2/9/05
Softball: A Different Day (The Tradeoffs of Modesty)
Dear People,
Congratz to all on last week’s transcendent 16-15 display of aerobic competition that was as raw and taut as it was sublime. The short version is that Ken’s team fell behind, rallied with grace, and then held off my own side with methodical aplomb, and for that, all kudos are theirs.
On the other hand, lets not kid ourselves. As Ehud struggled in the 8th with one lead-destroying walk after another, I calmly approached the mound to offer soothing managerial advice, most specifically with the suggestion that he immediately discard the recently ripped polyester shorts that were now barely sticking to his lower buttocks. The hard reality was that this pitiful sartorial meltdown was draining the focus from his battle with Wil, Broh, and Ken’s other fearsome batters, all of whom sported fashionable garments that teasingly clung tight to their robust athletic torsos. In fairness, I sort of understood Udi’s hesitation, but I think it goes without saying that had he just gotten over the theoretical "embarrassment" of pitching in his snug lime-green skivvies, we would have won, 15-14.
In any case, two quick comments of practical value:
i) Frank’s performance as official umpire brought a crisp cohesion that is rare to our game, and for that, he will always be treasured. Of course the real point is that as cuddly as I am, I’m perfectly willing to seize your slot if you arrive annoying late (especially if I accidentally overbook).
ii) Please remember that your commit is only valid once it’s been confirmed with an e-mailed OK back from me. This is a logistically sound policy, but if not adhered to, does result in occasional heartbreak. Hence last week’s confusion with Will (of the Virgin Islands), who is not to be confused with Wil (of United Airlines), little less with ‘will’ (which is my 3rd favorite modal verb behind ‘can’ and ‘should’).
Finally, and as mentioned last time, we as a community will be bouncing around in time and space for the next few weeks, and if that makes us look like a bunch of cheap disco-era street tarts, then so be it. I think we can all agree that there are better things to worry about than our already dubious reputations, and therefore there will be a game at CODORNICES, this SATURDAY at 11AM (which is just like Sunday at 11AM except that it’s actually 24 hours earlier), IF I get enough commits by this Friday morning….Raymond
2/9/05
Softball: Bacon and Eggs
Dear People,
The switch to Saturday has created an unexpected stampede, and thus this week’s game is already full! Who would’ve thunk?
As always, please contact me ASAP if you committed and need to cancel, and for those who got locked out, feel free to call me later.
$2 for the field/See ya Saturday at Codornices….Raymond 845-7552
PS: Without softball on Sunday morning, many of you will undoubtedly be feeling lost and forlorn. Fortunately for you, Ramona is helping orgainize a yummy all-you-can-eat school fundraiser, and if you show up, she promises to whisper "Great hit!" as you buy your ticket. Details below:
Sunday, 2/13/05
8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Memorial Park, Albany. On Portland Avenue between Key Route and Carmel. Follow the smell of bacon cooking!
Breakfast is $6 - all you can eat panckakes, eggs, bacon, bagels, juice,
coffee - and your ticket gets you into the raffle as well.
First prize in the raffle is a digital camera, other prizes are from
Solano Avenue businesses.
People can buy tickets from me at the door if they want to go to the
breakfast, or they can e-mail me and I can sell them raffle tickets.
[ rmartinez@law.berkeley.edu ] They need not be present to win.
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