Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Today's Ballgame- Cleveland Guardians at St Louis Cardinals

 


CLE: Manzardo- RBI single 1st inning (1-0)
CLE: Cecconi gets out of jam in 1st.
STL: Pages RBI single 2nd inning (1-1)
CLE: Manzardo thrown out at home in 4th


Emma

 

She was honestly my first love

Before all the others

The one who made me want to love

And it wasn’t even romantic

Next door neighbors for seven months

We had the same temperament

Rolling our eyes at crazy Jenny

I spent every single evening at her apartment

“Matt, tu peux venir” she’d say after she finished dinner

Come on over

It might have looked romantic

We walked through town together

Went grocery shopping

I went down to the pay phone with her

She talked to her boyfriend

At the end she said “Je t’aime”

I loved her too.

Friday, March 27, 2026

Life- before St Louis trip

How is it almost spring break already? I feel like we just hit Christmas, but life has flown by in the last three months. Levi's done a few chess tournaments and a recital and a talent show. Naomi's not changed all that much. 

A loaded April awaits, but tomorrow we leave for St Louis and our spring break trip. This one is more "St Louis and the surrounding area" trip. We're staying in Brentwood, which is a suburb. I'm jazzed to get out of town and given the TSA difficulties, glad we're driving. It's a long trip, but this is the third straight year we've gone 5+ hours on spring break.

Currently reading Project Hail Mary, since we want to see the movie. I really enjoy it. It's nice to read something more fast-paced.

On OOTP, I'm managing the 2018 Brewers. I always like to do teams that didn't quite get there, and the Brewers exemplify that. This is mostly a sim deal. I'm not managing every game. 




Friday, March 13, 2026

Life/Colonoscopy

I had my colonoscopy on Wednesday, and honestly, it probably was a good thing. I had to do the low-fiber diet on Sunday and Monday, which was not a big deal. I just had to cut out a few things. The liquid diet was not that disruptive either. I had a lot of jello and apple juice and didn't feel too bad.


The prep? It wasn't my favorite thing to do, but it really didn't taste like anything. More accurately, it tasted like nothing with a hint of lemon. I didn't have any trouble finishing my doses. Only at the very end did I get sick of it, and by then what was coming out of me looked as it should. I got enough rest and honestly, the quiet of the early morning was kind of nice. No kids to bother me while I read or played on my tablet.

The doctor's office was running a bit behind, so I waited for quite a while. The beds were lined up outside the procedure room and it reminded me of Pink Floyd's "On The Run" video, where a hospital bed substitutes for an airplane. I was on the runway for quite a bit before I finally got wheeled in.


The room was smaller than I thought it was going to be. It was slightly larger than a standard exam room. I turned over on my side and the anesthesiologist let me know he was starting the meds. I barely had a chance to get a word out before I lost consciousness.

I woke up to Sarah back in the waiting room. It felt like I was out for a long time, but it was only 20 or so minutes. I recombobulated and we headed out to Zebb's for a nice lunch. A Monte Cristo for me. It was nice to connect with my lovebug, but afterwards I just felt like resting, which is what I did. Sounds like another 10 years before I have to do this again. Wonder if it'll be the same technology then. 

Friday, February 13, 2026

Left To Our Own Devices (Overstimulated)

We're all overstimulated
Our brains in cyberspace but with no particular destination
Floating, eyes flitting, thumbs flicking our social media feeds
We can't even watch TV without the second screen
I took my book everywhere when I was eight
Now I can't even wait at the grocery store
My hand reaches for my pocket
Looks like I have a minute
For an information drip

We can get notifications for anything
Severe weather alerts, our children's schools
But these tools get buried
Under a million others
The phone buzzes
Get 10% off your next order
Gzzzz
The latest celebrity death
Gzzzzz
What can the Vikings do at quarterback?

I can't say this without feeling old
I long for the days 
Where no one knew where I was
If I wasn't home
Where I didn't feel panic for not checking my phone

V2
Zombie time
The kids walk in the door
Or ring it a dozen times if it's locked
They throw their shoes in the closet
They might say hello
But then it's screen time

Screen time
If it's not TV, it's video games
Or a tablet

Mom stares at her phone and giggles at memes
Dad isn't sure what to do with himself
Three other people's faces lighting up
He can't give in and join

He feels resentment
Mom seems OK with them staring and nearly drooling
Sometimes doesn't seem to want to engage
He has to be the one to break the spell

Off the screens, off the screens
But Dad, when can we go back on?
If I had my way, I'd keep your devices
You'd have to go through me to get them back

Mom laughs at a video
His daughter asks his son what game she's playing
He doesn't hear with his headphones on
Dad wanders around looking for something to do





Wednesday, February 4, 2026

June 2035

I imagined yesterday
The night before your graduation
As we prepared for the celebration
The memories that we'd share

I remember being terrified
The night you were born
And Grandma said it was time for her to go

Mom, you and me, a family
How do we take care of you?
That night was no worry, as you slept soundly
The journey had worn you out

Sometimes life hits the fast-forward button
The diapers, the crawling, the walking, the running
Soon you had a sister
Baby Omi

Number blocks and Lankybox
You taught yourself math and got curious


Monday, February 2, 2026

Super Bowl Week- 2020

For Super Bowl week, we use TSB to simulate past seasons.


2020

Entering Wk 17:

AFC

Buf 15-0!

Mia 9-6


Cle 12-3

Bal 10-5


Ind 11-4

LAC 12-3

KC 9-6


BYE Buffalo 16-0

BYE CLE  13-3 +117

3 LAC 13-3  +84

4 IND 12-4 +123

5 BAL 10-6 +45

6 KC 9-7 +101

ITH: MIA 9-6 +29 (eliminated)



NFC

WAS 12-3

GB 9-5-1 

CHI 8-7

NO 10-5 +79

TB 10-5 +38

SF 10-5 +27

ARI 9-6

BYE WAS 13-3

BYE NO 11-5 +89

3 SF 11-5 +70

4 GB 10-5-1 +88

WC TB 11-5 +45

WC ARI 9-7