Game 76: I'm Even Starting to Dislike Rice A Roni

In San Francisco tonight, the Red Sox added injury to, uh, injury when Cowboy Clay, in contravention of the way God and the American League intends, was injured running the goshdarn bases during a 4-2 win over the Gigantes. Boston is now 45-31, but with the news that DP may be out 8 WEEKS with a broken bone in his foot, all is less than well in the Hub. Where have you gone, Jody Reed, the Nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Woo woo woo.

Dan Gottlieb knows everything

Dan Gottlieb, a radio host and psychologist, had his interview on Fresh Air replayed on Friday. I think I heard it before, but I heard something this time that made me stop short.

Gottlieb was telling about the time he was hospitalized after being in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. He describes thinking about suicide when a nurse comes in and asks him if he is a psychologist, then asks him for therapy. Gottlieb remarked that no matter how many times he was told he had value by family and friends, it didn't hit home for him until someone asked him to do something, thus PROVING he had value.

Interesting.

Game 75: Injury, then Insult

Singing the San Francisco Bay Blues, the Red Sox lost DP to a bruised foot early, and then lost the game last night, 5-4, with a ninth inning rally falling just short.

Friday Flash 55! "Potential Energy"

It's Friday (unless you're a time traveler), so Mr. Knowitall says I have to do a Friday Flash 55- a 55 word story. Since I'm an obedient chap, I acquiesced. If you want to play, everybody else is over here. The title is "Potential Energy"










I watched her from across the room, swaybacked and struggling with the weight of her belly. It was such an act of optimism to have a child. I admired her bravery silently, unsure how to express it, but feeling it all the same. To make that commitment, to believe in the future: it seems impossible.

Game 74: And A Little Man Shall Lead Them

In Denver last night, Jonathan Papelbon blew ANOTHER save, but Our Man DP put on a laser show, blasting his 3rd homer of the game off of Huston Street to force an 11-9 victory.

Boston, 44-30 and two games out, plays San Francisco today.

Game 73 Let's Get Rox!

In Denver last night, the Rockies played "Let's Get Rocked" with the Lord of the Dance. Called upon to protect a 6-5 advantage in the 9th, Jonathan Papelbon gave up a game tying homer to Ian Stewart (who should really be a Formula One driver with a name like that) and a game winning homer to none other than our old friend, Steroid Boy himself, Jason Giambi, who apparently can still put good wood on the ball. Boston lost 8-6 and will play the Rox one more time today before moving on to the City By The Bay.

An Open Letter To My Nephew To Be

"Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies—God damn it, you've got to be kind."

-Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

One of the Weirdest 100 Word Challenges Ever

I struggled with this one, I have to tell you. The word is bustier, as in the garment, not the adjective. The challenge is here. The title is "Wonderful Tonight".












I stared at her. I was dressed, hair still damp from the shower, while she was still assembling her outfit. “What's that?,” I asked.

“What?” she said.

“That, I said, pointing to a white, lacy piece that looks like what Wonder Woman wore under her costume.

“A bustier,” she said.

“Oh.” She pulled it on, stretching, arranging, sucking her breath in and then letting it out. I saw her ribs push against it.

“Looks uncomfortable,” I said.

“It is.”

“Looks good.”

“It does.”

Being her was more complicated than I thought.

Game 72: What's That Thing Where You Don't Get As Many Runs As Them?

Oh yeah, it's a loss!

The Red Sox lost to Colorado up in the Rocky Mountains last night, 2-1, with Jon Lester falling to the Impossible To Pronounceable Mr. Chacin. They play again in Denver tonight.

It's Tuesday, but It's Wednesday, but it's Tuesday...Whatever.

Janera, who obviously lives in some crazy future world where it's Wednesday, has posted another episode of Wednesday Wickedness, this time derived from the words of the semi-famous Heather Locklear. I know. I don't write them, I just recycle them. Ahem.






1. "With a parent, it's always guilt. You want to be there, but you kind of also want to be here." Tell us about a time where you had to be selfish with your time, and felt guilty about it (whether it was time taken from your children or a S/O).



Every moment of every day. I never feel like I'm doing enough.







2. "Sex appeal is not on purpose." Do you feel that you can create more sex appeal or that it's just a given?






I think it's like any talent, like a jump shot or a good batting eye. You can't increase the gift, but you can nurture it and maximize it and get the most out of it.








3. "One man is not enough." Has there ever been a time when monogamy seemed difficult?



No. Being unattractive really helps on this score.






4. "I think I've always been good so God wouldn't strike me dead." Do your religious beliefs really influence your behavior?




I guess. I try to live the right way.





5. "You just have to forgive them for being men." Do you feel there are some things in a S/O that you can't change because of their sex?


Yes. And I've been married far too long to expand any further on that.







6. "When I look in the mirror I see the girl I was when I was growing up, with braces, crooked teeth, a baby face and a skinny body." Do you see a younger less secure person when you gaze in the mirror?





No. I see a scared old person.








7. “I was a pregnant vixen.” If you have ever been pregnant, or have been with a woman who was, how did effect your sex life?



Absolutely, positively, without hesitation, not a bit of comment.







8. “Everything needs to be worked on...” What would you like to work on to become a better person?



Weight and mental attitude. I do find it comforting that such a beautiful woman finds herself correctable.






9. "From an early age, I was aware of what America meant, and how the Marines at Camp Pendleton were ready to defend us at a moment's notice. I also remember what fabulous bodies those troops had." When did you think that you understood the sacrifices that people in the military make on behalf of their country?




Still working on it. Their level of sacrifice is impossible for me to understand.






10. "The bigger the better. Do I dare say that!?" In your experience, is there truth here?


Even less than no comment.

Interregnum

The Red Sox are off tonight. If the Yankees manage to beat up on the Diamondbacks out there in the "dessert", (h/t Greg Giraldo) the Red Sox will be 1 1/2 games behind them. If the Diamondbacks can pull it out, the Red Sox will be 1/2 game out, a sentence I also never thought I would write.

Game 71: You Gotta Sweep, Baby

Cowboy Clay, the Bard of Avon, and the Lord of the Dance locked down the Dodgers with a 2-0 4 hit blanking at Fenway Park last night. The Red Sox are 43-28, 1 game behind the Yankees.

Post 1915: The Sunday 160

Led on by our friend the Monkey Man, today we have the Sunday 160-a story told in 160 characters, not words.



Today's Title is Shelter From The Storm.




Shelter from the Storm.
Fathers protect, warn, provide.
They guide, and aid, and teach, and learn.
Fathers do what they must, not what they want.
My father did.