The disappearing blogger is back

For now at least. I didn’t have a three day weekend nor do I have a good excuse. I’ve been so irritable here lately-not sure what’s going on there. Today’s the first time in a long time that I’m not pushing myself to at least not grump at everybody. Missed the baseball games with the Nationals this weekend. Slept a lot this weekend. Watched several movies-Vertigo, Indy Jones and the Lost Ark, the original Manchurian Candidate. On Candidate all I’ve got to say is that Frank Sinatra can make a uniform look good:) Angela Lansbury always seemed like a nice old woman (blame it on Murder, She Wrote) but in Candidate she was the most evil mom. Vertigo was good-I seem to like Jimmy Stewart-but it comes in second on my list of Hitchcock’s films. Indy Jones was great-I forgot how much fun this movie was (considering I was probably eight when it first came out…) and really enjoyed. Took it to mom’s and my little brother who’s 12 liked it a lot! I’ve got the Great Escape to go and then I’ve seen everything from the library that I’ve got.

The Canadian Red Cross plead guilty yesterday (Canada didn’t have a holiday yesterday) to distributing blood tainted with HIV and Hepatitis C in the 1980’s. The victims are in the thousands and many have contracted other blood-borne illness including hemophilia.

Authorities in Bellefountaine, Ohio, say that an 18 year shot and killed 5 and himself hours after a graduation party for him. Graduation was held the next day with school officials learning about the tragedy just minutes before. Scott Moody, 18, apparently went next door to his grandparents and shot them in the early morning hours. Then went to his home and killed his mom and 2 friends. His sister was shot twice in the neck and is in critical care. Gary and Sharyl Shafer, Sheri Shafer, Megan Karus, and Paige Harshbarger were all killed.

For a little more upbeat news Danica Patrick finished fourth in the Indy 500-the highest finish by a woman. She led for several laps-also a first for women. Oh, and ABC’s coverage of the race also placed higher numbers than last year. Way to go, Danica.

Star Wars placed first for the second week at the box office grossing roughly 272 million dollars. Madagascar and Longest Yard finished in a tight two-three slot. When numbers are released today we should know who was two and who was three.

STL won today, 5-4, over the Rockies. Rain delay of 97 minutes meant that I didn’t get to see much of the game. We play game 2 of the 4 day set tomorrow with Mulder on the mound for the 805pm game. Mulder, by the way, has won seven straight at Coors Field.

Well, y’all see ya tomorrow.

It’s slow

Both in news and work. I think I’ve survived another full moon without the inmates rioting. Did I say inmates? I meant guests. I wish they were inmates-I would lock them away till I was ready to deal with them (or it becomes 700 am). I think I need to invest in some Valium. Gettin’ a little testy. Slow news day and I don’t have anything to pass on except baseball news.

Cards lost game #45 last year to the Pirates. This year the Cards won game #45 to the Pirates. Since that lost last year which left the Redbirds with a 23-22 standing we’ve won 111 of 162. That’s 68.5% games won. Amazing. We’re 29-16 with the best record in the NL and we’ve got a seven game lead on the Cubs and Brewers. In contrast, Houston has lost seven straight. Ouch. We won today 2-1 in the 12th inning. By the way, we’ve won both of our extra inning games. Mulder takes the mound tomorrow at 710 pm with our last game with the Pirates for this series.

Well, yall I’m going to crash. See ya tomorrow.

Where did spring go?

It’s been in the 90’s here lately! I turned Pam’s air on Saturday and it’s been running since then, although it’s been on 78 or so. That’s okay, with the ceiling fan going I haven’t woken up with sweat dripping off of me. My sinus are trying to riot-too much hot and cold I think. The thermostat at work (in the breakfast room) was set at 85 when I got in! The thermostat for the front desk is in the boss’ office and it’s locked. I turned down the breakfast thermostat and I’m comfortable for the most part.

I’ve been doing a lot of movie watching here lately. Working on AFI’s Top 100 Thrills list has introduced me to lots of movies. I’ve mentioned this before but I can now say that I’ve seen The Godfather (better than I expected), Rosemary’s Baby (one trippin’ movie), and I’ll watch Chinatown tonight. I just recently read a really great book called Bastard Out Of Carolina which was phenomenal. If you’re disturbed by accounts of abuse, sexual abuse, rape, and masturbation this probably isn’t for you by any means. But I thought it was a great read in the fact that it brought me into this family and time era. By all means, I really liked this book.

Not much going on in the world…Gas prices are 1.95 here in Okieland. Those two kids from Idaho are still missing. In fact there’s two or three stories that AMW is keeping an eye on. Check it out and keep your eyes peeled.

In 1935 the first night game was played at Cincinnati Crosley Field. “Owners figured out that they could make more money…” I can’t remember the rest of the quote but it’s Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams.

STL won today 4-2. LaRussa is now tied with Whitey Herzog in team wins at 822. They are tied for second place behind Red Schoendienst who has 1041. Cal Eldred threw off the mound today, though it could be another month. Rolen is doing well but we’re still hearing 4-6 weeks. We play the Pirates today at 710 pm with Marquis on the mound. Oh, we have the best record in the NL: 28-16. “Now don’t lose your head we’ve got a lot of boogeying to do.” (Snowman in Smokey and the Bandit-time to call it a day when I can marry baseball and Smokey.)

Well, I’ll see ya’ll later.

Good morning

Ready to crash and burn this morning. Got off late, waiting for the boss to get in. Not much in the news today. Okay, so there’s nothing really to comment on this morning. STL lost yesterday 7-5. Suppan had a bad outing, in fact he left after 3 innings. Carpenter takes the mound at 605 pm tonight again at Philly. Oh, and the Yankees have won 10 straight.

See y’all later.

New glasses, new car

Seems I do a remake of myself! Got a new car this weekend-a 99 Dodge Stratus. Okay, so maybe not brand new but still. I plan on getting some pictures of my old car posted and then some of the new one. But it’s going to have to wait till this weekend. Found out that the insurance will cover the cost of frames and lenses today. They got seriously out of whack during the wreck but were so old I was afraid to get them adjusted. Got new specs today. So no sleep to speak of, but the insurance is dealt with and glasses got. The car had to go to the shop because they hadn’t had the time to do their inspection on it. The put four new tires on it-a shimmy turned into two tires separating. All without a dime out of my pocket. Pretty cool stuff-I can actually see while I’m driving my new wheels!

Stormcasters are predicting another wet and wild hurricane season. If I remember right, hurricane season runs June through August. There are still those in Florida homeless from last years hurricane. I can’t imagine anymore hitting there-although with the Gulf and the entire Eastern Seaboard open maybe a hurricane will pick on another state.

Kuwait voted today to give Kuwaiti women suffrage. (Suffrage is the right to vote.) This will take effect in the 2007 election. That’s one Arabic country, maybe more will follow.

NBC has unveiled their plans for next fall. The Apprentice: Martha Stewart will be one of the new shows. One I’m interested in is E-Ring with Benjamin Bratt and Dennis Hopper. It takes place in the Pentagon. Amy Grant will have a reality show on Friday nights called 3 Wishes. I’m so not commenting. West Wing will move to Sundays and Law and Order: Trial by Jury and American Dreams have been cancelled. I believe ABC is today to unveil their plans before ad execs.

A little history today: in 1954 the Supreme Court ruling on Brown vs. Board of Education (Topeka, Kansas) came down today. It ruled against segregating public schools. In the coming fall, Little Rock would admit 9 black kids with their own National Guard Soldiers. In 1973 Watergate hearings started in Congress.

Cards took the day off-it’s been a while. We could be the first NL team to win 25. Tonight we’re in Philly with Suppan on the mound at 605 pm. Chicago White Sox was the first to 25 in the AL. Yanks have won 9 straight. Rumble in the Bronx. Can’t ever really count the Yanks out.

Well, y’all have a great day and see you tomorrow

No News

To report today-it’s Friday the 13th. We had to call the cops out to break up two marines that were fighting on the front lawn of the hotel. Cops threatened to toss them in jail for public intox and to call their CO’s. The marines figured that they best wander back to their hotel via separate squad cars. At least it’s not full moon and Friday the 13th!

Has anyone else seen The French Connection? I’m working on AFI’s 100 Thrills list. I really liked The French Connection. The Exorcist wasn’t scary at all, at least too me. Take out the supernatural elements and you would have the basics of a great cop story. North by Northwest was really good, even though I did spend the first five minutes watching for Hitchcock. (He tried to get on the bus in this one.) I don’t remember where he was in Psycho, but in The Birds he was walking some dogs. The Birds was a really good movie, I liked it better than Psycho. Up next is The Godfather, King Kong (1933), and Rosemary’s Baby. Expanding my horizons and finally catching up to what ever one else has seen at least once.

I’ve got nothing plan for this weekend except to sleep. Which I’m off to do right now. See y’all on Monday.

Me again

The disappearing blogger. Why do I feel so guilty over not blogging-I’ve yet to hear that anyone is actually reading this and yet I keep writing. So please, keep on not reading.

Okay, I’ve had my hissy fit this morning. Lots of murder in the news here lately. Like those two girls who were stabbed to death on Mother’s Day and were found on Tuesday. Laura Hobbs and Krystal Tobias were alleged killed by Laura’s father, Jerry. Jerry Hobbs has an extensive criminal record in Texas and just got out after serving time on an assault charge. The girls were killed in Zion, Illinois. Then there is the six bodies that were found in a ranch house in Garner Valley, California. An investigator with the DA’s office, a 14 year old boy, a 8 and 10 year old girls, and two adult women were all found in the house. Apparently a 911 call was placed but no one talked. Cops are thinking murder-suicide. And the Atlanta Police Chief is forming a Cold Case Squad to look into the murders of four young men. This case goes back to the cases in the early 80’s where a serial killer was preying on young black men.

A little good news after the gloom: Gas has finally fallen below the $2.00 mark. Okay, so it’s 1.98 when I filled up last night but I will take it. Here’s to gas prices to continue to fall!

Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger were married in St. John’s last night. No that’s not a hospital but the island in the Caribbean. Congrats to Mr. And Mrs. Chesney.

A little history before the baseball news. In 1949 Siam became Thailand. In 1818 Paul Revere died-he’s the guy who rode ahead of the British warning the Americans. Revere was also a silversmith and his pieces have been seen on Antique Roadshow. In 1994 John Wayne Gayce was executed in Illinois.

LA beat STL 9-8 last night. I gave up in the third inning. In the good news department, Izzy should be back on Thursday and it’s looking like Molina will also be back. Diaz is developing well as a catcher in the majors. Both of them are no Matheny, but Molina is definitely holding his own. Rolen suffered a shoulder sprain when he ran into the first basemen. Tony Pena has resigned as the Royals Skipper.

Later, y’all.

No I didn’t disappear

No runaway blogger here-just went a little goofy I guess. Sorry about the not posting this week. It hasn’t even been crazy-just normal. Which is enough to kill me some weeks. Done with a six day work week and starting my two days off. Then four on and two more off.

Precious Doe was identified in the last few days. Those of you from Missouri or that watch AMW/Cold Case Files have probably heard of her. She was an unidentified black child that was left in the woods of KCMO. Her body in one black trash bag and her head in another. This case has been unsolved for a long time but someone finally stepped forward and identified the child as Erica Michelle Maria Green. Her mom, Michelle M Johnson, and stepdad, Harrell Johnson, have been arrested in Oklahoma for the killing and are headed back to Missouri for trial.

Emmett Till was a black child who went to see relatives in Mississippi in the Summer of 1955 and was murdered for whistling at a white woman. FBI is going to open the case again and plan on an autopsy in the next few weeks. Till’s murder was the spark that really started the Civil Rights movement in gear.

Tony Blair was reelected British Prime Minister. That’s all I’ve got on that story, folks.

Most popular baby names for 2004 was released and Emily for the ninth year took top honors. Jacob was the most popular boys name for the sixth year in a row. Most states followed the national trend; however Jose was tops in boys in Arizona and Texas. Mostly due to their large Hispanic population. Most popular twin pairing was Jacob and Joshua followed by Taylor and Tyler. Parents, please start naming your kids something else.

Kentucky Derby is Saturday. Ladies in big hats sipping mint juleps while George Stienbrenner fields another losing team. At least that’s my take on Saturday’s event.

Trevor Hoffman became the third closer to clinch 400 saves joining Lee Smith and John Franco. The trivia question is who did the Padres beat for Hoffman to get the save? That’s right-the Cardinals. We blew a 5-3 lead to lose 6-5. Just a sec-let me beat my head on a wall. Okay-we play the Padres tomorrow at 115 pm with Carpenter on the mound. Also Sunday at 115p and again the Padres. In the good news department, Izzy will be eligible on Thursday to come off the DL list. He’s been doing some throwing and feeling good. Woody’s in town with the Padres and he got his NL Champ ring Friday. One last thing-the last time the Cards went 18-9 in a season beginning was 1982. In 1982 we won our last World Series. We shall see (and believe).

We y’all see ya Monday, maybe.

I’m such an idiot

Most people step off curbs. Me, I trip over them, land on the asphalt on my knees, and get hurt. My knee has a golf ball shaped bump on one side and two nice scrapes on the other side. My whole knee hurts, I can’t hardly bend it, and I feel like a real idiot. This in addition to the coughing/hacking/wheezing sinus congestion thing in my lungs. Then I didn’t sleep too well today. It’s got to get better.

Not much going on today and you know it’s a slow news day when David Hasselhoff being sentenced to alcohol treatment facility is news. Turns out he drove while drunk and a cop busted him. He also has to pay a fine and do 200 hours community service. Probably not at a beach though.

The Army failed on their recruiting efforts last month by 42%. Ouch. USA Today had a great article yesterday about returning soldiers driving way too fast. Seems the death rate has skyrocket since many feel they cheated death and are invincible.

Movie Gallery bought out Hollywood Video. Trying to be competitive with Blockbuster. How about cheaper movie rentals. It almost cost more to rent a movie than go to the movies.

Four guys in Massachusetts were doing a roofing job and found a treasure chest with 1, 800 bills (like dollar bills) from the years 1899-1929 and several gold and silver certificates. They told everyone they found it digging up a tree. Know they’re being charged with receiving stolen property, accessory after the fact, and whatever else the prosecutor’s can through at them.

STL won today, 4-2. We play the Reds tomorrow and try for a sweep with Mulder on the mound at 610 pm. Then we’re headed home for a few games.

A little history and then I’m done. In 1953, Ernest Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize for Old Man and the Sea. I read this book in high school and absolutely loved it. In 1959 the first Grammy’s were held. Ella Fitzgerald won Female Vocalist. In 1970 four Kent State Students were shot and killed in the student riots on campus.

Well, y’all I’ll see ya later.

Jilted groom wants to marry…

Yep, John Mason still wants to marry Jennifer Wilbanks. She of the Runaway Bride Part Deux fame. (Seems Julia Roberts was a little bit busy with her babies.) Apparently she hopped a bus to Vegas-wedding chapels on every corner and nervous bride runs to Vegas?!? Then off to New Mexico. I think this poor girl needs a little counseling and lots of Valium. Of course, CNN played snippets of video with REO Speedwagon’s Take It On The Run in the background. They started with the line, “you say you’re coming home but you won’t say when.” Rather funny at 6oo am.

PFC. Lynndie England plead guilty today to mistreating prisons at that prison in Iraq. Apparently just about everyone connected with this thing has plead out. However, they are all low-level grunts. How about trying for a general or two?

Boston, the City of, is going to pay 5.1 million dollars to the family of Victoria Snelgrove. Victoria was at the celebration last fall at Fenway after the Sox got into the World Series and a riot broke out. The police bigwig of the area has resigned and an independent panel is being asked to step in and investigate the situation.

A little history today-Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Gone with the Wind. Dallas went off the air in 1991 on this date. I’m so not commenting.

Well the Cards pulled one heck of a save out of their hats with a win over the Reds 10-9. A wacky ninth inning for the Redbirds resulted in 4 singles, 2 walks, 2 homers, and an error which resulted in a seven run inning. Go Cards! Set a franchise record of the largest ninth inning deficit ever overcome by a Cards team in a victory. It also marks the first time Cincinnati blew a 6 run lead since June 29, 1952. It’s a bad sign when your own fans in your ballpark is booing the pitcher. I liked what LaRussa had to say: “You play nine, sometimes you get a miracle.” We take on the Reds tonight (and tomorrow) at 610 pm with Marquis on the mound (Mulder should start tomorrow).

Well y’all, I’m crashing. See y’all tomorrow.