A bit of philosophy

Earlier today I was thinking about a friend of mine. And how she gets excited about things that I could really not care less about. (But to be fair, I get super excited about things that she doesn't enjoy.) And then I started thinking about how other people might see her. And that got me thinking about how people see me.

I accept that I'm slightly cynical and quite sarcastic. And I know that I entertain my friends with the snarky sarcasm. But what do people who don't know me think? And if you happen to only know me through my intermittent postings, what have those said about me?

Anyway, the point to my musings is wondering if anyone would be surprised that I really can be optimistic. I read this article this afternoon about baseball, that while isn't actually an optimistic article, it perfectly illustrates why I love baseball so much. The author is a former player and manager, and is now a baseball writer. And he talks about how anything can happen in a game. "It's not like a play or a movie where it comes out the same way every time. No one knows how it's going to come out." And that's exactly my favorite thing. Even though my team is in last place, even though August was the first time in a year that they had a winning record in a month, anything can happen when you go to the ballpark. It's always a new day, a new game, endless possibilities.

So maybe it's not a bad thing to be excited about things that other people can't understand. After all, the more places and things you find joy in, the happier you would be. Every day brings new chances, new possibilities, new opportunities.

Well, enough of that. I'm just excited that I posted what I was actually thinking about. I think of things I want to say all the time, but I just never get around to posting. So maybe the post took an hour to write this, but hey look, it's posted!

reflections caused by relief society visits

I've gone on a lot of Relief Society visits this week. And it's really strange when I go visit someone, and then in conversation, realize that I know a lot of the same people, even if I don't remember ever meeting this woman whose living room I'm sitting in.

And then occasionally these women will decide that they don't want to be the only one talking, so they turn to us and ask us some of those same questions we ask them. Today one woman asked us where we were all from. The Relief Society president has lived here in Glendale all her life. She and the first counselor have lived in our ward so long and know so many stories of all these people that have lived here for so long. They start talking about the people they know, and their kids, and their grandkids. And I sit there and have no idea what's going on. Some of my friends have known each other almost all of their lives. If it weren't for the internet, I would have no contact with anyone that I knew in high school. (Not that I really talk to them all that much, but that's not the point.) And as for people I knew in grade school? There's no one I still talk to that I knew then.

I don't really know where I'm going with this. On one hand, I want my kids to have a long-term connection with the place they grew up, and have those deep roots in a community. But, on the other hand, I want them to experience different things and different places. To see different places, and go travel and meet different people.

Well, it doesn't matter at the moment, since I'm not dating and don't really have any prospects right now. I should just turn my attention to my calling and my family and not worry about something so nebulous as the future.

I'm glad that August is almost over though. I will be so glad when the temperature drops. And I am really looking forwards to October and the beginning of Fall Ball. I miss watching a baseball game outside. I miss weather, and rain, and wind in the trees. At least when fall ball starts, I'll get cool evenings and baseball that I can just sit back and enjoy, and not be so attached to the outcome.

A good week. So far.

Some fun things happened this week.

I found a new friend. Well, she's rather making me be her friend. But it's been a while since I've had a new friend, so why not? And, new friend cuts hair, so I finally got my hair cut. It's short and bouncy again.

Today my roommate and I took my niece to the baseball game. That is some good fun times. Even if she insists on playing at the playgrounds for most of the game. But she got to hug Baxter, and be on the big screen.

The Diamondbacks have won five in a row, and have finally swept a series. It's been more than a year since they won five, and the first series sweep of the year. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come. Or at least an end of last place.

As a counselor in the Relief Society, part of my responsibilities is to go on visits to the sisters of the ward. As the unmarried counselor, I took our ward's SA rep on visits tonight. Tonight was really the first time I felt like I really knew what I was doing as a representative of the Relief Society, of the ward, and of Heavenly Father. I'd had little glimpses of that in the last few weeks of visits. But tonight was different. We visited two sisters, both divorced, one with 2 girls and the other with 1 boy. And in conversation with the first, the topic turns to marriage and everything. (What else is going to come up when you have 3 single women sitting and chatting? Things like how I'm getting a Stripling Warrior and all that.) And all of a sudden, I'm talking and saying stuff that I've said before, but never to this sister. And I look over and she's leaning forwards and is intent on my words, and I realize that she needed to hear what I had to say. That my calm acceptance of this life is because of the great hope and trust of what the next life holds. And trust in the Plan and Mercy of God. It was a rather awesome moment.

So, yeah, a good week so far. I have an interesting day ahead tomorrow. And more baseball, too. So things are good, and I'm thinking more cheerful thoughts.

See, I told you my next post would be happier! Have a happy rest of the week!

Good times, baseball, circling thoughts, and a new plan.

It was a nice day. Yesterday was good, too. But my brain keeps circling around things I don't want to think about.

Yesterday I was not needed by my brother-in-law, so I spent my afternoon playing with his kids. (By the way, my bro-in-law is in school to be a dental hygenist, and needs patients. If you can spare $25 and 3 or 4 visits at 4 hours each during the week, you're promised a very clean set of teeth. Oh, and he needs a special needs patient, and pregnant women fall into that category. So if any of you pregnant friends can go, that would be great.)

So playing with my nieces and nephew. They are such great kids. I have such fun when I go and play with them. One of these days I'll post a picture of them. Sister took a nap when her two youngest do while I play video games with the oldest. Then we all pile into my little car to go to dinner. Bath time and then bed time. Scriptures and stories. Good times. (My sister is such a good Mom. I hope I can be like her.)

And the weather has been just fantastic lately. Tonight was another baseball game. Great game, lots of hits, lots of runs. Two wins in a row. And fireworks too!

But as I was driving home, my good mood wandered away. I start thinking about guys and wondering about guys I've dated, wondering how they are and stuff. Which is a pointless exercise. But it's been bothering me the last week or so. I'm not quite sure why. Prolly just my complete lack of a dating life at the moment. But as I'm driving home, I just want to go faster and faster, as if I could possibly outrun my thoughts.

Well, I just need to think about other things. I have my calling to occupy me. I need to study lessons and handbooks, and get my focus on something else. So that's the plan. Play with kids and study scripture. Stay busy. That should work. It will work. I'll let you know.

Hey, I have readers! And then I talk of baseball.

Hey look at that! I have readers. And hey, look at me, posting two days in a row! Well technically twice in one day. Whatever. Twice in one month. There, I can be happy with that.

Anyways, I was going to respond in the comments, but then I changed my mind. I know I keep my eye on the comments if I leave one, but I don't know if anyone else does.

Whatever. Do I have a point today? I don't know. I'll try to find one.

Kristi, you wanted to hear about boys. There really isn't anything to tell. At least there are no current boys to talk about. So if I talk about guys, and there's nothing in the present, I have only the past to bring up. And really, who wants to go there?

So I'm watching the baseball game as I write this. It's been a rough season so far. Anyone want to go to some games? Don't get me wrong, I still love to go. I still cheer, I still have hope that they can win. It's just easier when different people come. Wouldn't that be a great way for us all to catch up? I can turn in tickets and get a bunch of tickets together for one game. Anyone interested in that? That would be so fun! Yes, lets do this! Let me know if you want to do that. They're in town this week, 9-14, and again 23-28. Or I can tell you about July and August.

My parents are getting burned out on going to nearly every game. Soon they'll cut back to Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. So I'm going to need some company.

Every game has so much potential. After all, in every game you have a chance to see something you've never seen before. No matter what happened the day before, every time I walk into the ballpark, I know they can win. Whether they do or not doesn't matter. But they have an opportunity every day to win and to do better than the day before. And we have that same chance. Every day we have a chance to do better than we did the day before.

Look at that. A ramble turning to baseball, and then finding life lessons out of baseball. Good times.

One more time: if you want to go to a game, or get a group together, I would be more than happy to arrange it. It's so much fun going as a group.

Game over. A sad loss. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day, another chance.

Baseball Ups and Downs

(Note: This is a very baseball-geeky entry. Just so if you don't want to read about baseball, stop here.)

John Smoltz is going to play for the Red Sox this season. That makes me sad.

Tim Lincecum is on Hot Stove tonight, and is just adorable. He has no problem talking about the game, and his awards, and his pitching. But he got uncomfortable when it was mentioned that he does impersonations of voices from a tv show, Family Guy I think. He didn't want to give a demonstration of that, but he has no problem getting on the mound in the studio and breaking down his pitching. Shows that ballplayers are used to dissecting the game, but also know how to seperate their private self from their public self. Also, he speaks very well. Knows his mechanics, and how his motion works. Very self-possessed for a 24-year-old.

Also, he is just cute. And is slightly star-struck about being teammates with Randy Johnson.

Which Randy pitching for SF also makes me sad, but not as sad as if he had gone to the Dodgers.

Made the 4th of 5 payments for my tickets today. I am so looking forwards to the season and our new seats.

I love love love the MLB Network. It's now the default channel I turn to when I'm watching tv. It's not offered by qwest at our new place just yet. I'll have to request it.

Bob Melvin is in an interview now. It's really nice to hear about my team in a nice extended and relaxed way.

I love baseball.

Perfection

So all week long I've been waiting for the launch of the MLB Network. They'd been playing about an hour of clips and highlights over and over in preview of what was coming. Every time I was bored with what was on tv I'd turn to the MLB channel and check out where they were in the highlight reel.

Today was the actual launch of real programming. The first hour was ok. It's interesting to see anchors and analysis guys figuring out their dynamics. Hopefully that will smooth out in a little bit.

But the special part came in the 2nd hour. For the first time since the original broadcast of it, they show the 5th game of the 1956 World Series, Don Larson's perfect game. The only perfect game in World Series history.

It's very interesting watching. Bob Costas has Don Larson and Yogi Berra in the studio, and he's interviewing them in between the innings. I've been to countless baseball games, and have seen some great and wonderful things. But I couldn't give you a play-by-play of any of the games. I couldn't say who was pitching on which day unless I looked it up. But these 2 gentlemen sat in the studio, 52 years after playing that game, and could remember it. They knew who they were playing against, they remember the conversations they had in the dugout during the game, conversations they had earlier in the day. Now, I'm sure that that day was burned into their memories, but it is fascinating to see what they remember and watching them talk about it.

Bob Costas made an observation early in the broadcast about the game, and how different the broadcast is from watching a game today. This game is in black and white. There's only one broadcaster at a time. And that broadcaster does not feel the need to fill in every second of airtime with talking. (That I think is one of the oddest things. Nowadays every second has to be filled with talk. There's hardly any personal commentary or speculation on this broadcast.) Very few graphics are used. No on-screen graphic that keeps you informed of the count or number of outs or the inning. No replays. There's only a few cameras, and basically the only view of the game is from the camera behind home plate. The game itself moves faster. Batters stay in the box and don't step out as much. Pitchers move faster. The commercial breaks are much shorter.

Over and above the broadcast, there's still some odd differences to see. The uniforms are big and baggy on everyone. The spectators are mostly dressed up. Women in dresses and skirts and men in suits with hats on. Not many kids in the crowd. Of course, it was a day game, and the kids are most likely in school.

But the similarities are there too. The game is the same. Great plays are still made. Long hits are still made. Bunts and sacrifices and relays and double-plays and rundowns. Luck still plays a major part in the game. A catch barely made could have been missed or a long foul ball could easily have hooked fair for a home run.

It's very interesting viewing. This game just shows me how much I love this sport. I'm willing to spend two hours watching a game that happened more than 52 years ago, even though I know the result. (But how is that any different than watching a favorite movie that you've seen multiple times and know the end of?) Not to mention watching the same hour over and over this last week while waiting for the programming to go live.

Ah, baseball. I love this game. I can't wait for the season to start. But until then I have a channel devoted to baseball to slake my thirst for the game. Life just doesn't get better than that.

Lists and things

I made a list of all the things that I want to/need to/should do/could do today.

• Write a blog entry.
• Pick one of the tags and do it.
• Check my bank accounts.
• Catch up on the baseball news.
• FedEx those packages.
• Filing for my supervisor.
• Plan for the big move.
• Email and notes to friends that I've neglected.
• Write in letter journal.
• Finish ripping and burning music from the Messiah.

Where to start... First, there needed to be music. I brought some Christmas music to work today. Well, I'm singing in the Messiah this year, so I need to get in the Christmas mood. Then, I needed to get some things out of my head, so I opened the letter journal. (It's a word document that is addressed to a particular person, who may not ever read it.) When I got that out of the way, I checked my account balances. (Notice how actual work productivity isn't even high on the list, let alone something I do first.) Once I ensured that my rent check won't bounce, I turned to work. (Well, after a game or three of Spider Solitare. I love that game.)

Those packages are now ready for pickup. Oh, and I answered the phone several times. And made a call. Now I can focus on some other things for a little while. Like the vital blog entry.

I did look at mlb.com already today and checked the free agent filings. It was good to know that even if all those free agents leave, the D-backs will get a lot of draft picks in return. The farm system will get stocked again.

I found it interesting that of all the randomness of my last entry, the focus was on my hair and appearance, not the hints about moving. Well, I am excited about my hair, so that's ok. I read an article today about haircuts. About a woman with really long hair who on a whim got 8 inches lopped off. Go check it out. My haircut wasn't quite as impulsive. But it is just as drastic. Too bad I didn't get any before and after pics. (Just as a side note, the pic of the author's new haircut is pretty much what my hair looked like after the trauma of my 2nd grade haircut. Imagine having that drastic of a haircut, but not realizing that that's what you were getting. Can you blame me for being hesitant of getting my hair cut?)

Ok, maybe now I'll go get some filing and pretend that I'll be productive for the rest of the afternoon.

I need a happy post.

Baseball makes me happy. Lets talk about that.

Back in April I wrote this account of when I picked up my season tickets. (You should go read it, I’m rather proud of it.) Last Friday (the 24th) I took another trip downtown to the ballpark. I wasn’t there to pick up tickets this time. Last week I, with my parents, picked new seats. Every year they give the season ticket holders an opportunity to relocate. This year we finally got to the event and picked new seats.

We were supposed to wander around with a group of people, all contemplating new seats and options. But due to a miscommunication, my parents and I ended up being by ourselves, the last people to pick seats. We got our own personal tour of the ballpark. Ok, it wasn’t the whole ballpark, it was less than a dozen sections, but it was nice to have some personal attention.

Now, we’ve always loved our seats, but there were a couple of minor problems. Well, one was rather major: the annoyance of the airflow not being very good in our particular spot. The other problem was that our section tended to be among the ones that the out-of-town fans would populate. Most fans were fine, but certain teams have really obnoxious fans showing up. But otherwise, I have always been happy. (I wish I took a picture of our seats to show you, or even the view of the field from there. Oh well.)

So Louis took us upstairs, to check out the seats on the list he wrote. We started in 316, which is the center section in the upper concourse, and we worked around to our section, which was 309. We really liked these seats. Right in the middle, you can see the entire field. Dad laughed and said we didn’t need to see any more, we’d found our seats. But I wanted to at least look at the other ones, just to make sure. So we stopped at each of the next options, but there were objections to each. In the end, we took those seats in the center.

Section 316, Row 11, Seats 12-16. In the center section, in the center of the row. No more people climbing in front of us. Now we get to be the ones making others get up. We didn’t get up all that often anyway, and now we’ll probably get up less. But this is the view from our new seat. Pretty, isn't it?

Since we made the decision pretty quickly, we still had time before Dad and I had to get back to work. I jokingly suggested we eat at Friday’s Front Row, which overlooks the field. (I’d always wanted to sit up there.) And both Mom and Dad thought that would be fun, so that’s where we had lunch. It’s a great view, isn’t it? Mom was very amused at how giddy and happy I was as we sat at lunch. You have to understand, I love being at the ballpark. I was happy to have moved our seats, and am really excited to have a different experience next year. If only the offseason wasn’t so long.

Hey look what I figured out I could do! Now you can see where we used to sit and where we'll sit next season.