more sports

I feel that I have spent most of the last 2 weeks watching sports. I last mentioned that I was spending my time cheering for the Red Sox. Unfortunately, they didn't make it. BUT- That just means that now I can focus all my baseball energy onto the Phillies. I've never really been a Phillies fan- but I live in PA- and lived in Phila for a brief stint (though it was more during Eagles season), so, I will cheer for them. Besides- though I considered it, there is just something that doesn't sit right with me about cheering for Tampa Bay. I think it's what I mentioned earlier- that for the last 10 years I counted on TB to be worse than the Orioles- and now the Orioles are the worst. Oh well.

So, since last week I've been staying up late to watch these baseball games. It's been really exciting. Last night I was all into the game- but just kind of waiting for them to call it off, and when they did, I hadn't even realized it was after 11:00! I guess it's a good thing they called it when they did- who knows how long I would have been up. And, I am paying for it now.

While I'm mentioning sports- I can hardly neglect Penn State. What a season!! It's been really fun to watch- but I can't help but miss living up there... this would be a fun time in that town. When they're winning it just changes the whole culture up there. Now, we could have a long discussion about what that means about our culture, but I'll let that go. We'll just say for now: Go State!

baseball time!!

As Fox says, "there's only one October," and they are right. I've always been a baseball fan. I wasn't exposed to much sports watching as a child (growing up in a house with just a mom and a sister, our tv time was spent with Nickelodeon, Anne of green gables, and musicals). But, when I was with my dad, or my uncle, we'd sometimes watch baseball. Now, I live in Orioles territory, and I can say that in my high school days I was a pretty well-informed O's fan. I watched as many games as I could, and even in college I would print the season schedule up each March, watch opening day diligently, and go to as many games as I could (which translated into about 1 a year- but still- it was a tradition!).

But when I moved to State College just after college, it became harder to keep up. I no longer lived in a 60 mi radius of Baltimore, and was relegated to watching mostly Pittsburgh sports. I never got into the Pirates, but in my time in SC I became a fan of another time- the Boston Red Sox. Now- I realize that it seems a stretch to go from O's to Sox- but let's be honest- the O's were becoming hard to follow. Each year seemed to bring a new manager and an entirely new roster- and considering I'd never see a game on TV- it became a challenge. But the Sox have a nation-wide fan base and were always on TV. Plus, I was dating a long time Sox fan- and so a new one was born.

I watched most of the aired games during the 2004 season and fell in love with those boys and their story. What a year to be a fan!! I was hooked! And have remained invested in them ever since.

I stayed up late last night to watch the game. More out of pity than anything else. This wasn't the team from 2004- there was no way they could stage a comeback. But last night's game was thrilling! Now- I respect Tampa Bay and if they make it, I can appreciate the incredible run that the team has gone on... but I had always felt that the one thing I could count on in baseball was that "at least the O's weren't in last place- b/c TB was..." So it's hard for me to cheer them to the end.

I barely watched any baseball this whole year- and I haven't made it to a game in 2 years now- but there's just something about October....

TV Update

As I've mentioned before, I like to watch TV. Now, I used to be the kind of person that would just plop down and watch whatever I could find. I'm trying to be better about that. I think that it's important for us to be intentional with our time- all the time. For example, the other night I came home and was doing some stuff in my room. It was quiet. I turned on the tv and was just flipping around (which I have to do literally on the tv b/c the channel up/down button doesn't work on my remote). But then I thought to myself- this is stupid- there isn't anything I want to watch, and I don't need the TV on just for the sake of having it on. So I turned it off. But- that doesn't mean I don't watch TV- I'm just trying not to watch random TV. But I do have my shows. And- now I have DVR- which makes my shows even more enjoyable.
I love having my shows- but I hate having to revolve my life around them. There's nothing that says "i'm a big loser" more than being out with friends for something social and saying "I gotta go- there's a TV show coming on..." So, I just tell my DVR to record the whole series, and there it is- ready for me at any moment. It's grand!!
I've also found- the more that I've been enjoying TV shows- the less that I'm enjoying movies. Sure- movies have their time and place for me- but there are just a few things about television that I've been enjoying even more. For example- most of the shows I watch are an hour- which is only 40 minutes of actual show time- which means they're over more quickly than a movie. and- movies seem to always leave me wanting more. I love the long story arcs that TV can do. Now, granted some of these story arcs get drug out more than they need to (can we say Derek and Meredith), but some of them (like "the pattern" on fringe) just leave you ready for the next installment. I love it.
But sometimes it is time to say goodbye. This year marks the final season for Boston Legal. Which is a great show. That David E Kelly- he writes some funny stuff... But I think that I am ready for it. First of all- to have one less show on my dvr plate- but also, the show has served us well during its tenure- and it's best to go out while you're still doing good stuff- rather than to run slowly into the ground. I look forward to the next 10 episodes to see what happens to ol' Denny Crane, Alan Shore, and co.

Officially Completed

 Yesterday when I arrived home I checked my mail and had a special treat waiting inside my mailbox.... It was my diploma for my masters degree! It arrived! I was so excited! It means that I am ALL DONE with school. I had completed my work a few months ago, but there is always the process of making sure everything gets filed correctly, and processed correctly, so I wasn't going to assume that anything was done until I had the diploma in my hands. And now I do!! Hooray!! So, the picture of my nicely hung diploma is here (thanks Billy- we hung the frames almost a month ago and it's been hanging up there empty next to my Messiah degree since then). Thanks for all your help and encouragement in this process. It feels good to be done!! (sitting below the diplomas are the plethera of birthday cards that I received this year- thanks friends!)

Also- I have finally uploaded a few pictures from my new place. It's pretty much completed to where it's going to be... just a few minor touches here and there. You can look at the album here. Enjoy!!

Whirlwind update

I'm starting to feel like a delinquent blogger. I mean, I have friends who have kids and all this other stuff going on, and they are posting every day!! I guess my life just isn't that exciting. I'm starting to realize that it seems as though my life is mostly work, and my work is not worth writing about most days. But, there are a few things that I could describe none the less.

Last week was my birthday. It was a long busy day at work, but ended with my friend Becky Wainwright coming to town. We walked downtown to an Irish restaurant (through "bike week" festivities here in York), and enjoyed about half of our authentic Irish meals. Then we walked the whole way back with 3 boxes of carry out. But it was fun to have her here and have a little girl time.

Saturday we had another wedding at the church, which is where I spent the better part of my day (after breakfast @ Cracker Barrel- yum!)

When I got home from work my friends had planned a little party for me. We had a good time celebrating my birthday, playing some games, and watching Penn State win! Good times!!