Snitker got his Braves to score some runs for a change. Will be interesting to see how he manages differently than Fredi – whether he will go by the book of bench players is prolonged slumps (Aybar) to at least get better defense on the field, or play the hot hand (Mallex Smith, below) even though a lefty is on the hill.
The Braves young pitching continues to improve. Teheran keeps getting better, and Wisler (below) and Folty keep giving good outings. That is 3 of the 5 starters. Shea Simmons will soon return from his Tommy John surgery. He has started the last two games out in Gwinnett and has struck out six in two innings. Plus the team is starting to hit. It wasn't just the first month of the Braves schedule that was the toughest in baseball, but the first 45 games. Fans don't understand that.
Last night I was reading comments about the Braves and the first four were factually incorrect. People make sweeping generalizations that aren't true, knowing that 99% of the time what they say won't be challenged. Then if they are taken to task, they just brush it away with another inaccurate generalization. I love it when beat writer Dave O'Brien points out the error of their ways.
I'm not saying the Braves will break .500 or win the division. After starting 9-29 the Braves would have to 54-70 the rest of the way to avoid losing 100 games, winning 44% of their games. That probably won't happen. Making the trade with the Dodgers for Olivera was probably a mistake, as the Braves has received zero all year from their projected starting leftfielder (though Alex Wood hasn't contributed in LA). Freeman is just now coming out of his slump and Incarte (top) has just returned from the disabled list.
C and A went to the High Museum Tuesday. Last night A went over to eat dinner at John's house. M didn't come home until late after spending the day at Sheps. I left work at six and stopped by Best Buy looking for a radio for Will's Jeep. The cheapest is $200.00. C was putting in her student's final grades. I was still full from lunch (leftover homemade pizza) and cereal on the way home. Neither one of us were too hungry for supper. Watched The Voice and Chicago Med, a really good show. Then The Middle while I worked on the computer. Went to bed at 10:30.
Wednesday: On the way to work I just HAD to stop by McDonalds to use my bacon egg & cheese McGriddles, and now I am all full again. Blah. Brought leftover chicken enchilada stuffing for lunch.
Wednesday afternoon A ran to the store for C. Ceil cooked Mexican. After supper A and C went shopping and I crashed on the couch. Watched the Braves game and Jeopardy. It is celebrity week – newspeople like Anderson Cooper. They weren't super smart. The CNN lady whose charity had to do with art couldn't answer any of the art questions.
In the afternoon I started sneezing and my throat started hurting. Felt like I had a fever, my joints have been hurting. Got worse last night. Took some nighttime medicine after supper and went to bed but I didn't sleep well. The meds dried me out but my joints still ache. I almost never get sick but this one hit me hard. I was planning on leaving work early today anyway.
Frustrating when I'm at work Thursday busting my butt even though I'm sick, and others repeatedly forget to attend regularly scheduled meetings. I'm so busy I don't take my lunch up to the fridge, then eat it at my desk without warming it up.
Cleveland looks strong but could run into trouble in the finals. Will the Raptors get the same harassment for losing that the Hawks got?
Computers: a year or two ago my old 2010 laptop was required to upgrade because the operating system it was on was no longer supported by our IT department. It made everything different and not as easy. Last week the lady next to me got a new computer and it has Windows 10, which is completely different than what I have. She keeps asking me questions and I keep telling her that I'm not the computer department. Another lady said that on Sunday her computer started "upgrading" and as of yesterday/Tuesday it was still upgrading. I think she might have a virus.
My young single co-worker was wondering about the decisions married couples face, and I delivered Dock's father's sage advice: "When we got married we decided I would make all the major decisions and my wife would make all the minor ones. Well in 30 years of marriage there has yet to be a major decision."
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Signs You're Smarter than Average
Five signs you are much smarter than average, another LinkedIn / TalentSmart article by young Dr. Travis Bradberry:
Intelligence (IQ) isn’t what you know but rather the pace at which you acquire new information. IQ is fixed at an early age, but is far from the only thing that determines success in life. It’s not even the most important factor. Albert Einstein said “The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.”
New research provides clues that link early life experiences to, among other things, high intelligence. If any of the following apply to you, you just might have a high IQ.
1. You’re anxious. This might not be all bad. One study found the most anxious participants were also the most focused and effective at accomplishing tasks. This may be me.
2. You were an early reader. This could have a developmental impact – actually making the kid smarter. So if you were an early reader it might not be because you were smart. It may be that you’re smart because you were an early reader. Not sure if I was an early reader.
3. You’re left-handed. There you go – I’m left-handed. One large study demonstrated left-handedness is associated with divergent thinking – especially in males. This unique ability to combine two unrelated objects in a meaningful way is a sign of intelligence. Perhaps teachers should be trying to force right-handed kids to use their left hand.
4. You took music lessons as a kid. Numerous studies showed musical training enhances verbal intelligence and executive function, a skill critical to focus and self-control. My kids did, but I didn’t.
5. You’re funny. Another point for me. Research shows a strong connection between being funny and having high scores in both verbal intelligence and abstract reasoning. Witty banter is the product of a sharp mind.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Hope They're Happy
Braves fire manager Fredi Gonzalez. Must’ve been the accent mark Fredi recently had placed over the A on the back of his jersey (see below). Maybe they renewed Fredi’s contract last year because they knew it would be worse this year. Last year on July 4 the Braves were in position to make a playoff run, but Grilli’s season-ending injury was the nail in the coffin. Fredi won 89, 94, and 96 games his first three years as a manager, and was manager of the year before that in Miami.
Now that all the so-called experts have gotten what they wanted, we’ll see if the Braves players start magically hitting and winning. Nice that Brian Snitker has finally gotten a managerial position, even if it is temporary. And Might as well let Snit manage the rest of the season. Good thing Gwinnett already gave away Snitker’s bobblehead. I was wondering why they had the giveaway so early in the season. Eddie Perez has been promoted to first base coach and Pendleton to bench coach. Bobby Dews died too soon.

Good article here about the 1976 Braves wearing nicknames on the backs of jerseys:
Down in the Fan Plaza they have a life-sized cutout of the Chipper/Freddie 4-wheeler bobblehead, with Freddie’s head cut out so you can have your picture taken.
Been to many Braves games so far? I haven’t been since the April 30 game at Gwinnett, and before that the two down at Turner Field. I’m trying not to live and die on every pitch this year so am a little more out of touch than previous years. Would be nice if Wisler can keep it up for another 10-15 years, though.
ROB: I have not been to a Braves game yet this year! The young starters are looking great. I wish they would put Castro at SS and bring Peterson back up to play 2B and give them the best defense they can. They won't score runs until Markakis and Inciarte start hitting anyway. When healthy, Beckham has been very good on both sides of the ball at 3B. I would also like to see Fredi drop your guy Mallex in the leadoff spot and leave him there.
ME: Williams Perez looked horrible in the first inning of that Gwinnett game, but seems to have righted himself after that (or not).
Good article about Vin Scully in this week’s SI.
I hate it for John Parkes that he won’t be able to go to games. I think the cheapest ticket might be $7.00, but it will vary by game. I will miss those dollar tickets myself.
Reading a good book “One Summer: America, 1927” by Bill Bryson. Ruth and Gehrig, Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney. Lindbergh. Al Capone. Herbert Hoover. Very good. Sounds like things were as bad then as they are now.
Monday: Anna and John made pizza dough from scratch last night. They made a pepperoni pizza. M made one of his buffalo chicken pizzas, and C made us one with ground beef peppers and onions. M went over to Sheps house – their band has a gig the night before Halloween. J and A went to Roswell and Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee House.
One of my long stories: Friday night we went to MC’s brother Thomas’ high school graduation at JFBC. He has started dating classmate Holly – sister of Will’s friend Conner Smith, who just finished his junior season of basketball at Oglethorpe. Holly has taken ballet at Eastside Baptist Church since like kindergarten. Anna danced with Holly for years until Anna gave up dance to concentrate on art. This year Holly was the only senior in the Eastside program. This past Saturday was their year-end recital, and Thomas danced a duet with Holly. Thomas had the Troy Bolton role in the school play: High School Musical 2. Holly also had a lead role in the play.
After the graduation we went over to MC’s uncle’s house to eat BBQ. Holly’s parents stopped by – her dad grew up on the same street as MC’s dad and his brothers. I got the update on Oglethorpe basketball. Conner had a good year, but two of the best players missed the second half of the season, wasting a promising start. They should be better next year. Conner’s high school teammate at St. Francis just finished his freshman year at FSU, and could be a first round draft pick.
Need to pay a visit next weekend to see your friend at Tire Deals.
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Monday, May 16, 2016
Days of the Week
Tuesday: I worked til six and stopped by RaceTrac and two thrift stores on the way home. Bought a nice Columbia shirt and a long sleeve Braves pullover: warm and nice. I’d thought C was going to the store so I took my time. Helped her finish cleaning the house. Anna and John arrived about eight, and a few minutes later John’s dad arrived to pick him up. Taco salad for supper. A and M hung out downstairs for a while. Watched Chicago Med. Computer was slow and I forgot to make a blog post on my phone, missing the first day in 1-1/2 years. I had it all written out but I just didn’t get it posted.
Wednesday: Ruby Tuesday salad bar for lunch. C and A went to Target, Publix, and Trader Joes. M went to Sprouts. Supper was boneless chicken breasts baked in gravy, rice, kale, broccoli, and squash. Later I did the dishes. Internet isn’t working with four people trying to get on line. Watched Heartbeat, Modern Family, Seinfeld, and The Middle.
Posted a bobblehead on eBay for $100.00. One just like it had recently sold for $75 but I was in no hurry. Mine immediately attracted interest, so I quickly jacked the price up to $150.00. It sold in about an hour. There’s one other like it for sale on eBay for $200 that hasn’t sold yet. There’s going to be a bobblehead day for pitcher Aaron Nola, wearing one of those jesters hats you see at Mardi Grah.
Thursday: A was to meet John for lunch but had left her keys in C’s car, and C had A’s spare key in her purse. Not good. Tonight John comes to dinner and Will is coming back as well, so I’ll leave work at 5 pm today. Six cars in the driveway.
We have a new lady at work I’m trying to train. She’s busy on the switchboard until tomorrow, which make teaching complicated things harder. Ties up my time and I get less done, but if we keep her it will mean less work in the long run.
Left work at 5 pm both Thursday and Friday and drove straight home. Thursday night we had a house full: Will, Anna, Matthew, Anna’s friend John, and MC’s brother Thomas. Ceil baked Anna’s favorite enchiladas. For dessert brownies and ice cream. Later the kids played a complicated game. M took off to band practice at Shep’s. We watched the OKC/Spurs game. I went to bed at 10 pm. Thomas had come from his graduation practice. His parents had flown to Oklahoma. Dr. Tom would be staying through Sunday for MC’s outdoor graduation (it rained) but Regina returned Friday for Thomas’ graduation.
Friday night W, A, and I found seats in the sanctuary for the Johnson Ferry Christian Academy graduation. MC’s uncle and his partner sat with us. Seven short speeches by graduates (only two boys), and Thomas’ was one of the better ones, thanks to his experience as a performer in 4H. Photos and reception afterwards, catered by Righteous Que BBQ. At 10 pm the party moved north to Regina’s brother’s house, where there was more BBQ. Thomas had recently started dating fellow graduate Holly – sister of Oglethorpe basketballer Conner Smith. Holly’s parents Brent and Carol made an appearance. Brent grew up in Sandy Springs with the Gilbert boys. He said last year after a strong start, Oglethorpe lost two of their best players, and struggled the rest of the way. Conner played well but couldn’t carry the team by himself. The Petrels should be better next year. Joel Norman stopped by. It was after midnight before we got home.
Saturday morning I helped Will pack up his SUV. We drove to Costco to get him a card and fill up his tank for 2.059. He went on to Cartersville to load more stuff before attending pad Harry’s graduation party. I took the scenic route home after eating a big Costco hot dog. Stopped by four thrift stores and two RaceTracs. Anna went over to John’s house and M went to a concert in Cumming. C and I cleaned upstairs and hung curtains in our bedroom. With W moved out there’s more space in the downstairs bedroom as well. We didn’t finish until after 8 pm, and so we crashed on the couch to watch the Hallmark Channel.
Our Sunday School class always brings in different speakers on a variety of topics. Most are great but yesterday’s was a flop: some young downtown lawyer/wannabe politician who thought he was an expert on everything. He would just talk and talk (he kept bragging about his 13 pages of notes) not realizing the blasphemy and inaccuracy of some of the things he was saying. He really didn’t make any point – he just rambled for an hour. After a while it got depressing. Later my friend Lee said he listened from another room so he wouldn’t try to respond. Lee said it was good his wife Nancy wasn’t there because she would’ve picked him to pieces.
It was hard to concentrate to Bryant’s excellent sermon after the Sunday School catastrophe and the song leader’s insistence of drawing the attention away from whoever’s singing the solo. This week it was Heather Swilley Taylor. Perhaps we’ll go back to Passion City Church. I’m not a social butterfly who’s going to introduce myself to a bunch of people I don’t know. Most of the Johnson Ferry men stick to themselves and their regular group of friends. Besides the small group of guys that I know, only a small handful have really reached out. I know it is as much me as it is them.
After church we stopped by Publix. Ceil cooked burgers and organic fries. I watched golf and the Braves (in throwback uniforms, above) and did some laundry and worked on the computer. M went to Passion and Lenox Square. Anna walked the Beltline and attended Grace Midtown. C went to The Avenue and IKEA and walked with Noelle.
When I’m in Myrtle Beach this summer I can either go to a Pelicans game on dollar beer night or buy one get one free hot dog night. Which one should I pick? Actually the game I pick will probably depend on everyone else’s plans, like for dinner. We always go to a nearby Bonefish, a local place called Stephens, as well as an hour up the road to Holden Beach. I’ll be needed to drive to Holden if my mother in law is able to go.
See where 87 year old Jane Little passed away? She was the tiny lady playing the huge bass in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She also played at SPdL, according to Jayne Bedingfield.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Spring Reading List
One Summer: America, 1927, by Bill Bryson. Most interesting. Imperfect hero Charles Lindbergh wins the race to become the first to fly from New York to Paris, demonstrating his superior aviation skills. Sometime friends / sometime enemies Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig lead the dominant Yankees. Demur US President Calvin Coolidge cools his heels in South Dakota. Millionaire turned politician Hebert Hoover, surely the Donald Trump of his day, leads disaster relief of the historic flooding of the Mississippi River without using any federal funds. Back then citizens did not look to the government for help at every dark cloud. The massive flooding and record temperatures shows there’s really nothing new in the global warming/climate change game. After revolutionizing the automotive industry, by 1927 Henry Ford has fallen behind General Motors and Chrysler. Abolition did little to stem the flow of alcohol. Shady banking practices and stock market profiteering fed the skyrocketing US economy. Most murders, and there were many, went unsolved. Sounds a lot like today.
The Hemingses of Monticello, by Annette Gordon-Reed. While informative, the author constantly reminds the reader throughout all thousand pages that slavery is bad. We get it.
The Jefferson Key: a Novel (Cotton Malone # 7), by Steve Berry. Another exciting read from the Camden resident.
Happens Every Day: an All-True Story, by Isabel Gillies. Actress gives up her role on TV to follow her husband to his job as an English professor in Ohio, where he promptly leaves her for a younger woman.
The Receptionist: an Education at the New Yorker, by Janet Groth. Midwestern girl heads to the big city in 1957.
A Treasury of Royal Scandals, by Michael Farquhar. Not worth finishing.
Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me, by Chelsea Handler. Actually a compilation of stories written by the entertainer’s siblings, employees, and “friends” whom she takes on exotic vacations for the sole purpose of playing cruel tricks on them. Not sure why I finished this one. Sad.
Memorial Day (Mitch Rapp # 7), by Vince Flynn
Friday, May 13, 2016
Earl Campbell < Herschel
Like Gale Sayers, Earl Campbell made the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a short but productive career. In eight years the Tyler Rose gained 10,213 all-purpose yards.
Herschel Walker gained almost 50% more yards than Campbell in his first eight years as a pro, out-gaining the Texan every season. Walker totaled 14,668 yards in his first eight years. After eight years Campbell was worn out. Herschel went on to gain another ten thousand yards.
If you only count his first eight years in the NFL, Herschel still out-gained Campbell by over 1,100 yards. Earl only out-gained Walker in three of their first eight NFL seasons.
Herschel’s NFL stats compare favorably with every other Hall-of-Famer as well. Add his three seasons in the USFL and Walker’s stats are greater than any other pro player. Yet Walker has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Walker never played in a Super Bowl. Does that hold him back? Earl Campbell never played in a Super Bowl, yet he made the hall.
Walker never played in a Super Bowl. Does that hold him back? Earl Campbell never played in a Super Bowl, yet he made the hall.
…EC..HW w/USFL.HW NFL
1. 01498 02301 01574
2. 01791 01867 01606
3. 01981 02878 02019
4. 01532 01574 01338
5. 00668 01606 01085
6. 01517 02019 01029
7. 00495 01338 01348
8. 00731 01085 01356
T. 10213 14668 11355
While researching these numbers I stumbled across a detailed analysis of the greatest yards from scrimmage seasons in history. As usual, Herschel’s greatest season was left off the list. Pro-rating Walker’s 1985 season to 16 games nearly equaled OJ Simpson’s record-setting 1975 season.
1975 2243 2563 OJ Simpson
1985 2878 2558 Herschel Walker
2009 2509 2509 Chris Johnson
1963 2131 2435 Jim Brown
1999 2429 2429 Marshall Faulk
1977 2121 2424 Walter Payton
2005 2390 2390 Tiki Barber
2003 2370 2370 LaDanian Tomlinson
1973 2073 2369 OJ Simpson
1997 2358 2358 Barry Sanders
2006 2334 2334 Steven Jackson
1983 2301 2045 Herschel Walker
1988 2019 2019 Herschel Walker
1980 1981 1981 Earl Campbell
2012 1694 1964 Calvin Johnson
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Hawks > Bulls
ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon was badmouthing the Hawks, but Atlanta’s recent playoff record has been much better than Wilbon’s team (the Bulls). Don’t most teams struggle against Cleveland? People say the Hawks need a superstar, but a superstar is not an easy thing to acquire. Great players aren’t readily available. Veteran and young superstars are either locked up or come with warts. Joe Johnson didn’t pan out. Some of the Golden State players may follow Luke Walton to the Lakers. Can OKC keep both Westbrook and Durant? Could a team like the Hawks make it to the next level with just one player like that? The Hawks could trade up for a lottery pick, but would an uncertain reward justify such a high cost?
It’s really a roll of the dice. Rarely does a high draft pick turn out to be Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, or even an Anthony Davis. The Hawks hit on Dominique and Pete Maravich, but not much since then. Dikembe Motumbo was a great defender but not a championship caliber franchise player. Al Horford isn’t either. Is it worth it to keep him? Yes, because a superstar will need players around him: Horford, Teague, the aging Kyle Koerver.
Saturday morning we drove to Athens, picked up Anna, and drove over to the Athens Farmers Market. Saw Anna’s future roommate. Came back and loaded our CRV with stuff from her room. Took her fridge and left it outside the car to defrost while we went to lunch. Got back to Atlanta around 4 pm. Later I drove C to Perimeter Mall to return an item.
For Mother’s Day C wanted to go to Passion City Church, so we attended the 10 am service. I sat behind Chickfila’s Dan Cathy. Afterwards we ate at Chuys near Perimeter Mall. Then M drove to a birthday party south of Covington, the longest drive he’s ever made.
Will had driven from OKC to Memphis Saturday afternoon. He ate dinner at Gus’ fried chicken, having read Lang’s article about the place in GQ. Will made it home Sunday afternoon. We went to Home Depot and Sprouts, and ate pesto chicken, green beans, and salad. Later W and C drove up to Cartersville and loaded up the CRV with wedding presents.
Hated those pink-trimmed Yankee uniforms on Sunday night. I hear ARod pulled a hamstring.
Yesterday we left at 10 am for Augusta. W had to stop by the bank so I motored on. Bad traffic on 400 South and 20 East. With plenty of time on my hands I stopped in Conyers (thrift store and Wendy’s), Madison (thrift store, Dollar Tree, and gas), and Augusta (two thrift stores and Wendy’s). Will had to get some shots, so I made it to his new townhouse before him. The realtor was there so he let me look around. Will came, signed the paperwork, and we unloaded both SUVs. Found a beehive on the border of his townhouse and his neighbor’s. His buddy Chandler stopped by, one of the groomsmen in his wedding. Will and I ate at the Moe’s just up the street, then went shopping for a mattress set. Went to three places and bought one at Sears. Left for Atlanta around 7:45. 32 MPG – not bad. Gassed up in Sandy Springs before arriving home.
W & MC’s townhouse is just off Washington Road, near Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods. Drove past there on our way to the Masters last month. Not far from the river and Augusta Canal bike trail.
Gassed up my car on the way to work this morning. Also stopped by Kroger. Got in to work this morning and my login doesn't work. On hold with the help desk and after 30 minutes still not resolved. Worked through a stack of emails but need the computer to look up info on the others.
Anna comes home tonight. Thursday night when Will returns we hope to have John over for dinner.
The Skip & Pete bobblehead. A nice little talking bobble you should hang on to.
Monday, May 09, 2016
Moving Day # 3
Saturday Will left Oklahoma to head back to Georgia, spending the night in Memphis with big sister Catherine Norman. Ceil and I went to Athens to move back a carload of Anna's stuff.
Sunday Will made it back to East Cobb. Later he and C drove up to Cartersville to load up with CRV with wedding presents.
Today W and I drove to Augusta and unloaded both SUVs. Ate at Moes and bought a mattress set. That's him above in front of his townhouse.
Tuesday Anna finishes her freshman year and returns home to East Cobb.
Wednesday Matthew takes his last final exam.
Thursday Will drives back to Atlanta to get another load of stuff.
Friday MC graduates in Oklahoma. Her brother graduates from high school.
Saturday after attending Harry's graduation party W heads back to Augusta.
Next Monday Will starts medical school and M starts his summer internship.
The next weekend (the 21st or 22nd) Anna heads to Ellijay to start her summer as a counselor at Camp Highland.
Sunday Will made it back to East Cobb. Later he and C drove up to Cartersville to load up with CRV with wedding presents.
Today W and I drove to Augusta and unloaded both SUVs. Ate at Moes and bought a mattress set. That's him above in front of his townhouse.
Tuesday Anna finishes her freshman year and returns home to East Cobb.
Wednesday Matthew takes his last final exam.
Thursday Will drives back to Atlanta to get another load of stuff.
Friday MC graduates in Oklahoma. Her brother graduates from high school.
Saturday after attending Harry's graduation party W heads back to Augusta.
Next Monday Will starts medical school and M starts his summer internship.
The next weekend (the 21st or 22nd) Anna heads to Ellijay to start her summer as a counselor at Camp Highland.
Sunday, May 08, 2016
Jedi Uga
2016 Bobblehead # 4, thanks to Anna and John: Jedi Hairy Dawg, from today's UGA baseball game. Already selling for $75.00.
Saturday, May 07, 2016
Moving Day # 1
Went to Athens this morning to pick up a load of Anna's stuff. Stopped by the Athens farmers market, a place loaded with Bernie backers. Luckily Ceil, Anna, and I were dressed to fit in, with me in my checked shirt, jeans, and royal blue sneakers.
Took this picture of Ceil and Anna participating in a lettuce survey. Turned out the joke was on me: they were both paid five bucks.
Ate lunch at the Big City Bread Cafe. Had a turkey burger and we all split some fries baked with olive oil. Very good.
Right now I'm tracking Will on my phone as he drives from OKC to Memphis. Tonight he's staying with Catherine Norman. Tomorrow he'll drive the rest of the way.
Took this picture of Ceil and Anna participating in a lettuce survey. Turned out the joke was on me: they were both paid five bucks.
Ate lunch at the Big City Bread Cafe. Had a turkey burger and we all split some fries baked with olive oil. Very good.
Right now I'm tracking Will on my phone as he drives from OKC to Memphis. Tonight he's staying with Catherine Norman. Tomorrow he'll drive the rest of the way.
Friday, May 06, 2016
Dansby
Dansby Swanson did so well he has already been promoted.
Fans complaining about this year's Braves were the same ones complaining when the team was winning 15 straight division championships back in the 90's.
The LPGA's 18 year-old Lydia Ko recently became the youngest golfer to win two majors since Young Tom Morris in 1869.
Why would the owner of the Solomon Brothers Jewelers name his son Jared?
Fans complaining about this year's Braves were the same ones complaining when the team was winning 15 straight division championships back in the 90's.
The LPGA's 18 year-old Lydia Ko recently became the youngest golfer to win two majors since Young Tom Morris in 1869.
Why would the owner of the Solomon Brothers Jewelers name his son Jared?
Thursday, May 05, 2016
Snit
2016 Bobblehead number 3: Gwinnett manager Brian Snitker. Long time Braves coach with an interesting backstory.
Dock’s dad is on another one of his whirlwind road trips, this time up the northern seaboard. Lots of good restaurants and ballgames. They caught a game in Washington and yesterday’s Mets/Braves game.
My mornings got busier because I took over a task that has to be completed between 9 and 10 am every day.
This is M’s the last week of classes and he’s been trying to get all his work done. C and I have been trying to give him computer time and not nag him to get it done. He stayed up late Tuesday night to finish a paper. This made him so sick he missed school Wednesday. School administrators were not pleased.
Tuesday night C ran errands and brought back Taqueria take-out for dinner. Wednesday night she made a sausage and noodle dish. Watched Ceil’s show Heartbeat. Those shows want to address the most bizarre/topical types of humanity: homosexuals, transsexuals, gender-changes, child abusers, and weirdo fundamental Christians not wanting medical treatment. But never radical Muslims.
At least the Hawks played better in the second half, though by then the outcome had already been decided. Flipped it over to Hogan’s Heroes and a silly episode of Laverne and Shirley, which C and M loved.
Wednesday, May 04, 2016
Graduation Banner
Our neighborhood's graduation banner just went up, with two familiar names. Looks like Will got pushed into the bushes by an extra name this year.
Tuesday, May 03, 2016
Coffee House Concert
M had spent Thursday and Friday night at Shep’s getting ready for the Saturday night show. They had secured the use of Intown Community Church’s little coffee house.
Nineteen attended: the three band members, six parents, and ten friends. M told a joke to test the sound system, and continued to let his personality show throughout the evening.
Despite a scratchy throat, Shep did most of the singing, but M did his share. Songs included Won't Back Down, Miss Those Sleepless Nights, Sail Away, Beast with Two Hands, one that matthew sung, and Intown Song #4
After playing numerous songs on their electric guitars, after a break drummer Will pulled out his banjo and joined M and Shep playing an acoustic set. It was the most I’d ever seen M play. He did a great job and seemed to have a good time.
Sunday School and worship at Johnson Ferry. Afterwards C napped upstairs and I napped downstairs. M went to Passion City Church, where the service honored the UGA girls who had died in the accident last week. C went to the grocery and I folded laundry. Watched Toronto beat Indiana.
Just read in www.buckheadview.com that the Garden Hills Fellini’s has filed paperwork to raze the remaining buildings and completely rebuild, with additional parking. The new Fellini’s will be the only restaurant / business on the site. The owner used to live there on Rumson Road for many years. His wife had just passed away, after teaching for many years at Garden Hills Elementary. The story was funny because he kept going from info on the Fellini’s shopping center to personal stuff about the owner and his late wife, and how the owner called the writer back like he said he would after he was done with his wife’s funeral arrangements and back working on the restaurant project.
Last Thursday I took the scenic way home. We had been to the Krog Street Market one time, but those other shops (on Highland I guess) I had never even seen before.
The food at Agave was very good. Waitress very nice. I had wanted the burrito all along but was going to order something I thought was less spicy. What E and C got looked good as well. I forgot to ask C for a bite.
Monday, May 02, 2016
Ozzie Albies: AAA Debut
Productive Saturday. Cleaned upstairs, putting more up in the attic. Cleaned out the attic landed and threw away a bunch of stuff. Moved a chair downstairs and a mattress upstairs.
Left at 3:10 and headed over to CoolRay Field. Stopped by QT for a drink and RaceTrac for a fill-it-up cup. Parked next to bobblehead Bobby and LJ, bought a ticket, and hung out in the cool shade with LJ and Matthew Gilbert, a regular I had met before. In seemingly no time the crowd gathered and the gates opened.
I went out and went through the line again to get Kevin his manager Brian Snitker bobblehead, then we went out again to stash our loot in our cars. Walked around and talked to Johnny and Hugh.
Shortstop Ozzie Albies had just been called up from AA Mississippi, and this was his first game in AAA Gwinnett. Norman shot dozens of pictures of him and everything else).
In the top of the first pitcher Williams Perez gave up a leadoff home run. Perez was wearing some goofy white shoes (above) that probably contributed to his poor performance. The next six Columbus batters also reached first base, before Albies finally turned a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play (below).
I watched Ozzie lead off with a hard grounder to second-base, then made my leave at 7:30 and headed to Toco Hills for M's concert (more on that tomorrow). Good thing, as it wasn't long before a thunderstorm washed out the game. While merging onto I-85 south I was nearly broadsided by a speeding driver hell-bent on passing a car on the right.
Left at 3:10 and headed over to CoolRay Field. Stopped by QT for a drink and RaceTrac for a fill-it-up cup. Parked next to bobblehead Bobby and LJ, bought a ticket, and hung out in the cool shade with LJ and Matthew Gilbert, a regular I had met before. In seemingly no time the crowd gathered and the gates opened.
I went out and went through the line again to get Kevin his manager Brian Snitker bobblehead, then we went out again to stash our loot in our cars. Walked around and talked to Johnny and Hugh.
Shortstop Ozzie Albies had just been called up from AA Mississippi, and this was his first game in AAA Gwinnett. Norman shot dozens of pictures of him and everything else).
In the top of the first pitcher Williams Perez gave up a leadoff home run. Perez was wearing some goofy white shoes (above) that probably contributed to his poor performance. The next six Columbus batters also reached first base, before Albies finally turned a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play (below).
I watched Ozzie lead off with a hard grounder to second-base, then made my leave at 7:30 and headed to Toco Hills for M's concert (more on that tomorrow). Good thing, as it wasn't long before a thunderstorm washed out the game. While merging onto I-85 south I was nearly broadsided by a speeding driver hell-bent on passing a car on the right.
Sunday, May 01, 2016
May Bobbleheads
5.01 SUN MIL Ryan Braun franchise HR leader BH
5.03 TUE STL Jeff Suppan 2006 WS mini BH
5.03 TUE Charlotte Knights Matt Davidson Jedi Knight BH 3000
5.03 TUE Lehigh Valley Ironpigs Larry Holmes BH
5.05 THU SF Lou Seal Cinco de Mayo mascot BH
5.06 FRI CIN Star Wars Yoda BH
5.07 SAT CIN Star Wars Mr. Redlegs X Wing Fighter BH
5.07 SAT SF Captain America BH
5.07 SAT CWS Chris Sale K-counter BH
5.07 SAT MIA Jeff Conine 95 ASG BH
5.07 SAT HOU Dallas Keuchul Cy Young/Gold Glove BH
5.07 SAT ARIZ Paul Goldschmidt BH
5.08 SUN UGA Hairy Dog Halloween bobble
5.09 MON BOS Star Wars Death Star baseball
5.10 TUE BOS David Price BH
5.11 WED LAD manager Dave Roberts BH
5.11 WED WAS Bryce Harper MVP BH
5.12 THU MIL kids paint your own BH
5.13 FRI York Revolution Marquise de LaFayette 1500
5.13 FRI BHAM Mark Buehrle BH
5.14. SAT SEA Kyle Seager BH
5.14 SAT TEX Rougned Odor BH
5.14 SAT Tulsa Drillers Nolan Arenado BH
5.14 SAT KC vs ATL Ned Yost BH
5.15 SUN KC vs ATL Negro League Uniforms
5.17 TUE STL Chris Duncan 2006 WS mini BH
5.17 TUE DET Ian Kinsler BH
5.19 THU UGA baseball BH
5.20 FRI LAA Trout wall catch figurine
5.20 FRI Altoona Curve Out of This World astronaut Andrew McCutchen
5.21 SAT PIT Raise the Jolly Roger mascot BH
5.21 SAT MIA Kevin Brown 97 ASG BH
5.21 SAT CIN Ken Griffey JR young/old double BH
5.22 SUN MIA Ichiro Suzuki hit counter BH
5.23 MON WAS Max Scherzer no-hitter BH piece 1 of 2
5.24 TUE STL David Eckstein 2006 WS mini BH
5.25 WED LAD Adrian Gonzalez BH
5.27 FRI York Revolution Voni Grimes music box BH
5.28 SAT Braves Chipper rescues Freddie BH
5.28 SAT OAK Josh Reddick BH
5.29 SUN TOR Delgado/Bautista/Wells triple BH
5.29 SUN TEX Nitto Tire Blue Dot BH 1 of 3
ESPN article: "From Hall of Famers to Hello Kitty, ranking each MLB team's bobblehead giveaways” by David Schoenfield. Not a bad ranking if you’re a Braves fan. If you add the Star Wars John Schuerholz and Nick Markakis as the to be announced bobble, and the Braves might have the best bobblehead lineup in all of baseball this year.
ESPN article: "From Hall of Famers to Hello Kitty, ranking each MLB team's bobblehead giveaways” by David Schoenfield. Not a bad ranking if you’re a Braves fan. If you add the Star Wars John Schuerholz and Nick Markakis as the to be announced bobble, and the Braves might have the best bobblehead lineup in all of baseball this year.
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