World Series

In the best-of-seven series Fall Classic, I got to be in McCovey Cove for the Giants’ 11-7 Game 1 win in San Francisco, and was relaxing with the “fellas” at Blinky’s Can’t Say for the Giants’ 9-0 Game 2 win. Could life get any better?

“Might the Giants win the World Series after a long 56 year drought?”

The first ever World Series title for the Giants since they moved to San Francisco back in 1958?

Up two games to none in the series, things were looking good as the Giants were traveling to the Ballpark in Arlington, Texas for Game 3.

Nothing would have been as great as watching the World Series in San Francisco, but the day before Game 4 in Texas, I decided to get a flight, room, and ticket, just in case they won it all! I was only my way to see the Giants play Game 4 of the World Series in Texas!

While flying to Texas, I was able to get score updates of Game 3 from a Giants fan sitting behind me with his laptop. With high hopes of a Game 3 and 4 win, which would make the Giants World Series Champions, it was saddening to hear the Game 3 score updates: “4-1 Rangers, 4-2 Rangers…Rangers Win Game 3.”

“Oh well, at least I will be able to see a World Series game, even though the game I will see has no chance to be the ‘Clincher’,” I said to myself during the flight. I marched right to the baggage claim with my baseball glove in my hand, grabbed my bag, slipped on my Giants hat, and found a taxi to my hotel in Arlington.

Placing my bags down in the hotel, I turned on the television to watch the news coverage of the World Series Game 3.

“The Rangers’ Colby Lewis pitched a gem.”

“The Giants offense was calmed by the Texas pitching.”

“The Rangers beat the Giants in Game 3, 4-2.”

I could only root and hope for a win in Game 4.

But then again, what if the Giants actually did win Game 4? Well, they would have a chance to win it all…in Game 5.

With a day off work for Monday’s Game 5, I knew that if the Giants won Game 4, I was immediately going to make changes to my flight and immediately look for a Game 5 ticket!!!

Through all of this, Leith was very supportive of me. She was truly the one I was able to communicate my excitement about the World Series with, even though she was over 5,000 miles away.

“The Giants’ Madison Bumgarner pitched an eight-inning shutout, and a two-run homerun by Aubrey Huff gives the Giants a 4-0 Game 4 win, and a 3-1 advantage in the series!”

Teased, booed, and taunted by the fans of the Rangers, and surrounded by red, white, and blue Rangers apparel, the Giants and I survived a win in Game 4. Now, I have the chance to see the Giants win the World Series!!!

The morning of Game 5 was one of those rare mornings in which I actually wanted to get out of bed. I was very, very excited. Could this be it?

I arrived to the Rangers’ Ballpark at about 1:00pm (about six hours before first pitch). There was lots of red, white, and blue surrounding the Ballpark. I had lots of conversations about baseball with the seemingly hospitable fans of the Rangers, lots and lots of media buses pouring into the Ballpark, on the lookout for any players, and was also curious to check out the new Cowboy Stadium next-door to the Ballpark, so I checked that out too. About three hours before first pitch, when I was finally able to enter the ballpark and rush down to the dugout, I snagged the opportunity to meet and have my baseball signed by the friendly and warm outfielder for the Giants, Cody Ross.

“Bottom of the fourth, tied ballgame.”

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12947707&topic_id=14873508&c_id=sf

“Lincecum and Lee are in the pitchers’ dual much of the baseball world anticipated.”

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?tcid=mm_tex_vid&c_id=tex

Comforted by the family of four Giants fans, all with very orange Giants shirts and memorabilia, I felt the warmth, and realized I was not alone in this experience.

“Bottom of the sixth, 0-0.”

Were the Giants about to break my heart? Will there need to be a Game 6 or Game 7? I was starting to feel uneasy about being a visitor, rooting on the visiting team, in a tied game in the late innings.”

“Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track, IT IS...GOOONNNNE! Edgar Renteria...has hit a three-run homer...against Cliff Lee! And the Giants lead here in the World Series, 3-0! Edgar Renteria, the World Series hero, and its 3-0 here...the Giants are nine outs away...”

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12948407&topic_id=14873508&c_id=sf

Dave Flemming’s call was a beautiful, beautiful thing.

After plowing through the Rangers’ line-up, Tim Lincecum found himself finished with the eighth inning, having given up only one run and striking out ten…a homerun from the bat of Nelson Cruz. The Giants were up 3-1, and closer Brian Wilson was in to win the World Series for the Giants!!! Am I DREAMING?!?

When the ninth and final inning came, I rushed down to field level near the Giants dugout. There was a magical, unexplainable sound and vibe for Giants fans around the Ballpark, yet surrounded by red, white, and blue.

Brian Wilson, facing Nelson Cruz in the final out of Game 5:

“Cruz waiting on Wilson. And the right hander for the Giants throws...SWING AND A MISS! AND THAT'S IT! The Giants are world champions, as they come POURING OUT OF THE DUGOUT....circling Brian Wilson! The bullpen...flying in from left-center field...dancing, hugging…celebrating for all you Giants fans, wherever you are... Giants fans...this party is just getting started!” (Call by Duane Kuiper).

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12948407&topic_id=14873508&c_id=sf

At the front of the dugout and players all wet in champagne, I was on a high. The Giants fan to my left caught the jersey thrown by Brian Wilson. The Giants fan to my right caught the goggles Sergio Romo was wearing for the champagne celebration. And what I remember most was the look of pure happiness and celebration of Giants Nation. I was in Seventh Heaven.

Bon Anniversaire

I just cannot believe it’s been a year already. That is by far the fastest 365 days I have lived through. On March 7, 2009 on a sunny beautiful Saturday (despite the “3” and “7”…so sorry Leith!), I was so giddy to meet at the end of Camp Joy Road with the love of my life, that I struggled to contain myself. I knew she loved animals. I knew she was intelligent. I knew she was gorgeous. As in the book Leith got for me as an anniversary gift, "This is the Story of Our Relationship So Far"...

I was getting the unforgettable privilege of meeting the one and only Leith and her beautiful, amazing dogs for a dog walk that I can always count on looking back at, and smile of joy grows across my face just as big as the first day I spoke with her.

We have come a long, long way since then. And not only that, I have grown such a deep, deep love for her and her animals that I never dreamed to be possible, and to this day I get just as giddy to meet with Leith and her animals for walks as I did on that sunny Saturday a year ago.

It does not even come close to stopping there. Not even. I get excited, to this day, to call Leith as her alarm clock when she is sleeping. I love when she calls me during her day in the middle of my night. I get excited to check up on her during the day to see how her day is going and exchange our day-to-day happenings, and make the most of the hours each of us happen to both be awake as the sun sets its sights on setting in the west over the Atlantic and eventuallydeep down all the way into the Pacific. I get eager to talk, even after we are just getting over from a fight. I get excited to laugh with her, to joke with her, to sympathize with her, and to listen to her. There is always that extra big smile right when I notice my phone ring, and I look and it says “Leith calling”. Leith makes my day. Leith is my life.

Sure, I know there always are going to be those rather difficult conversations, as lovers do, but she has always shown me how she is there for me and always ready to listen and share her never failing thoughtful, kind words. But we talk. And we look at each other. And we tell each other how much we want to hold each other, and be right there with the other, and to comfort and love. And even as the most sad, tearful, heated, confusing, dramatic, or even emotional conversations come to an end, and we know we must say “Good bye”, we cannot even think about pushing the “end” button on the cell phone or the “End Call” button on Skype, untilwe hear those ever so meaningful, heartfelt words “I love you.”

Here is to the beginning of another year. Bon anniversaire. Thank you for being you. I love you.

Grandpa Bill

This past weekend has been very, very tragic, to say the least. My grandfather (Glen’s father)underwent surgery for melanoma cancer. After the surgery, his wife Peg, and him were sitting in the hospital talking, and Peg left the room to get some ice cream. When she returned, Grandpa Bill was in a coma, as he had just had a massive, massive stroke.

Tragic events like this always remind me what really counts in life, and how precious and fragile ourselves and our peace are. In Grandpa Bill, we definitely have such an awesome and wonderful father, husband, and grandfather in every way.

Grandpa Bill has always been an avid golfer. Despite his recent history with melanoma cancer and the many surgeries he has endured, Grandpa Bill has always found a way to make his almost daily round through the golf course, driving the ball down the fairway, chipping the ball onto the green, and sinking that ball all the way through to the eighteenth hole.

Grandpa Bill has very much been a role model for me. A person that could fix anything, no matter how broken. A person with such hard work ethic, love, and kindness. And of course, even at the ripe age of seventy six years-young, a masterful golfer.




Grandpa Bill, I am pulling for you. I love you always.

Andrew

Surprise - La France

I stepped out from the taxi cab, and planted a foot for the first time in La Cote Saint Andre, in the dark, cool night. La Cote Saint Andre; the birthplace of the French Romantic composer, Hector Berlioz. Napolean Bonaparte, Isabella, Louis Philippe, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Charles Dugal. The list goes on and on. For as much as I was astonished by how much history and how many stories have been born in this amazing country; none like any other I’ve been in before, I never anticipated the overwhelming feeling I would have to visit such a land for the first time.

It was a clear night, and too dark for me to see the French Alps, stretching and towering far down the horizon. The street, Chemin du Pre de la Chere, was very well lit, too. There was a peaceful, quaint and quiet atmosphere. The very helpful and friendly taxi driver (whose name to this day I dare not try to spell or pronounce) and I scratched our heads, noticing there did not appear to be any clear addresses on the buildings. The forty-minute ride from the Lyon Saint Exupery Airport consisted of a great exchange of elementary French, and I was the only person in France who knew what I was there for.

My girlfriend, Leith, was living on Chemin du Pre de la Chere. Trying my best to communicate with the very helpful taxi driver by using a “French Phrases” mini book, I was successful in making it clear that I didn’t speak a lick of French, and I quickly learned that he didn’t speak a lick of English. “320 Chemin du Pre de la Chere”, I kept repeating to him.

Six kind people and a golden-retriever of the town noticed I could not find what I was searching for.

One by one, the people were demonstrating how helpful they were by insisting to help me find my way.

With the help of the townspeople, and the golden retriever, I was led to a building, with a minute sign attached, just a few inches high. “320” the sign read.

It was a very beautiful night in La Belle France.

Halloween 2009

A witch, a wiseman, an airline pilot, Reno 911 officers, a gorilla, a jailbird, a Julia Child, and more. I absolutely love Halloween. Growing up, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays of the year. There was something very exciting and special about gearing up for Halloween. My sweet tooth envisioned a pillow case (or two) full of colorful sweet treats, despite all those scare stories us kids heard regarding poisoned candy from spooky strangers whose doors we knocked on and door bells we buzzed in hopes of our favorite glob of sugar. And for me, in particular, those delightful sour candies topped them all. Crybabies, Lemonheads, and Sweet Tarts aside, I loved the idea of not knowing which costumes I was going to see on the eve of November.

This year’s Halloween was no different, though the costumes over the years have grown taller, and with slightly more apparent grown-up bellies underneath. I still love Halloween so much. This year’s Halloween party was at Sheri’s house, one of our fire fighters. Every year Sheri hosts her annual Halloween party at her house which overlooks the congested valley, with a perfect deck to support us, partying and gathered in our costumes. Karat and other EtOH beverages always within an arm’s length, a party-fashioned potluck assembly of homemade casseroles, fine creamy cheeses, warm chocolate chip cookies and more.

I love how choices of Halloween costumes can be so reflective of the times too. Surely last year’s hits were Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, and at this year’s party there were hits such as Julia Child, Cheech (from “Cheech and Chong”) and even myself: Bernie Madoff (See: Photo of jailbird).

It wasn’t that long ago I was trick-or-treating with my friends. In middle school (and even one year in highschool), I would walk around during the dark hours casually with my friends, Ricky and Chris. Sure we would carry along our pillow cases, but as “big kids”, we were seeking out each and every haunted house fabricated in front of single family dwellings. Fortunately for me, Crybabies, Lemonheads, and Sweet Tarts were still in business for Halloween.

For as much as I love seeing the excitement and joy in kids during Halloween, as a grown-up it is still very exciting for me.

Meez

Meez, Meez, and more Meez.

At our house, we have five animals. Three dogs, and two cats. They are all so, so awesome. I can’t imagine living without a companion like these animals have been. I love them all. But I want to dedicate this blog to Meez, one of my cats, who has recently been bit by one of our dogs, Cooper (with this came an injury to my mom’s hand). He is a Seal Point Siamese, and is over a year old now. He is extremely energetic, always wants to play with the dogs, and is one-of-a-kind.

Randi Rose with our dog, Belle, as a puppy.

Before we got Meez, we had a nineteen year-old Chocolate Point Siamese cat named Randi Rose. She was a cat beyond words throughout her lifetime. She always seemed to be there throughout all the years I was growing up, and she held a special place in my heart. When she died, after living such a merry, mellow life, there was such a feeling of emptiness in the family. I will never forget her.

One day, my mom said a cat was brought into one of the fire stations because it was found by a caring coworker named Carla, dumped in a busy intersection. Cars were racing by, one after another, and the poor little kitten, at about three months old, was crying for his dear life! I came home from class, and the poor guy was upstairs by my bedroom. He looked like a Siamese; perhaps entirely Siamese. Heck, I’ll call him Meez!

With the loss of Randi Rose, Meez has had very large shoes to fill. But we’re very thankful for Meez, because he seems to be a final knot in tying the family.

When You Get Thrown Curveballs

It seems to me that life throws you curveballs in bunches, and there is simply nothing you can do to keep them from coming.

Our dog, Cooper, bit my cat, Meez, and wouldn't let go! Thankfully, my mom was there, and dove between the two, trying to pry Cooper's teeth out from Meez. He had a deathly vice grip. The horrible, bloody screaming and struggled from my mom and Meez lasted for a minute or so. This left my mom's hand extremely injured, from either cat scratches, bites, or both. My poor mom! Also, this left Meez's abdomen pierced with a dime-sized hole from Cooper's teeth. Poor thing! Today, my mom went into hand surgery because it appears some tendons have lacerations, which is not a good thing! Today's surgery on my mom appeared successful, but the repair is not close to being complete. In two days will be her next round of surgery, and I'm really pulling for my mom in this. She has had so much on her mind lately too, which is really a bummer, and as a son I really need to step up to the plate! My mom has done so much for my sister and I throughout the years. Thankfully too, my stepdad is awesome.

The cat, Meez, had a few stitches put in because of the puncture by Cooper's teeth. $1000 vet bill later, I am following the veterinarian's orders of twice daily applying betadine, and somehow, someway, getting an antibiotic pill down his throat. That very same day, after all the horrible, bloody murder in the stairwell between Cooper and Meez, Meez was wandering around as if Cooper was never even there! I've simply never met a cat so confident and daring, nevermind have one!

How about my aunt, as a trustee for my deceased grandmother, sending me a letter in the mail requesting that I have "no further contact with herself, her husband, or her son (my cousin)," after asking her for a copy of my grandmother's trust? Or even better: that my aunt is "deeply disappointed in my level of maturity" after asking for a copy of my grandmother's trust? Or my uncle, from whom I asked a copy of the trust, who called me every name in the book after asking him. It's not money I seek here, it's simply a copy of the trust. May I also get a side of "accountability"? I feel far above this matter, perhaps even in an arrogant sort of way, so I plan on leaving, or even addressing, this with class. Afterall, this is all about my grandmother here.






Only a month or two ago, Skype was only something I had head people talk about and see the insignia on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and thought it was still trying to break outside Europe like Starbuck's instant coffee drink "VIA" has too, but only better. I had heard people bragging about how cheap it is, how they were speaking with people (and lovers) on the other side of the world via the Internet and its Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) protocol, and I felt so much out of the loop. But why would I even need Skype? Well, before Leith moved to France, she introduced me to Skype and its awesome feautures. I can chat, like AOL Instant Messenger, speak like over the telephone, and use live webcam. $0.02 (€0.013 or so) per minute to Leith's landline in France, now how about that? I've got the dialing pattern of 011 + the country code for France, "33", + the local number (without the zero) down to an incredible science. Skype should look into hiring me for one of their testimonies on their next television advertisement :)

Even though over 6,000 miles away, Leith continues to remind me how she is always there for me; always more than available to listen and take in these curveballs that flood my mind (and quite romantic if I may add too ;). As always too, she assures me that she's in full support and her wonderful, deep, caring nature brings me so much comfort. It means the world to me.

In the meantime, there is romance to be made here at 180 Camp Joy Road. An address in which you would find some wonderful, amazing animals. Time for a walk :)

Take care for all who are actually reading this! :)