2.0: The Blogmocracy

LLWS 2023 Open n’at.

by coldwarrior ( 116 Comments › )
Filed under Baseball, Open thread at August 28th, 2023 - 2:03 pm

[Charlie Brown AI morphs (cumulative) via Deep Dream Generator.]

Sorry I’m late, yinz! I just got home last night from working at our hospital where the LLWS was taking place. I was fortunate to get assigned there at this time. I can tell you, the players are wide-eyed and amazed that they are there. The families are, frankly, in shock. I talked with one dad at the big old hotel bar after he put his player and wife to bed; he told me a great story. He said that he played baseball through high school but was never good enough to get a look at scholarship or the minors but he always would dream of playing in the LLWS. His son, and the team made it to Williamsport, PA. Dude is a welder in the south, he said they had to hustle to get enough cash to pull this off. He worked 6 days x12 hours plus freelance work starting back when he had an inkling that there might be an outside chance that his could maybe, just might, happen. He said that Mom threw herself into fundraising and was relentless and driven. I was sad when their team got eliminated. However, this same story repeats all through this scene.

I met a few players. WOW! They are living the dream for a few short days. Wonderful young men who are quick with a ‘yes sir’ ‘no sir’ ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. I was treating one young ball player who did his ankle a bad turn. I asked for his autograph and he and his family laughed. I was serious. I had him sign the inside of the metal paramedic folder that I always have with me at work. I will look at that later and often, when the shit gets bad in the ER…a talisman of sorts to keep me focused and happy and to remind me why.

So, now I’m home for the next assignment. Today is recovery and goofing off after 4 days x 12 hours and a long drive home. The Puti and I played 9 at the CC, no hole in one for her! I have ribs on the smoker at the request of FiaFia. I am having the Aladino cigar that Bunk Five Hawks X sent me paired with a Tanqueray Rangpur Lime gin and tonic, the Connecticut version goes very well with a G&T. Thanks, Bunk! A perfect way to start a day of goofing off.

Enjoy this open.

116 Comments »

Competitive Golf Open….#1

by coldwarrior ( 262 Comments › )
Filed under Golf, Open thread at August 14th, 2023 - 12:43 pm

I worked the 3p to 3a shift at the ER and drove back 3.5 hours, took The Puti to her first “REAL” competitive golf round for the varsity team, she was the #6, out of 6. She’s done. She’s the only girl on the team.

We then went to the clubhouse and had lunch. I’m exhausted. Well, she lost by one stroke. Lost by 1 against a Junior male…this Freshman Girl of 14 with 6 months experience damn near beat a guy two years older and much bigger. The Puti blew it on the approach chip to the 9th and final hole. She went way too quick, her nerves got her. She hit it way thin and sent it through the green. Nice shot back to the hole and 2 put. A nice recovery given the circumstances.

The team won the match, and they voted her ‘man of the match’ for her surprising and effective performance in her first real round. She was dejected until her coach told her that that was one of the best rounds that he has ever seen from a Freshman…on the boys varsity team. THen, the smile, ear to ear.

She did well, earned a steak dinner at the CC, and just got her braces off. It;s been a good few days.

262 Comments »

Monday Drive-By Thread

by lobo91 ( 260 Comments › )
Filed under Open thread, Uncategorized at July 31st, 2023 - 12:07 pm

Here’s something to pass the time…

260 Comments »

Old School Hotel Open 7/23

by coldwarrior ( 339 Comments › )
Filed under Uncategorized at July 17th, 2023 - 12:04 am

Finally, i got sent away from the endless level 1 trauma big city loop to one of our wayyyyyyy out there hospitals.

9 months of pressure cooker work ended. Sent to a smaller hospital. The Hotel is AMAZING!

I stay at many hotels, it’s part of the job. But, this one feels great. Its the Genetti in Williamsport, PA. It’s oldschool.
Old and unabashedly not updated, I got good vibes when I walked in…1920’s charm with a great bar. This is not a cut and paste room like i’m used to.

My Mom’s family owns property just north of here in the Pine Creek river valley, but, its just a touch too far away to stay there. If i stayed there, I’d call off to go fly fishing for native brooks on Callahan’s run and have a few beers in the Wagon Wheel in Camal PA. Easier to stay away.

Well, we are in the ‘big city’ lol in north central PA…quaint, actually. I did find two excellent breweries and one decent cigar shop. And, I found a proper tailor and men’s outfitter. I am getting measured for a barbour jacket tomorrow. Possum and AI know what those are. my last barbour was over 20 years ago (in Scotland) and it is getting threadbare in the usual places. i have abused the snot out of it whilst doing the normal scheduled maintenance. I’ll hand it to one of the girls and it will be worn, in an ironic way, and with style….or something….teens.

the fun part is that i have a ton of points with this hotel brand and got a nice upgrade. yep –> 10th floor