Stuff: Nosh

Did you know that toasted peppered salami with cranberry jam (cranberry jelly for our non-UK friends) tastes rather nice *g*

That's all. 

Shelley Duncan. You're so great. So great at the plate, Shelley Duncan!

Statement: Calling up Shelley Duncan may be the best move this team has done all season.

Justification:
In short... he's fun to watch and I'm sure the other guys are finding his energy infectious. The long version:

He is desperate to learn from everyone. Every at bat he is watching intently, he is always talking to the veterans and the coaches. He doesn't believe that just because he was called up that he deserves anything, just because he's there he's still going to grow and learn.

• The son of longtime pitching coach Dave Duncan and the brother of Cardinals outfielder, Chris, Duncan was batting .295 with 25 home runs and 79 RBIs in 91 games at Triple-A. He called Friday "the biggest moment of my life," and said he was "speechless" when manager Dave Miley summoned him back to the ballpark from the team hotel in Indianapolis. "It was a numb feeling, I guess you could say," Duncan said. "I didn't really know how to feel. When I told my dad, hearing him on the phone, that's when I started getting a little choked up."

His unfettered enthusiasm and genuine love of the game. He gets as excited when someone else scores a home run etc as when he does. He's positively vibrating with excitement waiting to congratulate his team mates (although some do look a little worried about being beaten to death in the celebrations).

• "I don't know how much everybody knows about me and stuff," Duncan said. "I really appreciate it. The one thing I can guarantee you is that I'm going to play hard every single day. I go from there. It makes it fun when I hear that support."

He is a patient batter. True, he has hit home runs, but he has also walked and singled. He doesn't panic and try to force anything which is impressive for a rookie (albeit a 27 year old one).

• "I understood that I needed to be focused from pitch one," Duncan said. "You can't go in there and try to do something or press. I understood that I needed to stay focused and be myself and stick to my plan. I'm confident in myself that I can be successful doing that."

His throwing arm is pretty damn impressive too. Given more opportunity his fielding will become more stable.

• "A lot of times people see you working your way back from surgery, they place a judgment on you, and leave that judgment there," Duncan said yesterday. "So, I always knew I had a good arm - just never really had a chance to show it."

Conclusion:
Not all stats show the true value of a player. If there was a 'gold glove' for Dugout attitude, he'd win by a mile. Thank you Shelley for showing us how it's done.

Baseball: Losing the Plot!

I'm a little (understatement!) frustrated with this game.. yesterday was bad, but this is worse cos there is no excuse.
I'm convinced it's Betemit that's upset the rhythm.

Anyway, I've just come up with this... it's all about the frustration.

ACT ONE - Where's my damn offense?!"

SCENE: YANKEE SWITCHBOARD
Operator is sitting at phone filing nails. There is a fan on the desk blowing some much needed cool air.

Phone rings

[OPERATOR]: Hello, Yankees Organization. How may I direct your call?

[CALLER]: Hello, this is Yankee fan and I'd like to ask where the offense has gone?

[OPERATOR]: The offense? Is that the Legal Department? Hold on, I'll just put you through.

[CALLER]: No, you don't....

Caller is interrupted as Operator diverts call

[LEGAL]: Hello this is Mike Rogers, Legal Department. How may I help you?

[CALLER]: Hi, I've been put through by mistake I wanted to ask about the offense, you know the hits.

[LEGAL]: Ooh, no problem, I understand. I'll just pass you back to switchboard.

Legal calls back switchboard

[LEGAL]: Hello switchboard, the call you transferred wasn't for Legal, I think they're after Media Relations or something to do with hits.

[OPERATOR]: No problem, thank you. If you pass the call back I'll deal with it.

Legal transfers call

[OPERATOR]: Hello, I understand that you didn't require Legal. But are looking for hits.

[CALLER]: That's correct. Thank you.

[OPERATOR]: Putting you through to Media Relations

[CALLER]: Nooooooooooo

Too late, call is put through to Media Relations

[MEDIA]: Hi this is Tiffany, Media Relations, how many I help you?

[CALLER]: *sighs* I didn't want to be put through to you. Can you put me back to switchboard.

[MEDIA]:Oh right, ok. Can I ask what department you were after?

[CALLER]: *annoyed* No, just transfer me back please.

[MEDIA]: *sharply* Fine.

Calls back switchboard

[MEDIA]: Hi, I've got someone who's been put through incorrectly, can you deal with them. They're very rude.

[OPERATOR]: No problem. I'll sort this out

Switchboard gets call rerouted

[OPERATOR]: Hello, I understand that you have some sort of problem, would you like to explain and maybe I can help.

[CALLER]: *frustrated* Well, I called about 4 innings ago to find out why the hell we can't seem to get any hits or runs and are generally getting easy outs. I don't want Legal help, I don't want Videos or whatever.. I JUST WANT SOME DAMN RUNS.

[OPERATOR]: I'm sorry but I am going to have to ask you to moderate your language. We are unable to fulfill your request today, perhaps if you try again tomorrow we may be able to help you. Thank you and good day

[CALLER]: Good day!? I don't think so.

Caller hangs up and goes to see if Boston are still losing.


END ACT ONE


ACT TWO - A follow up call

SCENE: YANKEE FAN'S APARTMENT
Yankee fan is sitting on beaten up sofa, head in hands with TV blaring the Yankee game.

Phone rings

[FAN]: Hello?

[CALLER]: Hello, is this Yankee Fan?

[FAN]: Yes...

[CALLER]: Hi, This is Shelley Duncan, I understand you called us earlier asking about hits.

[FAN]: Yes, that's correct. It was getting really serious and I thought I should call

[CALLER]: Yes I completely understand your position. I think we can find a few runs for you. I'll see what I can do.

[FAN]: I would be most grateful if you could.

[CALLER]: No problem.

Phone call ends, and a 3 run Home run is scored

END ACT TWO

ACT THREE - Dial tone

SCENE: YANKEE BULLPEN
Pitching coach is sitting in bullpen

Phone rings

[BULLPEN]: Hello?

[DUGOUT]: What the hell is up with the closer! This is the second game where he's screwed up. He can't excuse his way out of this one.

[BULLPEN]: Well, he's helped you out many many times before, it's ok to have an off day.

[DUGOUT]: The hell it's ok...

Bullpen hangs up and goes to hide

END PLAY/GAME/OF MY ROPE

Prizes:

• Shelley Duncan - 3 run home run - gold star
• Alex - 4 for 4 - hugs
• Mo - a kick up the ass
• The offense - a map to find themselves
• Boston - a thank you for losing too

Baseball - Tonight's game

I know hitting players is part of the game but
a) they already had their 'revenge'
b) aiming for a player's knee is just not on, that is dangerous and can be season ending
c) WTF is Stairs problem
d) Towers totally started the second stuff
e) Alex is the most angry I have ever seen him, he's almost vibrating with anger

Alex looking livid

Stuff: Edinburgh Fringe

So tonight I went to see my first Edinburgh Fringe show of 2007. I usually get to see a few, but this year I'm taking it easy and not see loads.  With living/working up here it's easy to find out the good shows and there's usually someone who knows someone...  

Anyway, this was a 'knows someone' as my mate is chairman of a theatre group (and has acted and directed previous plays) and one of my managers is acting in it.  So I went along to support, although it was sold out tonight so I guess it didn't need that much support.  It's on for 7 days and is nearly all sold out, so that's a good sign. 
The show - 'Almost Haunted' is a farce based loosely around on a TV show called 'Most Haunted' - a ghost hunting show, which is pretty farcical in itself.  It was enjoyable, quite a few laugh out loud moments, and clever lines.

So that was my evening.  More Edinburgh Festival/Fringe stuff next week maybe ..

Stuff: Am heading off for the weekend...

So, I'm off to Stobo Castle tomorrow for the weekend. It's a friend's hen weekend, so we're off to the health spa for pampering and some much needed relaxation. I can't wait. Although I'm not sure going to a health spa with wine chocolates and other snacks is exactly in the spirit of a spa, but it's definitely is the spirit of a hen weekend *G*
I'm getting an Indian Head Massage.. I love having my head massaged at the hair salon so having a full head massage (35 minutes) is going to reduce me to a puddle on the floor... can't wait.

--------------
Alex: although you know what's gonna happen.. Alex is going to hit his 500 when I'm not here to see it... it would be typical!
It's really funny, even my friends who have zero interest in baseball and understand it even less, want Alex to hit it soon...

mate: so, are you staying up again tonight to watch the baseball?
me: well yeh, I'm still waiting for one of my fav players to get that milestone..
mate: It's been weeks hasn't it
me: yep, it has

Next day.
mate: sooo, has he done it
me: nope, still waiting
mate: Oh for .......!!!!


I think she's summed it up quite well. Not that I blame him, I'm really worried that it's upsetting him, so I just want it over with.

--------------

Five things meme gakked from nascarfanatic

1. If you were a fruit, which would you be and why? Satsuma

2. If you wake up and smell smoke, and you have to get everybody (pets included) out of the house safely, but you have time to grab one item, what would you grab? This was a difficult one, not because there is so many, but so few actual things... anyway, finally decided on my very old photo album as I haven't scanned any of the pics in and it's full of people I haven't seen for years.

3. If you were stuck on an island, who would be the one person you would want with you and why? David Hewlett - he's funny, smart, cute and... come on, he's fab.

4. If you could change one thing about your physical appearance, what would it be? My hair... I always wanted curly hair... cos basically, changing one thing ain't gonna do f' all

5. If you could spend the day with one famous person, dead or alive, who would you choose? Hmm, first thought was Richard Feynman - would love to hear all about the happens at Los Alamos decided I would feel too intimidated. Alternatively Derek Jeter... so I could get all the gossip about the other players.