Curveball

A common problem for many minor leaguers who may boast the best athletic tools or raw talent is that they can't hit the curveball. Sometimes, they even know the good old breaking ball is coming, and they still can't hit it.

So when that 12 to 6 pitch comes, I hope that I am either able to hit it, or that I realize relatively quickly that I can't, so I can retire gracefully and pursue other things in life.

vegetarian experiment & NBA Love

Inspired by DSzeto, I am undertaking a two month vegetarian experiment (with the exception of fish) from April 24 to June 24. Results to be updated.

In other news, how great that there is so much love for our NBA group the same week that I write a column lambasting the real NBA.

Spring quarters always seem to have an interesting way of coming together.

softball love

*And it's a well-hit ball over the shortstop's head, the left-fielder is racing towards it, andd Shi is there, the ball is bobbled, but he MAKES THE CATCH! AHHHH AND THE CROWD GOES CRAZY! GAME OVER, IT'S A TIE FOLKS. I DON'TTT BELIEVE IT, runners on first and third with no one out and the Sandlot defense absolutely cracks down!*

Another reminder of why I love the game of baseball (and its alternate versions).

self-consciousness

Imagine a world where everyone acted the same regardless if they were in the public or in private. Where everyone wasn't so self-conscious about how people interpreted them or self-conscious about giving the wrong impression.

And I'm not even talking about simple stuff like outgoing-ness and lewdness. What about interactions with each other? Do we change how we act with certain people based on if we are in public or private? Maybe it is a necessary thing. Maybe it isn't even a bad thing. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to live in a world where no one felt hindered in public.

21

Shucks guys. Y'all are too good to me. Not sure if it was planned that way, but the waves of surprise thing was really like four times the fun. I know I said I was giving up sweets for the rest of junior year, but I am going to thoroughly enjoy all these treats.

. . .

In other news. These last three days have been a crazy reminder of many things:
Of sickness and not getting enough sleep
Of a contrarian God and mind-boggling love
Of my important responsibilities, priorities, and being a bit selfless this summer
Of the very real danger and possibility of car crashes

. . .

Baseball is back for my 15th conscious season. Another summer to enjoy my boys. And I am as excited as ever. Thank you Albert Pujols for being the man you are.

BWAM LA & other realizations

It dawned upon me today that I only have a third of my undergrad college career left. The first third and the second third couldn't have been more different in nature, really. Now, going into the third, I really want to reach that proverbial palace. But I must admit, amidst my confidence and motivation, I still have some streaks of self-doubt and insecurity. It only hit me right now how relevant Francis Chan's message this morning was. Such a nifty reminder to be at peace with what we're doing, and to know that God has planned it this way. Humility is thinking about other over yourself, not thinking about yourself at all. Humility is not putting yourself down.

On a sidenote: Writers always seem to have a mentality to try especially hard on introductions/hooks/leads. What if we wrote everything with as much effort and emphasis as we did our leads? Anyway, another thing about writing is if you do too much of it in one chunk, no one will read it. So without further ado...

~BWAM LA 2010 Thoughts~
1. First time I actually enjoyed working with kids, something I've never particularly felt very comfortable doing. Maybe because I only get along with certain types of kids, but it was an eye-opening and encouraging experience. It was just saddening to have to leave so soon after barely getting any time with them. Hearing their stories made me want to go back.
2. I LOVE my BWAM team forreals. I feel so blessed to have spent spring break with the specific people that the LA Confidants consisted of. So much laughing, insight, and honesty. :)
3. Speaking of being blessed... this trip made me realize God is too good to us. Complaints for me should be non-existant.
4. Quick hits from devotionals... Listen and understand, love on the lost and the forsaken, even when it is a lot harder to do so, love intentionally and without agenda (and do it yourself), friends shouldn't be the exact same as you, but rather challenge you to be more than you are.
5. As Christians, we should not tell others "you need to do this, you need to do that". Rather, just keep giving encouragement and support. Pray for specifics, and look to God for change.

Let's do this like Brutus Spring 2010.

finals week moments

1. songs that transcend time
2. "if the price ain't right, then the price is wrong."
3. "does it look like there's a girl on my bed?"