Redemption

Honestly, before this season, I only knew Ryan Vogelsong because he was the guy the Giants traded for Jason Schmidt...and given the greate service time we got out of him....Ryan easily drifted into memory. This weekend's game was heart-warming in that Ryan was able to work his way back to the Giants and delivered a solid performance. With a standing ovation on his exit and a tip of the cap to the fans, it was a nice moment.

A sprinkle of magic...

Ok, so the season hasn't been a roaring start. But this is still a team, and it just goes down to who are up to par on any given evening. And then there are days when you feel sprinkles of magic :). What a great day to have it on Willie Mays' birthday celebration at the park.

As the new season unfolds...

Finally got the first week out of the way. It's a mixed bag, actually...defense is still a little rusty, but there are positives to celebrate...Timmy has started strong, Pablo's off-season workout appears to be paying dividends, and we finally are seeing production out of De Rosa. It was sad to see Ishikawa let go (great that he was brough back for the ring ceremony), but Belt really made a case for making the roster...now let's hope he can stay the way Buster did.

Red

"This is going to be fun", says Victoria Winslow (Dame Helen Mirren)....and it truly was....there's always that fear that an all-star cast spells doom for a film...but Red shows in can still be.....fun! Too many nice scenes and lines....and I find myself laughing out loud.....this movie reminds me of Sneakers....fun to watch and has great comedic lines (in Sneakers, Sidney Poiter was gold)....John Malkovich's Marvin Boggs could have very well been Howling Mad Murdock's dad :). Dame Helen Mirren firing automatic and sniper arms...a beautiful sight indeed. Way to go, your highness!

NCIS

The addiction pretty much started the same way as CSI....via a marathon of syndicated episodes on cable. This time the culprit was the USA Network (for CSI it was Spike). The formula is not new, but when you get the right actors you get really interesting characters and relationships. It also helps to have some longer plot lines. The change in actors (Sasha Alexander to Cota de Pablo, Lauren Holly to Rocky Carroll) wasn't a negative. The dynamic between Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly is funny and the forensic scientists (Ducky and Abby) add just the right quirkiness.

Penn & Teller in Seattle

Eyyyy...and I didn't even have to travel to Vegas to see them! :). It was a fun show and I liked how they expose the way to do magic tricks...and then add a twist. I remember this trick where they ask a member of the audience to use a video camera and shoot liberally as they do slight-of-hand tricks. We, the audience, see what he sees through a big screen. Of course the best was saved for last...as the skit ended Teller suddenly pops up as the one with the camera. I also remember finally seeing Teller do his "rose shadow" bit. He's an amazing performer...a very nice Chaplin variant.

Brandi Carlile with Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall

If I declared this my first symphony show, would that count? :) It was a good deal for me...I get to watch Brandi and listen to the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall.....kinda. The show started with an opening act none other than Brandi and the band (nice). After a break, the orchestra joined them. The sound was dominated by the band, but in "Fall Apart Again" the symphony really shined and I think that was my favorite track of the evening.

Louise

Looks liks Katee Sackhoff has taken over what used to be Louise Lombard's role at CSI. I still can't accept it. I really liked Louise. Not too happy that Wendy is gone, too. I somehow have this wish that they all come back when Grissom decides to make is return (along with Lady Heather, of course :) ). One can dream, right?

Game 5 - YYEEAAAAHHHHHH

Game 4 - Checky Check :) :) ;)

I will need to pinch myself a few more times to think.....that.....tomorrow can be the day the Giants finally win it all. Madison Bumgarner was locked in....and so was Huff's home run.....felt like everyone in the team locked in after that.....'keep the lead'......and so the team is now one win away from glory. I can't wait!

Game 2 - Check :) :)

The train keeps on rolling :). Good win for Matt Cain who pitched really well.....good spots by Javier Lopez and Mota (finally got him in the game). And of course....the offense :). You never know who's gonna be the hot bat (or bats) in the game but it really feels like the team is in a zone. The next challenge is in Arlington. Looking forward to it :).

Game 1 - Check :)

Still underdogs in the eyes of most....no problemo! What an offensive show...both pitchers were off and the hitters took advantage. The Rangers are still a tough team and still a lot of adjustments and fixes to work on in the next games. But hey, a win is a win, thank you very much!

Giants are NL Champions :)

YEEEAAAHHHHH!!!! :) :) :)

Nothin' on You

It's been a while and I still find myself coming back to watch Lili Taylor do this cover. Its all in good fun and I actually like her version better!

Original (just in case you're curious): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTDv_szmL0

Le Underdogs Strike Again!

Really? Are you all still calling us underdogs? Oh well....well these underdogs are still grindin' ;). It was a tough game and it was very admirable for Bochy to keep relievers Casilla and Romo in there even after they each gave away runs. But the trust was rewarded and they were able to keep the game close. A lot of good calls in this game. Putting Sandoval in (Panda finally gets some productive hits!) and getting Uribe in on the 9th (both defensively and the winning sacrifice fly).....and Huff was Huff :)....and Ross, while not homering, still hot at the plate.

Le Underdogs

Watch every broadcast and you'll see how everyone pretty much thinks the Giants don't have a chance against the Philies. Well excuuuuuuuuse me! And so what happens to these broadcast naysayers after the 4-3 win by the Giants over Halladay in game 1?...yeah go ahead, backpedal as much as you like. Try as they will to keep some Halladay shine in check ("....not that he didn't pitch a good game...").....sorry boys, we're not as caught up in the bright lights you see in the east. Underdogs.....I like the sound of that ;).

Salute to Bobby Cox

Yes, the Giants won the series (woohoo!)...but have to pause and salute Bobby Cox. I'm guessing somewhere in that locker room Chipper Jones is feeling the loss. Chipper and Bobby have been together his entire career (Bobby scouted him, drafted him, coached him...pretty much a second father to him). A salute also to the Giants who extended a gesture to Bobby as he said goodbye on the field for the last time.

Now how about them Giants :) .....I hated Cody Ross when he was with the Marlins...am sure happy now that those hits against the Giants are now serving the Giants :).

Back at you!

Game 2 was a heartbreaker with the come-from-behind win by the Braves, but in Game 3 tonight the Giants were able to return the favor and win it in the 9th. Woohoo!

The Freak Delivers

Tim Lincecum's first post-season highlight stat: 14 strikeouts. Got one run from offense. That was enough. Amen.

More October Baseball!!

The sign one fan was holding says it all: ""torture has never felt this good". Winning was always an uphill battle for this team but they just kept on coming and finally we get to play deep into October once more. Woohoo!!