It's been two and half weeks since my last post, and I guess there's no better time than now to resume my ramblings. A good deal has happened to me in the last few days. I won't really get into it specifically, but I will say that loss has a way of making life seem more important. While I heard this sentiment originally in an episode of Six Feet Under, I personally believe it to be true.
Change in life is unavoidable and to many out there, quite frightening. It's amazing how fear of the unknown has the impact to trump dissatisfaction with the status quo. Sometimes its just easier to remain in a rut than to risk change that could possibly leave one worse off than before. I suppose the logic is that even if life is unsatisfying, at least its familiar and mostly predictable the way it is.
Perhaps a fear of failure is to blame. This is certainly a terrible plight to experience, because this kind of fear can lead directly to the consequences one hopes to avoid. Let's compare this with other fears. Take fear of heights. Having this aversion doesn't make one more likely to fall off a tall building. The same can be said for fear of snakes, spiders, enclosed spaces, and Glenn Beck. Now it may be true that fear of failure can inspire one to try that much harder. This is certainly a possibility and probably speaks more to the character of the person who finds success.
I hope this post didn't bring ya down, but sometimes it takes a few rainy days to truly appreciate the sunshine.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
You're Fired
The axe finally fell early today, as Dave Trembley was handed his walking papers...sort of. Apparently, Andy MacPhail would like the now ex-manager of the Baltimore Orioles to stay in the organization in some capacity. If I were the Trembs, I'd say 'no thanks, I'm good'.
This was an inevitable situation, folks. The truth of the matter is that the O's were destined for problems from the start. Their offensive igniter, Brian Roberts, never was healthy coming out of spring training, and his absence from the leadoff spot has had an immensely negative ripple effect on every hitter in the lineup. Felix Pie could have been a worthy replacement at the top of the order, but he went down to injury as well. Oh and then the guy we paid millions of dollars to close out games never got going, blowing two of his first three save opportunities. I still believe those early blown saves completely killed the sense of optimism and motivation that had been simmering among the team during Spring training.
This was supposed to be the year of respectability. As it turns out, it was another reality check. The Orioles are still just a team of potential. So far, the young guys have not developed at the pace that the front office would have hoped for. The team has no kind of veteran leadership, at least among positional players, which is essential for a team with so much youth and inexperience. You have rookie pitchers throwing to a rookie catcher. These guys have to learn on the fly, which is a tall task in the big leagues. Even Miguel Tejada, arguably the only semi-successful offseason pick-up for the O's, had to change positions going into the season. Although Tejada has at times shown impressive displays at his new post, he's still prone to committing errors that have cost the team some games. Oh yea and we haven't had a HR from the first base spot - that pretty much says it all in terms of the team's hitting woes.
I can't say I always agreed with Dave Trembley, especially when it came to his bullpen management. That was probably his weakest point as a skipper. However, he has remained a class-act throughout his tenure with the team. I'll always remember the press conference that took place after the O's ended their long string of Sunday losses (last year?). Trembley had a big fat cigar in his mouth for part of the interviews (although it didn't look like it was lit). That's the image I'll remember from Trembley, a guy who clearly appreciated all that was given to him.
The next coach that needs to be fired is Mr. Terry Crowley. I know the players probably love him, but he needs to answer for how this team is swinging the bat. Quality ABs are at a premium for this team. Aside from Nick Markakis, you can't point to many other guys who can effectively take pitches and work the count. It's time for the Crow to GO! That's all for now, peace and crackers.
This was an inevitable situation, folks. The truth of the matter is that the O's were destined for problems from the start. Their offensive igniter, Brian Roberts, never was healthy coming out of spring training, and his absence from the leadoff spot has had an immensely negative ripple effect on every hitter in the lineup. Felix Pie could have been a worthy replacement at the top of the order, but he went down to injury as well. Oh and then the guy we paid millions of dollars to close out games never got going, blowing two of his first three save opportunities. I still believe those early blown saves completely killed the sense of optimism and motivation that had been simmering among the team during Spring training.
This was supposed to be the year of respectability. As it turns out, it was another reality check. The Orioles are still just a team of potential. So far, the young guys have not developed at the pace that the front office would have hoped for. The team has no kind of veteran leadership, at least among positional players, which is essential for a team with so much youth and inexperience. You have rookie pitchers throwing to a rookie catcher. These guys have to learn on the fly, which is a tall task in the big leagues. Even Miguel Tejada, arguably the only semi-successful offseason pick-up for the O's, had to change positions going into the season. Although Tejada has at times shown impressive displays at his new post, he's still prone to committing errors that have cost the team some games. Oh yea and we haven't had a HR from the first base spot - that pretty much says it all in terms of the team's hitting woes.
I can't say I always agreed with Dave Trembley, especially when it came to his bullpen management. That was probably his weakest point as a skipper. However, he has remained a class-act throughout his tenure with the team. I'll always remember the press conference that took place after the O's ended their long string of Sunday losses (last year?). Trembley had a big fat cigar in his mouth for part of the interviews (although it didn't look like it was lit). That's the image I'll remember from Trembley, a guy who clearly appreciated all that was given to him.
The next coach that needs to be fired is Mr. Terry Crowley. I know the players probably love him, but he needs to answer for how this team is swinging the bat. Quality ABs are at a premium for this team. Aside from Nick Markakis, you can't point to many other guys who can effectively take pitches and work the count. It's time for the Crow to GO! That's all for now, peace and crackers.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Free Spilly
I just heard today that BP used a diamond-edged saw to successfully cut off the top of the damaged riser pipe! Yay! Unfortunately, the saw they used could only give them a 'rough' cut of the pipe instead of a clean one. The saw was actually used earlier in the week for the same purpose, but it got stuck halfway through. And that shit's made out of diamonds! The next step in this oily shitstorm is to put a cap on top of the opening in order to capture the oil and 'siphon' it to the surface. However, even this familiar challenge is being undertaken within BP's 'test and adapt' phase of operations. Isn't that where we've been from the beginning?
The oil spill is a problem that is getting worse by the day, and the effects it is having on the Gulf Coast region are just now being felt. Florida's coastal regions could begin seeing the oil as early as today. Life both in the sea and on the land will be directly affected, not to mention the economies of these areas, as tourism inevitably plummets and fishing companies lose money and go under.
This is an issue that the federal government needs to really step up in. I'd like to see President Obama become a little more vocal about the spill. He speak about BP with a harsher tone than he has thus far used. Bush was faulted for his complacency in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Obama needs to be the anti-Bush in this situation - isn't that why is got elected in the first place? Obviously a president's time is priceless, but the oil spill has to be priority number one.
It should be obvious to most people by now that BP is a company that cuts corners in order to turn a larger profit. The Oil age is killing us people! As long as companies like BP are being relied upon for our energy consumption, we will have to deal with problems like these. Sure, the last significant oil spill was well over a decade ago, but the consequences that follow last for probably as many years after.
I read today that electric chargup stations will be installed in a handful of locations throughout the country. These stations will preclude the arrival of several semi-electric vehicles being introduced for 2011, including the Ford Focus and GM's Volt. This is a great step forward for our transition into a new energy era and I just thought I'd end the post on a positive note by mentioning it. See ya soon.
The oil spill is a problem that is getting worse by the day, and the effects it is having on the Gulf Coast region are just now being felt. Florida's coastal regions could begin seeing the oil as early as today. Life both in the sea and on the land will be directly affected, not to mention the economies of these areas, as tourism inevitably plummets and fishing companies lose money and go under.
This is an issue that the federal government needs to really step up in. I'd like to see President Obama become a little more vocal about the spill. He speak about BP with a harsher tone than he has thus far used. Bush was faulted for his complacency in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Obama needs to be the anti-Bush in this situation - isn't that why is got elected in the first place? Obviously a president's time is priceless, but the oil spill has to be priority number one.
It should be obvious to most people by now that BP is a company that cuts corners in order to turn a larger profit. The Oil age is killing us people! As long as companies like BP are being relied upon for our energy consumption, we will have to deal with problems like these. Sure, the last significant oil spill was well over a decade ago, but the consequences that follow last for probably as many years after.
I read today that electric chargup stations will be installed in a handful of locations throughout the country. These stations will preclude the arrival of several semi-electric vehicles being introduced for 2011, including the Ford Focus and GM's Volt. This is a great step forward for our transition into a new energy era and I just thought I'd end the post on a positive note by mentioning it. See ya soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)