Forks

Put a fork in the Sox - they're done.

For me, the entire season cam down to the 5th inning of friday night's game against the Minnesota Twins. With the Sox up 3-0, 2 runners on base and 2 outs, Konerko hit a deep drive that just missed being a home run. It wound up being an out. So instead of going into the 6th inning up 6-0 ( at least), Vazquez enters the 6th up only 3-0... guess what happens... another meltdown and the Twins score 4 runs. The Sox lose 5-4 and then promptly drop saturday's game as well. As if all this weren't enough, Manager Oz's consistent misuse of his players in the line-up is maddening. He plays sPod (why?), won't put McCarthy in the starting rotation, won't put in a hot Anderson against lefties... What's going on here? The Sox fan in me wants to scream out in pain, but the Chicago baseball fan in me remembers a lifetime of losing seasons, and then 2005 and I really don't care what happens any more. Plus, football season is right around the corner...

I don't get it

Fuckin White Sox. They kill the best team in baseball - Detroit, but can't beat the perpetual doormat Kansas City Royals.

Fuckers.

HNT# 23 

How Long Has It Been?

since I've had sex? I dunno. I stopped counting the days. I thought I had a shot last friday, the MILF went out drinking with some gal pals, but sadly Aunt Flo stopped by just prior. Maybe next week.

The Sox are not playing well enough right now to win the division. Seventeen games into the most important 21 games of the year, and they are 9-8, including 4-2 against the AL Central leading Tigers heading into Thursday mornings contest. Still they are 6 and 1/2 games back. I'm not sure what's wrong. Maybe they've been spoiled by their success? I was at the game on Wed August 16th when they lost to the lowly Kansas City Royals 10-4. They just had no emotion at all. Lunch on friday with my buddy from the Minnesota Twins - I'll see if I can get some inside angle from him...

I spent some time on the southside yesterday - Hyde Park to be specific. Took the old IC line - now the Metra Electric line - down to 57th. Walked west to the U of C bookstore and picked up a cool shirt on sale for $10, and a copy of Les Mis for $5. Walked across the Quad and back down 57th Street and marveled at what an amazingly beauitiful urban neighborhood Hyde Park is...

Played softball last night. Had to pitch. We won! I only went 2 for 4 but hit the ball very solidly each time. The team we played is a team we've played (and beaten) each of the past three seasons. They have two of the most smokin hot girls that I've ever seen on their team. Playboy hot. And they're not terrible players either. They are very distracting, however... maybe that's their plan. The playoffs begin next week (I think).

Started up a fantasy football team at work. I'm just not as into it as baseball, but it will give us something to talk about around the water cooler at the salt mines. I'm also in an English Premier 'Football' (read; soccer) fantasy league with some guys from my old college radio station. I have no clue why.

I'm working like mad, and not drinking enough. Jazz music has been my saving grace. I can't stand to listen to anything with lyrics. Just chill, baby.

Up to the beach in Michigan this weekend, probably for the last time this year.

21 Days

Beginning August 7th, the Sox entered the most important 3 week stretch of the entire season. Its a 'make it or break' period in which the Sox play every day - 21 games- against the best and more important teams. Of those 21 games, 14 are at home. As I write this, the Sox are already 4-2 during the stretch, with a loss to the LA Angels (make-up of a rain out), 2-1 vs the New York Yankees, and most importantly, 2-0 vs the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers. After a 4-game series to perpetual cellar-dwellers Kansas City (I'm going to Wednesday's game), the Sox play 3 in Minnesota and 4 in Detroit, before coming home to face the Twins for 3 more games. In this stretch, the Sox could cut the Tigers lead significantly, and single-handedly knock the Twins out of the race altogether. No news news here... So far, from what I've seen of these 6 games, the Sox appear to be coming around. Sure, they've gotten some breaks, but are finally starting to show some signs of life.

Lots else happenin here at Southside Adventures Global Headquarters.

I'm beyond broke and seeking new employment. I've gone so far as to apply for the night shift at the local sex motel.

I've been slowly reading thru The Best American Short Stories 2005 and so far its really great. The first story in the collection is about baseball. I've also picked up some Carl Sandburg.

Saw two moveis this week. The original Red Shoe Diaries with David Duchnovy was horrible. You've got to start somehwere, I guess. The sex scenes were Ok, but it just didn't hold together for me. A much better film was Green Street Hooligans with the gnome-like Elijah Wood. Its the semi-true story of the West Ham 'fan' (read;thug) group call the Green Street Elite (GSE) which in real life is known as the Inter City Firm. A lot of the thuggery focuses on the real life rivaliry between West Ham and Millwall, who's 'firm' is not named, but in real life are called 'The Bushwackers'. Violent, but a fine picture.

My softball league in the burbs is done for the year. We finished up the season with our best win of the year, a good one against a good team, to finish out the campaign 4-10. With Lollapalooa over, the city league revs back up the week - 3 more games to go.

Tavern Review: South Loop Club

The South Loop Club

Located at 701 South State Street, the South Loop Club is one of the few watering holes in the area. Its a small sports-bar style tavern with a confusing and uncomfortable seating arragnement. The times I've been there, its filled with a mix of locals, students, tourists and post-game softballers from nearby Grant Park. Plently of TVs, though there are so many obstructions, its hard to see them. The beers are plentiful and reasonably priced, and the popcorn is free. The menu is not bad either. Not much of a pick up joint, but not a bad spot for a post-game oat soda.

Back 

Afterglow Part 2

Just got home from a late softball game under the lights. I played my best game of the year. 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored, I hustled around the basepaths and made some good plays out in right center. I even gunned down two runners going to third. I'm totally charged up. What a great fuckin game. Sadly, no money to go to the bar afterwards.. but we are beginning to discuss joining the fall league... Five games to go, sunday and next friday in the burbs, then the following three tuesdays in Grant Park. I'm ready to fuckin destroy!!!!

I played well enough to consider participating in the '38 and over' baseball league next year. I'll be (just barely) 38 next spring... but I'm the youngest 38 year old ever. I can hit the curve, and knock you so silly your kids will be stupid.

Work is finally getting back to a managable level. Still I'm $600 short this week... and another $300 short on my property taxes due at the end of the month... Got to do something about this. I'm sick of struggling, sick of just barely scraping by... I have an assload of money set aside for retirement (savings and investing is always my first priority), but can't pay the fuckin electric bill. Drivin to the poor house in a limo...

Sox were off tonight - big 3 game weekend series in the North Country begins tomorrow. The Sox will lose badly - too many hot stripper Annies in Toronto to fuck.

Pre-game tonight I had some time to kill and picked up my copy of The Complete Poems of Carl Sandburg. I read some of my favorite poems from 'Chicago' Poems' and 'Cornhuskers'. Good stuff from the former Elmhurst resident.

Tallegeda Nights- The Ballad of Rickey Bobby is getting good reviews. Can't wait to see it.

If today is tuesday, this must be Kansas City

I just have no imagination today - work drained the life out of me.

Things are pretty quiet on the Southside. But its hot out, damn hot. I'm drinking a Special Ex tall boy and watching the Sox try to beat the Royals in KC. The Sox had 2nd and 3rd with none out in the 6th and failed to score. Pathetic.

I have a new tavern review written, but am waiting until I can get my Hello working so I can publish a picture of the joint. That means no more participation in Half-Naked Thursday for me either. Damn!

Some of the great times I had planned this week - like last week - fell thru. I didn't go down to Bears camp monday because it was just too hot. I had an event planned today, which also got called off due to the heat. Same for tomorrow's Brazilian/Portugese fado concert in Grant Park. The cool down is coming thursday, just in time for my softball game. Pizza friday and saturday, then softball again on sunday night. Maybe going to a party on saturday.

Speaking of football, the Illini finally set a time for the October 14th game against my beloved Ohio U Bobcats - its a 6 pm night game. Hooray! A night in Champaign!

Oh, and I'm broke. Beyond broke. I had to file an amended tax return in May and am still waiting on my $132 - of which $50 belongs to my accountant.

More bad financial news - unlike last year, my firm is not giving out company shares to sell at Xmas. I just found out it was a one-time thing last year. So I need to raise about $1000 before December to do my share for first world consumption during the holiday gift giving pleasure. But my more immediate problem is that I need to send out my property taxes in 2 weeks and am $600 short. And I need to fix the broken windshield on my car - that's another $200. Maybe I can get a 3rd shift job at a factory or something. Man, I don't want to have to resort to UPS or selling a kidney.

As the season winds down, I'm trying to get some more light summertime reading in. I'll dive into a short story collection this week.

I'm not real disappointed the Sox didn't make a move before the trading deadline. I think they have the horses to contend. I'm a bit dismayed over Thome's apparent injury. The weekend series in Toronto will be a big one..and exciting. The Tigers are going to collaspe. They have to...

I'm eating and drinking like mad, desperately trying to gain about 8 lbs. Not much luck so far. What's a vegetarian to do?

No sex from the MILF lately. I need a fuck buddy! Someone who is up for anything, and expects nothing in return. It would help if she is hot, and also in a serious relationship.

Thornton just came on in relief in the 8th, and promptly surrendered 2 runs to knot this one up. On to the 9th...