A Coke By Any Other Name?

It seems the American knack for speech laziness is rubbing off on the Germans. I was shopping in Meijer last night picking up a few things for the week (and NOT because of the storm) and remembered I wanted to pick up some soda. I stopped and looked back and forth, looking at the hanging signs above each aisle. I saw sports drinks, beer, tea and coffee, but no soda, pop, soda pop, soft drinks, carbonated beverages or anything of the like. Then I saw it....Coke. The aisle containing ALL sodas was labeled "COKE. "

I understand this happens . People often call generic items a brand name (Kleenex, Aspirin, Xerox etc.), but to see it used as store signage I think is bizarre.

Please discuss.

Valking in a Vinter Vonderland

Here is a picture of our house from the outside. A little bit of snow adds to the mood. We have lights around the railing of our back deck as well, but some punk cut one of the strands. I'll try to post some pictures of the inside decorations soon.

Good Season Ends with a Thud

(I said "losers, not "lugers!)

We won our first two games of the playoffs to reach the championship game, but that's where the dream season ended. I won't give a lot of details because I'm tired and I want to go to bed, so here is the gist.

In game one we were down three runs in the bottom of the 7th. I led off the inning with a base hit to left center. I made it over to third and with bases loaded, Scott it a walk off grand slam.

In game two we played even for awhile, but eventually we pulled a way for a solid win.

The championship game opened up with the longest inning we've had in a long time. The team we played scored 16 runs in the top of the 1st inning. Back to back home runs (and nearly a third) combined with errors put us in a huge hole. We scored 1 in the bottom of the 1st. We lost 23-5 to a team we did beat this year. Bottom line is they had the ball really well and we didn't.

I feel like I played really well offensively and defensively this year. I'm looking forward to the next softball season, whenever that may be.

Ok, I'm exhausted. Good night.

Softball Follow-up

I forgot to mention out team is probably leading the league in double plays this season. If my calculations are correct, we have turned nine double plays and one triple play this season. It helps to have a 6' 4" shortstop with a good glove. We have made our share of errors this year, but I feel we have the best defense by far.

Softball Playoffs

We will try and fit in the playoffs all in one night, Thursday, October 28th. We play the winner of game 1 at 7:30. If we win, will will play again at 8:30. The championship game is at 9:30 if we make it that far. Three wins in one night...we can do it.

Softball Regular Season Ends

We swept a doubleheader last night to end our regular season 7-0. The playoffs start next week, but I'm still waiting on the schedule.
I pitched all seven games this season and delivered my fair share of offense. Last night's games were a struggle early on, but we finally got our bats going.
The first game we were down 6-2 in the bottom of the 6th and then scored 12. We held them to 3-up, 3-down in the 7th to win.

The second game was frustrating due to errors and hitting the ball right at the other team, however we played good enough defense late and scored a few timely runs. We were down 9-8 going into the bottom of the 6th and scored one run to tie it 9-9. We held them scoreless in the top of the 7th and won a gapper to right center to end the game 10-9.

I took a line drive off the hand in the last inning of the last game, now my right index finger feels like its going to pop. It's all blue and green, but should hopefully be better in time for next weeks playoffs.

Election

I was going to write a long rant about the election and our crop of candidates, but I thought I may offend friends or family if I posted what I really wanted to say...so I 'll just say this:

I have never disliked two candidates platforms more than I dislike Jack Conway's and Rand Paul's. I stop short of disliking them personally, because I don't know them, but that is merely a technicality. I won't even mention the candidates favored around the country...blech!

Does spitting in the ballot bubble count as filling it in?

Metal Detecting Excursion

This post is directed at Mark and Dad. It has been a long time since I've been out metal detecting. With the weather fianlly turning cooler, and hopefully with some rain on the way to soften the ground, I would like to get out and hunt. I don't have any recommendations for locations, but would like to plan a trip somewhere. Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas.

The "Softball" Bats

The last two games of our regular softball season is Thursday night at 6:30 & 7:30. We will then enter the playoffs. We are currently 5-0 and will hopefully be able to eek out the last two. I will put my pitching record on the line as well and then hopefully will be able to pull off a "Halladay" like performance in the playoffs.

Or For Those Visual Learners...Poetry in Motion

Please forgive the commercial.

"Bat's Softball Goes 5-0 as Tabler Pitches Back to Back Gems"

The Bats softball team swept a double header last night to extend their record to an unbeaten 5-0. The first game we slowly extended the lead each inning with timely hitting. Three double plays also helped.

My offense was decent, but not great. I hit the ball solid, but only went 1-3 in the first game and 2-4 in the second. A good diving snag on a line drive by the shortstop in the second game cost me a hit.

My defense was the best part of my game tonight (yes...I was pitching). I turned one double play on a well hit grounder back up the middle and I beat the runner twice while covering on plays at first base. The first time, our first baseman flipped the ball to me and I had to dive for the bag to beat the guy. It was a good chance for me to get dirty.
I was thrown out at the plate coming from second in the last game, but everyone saw I was safe. The guys glove was on the back side of the plate as I slid in. The umpire even laughed and shrugged saying "the throw beat you," but I could tell he knew he missed it.

Buckle B Gets a Grip

Up through July, I had not shot a round of golf out of the 70's all year. However, my last five rounds of golf have been in the mid-80's. I know I won't get a lot of sympathy, but shut up...this is my blog.

I felt helpless trying to figure out what was going on and it has been disappointing because I have played some very nice courses lately. I have never been a model of consistency when it comes to my golf game. Sometimes I can hit a shot few golfers can pull off and other times it looks like I've never played the game before.

I dislike driving ranges. The only time I appreciate them is to hit a few balls before a round or if I am in desperate need to find a swing thought or make a change. My recent play sent me to the range and, surprisingly, it was a success.

I won't tell you this will change my game forever...I'm sure I'll be working on something else before the end of the year. But for now, I feel confident with my ball striking again and that feels good. This is what I did.

I rotated my right hand about an 1-1/2" towards the top of the club at address. That's it. My right hand was getting too far underneath which made it hard to strike the ball crisply and with the compression I needed for distance and control. By moving my right hand slightly, I can now feel the club between my right thumb and forefinger. Now, instead of my right palm facing the sky at impact, it is facing down and towards the target.

Basically, I went from this:

To this:

Roy McAvoy may be able to explain it better than I can

Ryder Cup

The U.S. gave a good effort in the singles matches, but came up a little short and lost the cup 14-1/2 to 13-1/2. The rookies played better than I expected. The one rookie I thought would do well didn't play so well all week; Matt Kuchar struggled.

Tiger Woods also played better than I thought he would winning several points along with Steve Stricker.
Anyway, the picture below is a neat shot from a duffed Tiger Woods pitch shot. The ball actually hit the camera. I love the overall expression of the crowd...especially the guy on the right with the cigar. Nice!

Oops...Almost Forgot

I neglected to give my prediction for this weekends Ryder Cup:

Europe 17
USA 11

Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup, starting Friday in Wales, has snuck up on me. I knew it was coming, but it took so long I think I forgot about it. The 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla was one of the most entertaining experiences of my life (I got to see Boo "combatibate" after all!). That team combined with the atmosphere at Valhalla had everything going for it.

With this team, I feel the opposite. Playing in Wales against a hostile crowd just throws more sand on already buried lie.

• The United States has one player on its team with a winning record in the Ryder Cup: Hunter Mahan is 2-0-3.


• Five guys have never played a match: Ricky Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.
  
• The teams combined record is 35-51-20.
  
• Our best player, Tiger Woods, shot his worst round of his pro career just a few weeks ago...and his record at the Cup isn't stellar either: 10-13-2. This combined with currently revamping his swing (again) does not lead me to think he will suddenly return to form.

Bright Spots on the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup Team:

• Hunter Mahan is steady in his last two appearances and has been playing well again this year. He's a steady player with experience and should be good at getting them points, even if they are halves.


• Jim Furyk is coming off a win in the Tour Championship. This doesn't really mean anything other than we know his game hasn't left him. If he can keep from making the one or two bad swings around he has been prone to do, I think he will be solid.


• Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson may be a good pairing, especially in alternate shot. Two lefties that love being aggressive could lead to blow out wins or licking there wounds in the clubhouse waiting for the rest of the groups to play the back nine.
• I like Matt Kuchar. He seems like a solid, steady player with an iron stomach and I think he will be a star "Ryder Cupper" for years to come.

Doubts:

• I'm not sure about Corey Pavin as a Captain. Nobody knows until everything plays out. He has made some decisions and comments that make we wonder.


• Will having Tiger Woods back on the team actually hurt? I was hoping Pavin would select him for the team and I'll still think it's the right decision no matter what. I can't justify not selecting the world's number one ranked player as a captain's pick.


• Does this kid (Rickie Fowler) look like he could beat anyone on Europe's team?

Besides looking like a backup dancer at a Justin Beiber concert, the only guy it appears he could contend with is this guy:

But it won't happen. Ian Poulter would win no problem.

I always look forward to the Ryder Cup and it's nice that it will be on early in the morning. I have two years to earn enough points to be on the 2012 team back here in the states. Wish me luck!

Rivals

While driving to work this morning, I listened to 790WKRD. The discussion was about the St. X/Trinity game and the hosts had Billy Reed on as a guest. I know Billy Reed has been reporting sports in Kentucky for a long time, but I never paid much attention to him. All I really remember is the "I Beat Billy" t-shirts Dad and Kevin had when I was little.
I came to the conclusion (after listening to him for only a few minutes...maybe it's not fair) that he is an idiot.
He stated he didn't understand the rivalry between St. X and Trinity. His argument was they are so much alike, if the names were removed no one would be able to tell the difference. He went on to say he can understand a West Coast team being a rival with a East Coast team. He also stated rivals should be two different types of teams that "don't like the way the other team does things."
Billy...let me introduce you to the definition of the word rival (I highlighted the definitions that apply to this conversation):
ri·val
n.
1. One who attempts to equal or surpass another, or who pursues the same object as another; a competitor.
2. One that equals or almost equals another in a particular respect.
3. Obsolete A companion or an associate in a particular duty.
v.
1. To attempt to equal or surpass.
2. To be the equal of; match.
v.intr.
To be a competitor or rival; compete.
[Latin rvlis, one using the same stream as another, a rival, from rvus, stream; see rei- in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: rival, compete, vie.
rival [ˈraɪvəl]
n
1.
a. a person, organization, team, etc., that competes with another for the same object or in the same field
b. (as modifier) rival suitors a rival company
2. a person or thing that is considered the equal of another.
vb -vals, -valling, -valled US, -vals -valing, -valed (tr)
1. to be the equal or near equal of an empire that rivalled Rome
2. to try to equal or surpass; compete with in rivalry
[from Latin rīvalis, literally: one who shares the same brook, from rīvus a brook]
hc_dict()
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

Another Catch-Up (Ketchup? Catsup?) Post

Hi...don't I know you from somewhere? I know it's been awhile, but I feel sure we have met before. Brian's my name. You may have seen me out on the "internets" at a place called Buckle B.
That's where you are now. Welcome back!

• I went to my first UK football game of the season Saturday. I went with Julie, Jeff and Dala. We met Jeff's dad and cousins in the lot for a bit a pre-game tailgating. On the menu was tenderloin sandwiches and baked beans. I also ate my weight in cashews, peanuts, kettle corn, chocolate covered pretzels and cookie cake (blue and white of course).
• I will be in Evansville this coming weekend for a wedding. We will leave Friday and be there for the rehearsal dinner. The wedding is Saturday afternoon and we should be headed back Sunday morning. Don't worry, I will record the UK/Florida game...I know that is everyone's primary concern. And if I see that "cute little bald headed boy," I'll let you know.
• I will be going in for an ultrsound on my heart Monday the 27th. I had a physical last week and all the blood work came back great, but the doctor saw a slight anomaly in the EKG. He just wants it checked out...he didn't seem too concerned, so I'm not either. I think it was because the nurse had to hold the electrodes on because of my hairy legs.
• The next day I am getting a tooth bonded. I apparently had a crack and didn't even know it. They also discovered I had the world's smallest tooth growing behind it. It looks like the white tip of a piece of candy corn. How my last dentist and oral surgeon from a few years ago never noticed this makes me wonder.
• Our softball team is 3-0 on the season. I pitched the last game and we won 10-7. The other team was very slow getting on the field and coming to bat, so we only played 5 innings. I had a single up the middle and a sac fly to deep right center to score a run. I scored once and had an RBI.
  

Speaking of Flip Books

This is an outtake from the movie Hot Fuzz.

Funny T-Shirt

Burning the Qu'ran

I'm sure everyone (who reads my blog anyway) has heard on September 11th, a congregation in Florida is going to burn several copies of the Qu'ran. This story has received more attention that it deserves, but here is my take on it.
I feel confident in stating the pastor and his congregation is probably full of backward idiots and my gut feeling is they would burn any book as long as it wasn't their Bible. However, I have no issue with burning the Qu'ran, besides being pointless, and here is why.

1. The fear is the act of burning the Qu'ran will put the U.S. Military in danger and be used as a recruiting tool for Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. Really? I've heard they are having a hard time finding recruits and the military has been getting thank you cards the last nine years.


2. I don't have a problem with burning the Qu'ran for the same reason I don't mind someone burning the Bible or any other book, religious or not. It's simply paper and ink; a symbol of the religion. Burning a book does not destroy the ideas contained within it. It's a symbolic disagreement of a symbolic book. I'm not a fan of symbolism (Who?! Who will not wear the ribbon?!) and letting a book guide your life is dumb...and so is the thought that burning it really matter (unless you need to to stay warm of course).

Here is what will happen: The Qu'rans will burn and we will see protests on the news for a week and then we will never hear about it again.

Now if you'll excuse me, I want to go draw a cartoon flip book of the prophet Muhammed on the bottom corners of my Qu'ran.