Just read this story this morning: http://tinyurl.com/5v7ejg
Highlights of the article:The drug works by increasing the effects of nitric oxide, which makes blood vessels expand. That should, theoretically, allow blood cells to get more oxygen from the lungs. It might also improve heart function.
Some preliminary studies have shown that cyclists taking Viagra improved their performances by up to 40 percent.
Viagra is only likely to help athletes such as runners, cyclists or skiers. Viagra does not work directly on muscles so will not make athletes stronger.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Down On The Farm
Things have been busy around here lately and I never got a chance to write about Father's Day. The boys made me a very cool t-shirt and they went to an arts and crafts store and made me a little something special. They also bought me the MLB Wii 2K8 game which I've been playing with my six year old for the past two weeks. Finally, they took me to a Clippers Baseball game.
The Clippers are the Washington Nationals AAA farm team. It just so happened that the Clippers were playing the Indianapolis Indians, the Pittsburgh Pirates AAA team. So we were able to see some of the Pirates top prospects and even saw Paul Lo Duca of the Nationals and Ronnie Paulino of the Pirates, who were both on rehab assignments. The pitcher for the Indians was Jimmy Barthmaier, who was just called up to pitch for the Pirates last night, got shelled for 7 earned runs in 2+ innings and was demoted back to AAA Indianapolis this morning.
Overall, it was a fun time. We made it through 4 1/2 innings before we had to go home. Our two year old had had enough. His tummy was full of hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream; the mascots were too scary; and he was ready to go home. Our six year old was also tired but I think he would have toughed it out a few more innings if not for the little one.
It was a very fun Father's Day and my six year old is really starting to understand the rules of baseball. Sweet! Oh, and I almost forgot, the boys and I received free Clippers hats and since we had a special coupon, we received a very cool Willie Stargell figurine. Turns out, Willie once played for the Columbus Jets, who were a Pirates farm team back in the day. There you go, you learned something today.
The Clippers are the Washington Nationals AAA farm team. It just so happened that the Clippers were playing the Indianapolis Indians, the Pittsburgh Pirates AAA team. So we were able to see some of the Pirates top prospects and even saw Paul Lo Duca of the Nationals and Ronnie Paulino of the Pirates, who were both on rehab assignments. The pitcher for the Indians was Jimmy Barthmaier, who was just called up to pitch for the Pirates last night, got shelled for 7 earned runs in 2+ innings and was demoted back to AAA Indianapolis this morning.
Overall, it was a fun time. We made it through 4 1/2 innings before we had to go home. Our two year old had had enough. His tummy was full of hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream; the mascots were too scary; and he was ready to go home. Our six year old was also tired but I think he would have toughed it out a few more innings if not for the little one.
It was a very fun Father's Day and my six year old is really starting to understand the rules of baseball. Sweet! Oh, and I almost forgot, the boys and I received free Clippers hats and since we had a special coupon, we received a very cool Willie Stargell figurine. Turns out, Willie once played for the Columbus Jets, who were a Pirates farm team back in the day. There you go, you learned something today.
Friday, June 27, 2008
4 Is A Magic Number
Everyone remembers Saturday morning cartoons, School House Rock, and the song "3 is a Magic Number". Well, I'm here to tell you that when it comes to this year's presidential election, 4 is the magic number. Specifically, $4.00 is the magic number.
It won't be the invasion and occupation of Iraq, it won't be the mishandling of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it won't be any of the countless idiotic and deplorable acts that Duh has committed during his eight years in office. It won't be about anything that McBush says or does over the next few months.
No, people are going to vote with their wallets and $4 per gallon of gas is the trigger. Now you've hit the people on a personal level and they will lash out on election day and Obama will cruise to the biggest landslide victory we've ever seen. It doesn't matter whether the republicans, the Duh Administration, or McSame have anything directly to do with gas and oil prices. The people are feeling it financially on a personal level and they will react. Finally, they will react.
It won't be the invasion and occupation of Iraq, it won't be the mishandling of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it won't be any of the countless idiotic and deplorable acts that Duh has committed during his eight years in office. It won't be about anything that McBush says or does over the next few months.
No, people are going to vote with their wallets and $4 per gallon of gas is the trigger. Now you've hit the people on a personal level and they will lash out on election day and Obama will cruise to the biggest landslide victory we've ever seen. It doesn't matter whether the republicans, the Duh Administration, or McSame have anything directly to do with gas and oil prices. The people are feeling it financially on a personal level and they will react. Finally, they will react.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I Think There's A Cure For That
Let’s talk gay marriage. Why shouldn’t gays be allowed to be as miserable as the rest of us? But seriously, aren’t these people discriminated against enough already? And not just by lunk-heads with a junior high mentality but by society in general. Can you imagine being in a multi-decade relationship with a person and then not be allowed to visit them in the hospital because you are not “family”? How would that make you feel? All because you happen to be the same sex as the other person. What century is this, again?
I know there are many people out there who think of marriage as a sacred union between a husband and wife, which must be protected. Well I have news for you. The heterosexuals have made a mockery of your sacred union with their 50% divorce rate. Fifty percent! Doesn’t sound very sacred to me. If the “real” reason you oppose same sex marriage is to protect and preserve this sacred union, then perhaps some legislation making divorce illegal might be in order. Honestly, gay marriage would go a long way toward reducing that pathetic divorce rate.
But what about what “those people” do in their bedrooms? Easy answer; Mind your own business! If you’re really that concerned about what goes on in people’s bedrooms then you would be shocked to find out what some of your friends and neighbors are doing in their heterosexual bedrooms. There are a lot of freaky people out there. A lot.
Here’s an idea. You live your life the way you want to live it and let other people live their lives the way that they want to live. Stop judging everybody as if your own moral compass was so perfect. If you want to change people or control people then start with that person looking back at you in the mirror. If you take an honest look you should find enough faults to keep you busy for quite a while. But I digress.
One hundred years ago, women were not allowed to vote in this country. Today that seems absurd. Fifty years ago, inter-racial marriages were illegal in many states. My guess is that one hundred years from now, people will be equally amazed that gay human beings were discriminated against in this country for so long. My guess is that people just won’t be able to understand what all the fuss was about. What is all the fuss about?
I know there are many people out there who think of marriage as a sacred union between a husband and wife, which must be protected. Well I have news for you. The heterosexuals have made a mockery of your sacred union with their 50% divorce rate. Fifty percent! Doesn’t sound very sacred to me. If the “real” reason you oppose same sex marriage is to protect and preserve this sacred union, then perhaps some legislation making divorce illegal might be in order. Honestly, gay marriage would go a long way toward reducing that pathetic divorce rate.
But what about what “those people” do in their bedrooms? Easy answer; Mind your own business! If you’re really that concerned about what goes on in people’s bedrooms then you would be shocked to find out what some of your friends and neighbors are doing in their heterosexual bedrooms. There are a lot of freaky people out there. A lot.
Here’s an idea. You live your life the way you want to live it and let other people live their lives the way that they want to live. Stop judging everybody as if your own moral compass was so perfect. If you want to change people or control people then start with that person looking back at you in the mirror. If you take an honest look you should find enough faults to keep you busy for quite a while. But I digress.
One hundred years ago, women were not allowed to vote in this country. Today that seems absurd. Fifty years ago, inter-racial marriages were illegal in many states. My guess is that one hundred years from now, people will be equally amazed that gay human beings were discriminated against in this country for so long. My guess is that people just won’t be able to understand what all the fuss was about. What is all the fuss about?
Saturday, June 14, 2008
What's That Sound?
Or as my two year old would say, "Whash that shound?" My house is completely quiet. It is an odd and rare sound. My wife took the kids "somewhere" and I wasn't allowed to come. Hmm...Father's Day is tomorrow...I wonder where they could be?
My six year old's last day of school was last week and since then our house has returned to being "Club Chaos." All noise, all the time. So I will keep this short as I bask in the sound of silence.
But don't fret, I have plenty of rants stored up that I will attempt to share soon.
My six year old's last day of school was last week and since then our house has returned to being "Club Chaos." All noise, all the time. So I will keep this short as I bask in the sound of silence.
But don't fret, I have plenty of rants stored up that I will attempt to share soon.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Terrorist Fist Jab?
Fox "News" is at it again. This time it is E.D. Hill saying, "A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab? The gesture everyone seems to interpret differently." Really, if this is all you've got on Obama then why even bother? One day it's his middle name, next it's a lapel pin "controversy", now it's a fist dab. Major issues, all.
Media Matters just put together a photo collage of famous people, including Duh's daddy, doing the "terrorist fist jab." And if the Fox "News" interpretation is correct, then even the U.S. Army are a bunch of terrorists (approximately 24-25 seconds into the commercial).
Just when you think Murdoch and crew can't sink any lower...they just continue to impress. This just in...Obama's children are...black! (queue Psycho shower scene music here).
Media Matters just put together a photo collage of famous people, including Duh's daddy, doing the "terrorist fist jab." And if the Fox "News" interpretation is correct, then even the U.S. Army are a bunch of terrorists (approximately 24-25 seconds into the commercial).
Just when you think Murdoch and crew can't sink any lower...they just continue to impress. This just in...Obama's children are...black! (queue Psycho shower scene music here).
Monday, June 9, 2008
Support the Troops?
Not long ago, I went off on McCain and his failure to back the G.I. Bill, claiming it was too expensive and it would hurt military retention rates. I'm still fuming about this and wouldn't you know it, I just stumbled upon an article that goes into some pretty good detail about McCain's voting record when it comes to helping our soldiers. You know, the one's he claims to care so much about that he's willing to continue getting them killed for no reason for the next 100 years. Here is the article, and below are some highlights:
Why would a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war join President Bush in opposing a popular bipartisan bill to support the troops? Isn't fixing the education benefit in the bill -- one that has shortchanged far too many veterans for years -- a political no-brainer in an election year? The 75 senators who recently voted for it certainly thought so. The media and pundits seem perplexed.
If the media weren't so mesmerized by the McCain image they have long promoted and instead got to know the McCain record, they would realize that there is nothing inconsistent about his position on the GI Bill. For years he has opposed legislation that veterans and their advocates deem vital...
McCain's rationalization for opposing the bill may not hold water, but his stance makes perfect sense in light of his record. From 2004 to 2006, the Disabled Veterans of America gave him annual scores ranging from 50 percent to 20 percent on supporting the group's legislative priorities. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave him a grade of D in its most recent analysis of voting records. The American Legion says he is dead wrong on the GI Bill, as does the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
When Sen. Barack Obama (who has averaged an 86 percent rating from the Disabled Veterans of America) criticized McCain on the GI Bill, the Arizona senator angrily suggested that Obama's status as a nonveteran rendered his opinions on military matters worthless (this standard would also discount the opinions of 85 percent of American men, 98.8 percent of American women and two-thirds of Congress). Then he invited a look at his own record by asserting, "I take a back seat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans."
So let's take McCain up on his invitation. Here is how he has stood on recent legislation supported by major veterans organizations:
-- On Webb's GI Bill, he expressed opposition, and he was AWOL when it was time to vote on May 22.
-- In September, he voted against another Webb bill that would have mandated adequate rest for troops between combat deployments.
-- On a badly needed $1.5 billion increase for veterans medical services for fiscal year 2007, to be funded through closing corporate tax loopholes, he voted no. He also voted against establishing a trust fund to bolster under-budgeted veterans hospitals.
-- In May 2006, he voted against $20 billion for expanding swamped veterans medical facilities.
-- In March 2004, he voted against and helped defeat a $1.8 billion reserve for veterans medical care, also funded by closing tax loopholes.
With friends like this guy, who needs enemies?
Why would a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war join President Bush in opposing a popular bipartisan bill to support the troops? Isn't fixing the education benefit in the bill -- one that has shortchanged far too many veterans for years -- a political no-brainer in an election year? The 75 senators who recently voted for it certainly thought so. The media and pundits seem perplexed.
If the media weren't so mesmerized by the McCain image they have long promoted and instead got to know the McCain record, they would realize that there is nothing inconsistent about his position on the GI Bill. For years he has opposed legislation that veterans and their advocates deem vital...
McCain's rationalization for opposing the bill may not hold water, but his stance makes perfect sense in light of his record. From 2004 to 2006, the Disabled Veterans of America gave him annual scores ranging from 50 percent to 20 percent on supporting the group's legislative priorities. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave him a grade of D in its most recent analysis of voting records. The American Legion says he is dead wrong on the GI Bill, as does the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
When Sen. Barack Obama (who has averaged an 86 percent rating from the Disabled Veterans of America) criticized McCain on the GI Bill, the Arizona senator angrily suggested that Obama's status as a nonveteran rendered his opinions on military matters worthless (this standard would also discount the opinions of 85 percent of American men, 98.8 percent of American women and two-thirds of Congress). Then he invited a look at his own record by asserting, "I take a back seat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans."
So let's take McCain up on his invitation. Here is how he has stood on recent legislation supported by major veterans organizations:
-- On Webb's GI Bill, he expressed opposition, and he was AWOL when it was time to vote on May 22.
-- In September, he voted against another Webb bill that would have mandated adequate rest for troops between combat deployments.
-- On a badly needed $1.5 billion increase for veterans medical services for fiscal year 2007, to be funded through closing corporate tax loopholes, he voted no. He also voted against establishing a trust fund to bolster under-budgeted veterans hospitals.
-- In May 2006, he voted against $20 billion for expanding swamped veterans medical facilities.
-- In March 2004, he voted against and helped defeat a $1.8 billion reserve for veterans medical care, also funded by closing tax loopholes.
With friends like this guy, who needs enemies?
Don't Mess With Bill Moyers
As not enough people know, Bill Moyers does an excellent show on PBS every friday night. Investigative journalism at it's best. Real reporting. Click here to watch a Fox "News" hack try to ambush Moyers and then continue watching as the media turns around and gives the Fox guy a dose of his own medicine. It's long, but beautiful.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
No Pain, My Gain
Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to get healthy again. I ran a 10 miler last Sunday with very little pain, until a big ass thorn punctured my shoe and foot after my run (ouch!). I missed Tuesday's run due to swelling in my foot from said thorn but then on Wednesday I ran 8 miles with almost no pain whatsoever. Just an occasional pinch or pull in the buttocks region. I remember feeling a pinch at .8 of my first mile and realizing that I just ran .8 without any pain. Things are looking up!
So I put together good runs three days in a row now and my butt is only sore when I sit on it too long. Tomorrow, I'll run 12 or 13 and if all goes well I think I'll be ready to start training for Akron, which is only 16 weeks away.
Now, can we do something about this heat? 90+ degrees two days in a row. Yesterday's run was just brutally hot. Luckily, I was meeting the family and friends at the pool so I was able to run straight to the pool and cool off. But seriously, this August weather in June just isn't right.
So I put together good runs three days in a row now and my butt is only sore when I sit on it too long. Tomorrow, I'll run 12 or 13 and if all goes well I think I'll be ready to start training for Akron, which is only 16 weeks away.
Now, can we do something about this heat? 90+ degrees two days in a row. Yesterday's run was just brutally hot. Luckily, I was meeting the family and friends at the pool so I was able to run straight to the pool and cool off. But seriously, this August weather in June just isn't right.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Juno
Most of you already know that we have a Netflix subscription which we use primarily as a means to watch shows at our leisure and without commercials. Last summer, we went through the entire Alias series, however many seasons they made. We've also had good luck with The Closer and we are currently watching season 3 of Weeds. We very rarely watch movies. Partly because most movies they make these days really suck and partly because we just don't have enough time to sit through an entire movie in one sitting.
Somehow, and for some reason, my beautiful wife snuck Juno into the top of our queue. I knew nothing about the movie, had no desire to see it and never would have seen it if not for my wife. I'm surprised and happy to tell you that Juno is actually a pretty darn good movie. We had to force ourselves to turn it off the first night after already staying up way past our pathetically early bed time. I won't get into the plot. Just take my word and rent Juno. You'll be glad that you did.
Somehow, and for some reason, my beautiful wife snuck Juno into the top of our queue. I knew nothing about the movie, had no desire to see it and never would have seen it if not for my wife. I'm surprised and happy to tell you that Juno is actually a pretty darn good movie. We had to force ourselves to turn it off the first night after already staying up way past our pathetically early bed time. I won't get into the plot. Just take my word and rent Juno. You'll be glad that you did.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Turn Out The Lights
The party is over. Hillary will be giving her concession speech tomorrow night. It was a good fight. It got ugly at times. It exposed Hillary as a candidate willing to do whatever it takes to win, which was noble but was also sometimes ugly, if not embarrassing. I still believe she would make the better president but it looks like Obama is the one who can get the most votes. And at the end of the day, getting the most votes is the most important thing, especially this year, with the right wing sporting another mental midget as their candidate. Our country just can't afford another 4 years with an idiot at the helm.
As I've said before, there was a time when I would have considered voting for McCain, but the McCain that I would've considered voting for has left the station, never to return. I don't recognize McCain '08, and I doubt that he recognizes himself anymore. Which might be a big reason why he keeps screwing up so royally when he speaks in public. He has flip-flopped so much and kow-towed to his party's wants and desires so much that he no longer knows who he is, or was. So when he is out there speaking on the stump, it appears that he is confused, because he is. But is it senility? Or is it just too hard to differentiate between what he believes in and what he's been "told" he believes in in order to become the neocon candidate? At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. He's a goner.
Which brings me full circle back to Hillary. I have this vision in my mind of Hillary taking the stage tomorrow, withdrawing, conceding, and ACCEPTING the VP nomination. Holy cow, happy days are here again! But I know this will not, can not happen. Although this would make perfect sense for our country and for the democratic party, I'm sorry to say that ego's will prevail. Sadly, I just can't see Hillary ever settling for #2. And maybe it's for the best. For if Obama is really going to be able to come in and change America, it is probably best that he comes in with a team of fresh faces, new believers, champions for the cause. I firmly believe that a major part of the Duh administrations' failures stem from Duh filling his cabinet with a bunch of old timers bent on reacquiring the power that they once had then lost when they were in their prime. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely. See exhibit Duh.
As I've said before, there was a time when I would have considered voting for McCain, but the McCain that I would've considered voting for has left the station, never to return. I don't recognize McCain '08, and I doubt that he recognizes himself anymore. Which might be a big reason why he keeps screwing up so royally when he speaks in public. He has flip-flopped so much and kow-towed to his party's wants and desires so much that he no longer knows who he is, or was. So when he is out there speaking on the stump, it appears that he is confused, because he is. But is it senility? Or is it just too hard to differentiate between what he believes in and what he's been "told" he believes in in order to become the neocon candidate? At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. He's a goner.
Which brings me full circle back to Hillary. I have this vision in my mind of Hillary taking the stage tomorrow, withdrawing, conceding, and ACCEPTING the VP nomination. Holy cow, happy days are here again! But I know this will not, can not happen. Although this would make perfect sense for our country and for the democratic party, I'm sorry to say that ego's will prevail. Sadly, I just can't see Hillary ever settling for #2. And maybe it's for the best. For if Obama is really going to be able to come in and change America, it is probably best that he comes in with a team of fresh faces, new believers, champions for the cause. I firmly believe that a major part of the Duh administrations' failures stem from Duh filling his cabinet with a bunch of old timers bent on reacquiring the power that they once had then lost when they were in their prime. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely. See exhibit Duh.
It's Just A Fantasy Part 2
I play fantasy football and fantasy baseball in a marathoners league with other runners from around the country. As a rule, runners are very competitive people. So, I really like to do well in these leagues. I won the baseball championship last year and I finished 2nd in football, losing the championship by 1/3 of a point. (insert sad violin music here). Admittedly, if I spent the same amount of time analyzing stocks as I do analyzing baseball and football statistics, my bank account might be overflowing. But hey, happiness has always trumped money in my book. I digress.
This baseball season, I jumped out to a 2 game lead with a 6-1 record, only to lose the past 2 games and fall to 6-3, but still a game in first place. I know I have a strong team, I just have to be patient.
One of my problems is my team is actually too good. I have guys on my bench who are just too valuable to let go of. This prevents me from taking chances on young guys who might end up having great seasons, but might be total busts.
Don't believe me? Here is my bench. Tell me who exactly I can afford to cut.
Ryan Doumit C Pittsburgh Pirates
Carlos Pena 1B Tampa Bay Rays
Rickie Weeks 2B Milwaukee Brewers
Rafael Furcal SS Los Angeles Dodgers
Vladimir Guerrero OF Anaheim Angels
Every one of these guys is a starter on any other team. Patience, grasshopper. Your repeat championship season will come.
This baseball season, I jumped out to a 2 game lead with a 6-1 record, only to lose the past 2 games and fall to 6-3, but still a game in first place. I know I have a strong team, I just have to be patient.
One of my problems is my team is actually too good. I have guys on my bench who are just too valuable to let go of. This prevents me from taking chances on young guys who might end up having great seasons, but might be total busts.
Don't believe me? Here is my bench. Tell me who exactly I can afford to cut.
Ryan Doumit C Pittsburgh Pirates
Carlos Pena 1B Tampa Bay Rays
Rickie Weeks 2B Milwaukee Brewers
Rafael Furcal SS Los Angeles Dodgers
Vladimir Guerrero OF Anaheim Angels
Every one of these guys is a starter on any other team. Patience, grasshopper. Your repeat championship season will come.
It's Just A Fantasy
Between playing Wii Baseball and Fantasy Baseball, my six year old is starting to show an interest in the sport. He doesn't quite grasp the scoring system in fantasy baseball but not a day goes by when he doesn't ask me to show him his team, tell him how they are doing, make a trade offer, pick up a player off of waivers, etc. Most recently, he decided to claim Cincinnati Reds 21 year old future superstar, Jay Bruce, off of waivers. That move is looking like pure genius as Bruce has put up hall of fame caliber numbers during his first week in the big leagues.
However, teaching baseball, and more specifically, fantasy baseball to a six year old can be a challenge. Emotions run high and everything is just great when he is in first place. But then his team started getting depleted by injuries. At one point, he had 5 players on the disabled list. As a result, his team briefly fell to 7th place in a 12 team league. He was really upset about it and asked me to check his scores about 30 times a day. I kept trying to explain to him that the baseball season is long, that his team is really good and they will be winning again as soon as the injured players get healthy, and most importantly, that the top 6 teams make the playoffs, so he doesn't have to be in first place right now, he needs to concentrate on building the best possible team come playoff time. He kind of gets it but he also just wants to be in first place. He wants the online trophy.
So his team is back up to 4th place after beating the first place team 6-4 last week. Needless to say, he left for school happy this morning. Me? I have to stop doing this. I get people involved in fantasy sports and then I feel obligated to make sure they win. I got my Dad involved in fantasy football last year and then I spent the whole season worrying just as much about his team as I did about mine. He made it to the league championship and ended up finishing 2nd in his first fantasy league ever, which was great and amazing and all, but I still felt like anything less than the league championship was letting him down. This year, he's on his own!
However, teaching baseball, and more specifically, fantasy baseball to a six year old can be a challenge. Emotions run high and everything is just great when he is in first place. But then his team started getting depleted by injuries. At one point, he had 5 players on the disabled list. As a result, his team briefly fell to 7th place in a 12 team league. He was really upset about it and asked me to check his scores about 30 times a day. I kept trying to explain to him that the baseball season is long, that his team is really good and they will be winning again as soon as the injured players get healthy, and most importantly, that the top 6 teams make the playoffs, so he doesn't have to be in first place right now, he needs to concentrate on building the best possible team come playoff time. He kind of gets it but he also just wants to be in first place. He wants the online trophy.
So his team is back up to 4th place after beating the first place team 6-4 last week. Needless to say, he left for school happy this morning. Me? I have to stop doing this. I get people involved in fantasy sports and then I feel obligated to make sure they win. I got my Dad involved in fantasy football last year and then I spent the whole season worrying just as much about his team as I did about mine. He made it to the league championship and ended up finishing 2nd in his first fantasy league ever, which was great and amazing and all, but I still felt like anything less than the league championship was letting him down. This year, he's on his own!
All-Star Worthy?
This was in the Post-Gazette this morning and adds credence to my claim last week that all 3 of the Pirates starting outfielders are worthy of All-Star consideration:
The Pirates' outfield of Nate Mclouth, Xavier Nady and Jason Bay is the most productive in baseball as the trio leads major league outfields in average (.308), slugging percentage (.569) and homers (34) and is also second with 114 RBIs (batting as outfielders). The group is on pace to hit 100 homers and drive in 335 runs. For some fun and comparison's sake the Pirates' 1991 primary outfielders, Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla and Andy Van Slyke -- the last year all three were together -- batted .287, had a slugging percentage of .485, hit 60 home runs and drove in 299 runs.
The Pirates' outfield of Nate Mclouth, Xavier Nady and Jason Bay is the most productive in baseball as the trio leads major league outfields in average (.308), slugging percentage (.569) and homers (34) and is also second with 114 RBIs (batting as outfielders). The group is on pace to hit 100 homers and drive in 335 runs. For some fun and comparison's sake the Pirates' 1991 primary outfielders, Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla and Andy Van Slyke -- the last year all three were together -- batted .287, had a slugging percentage of .485, hit 60 home runs and drove in 299 runs.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Poking Myself With A Sharp Stick
I had just finished my 10 miler this morning in the heat and humidity. It was a tough run but it felt good. I was walking toward the house when all of a sudden...PAIN! I had just stepped on something and it pierced right through my shoe and into my foot. I hobbled a couple of steps on one foot as I tried to get my tired legs to stop wobbling so that I could try to pull out whatever was sticking into my foot.
It turned out to be an extremely sharp, 3 inch long thorn that was still connected to a tree branch that had fallen onto the street. The pain subsided as soon as I pulled the thorn out and I went in the house to inspect the damage. I took my shoe and sock off but I didn't see any damage to my foot and couldn't even see where the thorn had pierced it. Upon inspection of my sock, there was a tiny speck of blood where the thorn had gone through.
I shook it off. Showered and took the family to the pool. My legs were sore and I was looking forward to a good soak in the cold pool. Everything was fine for the first 40 minutes or so but then all of a sudden my foot started to hurt. It got progressively worse to the point where I was in some serious pain. It was bad enough that I decided to sit and rest while the family swam for the last hour.
We came home and I took advil and iced the foot. It was noticably swollen. I was debating whether or not to go to the hospital. I decided to take a nap and see how I felt when I woke up. When I woke, it was still sore but not nearly as bad as it had been at the pool. I continued to ice and hoped for the best.
As of right now, my whole foot is swollen and my little toe and the area around it is quite sore. I'm hoping that it feels better in the morning but I'm not all that optimistic at the moment. Fortunately, I'm not scheduled to run tomorrow and hopefully by Tuesday I'll be back to normal. It's always something...but what are the odds that a thorn would pierce my shoe and go into my foot? Argh!
It turned out to be an extremely sharp, 3 inch long thorn that was still connected to a tree branch that had fallen onto the street. The pain subsided as soon as I pulled the thorn out and I went in the house to inspect the damage. I took my shoe and sock off but I didn't see any damage to my foot and couldn't even see where the thorn had pierced it. Upon inspection of my sock, there was a tiny speck of blood where the thorn had gone through.
I shook it off. Showered and took the family to the pool. My legs were sore and I was looking forward to a good soak in the cold pool. Everything was fine for the first 40 minutes or so but then all of a sudden my foot started to hurt. It got progressively worse to the point where I was in some serious pain. It was bad enough that I decided to sit and rest while the family swam for the last hour.
We came home and I took advil and iced the foot. It was noticably swollen. I was debating whether or not to go to the hospital. I decided to take a nap and see how I felt when I woke up. When I woke, it was still sore but not nearly as bad as it had been at the pool. I continued to ice and hoped for the best.
As of right now, my whole foot is swollen and my little toe and the area around it is quite sore. I'm hoping that it feels better in the morning but I'm not all that optimistic at the moment. Fortunately, I'm not scheduled to run tomorrow and hopefully by Tuesday I'll be back to normal. It's always something...but what are the odds that a thorn would pierce my shoe and go into my foot? Argh!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
