Shoulda, coulda’s

I found out yesterday that Shelby Foote, pictured to the right, passed away Monday. I got to “know” Foote as the soft spoken Southern historian in Ken Burn’s PBS special The Civil War. This special was how our history teacher taught the Civil War to his American History class (I think I was one of the few to actually pay attention). Foote was born on November 7, 1916 in Greenville, Mississippi. He was lifelong friends with Walker Percy who is a celebrated author. Foote attended University of North Carolina for two years and then served in WWII but never saw combat. He worked for a newspaper for a few years and wrote several books. In 1974 he published a 3 book series on the Civil War. Ken Burns used Foote 89 times in his series on the Civil War. (Burns later said that the next most used historian was in the series 8 or 9 times.) As for the title of today’s post, Mr. Foote appeared at Tulsa Central Library a year or two ago and I didn’t take the time to go see him talk. Shoulda, couldas.

Not much going on in the news so lets skip currant events and go to baseball. Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers (no, not the singer, y’all) sent a TV cameraman to the hospital. Apparently Rogers had a nice little temper tantrum with the media before last nights game.

We won tonight against Cincinnati, 11-3. Four home runs (did somebody forget to tell the Redbirds that the Home Run Derby is on the Monday before the All-Star Game?) contributed to our win. Larry Walker was back in the line-up after being out for a while with a herniated disk in his neck. This marks the first time since May 8 that all eight position players from Opening Day started in the same game. Amazing-with Rolen and Edmonds and the Walker out and yet we’ve manage to win. Oh, in the ninth inning Molina step out from the catchers spot (Diaz took over) and took over Pujol’s job on first. Apparently Molina (and all the guys) try different positions to make them better players overall. No plays to first though-all went outfield for easy outs. And one last thing-when did Houston move to third place in the NL Central? They’re like the Yankees-can’t really ever count them out.

See y’all tomorrow.

Where’s the summer gone?

It really can’t be this close to Fourth of July. Of course, the Fourth is just another work day for me. Still, where has this summer gone. Oklahoma heat has returned and we’re facing our first 100 degree day today. July 12 is the All-Star Break which means we’re half way through the season. Goodness, gracious.

Not a whole lot going on in the world. Check in on postsecret and read what’s been added the past few days. I just need some good news. It seems like it’s all been doom and gloom-we’re still in Iraq (and Afghanistan for that matter), gas prices are going up, it’s going to get hot (and stay hot). How about a little good news? Maybe, some tickets to a Cards game. Or that I get a huge refund check from a company? Or mom and dad get a huge refund check from somebody. Or that my sister gets a car. Just a little good news.

Anyway, more doom and gloom-a US Chopper went down in Afghanistan and most likely from hostile fire. The fate of 17 Americans onboard is unknown. Canada lawmakers have cleared the first hurdle in legalizing gay marriage. If it passes the senate it will become federal law in July.

Some good news: Cards won today. Molina has turned into an outstanding young catcher and he had a great pickoff last night against the Reds. Thanks to Reggie’s two-run homer we beat Cincinnati 2-1. We play them tonight at 710 with Morris on the mound.

Well, y’all, see ya tomorrow.

A Short Post

A short post this morning before I crash. It’s been crazy today at work-we had to fire one of our night auditors which means I’ll be training again. They are juggling schedules right now to see which of our regular day shift people can cover nights. These aren’t the only two we’ve got on front desk-they are the only two that know night audit.

Well, the Miss America Pageant is moving to CMT. I don’t think a whole lot more needs to be said about that. Nobody watched it on CBS I doubt they’ll watch on CMT. At least, for me, if I wanted to watch anexoric women battle it out I could watch just about any TV show.

Wal Mart heir John Walton died in a plane crash in Wyoming yesterday. Reminds me of that old joke, where there’s a will I want to be in it. Walton was worth billions of dollars and was on the Wal Mart board.

Dennis Rader, aka BTK, plead guilty to 10 counts of murder today. Because his crimes occurred when Kansas didn’t have the death penalty he is not going to face that punishment. He will face life in prison. More than likely, without parole.

Cards were off today. Mulder takes the mound at 710 at STL against the Reds. We’re playing a two game set with them.

See y’all tomorrow.

Monday, Monday

Mom and I went to the show this weekend and saw Crash. It was a great movie which sounds incredibly cheesy when you try to explain it. A great ensemble picture with some great actors/actress. It comes recommended. I got a pre-paid cell phone yesterday. Had to download Take Me Out To The Ballgame and now all I need is a STL Cardinals phone cover and I’m all set. I gave mom the number when I stopped over there before work and she called at midnight to see if it works. Oh yeah, it works. I’m sitting there doing my business and on the shelf to the right of me there’s a vibration and a cheesy tune (before I downloaded my baseball tune) playing. I have told mom that it was for when I needed to be reached ASAP. I’ll give it to work so they can get ahold of me. Now I don’t feel so disconnected. I just felt like I wasn’t receiving my messages from mom’s. Now that’s remedied.

Billy Graham wrapped up a 6 decade career in NYC this weekend. Graham has several health problems and has decided to retire. Just amazing.

Well we found that missing Cub Scout in Utah and now a Boy Scout has gone missing in Yellowstone. A thirteen year old boy was knocked into the river on Sunday and hasn’t been found yet. Prayers for this family and the searchers.

The voice of Tigger from Pooh has died. Paul Winchell gave voice to Tigger and sang the Tigger Song.

We lost today 5-4 in the 10th inning to the Pirates. What a rough stand that was. Although there were games we were on fire and games it seemed the Keystone Kops were playing. We have today off and start again on Tuesday. As my Boston regular likes to remind me it’s better we’re having an interesting time of it now versus say during the World Series.

Well, y’all see ya tomorrow

TGIF

I still don’t feel 100% and I’m getting sick of it. I did do some looking around today on the web for info but its been a slow day. Yesterday’s full moon-blood red if I can add-was beautiful. We were busy-another full house day-and things are just moving right along. I think I’m going to go to a late night show tonight and then a hamburger at Steak and Shake. Maybe that way I don’t feel like I’ve done nothing on my weekend.

We lost to Pittsburgh today which is our third straight loss. Our starters haven’t made it out of the third inning yet. Which is hurting the bullpen if we do this often enough. Edmonds was back after fracturing a rib. Rolen is still on third. Pujols is still at first, with Grudz and Eckstein rounding out the infield. Tomorrow is another day, we are still tops in the NL Central, and it’s not all doom gloom. Yet.

Well, y’all have a great weekend and I’ll see ya on Monday.

Ouch

I watched maybe 30 minutes of the game today and well, ouch. Marquis gave up 10 runs in the first 2 1/3 innings. Obviously he was pulled out of the game. We played Cincinnati and have become a footnote in history. Yesterday was the last game for skipper before he was fired. That’s the first manager that has gotten canned. We take on the Reds today at 1135 am with Mulder on the mound.

Watched the AFI special last night. Fairly interesting way to waste three hot summer hours. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” was rated number one. Marlon Brando had spots two and three with “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse” and “I coulda been a contender.” Casablanca was the most represented film with six different lines. At least it was more entertaining than most reality tv junk.

Edgar Ray Killen on the anniversary of the crime he committed was found guilty on three counts of manslaughter. Killen was the organizer behind the KKK on the crime against the Civil Rights Workers.

The missing Boy Scout in Utah has been found. This young guy-I think he’s around 11-disappeared at a Cub Scout camp. He was found by someone out on an ATV searching where the others weren’t. He’d gone missing on Friday and had no food or water. I think this kid earned his camping badge at least.

Back to baseball for a couple of items. Yanks beat Tampa Bay 20-11 with a 13 run 8th inning. Eric Gagne, Dodgers closer, is going to have Tommy John surgery and is expected to return this time next year. There are few pitchers I really enjoy watching (if they’re not wearing the Birds on the Bat) and Gagne is one of them. The Rocket, by the way, is the other. Best of luck to Gagne.

Well guys, I gotta run. See ya’ll tomorrow.

Welcome to Summer

It’s June 21 and the first day of summer. For some that anniversary is Memorial Day when the pools and lakes open up, or the first trip to Sonic (although I go year-round), or the first 90 degree day. I work third shift and so summer really means nothing to me except that I can roll the windows down on the way to work, I don’t have to grab a jacket for the next three months “just in case”, and I don’t have to get out and about in the heat. Lucky me. Welcome to Summer everyone, I hope it isn’t too miserable.

With summer come summer specials on the tube. Tonight on CBS is AFI’s summer list. This one is titled 100 Greatest Lines or something like that. They are going to count down those quotable movie lines we can’t seem to forget. You know, “Here’s looking at you kid” or “Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn” or “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.” I’ll be watching (and flipping to the Cards game during the commercials). Or you can skip the two or three hour show and go to afi.com and get the list.

The Edgar Ray Killen case has gone to the jury. Killen is accused of murder in the death of the three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi, in 1964. Today, actually, is the 41st anniversary of the deaths. James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodwin were killed after being let out of jail on some phony charges. Gene Hackman starred in a flawed movie of the event called Mississippi Burning.

So Taguchi of the Redbirds will be on SportsCenters top plays today with an awesome catch. We beat Cincinnati 6-1. Carpenter now has 10 wins on the season. Edmonds hairline fractured rib is healing well and is hopeful to return real soon. We take on the Reds tonight at 610 pm with Marquis on the mound.

Well, y’all, I talk to you tomorrow.

I’m Back

By the time I dragged myself home on Friday I thought I had died. On Wednesday I woke up with major sore throat. By Thursday I felt halfway fine with a little sinus pressure. By Friday it was a dripping faucet for a nose that continued through Saturday. On Sunday I overslept thanks to a full dose of sinus meds. Today all I’ve got is some stuffiness. No more Darth Vadar impressions. To illustrate the fact that I was sicker than a dog, I don’t get much further than three innings into the game on Friday before I turned the TV off and crawled into bed.

I’ve now got cable in my room which is really nice. I was able to watch my shows this weekend from my bed. Although I must say that on Saturday’s game I was taken back to see my Redbirds in those butt ugly baby blue uniforms from circa 1982. Another Way Back Uniform day. The good news is that Rolen was in those uniforms and on the field. He missed 38 days with the shoulder problem. We swept Tampa Bay this weekend and are now 9.5 up on the Cubs. Cubs got swept by the Yanks this weekend. And in the middle of the AL East is the Yanks. This will be interesting and I don’t even like the Yankees! By the way, Carpenter is on the mound at Cincinnati tonight at 610. It’s the First and Last place NL Central teams going head-to-head.

Not much news to pass on, I’ll see y’all tomorrow.

I think it’s a full moon

Yesterday was absolutely insane. It never really quieted down and when I finally got people to bed they got back up. It wouldn’t be so bad if they just quietly went on their way so early in the morning, but they can’t. The bosses have added more to my plate, work wise, and I’m kinda struggling to make it all work. Which it will work out, but I’m having fun in the mean time. Go check out Postsecret, there have been some amazing entries here lately.

I’m not going to mention the California quake or the Michael Jackson acquittal. I just don’t have the energy to talk about Jackson. 2 people were found dead in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico this weekend. Mexican authorities have basically instituted martial law by disbanding the 724 member municipal police force in the town. Nuevo Laredo is just across the border of Laredo, Texas.

STL won today, 7-0. Carpenter had an amazing night with 9 strikeouts. Walker hit 2 homer runs, Pujols had one homer, and overall it was a very quick game. We take on the Blue Jays tonight with Marquis on the mound at 607.

Well y’all I gotta run. See y’all later.

Back to real life

Like a kid on the night before Christmas I couldn’t sleep today. In fact I was up at 300 pm, all excited. Then a rain delay, a 610 start became a 906 start. Yeesh. We also lost, 4-0. That ought to make my Boston regular happy. We take a day off the face and then Yanks this weekend. This is going to be fun!

Russell Crowe got himself arrested in NYC for throwing a phone a desk clerk in a hotel. This hotel clerk obviously handled things wrong. Not that what Crowe did was right, but this idiot behind the desk needs some “Sensitivity” training. He also ended up with several stitches-how do you not duck for a phone?

Macauly Culkin plead guilty to drug charges in OKC. Basically he pays a 1000 dollar fine and everythings okay.

Anne Bancroft passed away yesterday, she was 73. Bancroft was Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate. She was married to Mel Brooks.

Back to baseball one more time. Johnny Estrada of the Braves is doing well after spending the night in a hospital after a collision at the plate a few days ago. Former collegiate football player Erstad (Cincinnati Reds) slammed into Estrada trying to slide into home. Oh, Alex Rodigruez in 29 and has hit 400 homers-this kid is going to be in the Hall someday.

See y’all tomorrow.