Junie Cracks an Insult

Junie's version of a wicked insult: "Oh yeah? You can't see in the dahk, cuz youuuuuu nevah eat carrots!"

In Case you Missed it . . .

In case you haven't been paying attention: with A-Rod back on the field the Yanks have surged. They've won 5 straight and are now only 3.5 games out of a wild card spot. This, despite being declared dead in the water pre-Arod. Rodriguez, btw, was 0-3 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored yesterday

I should also mention that they've won 11 of 14 since his return. A-Rod I bow to thee!

Gulp

Less than 90 minutes until Marquette orientation. Rattler's in my stomach . . . .

Student loans make it possible to anyone. When there's a will there's a way. It's a huge financial risk....but sometimes risk pays off. - Lisa

update: 

Orientation at Marquette went fine. It was five hours long and featured two one hour class sessions, despite, you know, school not actually starting until next week :) 

The program is big on the Socratic method, which is a bit of an adjustment, but once I was called on and grilled for four or five minutes the nerves passed. I'm one of only 18 students in the part-time program and it looks like we'll be stuck with one another for years, so for good or bad we're bound to become a tight knit bunch. 

By coincidence my seat was next to someone I'd met and chatted with at the LSAT. We both congratulated each other on making the cut. Small world. 

This is just the beginning of the process, and as we all know (and some people may desire) this may all wind up a disaster. 

But, *IF* this was some dorky TV movie, and the start of law school was the denouement of a standard underdog story, it would have ended on the very view I saw driving home via 794: The moon, full and bright against a pitch black sky, surrounded by blossoming fireworks as it cast a single bar of light over the still waters of the lake. 

I almost laughed out loud at the cheesiness of it. :)

Quote

Carlos Harmon sez: Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is that you're ignorant and make bad decisions.

Paul Poberzny

RIP EAA founder Paul Poberzny, age 91

Same Love

I don't like the song "Same Love" by  Macklemore. It's got nothing to do with its stance on gay marriage,  I just don't think it's a very good song. Aside from the guest vocals by Mary Lambert there's nothing to it aside from a preachy monologue. What bothers me the most is that *I'm not allowed to dislike it* without running the risk of being labelled a bigot. This isn't anti-PC paranoia, someone actually suggested the two were equated, and Lisa has asked me not to mention my thoughts on the song, a request I reject firmly/respectfully as a ridiculous concession to group think. People, it's a pop song without a hook! If the subject was more conventional you'd have booed it off the radio in the first week.

The 30th Grandpa's Day

Last Saturday was the 30th anniversary of a road trip I took with my Grandfather, a trip that took place less than three weeks before his death. It was, and remains, one of the best days of my life. Lisa and I had planned on going up north to a corn roast to mark the day, but we cxl'd that as punishment for the kids behaviour on the way to IKEA earlier in the week. Instead, it was a quiet day at home. Still, after Mass, just as twilight was marking the sky, I took the kids to visit his grave. RIP Grandpa.

I wish I could have this [known this]  person who had such a profound effect on your life. - Tre

Batting Cages

Took Team Slap to the batting cages yesterday. Yeah, the kids had fun, bonded, learned stuff, blah blah. Anyway, the important bit: on a lark I stepped into the 70 MPH cage and, to the amazement of one and all, connected on 18 of 24 pitches - a total that included some nasty rockets. It may well be the single most athletic accomplishment of my life.

Foul tips don't count, my friend. ;-)  Tre

Elmore Leonard

RIP Elmore Leonard, age 87

At the Batting Cages with Junie

What a Game

GREAT Yankees-Red Sox game tonight. A-Rod was drilled intentionally in the 2nd, a juvenile act that was roundly cheered by the classless Boston fans. In his next at bat Alex drove in a run, and when he led off the 6th with the Yankees down three he pounded a tape-measure shot to right center. The joy on his face was wonderful, and when he got to home plate he stopped, pointed his fingers to the sky ala David Ortiz, and just let the boos wash over him. F'ing brilliant! The homer started a rally that led to a Yankees win. Rodriguez's final line: 3-4 with a home run, two runs scored, a HBP, and two RBI's. A-Rod, I bow to thee!

Aside from seeing A-Rod trample the disgusting Red Sox, my day did slightly improve when I went out for some exercise with the kids. I let Parker and Olivia ride their bikes while Lauren and I set out on foot. It was the first real test of my knee in a week, and I made it about half a mile before the pain reared up and I tapped out rather than injure it further. Still, progress. Lisa then gave me a ride to the store where PD/OJ met me with their bikes. Afterwards I let them bike home, with permission to ride around the perimeter of the park first. Then stretched this to a 90 minute romp and returned after dark, but WTH - at least they got in a good workout. :)

It is just about impossible to gauge how much fan-love I have for Alex Rodriguez. 

A Waste

So far a wasted day off . . . and nothing makes me more bitter

Yikes

Idiocy

Ken Rosenthal:

"But perhaps the best way for him [Mark McGwire] to enhance his [HOF] candidacy would be to say the words that so many wanted to hear when he testified before Congress on March 17, 2005:

"Yes, I used steroids. And I'm sorry."

[McGwire: "I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize... I wish I had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize... I shouldn't have done it and for that I'm truly sorry."]

Ken Rosenthal in December 2012:

"Mark McGwire has admitted using PEDs. It’s reasonable to conclude that without the drugs, he would not have produced the same power numbers, the numbers that are the essence of his candidacy. Thus, I do not vote for him."

Well, Ken DID say "perhaps.

- Gonfalon Bubble on BTF

My, that was a purty little home run A-Rod hit yesterday. Now 12 shy of Mays.

Wrapping up the State Fair

It was a great State Fair, and I greatly enjoyed the eleven days I spent with the kids in Lisa's absence. 

My biggest pet peeve from these weeks: people who asked me if I was "ok" or "how was I holding up". Jeezus people, I made the kids, I should be able to handle two weeks with them. What an antiquated and sexist question.

I'm actually grateful for the time, as I think it proved to them that Dad can take care of business at home and that Mom is more than "just a" Mom. I wish that Lisa had been able to pursue a similar opportunity in MN, but there's just not enough of a support system here to ride out a 2nd two week spell with both of us working. On Sunday I got the opportunity to spend the evening at the fair, and at close helped take apart Lisa's booth and stack it on a pallet - work that's definitely harder than my real job!

Johnny Logan

Aw man. RIP Milwaukee Braves great Johnny Logan, age 86

The Witch Hunt Continues

Former MLB All-Star Jack Clark has publicly accused Albert Pujols of using PED's, saying he knows this "for a fact". He has also accused, though without the same level of alleged personal knowledge, ex-player Shawn Green and Tigers ace of aces, Justin Verlander. If true, yikes. If not, Clark is an ass.

Rahny, of KiSS FM's Wes, Rahny and Ali morning show has been let go. WTH??? It's the only morning show of any worth left in Milwaukee - or was. You'll be missed Rahny.

I've been clean shaven for eight days now. Still not sure if I'm going to grow it all back. In other news, today was my first walk with the kids since injuring my MCL on June 21st. We only walked about seven blocks round trip., and my knee ached by the end, but I'm happy to get out and on the road again.

Johnny Damon Can Go Take a Flying Leap

The Idiot Otherwise Known As Johnny Damon says his 2009 World Series ring is "diminished" for him if it turns out A-Rod was using PED's at the time. In related news, he's giving back his 2004 Red Sox ring since David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and who knows how many other BoSox were 'roided to the nines at the time. $%# moron.

Happy Birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday Junie! We love you! xo

Some artwork of mine from the '70's

Here's some artwork of mine, dated 1979, age 5. My kids do better work. 

Sharknado

Maybe I shouldn't have let Junie  watch "Sharknado" with me. A poor parenting decision, that, but not as poor a choice as choosing to write, produce, or star in that atrocity.

Well it was entertaining as camp, but yes, it was worse than most school plays.

I have finally impressed YaYa. I was on the phone, arguing something with a business and swallowed several minutes of  Valley Girl upspeak, dripping with sarcasm. I finally cut her off and said "Look, you can be as loud and as snotty as you like for as long as you like, but you're still wrong." She *was* wrong, and later admitted it. After I got off the phone YaYa applauded and said "Well done, Dad. That was great."