What I brought back from my trip to New York:

Two Syracuse University t-shirts
Two Cooperstown t-shirts
Two twelve-packs of liquid nourishment (aka beer)
Two loaves Italian bread (you can't get good bread in the South)
One digital camera loaded with pics
One hellacious cold

The cold has been my top priority since returning home. I don't get sick all that often; I chalk it up to being a vegetarian and just so darn good-looking. This cold has effectively kicked my ass for the past couple of days though. The good news is that methinks it's finally going away. I can only pray that I've passed it along to a few of the morons I work with.

Supposed to go to a Gruesome Twosome sponsored Halloween activity this evening. I think it involves horror movies, pizza, and beer.

Made it in from New York last night around midnight; I swear, the trip back seemed to have taken about 14 hours more than the trip up did. Maybe the snow and rain we had to drive back in is to blame for this? Hmm...could be.

Had an excellent time while we were in NY and I've got lots of pics on the camera to download. Updates to follow.

I won't be around for a few days: the Tommy and I are heading up to Cooperstown in the morning to see some old shoes and jock straps at the Baseball Hall of Fame. The trip is extra special to me because Cooperstown isn't too far away from where I'm originally from (and where most of my family still lives). Haven't been up in six years, so I'm really excited about getting to see the family and such.

I'll be taking the camera with me, so I should have some pictures to share when I get back.
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In an effort to help others learn about nature, I've added a weekly "Snapshot From the Wilderness" section to the ol' blog. This week's entry:

Leo Mazzone is leaving the Braves to become the new pitching coach in Baltimore?! WTF?!

I gotta be honest with you: I'm shocked as hell. I know he's entertained offers the past few years, but I never really expected him to leave Atlanta. Some things are a given; death, taxes, and Leo Mazzone rocking away in the Atlanta dugout. Or so I thought.

It would seem as though his departure is money-driven, as Baltimore offered significantly more money than the Atlanta front office was willing to spend. However, the conspiracy theorist in me wonders if this has anything to do with Bobby Cox leaving the Braves soon (willing or otherwise)?
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Joe Girardi will be the new skipper in Florida. I've always liked Joe- even as a Yankee. He's a classy guy and a good baseball man. I wish him luck, but no more luck than a second-place finish in the NL East.

Terry Pendleton's got an interview tomorrow for the open manager gig in Los Angeles. Part of me is rooting for Terry, part of me hopes he's back in Atlanta next year. Besides, Bobby Cox has got to retire at some point- and wouldn't that be a much more enjoyable job to have?
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The Cardinals haven't quite rolled over and died. Yet...

The Red Sox won the World Series last year after a seven hundred year drought; it seems like the White Sox are destined to end their long time absence as champs this year. Unless they pull another stumbling act (like the one during the final couple of weeks during the regular season), I don't see anyone being able to beat 'em.

I enjoy the style of baseball Ozzie's got Chicago playing: I just can't stand the guys who're playing it. And if I see one more pigshit episode from A.J. Peirzynjeskienooski, I'm gonna track him down and break his tibias, scapulas, and areolas. Damn, I hate that guy.

I didn't get online yesterday, and I realize the White Sox/Angels debacle is old news now- but let me state for the record that I firmly believe Doug Eddings should be banned from ever officiating another MLB game. Personally, I'd like to see him removed from the game entirely. Forever. If that can't be done, how's about sending him down to work the Rookie leagues?

Well, I survived the great earthquake of Aught Five (I've always wanted to live during the "Aught" years: things sound much more important when they've happened during an aught year).

I hear it measured 3.6 on the scale. It was strong enough to create a loud, explosion-like sound and shake things up for a few seconds. Best of all, the center was only three miles from my house, AND my wife's uncle got to speak of his experiences with the quake on Channel 3 news. A surreal kind of experience, to say the least.
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Going to be making a few changes/updates to the site, so don't mind the mess or be suprised if things change on a daily basis.
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The White Sox got beat last night. Poor, sad White Sox. Ha.

Ha ha...

Dear Atlanta Braves bullpen-

What, pray tell, is so difficult about holding a five run lead?

Simply curious-
Steven West