Day 2: Time to spit

It's Saturday morning in Texas and our good night's sleep was not-so-good...actually, it was quite eventful with the birthday celebrations. But, what can I say....21 is a big one....not as big at 5-0....but important....

As we got into the elevator, we saw Dog and two other guys waiting to be taken to the lobby. "How was your evening, Dog?" He replies: "It was great."
"Did you go out to celebrate?"
"Oh yeah...an amazing time...."
"I'm glad that you enjoyed it.....What time did you get in?"
"It wasn't too late...."
Little did I know but this conversation would come back to haunt me later in the day...

Off the elevator, Tink and I asked the concierge for a good place to eat breakfast and he suggested a place called Gunther House which was a mile or so from the hotel. Along the way, the big leftie found two of his 'boys' and they crammed their huge bodies into the back seat of the Prius. As I pulled out, the AC/DC song "Highway to Hell" was on the radio and the guys started to jam in the back of the Prius. it was an unusual scene as I drove like the old days with the kids in the back of the car laughing and joking around. Like the old days, I also had to pretend that I could not hear what they were saying...You know...give them the illusion that what they are saying cannot be heard....but as they ignored me, I found out that the 21st birthday party was alot more fun than the big leftie had let on....I am glad that he had fun...was not arrested....naked... and so on.....there was a great deal to be thankful for on this occasion.

After breakfast, I dropped the guys off at the local historic landmarks to walk around and shop for a cowboy hat. Yep, one of the kids decided that he absolutely had to have a hat. And on they went, searching for the right hat and ignoring the history of the town. In the meantime, Tink and I walked and walked and checked the region out on foot. It was a beautiful city with so much history and lots of shopping...naturally....

The game on Saturday night was scheduled for 6 pm. So, the guys took their bus to the stadium and Tink and I continued to look around the city. As we got to the stadium, the sun was setting and it now felt like Pennsylvania with a chill in the 40's.

The opening pitcher was from Texas and many of his family members were in the stands. They cheered him on as he struck out the opposing players. The game was tight and then it happened.....there was a fielding error on the third out. The pitcher lost his composure....then gave up two back to back triples. It was all the other team needed as they won by one run. But that is not the whole story.....

In the stands were spectators who had quite a few (plus a few more) beers and they were sitting behind home plate. They began to heckle the pitchers and the batters. As the starting pitcher was replaced, three other players from the bullpen were added to finish the game. The crowd turned hostile, yet the guys kept their composure. One of Buddy's breakfast friends was placed into the game. He pitched very well and I thought it was due to the pancakes. After all, they were quite filling.

After the game, the kid texted me and said that there was a big problem. OK, come to the room, let's chat. After he entered the room, he asked me what I was thinking? "Huh? Whatchatalwkinabout?"

"You know, when you saw Dog on the elevator and asked him about last night. The two guys next to him were the trainers and they reported the conversation to the coach. He asked me what I did last night knowing what the answer was....and I had to tell him that I had a beer....." Dude, more like 10...but anyway......what happened?

"He did not seem pleased!" Ok, so, now he knows that you are 21...big deal. I have seen him hoist one or two cases of beer.....no big deal right? Anyway, if it was such a problem, why did Dog keep the conversation going? He could have said that there was no party. Perhaps he is an idiot. At least I did not know about the trainers. Dog did....

Then we spoke about the game. "I don't get it. I am ready to go but they don't put me in....." Yes, the same old story of trying to prove that he is better than everyone else and no one appreciates him. This went on for an hour until he felt a little better. As I always say: "This is like the real world. If it is not a coach who ignores you, it is client...or a boss.....or your spouse.....:-)"


Then he brought up the hecklers.  He mentioned that he was dying to get into that game to shut them up.

 Here was the diabolical plan that he hatched in the bullpen...."First, I have  to hate my opponent. It's nothing personal but I am there to strike him out. So if he smiles at me crooked, I hate him. If he has brown hair....I hate him...if he is wearing Adidas cleats...I hate him."
OK, so we established that he needs to feel loathing before the first pitch. Got it. He could be playing Mother Teresa's team, but he has to hate them because they are wearing blue and white. Gotcha...

"Next, I send the first pitch for a strike, then I make eye contact with the fans...."

Hmmm, he is going to send them a non-verbal message....this works. He's saying that sticks and stones may break his bones but names will never hurt him....

"Then once the first batter is out, I will spit on the ground in front of them."

Nice, not sanitary, but it also sends a nonverbal message that he is large and in charge and has to clear his throat. Feel better? I am sure that he will someday soon be able to use this model of practice during a future game.

And as he walked out of the room, I had a feeling that this would not be the trip that he had wanted. He wanted to return to the mound triumphant...the hero....the working class hero....but nothing...no fan fare...no flowers or candy....just an empty feeling that no one cares.....except BP mom....

More later......much much more...we are not nearly done with the story!

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Good morning! A beautiful day in the northeast and I am ready to put up the Christmas lights. That's right...me...alone...no one else? Why, BPM? You have a family, right?

Uh-huh...I have a family who disappears this time of year and if I waited for them to appear, I would placing up the Easter eggs on the trees. For the life of me, I am not sure why they do not take joy in the season and work with me to prepare. I thought that it was the journey and not necessarily the destination. Maybe I am too much of an optimist, so I will be like the Little Red Hen and do it myself...including eating the cookies myself too. Hmmm...perhaps that is not the best idea...in fact...I need to think that last sentence through.

So, BPM, how is the big kid? Well, I gotta say that he is much much better and on the way back to his old competitive nature....although.....

Yesterday, I took the drive to the campus to meet with the sports psychologist with him. I wanted to support him as he worked to clear his head and work through the fear of reinjuring himself...'cause ya know what? He could....that is reality. So the fear is not one that is unrealistic. It certainly can happen. Sooooo......

We sat in this brilliant man's office and Buddy spilled his guts and talked about the last year. The therapist listened and gave him excellent advice....thank you, Lord!

First, he has to abandon the party house. It is too much for him. He is constantly stressed out as his room mates are trying to duplicate the Playboy Mansion without the grotto or funds for anything stronger than cheap beer. This kid wants to go to school, study, rehab, work out, and kick butt on the pitching mound. Those are his goals. Therefore, cleaning vomit off his bedroom door, bouncing kids out of his house, and spackling the holes in the walls are not his idea of what his college experience should be. Yet, he made the decision to live with these guys and has to live with the consequences. for now....

He is in the throes of a decision to leave the house in January since the roomies are not receptive to any of his requests to not throw parties for the entire campus of 10,00 students. Remarkably, I think that we may be moving the contents of his bedroom from the place and leave the sofa. That's right...the sofa stays. Dad and I are NOT moving it again....no way, no how. Uh uh. Nope....stays until it disintegrates from  spilled, dried, and caked beer and nachos. Yesterday when I dopped him off at the house, he encouraged me not to enter. Naturally, I stayed in the car because the air was fresher and the floors were not sticky. I also figured that I could be scarred for life if I walked into that place one more time.

And now, the decision is being carefully considered as he decides whether it is worth spending another month, five months or 18 months with this bunch of guys. I know how I feel about the subject especially seeing his epiglottis and airway close off in the emergency room last month. But the decision is his. Once he makes it, he must live with the ramifications.

I can only imagine that his hopes and dreams of living in this house with his friends has been quite disappointing. This past summer, he could not wait to leave home and move into the house. He had visions of an open door policy and a place where his friends could come to hang out and play video games, drink beer and gatorade, and eat pizza. Yet, his roomies had other ideas. In fact, they used him to gain access to the house and create a place where they could be hoodlums. The look of the house, windows, porch and front lawn are Animal House-like yet this is not a movie. It is supposed to be a college house where they could be somewhat carefree without breaking any furniture, windows, and window blinds. They could be arrested, sued if anyone is injured, and evicted. Frankly, there is nothing funny or whimsical about this place.

Therefore, he has to make the final decision. As the Clash sing: "Should I stay or should I go?"

Always tease tease tease
You’re happy when I’m on my knees
One day is fine, next day is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An’ if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know!

Stay tuned...it should be an interesting month of December....by the way:


Happy Birthday to my wonderful goddaughter, Buttercup! I love you!

Time to decorate the house.....or run off the cookie that I had for breakfast.....