I run the distance equivalent of a marathon every nine days – 3 per month – 40 a year. I know from experience, that it’s certainly not the endurance challenge of completing a 26.2 mile race, but at my age I don’t think my body could handle it any more. It also might cause an injury that would jeopardize my 4,126 day streak. I certainly think about it frequently, but at my current pace it would take over six hours – twice the time it took to run my first one 41 years ago. I always wanted to run the Boston and New York City Marathons but never got the chance. Now, you can run them virtually – even earn a medal from Paris. Unfortunately, with social distancing restrictions, it’s the only option for today’s competitors.
The intersection by our house is now a pumpkin graveyard with dozens of smashed remnants littering the street. It’s the only evidence that I saw of last night’s Halloween riots, inspired by a full moon. Violence rarely extends to our near- downtown neighborhood, but apparently no pumpkin was safe last night. It made me think of the alternative rock band, The Smashing Pumpkins and their hit song Tonight, Tonight. Yesterday, I did cut a pumpkin in half so my wife could make soup and dessert bars – two of my seasonal favorites. The huge carving knife I used put me in the Halloween spirit, with thoughts of Freddy Krueger!
Sports were once again the highlight of my day, as I.U. and Purdue football moved to an unprecedented 2-0 BIG 10 starts. After last week’s controversial win over Penn State and unfamiliar #17 national ranking, I was worried that I.U. would stumble against Rutgers. The Hoosiers got off to a slow start but soon had the game in hand until a crazy 8-lateral TD gave the Scarlet Knights the faint hopes of coming back. It was typical I.U. football bad luck, but upon further review was reversed. Their next challenge is to put an end to the 24-game losing streak to Michigan. The Wolverines will certainly be on top of their game after being upset by rival Michigan State yesterday. It will be “Harbaugh Hell” in Ann Arbor this week, knowing that a loss to lowly I.U. could signal a coaching change. Purdue may not play in week 3 because of Wisconsin Covid issues.
It will be an interesting week. This morning I felt out-of-sync with time change, but early morning light was welcome. November also arrived today with blue skies. Election Day will finally be here and the end of political commercials. I’m sure the outcome will be controversial, sparking more rioting and economic uncertainty. I only hope the stock market won’t overreact. I’ll spend today watching NFL football and admiring the beautiful fall colors outside my office window. Before we know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here, along with the welcome end of a tough 2020.
It’s a fantastic finish only when your team wins, otherwise it’s a nightmare! I saw two such glorious endings yesterday, in pandemic times when excitement is often hard to find. Thankfully there are at least live sports to watch on TV, plus I.U. athletics are up and running again. Yesterday, I was consumed in college football and World Series action. Even when my team isn’t playing I can always find another to hate and therefore someone else to root for. This is the case in the Fall Classic as the L.A. Dodgers battle the Tampa Bay Rays. The adrenaline was still flowing from the Indiana vs. Penn State game that kept me on the edge of my seat for four hours.
I watched my Hoosiers fall behind early, as the Nittany Lions dominated the line of scrimmage but not the scoreboard. Two missed field goals, two interceptions, and critical penalties penalties allowed I.U. to lead 17-7 at half time. The end of the first half was a comedy of errors by both teams, so it was an emotional relief to take a break and catch-up on other scores. I.U. had not beaten a top-ten ranked team since 1987 at Ohio State. Penn State was ranked #8 in the country, so a 10-point halftime lead and getting the second half kickoff put the Lions on the ropes. I could smell blood in a moment of temporary insanity, but the punch-less Hoosiers could only muster a 48-yard field goal in the second half and fell hopelessly behind 21-20 with 2:30 remaining in the game. After a futile attempt at the two minute drill, the Nittany Lions were in a position to run out the clock. Miraculously, Penn State running back, Devyn Ford, took an unadvised step into the end zone. He realized his mistake too late, giving the Hoosiers one last chance. It led to their only TD of the second half, followed by a 2-point conversion to tie the game at 28. With 22-seconds left on the clock, I thought we were headed to overtime but a squib kick attempt went array, allowing Penn State a last second field goal attempt – it was their third miss of the day, just short of the school record distance.
Both team scored in overtime, as the I.U. faithful like myself continued to sense another close loss. The game came down to a gutsy 2-point conversion by Hoosier QB Michael Penix, Jr. I held my breath as he attempted a dive for the goal line. It was unbelievable how he launched himself towards the pylon in desperation. It was questionable if he scored, but after a thousand replays it was confirmed. The decision was the break we needed to destroy the curse of loss expectation that has plagued the program since I can remember. A fantastic finish!
But there was more on this day of breathtaking endings. As a Cubs and White Sox fan, I have many reasons to hate the Dodgers more than the Rays, so picking a favorite in this year’s World Series is easy. I watched a back-and-forth game-four with the evil Dodgers hoping to gain a 3-1 advantage over the less-evil Rays. They led 2-0 in the 3rd, 4-2 in the sixth, 6-5 in the seventh, and 7-6 in the eighth. The Rays had one last chance to win or send the game into extras, with rookie hero Randy Arozerena due to hit if they could just get a man on base. Kiermaier singled with one-out, while Wendle lined out to left. It was the World Series scenario that every kid dreams about, even in Cuba. Two-outs, full-count, and a home run wins it all. It was all set up for a Bill Mazeroski walk-off moment, but instead “Randy-Roza” walked in less dramatic fashion. However, he was soon to make an impact, as Phillips then singled to right center, scoring the tying run. Arozerena tried to stretch his luck, as Taylor bobbled the Phillips blooper and stumbled rounding third base on a dramatic attempt to score. The throw to the plate was mishandled, allowing Arozerena to score the winning run and tying the series. Another unbelievable, fantastic finish – two on the same day for my favorites.
BIG 10 football is back – basketball will soon follow. The Hoosiers are projected to go 4-4 in the shortened conference-only regular season. This is an unexpected show of respect for a school where football was always a second thought. It was a sport that Indiana fans only tolerated because they knew that basketball would get revenge over all the schools that kicked our gridiron butts. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case any more. The Cream & Crimson stripes are also projected to be in the middle of the conference pack. This is sad news for me, spoiled by years of being on top. It’s hard to believe that we have an equal slim chance of winning a conference championship in each sport this year.
We’ll see if I.U. can compete against Penn State in today’s match-up. They almost beat them last year in Happy Valley. However, the Nittany Lions football program is seeing a resurgence from their fall from grace, while I.U basketball has sadly failed to recover in the post-Knight years. I.U. football has always been mediocre, so I’m excited to see some hope. More importantly, I’m glad the conference finally gets to compete, when the season was pronounced dead just a few months ago. Basketball will be delayed a month, with the Hoosier hoopsters traveling to Asheville for a less than glamorous Maui Invitational setting. Baseball, soccer, and swimming will have to wait until Spring.
Today’s game will be played in front of a small home crowd, limited by social distancing rather than lack of interest. During my tenure as a football season ticket holder, a full house in Bloomington only happened when Ohio State fans bought up all the tickets. Otherwise, there was social distancing in the stands long before it was medically necessary! There are no warm-up patsies this year to bolster our record. Instead, we jump right into the fire with the #7 ranked team in the country. There’s no chance to knock the rust off! The only thing normal about the 2020 schedule is the Purdue game, but held in mid-December rather than the traditional Thanksgiving slot. It will likely be freezing cold with a chance for snow.
The last I.U. sporting event was seven months ago when the basketball Hoosiers beat Nebraska in the only game of the BIG Tournament before cancellation. At least, we haven’t been living with a loss all this time, even though we lost our chance to finally return to the Big Dance. I haven’t yelled at a television screen in all this time, even though Da’ Bears have caused some moments of despair. Today, I’ll frighten my wife and scare the dog! Nothing in life makes me angrier than a bad I.U. performance, and I’m missing the relief of venting this pent-up internal irritability. I especially need it after too much time of being cooped-up at home. Healthy anger will certainly be the case today when Penn State comes to town!
P.S. IU wins in overtime, breaking a 33-year losing streak against top teams. It was a controversial ending with a stretched body holding the football that barely crossed the chalk line. PSU also gave the Hoosiers a chance to tie the game in regulation with a touchdown and two-point conversion by scoring too early. It was a game of close calls and poor decisions, but somehow I.U. prevailed. It was the most exciting game I’ve ever watched, and may very well be the turning point for Hoosier football culture. They found a way to win rather than lose!
I realize that I’m in a rut, but have discovered that just little things can make a difference. I woke up earlier this morning, started a new book, used the other bathroom, and ran a slightly different route. It was like putting a slip cover over your favorite couch – the same old thing with a slightly different look. I didn’t feel like I was going through the motions. There was a lesson to be learned in the process, as the day starts on a more positive note. We’ll also spend this evening with my wife’s daughter and husband to add a little variety to what was becoming a tedious routine. Tomorrow, I’ll spend the morning helping a friend rack wine, starting the slow fermentation process.
I have a new wireless, bedside docking station for my I-phone, I-watch, and earbuds. I also installed a hands-free phone mount in my car and added some new jeans to my wardrobe. As you can see, I made good use of the Amazon Prime days to add a little variety to my life. IU sports finally kick-off this weekend after what seems like decades of down time. It will probably be a loss to Penn State, but strange things happen in these pandemic times. The basketball team has started to practice in anticipation of the Maui Invitational in of all places, tropical Asheville, North Carolina. These are a couple more reasons to get together at Buffalo Wild Wings for a beer with friends.
I feel today like I’ve gotten a second wind after yesterday’s sense of discouragement. I’m prepared to spend another twelve weeks of living behind a mask and staying home as needed. It’s a small sacrifice to stay healthy. There’s still hope for trips to Hawaii, Florida, and even Europe, but we need to be realistic in expecting more cancellations. In another month, at least the election will be over – or will it? I don’t want to spoil my mood. The stock market feels the same way I do with expectations of a another stimulus package. The skies are even showing patches of blue.
I have dreams of Florida: a new home close to family and the beach. Sunshine and resort-style living await us. It would be much easier to be isolated in that environment than in a cramped apartment. We’re at least five months away from the move that will change our lives. In the meantime, we’ll make the best of our circumstances, and try our best to not get stuck in a rut.
We finally made it, after a season of many doubts, the World Series has finally arrived. An opponent for the Tampa Bay Rays will be determined today. Will it be the Dodgers or the Braves? It’s incredible that both League Championship series went to seven games after what appeared to be near sweeps. Both the Astros and Dodgers faced quick elimination, but staged historical comebacks. The Astros fell short, perhaps fitting karma for cheating, but the Dodgers can still win three straight do-or-die playoff games. We’ll have the answer this evening.
Randy Arozarena was the hero for the Rays yesterday, setting another rookie playoff record with a two-run homer in the first – his seventh in the postseason. In the other bracket, the Braves failed once again to clinch, as the Dodgers and Corey Seager won their second straight. I watched both games sandwiched between college football contests. Clemson dominated, the Tide rolled, the Irish eked- by, and Covid created more havoc. Today, the NFL takes center stage, as Da’ Bears and Colts face key opponents. It means another day of sitting on my butt watching TV.
As I look back to March and Spring Training cut short by the onset of Coronavirus, there was so much disappointment. March Madness was cancelled, along with our plans to see some pre-season baseball games in Phoenix. Basketball was the first sport to outwit the virus with The Basketball Tournament held in a bubble. MLS soccer then made similar plans for a controlled-environment competition. Auto Racing and Golf continued without out fans, as Major League Baseball failed many times to come to terms with scheduling. Eventually, it became a regional, sixty-game season with a bubble format for the playoffs. In the process, there were Covid set-backs resolved by 7-inning double-headers. An unprecedented sixteen teams qualified for the postseason and now we’re down to three – by tonight two, followed by a week to determine a World Series champion. I honestly didn’t think it would get this far, especially considering that baseball was the first sport to divert from the proven bubble formula. Batter Up! We have a World Series.
P.S. Dodgers Win!
It’s a pleasant experience – running in the rain. The challenge becomes puddle jumping, rather than one foot in front of another, and this serves as a distraction from the chore at hand. There’s also extra satisfaction in overcoming the elements. The weather forecast calls for more of the same over the next week, as the gray curtain of winter drops over the Northwest. It’s dark when I get up now, adding to the sense of gloom that extends from October through February. This is the last winter that we’ll spend in Portland, as the sunny skies of Florida await. When it rains there, it’s typically heavy and quick as opposed to a long drawn out affair here.
I think back to when we first moved here to Oregon six years ago in mid-August. We caught just the tail-end of the beautiful half of the year. By December, I was missing the sunshine of Texas to the point where I needed Vitamin D and a Happy Lamp to improve my dark mood. (See Post #59). It was a major adjustment from heat and sun to gloomy cool. Over the years, I got used to it by ducking away to a sunny location for a week or two to get away. In the future, I’ll be looking for a break from the heat and humidity with a trip back to Oregon. Running in the cool air is refreshing and not nearly as physically draining. Today was consecutive run #4,304.
There’s no baseball or basketball today – just college football to keep me entertained. My main interest is The Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl between Texas and Oklahoma. Both teams are damaged property with devastating losses last Saturday. The Sooners have an unheard of two-game losing streak, but a Rattler for a quarterback and Rambo at wide receiver. Notre Dame is back on the playing field after Covid-related issues postponed last week’s Wake Forest match-up. They play Florida State today while Miami tackles top-ranked Clemson. Florida currently leads over Texas A&M, as I look over all the teams I’ll be obligated to support or hate once we move to Florida. Notre Dame, Texas, and A&M are past home state allegiances, while Indiana, Illinois, and Oregon teams won’t start playing for several weeks. In all, I’ve owned homes in seven states, so I’m bound to find at least one winner in my expanding circle of sports. My main love of course is Indiana University, with ties back to childhood. Once a Hoosier – always a Hoosier!
With a baseball Final Four of Tampa Bay, Houston, L.A., and Atlanta, I’m not sure who I want to win. I’ve never lived in California or Georgia. The Astros are cheaters, while the Dodger fans are just as obnoxious as Yankee fans. I will have to eventually become a Braves fan, with their Spring Training facility as my new neighbor. A Braves vs. Rays World Series would therefore be my choice. The Rays have never won the Series, but the home state Marlins prevailed in 2003.
Last night, the Miami Heat barely kept their hopes alive for another Florida team championship like the Tampa Bay Lightning just earned. It’s not likely that Jimmy Butler will outshine Lebron James again, while the Bears put a dent in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl aspirations behind Tom Brady. It’s still possible for a Sunshine State sweep of all four major professional trophies, but not likely. In 1953, the city of Detroit won three-of-four cups with the Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers. The NBA didn’t form until 1948 and there was no Super Bowl until 1967. The Stanley Cup is the oldest prize. In 2002, the city of Los Angeles saw the Sparks (WNBA), Lakers, Angels, and Galaxy (MLS) win it all. Time will tell how many of the coveted four my future state of residence will eventually claim.
I suppose that yesterday could have been a much worse day for my baseball teams, but rain prolonged the agony. The White Sox frustrating 6-4 loss to the A’s was enough for one day. The Sox were forced to use nine different pitchers and the A’s eight, so the game lasted an eternity. (Not as if I had anything else to do!) Injuries also had an impact on the final score. However, one man’s misery is another man’s triumph, as the A’s ended 14-years of playoff futility to move on and face the Astros in the next round.
Home field advantage for the A’s this year boiled down to last at-bats, since only a few family members were allowed inside the stadium. A 487-foot monster home run by Luis Robert was not enough to win, as the Sox stranded 12 baserunners, matching the A’s inability to drive in runs. Sox pitchers gave up nine walks, including two with the bases loaded. It was a pitcher’s dual of the worst kind, and a bitter end to a promising season. I guess I should just be satisfied that the Sox won one playoff game, after twelve years of failure to even make the postseason.
At least the Sox scored some runs, unlike the Reds that were totally shut-out in their two games with the Braves. Their AL Central division foes, the Twins and Indians, failed to win a game. The Cubs got another day to think about their opening game loss to the Marlins, as rain postponed the action at Wrigley Field. The Cubbies remain my last hope for postseason success. Their division rival, the Cardinals, won their first game but in the process woke-up the sleepy Padre bats. That series will also be decided today. There have been few surprises with the undefeated Yankees, Rays, Braves, Astros, and Dodgers advancing with ease. Will the Cubs or Marlins join them?
The Cubs still can’t hit, but have the advantage of Yu Darvish on the mound today. He’s had a remarkable season, considering the disappointment of his first couple years in Chicago. With a “W” today, fans could begin to feel some redemption regarding his addition to the team after a 2-4 record in six postseason starts. He has not pitched well against the Marlins. Even though they won the first game, “The Fish” may have lost center fielder Starling Marte with a hand injury suffered against Cubs pitcher, Dan Winkler. If you can’t beat them…hurt them! It’s a Cubs win today or elimination!
My wife was out walking our schnauzer, Tally, the other day, when I guy on a skateboard went out of his way to say hi. “Your dog reminds me of my favorite Monopoly piece,” he remarked. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that the Monopoly dog is actually a Scottish Terrier, but there is a resemblance. It gave her a bit of a chuckle, even though her first thought was that he was going to rob her. Thankfully, first impressions are often wrong. My fancy Monopoly set that I bought years ago on a whim, was then coincidentally one of the conversations that I had with our moving estimator yesterday. The mahogany board with a swivel base, gold hotels, silver houses, and built-in cash drawers reminded me of our Monopoly Mutt.
With a lack of space in our two-bedroom apartment, we have stuff crammed in every nook and cranny. The Monopoly set is currently stored under our bed, along with dozens of framed pictures. It all needed to be accounted for in our estimate, and served as a reminder of how daunting and expensive this cross-country move will be. There will apparently be two days of packing, another to load, and a week or more to get it to Florida. At this point, we don’t know exactly when it will all take place, pending construction on the new house. Plus, we’re trying to work in a cruise from Barcelona, Spain, once we get everything somewhat organized. This trip is at the mercy of Covid restrictions that have cancelled most of our other travel plans. It’s much more pleasant to look forward to the cruise than the stressful move.
The Moving Company rep interrupted my day of baseball, that turned out to be a major league disappointment. Both the Cubs and Sox are now facing elimination today. In addition, the Twins lost their record 18th consecutive playoff game, after surpassing the Sox for the American League Central division championship in the final days of the regular season. The Indians also sneaked by the Sox in the standings, once the Cubs took two of three from their faltering Chicago rival to claim the top spot in National League Central. It will take much more than lucky socks to assure that today is not the end of the (Red) line for both of my Chicago teams.
One of the punishments in the game of Monopoly is drawing a card that states, “do not pass GO and do not collect $200.” It was the only card that I was dealt yesterday, hoping that someone unexpected wins this season of Covid challenges. I naturally found myself rooting against the perennial favorites like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Cardinals, but they were all winners, while my teams are beginning to go “bankrupt.” By this evening, I will know the fate of the Cubs and Sox in their quests to somehow pass GO. Maybe my newly-dubbed Monopoly Mutt has the answer?
Baseball and cold pizza, two of my current favorites, came together for lunch yesterday, before the yard work started. The White Sox were up against the higher-seeded A’s and playing on their home turf. I’ve never been a fan of the once Kansas City now Oakland A’s, but since childhood the White Sox have always been my favorite. Catcher Sherm Lollar has perpetuated this relationship since 1959. Granted, I’ve strayed to the Cubs at times when they were winning, following suit with my son and dad. I’ve been fortunate to see both Chicago favorites first-hand in World Series victories.
Lucas Giolito pitched seven innings of perfect baseball and the Sox bats were hot in a 4-1 victory. The lucky socks proved their worth. Today, I’ll wear a Cubs sock on one foot and the Sox sock on the other, hoping for the Chicago sweep. There will be no fans to interfere with any Marlin foul balls, reminiscent of Steve Bartman in 2003, so there should be no excuses for anything less than a Cubbies “W” at Wrigley.
I do have a busy today with a second moving estimate, Cubs & Sox baseball, dinner to cook. and the first game of the NBA Finals, in addition to the eight televised MLB playoff games. LeBron has oddly become a basketball favorite of mine, even though he’s never played for the teams I support, with the exception of the Olympics. Part of this is the lack of respect he gets, especially from Michael Jordan fans. In my opinion, they are equal greats from separate eras. Comparisons are unfair, especially considering that there wasn’t nearly as much free agency in the Jordan era and contact rules were vastly different.
While championship match-ups were being determined in baseball and basketball, the Tampa Bay Lightning claimed their second Stanley Cup title. I’ve officially adopted them since we now own property in Florida, along with the Rays, Buccaneers, and Rowdies. Having now owned homes in six states, I’ve amassed quite a collection of teams, improving my chances to win something…anything. Chicago is still my favorites sports town, with the exception of the Bulls. Michigan teams don’t count. The Portland Trailblazes have now replaced the Pacers as my favorite NBA team. When it comes to college football, I lean to the Texas Longhorns and Oregon Ducks, even though my pigskin favorite will always be the hapless Indiana Hoosiers. Soccer favs are the MLS Portland Timbers and Indiana University, while my vote for college baseball goes to the Oregon State Beavers. College basketball is hands down Indiana, as well. I do enjoy sports of all kinds and genders, but do not have as strong of allegiances. I also know the teams and players I hate in any given league – but this is all about favorites.
I still have fond memories of watching a White Sox playoff game back in 1983 from a motel room in Indianapolis. I was down there from Ft. Wayne on an overnight business trip and played hooky for the afternoon game. It was players like LaMarr Hoyt, Floyd Bannister, Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk, and Ron Kittle, as I check the memory banks of Wikipedia. Tony LaRussa was the coach of this team that won their division and made it to the American League Championship, losing to the Orioles after winning the first game of a series of five. The Orioles went on to win the World Series. It was the first time the Sox were in the postseason since the 1959 World Series, featuring for me a home run by Sherm Lollar. They wore the patriotic uniforms with SOX in block letters on a blue stripe, trimmed in red, across the chest. They’ve brought them out on several occasions this year – one of my least favorite looks!
2008 was the last White Sox postseason win, falling 3 games to 1 against the Rays in the opening series. They did win the division that year. The team featured Ozzie Guillen, Jermaine Dye, Ken Griffey, Jr., Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Nick Swisher, John Danks, and Mark Buehrle, along with Manager Ozzie Guillen. The Sox were eliminated on the day I started work in Austin, Texas, one of my least favorite jobs.
I got our first moving estimate yesterday. It was about what it cost for the first home I ever bought. This really tells me how old I’m getting. Our planned move to Florida is not until late March, so I will get two more estimates before a decision is made. We want to do as little packing as possible, but I’m also really wondering what else I have to do? It would not be a big deal to run over to U-Haul and get some boxes to save a few dollars. However, after so many moves in life, this one still seems daunting. I’m not sure if I have the energy?
I am doing some yard work today, as a favor to my wife’s oldest daughter. I haven’t had a yard of my own for over fifteen years. Advil will be my best friend this evening. Before that fun starts, I will have a chance to watch some baseball, as the postseason begins. The outfield grass is about the only yard that I really appreciate, and where the home run terminology “going yard” originated. Other common descriptions include “homer, dinger, tater, goner, bomb, moon shot, Ruthian blast, round-tripper, four-bagger, went deep, jack, and kiss it goodbye.”
Today, it’s the White Sox vs. A’s in Oakland. Oddly, the A’s are playing against the odds by starting a left-handed pitcher against a team that hits best against lefties. In fact, the Sox are 14-0 this year when facing a southpaw. I read last night that “old ballparks were typically oriented with home plate to the west, so that a lefty facing west would be throwing with his ‘south’ paw.” It was in the Shoeless Joe book I’m currently reading that later was adapted to become the Field of Dreams movie. It’s all about the Chicago White Sox team that became the “Black Sox” by allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series. By the way, my second new pair of Sox socks arrived in the mail yesterday. Maybe they’ll be luckier than the first pair when I wear them today?
It’s a beautiful day in Portland, especially considering last week’s smoky fog that limited visibility, followed by heavy rain. I feel good that yesterday I actually sold stock at a peak rather than my usual bad timing. We’re now all set to finalize deposits on the Florida build, leading up to the pricy, cross-country move. One car is already down there waiting for us. When all is said and done, there will be no yard for us to take care of maintaining. A homeowners association will handle that responsibility, but in the meantime I’ll put on my gloves and help others take care of their lawns when I can.
