disc

Hi. We talked a day or two ago. I'll get all the photos on a disc to give to you next weekend. I'm not a professional so it might not be something that you like.

http://pinetreeswatermelons.blogspot.com/2007/05/kayakayaka.html

http://pinetreeswatermelons.blogspot.com/2008/05/i-dont-know.html

The web based massive, multi-player online, role-playing game, Goal Line Blitz has been a lot of fun. My player is on the Phoenix United. It's a cpu team in the developmental league. Currently, I'm at level 6. Eventually my player will get a contract offer from a human owned team. I'll have to play in the developmental one more season to reach a level high enough to play for a non-developmental team. We went undefeated through the regular season.

Los Angeles Vampires 16-0
Honolulu Flames 20-17
Austin Falcons 17-14
Boise Samurai 17-6
San Diego Lizards 23-7
Tulsa Elves 36-3
Rochester Terror 24-10

The playoffs begin today. Another season starts in about ten days.

http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=12146773

every

I just disappeared over the weekend, watched some softball on ESPN and drifted. The Big Gun is really sick and things aren't getting better. Though inevitable, getting old isn't a good thing. Time can connect a human being with experiences that are worthwhile and all that but too much of it takes a high toll. Time always wins. Enjoy the moment. No matter how much paper we accumulate, words we read, bodies we lick, water we dip, or fires we start, we all know there's an end to it all. Bummer. There's really no reason to be practical at all. Every day should be a vicious fight for the moment; anything else is just a waste of time. Time isn't a dimension to be controlled. I wish it was quittin' time. Every second is "quittin' time." Every second is "gut check" time. Every second is winning time, losing time, mental time, emotional, spiritual, whatever.

Finalist

She's the first female from her high school to sign with a Division I program in any sport.
Was offered only one scholarship to play college softball.
Lead her collegiate to their first appearances in the NCAA softball tournament and the WCWS.
Was one of eleven finalists for National Player of the Year in 2007
Is one of three finalists for National Player of the Year in 2008

Stats to date:
148 starts
123 wins
2121 strikeouts

Angela Tincher has had an incredible career with Virginia Tech. This past season, she no-hit Team USA, ending a 185 game winning streak in exhibition games with a 1-0 Virginia Tech victory.
Held Michigan to three runs in three games in the Super Regional at Ann Arbor.

Wildcats vs. Sooners

Arizona played Oklahoma yesterday in the beginning round of the NCAA super regional softball tournament. It was one of the best games that I've ever seen. Oklahoma tagged Taryne Mowatt for a home run with their lead off hitter in the first inning. Mowatt shut down the Sooners the rest of the game. The Sooners went 1 for 24 after their lead hitter, Amber Flores scored their only run of the game. Mowatt struck out 13 Sooners. The wind was fierce during the whole game. Arizona's left fielder, Brittany Lastrapes misplayed a fly that hit her glove before she dropped it. Oklahoma's left fielder, Hayley Anderson made a beautiful, full stride catch in the bottom of the third or fourth. After that, Savannah Long, Oklahoma's shortstop made a leaping catch to steal a base hit. With a runner on second, Mowatt struck-out Flores. Callista Balko, Arizona's catcher dropped the pitch. Flores made a dash toward first. Balko checked the runner at second, then fired the ball down to first with her cannon arm. The ball hit Flores in the back of the head. Flores was called out for running inside the base line. Lastrapes scored twice, one of a home run, and Jenae hit a homer in the fifth. Arizona won 3-1.

already

Can you believe it's already Wednesday? Can you believe gas will be four dollars the next time that you blink your eyes? Can you believe the school year's about to end? Can you believe that we've still got six more months in presidential race? Can you believe we're down to the Sweet Sixteen in NCAA softball? Can you believe how magical it is to experience life?

It was a really good weekend. Weighed in at 179 lbs. on Saturday. Had a kayak trip and watched Prince Caspian. Great movie. Apollo had told me about this really good grill, so I walked uptown and ate there early Saturday evening. Steak and shrimp. Excellent. I hope to eat there some more. Another busy week ahead.

good days

65 degrees fahrenheit at 10:30 am. Perfect. The sun is warm and the air is sweet. Went out to eat last night. Oysters on the half shell, broiled shrimp, and grilled chicken salad. The oysters were flat, but the shrimp were scrumptious. Got my first seat belt ticket. Twenty-five american dollars. The policeman was really cool because he could have given me a speeding ticket.
Had a beautiful conversation with a truly beautiful human being yesterday. Got a haircut yesterday as well. What a good day. Already had a pretty good workout with Apollo this morning. If I can just work in a kayak trip and a viewing of Prince Caspian, it'll be a terrific day.
I think it all got started on Wednesday at the grocery store. My two favorite check-out girls were working. They're both very physically attractive and they both work hard. As I was checking out, the young woman being rung up in the next lane said,
"Didn't you used to substitute teach?"
"Yes."
"I was one of your students. You were a good substitute."
"Thanks." I have a huge ego, but I'm constantly working on keeping it in check by doing stupid things. It did make me feel good being complimented in the grocery store. Now I'm going to go out and compliment some people.

Goal line blitz American Football MMORPG

If you enjoy football, take a look at this website: here. If you have a few minutes, follow this link: http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=12146773

I know it's springtime and not exactly football season but if you sign up, which is for free, and create a player it will give me 850 flex points. Once you create a player, the league automatically simulates games and you can watch the progress of your player through a season. Each season lasts 40 days. Thanks.

la la la la

i don't know

I don't know what the world will see
Here is where the earth is free

mini-human

When I was five years old, my parents bought a Victorian house that was slipping calmly toward dilapidation. Even after we moved in, big rugged men would come to the house early in the morning and begin sawing and hammering away. It irritated me. Being the thinker that I am, they disturbed my thoughts. It was fun when they left, though. Then I was free to rearrange the saw horses and random lumber to my perfect clubhouse scheme. Apollo wasn't much bigger than a football, so I was free to roam around on my on. The ceilings were so high that I could yell and hear the hint of an echo. I don't think Mom ever understood how much fun that was for me despite my efforts to demonstrate. It beat the heck out of watching Apollo eat. That image might be attached to my first memory of vomiting. Baby food doesn't have the best smell in the world. Take a couple of spoonfuls of that smashed up food and smear it all over an infant's face and watch him push it back out of his mouth with a tongue that he didn't know how to use ...ugh. Maybe I was really impressed with how Mom just kept smiling and hugging the mini-human during that messy, smelly ordeal. She had to have an incredibly strong stomach to manage that. Of course Dad was sure to remind me that I was much more smelly than Apollo.
Like I always say, MOM is WOW spelled upside down.

more living

Today, work was very, very hard. All I want to do now is soak in a tub of cocoa butter or strawberry jell-o. May is a beautiful month and life is a beautiful experience and smelling the wisteria is an essential step along the path. Unless, of course, you don't enjoy doing that sort of thing. Maybe you enjoy turning up lite beer on sawdust covered floors listening to Willie Nelson while shooting pool. Maybe you enjoy turning up tequila a little past civilization while popping off M-16 rounds. Maybe you enjoy digging up the soil surrounding your abode and planting things while bonging indica bud. Maybe you enjoy wearing tight Wrangler's while turning money into food for hungry people.
I am very glad that it's the weekend.

living

Today, work was very tough. We had a very critical piece of machinery break down at about 2pm. The week was hectic from day one and this current situation, which hasn't been resolved, is increasing the pressure on production. After our workout, I went back to The Company to check in with some guys that were working overtime. They were doing great. The critical piece of machinery is probably going to have to be replaced. Maintenance is currently attempting to repair the machine. We did have a good workout this evening. Working out makes me feel better. Even with all the headaches going on at The Company, I still feel pretty fantastic. There's a good chance that the sun is going to rise tomorrow and we will be able to tackle each situation forthwith. Until then, I'm just going to goof off in the beautiful experience of living in the South.

sweet air

I am fortunate and thankful that I was able to work today. The day was gorgeous and the pull to leave work to picnic after a walk down a long country road beside a creek was strong. I stayed with the task at hand and finished the day at work. We rushed through our work out tonight because Apollo had something at home that commanded his attention. I didn't go to the state park as I did yesterday after our work out. Instead, I stayed at home and thought about my blog. There wasn't much to think about so I ate a banana, some bagels, and some pepperoncini peppers before drinking some vanilla chai. Yesterday while at the state park, I misstepped on the rocks crossing the river. My arch hurt all day so I didn't ride my bicycle. I heard a cool song by The Lisps on NPR called Ann Marie. I tried to find it on You Tube but it wasn't there.
I'll think about water and canoes and kayaks tonight. I'll think about skydiving and touchdowns and laughter for a while as well. I'll think about you for a little while, too. Tomorrow will be similar to today. It's a high reward to be able to enjoy this weather and I get to enjoy brief walks outside going to different departments in The Company. I'm probably not going to write the ultimate thesis on War or Poverty tomorrow. I'm probably not going to be interviewed on CNN, NPR, or Fox news tomorrow. Whatever the day brings, I will endure the pain, enjoy the sunshine or rain, and breath the sweet air. Of course, it all starts with two raw eggs before the crack of dawn.

let's go

It was such a beautiful day, yesterday. Apollo got hung up with work and didn't make it to the gym. My work out was okay but there was one lift that I couldn't remember how to do, so I skipped it. Smith Bench Press Machine. Something like that. I need to pick up one of those scales to measure fat to see if anything is being accomplished with working out. I definitely feel better when working out on a regular schedule.

kayak

Yesterday was gorgeous. I took a short kayak trip on the river. It lasted about three hours. Flipped over in the first five minutes and the water felt great. Didn't get flipped after that. There were turtles on just about every rock. Some scuttled off their rocks quickly but a few held their ground and just watched me glide by them. There were several egrets swooping up and down the bank. They're pretty to watch with their wide wing span. There were also a couple of mallards frolicking on the water. It was a good day to be alive.
I don't have a waterproof case for my camera so I didn't take any photos going down the river.

yesterday was fun

Yesterday, I saw the number one softball team in the nation and my first WNBA game. The WNBA game was an exhibition match up between the loaded, LA Sparks and the brand spanking new, Atlanta Dream. The Dream got hammered even though the score ended up being 86-80, LA. LA was up by at least 20 points in the third quarter. Our passing was pretty bad and we took a beating on the boards. We're new and young and it'll take time to develop team chemistry.
As for softball, Alabama is tough. They won a doubleheader 12-3 and 10-1. In the first game they 5 runs in the first inning. They had a grand slam in each game. They have a hoss freshman pitcher in Kelsi Dunne. The Tide has both athleticism and power. Usually there's a trade off between the two. An extremely athletic team, such as Alabama, doesn't usually have a lot of power. This team has both. Keep an eye out for them meeting up with #3 Florida in the SEC tournament. Bama is quite worthy of their number 1 ranking.
In the photographs posted yesterday:
00 Kelsi Dunn
photographs 7-13 are Jordan Praytor before and after hitting her first collegiate grand slam (Jordan is a finalist in the Lowe's Senior Class Award)

Number 1: Alabama

Now I dream

running faster than cancer
swimming deeper than hate
jumping higher than greed
quietly alone
and in groups with quilts and cloaks
made all over the world
by human hands
on earth
where I can hear
the steady breathing, greetings
for every ear and heart
beneath love and clear blue skies
beside kindness and cool creeks
around truth and tall pinetrees
never waiting again for anything
where the air is comfort
where the sun is growth
where the stars are sight
and every human being knows
the value in every human being
Awake now
I selfishly hide
when children are battered
when children are scarred
when children are ignored
not believing in me
or anything I've ever written
outside the shark rich water
clear and unevolved to falter
equipped to pitch disaster
or reach
another dreaming hand
to fight and stand

whuh?

I'm really enjoying the new work out that Apollo started us on last week. He talks about what we need to eat. Protein, protein, protein. Carbs, too. Fish is my favorite food and it turns out that some fish is kinda good for the body. The human brain has a high amount of DHA. DHA is an essential omega-3 fatty acid. Fish is a great source of DHA. Fish that eat algae are the best source of DHA because that's where it originates: photosynthetic microalgae. The great thing about eating fish is the high concentration of protein, with a low fat content. There are several types of pre-cooked packets of tuna and salmon that have really high protein content. I haven't learned how much protein is required for my weight. Still learning. Low fat, skim milk is another good source of protein. I've just got to find the balance between proteins and carbs to maximize work out with eating habits. Red meat is a packed with protein but it's got a much higher fat content. Of course, kids need a lot of fat in their diet. I'm a bit past that point though.
Something that I really like to drink is Bolthouse Mocha Cappuccino. It's got about 42 grams of protein per bottle. It's also got whey protein which accelerates muscle development and aids in recovery. Another great drink by Bolthouse is Vanilla Chai with soy protein. There's a study that says the high level of estrogen in soy protein can lead to cognitive impairment in males. Now what was I talking about?
It's going to be funny to look back and see how ignorant I am about all this.