Stuff Overheard at FanFest 2012

Is this next year?  Will the youngsters deliver on their promise?   Will the fans return?  Will Ichiro come back from a disappointing 2011?   Is Jesus Montero the second coming of Albert Pujols?  All these questions, and many more, were asked and considered, but not answered at the Mariners' FanFest 2012.

Here are some things I overheard...

"I'll let you in on a secret.  We didn't have much offense last year."

"That pitcher has gotta miss more bats than he did last year."

"Montero has a high ceiling."

"Smoak is this close."

"The devil is in the backend of the contract.  The Tigers and Angels overpaid."

"The information is only as good as the person giving that information.  And, no, I haven't seen Moneyball."

"The athlete must understand the urgency and responsibility of playing major league baseball, but they have to play tension-free."

"If I had guts, I'd make Figgins my leadoff hitter."

"He brings a lot of moxie to the team."

Maybe this is next year.  Maybe 2013 is next year.

Life Cycles and Bicycles

We were treated to another spectacular autumn day, today, strong and chilly north wind, like those Santa Anas in So Cal. The past few weeks have brought a new academic year at TLF, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, now a Full Moon. Zach landed safely in Guadalajara on the first leg of his latest adventure, and his parents exhaled.


I rode about 300 miles in September, which is more than I thought I booked. And, that doesn't include a 30 mile circuit today of Magnolia and then down to Pioneer Square to catch a bit of the M's season finale.


One of the many great things about Safeco Field is that you can peer into home plate from outside on Royal Brougham. Saw Felix strike out the side and Junior drill a line drive in one of his last at bats. Will he be back? We'll put a big we'll see on that, but as they say, "Wait 'til next year!" Is it the end or another beginning? Yes is the answer.

Junior is back.....

Junior is back in Seattle, or will be this spring, barring injury.

Art Thiel weighed in on the harmonic convergence between the wavering of his signing and the public pronouncements of A-Rod.

What I Saw Riding in the January Drizzle

What? The parking lot is empty? Why is there no NFL playoff game this Sunday?

So, the only guy on the team, besides Ichiro, who hustles, can steal a base, can bunt, and actually plays like he enjoys the game, is going to Kansas City. Is January 11 too early to ask, 'Wait until next year?"

It's in the PI! But probably not for long.

We've lived here for 29 years and have been to the Locks hundreds of times. I've never seen them open up the floodgates to let the runoff into the Sound. Too much water!

59 miles YTD. Now that the quarter has started, maybe I'll get organized enough to start bike commuting regularly.

Back In the Saddle, Again

So, after a bit of a layover, got back on the bike again this week and did about 55 miles, including a commute, more of that to come, given the price of gasoline, and a Sunday excursion around North Seattle.

Visited C who was sitting on a house on Sand Point (lots of good ideas there for the downsizing to come in several years), then went over 155th to Greenwood, headed into Blue Ridge and down to the road to Golden Gardens. That road is still closed because of the slides last winter. Made it into Sunset Hill, down to Shilshole, BGT extension to GG, and then back home. 745 miles YTD.

Decided to bag the STP this year. Not really up for it, haven't been training, schedule conflicts, etc, and will concentrate on RSVP instead. Life gets in the way of the cycling adventures, but that's fine.

BTW, the M's suck, and maybe Ross Anderson says it best.