surprises

That was depressing...another Tribe loss late; I know it's still April, but..it is better to win them now.  Honestly, isn't that the situation to bring in Crockett, shutting down Howard?  Especially given the taterific tendencies of Allen lately and the fact that the Phillies had already burned Ruf as a PH...

In other news, my plans for today were canceled so I went and did chores...I need new tires (ugh) which puts a crimp on the appliance replacement plan.  Got the echeck (grr) and went to the gym and for a run, both of which kicked my ass beyond recognition, but it was good to get some extra work in on my less-than-impressive physique.  I've been trying to catch up on my reading -- the treadmill is good for that -- and I intend to do some house-cleaning today as well, not like I have or want company...

Length

I missed blogging yesterday -- had dinner with some friends, got home late, and wanted to watch a film on the list..."Don't Look Back," the Dylan concert film/behind the scenes look.  It was ok; had I been a Dylan fan, I would have loved it, but to me, he is just another guy, and, well, alas.  I watched another one tonight -- "Dog Star Man" -- an avant-garde film that was...well, words cannot describe its awesomeness, if you get my drift.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/topstocks/chorizo-chipotle-just-doesnt-get-it/ar-BBsnhpm?li=BBnbfcN

I wonder how much of their problems are also caused by the cost of the food; I went there today (I had a coupon for free chips) and while my chicken salad was $6.50...you can get some more expensive stuff there, and, I'd like to note, many of the people in line did....but they also looked to be my age, which would assume that they could pay for it...the Millennials, not so much.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/04/28/at-virginia-home-of-president-monroe-a-sizable-revision-of-history/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_headlines

Not sure why, but this amused the hell out of me.

I found the latest Tribe moves to be...intelligent.  Anderson gets to go down and work on his delivery issues, while Kyle Crockett gets a chance to hang out for a bit and the second lefty (I suspect he should be the first, but Terry loves those veterans); the move paid off last night, I think, as they brought in a new arm, rather than another look at Ross.  I am quite done with McAllister in high-leverage roles for now, and with Shaw having found something, all the better..  Another thing; Naquin is starting to hit and get more ABs, which is good.  They're playing him, for one, and he is responding.  If only the rotation could put together a string of good starts...

links

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/25/the-secret-ancient-history-of-the-potato-that-could-change-the-story-of-civilization/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_headlines

This is actually pretty interesting.

http://www.vox.com/2016/4/24/11438042/republicans-abortion-slavery

I realize, of course, that a Voxer wouldn't see the connection, but, as I like to say...the reason why Democrats and slaveowners back in the day objected to the comparison was that it put them in the moral wrong, and no one likes to be told they are morally bankrupt.  Of course, that didn't mean they weren't, did it?

I see Cody Anderson put together a less-than-crappy start today; at least he went five innings.  After yesterday's clunker, one expects a win today, or else...well, I think, sooner or later, the pitching staff will change...

Watched "The Grand Budapest Hotel" tonite (a break from the list).  I liked it; I felt it to be...whimsical, if nothing else.  I do think it was sort of Netflixable, and it was a quintessential Anderson pic

Two in a row...

I think Carrasco being out six weeks is...well, optimistic, though I hope not.  At least he doesn't require surgery.  In the meantime, Bauer moves back to the rotation -- which he deserved -- and Anderson gets a chance to work out his stuff in the majors.  Brantley is back, which -- sadly -- means less time for Naquin.  Much like the best place for a young starter is long relief, there are WORSE jobs than a righty platoon and the PR/DS for Marlon Byrd, but, that said, he still needs more time to develop/see what he can do.

Good day at the gym today; got steps in, used the 50-lb barbell for all of the workouts, plenty of cardio.  I printed out some stuff about exercises you should do every day, and I think -- before I hit the sack -- it would behoove me to do a few of them.  Tomorrow is leg day, which is...well, not my favorite, to put it mildly.  I've decided that I can eat a little healthier (I've been piling on lettuce lately, for one) and some extra exercise is also prudent.

A friend of mine suggested I'd like the Inspector Morse series of novels/episodes, and..I sort of do.  I've read seven of the thirteen books in the series (there are short stories, may find them), and while I do not think we need to replace Sherlock Holmes, they are..interestingly written, and Morse is a...human detective.  Sort of Matt-like in his curmudgeonly way, which adds to the Mattmusement.  It is not like I have other books or movies to watch, but...

Well...

Well, that was unpleasant, watching Carlos Carrasco get carried off the field with a knee injury...I realize this is why they kept six starters on the roster, so if something like this happens, but...you really didn't want to lose Carrasco, did you?  Lost in this is the fact that the Tribe has taken two of three in Detroit, the place where we've had sooo much trouble.  Kluber's start yesterday was quite good; I know he is rough early, but this was a warm sign.

Yesterday was Senior Day for Favorite Niece...she has had a good career, and hard to believe it will soon be over...it also means that I am old, which is not exactly pleasing to go over as well.

I was thinking today, looking at the weather, that maybe, just maybe, winter is over for three months or so.  I went for a stroll after brunch with Mom today, and not only was it good to get the steps in, but it felt...well, like the way spring is supposed to feel.

Catching Up

Jesus.  A week between posts.  I will have to do better...

Watched a short today -- "Fake Fruit Factory."  Ugh.  Very boring.  Alas.

As for myself, it has been a mix of busyness, baseball, and trying to sleep.  Trump is going to do fabulously well in New York (the idea that one of the more progressive states will decide the GOP nominee amuses me) which hurts my desire for a brokered convention.  I will admit, I am leaning more to the Trump will get slaughtered school, so I have some selfish reasons...on the other hand, seeing a bunch of lefty journalists getting beaten by Trumpistas is the type of change I can get behind.

Rajai Davis has certainly had an interesting year...I know the Tribe has seen its share of lefties, but really, there is NO reason why Naquin shouldn't be seeing more time.  I know he has to hit to retain confidence, but if he is to be a productive major leaguer, he will at least have to hold his own against the portsiders, and now is as good a time as any to learn.

rolling

Been busy lately...work, family things, other stuff...for instance, today, I made a "freedom breakfast pie" for the first time, and to top it off...the crust is made from bacon.  I think it turned out ok, but we will know tomorrow (company potluck).

I've also been a little down...I had a date, thought it went well, but, considering the radio silence...well, roll up the map of Europe.  I don't know; I guess I should just accept the fact that, for better or worse, this is how it is going to be...

One thing that has amused me is the world of women's college hoops.  First there were the rumors that Geno is leaving for the NBA...yeah, right.  Highest paid coach, wins all the time...he is going to give that up for the NBA?  Puh-leese.  Second, of course, is the fascinating tale that Pat Summit's son had to resign from his gig due to...improprieties.  Jokes about his mom forgetting things aside, I find this funny as hell because 1) Players are now posting shots to show they aren't pregnant; 2) This puts aside the notion that ALL college hoopsters are lesbians, and 3) I just wonder how often this happens elsewhere and no one realizes it.

Caught Up

Remember how I was supposed to blog every night?  Whoops.  Last nite was Pub Quiz (second, oi) and the days before...I went to Opening Day.  Twice!  A bunch of my coworkers got bleacher seats and were kind enough to invite me along (four rows from the top, but, who cares). So...we cut work early, met a downtown apartment for snacks...and discovered they called the game.  Much sadness and wrath, but I was like...screw it!  Opening Day!  That, and, well, our bosses are...tolerant of that sort of thing.  Anyways, we went again, and they were right to call the game; it was warmer and less windy; I even took off my jacket for most of it.  The game itself..well, they lost...we did amuse ourselves by discussing how Bauer was sent to the pen as a reward for cutting down on walks and homers...  At least they won once before weather took its hold.

Was supposed to meet some friends tonight, fell through, put me in a downer...not sure why.  I did catch up on some emails and the pile of paperwork that accumulated; I should have watched the latest Netflix offering, but...another evening, I guess.

Warmed

Well, my plan to blog every day almost worked.  Thursday I stayed late to finish the project from hell; Friday I did so and left work early, poured myself a large gin and tonic, and went to bed.  Saturday I went to the gym bright and early and then went with my sister to Mount Union for a softball doubleheader...favorite niece's team lost, it was misterably cold, and I caked home a pound of mud.  I had a medicinal G&T and went to bed.  So today...I woke up and I feel like I conditioned myself with a belt sander; it was leg day and I guess I overdid it.

In the meantime, I went through some bills and paperwork, finished off some crap today...and will prolly watch a film before I watch the women's Final Four (rah).  I need to do some other stuff, might get to it today -- I have a couple of things I work on, and then vacation and work fell in, and it went on the back burner.  I keep saying not this week, but, of course, progress happens THIS week, so...

I am looking forward to Wisconsin; not that we are hellbent on a brokered convention, but Trump's math would be more complex going forward, and I want a brokered convention, not only to pick someone else, but also because it would be pretty awesome to watch....