Welcome to the redsoxnation
Click the link below to watch the frame by frame that a photographer took of the fight.
Punch
The Names have been changed to Protect the Errorists
Thursday, March 30, 2006
When you can't win, fight
Click the link below to watch the frame by frame that a photographer took of the fight.
Punch
Monday, March 27, 2006
DT Rants
When I talk about the baseball gods, some of you might take me for an evangelical idiot, preaching about my heathen gods, but if you have doubts that the baseball gods exist after yesterday's game, then there's nothing I can do to save your soul.
Yes, we lost the field to cricketeers. Yes, we were forced to play in the alternate field that was riddled with bumps and potholes, the earth cracked in places because it was soiled in clay. Rocks and debris strewn along the base paths. Yes, it looked like we were badly short of numbers. We were tested, but we showed our mettle. The clouds loomed overhead and threatened to open a downpour of herculean proportions, but we stayed. And the baseball gods looked down on us, saw the mighty 15, proudly worshipping the holy game, and they were pleased. The chorus of the faithful resonated to the heavens. In return, they blew away the storm, and they hid the sun behind the clouds, leaving us with clear weather. I have never seen the like. One moment, it looked like a thunderstorm, the next, the winds changed and the clouds were swept away. In return, they made the ball bounced, hopped, skipped, jumped, fooling infielders and outfielders alike. In return, they gave the meek strength, big bats and basehits. They taught the strong humility and showed irony to the skilled. In return, they let both teams win with mercy scores. The baseball gods had no favourites this day, blessing both sides with brilliant plays, bonehead errors and monsterous hits. It was a wonderful game. It IS a wonderful game.
Jason had a career day, pounding out two homeruns, numerous basehits and making good stops at third. He is the man to watch out for in the near future, and while he is still a good ultility man to put in any defensive position, he needs to find a place to call his own. His fiance (We just found out) Diana, has carved her niche at second base. She's got a good glove and arm, and as she proved yesterday, a hell of a bat. She was batting in the high 800s in the first game and got on base 5 out of 6 times. All she has left to do is to stop Rube's opposite-infield-homerun. Not one to settle for second place, Horfun turned around and showed her bat in the second game, taking a leaf out of Diana's book. Horfun's may be improving slowly, but she's doing it at her own pace, and slow and steady does win the race. She has amazing reflexes behind the plate, catching foul tips with aplomb. All she needs now is more power in her throw and we'll soon have a celebrity deathmatch at second base.
Rube and Gilbert proved that hustle is all you need to score runs. Rube, scoring a homerun off an opposite-field-infield-grounder. Gilbert was outstanding, he led the TWOs to a mercy win in the first game, and then, when he got traded, he led the ONEs to a mercy win in the second. He is our own version of Ichiro, taking extra bases on singles, and scoring at home on doubles. He runs down every ball in the outfield, and he never lets up. It's too bad we don't see him very often. His work ethic is amazing. Seven aka Scooterboy proved again, that he swings the other way. He batted 5 for 5 on the left side of the plate, and 0-3 on the right. He's not a switch hitter. He's a lefty. Come out of the closet Dom.
There was a face-off in the TWOs outfield, with Marvelous and P-Daddy dueling each other for the tinglove. In the end, Ironman ran away with the award for the ONEs. Most of it was not his fault though, the ground played havoc with the bounce, and many a easy one-hopper was deflected or veered away from his glove at the last minute. All the outfielders were tormented by the ground. Most of the time, they had one eye on the ground watching for potholes that would sprain ankles, and the other eye on the ball, and the third eye on the bounce. Needless to say, a double into the outfield usually meant a homerun for the batter. The infield was equally plagues by bad hops, but not as much. In fact, the best fielding position was the pitcher's as he didn't have to deal with an erratic bounce.
The kill-Rickey award goes to Gilbert and Rube. Gilbert hit a linedrive right up the middle, towards the pitcher's chest. That hit would have blown a hole in anyone's body. If it had been Rickey at the mound, he might have died. As it were, Rube made one of the best reflex catches I have ever seen. He seemed to have plucked the ball out of the air nanoseconds before it made contact with his body. It looked almost like Darth Vader's deflection of Han Solo's blaster shot on Baspin city. The ball was struck so well by Gilbert that the ping of contact and the thump in Rube's glove was almost instantaneous.
Overall mercy wins for both teams meant that the teams were quite even. The only difference was Gilbert playing for the winning team in the first game, then being traded to the winning team in the second game. The TWOs also lost Guppy in the second game. Mostly, the ground was the deciding factor for both games. The ball bounces both ways and for the first game, the ball bounced for the TWOs, and it turned around and bounced for the ONEs in the second game.
Yes, we lost the field to cricketeers. Yes, we were forced to play in the alternate field that was riddled with bumps and potholes, the earth cracked in places because it was soiled in clay. Rocks and debris strewn along the base paths. Yes, it looked like we were badly short of numbers. We were tested, but we showed our mettle. The clouds loomed overhead and threatened to open a downpour of herculean proportions, but we stayed. And the baseball gods looked down on us, saw the mighty 15, proudly worshipping the holy game, and they were pleased. The chorus of the faithful resonated to the heavens. In return, they blew away the storm, and they hid the sun behind the clouds, leaving us with clear weather. I have never seen the like. One moment, it looked like a thunderstorm, the next, the winds changed and the clouds were swept away. In return, they made the ball bounced, hopped, skipped, jumped, fooling infielders and outfielders alike. In return, they gave the meek strength, big bats and basehits. They taught the strong humility and showed irony to the skilled. In return, they let both teams win with mercy scores. The baseball gods had no favourites this day, blessing both sides with brilliant plays, bonehead errors and monsterous hits. It was a wonderful game. It IS a wonderful game.
Jason had a career day, pounding out two homeruns, numerous basehits and making good stops at third. He is the man to watch out for in the near future, and while he is still a good ultility man to put in any defensive position, he needs to find a place to call his own. His fiance (We just found out) Diana, has carved her niche at second base. She's got a good glove and arm, and as she proved yesterday, a hell of a bat. She was batting in the high 800s in the first game and got on base 5 out of 6 times. All she has left to do is to stop Rube's opposite-infield-homerun. Not one to settle for second place, Horfun turned around and showed her bat in the second game, taking a leaf out of Diana's book. Horfun's may be improving slowly, but she's doing it at her own pace, and slow and steady does win the race. She has amazing reflexes behind the plate, catching foul tips with aplomb. All she needs now is more power in her throw and we'll soon have a celebrity deathmatch at second base.
Rube and Gilbert proved that hustle is all you need to score runs. Rube, scoring a homerun off an opposite-field-infield-grounder. Gilbert was outstanding, he led the TWOs to a mercy win in the first game, and then, when he got traded, he led the ONEs to a mercy win in the second. He is our own version of Ichiro, taking extra bases on singles, and scoring at home on doubles. He runs down every ball in the outfield, and he never lets up. It's too bad we don't see him very often. His work ethic is amazing. Seven aka Scooterboy proved again, that he swings the other way. He batted 5 for 5 on the left side of the plate, and 0-3 on the right. He's not a switch hitter. He's a lefty. Come out of the closet Dom.
There was a face-off in the TWOs outfield, with Marvelous and P-Daddy dueling each other for the tinglove. In the end, Ironman ran away with the award for the ONEs. Most of it was not his fault though, the ground played havoc with the bounce, and many a easy one-hopper was deflected or veered away from his glove at the last minute. All the outfielders were tormented by the ground. Most of the time, they had one eye on the ground watching for potholes that would sprain ankles, and the other eye on the ball, and the third eye on the bounce. Needless to say, a double into the outfield usually meant a homerun for the batter. The infield was equally plagues by bad hops, but not as much. In fact, the best fielding position was the pitcher's as he didn't have to deal with an erratic bounce.
The kill-Rickey award goes to Gilbert and Rube. Gilbert hit a linedrive right up the middle, towards the pitcher's chest. That hit would have blown a hole in anyone's body. If it had been Rickey at the mound, he might have died. As it were, Rube made one of the best reflex catches I have ever seen. He seemed to have plucked the ball out of the air nanoseconds before it made contact with his body. It looked almost like Darth Vader's deflection of Han Solo's blaster shot on Baspin city. The ball was struck so well by Gilbert that the ping of contact and the thump in Rube's glove was almost instantaneous.
Overall mercy wins for both teams meant that the teams were quite even. The only difference was Gilbert playing for the winning team in the first game, then being traded to the winning team in the second game. The TWOs also lost Guppy in the second game. Mostly, the ground was the deciding factor for both games. The ball bounces both ways and for the first game, the ball bounced for the TWOs, and it turned around and bounced for the ONEs in the second game.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Road Trip
Look at this picture. This is the beach on Bohol, Philippines. Doesn't it look simply lovely. On Bohol, San Miguel beer costs about $0.50 on the street, and $0.85 at a bar or restaurant. For $50 a day, one can live and eat like a King (or Queen). Street vendors sell freshly barbequed pork and chicken, marinated in a succulent gravy of fresh herbs and spices. Freshly caught seafood is in abundance, costing a fraction of what we'd pay for in Singapore.
Barbequed Chicken
Lechon
Meat on Sticks
ALOT more meat on sticks
Seafood Buffet
Point, Grill and Eat
All you need is BeerSaturday, March 25, 2006
25 March 2006 - JEFFY likes to eat apples
ONES: 1B: Rube; 2B: Horfun; 3B: Jason; SS: DT; LF: Heidi; CF: Iron Man/Gil the Gazelle; RF: Seven
TWOS: C: Guppy; 1B: Rickey; 2B: Diana; 3B: The Generalissimo; SS: Clement; LF: P-Daddy; CF: Gil the Gazelle/Iron Man; RF: Marv-elous
Game One (4 Innings, mercy)
ONES: 11
TWOS: 26
Game Two (3 Innings, mercy)
ONES: 17
TWOS: 5
There was a formal cricket match on the field, so we went to the alternative one (opposite Rube's place). On that rough ground - the land of insane bounces - we had our first real game of the year. Thanks to the Montfort alumni, we had 15 players and didn't have to shut down a field. As the scores reflect, it was fairly ridiculous. Any ball to the outfield had the opportunity to skim, bounce, go left, go right, smack Marv-elous in the face, etc. It got ugly in both games, but in the karmic nature of Saturday softball, both teams got a chance to suffer and a chance to make it look easy. But, the real news was the joy of being able to play with a full field.
NOTES:
1) Diana was on fire in game one (5-6) and Horfun was on fire in game two. They made the difference when their teams were batting, playing the key role in mercy-ing the other teams; 2) P-Daddy (Patrick) better learn to keep his trap shut. When he started yelling at Marv-elous about a blown outfield play, he gets it worst. Karma, baby; 3) Gil was his usual speedy self; 4) DT made some great DY-style plays while pitching against his own team. He also fought off a ball against the shins (as did Horfun too) to throw out a runner at 1B, but perhaps the weirdest one was an easy grounder from Rickey that bounced over his head; 5) Rube had another infield homer; 6) Blood pressure check: Rube, DT and Heidi all looked like they were would burst a blood vessel in their heads in game one when the twos scored 12 or 13 in one inning. 7) Hey, Iron Man.. wake up. Gil caught you sleeping with a patented Venezualan Jaguar move (and the Jaguar also almost burst a blood vessel on that one too); 8) Seven continues to bat well from the left; 9) Jason got his usual quota of homeruns.
MBP: Gil the Gazelle
Gold Glove: Clement
Best Bat: Diana/Horfun
Biggest Bat: Rube
DY: DT
Drama Mama: Rube (catching a line drive at his chest while pitching)
Bonehead: Iron Man
TWOS: C: Guppy; 1B: Rickey; 2B: Diana; 3B: The Generalissimo; SS: Clement; LF: P-Daddy; CF: Gil the Gazelle/Iron Man; RF: Marv-elous
Game One (4 Innings, mercy)
ONES: 11
TWOS: 26
Game Two (3 Innings, mercy)
ONES: 17
TWOS: 5
There was a formal cricket match on the field, so we went to the alternative one (opposite Rube's place). On that rough ground - the land of insane bounces - we had our first real game of the year. Thanks to the Montfort alumni, we had 15 players and didn't have to shut down a field. As the scores reflect, it was fairly ridiculous. Any ball to the outfield had the opportunity to skim, bounce, go left, go right, smack Marv-elous in the face, etc. It got ugly in both games, but in the karmic nature of Saturday softball, both teams got a chance to suffer and a chance to make it look easy. But, the real news was the joy of being able to play with a full field.
NOTES:
1) Diana was on fire in game one (5-6) and Horfun was on fire in game two. They made the difference when their teams were batting, playing the key role in mercy-ing the other teams; 2) P-Daddy (Patrick) better learn to keep his trap shut. When he started yelling at Marv-elous about a blown outfield play, he gets it worst. Karma, baby; 3) Gil was his usual speedy self; 4) DT made some great DY-style plays while pitching against his own team. He also fought off a ball against the shins (as did Horfun too) to throw out a runner at 1B, but perhaps the weirdest one was an easy grounder from Rickey that bounced over his head; 5) Rube had another infield homer; 6) Blood pressure check: Rube, DT and Heidi all looked like they were would burst a blood vessel in their heads in game one when the twos scored 12 or 13 in one inning. 7) Hey, Iron Man.. wake up. Gil caught you sleeping with a patented Venezualan Jaguar move (and the Jaguar also almost burst a blood vessel on that one too); 8) Seven continues to bat well from the left; 9) Jason got his usual quota of homeruns.
MBP: Gil the Gazelle
Gold Glove: Clement
Best Bat: Diana/Horfun
Biggest Bat: Rube
DY: DT
Drama Mama: Rube (catching a line drive at his chest while pitching)
Bonehead: Iron Man
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Japan are the TRUE World Champions
Japan won the WBC by beating Cuba 10-6 in a very exciting game. I'd love to be able to watch it.
You can find a lot of coverage here.
SI winners and losers
SI New World Order
SI Good Show
SI Top of the World
NYtimes
My favourite line comes from the NYtimes article. The last paragraph to be exact.
"Despite having only two major leaguers, Japan won the tournament. Despite having no major leaguers, Cuba finished second. The United States feels it has the best players in the world. In this tournament, that was untrue. Japan, as the flying flags showed, was the class of this classic."
You can find a lot of coverage here.
SI winners and losers
SI New World Order
SI Good Show
SI Top of the World
NYtimes
My favourite line comes from the NYtimes article. The last paragraph to be exact.
"Despite having only two major leaguers, Japan won the tournament. Despite having no major leaguers, Cuba finished second. The United States feels it has the best players in the world. In this tournament, that was untrue. Japan, as the flying flags showed, was the class of this classic."
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Brokeshin Mound
When one Man
With a Large Stick
Swings the Other Way
Words will be Spoken
Issues will arise
There are no secrets between themMonday, March 20, 2006
DT Rants
Beautiful sunny, lovely empty field, short numbers. That's the new war cry of saturday softball. But as usual, the few, the strong and the brave will prevail. And with Gretzky, Diana and Rube volunteering to play all time defensively, we managed to put together a good game. With three out of nine players taking the field, it left each team with only 3 batters, so ProfZen rules (so named in memory of Prof Zen who invented it) and Rube rules were in effect, we played reverse double of nothing. Horfun did a great job recruiting by getting her vietnamese language classmate from Canada to show up. And Stephen brought his fellow exchange student Stephanie as well. They both contributed significantly to the game and we really hope they show up again. Sadly, they will only be here till May, but they were here since Sept. I guess it takes Horfun a couple of months to get her courage to ask a guy out ;).
When I say they contributed to the game, we have to mention Stephen allowing Rickey a homerun (bad leg and extra slow baserunning considered). Rickey hit a deep fly ball past Stephen and somehow, managed to limp all the way home. To make up for the humiliation of the new guy, Stephanie extracted her revenge on Rickey by hitting a shallow pop fly just over his head at 3rd base. It was perfectly weighted and perfected struck to reach a trajectory just out of his glove.
Gretzky and The Generalissimo had the biggest bats all day. They were beating the stuffing out of the ball, and going deep and into the empty spaces. I swear Heidi was going have an aneurysm our there in LF. I could hear that vein in her forehead throbbing from way over in the infield.
We switched around a little in the second game. Removed Rubane, and shut down RF instead. This worked out slightly better for the ONEs at first, but in the third inning, the TWOs big bats were simple overpowering. The ONEs were shut down mercilessly.
Play of the game must go to that Indian-National-Foreign-Construction Worker. He pulled a liner high into the sky that never came down... literally. The ball got stuck in a tree, wedged perfectly between two branches. Everyone took turns to knock the ball down, and EVERYONE missed. A foreign construction worker finally came along, weighted the ball in his hand, and let it fly. His first throw, hitting the branch holding the ball, and it was released from its grasp to finally fall to the earth. How ashamed should we feel that this guy just steps up and makes an accurate throw, while we, who play every week, cannot make the same?
When I say they contributed to the game, we have to mention Stephen allowing Rickey a homerun (bad leg and extra slow baserunning considered). Rickey hit a deep fly ball past Stephen and somehow, managed to limp all the way home. To make up for the humiliation of the new guy, Stephanie extracted her revenge on Rickey by hitting a shallow pop fly just over his head at 3rd base. It was perfectly weighted and perfected struck to reach a trajectory just out of his glove.
Gretzky and The Generalissimo had the biggest bats all day. They were beating the stuffing out of the ball, and going deep and into the empty spaces. I swear Heidi was going have an aneurysm our there in LF. I could hear that vein in her forehead throbbing from way over in the infield.
We switched around a little in the second game. Removed Rubane, and shut down RF instead. This worked out slightly better for the ONEs at first, but in the third inning, the TWOs big bats were simple overpowering. The ONEs were shut down mercilessly.
Play of the game must go to that Indian-National-Foreign-Construction Worker. He pulled a liner high into the sky that never came down... literally. The ball got stuck in a tree, wedged perfectly between two branches. Everyone took turns to knock the ball down, and EVERYONE missed. A foreign construction worker finally came along, weighted the ball in his hand, and let it fly. His first throw, hitting the branch holding the ball, and it was released from its grasp to finally fall to the earth. How ashamed should we feel that this guy just steps up and makes an accurate throw, while we, who play every week, cannot make the same?
Sunday, March 19, 2006
18 March 2005 - Just another day
ONES: C: Horfun; P: Dom; SS: DT; 3B: Horfun/Rickey/Heidi; OF: Heidi/Nigeypooh/Rickey
TWOS: C: Steph; SS: Venezualan Jaguar; 3B: New Guy (Stephen); OF: Patrick/Marvelous
All Time: 1B: Rube; 2B: Diana
Game One: (6 Innings)
ONES: 6
TWOS: 18
Game Two: (3 innings):
ONES: 0
TWOS: 6
It was a good old fashioned butt-kicking. The TWOS had the Jaguar, Patrick and Marvelous batting back-to-back and they were too much to handle. Add in the newbies, Stephanie and Stephen (what's with all the Chinese-Canadians?), who occassionally got on base, and the ONES were done. Played "Rube Rules".
NOTES:
1) Heidi was having trouble in the outfield. If she waited for the bounce, it skimmed along the ground; if she got down to take the grounder, it bounced over her head. Space in LF was huge too. Lots of running.; 2) Rickey played OF with no major snafus; 3) Props to Diana and Rube for playing all time in the field; 4) The Generalissimo was on fire yesterday; 5) Patrick was trying to be Smoov P with his new teammates; 6) Rickey hit a massive homer to right field, should have gone home after that; 7) All the guys on the ones hit at least 2 homers each.
MBP: The Venezualan Jaguar
Gold Glove: The Venezualan Jaguar
Drama Mama: Nigey-pooh (caught a foul ball barehanded)
TWOS: C: Steph; SS: Venezualan Jaguar; 3B: New Guy (Stephen); OF: Patrick/Marvelous
All Time: 1B: Rube; 2B: Diana
Game One: (6 Innings)
ONES: 6
TWOS: 18
Game Two: (3 innings):
ONES: 0
TWOS: 6
It was a good old fashioned butt-kicking. The TWOS had the Jaguar, Patrick and Marvelous batting back-to-back and they were too much to handle. Add in the newbies, Stephanie and Stephen (what's with all the Chinese-Canadians?), who occassionally got on base, and the ONES were done. Played "Rube Rules".
NOTES:
1) Heidi was having trouble in the outfield. If she waited for the bounce, it skimmed along the ground; if she got down to take the grounder, it bounced over her head. Space in LF was huge too. Lots of running.; 2) Rickey played OF with no major snafus; 3) Props to Diana and Rube for playing all time in the field; 4) The Generalissimo was on fire yesterday; 5) Patrick was trying to be Smoov P with his new teammates; 6) Rickey hit a massive homer to right field, should have gone home after that; 7) All the guys on the ones hit at least 2 homers each.
MBP: The Venezualan Jaguar
Gold Glove: The Venezualan Jaguar
Drama Mama: Nigey-pooh (caught a foul ball barehanded)
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Combating Obesity in America
Eat UNTIL you die.
15 pound burger
Restaurant overdoes it once again, with 15-pound burger
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
By Alana Semuels, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
CLEARFIELD, Pa. -- It foiled even the doughnut-eating champion of the world.
Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette
Dave "Coon Dog" O'Karma can eat 80 doughnuts in under six minutes, but even he couldn't manage a 15-pound cheeseburger.
Concocted by the chefs at Denny's Beer Barrel Pub, the burger might help the pub defend its Guinness Book of World Records status as the restaurant with the world's biggest hamburger.
Denny's big burger lineup includes a 2-pounder, a 3-pounder and a 6-pounder.
If you can eat the 6-pounder in under three hours, you get the burger for free, along with a commemorative T-shirt and your names on a wall of fame. So far, the only winner has been a 100-pound female college student.
But owners thought a 15-pound burger would attract more customers and be a good option for families, parties and anyone who up for a challenge.
The challenge is simple. Just polish off the newest monster burger in under five hours and you win $350, a T-shirt and your name posted on the pub's wall of fame.
You also get the burger for free, which is not bad, considering it costs $39.95.
Fries are extra.
"Every restaurant needs a gimmick -- ours is big burgers," said Dennis Liegey III, son of the restaurant's owner, and its vice president.
Visitors have come from as far away as Australia and California just to see the 6-pounders and try to eat them. They sell about 30 a week.
The newest burger, dubbed the Beer Barrel Belly Buster, is as big around as the inside of a car tire and should be approached with relish.
A cup and a half, that is. It also comes with a cup and half each of mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, a head of lettuce, two onions, three tomatoes and 25 slices of cheese, which go on 101/2 pounds of ground beef and a bun that is made by a local bakery.
The burger starts out, as burgers typically do, as a large slab of raw ground meat -- 280 ounces of extra lean beef shipped up from Pittsburgh. That's enough beef to make 70 McDonald's quarter pounders.
Kitchen manager Matthew Williams mixes in eggs and bread crumbs and other ingredients he won't disclose to hold the beef together, and then puts it into an auto sham -- basically a big broiler -- for 21/2 hours while the grease sizzles and jumps in the pan.
After it is good and cooked, he lifts the Jabba the Hut-like lump of meat with a pizza shovel to the grill to charbroil it. From there, the burger is lifted again to the condiments counter, where it receives its dressings, which weigh another 5 pounds.
"I'm a little sore," said Williams about the heavy lifting. "It's a workout." He made the first burger Friday night and has perfected the system to prevent the beef from crumbling.
The comment he most often hears about his giant burgers?
"Holy Cow!"
Professional eaters tried to team up to eat the first burger on Saturday, but were stymied by its sheer size.
Coon Dog, the doughnut champion from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, brought a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" to the restaurant to distract him while he ate, but it was not enough.
"The only thing that got killed was my appetite," he said.
He's eaten doughnuts, wings and hot dogs faster than you can say Coon Dog, but couldn't even finish the burger with a partner.
In the next few days, the Belly Buster will appear on national television morning shows, in newspapers and on the Internet. It's great publicity for a small restaurant in a tiny town in mid-Pennsylvania, but not so great for anyone who dares to consume it.
"What's the point of having a hamburger that's 15 pounds?" said Madelyn Fernstrom, associate professor and director of the UPMC Weight Management Center. "It's ridiculous. There's nothing that is redeeming about it."
The caloric value of a burger this size means that it should be consumed by about 30 to 40 people, she said. Healthy or not, if you grill it, they will come.
Retired schoolteachers Alice and John Kirn from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., stopped by the restaurant on their way to a family reunion in Minnesota to see the 6-pound burger. The couple have eaten ostrich, camel and crocodile in their journeys.
Just the sight of the burger, which they at first thought was plastic, made their drive worthwhile.
Gushed John Kirn, "It's one of the seven wonders of the new world."
15 pound burger
Restaurant overdoes it once again, with 15-pound burger
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
By Alana Semuels, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
CLEARFIELD, Pa. -- It foiled even the doughnut-eating champion of the world.
Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette
Dave "Coon Dog" O'Karma can eat 80 doughnuts in under six minutes, but even he couldn't manage a 15-pound cheeseburger.
Concocted by the chefs at Denny's Beer Barrel Pub, the burger might help the pub defend its Guinness Book of World Records status as the restaurant with the world's biggest hamburger.
Denny's big burger lineup includes a 2-pounder, a 3-pounder and a 6-pounder.
If you can eat the 6-pounder in under three hours, you get the burger for free, along with a commemorative T-shirt and your names on a wall of fame. So far, the only winner has been a 100-pound female college student.
But owners thought a 15-pound burger would attract more customers and be a good option for families, parties and anyone who up for a challenge.
The challenge is simple. Just polish off the newest monster burger in under five hours and you win $350, a T-shirt and your name posted on the pub's wall of fame.
You also get the burger for free, which is not bad, considering it costs $39.95.
Fries are extra.
"Every restaurant needs a gimmick -- ours is big burgers," said Dennis Liegey III, son of the restaurant's owner, and its vice president.
Visitors have come from as far away as Australia and California just to see the 6-pounders and try to eat them. They sell about 30 a week.
The newest burger, dubbed the Beer Barrel Belly Buster, is as big around as the inside of a car tire and should be approached with relish.
A cup and a half, that is. It also comes with a cup and half each of mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, a head of lettuce, two onions, three tomatoes and 25 slices of cheese, which go on 101/2 pounds of ground beef and a bun that is made by a local bakery.
The burger starts out, as burgers typically do, as a large slab of raw ground meat -- 280 ounces of extra lean beef shipped up from Pittsburgh. That's enough beef to make 70 McDonald's quarter pounders.
Kitchen manager Matthew Williams mixes in eggs and bread crumbs and other ingredients he won't disclose to hold the beef together, and then puts it into an auto sham -- basically a big broiler -- for 21/2 hours while the grease sizzles and jumps in the pan.
After it is good and cooked, he lifts the Jabba the Hut-like lump of meat with a pizza shovel to the grill to charbroil it. From there, the burger is lifted again to the condiments counter, where it receives its dressings, which weigh another 5 pounds.
"I'm a little sore," said Williams about the heavy lifting. "It's a workout." He made the first burger Friday night and has perfected the system to prevent the beef from crumbling.
The comment he most often hears about his giant burgers?
"Holy Cow!"
Professional eaters tried to team up to eat the first burger on Saturday, but were stymied by its sheer size.
Coon Dog, the doughnut champion from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, brought a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" to the restaurant to distract him while he ate, but it was not enough.
"The only thing that got killed was my appetite," he said.
He's eaten doughnuts, wings and hot dogs faster than you can say Coon Dog, but couldn't even finish the burger with a partner.
In the next few days, the Belly Buster will appear on national television morning shows, in newspapers and on the Internet. It's great publicity for a small restaurant in a tiny town in mid-Pennsylvania, but not so great for anyone who dares to consume it.
"What's the point of having a hamburger that's 15 pounds?" said Madelyn Fernstrom, associate professor and director of the UPMC Weight Management Center. "It's ridiculous. There's nothing that is redeeming about it."
The caloric value of a burger this size means that it should be consumed by about 30 to 40 people, she said. Healthy or not, if you grill it, they will come.
Retired schoolteachers Alice and John Kirn from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., stopped by the restaurant on their way to a family reunion in Minnesota to see the 6-pound burger. The couple have eaten ostrich, camel and crocodile in their journeys.
Just the sight of the burger, which they at first thought was plastic, made their drive worthwhile.
Gushed John Kirn, "It's one of the seven wonders of the new world."
Thursday, March 16, 2006
What's better than a Cheeseburger AND a Doughnut?
A Cheeseburger MADE with a Doughnut
For all underweight, malnutritioned, skinny americans the world over. The Final CURE.
Gatewaygrizzlies
GRIZZLIES INTRODUCE NEW FOOD ITEM FOR '06
March 8, 2006 - The Gateway Grizzlies are proud to announce that they will be adding a new concession item to GMC Stadium for the 2006 season.
The Grizzlies and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts have teamed up to create "Baseball's Best Burger." The burger, which was introduced at Gateway's December 10th sale, consists of a thick and juicy burger topped with sharp cheddar cheese and two slices of bacon. The burger is then placed in between each side of a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut.
The Grizzlies have added a unique concession item each of the least two seasons. In 2004 "Baseball's Best Hotdog" hit GMC Stadium. It consisted of a 1/5 pound Farmland 8 inch All Beef Black Angus Hot Dog, topped with two strips of freshly cooked bacon, 1 oz. Sautéed Onions, 1 oz. Sautéed Sauerkraut and ½ oz. Cheddar Cheese Sauce, all on a fresh baked bun. In 2005, the "Swiss Brat" was introduced. The "Swiss Brat" was made up of a Landshire Bratwurst with a slice of Swiss cheese in the middle of it. The cheese was then melted and 1oz. of Sautéed Sauerkraut was placed on top.
"We have had the opportunity to bring in a new concession item for the past two seasons and each of them have been very successful. We look forward to Baseball's Best Burger and the excitement it will bring to the ballpark," said Grizzlies General Manager Tony Funderburg.
"We are excited to work with the Grizzlies this season on Baseball's Best Burger," said Tina Bryan, Vice President of Marketing for Sweet Traditions, the local area developer for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. "Our doughnuts have been used in such things as wedding cakes, bread pudding, fondue, and now a hamburger bun. What a fun and unique way to offer our signature Original Glazed doughnut to Grizzlies fans."
For all underweight, malnutritioned, skinny americans the world over. The Final CURE.
Gatewaygrizzlies
GRIZZLIES INTRODUCE NEW FOOD ITEM FOR '06
March 8, 2006 - The Gateway Grizzlies are proud to announce that they will be adding a new concession item to GMC Stadium for the 2006 season.
The Grizzlies and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts have teamed up to create "Baseball's Best Burger." The burger, which was introduced at Gateway's December 10th sale, consists of a thick and juicy burger topped with sharp cheddar cheese and two slices of bacon. The burger is then placed in between each side of a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut.
The Grizzlies have added a unique concession item each of the least two seasons. In 2004 "Baseball's Best Hotdog" hit GMC Stadium. It consisted of a 1/5 pound Farmland 8 inch All Beef Black Angus Hot Dog, topped with two strips of freshly cooked bacon, 1 oz. Sautéed Onions, 1 oz. Sautéed Sauerkraut and ½ oz. Cheddar Cheese Sauce, all on a fresh baked bun. In 2005, the "Swiss Brat" was introduced. The "Swiss Brat" was made up of a Landshire Bratwurst with a slice of Swiss cheese in the middle of it. The cheese was then melted and 1oz. of Sautéed Sauerkraut was placed on top.
"We have had the opportunity to bring in a new concession item for the past two seasons and each of them have been very successful. We look forward to Baseball's Best Burger and the excitement it will bring to the ballpark," said Grizzlies General Manager Tony Funderburg.
"We are excited to work with the Grizzlies this season on Baseball's Best Burger," said Tina Bryan, Vice President of Marketing for Sweet Traditions, the local area developer for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. "Our doughnuts have been used in such things as wedding cakes, bread pudding, fondue, and now a hamburger bun. What a fun and unique way to offer our signature Original Glazed doughnut to Grizzlies fans."
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Casey At the Bat
Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer ©
Published: The Examiner (06-03-1888)
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And its likely they'd a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.
"Phin"
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer ©
Published: The Examiner (06-03-1888)
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And its likely they'd a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.
"Phin"
The Reason for Rainbows
The Reason for Rainbows
A Song to Baseball
by J. Patrick Lewis
Published: Baseball Almanac
There was an Old Man of Late Summer
Met a Winter Boy out of the blue,
And he whisked him away
From the city one day
Just to show him what country boys do.
He taught him three whys of a rooster,
And he showed him two hows of a hen.
Then he’d try to bewitch him
With curveballs he’d pitch him
Again and again and again.
He taught him the reason for rainbows,
And he showed him why lightning was king,
Then he fingered the last ball—
A wicked hop fastball—
He threw to the plate on a string.
Oh, the Old Summer Man and the Young Winter Lad
Spent the light of each day—every moment they had—
In the wind and the rain, or the late summer sun,
Where he taught him to pitch and he taught him to run
In the wind and rain and the late summer sun.
But when that Old Man of Late Summer
Met the Winter Boy out of the blue,
He said to him, “Son,
You can pitch, you can run,
But to hit here is what you must do:
Just pretend that the stick on your shoulder
Is as wide as a bald eagle’s wing.
You’re a bird on a wire
And your hands are on fire—
But you’re never too eager to swing.
Stand as still as a rabbit in danger,
Watch the pitch with the eyes of a cat.
What will fly past the mound—
Unforgettable sound—
Is the ball as it cracks off the bat.”
Oh, the Old Summer Man and the Young Winter Lad
Spent the light of each day—every moment they had—
In the wind and the rain, or the late summer sun,
Where he taught him to pitch and he taught him to run
In the wind and rain and the late summer sun.
A Song to Baseball
by J. Patrick Lewis
Published: Baseball Almanac
There was an Old Man of Late Summer
Met a Winter Boy out of the blue,
And he whisked him away
From the city one day
Just to show him what country boys do.
He taught him three whys of a rooster,
And he showed him two hows of a hen.
Then he’d try to bewitch him
With curveballs he’d pitch him
Again and again and again.
He taught him the reason for rainbows,
And he showed him why lightning was king,
Then he fingered the last ball—
A wicked hop fastball—
He threw to the plate on a string.
Oh, the Old Summer Man and the Young Winter Lad
Spent the light of each day—every moment they had—
In the wind and the rain, or the late summer sun,
Where he taught him to pitch and he taught him to run
In the wind and rain and the late summer sun.
But when that Old Man of Late Summer
Met the Winter Boy out of the blue,
He said to him, “Son,
You can pitch, you can run,
But to hit here is what you must do:
Just pretend that the stick on your shoulder
Is as wide as a bald eagle’s wing.
You’re a bird on a wire
And your hands are on fire—
But you’re never too eager to swing.
Stand as still as a rabbit in danger,
Watch the pitch with the eyes of a cat.
What will fly past the mound—
Unforgettable sound—
Is the ball as it cracks off the bat.”
Oh, the Old Summer Man and the Young Winter Lad
Spent the light of each day—every moment they had—
In the wind and the rain, or the late summer sun,
Where he taught him to pitch and he taught him to run
In the wind and rain and the late summer sun.
Shortstop
SHORTSTOP
by Charles Ghigna ©
Published: Boyd Mills Press (2003)
The slits of his eyes
hidden in shadows
beneath the bill of his cap,
he watches and waits
like a patient cat
to catch what comes
his way.
Crack!
and he pounces
upon the ball,
his hands flying
above the grass,
flinging his prey
on its way
across the diamond
into a double-play.
by Charles Ghigna ©
Published: Boyd Mills Press (2003)
The slits of his eyes
hidden in shadows
beneath the bill of his cap,
he watches and waits
like a patient cat
to catch what comes
his way.
Crack!
and he pounces
upon the ball,
his hands flying
above the grass,
flinging his prey
on its way
across the diamond
into a double-play.
A Swing and A Miss
A Swing And A Miss
by J. Patrick Lewis©
Published In: Light Quarterly (1954)
The fastball
that you hope to poke
is smoke
The curveball
that you thought was there
is air
The knuckler
wobbling up to you
can dipsy-do
The screwball
an ironic twist
hits your fist
The sinker
comes as a surprise:
it dies
The let-up pitch
you can't resist?
you missed
The spitball
that by law's forbidden
(is hidden)
by J. Patrick Lewis©
Published In: Light Quarterly (1954)
The fastball
that you hope to poke
is smoke
The curveball
that you thought was there
is air
The knuckler
wobbling up to you
can dipsy-do
The screwball
an ironic twist
hits your fist
The sinker
comes as a surprise:
it dies
The let-up pitch
you can't resist?
you missed
The spitball
that by law's forbidden
(is hidden)
Monday, March 13, 2006
The faces change, but the game remains the same
This is the face of the guy Rube picked up on the street to play Ball.
He was walking along NUS, towards NUH, when Rube yelled to him. "Hey! You're wearing a yankees hat! You must play ball!" Truer words have not come from Rube's lips. He's been making a fine contribution to SAS. But if you make fun of the hair, he will hit the ball into your shins.
Addendum
I was kinda bored at work saving the world from malicious viruses, so I dug up a little more dirt on our TNG.
Check out THIS picture
And his ice hockey stats
Player Stats
Season GP G A P P/G
2002 3 1 2 3 1.00
2001 9 11 13 24 2.67
2000 2 5 7 12 6.00
Totals 15 20 22 42 2.80
DT RANTS
It was another lovely day. The field was a little dry and hard, but otherwise, a perfect day... except... we were short on numbers again. In fact, we only had 8 to start off, which was too short for even double or nothing. We decided on coning off CF and RF, and playing with 3 infielders (SS, 3rd and 1st) and 1 LF. But Patrick (We need a nickname for him soon) came up with a brilliant idea to hit switch instead. Everyone had to bat lefty. Considering that Heidi and the Sandman usually get the short end of the stick when we shut down a field, this was a fair arrangement so that Everyone else would be disadvantaged instead. As the cones were already laid, we decided on 2 infielders (2nd and 1st), and 2 outfielders (RF and CF). Anything to the left of the cones was dead. And to make up for a missing third baseman, we decided to call 3rd base the scoring base.
This arrangement worked brilliantly for the TWOs as they pulled 8 runs from this arrangement, taking a 8-1 lead by the 5th inning. But it was Prof Zen's idea that finally made our game perfect. He suggested a reverse double-or-nothing rule. Instead of being forced to reach second on a hit, the runner on second was forced to round third and head for home. However, the runner can still turn back to second if he had not yet stepped on third base. This made the game much more interesting, as it got much more difficult to score. The ONEs owned this rule, scoring 4 runs to the TWOs 2. But the ONEs could not rally for the win, and the score ended at 10-5.
Thinking that they had the second game in the bag, the ONEs faltered in the second game and only managed to bring in 1 run to end the game at 3-1.
The low numbers do bring out our creativity, and while it is definitely fun to be creative once in a while to mix up the game, it is still nice to enjoy a proper fully-manned game once in a while. We haven't had more than 16 show up in one day for months, and that's hard to stomach. Everyone needs to chip in and do some recruiting.
Hitting left was quite an experience. Everyone swung and missed at least ONCE. (everyone except Heidi of course.) Grandpa, Prof Zen and Marvelous struck out swinging. The ONEs finally started connecting with the ball, but the ball always ended up at the Generalissimo's feet. He had 4 double plays, and more than a dozen put-outs. The TWOs could really smack the ball though. Almost every hit from them went into the outfield. Seven was dominating. I've never seen him hit with so much power and consistancy. It's pretty clear that he's a closet lefty. It's time to come out of the closet Dom. Marvelous may have had the biggest hit of the day, but Prof Zen had the most beautiful. It was as if the ball he hit was laser guided to run straight down the fair side of the cones. It's proof that many of us can swing both ways.
There should be a new award in the blog. It will be called the "Hit Rickey Award". It seems that every week, for the past couple of months, someone has tried to hit, maim (and possibly kill) Rickey. My cousin Joanna started it with her killer line drive to stop him singing the backstreet boy song, DY tried the week after, and Dave the week after that, and I tried last week. The recipient of the first "Hit Rickey Award" goes to Patrick. He put a liner right up the middle when Rickey was pitching, and caught him in the left shin. Kudos to Rickey for staying with the ball, and making the play to get Patrick out. That was a stunning play, and it was also a stunning bruise on the shin. Let's see who can win the award next! The only downside of the hit, was that we lost our only "official" switch hitter. Patrick was so traumatised that for the rest of the game, he just hit the ball to the Generalissimo (and into three DPs).
Gunz, if you're reading this, we want photos of the restaurant that your colleagues have brought you to eat steak. Also, we want photos of the chicken fried steak that you ordered.
Cool Papa, if you're reading this, Rickey wants some soiled panties from the vending machine, and I'd like some pictures of your groupies.
This arrangement worked brilliantly for the TWOs as they pulled 8 runs from this arrangement, taking a 8-1 lead by the 5th inning. But it was Prof Zen's idea that finally made our game perfect. He suggested a reverse double-or-nothing rule. Instead of being forced to reach second on a hit, the runner on second was forced to round third and head for home. However, the runner can still turn back to second if he had not yet stepped on third base. This made the game much more interesting, as it got much more difficult to score. The ONEs owned this rule, scoring 4 runs to the TWOs 2. But the ONEs could not rally for the win, and the score ended at 10-5.
Thinking that they had the second game in the bag, the ONEs faltered in the second game and only managed to bring in 1 run to end the game at 3-1.
The low numbers do bring out our creativity, and while it is definitely fun to be creative once in a while to mix up the game, it is still nice to enjoy a proper fully-manned game once in a while. We haven't had more than 16 show up in one day for months, and that's hard to stomach. Everyone needs to chip in and do some recruiting.
Hitting left was quite an experience. Everyone swung and missed at least ONCE. (everyone except Heidi of course.) Grandpa, Prof Zen and Marvelous struck out swinging. The ONEs finally started connecting with the ball, but the ball always ended up at the Generalissimo's feet. He had 4 double plays, and more than a dozen put-outs. The TWOs could really smack the ball though. Almost every hit from them went into the outfield. Seven was dominating. I've never seen him hit with so much power and consistancy. It's pretty clear that he's a closet lefty. It's time to come out of the closet Dom. Marvelous may have had the biggest hit of the day, but Prof Zen had the most beautiful. It was as if the ball he hit was laser guided to run straight down the fair side of the cones. It's proof that many of us can swing both ways.
There should be a new award in the blog. It will be called the "Hit Rickey Award". It seems that every week, for the past couple of months, someone has tried to hit, maim (and possibly kill) Rickey. My cousin Joanna started it with her killer line drive to stop him singing the backstreet boy song, DY tried the week after, and Dave the week after that, and I tried last week. The recipient of the first "Hit Rickey Award" goes to Patrick. He put a liner right up the middle when Rickey was pitching, and caught him in the left shin. Kudos to Rickey for staying with the ball, and making the play to get Patrick out. That was a stunning play, and it was also a stunning bruise on the shin. Let's see who can win the award next! The only downside of the hit, was that we lost our only "official" switch hitter. Patrick was so traumatised that for the rest of the game, he just hit the ball to the Generalissimo (and into three DPs).
Gunz, if you're reading this, we want photos of the restaurant that your colleagues have brought you to eat steak. Also, we want photos of the chicken fried steak that you ordered.
Cool Papa, if you're reading this, Rickey wants some soiled panties from the vending machine, and I'd like some pictures of your groupies.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
11 March 2006 - Jug Ball
ONES: C: Rickey 1B: Rickey/Grandpa; 2B: DT; OF: Patrick, Marv-elous
TWOS: C: Big Dick; 1B: Heidi; 2B: The Generalissimo; OF: Prof. Zen (or Johnny Cash), Seven
Game One:
ONES: 5
TWOS: 10
Game Two (3 Innings):
ONES: 1
TWOS: 3
We have invented a new game, and it ultimately will develop our hitting skills. Left field, and anything to the left is an out. So, you have to hit to RF or CF, or basically right of 2B. When you are base running, you cannot stop at 3B. So, you have to score from 2B (thanks to Andy for figuring out that variation). Plus, we all batted left. Thus, there were some strikeouts, and there were some jugs served at Joe's. The weather was hot, and all had a really great time making fun off the bad swings.
NOTES:
1) Big Dick is back, at least for the week. It was good to see him strolling up in the 3rd inning; 2) Seven is a leftie and doesn't even know it. He was getting some great hits. He actually batted better than he usually does from the right; 3) Okay. Rickey's had enough of this hitting at him. Patrick hit a boomer at ankle height when Rickey was pitching. Damn, it hurt. Still does. Curses flew. But, Rickey stumbled to the ball and got Patrick out. Huge swelling on the left shin right now; 4) Marv-elous had a monster homer from the opposite side; 5) Of all the bad swings, Rickey had to have the worst. But, he always made contact, straight to the Venezualan Jaguar; 6)Prof. Zen was hitting them right down the line of cones in CF. He knows how to Walk the Line, just like the Man in Black.
MBP: Seven
Gold Glove: Venezualan Jaguar
Play of the Day: Rickey
DY: Rickey
Hit of the Day: Marv-elous
TWOS: C: Big Dick; 1B: Heidi; 2B: The Generalissimo; OF: Prof. Zen (or Johnny Cash), Seven
Game One:
ONES: 5
TWOS: 10
Game Two (3 Innings):
ONES: 1
TWOS: 3
We have invented a new game, and it ultimately will develop our hitting skills. Left field, and anything to the left is an out. So, you have to hit to RF or CF, or basically right of 2B. When you are base running, you cannot stop at 3B. So, you have to score from 2B (thanks to Andy for figuring out that variation). Plus, we all batted left. Thus, there were some strikeouts, and there were some jugs served at Joe's. The weather was hot, and all had a really great time making fun off the bad swings.
NOTES:
1) Big Dick is back, at least for the week. It was good to see him strolling up in the 3rd inning; 2) Seven is a leftie and doesn't even know it. He was getting some great hits. He actually batted better than he usually does from the right; 3) Okay. Rickey's had enough of this hitting at him. Patrick hit a boomer at ankle height when Rickey was pitching. Damn, it hurt. Still does. Curses flew. But, Rickey stumbled to the ball and got Patrick out. Huge swelling on the left shin right now; 4) Marv-elous had a monster homer from the opposite side; 5) Of all the bad swings, Rickey had to have the worst. But, he always made contact, straight to the Venezualan Jaguar; 6)Prof. Zen was hitting them right down the line of cones in CF. He knows how to Walk the Line, just like the Man in Black.
MBP: Seven
Gold Glove: Venezualan Jaguar
Play of the Day: Rickey
DY: Rickey
Hit of the Day: Marv-elous
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Lessons from Mr B
How NOT to behave on a date.
I found this post on this local food critic's blog. She's not a "official" food critic, just someone who loves to sample delicious food. Her blog is a lovely read and a must see for people who want to get some insights on dining in Singapore. Check her out. DimSumDolly.
Anyway, her original post is about one of her recent blind dates (Read it here ) which spurred this list. She has some wonderful advice for men on dates.
I quote ad verbatim :
Lessons from Mr. B
1) Do not be late the first time you're meeting someone. A good first impression it does not make I'm afraid.
2) Do not talk only about work--it bores the hell outta people.
- But then again, in Mr. B's case, I suppose he didn't have anything else to talk about.
3) Do ask your date questions about herself.
- It's rude to talk only about yourself and not ask questions in return. This is NOT an interview thank you very much. You're not the interviewee and your date isn't the interviewer.
4) Do not keep shifting your eyes and looking at other people going in and out of the restaurant all of the time, just because you want to look out for people you might know and so you can "network".
5) Do not be so desperate to network such that when you think a lady sitting outside to be your company doctor, you go outside to say "hi" only to discover you've made a mistake.
- I nearly wanted to laugh in his face when I heard it. But mainly I was disgusted at his pathetic attempts to network. He was telling me earlier how important it is to just say "hi" to people even if it's just an acquaintance. Pls, give me a break. I would only say hi to a family doctor I've been seeing since a kid and not a doctor at a clinic whom I see once in a blue moon.
6) Again, do not be so desperate to network with other people in the restaurant when you're on a date. Identifying correctly the senior banker at your bank who comes 15min later after the booboo with the "doctor" doesn't make the first botched attempt less pathetic. So he goes up to say "hi" to the senior banker. From my observation through the glass window, the man had no clue who Mr. B was. I bet Mr. B must have name-dropped some other senior banker's name and so the man was seemingly cordial to his networking attempts.
7) Develop some balls.
- Don't tell me you really don't like drinking and smoking, but you do it only to fraternise with the traders and brokers you have to work with. But really, your cigarette is in your hand most of the time. Please, at least be daring and man enough to say "No" and stop being such a phony.
8) If you don't already have a life outside of work, please get yourself one NOW.
I found this post on this local food critic's blog. She's not a "official" food critic, just someone who loves to sample delicious food. Her blog is a lovely read and a must see for people who want to get some insights on dining in Singapore. Check her out. DimSumDolly.
Anyway, her original post is about one of her recent blind dates (Read it here ) which spurred this list. She has some wonderful advice for men on dates.
I quote ad verbatim :
Lessons from Mr. B
1) Do not be late the first time you're meeting someone. A good first impression it does not make I'm afraid.
2) Do not talk only about work--it bores the hell outta people.
- But then again, in Mr. B's case, I suppose he didn't have anything else to talk about.
3) Do ask your date questions about herself.
- It's rude to talk only about yourself and not ask questions in return. This is NOT an interview thank you very much. You're not the interviewee and your date isn't the interviewer.
4) Do not keep shifting your eyes and looking at other people going in and out of the restaurant all of the time, just because you want to look out for people you might know and so you can "network".
5) Do not be so desperate to network such that when you think a lady sitting outside to be your company doctor, you go outside to say "hi" only to discover you've made a mistake.
- I nearly wanted to laugh in his face when I heard it. But mainly I was disgusted at his pathetic attempts to network. He was telling me earlier how important it is to just say "hi" to people even if it's just an acquaintance. Pls, give me a break. I would only say hi to a family doctor I've been seeing since a kid and not a doctor at a clinic whom I see once in a blue moon.
6) Again, do not be so desperate to network with other people in the restaurant when you're on a date. Identifying correctly the senior banker at your bank who comes 15min later after the booboo with the "doctor" doesn't make the first botched attempt less pathetic. So he goes up to say "hi" to the senior banker. From my observation through the glass window, the man had no clue who Mr. B was. I bet Mr. B must have name-dropped some other senior banker's name and so the man was seemingly cordial to his networking attempts.
7) Develop some balls.
- Don't tell me you really don't like drinking and smoking, but you do it only to fraternise with the traders and brokers you have to work with. But really, your cigarette is in your hand most of the time. Please, at least be daring and man enough to say "No" and stop being such a phony.
8) If you don't already have a life outside of work, please get yourself one NOW.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Sunday, March 05, 2006
DT Rants
It was a scorcher. The field was not as bad as Rickey made out. It was relatively bumpy, but definitely playable. The sun was out in full force though. Numbers were bleah. We managed to get 12, and with Grandpa and Sandman volunteering to play all-time defensive positions, we worked around the shortage of numbers. Jason wore his big bat pants again. That's two weeks in a row that he's dominated offensively. He wasn't too shabby at defense either, making a heartbreaking tag on Seven at home to prevent the TWOs from running away with the game. That was one of the greatest plays I've ever seen. Gunz's throw was spot on. The velocity of the throw certainly helped Jason make the tag, but it was also Jason's glove and reflexes that sealed the play. Outstanding. It only goes to show that playing a REAL game every week is a lot more beneficial than running laps, and practicing repetive plays. No doubt, training in fundamentals would certainly help, but when it all boils down to it, there's no better substitute to real gameplay. Jason and Diana have both improved by leaps and bounds just by playing with us every week (though I suspect they have secret trainings in batting and throwing/catching). How lovely it is to have a loved one to play catch with.
The ground did contribute to many missed plays and weird bounces. But it was fun. Rubane did not get much work as the batters are starting to wise up to "The DEAD ZONE". It's really helped batters with their pull hits and opposite field drives. We saw only 3 hits into "The DEAD ZONE" all day.
The Generalissimo is starting to flash some major speed on the bases. With the recent weight loss, he's not only gotten healthier, but fitter and faster as well. Glovework is gold and the bat is still big, but the speed is now killer. Coupled with his experience and intelligent baserunning instincts, he's getting extra bases almost everytime.
Thanks to Grandpa and Sandman for playing all time. It helped even out the teams and at the same time, allow us to "simulate" greater numbers than we actually had. Seriously though, we need to do some serious recruiting. Everyone should try and bring a friend or two to come play. A colleague, relative, friend or even someone picked up at a party. Now that we've lost Gunz, Cool Papa and Prof Zen, we need to make up the numbers desperately.
This week is Gunz last week for a year. He will be spending the next year exiled in Iowa. Though, with softball imbedded deep in his soul, he's managed to sign up for a league down in Des Moines. We wish him the best of luck. Memorable quotes that will be heard. "goshdarnit ma, that injun can hit", "did ya see that arm on that fella? I din know they played ball in pakeestan", "hey pa, can we get him to marry our sister?"
Postscript
We moved on to Prof Zen's place for his farewell party. There was plenty of food, and way, way too much booze. Rube and Gunz spent the night chatting with a Kiwi. (how drunk must Rube have been to do that?) Horfun brought, no... not horfun, a Deep Fried Pig Knuckle. Rickey brought his puu puus (which turned out to be one of his better batches). Sandman ate grapes all night. Marvelous showed up with a date (yes ladies, the most eligible bachelor this side of Asia may be off the market). Mrs Prof Zen is a Pilates instructor, so the party was FILLED with Milfs. Each of us even managed to pick our own personal milf, and with varied tastes, there was no competition over anyone. Of course, no one got any digits... much less speak to the milf of their fancy. WAAAAIT....... ONE person did get some digits. And that person didn't even have to try. Instead of picking someone up, that Someone got picked up while signing the autograph book, and with the promise of showing up on saturday (good job recruiting), the fellow who did the picking up managed to get the digits from the individual, who's name we shall not mention. Our baby's all grownz up.
Addendum
DT has added another scalp to his "Thrown Balls At Head" list. Sandman was a victim of DT's knoblochesque arm with a relay throw that took his spectacles off, but did not draw blood.
The ground did contribute to many missed plays and weird bounces. But it was fun. Rubane did not get much work as the batters are starting to wise up to "The DEAD ZONE". It's really helped batters with their pull hits and opposite field drives. We saw only 3 hits into "The DEAD ZONE" all day.
The Generalissimo is starting to flash some major speed on the bases. With the recent weight loss, he's not only gotten healthier, but fitter and faster as well. Glovework is gold and the bat is still big, but the speed is now killer. Coupled with his experience and intelligent baserunning instincts, he's getting extra bases almost everytime.
Thanks to Grandpa and Sandman for playing all time. It helped even out the teams and at the same time, allow us to "simulate" greater numbers than we actually had. Seriously though, we need to do some serious recruiting. Everyone should try and bring a friend or two to come play. A colleague, relative, friend or even someone picked up at a party. Now that we've lost Gunz, Cool Papa and Prof Zen, we need to make up the numbers desperately.
This week is Gunz last week for a year. He will be spending the next year exiled in Iowa. Though, with softball imbedded deep in his soul, he's managed to sign up for a league down in Des Moines. We wish him the best of luck. Memorable quotes that will be heard. "goshdarnit ma, that injun can hit", "did ya see that arm on that fella? I din know they played ball in pakeestan", "hey pa, can we get him to marry our sister?"
Postscript
We moved on to Prof Zen's place for his farewell party. There was plenty of food, and way, way too much booze. Rube and Gunz spent the night chatting with a Kiwi. (how drunk must Rube have been to do that?) Horfun brought, no... not horfun, a Deep Fried Pig Knuckle. Rickey brought his puu puus (which turned out to be one of his better batches). Sandman ate grapes all night. Marvelous showed up with a date (yes ladies, the most eligible bachelor this side of Asia may be off the market). Mrs Prof Zen is a Pilates instructor, so the party was FILLED with Milfs. Each of us even managed to pick our own personal milf, and with varied tastes, there was no competition over anyone. Of course, no one got any digits... much less speak to the milf of their fancy. WAAAAIT....... ONE person did get some digits. And that person didn't even have to try. Instead of picking someone up, that Someone got picked up while signing the autograph book, and with the promise of showing up on saturday (good job recruiting), the fellow who did the picking up managed to get the digits from the individual, who's name we shall not mention. Our baby's all grownz up.
Addendum
DT has added another scalp to his "Thrown Balls At Head" list. Sandman was a victim of DT's knoblochesque arm with a relay throw that took his spectacles off, but did not draw blood.
4 March 2006 - Bouncy, Bouncy Balls
ONES: 1B: Heidi; 2B: Horfun/Jason; 3B: DT; OF: Rube, Seven
TWOS: 1B: Rickey; 2B: Diana; 3B: Venezualan Jaguar; OF: Gunz, Jason/Grandpa
All Time SS: Sandman
All Time CF (first 5 innings): Grandpa
ONES: 22
TWOS: 20
We played a variation of Rube Rules, etc. as players came and went. Sandman and Grandpa played all time SS and CF until Horfun had to leave to get her pig knuckles cooked. We played at the "new field" near Rube's place. It was really hot, and the field was bumpy and nasty. Both teams had a hard time handling balls once they hit the ground. No way to predict where they were going to bounce. Sandman even got hit in the face, glasses flying, once. At other times, to handle the sudden angle of the ball, he looked like a patient receiving electro-shock therapy.
Notes:
1) Jason started the game with 2 homers. Was completely on fire. He's becoming a dangerous batter; 2) Heidi was clutch. She also had 2 homers. The best one was a walk-off game winning 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th. She was so hot, guys were asking for her digits. She's money; 3) Rube struck out; 4) Seven went to Bangkok last week, and even got past passport control; 5) DT made an emergency drinks run in the middle of the game to get water and other drinks, using Heidi's money. We were wilting in the heat; 6) One of the best plays I've seen. Gunz fields a ball in RF, and throws it home, as Seven is rounding 3B. Gunz misses the cut-off man; Gunz don't need a cut-off man. Jason is catching and in perfect position. The ball hits his glove - at shoulder height - with such force that it whips the glove backward and it slaps Seven's shoulder as he is centimeters from touching homeplate. All were stunned for a few seconds, then a roar rose up from both sides. The perfect going away moment for Gunz, as he is leaving for an Iowa exile for a year. He will be missed; 7) Andy's party was a good time. Plenty of food, much happening.
MBP: The Field
Gold Glove: Sandman
Biggest Bat: Heidi
Play of Day (and perhaps year): Gunz/Jason
DY: DT
TWOS: 1B: Rickey; 2B: Diana; 3B: Venezualan Jaguar; OF: Gunz, Jason/Grandpa
All Time SS: Sandman
All Time CF (first 5 innings): Grandpa
ONES: 22
TWOS: 20
We played a variation of Rube Rules, etc. as players came and went. Sandman and Grandpa played all time SS and CF until Horfun had to leave to get her pig knuckles cooked. We played at the "new field" near Rube's place. It was really hot, and the field was bumpy and nasty. Both teams had a hard time handling balls once they hit the ground. No way to predict where they were going to bounce. Sandman even got hit in the face, glasses flying, once. At other times, to handle the sudden angle of the ball, he looked like a patient receiving electro-shock therapy.
Notes:
1) Jason started the game with 2 homers. Was completely on fire. He's becoming a dangerous batter; 2) Heidi was clutch. She also had 2 homers. The best one was a walk-off game winning 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th. She was so hot, guys were asking for her digits. She's money; 3) Rube struck out; 4) Seven went to Bangkok last week, and even got past passport control; 5) DT made an emergency drinks run in the middle of the game to get water and other drinks, using Heidi's money. We were wilting in the heat; 6) One of the best plays I've seen. Gunz fields a ball in RF, and throws it home, as Seven is rounding 3B. Gunz misses the cut-off man; Gunz don't need a cut-off man. Jason is catching and in perfect position. The ball hits his glove - at shoulder height - with such force that it whips the glove backward and it slaps Seven's shoulder as he is centimeters from touching homeplate. All were stunned for a few seconds, then a roar rose up from both sides. The perfect going away moment for Gunz, as he is leaving for an Iowa exile for a year. He will be missed; 7) Andy's party was a good time. Plenty of food, much happening.
MBP: The Field
Gold Glove: Sandman
Biggest Bat: Heidi
Play of Day (and perhaps year): Gunz/Jason
DY: DT
Friday, March 03, 2006
Brokeback Stadium
Kevin Millar: I'm gonna tell you this one time, Mark fuckin' Bellhorn, an' I ain't foolin'. What I don't know - all them things I don't know - could get you killed if I come to know them. I mean it.Mark Bellhorn: Yeah well try this one, and I'll say it just once!
Kevin Millar: Go ahead!
Mark Bellhorn: Tell you what, we coulda had a good life together! Fuckin' real good life! Had us a place of our own. But you didn't want it, Kevin! So what we got now is Brokeback Stadium! Everything's built on that! That's all we got, boy, fuckin' all. So I hope you know that, even if you don't never know the rest! You count the damn few times we have been together in nearly twenty years and you measure the short fucking leash you keep me on - and then you ask me about Mexico and tell me you'll kill me for needing somethin' I don't hardly never get. We've only one championship, you cocksucker! You have no idea how bad it gets! I'm not you... I can't make it on a one world series ring in my life! You are too much for me Kevin, you sonofawhoreson bitch! I wish I knew how to quit you.
Mark Bellhorn: [crying] Well, why don't you? Why don't you just let me be? It's because of you that I'm like this! I ain't got nothing... I ain't nowhere... Get the fuck off me! I can't stand being like this no more, Mark.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Our Very Own Indy Mentioned Online...
...no fedora in sight.
Lost Civilisation found in Indonesia
My only question... isn't vulcanology the study of Vulcans? hahahaha! (yes, I know, it's also spelt volcanology, and its the study of volcanos.) I'm sure that there are many *coughgeekcough* trekkies who are vulcanologists.
Indiana sends his greetings from chilly UK.
Lost Civilisation found in Indonesia
My only question... isn't vulcanology the study of Vulcans? hahahaha! (yes, I know, it's also spelt volcanology, and its the study of volcanos.) I'm sure that there are many *coughgeekcough* trekkies who are vulcanologists.
Indiana sends his greetings from chilly UK.
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