8/26/09

Softball: The Ceaseless Churn of Change (Time to Feast Again!)

Dear People,

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking “Hey, what the fuck happened to my aerobic peeps?!” That’s a fair question, and in a callous world of ubiquitous alienation, the sudden concealment of your 354 most cherished fellow-athleticists must cut deep to the emotive bone. And yet, after more than 12 years of open addressment (the cybergrammatical “to form,” if you will), a significant plurality of those who expressed an opinion told me that they now feel vulnerable and even tawdry because of the apparently growing risk of email-acquired scabies, chlamydia and other digital viri. Personally, I think the peril is overstated, but unless there is a popular revolt or I myself break under the strain, you will simply need to accept that while all 354 are still ‘here,’ you must now learn to embrace their love through the relative security of the traditional BCC. Happy embracement.

In any case, in one of those magnificent 10-inning games that reminds us of why it’s grand to be alive, my team barely staved off Anthony’s 17-15.* Sure, I’d prefer to ditch the stupid asterisk, but I can’t ignore what happened with the score tied at 13, one out and a runner on 2nd in the bottom of the 9th. Alan “Ballet Boy” Brill was on the mound with Art at the plate, and naturally the tension was all but unbearable. This was in part because the Artster is one of the most fearsome sluggers in the history of our league, but no matter how dangerous a batter is, we have obviously never allowed intentional walks, lest greatness itself be penalized.

Now look, I don’t know if the Brillster walked Art intentionally, and to be frank, I cherish the legal doctrine of “good faith” precisely because I believe no one can really “know” what’s in the mind, the heart or even the bosom of man (Indeed, just yesterday I was looking deep into my own bosom, and yet I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what was in there). Of course others might take note of the fact that for the fateful encounter in question, every one of Alan’s pitches landed closer to the drinking fountain behind the backstop than to the actual strike zone.

Still, is that really an evidentiary overlay on which to impugn his motives? Maybe, maybe not, but I happen to believe that nebulous is the soul when faced with great stress, and therefore there will be a game at Codornices this Sunday at 11—perhaps Kira’s last before she moves to Seattle! ;-( —followed by a scrumptious bring-your-own-meat pot-luck barbecue, IF I get enough commits by this Friday morning…Raymond

PS: Please let me know if you're coming to the barbie (friends, family and embittered ex-lovers are always welcome), and if so, what communal contribution you plan to bring. Highly recommended offerings include grills/coal/lighter fluid, blankets, paper towels/plates/cups, tons of ice, soft drinks, juices, beer, more ice (bonus points if finely crushed), spatulas, real knives and plastic silverware, side salads, fine breads and cheeses, condiments, onions, mayo, brownies, cake, homemade ethnic entrees that define the essence of the shtetl that your great Uncle Feinberg was raised in, more ice, assorted fresh fruit, chips, raw vegetables, and if you’re really feeling inspired, a bountiful assiette of suckling pig in its own roasting juices, lovingly served with an organic risotto of young seasonal legumes.


8/27/09

Softball: Sport, Food and Cool Things Cheap!

Dear People,

There will be a game at Codornices this Sunday at 11AM, FOLLOWED by a scrumptious open-to-all bring-your-own-meat pot-luck barbecue, and as of now, the game is full. If you committed and need to cancel, please let me know ASAP, and of course you’re welcome to contact me later for news of reopened slots.

$4 for the field/Don’t forget your communal barbie contributions!/See ya Sunday…Raymond 845-7552

PS: Kira will be having a superb pre-Seattle garage sale this SATURDAY from 9AM-3PM, and I can assure you there will be lots of great stuff, much of it cheap and even free for members of her beloved softball community (that’s you!). Her place is at 1174 Arch (the cross street is Eunice), about a five minute walk from Codornices. If you show up, you’ll not only get to see Kira and her house full of wares, but there’s a good chance you’ll get to meet Zak, who I happen to think is the most magnificent huge orange cat that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

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