The Last Five Minutes

   I am working on a lengthy blog detailing my adventures in the Rocky Mountains, but in the mean time I want to throw something out there. Have you ever noticed when you are on a plane that people usually only talk to each other in the last five minutes? Why is that? It's kind of sad how society has become so isolated and unsociable. People don't want to initiate a conversation up front and risk having to talk to you the whole ride, but they don't want to be remembered as a total doucher, so they figure ... if I talk to them the last five minutes, and they'll remember me as a friendly person. I don't want to be that guy, so I try to talk to the person in the first five minutes. Hey, where ya goin? What do you do? It's just small talk, but this could create amazing opportunities. What if the guy next to you turns out to be the CEO of a huge company and in your talk he discovers that you have a certain quality his company needs? Never mind the fact that the CEO is in coach where I usually sit. I'm just saying, what if?
   I'm not advocated that you talk the person's ear off, but why not open a dialogue which can be opened and closed civilly at any time? Next time you're on a plane, or train, or any means of public transportation talk to those around you. You may be surprised at who you meet.

Travel, Travel, Travel

   What a month! I will have visited three places I have never been, all in just under a month. First it was Savannah. You may be thinking what everyone thinks ... YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO SAVANNAH? BUT YOU LIVE IN GEORGIA! I know. It was a cool little town, and it is where Meg and I spent out first anniversary. We will go back.
   Just this past weekend, Meg and I visited Baltimore for her best friend's wedding. Another great town that I can't wait to visit again. Talk about crabs (not those kind). Blue, king, snow, crab dip, crab cakes, crab cakes, crab cakes. Crabs everywhere. The inner harbor is where we spend most of our time. It was easy to walk everywhere and see many attractions. We got to tour the USS Torsk, a WWII submarine. I cannot imagine sending a week on that thing let alone months. I have several things I couldn't do due to time constraints. I will visit Camden Yards next time.  
   My next adventure will take me to Grand Junction Colorado where I'll be ascending to approximately 8,ooo feet on horseback to look for Rocky Mountain Elk. Unfortunately I won't be behind the trigger. I will be assisting with some videography, but the experience will be awesome! I'll get back you'uns soon.  

Bird boasts new BLOG title but winds up on the 10-day DL

   Holy swollen knee batman! The only good thing that came out of our softball loss tonight is the new title of my blog. It certainly wasn't the ball that almost decapitated my patella, or the one that could have broken my jaw, or the one I just said F--- it to and watched go into center field. I know it wasn't the 17-4 shellacking we took, so yup ... it was the new title.  I have to thank the man who created the new title, Mr. Andy Lane. One of G'nnett's finest! I have to give the team some credit though ... we are getting a little better. We definitely had some fun.
    Who wants to bet on how big my left knee is by morning? It begs the question, is the pain and potential for serious injury worth it? I think so. I never want to use the, "I'm gettin' to old for this," saying (at least not until I'm 30). I love playing competitive sports and can't imagine going too long without playing softball or baseball or ping pong. Bruises will heal, and muscles will recover. As long as no one looses an eye ball, we're doing all right. That's right, I said eyeball. Big deal, wanna fight about it? 

Battle of the Badges

Yesterday the fire department softball team played in the 1st annual Battle of the Badges tournament. It was a best of three tournament played at Coolray Field between us, the fire department, and the police department. Playing on the field was bad ass. It made me wish I could go back in time and try harder to make it in baseball. The games were really good games. PD took the first game 12-10. In the second game, the FD turned it on and beat the Po-Po 12-9. That took us to the rubber match ... game 3. The game stayed close. The lead changed a few times, but in the end there can only be one winner. PD made a valiant effort in the bottom of the 7th, but FD would emerge victorious 9-8. It was a great day to play some ball.  

 View from home. It was awesome playing on a top notch field. Even if it was softball.

Here's a team shot before the game. Me on the back row, far right.

They put our picture and name up on the jumbotron. That was sweet.

Me making the bellsouth call to the bullpen.

Chillin' in the dugout

I got to meet Larry Wachs from the Regular Guys Show.

And finally ... the trophy.