Baseball: It's Not Just a River in Egypt

I adore baseball and my hometown O's.
Especially this time of year. [multi-million $$ contracts] The weather teases with hints of warmth and promises of renewal. [hGh]
The trades are mostly done, the rosters set, and the players are reporting to camp. [steroids]
My team has hope, at 0-0 they are equal to the mighty Yankees and dreaded Red Sox. [last place] The Orioles are donning their bright orange ST jerseys and working out the kinks. [Peter Angelos] The Baltimore road jerseys are back. [no salary caps] I pore over the schedule, deciding which games to attend this year. [empty stadium] Football excites me, but baseball warms my heart. Sweet Baseball Tradition! [asterisk] America's Game! [Mitchell Report] Play Ball! [player's strike]

Criminally Cancelled: Andy Barker, P.I.

Due to unknown factors (studio politics, poor marketing, etc.), several very clever TV shows never got the break they deserved. They died tragically, and often quietly, before completing even a full season. One that deserves another look is Andy Barker, P.I. Luckily, it has been given a second chance to shine on hulu.com (a great place to see many current, classic and forgotten shows).

Andy Barker (Andy Richter) is a CPA who becomes a Private Investigator by accident, after he moves into an office once leased by hard-boiled Marlowesque gumshoe Lew Staziak (Harve Presnell), who is now slightly loopy and comically out-of-touch. The series is well-written and superbly cast (especially, Clea Lewis and Harve Presnell). And best yet, it is funny without "pushing any envelopes"; refreshing! But, alas, only lasted six episodes. Take a look at the link above. Oh, and be sure to watch them in order!

One Bird, Two Bird, Red Bird, Blue Bird

It's Great Backyard Bird Count weekend! And I spend the morning counting my little backyard buddies, as I sit in my rocking chair and sip my morning coffee. In less than an hour, I record 18 different species in my little townhouse habitat.

This morning is no different than other weekend mornings, except for the counting aspect. I find such great joy in "my birds." I am glad that I can supply sustenance and help them survive the winter.

My bird guides and binocs sit nearby. I am continually looking at birdie mugshots, reading birdie facts, scanning birdie maps and listening to birdie songs. They are fascinating and amazing! And they brighten my life. Tweet Tweet

Let's Play! Pet Peeves

Uh oh! New game alert! Nothing major here, just little things that annoy.

Me first...

Three-tined forks: Try eating peas with these things! Sheesh!
Big salads on small plates: Give me mixing room! I don't like eating off the table cloth.
Cryptic vanity license plates: If you're gonna do this, let us all play! Sometimes, I just want to grab the driver and shout "What does it mean!! arghhh!!"
Crosswords that use ultra-archaic words: Hey writer, if the word hasn't been used in 200 years, then you're just copping out.
Signs with unreadable fonts: If you totally sacrifice readability for design, then you defeat the purpose people!
Two spaces after periods: If you're going to do this, go get an antique typewriter. Better yet ... just stop it. (someone's ears may be burning on this one...)
Red Robin's Mascot: They have the world's best veggie burgers! But their mascot is not a ROBIN!! It's a Cardinal!!!!

Let's Play! Favorites: TV Dramas

Let's Play Favorites is a new exciting game for all to play! I list my favorites in a category (as many as I wish). Then you add your list in the comments section (as many as you wish).

OK ready? Go!

TV Dramas
Deadwood
The Wire
ER
Sons of Anarchy
Brotherhood
Law & Order
The Medium
Hu$tle
OZ

Kids Say...

A couple of favorite overheard kid conversations:

Scene: San Diego Zoo. Peacock pen. Peacock in tree, squawking "help! help!"
8-year-old boy holding 6-year-old sister's hand:

Boy: You know why they say "help!" don't you?
Girl: No.
Boy: 'Cause peacocks know how to get up in the tree...but they don't know howta get back down!

Scene: Grocery Store. Hurried mother with 3-year-old boy lagging behind:

Mom: C'mon handsome.
Boy: (defiantly) I'm not handsome!
Mom: Of course you are!
Boy: No I'm not! ... I'm Calvin!