Somewhat Embarrassing Story...

I went to do my usual karaoke thing last night and many nights I sing whatever I want regardless whether people like the song or not. Sometimes I move around and get into the song and sometimes I get a little shy and just kinda sing. But one thing I never do is shy away from is the actual singing. Even if my voice is rough, shot or totally out of sync with the song, I put in the effort as best as I can. I'm nbot shy about my singing one bit.


That wasn't always the case. I was reminded of a time before I went to art school when I pooped out on a singing effort. Now, I've always wanted to be a rock star but to this day I still can't play an instrument. I had sang in my school in plays back when I was in 7th grade but never made any effort to form or weasel my way into a band. Several people in my grade had formed bands but in not being able to play an instrument I never felt I had any right to be in a band.

A friend from the neighborhood had gotten together with his friend to put together a band and they needed a vocalist for a demo. His friend had some pretty good equipment for 1985 and wanted me to sing the song Electric Co. by U2. Although I was a fan of u2, I didn't know the song and I needed a crash course on it before I could sing it. I had the lyrics in front of me but I had struggled with singing it.

My frustration was apparent and my enthusiasm waned because I put myself out there for others to evaluate and felt I wasn't any good. I gave up any idea of helping them out further but in actuality I was moving to New York and the two of them were still in high school. I'm not sure if I had made a more valiant effort anything would have come out of it. but I pretty much gave up singing anywhere in public until 2001 when I finally discovered karaoke as an activity I enjoy. It serves to sate my appetite for performing without having to deal without worrying about preparation.

Years later I realized my problem with the song had more to do with it being out of my vocal range, It had awkward phrasing and I needed to make adjustments to make it work. I was too impatient and embarrassed to make a newer effort.


Still, I wonder what if I had pushed myself more, maybe at least I would have memories of once being in a band. Who knows I might have attracted a future wife.

My picks from the heart not from the smart.

Okay, It's that time of year where I root for baseball teams that aren't the New York Mets or the Seattle Mariners to win it all in the order in which I like them.

...and why.



1. Detroit Tigers- It wasn't too long ago (2003) that the Tigers set the American League record for most losses. Three years later they were in the World Series and right now have a more than decent chance to do it again. They've got a strong team offensively and the best pitcher in the American League along with this year's most successful closer. The city of Detroit is starting to recover from the depths of their economic crisis slowly and I like the idea that their sports teams are doing well so I'm rooting for them over the other 7 teams. Especially in the first round.


2. Milwaukee Brewers- Has been in one World Series back when they were in the American League. They have a chance for a re-match but not in the World Series but in the NLCS if they face the Cardinals. I like them enough despite the fact they were born from the ashes of the Seattle Pilots of 1969. Interesting trivia- The Milwaukee Brewers WITHOUT ever moving form their city has played in four different divisions, the American League West (1970-1971), the American League East (1972-1993), The American League Central (1994-1997), and currently the National League Central (1998-present) Any team with that kind of history is easy to root for.


3. Tampa Bay Rays- A hard luck team for most of its existence but almost a perennial playoff team now. Funny how getting rid of the "devil" part of the name has worked out for them. Still it took the classless Yankees to lay down for them to get in the playoffs. If both teams make the ALCS, I hope it bites the Yankees in the ass.

4. Texas Rangers-A team that has never won the World Series. I root for underdogs like that. I like Nolan Ryan and what he has done to the team but the Bush stank on its history still smolders, so it's hard to root for the Texas Rangers too much.



5. Philadelphia Phillies- Like the Red Sox and their recent success I still haven't learn to hate the Phillies and theirs. A hard luck franchise for most of their existence. But they have rubbed it in the Mets face with their success but with the Mets playing bad baseball the last few years, It can't truly be considered a rivalry.


6. Arizona Diamondbacks- An expansion team who I'm not anxious to match the Mets in World Series titles in a mere 14 years of existence.






7. St. Louis Cardinals- Still haven't gotten over 2006, Only reason to root for them is so they too will have 2 World Series championships in this century and 11 in their history. Enough to possible go on a three or four decade run to surpass the Yankees in championships.




8. New York Yankees- Like rooting for a billionaire to get a tax payer bailout.

Collapses

Epic collapses in MLB recent history..






2011 Braves September










2011 Red Sox September








Compare it to the 2007 New York Mets





Both the Red Sox and the Braves would have killed to have the .500 record the Mets had in their epic collapse.

I guess I can feel a little bit better, However a perennial playoff team for the Mets future would soothe the pain better.

Now It's Only Oakland In a Football/Baseball Stadium

So the Florida Marlins play their last game in the only place they have called home since their beginning in 1993. They have the longest tenure of any MLB team in their original home ballpark until they finish today. They have the third longest tenure (believe it or not) of any National league ball team in the same park after the Cubs and the Dodgers. The Marlins moving will also eliminate the second to last venue that has both the NFL and MLB which was common place as recently as 15 years ago. Oakland is the only one left.

The funny thing is although they've only played in one stadium. The ballpark has featured more names than a whole league of ball parks.


In order of the names since the Marlins moved in 1993.

Joe Robbie Stadium
Pro Player Park
Pro Player Stadium
Dolphins Stadium
Dolphin Stadium
Land Shark Stadium

and finally

Sun Life Stadium.

Which goes to show how stupid the trend of naming stadiums after corporate entities that don't own the team.

They're moving to Miami and calling themselves the Miami Marlins. I wonder if they can attract more than 10,000 fans in the new ballpark?

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

Catching Up. 1991

September 21, 1991.

I noticed I haven't written much lately. It's because I've been meeting people, Talking to people and even hanging out with people. The main guy I've been hanging with is the guy Mike from Kinko's. Most of the time I see him when I go to Kinko's to work on the computer at night. I don't know why I don't apply there.

Anyway I hung out with Mike one time at his place and watch a 7-Eleven get stripped of all its labels while we were there. A few nights later we went to this record store to see this band Nirvana put on a free show. We couldn't get inside though. That's okay it was too loud. They play Nirvana a lot on this radio station The End in Seattle. It's the only way I can listen to music right now because I don't have my CD player.

I still haven't heard from the places I applied to. I stay home waiting but I should get a answering machine because I need to get out more.


2011-Update. that was kinda neat seeing Nirvana in the store (though I was out of the store) I only knew two songs from them at the time and they only played Smells Like Teen Spirit. My friend Mike kept telling me about their album would be big I just didn't know how big. I'm glad I was able to find footage of them there at the Beehive in the University District. It takesme back.

And no, I hadn't missed any of my old entries. I just got caught up in other things. Probably Pipe Dreams.

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon