"You Seem Off Your Game Today..."

Ah, the summer months in Minnesota.  Sirens going off...is that repeated thunder in the background or is that a tornado?  Sounds east of here.

I have come to love Minnesota for its many virtues.  These storms however,  not my favorite.  I suppose this is the price for living in such a nice place.  Sigh.

Last night I bought a copy of Robert Caro's Passage to Power on the recommendation of a colleague at work.  It looks to big to take to DC later this week.  We shall see.  I don't need to be lugging around a doorstop while I am in the heat of DC.

I have been reading up on the 20D that I have so that I will be able to take better pictures.  The Internet is wonderful.

Friday night I was exhausted and I had a couple of tequila/Kahlua/& milks as I vegetated on the sofa while Dad watched a ball game.  Saturday morning I was working at the bike shop when a young man with his son looked at me and said, "Are you okay?  You seem off your game today."  I was completely taken aback.  I looked hard at the young man trying to figure if we had met before, and whether I knew him. 

I finally managed to utter, "No, I haven't had much sleep this week."  He let it go.  In the years in between those two comments my mind raced.  One, was I not speaking in complete sentences?  What is going on that this stranger thinks I am struggling?   And then there are the whole host of comments about trying to figure out if my two beverages really disabled me to the extent that I wasn't functioning as one would expect.  That's a happy thought.

Sunday morning I shared the above story with my cohorts, and I got quite a few laughs.  Terry, the Dentist, called me later (a first) and left me a message that if I weren't "off my game" given what I am dealing with - then something would be truly wrong.  What a great message.  I am one of the group.  Good stuff.

So, when I get back from DC and finish up my commitments for school - then it will be time to find Dad a better facility.  The people at Jones-Harrison seem to like calm, rich clients who don't cause problems.  No one I know seems very impressed with the job they are doing.

Please Tag Up...

Denard Span - running, something he did not do in the game to date.

1. Denard Span hits a double to open tonight's game in Milwaukee.
2. Brian Dozier crushes the ball to deep center, and Span doesn't tag up.  Denard, if he doesn't catch the ball you will still score.
3. Joe Mauer hits a fly ball to deep left field, and still no tag-up.  Sigh.

Josh Willingham

4. Fortunately for Span, Willingham hits the ball into the seats, and so Span's base running faux pas are erased.

Other thoughts....Scott Diamond has his third start tonight, but his first with Mauer catching.  Joe, this needs to go well.  We can't have Drew Butera catch every game....Which leads to the larger question, is Joe Mauer worth 20 million a year?  Yes, he is a catcher that hits and throws well, but if all the pitchers do better with Butera - it makes me wonder the intelligence of the huge long term contract.

The Romantic...

Scott Diamond mows down the Angels...May, 2012

The Minnesota Twins are not off to a good start in 2012.  I believe we have won nine games, and today it is May 12 - say no more.  I realize that being excited by Diamond and Walters as starting pitching is the romantic in me.  The statistics probably suggest these are average guys and not to expect too much - but wouldn't you just love for a couple of rookie arms to carry the team back to respectability.  Let's go young guns.

Update:  Diamond just won his second start.  Perhaps this is the start of something. 

Levon Helm....

A couple of weeks ago Levon Helm died, and I think he took part of my adolescence with him.

I was introduced to the Band via Bob Dylan, and I came to love a great many of their songs (both together and apart).  Levon's voice has a unique place in my memory....I love his singing in "When I Paint My Masterpiece".

Dear Mr. Helm,

Thank you very much for sharing all the great music you and your friends created.  Your music has served as bookmarks for many key markers in my life.  I will miss having your around.

Best wishes,
Byron