I See Fire... I See Rain

Alas, it is time for my monthly entry to my blog... I hope I haven't lost too many readers.

It's Monday, September 14, 2009, and boy, we sure have had some weird weather as of late. On Saturday, there was thunder and lightning and on Sunday, there was even rain. Oh well... we need it and I don't mind the timing seeing as how it didn't interfere with my softball schedule.

So, the last month has been a whirlwind. Thus the reason why I have not posted an entry in such a long time.

CBC LABOR DAY TOURNAMENT IN RENO

On Labor Day Weekend, Judgie, Super, Bush Baby, and I went to Reno to bowl at the National Bowling Stadium. Every Labor Day, all the bowlers in the Chinese Bowling Clubs throughout California gather together for a tournament. With the Bay Bridge closed for construction over the long weekend, the Bush Baby and I drove Da Toaster up the Golden Gate Bridge on 101, hopped on 37, and reconnected on 80 to Reno. Took us a little over 4 hours with the major holdup on 37 due to bottlenecking.

This year, I decided to participate in 3 events (one team and two doubles). The first event featured pairings of the Bush Baby and myself, and Judgie and Super on Saturday. Right off the start, the Bush Baby and I lit up the lanes as she secured a 178 game to go along with my 202. Things were looking up until the lane conditions changed on me leaving me with a 169 for a second game. The Bush Baby continued to do above average while I readjusted and changed balls to finish with a 203. Not bad for our first doubles together.

Judgie and Super, on the other hand, struggled. I saw games in the 150's from Judgie and 110's from Super.

The team event proved the same as the four of us could not get going due in large part to the Judgie and Super's lackluster bowling.

Despite the poor team performance, all of us managed to find some joy in shopping at the Legend's outlet. The Bush Baby and I only managed to hit two stores, Scheel's (ginormous sporting goods store) and Banana Republic Outlet Store.

Personally, I don't know if it is because BR is not "popular" or fashionable in Reno, but they sure had a lot of sizes and choices. This made for hours of fitting room visits and checking ourselves out in the mirror. At the end, we worked up an appetite and enjoyed a 3 hour eating bonanza at the Atlantis Resort and Casino buffet.

The next day, I was paired with the Judgie for the final doubles event. The Bush Baby teamed with the Super. And like the day before, the Judgie and Super performed poorly. While it is a bit disappointing to not do well seeing as how we drove so far, it was still a lot of fun.

Afterwards, we were rewarded with an extremely long drive home with major bottlenecking at the Golden Gate Bridge.

YOSEMITE

Sulking from defeat would not be allowed as Yosemite was our next destination. With only 10 hours between the time we returned from Reno to the time we depart for Yosemite, the Bush Baby and I did what needed to be done (unpack and pack, and rest) so that we could be on our way to "roughing it."

It was my first trip to Yosemite. I've seen tons of photos and heard countless stories about the park's picturesque surroundings, but I couldn't fathom how grandiose and spectacular Yosemite is until I actually saw it in person.

The walls of the mountains that line the valley were menacing and powerful, but provided an awesome backdrop to serene and lush greenery.

Da Cheeze and his son, Baby Cheeze, spearheaded the trip with the Bush Baby, Judgie, and myself to tag along.

The first night, we ate at the Curry Village buffet. All I can say is, it was passable, but hardly impressive. But when you're hungry, $15.25 a person for all you can eat fish and chips, tacos, beef roast, pasta, and BBQ chicken is not something to be get all worked up over.

Later that night, we made some S'mores and burned some firewood (a favorite activity). But the true excitement that we missed (thankfully), was a late night visit from a bear.

All of us heard our neighboring campers yell and make a ruckus to shoo away a bear that got into their cooler. Apparently, the bear was able to pry open the cooler and get hold of some eggs and sour cream. Hungry as that fell'er was, he didn't go to far with his loot as he parked himself right outside our campsite to load up for his journey back to the den.

While it was hearsay, it did spook the Bush Baby and myself to learn the next morning that the bear was only 5 feet away from where we were sleeping.

Still, it didn't detract us from our planned activity: hiking the Mist Trail. Despite Judgie's last minute change of heart to not hike, the Bush Baby and I would not deter from making the most of our short stay at Yosemite.

Judgie would eventually give in and join the hike with us, but threatened countless times to give up on the long climb to Vernal Falls.

At the end of the day, after many words of encouragement and rest, the three of us made the 6 mile hike. Judgie, despite being tired, didn't look much worse for wear while the Bush Baby still maintained a hop in her step. I, carrying the heaviest (20-25 lb) backpack, felt pretty good.

After a yummy dinner and another evening of burning up everything that was flammable in terms of firewood and pine cones, we retired for the night and the long drive home the next day.

SWING KIDS SOFTBALL

Without swinging a bat for 3 straight weeks and heading into a crucial game with our 3-1 record generated a bit of angst in me. My highly-rated and touted bat had yet to be "broken in," but from the many bad balls that have come off of it the last year, it provided little confidence in me that it was going to make up for what little to no practice I had during the long timeoff.

And sure enough, an early 0-2 to show for it.

With our opponents creeping slowly away, it was time that I gave up using my bat and delivered some hits. The Chairman pleaded that the team needed something from me and that I had to do whatever it takes to score some runs.

C: OK. It's 'Champ' or 'Chump' time!
T: Em.. Hmm... (lacking confidence)

With our team trailing 10-8 at the bottom of the 6th, I came up with the based loaded and 2 outs. With nothing much going on except a hit in my previous at bat, I was nervous yet amped to make something, anything happen.

And on the 2nd pitch, I laced a hard line drive to RF, scoring two to tie the game at 10-10. The team went wild as I finally provided them something to cheer about.

In the top of 7th, however, our defense collapse and spots our opponent 4 runs. With only 3 outs in the bank, our team manages to climb back and tie the game with our leadoff hitter, Norm, jacking an opposite field grand slam.

With two outs, I get up again with the winning run on 3rd base. Savage grumbles that the team should take a pitch after seeing two straight one pitch outs.

But allowing the moment to get to me, I completely forget about Savage's advice and swing at the first pitch, despite it looking extremely attractive. It's a hard groundball that veers towards the second baseman. Running to his right, he bends down with one hand, snag the ball, and flips it to second for the force out. Game over, 14-14 tie.

What could have been a magical night turned bittersweet.

The Chairman told me to not feel to bad about it, as I did hit the ball hard, and that the team may benefit from the tie seeing as how some of our teammates were not making a good enough effort to get to the games on time to warm up.

While the Chairman's words did provide me some solace, I was still bothered by it for much of the night (indicated by my inability to sleep). And worst yet, I had the Asian-Pacific Islander Tournament at Twin Creeks the next day.

API SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

The DOM (Dirty Old Men) softball team's first game was at 2:40 p.m. The gave me an opportunity to hit the Fiend's BBQ in San Jose, and also, allowed me to brew on last night's failure.

Our shortstop and recruiter was excited about our team this year. He repeatedly say that this was "our year." Having played for him before, I knew better.

Still, we managed to mercy our first opponent 13-3. With a 2 for 3 performance, I was starting to feel better. The 0 for 1 again came off the Mutant.

Game Two was against a better opponent and players that I've played against and with in other tournaments. Mark, a friend and teammate of mine, noticed that I wasn't using the Mutant and inquired why. I told him of my troubles with that bat and asked for his advice as to whether to sell it or trade it for something else. He reassured me that it was a good bat and that it still needed to be broken in.

I went 1 for 1 with a hard line drive to RC before sitting out for the Savage. Again, the hit did not come off my prized Mutant.

The team, despite a small comeback, lost 19-16. With a 1-1 record, we managed to rank 5th for the upcoming double-elimination round.

In our 1st game (3rd game) when it actually counts, we faced a team from Guam. They had on nice uniforms and had an entire cheering section root them on. Still, we mercied them 16-3. I started the game on the bench, but came in to play midway. 0-2. Perhaps my body had started to shut down.

In our 2nd game (4th game), we faced another team that I was somewhat familiar with, again having played with and against some of their players. 15 minutes before the game, Mark runs over and grabs my Mutant and runs away with it. I knew he was up to something... He told me that he was going to get me something else, and sure enough he did.

My newest acquisition, a 2010 26oz Worth Toxic, a soon-to-be banned from sale, but approved for ASA play bat. I was somewhat sketchy about the trade because it would be the lightest bat I've ever own. However, the bat had a good feel to it and I was somewhat satisfied knowing that I was trading away a bat that was not returnable for one that was. Being of lighter weight also made the bat more desirable in the softball bat market. Savage snarled at the transaction knowing that his source of "weighty" bats was relinquishing the only bat that was above 27oz for him to use.

1st AB: Lazy fly ball/line drive to RF. Off the end of the bat, easy out.
2nd AB: Struck out swinging! 1st swing was the nastiest and most painful. Completely missing and torqued my back violently.
3rd AB: Weak-ass grounder to 1st base.

I'll hold judgment for now on the Toxic as my inability to find the sweet spot and adjust to the drastic weight change did not yield any results I can quantify and analyze.

For now though, my bat broker, Eric, tells me it was a good deal.

On Sunday, I sat out, opting to go to Da Cheeze's daughter's Red Egg & Ginger party at the Moonstar. DOM probably felt relieved knowing that they didn't have to deal with a hitter that started off decent, but became lost as the tournie went on. Yet, the competitor in me still felt I could of provided some help in their 12-11 and 11-6 losing efforts.

RACQUETBALL W/ THE FERRARI OF RACQUETS

Just before I headed off to Reno, my new racquetball racquet arrived. The Ektelon EX03 Black: The highest power level (4000) racquet Ektelon makes. I am one of the first people to own one.

My first night out with it was rough as I had hoped the racquet provided me more control and was more forgiving on mis-hits. My second night out with it made me realize that I had to stick with my power game.

Losing 15-8, 15-6, and 15-12, I realized that I was making the mistake of compromising my power for control that will develop later as I play more often. Last game, 21-13, victory! My first!

Some people have asked me why I play racquetball and why I've grown such an affection for it.

First, and probably the most important reason why, is that I see it having a profound effect on my body. For the first time in a long while, I'm actually starting to see my abdominals! Also, my softball teammates have mentioned that I am faster! That means a lot for someone who's used to hearing that he is the slowest or one of the slower guys on the team.

Second, because it is primarily an individual sport, I'm enjoying knowing that fact that I dictate how I play and how much success I can achieve. No more teammates to get frustrated with. If there is anyone to blame, it is myself. If there is any glory, it goes to me cause I put in the time to improve.