Football!

Soccer Fever is at an all time high in our house now that the World Cup is in full swing. Have you been watching? The U.S.A. vs. England, Germany vs. Australia and Italy vs. Paraguay games have all been fun. It's always more fun for me when I can recognize some of the players from their club teams and have a team to root for. Go USA! Today we have the the Portugal vs. Ivory Coast game to look forward to. For you soccer newbies (like, I am some expert, ha!) I came upon this list of soccer reading that might be just what you need if you are searching for an introduction to the sport captivating the world right now.

looking for a way back

I've commented recently about my lack of motivation for blogging. Well, to be honest that dearth of motivation applies across the board. For all my big talk I just can't find the hope, the optimism, the "wide-eyed enthusiasm," as CLK might call it. I wondered if it was lost, never to be found. I wondered if I should continue blogging if I had nothing to say.

A few days ago I read a blog post by Josh Wilker over at Carboard Gods. His post was like a game of catch with my dad on a warm Sunday afternoon. Don't be intimidated by the initial baseball subtext. You'll soon find some familiar names and places, especially for some of you former hell-raisers. I was inspired but still without motivation. Then, while reading his blog, as I do nearly everyday, I decided to check out his older posts and found one on the recently deceased Willie Davis (RIP). His characterization of Willie's smile was some much needed sunshine through the fog of my brain. Josh Wilker certainly "gets it" as he describes his own journey towards finding what's not lost. After reading these posts, slowly but surely I began looking for more things to get excited about.

I haven't found it yet, but I did find another momentary break from the fog. On Saturday afternoon, my brother and I, itching for some outdoor activities went to the park to play baseball. In the past we would pitch to each other for about ten minutes and then spend at least ten minutes looking for those precious baseballs. The rain made the weeds thicker and higher than usual so after losing two of our first three hits, I had an idea. From then on we turned the other way, away from the open field and toward the canyon. Instead of baseball we used golf balls and instead of screaming line drives we hit towering home runs that seemed to travel several astronomical units only to land softly among the mustard and the sage. It certainly isn't the most environmental activity to loft balls into a canyon. It was child-like and immature and very nostalgic. We cheered each other on as we cranked ball after ball into oblivion. We stood slack-jawed, watching until they disappeared. When we returned home for dinner my mom commented that we were acting like two kids who'd just had a ton of sugar. Then we went to dinner and had a ton of sugar.

Just as kids do after they've had too much sugar, I seemed to crash. The excitement could not be sustained. The energy could not be sustained. And although in recent weeks I had patted myself on the back for my mind-over-matter approach to some very difficult tasks and situations, I just haven't rebounded from some of those situations. But I'm trying guys. Today for the first time in a while I had an idea for a future post, as opposed to sitting down and forcing myself to dig something up. I'll start it tonight and hope it turns out well. I'm optimistic that it'll re-spark my interest in blogging here. I'm enthusiastic at the prospect of re-discovering my energy. Gosh, I hope it turns out well.

In the meantime, check out more of Josh Wilker's blog at Cardboard Gods. I can only dream of writing as well as he does. His writing has often been an inspiration for me to write here. He also has a new book coming out for which I am immensely excited. With such endorsements as Bill Lee, Wally Lamb and David Cross ("I should note, though, that Canadians will like it too. But probably not Mexicans”) it has to be good. It is available for pre-order now through Amazon. Buy it for yourself or your closest baseball-loving loved one.



*****
Happy Birthday Anita-bird. You are my favorite.

Hells Yeah...

So I heard Martin Scorcese was making a show for HBO starring Steve Buscemi forever ago and I was naturally intrigued. My husband has the book, Boardwalk Empire, which it was based on and he has urged me to read it, but 2010 was a long way away, and I said I was intrigued but I wasn't peeing my pants with excitement or anything, and as my husband likes to say, I completely ignore all of his reading suggestions. Last nite, however, I saw a preview for the show and I maybe peed my pants just a little. Well, not really, but it looks good and I am super jazzed for it. I guess, I may have to finally listen to the old ball and chain and crack open one of his books. But not because he told me to. Because Marty and Steve told me to.

* For the record his characterization of me ignoring his book suggestions is completely not true. I may not pick up the book immediately upon his finishing it but I do read the books he gives me. And I definitely do read, so please don't get the impression that I am book averse either. I would hate to give that impression. Think what you will of me - just not that.

books of the year - 2009

The Financial Times list of books of the year is out.

Man, they sure can make every work of fiction sound amazing. Also, if you are 20 months old and need a new book, there is a Children's section as well.