Move 2008 - Week 19

That pretty much sums up my week. Tues-Friday the cold prevented me from working out. Yesterday there was no time though I was feeling 100%. Good thing I was able to do two full workouts (pedaling and weights) on Sunday and Monday!! One would think starting off the week with two workouts out of the gate that I could have had an impressive week of workouts. Or not. Oh well. I’ll get it started up again tonight.

A lovely Mother’s Day so far with SportsBoy bringing me breakfast in bed at 8:00am along with the Sunday paper so that I was able to lounge for about an hour. Then we walked together to Starbucks and after completing a few chores, I got to settle on the sofa to watch the Padres and snooze with the kitties. There is just something about a Sunday afternoon snooze with a baseball game on in the background and a cat on your legs that is the ultimate in relaxation for me. Now MusicMan is home from work and we will head out shortly for dinner with my parents. Heck, the Padres are even winning again. Small miracles!

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms and step moms out there.

This Week In Baseball

Ok, not this week really since I have done NO baseball updates at all this season. But, today was such a fun baseball day that I have to. First the LL team played, and lost, a 1-0 game. But, it was good because it was so well played that as a fan you had to enjoy it. A player who has not pitched in two years was forced into action due to injuries and he did so well! Plus, Sportsboy had one of his best days on defense playing 2nd base for all 6 innings and not letting anything get past him. He even threw out a runner at home. And broke up a double play by taking out a kid a lot bigger than him. Well, most kids are bigger than him, but still…football skills definitely showed up there!

Tonight we were treated to an outing at the Padres game by the LL manager in one of the Western Metal suites. All you can eat food and beverages and great seats out in left field. The kids who got there early were treated to some batting practice balls. All of us were treated to a fantastic and rare Padres victory. The team has been rather horrid so far this year making me not feel so bad about missing so many games with all the other things we do! This was only SB’s 2nd game and my 4th. We saw a little slice of history as Greg Maddux won his 350th career game and Trevor Hoffman saved his 530th. Two sure first ballot Half of Fame pitchers. It was a lot of fun. I really miss going to games like we could when we had the season tickets. It’s just such a fun outing to go to the games. Anyhow, a very good baseball day overall.

On a side note - congratulations to shermeister who recorded blog hit #19000 today!! Woohoo and thank you so much to my loyal readers. It’s always nice to know someone out there is reading this stuff

This Week in Politics - quick book reviews

I’m stealing from my Goodreads reviews Here is what I wrote in December after finishing Hillary Clinton’s Living History:

I am so glad I read this! For a non-fiction book, it almost reads like a fictional story. Hillary dose a great job describing the people and places in her life. Those eight years in the White House I think she traveled more than she was home. All her trips are well detailed as are her impressions of the countries and leaders who she meets. You can feel her pain during the Lewinsky affair as well as her struggles while trying to develop a health care plan during the first term. One thing is for sure - this is one strong lady who can certainly take on any opposition and be an effective leader. **Adding on now** This book also answered the question for me as to why Hillary stayed with Bill after everything. Is some of it politically motivated? I cannot shake that notion entirely, however, I really do get that these two are truly best friends. As she describes it in the book, when she and Bill met in college, they started a conversation that has never stopped. And I do believe that. I am sure that at the end of each day he *did* talk to her extensively about what was happening in the world and his role in determining outcomes and changes. I get that she view her particular handling of the First Lady position as something much more in depth than most and that it could easily be counted as training ground for the Presidency.  She played a very active role at home and especially in her constant travels as an ambassador/humanitarian.  However, did she write this book purely to share her side of things for historical purposes? No, I don’t think so. I am quite sure she had an eye to her own budding career in politics and knew that prospective voters would pick this up to get to know her. Yeah, my cynical side coming out. Doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a great read.

On to Barack Obama and his first book, Dreams of My Father:

The perfect way to get to know this soon to be Democratic Presidential nominee. Written well before he was in the national spotlight so the cynicist in me stresses that there were probably very little ulterior motives other than sharing his story about his struggle with his bi-racial identity. He comes across as so emotionally intelligent and thoughtful and able to look at himself honestly. He is also a beautiful writer. Very descriptive and able to convey emotions through his written words. Creative and imaginative, yet thoroughly rational and grounded. Wow, all of that wrapped up in a politician?! Well, since this was written in the early-mid 90s just after he graduated from law school, of course he has continued to grow and change I am sure. Some of that idealism may have worn off. But, I am not so sure about that. Either way, it was a very enjoyable read and an insightful look at one man’s struggle with race. **Adding on** I think reading this book while watching how he has handled his campaign really helps to explain his actions and reactions. Especially his speech in Philadelphia on race. It also made all those ‘elitist’ accusations flung at him look incredibly ridiculous. No way you can say that with a straight face if you read this book!  I was also reading this as the whole Wright mess was unfolding and it was interesting to read this tiny bit about his initial meeting with Wright and impressions of the church.  It certainly did not sound as if Wright had as much ‘influence’ over Obama as the media tried to portray. Of course, I still have not read book #2 which may reveal more on that topic.

Looking at the two books, and how we have seen both of their campaigns play out, their books really do give a pretty good background on them. While Hillary writes a lot about media and right-wing conspiracies and how much they hurt her, I still got the clear sense of the fighter in her so I am really not terribly surprised that she stooped to a lot of those tactics herself. It’s a shame as I feel it is tarnishing her long term image within the Democratic party, but not wholly unexpected. Meanwhile listening to all the things Obama has said this week after the all but decisive results from Tuesday’s primaries, and watching how he handled the dirt thrown at him, I clearly see the young man who wrote his book. He is standing back and giving Hillary her space and letting her have the opportunity to bow out gracefully on her own. Which I hope she does. I also kinda like the idea of her going for the Senate Majority Leader role. Harry Reid has been too passive. We need a fighter and Hillary sure as hell has proven herself to be one!

I’m taking a non fiction break and reading Harry Potter #2 and a John Grisham book before picking up The Audacity of Hope, but I am going to be bold and declare that I will have them all read by the end of June

I’m over the cold just about. It lasted about 72 hours and then suddenly I felt better around dinnertime last night. After going through tissues like mad the last three days, I haven’t used a single one since I got to work today. Crazy. But, I am fine with that

You might be crazy if….

….you put down as an employment reference the manager who fired you 5 years ago. The manager who fired you because…you were crazy!!! Just a thought. No, I didn’t answer any of the questions. I punted that phone call right up to HR where it belongs like the hot potential lawsuit potato that it was. Still shaking my head over that one though. Oooh, would life with her have been fodder for weekly blog posts - private of course!

Sometimes the voters get it right

..and Tuesday night, voters in the Dem primaries AND American Idol got it right! It looks like both of these contests might end at the same time.  I missed this while watching possibly because I was typing away, but did Jason really mouth “don’t vote!” when they were giving his numbers? Clearly he was relieved to have his run on the show finally end. I think he mentally checked out about 4 weeks ago and stopped taking it seriously or really caring about winning. Such a shame (again) that truly talented competitors like Carly and Michael left before him. They deserved that additional exposure so much more than him.

Between sneezes (achoo!) today but I am actually feeling better despite the noise.

American Idol Top 4

I hab a cod. (sniffle). Yes, I got through the entire flu season unscathed only to catch a cold this week. Blech. Good thing there was so much on tv to entertain me with the Padres tanking yet again, yet another primary and now this. Can you believe there are only two more weeks of this? Wow! Heh. It just occurred to me that if you had asked me in Feb which would be over first, AI or the nomination process, I would NOT have said AI!! Though I do think Obama may have struck a mortal blow tonight, it will take the super delegates to prove that and it might take more than two weeks for them to come around. Hmm..gonna be a tight race to see which one of these contests is over first!!!

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame night. Two songs each. 2 of my original top 4 still around. I’ve got a 50/50 shot!

David Cook - Hungry Like The Wolf - (oooh, 80s music, I am happy!) - The sound is off…his vocals are coming out nearly twice as loud as the music. Not that with him it any problem! It almost ended up being an acapella version. He sounded great as his performance was fine, but it was nothing terribly original or as fantastic as we know he can be.

Syesha Mercado - Proud Mary - Great song choice for her. Getting to show off some dance moves and she looks hot in the gold mini dress. This girl has really grown as a performer. If she was not in this group with the David’s I would be betting on her. However, her one down side has always been that she doesn’t put a unique spin on her songs and she really did not with this one either.

Jason Castro - I Shot The Sheriff - Have I mentioned that I think this kid’s dumb/cute/stoner routine is wearing thin? Well, whaddya know - he chose a Bob Marley song!!! Duuuude. Weird weird weird. BUT, he did put some originality into it with some different phrasing. However, overall, that sucked Dood.

David Archuletta - Stand By Me - And David A saves the first round. THAT was awesome. Original. Stunning vocals as always. I got chills. Though he really does need to stop being so shocked at what the judges say and so scared of them!! Ok, I guess he is only 17.

David Cook - Baba O’Reilly - Oh, if ever I was mad about a song ending, it was that one. I wanted him to sing the whole tune. He has such great vocal range. Much better performance for him. Where’s my cell phone? I need to text madly.

Syesha Mercado - A Change Has Got To Come - The last remaining girl is doing great. Randy didn’t like it, but I thought vocally she was terrific. Clearly the song had a lot of personal meaning for her and I think she sang it beautifully.

Jason Castro - Mr Tambourine Man - Oh my gawd he just forgot the freaking words!!! Someone should tell him not to inhale before going on stage eh? No matter, this boy has got to go home!! This performance is better than the first, but that is not saying much folks. Top 4 my ass. Where is Carly? Where is Michael?? Ugh. Please no one vote for him!

David Archuletta - Love Me Tender - Yes, the boy does the sappy tunes. It’s his forte. He can sing to me any night. Sweet. Gorgeous. Tender. Vocals just amazing. He wins the night for sure. Texting now.

The Davids won the night. Syesha was strong. And..yeah..you know who has to go home.

Poetry Tuesday

Written sometime in the fall by Sportsboy as part of a writing assignment. They were given the first two words of each line as prompts.

I Am…

I am a smart guy who loves sports

I wonder if I will make the hall of fame

I hear the grass scream when stepped on by cleats

I see myself rising the ranks towards the hall of fame

I want to be an all-pro running back

I am a smart guy who loves sports

I pretend to fly through the atmosphere

I feel the sky rub my skin

I touch the air above me

I worry about pollution

I cry when people pass away

I am a smart guy loves sports

I understand we are capable of many things

I say we can build a house on the moon

I dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize

I try my best at everything

I hope to help the earth

I am a smart guy who loves sports

And more on Wright

** I have a really cool poem from Sportsboy that I will share hopefully tonight or tomorrow, but I forgot to bring it with me to work so today’s lunch time post has to be more politics. Sorry **

Bill Moyers commentary as highlighted by MOMocrats. He makes note of the same comparisons I made on the double standard treatment of ministers.

I stumbled upon a comment on another blog from someone stating that Obama has been given a “major pass” on explaining the Wright issue. Waaa?? Every day since the videos broke in March, every single ‘news’ outlet has brought up that name. Every DAY. Today again, CNN’s Glen Beck is going to spend his whole HOUR’s show on Wright. The first 20 minutes of Obama’s appearance on Sunday’s Meet the Press were about Wright. Major pass? I don’t think so.

Move 2008 - week 18 update

Quickie post in between SportBoy’s morning baseball game and a very very needed grocery run (seriously, my cupboards are so bare that I wiped down two shelves yesterday after only moving about 5 items!!).

Well, the double work load is impacting my moving now. Not just time, but also with injury. The right side of my back seized up while driving home Friday. I’ve stretched it as much as I could each day, but even now it still hurts (though it is better). But it impacted my exercise plans for the weekend.  So I only did 3 arms routines and 2 pedal sessions which overall is not bad given that I was unable to do anything Friday or Saturday. I wont risk an arm routine today, but I will pedal as that doesn’t impact the back. I am pretty sure this came about due to my positioning at my desk again. This time it is not computer use, but actual handwriting which caused the problems. I have to go through and put accounting codes on over 900 documents each month and since I have not done that much writing in ..well..EVER, it is a different set of muscles being used. I end up not staying leaned back against the back of my chair which tightens up the middle of the back. Right handed, so it is the right side getting the workout. Coding them here at home ends up actually being better which is why I brought home a pile to take care of yesterday. Everyone thinks of desk jobs as sedentary, but oh no, it is not! You have to pay attention to how those muscles get used all the time. The good news is that the interview on Friday was a GOOD one. We all liked her and I think we will have her locked up next week, most likely with a start date near June 1. I can handle that. Just need to know mentally when this will end!

So much for a quickie post eh?

Better late than never?

I just put in the movie Pursuit of Happiness to watch while coding grant forms. Out of curiosity I checked my Netflix queue to see when I received this. (blush) May 2, 2007. Whoopsie!