A Great Game

If the ratings are any indicator most of America wasn’t watching the continuation of game 5 of the World Series last night. Well I am here to tell you most of the country missed quite a show. To me it was further proof of why baseball is the greatest game ever invented.

From the start of the 6^th inning on (where the game was continued from after Monday’s rains forced the delay.) it was edge of your seat excitement. Both managers trying to out maneuver the other. With hero’s and goats changing with every pitch the game was everything a baseball fan could have asked for. The Phillies took a lead, the Rays tied it. Then Phillies took the lead again. Then in the 8^th and 9^th the Rays got guys on base, and kept the pressure on.

In the end Pedro Feliz who drove in all of 48 runs in the regular season got the biggest hit in 28 years for the Phillies. Another reason baseball is such a great game. Feliz who is in the lineup because of his glove and who 98% of baseball fans outside of Philadelphia have never heard of becomes an October hero and will be immortalized in Phillies lore forever. JC Romero who has never been more then a left handed specialist in his nine year career and who this year won a total of 4 games comes in and gets four huge outs in the 7^th and 8^th to pick up the clinching win.

On the Rays side, in defeat they showed that they will be a team to reckon with for years to come. They lost the series but they were in every game except game 4. They finished last season with the worst record in baseball and a year later were three wins from being World Champions. This is a team with young stars all over the field and if the city of Tampa Bay supports this team could be a force in the American league for a long time.

It was a tough year for me personally baseball wise as they always are being a Cubs fan. But, the game is still so much fun to watch and try to manage along with. Watching the clincher last night I was happy for the Phillies (I am a National League guy) but a part of me of course cursed the fact that it should have been us.

Still, I was elated last night for three Ex-Cubs who at long last became champions. Jamie Moyer a 45 year old lefty, who made his debut when I was still in high school, finally gets a ring. Matt (Bear Claw) Stairs a 40 year old veteran who has been with 11 different teams at long last wins it all. Scott Eyre who did nothing wrong and yet the Cubs in their infinite wisdom deemed not worthy of their rag tag bullpen.

Another season is in the rear view mirror. The hot stove season heats up now and I am hopeful the Cubs make some moves to strengthen a team that despite how it ended still won 97 games. I am already looking forward to next February when pitchers and catchers report and the greatest game begins another marathon. I am jonesing for an Old Style and hot dog with Relish and mustard in the friendly confines and now it is going to be 5 long months before I can have both.

Thank You Science

Joyce can no longer complain about my flatulence.
http://www.livescience.com/health/081023-farts-blood-pressure.html

Just Wondering........

Does anyone else find commercials with babies talking creepy? I automatically change the channel whenever I see this bizarre phenomenon that advertisers seem to think America loves.

Is anyone else excited to see McCain and Palin’s concession speeches? Man, I hope that crow is salty as a mother fucker for these two ass wipes.

How come as I get older I eat less, yet it is harder to lose weight? You know if there is a God he is one sadistic son of a bitch.

Am I the only one that would like to punch Chris Berman? That guy’s act is as fresh as a McGuire Sisters concert.

Does anyone else miss Tim Russert? This election campaign has not been the same without his unique perspective. I am going to miss his wipe board next Tuesday.

If anyone else thinks Entourage has jumped the shark? I still like the show, but it is not what it once was.

How the Republicans who have had control over the House, the Senate and the White House for 6 of the last 8 years can still, with a straight face try to blame our economic mess on the Democrats? I mean, seriously are people this easily manipulated?

Does anyone else think Pruitt Vance Taylor (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0898546/) would be the perfect casting choice for Ignatius J. Reilly for the long awaited Confederacy of Dunces movie adaptation? My brother in law suggested this one and man, he is the best name yet that I have heard for that character.

Why Hollywood studios insist on casting Dane Cook? I mean his movies all flop and America is finally waking up to the fact that this guy is an untalented, unfunny, fraud.

That the Tampa Rays “fans” are being exposed as the rubes that they are? Real baseball fans don’t need cowbells to make noise. Leave that nonsense to the AAA cities. Oh, wait you are a Tripe A city at least based on your attendance throughout the regular season.

Ten Years After

Ten years ago, today Joyce and I went on our first date. Five years later we would be married. That first date was to go see Urban Legends at the Quarry Cinema in Hodgkins. (I swear she picked that movie, not me.) We had actually gone out to lunch a number of times while we worked together at Harris, but the 24^th of October was our first date outside of the work setting.

It is hard to believe it has been ten years since that fateful first date. We had been working together starting in July of 98 and the flirting (at least from my end) started pretty much from the start. Joyce had a boyfriend when we first meet so, I had to bide my time and wait. But eventually she fell under the Nick spell and well, the rest is history.

This is by far the longest relationship I have ever had. Like any relationship we have our good days and our bad. Thankfully, the good have far out numbered the bad. One thing I believe that leads to marital bliss is our commitment to keep going on dates.

It is very easy to get into a rut when you are married. You see the same person every day and the monotony of everyday life can tend to dull the spark. Joyce and I usually go out on a date once a week. Maybe it is just going to dinner. Maybe it is to see a movie. Whatever it is, we try to find time to do that.

We are lucky in that we enjoy each others company. If you don’t like the person you are with you are not going to make it and there is a big difference between liking someone and loving them. If you can’t find things that you both enjoy doing together then you are going to have a tough road.

Sure, Joyce and I differ on many subjects. But, finding compromise and common ground is something we have been good at. Joyce loves Thai food. I like Thai food but don’t care to eat it more then once a month. But, I know she could eat it daily so, we have to find a balance, which we do. That is just one in many examples of finding a compromise.

Sure, our “dates” now aren’t like those dates we had ten years ago. (I mean we haven’t gone miniature golfing in years.) But, we still keep it fresh, by going out once a week and enjoying each others company. I know it is easier in that we have a disposable income and don’t have to worry about hiring a baby sitter each time we go out.

So, I guess in some ways we are lucky and in others not so much. Ten years ago, I never could have imagined that I would be married to the girl I saw Urban Legends with. Joyce likes to say it was love at first sight. She claims she knew we were going to get married from that first date. I of course had a different time line and marriage was the last thing on my mind that night. But, here we are in a place that feels awfully good. I am content and really what else could anyone ask for.

Some Netflix Reviews

I have not written a Netflix review in a while. So, with that in mind here is a brief review of the last 10 movies I have watched from Netflix.

Session 9 – I have zero idea why or how this movie ended up in my queue. It stars David Caruso, I think that is all I need to say. It is about an asbestos removal crew that is charged with removing said asbestosis from an abandoned mental institution. I am sure you can figure out where it goes from there. It sucked.

S.O.B. – In the early days of cable, I remember watching this movie and laughing. I had not seen it in years. One day I was browsing the netflix library and saw this title. So, I decided to see it is holds up. It does not. As I was watching I remembered, I was 12 when I saw it originally. I guess my sense of humor has changed since then.

Body Double – Another movie I had not seen in almost twenty years. I remember liking it back in the day. Again, I was disappointed as it did not hold up as well as I thought it would. It wasn’t a bad movie, just not as good as I remember it being.

Sexy Beast – Now, I had seen this one back when it came out and wasn’t that impressed with it at the time. Numerous people have implored me to give it another whirl and upon my second viewing I must say, I liked it. Sometimes you need to see a movie twice to appreciate it. I still don’t think it is a masterpiece but it is a good story and Ben Kingsley is a bad ass.

Champion – This is a documentary about character actor Danny Trejo. For those that don’t know his story Trejo was a former inmate who after his incarceration eventually found his way to become an actor and a good one at that. This is a really good look at a guy with an amazing story.

Sherrybaby – Not a feel good movie by any stretch of the imagination, but a good movie none the less. Maggie Gyllenhaal carries this film. I have been a fan of hers since Secretary and she does a pretty good job in this one.

Nil By Mouth – I am a Gary Oldman fan. This is his directorial debut. I obviously don’t have a huge point of reference as I have never been to many of the areas of South London where this story takes place. Can’t say I really enjoyed it but it didn’t suck.

Requiem for a Dream – Wow. If this is not the most depressing ending to a film then I am not sure I want to see the movie that is worse. Not that I did not like it, because I did. This is not for the squeamish in the least. Great performances abound and a story that you need a good drink with afterwards.

Disturbia – Basically a modern re-telling of Rear Window with Shia LaBeouf. I think that is all you really need to hear. Again, not sure why or how this ended up in my queue. I am dumber for having seen it.

Girl 27 – A somewhat interesting documentary about a former showgirl in the 1930’s who got raped by one of the MGM executives only to have MGM hush the whole event. As you meet the woman in her 80’s you see just what an effect that tragic event had on her entire life.

The Palos Zoo

I did not intend to run an animal farm in my house but low and behold that is exactly what happened. The thing is, it took course slowly and now there is nothing I can do other then becoming a member of the Petco Pals program for frequent customers.

When we first bought our house it came with the saltwater fish tank. I was against this but, my wife God love her assured me she would take care of the tank and the fish. And at first she did. She still does the maintenance on the tank and there is a lot of maintenance. However, feeding them nightly has fallen directly into my job description. Not that I am complaining but, every night it seems right before I am about to fall asleep I suddenly remember that I haven’t feed the fish and run downstairs in a half naked, half awake daze to feed them. (There is an image.)

We started out with five fish and we are down to three. The first fish died right after we moved in. The other departed fish looked kind of like Dora from Finding Nemo. It was swimming along and then one day about a year ago, I looked in the tank and didn’t see it swimming around. Joyce and I looked all over and finally we saw its dead carcass sitting at the bottom of the tank behind a rock. It was my job to scoop it out and give it a proper burial at sea.

We lived in our house with just our fish for two solid years. That was soon to change. I had a cat when I lived in my apartment in Chicago Ridge, named Lucky. Lucky was a great cat. He was about as low maintenance of a pet as you can have. Sadly he died in 2002. We live in the woods so to speak. Living in our area has many advantages but one small disadvantage is the always looming threat of mice infestation.

I hate mice. They stink up your house, eat shit and make noise. I just hate them. So, getting a cat seemed like a good preventive measure to assure us against a mouse invasion. My Aunt’s friend Mary has a kennel of kittens. She has been acting as a facilitator in finding kittens homes forever. My cousin mentioned that she was getting two kittens and knew we were looking for one as well. She asked if that while she was at Mary’s if she wanted to grab a kitten for us as well.

Joyce and I debated it and agreed. That is how one got our first cat, Maddie. Maddie was just a kitten when we first got her. She is also the only pet of ours that we named ourselves. This was in 2006. Everyone knows that I am a big Cubs fan. At the time Greg Maddox was still a Cub. I am a huge fanboy of Greg’s so, I started calling her Maddox. My wife shortened that to Maddie, and it stuck.

Our next cat was all my wife’s idea. She wanted to get another cat so that Maddie would have someone to play with. I was against the idea but, what could I do. Joyce started looking at shelters and found one out past Aurora. So, the day after the Superbowl in 2007 Joyce and I took a trip to this lady’s farm that she ran her shelter out of. We went there to look at one cat but would up taking our second cat Io home instead.

Io is named after Jupiter’s moon. We did not name him such. But, I must admit his eyes are the color of the moon in question. Here is a picture of said moon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Io_highest_resolution_true_color.jpg

We went to the shelter/farm to look at a cat Joyce saw online. We brought our cat carrier with us in case we decided to go home with a feline. We got there and Io just walked right into the cat carrier. He is a black cat, and even with all the negative superstitions that a black cat carries Io is the friendliest cat you have ever seen. So, we took him home and after a couple of weeks of getting to know each other Maddie and Io became fast friends.

Two cats and some fish, that seemed like that was a full enough house pet wise. My job requires me to travel from time to time. My wife does not like being alone in our house when I am on the road. So, the idea of getting a dog had been discussed from time to time. My Dad’s cousin Alex’s wife Carol works for a Pit Bull rescue shelter. Carol is always sending out emails to see if anyone is interested in adopting a dog.

This lead to Joyce and Carol having an email exchange about adopting our dog Dazey. Joyce talked me into it by explaining that Carol was going to bring the dog over just to see of we liked each other. So, one Saturday morning last February Carol came over with Dazey and well Dazey has been in our care ever since.

If you would have asked me before that day if I would ever adopt a pit bull I would told you that there would be no way in hell. But, I must say that Dazey has been a very good dog. After owning a pit bull for awhile now, I now know that pitties get a bad rap. Every time you read something about a pit bull in the paper it is about how one attacked a baby or some old person. Pit Bulls can be very mean dogs, if they are bred that way. They have an extremely high tolerance for pain. (It is something you need to see to believe.) They also have extremely powerful jaws. So, if you adopt a pit bull you need to be vigilant in your ownership.

If you train a pit bull the right way there is no better dog. I am convinced of it. Yes, Dazey barks and sure she had a couple of accidents when we first got her but, overall she has been a great pet. She gets along with our cats and has so since the first day we got her. She is an extremely affectionate dog as well. We had to learn that she does not like being chained up (that causes almost any dog to turn aggressive) and some other lessons along the way but both Joyce and I are more then happy with her.

That is how my house became the Palos Zoo. It is a pain when we go on vacation but, all the pets we have are pretty cool. I never thought I would live in a house with so many animals. However, now that we have them all in their own way they all add something to our house.

Movie Quotes

I was once called by an old co-worker the movie rain man as I would often be able to quote movie lines at the drop of a hat. I have done this twice before so, here for the third time, name the movie, actor and character. No cheating, I mean where is the fun in that.

1. That doesn’t make him a homo Miller, lot’s of guys like to watch their buddies fuck.

2. Go buy a pack of gum, I’ll show you how to chew it.

3. By the way, I watched the Highlander movie, it was shit!

4. Yeah. 220... 221, whatever it takes.

5. What are you doing God, You’re fucking me up here

6. You using the whole fist, Doc?

7. Jesus, throw a rock in here, you'll hit one. And do me a favor, Fink: throw it hard.

8. Bless the saints, it's an ashtray! I've been thinking of taking up smoking. This clinches it!

9. I'll be in the neighborhood later on, and I was wondering if maybe you wanted to get some frozen yogurt, or

perhaps a whole meal of food, if that would be agreeable.

10. I know Ms. Pac-Man is special. She's fun. She's cute. She swallows

11. Back then we didn't have these fancy birth control methods. Like pulling out

12. It wasn't the handle! I've been shitting pancakes ever since.

13. Lady, your husband isn’t dead, he’s hiding.

14.My balls are shaved, my pubes are trimmed, I am fucking ready to rock this shit.

15. Total silence, total fucking silence.

16. I got Madonna’s big dick coming out of my left ear, and Toby the Jap, I don’t know what coming out of my right.

17. I’ll tell you what, then. Why don’t you call me sometime when you have no class?

18. You better get re-married again or he’s gonna have someone’s cock in his mouth faster then you can say Jack Robinson.

19. I can see it all now, this is gonna be just like last summer. You fell in love with that girl at the Fotomat, you bought forty dollars worth of fuckin' film, and you never even talked to her. You don't even own a camera.

20.I just want to understand this, sir. Every time a rug is micturated upon in this fair city, I have to compensate the owner?

Run Nick Run

The Cubs season is over and I made a promise to myself once it was. I was going to start going back to the gym to get in shape for two runs early next year. The first is the Shamrock Shuffle. I ran that one in 2007. At that time I ran the 5K but I am now going to train for the 8K. That run is around St. Patrick’s Day. The next one is the race to Wrigley in April. Which is only a 5K

I need to start training now because I am no shape to run either. I took the summer and used it to do a lot of nervous eating (thanks Kerry Wood) and basically sit on my fat ass. I was in a very good groove last year going to the gym. However, I slipped a disc in my back and used that as an excuse to stop going to the gym and running. Well, my back has been fine for like a year now and I have not done squat from an exercise perspective.

So, Monday night Joyce and I headed over to Cardinal Fitness. I found some information on going from the couch to an 8K on the internet. The course I am following says I can be in shape to do so in nine short weeks. I am not as optimistic but, I am going to follow it and see what happens.

All of this is a reminder that it sucks getting old. It seems like I have to work twice as hard to stay in shape when I eat half of what I used to. I guess a diet of Fasino’s pizza and Miller High Life’s that I consisted on for much of the 90’s finally caught up with me. I actually like going to the gym and look forward to getting in shape to run again. The goal is not so much weight loss (though that would be nice) but building stamina and endurance.

I hopefully can stay injury free and then be in shape for both runs. It also helps that I have a couple of people at work that have agreed to both runs as well. So, I can’t just say fuck it. If they keep training then I have to keep training. I mean I am a man and as such I am naturally competitive. If anyone else wants to join in on the run (I am hoping that I can talk Joyce into both events) they are more then welcome. I will keep posting updates on my progress unless I have a grabber first.

Wait Til Next Year

I am out of words. I have nothing left. I have no way to explain yet another collapse. I don’t know how or why I allow myself to get this emotionally involved with this team only to have them break your heart. I will say it again, the Cubs are like that girl you went out on ten dates with. You get to third base with her and just when it looks like you are going to get into her pants she leaves you with a case of blue balls.

Of course today, I want to believe that I won’t let myself get into this position again next year. But, I know I am full of shit. Next year I will have the same amount of anticipation. I really can’t believe that we sit here on Oct. 6^th and they are already eliminated.

A part of me knows that this team gave me an amazing summer. I went to more games then I can remember and watched almost every game they played. I hung on every pitch. I cheered every comeback and sat on pins and needles with every Kerry Wood save. I know it was all for nothing in the end. I know it will probably be all for nothing next year as well. I don’t care. The Cubs are my first love and I will be faithful for as long as it takes.

Also, they were a great distraction in a summer that I really needed some distractions. For that, this team no matter what happened will hold a place in my heart. The 2008 Cubs were kind of like a Stephen King book. It was a great story up until the last chapter where it all went to shit.

But it was a great ride. Am I pissed that they went out like they did? You can bet your sweet ass I am. I know I am pathetic but come next April, I will be out there again cheering them on like it is life or death. For better or worse I am a Cubs fan. This is my fate. This is my lot in life and the cross I have to bear. I was born with the disease and the only cure is a World Championship. I just hope I get to one day celebrate that achievement. Until then all I can do is keep coming back hoping beyond hope that next year, it finally the year.

Nick's Postseason Awards

The Cubs run to the World Series starts today. I am sure I will have a lot to say one way or the other on that subject no matter what happens. Anyway, here as I always do are my post-season awards.

NL

MVP – Albert Pujos St. Louis – Man this is a tough one. In all seriousness there are five guys that I considered besides King Albert. Lance Berkman was a one man wrecking crew with Houston. Geovany Soto had an amazing season with the bat and behind the plate. Carlos Delgado carried the Mets in the second half and Ryan Howard knocked in 146 RBI’s. Still I give it to Pujos. Pujos hit .357 and drove in 116 runs. He had a lot of amazing numbers this year and the most amazing was that in 524 AB’s he only struck out 54 times. It is close between him and Howard but I refuse to give the MVP to a guy who hit .251.

Cy Young – Brandon Webb Arizona – Another close one. You could make a case for Sabathia, Lincecoum and Santana as well. But, I give a slight edge to Webb. Sabathia should get consideration simply because of how dominant he was from July on. But in my opinion that screws Webb who was clearly the best pitcher in the NL from April. Lincecoum will win this award one day. The guy can be unhittable at times.

Rookie of the Year – Geovany Soto Chicago – A no brainier. This is a blowout. Edison Volquez of the Reds was good for awhile but Soto was the glue that held the Cubs together all year. To have the year he had behind the plate as a rookie is unheard of.

Manager of the Year - Lou Pinella Chicago – This is a tough one. Tony LaRussa should get some votes for keeping that Cardinal team in contention most of the year. Charlie Manuel also did a very good job as did Fredi Gonzalez of Florida. But to me Pinella did the best job. It was Lou who converted Dempster into a starter. It was Lou who named Wood his closer. It is Pinella who makes this team hum. It is close but Pinella should win it.

AL

MVP - Dustin Pedroia Boston – Another tough one. If Quentin had not gotten hurt I would have had to give it to him. Pedroia with the September he had passed him however. He was the catalyst for that team all year. He did it all. Hit for a little power stole some bases scored 118 runs and played great D. In a year with no obvious candidate I give it to Pedroia.

Cy Young – Cliff Lee, Cleveland – Lee was simply dominant as his 22-3 record and 2.54 ERA indicates. Halladay in Toronto had a great year and K-Rod set the save record but for my money no one had a better year in AL then Lee and he deserves this one.

Rookie of the Year – Evan Longoria Tampa Bay – This is a very tough one. It is basically a two horse race between Longoria and Ramirez of the White Sox. Longoria hit .272 with 27 homers and 85 RBI’s. Ramirez hit .290 with 21 bombs and 77 RBI’s. Those numbers are almost identical. They also both play stellar defense. Ramirez plays in a better hitting park and weaker division so, that is the only reason I give this one to Longoria but man is this a tough one.

Manager of the Year – Joe Maddon Tampa Bay – A close one between him and Gardenhire of the Twins. I give the slight edge to Maddon because the Rays actually made the playoffs in a tougher division. Where that team came from in a year is unbelievable.