Lasting Images - College World Series

Tonight, or tomorrow night will mark the end of the College Baseball Season as the College World Series comes to an end in the new TD Ameritrade Ball Park in Omaha. I’ve attempted to go to the CWS once when I was in high school but they ended up overselling tickets and we didn’t get to get in. We ended up going to a few other places in Omaha and making a road trip out of it. I still haven’t been back but have watched on tv many times and want to get there some time since it’s right down the road.


But with that being said below is my lasting image of the College World Series.

Best and Worst of the Weekend

So this weekend, again has come and gone too fast.  Friday was supposed to be spent in Gladbrook at the Corn Carnival but with Brayden not getting a green at preschool that changed those plans.  We ended up spending the night at home with Lemonade Mouth.  I wanted them to go to the parade and carnival with Grandma but had to put my foot down with Brayden.  Felt bad for Addyson.  Shawnna went out and had a 44 ounce margaritta, a 4 hour margarita.  She needs more nights out like that.

Saturday we went north to a friends house to have a bbq.  The weather looked like it might be a problem but it ended up being pretty nice out and we were able to get the kids outside some and play.  The kids had so much fun that Brayden didn't want to leave.

Sunday was a day that was kind of lazy.  Dishes, laundry, cleaning the house and hitting the Des Moines Arts Festival.  I didn't get the kids out enough to do what I wanted them too, but I've been just exhausted and having some back issues lately that I needed a day that was pretty well relaxing.  I kind of got it, and got some of it today.

Coed Softball Update

So last week there was no update.  I made it to Pickard Park for the 2nd game but it was cancelled due to the field conditions.  So we just practiced and laughed and had a good time.

This week we had 2 games on the rock field.  Early too so we were going to get them all in.  I brought Brayden along with me this week and he hung out with 2 other boys and in the dug out with our team.  He had a great time.  I was going to leave half way through the second game, but an injury had me and Bray staying the whole game.  He was out cold a minute or so after getting in to bed.  Was proud of him, he was a good boy tonight.

As for the games, we played PB Slammers and Westview.  We got up on them early.  Not by my help.  I popped up the first 2 at bats.  The pitches dropped as I connected and hit a foul pop up to 1st and then to the pitcher.  My third at bat was a line shot back to the pitcher.  The final at bat came in the final inning.  Down 6-5 had 2 guys on 2nd and 3rd, time for redemption.  First pitch was inside...next pitch I hit it pretty solid, but dont get it at swung through with the bat at the right moment.  A deep pop out to right center.  Game - Set - Match.  Reminded me a little of my Little League Lookback.  Ended game one 0-4.  I did have a couple catches in center though.

Game 2 was against WestView.  I played 3b this game.  Was planning on only playing a couple innings then heading out but in the 2nd they had a guy get hurt and one of our subs went to play for them.  As for the game.  I had a couple nice plays at third and pegged out the runners.  I did come up with one bad toss but wasn't going to get the runner anyway.  Also had a line shot to me. Batting I went 2-2 with a walk, an RBI and 2 runs.  SHould have been 3 but on the walk, I tagged up from third and ran home, slid and touched home.  I watched the ball bounce into the catchers glove as I was at home.  Was called out.  Sat up and asked the ump.."really?  I was out?  Didn't beat it?"  He said that "well from my view it looked as if you were out"  So he wasn't sure and doesnt the tie (i beat it) go to the runner?  Well we won,13-6 and I batted better. Need more reps.  Not as much as last year but doing more kids stuff.

Had a great time with Brady there.  The team loved him and so did the other teams.  Thursday Nights are definitely my favorite because of our team!  See ya next week.

The 0-7 slump hurt a bit....

Season	7	15	4	3	0	0	3	3	2	0	0.467	0.667	0.600
	H	AB	1b	2b	3b	HR	R	RBI	BB	K	AVG	SLUG	OPS
Game 2	1	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0.500	0.500	0.500
Game 9	2	2	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	1.000	2.000	1.000
Game 10	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000	1.000	1.000
Game 11	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.000	0.000	0.000
Game 15	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.000	0.000	0.000
Game 16	2	2	1	1	0	0	2	1	2	0	1.000	1.500	2.000

Des Moines Eats

So Tuesday I had the afternoon off and spent it with my daughter as she didn’t have day care.  On the way home to be with her I decided to stop at the Manhattan Deli and get lunch.  Easy choice.  They are by far the best sandwich shop in town!  Quiznos, Subway & Jimmy Johns doubled and combined do not come close to competing with them!  I got what I always get there.  The Zach Johnson.  Named after former Drake golfer and Masters Champion Zach Johnson.  It is ham, hard salami, pepperoni, provolone, hot pepper cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo and oil dressing on a hoagie bun.  Fantastic.  I’ll drive downtown and take extra lunch time just to get one.  Add in a cup of macaroni salad and a cookie and it’s a heck of a lunch!

In the evening I had to take Brayden to an eye appointment and Addy tagged along.  I told them if they were good we’d go to a special place for supper.  Brayden did great and his left eye is getting better, so we headed out for supper.  It was late and I didn’t want them to sit too long for supper.  Hit Mullets across the river from Principal Park.  Looking through the menu, and not just beer like last time, I got The Sandberg (named after former Cub and ICubs manager Ryne Sandberg).  It is a poboy – a Polish sausage stuffed with Swiss cheese, wrapped in bacon, fried and then topped with grilled onions and peppers, BBQ sauce, chili, cheddar jack and cream cheese.  Also came with a French Fried Medley of Fries, Curly Fries and sweet potato tator tots.  Needless to say it was great too.

As you can see I had a very filling day of food!  What is great is that these are local business, not branch.  If you know me I hate chains.  And they are also downtown Des Moines.  Even better.  Get me out of the commercial characterless West Des Moines.  I love how we have great original food options downtown and in Des Moines.  If your downtown, stay downtown and eat at a couple great places!

One cool thing was on the way from eye doctor to Mullets was we saw a rainbow.  A big full rainbow.  Addyson was so excited she nearly jumped out of the car seat shouting “Dad a rainbow!  And it ends over there!  That’s where the pot of gold is!”  This shot shows the location of the pot of gold…who would have known?  Pizza Hut had it?

Lasting Images - Floods of 93

With all the rain we've gotten and the floods that are deemed 500 year floods that seem to be happening every other year, I thought I'd go with an image from the Great Flood of 1993 that sticks in my mind.  I was in Garwin then living with my parents in HS then.  We had water back up in our basement and had our house disheveled for a few months, but my lasting image is one of Des Moines.  Sec Taylor Stadium surrounded by 2 rivers being taken over by water.

Where were you for the floods of 93?  Where you affected?

Best and Worst of the Weekend - Father's Day

So the weekend started out pretty good.  Friday at work we had a picnic in the afternoon.  Got a bit fried but had a lot of fun.  We had team tournaments in ladder golf and bean bag.  My partner and I got upset in ladder golf in the quarterfinals on a crap toss.  In Bean Bag we had a tough region.  The defending champs were beat by a team that was in the Final Four last year.  We took them out, then go to play a girls team, who had a ringer.  She brought all 6 games and was draining them.  I had to try to even out her scoring.  We were down 10-3 early  but somehow came back to win 21-17, I tossed the 2 of the last 3 on to win.  The Championship came against the best team on the other half of the bracket.  Early we were down 7-0.  Slowly we fought back to 14-13.  They ended up going over 21 and got sent back to 13.  We tossed about 5 more times and it was 20-20.  I put 1 on ,they missed 4.  WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!  Gotta find a championship belt now!

Friday night grilled out and had some Grainbelt Tallboys!  Saturday then kinda sucked.  I did get to sleep/lay in bed a little bit longer than usual but then the tummy was a little bit upset.  Though I did feel better by the time supper came and had some Winn's Pizza and wings.  They didn't last long. Then I tried to watch Hall Pass and ended up crashing so will have to try it again.

Sunday came and since Shawnna woke up early with Ryleigh, though it WAS Father's day I did let her sleep in.  About 845 we headed out to get some coffee ( that I messed up the order - dont ask ) and then got a couple bagles and doughnuts.  After breakfast I took the older kids fishing.

After breakfast I opened my gifts.  Addy made me a tie dye shirt at school.  Brayden a book mark that said "I love my daddy because he plays racetrack with me", and then the gift from the family was also a tie dye shirt, but the whole family had one too!  And even socks!  IN HAWKEYE COLORS!

After that we got some night crawlers and headed to Easter Lake.  About 20 minutes in we had our first fish, Brayden his first catch ever!  A little blue gill.  Addy didn't catch anything, but did see a fish jump about 2 feet outta the water.

Afterwards Brady napped, I did some decorating in my Hawkeye Room 2.0 and watched Rory McIlroy destroy the US Open.  And now after supper I'm here watching the Cubs and Yankees, too bad its not with my dad, though with it 7-4 Yankees he'd have more to say than I would.

Overall Good weekend!  Hope the week goes fast so I can have another good weekend!

Father's Day

This coming weekend is Father's Day.  Now I'm not really that into the whole day off thing and getting gifts.  I have all that I need and really with 3 kids there is no day off.  One of my favorite things to do is to watch the last round of the US Open, but I know if it's nice out that I'll be out and about, what to do yet, I'm not sure.  I think I'll suggest taking them to a beach or something.  


But as for my dad, it's been kind of fun the past few years and his gifts. In 2008 Mom, Mike and I planned on getting Dad tickets to go to Old Yankee Stadium.  Something Mom and I dreamed up.  You can read about it all here.  The next year got him a framed picture and Yankees blanket.  This year, not sure yet.  But its been fun.  I know all these gifts can't ever and will never make up for everything my dad (and mom) has done for me and my family.  Love them, wish we lived closer to them though an hour isn't bad.  


All those Saturday's going to Iowa City, hitting the Amana's for breakfast before and then the game are some of my favorite memories with dad.


Another is Christmas 1984 instead of a big wheel from Santa (that came a year later) I got a tractor.  Dad pushed me around the old house.


And like I said, I'm a dad now, 2 girls and 1 boy.  Can't believe it. Below are some of my favorite photos with my dad.


Happy Father's Day everyone!

   

Bam Bam!

My son is in his first year of Bam Bam.  Think TBall but with a huge PVC pipe and a big bouncy ball and the big red plastic bat.  Add in about 9-12 three and four year olds and you get mass choas!  3 innings of hitting and batting by each and their attention span is usually run down and ready for snacks.  The ultimate goal.  Just get through the games to get the juice and cookies.  Tonight was his 5th game of the year, 4th playing he missed one, and tomorrow night will be his final one.  I was able to sit in the stands tonight and hang out with everyone and just watch Bray play, which was nice and got some videos of him.  I hope to have a good picture of him soon for his baseball card!

Here is Brayden in action.

   

    

Like I said when the card is available I'll add it!  

The Tooth Fairy Made Me Smile Today

This morning showed me one of the great moments of being a parent again.  Take away all the temper tantrums, the fights the not listening, today was all worth it.  Last night my daughter lost her 3^rd tooth and was excited to put it under her pillow/in her room last night.  Started off rough as we couldn’t find her little tooth bag she would put her tooth in.  We eventually gave up and agreed that 1) Addyson has too much stuff in her room and it needs cleaned out and 2)we were just going to use a little bag she made at a friend’s birthday party and hang it on her doorknob instead of putting it under the pillow.  You know to make it easier for the tooth fairy.

As we left Addy asked, “what’s the tooth fairy look like?”  Of course our response was “we don’t know, we’ve never seen her” and I added in “she’s a fast little bugger and is like a blur.”  Told Addy that I’m pretty sure she doesn’t look like the Rock, more so like Tinkerbell.  Pretty much ended that conversation.  Gave her a hug and sent her on to dream land. 

This morning came with a lot of taps of the snooze button and stumbling downstairs to the wake up the kids so they could get ready for school.  I hoped in the shower and after a few minutes I hear loud footsteps.  Look out and Addy is running up the stairs.  Totally forgetting about the Tooth Fairy I go back to finishing my shower thinking she ran up to ask mom what it was going to be like today.  A few seconds later the feet are coming down the stairs and into the bathroom shouting “DAD!  DAD!  DAD! The tooth fairy came!  The tooth fairy came!”  After I remembered last night I peeked out and the smile on her face holding up the $2 was priceless!  I asked her what she got and her response “2 Dollars!  I’m going to put in my piggy bank”  all still with that huge smile on her face.

Those moments make being a dad the greatest feeling in the world.  Bar none.  Better than any gift that could be bought or anything.  I wish I could have had a camera to take a picture of my lil princess, at least I have it stored away in my mind and can come back to it when she’s a teenager and all grown up.

127 Hours - True Grit

Last Night after the kids got to bed and I got most of the internet back to working and wired in the house again I put in 127 Hours.  Nominated for Best Picture it stars James Franco, who was also nominated for Best Actor, and basically a rock.  That’s it, it starred James Franco and a Rock.  It’s a true story about Aron Ralston who got his arm trapped by said rock and ended up cutting his arm off.  A lot of it is Franco thinking, maybe sometimes hallucinating, and day dreaming about the end of his life then in the last few hours he breaks his arm and cuts it off with a dull knife after other attempts to free himself didn’t work.  The movie has some pretty cool scenes and makes you want to go out and do those treks and just be free.  Then picks up in intensity and is crazy the last 35 minutes or so.  Saying it right here, I love sports, the athletes are amazing, but Aaron Ralston is the toughest guy in the world.  To cut your own arm off, one word…ONIONS.  He wasn’t ready to give up.  Definitely recommend the movie even its just for the last 35 minutes.

3 Stars / 5

One a side note, I haven’t seen the Kings Speech or Biutiful, saw True Grit, Social Network and now 127 Hours and I still think Jesse Eisenberg should have won the Best Actor.  Sorry Colin Firth, go back overseas.

Speaking of True Grit I should probably blog about this.  It was a true Western, and a remake.  Can you re-do The Duke?  No but Jeff Bridges did a great job and deserved the best actors nod.  It was funny seeing Matt Damon in a western after the Bourne Identity roles.  He and Josh Brolin both were great as was the little girl.  As for the movie, I just didn’t get into it as much as I thought I would.  I know I got into it more than I would the original.  I still say it’s worth a Redbox or Netflix pick.  

2.5 Stars / 5

Lasting Images - Michael Jordan

With all the comparison the past week of LeBron James to Michael Jordan, and sorry LeBron, you aren’t Michael and WILL NEVER be Michael, I thought it would be a good time to throw my lasting image of MJ.  And there are a few to choose from.

The shot over Craig Ehlo.

The dunk from the free throw line.

The up in the air changing hands in mid air vs the Lakers.

MJ with his dad hugging the Championship Trophy.

The shrug vs Portland when everything is just going  in.

MJ at the desk of his first retirement.

MJ in a baseball uniform.

Simply – I’m Back.

But my lasting image is his last shot (as a Bull) vs Utah, the Shot!



Best and Worst of the Weekend – Moving Day

Well ok, not moving day for me, but as they say in golf, Saturday is moving day.  After a margarita and out to eat on Friday night, and a late night with the Big Ten Network, Saturday morning we went to the Downtown Farmers Market.  Got some cantaloupe, beans, lettuce, radishes and breakfast.  Found some other pretty cool little knick-knacks, some black and gold that may be in some ones future.

The rest of the day was spent helping friends move.  First Sammy and Erin in West Des Moines and finally Jeff & Darcey from Norwalk to Cumming.  Saturday ended up being a great day to do that too, great weather.  And let’s just say by the end of the day I was tuckered out…and well into Sunday too. 

Sunday spent most of the day low key.  Laundry, a few trips to Menards and Hy-Vee.  I tried to get a nap in but was woken up by kids, go figure. 

Ryleigh though was out like a light.  She tuckered herself out trying to roll over.  Sunday night I grilled some pork chops for supper, and ended the evening with some DQ  ice cream and watched the Mavs win the NBA Championship.  Great way to end the night. 

We really need to find a way to get every weekend to be 3-4 days!  Really only 2?  Who came up with that idea?

XMen First Class

Marvel’s second feature film this summer after Thor is XMen First Class.  A prequel to the XMen Trilogy that was given to us in the 2000s.  This takes pieces from the first film and expands to show how Erik and Charles become friends.  The movie also introduces some new mutants to us in Havoc, Angel Salvadore, Darwin, Banshee, Azazel, Riptide and Sebastian Shaw.  Also the introduction to the connection between Charles and Moria McTaggert.  The movie from the get go I thought was all action and great character development.  You were immediately immersed in to Erik’s world as a young boy in a concentration camp, and also into how Charles first used his powers and his maturity with them.  Along those lines Matthew Vaughn takes you back to the world events of the 1960s with the Cold War and Cuba Missile Crisis.  You can see the influence and hatred that Erik has for Shaw, along with the way that Erik thinks and views the World of Humans and Mutants and how Charles views the world.  Beast is shown as a young man here, and Mystique as a young child.  We learn how Beast gets his blue fur and becomes the Beast, and Mystique’s view of how she is mistreated by her blue skin.  Kevin Bacon was an excellent villain and you get great performances from James McAvoy (Charles) and Michael Fassbender(Erik).  You also see a few cameos too, not to ruin the scene but there is a scene with our favorite Wolverine.  You see a few cameos too, not to ruin the scene but there is a scene with our favorite Wolverine. 

This is by far the best movie I’ve seen in the XMEN series.  I was literally on the edge of my seat.  It is the front runner for my summer movie awards and I’m guessing is going to be the winner for a few awards.  It’s in a tie for the 3^rd best SuperHero movie ive seen with Iron Man and behind Spiderman 2 and The Dark Knight.

This is a great movie!  Go see it! 

4/5 Stars easy.

Now some issues I have with the Xmen series or movies.  This may contain some spoilers so read at your own risk.  This movie ties well with the original series, but if you are an XMen fan, this is not Charles first class.  His first class is Beast, IceMan, Cyclops, Angel and Jean Grey.  Not this kids but yea you needed to go backwards.  There are some character issues in this movie and XMen Origins:Wolverine.  In Origins Charles has the use of his legs, we see in this movie that he doesn’t at the end of the movie.  Moria in this movie is a CIA agent, at the end of the 3^rd XMEN movie and in the comics she is a Doctor.  Emma Frost is in XMen Origins:Wolverine as a child in the 70s/80s but she’s a grown women in the 60s?  I did like this carnation of her better than in Origins.  So there are my few character questions.  

NCAA 2012 Online Dynasty

With it being a month or so till NCAA 2012 comes out on 360, we are looking for people who want to be in on an online dynasty.  We are going to try to play 2-3 games per 2 weeks as I know in the summer people have very busy schedules.  The dynasty will be set up as followed.

You need to select a 1 or 2 Star team.  To see team ratings click here.

You need to stay with that team for at least 3 seasons.  After 3 seasons you can move up to a school 2 stars above your current school prestige.

You need to schedule 2-3 games vs other humans per year.

You need to schedule a top 10 preseason team as an out of conference team.

Games will be at 6 minute quarters. 

We will start year 1 on All-American difficulty and then year 2 jump up to Heisman.

Please post on this thread your XBOX Live Id and the team you'd like.  Also if you are on twitter post your handle.  After I get the game I will set up the dynasty and send out the invites.

Matt - @garwin7 - hawkeyemkn7 - Baylor

Ryan - @rwednt40 - rwendt40 - Vanderbilt

Matt - @mattkizer - mattkizer - Minnesota
Steve - @balvanz - jawbreaker7 - UCLA
Alex - no twitter - HELLAB26 - Mizzou <<--needs to pick a new team-->>
J'Waan Smith - @JWaan_Smith x - DarkPhoenyx x - Colorado Buffaloes

If you have questions, email me.

Coed Softball Update

Last Night, though we got monsooned we had our softball game.  We were playing the defending champs for the second time this season.  The first time we played them we lost after giving up 15 runs in the first inning.  This game was much different.  We played the full 7 innings and had a great overcast lighnting background to go with it.  The guys for their team hit it pretty good, over our heads the first few innigns but we only gave up a few runs.  We just couldn’t hit.  The bat I usually use wasn’t there and the bat I was using I just couldn’t get used too.  All 3 of my at bats were a mirror of each other, hit to 3^rd base deep in the hole and gunned out at first.  We lost the game 10-1  but we were competitive as that sounds, we were decent.  I didn’t playt he second rain soaked game.

Updated Stats.

Season	5	9	3	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	0.556	0.778	0.556
	H	AB	1b	2b	3b	HR	R	RBI	BB	K	AVG	SLUG	OPS
Game 2	1	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0.500	0.500	0.500
Game 9	2	2	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	1.000	2.000	1.000
Game 10	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000	1.000	1.000
Game 11	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.000	0.000	0.000