Cheating the Game

I'm so jaded with baseball right now. I feel so cynical. You know what, that's not accurate. I'm sick and tired of the business of baseball. With ARod (now known as ARoid) coming out with having been a steroid user, I feel as though my entire baseball world has been shattered.

I was so incredibly hurt when I first heard the news. I was driving to NJ for practice with my band with Anita (who unfortunately is made to listen to sports talk radio now that I'm borrowing my mom's truck for the winter) and the story broke. I hadn't initially heard it, but Anita did. She made a comment and I immediately defended ARod. He's so lean! He's not a huge headed slugger. He's going to retire as the greatest player ever. Then I listened. FOUR independant sources had confirmed to SI that ARod had tested positive for TWO different PEDs. Say it ain't so, Alex.

I was immediately distraught. ARod was supposed to be the guy that RECLAIMED baseball's hallowed records from the people that cheated the game. ARod was supposed to be the guy that brought these records back to my beloved Yankees. Now, he's in the same band as these other misfits. His records, his statistics, his career will ALWAYS be viewed through that looking glass.

Worse yet was his half assed interview. While I believe that he is sorry for having done what he did, is he sorry because he did something wrong? Or is he sorry for having been caught? And when Gammons asked him what he took specifically, he didn't know? Really? You're the highest paid player in the major leagues... By far. You don't know what's going into your body? I'm a low paid employee for Suburban Propane and I know kind of awful stuff I'm putting into my body. You're telling me you have no idea what's going into yours? Please spare me the legacy saving bullshit, it's really stinking up the joint.

And speaking of legacy, I think it's over. I think ARod will probably get into the hall one day, but this will always be chasing him. When he approaches the magic numbers of 714 and 755 and whatever Barroid's number is, this whole story will be hashed again. The legitimacy of EVERYTHING he has done will come into question. And it just makes me sad.

I don't know where to go from here with this. I don't know what to believe in with the sport that I love so much. I don't know who to revere and who to admonish. I have no idea who to cheer and who to boo.

There are 103 names left on this infamous list, I hope that they're released sooner rather than later. If it happens slowly over the next few years, the steroid era is NEVER going to pass. Embarrass these people now and get it over with so we can all cry, shout, and be done with it. That is of course, unless Jeter's on the list. If he's on the list, keep it to yourself.

Dare Reggie

I'm in love with music. Playing it. Sure, I'm an absolutely lousy musician, but it makes me feel so good. This past weekend, I went to the Figurelli residence to have a little band practice and it was just great. I even got Anita to go with me for this one and she was our personal camera girl.

Being able to put together songs and play them, even while the reproduction is mediocre, makes me feel good. It fills me with an enormous sense of joy.

Last month, we decided to cover "Brick" by Ben Folds Five. I literally get goosebumps every time I sing it.

I hope that as the future unfolds and we get more busy that we still make time to make music. It's the greatest accomplishment of my life.

I'm finally writing about my birthday.

My birthday was awesome. At work( since I was taking a half day), I got a "birthday cake" made out of donuts. I ate them. Everyone sang happy birthday to me, but it was a little awkward. For some strange reason, when it came time to say my name in the song, there was this split second pause for everyone. It wasn't a big deal, but I just can't figure out how it happened or why it happened and how was it EVERYONE that paused. Strange. Whatever, I got to leave 1/2 way through the day.

I came home to be met by Phil (who forgot it was my birthday... But would make up for it later... Keep reading) and waited for my mom. What did I do while I waited? What else but good ol' PS3. I seem to have almost given up on MLB 08 the Show because of its horrendous gameplay and have almost exclusively playing Madden (as was probably going to happen anyway). I find Madden '09 to be the most flawed version of the game I've played in a while.... But whatever, it's Madden and I'm in. My biggest complaint is that the controls and movement of players is much more awkward than it has been in Maddens past. Again... Whatever.. It's Madden... Let's play.

My mom showed up (which clued Phil in that it was my birthday... hahaha) and we watched a little TV to let her settle in and then her and I headed out. She went shopping at Target and various other stores and I tagged along. I was happy just to be hanging out with my mom.

Fast forward. James, Phil, Anita, my mother, and I watch Slumdog Millionaire. This is an absolutely fantastic movie and it deserves all the accolades it receives. After the movie, we cut the 2 cakes I got. 1 standard pillsbury box cake my mom made me which was delicious and 1 incredibly phenomonal banana cake with cream cheese frosting that Anita made me from scratch. I only have three words to describe it. Dee. Lish. Us. I wish I could eat it right now. Yum yum and then some. Anyway, I probably ate about 12 servings of that cake. Oh! I forgot the best part (and Phil's redemption)! After I cut the cake, he absolutely smeared frosting all over my face. He got me when I haven't been able to be gotten in YEARS. YEARS, I'm telling you. I just wasn't expecting it. Kudos to him. I'm usually ready for it.

We lazed around and watched some more TV before deciding to have something light to eat. We head over to the Friendly's that opened up right behind our house and eat. That was pretty much it. Much more sedate than years past, but still extremely awesometastic.