Yesterday, Brian, Nick and I got Iryshe Family Crest Tattoos. We have been planning this for some time, but between Brian living in Canada and…well, that’s it, we had to patiently wait. It was worth it. I found the artist, JohnnyNeedles, from Craigslist and checked out his work. He was talented and cheap. He stressed how clean he was with his equipment, and we pulled the trigger. We got a great price on the tattoos and they came out awesome, as you can see. At the end, Grandpa decided he wanted to get one as well. Not an Iryshe crest, but something even closer to him.
He came up with the idea himself, and even helped Johnny sketch it out. It came out awesome. Simple, yet so meaningful, it was the right choice. I expect nothing else from that man.
On another note, Natalie 365 is going better than I expected. I am having lots of fun with it, and as each day passes, I get more and more excited to complete it. I still haven’t decided what I am going to do with it when I’m done, but I will want something tangible to give her when she’s older. I still have 355 days to figure that out.
I am going to try something that I really hope I can stick to. Its called “Natalie 365″. Here is how it works. I snap a photo of Natalie every day for the first year of her life. Then, on that first birthday, we can look back and see how much she’s changed over her first year. Not every day has to be the same, and in fact, the rules of a 365 usually state that some form of creativity is involved. Photos with interesting people, in different places, etc… To follow along with the daily photo, you can click here:
…and comes out a winner! She has gained some weight, making her 7 lbs 2oz. She has also grown some, as she is now 21 3/4″ tall.
She passed her reflex test and recieved a clean bill of health! Her next appointment isn’t for another month!
If I still have this site next year, you will see round two of this post. For the past few years, I have researched who I believe should actually be invited to the All Star Game, and compared it to who actually gets in. The results are frustrating often, but sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. In the end, I firmly believe the vote should be taken from the fans and given to players and managers.
Here is my list, and at 1 PM on Sunday afternoon, the actual, fan voted list will be revealed.
Update: Fan voting added.
AL NL
C Joe Mauer C Brian McCann
1B Justin Morneau 1B Albert Pujols
2B Aaron Hill 2B Chase Utley
SS Jason Bartlett SS Hanley Ramirez
3B Evan Longoria 3B David Wright
LF Jason Bay LF Raul Ibanez
CF Torii Hunter CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ichiro Suzuki RF Justin Upton
P Roy Halladay P Tim Lincecum
P Zack Grienke P Josh Johnson
P Jered Weaver P Matt Cain
P Edwin Jackson P Dan Haren
P Felix Hernandez P Chad Billingsley
RP Joel Zumaya RP Ronald Belesario
CP Jonathan Papelbon CP Heath Bell
Fan AL Fan NL
Joe Mauer Yadier Molina
Mark Tiexiera Albert Pujols
Dustin Pedroia Chase Utley
Derek Jeter Hanley Ramirez
Evan Longoria David Wright
Jason Bay Raul Ibanez
Josh Hamilton Carlos Beltran
Ichiro Suzuki Ryan Braun
The difference in starters between the world and me? 6 of 16 starters, or 37.5%.
I have been desperately searching my Thesaurus to find another word for the Montgomery Flea Market. Can anyone out there help and tell me what the Montgomery Flea Market is just like? Perhaps another word for it?
It has been requested that I provide an update to my bold baseball predictions for 2009. While its still early, and some of them may not have had the opportunity to happen yet, I will provide an update for what I can.
AL East: Red Sox NL East: Phillies Phillies
AL Central: Indians NL Central: Cubs Brewers
AL West: Oakland NL West: Dodgers Dodgers
AL Wild Card: Rays NL Wild Card: Mets Cardinals
ALDS: Red Sox over Indians NLDS: Phillies over Dodgers
Oakland over Rays Cubs over Mets
ALCS: Oakland over Red Sox NLCS: Phillies over Cubs
World Series: Phillies over Oakland
Cy Young: AL Roy Halladay NL Cole Hamels Grienke (Halladay 2nd), Broxton
MVP: AL Kevin Youkilis NL Chase Utley
1. Raul Ibanez will be better in 2009 than Pat Burrell was in 2008. Ibanex .332/17/46, Burrell .250/33/86 He’s well on his way.
2. Jason Bay will hit more HR than David Ortiz. Jason Bay 15, Ortiz 1…He’s making me look good.
3. Rocco Baldelli will hit over .300 .244
4. Ichiro Suzuki will not. .354
5. Matt Holliday will be the AL Batting Champ
6. Albert Pujols will be the NL Batting Champ
7. Jason Varitek will hit better than .275 .239
8. Barry Bonds will play at least one game this year. Not yet.
9. Kansas City will finish 3rd in the Central. Currently 4th
10. CC Sabathia will finish the season with an ERA over 4.00 Currently 3.46
11. CC Sabathia will have double digit losses. Currently 3
12. AJ Burnett will have an ERA over 4.00 4.78
13. Jake Peavy will not be a Padre after the trading deadline. Almost became a White Sox WAY before the deadline. It’ll happen.
14. Detroit will be competitive until the last week of the season. Currently in first place.
15. Grady Sizemore will hit better than .300/30/90 .223/9/31 On DL.
16. A current MLB player will die in an off field incident. Nick Adenhart.
17. There will be a perfect game in 2009. Not yet, although Wakefield took one into the 8th.
18. The NL will win the All Star Game.
19. Matt Weiters will give the O’s fans hope for the future. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJVDiXhsDf4
20. Boston will allow the fewest runs in the majors. Currently 17th.
21. Boston will score the most runs in the majors. Currently tied for 6th.
22. Bobby Cox will be ejected at least 10 times this season. Zero.
23. ARod will not reach 100 games played. 22 so far.
24. Dice K will win 20 games. Zero so far. Wow.
25. No team in the NL West will finish over .500 2 currently over .500
Today was the baby shower for Natalie, and while we were concerned over threats of thunderstorms, the rain held off until the shower was done.
The gifts we recieved were incredible, to say the least. Everyone went over board for us and our daughter with kindness and love. The items that everyone brought were everything from fun to practical, and we love each and every gift the same. From gift cards and savings bonds, to a wagon and a picnic table, we are overwhelmed and appreciative. The thought and care that went into each and every gift reminds Sarah and I how kind and loving our friends and family are.
From the bottom of our hearts, Sarah, Natalie and I thank you!!
