The Sudden Lack of Sporting Events
Okay...so quick recap of what's been going on, lately.
Liz and I were in Chicago a couple weeks ago to visit Nick and Monica (and just get away from work for a bit). Nate was gracious enough to come along, as well, so the whole gang got to hang out for a while in downtown Chi-town. We didn't do many "touristy" things - after all, when you've got resident guides to the city, who needs tourist maps? We got very good at utilizing the mass transit system, as the train goes just a couple blocks from Nick's new pad. We did plenty of eating at various restaurants. Had drinks at Don Shula's steakhouse (which we'll never do again, as Nate's bourbon was $10.50 and Liz's water was $2.95). Watched the end of a hockey game while standing in the cold outside the NBC building. Wandered down to Navy Pier just in time to see fireworks and everyone else scrambling off home like rats off a drowning ship, just as we were getting there. Found that the real shopping in Chicago isn't on Michigan Avenue, which just has disgustingly expensive stores, but on State street - just a couple blocks over. A few hours there and Liz and I had managed to find a few articles of clothing and some new books. Also took in a White Sox game, which turned out to be not much of a game and, thanks to the fact that it was freaking cold and we got tickets in the very top row in the stadium, we took off after the 7th inning. The only downer of the weekend is that Liz had gotten a cold the week prior and managed to give it to me just in time for the trip...so we were well medicated. Nonetheless, an excellent weekend.
Softball season is still going and things are getting a bit better. The team is starting to play a little better so I haven't been as horribly frustrated following the games as I was the first few weeks. The best part of the season? After each game, most of the team crashes at our place to play cards, eat food, play weird PS2 games that involve plastic guitars, and drink away our night. It's really too bad it happens on a Thursday, rather than a Friday. Now, soccer season is getting started - we had our first practice on Monday. I'm horrible at it. I have no leg, no skills, a wheeze a lot.
Liz and I have been getting to the gym pretty often. I try to stick to my weight-lifting regimen as best I can, but it is getting tougher with the Summer upon us. I check my weight every day I go and get all excited when I'm up a half pound...only to be crushed the next day when I find that I've lost a pound and a half. Perhaps, somday, Liz will slip lead weights into my socks without me noticing and I'll feel great about myself, even if I walk funny due to my socks feeling "funny." Aside from lifting weights, Liz and I are trying to learn to play tennis. Our progress so far is...laughable. We can usually play for 10-15 minutes until we have to go outside the fence to retrieve all our lost balls. Someday, we'll get up to a good half hour, mark my words.
Speaking of sports - it's been a sports lover's bonanza, lately. The French Open, the US Open, the World Cup, the Stanley Cup finals, the NBA finals, and baseball (if you're into that sort of thing). Unfortunately, as wonderful as it was (and the Stanley Cup finals were wonderful, mind you - I pity the fool that missed out), suddenly, it's all over. Nadal continued his clay court dominanace against Federed. Lucky proved he's not always so lucky and collapsed in John Daly'esque fashion on the 18th hole. The highly touted "best US Soccer team to hit the World Cup" is yet to score a goal through two games. The Stanley Cup finals were stretched to a magnificent game 7 in two of the best cities to host games. The NBA finals went 6 games with the Heat dominating back from a 0-2 deficit (I think I even watched a game or two). And baseball continues on...in another month or so, perhaps the games will have more meaning as they'll only have 90 more to play. However, now, it's virtually all over. The NHL and NBA seasons are done. Wimbledon is coming, but I'm not that big of a fan, anyway. The US Open is finished. The US team is on the brink of elimination from the World Cup and I'm sure coverage of the event will vanish just like our team. And baseball...well, it's still there. So what's left? The look ahead to football. But it'll be a long wait, I can tell. Today I checked the headlines - this made the top of the ESPN.com headlines:
*Sigh* It's going to be a while before they have anything to talk about.
On a totally unrelated note, my hopes have been crushed by a plant. Two years ago, Liz and I bought a rose bush for our front yard. It had gorgeous flowers. Unfortunately, it had a pretty rough Winter and, even though I covered it when it was cold, I thought it had died. To my surprise, though, it did come back last Spring. Too bad it didn't flower at all, last year. This year, though, when I pulled off the cover, I found that the bush was already growing strong. Pretty soon, we started spotting a bud or two - then a few more - eventually, there were over 30 buds. I was amazed. Then, they finally opened and I was fully depressed. The blooms are no longer a soft peach color and a perfect shape, but they're dark red and ugly. Apparently, the bush we purchased had a more delicate rose spliced onto a more hardy bush. Well, the good rose must have died that first year so now all that's left is the ugly, hardy bush. It's depressing. I hate to dig up a plant that's doing so well, but that rose bush is not what I want. Gyar.
Okay. Enough blabber. I'm of to....do something. I don't know what, but I'll figure it out. Later.
Liz and I were in Chicago a couple weeks ago to visit Nick and Monica (and just get away from work for a bit). Nate was gracious enough to come along, as well, so the whole gang got to hang out for a while in downtown Chi-town. We didn't do many "touristy" things - after all, when you've got resident guides to the city, who needs tourist maps? We got very good at utilizing the mass transit system, as the train goes just a couple blocks from Nick's new pad. We did plenty of eating at various restaurants. Had drinks at Don Shula's steakhouse (which we'll never do again, as Nate's bourbon was $10.50 and Liz's water was $2.95). Watched the end of a hockey game while standing in the cold outside the NBC building. Wandered down to Navy Pier just in time to see fireworks and everyone else scrambling off home like rats off a drowning ship, just as we were getting there. Found that the real shopping in Chicago isn't on Michigan Avenue, which just has disgustingly expensive stores, but on State street - just a couple blocks over. A few hours there and Liz and I had managed to find a few articles of clothing and some new books. Also took in a White Sox game, which turned out to be not much of a game and, thanks to the fact that it was freaking cold and we got tickets in the very top row in the stadium, we took off after the 7th inning. The only downer of the weekend is that Liz had gotten a cold the week prior and managed to give it to me just in time for the trip...so we were well medicated. Nonetheless, an excellent weekend.
Softball season is still going and things are getting a bit better. The team is starting to play a little better so I haven't been as horribly frustrated following the games as I was the first few weeks. The best part of the season? After each game, most of the team crashes at our place to play cards, eat food, play weird PS2 games that involve plastic guitars, and drink away our night. It's really too bad it happens on a Thursday, rather than a Friday. Now, soccer season is getting started - we had our first practice on Monday. I'm horrible at it. I have no leg, no skills, a wheeze a lot.
Liz and I have been getting to the gym pretty often. I try to stick to my weight-lifting regimen as best I can, but it is getting tougher with the Summer upon us. I check my weight every day I go and get all excited when I'm up a half pound...only to be crushed the next day when I find that I've lost a pound and a half. Perhaps, somday, Liz will slip lead weights into my socks without me noticing and I'll feel great about myself, even if I walk funny due to my socks feeling "funny." Aside from lifting weights, Liz and I are trying to learn to play tennis. Our progress so far is...laughable. We can usually play for 10-15 minutes until we have to go outside the fence to retrieve all our lost balls. Someday, we'll get up to a good half hour, mark my words.
Speaking of sports - it's been a sports lover's bonanza, lately. The French Open, the US Open, the World Cup, the Stanley Cup finals, the NBA finals, and baseball (if you're into that sort of thing). Unfortunately, as wonderful as it was (and the Stanley Cup finals were wonderful, mind you - I pity the fool that missed out), suddenly, it's all over. Nadal continued his clay court dominanace against Federed. Lucky proved he's not always so lucky and collapsed in John Daly'esque fashion on the 18th hole. The highly touted "best US Soccer team to hit the World Cup" is yet to score a goal through two games. The Stanley Cup finals were stretched to a magnificent game 7 in two of the best cities to host games. The NBA finals went 6 games with the Heat dominating back from a 0-2 deficit (I think I even watched a game or two). And baseball continues on...in another month or so, perhaps the games will have more meaning as they'll only have 90 more to play. However, now, it's virtually all over. The NHL and NBA seasons are done. Wimbledon is coming, but I'm not that big of a fan, anyway. The US Open is finished. The US team is on the brink of elimination from the World Cup and I'm sure coverage of the event will vanish just like our team. And baseball...well, it's still there. So what's left? The look ahead to football. But it'll be a long wait, I can tell. Today I checked the headlines - this made the top of the ESPN.com headlines:
49ers sign fifth-round pick Haralson to four-year deal
*Sigh* It's going to be a while before they have anything to talk about.
On a totally unrelated note, my hopes have been crushed by a plant. Two years ago, Liz and I bought a rose bush for our front yard. It had gorgeous flowers. Unfortunately, it had a pretty rough Winter and, even though I covered it when it was cold, I thought it had died. To my surprise, though, it did come back last Spring. Too bad it didn't flower at all, last year. This year, though, when I pulled off the cover, I found that the bush was already growing strong. Pretty soon, we started spotting a bud or two - then a few more - eventually, there were over 30 buds. I was amazed. Then, they finally opened and I was fully depressed. The blooms are no longer a soft peach color and a perfect shape, but they're dark red and ugly. Apparently, the bush we purchased had a more delicate rose spliced onto a more hardy bush. Well, the good rose must have died that first year so now all that's left is the ugly, hardy bush. It's depressing. I hate to dig up a plant that's doing so well, but that rose bush is not what I want. Gyar.
Okay. Enough blabber. I'm of to....do something. I don't know what, but I'll figure it out. Later.
posted by MC at
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
1 Comments:
1. Don't let anyone hear you say "Chi-town" in chicago; You will be very badly beaten.
2. The Sox ended up scoring 6 in the bottom of the ninth of the game we saw, had the tying run at the plate, but still lost 10-8.
By
N., At
4:06 PM
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