I’ve been getting home later than I’d like the last few days — which has meant that J cooks dinner while A eats. So by the time we sit down to eat, he’s done. The last 2 nights, so that J could actually enjoy dinner, I’ve taken the restless one into his room to work off some of his energy before his bath and bed. Since he’s close to sleep he’s often delirious with laughter. Last night he walked back and forth across his room giggling any time I said “gonna getcha”. He clutched his little mini beach ball and would fake giving it to me only to pull it back and giggle. That sound and his unbridled joy is such a wonderful thing.
Category: LC 010.01
Matt Pryor was in the Get Up Kids (among other bands) and I just came across him podcast, Nothing to Write Home About. It’s really engaging — I’ve torn through ~ 6 hours of episodes in a day and half — mostly because he’s a great host in the mold of Terry Gross, et al., who guides the discussion with great, but infrequent questions. It really is more like an extended conversation between friends than an interview. I also love there’s a lot of interesting discussion about work — whether it’s tour managing, running a print shop, booking shows or being a touring musician.
I put together a pretty good trade in my H2H fantasy basketball league. This one was pretty quick and easy. I labored over a few iterations but ultimately the 1st offer I made was accepted by Webskins:
GC trade Daniel Gibson, Stephen Jackson, TTTF #1 pick (~#20)
Webskins trade Lavoy Allen, Jodie Meeks, Webskins #2 pick (~#23), GC #2 pick (~28)
Meeks and Gibson are pretty similar guys — though Meeks is actually playing and is a couple years younger. I was pretty close to waiving Jackson for Bernard James, so moving him for Allen (who’s similar but further along developmentally than James) and my 2nd rounder back for the cost of moving down ~4 spots seems like an very solid get.
Fresh on the heels of his first birthday, Avett started school this morning. J had been going with him for a few hours a day last week to get him settled. Today we went in together. Avett couldn’t wait to get into all the toys and books and play with the other kids. I had expected J to be a little sad, but I have to admit that I got a little misty watching him walk away to play with the kids.
That night — with A going to bed at 7:30 — we launched into the 4th season of Breaking Bad. I had talked a little with my brother about it, since he and Diane had torn through seasons 1-5 over winter break, but had also forgotten how delightfully put together show it is.
To thank Janeen for everything awesome she did for Avett’s birthday, I took her (and lil’ cranker) to Angelette’s for breakfast. We both had our usual — Eggs a la Duane for her, Shrimp & Grits for me. After breakfast we went to the Southwood playground and had fun watching A waddle around, squeal and wear himself out. Then we all went home and had a family nap.
Our little boy turned one today. We had a small group of friends and family over for a birthday party. A was most excited about climbing up and down the steps and playing with the balloons. It was great to catch up with Rachel & Floyd too. Their little boy Luke is getting so big and cuddly.
Janeen, Candace and I grabbed dinner before the show at Bistro 1245. I had the usual — Seared Salmon Sandwich & a ceaser salad, always good. Then we went down to 1982 for what was Janeen and I’s first show in months. It was a really good bill; one that I would have gladly stayed all night for even two years ago. But last night was the first time I felt seriously old during and after the show. We left at 12:30 and I felt lame.
Bartender Brian – kind of a mix between Ben Nichols and Frankie Stubbs? Heartfelt if a bit overdone.
Jeff Rowe – First came to know of Jeff as part of Tomorrow the Gallows. I really liked their Rumbleseat-ish brand of political folk. We saw him at Fest9 and he played another good set of songs about Massachusetts and struggling against expectations/history/family.
Aquapanter – Alex Ulloa’s new band (along with members of Young Livers, Army of Ponch) with a soon-to-be-departing drummer, so maybe this is it? Unsurprisingly sounded a lot like Panthro-Don’s Ex-BCSU, but for a lot of us that’s a great thing.
How Dare You – Terrific melodic-punk done by nice folks. Afterwards Janeen and I were wondering why they don’t have more of a following. They play super tight music with positive lyrics, probably too much for cynical scene kids.
Wheeled and dealed in my fantasy leagues
I currently sit 1st, 2nd, 1st and 2nd in my four fantasy baseball leauges. The foruth is just a home-run league so it doesn’t matter much. Hoping to solidify my teams for the last 2 months of the season I made deals in my two keeper leagues.
Field of Dreams / The El Guapos
Traded Carlos Quentin & Francisco Rodriguez
Received Johnny Peralta
Hit by a rash of injuries I got to the point where my DL was maxed out and I really didn’t want to drop anyone to add a replacement injured catcher for Brian McCann. Without the deal I probably would have just waived K-Rod, but Matt had Axford and I figured he might want the handcuff. I got back Peralta who (a) has had a better year than Quentin (who slowed down after a great first 6 weeks) and (b) who plays 3B/SS where I’ve lost Stephen Drew (out for the season) and Adrian Beltre (2 weeks).
CelticsBlog League / The Gainesville Ubuntus
Traded Josh Johnson, Kendrys Morales, Matt Wieters, David Hernandez
Received Jonathan Papelbon, CJ Wilson and Scott Baker
I’ve also been hit with injuries in this 5×5 league but my real need was to upgrade my pitching, which I did for basically nothing of value this season (while maybe slightly downgrading a keeper for next year): Johnson and Morales won’t play again this year; I got an upgrade over Wieters in Y. Molina on the waiver wire; and Hernandez is back to a setup man with Putz back. In exchange I got Baker and Wilson who become my SP2 and SP3, and a top-of-the-line closer in Papelbon. I’ll may also end up adding Mike Adams or Tyler Clippard in exchange for my shakiest SP (Morrow or Hudson).
For about 20 years, this was the kickoff to the season of optimism for Boston Celtics fans. The NBA Draft was where hope sprang eternal. Even the last couple of years as we were coming off Finals/deep Playoff runs I’d put together a wishlist. This year I just haven’t been as plugged in. There are a million little reasons — still feeling stomach punches from the Perkins trade and the Rondo playoff injury, really busy at work, fear of the looming lockout — but this year I’m going into the draft with very little research.
While working on the new client website though, I got caught up a little by listening to the Celtics Stuff Live predraft show.
Of course, nothing can compare to the 7-hour marathon they ran during the 2007 draft (leading up to which I’d been on twice detailing how and why a KG trade could get done under the salary cap). But the Draft still kicks-off my 2nd favorite season: The NBA offseason.
Update: My short-ish list of guys that sound like they’d make a good fit in green:
I’m torn on Reggie Jackson and don’t think I want any part of Tyler Honeycutt.
Would love to buy/trade for another 2nd rounder to be able to grab two or three of Jordan Williams, Nolan Smith, Jeremy Tyler, Jimmy Butler.
I would also think about trading the #25 pick for Eric Maynor and a future 2nd.
Today was busy but at lunch I made a salami + provolone sandwich along with a tasty bowl of Progresso New England Clam Chowder. Maybe I was hungry but it was much better than I remember Progresso’s clam chowder being. A delicious midday meal.
Remember: sometimes (often times?) its the small pleasures.