Monday, October 31, 2005
Interview Obtained
Just moments ago I got a call from the county historical society I'm applying to. We've set up an interview for Friday morning. Commence nausea.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
The State of the Union
Life has been pretty busy lately. Work has been particularly baneful over the last month. The board is intent on driving my boss crazy and bordering on abusive behavior towards him all while tying the hands of the staff with mundane policies. They seem to enamored with John Carver's Policy Governance, yet they don't want to commit to adopting it. Carver insists that the practice cannot be taken unless it is used in its entirety. Instead they are skipping out on the spirit of the model, which is to give staff much latitude within general, yet firm policies. The result is that staff morale is as low as it has ever been.
On the positive side I have applied for a new job. I'm applying to be the executive director at a county historical society about twenty miles from here. I'm not thrilled about the drive, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself and think about those things. I have twice applied for similar positions at similar organizations in the last year and a half. Once I made it to the final three candidates and was told that I was ultimately lacking in experience and that I would make somebody a great director "some day." It was disappointing, but at the same time I wasn't very enamored with the organization. The second position was one I really got my hopes up for. It seemed like a good fit and I was very excited butI never even got a telephone call back. I later learned they had an internal candidate, but still, my ego took a beating over the lack of even an interview. We'll see if "someday" is today over the next few weeks. I know that the organizations I just applied to is looking at having the new director in place by December.
My hated masters program has been okay this semester. I'm taking an economics class, which is very fun, until I actually have an assignment due.
But my friends Joe and Elizabeth are on my mind tonight. They have been dating for about a year and a half and to say that it has been a volatile relationship is an understatement. I may go into more later, but ultimately she is rather unstable and the relationship is falling apart even though they have engaged to marry at least one and a half times (yeah, I'm confused too). Last night when I dropped my friend Mike off at his apartment we had an impromptu conversation that last through three listens of the new Sicbay album. Mike told me that he is worried that in the likely eventuality that Joe and Elizabeth break up that she just may try to physically harm him. Honestly, the thought hadn't occurred to me until he brought it up. I was much more concerned about what she might do to herself. She is a cutter and was diagnosed with mild psychosis of some kind earlier in the year. But maybe I'm naive. Maybe she would do something. Part of what has delayed the likely break-up is the fact that they live together and that Joe doesn't know where to go or if he could afford an apartment on his own. I'm sure he could find something as he just got a pretty big promotion at his job. I think I'm going to offer our spare bedroom to him as a temporary shelter while he secures his own apartment. Ms. stu and I discussed this today and she thought that would be just fine.
Yet I'm tired of getting involved in the all of it. I was asked by both of them on numerous occasions for advice in last several months. It was all ignored. I swore I would wash my hands off the whole affair, and yet here I am trying to rescue both of them, just like I always do.
On the positive side I have applied for a new job. I'm applying to be the executive director at a county historical society about twenty miles from here. I'm not thrilled about the drive, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself and think about those things. I have twice applied for similar positions at similar organizations in the last year and a half. Once I made it to the final three candidates and was told that I was ultimately lacking in experience and that I would make somebody a great director "some day." It was disappointing, but at the same time I wasn't very enamored with the organization. The second position was one I really got my hopes up for. It seemed like a good fit and I was very excited butI never even got a telephone call back. I later learned they had an internal candidate, but still, my ego took a beating over the lack of even an interview. We'll see if "someday" is today over the next few weeks. I know that the organizations I just applied to is looking at having the new director in place by December.
My hated masters program has been okay this semester. I'm taking an economics class, which is very fun, until I actually have an assignment due.
But my friends Joe and Elizabeth are on my mind tonight. They have been dating for about a year and a half and to say that it has been a volatile relationship is an understatement. I may go into more later, but ultimately she is rather unstable and the relationship is falling apart even though they have engaged to marry at least one and a half times (yeah, I'm confused too). Last night when I dropped my friend Mike off at his apartment we had an impromptu conversation that last through three listens of the new Sicbay album. Mike told me that he is worried that in the likely eventuality that Joe and Elizabeth break up that she just may try to physically harm him. Honestly, the thought hadn't occurred to me until he brought it up. I was much more concerned about what she might do to herself. She is a cutter and was diagnosed with mild psychosis of some kind earlier in the year. But maybe I'm naive. Maybe she would do something. Part of what has delayed the likely break-up is the fact that they live together and that Joe doesn't know where to go or if he could afford an apartment on his own. I'm sure he could find something as he just got a pretty big promotion at his job. I think I'm going to offer our spare bedroom to him as a temporary shelter while he secures his own apartment. Ms. stu and I discussed this today and she thought that would be just fine.
Yet I'm tired of getting involved in the all of it. I was asked by both of them on numerous occasions for advice in last several months. It was all ignored. I swore I would wash my hands off the whole affair, and yet here I am trying to rescue both of them, just like I always do.
Monday, October 17, 2005
CDs in My Car, vol. II
Rick Bain and the Genius Position, Crooked Autumn Sun
I saw and heard this band for the first time opening for the Dandy Warhols in 2000. I fell in love, which I sometimes do. My friend moved to Portland a few months later and sent me the CD. They basically rip of the Dandys (who rip everyone else off!), but sometimes a copycat is better than the real thing.
Blur, Think Tank
An excellent CD and the reason for this blog having the name that it has. This was Blur's first attempt at an album after guitarist Graham Coxon left. Before it came out I was skeptical as the band talked it up for its north African sounds and made allusions to the Clash (so overrated!). Damon Albarn proved that he is a genius by crafting this album. Graham appears on the final song of the album, and only then do you realize what had been missing. Graham and Damon have made up with one another both publicly and privately (apparently) and Damon said a few months ago that there would be no more Blur albums until Graham rejoined the band. The band is back in the studio recording---without Graham.
The Hot Snakes, Audit in Progress
I don't think this band could ever change its sound of driving guitars and shouting vocals. And I don't think they should ever try.
Sicbay,
Out in stores now. YOU GO BUY NOW! (and they're my friends on myspace!)
STNNNG, Dignified Sissy
Pronounced: Stunning. Apparently they sound like the Fall, if you need a comparison. I've never listened to a Fall song so I'm not sure if that's accurate. These songs are loud, paranoid, and really fun. They are currently my favorite local band. They've been picked to click and will open for Sicbay this weekend. And I can walk from my house to the bar. Hoorah!
I saw and heard this band for the first time opening for the Dandy Warhols in 2000. I fell in love, which I sometimes do. My friend moved to Portland a few months later and sent me the CD. They basically rip of the Dandys (who rip everyone else off!), but sometimes a copycat is better than the real thing.
Blur, Think Tank
An excellent CD and the reason for this blog having the name that it has. This was Blur's first attempt at an album after guitarist Graham Coxon left. Before it came out I was skeptical as the band talked it up for its north African sounds and made allusions to the Clash (so overrated!). Damon Albarn proved that he is a genius by crafting this album. Graham appears on the final song of the album, and only then do you realize what had been missing. Graham and Damon have made up with one another both publicly and privately (apparently) and Damon said a few months ago that there would be no more Blur albums until Graham rejoined the band. The band is back in the studio recording---without Graham.
The Hot Snakes, Audit in Progress
I don't think this band could ever change its sound of driving guitars and shouting vocals. And I don't think they should ever try.
Sicbay,
Out in stores now. YOU GO BUY NOW! (and they're my friends on myspace!)
STNNNG, Dignified Sissy
Pronounced: Stunning. Apparently they sound like the Fall, if you need a comparison. I've never listened to a Fall song so I'm not sure if that's accurate. These songs are loud, paranoid, and really fun. They are currently my favorite local band. They've been picked to click and will open for Sicbay this weekend. And I can walk from my house to the bar. Hoorah!
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Ms. stu and I are putting bead board up on the wall behind our stove. After a lot of headaches getting the panels cut to the proper height and width on my ultra-cheap table saw it was time to cut the holes out for the outlets and the natural gas line. The first hole I cut for the outlet was two and a half inches to the left of where it was supposed to be. When I drew the dimensions on the back I got confused basically flipped the measurement along the axis of its side. I blew it. Damn.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Hot Stove League: Day One
| Detroit | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB |
| Granderson, LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Inge, 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Shelton, DH | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Thames, RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Pena, 1B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Infante, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Wilson, C | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| McDonald, 2B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Logan, CF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 32 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 9 |
| Minnesota | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB |
| Tyner, RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rodriguez, 3B | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mauer, C | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| LeCroy, DH | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1-Punto, PR-DH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cuddyer, 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Morneau, 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tyner, RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ford, CF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rivas, 2B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bartlett, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Totals | 33 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 16 |
| Detroit | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR |
| Robertson (L, 7-16) | 7.0 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Rodney | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Minnesota | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR |
| Santana (W, 16-7) | 7.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 1 |
| Crain | 0.2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rincon | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Nathan (S, 43) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Yesterday I went to the last Twins game of the season. It was kind of a sad occasion. The Twins will be missing the playoffs for the first time in four years and it is quite clear that major changes will need to be made to the offense to see them have a legitimate chance at winning the division next season (I'd like to go on record and say that I hate the wild card - go ahead and bore me with your examples of the extra excitement in other cities because of the additional playoff spots. I don't care.).
So I went with anticipation of seeing Jacque Jones play in his final game as a Minnesota Twin. Jones (a.k.a. Kid Dyno-Mite), is my favorite player. Usually when you pick a favorite player, especially when they're not a star, the reasons are irrational and emotional. Maybe you saw him make a great play one-day and continued to take an interest in him. Maybe you got tired of hearing people say he was terrible and you wanted to root for the underdog. Whatever the reason, people seem to love their player, regardless of the slumps.
Jones is a player who can look sensational one inning by lacing a double to the gap and driving in two runs and then missing on a pitch in the dirt before grounding into another double play on his next at bat. Same thing in the field. I've seen him make a great catch and then double off the runner trying to advance another base, and I've seen him air mail a throw into the dugout. But he always seems to play with energy and there's little doubt he was giving full effort. So, he's been my favorite player since the 2001 season when he was platooning in left field. When Ron Gardenhire was hired before the 2002 season his said the first order of business was to make Jones his everyday left fielder. The Twins went on to win three consecutive division championships and my irrational mind says a lot of that came from that decision.
So I go to the game and as you can see from the box score above, Jones didn't play. Nate Robertson, the Tigers starting pitcher, is a left hander so Jones was held out of the lineup. Emotionally I think they should've given him the start anyway. The Twins weren't playing for anything other than their 83rd win. They were eliminated from a spot in the playoffs last week and had realistically been out of it for a few weeks before that. A winning season had been assured. Oh well. Maybe next year...
But most likely not. Jones is a free agent and while he would like to return to the Twins he also wants a multi-year deal. The Twins more than likely will not offer him such a deal as they have a very small budget and feel that they can another player within the system to do the same thing that Jones does for less money. In some ways they are probably right—Lew Ford, who makes lots of boneheaded plays, also makes a lot less money and can produce about the same results. Jason Kubel seems like a hot prospect coming out of the minors, but he did spend all of last season rehabbing a torn ACL. All of these factors add up to a farewell to Jones. I understand it, but I don't have to like it.
So what's going to happen next year? Rumors have circulated that Torii Hunter might be traded to clear his $10 million off of the payroll. That might happen, but I doubt it. Here's what I think the team's lineup might look like next year:
Stewart, LF
Punto, 2B
Mauer, C
Thome, DH (free agent signing)
Morneau, 1B
Mueller, 3B (free agent signing)
Hunter, CF
Cuddyer, RF
Bartlett, SS
Rotation:
Santana
Radke
Silva
Lohse
Baker/Liriano (I think Liriano needs a little more time in the minors)
I dream of seeing Alfonso Soriano in the lineup. I think it's a real possibility to trade for him in the off season. Play him at second, move Punto to third, forget about signing Mueller. Send Lohse in the trade and pick up a mediocre veteran to take his spot in the rotation, or throw Liriano in the mix.
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