My (WS) Hero

It was just odd to see Jeff Weaver be the hero last night when for so long he's tried so hard and not gotten the best results. I always apologize when I say he's my favorite pitcher saying he's really not that good. I need to start holding my tongue.

One of the reasons I love watching him is his obvious passion for performing well. It also seems to be his downfall when he can't keep it under control and allows it to negatively affect his game. It didn't seem to be a problem last night. I wonder if he'll recognize the improvements he's made with the Cardinals coaching staff and stick around if they want him.

It bothered me that the announcers kept talking about how he hadn't gone longer than six innings for a long time. One of his strengths in his career has been long innings and high pitch counts. In the National League starters often get taken out due more to game situation (need another bat for offense) than to number of pitches or fatigue. Which is one reason I prefer the American League and the DH: in low-scoring pitchers' duels, the manager isn't forced to replace the starting pitcher just to get some runs. I'm not sure I'd want Weaver to go back to the AL though; I do love to see him bat. He's just so gawky and awkward.

I was working late last night and decided to listen to the game on the radio instead of trying to wait to watch it at home. I was just finishing up my project when the game was getting over. It was a nice coincidence. When I got home I discovered that my DVR recording only went 180 minutes so I would've missed the end of the 8th inning and the 9th. I'm glad I listened at work. That would've sucked!

New Shoes

I stopped in at DWS during lunch (my two erswhile companions bailed on me) and perused the athletic shoe sections. Women's trainers are always so girly-looking I almost always buy from the men's collections nowadays. I found a couple possibilities, tried on one pair which felt great, then tried on the other and realized I had picked up the wrong size. I went back to see if they had mine but no luck. I liked the first pair enough to get them though. They're from the adidas outdoor collection and have insulation and antimicrobial moisture-wicking. Supposedly they're also waterproof which should be good for walking in the rain!

If you look at the close-up images you can see the odd closures they have. You just pull on the black ball while holding the other black bit. I like it. The shoelaces are elastic so they give a little when your feet swell up. Just what I need. I might put them on right now.

I got the khaki color and for $15 less than Zappos. Bargain.

UK Trip Update

My inside source in London tells me that it's been raining a lot so I'm even happier to report I received my splurge of a rain coat from TravelSmith this week (thanks, M&D!). It's really long! But it'll keep the rain off, which is the point. It's not too thick so I can wear a couple layers underneath depending on how cold it is and how much exertion I'll be...exerting.

My other big purchase this month was my BritRail pass. I got it from RickSteves.com so I could get a discount on his online store. I wanted the push-button umbrella. Of course I ended up getting some other things as well. Because we're travelling off-peak and we waited to buy our passes until October, we were able to get 25% off a normally $469 pass (that's $352 for you non-math-whizzes).

I also finally recieved my new passport a bit ago. I was getting a teensy bit nervous about it, especially since I couldn't track its progress online like the Passport Control website seemed to think I should. But I have it now and my birth certificate so I can make multiple copies of everything to take with, and leave behind, in case of any emergencies, like a lost passport (god forbid).

Other purchases left on my list are shoes and glasses. I might head over to the mall on Saturday and check out the Sears Optical center. I discovered they're on my new insurance list. Now I just have to find that insurance card Leti gave me...

I sure wish Elizabeth were here to help me with my shoes shopping. One time she accompanied me to DSW and served as my shoe saleswoman by bringing me various pairs to try on. I got to just sit there and relax.

Only three weeks to go and even tho' work is going to be hell between now and then I'm getting excited about finally visiting England. See you soon, Eliz!

The World Series

So I was hoping the Tigers would win any game Jeff Weaver was not pitching and I've received the opposite. I guess that means the Tigers will win tomorrow (Weaves is on the hill) and hold off the trophy presentation for the weekend. I thought for sure Detroit would pull it out tonight but they just couldn't hold a lead. The soggy field and even soggier fielding didn't help.

It was nice to see Aaron Miles have a good game. A friend of mine went to school with his brother (and him, though he's a few years older) so we enjoy following his career.

Game 7

Wow, what a Game 7. Tied 1-1 until the top of the 9th when Molina hit one out. The Mets kept hitless from the 2nd through the 8th but had the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th. Game over on a called strike three from a rookie closer. Man, that is awesome. Gotta love the curve.

So the Cardinals face off with the Tigers in the World Series beginning Saturday in Detroit. I'm going to root for the Tigers except for any games (former Tiger) Jeff Weaver might pitch (of course). I always hope for a long series just to hang on to baseball a little longer. Hockey can wait.

Lucky, Lucky, Lucky

I am a lucky, lucky girl. Last night I went to set up my DVR to record the NLCS Game 5 but it wasn't on the schedule yet so I thought I'd wait and do it in the morning. I forgot. And Jeff Weaver was starting. And I knew I wasn't going to be able to leave work early today. So when I realized this, I resigned myself to missing the game. But it was postponed, due to rain. Yea!!! Lucky, lucky me! Weaves is still scheduled to start in the game tomorrow so I'm setting up a recording right now.

Words I've Looked Up Lately

purgation: the purification or cleansing of someone or something; (in Roman Catholic doctrine) the spiritual cleansing of a soul in purgatory

bespoke: (of goods, esp. clothing) made to order

bromide: a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate

oracular: (of an utterance, advice, etc.) hard to interpret; enigmatic

rapprochement: (esp. in international relations) an establishment or resumption of harmonious relations

apposite: apt in the circumstances or in relation to something

shambolic: chaotic, disorganized, or mismanaged

denigrate: criticize unfairly; disparage

Tigers Win the Pennant!

Wow. Could it have been any better in Detroit today? To advance to the World Series on a home run in the bottom of the ninth at home? A different hero every night, it was Mags smacking his second big fly out to left field with two guys on and the game tied up at 3. Ah, there's nothing better than the scrum bouncing at home plate waiting to pummel the hero.

I thought the A's had a chance today, especially after loading them up in the eighth. They just didn't have the bats to compete in this series. And I'm not sure what Macha was doing having Huston Street face so many batters today. Bringing him in in the 7th?

So who will face the Tigers? I'm definitely rooting for the Cardinals. Just so I can maybe see Jeff Weaver pitch again.

Get Your Brooms Ready in Detroit

Sure looks like the Tigers' year, doesn't it? I can hardly believe it. Rogers was awesome, giving up only two hits and walking two. And the bullpen was perfect, setting down their batters in order. We'll see if Detroit can close it out tomorrow.

As far as the A's, I thought Harden did great today considering his lack of work recently and really through the season with his injuries. The A's sure miss having Bobby Crosby and Mark Ellis up the middle on defense and their bats in the line-up. I wonder if Macha is going to start Mark Kiger at second base tomorrow. Here's a guy who made his major league debut today in the 8th inning on defense and could possibly start in an ALCS Game 4 with his team's survival on the line. Talk about pressure.

A's vs. Tigers, Game 2

I'm watching the game delayed by about a half hour. It's the bottom of the 9th. Two outs. Bases loaded. The A's are down by 3. The Big Hurt at the plate. Oakland lost last night so they really need to win tonight and they need to score right now to have any chance to do it.

Strike one. 0-1.
Ball in the dirt. 1-1.
Man, things are getting tense. The crowd has its towels a-waving.

Damn. Fly ball to center. Three outs. Tigers win.

Well, that was a downer. Frank hasn't had a hit in either game in this series. Just an inch and it would've been a grand slam and an A's win. He just missed that pitch. The Tigers' pitching has been really impressive so far. Last night the A's looked completely ineffective, especially when they had guys on base.

Looks like 'geek might have been right when he said the Tigers in 5 and that the A's would be lucky to win that one. It sure would be cool to see Detroit clinch at home. Can you imagine the celebration?

Tigers in 4!

Wow! I can't believe it! The Tigers beat the Yankees today to win the series three games to one and move on to meet the A's in the ALCS. So either the A's or the Tigers will be in the World Series. So exciting!

I didn't think the Tigers could actually subdue the bats of that New York line-up but they did. The pitching was awesome. Bonderman was amazing today and I was so happy that Leyland took him out in the 9th so he could feel the love from the Detroit crowd. And it was so great they could win at home and so decisively. That stadium was rockin' today. I loved how the team went out on the field and sprayed the crowd with bubbly. Especially Kenny Rogers. So funny.

My favorite sign:

Spiderman
Superman
Bonderman

So Oakland vs. Detroit, beginning Tuesday, best of seven. That'll be hard to predict. I'm gonna have to go with the A's in six.

Survivor

I'm finally getting around to watching Survivor from Thursday. Some people don't think it's as good this time around. I don't see it. I'm still enjoying it. Here we go...

Okay, Aitu's getting back from Tribal Council from last week. I really hate all the footage of the crabs and rats. It's so disturbing. I could go without food and showers and wouldn't really mind the dirty clothes but the constant rat infestation would really get on my nerves. Ugh. I'm shuddering just thinking about it.

Now (my favorite) Yul's saying TC was really tough. I guess he didn't believe Cao Boi and Flicka would really vote for Cecelia. He could've been in real trouble if Becky was gone. Or he would've been forced to use his idol waaaaay too soon.

Ozzy looks devastated. He obviously was blindsided by the vote and is feeling really alone. He doesn't seem interested in participating in tribal life. He better wake up or he'll be voted off next.

Candace is being brought back from Exile Island. The way they're shooting the shot of her in the boat makes it look like she doesn't have anything on below the waist. Now they're asking her why she thinks the other tribe choose her. Like she has any idea. I don't think even the other team knew why they did. I swear she had a tongue piercing. She's talking really oddly. And the way she opens up her eyes so widely -- makes her seem kinda dumb.

Okay, over to the other tribe, Raro. Oh, Parvati is so annoying. Can she act any more blond? The guys are getting a little big-headed. "Oh, we're so strong!" Too bad they don't have mirrors, they could just admire themselves all day.

Ah, the reward challenge. I love when they're attached together by ropes. Seems like this one might be rather easy. So...they've chosen the littlest people to be attached to the ropes. It's pretty funny to see them get manhandled. I don't think they'll be too happy at the end. Bruised for sure. Yea! Aitu's winning! Swim, Ozzy, swim! Now they just have to figure out the puzzle. Oh, Raro's catching up. Brad's swimming hard and he's back. Who will solve it first?

JP's trying to eavesdrop. He's evil. Aitu thinks they've got it....yes! They've got it. Now who will they send to the island? Not exempt from TC this time...Adam's going. Not that it matters. He'll be back for the immunity challenge and the idol's already been found. Aitu gets to fight over the reward hammock and pillows now.

What's that? Ozzy's catching fish? I guess he woke up and decided he needs to prove his worth to the team. Wow, that's a big fish!

Raro's bummed now. All the women are still doing all the work. JP is playing the king in camp. Get me this, do this. Like I said, evil. Parvati's trying to get in with the guys. She's got Nate wrapped around her finger. I hope they lose the immunity challenge just to see what might happen.

Back to Aitu. Oh, here comes the scene they showed at the end of last week: Cao Boi molesting the wildlife like the madman he is. He's climbing the tree to get the bird's eggs. I hope he loses an eye. That poor bird. Jonathan just found the chick that fell out with the nest. Geez. Now they're trying to put the nest back up. Like the bird is going to want that nestling now that it's got Jon's cooties all over it. "We're so sorry!" Stupids.

Now to the immunity challenge. Adam's back and they didn't even show him on EI. I guess he did nothing interesting. I do love Jeff's hat this season. Very sexy. Hmm. A rescue challenge. I wonder why. Have the challenge producers been watching too much Baywatch? I think the Raro boys have an advantage in this. They should be able to run through the jungle as a well-matched quartet.

Wow, they have to swim a long way. You definitely have to be good in the water to be successful on Survivor. Let's see if the girls can keep up on the swim back. They're pretty close. I still think the Raro boys will be able to run better through the jungle. Oh, Aitu's back already! Build that fire! That crazy Cao Boi is good with fire. Raro has no idea. Jenny just got cut! She needs first aid right away. Looks like they're going to TC. Aitu wins!

So Raro has four guys and five girls. The boys are for sure sticking together, it seems. Will Parvati vote with them in exchange for staying longer? So who will it be: Stephannie? Jenny? Rebecca? They didn't do so hot with the fire. (ha ha)

Oh, Stephannie. Now why'd you do that? Volunteering yourself? Easy out for the rest of them. Unless the women can vote together. Man, looks like I was right about Parvati. I hate her. Brad? With the women? Could it work? I do like that they don't seem to be voting along ethnic lines. I'm not sure it's better to vote along gender lines though.

Now they're at Tribal Council. Who will it be? I do love how Jeff seems to relish putting them all on the spot. Adam still is saying nothing. I think the producers have it in for him. So it's down to Steph and JP and the deciding votes are Brad and Parvati, I think.

Here we go....Steph...JP....Steph...JP... Don't you love how they always re-shuffle the votes so they go back and forth...JP...ooo, out of order! Could Steph have only received the two votes?...JP...Again! He's out! JP's gone. He's can't believe it. The king is dead, long live who?

Jeff has a good point. They just voted off a strong player. It might bite them in the ass in challenges.

Let's see the votes: Both Brad AND Adam voted for JP! And Parvati. Why did we never hear anyone talking to Adam? Brad must've gotten to him. Nate's gonna feel so out of it now. He and JP were the only votes for Steph.

So next week Cao Boi gets upset with the girls doing no work. Why, oh why must we watch them comparing their underarm hair? I really don't need to see that!

I like this stage of the game when there are so many people in each tribe that even with some firm alliances, there are enough people that each week the votes are uncertain. Both tribes are unsettled enough that new alliances can form up in an instant. Can't wait until Thursday!

A's Win! On to the ALCS!

A's win! A's win! Oakland swept the Twins today to advance to the American League Championship Series against either New York or Detroit who play Game 3 tonight. Woo hoo!!!

Sal's Gone Home

I just got back from taking Sal to the airport for her day-long trip back to MN. She's flying through Arizona so she won't get in until after 8pm. It was soft weather this morning; a bit of a shower here and there. The bay looked amazing -- calm and reflecting the soft grey light coming through the big fluffy clouds. I wish I had taken my camera.

Yesterday we spent watching TV (A's win! A's win!! now up 2-0, sorry Sal) and reading and napping. I cooked a bit but mostly we were just relaxing. In the evening we did some trip planning. We've decided that while we have the car and will be as far north as the Lake District that we should go on up to Carlisle and visit Hadrian's Wall. So we researched the best places to do that that won't be too far out of our way.

Then we researched entrance fees and hours so we can make sure we have enough cash for each day. We determined which sights had highest priority for us and which ones we'll do if we have extra time. It's hard to gauge how much time it will take to walk from place to place. I don't know how big these towns are.

I think Cardiff will be the tightest schedule because we're doing two out-of-town sights: Caerphilly Castle and The Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagans. We're heading to Bath that evening which isn't a long trip (1 hour) but our B&B in Bath would like us to check in by 6pm. I might contact them and see if we can check in later. That would give us more time at the Museum because we have to take the bus back to Cardiff and then go collect our bags before catching the train to Bath.

We had a bit of a scare yesterday when I checked Sal's flight; the price had gone up by $60. We'd been holding off on purchasing it, hoping the price would go down because it was at $527 which was $80 more than mine (and I'm coming from San Fran!). We checked again this morning and the price for hers had gone back down to $527 so we purchased it immediately. She had a $300 voucher from getting bumped off a flight a few months ago so she's only going to have to pay $227. Pretty good for a flight to London!

Spending Too Much Money

Yesterday Sal and I watched the A's beat the Twins and a little of the Cards/Padres game before going to REI to check out rain gear. She wanted to see what they had but likes to shop at Cabela's (which we don't have in Cali).

I was also looking for a long-sleeved top I can wear like long underwear to keep me warm while trekking about in the rainy UK in November. We checked the men's section and I found some nasty feeling capilene tops but they feel like plastic. How anyone could wear that next to their skin, I don't know. I finally found a satiny one that came in both long- and short-sleeved but I decided to check the women's section in case they had any larger sizes.

I found the perfect shirt but it only came as large as 1x. It felt so nice and soft (and was a v-neck!) so I tried it on anyway. It wasn't too small and for the purpose of wearing it close to my skin, I thought it would work fine. They didn't have it in a short-sleeved version so I decided to get one of the satiny men's shirts as well.

I also found a toiletries bag and some plastic flip-top bottles for shampoo, etc. They had a couple varieties of money belts, so I got a nice soft smaller one that I think will work great. Gotta protect that passport!

While we were down in Fremont we just had to eat at the Outback (okay, that's why we were there in the first place). We ate way too much so when we went to CostCo you'd think I wouldn't want to buy anything. Guess again. I got tomato soup, chicken stock, a roast (it's in the oven now), hot dogs, Kashii bars, aluminum foil, tylenol and what I was there for in the first place: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Sallie got X-Men: The Last Stand which we watched last night (it's so good!). At least we were able to resist the temptation of the glorious hand-dipped ice cream bar. We were just too full.

Today it's a triple-header of baseball playoff games, plus the opening of hockey season. I have to record Lost and The Nine for Sal and Dancing with the Stars, Top Model and Project Runway for me. Sal will be up late tonight! She's flying back to MN at noon so won't have any time for TV tomorrow.

A's Win! A's Win!!

The A's won a close game this morning 3-2 against the Minnesota Twins to go up 1-0 in the American League Division Series. Barry Zito walked the first batter who was subsequently thrown out at 2nd base and Zito didn't look back. He gave up only four hits (the first in the 5th!) including one home run to Rondell White in the 7th. The Twins didn't score again until the 9th when they benefited from a fly ball the A's right fielder lost in the Metrodome roof resulting in a triple for Michael Cuddyer who then scored on a ground ball. A's closer Huston Street got the save in his first opportunity in the playoffs.

The Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, was the offensive hero for the A's with two solo home runs to left field, one off starting pitcher Johan Santana who gave up only two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts but took the loss, his first at home since August 2005. Both pitchers were very impressive.

The second game is tomorrow morning. We'll see if Oakland can pull out another one, or if the Twins rookie starter Boof Bonser can stop the A's.

Go A's!!!

Don't Drive in the City

Why is it when you need a street to go a certain direction it's a one way street or you can't make a left turn or you can't go straight or turn right? Seriously, we had all those problems today driving around in San Fran.

We left for the North Bay and Muir Woods at 10:30 after a leisurely morning of breakfast, showering, the post office and getting gas. The sky was cloudy but the air was clear; we could see for miles. We took the Richmond/San Rafael bridge over to Larkspur and down to Highway 1 and over the tiny twisty turns out to the Woods. I had my camera so our planned 1 hour walk turned into a stop-n-go tour that took 2 hours after our decision to take the longest walking route. We enjoyed every minute.

We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge down to the City and (after stopping at Fort Miley for more views, pictures and walking) had a really late lunch at the Bistro in the Cliff House. The view was fantastic and the food was pretty good (though super pricey).

Sal had not been to Coit Tower so we made our way across the City through a few tunnels making not a few wrong turns. A word of advice: Don't drive through Chinatown and especially avoid Grant Street whenever possible. We finally made it to Coit Tower and after walking around and taking some more photos we headed for home taking some more wrong turns before finally getting on the Bay Bridge right during rush hour. It was a long trip home and we're sure glad to be here.

Here are some photos from the day. For more, check out my photo album.


Sal is in this photo. Can you spot her? (Muir Woods)


Roots are so cool. (Muir Woods)


My favorite photo from the Woods


This trip seemed to be all about trees. Here are some hella cool ones at Fort Miley.


Sal is much more easily seen in this pic. (Fort Miley)



The Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Miley



The Bay Bridge from Coit Tower



Coit Tower

A Whole Week

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I posted. I guess I didn't feel like sharing. I hope you weren't too worried.

Today I pickd up Sal at her hotel over on the peninsula. She's all done with her Borders job in SF. I visited the store on opening day on Thursday. It was pretty busy! We had lunch in the new food court and got grilled chicked kabobs at Asqew. It was terrific. For dinner we ate at one of the restaurants on the fourth floor (same as Borders), Straits. Instead of ordering entrees, we got several "small plates." I like the chicken satay and the spring rolls the best. Sal liked the samosas.

We ate pretty good for a couple days cuz the night before I went with all the Borders trainers to The Stinking Rose in North Beach. I usually order the 40 clove chicken but I branched out and got the meatloaf. It was super and just a tiny bit spicy. A successful trip off the beaten path.

For lunch on Friday I went with Paul to the new food court. We decided to try out the SF Soup Company. I tasted the split pea but wasn't impressed so got the tomato bisque. So yummy. I'll be getting that again for sure. We had a much harder time finding seats in the open area than Sal and I did the day before. There were so many people! I hope it settles down in a month or so.

So Sal's here until Thursday and I've taken the week off. We're going to Muir Woods and the City tomorrow and then the Oakland Zoo and shopping on Tuesday. Wednesday we're going to watch baseball and Harry Potter movies and let Sallie rest up before heading back to work in MN.

Today we're watching the Twins game on my DVR. We purposefully don't know if the Tigers won so we can folllow along with the emotions of the race for the AL Central Division. I just hope whoever ends up playing the Yankees kicks some butt. I could happily cheer for any of the other three teams: A's, Tigers or Twins.

Well, my lunch is done so I better eat it before it gets cold.
Go A's!