Back on the Diamond

After a long a cold winter, which I did thoroughly enjoy - I don't pay heat - me and the locals gathered together to start the new wiffle ball season, on a location in between Kutztown and Virginville, PA. It's probably the best thing I've done in a while, being the open air in the hills of Berks County on some good land with solid local people. This is nice.

We had a little batting practice and played a little exhibition. Wind was blowing but not too bad. We were all glad to be there, some of us played, some of us watched, some played and watched. Make no mistake, we do this to feel young again. Nothing feels more at home than being on the field or batting. It's just nice. We're all grown up now, so, there's no competitive weirdness. Everyone gets along.

The play has improved over the last year and I've noticed it especially with some of the ladies who maybe haven't played as much. They're making solid contact and they're bringing good enthusiasm to the game.

Running, or, moving around faster than usual felt good. I should do that more often.

photo by chris eugster

Loudmouth Strikes Again... (Evacateur)

Scanning the Netflix movie titles, there was one called Evacateur, that was suggested for me. I gave it look after reading the description. It was about an old talk show host I remember from two years out of my life around the late 1980s. I'm talking about Morton Downey Jr. I'm talking about the Morton Downey Jr. Show.

I learned a little in the documentary, but mostly it brought back some fond memories. This last weekend I found myself You-Tubing some of it, or, a lot of it. Sitting back, smiling, enjoying the extreme histrionics, controversy, shouting, and minimal violence.

I remember his show would sometimes come on after a Mets game (WOR-9), or after we'd be done playing video games, or before skinamax, at a friend's house. I was into the WWF back then, and this program was a talk show version of that. Downey stole from Wally George (The Hot Seat ~ which we occasionally caught too), but Mort's approach was a bit more sophisticated in set design and show format (though that isn't saying a lot).

This weird genre of a "conservative" man of the people, tackling the "evil lefties" (commies even, it's the Cold War remember), and standing up for America through forceful thoughtless debate, obscenities from time to time, and name calling seemed to a formula for success in the 1980s. It played well to kids my age, and looking at the crowds of both Downey and George you can see a good number of either college students or young adults.

Most of us like characters, I think. I know I do, and Mort was one. He had a style, and a flair. He loved cigarettes, wore red socks, had big teeth, he was cocky and he didn't take shit. He had no problem getting in the face of his opponent. That's what fed the crowd and that's what made us smile, whether we agreed or not. It was engaging on a simplistic level.

Sitting in my desk chair last weekend, watching full episodes streamed through the net, of questionable quality, I remain engrossed, drawn into it. Partly for nostalgic reasons, but also for it's ridiculousness. Wally George and Morton Downey Jr. were both pioneers of a format that has changed a bit, but lingers on with a few talk shows around now.

Thankfully, I don't watch TV like I did back then. We move on.

The devastating car wreck you watch night after night will cease to be entertaining.

But, for that brief moment, something was there.

A Dainty 2013: Year in Review

And they go faster and faster. The years they do. Everything is in fast forward. We'll be in the grave in no time. Make the most of things. Here's to 2013.

I learned that the universe is a lot more like a cat (unpredictable) than a washing machine (cyclical), according to Nassim Taleb. I found myself watching a lot of his talks and reading his book much of this year and found it be enlightening. It's tough for me to sit still with a long book (my greatest flaw), but I made it through this one, so it must be good, right? (Antifragile:Things that Gain from Disorder).

I perfected my chili recipe. No, really, it is the shit. I will put it up against any other chili.

I perfected my approach to tacos. I eat tacos now, on average, 2 to 3 times a weak. I suspect I'll be burnt out on this soon.

I got into Tabuli.

The band continues to play, writing new tunes and recording. Had lots of excellent gigs during this year. We look forward to new gigs and venues in 2014.

I made it up to Canada this year, Niagara Falls/Ste. Catharine area, and road the train a lot across PA. Other than that, not really much travelling.

I'd say, the greatest accomplishment of this year was a establishing a serious wiffle ball league. Well, not really a league, but a group of adults who consistently showed up to drink and play the game. We had good games and good turnouts, pretty much always. And it was fun to run the bases again.

Lots to be grateful for in 2013, we hope 2014 is even better.

Life Drawing

I went to school for art. Life drawing was a requirement, so this had to be done. Not that I was against it, but I've just always felt more comfortable when people have their clothes on. I've changed a bit since then, though I still generally believe the human body is vile and disgusting (unless you're built like a pornstar-by pornstar, i mean 80s pornstar).

My experience at that time, with other naked bodies was, well, quite limited. I took a vow of celibacy in the tradition of Morrissey. My vow was probably a little more involuntary than his and that's because life is hard. So, there was much talk and anticipation about this course among my few friends who, believe it or not, had less game than me at the time. We were all innocent babes, wet behind the ears if you will. I don't even think I'd been to a strip club yet.

So, it was time for class.

They brought out some thin fit older chick. On the outside I looked calm, inside was a different story. To make matters worse, she posed, like, spread out, facing me, and not too far from me. It was a struggle to keep my cool and focus at the task at hand. At that age, especially, you want to jump on everything, and regardless of the classroom setting, those thoughts did come to mind.

Everyone that poses has a smell too. Those smells can play on your brain. She had a smell.

The five or ten minute session finally ended and I took a deep breath. It was over and the pose changed and it a lot easier after that. Everything was easier after that pose. I didn't embarrass myself, and I think outwardly I projected an appropriate serious vibe (aside from the heavy panting and drool on my chin).

Little League/Competitiveness

A few people had posted this article on Facebook within the last week or so:
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/11/05/why-i-dont-want-my-kids-to-play-team-sports/

I got mixed feelings about this piece.

It made me think back to my brief stint in little league baseball before my left tibia got possessed by painful infectious demons putting me in early retirement. The game scared the shit out of me. It was pressure. Thankfully my father was cool, he would come to every game and be a quiet laid back spectator. I insisted he close his eyes when I was at bat (I don't think he did). I wasn't a bad player, and I could pitch okay in our league, but everything was stressful for me. I don't think he ever critiqued my playing and was happy that I was just out there.

We weren't in a crazy serious balls-to-the-wall league. There was better talent in other leagues in the city. But the idea of performing in front of parents and others is a big deal at that age regardless of skill level. I was a sensitive kid too.

Through encouragement I did make it to most games and practices and I'm thankful I did. For a brief time, it toughened me up, and I wish I could've done it longer.

Going back to the article (linked above), I can sympathize with the points made about obnoxious parents and coaches taking the game too seriously. In the scheme of things, it is children playing a game, it need not be hell on earth.

On the other hand, the game itself becomes pretty meaningless if no one cares to win and no one is taught anything. The fundamentals are key. Sitting a less talented player on the bench for most (or all) of the game is not the end of the world. Maybe it will force him/her to improve. I'm okay with that. Wanting to win isn't bad and neither is focusing on it. We need not fear such things. It's life.

It should be understood that there are leagues for serious competitors and there might be other associations that are more inclusive. These two approaches can peacefully co-exist. Understand what your aim is, and operate according to those values. Know what you're getting into. Don't complain.

Find a City. (Places I would live)/(Places I wouln't "live there if you paid me')

Those in my inner circle (i,e the Intelligensea) understand I'm quite content in my current environs. There's no rush to leave and that might make others sad. I won't disclose my exact whereabouts, but let's just say we're in a small college town between Allentown and Reading, PA, surrounded by farms, on the eastern side of the lovely state. It's cheap living, a comfortable Main St., and low key vibes, and with that, comes the feeling that you are someone, not just one among the masses. It's a false sense of power maybe, but I'll take it.

But, as a travelling man, encountering new frontiers and urban areas, one thing that I will do, is, try to picture myself living there, wherever there is at the time. It seems, in most cases, I'm hit with a feeling of, "wow, it would be cool to move here", imagining work in said town or city, the commute, and where I would eat, grocery shop, and even run game on the broads. Other times, and more rarely, I'll think "wow, this place is really depressing, what do people do here."

Both feelings are common, I'm sure most of us do this.

So, with that spirit in mind, I'm doing two top 5 lists of places I would live, and places I wouldn't live. For the most part, I've been to the city more than once, but there are maybe a couple exceptions.

Top 5 - I would live here. (not in any specific order)
1. SEATTLE, WA
I've had a prejudice against the west coast for most of my life. For some reason it's never appealed to me and I've had little desire to go there. And, well, as much as I hate grunge music, Seattle kind of changed that for me. For being a bigger city, it didn't seem large. There's sushi everywhere, lots of water, mountains and natural things close by, and the neighborhoods seemed pretty cozy. Practically, I couldn't afford to live there and enjoy it, and in light of the nuclear disaster in Japan, and Seattle kind of being in its path, its a little less attractive. But, it's still good.

2. ROCHESTER, NY
Why the hell Rochester? I've been there quite often and it feels strangely welcoming. Again, it's got water (the Lake and the Genesee), beaches, posh neighborhoods and it's the birthplace of Wegman's. I recently stayed with a friend of mine who lives downtown and his rent wasn't all that high, and he had access to awesome bars, and a fast bus to Toronto (aka T dot). If you fish, there's crazy huge brown trout and salmon. Maybe it's a little flat for me, but there are some neat gorges and waterfalls. Don't shit on the place until you've been there. It seems very livable and very good live music vibes and friendly ladies.

3. LONDON, UK
Maybe the most unrealistic and the most charming place on the list, and kind of a no-brainer. I would bet I couldn't do nearly the amount of things over there, that I'm doing here now (owning a car might being one of them). I could picture myself being in a shitty neighborhood, in a shitty apartment, struggling pay check to pay check, eating canned goods most of the time and maybe that would be worth it to be surrounded by such beauty, the buildings, churches, pubs, rivers, boats, etc. I'm too lazy to even try moving there, but if there are any English readers of this blog that wish to marry me and make me a legal citizen, please let me know. Comment below.

4. BETHLEHEM, PA
Yeah, this wouldn't be a big move, it's about 40 minutes from where I live and slightly reminds me of my hometown of Pittsburgh, though it's a little smaller. Great restaurants, nice historical section, and a some universities, the Lehigh runs through it, separating the North from the Southside. I've had good live music experiences there too and many times.

4. QUEBEC CITY, QC
I'd need to learn French, but I just love it's location, sort of far away from everything. Cool historical, yet sadly, over touristy section of town is "breath-taking" if you will, overlooking the St Laurance. There are sort of posh looking 'hoods on the drive in. Originally I was going to put Montreal, which has more English speakers, but, I prefer the small to the large.

Honourable Mention: Places that came to mind, but didn't spend too much time there, or just not quite good enough - for one reason or another, but close...
Ottawa, ON
St. Catharines ON
Redbank, NJ
Toronto, ON
New Paltz, NY
Pittsburgh, PA (already grew up there, sort of disqualified)
Portland, ME

Top 5 - I wouldn't live here. (not in any specific order)
1. GOLDEN, CO
It's about 20 minutes from Denver. I was there two times in the 1990s and I remember beautiful mountain landscapes and the smell of Coors Brewery, with a trout stream running through town. What's the problem? That's all that there is. Everything is so isolated. Denver is close, but Denver didn't blow my mind. The place just seemed kind of isolated, in a bad way.

2. DALLAS, TX
I was there just once in the 90s and I see no point to ever returning to that flat hot hell. I'm done.

3. DETROIT, MI
I spent a couple days in downtown Detroit, I remember the Casino, St. Andrews, and the "new" ball field, and all of those things are nice. We all know about the rest of that place though. More of my time was spent just outside of town, and one thing that stuck in my mind were all the goddamned multi lane roads and too many cars. And it all was flat.

4. NIAGARA FALLS, ON
Yeah, it's a nice place to visit on occasion but living there would be a different story. The place has changed so much, since I was first there in the 1990s. It's almost like a mini Las Vegas now. Aside from the waterfall, the only things there are: Casinos, Strip Clubs, and chain restaurants. Drive through the outskirts of town and it begins to get really depressing. I wonder what people do there who aren't working in something related to tourism.

5. ERIE, PA
I had a term of college up there in 1995. Initially I was disappointed that the campus was separated from the town of Erie, but as I got to spend some time in the city, I was less and less sad. You would think it be a little more interesting given it's location in between Buffalo and Cleveland, and on the lake but that's just not the case. Stay away.

Dishonourable Mention: Places that came to mind, but didn't spend too much time there, or just not quite horrible enough - for one reason or another, but close...
Brownsville, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Monticello, NY (talk about weird)
Newburgh, NY
Washington DC
The rest of New Jersey.
90% of what's south of the Mason-Dixon line and west of Ohio.

In closing, these opinions are based mainly on emotions and feelings upon entering and spending time in the town. There has been no research put behind this. Some of these opinions might be dated because some places on the list I haven't been to in a while. I guess there is a chance Erie has pulled itself together, but I kind of doubt it. I haven't heard anything.

For the few that read this, please put your list below, with reasons why.

Shoes

It's a weakness of mine. I have a lot. A lot of weaknesses and shoes. They are important. Given past leg problems, comfort is just as important, if not more, than style. Style is also important.

Converse All-Stars/Chuck Taylors are nice looking, I guess, but I'd never wear them because they seem as though they'd be uncomforatable. I think they're warn too much too. I was lucky enough to have a friend hook me up with some high end, posh, if you will, sneakers, from not so common brand names. For style and comfort these shoes rock [Teva, Karhu (Finland)]. The Tevas are orange and the Karhus are green. Well made, well styled shoes rock.

For Dress shoes I've been wearing these Clark's loafers (tan). At the outlet store I can get them for about $30. They are light weight, casual, and comfy. Good for any situation. They last about 2+ years or so. I also own a couple Doc Marten's that don't look like Doc Marten's, thank god they don't have the yellow stitching. Both are black, one is a boot, one is low. They have an air cushioned soul. I also have some Clark's wingtips, which, surprisingly, and sadly, they aren't too comfy, but they are styled nicely. When I wear the wingtips, it's strictly a fashion statement.

I like plain, almost dykish looking shoes on a chick. I like plain things in general, but it's also nice to have exceptions.

My exception regarding shoes are these orange suede with a shiny buckle. Flamboyantly styled, yet super comfortable, I'm often torn about wearing them out. They come with a matching suede belt.

Maybe I'll post some pics.