Purty

Went fishing again today, and it went worse than yesterday. The weather definitely didn't help, at 55 degrees, windy and a bit rainy. It was still nice to get outside, and I saw this rainbow, that you can kinda see in the picture. It was much better in person, a full arch, ending on the beach across the lake.

Here fishy, fishy, fishy

I brought my fishing pole up with me the last time I came back from Jersey, and today I decided to head to a lake and try my luck. I prefer to use worms, and it seemed to work. I had a lot of nibbles, but no real bites. I think the hook I was using was too small for the fish that were biting. I did manage to catch a rock bass twice. I'm pretty sure it was the same one though. Fish aren't the brightest things.

My fishing spot

Stupid fish.

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The Imperfect Game

First, let me start by saying congratulations to Armando Galarraga on the first 28 out perfect game in history. Also, I want to say that I feel terrible for Jim Joyce. I recognized his name when it was said, so you know that means he's been around for awhile. Nobody knows umpire's names (excluding Joe West), and if you do know their name, it means they've been around for awhile. Or they really pissed you off, but usually the first choice. Being around for awhile can only mean one thing - he's done a damn good job. You can't ask for more from him - he clearly blew the call, as you can see in the picture, but he didn't run and hide, he didn't try and defend himself. He knows what he did, and admitted as much, saying "I just cost that kid a perfect game." The man cried, multiple times. He apologized profusely. Watching interviews with him, he truly seems genuine, and I can't help but feel bad for him. Seeing him wipe tears away at home plate today sealed it - he's a good dude. Plus, how can you not forgive a guy with that fantastic of a moustache, holding a puppy?

That being said, I think baseball got it right in not reversing the call. The human element is part of what makes baseball so great, and so frustrating. Think about this situation: tie game, full count, two outs, bases loaded, bottom of the ninth. Pitch comes in, and is clearly outside for ball four, walking home the winning run. However, the umpire calls it strike three and the game goes into extra innings, where the home team wins anyway. Should baseball go back and give them the win in the ninth inning? No, and it shouldn't change the ruling in last night's game either. Ball four is a judgement call by the umpire, just as this was. The call did not affect the outcome of the game, just like Joyce's call did not affect the outcome of the game. Does it suck? Absolutely. But that's the game.

 It also opens up the conversation for instant replay in baseball. I think it's now inevitable, and could work. For example, I think it can work on balls in play, yet would have to leave the strike zone alone. Each umpire has their own interpretation of the strike zone, and no computer or replay can say definitively that a pitch is a strike or a ball. However, there is enough time between batters to review each bang-bang play, and have someone in the booth (another umpire, so they're on the same page as the guys on the field) signal down saying "Hey, we need to change this." That way there would be a better chance of getting all the calls right.

Another way to look at it - Armando Galarraga will now live on in baseball lore. Twenty years from now, will you remember that Dallas Braden threw a perfect game? Probably not. Will you remember the "Imperfect Game" and the controversy that followed? Will you remember what may end up being the start of full instant replay in baseball? I think the chances of that are a lot higher than had he gotten the perfect game. Well done, Armando Galarraga. You are now a part of baseball history.


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Youtubesday Wednesday Part Deux

Another Tuesday, another day without internet, hence the second straight Youtubesday Wednesday post. It quit as I went to write this, and I couldn't access the router. Here's what happens. The browsers won't load, yet I still get mail and can update Twitter and Facebook via Seesmic Desktop. So the internet is still functioning, the browsers just won't load. If anyone has any idea how to fix this, please let me know.

On to the videos - a Lego theme this week. First, a Lego version of the Matrix. It's actually really impressive.

A reenactment of the fax bashing scene from office space.

And, I can't put up stop motion lego videos without posting this one, made by my sister Grace.

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A/C Unit

Planned on writing today. Put in an A/C unit instead. Kinda proud of myself. Next week will be a better week for posting - pictures from the Sox/Phils games, another weekend in Jersey this weekend, and some crazy sunset shots I got today coming home from picking up the A/C unit. My one fun comment for the day - if you're not yet, follow @BPGlobalPR for some rather hilarious updates on the oil spill situation. Hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day, and thank you veterans.

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Youtubesday - Kinda

Due to a lack of internet yesterday, this Youtubesday is coming at you on a Wednesday. Also, in my infinite genius, I left my Mac charger in Jersey, so I'm using my Dell Mini. Good, light little computer, but I don't think it was meant to be a main computer. Plus, it runs on Windows, so that's taking a little getting used to again. Oh, and the Youtubesday graphic is inaccessible on my drained Mac. Other than that, here are some videos. First, a history lesson on George Washington. He'll save children, but not the British children.



Up next is some highlights from the first May riding done in Jersey, at Mountain Creek's Stockpile Session. Yea, it's Vimeo not YouTube. It's also Wednesday. Find more coverage of the Stockpile Session here.

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The Hoagie Lives

Today I saw a sight that made me extremely happy - the word hoagie being used in Vermont. Granted it was just on a generic wrapper that they happened to have, but still, it made me very happy to see "hoagie" in reference to a sandwich up here. Which brings me to my next point. I'll be heading back to Jersey for a long weekend tomorrow, catching 2 of the Sox/Phillies games this weekend at Citizens Bank Park. I really like what MLB has done, putting the Sox in Philly the past 4 years or so - gives me a legitimate chance to see the Sox, no matter how terrible they're playing. A quarter of the way through the season, and sitting at .500? C'mon now.

Hoagie!

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