My Blog

After a two week hiatus from softball (bye week and rain out), I am fully recharged… Got my legs back, and had an opportunity to build up the core muscles. Doing more abdominal and oblique work.

Wednesday - Demon’s 4th game

Savage and I combine to go 8 for 8, 12 RBI’s, and 6 runs. We trample our opponent 21-4 in the minimum innings required (5). Best thing about all this is that I have gone through two games without registering an out. Furthermore, I’m running down balls in the outfield and trucking around the bases a little faster than usual.

But what I noticed more is that my concentration and focus is optimal at the moment when I play with the Demons. Unlike the Cannons, the team I manage, I don’t need to deal with game strategy, like hiding weak players on defense and offense, or worst, player psyche. I just enter the game knowing that I have a job to do, which is to hit and play the best I can. Perhaps my managerial days are over. I don’t attribute it to myself losing desire or being burnt out, but more so being unable to reach and connect to my team.

As I grow older, I find that my tolerance and patience towards others grow ever so thin. Here are a few types of people I can’t stand…

Sh*tty Drivers - I find that I am swearing, slamming on my steering wheel, and giving others the dirty stare and the bird more than ever. The Antagonists: Cell phone users, makeup users, oblivious numbnutz, and the fast and the furious. Never: Senior citizens.

Lazy People - This includes people that have no drive. I don’t bother them because it is pointless. In fact, I make it a point to avoid these people, friend or foe. Get the f*ck away from me. Then I cuss at them under my breath. What I use to do: Try to inspire, try to motivate, try to push them (literally and figuratively). What I no longer do: Try to inspire, try to motivate, try to push them (literally and figuratively).

Smartasses - These are the people that have a f*cken comment for everything, but a. they would never act on it, or b. they have nothing to even do with it, or c. their comment doesn’t have any point except to glorify themselves. I’m not perfect. To some, there was a time I might fit this label. But you know what? I learn to shut up. So please, SHUT UP, or at least make your comment funny.

Overachievers - Actually, I have nothing against them. But there are two kinds that I don’t care for: 1. the backstabbing kind that is willing to give up YOUR newborn for a hop up the corporate ladder. 2. the “look at me, look at me” kind that overachieve not for themselves, but so that others can see and feel sh*tty about theirselves.

Underachievers - Sure, it’s their prerogative. But I hate to see wasted potential. And like they use to say at the end of G.I.Joe, “Losers are the ones that don’t even try.” The one thing I’ve always believe that every person possesses that is powerful, but not often fully maximized, is their spirit. The spark that gets the flame going. Unlike Lazy People, a little motivation, a little inspiration can go a long way with these people. But there is a fine line between needing a kick in the pants and being stubborn. I don’t care for the latter.

Miserable People - You would think after reading this list that I fall into this category as well. The fact is, I am actually quite happy. No one f*cken died. You’re still breathing. So why the gloom and doom? Life has its hiccups, and sure, you might meet people who fall into this list of catergories, but is life that sh*tty that all you exude is sadness, anger, and negativity?

My list continues…

Lately I’ve been watching the news and hearing about how the Democrats want to set a timeline for the withdrawal of Iraq.  While I’m not a big expert of this matter, I will say that setting a timeline is the most stupid thing we can do.

I’m not a big supporter of the war, but what’s done is done.  We’re in there now.  We took down the dictator, and we’re trying to set up a new government.  More importantly, from America’s perspective, the U.S.has a strategic “station” in which to conduct and monitor a part of the world that is growing into a volatile, world power.  They have the world’s supply of oil, and now, they (Iran) boast about having nuclear power.

I, like the rest of American people, want our armed forces home sooner than later.  However, I feel what the Democrats propose is irresponsible and does not offer any forward thinking towards the major consequences that may occur should a set withdrawal time be implemented.  What I see is a party that wants to take advantage of an unpopular war and gain credit for bringing the troops home right away, but not take the blame for what may happen in that volatile region after the pullout. 

Having always been a superpower, Americans are often quick to forget and put aside losses in battle.  My generation in particular has little experience with war except the September 11^th attacks that actually penetrated our country.  Even then, the attack was centralized within a city, and had but an emotion effect on the rest of the country.

What I don’t take for granted everyday is that our heighten security has indeed, up to now, kept me and all Americans safe.  We haven’t had an attack like the magnitude of September 11^th.  Sure, we deal with the minor inconveniences of long security lines at the airport, but I’ve grown accustomed to it.  Just as I have grown accustomed to the fact that this war is going to be long and drawn out. 

I’m not saying I’m a die-hard Republican, but unless the Democrats have a course of action or strategy that is well thought out, instead of cutting funds and forcing a troop withdrawal, I don’t see how voting or supporting any of their candidates now thru 2008 will help our current situation in that region.   

My wife and I had a free Saturday night to travel to Sonoma to visit her mom and her aunt, and to check out their updated homes away from home. Little did I know, but I needed this getaway. Lately, I’ve been complaining how our weekends fly by ever so quickly. I return to work not rested and get even more fatigued. So this weekend was much welcomed. Ali and I had an opportunity to walk around the town square and eat at one of her mom’s and aunt’s favorite restaurants. At night, we watched Little Miss Sunshine and enjoyed some Rocky Road ice cream.

In the morning, we drove over to her aunt’s house and ate a fabulous breakfast/brunch: French Toast, Fruit Salad, and Turkey Sandwiches. Best french toast I’ve ever had in my life (I’m dead serious when I make that statement!).

As I enjoyed Ali’s mom and aunt’s company this weekend, I had a lot of time to think about life in general, how we’re all born, grow up, do adult things like: get married, establish a career, buy a home, have children, take care of them, and have them take care of us when we get too old to take care of ourselves. Sitting there with an older generation made me realize how time really flies by so quickly, despite Sonoma slowing this weekend down.

Getting away from the city also helped me ease the frustration and disappointment of Saturday’s Cannons’ loss. We were pummelled by the Onsters, a younger, faster, and stronger team. Although we beat them last season, I knew that this year, it would be very different. The Onsters were going to come out of their gate firing and they did.

All season, I preached about playing 75 minutes and “leaving everything you got on the field.” What I’ve come to realize is that no matter how hard we play, we won’t stand a chance against the better teams in the league with the players I got. On defense, we have holes that cannot be filled. Hell, I’m carrying four catchers that can’t even do an adequate job catching and the fielding the ball. On offense, aside from 4 or 5 players, the other guys can’t get the ball out of the f*cken infield. These are grown men playing a sport. It is beyond my comprehension, but I don’t understand how my 16 year old cousin can hit the ball just as hard, if not harder than some of these guys. I’ve tried teaching them how to hit and work on their defensive games, but all of them are either lazy or dense. Like I said, grown (stubborn) men.

So, it is not a surprise when I say, after two games into the season, that I’ve given up on this team. They’re not any better despite the acquisition of some new blood (Bobby). It doesn’t matter how many new players I get cause there are still the same weakass players. One is too much already, and 4, well, why bother? Why bother instilling hope, practicing, and expecting more when there isn’t more? I feel bad, but hey, I know that my core players can never had a bad day cause the weaker players will never be able to carry the team. So why continue on with this worthless charade. The team that was once successful is no longer here.

At the end of the game, the Savage put me in the spot to speak to the team. I gave them a generic speech and left. There’s nothing left to be said. I was tired. My arm was killing me again, and frankly, I did not want to manage or play on this team anymore.

I’m beat.  And it’s only Thursday. 

After bowling on Tuesday, and playing softball on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday… I had little left to start this week.  Not sleeping well is not helping matters either.  Running for the BART every morning sucks just as much.  Losing the ability to sleep on the BART, while it saves me the trouble of backtracking from missing my stop, also does not help alleviate my ever-growing fatigue.

I just need to make it through the week, to Sunday.  That’s when I get to go to Discovery Bay and watch my little cousin, Alana, fish.  But from now to Sunday, a lot has happened, and if I can have it my way, a lot more lies ahead.

TUESDAY – Bowling

Coming in this week, I knew we were going to face these sandbaggers.  Our opponents were three women, one of which is notoriously known to sandbag during the league and unload during the tournaments, winning everyone’s money with her low, league-established handicap. 

Other than to tell you that I was fueled by anger (as I usually am every Tuesday night) and a cup of hot chocolate w/ whip cream, and to spare you all the melodramatics, I’ll just tell you what I bowled and the result.  214 (1^st game victory by 54), 193 (2^nd game victory by 10), and 266 (3^rd game victory by 115).

No bad deed goes UNPUNISHED…!  And as it pertains to our sandbagging friend, she bore full witness to a dominating/”punishing” performance by me.  Kudos go out to my teammates, Ali and Will for delivering the death blow in the 2^nd game. 

WEDNESDAY – Softball w/ the Demons

Bit of a godsend that the game was at 6:40 p.m.  I was able to get Frank to drive me and Savage from work down to Twin Creeks.  That’s a 50 mile drive and at rush hour, it is not one I ever look forward to.  But at least, we know the cuts.

On the ride down, Savage and I shared our Tuesday heroics (Savage’s Pleasanton Softball Team and my aforementioned bowling) with each other.  Both of us knew we would enjoy the other’s story because, competitively, we’re constructed by the same mold.  We both hate losing, and we’re not afraid or hesitant to express that to others (sometimes in “creative” ways).

We finally make it down and after a brief warm-up, I get surprised by a special visitor (my wife, Ali) who paid the hefty $2 entrance fee to watch me play.  I knew I couldn’t put up another disappointing performance as I have the last two games.

And disappoint, I did not… my line:

3. Tommy - 4-4, double, triple, 4 RBIs, 4 runs scored

We win 12-8 and secure our first victory of the season.  Savage and I made for a good 1-2 punch as was designed by putting us one after another in the heart of the order. 

Some memorable moments in the game:

1. During my first at-bat, my first foul ball veers right over the fence knocking down our opponents beer.  I get jeers and boos all around.  My second swing is another weak foul ball.  Savage, standing in the on deck circle, gives me a nasty snarl.  Next pitch is crushed for a 2 RBI triple to right center.

2. My third at-bat.  The pitcher lays one into my wheelhouse and I lace a hard grounder that the rollie-pollie first baseman cannot handle.  I make it to 1^st safely.  Savage comes up and whips a line drive to right center.  Both he and I are trucking it around the bases as Savage comes up with a two-run homer. 

3. Game tied, bottom of the 6^th inning.  Our leadoff hitters, Bobby and Garrett get into scoring position again.  Pitcher throws me two balls (one inside, and one outside).  Knowing that he will have to face the Savage next, he lays one perfectly across the plate.  Crushed!  2 RBI double.  Savage snarls again saying that was an easy triple.  I agree, but I figured it was no outs, and he was up so why bother? Also, I was outta gas.

4. My wife tells me on the ride home that I played well and she enjoyed watching me play.  My mind was still in the zone and my body was still fueled by adrenaline, but at that moment, I couldn’t help but smile.

I’ve said all along that once I start hitting again, we are going to win.  That was demonstrated Wednesday night.  I’ve been feeling a little down lately watching Savage try to carry the team alone.  Even Frank has been lacing some shots with his $275 bat.  And the Chairman, while we are not on either’s roster but has played almost every game together, has been hitting some wicked line drives (albeit most of them are directly at people).  Nonetheless, I’ve been hitting crappy and it was finally nice to get a taste of what it is like to get back into form.

With Friday and Saturday games around the corner, the only thing I’ll have to find a way to fit in to my schedule is REST!