Rich Hill will lead the Cubs into battle against the Brew Crew Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Cubs hope to extend their six-game winning streak in the first event of the three-game series. The Brewers hope to extend their 7 1/2 game lead over the Central Division's second-place Cubs.
The Cubbies may again be asking for help from the young bloods of Chicago--Mike Fontenot, Koyie Hill, Carlos Marmol, Felix Pie, Ryan Theriot, etc.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Bad-Credit Credit Cards
If you have a credit problem, you may be inclined to think that there's nothing you can do about it. You may have concluded that with your credit rating, you can't expect to ever get a credit card. But don't give up hope. Let me tell you how people like you may be able to get Bad Credit Credit Cards.
CreditCardSearchEngine.com has been doing credit-card comparisons online for years. It enables you to find, compare, and apply for credit cards of all sorts. These include cards with low interest, reward cards, and cards for folks who may have bad credit.
So don't give up hope. CreditCardSearchEngine.com can help you apply for cards offered by MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Find and compare cards issued by J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank.
Bad credit doesn't necessarily mean you'll never again qualify for a credit card and the convenience it offers. Take a look at all the resources provided by CreditCardSearchEngine.com.
CreditCardSearchEngine.com has been doing credit-card comparisons online for years. It enables you to find, compare, and apply for credit cards of all sorts. These include cards with low interest, reward cards, and cards for folks who may have bad credit.
So don't give up hope. CreditCardSearchEngine.com can help you apply for cards offered by MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Find and compare cards issued by J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank.
Bad credit doesn't necessarily mean you'll never again qualify for a credit card and the convenience it offers. Take a look at all the resources provided by CreditCardSearchEngine.com.
Money Makers
Now let's see which Cub hitters are earning the big saleries they receive. The players with the largest number of times at bat are assumedly doing the most work. This stat leaves out any consideration of how well each player swings the bat.
The five players who lead all others with times at bat are:
Soriano: 305
Lee: 280
Ramirez: 232
Theriot: 230
DeRosa: 226
In the fielding department, the player who has collected the most errors has 7 of the little devils.
The five players who lead all others with times at bat are:
Soriano: 305
Lee: 280
Ramirez: 232
Theriot: 230
DeRosa: 226
In the fielding department, the player who has collected the most errors has 7 of the little devils.
Cub Statistics
The Cubs are on vacation today, so New Moon is devoting its space to team statistics. This is a better use of time than the exercize involved in drinking and gambling.
Let's lead off with hitting stats. The top five hitters and their batting averages are shown below. Note the youngsters in the top five.
M. Fontenot: .408
D. Lee: .346
D. Ward: .318
C. Floyd: .306
A. Soriano: 305
The surprise here is that Mike Fontenot, recently called up from Triple-A Iowa, is leading all Cub hitters. This makes you wonder who else is hiding in Des Moines.
Here's another offensive hero. In tenth place among Cub hitters, we have pitcher Carlos Zambrano at .257. With pitchers like that, the National League has no need of designated hitters.
Let's lead off with hitting stats. The top five hitters and their batting averages are shown below. Note the youngsters in the top five.
M. Fontenot: .408
D. Lee: .346
D. Ward: .318
C. Floyd: .306
A. Soriano: 305
The surprise here is that Mike Fontenot, recently called up from Triple-A Iowa, is leading all Cub hitters. This makes you wonder who else is hiding in Des Moines.
Here's another offensive hero. In tenth place among Cub hitters, we have pitcher Carlos Zambrano at .257. With pitchers like that, the National League has no need of designated hitters.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Search for Home Appliances
Traditionally, when consumers went in search of home appliances, they went from store to store to find just the right item. They often based their decisions on past experience, and they considered the advice of friends and relatives.
Nowadays, according to consumer research, 75 percent of buyers will begin by searching online. Subsequently, 90 percent will make their appliance purchases at a local store.
The Krillion Localization Engine now searches the Web to find the most comprehensive results possible for the individual appliance buyer. This is a great improvement over the results provided by conventional search engines.
In over 40,000 American towns and cities, Krillion now ensures that when consumers have decided to purchase KitchenAid Dishwashers, the Krillion Localization Engine can direct them to the exact retailer they need.
The Krillion Localization Engine can provide search results for refrigerators, ovens, ranges, washers, dryers, and more. Very soon, Krillion will also have results for flat-panel TVs, lawn and garden accessories, seasonal appliances, and others.
Nowadays, according to consumer research, 75 percent of buyers will begin by searching online. Subsequently, 90 percent will make their appliance purchases at a local store.
The Krillion Localization Engine now searches the Web to find the most comprehensive results possible for the individual appliance buyer. This is a great improvement over the results provided by conventional search engines.
In over 40,000 American towns and cities, Krillion now ensures that when consumers have decided to purchase KitchenAid Dishwashers, the Krillion Localization Engine can direct them to the exact retailer they need.
The Krillion Localization Engine can provide search results for refrigerators, ovens, ranges, washers, dryers, and more. Very soon, Krillion will also have results for flat-panel TVs, lawn and garden accessories, seasonal appliances, and others.
The List
The list gets longer and longer. Ryan Dempster, Aramis Ramirez, Kerry Wood, Billy Petrick, and on and on. All these are Cub players who were on the disabled list, are on it now, or will be on it in the future.
Baseball is a game that causes injuries. Pitchers are especially vulnerable.
I attended a talk by Bob Feller, the great Cleveland pitcher, a few years ago. He said he was lucky that he never got injured, but he still remembered the dangers.
After the talk, everyone went outside, and Feller gave some pointers to a couple of young pitchers. Someone asked him if he'd like to throw a couple of pitches. He was 80 years old at the time.
"I don't think so," he said. "I don't want to get a rotator cuff injury."
And he wasn't kidding.
Baseball is a game that causes injuries. Pitchers are especially vulnerable.
I attended a talk by Bob Feller, the great Cleveland pitcher, a few years ago. He said he was lucky that he never got injured, but he still remembered the dangers.
After the talk, everyone went outside, and Feller gave some pointers to a couple of young pitchers. Someone asked him if he'd like to throw a couple of pitches. He was 80 years old at the time.
"I don't think so," he said. "I don't want to get a rotator cuff injury."
And he wasn't kidding.
Too Early To Believe
Now that the Cubs have won six games in a row, it's tempting to start getting your hopes up. But we've all done that before, and we all fell to earth without a parachute.
Yes, Fontenot is knocking the cover off the ball. DeRosa is getting better with the glove and the bat. Zambrano keeps growing bigger and throwing harder. What could go wrong?
Everything could go wrong. It always has in the past, and the past is all that we have to help us make judgments about the future.
And to avoid the eternal curse, everyone must remember this law. When the opposing team hits a home run at Wrigley, always throw the ball back.
Failure to follow this simple command will lead to disaster.
Yes, Fontenot is knocking the cover off the ball. DeRosa is getting better with the glove and the bat. Zambrano keeps growing bigger and throwing harder. What could go wrong?
Everything could go wrong. It always has in the past, and the past is all that we have to help us make judgments about the future.
And to avoid the eternal curse, everyone must remember this law. When the opposing team hits a home run at Wrigley, always throw the ball back.
Failure to follow this simple command will lead to disaster.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Baltimore Real Estate
If you would like to walk the same streets that Edgar Allan Poe walked, your best bet is to move to Baltimore. If you want to find a really good apartment in the Baltimore area, you might want to start by checking out the Baltimore Real Estate owned and managed by Gebhart Properties.
I suggest you begin by asking to see the Briarcliff Apartments in Cockeysville, Maryland, which are located only a few minutes north of Baltimore.
Briarcliff offers numerous amenities, including abundant space, trash pick up at your door, a large pool, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a basketball court.
But the thing that really sets Briarcliff apart from other apartment complexes is the superb construction of the buildings. The walls consist of eight inches of concrete and masonry. This makes each apartment both fireproof and soundproof. You won't find that in most apartment buildings under construction today.
For more information about the Briarcliff Apartments, check out the Gebhart website or call (410) 666-1340.
I suggest you begin by asking to see the Briarcliff Apartments in Cockeysville, Maryland, which are located only a few minutes north of Baltimore.
Briarcliff offers numerous amenities, including abundant space, trash pick up at your door, a large pool, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a basketball court.
But the thing that really sets Briarcliff apart from other apartment complexes is the superb construction of the buildings. The walls consist of eight inches of concrete and masonry. This makes each apartment both fireproof and soundproof. You won't find that in most apartment buildings under construction today.
For more information about the Briarcliff Apartments, check out the Gebhart website or call (410) 666-1340.
Ryan Dempster
Closer Ryan Dempster has a strained left oblique and has been placed on the disabled list. This is bad news, but in my new-found optimism about all things Cubbie, I want to reassure my loyal readers that Dempster will be better within a day or two.
Any team that can perform magic the way the Cubs did against the Rocks on Monday can surely find a miracle cure for its star closer.
Meanwhile, while waiting for the snake oil to cure Dempster, the Cubs have called up Billy Petrick from Double-A Tennessee. Most of you have never heard of Billy Petrick. Get ready for a treat. I've never heard of him either, but with all the magic floating around Wrigley, Petrick will prevent any long drives that might trouble the ivy.
Any team that can perform magic the way the Cubs did against the Rocks on Monday can surely find a miracle cure for its star closer.
Meanwhile, while waiting for the snake oil to cure Dempster, the Cubs have called up Billy Petrick from Double-A Tennessee. Most of you have never heard of Billy Petrick. Get ready for a treat. I've never heard of him either, but with all the magic floating around Wrigley, Petrick will prevent any long drives that might trouble the ivy.
Space Aliens
The Cubs have won five games in a row. Cub batters--Alfonso Soriano, et al.--are hitting like perfect eternal machines. And I'm beginning to think that beings from outer space have landed at Wrigley Field.
Where are the Cubs of yesterday? Where are the errors, the passed balls, the pitchers who can't hit the strike zone? Have aliens taken control of the bodies of these lowly Cubs?
What force has made giants of our little Cubbies?
Dare we hope? Dare we believe?
Where are the Cubs of yesterday? Where are the errors, the passed balls, the pitchers who can't hit the strike zone? Have aliens taken control of the bodies of these lowly Cubs?
What force has made giants of our little Cubbies?
Dare we hope? Dare we believe?
Moving Relocation Services
Every now and then I have to move from one place to another. And every time I swear that I’ll never do it again. “This is absolutely the last time," I tell myself.
Despite my promises to myself, the day always comes when I have to make another move. Moving is stressful for almost everybody. So if you have to make a move anytime soon, you have my sympathy.
But I can also offer something more important than sympathy. I suggest that you go online and look into the help you can get from Service Network.
Service Network can help you find the best Moving Relocation Services. The people at Service Network know that some moving companies have bad reputations. For that reason, they have established a network of movers, all of which have passed though a rigorous application process.
All the moving companies in this network are licensed and insured. They have met all the qualifications required by Service Network. If a problem does arise, Service Network provides dispute-resolution services.
Service Network also provides one last service. It has already negotiated discounts with moving companies as high as 65 percent.
Film Noir 2
The script has to be about people in trouble, usually the kind of trouble that leads to long periods of incarceration. Or the script may call for the private eye or the heroic cop to impose the death sentence. In film noir, crime exists in a world where light and darkness continually struggle against each other, which makes crime the perfect subject for this genre. When a crime takes place, the director doesn't ask for a spotlight.
In film noir, light usually wins the struggle with darkness. Criminals can die in a dark alley, just as their victims have died. In the movies made at present, the camera angles move around the set so often and so quickly that we don't have time to even consider the lighting, except for the explosions. When a car explodes after hitting a light pole, we see the flames far too long and with too many repetitions of the explosion. In real life, cars don't blow up after hitting light poles. But in today's movies, they blow up after hitting anything.
Please bring back the great scripts, great lighting, and great camera work. When you've seen one explosion, you've seen one too many.
In film noir, light usually wins the struggle with darkness. Criminals can die in a dark alley, just as their victims have died. In the movies made at present, the camera angles move around the set so often and so quickly that we don't have time to even consider the lighting, except for the explosions. When a car explodes after hitting a light pole, we see the flames far too long and with too many repetitions of the explosion. In real life, cars don't blow up after hitting light poles. But in today's movies, they blow up after hitting anything.
Please bring back the great scripts, great lighting, and great camera work. When you've seen one explosion, you've seen one too many.
Film Noir 1
Film noir gives many of us more pleasure than any other motion picture genre, even though we may not know why.
The visual image in this kind of movie, especially one made in black and white, attracts the viewer with its sharp contrast between light and shadow. The lighting of the set is more important than in any other type of film. The street lights are brighter and the shadows in the alley are darker than those you'll see in other movies.
If the film combines this lighting with an excellent script and good camera work, the movie will succeed. As always, the acting is the least important factor in the picture, although if you have a Bogart hanging around, he won't do any harm.
The visual image in this kind of movie, especially one made in black and white, attracts the viewer with its sharp contrast between light and shadow. The lighting of the set is more important than in any other type of film. The street lights are brighter and the shadows in the alley are darker than those you'll see in other movies.
If the film combines this lighting with an excellent script and good camera work, the movie will succeed. As always, the acting is the least important factor in the picture, although if you have a Bogart hanging around, he won't do any harm.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Stock-Option Trading
If you are thinking about investing in stock options, keep one thing in mind. Know what you're doing before you invest. If you are new to this kind of investment, do your homework and don't get burnt.
PowerOptions offers one place to get started. It provides instructional materials and toll-free customer support to help you learn how to invest wisely in stock options.
This firm offers the data and the technology you need to find the best returns on option trades. By using these tools, you can analyze a massive amount of data to find just the right options to meet your investment needs. And all these tools are available online.
Consider the services provided by PowerOptions, and then decide how to proceed. If you choose to give PowerOptions a try, keep in mind that the firm offers a 14-day free trial and a performance guarantee.
PowerOptions offers one place to get started. It provides instructional materials and toll-free customer support to help you learn how to invest wisely in stock options.
This firm offers the data and the technology you need to find the best returns on option trades. By using these tools, you can analyze a massive amount of data to find just the right options to meet your investment needs. And all these tools are available online.
Consider the services provided by PowerOptions, and then decide how to proceed. If you choose to give PowerOptions a try, keep in mind that the firm offers a 14-day free trial and a performance guarantee.
Leadoff Homers
If you want to see Alfonso Soriano hit a home run, you should get to Wrigley Field before the game starts.
Soriano is a rare slugger who likes the position of leadoff hitter. He likes to swing at the first good pitch.
And he likes to swing hard.
Soriano has hit fifteen homers for the year, fourteen of which he hit with no one on base.
So remember to get off the El at Addison Street, and don't stop at a bar for a quick one.
Soriano is a rare slugger who likes the position of leadoff hitter. He likes to swing at the first good pitch.
And he likes to swing hard.
Soriano has hit fifteen homers for the year, fourteen of which he hit with no one on base.
So remember to get off the El at Addison Street, and don't stop at a bar for a quick one.
Cubs Win!
I didn't think I'd ever live to see it.
In the game with Colorado Monday night, the Cubs blew a five-run lead in the top of the ninth.
Then they did the impossible.
They rallied in the bottom of the ninth and won the game with Alfonso Soriano's bases-loaded single that drove in the winning runs.
Pat Hughes, broadcasting the game for WGN radio, sounded like a kid as he said "Cubs win!" three times.
I lost track of how many times Ron Santo said "I don't believe it" throughout the ninth inning.
The fans at Wrigley made more noise than we've heard since Mount St. Helens blew apart. Nice game, everyone.
In the game with Colorado Monday night, the Cubs blew a five-run lead in the top of the ninth.
Then they did the impossible.
They rallied in the bottom of the ninth and won the game with Alfonso Soriano's bases-loaded single that drove in the winning runs.
Pat Hughes, broadcasting the game for WGN radio, sounded like a kid as he said "Cubs win!" three times.
I lost track of how many times Ron Santo said "I don't believe it" throughout the ninth inning.
The fans at Wrigley made more noise than we've heard since Mount St. Helens blew apart. Nice game, everyone.
Gifts for Babies
I'm the father of two children. Both children are now adults, but I well remember when they were babies.
Everybody loves a baby, and that's one reason why it's so much fun to buy presents for them. But if you decide you want to buy personalized baby gifts, you may need a little help.
You can find all the help you need online at The Nest Baby Shop. Find cute gifts for cute babies. You can even find gifts for mom and dad.
The Nest Baby Shop can help you choose a unique gift for every baby. If the baby hasn't arrived yet, you can always find a gift for an upcoming baby shower. If you're the one who's going to hold the shower, The Nest Baby Shop can help you find all the shower supplies you'll need.
Everybody loves a baby. Let The Nest Baby Shop help you find just the right gift for your baby.
Everybody loves a baby, and that's one reason why it's so much fun to buy presents for them. But if you decide you want to buy personalized baby gifts, you may need a little help.
You can find all the help you need online at The Nest Baby Shop. Find cute gifts for cute babies. You can even find gifts for mom and dad.
The Nest Baby Shop can help you choose a unique gift for every baby. If the baby hasn't arrived yet, you can always find a gift for an upcoming baby shower. If you're the one who's going to hold the shower, The Nest Baby Shop can help you find all the shower supplies you'll need.
Everybody loves a baby. Let The Nest Baby Shop help you find just the right gift for your baby.
Cubs & Rockies
I'm listening as Pat Hughes and Ron Santo call the Cubs game with Colorado. The Cubs are on the way to their fourth win in a row as they lead Colorado 8-3 at the end of eight innings.
One of the treats in this game is that Mike Fontenot has just gone five for five at the plate. Earlier this year, he was playing for Triple-A Iowa.
And the veteran Angel Pagan hit a three-run homer tonight. With players like these, dare we hope that the Cubs will finish above .500?
One of the treats in this game is that Mike Fontenot has just gone five for five at the plate. Earlier this year, he was playing for Triple-A Iowa.
And the veteran Angel Pagan hit a three-run homer tonight. With players like these, dare we hope that the Cubs will finish above .500?
Troubled Fantasy
It can give the baseball fanatic a good deal of pleasure to play MLB fantasy baseball, in my case the 2007 Open. The player has a good deal of freedom to pick team members and choose a starting lineup. Then you collect a certain number of points each day, depending on how well your players do in their real-life games.
The problem is that once you choose your lineup for the week, you can't change it. So if you put a player in your lineup and that player doesn't play on any given day for whatever reason, you can't put in a substitute. And you can't collect any points for a player who doesn't play.
I grant you that this problem doesn't equal the problems of war, famine, drought, hurricanes, and all the other problems in the world. But when we play games, we want to forget those problems, don't we? We don't deny that they exist, but we need a break.
So if the MLB doesn't mind, I want to be able to change my lineup every day.
The problem is that once you choose your lineup for the week, you can't change it. So if you put a player in your lineup and that player doesn't play on any given day for whatever reason, you can't put in a substitute. And you can't collect any points for a player who doesn't play.
I grant you that this problem doesn't equal the problems of war, famine, drought, hurricanes, and all the other problems in the world. But when we play games, we want to forget those problems, don't we? We don't deny that they exist, but we need a break.
So if the MLB doesn't mind, I want to be able to change my lineup every day.
Travel Insurance
People who travel overseas need to find out what their insurance will cover in the event of illness or emergency. For example, people who are 65 or older need to known that Medicare does not cover almost any of their medical costs while overseas. But there are alternatives.
For over 35 years, TravelSafe Insurance has provided insurance for vacation travelers who go overseas. This Travel Insurance covers worldwide medical expenses, a 24-hour emergency telephone number, emergency medical evacuation, coverage for preexisting medical conditions, terrorism, trip cancellations, hurricanes, and more.
In addition, TravelSafe provides cash back if you cancel your trip for any reason.
For more information, including an immediate quote, visit Travelsafe.com or call (800) 523-8020 at any time.
For over 35 years, TravelSafe Insurance has provided insurance for vacation travelers who go overseas. This Travel Insurance covers worldwide medical expenses, a 24-hour emergency telephone number, emergency medical evacuation, coverage for preexisting medical conditions, terrorism, trip cancellations, hurricanes, and more.
In addition, TravelSafe provides cash back if you cancel your trip for any reason.
For more information, including an immediate quote, visit Travelsafe.com or call (800) 523-8020 at any time.
Fantasy
The Cubs won't play until 7:05 PM tonight, when the Colorado Rocks come to town. So I have to find a way to waste time until then.
The easiest way for me to waste time is to play fantasy baseball. I'll simply go online and check my standings in the 2007 Open.
In a league with twelve teams, my team is in seventh place and shows no likelyhood of gaining. After one week of play, the first-place team has 205.5 points. I have 162.5 points, which means I have no chance in a hail storm of ever catching the leader. The Cubs will win the World Series before I ever get out of seventh place.
The players on my team include Jorge Posada, Derrek Lee, and Placido Polanco. All the others are so obscure that you've never heard of them. If they ever start scoring any points, I'll try to learn their names.
The easiest way for me to waste time is to play fantasy baseball. I'll simply go online and check my standings in the 2007 Open.
In a league with twelve teams, my team is in seventh place and shows no likelyhood of gaining. After one week of play, the first-place team has 205.5 points. I have 162.5 points, which means I have no chance in a hail storm of ever catching the leader. The Cubs will win the World Series before I ever get out of seventh place.
The players on my team include Jorge Posada, Derrek Lee, and Placido Polanco. All the others are so obscure that you've never heard of them. If they ever start scoring any points, I'll try to learn their names.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Why Am I So Stupid?
The Los Angeles Times reports that "A study of 240,000 Norwegian men says eldest children have IQs 2 to 3 points greater than younger siblings."
This proves what I've always known. My older sister is smarter than I am.
My sister isn't Norwegian, and she isn't a man, but this is no time to quibble. Our parents treated her like a smart girl and treated me like a stupid boy.
My sister understands everything, and I can't even understand the Chicago Cubs. Why do they always lose?
My sister is so smart that she has the best record in any game of fantasy baseball you ever heard of. I can't even figure out how to get my best players into the starting lineup.
My parents are to blame. Now I'm hopeless. Guess I'll just watch baseball on TV.
This proves what I've always known. My older sister is smarter than I am.
My sister isn't Norwegian, and she isn't a man, but this is no time to quibble. Our parents treated her like a smart girl and treated me like a stupid boy.
My sister understands everything, and I can't even understand the Chicago Cubs. Why do they always lose?
My sister is so smart that she has the best record in any game of fantasy baseball you ever heard of. I can't even figure out how to get my best players into the starting lineup.
My parents are to blame. Now I'm hopeless. Guess I'll just watch baseball on TV.
DirectoryofSchools.com
In today's employment market, job seekers have to keep the importance of education in mind. Some people are looking for their first job. Others hope to find a better job.
The problem for many people is that they lack the time or resources to attend a traditional college, university, or trade school. This fact has made online degrees and professional certificate programs increasingly important.
For the student who wishes to pursue an online degree or certificate program, it becomes crucial to find just the right college, university, or trade school. That's where the online services of DirectoryofSchools.com can provide help.
DirectoryofSchools.com can direct students to over 9,230 degree and certificate programs, offered by more than 1,355 schools. DirectoryofSchools.com goes out of its way to make sure that each school it lists meets accreditation or vocational industry standards. For those students who still need a high-school education, DirectoryofSchools.com provides a nationwide directory.
If you or someone you know needs an online degree or professional certificate program, DirectoryofSchools.com can provide the first place to start looking.
The problem for many people is that they lack the time or resources to attend a traditional college, university, or trade school. This fact has made online degrees and professional certificate programs increasingly important.
For the student who wishes to pursue an online degree or certificate program, it becomes crucial to find just the right college, university, or trade school. That's where the online services of DirectoryofSchools.com can provide help.
DirectoryofSchools.com can direct students to over 9,230 degree and certificate programs, offered by more than 1,355 schools. DirectoryofSchools.com goes out of its way to make sure that each school it lists meets accreditation or vocational industry standards. For those students who still need a high-school education, DirectoryofSchools.com provides a nationwide directory.
If you or someone you know needs an online degree or professional certificate program, DirectoryofSchools.com can provide the first place to start looking.
Cubs Sweep Sox
In an event unrivaled in recent human history, the Cubs handed the Sox three straight loses in the interleague series that ended on Sunday.
I know we shouldn't gloat, but it feels so good to send the Sox home in a bad mood.
Sean Marshall, with a little help from the bullpen, shut out the White Sox in a 3-0 win.
The question now facing the multitude is this: Will the Cubs continue to win, or was this series just an aberration?
I'd like to bet on more wins, but I never throw away my money.
I know we shouldn't gloat, but it feels so good to send the Sox home in a bad mood.
Sean Marshall, with a little help from the bullpen, shut out the White Sox in a 3-0 win.
The question now facing the multitude is this: Will the Cubs continue to win, or was this series just an aberration?
I'd like to bet on more wins, but I never throw away my money.
Holliman No-Hits
While great matters were afoot in Chicago and other major-league cities, a little-known 23-year-old pitcher named Mark Holliman pitched a no-hitter for the Cubs minor-league Tennessee.
Holliman threw 81 pitches, 51 0f which were strikes. He gave up one walk, struck out three, and hit a home run in the fifth inning. That one walk was all that prevented a perfect game. Tennessee beat Huntsville 3-0.
Now here's the big question. When will the Cubs call Holliman up or at least send him to a Triple-A team? Time's passing here in Chicago. We need some young pitchers to get off the train at Union Station and go to work.
Carlos Zambrano can't do it all himself, although he doesn't know that, and I don't intend to tell.
Holliman threw 81 pitches, 51 0f which were strikes. He gave up one walk, struck out three, and hit a home run in the fifth inning. That one walk was all that prevented a perfect game. Tennessee beat Huntsville 3-0.
Now here's the big question. When will the Cubs call Holliman up or at least send him to a Triple-A team? Time's passing here in Chicago. We need some young pitchers to get off the train at Union Station and go to work.
Carlos Zambrano can't do it all himself, although he doesn't know that, and I don't intend to tell.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Appraisal 360
If you decide to start a Mom and Pop business, you already know both employees. But what do you do when you need to expand the business and hire more workers?
Most firms review CVs, looking at each applicant's job history and references. These tell you what happened in the past, but what tells you how well an applicant will get along with customers, suppliers, and other employees in the future?
You need some way to predict how well people will work with others. Appraisal 360 provides an online tool that can help you make this prediction. This easy-to-use tool is called 360 degree feedback.
Both employers and employees can use this tool to measure factors such as self-motivation, self-awareness, and the ability to support others. All these factors are crucial to how well a new employee will interact with all the people involved in a new work situation.
No one is suggesting that an employer should throw out the CVs and job references. But Appraisal 360 provides a useful tool to help an employer pick just the right person for a new job.
Most firms review CVs, looking at each applicant's job history and references. These tell you what happened in the past, but what tells you how well an applicant will get along with customers, suppliers, and other employees in the future?
You need some way to predict how well people will work with others. Appraisal 360 provides an online tool that can help you make this prediction. This easy-to-use tool is called 360 degree feedback.
Both employers and employees can use this tool to measure factors such as self-motivation, self-awareness, and the ability to support others. All these factors are crucial to how well a new employee will interact with all the people involved in a new work situation.
No one is suggesting that an employer should throw out the CVs and job references. But Appraisal 360 provides a useful tool to help an employer pick just the right person for a new job.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs keep sending outstanding Triple-A ballplayers to Wrigley Field. Just where do the Iowa Cubs learn how to play baseball?
The entire staff of New Moon set out to answer this question. We found the Iowa Cubs at Sec Taylor Stadium in the city of Des Moines.
The El doesn't stop in Des Moines, so we took Amtrak to the town of Osceola, and the mayor of Des Moines came down and picked us up.
The stadium sits in Riverside Park, at about the distance of a Mickey Mantle home run from the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers.
If you'd like more information, ask Mike Fontenot, Koyie Hill, Felix Pie, or any of the other recent arrivals from Des Moines.
The entire staff of New Moon set out to answer this question. We found the Iowa Cubs at Sec Taylor Stadium in the city of Des Moines.
The El doesn't stop in Des Moines, so we took Amtrak to the town of Osceola, and the mayor of Des Moines came down and picked us up.
The stadium sits in Riverside Park, at about the distance of a Mickey Mantle home run from the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers.
If you'd like more information, ask Mike Fontenot, Koyie Hill, Felix Pie, or any of the other recent arrivals from Des Moines.
The Yankees?
What happened to the New York Yankees? Wasn't it only a few days ago that they had a ten-game record of 9-1? They zoomed past .500 and, so it was said, would soon overtake and overwhelm the Boston Red Sox. Every sports page you found in the barbershop ran on at length about the Yankee miracle.
I hate to underwhelm you Yankee fans, but your team's rocket stopped rising. The Yankees topped out at .500, their ten-day record is an unexciting 5-5, they're 11 games behind the Red Sox, and the baseball writers have moved on to a new topic. Maybe Tampa Bay just started to make its move.
Sorry Yankees. You're still stuck in the Bronx.
I hate to underwhelm you Yankee fans, but your team's rocket stopped rising. The Yankees topped out at .500, their ten-day record is an unexciting 5-5, they're 11 games behind the Red Sox, and the baseball writers have moved on to a new topic. Maybe Tampa Bay just started to make its move.
Sorry Yankees. You're still stuck in the Bronx.
Save It With Silver
With all the investment opportunities now available to savers, it's easy to forget silver and other precious metals. At present, silver may be especially attractive to investors. Yearly demand for silver now exceeds production. The world’s silver reserves are growing smaller and may soon drop to nothing.
For over thirty years, the Monex Deposit Company (MDC) has made it convenient for investors to purchase silver in either coin or ingot form. Monex can provide safe delivery or arrange for secure storage in a bank or depository.
MDC's large professional staff can provide the best service possible to its customers. Regardless of the form the silver takes or the type of storage desired, Monex offers both convenience and competitive prices to all investors.
For over thirty years, the Monex Deposit Company (MDC) has made it convenient for investors to purchase silver in either coin or ingot form. Monex can provide safe delivery or arrange for secure storage in a bank or depository.
MDC's large professional staff can provide the best service possible to its customers. Regardless of the form the silver takes or the type of storage desired, Monex offers both convenience and competitive prices to all investors.
Big Z
While I'm effusing about baseball excitement, I should say that Carlos Zambrano got the blood up Friday with his twelve strikeouts. The White Sox looked like the often-mentioned rusty gates.
I regret that Mike Barrett wasn't there to congratulate the big right-hander, but he probably read about the game. Rob Bowen was present, and he appeared to enjoy his job, as the strikes smacked repeatedly into his mitt.
Good job Rob. Nice to have you around.
I regret that Mike Barrett wasn't there to congratulate the big right-hander, but he probably read about the game. Rob Bowen was present, and he appeared to enjoy his job, as the strikes smacked repeatedly into his mitt.
Good job Rob. Nice to have you around.
Suicide
For my money, the suicide squeeze is still the most exciting play in baseball. An inside-the-park homer is its only rival.
That's why I enjoyed Saturday's victory over the White Sox so much. Angel Pagan ran it like a genuine pro, and Ryan Theriot laid down a perfect bunt.
I'm one of those old guys who's seen altogether too many over-the-fence home runs. Big deal. Here's another steroid-bloated hero sending the ball out of the park.
(I did enjoy Soriano's homer, and I don't think he uses steroids. He's so good he doesn't need them.)
Anyway, my advice to Lou Piniella is keep them guessing. Try anything. That's how you win ballgames.
That's why I enjoyed Saturday's victory over the White Sox so much. Angel Pagan ran it like a genuine pro, and Ryan Theriot laid down a perfect bunt.
I'm one of those old guys who's seen altogether too many over-the-fence home runs. Big deal. Here's another steroid-bloated hero sending the ball out of the park.
(I did enjoy Soriano's homer, and I don't think he uses steroids. He's so good he doesn't need them.)
Anyway, my advice to Lou Piniella is keep them guessing. Try anything. That's how you win ballgames.
Work at Home
For over thirty years, I’ve climbed out of bed every weekday morning and stumbled off to work. I don’t mind the work. I mind the hours. I’m one of those people who is naturally nocturnal. I may get up at 7:00 AM, but my brain doesn’t get up until 4:00 PM. The people around me may start looking at the clock at the same time that I really start working. By 5:00 PM, I’m a one-man dynamo.
What I’ve needed all those years was a job that starts when my brain starts. I needed a job that let me work at home. Other people will have their own reasons for wanting to work at a time and pace that best suits their lives. But regardless of the reason, all those people can take advantage of the work opportunities at WhyDoWork.com.
The World Wide Web is laced with crackpot work-at-home schemes that promise you everything and deliver nothing. WhyDoWork.com helps its members separate the scams from the real jobs that you can do at home. Some members may choose to do part-time work, while others may wish to devise full-time home employment. WhyDoWork.com can help at-home workers regardless of individual work goals. And it costs you nothing to join.
I’m about ready to start my second career. This time I think I’ll do it at home.
What I’ve needed all those years was a job that starts when my brain starts. I needed a job that let me work at home. Other people will have their own reasons for wanting to work at a time and pace that best suits their lives. But regardless of the reason, all those people can take advantage of the work opportunities at WhyDoWork.com.
The World Wide Web is laced with crackpot work-at-home schemes that promise you everything and deliver nothing. WhyDoWork.com helps its members separate the scams from the real jobs that you can do at home. Some members may choose to do part-time work, while others may wish to devise full-time home employment. WhyDoWork.com can help at-home workers regardless of individual work goals. And it costs you nothing to join.
I’m about ready to start my second career. This time I think I’ll do it at home.
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
For people who like the British actress Joan Plowright, the movie Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont may be just the thing. Ruth Sacks wrote the screenplay, and Dan Ireland directed this story of a widow who moves to London to take in the local cultural attractions and be near her grandson.
The grandson fails to appear, and so do the cultural attractions. Instead, Mrs. Palfrey makes new friends, including a young writer. The story that follows portrays a genteel old age and a peaceful demise.
All this is just fine if you want death and old age shown in an ideal fashion. I like escapism as much as the next movie goer, but this escape tested my willingness to suspend disbelief.
Nonetheless, the film was well made and presents a series of colorful characters who inhabit the
Claremont Hotel. If you're looking for light entertainment with a serious edge, this may be just your film.
The grandson fails to appear, and so do the cultural attractions. Instead, Mrs. Palfrey makes new friends, including a young writer. The story that follows portrays a genteel old age and a peaceful demise.
All this is just fine if you want death and old age shown in an ideal fashion. I like escapism as much as the next movie goer, but this escape tested my willingness to suspend disbelief.
Nonetheless, the film was well made and presents a series of colorful characters who inhabit the
Claremont Hotel. If you're looking for light entertainment with a serious edge, this may be just your film.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Translating Lou and Carlos
At one point during Friday's game with the hapless White Sox, catcher Rob Bowen went to the mound to hear what Lou Piniella said to Carlos Zambrano. But Rob later reported that he didn't learn much. "They spoke Spanish. I know about four words in Spanish."
Here at New Moon we have interpreters for Spanish, Japanese, South Side Chicago, and many other foreign languages. This is what Lou and Carlos said:
LP: Throw strikes.
CZ: I am.
LP: Throw the kind they can't hit.
CZ: I struck out twelve.
LP: Not enough. You let them get three hits.
CZ: We're still ahead.
LP: Not far enough. This new catcher may start throwing the ball into the outfield.
CZ: He looks kind of young.
LP: Doesn't matter. Don't start punching him. Just throw strikes and maybe he'll catch the ball.
CZ: OK, OK. Don't yell. And don't kick any more umpires.
LP: Just throw strikes and leave the umpires to me.
CZ: OK, Ok. What a grouch.
That, Rob, is exactly what they said. Honest.
Here at New Moon we have interpreters for Spanish, Japanese, South Side Chicago, and many other foreign languages. This is what Lou and Carlos said:
LP: Throw strikes.
CZ: I am.
LP: Throw the kind they can't hit.
CZ: I struck out twelve.
LP: Not enough. You let them get three hits.
CZ: We're still ahead.
LP: Not far enough. This new catcher may start throwing the ball into the outfield.
CZ: He looks kind of young.
LP: Doesn't matter. Don't start punching him. Just throw strikes and maybe he'll catch the ball.
CZ: OK, OK. Don't yell. And don't kick any more umpires.
LP: Just throw strikes and leave the umpires to me.
CZ: OK, Ok. What a grouch.
That, Rob, is exactly what they said. Honest.
Small- Business Phone Systems
Numerous problems confront the typical small business. Cash-flow issues seem to pop up everywhere. Then the small business has to find the right workforce for the tasks at hand. Next there's the problem of how to best promote the firm's products and services. With all these issues bedeviling the business, the last thing it needs is an inadequate telephone system.
Xpander Communications provides new telephone systems such as Voice Over IP (VoIP) specifically designed for small businesses. Xpander delivers VOIP Small Business phone systems that are easy to use, easy to maintain, and affordable.
A small business can have these systems installed at both its home office and all branch offices, thereby making the job more efficient and more successful for everyone. Xpander makes these high-tech telephone systems affordable for small businesses by providing limitless free service and support, plus the best in long-distance and international calling plans.
Large firms can afford the best telephone systems available. And now Xpander Communications makes the best telephone systems available to small businesses.
Xpander Communications provides new telephone systems such as Voice Over IP (VoIP) specifically designed for small businesses. Xpander delivers VOIP Small Business phone systems that are easy to use, easy to maintain, and affordable.
A small business can have these systems installed at both its home office and all branch offices, thereby making the job more efficient and more successful for everyone. Xpander makes these high-tech telephone systems affordable for small businesses by providing limitless free service and support, plus the best in long-distance and international calling plans.
Large firms can afford the best telephone systems available. And now Xpander Communications makes the best telephone systems available to small businesses.
Cubs Lose and Lose
How can we collect thirteen runs against the Rangers, the last-place team in the American League, and still lose the game? The Rangers got only nine hits.
First there was the forlorn rundown attempt. Then there were the two barely missed catches in the outfield. But Bowen, the new catcher, performed just right.
So what happened? What happened is what always happens. The Cubs simply lose. They have the habit of losing.
What will break the habit? If I knew the answer to that question, I could have Lou Piniella's job.
First there was the forlorn rundown attempt. Then there were the two barely missed catches in the outfield. But Bowen, the new catcher, performed just right.
So what happened? What happened is what always happens. The Cubs simply lose. They have the habit of losing.
What will break the habit? If I knew the answer to that question, I could have Lou Piniella's job.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Bowen Behind the Plate
Rob Bowen, the Cubs new starting pitcher, has arrived from Padre land. He started the game against the Rangers on Thursday, and everyone thinks he did just fine.
Bowen got his first hit for the Cubs on Thursday, which also resulted in his first RBI.
Behind the plate, he played errorless baseball.
The cynics in Chicago may be asking if Bowen has a good left punch and a better right cross, but I've grown tired of that old joke.
Almost.
Bowen got his first hit for the Cubs on Thursday, which also resulted in his first RBI.
Behind the plate, he played errorless baseball.
The cynics in Chicago may be asking if Bowen has a good left punch and a better right cross, but I've grown tired of that old joke.
Almost.
Crime Prevention
Law-enforcement experts have known for decades that the best way to fight crime is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Tammy Alexander has won the 2006 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for her achievements in community crime prevention. Alexander works for Fountainhead College of Technology in
Alexander is a master’s degree student at capella university, where she is studying education, specializing in enrollment management. She is one of the many students whose job requirements prevent her from attending classes on a traditional university campus. Capella is an online university that provides over 80 areas of specialization and 16 certificate programs.
Monday, June 18, 2007
How To Avoid Fines and Suspensions
At the request of Major League Baseball, New Moon has compiled a list of ways for players and managers to avoid fines and suspensions.
1. Do not throw a pitch at the head of an opposing batter.
2. After throwing a pitch at the head of an opposing batter, do not try to punch him with your fist.
3. Do not try to punch pitchers who are bigger than you. It's not worth the fine and the suspension.
4. During night games, do not kick dirt on umpires when the lights are on.
5. Do not kick an umpire's cap while it is on his head.
6. Do not kick your own cap while it is on an umpire's head.
7. Do not bang your forehead against an umpire's cap, regardless of which part of his body it occupies.
1. Do not throw a pitch at the head of an opposing batter.
2. After throwing a pitch at the head of an opposing batter, do not try to punch him with your fist.
3. Do not try to punch pitchers who are bigger than you. It's not worth the fine and the suspension.
4. During night games, do not kick dirt on umpires when the lights are on.
5. Do not kick an umpire's cap while it is on his head.
6. Do not kick your own cap while it is on an umpire's head.
7. Do not bang your forehead against an umpire's cap, regardless of which part of his body it occupies.
Rules for Home-Run Hitters
Following the recent criticism of Alfonso Soriano, New Moon has established the following rules for home-run hitters as they trot around the bases:
1. After watching the ball clear the ivy, do not turn on your portable TV to watch it again on instant replay.
2. Do not have flowers delivered to the pitcher while he's still on the mound.
3. Do not take out your cell phone to tell your relatives about the homer.
4. Do not stop to make an entry in your diary.
5. Do not attempt to give the first baseman the high five.
6. Do not ask the second baseman if he wants your autograph.
7. Do not do cartwheels while running the bases.
8. Do not roll out your Lay-Z-Boy at third base.
9. Do not lie down to take a nap on home plate.
10. Do not ask any of the umpires to take photos of the ball in flight.
New Moon reserves the right to institute additional rules as needed.
1. After watching the ball clear the ivy, do not turn on your portable TV to watch it again on instant replay.
2. Do not have flowers delivered to the pitcher while he's still on the mound.
3. Do not take out your cell phone to tell your relatives about the homer.
4. Do not stop to make an entry in your diary.
5. Do not attempt to give the first baseman the high five.
6. Do not ask the second baseman if he wants your autograph.
7. Do not do cartwheels while running the bases.
8. Do not roll out your Lay-Z-Boy at third base.
9. Do not lie down to take a nap on home plate.
10. Do not ask any of the umpires to take photos of the ball in flight.
New Moon reserves the right to institute additional rules as needed.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Online Degree
Capella University's most recent podcast deals with the subject of completing a degree online. The podcast includes an interview with Carla Thomas, M.D. Dr. Thomas, a family physician, is presently working on a Ph.D. in healthcare administration at Capella.
Capella's podcast series features interviews with students, faculty, and staff members who recount their experiences with online education at capella university. Each podcast lasts about fifteen minutes. Interested parties can subscribe to the podcast RSS feed at capellacommons.com/rss/. One can also subscribe via iTunes.
Capella is an online university, which satisfies the needs of students who cannot attend classes on a traditional campus. It presently serves over 17,900 students throughout theUnited States
Capella's podcast series features interviews with students, faculty, and staff members who recount their experiences with online education at capella university. Each podcast lasts about fifteen minutes. Interested parties can subscribe to the podcast RSS feed at capellacommons.com/rss/. One can also subscribe via iTunes.
Capella is an online university, which satisfies the needs of students who cannot attend classes on a traditional campus. It presently serves over 17,900 students throughout the
Download Movies
New Moon now provides an easy way for you to obtain the movie you just can’t wait for. Simply go to the right sidebar and find the box labeled “DVD-Quality Downloads.” Click on the button and see what’s there. DVD-quality downloads for hundreds of movies await you. You can shop by category, by genre, or by movie studio. If you prefer a TV show instead of a movie, look at anything from A&E to VH1. Shop by channel or by genre. The prices vary, depending on what you choose. Why wait? See what you want, and see it now.
Bats & Balls
Rich Hill lasted only three innings in today's game against the Padres. During that time, he dished up five hits and five runs.
Hill said the main problem was "just the ball was coming off the bat a little differently today."
He has a point there. When you get right down to it, the whole pitcher-batter contest is about "the ball coming off the bat."
The pitcher wants the ball to come off the bat and gently hop to one of the infielders. The batter wants the ball to come off the bat as a screaming line drive that would destroy the hand of anyone who tried to catch it.
Or the pitcher wants the batter to miss the ball altogether. In other words, in an ideal world, no batter would ever hit the ball. Instead, strike after strike would plop securely into the catcher's mitt.
In the ideal world of the batter, he would hit the ball so hard and so far that it would sail all the way across the Howard Street El and land somewhere in Lake Michigan.
Rich has given us the essential problem every pitcher has to face. It all comes down to the ball coming, or not coming, off the bat.
Hill said the main problem was "just the ball was coming off the bat a little differently today."
He has a point there. When you get right down to it, the whole pitcher-batter contest is about "the ball coming off the bat."
The pitcher wants the ball to come off the bat and gently hop to one of the infielders. The batter wants the ball to come off the bat as a screaming line drive that would destroy the hand of anyone who tried to catch it.
Or the pitcher wants the batter to miss the ball altogether. In other words, in an ideal world, no batter would ever hit the ball. Instead, strike after strike would plop securely into the catcher's mitt.
In the ideal world of the batter, he would hit the ball so hard and so far that it would sail all the way across the Howard Street El and land somewhere in Lake Michigan.
Rich has given us the essential problem every pitcher has to face. It all comes down to the ball coming, or not coming, off the bat.
Appreciative Coaching
Sara Orem, Jacqueline Binkert, and Ann Clancy have co-authored the book Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change.
Sara Orem, PhD, is a member of the faculty at capella university, where she teaches in the
Jacqueline Binkert, PhD, is an executive coach who works primarily with teams and leaders.
Ann Clancy, PhD, operates her own consulting firm. She specializes in work with corporations, community organizations, and federal agencies.
Appreciative Coaching takes the position that groups and individuals succeed when they concentrate on ideals, achievements, and best practices. The book suggests that one can reach success by following a path though four stages--Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny.
Capella is an online university, which satisfies the needs of students who cannot attend classes on a traditional campus. It presently serves over 19,000 students throughout the
Cubs Versus Padres
It's the top of the eighth inning at Wrigley Field, and the Padres lead the Cubs 9-3.
I remain guardedly optimistic about the game. If a tornado touches down on the field and blows the Padres away, the win may go to the Cubs.
And of course, there's always the possibility that a brawl may break out, leading to the ejection of all
With our north side favorites, anything is possible.
Fantasy Baseball Failure
I'm presently playing fantasy baseball, courtesy of Major League Baseball. The only good thing about this is that it doesn't cost me anything to play. Otherwise, I would have lost everything I own, which isn't much, but it's all I have.
Consider the game "Home Run Beat the Streak." If I could pick a player each day who will hit a home run, and if I do that 11 or more times, I might win $10,000.
The player presently in the lead has a streak of 9.
Thus far, my longest streak is 1, and my present streak is 0.
I'm beginning to lose hope.
Then there's the game called "Survivor 2007." In this game, all I have to do is pick a winning team each day until I have reached a winning streak longer that any other player.
If I do that, I'll win 2 season tickets for the team of my choice (the Cubs) for the 2008 season.
At present, the leading player has built a winning streak of 19 (nineteen) games.
By contrast, my longest streak was 3, and my current streak is 0.
I'm beginning to wonder if I have the right stuff for MLB fantasy baseball.
Consider the game "Home Run Beat the Streak." If I could pick a player each day who will hit a home run, and if I do that 11 or more times, I might win $10,000.
The player presently in the lead has a streak of 9.
Thus far, my longest streak is 1, and my present streak is 0.
I'm beginning to lose hope.
Then there's the game called "Survivor 2007." In this game, all I have to do is pick a winning team each day until I have reached a winning streak longer that any other player.
If I do that, I'll win 2 season tickets for the team of my choice (the Cubs) for the 2008 season.
At present, the leading player has built a winning streak of 19 (nineteen) games.
By contrast, my longest streak was 3, and my current streak is 0.
I'm beginning to wonder if I have the right stuff for MLB fantasy baseball.
New Degree Program
This new degree and the new specializations boost the abundance of programs offered by Capella, a fully online University. The new Bachelor of Science in Public Safety rounds out the degree programs available through capella university in that subject area. Capella already offers MS and PhD programs in public safety. The BS is offered with a criminal justice specialization.
The new degree program and the eight new specializations are now open for enrollments, along with the programs and specializations previously offered by
Capella is an online university, which satisfies the needs of students who cannot attend classes on a traditional campus. It presently serves over 19,000 students throughout the
Crash
I just watched a movie called Crash. It purports to be a thriller with a message.
The best thing about the movie is the convoluted plot, during which viewers can try to answer some of the many questions the plot raises.
The message implicit in the plot is that the way we treat people who are different from ourselves may set off a series of events that leads to a tragedy. If you mistreat someone because of his skin color, this may lead to another event far worse that the first one.
The problem with the message is that I already agree with it, but some people do not. The one's who disagree are unlikely to attend the movie. The movie, therefore, preaches to the converted.
The message might convince young children who are not yet set in their ways. But the film is too complex, too violent, and too full of foul language for children.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Brawl at Wrigley
I don't know what words passed between Derrek Lee and
Judging from Lee's reaction, Young chose the wrong words, especially after he had thrown a pitch at Lee's head. The throw may have been deliberate, or it may have been accidental.
In any event, Lee and Young exchanged words; then they exchanged punches.
The words landed. The punches didn't.
Derrek Lee doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who gets involved in a boxing match. Both Lee and Young refused to tell reporters what they had said.Friday, June 15, 2007
Orlando Villa Rentals
In case you haven't heard,
When you go to
The entertainment in
Barrett Returns
In the spirit of brotherhood that now obtains after three Cub wins, it's time for all of us to stop making jokes about Michael Barrett's dugout boxing exhibitions. For my part, I intend to declare a moratorium until someone does something that requires my attention. I also think people should stop blaming Barrett every time the Cubs lose a game.
We should all follow pitcher Ryan Dempster's lead. Ryan says people have been criticizing Barrett far too much. Pitcher Ted Lilly agrees with Dempster. Both say that one passed ball does not determine the outcome of an entire game, and people should stop giving Barrett so much gas.
If Lilly and Dempster are glad to see Barrett back behind the plate, so am I. Case closed.
I really mean it.New Faith in the Cubs
If Mike Fontenot and Alfonso Soriano don't give us new faith in the Cubs, nothing ever will. Soriano is the veteran. Fontenot is the rookie. They both performed like heros today.
The Cubs have now won three in a row and trail the Brewers by 5 games. It's enough to make you think they might finish above .500, but I urge everyone not to get overconfident. I don't want to spoil your day.
One fan at today's game appears to have spoiled Derrek Lee's day by robbing him of a home run. Then another fan got in the way as Cliff Floyd tried to field a fly ball in right.
Why don't these people know enough to keep their hands away from the ball while it's still in play? Haven't they ever been to a baseball game before?
The Cubs have now won three in a row and trail the Brewers by 5 games. It's enough to make you think they might finish above .500, but I urge everyone not to get overconfident. I don't want to spoil your day.
One fan at today's game appears to have spoiled Derrek Lee's day by robbing him of a home run. Then another fan got in the way as Cliff Floyd tried to field a fly ball in right.
Why don't these people know enough to keep their hands away from the ball while it's still in play? Haven't they ever been to a baseball game before?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Skin It Skins
The purchase of a loptop computer is more than a small investment. Once you've paid for the laptop you want, you hate to see that expensive device get scuffed and scratched.
People who want to keep their laptop computers free of scratches should consider the use of Laptop skins. Skin It skins are also available for other portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras.
Skin It skins employ 3M adhesive technology. In addition to protecting your portable devices, Skin It skins also make a personal fashion statement.
The baseball fan can find a protective skin that matches just the right major-league team. Other designs include skins for college, comics, entertainment, popular art, and much more.
Skin It skins are easy to apply. Find the ones that are just right for your portable devices.
People who want to keep their laptop computers free of scratches should consider the use of Laptop skins. Skin It skins are also available for other portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras.
Skin It skins employ 3M adhesive technology. In addition to protecting your portable devices, Skin It skins also make a personal fashion statement.
The baseball fan can find a protective skin that matches just the right major-league team. Other designs include skins for college, comics, entertainment, popular art, and much more.
Skin It skins are easy to apply. Find the ones that are just right for your portable devices.
The Habit of Losing
As I watched the Cubs beat Seattle last night, I recalled again how easy it is for Cub fans to maintain the habit of losing. Many of us just assume that we will lose and keep on losing.
Do the players have that same habit? I don't know.
When you win, as we did last night, it may occur to us that winning always comes as a surprise. We tend to assume we'll never win the game, the pennant, or the series. The Cubs simply won't do that.
How long, if ever, would it take to assume the habit of winning? Is that even possible?
If you know the answers to all these questions, please let me know.
Do the players have that same habit? I don't know.
When you win, as we did last night, it may occur to us that winning always comes as a surprise. We tend to assume we'll never win the game, the pennant, or the series. The Cubs simply won't do that.
How long, if ever, would it take to assume the habit of winning? Is that even possible?
If you know the answers to all these questions, please let me know.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Another Rumble at Wrigley?
Justin Verlander is happy because his curveball and changeup worked with his fastball last night in Detroit.
Neifi Perez is happy that he could initiate a double play that should have been impossible.
The people of Detroit are happy that Verlander's fastball reaches speeds of 100 MPH and higher, which is faster than anyone should drive the cars made in Detroit.
But in spite of all this no-hit joy in Motown, Rich Hill and Michael Barrett weren't happy at all last night. They disagreed about something that occurred on the road to the Cubs 5-3 loss to Seattle.
Hill and Barrett were so unhappy with each other that pitching coach Larry Rothschild separated them in the dugout before another Rumble at Wrigley.
What is it about Barrett that makes his pitchers want to hit him? With their fists, I mean, not the ball.
Do we have a communications problem in the Cub dugout at Wrigley Field?
Neifi Perez is happy that he could initiate a double play that should have been impossible.
The people of Detroit are happy that Verlander's fastball reaches speeds of 100 MPH and higher, which is faster than anyone should drive the cars made in Detroit.
But in spite of all this no-hit joy in Motown, Rich Hill and Michael Barrett weren't happy at all last night. They disagreed about something that occurred on the road to the Cubs 5-3 loss to Seattle.
Hill and Barrett were so unhappy with each other that pitching coach Larry Rothschild separated them in the dugout before another Rumble at Wrigley.
What is it about Barrett that makes his pitchers want to hit him? With their fists, I mean, not the ball.
Do we have a communications problem in the Cub dugout at Wrigley Field?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Russian Brides
Most of my readers are baseball fans. If you are one of those, and if you are male and unattached, you may find yourself wishing that you had a marriage or relationship. If you could find someone from another country who wanted to learn from your knowledge of baseball and other American topics, that would be even better.
Consider something else. What are you going to do next fall when the baseball season ends? Some sports fans can slide from baseball into football. Many cannot. If you're one of those who cannot make the transition, you may find yourself feeling lonely.
If you feel lonely, you can do one of two things. You can sit around all winter feeling sorry for yourself, or you can try to find a suitable partner.
That's when Lovers Planet can come to your aid. Lovers Planet is an online dating service that introduces Russian women to American men. In a great many cases, the Russian women eventually become russian brides. A match like this doesn't happen overnight. It takes time for the relationship to mature.
The service begins by providing profiles and photos of Russian women, along with women from
Most of the women of
The divorce rate among Russian women and American men is far lower than that among American women and American men. Even so, no one can promise that you will meet the bride of your dreams by using the services of Lovers Planet.
But many other men already have.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Serious Addiction: Home Run Beat the Streak
My name is F. Scott Fitzgerald, and I'm addicted to Home Run Beat the Streak.
Major League Baseball gave us Home Run Beat the Streak. When will it give us Fantasy Baseball Anonymous?
Home Run Beat the Streak (HRBS) creates the illusion that it's possible to win. All you have to do is pick guys who will hit homers in the next 11 games.
If you pick correctly, you win $10,000.
It looks easy. If it's so easy, why don't I have $10,000 in the bank?
Because it ain't easy.
At the moment, the player in the lead has a streak of nine. Will he reach eleven? I doubt it.
But if he can, why can't I? Maybe I can.
At this point, we depart rational thinking.
What major-league player ever hit ten homers in a row? Apparently none. The record for HRBS was set by a fellow fantasy-game player, not a real baseball player.
So in our fantasies, we've surpassed real human beings.
Maybe I can really win $10,000.
Major League Baseball gave us Home Run Beat the Streak. When will it give us Fantasy Baseball Anonymous?
Home Run Beat the Streak (HRBS) creates the illusion that it's possible to win. All you have to do is pick guys who will hit homers in the next 11 games.
If you pick correctly, you win $10,000.
It looks easy. If it's so easy, why don't I have $10,000 in the bank?
Because it ain't easy.
At the moment, the player in the lead has a streak of nine. Will he reach eleven? I doubt it.
But if he can, why can't I? Maybe I can.
At this point, we depart rational thinking.
What major-league player ever hit ten homers in a row? Apparently none. The record for HRBS was set by a fellow fantasy-game player, not a real baseball player.
So in our fantasies, we've surpassed real human beings.
Maybe I can really win $10,000.
The Utimate Baseball Addiction
The ultimate baseball addiction is fantasy baseball, brought to you by MLB.
Several games are available. I'll mention one now and another later.
Start by going to the MLB website and clicking on "Fantasy."
The first game is Beat the Streak. All you have to do is guess who will get a hit each game day, picking from lists given to you by MLB. If you beat Joe DiMaggio's 56-game winning streak, the all-time record, you win $100,000.
The chance that I'll ever do that is smaller than the smallest sub-atomic particle.
If no one beats the 56-game record, the best streaker for the year wins $5000. The chance that I'll ever do that is less likely than the chance that I'll ever walk to the South Pole.
The best thing about this game is that it costs nothing to play.
Several games are available. I'll mention one now and another later.
Start by going to the MLB website and clicking on "Fantasy."
The first game is Beat the Streak. All you have to do is guess who will get a hit each game day, picking from lists given to you by MLB. If you beat Joe DiMaggio's 56-game winning streak, the all-time record, you win $100,000.
The chance that I'll ever do that is smaller than the smallest sub-atomic particle.
If no one beats the 56-game record, the best streaker for the year wins $5000. The chance that I'll ever do that is less likely than the chance that I'll ever walk to the South Pole.
The best thing about this game is that it costs nothing to play.
The Future Surgeon General
Carla Thomas practices medicine in
In order to reach this goal, Dr. Thomas is working on a PhD in healthcare administration at capella university. Capella has just released a podcast that features Dr. Thomas. You can subscribe to the podcast RSS feed at capellacommons.com/rss/. Or view it by subscription at iTunes.
Capella is an online university that satisfies the needs of students who cannot attend classes on a traditional campus. It offers both graduate and undergraduate programs in a variety of subject areas.
How Do the Yankees Do It?
Why can't the Cubs play ball like the New York Yankees?
On May 1, the Yanks were in last place in the American League Eastern Division. They had a record of 10-14, and they played as if someone had just called them up from the Little League of Del Rio, Texas.
Today the Yankees are in second place in their division, with a record of 30-31. They look as if they're serious about catching up with Boston.
Why don't the Cubs ever manufacture rallies like that?
The Cubs sometimes launch winning streaks, but they normally fall apart after a few games.
These abortive rallies don't happen only during the famous June Swoon. The Cubs can fall apart any month of the season.
How do the Yankees do it?
On May 1, the Yanks were in last place in the American League Eastern Division. They had a record of 10-14, and they played as if someone had just called them up from the Little League of Del Rio, Texas.
Today the Yankees are in second place in their division, with a record of 30-31. They look as if they're serious about catching up with Boston.
Why don't the Cubs ever manufacture rallies like that?
The Cubs sometimes launch winning streaks, but they normally fall apart after a few games.
These abortive rallies don't happen only during the famous June Swoon. The Cubs can fall apart any month of the season.
How do the Yankees do it?
Atlanta Burning
Sunday's game against the Braves reminded me again of the best thing that ever happened to Atlanta. During the Civil War, as the Union troops came closer to the heart of Confederate treason, the rebels set fire to their own warehouses to prevent the Federals from capturing their munitions.
This set off the great Atlanta fire, which southern historians later blamed on the Union. You can see this lie depicted in the worst book and the worst movie ever conceived--Gone with the Wind. Most of the town burned down, which was a blessing.
Then a dreadful thing happened. After the war ended, they rebuilt Atlanta.
That's what led to the present situation in Georgia. The next time the Cubs play there, let's send the Illinois Militia to maintain order.
This set off the great Atlanta fire, which southern historians later blamed on the Union. You can see this lie depicted in the worst book and the worst movie ever conceived--Gone with the Wind. Most of the town burned down, which was a blessing.
Then a dreadful thing happened. After the war ended, they rebuilt Atlanta.
That's what led to the present situation in Georgia. The next time the Cubs play there, let's send the Illinois Militia to maintain order.
Capella University
No university can function properly without a faculty dedicated to both teaching and research. Sara Orem, PhD, a member of the faculty at capella university, recently co-authored Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change. The book’s other co-authors are Jacqueline Binkert, PhD, and Ann Clancy, PhD.
Appreciative Coaching takes the position that groups and individuals succeed when they concentrate on ideals, achievements, and best practices. The book suggests that one can reach success by following a path though four stages--Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny.
Orem is a member of the faculty and a coach at Capella's School of Business and Technology. In addition, she operates her own coaching firm, where she implements her ideas regarding appreciative coaching. She lives in Oakland, California.
Capella is an online university, which satisfies the needs of students who cannot attend classes on a traditional campus. It presently serves over 17,900 students throughout the United States and in 56 foreign countries. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, log on to capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).
Appreciative Coaching takes the position that groups and individuals succeed when they concentrate on ideals, achievements, and best practices. The book suggests that one can reach success by following a path though four stages--Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny.
Orem is a member of the faculty and a coach at Capella's School of Business and Technology. In addition, she operates her own coaching firm, where she implements her ideas regarding appreciative coaching. She lives in Oakland, California.
Capella is an online university, which satisfies the needs of students who cannot attend classes on a traditional campus. It presently serves over 17,900 students throughout the United States and in 56 foreign countries. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, log on to capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).
Sunday, June 10, 2007
What Else Can Happen?
The Cubs keep bringing guys up from the Triple-A teams, and sometimes they perform like veterans. Felix Pie is one recent example.
Sunday night at Atlanta, Mike Fontenot, another recent arrival, hit a homer and an RBI triple. The Cubs went into the eighth inning with a two-run advantage, only to let the Braves take the lead and win the game 5-4.
Fontenot hit into a double play in the eighth, but nobody is perfect.
It's enough to make you want to go back to Des Moines.
Sunday night at Atlanta, Mike Fontenot, another recent arrival, hit a homer and an RBI triple. The Cubs went into the eighth inning with a two-run advantage, only to let the Braves take the lead and win the game 5-4.
Fontenot hit into a double play in the eighth, but nobody is perfect.
It's enough to make you want to go back to Des Moines.
Where's Barrett?
Koyie Hill, not Michael Barrett, will catch Carlos Zambrano in Monday night's game against the Astros, and everyone who works for the Cubs is pretending that this arrangement has nothing to do with the recent Rumble at Wrigley.
The reader may recall that the main event on that occasion took place in the Cubs dugout as thousands of adoring fans watched Zambrano try to knock Barrett's head off.
Barrett's first mistake in that bout occurred when he forgot to leave his face mask on. His second mistake happened when he followed Zambrano into the clubhouse for a heart-to-heart talk.
Lou Piniella says Hill will catch because sometimes a pitcher may "feel more comfortable" with this or that catcher. If I were a catcher, I'd feel more comfortable if my pitcher didn't try to knock my brains out. I don't have much in the way of brains to start with.
Hill says he will pitch instead of Barrett because the poor guy "can't catch every game."
Yogi Barra caught every game. So did Roy Campanella.
I hope Hill doesn't allow any passed balls. If he does, I hope he leaves his face mask on.
The reader may recall that the main event on that occasion took place in the Cubs dugout as thousands of adoring fans watched Zambrano try to knock Barrett's head off.
Barrett's first mistake in that bout occurred when he forgot to leave his face mask on. His second mistake happened when he followed Zambrano into the clubhouse for a heart-to-heart talk.
Lou Piniella says Hill will catch because sometimes a pitcher may "feel more comfortable" with this or that catcher. If I were a catcher, I'd feel more comfortable if my pitcher didn't try to knock my brains out. I don't have much in the way of brains to start with.
Hill says he will pitch instead of Barrett because the poor guy "can't catch every game."
Yogi Barra caught every game. So did Roy Campanella.
I hope Hill doesn't allow any passed balls. If he does, I hope he leaves his face mask on.
Disney World Tickets
If you are a parent or grandparent, I'm sure you're aware of the many attractions for children in
Because of the large number of tourist stops in
Orlandofuntickets.com also offers the lowest discount prices for all other theme parks and dinner shows. Your visit to
More Free Stuff from Major League Baseball
The Cubs page at the MLB website offers all kinds of stuff for free. All you have to do is logon here and bookmark the page.
You can find the best bargain under "Cubs Update" on the left half of the screen. Here you can click on professionally written stories about the Cubs (or about the White Sox if you want to find that page).
The first thing I look for is the story about the latest Cubs game. It doesn't replace the story in whatever newspaper you like the best. But it usually appears earlier.
Also look at any of the other stories listed. On Saturday there was a good story about Mike Fontenot's return to the Cubs lineup.
Next, look at the index on the red and blue line at the top of the screen. The diehard Cubs fanatic will want to consult the stats.
Last night, I checked out the Cubs hitting statistics, where I learned that Derek Lee had the best average at .338.
Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, the best heavyweight boxer in the Cubs lineup, was listed sixth with a batting average of .296.
Tomorrow, I'll applaud or bemoan another freebie brought to us by the billionaires who own MLB.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Free Stuff from Major League Baseball
In this and later posts, I'll describe what you can get for free.
Begin by clicking here. Then bookmark the page.
On your left, you'll see a menu of all the games scheduled for that day. Pick the game you want, and you'll see three icons. One is for live video, and one is for live audio. Either of these will cost you money.
The third icon takes the shape of a baseball field. This free option is called "Gameday."
Click the icon, and a simulated display of pitches will fill your screen. At this moment, I'm watching the simulated display of the Yankees versus the Pirates.
By using this free service, you can see each pitch from the viewpoint of either the hitter or pitcher, whichever you prefer.
The display shows where each pitch goes, and the color of the simulated ball shows whether the pitch was a called strike or a called ball. Green is for a ball. Red is for a strike.
Blue indicates a ball that is in play.
The display shows where the pitch assumedly goes, regardless of what the umpire calls it.
I make no claims about the accuracy of either the umpire or the simulated display.
To the left of the display, you can read a play-by-play account of everything that happens: balls, strikes, and balls in play.
Other displays show the boxscore, lineups for both teams, and related baseball statistics.
One advantage of "Gameday" is that it lets you know what's happening on the field, including events you wouldn't see or hear on audio or video.
Another advantage is that Gameday is free.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Tickets the Easy Way
Anyone who has read New Moon on a regular basis must have noticed that the only sport I ever write about is baseball. I'm sorry, but I have almost no interest in football, basketball, or hockey.
If I had any interest in football, I could go to the Premium Seats USA website and purchase Miami Dolphins Tickets or tickets for any other football team. And I know plenty of people who like football and who could make good use of that website.
But there's another way in which I can benefit from using the services of Premium Seats USA. I may not care for football, but I enjoy concerts, theater, and comedy as much as anyone else. And when I find myself in need of tickets in a strange city, the last thing I want to do is get lost going from place to place in search of tickets.
The advent of the Internet, along with desktop and laptop computers, has made certain kinds of shopping much easier. Amtrak tickets and hotel reservations immediately come to mind.
Sports and entertainment tickets fit into the same category. If you want to do it the easy way, try Premium Seats USA.
Cubs 9, Atlanta 1
It's worth noting that Alfonso Soriano hit three homers against the hapless Atlanta Braves Friday. The Cubs won 9-1 on fifteen hits while the Braves gathered only six hits.
Sean Marshall made it look easy as he allowed one run on four hits.
It's somewhat interesting that the Cubs have won five of their last six games, but don't get your hopes up. If the Cubs finish above .500, I'll win the Illinois lottery twice.
Sean Marshall made it look easy as he allowed one run on four hits.
It's somewhat interesting that the Cubs have won five of their last six games, but don't get your hopes up. If the Cubs finish above .500, I'll win the Illinois lottery twice.
First-Year Player Draft
As New Moon reported on day one of the first-year player draft, the Cubs picked up high-school infielder Josh Vitters, the third overall pick.
Also on day one, the Cubs grabbed two young catchers, Josh Donaldson and Preston Clark. No one reported if they had enough boxing experience to catch Carlos Zambrano.
On day two, the Cubbies got right-handed pitcher Ryan Acosta and infielder Victor Sanchez.
These were the most promising picks. If even one of them makes it into the majors, I'll win the
Phoenix Condos
For the last few years, I've pondered the idea of buying a condominium in or near
I presently live in an apartment, and I like it just fine. But some of my friends have told me about the alleged advantages of owning your own house or condo.
For my part, my main goal is to live somewhere close to Wrigley Field, although most real estate in Wrigleyville is out of my income-tax bracket.
I don't live in
But if I did want to live in
If you want to buy a condo in
If you want to live in
In my case, I'm still pondering what's available somewhere close to Wrigley Field.
Watching The Cubs On Your Computer
In order to give my readers the latest Cub disasters in detail, I've contributed $19.95 to the bloated coffers of Major League Baseball. By making the team owners that much richer, I can watch Cubs games on my computer.
In case you don't already know how this works, let me explain how you sign up, what you get, and what you don't get. Make sure you understand the weaknesses of this service before you pay a dime.
To begin, go to this MLB link. Notice the options, and notice the cost.
You can watch any game by any major league team, and you can watch it live (see the exceptions listed below). Or you can listen to it on your computer, provided that your computer delivers audio. After the game is over, you can watch the whole thing again, you can watch a condensed version, or you can watch the game highlights.
Now let me tell you what you don't get.
Blackout restrictions apply. If you live anywhere close to Chicago, you can't watch the Cubs or Whites Sox live. You also can't watch the Brewers or other teams in the Middle West live. You can listen to the live audio, sometimes called for Cubs games by Pat Hughes and Ron Santo. (You can watch the games after the live version is over and made available in the archives.)
You can't watch the Cubs live even if they're playing in California. If I'm wrong about this, someone let me know. I'm new at this earth-shaking offer and may make mistakes. You can listen to the audio version, but you can already get that from your radio.
Here's another weakness in all this. The video image you see on your computer isn't as good as what you would see on television. It may get better in the future, but I don't know when.
Next weakness: Unless you have high-speed Internet, you won't be able to watch the games on your computer. The MLB website provides a way for you to test your computer before you pay your hard-earned cash.
Last major issue: Unless you take steps to prevent it, MLB will continue to suck money out of your credit card for the rest of eternity.
When you sign up, MLB will give you the message below. Save it:
In case you don't already know how this works, let me explain how you sign up, what you get, and what you don't get. Make sure you understand the weaknesses of this service before you pay a dime.
To begin, go to this MLB link. Notice the options, and notice the cost.
You can watch any game by any major league team, and you can watch it live (see the exceptions listed below). Or you can listen to it on your computer, provided that your computer delivers audio. After the game is over, you can watch the whole thing again, you can watch a condensed version, or you can watch the game highlights.
Now let me tell you what you don't get.
Blackout restrictions apply. If you live anywhere close to Chicago, you can't watch the Cubs or Whites Sox live. You also can't watch the Brewers or other teams in the Middle West live. You can listen to the live audio, sometimes called for Cubs games by Pat Hughes and Ron Santo. (You can watch the games after the live version is over and made available in the archives.)
You can't watch the Cubs live even if they're playing in California. If I'm wrong about this, someone let me know. I'm new at this earth-shaking offer and may make mistakes. You can listen to the audio version, but you can already get that from your radio.
Here's another weakness in all this. The video image you see on your computer isn't as good as what you would see on television. It may get better in the future, but I don't know when.
Next weakness: Unless you have high-speed Internet, you won't be able to watch the games on your computer. The MLB website provides a way for you to test your computer before you pay your hard-earned cash.
Last major issue: Unless you take steps to prevent it, MLB will continue to suck money out of your credit card for the rest of eternity.
When you sign up, MLB will give you the message below. Save it:
"Your last monthly bill will occur in October 2007. Your subscription will automatically renew on 3/1 of the subsequent season at the previous year’s rate. To cancel your monthly subscription or this automatic renewal feature, send an e-Mail to cssubscriptionfeedback@website.mlb.com or call Customer Service at 866-800-1275."
That's how the offer works. This post is not an advertisement for Major League Baseball. For my part, I consider my enrollment a trial run. I may continue with it, or I may cancel.
But regardless of all this, I'll still keep track of all Cub disasters.The Photography of Thomas Weingeist
If you get sick to death of the Chicago Cubs content in New Moon, we suggest that you check out the remarkable photographs of Thomas Weingeist, M.D. Some examples can be found in his new book, which you can find here.
Click on "Book Preview" and see some of the photographs contained in the book. My favorite is called "Under the Chicago 'El.'"
If you like what you see well enough, you can even buy a framed or unframed photograph. All proceeds go to one of Tom's favorite charities.
Click on "Book Preview" and see some of the photographs contained in the book. My favorite is called "Under the Chicago 'El.'"
If you like what you see well enough, you can even buy a framed or unframed photograph. All proceeds go to one of Tom's favorite charities.
Premium Seats USA
Readers of New Moon already know that I, your faithful reporter, am fanatically attached to the Chicago Cubs, despite my frequent criticism of Lou Piniella and his ever-hopeful players and coaches.
I already know how to get to Wrigley Field by means of the Howard Street El. And I know all the ways that I can buy tickets to any game.
But if I wanted to attend a game at
As a matter of fact, I have no interest in professional basketball, but that doesn't prevent other people from trying to go to every game they can.
At this point, Premium Seats USA comes to the rescue. This firm can find tickets for any NFL, MLB, NBA, or NHL game in the
Don't look for me at a Boston Celtics game, but you never know when I'll show up at
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Cubs Pick Third Baseman
The Cubs selected high-school third baseman Josh Vitters Thursday in the first-year player draft.
It's unlikely that he'll ever break out of the Cubs farm system, but if he does I won't live long enough to see it. I'm already over 40.
Vitters comes from
The poor kid has two big embarrassments in his past. Last year he became the Gatorade California player of the year.
Having your family name associated with a laughable word like Gatorade is almost as bad as attaching your name to Aflac, which happened to Vitters in 2006 at something called the Aflac All-American Classic.
As far as I can tell, Aflac is some sort of antacid.
Major League Draft
This is day one of baseball's first-year player draft. If you wish, you can watch a media circus that will make you sick.
The player draft is one of the biggest nonevents of the year. An eager team of TV hotshots will do everything they can to make something out of nothing.
Appropriately, all this baloney will issue forth from yet another Walt Disney theme park, where nothing is real but the money tourists waste there.
If you follow this media frenzy on the Internet or tune in to this or that channel of ESPN, keep it mind that you will never hear another thing about almost all 1588 players who will briefly parade into and out of your consciousness.
Thanks to Bud Sigel, the first-year player draft has been exaggerated into another money maker for Major League Baseball.
If you want to watch it, have fun. I'll take a nap.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Mailing Lists
All successful businesses have to find the best marketing tools if they hope to succeed. Some place advertisements on radio or television. Others may use newspapers or magazines. The Internet provides one of the newest advertising options. With all these possibilities, direct mail may get overlooked.
If direct mail would suit your business, Martin Worldwide can provide a database of over 290 million individuals and 14 million businesses. That’s 304 million potential customers. Martin Worldwide’s database, called ResponseCom, can generate huge Mailing Lists for a variety of products.
The ResponseCom database identifies new clients for small firms and large corporations. ResponseCom selects exactly the right candidates for virtually any product or service. It finds those markets that demonstrate a history of responding to direct mail advertising.
Martin Worldwide makes its direct marketing services available in a cost-effective and productive way. You can contact Martin Worldwide at 888-267-3545 or by e-mail at: chip@martinworldwide.net.
The Boy from Tennessee
Rosy-cheeked right-hander Sean Gallagher has arrived from triple-A Tennessee and will soon find himself on the pitcher's mound, but only after walking in from the bullpen. Whether he'll ever find himself listed as a starter remains an unknown to the New Moon press corps.
At 21 years of age, the youthful Gallagher might be taken for a batboy, but he has a better curveball than most batboys. One can only hope that his pitches go somewhere near the strike zone. Certain Cub pitchers have recently found the strike zone to be an unsolved mystery.
Nothing in Cub press releases says whether Gallagher likes to slap or punch his own catchers.
Cubs Hit and Punch
Carlos Zambrano allowed only five hits as the Cubs beat the Brew Boys 6-2 on Wednesday.
Felix Pie, recently called up from triple-A Iowa, demonstrated that he enjoys the game as he punched out three hits (one a homer), stole a base, and scored three runs.
But, of course, the big news was what didn't happen.
Zambrano didn't punch anyone (a least not on camera).
Michael Barrett didn't catch (and therefore didn't get punched).
And Lou Piniella finished his last game in the penalty box (and therefore didn't kick any caps or dirt).
Join the Cubs Thursday evening at
Search Engine Optimization
For any business that hopes to market its products or services online, the creation of a web site is only the first step of the operation. The web site needs to be attractive and inviting, but once it's up and running, another requirement arises.
Regardless of how great your web site looks, it won't help your business succeed unless potential customers find and read it. At this stage, the importance of search engines such as Google emerges.
People find products and services online by using search engines, and 80 percent of all Internet searches use Google. Other search engines are also important to Internet marketers, but Google is the first choice of most users.
In order for your web site to attract customers, you should take advantage of search engine optimization.
Search engine optimization (SEO) makes your web site interact successfully with search engines such as Google. If the search engines don't find you, neither will the customers. You can have the best mouse trap in history, but unless customers find you, your mouse traps will remain in the warehouse.
A good SEO professional can analyze your site and make any changes needed to ensure that the search engines will understand and catalog that site correctly. To attract all the buyers you can for your mouse traps, you need to employ the best search engine optimization you can find.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Piniella's Elba
This is day three of Lou Piniella's banishment to Elba.
Will he return in glory, only to be defeated at the Waterloo des Umpire? Or will he get sick to death of the Cubs and turn them over to Alan Trammell?
Some Cub fans may have noticed that the team has won two straight during Lou's absence. And they won convincingly.
I hate to get superstitious, but do these statistics tell us something?
Don't tell everyone about these innocent questions.
I don't want Lou looking me up to kick my cap, especially not if my head is still in it.
Will he return in glory, only to be defeated at the Waterloo des Umpire? Or will he get sick to death of the Cubs and turn them over to Alan Trammell?
Some Cub fans may have noticed that the team has won two straight during Lou's absence. And they won convincingly.
I hate to get superstitious, but do these statistics tell us something?
Don't tell everyone about these innocent questions.
I don't want Lou looking me up to kick my cap, especially not if my head is still in it.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Beware of Optimism at Wrigley
All right. Okay. Soriano looked impressive pounding out five hits Monday night against the Brew Boys.
The Cubs have won two in a row, and Lou Piniella has only two games left in the penalty box.
But before we line up at the two-dollar window to bet on the Cubs, let's remember that they're really not as consistent as Secretariat (the horse, not the branch of the United Nations).
If we want to see the Cubs perform well, we have to hope that Lou will kick his cap every now and then. Put your money on managerial tantrums, and don't apologize for them. Write to Lou and ask for them.
And here's something else. Let's give Ron Santo credit for the way he led the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
Some people like to complain about Ron, but if you think it's easy to sing before 40,000 people when you can't even carry a tune, try it some time.
Maybe next time Ron will sing as well as Tony Bennett, but don't expect the Cubs to finish above .500.
The Cubs have won two in a row, and Lou Piniella has only two games left in the penalty box.
But before we line up at the two-dollar window to bet on the Cubs, let's remember that they're really not as consistent as Secretariat (the horse, not the branch of the United Nations).
If we want to see the Cubs perform well, we have to hope that Lou will kick his cap every now and then. Put your money on managerial tantrums, and don't apologize for them. Write to Lou and ask for them.
And here's something else. Let's give Ron Santo credit for the way he led the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
Some people like to complain about Ron, but if you think it's easy to sing before 40,000 people when you can't even carry a tune, try it some time.
Maybe next time Ron will sing as well as Tony Bennett, but don't expect the Cubs to finish above .500.
Now Where's Lou?
The Cubs are trailing
I still think the best part of the Piniella-Wegner duet occurred when Lou kicked his cap. His own cap. He kicked it twice.
Now Lou has to complete four days of rehab.
It ain't fair. He shouldn't get four days for kicking his own cap. I could understand it if he had kicked Wegner's cap. But his own cap? I kick my own cap, and no one pays any attention.
On the other hand, it doesn't seem all that bad for someone to punish you by forbidding you to work. My problem is that some boss is always telling me to do more work.
Lou also got fined $4000.
That's serious punishment. I'm sorry Lou, but if you need a loan, I can't help. Four thousand kopeks is a tall pile of change.
I just checked with Pat and Ron. The Cubs now lead the Brew Boys 6-2 in the seventh.
Digital Scales
I recently visited a country that now uses the metric system. I don't know the first thing about the metric system, and I'm too lazy to learn.
Nonetheless, I like to keep track of my weight, so I borrowed a set of scales from a fellow
I was looking at a number that represented my weight in kilograms. I don't know a kilogram from a telegram, but I was forced to learn the formula required to convert kilograms to pounds.
But I didn't have a calculator. And when I looked down at the number on the scales, I still couldn't see it well enough to be sure what it was.
I finally gave up.
The thing I needed was a pair of Digital Scales from ScalesEtc.com. If I'd had such a pair of scales, I could've forced myself to do the arithmetic.
ScalesEtc.com has scales for every purpose in every room of the house--kitchen, counting, bathroom, and shipping. You can find scales in various colors and scales for weights large or small. You can even find a set of scales that will fit in your pocket.
All scales sold by ScalesEtc.com are reliable, accurate, and carry a warranty. Even better, all scales are sold at a discount.
If you want to know what you really weigh, check the numbers at ScalesEtc.com.
Love Feast at Wrigley
The Cubs won one game against the Braves, and now everyone is getting dewy eyed at Wrigley Field.
Even before the game, after trading punches with Carlos Zambrano, Michael Barrett said, "I think of Zambrano as a brother."
I'm glad I never had any brothers like Barrett and Zambrano. I'd still be wearing a body cast.
Next we had Alfonso Soriano joining Felix Pie's family. "He's like my brother here," Soriano said.
And sometime today (Monday), Jim Hendry, the Cubs general manager, is going to have a brotherly chat with Barrett and Zambrano.
Better stay out of arm's reach, Jim, or you won't have all your teeth on Tuesday.
Even before the game, after trading punches with Carlos Zambrano, Michael Barrett said, "I think of Zambrano as a brother."
I'm glad I never had any brothers like Barrett and Zambrano. I'd still be wearing a body cast.
Next we had Alfonso Soriano joining Felix Pie's family. "He's like my brother here," Soriano said.
And sometime today (Monday), Jim Hendry, the Cubs general manager, is going to have a brotherly chat with Barrett and Zambrano.
Better stay out of arm's reach, Jim, or you won't have all your teeth on Tuesday.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Where's Lou?
The Cubs took off their boxing gloves and put on their baseball gloves for Sunday's game with the Braves.
They then proceeded to hammer
But where was Manager Lou Piniella? Was he drunk? Did he have a tummy ache? Was he in jail?
No to all the above. He was, as everyone knows, serving his suspension after Saturday's kicking and shouting match with third-base umpire Mark Wegner.
Bench coach Alan Trammell managed the team on Sunday, and Lou had to watch the game from somewhere other than the dugout.
All this may have energized the Cubs.
Maybe Lou should stay suspended for the rest of the season.
Orlando Villa
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Piniella vs. Wegner
Lou Piniella took on umpire Mark Wegner in the main event Saturday at Wrigley Field. This Rumble at Wrigley came only one day after the Barrett-Zambrano match.
Heavyweight Piniella had lightweight Wegner on the ropes after kicking dirt on the umpire's shoes.
Piniella appeared to be in charge after his yelling became audible in the bleachers and Wegner's reached only the seats behind home plate.
But in a stunning reversal, Wegner won on a TKO after a vicious right cross sent Piniella to the showers.
The Cubs have now lost six bouts in a row.
The next nine-round event for the Cubs commences at
Barrett vs. Zambrano
Those of us on the sports staff of New Moon apologize to our faithful readers for not bringing you the blow-by-blow account of last Friday's main event at Wrigley Field.
Heavyweights Barrett and Zambrano squared off to help us forget the disaster the Cubs handed us during May.
A crowd of around 40,000 at Wrigley, plus a worldwide television audience, watched the two contenders during round one, which took place in the crowded ring known as the Cubs dugout.
Referee Piniella separated the two poorly trained boxers and told them to return to the gym for a review of the fundamentals of leading with your right, but only if you're left handed.
The second round took place in the clubhouse, where reporters could not make it to ringside until after the blood had been wiped off the canvas.
Round three is scheduled to commence at an undisclosed location, possibly in Cicero or on Navy Pier.
Heavyweights Barrett and Zambrano squared off to help us forget the disaster the Cubs handed us during May.
A crowd of around 40,000 at Wrigley, plus a worldwide television audience, watched the two contenders during round one, which took place in the crowded ring known as the Cubs dugout.
Referee Piniella separated the two poorly trained boxers and told them to return to the gym for a review of the fundamentals of leading with your right, but only if you're left handed.
The second round took place in the clubhouse, where reporters could not make it to ringside until after the blood had been wiped off the canvas.
Round three is scheduled to commence at an undisclosed location, possibly in Cicero or on Navy Pier.
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