This is Really Happening

Out of the Blue

Well, today is "Senior Skip Day" so I'm having a laid back kinda morning. About half of my students were here though so I guess it isn't an overwhelming success as skip days go. But what can ya do?

As usual, I haven't posted in a while--not for lack of events but more so for a lack of time. Excuses. Excuses.

This morning a student asked me for a pencil which, being the brilliant educator I am, I gave him. Then, out of the blue, he says: "I once got a pencil that was from Pennsylvania AND it was a TERRIBLE pencil. Can you believe that?"

Okay, okay, maybe not a brilliant piece of humor but around here this is as good as it gets lately.

Oh, and in unrelated news, Dee has had his first two hits in Pee Wee league action. I missed the first one (bad father) which drove in three runs, but did catch the second, which led off a small bottom half of the order rally. Dee's team, by the way (and not to brag), is now 6-0--and that was mostly against the other top teams. Coach is smelling a championship no doubt, but there's still a long way to go.

That's all for now kids. Enjoy the (finally) warm weather.

Quick Help Needed

If you read this message within the next few hours and have any knowledge of "Cape Cod in the Off-Season" aka "Nearly Hell But Not as Warm" please let me know what interesting things I can do to fill my time. I've got heavy drinking down as my only possibility so far and am hoping to diversify.

I'll try to write more later but the first thing I'd like to mention is that the fog was so thick on the Cape this morning that I managed to drive along the canal for a few miles AND then take the bridge over it and I never saw the water...

Your help is appreciated.

If You Happen

If you happen to be in Holyoke in the coming weeks, be sure to take a moment to drive by the Lutheran Church/School on Northampton Street. They have set up a memorial to those U.S. soldiers who have died fighting in Iraq. The massive display of flags has an impact that numbers on a page never will.

Whether you are against the war or in favor of the war, I think it's important to remember that the war is affecting families all over this country--mostly the poor and middle class. While some praise the lack of a military draft, the so-called "volunteer" army makes it easy for many citizens to glide through this war without having to worry about having a family member in the line of fire. This detachment from the war makes it easy to take a stand for-or-against without having to make that decision with a sick feeling of fear and trepidation in our guts.

But, also, do not forget the many Iraqi people who have died, been wounded, and displaced from their homes. Innocent victims, inconvenient statistics of an occupation that's dubiously called a liberation.

I can't even begin to imagine living in a chaotic war zone. Let alone losing family and friends to this madness. I've linked to her before, but once again I'd like to direct you to Baghdad Burning for a glimpse into the daily life in Baghdad.

As you know, I'm not a political blogger, so I will stop here, happy to have written this but knowing there is much more to say and far more articulate ways  of saying it.

New Season

Well, Dee's first "big league" season begins tomorrow (weather permitting). And, of course, by "Big league" I mean he will be facing "real pitching". And, of course, by "real pitching" I mean that he'll be facing other 9/10 year olds throwing the ball as hard as they can--which can be pretty hard at times and certainly unpredictable as far as placement goes.

You would think this transition wouldn't be much of a problem. He's had plenty of batting practice this year, with the ball coming at him faster and faster. He's been to batting cages and stroked some reasonably fast pitches. But, it would seem, with a "real pitcher" on the mound things are different. This was clearly evident Saturday during his team's game at the league Jamboree. At this event, team's get to play a two inning "exhibition" game against one of the other teams in the league. A chance, if nothing else, to get some of those "big league" jitters out.

And jitters there were. Not just Dee, but the whole team (although I'm not quite so concerned about them). Out of twelve kids, only one hit the ball--and that was a short pop back to the pitcher. Dee, for his part walked. But in the whole at-bat he never seemed to have any intention of swinging the bat. A careful eye he told me, but I could sense the uptightness as he stood there, not even stepping out of the batters box between pitches.

So, it seems, the early part of this season will be about getting over the nervousness of stepping into the batters box. Any suggestions on speeding up on the acclimation process? Oh, and catching pop flies is our current fielding goal. Anyone out there have any good strategies on teaching someone to judge where a pop up is going to come down? I haven't figured that one out yet.

So, as you can see, I don't have much to say today. Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.