also campaigning for...

...paid dreams! If you are going to consistently dream you are at work shouldn't there be some sort of compensation? At least some flair that declares, "Warning: I Sleepwork!"

Sumthin'

the broken (a rant)

In an attempt to absorb $8 billion in potential budget cuts, the 1000 California school districts have issued 26,000+ pink slips over the past two months to the lowest teachers on the totem. This sad, demoralizing strategy has become an institutionally accepted standard...a rite of passage for new teachers.

Beyond disturbing practice, this mode of operation is killing the spirit of those who are trying to do their very best on behalf of youth, their families and our communities. I abhor this broken system and truly wonder how long it will be tolerated.

Fat cat administrators and politicians, all of whom get paid WAY too much coin are to blame for this pitiful condition but it's the soldiers, the teachers that pay the price. No, that's wrong...it's the kids who pay the ultimate price. On the backs of children these 'leaders' play shell games with their future. Where is their shame?

Pink slipping has got to go! There must be a better way to create a state budget that allocates enough funds to our most important public servants. The annual budget process needs to be reformed so that schools can be certain how much money they have for not only the upcoming school year, but also the one in advance. Right now, schools should know their budget for the '11-'12 school year so they can make responsible decisions district by district by 1000 school districts.

When you fire someone, in any vocation, it should be for real, and it should be for good cause...'we don't know if we can pay you' isn't one. That is an act of negligence and the ones who can't make good, responsible decisions on behalf of their constituents should be held accountable. In this broken system that will not happen and the failure of public schools will be directed toward the ones trying to save it, the dedicated legion of teachers caught in the crossfire.

A pink slip? I say return to sender!

No Hyperbole!

I have a favorite blog and it's hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com! Visit, relate and laugh!!

and in cyclops news...

two gigantic cyclops invited themselves into a London school yard.



they quickly made friends with the rambunctious children.





it didn't matter so much that one wore crotchless pants as it lacked any form of genitalia

I know, whoop-de-fricken-do

Beers 13 - Three Sheets 6

For the first time in franchise history, The Bad News Beers have won three games in a season and two in a row. We just got pinched out of the playoffs but you never would have know it by the sheet-eatin' grins on our giddy mugs.

In the summer league we will face the "A" teams and we will probably be outmatched but we go in with a streak...I could get used to winning!

The Legend Grows

My two favorite ball players all-time, well, one is dead, has a cryogenicly frozen head and I never saw him play. The other is living the freakin' dream.

Thank you Ted Williams for being a right-handed, lefty hitter (like me) and leaving behind a manual for how to belt 'em (The Science of Hitting...a highly recommended read and one I even share with the little spirits.)

Eric Byrnes hasn't written a book yet but the fun chapters are in the works. This month he was released from his club (The Mariners) after going 3-32 in plate appearances (perhaps he should study the Science of Hitting.) The night before his release the press waited for him after he had bothched a suicide squeeze play (no cyrogenics though.) Instead of attending to the squawking monkey machine Byrnes chose to hop on his beach cruiser, in the club house, and he proceeded to ride his bike right past the nonsense. At the end of the hallway stood his GM waiting for what could only be a semi-public lambasting. No need to take it like a man if you're on a cruiser though. Byrnes spun his bike 90 degress and down the exit ramp into the cold wet Seattle night.

That was Eric Byrnes last night in the majors. He returned the next morning for his dismissal.

If you don't know anything else about Eric Byrnes this must all just seem sad and strange. After 11 years in the leagues though Eric had posted a career of high high's and low low's. What no one can debate though is #22's electric work ethic. A perennial fan favorite, Byrnsie's made habit of sprinting into position (at left field) when his team took the field. His energy and fire was relentless and magnetic. Every play he seized as a moment to capture. Eric Byrnes was absolutely intense! In the club house he was a magic kind of guy that kept the whole thing together....more of a spirit than a man.

In recent times Eric was re-signed to a $30 million contract for which $11 million will be paid this year. It's guaranteed money. So what did Byrnes do after leaving Seattle? The newlywed and father of an 8 month old came home. In the daytime you'll find him caring for his young family, golfing and surfing all around the Bay....and at night Byrnes has rejoined the childhood friends he started his career with as the newest member of the 'Dutch Goose' slowpitch softball team in Menlo Park....doing what he has always loved.

When Eric Byrnes played pro ball I always wanted to be him. I try to conjure that spirit when I sprint out to left field and I constantly seek to be a positive spirit no matter how far we fall behind. Byrnesie is living the magical life and laughing. I kinda am too. He gets paid a little more than me...but I am too.

Thanks for the memories #22...I'll miss your rollercoaster but I will remember how you rode it!

9 Courses to Visit in Eastern New England

On top of all my other end-of-year tasks I promised a disc golfing chum of mine a dossier on my favorite courses back east. He's traveling for a couple of weeks and has a heap of tee times to reap. If we could all be so lucky. Being the double dipper I am, why not make a post...so here you go, my favorites from the other side:



1.) Borderland, Easton, MA- I have two homes and two home courses. When I'm east, Borderland is where I play my dailies. 25 minutes from my parents house, I know the way blindfolded. Prepare to pay $2 to park and have crisp one's for the finicky ticket machine.

I love everything about this course; from cleanliness to trail maintenance, tee signs to tee pads, layout to pin placement....Borderland is beyond compare.

Borderland is clearly laid out. If you get lost you're a complete dumb ass. The only confusing stretch comes between holes 4 and five where you have to cross the park on a pedesttrian trail...just follow the signs.

Most holes feature three settings; family, amateur, and pro. If one dared, he could throw near 70 unique holes (white to white, blue to blue, blue to white, white to blue) here in one afternoon..that doesn't even factor in family tee.

The Blue course is completely badass. Hole #2 is crazy sick at 910ft in length. It's a par 5 but I've never done better than 7 shots to get there. I love the setting on Hole #3. It's wedged in a rock cropping and stands like a monument. #17 is the signature hole. Stay out of the swamp and watch the wind factor in the PM.

The White course is special too. It's the course I play the most in NE and my PB stands at 1 over. The White course is forgiving yet challenging. Some great ace runs on the backside (14, 15, 16) so if you have ground to make up do it here!

Borderland is a very special place. Although it's a public park the disc golf weaves around all other activities so don't worry about throwing on pedestrians. Do watch your contra band however as the ranger will take to the trails at completely random times.

2.) Maple Hill/Pyramids/Newton Hill, Leicester (pronounced Lester)/Worcester (pronounced wusster) , MA- MMM MMMM MMMM....freakin' wow!!! Now, if I lived closer to it, this trio of courses would be my east coast disc golf mecca. An hour car ride outside of Boston, this is the site of the state championships each year. A trip to this disc golf epicenter is something of a pilgramage and don't leave the state without checking it out!!

Maple Hill is situated on a X-mas tree farm. There are two courses that run parallel to one another, Elements and Airplanes. Elements is the easier of the two and the one I've always played. Although the baskets are a bit closer to tee on Elements, it's fantastically challenging. No less than four holes that host tricky water hazards with two holes where you drive directly over water. In fact the first hole is shot from a hill, over a lake (bring a Dragon if you have one).

The topography changes quite a bit throughout this long, long course. #11 is a brutal 818ft. shot over a X-mas tree field. Totally mesmerizing so keep a great eye on where that disc falls.

The farm is like a sanctuary and the course twists and turns throughout it. Great balance of wood holes, open field shots, and dog legs. Difficult to pin a signiature hole on this course as many stand out. Hole 10 is an uphill and the basket and rests atop of a built up, castle-like structure.

In summer the flies and mosquitos are awful so bring protection!!

You may want to start your day across the street at Pyramids, why you ask? The Course features a proshop that is second to none. Imagine an entire basement filled with racks and racks of discs arranged not by manufacturer, but by speed and stability. This place is just freakin amazing and alothough I've been there many a time, my jaw still drops and I get a giddy feeling everytime I open the door.

Pyramids also features two courses that run parallel to each other. Both are less challenging than Maple Hill but don't get me wrong...they challenge! The front half plays shorter with more ace run opportunities but there are plenty of technical shots to make throughout. Just a sweet, fun, well-maintained place. In fact all the courses I've listed so far are so maintained I would prefer to call them disc golf sanctuaries (puts Dela's course hygene to shame!!!)

The Newton Hill course is new and in downtown Worcester and I almost got to play it this winter but didn't. I've heard great things so far.

3.) Amesbury Pines, Amesbury, MA This is a really sweet course but in the years I've played it I've seen a noticeable difference in how it's being maintained....starting to look run down in the front nine especially. Too bad too cuz the front nine is set in a pine forest/ park-like area that reminds me of Bijiou up in Tahoe. Open runs but plenty of giant pines that can come into play. The back nine are more situated in an open park setting and pedestrians can be a factor although the course just skirts around a playground (where most of the park lovers hang.) The lake is a factor for at least two holes and I do recall some multiple pin/pad locations thrown in but I wouldn't worry about the water hazard too much. I've made it every time. Great park course...I always want two rounds when I go!



4.) Devens, Devens, MA This is a course that was built from the love of one man, John Borelli. He took a year of his life to get it done and has made beautiful improvements since. Located in the woods of an old military base, this is a technical course with a few ace runs thrown in. Lots of climbing up and down hills. Couple of heavy dog leg holes too. It's desolate and you probably won't see a soul out there but it's pretty well marked once you find Hole 1. Has a blair witch sort of feel to it so don't you dare throw the map in the river!


5.) Pinnacle, Newport, NH Just checked out this course behind a middle school last summer. I feel like it's Black Mouse's sister. It's an eastcoast black mouse! Plenty of challenge offered with this well designed course that weaves through the backwoods of school property. Elevation shifts and blind shots abound. Some multi-use/all-purpose implications; this course features a ski jump run (imagine!) and a ropes course, but we didn't see anybody while we were there. Super buggy in summer!!

6.) Woods at Beauty Hill, Barnstead, NH Only played this beaut once. But I will be going back. This is a private, out of the way course on a converted family farm. Features a little bit of everything....super quiet and very beautiful. A couple of killer ace runs but your score is in hazard on the backside. One near impossible alley hole you could easily bust a 7 on!!

7.) Pye Brook, Topsfield MA Built by an eagle scout on and around a capped landfill, this could be the most toxic course in New England (do the Simpson's imitate life or does life imitate the Simpson's?) It's a fun one though with many open field shots. You can usually see the basket from each tee box. There is a section of woods but the best part is the signature hole 15 where you huck it from on top of a hill, out and over a lake. Plenty of discs in the drink so plan appropriately.

Beers 18 - Monty's Log Cabin 12

For the first time in franchise history The Bad News Beers have won more than one game in a season! The second beer brawl of the spring ended with a convincing BNB victory over Monty's Log Cabin (the team that usually beats us in jeans.)

With two games to go there is a slim chance the perennial underdogs could make the playoffs...stay tuned!

compelled

Used to think if I were to ever get a tattoo it would feature a dream catcher as I would never have to be without one again. These days though I consider the anchor. As unoriginal as it may be, the anchor is a symbol I'm often reflecting upon. I think, more than ever before, I'm feeling like one and for this reason I am important to others...and proud of myself.

The ship returns to port in a month and two days.

Did I say I'm needle-phobic yet?

I pity the fool...

...who says post 500 is a wasted post!

Doing Their Part

SANTA CRUZ -- The drum circle that convenes downtown Wednesday afternoons has encountered a steady beat of complaints since the farmers market expansion three weeks ago pushed the circle out of an adjacent parking lot and into a bit of hot water.

The longtime group has yet to find a new place to gather since the April 21 expansion, and complaints from merchants and others continued Wednesday as police advised drummers who had settled at two nearby parking lots on Cedar Street that their new spots were problematic.

Frustrated drummers said they don't know where else to go downtown and have the right to play music in public.

Homeless activist Robert Norse on Wednesday called for a "Drum Circle Defense" event, with the aim of strategizing what to do if "police attempt to shut down the circle." Police, however, did not try to quash the circle. Instead, officers issued more warnings after drummers began pounding away at a new spot near a parking lot at Cedar and Lincoln streets and later at one behind The Spokesman Bicycles, on Cedar and Elm streets.

The most discord Wednesday came when a drum circle participant, Patrick Lancelin, took offense when Norse taped a conversation Lancelin was having about drumming and his civil rights with Sgt. Michael Harms. Lancelin began shouting at Norse to get out of the area and not to put him on his "stupid radio show."

The two scuffled, grabbing one another and fighting over the tape recorder. They fell near a medium-size black and white dog named Barack Obama, which bit Lancelin, causing a deep and bloody puncture wound on his forearm. There were no arrests.

I know...this kinda shit happens in your town all the time, right?

Asking for It

Public debate about excessive use of force...save it! This nut even used a lifeline and called his dad before jumping onto the field...asked him if he should do it. His dad told him, "I don't think you should do that."

Ah, Andy Warhol was so right!

Losing the Mop!

Tried to go a year without a haircut, but I think today is the day...I think I'm a month and a half shy. Everybody has been bringing up my mop in conversation; "So you are growing your hair out." "What made you decide to grow your hair?" "I like your hair long!" "You look homeless." I've heard it all as of late. The motivation to cut it though has become strong. Like Pedro, I'm getting too hot.

Isn't it funny when you wake up in the morning and just know that today is the day?

Rethinking the Problem

Had an epiphany about the nurdle issue yesterday. The clean up of the Eastern and Western Garbage Patches doesn't necessarily have to be funded by the goodwill of nations or the clever marketing and repurposing of the waste itself.

The most logical answer is the most simple and controversial. Those who manufacture 'waste' should be levied a tax that accounts for the responsible disposal of that manufactured item...and an additional percentage of the tax should be applied to cleanup of the damage previously done, i.e. the clean up of the garbage patches and other destroyed areas.

The ultimate responsibility of what to do with garbage has always been the burden of the consumer and municipalities. I fully agree consumers need to make smarter choices concerning packaging/waste and provincial policy should govern how waste is disposed of and reclaimed but let's face it, soon as a company's product leaves the factory, they are off the hook. They have no responsibility for what ultimately happens to that manufactured product. This is wrong! Industry needs to be concerned and not only that, they have the moral obligation to be an active and leading part of the solution-making process. You created it....you sold it...you made money off of it, now follow through and do something about the waste burden you know you create.

Nothing short of a binding international accord could bring the concept of an 'ecotax' to fruition and gaining cooperation for policy like this would be near impossible. If a nation chose to adopt such policy in isolation they would economically sink itself. No business in their profit-driven mind would dare to subject itself to such a tariff when they could simply avoid it by establishing with no liability elsewhere.

Even if the miraculous did happen, industry would offset their responsibility by making the consumer pay more for the products they consume, after all, morality will not impede the margin for profit. Companies would simply make the people pay time and time again...as companies always do.

In light of the latest human caused/human driven catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico it will be interesting to follow who leads and funds the clean up and what role British Petroleum will play. The 9-year paper trail from an Alaskan courthouse to the Supreme Court after the Exxon Valdez oil spill is difficult to follow. I discern that Exxon paid upwards of $2 billion dollars for the clean up but really they paid nothing in the end as, "Exxon obtained a $4.8 billion credit line from J.P. Morgan & Co. This in turn gave J.P. Morgan the opportunity to create the first modern credit default swap in 1994." (thank you once again Al Gore and Wikipedia)

The corporations on planet Earth, our one and only home, need not be responsible for the damage they inflict upon all living creatures and ecosystems and until this inequity is addressed by the governments of the planet I see no reason for corporations to even care.