From the Land of the Morning Inconvenience

Coming to the end of an era.

2009-08-16T13:04:00.002+09:00

For those of you who may not know, I'm in my last three weeks here in Korea. I'm moving to Taiwan on Sept. 7. Thus ends a nine year run in The Land Of The Morning Inconvenience. Those of you who follow this blog know that, for the most part, my experience here has been a positive one. However, it is definitely time for a change as, to paraphrase on of my favorite book titles, I've gone A Year too Far.

Korea is an interesting place to live to say the least. As with every other place in the world, it has its good points and its bad. For eight or the past nine years, I've been able to let the constant little annoyances, i.e.: the stares, the comments, the rudeness, and a few other things, wash off my back. However, this past year, all those things have been getting under my skin and pissing me off. So, rather than climbing to the top of the highest building I can find and taking pot shots at taxi drivers with a high-powered rifle, I've decided that moving is the more appropriate response.

The beauty of moving is, of course, that I will now have a whole new country and culture to explore. I'm sure there are things about Taiwan that I'll eventually find annoying (I'm becoming rather grumpy in my old age, lol), I expect my first year or so will be much like my first couple of years in Korea: excitement about all the new experiences I'll have and new people I'll meet.

I'm not really sure what I'll do with this blog once I get to Taiwan since the title is strictly tied to Korea, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Regardless, I'll be incommunicado from the end of August until I can get myself a new computer.

See y'all on the flipside!

How 'Bout Them Nats!!!

2009-08-07T15:40:00.003+09:00

I haven't posted about the good old Nationals lately, but it's far past time. Why? Because the Nats are on a tear! The boys just completed a sweep of the Florida Marlins today to win their 5th straight game and have won nine of their last thirteen games. Since the All-Star break and a management change from Manny Acta to Jim Riggleman, the Nats are at .500. So long to the fear of breaking the dubious losing record of the '62 Mets.

Today was a fine example of the Nationals resilience. Craig Stammen, the Nats starting pitcher didn't even make it out of the 2nd inning before being pulled and by the 3rd, the Nats were down 6-0. However, the offense never let up. On a day where Ryan Zimmerman went 4-5 with a home run, a triple, 2 singles and a walk, the Nats battled back to win the game 12-8. The sweep is a minor miracle given that the Marlins have simply owned the Nats for the last two years.

So all-in-all, it's a good day!

GO NATS!!!

Song of the day!

2009-07-26T23:40:00.000+09:00

FEAR - LET'S HAVE A WAR

[Chorus:]
There's so many of us
There's so many of us
There's so many [x2]
There's so many of us
There's so many of us
There's so many

Let's have a war
So you can go and die!
Let's have a war!
We could all use the money!
Let's have a war!
We need the space!
Let's have a war!
Clean out this place!

It already started in the city!
Suburbia will be just as easy!

[Chorus]

Let's have a war!
Jack up the Dow Jones!
Let's have a war!
It can start in New Jersey!
Let's have a war!
Blame it on the middle-class!
Let's have a war!
We're like rats in a cage!

It already started in the city!
Suburbia will be just as easy!

[Chorus]

Let's have a war!
Sell the rights to the networks!
Let's have a war!
Let our wallets get fat like last time!
Let's have a war!
Give guns to the queers!
Let's have a war!
The enemy's within!

It already started in the city!
Suburbia will be just as easy!

Manny's Gone!

2009-07-14T14:04:00.002+09:00

The Nats fired manager Manny Acta today and replaced him, for now, with bench coach Jim Riggleman. Whether this is the solution to the Nats hideous 21-62 season, only time will tell. I suppose something had to be done. They say the fish rots from the head, so it's logical that Manny got the axe (any possibility of firing the ownership??). I doubt Riggleman will be the long term solution for the Nats as he's below .400 as a manager in his own right. I think the Nats need to go out and get an old school guy like Davey Johnson who is proven and might light a fire under our underachieving team.

Anyway, maybe Manny's firing will send a message to the team, and we'll have a better second half.

Holy Crap, Batman!!!

2009-07-12T11:03:00.002+09:00

Nationals 13 - Astros 2

After a miserable start to this current road trip, where the Nats couldn't do anything right, the boys came alive. 13 runs on 21, count 'em, 21 hits, including three back to back solo home runs by Nick Johnson, Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn, and where EVERY player in the starting line-up got at least one hit.

The game started out looking like a typical Nationals blunderfest as Adam Dunn completely missed second base while running on what should have been a Josh Bard RBI double. The mistake not only ended the first inning but cost the Nats a run. After that, though, the bats exploded. Nationals hitters rocked three of the four pitchers sent to the mound by the Astros and Craig Stammen, the Nats pitcher, only gave up two runs on nine hits while pitching his first complete game.

This game was a stunning turn around that hopefully, with one game left before the All-Star break, will give the Nats a bit of momentum going into the second half. The Nats get the struggling Cubs at home to start the second half, so anything is possible.

Pinch me I'm dreamin'!!

2009-06-21T11:49:00.002+09:00

Nationals 5 - Blue Jays 3

The Nats, after going 0-8 in extra inning games (including 7 extra inning losses at home), win their second in a row on a Willie Harris walk off home run in the 12th. The boys have got themselves a season first 4 game win streak and, how's this for a stat from hell, finally made it to twenty wins (the last team in MLB this year to do so).

Last night, Adam Dunn got a walk off single to win the game in the 11th, but this was Willie harris' game. he robbed the Jays of two runs in the 5th with yet another spectacular diving catch in center field. Then manufactured a run in the 6th by hitting a double and then stealing third and scoring on a Will Nieves single. Finally, in the top of the 12th, with a runner on first, Wee Willie smashed a 2-2 fastball into the Nats bullpen for his second home run of the season. Absolutely beautiful!!!!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Manny Acta, the Nats manager, has been under the gun with rumors of his impending ouster flying fast and furious, especially before the start of the New York series. Well, to all of those Nats fans that think Manny ought to be fired: BITE ME! Show me any other team with a record as bad as the Nats (27 games under .500) in the history of baseball that plays and fights so hard for their manager? The big knock on Manny is that he shows no emotion on the field; that he doesn't argue with umpires or yell at his players. I say, good. He has commanded the respect of the players, and while the team hasn't always played well for him (understatement of the year), they have NEVER given up on him or a game. The Nats battle every game.

We got a four game winning streak, the pitching staff has taken a definite turn for the better, and although some of the big guns at the plate, Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman in particular, are suffering through a slump, the bottom of the order: Willie Harris, Alex Hernandez and Alberto Gonzalez, have stepped up with timely hitting.

The Nats may not be a great team, but they are young, fiesty, and showing flashes of pure brilliance.

GO NATS GO!!!

Nats win a series!!!!

2009-06-19T10:33:00.002+09:00

Behind some excellent pitching by rookie Craig Stammen (6 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 2 strike outs) and some spectacular defense, the Nats not only won, but SHUTOUT, the Yankees 3-0.

This game totally goes to the defense though. Bodies were flying everywhere. Alex Hernandez was superb at second base ranging from side to side and robbing Yankee hitters of base hits. At one point fully laying out to catch a line drive before it left the infield. Ryan Zimmerman was his usual amazing self at 3rd with yet another diving grab and flip to 2nd to end the 3rd inning. Maybe the most spectacular play goes to Willie Harris in left field who made an over the shoulder, diving catch at the warning track to rob A-Rod of what would have been at least a double. To add to all this, there's the fact that the Nats have played two nights in a row of error free baseball, which is saying a lot for the team that leads the MLB in defensive ineptitude with 61 errors.

Two games in a row may not seem like much to many people, but for the Nats it's huge. In my mind, if we can beat the Yankees in their own ballpark twice, we can beat anybody. The Nats have the Blue Jays starting tomorrow, then the Red Sox and Orioles. If, and this is a big if, the Nats can win at least one game in each of these series, I think it'll show that this team is on the verge of a turn around. The Nats aren't consistent enough to be labeled a "good" team yet, but they are young and certainly have the talent to eventually get there.

GO NATS!!!

Miracles may never cease!!

2009-06-18T10:58:00.002+09:00

THE NATS WON!!!!

The Nats beat the Yankees 3 to 2 in Yankee Stadium in a nail biter of a game.

In a situation where the Nats usually find a way to lose: Yankees at bat in the bottom of the 9th, 1 out, runners on 1st and 3rd, the newest closer, McDougal (he hasn't been around long enough for me to remember his first name, lol), got one of the Yankees' hottest hitters to ground into a perfectly executed double-play. It's a beautiful day.

I missed the first half of the game because I went for a swim, but apparently the starter, John Lannan, threw a hell of a game to get his fourth win in nine starts. It seems the bullpen did all right as well seeing as the Yankees only had four hits for the game. Of course one of those hits was a 2 run blast by John Damon in the 9th to get the Yankees within one and cause every Nats fan to chew their fingers down to the first knuckle.

The one thing that is great about this team despite the defensive blunders, pitching woes, and the current batting slump, is that they never, and I mean NEVER, give up on a game. Many teams with a record as bad as the Nats (on pace to lose 117 games) would be falling apart right now with players bickering and pointing fingers or simply just mailing it in on game day. Not the Nats. They play hard until the last out is recorded. That fact is probably the only thing that is keeping manager Manny Acta in his job.

Many Nats fans have been calling for Manny's head and rumours abound regarding the stability of his job, but I think they should keep him. He has players with talent albeit many of them are VERY young, and despite the losses, the team seems to making progress. Earl Weaver he ain't. Manny doesn't go out and scream at umpires, nor does he throw things around in the clubhouse after particulary embarrassing losses. In fact, what most people are troubled by it seems, is that he shows very little emotion at all. But that doesn't hide the fact that his players respect him and bust their butts for him. A number of the players have gone on record saying that they need to eliminate the silly mistakes and put a few wins on the board. They, the players, are being paid to do a job. It's not Manny booting a routine ground ball or swinging at pitches three feet off the plate.

Anyway, I'm happy because a) the Nats one a close game and b) they beat the Yankees doing it. :-D

The deed is done.

2009-06-17T12:49:00.003+09:00

It's official. At 4:30 pm, on Monday June 15, 2009, I gave my notice at Chungnam National University. Thus begins the final three months of my nine year stay in Korea.

It is a bit weird really. I've been here so long that I feel strange about leaving. I've been going through some of my previous posts, and it's been an interesting ride. Korea has treated me well over the years. Sure there have been ups and downs, but for the most part, the experience has been very positive.

That said, however, it is time for me to leave. The last six to ten months have been trying. All the little cultural and professional things that that were minor annoyances in the past, are starting to piss me off. I'm also finding that when people ask me how it's going, I can't really answer them. There's none of the excitement of being in a new country anymore. Everything has become quite routine. I still enjoy teaching my students, but that only gets you so far. Even hanging out at Santa Claus has lost a bit of it's appeal (although we all know, that isn't going to stop until I'm on the plane out of here, lol).

Thus we come to the end. In three months I'll be in Taiwan and beginning a whole new adventure; another country and culture to explore. Maybe in time I'll return to Korea, but it won't be for a while. I need to get out of here for an extended time before I'll once again be able to appreciate the things that I enjoyed about this country.

Song of the night

2009-06-11T00:32:00.002+09:00

Running On Empty
Songwriter: Jackson Browne

Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up one-o-one
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on

Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind

Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned onto the road I'm on

Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind

Everyone I know, everywhere I go
People need some reason to believe
I don't know about anyone but me
If it takes all night, that'll be alright
If I can get you to smile before I leave

Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to, to pull me through
Looking into their eyes I see them running too

Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind

Honey, you really tempt me
You know the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around
But I'm running behind

Running on
You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find
Running behind
Running into the sun but I'm running behind

Graduating for Dummies, Vol. 1

2009-06-09T16:33:00.004+09:00

This is a quick and easy guide for all of you who would wish to graduate from a Korean university.

Step one: Sign up for the classes you put off until your final semester.

Step two: Get a job as a flunky at some Korean firm.

Step three: Never go to any of the classes you registered for and make certain that the teacher has no idea who you are.

Step four: Show up on the day of the final exam with a note from your major department excusing you for four months of absents.

Step five: Demand a passing grade, most preferably an "A".

Step six: Look shocked and close to tears when the teacher says, "No. I can't pass you. You never came to class."

Step seven: Complain, cry, or whine at every person who you think has the power to force the teacher to change the grade.

Step eight: Wipe your forehead and breathe a sigh of relief as an English Department flunky changes your grade regardless of the teacher's wishes.

Step nine: Skip happily off to your stupid ass job, degree in hand, and bully any one who dares to interrupt you while you play computer games at your desk.

***You think I'm kidding. I've had three so far this semester.***

Something strange happened on the way to the ballpark...

2009-06-07T11:50:00.003+09:00

What's this? The Keystone Cops are suddenly The Untouchables! The reliably inept Nationals did something completely surprising today: they won a game. Not only did they win, but they won convincingly. Only a stupid fielding error in the 8th inning by Elijah Dukes marred what was an overall stellar performance by the team.

John Lannan pitched a masterful four hit complete game (the first of his career). Lannan got early run support in the form of an RBI single from Ryan Zimmerman and home runs from Adam Dunn, Dukes, and Nick Johnson as well as help from an unusually sharp defense which turned five double plays. The result: Washington 7 - New York Mets 1.

If you lived in a cave and only saw this game, you might be fooled into believing this was a good team!!

GO NATS!!!

It's gotta be a record of some sort...

2009-05-18T18:47:00.002+09:00

The Nationals managed to lose four games in 48 hours. The Phillies, who after losing 6 of 8 prior to coming to Washington, got a morale boost by sweeping a four game series IN Washington. Woo Hoo!

Sigh...

2009-05-16T12:39:00.003+09:00

The Nats managed to tie the game in the 8th, get the winning run on third with no outs in the 9th, fail to close the deal, and give up 4 runs in the 12th for yet another loss.

The Nationals Mystery

2009-05-16T10:03:00.002+09:00

This team simply boggles the mind. The Nats are in the top four in the National League in all offensive categories: home runs, batting average, on base percentage and runs per game (at an outstanding 6.5 runs a game), yet they can't seem to win on a regular basis.

The starting rotation has problems, Daniel Cabrera (why he hasn't been sent to the minors is beyond me) and John Lannan have struggled in particular. However, rookies Shairon Martis and Jordan Zimmerman, as well as Scot Olsen have been putting up quality starts and keeping the Nats in the game in to the sixth and seventh innings.

Then there is the bullpen. It's a disaster. Take today's game. It's the seventh inning, there are no outs, runners on first and third, and the Nats have been through four pitchers already because not a one of the relievers can throw a Goddamned strike. When they do throw a strike, it's a pitch right over the plate that quickly ends up in the outfield.

**Case in point: The Nats just finished a painful 7th inning in which they used five, count 'em FIVE, relief pitchers and gave up three runs to take a 6-4 lead**

The Nats have two first round picks in the up coming draft (thanks to last season's 102 losses). They're bound to take Stephen Strasbourg, a young kid who's been pitching lights out ball in the minors. Hopefully, they'll be able to find someone, ANYONE, to help this staff. There is also the possibility of getting some trades done as the Nats have an abundance of quality outfielders.

Anyway, at least with the way the Nats are hitting, they're never out of a game and the Phillies' bullpen has about as many problems as the Nats. Here's hoping.

Gonna be a good day.

2009-05-16T09:34:00.002+09:00

This is one of those perfect Saturdays. I had a good night's sleep for a change, it's cold and rainy outside, and the Nats are winning (at least for the moment). The weather, of course, offers the perfect excuse to be a complete vegetable, so I'll take full advantage by watching some ball, reading the paper and puttering around the house. I downloaded a couple of movies last night, so I have something to watch if I get bored.

I didn't go out last night, which is the biggest reason I feel so good today. I was supposed to meet my buddy Ian for dinner but fell asleep and just didn't feel like going out when I woke up. I might go out later, but that decision is a long way off given that it's only 9:45 in the morning.

(Nats update: We had a 4-1 lead going in to the sixth, but the starter John Lannan just hit two batters and gave up an RBI single, and has been pulled. It's 4-2, the bullpen is in play, and the adventure begins...make that 4-3...sigh)

Could this be a turning point?

2009-05-03T14:24:00.002+09:00

So far this season, watching the Washington Nationals play baseball has been an adventure. Whether it's through horrible pitching or lousy defense the Nats have usually found a way to shoot themselves in the foot; snatching defeat from the mouth of victory in dumb-founding ways. The positive spin on this is that at least the games are never dull! Well maybe, just maybe, yesterday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals might prove to be the catalyst for something good to happen.

The game's star by far was a little known rookie pitcher, Shairon Martis, who, in only his ninth start as a major leaguer, shut down the high-powered (albiet Albert Pujol-less) Cardinal line-up, giving up one run on six hits over nine innings. Martis also became, amazingly enough, the first pitcher since the Nats moved to Washington five years ago, to pitch a complete game. To back Martis up, the Nats played error free, often inspired defense; robbing the Cards of base hits with spectacular play. Christian Guzman and Adam Dunn both broke out of distressing slumps at the plate (a combined 0-17 prior to this game) with Dunn crushing a two out fastball into the second-tier seats for three of the Nats five runs.

I'm not surprised that Manny Acta left Martis in the game. Martis had thrown only 85 pitches by the end of the seventh, and given the spectacular bullpen collapses over the past ten games or so, why in God's name would you take the chance of another late inning disaster. The kid was in command, let him pitch!

Hopefully, Martis' performance will inspire the other starters (who, with the exception of Cabrera, actually haven't been too bad) to really bring their A game, last into the later innings, and reduce the chances of the bullpen blowing things up.

In other Nats news, Ryan Zimmerman continues to impress with his stellar defense at third base as well as a league leading 21 game hitting streak, and making it look easy to boot. At age 24, and signed to a new contract, Zimm's going to be a great asset to the team for many years to come.

All I ask for is baby steps. Let's get the first back-to-back wins of the season tomorrow and build from there!

GO NATS!!!

On a roll, sure, but can the Nats ever get out of the driveway?

2009-04-20T07:51:00.002+09:00

After a stirring win over Philly, the wheels came off the bus once a again. The Nationals got swept by the Marlins for the second time this season dropping their record to 1-10. I won't bother to watch Sunday's game a) because I already know the score (yet another blown ninth inning lead), and b) after watching the two previous games, I'm not sure I could bear the pain.

Friday's game at National Park saw the Nats take a 2-1 lead into the ninth on the back of quality pitching by starter John Lannan and set up guys Julian Tavares and Joe Beimel. Then on comes Joel Hanrahan for his first real save opportunity of the season. Result: hanging slider out over the plate for Cody Ross to deposit over the fence and tie the game. That of course led to an RBI single in the 11th. Nats lose 2-3.

Saturday was even worse. The Nats line-up rocked the Marlins pitcher J. Johnson for five runs in the 1st inning including a grand slam from Austin Kearns. Then scored another run in the 2nd to give the Nats a 6-0 lead. Scott Olsen, coming off a disasterous first start, responded by shutting down the Marlins high-powered offense, giving up only two runs, until he left in the 7th - Score: 6-2. Even though the Nats hitting cooled down in the later innings (one hit after the 3rd), the game still seemed well in hand. Some good relief pitching and a spectacular leaping catch at the wall by Roger Bernadina (during which he unfortunately fractured his ankle) kept the game at 6-3 going into the 9th. On comes Joel Hanrahan for his second save opportunity. A couple of stupid errors by the Nats defense puts Marlins on first and second base. In steps the bane of the Nats existence, Jeremy Hermida. All Hanrahan has to do is get him to ground into a double play, and the Nats go home with a win. Instead, Hanrahan throws a fast ball right over the plate, and Hermida dumps in the centerfield seats. Tie game. The Marlins go on to score three more runs and win 9-6.

Sunday's game? Same thing only this time it was Saul Rivera who couldn't hold a 4-3 lead in the 9th. Final score: Nats lose 7-4.

How badly do the Marlins own the Nats? Since last season the Marlins are 23-3 against the Nats. Aiii-go!

If there is a bright side to all this, it's that I get to take out my frustrations by giving my students their mid-term exams this week. Misery LOVES company. hee hee hee heeeeee!

One in a row! Nats on a roll!!

2009-04-17T17:16:00.003+09:00

Washington 8 - Philadephia 2

Well, it's certainly nice to see another team's pitchers get rung up for a change. The Nats put on a display of power today against the Phillies that seems to be becoming more and more common: Adam Dunn and a Elijah Dukes both homered again. Josh Willingham jacked a fat fastball into the Phillies bullpen in the 7th, and Alberto Gonzales, known more for his speed than his power, got his second career HR in the 8th.

The big difference, of course, was that the Nats pitching staff didn't give all the runs back. For the first time this season, a Nats pitcher lasted a full six innings, the bullpen actually did their job and shut down the dinger-happy Phillies line-up. With the 8-1 Marlins coming to town this week, let's hope that the disasterous first run through the rotation is a thing of the past.

GO NATS!!!

The End Of An Era

2009-04-17T08:14:00.002+09:00

It's a sad day for football fans. John Madden, the true voice of the NFL, is retiring. It's going to be really weird to watch games without his inciteful commentary and his silly "Boinks" and "Booms". The isn't a sports commentator out there that, in my mind, can hold a candle to Madden.

Sure, he sometimes had a pentient for stating the all-to-obvious: "If the quarterback throws the ball to the receiver, and the receiver runs into the endzone. Well, that's a touchdown." But the thing that I'll miss most about Madden is his knowledge of the game and especially his love of the big men in the trenches. Those guys that do all the dirty work but get few of the accolades. Madden had a knack for getting you into the line, showing how important footwork and technique were; what made a Hall of Fame guard or defensive tackle. Give John a game to call where it was raining or snowing, and he was in his element, pointing out some lineman with mud dripping off his facemask and blood smeared on his uniform, and saying, "Now, there's a football player!"

I remember Madden doing a Redskins/Dallas game back in the 80s and he was comparing Redskins receiver Gary Clark to Dallas' then prima donna Micheal Irvin. He'd put Clark up on the telestrator and circle his untucked, grass-stained jersey, talk about how small Clark was, and about how hard he worked. Then Madden would get a shot of Irvin in his spotless uniform and practically scoff. Madden loves the underdog; the small guy who plays ferociously in a big man's game.

Apparently Chris Collinsworth, who, in my opinion, is a top flight commentator, has been chosen to replace Madden, but football just won't be the same.

So long, John. Enjoy your retirement. You'll be missed.

Departmental Review

2009-04-15T08:34:00.002+09:00

"Couldn't happen to a nicer guy" Dept.:

Yesterday was the last day of the spring institute session, and, as usual, the institute had it's end of session lottery in which the main prize is a 1.5 million won travel voucher students can use to travel to a foreign country (secondary prizes include free tuition for the following session). Anyway, one of my students, Ryan (Seung Min-Jeung), won the big prize. I'm very happy for him. He's a really good kid and has very good English skills. The best thing about it is that he's never had the opportunity to travel abroad before and now he gets the chance. It shows that good things do indeed happen to good people!

"Medical Anomoly or Baseball as Holistic Medicine" Dept.:

Last week, Wednesday to be specific, I blew out my left knee. The miniscus ligamet tore and I was hobbling around in a great deal of pain. I went to the doctor on Friday, and he informed me that I would need surgery, which we then scheduled for Friday this week. The idea of surgery, coupled with being in pain, did nothing for my mood on Friday, so as a distraction, I decided to go to a baseball game and get drunk. I accomplished both goals and had a damn good time in the process.

Well, it seems that the combination of baseball and massive quantities of alcohol have magical curative powers. Yes, I can see the raised eyebrows and the hear the sarcastic, "Oh, really?" It's true, and I'm a believer. I believe because I got up the next day, hung over as stink, and was wandering around the house for about 30-45 minutes before I realised that my knee wasn't bothering me. "Odd," I thought, but I remained PAIN FREE all day Saturday. I figured it had to be some sort of fluke; a weird psychosematic reaction to having surgery; and that the pain would surely be back on Sunday. Nope. No pain. I felt so good that I went to another baseball game, had a great time, and figured I'd be back to my old gimpy-ass self on Monday. I woke up Monday feelin' fine. It's Wednesday now, and I still have no pain and a full range of motion in my knee. Go figure.

Now I may be making a mistake, but I'm going to stop by the doctor's office this afternoon and cancel the surgery. First of all, surgery sucks. I don't want to do it period, but if I was still in pain, I'd suck it up and go. But I'm not in pain; I feel fine. Will this aggravate my knee problems in the future? Maybe. But given the choice of no pain now vs. certain excruciating pain for a month and three months of being on crutches...well...I'm opting for the no pain now course.

"Baseball as Soul Butcher" Dept.:

As much as baseball may have holistic healing powers, it also the power to rip out your soul and cast it deep into the fiery depths of Hell. Thus it is for Nationals fans. The Nats this season have a revitalized batting order that has provided more scoring in a week of games than the team put up in the entire first month of last season, and yet the team is 0-7.

I watched the opening day game at Nationals Park yesterday against the World Champion Phillies. Now the Phillies team was reeling from the death of long time announcer Harry Kallas, who had collapsed and died in the announcer's booth two hours before game time (Kallas had been the voice of the Phillies for 38 years and was to Philly fans and the team as Harry Carey was to the Cubs). Despite 14 hits, including home runs from Elijah Dukes, Adam Dunn, and Ryan Zimmerman, and putting 8 runs on the board, the Nats still managed to lose the game 9-8. This is due to some really shoddy fielding (3 errors) and a Nats pitching staff that has a tendency to throw fat, hanging, breaking balls over the middle of the plate that leave the park with alarming quickness.

If the Nats want to avoid another 102-loss season, they're going to have to do something about their bullpen. They've got the bats, but if they keep giving up 7-8 runs a game, it's going to be a lo-o-o-o-o-ong season.

"Life in General" Dept. :

Same shit, different day. Sigh.

Quote of the week:

2009-03-01T16:13:00.002+09:00

Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta while watching new acquisition Adam Dunn crush balls over the right field fence during batting practice: "How stupid am I? That's where I parked my car. Nobody ever hits it out there. I wonder if I have a windshield."

Things are looking up a bit for the Nats. If they can get some pitching, they have the line up to get 'em out of the MLB basement.

Daniel "ATM" Snyder does it again!

2009-02-28T15:29:00.002+09:00

The Washington Redskins is a team with troubles. There's the aging, porous offensive line that seems unable to stop pre-schoolers from getting to the quarterback, a defensive line that hasn't reached the opposing quarterback since man first walked upright, only four picks in this years darft due to prior wing-and-a-prayer trades, and a salary cap situation as close to desperate as one can get. Let's not mention that the economy is in the tank.

So what does The Danny do? He drops $170 million on two defensive players: free agent "Fat" Albert Haynesworth, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and returning ex-Raider DeAngelo Hall. The upside of this is the fact that Haynesworth, when not injured or winded, is arguably the best defensive lineman in the league. He's a commanding presence in the middle who often gets double and triple-teamed thus opening holes for the linebackers and defensive ends to get to the other team's QB. The downside is that he comes laden with baggage. This is the Albert Haynesworth who was suspended for five games for stomping on the unprotected head of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode during a game. He has been cited in a few off the field road rage incidents (he has apparently been getting anger management counseling) and has been accused of not having a very good work ethic and being difficult to coach. Which Albert Haynesworth shows up at game time is anyone's guess. Is he worth the $100 mil The Danny gave him? Not so sure.

DeAngelo Hall played well after being signed by the Skins last November after being let go from the Raiders. However, he also has a rep for being a "problem child". So far, he's been a model Redskin and should be happy with his new $55 million contract, but like Haynesworth, part of his baggage is the suspicion that he's a play-for-contract guy who slacks off once the money is pocketed. Again, time will tell whether or not things work out.

The bigger issue though is that, now, the Skins have no money to pursue other needs, of which the offensive line is most pressing. The Skins could have gone after Dallas defensive lineman Chris Canty, who has tremendous upside with none of the baggage, signed him for a third of the cost of Haynesworth, and still had money to go after some free agent offensive linemen. However, that's not how The Danny operates. It seems that if he can't make headlines by drowning a player in money, Danny doesn't want to do the deal. Other teams, most notably the Pittsburgh Steelers, have created winning franchises by eschewing the splashy (read expensive) free agent signings and building from within through quality draft picks and taking the time to forge great players out of untested rookies. Snyder has more money than God but lacks the patience and simple football sense required to build a winning team.

Once again, the Skins "won" the off-season. Let's hope it translates to something better than another 8-8 season.

From the mouths of...er...well...

2009-02-18T00:42:00.003+09:00

Got home tonight, drunk off my ass. Yeah, yeah, nothing new to report there, BUT! I bought some shit from the 1st floor store and met a guy at the elevator. Young, healthy westerner (if he was 22 I'm George Washington!) with his hair in dreads, Feeeling socialable I naturally asked, "What's up?'

He responded, "I'm going to have a beer with my martial arts instructer."

To which I responded, "Well, I'm off to destroy myself."

I thought, well, to each his own. I got beer and ice cream. I'm set!

Song of the day:

Wall Of Voodoo: Mexican Radio

I feel a hot wind on my shoulder
and the touch of a world that is older
I turn the switch and check the number
I leave it on when in bed I slumber

I hear the rhythms of the music
I buy the product and never use it
I hear the talking of the DJ
Can't understand, just what does he say?

I'm on a Mexican radio
I'm on a Mexican, waah ooo, radio

I dial it in and tune the station
They talk about the U.S. inflation
I understand just a little
No comprende - it's a riddle

I'm on a Mexican radio
On a Mexican waah ooo, radio

I wish I was in Tiajuana
eating barbequed iguana
I take requests on the telephone
I'm on a wavelength far from home

I feel a hot wind on my shoulder
I dial it in from the south of the border
I hear the talking of the DJ
Can't understand, just what does he say?

I'm on a Mexican radio
I'm on a Mexican waah ooh, radio

Radio

What does he say?

or maybe this

Warrior Soul - Losers

Have you ever wanted
To be someone you're not
But you look into the world
And you see what you've got
There's nothing there
But brains and guts

Finally open the door
And then it shuts
Look to the center
And I think you'll find
The people that are gettin
'They are blind

You changed the channel
And there's nothing there
You weren't born pretty
And it isn't fair...

Here's to the losers
The substance abusers
To the rejects
All the imperfects
'Cause I think we're beautiful
'Cause I think we're beautifu
l'Cause I think we're beautiful
No matter what anyone says
I think we're beautiful
Them most beautiful

In the world
You try for jobs
But they say you're strange
You're sportin' a style
That they call pain
So you get in trouble
And your brain is gone
You're cryin' out man
But the words are wrong

Here's to the losers
The substance abusers
To the rejects
All the imperfects
'Cause I think we're beautiful
'Cause I think we're beautiful
'Cause I think we're beautifu
lNo matter what anyone says
I think we're beautiful
Them most beautiful In the world

I know you're tired
Of being put down
And all the crap that's said in town
But you're the person that matters most
I raise my glass, and make a toast

This one's for the losers
Substance abusers
To the rejects
All the imperfects
To the retarded
And the broken-hearted
To the starving massses
And the lower classes
'Cause I think we're beautiful

'Cause I think we're beautiful
'Cause I think we're beautiful
No matter what anyone else says
I think we're beautiful

Harummpf!

2009-02-06T16:18:00.002+09:00

Football season is over, and the Skins once again battled their way to the bottom of the NFC East, baseball season is not for another two months, I'm broke, I'm bored, and I hate my job. Other than that, things are ju-u-u-u-ust dandy!

I decided I'd write a bit on the blog because I have 45 minutes to kill before my final class of what has been the longest week in the history of man...er...humankind (don't want the PC Police to come after me). What's that Green Day song that says that when even porn gets boring you're in trouble? Anyway, I figure I'll just sit here and rant for a bit.

Breaking news: the economy sucks!! Oh. You knew that did you? Ok.

How 'bout this? Wall Street bankers are greedy sons of bitches!! Knew that too, huh? Damn.

Ah-HAH! The war in Afghanistan is going to get worse!!!! Crap. Don't tell me, you heard that as well.

Then let's go with this question: why are people treating Michael Phelps like he's a mass murderer? He's a 23 year old kid who took a hit off a bong for crying out loud. What? Did he then chew someone's leg off in a fit of ravenous munchies?? Give the poor kid a break! Like one of my friends mentioned yesterday, the kid works harder in one swim season than most folks work in an entire year. He's not allowed to relax? I want to know how many of the people who have said, "He's a role model, kids look up to him," have hit the bong themselves? How many of the outraged parents spent their college years stoned out of their jockeys. Bloody hypocrites! It's the old "Do as I say, not as I do" routine. The thing I find really interesting is that the US swim team didn't suspend him last year when he was busted for DUI, which, if you ask me is the far worse offense, but they've suspended him. Kellogg's pulled their endorsement (guess he's coming off the Wheaties box), and the world, no, not the world, just the holier-than-thou fuckers who run the show in the U.S., are crucifying the poor bugger.

Well, my brain just went on the fritz, and I forgot what else I was going to say. I guess I'll go out and have a smoke and decide what the hell I'm gonna do with this last class; can't teach 'em, can't shoot 'em.