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The Curious Thing About Running

I do not like running. I never have. It’s hard and it takes me a long time. Running is something I was never good at, even when I was on  Track & Field (emphasis on Field). I’m a bulky guy – overweight but also a broad build. Running is rough on my legs. It’s an activity I get no enjoyment out of. But something curious is happening. I ran my first half marathon in October. I just ran another last week. And I’m signing up for more.

Read More “The Curious Thing About Running”

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Big Day for Baseball

I’m not a Hot Stove blogger by any stretch, but today’s baseball news is too much to pass up!

  • Possibly the biggest news of the day is the Blue Jays deal Doc Halladay to the Phillies while the Phillies send Cliff Lee to Seattle in a 3-team trade. This is expected to be finalized in the next couple of days.
  • Meanwhile, John Lackey has been signed by the Boston Red Sox.
  • The Angels may have lost an Ace pitcher, but they did sign Hideki Matsui to a 1 year deal
  • Finally, the Yankees lighten their load even more by releasing Ching Ming Wang. Now they are in need of a number 4 guy (they may have been anyway, knowing Wang’s shakiness for the last 2 years). Rumor has it the are looking at Justin Duchscherer and Ben Sheets, as well as Jason Marquis and Joel Pineiro.
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The Yankees and the World Series

Celebration

Since the last time the Yankees went to the World Series in 2003 I’ve: Graduated college (MS and BS), started a company, grew my business, and much more. Since the last time they won in 2000 I’ve: graduated high school, started web design, started programming, started driving, and much much more.

This is the Yankees 4th trip to the Fall Classic this decade, and the 7th in my lifetime, winning 4 of them. Some people would said I’m spoiled; that I’m lucky my team has made and won it even once in my lifetime, something a lot of people I know probably can’t say, and definitely couldn’t say by the time they were 11. But I’m a Yankees fan and I thank God for that. I say that because I was born in NY, and my allegiance had to lie within the state. And it just so happens that my grandmother grew up a few blocks away from the stadium. Both my parents are Yankee fan and so am I.

Because of this, I expect more- not because I’m an asshole, but because of our history. With Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Thurmon Munson, Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and so many more, how can we not be the best? And this team is the best we’ve had since our record breaking 1998 team. I see a lot of parallels- the camaraderie, the veterans, the great young talent, the raw power, and the drive. It’s not a given that we will win every game, but we don’t count ourselves out and we know that we can win every game- especially now.

So to the Phillies (and their fans) I say bring it on. And to the Yankees and their fans: let’s finish this decade that same way we started it- with a championship.

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Since the Last Time I Went to a Yankees Postseason Game

Yanks 10

Since 1998, the last time I went to a Yankees Postseason game (Game 1 vs. the Texas Rangers in the ALDS, to be exact), I’ve:

  • Watched the Yankees enter 5 and win 3 World Series
  • Graduated grammar school
  • Entered and graduated high school
  • Started, stopped, and started again playing the drums
  • Had 2 surgeries: 1 on my hip and 1 on my shoulder
  • Started driving
  • Held at least 11 different jobs (some concurrently, I didn’t get get hired and fired a lot)
  • Got my Bachelor’s in Media/Info Tech with a minor in CS
  • Got my Master’s in Software Engineering
  • Started my own freelance web design/development operation
  • Started a web applications company
  • Saw my first concert
  • Saw 50+ more
  • Gone to Ireland
  • Totaled a car
  • Got my thesis published

Wow. It’s been 11 years, and a lot has happened! I’m very excited to go to Game 6 (whether it’s tonight or tomorrow). Let’s go Yankees!

Yankees Discuss Bonds

756*

Dear Yankees,

If you acquire Barry Bonds, I will be very, very disappointed. And beyond pissed. I will lose a lot of respect for you as a franchise. In short, we’d be fighting. I’m still kind of pissed at you for slapping Torre in the face. So to Brian Cashman and the brothers Steinbrenner, do the right thing.

Your Fan,
Joe

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Since the Giants last made it to the Super Bowl

NY Giants

Since 2000, the last time the Giants made it to the Super Bowl I’ve…

  • Learned how to develop websites
  • Started and stopped playing drums
  • Gone to my first concert
  • Gone to over 50 other concerts
  • Started my own business
  • Graduated High School
  • Gone to Ireland
  • Totaled a car
  • Held five different jobs
  • Graduated College
  • Started my Masters in Software Engineering

It’s been a while. Let’s do this.