Monday, August 31, 2009

Disc Golfing

I had a fun time on Sunday disc golfing with Tom and Jim over in Morton. The glasses make it a bit of a different game when it come to navigating the course for footing when trying to walk and throw. Tom made me stay on the fairway one hole and volunteered to go retrieve my errant throw. It was quite nice, cause who knows how far I would have rolled, had I stumbled down the hill.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get together once a week and play a course together. In between those days, like today, I'll try to make my way down to the stadium to practice. There's a nice be open area right next to the football stadium across from the softball diamonds. I was able to aim back and forth from tree to tree, trying to work on my technique a bit.

Although, I am think I need to make a sign like below and post it around the perimeter of my practice grounds.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Coke Bottle Glasses

Some days I wonder if I really could see with Coke bottle glasses. I'm thinking my vision couldn't be much worse off that what it is already. Maybe I could somehow construct them to be similar to goggles so I wouldn't have any "blind" spots. I'm not a real fan of limited peripheral vision.

The good news about this whole Lasik process is the doctor seems to be quite pleased with how all my eyeball measurements are coming in and sounded encouraging for my next appointment on 9-22 being good-to-go for scheduling the surgery. I've just gotta have some patience and try not to injure myself between now and then.
I got another call from the Red Cross to donate platelets, so I thought why not try again. Surprisingly they have appointments on Sat and Sunday's. Well, now I at least have one thing planned for my Labor Day weekend. With the iron supplement Laura suggested, I don't foresee any roadblocks I cannot prevent with my next donation. Let's just hope their machinery holds up this time around.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Carlos Zambrano - Peoria Chief


Tonight was "Carlos Zambrano" night at the ballpark. About 8 of us took it in from the front row behind the Chiefs bullpen bench. I have my fair share of photos, but thought I'd post one of the videos I took from tonight. It was definitely a fun time, and I escaped before the rain melted me.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Happy 35th Anniversary to the Parents!

I gave Tom a ride to return Dad's car today. It wasn't in the plans, just worked out that way. It just so happened to my the Parents' 35th Anniversary and when we walked in the kitchen, Dad was giggling at Mom trying to figure out what to do with her "3 dozen" flowers. Here's a picture of her smiling, in between calling the "peanut gallery" rotten children.They shared a couple stories from their wedding day. I like the one of Mom being slightly confused as to why Dad's friends were too busy commenting on how well Kenny cleaned-up, instead of commenting on how beautiful her dress was. I think the well-worn workshirt in photo below helps answer that one.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

I shouldn't be awake right now.

I'm still awake, which is not a good thing. I had caffeine at the game tonight because I didn't have any other free options in area I was sitting in. I'm tired, but yet my mind won't shut off. On top of that, the poison ivy on my arm is beyond itchy right now. I really want to catch some Z's. I tried reading, but that wasn't helping. I thought if I just turn the light out, then that will do it. I got sick of staring of into space in the dark, so I hopped on the computer. I wish I was like Jinkies and fall asleep at the drop of a hat... or even better, not have to work tomorrow. I did put three different ointments on my arm, and that seems to be helping with the urge to scratch my blistered arm. One down, one to go. I totally need an on-off switch for my mind right now.

So, yeah, I went to the ballgame tonight. I got a free ticket through one of our vendors at work. I was supposed to sit on the 3rd base side of the upper deck, but I thought I'd sit in the outfield to get a homerun ball. The bats were live lastnight, so I thought they may be again tonight. Three homeruns were hit in the first inning away from where I was sitting. Eventually one came my way in the 6th or so, but I couldn't track it (these darn glasses). I gave up too soon, not knowing it was hiding under a picnic table, go figure. Anyway, the guy who found it was beyond ecstatic with the plans to get it signed by the ballplayer and add it to his mantle at home. You can't help but be happy for someone that is that excited about a ball. Had I found the ball, it would have sat around in my pile of baseballs and eventually gotten signed by a bunch of future Chief players.

Sorry no photos to go along with this rambling. I still have photos to get off my camera from seeing Chicago Cubs All-Star Ted Lilly pitch with the Chiefs last night. Not sure how many more games I'll go to this year. I feel somewhat vulnerable wearing the glasses and would like to know that someone's got my back, and I won't get jacked in the face by a baseball. Even with the gaggle of people I went with last night, I was mere feet away from getting clobbered! Part of the reason why I sat in the outfield this evening.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Actual Birthday Day

Here's a photo of the lawn ornament Mom designed and Dad made for my birthday, which I promptly broke the first time I mowed the lawn. Somehow I managed to knock off one set of leaves and now it's back at The Workshop. I hope to get it back this weekend.
Dad was using his new camera to take photos that fine evening. He didn't know the camera has a power saving mode, so he missed the surprised, ooooing and aaaahhhing face I made upon opening my framed autographed Derrek Lee jersey. I took a moment to reenact the moment.
Here's me after the completely spastic laugh attack I had after seeing the above photo on the camera preview. Notice the dark spot on me shirt sleeve. That's just a portion of the tears I had to wipe away from laughing so hard. Grandpa thought I was going to explode.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A Fun Time

The birthday party on Saturday was extremely fun. I'm glad most everyone was able to make it. We had croquet, horseshoes, ladder golf, and washers setup for people to play. Tom put together a great tournament for everyone and the dollar store prizes did not disappoint. It was an awesome day!
The remote controlled Stunt Granny was the Grand Prize!

Croquet Course Groundskeepers

Dad prepping the croquet course for my birthday party. It rained all day, so he used the force from the mower blades to blow water off the grass, while rolling the lawn to help flatten it out. The "smokiness" in the second photo is water spraying out. I was surprised it worked.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Jalapeno Dog

What happens when you ask your sister to bring you back a Chicago Dog after you were "drooling" over the jalapenos you saw in the game day program? Jane brings back the Jalapeno Chicago Dog! I got to dress-up the dog myself and took spoonfuls of each condiment on the dog.
Tom surprisingly didn't have any casualties while eating it. I do have some action shots, but none of them were able to capture the smoke resulting from the 7+ jalapenos he consumed. It was awesome!

Go Cubs Go

Tom and Jim chilling in our "squatted" seats before the ballgame.

Carlos Marmol trying to catch a batting practice fly ball. Yes, the glove really was that big and he eventually caught a ball and got a standing O from the bleachers.

Our Texan friends sitting in front of us won a pizza. Jim and half our row reaped the benefits.
A few of the retired numbers on the right field foul pole... Williams, Sandberg, and Maddux.
Tom saw a bird fly into the screen behind home plate in a poof of feathers. The smarter ones just waited atop the stadium until the ballgame was over.
The 'W' went up and the crowd was a singin'!

GO CUBS GO!!!