Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Get Off the Phone!!

Possible scenario for what happened at a Yankee game. See video at the end.

Joe: I'm so excited to go to my first Yankee game at the new stadium. I have great seats, first row, by the right field foul pole. Should be a fun time.

John: "Sorry babe, long day at the office, won't be able to get home tonight until late. You know how Mr. Lumbergh makes me make sure my TPS reports are spot on. I'll try to get home as soon as I can. Love ya!"

Joe: Just my luck, I get stuck next to Chatty Kathy. I wish his cell phone would magically blowup.

John: "Dude, I'm at the Yankee game, front row...by the right field foul pole."

Joe: What are the chances that this guy gets crapped on by a bird? Gosh, this guy WON'T SHUT UP!!!

John: "Yeah, told Mary Beth that I'm at the office. (chuckles) Hope this game doesn't go into extras. This stadium is AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!"

Joe: There is a God.

Check out the video (only about 30 seconds long.)

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6633405n

Friday, June 4, 2010

Lord of the Flies

So we have been getting more flies in our house of late, and I am getting more proficient at killing the little buggers. Most of them have been rather large. So to make sure that I kill them, I smash them with a piece of paper, tissue or something like that (I've had a few fly away after I hit them.)

Well the bad part about smashing them is finding out that the fly is a female. Once today and once yesterday I found out the gross, but interesting way...maggots come out!!!

After googling for a picture of baby maggots, I didn't find anything that gave a good picture of what it looks like...which is probably a good thing. FYI: If you need to throw up, but can't make yourself do it, just google fly maggots. I almost hurled a few times.

Let's just say that when you squish the fly and the guts come out, you can tell it's a mom when the guts start crawling around.

If you we're curious about how baby flies are made...this should explain.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Frosh/Soph Season Recap

My second year coaching baseball came to a close last week, and this year we ended on a high note. We won our last two games to end up with a record of 8 - 4 in league, good enough for 3rd place, and an overall record of 13 - 11.

I had a blast this year with this group. Much more talent on this team than last year, even though we ended up with a similar record (a little better this year). But we were in every game this year, unlike last year. Each year I feel like I learn more about how to coach the sport I love.

Next year will be even better. Jackson and Brooklyn do great at the games, but next year we'll have "Little Brother" there too!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Our First Camping Trip

We are not what you call "the outdoors type". The thought that comes into our heads when we hear "roughing it", is staying at an Hotel 5 or Sleezy 8. But now we have children and the list of "Things I'd Do for Them" includes going camping. Especially when the camping situation is such a good one.

We went camping at a winery (Steinbeck's Winery) with some friends from church. They have an annual camping trip, and we are glad we were able to go this year. There were 17 families in all, times 2.2 kids (or so), so there was a lot of activity going around camp. The kids had a ball running around, going fishing, snacking, and anything else that came to little kids' minds.

Rebecca did a great job of not freaking out with all the bugs around our camp, tent, food, etc. Pincher bugs were the main uninvited guests. They were crawling around everywhere. She did a really good job of not screaming when about a dozen of them were crawling around in our cooler.

As for me, I got to go fishing for the first time in a long while. I also got to shoot guns. Prior to this trip my shooting experiences stop at bb guns and shooting a shotgun once or twice back when I was in junior high. I shot the following guns:

.45

9mm Beretta

SKS

With apologies to all gun owners and aficionados, I tried my best to match what I shot with these pictures. I left out the "child bb rifle", or at least that's what it felt like. I unloaded one clip each with the .45 and the 9mm. I shot about 7 times with the SKS...which was awesome. I felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Raw Deal.

We spent two nights there (about 42 hours), which was just the right amount of time. We were all worn out Sunday morning. Jackson slept the whole way home. Brooklyn took a nice 3.5 hour nap (normal is around 2 hours). As for Rebecca and I, we are looking forward to sleeping in our own bed without thoughts of what may or may not be crawling towards our mouths as we sleep.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

What's That Smell?

That awful smell coming from the baseball world has been from the Dodgers. The Dodgers have lost 2 out of 3 games to Pittsburgh, Florida, Cincinnati, Washington, and just lost all 3 games to the NY Mets. Their defense is pathetic, but is better than their pitching (yikes!). Their offense was doing great, until the last six games (they've been outscored 13 - 30).

Good news...well they have won 4 out of 6 games at home (including 2 out of 3 versus the Giants!). They are about to start a 10 game homestand. Hopefully they can get some home cooking and get back into the groove.

FROSH/SOPH UPDATE:

We headed into yesterday's game with a league record of 4-2, with a chance to avenge one of those losses to keep up our hopes of 1st place in league. After the second inning a few things happened for the first time all season. #1, we gave up 8 runs in the first inning (4 unearned). Not exactly the way we planned it. #2, I had words for the umpires on multiple occasions. Heated in one case. #3, The home umpire called a balk with NO ONE ON BASE. He was about to send the batter to first when I mentioned that you can't balk with no one on base. (This was not the incident that I got upset about).

So we are now 4-3 in league with a shot at 2nd...we just can't lose any of our remaining games.

So here's to my team finishing strong. And here's to the Dodgers getting their act together.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Come on People!!

Why do people drive the speed limit or slower and drive in the fast/passing lane? Is there a lack of education on the etiquette of driving by the driving schools or parents? It really is ridiculous how slow some people drive in the fast lane.

If you want to drive slow (for whatever dumb reason), then enjoy your ride in the slow lane. Especially on a two lane highway. Move your donkey (or whatever you call your slow vehicle) over to the right lane and let people drive normal in the left lane.

So when I'm driving 10 mph over the speed limit (give or take), and another car is rapidly approaching me, I move over and let him (or I guess it could be a her) go by. No harm done. No thoughts of "Well I'll show him that he needs to slow down!"

What is the appropriate way to "encourage" the driver in front of you to move over? Pray for enlightenment? Flash your lights and honk your horn? Hope that the cell service will drop the call? See how close you can get to the car in front of you until you can go around them, then cut them off?

Honestly, if you are a slow driver, and are willing to admit it, please comment on the best way to get you to move over?

Oh, and when you give me "The Finger" as I pass you, it only gives me pleasure.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

So Sad

As an educator I hope to influence my students' behavior, decision making skills, and help them to overcome difficult situations. I try to instill a sense of pride and responsibility. The year I was an assistant principal, I spent many hours working with students who were sent to my office due to their behavior. There were many "regulars" who I saw frequently. No matter what their issues were, I always tried to point out the best in them...even if I was interrupted with profanity.

But there is nothing that prepares you to see bad things happen involving former students. This particular story has the former student allegedly involved in a brutal crime. It's tough to see a 15-year-old girl possibly partake in a burglary, murder and conspiracy against an 81-year-old woman. See the story here.

This is an awful story all the way around. It's sad that the lady had to die in such a brutal way. It's sad that Katila's life has led her to this situation. I just pray for all involved, and hope that one day Katila (and the others) will learn from the past and make a better life for themselves.

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