An Entry a Month Keeps the Complaints Away

Again, I apologize to my avid readers. It's been a busy month, an eventful and fun one to say the least. As such, blogging has taken the back seat for a while.

Before I get started, I'll start with some rants as to why the world is imperfect and why, we as mankind, will reach an impasse and become extinct.

THE TWO DOUCHES
Read on:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/06/BALE1950IA.DTL

These f'ers made away with $900,000 of taxpayers/SF Zoo funds and all they got to show for it is an extended criminal record. A tiger had to lose their life because of the actions of these morons. (Notice I didn't mention their friend that was killed by the tiger.) I hate to say it, but some people deserve to die, and by all accounts, their dead friend deserved his fate and these two may soon see their destiny in the fiery caverns of hell.

NORTH KOREA
Political grandstanding and posturing by an ill dictator may yield positive and negative results for the U.S. As much as I am happy for the two journalists that were released, I am disappointed that the U.S. had to compromise their stature so that this little short fool can get his photo-op and prove to the other nations in the world that he had the U.S.'s respect and attention.

Still, bottom line is, it is two lives worthy of saving. Not like the two f'ers previously mentioned.

The political posturing continues as it will be interesting to see what unfolds for this dictator and regime.

CRAIGSLIST BABY ADOPTION
Read on:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?blogid=46&entry_id=44932

Recently, I, along with some friends and family members, have received e-mails from other friends and family members requesting and demanding the removal of pictures of their kids and of themselves from public profile sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Geni, etc., sourcing the above article as reference. As I read their requests, I found myself laughing at the silliness and fears that this article has generated in these new parents and the irony of their demands.

First of all, your kids are safe. You, as their parents, will safeguard them with your life, and no ad, auction, or public profile site will get in the way of that. Like anything else in the world, there will be those that will use these types of medium for evil purposes. A knife, for example, is a useful tool that is intended for cutting and slicing food. Used the wrong way, it serves as a puncturing or stabbing weapon capable of hurting and even killing. Do we do away with all knives because of the negative drawbacks? Let's get a grip and think about the "bigger picture" when you make such requests.

Another issue that lies more personal in nature is what I call the "soapbox" opportunity. I've witnessed, in particularly new parents, the constant need to prove to others that they're doing "their job" as parents in the name of "protecting" their child(ren). Along the way, they make it a point and see it as an opportunity to "educate" others on how they're being effective parents. Everybody becomes an expert in childrearing. Personally and simply put, get off your f'en soapbox cause no one wants your f'en kid.

And like all the other times when I respond to these issues regarding parenting, I get the usual comeback, "Just wait till you become a parent, you'll see," or "What makes you qualified to speak on this, you're not a parent yet!" Well, I'll just say that if having children turns me into an uptight prude that thinks everything revolves around me and my f'en kid, then spare me the troublesome and foolish experience of procreating.

Getting back on topic, parents that worry so much about their child's picture on the Web shouldn't bother stepping foot outside their house. Hell, keep your kid in their windowless room. Who knows what kind of predator lurks in the shadows or in the bushes...

Now, on to the lighter side of life...

SOFTBALL - SWING KIDS

The Swing Kids opener was intense and actually a lot of fun. Going against the number one team in the season's first game always provides a good opportunity to see where the team measures up.

The opener started off great with us taking an 8-1 lead in the third inning. But as it happens often lately, we find a way to blow it. In this case, it only took 2 players to lose a game we should have won. Our right fielder, Steve, couldn't catch a fly ball if his life depended on it and costed us upwards of 7 runs. Our left-center fielder's noodle of an arm gave away 3 runs with his inability to throw the ball more than 25 feet. At the end, we lose 14-13 despite a lineup that included the Savage and Woo. Tactical error pointed out early in the game to the Chairman: Breaking up me (3rd in the order), Ray (4th), Savage (7th), and Woo (8th) in the lineup. This collective of hitters guarantees runs in a game where runs are a premium.

SOFTBALL - CANNONS

Despite "guaranteeing" victory, I watched on helplessly as the Cannons rolled over for a 19-4 beatdown. During the game, the Savage and I exclaim our disgust over how weak our teammates are and their inability to generate any bat speed when they're hitting.

The lamest excuse in the world, "I have a baseball swing... and in baseball, the pitcher provides most of the power."

My response to this sh*tty and stupid reasoning. First of all, you haven't played any form of competitive baseball since, probably high school. And in high school, even I had a harder swing than you. So you are telling me that you were successful in high school with that sh*tty swing? Cause if that was the case, I really should of tried out for my high school baseball team.

Next, you probably haven't played any baseball since high school. So that's probably 8-10 years now. You're telling me that you are still holding on to that sh*tty swing for nearly a decade and can't adjust to swinging faster?

Straight up weak. And like the Savage so eloquently says, "No wonder I stopped playing for this team two years ago!"

Part of me will always have a soft spot for the Cannons because it was a team that I created and I want to see the current manager, Randall, achieve some sort of success. But with players who go through a season batting .071 and choose not to come out to practice, and in turn, parlay off weak-ass excuses in your 2nd full season of play, I find it exceptionally difficult to find anything positive to say.

Tell me the sound reasoning in all this... These so-called "players" know they're deficient in something. There are others who can help these deficient individuals cultivate their game and improve on their hitting. However, these players that need help don't ask for it, nor do they respond when it is offered to them. So I just say to them, go drown in the sh*t that you laid yourself. Your ego will take you somewhere all right... straight to failure and regret.

SOFTBALL - KOREAN TOURNAMENT

A classic example of an underpowered team that is relatively new to the game. Used to getting whooped 25-2 and getting mercied, my brother-in-law's church team came into this year's tournament in Hayward with little expectations. My brother-in-law, Greg, offered my services to help out.

When I first saw this team, I knew they were lacking in a lot of areas. However, I noticed an enthusiasm in their manager, Ben, and in all of them. That enthusiasm fueled and inspired me to give everything I got to make this year's tournament different from the past.

Despite losing 23-11 and 22-10, our team was pleased to see that they actually scored double digits in both games and that we played a full game without getting mercied. Ben was extremely grateful that I stepped in to play and pitch for them. At the end of the day, I was extremely grateful for having the opportunity to play for their team.

This Saturday, we face a single-elimination playoff game. I really want to play more than one game, so I'm hoping that we can break out!

SOFTBALL - LATITUDE 38

Yesterday, Woo called me to sub on his team. They use to play in the Senior Masters League for the city, but were pushed to CC (highest open division) because they were too dominating.

The game was at 6:30 p.m. at Silver Terrace, an old park that was redone with artificial grass. This new turf took some getting use to as the hops were more true despite the field feeling rubbery.

The guys we played against were tough, all with the ability to go all fields with line drives. No towering fly balls like in the lower leagues.

At the end of the game, we lost 13-6. I was one of the fortunate few that actually secured a hit against a formidable pitcher. So formidable in fact that even Woo struck out fouling for his third strike (first time I saw Woo strike out).

Still, I saw it as a great experience and honor to be called to sub and play. They've even asked for my info and may ask for me to come back.

BOWLING - CBC

We're in 10th place with no shot to hit the top spot. Still, we did okay despite a 4 man rotation that changed each week.

On a personal level, I'm trying to hit 100 strikes for the season. Currently, I've hitted 88 with one week left to go.

Labor Day weekend, the Judgie, Super, Bush Baby, and I are going up to Reno to bowl at the National Bowling Center. We (Judgie, Super, Wayne, and myself) had an awesome time last year. I can see myself doing this annually.

TV - THE T.O. SHOW

The Bush Baby and I have been following T.O.'s reality show on VH1. The guy is a riot as he details the funny, and at times, heartwarming events that he and his cohorts get themselves into. I fully recommend anyone who hasn't checked out the show to do so. Monday, VH1 at 10 p.m.

As many of you guys already know, Terrell Owens is my favorite NFL player. Known by some to be a cancer in the locker room, all will not deny his physical abilities and undying determination he brings to the football field every Sunday. Those who watch the show will see that besides the persona, and at times, diva-like antics, is a guy who leads a pretty interesting life outside of football.