"It's a girl Mrs. Walker, it's a girl,''
- from "Glow Girl" by the Who
My wife and I found out this week that we're having a baby girl. Maybe.
The ultrasound showed no evidence of a tallywacker, so the doctor feels confident we're having a girl, but not 100 percent confident, because the baby was in the breech position.
So we're holding off buying all the pink stuff.
But at the very least, we've stopped calling her "him.''
I am excited to have a girl, but have to curb my intincts of wanting to be overprotective.
Yet, I am poised to be the scary dad when little horny high school boys start coming 'round my house.
I think I'm going to buy a shotgun.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Something in the Air
Yesterday, I got to watch my first full spring training game - more or less - as the Braves held on to to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3.
It was encouraging as Tim Hudson tossed 5 scoreless innings.
But as soon as the bullpen came in, my stomach started to churn, and true to form, the relief corps allowed 3 runs, and nearly coughed up the lead in the 9th.
Anyhow, I know it's only Grapefruit League games, but a win is a win.
And it got me to thinking whether this year's team will turn out to be better than last - Atlanta's first losing season since 1990.
On paper, I think the 2007 edition is much better.
The 2006 Braves main weakness was the bullpen.
This year's bullpen appears to be a strength with the additions of Bob Wickman, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. Of that trio, only Soriano has been impressive in spring training, so the jury's still out. At least there won't be dead weight such as Chris Reitsma, Tom Martin, and Mike Remlinger.
The right side of the infield may appear to be a weakness with the departures of starting first baseman Adam LaRoche and starting 2nd bagger Marcus Giles.
But I think if Bobby Cox utilizes a mix and match approach, things will smooth themselves out.
If he uses a combination of Chris Woodward, Kelly Johnson and Willy Aybar/Pete Orr/Martin Prado to man 2nd, it'll be like the days when Blauser, Treadway and Lemke battled for playing time. Competition stokes the competitive fires.
Same thing with first base. I think new acquisition Craig Wilson is going to see plenty of playing time at 1B. Cox loves a 1B platoon, and has always employed a rotation except in the days when we had a primetime 1st bagger such as McGriff and Galaraga. The rest of the time, it's been platoon city, featuring such names as Brian Hunter, Ryan Klesko, Rico Brogna, Ken Caminiti, Julio Franco, Matt Franco, B.J. Surhoff, Randall Simon, Wally Joyner, and Robert Fick.
Overall, I think this year's team has more flexibility and depth with Woodward and Wilson on the bench.
I wish we a had fulltime leftfielder, but Ryan Langerhans and Matt Diaz are adequate. I wish Brandon Jones would get the call, but he needs some more seasoning in the minors. He looked good yesterday, however. Houston has had the Killer B's and it looks like we'll have another member of the Jones Boys soon.
It's starting to look like a very crowded infield.
Who knows which utility infielders are going to make the team. At least this year we have some good options from which to choose, and some depth should someone (Chipper) get hurt.
And Tanyon Sturtze will be waiting in the wings for a bullpen spot around May, should someone falter.
And if someone under-performs in the starting rotation, or gets hurt, we've got whoever doesn't make the fifth spot (Cormier or Davies) getting innings at Richmond.
Speaking of the rotation, how does this potential lineup sound when Hampton gets healthy:
Smoltz, Hudson, James, Redman, Hampton?
Sounds as good or better than anybody else in the N.L., if these guys perform to their abilities (Hudson).
Let's get this party started.
It was encouraging as Tim Hudson tossed 5 scoreless innings.
But as soon as the bullpen came in, my stomach started to churn, and true to form, the relief corps allowed 3 runs, and nearly coughed up the lead in the 9th.
Anyhow, I know it's only Grapefruit League games, but a win is a win.
And it got me to thinking whether this year's team will turn out to be better than last - Atlanta's first losing season since 1990.
On paper, I think the 2007 edition is much better.
The 2006 Braves main weakness was the bullpen.
This year's bullpen appears to be a strength with the additions of Bob Wickman, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. Of that trio, only Soriano has been impressive in spring training, so the jury's still out. At least there won't be dead weight such as Chris Reitsma, Tom Martin, and Mike Remlinger.
The right side of the infield may appear to be a weakness with the departures of starting first baseman Adam LaRoche and starting 2nd bagger Marcus Giles.
But I think if Bobby Cox utilizes a mix and match approach, things will smooth themselves out.
If he uses a combination of Chris Woodward, Kelly Johnson and Willy Aybar/Pete Orr/Martin Prado to man 2nd, it'll be like the days when Blauser, Treadway and Lemke battled for playing time. Competition stokes the competitive fires.
Same thing with first base. I think new acquisition Craig Wilson is going to see plenty of playing time at 1B. Cox loves a 1B platoon, and has always employed a rotation except in the days when we had a primetime 1st bagger such as McGriff and Galaraga. The rest of the time, it's been platoon city, featuring such names as Brian Hunter, Ryan Klesko, Rico Brogna, Ken Caminiti, Julio Franco, Matt Franco, B.J. Surhoff, Randall Simon, Wally Joyner, and Robert Fick.
Overall, I think this year's team has more flexibility and depth with Woodward and Wilson on the bench.
I wish we a had fulltime leftfielder, but Ryan Langerhans and Matt Diaz are adequate. I wish Brandon Jones would get the call, but he needs some more seasoning in the minors. He looked good yesterday, however. Houston has had the Killer B's and it looks like we'll have another member of the Jones Boys soon.
It's starting to look like a very crowded infield.
Who knows which utility infielders are going to make the team. At least this year we have some good options from which to choose, and some depth should someone (Chipper) get hurt.
And Tanyon Sturtze will be waiting in the wings for a bullpen spot around May, should someone falter.
And if someone under-performs in the starting rotation, or gets hurt, we've got whoever doesn't make the fifth spot (Cormier or Davies) getting innings at Richmond.
Speaking of the rotation, how does this potential lineup sound when Hampton gets healthy:
Smoltz, Hudson, James, Redman, Hampton?
Sounds as good or better than anybody else in the N.L., if these guys perform to their abilities (Hudson).
Let's get this party started.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Finger Lickin' Tip
Let me first say that I have tremendous respect for the service industry as it plays a vital role in our economy here along the Grand Strand.
And when I receive excellent service, I tip accordingly, usually 20 percent or more.
But I had an experience the other night to make me stop and ponder whether tipping has gone too far.
After waiting for about 5 minutes in the drive thru at KFC in Surfside Beach before someone would take my order, I got to the window and paid with my debit card. Oops, let me backtrack, they were out of Original Recipe - what I usually order, so I had to get crispy instead.
Anyway, I get my bill to sign and return, and it has a slot for the tip. A tip? At KFC?
I've got a tip for 'em: make enough original recipe to last until closing time.
And when I receive excellent service, I tip accordingly, usually 20 percent or more.
But I had an experience the other night to make me stop and ponder whether tipping has gone too far.
After waiting for about 5 minutes in the drive thru at KFC in Surfside Beach before someone would take my order, I got to the window and paid with my debit card. Oops, let me backtrack, they were out of Original Recipe - what I usually order, so I had to get crispy instead.
Anyway, I get my bill to sign and return, and it has a slot for the tip. A tip? At KFC?
I've got a tip for 'em: make enough original recipe to last until closing time.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Digging in the "Dirt"
Okay, I'm sitting in here in anticipation of my new favorite show, ``Dirt'' on FX starring Courtney Cox.
I was hooked from the moment I saw Cox using her vibrator under the covers.
"Dirt'' - with its sex-fueled fictional look inside the Hollywood tabloid scene - is the best thing going on basic cable right now.
Check it out at 10 p.m. Tuesdays on FX, which is channel 39 on Time Warner's south Strand cable system.
I have but one problem with the show: the character Holt is totally not believable as an action hero/movie star. He has the charisma of a turd growing moss.
I was hooked from the moment I saw Cox using her vibrator under the covers.
"Dirt'' - with its sex-fueled fictional look inside the Hollywood tabloid scene - is the best thing going on basic cable right now.
Check it out at 10 p.m. Tuesdays on FX, which is channel 39 on Time Warner's south Strand cable system.
I have but one problem with the show: the character Holt is totally not believable as an action hero/movie star. He has the charisma of a turd growing moss.
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Cure for What Ales You
I'm still kind of shocked at how nice the remodeled Remedies near the Backgate is after visiting Saturday night.
Still looks like a dive from the outside, with its yellow and brown decor.
But on the inside, it's a whole different ball game.
First off, it's been expanded to take up the other half of the building, formerly occupied by a succession of strip clubs.
Everything is wide open, as they did away with the overhead storage above the bar, and pub-style booths have been installed, with stainless steel table tops, the floor is tiled, and in the new space, there's some nice couches creating little den areas, and flat panel TVs are everywhere.
This place is snazzy now - and it's on par with say Liberty Taproom. Seriously.
It's as if Ty Pennington and his Extreme Makeover crew made a stopover at Remedies while they were in town recently.
You gotta check it out. Remedies Sports Bar and Grill is at 4803 U.S. 17 Bypass, just south of the intersection with S.C. 707.
Still looks like a dive from the outside, with its yellow and brown decor.
But on the inside, it's a whole different ball game.
First off, it's been expanded to take up the other half of the building, formerly occupied by a succession of strip clubs.
Everything is wide open, as they did away with the overhead storage above the bar, and pub-style booths have been installed, with stainless steel table tops, the floor is tiled, and in the new space, there's some nice couches creating little den areas, and flat panel TVs are everywhere.
This place is snazzy now - and it's on par with say Liberty Taproom. Seriously.
It's as if Ty Pennington and his Extreme Makeover crew made a stopover at Remedies while they were in town recently.
You gotta check it out. Remedies Sports Bar and Grill is at 4803 U.S. 17 Bypass, just south of the intersection with S.C. 707.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Hope Springs Eternal
Yes, I know it's pre-season and the games mean nothing, but I'm still psyched over today's 7-2 ass-whoopin' the Atlanta Braves handed out to the L.A. Dodgers.
We're 2-0!
More importantly, 5th starter candidate Kyle Davies tossed two scoreless innings.
Cannot wait until tomorrow's 1 p.m. ESPN-televised matchup of the Bravos vs. the Pittsburgh LaRoache's - er Pirates.
We're 2-0!
More importantly, 5th starter candidate Kyle Davies tossed two scoreless innings.
Cannot wait until tomorrow's 1 p.m. ESPN-televised matchup of the Bravos vs. the Pittsburgh LaRoache's - er Pirates.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
The Magic Mirren
It's been a couple of days since the Academy Awards, but I wanted to get this observation out there: Hellen Mirren is hot!
I don't care how old she is.
Mirren, who picked up the best actress Oscar for her role in "The Queen,'' is quite sultry at age 61.
And she doesn't look plastic, say like Joan Rivers does.
Hail to The Queen.
I don't care how old she is.
Mirren, who picked up the best actress Oscar for her role in "The Queen,'' is quite sultry at age 61.
And she doesn't look plastic, say like Joan Rivers does.
Hail to The Queen.
Monday, February 26, 2007
The Sound of Silence
Yesterday (Feb. 26) was Meher Baba's birthday, of importance to us Horry Co. folk because the spiritual master's Meher Spiritual Center (http://www.mehercenter.org/) is right here in our backyard, abutting Briarcliffe Acres, across from Colonial Mall.
Baba, whose followers include many famous musicians and creative types, took a vow of silence during his lifetime and is credited with coining the phrase ``don't worry, be happy.''
Bobby McFerrin thanks him.
Baba, whose followers include many famous musicians and creative types, took a vow of silence during his lifetime and is credited with coining the phrase ``don't worry, be happy.''
Bobby McFerrin thanks him.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Blame it on Rioz
Oofah.
I'm sitting here with a fully stuffed belly after supping on a carnivore's carnival at Rioz, the new Brazilian steakhouse in Myrtle Beach.
A certain "expert" who shall remain nameless, informed us that we should have no problem getting served quickly and didn't need reservations because the place is so huge. So I was shocked when my wife, Kim, and I arrived and we drove around for about five minutes before finally finding a parking spot across the street at Planet Hollywood.
The place was jumping, but we didn't have to wait long for our table, as Baker and Meredith, the couple we were meeting for dinner, had arrived earlier and put their names in the mix for seating. We didn't wait longer than 10 minutes.
I'd never been to a churrascaria before, but I'd read about the concept, so I knew they brought various meat dishes to your table, but I didn't know anything else.
So it was an exciting surprise to find out you start off with a huge salad bar, chock full of some traditional salad items, but some atypical stuff too, including the biggest asparagus spears I've ever seen, huge slices of hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, chilled shrimp, some sort of scallop dish, pasta salads, and a whole bunch of stuff that I didn't get around to. I didn't want to fill up too much on salad, because I was there for the meat. Mmmmm. Meat good!
You pass the salad bar on the way to your table, as it is the centerpiece of the restaurant, down a ramp from the host/hostess station.
While chomping on our salads, the meat parade began. It was non-stop, with various cuts of beef, lamb, sausage, pork, and chicken arriving at a quick pace.
You get a little coaster-like laminated ``button'' that is green on one side and red on the other, which tells the servers whether you want more meat or not. Green is for yes, and red is for no.
You gotta make sure you're on your game and have your button on the side you intend, or you can quickly have a messy meat pile-up on your hands.
Rioz is a little bit pricey - $34.95 per person - but worth it when you factor in the ambiance and the overall experience.
There were all kinds of characters there, including some dudes that had to be in their `60s dressed like rock stars, with leather pants, ear rings, etc. Maybe they were rock stars and I didn't recognize them. Then there was the dude in the in red zoot suit. What was he thinking and was he serious?
We all agreed that Rioz is definitely exciting and I think it's one of the hippest new places to see and be seen in Myrtle Beach.
That the food kicks ass and is decidedly different from the majority of what's out there is just gravy.
You gotta check it out.
You can scope out the menu at http://www.tbonz.com/rioz.asp?catID=12091
I'm sitting here with a fully stuffed belly after supping on a carnivore's carnival at Rioz, the new Brazilian steakhouse in Myrtle Beach.
A certain "expert" who shall remain nameless, informed us that we should have no problem getting served quickly and didn't need reservations because the place is so huge. So I was shocked when my wife, Kim, and I arrived and we drove around for about five minutes before finally finding a parking spot across the street at Planet Hollywood.
The place was jumping, but we didn't have to wait long for our table, as Baker and Meredith, the couple we were meeting for dinner, had arrived earlier and put their names in the mix for seating. We didn't wait longer than 10 minutes.
I'd never been to a churrascaria before, but I'd read about the concept, so I knew they brought various meat dishes to your table, but I didn't know anything else.
So it was an exciting surprise to find out you start off with a huge salad bar, chock full of some traditional salad items, but some atypical stuff too, including the biggest asparagus spears I've ever seen, huge slices of hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, chilled shrimp, some sort of scallop dish, pasta salads, and a whole bunch of stuff that I didn't get around to. I didn't want to fill up too much on salad, because I was there for the meat. Mmmmm. Meat good!
You pass the salad bar on the way to your table, as it is the centerpiece of the restaurant, down a ramp from the host/hostess station.
While chomping on our salads, the meat parade began. It was non-stop, with various cuts of beef, lamb, sausage, pork, and chicken arriving at a quick pace.
You get a little coaster-like laminated ``button'' that is green on one side and red on the other, which tells the servers whether you want more meat or not. Green is for yes, and red is for no.
You gotta make sure you're on your game and have your button on the side you intend, or you can quickly have a messy meat pile-up on your hands.
Rioz is a little bit pricey - $34.95 per person - but worth it when you factor in the ambiance and the overall experience.
There were all kinds of characters there, including some dudes that had to be in their `60s dressed like rock stars, with leather pants, ear rings, etc. Maybe they were rock stars and I didn't recognize them. Then there was the dude in the in red zoot suit. What was he thinking and was he serious?
We all agreed that Rioz is definitely exciting and I think it's one of the hippest new places to see and be seen in Myrtle Beach.
That the food kicks ass and is decidedly different from the majority of what's out there is just gravy.
You gotta check it out.
You can scope out the menu at http://www.tbonz.com/rioz.asp?catID=12091
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Welcome to the Land of Kentavo
Howdy campers,
I'm jumping into the wild world of blogging - so come along with me.
I intend to post some music clips here, along with photos (as soon as I figure out how), and discuss local (Mrytle Beach) music, news, politics, things that make you go hmmm, as well as chat about sports, pop culture, news about my favorite band, The Who, and also updates on the Grand Strand's nightlife scene, if I've had an awesome dinner here somewhere recently, and if I know about some cool new places to grab a brew - or six. Oh yeah, and I'll also offer some home improvement WHAT-NOT-TO-DO tips, share some experiences of being a new dad, and occasionally rail on things that piss me off. Basically, this blog will be a spin off from my ``Off The Cuff'' column featured in Weekly Surge (http://www.weeklysurge.com/) every week.
My first item: I just read on Pete Townshend's blog that he and former SNL comic Jimmy Fallon are developing a movie script together. I'm not sure whether to believe this or if ol' Pete is yanking everyone's chain. What do you guys think?
Item numero dos: I just caught another trailer of ``Spider-Man 3'' on TV, and I'm starting to get jazzed about the May 4 opening. I'm intrigued to find out how and what turns the Spidey uniform black, and also I can't wait to see Thomas Hayden Church as ``The Sandman'' Flint Darko. Anybody out there wishing these movies would bring such great villains as Electro and The Scorpion to life, too? Too bad there can't be a live action weekly ``Spider-Man'' on TV now that technology has advanced to make it more believable. Oh well, at least there's the Silver Surfer to look forward to in the new ``Fantastic Four'' movie.
Last item (for now): Who out there is ready for baseball season? I wish I had the time and money to go to spring training. One of these days, I will make it. I feel like my Atlanta Braves are going to return to the playoffs this year with a strengthened bullpen. But I'm not sold on reliever Rafael Soriano acquired from Seattle - something smells fishy. The guys who have trouble showing up to spring training on time always throw up a red flag for me. If you're a Braves fan, you gotta check out beat writer Dave O' Brien's blog at www.ajc.com.
Okay, gotta hit the trail.
Kentavo
I'm jumping into the wild world of blogging - so come along with me.
I intend to post some music clips here, along with photos (as soon as I figure out how), and discuss local (Mrytle Beach) music, news, politics, things that make you go hmmm, as well as chat about sports, pop culture, news about my favorite band, The Who, and also updates on the Grand Strand's nightlife scene, if I've had an awesome dinner here somewhere recently, and if I know about some cool new places to grab a brew - or six. Oh yeah, and I'll also offer some home improvement WHAT-NOT-TO-DO tips, share some experiences of being a new dad, and occasionally rail on things that piss me off. Basically, this blog will be a spin off from my ``Off The Cuff'' column featured in Weekly Surge (http://www.weeklysurge.com/) every week.
My first item: I just read on Pete Townshend's blog that he and former SNL comic Jimmy Fallon are developing a movie script together. I'm not sure whether to believe this or if ol' Pete is yanking everyone's chain. What do you guys think?
Item numero dos: I just caught another trailer of ``Spider-Man 3'' on TV, and I'm starting to get jazzed about the May 4 opening. I'm intrigued to find out how and what turns the Spidey uniform black, and also I can't wait to see Thomas Hayden Church as ``The Sandman'' Flint Darko. Anybody out there wishing these movies would bring such great villains as Electro and The Scorpion to life, too? Too bad there can't be a live action weekly ``Spider-Man'' on TV now that technology has advanced to make it more believable. Oh well, at least there's the Silver Surfer to look forward to in the new ``Fantastic Four'' movie.
Last item (for now): Who out there is ready for baseball season? I wish I had the time and money to go to spring training. One of these days, I will make it. I feel like my Atlanta Braves are going to return to the playoffs this year with a strengthened bullpen. But I'm not sold on reliever Rafael Soriano acquired from Seattle - something smells fishy. The guys who have trouble showing up to spring training on time always throw up a red flag for me. If you're a Braves fan, you gotta check out beat writer Dave O' Brien's blog at www.ajc.com.
Okay, gotta hit the trail.
Kentavo
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