it. I briefly had it in my hands but I was an idiot and dropped it. To make matters worse, I lost my balance and fell - right into some dog crap. I got up and thought to myself, "That's weird. My hand's all muddy, but the ground isn't that wet. Huh...oh. OH NO come ON!"
This is where the 'imagining we're cubs v. brewers' thing falls apart - they don't have dog poop at wrigley field (unless you count Neal Cotts! ZING!)
After the game we threw some more pitches back and forth, and let's just say that next game is mine. We found out that I have a little Mariano Rivera-esque cutter (minus, you know, the velocity. And effectiveness.) and a huge sweeping Randy Johnson slider (early vintage Randy - you know, with absolutely no idea where the pitch is ending up). Once I use these new pitches and hopefully learn to lay off the pitch 6 inches off the outside corner, I'll be unbeatable!
May 19, 2009
Rule 44: How to Toast the Perfect Marshmallow
Recently I have discovered that the proper method for roasting marshmallows is not universally agreed-upon. Here we will set it straight.
Rule 44: The Perfect MarshmallowIn my experience, burning the marshmallow is a clear mark of a toaster who lacks the skill and artistry of proper marshmallow toasting. Despair not, friends! It can be learned - I will give marshmallow toasting lessons for the low fee of 1 half bag of marshmallows. Call for details.
The Perfect Marshmallow is a vital component of any backyard barbecue or bonfire or camping trip. Holidays that are likely to include toasting marshmallows are Memorial Day, Flag Day(?), the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and any gorgeous summer weeknight. However, the enjoyment of these holidays can be marred by improperly toasting one's marshmallow. The Perfect Marshmallow is gently toasted until golden brown on all sides with a delightfully gooey interior. This might take patience, but the end result is well worth waiting for.
Under no circumstances is the marshmallow to be plunged into the fire, ignited, and left to burn to a black char.
Feasting on the Lake
Sunday, my roommate Greg graduated. In honor of this momentous event, I was given a blank check and complete control over the party menu. I had spent the week before getting the menu lined up and fairly planned out, and looking back at the party...it was as close to perfect as we could have hoped. The food turned out really well, everybody was really happy for/proud of Greg, and the weather was sublime. I was pretty anxious about cooking for the party - did I get enough food? Did I pick the right food? Would I be able to make the food well, and would people enjoy it?
Historically, when I've planned things like this, they've tended to, ah, not go all that well. From all sorts of hare-brained schemes with Joe to the ill-fated "Green Man Group" performance in French class to carving a chicken in the extended stay hotel in Green Bay this year, I have a history of not executing my plans as well as I imagine them.
But Sunday was different. Everything worked. Here is the menu that we enjoyed:
Appetizers:
Shrimp Ceviche
Guacamole
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Artichoke Dip
Smoked Salmon Spread
Caprese Salad Skewers
Entrees:
Tequila Lime Chicken
Mahi Mahi with Mango Pineapple Salsa
Vegetable Kabobs with an Herb Garlic Marinade
Garlic Chili Grilled Shrimp
The entrees were served right off the grill, with a bed of rice available if people wanted it.
Dessert:
Summer Fruit marinated in White Wine and Mint
You can see pictures from the day and also from a a sunday afternoon two weeks ago here. One of the things about the menu that I really enjoyed was that I bought probably 90% of the food in the produce section or from the fish guy at copp's. None of it was pre-prepared, unless you count me cooking at 2:30 sunday morning.
What really made the day perfect was Alissa calling me at 6ish and inviting me to Cosi to help her eat s'mores - that, I believe, is going to deserve it's own post however. Some issues arose focusing on proper cooking treatment of marshmallows!
May 14, 2009
Resumé
I have had an epiphany this week up here in Green Bay. If (when) this archaeology thing doesn't pan out, I believe I may have found my next line of work - but it's more than that. It might be my calling.
While Krysta and I wait for Rodney to put his boots on, or check the map, or mess with the key or something, I have begun to practice balancing my shovel on my boots. It's way more fun than it deserves to be. Anyway, so far my personal longest time balanced is 9ish seconds - and it was really windy today! Given that I'm feeling a little uncertain in my job security at the moment, I naturally began to wonder if this newfound skill was something that could be translated into income...and it dawned on me. I could TOTALLY join a circus!
Think about it. I am developing a circus-like skill (shovel-balancing...possibly able to balance other objects), have plenty of experience painting my face for sports events, don't really have a problem with people laughing at me, I'm already on the road much of the year, and here's the kicker - I HAVE PRIOR CIRCUS EXPERIENCE!
Admittedly, I can't imagine too many troupes would be looking for me to reprise my role as "Elephant" from Ms. Morgan's Red Kindergarten Circus Day, but you never know. On a side note - really, Ms. Morgan? Really? I was an elephant? I was tiny in kindergarten! I know I had good arm-trunk swinging form, but seriously - I was almost assuredly the smallest kid at school! Strange decision, whoever made it.
Back to the matter at hand. If you are driving around the state and see a guy in a safety vest trying to balance a shovel on his foot...honk. That's probably me, practicing for my next endeavor.
While Krysta and I wait for Rodney to put his boots on, or check the map, or mess with the key or something, I have begun to practice balancing my shovel on my boots. It's way more fun than it deserves to be. Anyway, so far my personal longest time balanced is 9ish seconds - and it was really windy today! Given that I'm feeling a little uncertain in my job security at the moment, I naturally began to wonder if this newfound skill was something that could be translated into income...and it dawned on me. I could TOTALLY join a circus!
Think about it. I am developing a circus-like skill (shovel-balancing...possibly able to balance other objects), have plenty of experience painting my face for sports events, don't really have a problem with people laughing at me, I'm already on the road much of the year, and here's the kicker - I HAVE PRIOR CIRCUS EXPERIENCE!
Admittedly, I can't imagine too many troupes would be looking for me to reprise my role as "Elephant" from Ms. Morgan's Red Kindergarten Circus Day, but you never know. On a side note - really, Ms. Morgan? Really? I was an elephant? I was tiny in kindergarten! I know I had good arm-trunk swinging form, but seriously - I was almost assuredly the smallest kid at school! Strange decision, whoever made it.
Back to the matter at hand. If you are driving around the state and see a guy in a safety vest trying to balance a shovel on his foot...honk. That's probably me, practicing for my next endeavor.
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