July popularity.

The most popular months in the 4+ year history of this Xanga have almost always been in July and August. This July was the most visited month in over a year..

See what a little drama can do for you?

Lol. I'm not one of those people begging for others to read my writings, though. The only stuff I could ever care to go public are my sportswork; Reds, Jackets, Browns, and others sports topics... i'm not tied down, lol... but otherwise I'm just writing about my days so I can reminisce and remember. If I go back to an old entry and read what happened, I can almost perfectly remember that day, that week, etc. Things I was doing, what I was thinking... etc. Xanga may not be as popular as it was in the days before MySpace blossomed, but it still gives me the one thing i've needed all these years. Somewhere to place my thoughts and goings on

I don't really have anything to say right now. Yesterday Paul was being super nice and even said that I was one of his "favorite people to be around". That really touched me because I know, even behind all of Paul's meanness, he's still a good guy, just overly obsessed about his resturaunt, his numbers, etc. Sometimes he just needs to realize that there are some of us who work there who are just as obsessed as he is.

Tim should be closing tonight. Thank goodness he's back on Friday nights. Actually, it'll be nice to actually be me again. This whole week has been an awesome non-drowsy pain-free experience! Why are my sentances getting shorter? LOL. Probably because I need to get going. Showertime, then off to work. I need to re-new my lease along the way, as well. Yes, it's that time again.

Currently Listening Sirens By It Dies Today Sixth of June see related

to follow what pete is saying!

Pete has followed up on what I said about Joe Buck, and has said that I joined the cause when I actually forgot he said anything about it. I'm not sure which one of us first said it but we're both very much in agreeance about how much we hate Joe Buck. We've had discussions about it before, but in his post he mentioned something that irked me a little as well.

The Home Run Derby.

For those of you who didn't follow it, Josh Hamilton his about three trillion home runs in the first round, and lost in the Finals to Justin Morneau. Now, maybe Pete is just being biased because he is a Twins fan, but I'm here to set the real record straight about it. (and if we're being straight, the totals were Hamilton 28 Morneau 8 in the 1st, and Morneau took the finals 503). Because many of the ESPN's finest have stated that Hamilton should have won, deserved to win, etc etc.

Really?

I mean, sure, he took the stage but, really?

And to say that Morneau doesn't even deserve to be the champion even though he won? I mean... really?!?

Let's look at this logically. If the Pats had won their first round playoff game 150-0, does that mean they should have been called the Super Bowl winner, even though they didn't win the game? If Duke scores 100 on their first round cupcake but loses the big dance, are they the deserved winner? NO! They are the LOSER. You wont go straight to the Pats or the Blue Devils and bathe them in glory, they LOST! Hamilton lost. He didn't bring his A-game to the finals, and so he didn't win. Greg Norman played great for 3 rounds and blew his top (again, which I'd like to write about later) but do we say he deserved to win? Sure. Did he win? No. I'm so tired of ESPN just trying to make a pity story about it. ESPN loves that, and sometimes it's a good story, but for all goodness sakes, this is the HOME RUN DERBY and the winner won! Show some respect to the kid! What respect did he even get a couple years ago when he won the MVP? Whatever. I love baseball, but I see it's injustices.

Big media always over-shadows small markets, where greater talent and stories are lost. Maybe that's why we treasure the little stories of success, and scrutinize the big teams who can't win. I don't like big media; big media kept Aaron Harang out of the spotlight while he put up great numbers... big media confuses people to think things that are untrue about this sport... but... it's all about money, isn't it? Who wants to hear about slow and steady wins the race? Nowadays you're either a dynasty, lucky, or a fluke. And of course ESPN is the first person to point out that such and such team can't win after winning it all, etc etc... everyone wants to be the know it all too.

Well... blah. I'm off my soapbox. I think the HR Derby is incredibly overrated anyways... who's to say they are the best? Do you want a pure power hitter like Adam Dunn, or Ryan Howard? Or a talented player who can whack doubles and drive in major runs, like A-Rod or Hamilton (or Morneau, even). Really I just think they want someone who can hit it the furthest. Let's bring out the big fellas then... the Giambi's, the Howard's, the Fielder's. I honestly think they should go back to the old pre-2000 way of AL vs NL. If the game is gonna be that way, why not the Derby? Ah, let the debate continue.

Then again, the fact that it's a hugely televised event cracks me up, as well. Berman is such a yo-yo. Get him off TV. He's a great hype man, but he's over-doing it a little for the Derby. Lol. And will somebody tell me why Tim Kurkjian's voice hasn't passed puberty yet? What a great knowledgeable man.... ...with an AWFUL voice! A voice made for NEWSPAPER. Lol.

That is all.

Goodnight.

lyrics.

yes, i used to do this all the time. well, i'm going to do it again. helps to know where i am, where i was, and what music was affecting me.

demon hunter - follow the wolves

Every second is a pure affliction
But I can feel your pain
Choke back the burn of wrath as they violate your name
No sign of innocence in this godforsaken place
When the truth is in your hands, they’ll spit upon your face

Dismantle the ground they stand on
Give power a name
You’ve traveled the path of slander
Now bury the shame

Shed rejection
Learn to follow the wolves

Chorus:
Run away to the blackened sky, through the fear of disbelief
Run away from the hollow cries, to the shelter of release
Run away to the blackened sky, through the fear of disbelief
Run away from the hollow cries, to immunity

See the struggle of the faithless lot as they negate their time
How low to sink to the depths of their frame of mind

Dismantle the ground they stand on
Give power a name
You’ve traveled the path of slander
Now bury the shame

Shed rejection
Learn to follow the wolves

(Chorus)

No tear for desolation
Nearing the end of our misery

(Chorus)
~~~~~~~~

escape the fate - as you're falling down

As you're falling down,(falling down)
(As you're falling down)
My heart beats the same,(beats the same)
And the tears now,(tears now)
(And the tears now)
Run down your face,

If you had class you'd throw down with me,
Drown in your fake personality,
Shattered glass and frames,
(Shattered glass and frames)
Snapshots of reality,
Burned pictures and memories,
Your heart's cold and grey,

[Chorus:]
To whom it may concern,
(You stayed the same,[x3])
I'm the same,
And all that I've learned,
(You stayed the same,[x3])
Has faded away,

Can you tell me,
All the lies that you have told,
All the lies that you have said?
So keep on lying,
(Just keep on lying to me)
I find less beauty in life then death,

If you had class you'd throw down with me,
Drown in your fake personality,
Shattered glass and frames,
(Shattered glass and frames)
Snapshots of reality,
Burned pictures and memories,
Your heart's cold and grey,

[Chorus]

(I know you,)The blood still stains,
(I know why,)Don't feel the same,

As you're falling down,(falling down)
(As you're falling down)
My heart beats the same,
And the tears now,(tears now)
(And the tears now)
Run down your face,

[Chorus]

To whom it may concern,
(You stayed the same,[x3])
(Can you tell me?)
I'm the same,
And all that I've learned,
(You stayed the same,[x3])
(As you're falling down)
Has faded away, away.
~~~~~~~~~

for now, i'm off to work. 11-9, it should be. hopefully i'll rack on the hours, I need them.

Currently Listening Take a Look in the Mirror By Korn let's do this now see related

yes, i am trying to write more.

  it's just finding things to write about... yeah.

so I was glancing around and I saw some political cartoons. I do love some liberal-bashing. Soo..

Yeah. I'm voting...

coz he's the man.

Amen.

More later..

never underestimate the power of 5.

or, Never underestimate the power of six solid innings from your 5th starter.

Yes, for the 3nd week in a row, Josh Fogg has came out and got the job done. A couple weeks back he held the Nats to 6 hits and 1 run in 6 IP, and last week he went 5.1 giving up only 1 hit (3 er) and punching out 6 in a Reds win. Yesterday he gave up 8 hits in Six Strong but only gave up the 1 ER, earning his first win since early April. It is amazing what a little time on the DL can do for a struggling pitcher. Injuries can seem so small but once you've worked them out, wow. Fogg looks so much better now. Hopefully when Aaron Harang comes back he'll be vastly improved as well. The rest will do him well.

With that being said, i'd like to look at the 3 starters in the rotation not mentioned above (IE #5 and Harang). With a win superb outing Friday (8ip, 4 h 2 er 4 k 1 bb, W), Bronson Arroyo's record is now 8-7, though his ERA is still a disasterous 5.71. But, getting those wins back are key; he's won his last 4 starts since giving up 10 runs in 1 IP against Toronto. In fact, if you take that game out of his equation, his ERA drops to 4.94. Not good, but he's really turning his ship around. Johnny Cueto has been a little hit-or-miss as of late (as usual, it seems) but his record is now 7-9 with an ERA @ 4.92. He also has 103 K's in 117 IP. Opponents are hitting .262 against him BUT his 22 HRA leads the club and is a stat that seriously needs to change.

And then of course, there's Edinson. 12-3, 2.49. 129 K's, 59 BB's in 122.2 IP. ONLY 6 HR's allowed as well. Simply put, PHENOMENAL! Opponents are batting a chilly .220 against him. Do we dare to compare? Wins, 2nd behind Webb (13). K's, 3rd, #1 having only 6 more. ERA is 1st, OPBA 4th. And that's after getting a little roughed up today (5ip 8h 4er 3k 3bb). He's still well in the running for the pitching Triple Crown, which would be astonishing for a guy who started the year as our 5th starter, well behind last years 3rd runner up in the Cy (Harang) and a 2 time 14 game winner in Arroyo. Right on.

Homer Bailey starts tomorrow, who, I briefly mentioned before, was tremendous in his last outing, going 5.2, allowing 5 hits, 2 ER, with 4 K's and ZERO WALKS. Control was his issue earlier in the year (walking 10 in 12.1 IP in 3 starts previous) but he was on the money all day, throwing twice as many strikes as balls. Go get em Homer!

I must get back to my original point, though. The power of the starting line-up has shifted, with Volquez, Harang, Arroyo, then Cueto now being the first 4. The five spot, up until Josh Fogg's recall had been awful. In most years, the need to use the bullpen for 4-5 innings usually didn't hurt you so bad on day 5, because you had the inning eaters Harang and Arroyo on deck the next two days. This year, things are a little bit different, with Harang and Arroyo both struggling to begin the year. Now, with the 5 spot seemingly solidified, the team can put more focus on getting the big guns back to health, and making a playoff charge.

The fact that Mike Lincoln can strike his way out of a bases loaded, no out jam is an excellent factor as well. Lincoln may not be a big name, but he's doing big things for this bullpen. Burton seems rested after the break, and Weathers is looking great as well. However, David Weathers' usefulness could ultimately be as a trade, but what do the Reds really need right now? If we're going to make a playoff run, we should keep the best relievers we have, just in case the starters falter again.

Now that Jeff Keppinger is healthy again, the day to day running of the Reds seems simple, since Kepp can spell at 2nd, 3rd, or short. Once Jerry Hairston comes back, this team should be set for the rest of the year. Best case trade scenario? Junior out. All the respect in the world to him, but if we can get a pitcher or something of good value out of Griffey (perhaps another reliever, a lefty specialist even?) it would help this years work. Dunn should go as well. Jay Bruce seems to be an every day player out there and when Hairston comes back, he can play the corners. I wouldn't go as far as trading both corners, but one of them needs to be out. I don't suspect Patterson taking over the starting role (or much of any role) any time soon, so we'll have to wait and see. Ryan Freel is going to have surgery on his torn hamstring soon, and we'll know more about him then.  Chris Dickerson is on the 40-man, while Rob Mackowiak is in Louisville proving a veteran depth option in the OF. Either of those tradeables (Dunn, Griff, Weathers, Affeldt, even) could be used to get another (hopefully younger and less strike-out prone) outfielder.

We shall see, we shall see. A healthy Ryan Freel would make trading one of the corners (Dunn, Griffey) much easier... the only hard thing about that is actually shipping them. I honestly don't think anyone wants a .220 hitting slugger, no matter how many HR's he's hitting. And Griffey is no young chicken, but I bet Seattle would welcome him back with open arms. Arthur Rhodes could be a nice acquisition... no rumours, just a "would be" type of thing from SEA.  They don't have a ton we could use right now as for OF's. Erik Bedard, maybe? No, they'd ask for much more than just Mr Griffey there. Possibly the likes of Bailey, Maloney or Thompson, which I know the Reds aren't willing to bargain.

Again, we shall see. The next 6 games are MUST WINS against slumping Western teams Colorado (13 under) and San Diego (a miserable 37-62, though they are the same amount of games out of 1st as the Reds are, lol). How sad, the best team in the West is 48-50, while the Reds are 48-52 and 11 games out. What's up this year, Central Division? Usually you're the sleeper.

Off to bed. I'm sleepy.

Currently Listening Cities By Anberlin Godspeed see related