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Filed under: Yankees

what's gonna become of this blog anyway?

That’s the question that I’ve been asked by two of my three readers. And the answer is, “I’m not sure.” My buddy, Kenny, is working on getting the scenary changed around here and it might (or might not) require me getting a new url but the question remains, Am I going to keep blogging after the move?

And that’s hard to answer because I haven’t really felt like blogging over the past couple of months. What blogs I have written are pretty sporadic and, if I’m honest with myself, uninteresting. And so we’ll have to wait and see if the move energizes me and gives me new material to write about. Another factor will be time.

This new Teach For America gig is pretty intense. The summer schedule alone is gonna knock my socks off so I’m guessing that with what free time I do have, I better give to Laura and the kids. I think they would appreciate that. That’s not to say that I won’t sneak in a blog or two late at night but it might get quiet around here for a while.

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I said a while back that I would blog about all the things I’m gonna miss about Brooklyn. That never really happened, did it? (See, I told you I wasn’t in the mood to blog.) But it’s happening now. And with pictures! Woo-hoo!

I’m gonna miss Broadway shows. Laura and I love musicals. We sing pretty much all the time around our house. For Ira’s fourth birthday, we used money that Glo/Gram gave us for Christmas and saw The Lion King. Thanks, Mom.

I’m gonna miss the Brooklyn Bridge. We drove over the bridge every day of our lives when Ira was in the hospital. And we’ve walked it countless times as well. I could dig pretty deep here and extrapolate some metaphors but I’ll refrain. (You’re welcome.) We walked the bridge a couple of weeks ago. Just a few tears were shed as we did.

I’m gonna miss going to games at Yankee Stadium. There’s nothing like it. Even in the new stadium, one can feel the ghosts of Mantle, Ruth, and others. This past weekend, Brian O’s dad treated us all to a game. We sat in some really sweet seats and ate all the free food we could get our hands on. The game was amazing as the Yanks rallied in the ninth and won the game. Yep, a few tears were shed as we all jumped up and down in hysterics over what we had witnessed. Brian and Tara, you guys will be missed. Mr. O, thanks for the game.

I’m gonna miss being at the center of it all. Whatever it is, it happens in NYC first. For example, Laura and I had the privilege of attending the premier of Loot, a documentary. Our friend, Anson, was the cinematographer for the film. HBO picked up the documentary and opened it at their headquarters this past weekend. Laura and I put on our NYC best (all black clothes) and headed to the HBO offices. It was a blast. And let me just say, the movie was incredible. Set your DVRs and record LOOT premiering on HBO2 on May 20 at 8 PM (ET).

And of course, there’s the people. There is our CCFB family who we will dearly miss. There are our literal, physical neighbors here on Hoyt St. that we will miss. There are our friends that we’ve made through Sophia and her peers who we will miss. There are my basketball buddies that I see and spend hours with several times a week who I will miss. There are the friends we’ve made through Ira and the hospital that we will miss. Of course, I don’t have a picture of all these people but you get the picture. More than places, things, or events, we will miss our friends.

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One last story to share with you. Tonight, I heard Ira tossing and turning in his bed. I went and laid by him. I never do this so he was taken by surprise. I put my arm around him and he suddenly became still. After a few seconds he laid his hand on my hand and whispered, “you my best friend.” I melted. He has my heart.

Filed under: Blogging, Brooklyn, CCfB, Ira, Laura, Sophia, Yankees, basketball, family, film, food, friends, moving, photos, relationships, sports

farewell

The phone rings. I look at the clock and it’s just a bit past midnight. I run to the phone knowing it must be an emergency because no one calls us this late at night.

Caller ID identifies the caller as my mom and dad. I answer.

Immediately upon answering I skip the niceties and ask, Is Grandmother okay?

Mom, without really hearing my question, immediately asks, It’s sad isn’t it?

I pause. She pauses. There is a silence that hangs in the air for what seems like eternity. Mom then realizes what I’ve asked. Oh, honey, Grandmother is fine. I’m sitting hear watching the Yankees close down The Stadium. Another pause. You’re asleep, aren’t you?

Yeah.

I’m so sorry to wake you. We’ll talk later. Just know that Grandmother is fine.

Okay.

I wanted to watch but we don’t have ESPN. The truth is, I wouldn’t have made it all the way through anyway. It was an incredibly long weekend with children who didn’t sleep because of runny noses and coughs. But even in the midst of the long weekend and as I went to bed last night, I couldn’t help but think about Yankee Stadium. It is a sports venue unparrelleled in all of sporting history. Consider this from a recent Sports Illustrated article written from the viewpoint of The Stadium:

I don’t like to blow smoke, but my death is unlike any loss seen before in America. I am tangible Americana, like Independence Hall, the Alamo or Graceland. I have been about more than baseball. The first papal mass ever celebrated in the Western Hemisphere? That was me. The first overtime game in NFL history? Me. The birthplace of the “DEE-fense! DEE-fense!” chant? Of the Bronx cheer? Of the triple-decker ballpark in this country? The electornic scoreboard, the replay video board, the “Win one for the Gipper” aphorism, what it means to get Wally Pipped, the standing applause on two-strike counts, the running leap onto home plate to punctuate a walk-off homer? Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, and me.

Oh, and there’s the 26 World Championships as well. Yankee Stadium, you’ll be missed. Farewell, you icon.

Filed under: Yankees, baseball, family

yankee blue

Yankee fans are realists. We’re fully aware that we’ll end our 13 year playoff streak this year. But that doesn’t keep a real fan down. And that doesn’t keep us away from the game either. A couple of Saturdays ago, Ira attended his first Yankee baseball game. And he was able to do so at The House That Ruth Built. I’m so glad we did this. If I do say so myself, my son looks quite good in Yankee blue.

Filed under: Ira, Yankees, baseball

dilemma

A friend offered me two tix for today’s Yankees game. Despite the lousy season, I’m a true fan so I snagged the tix. Laura can’t go with me so it boils down to the kids. Sophia really, really loves attending games but Ira’s never been to one. Sophia knows the players, the stadium chants and loves all the good/bad stadium food. Ira knows the names Jeter and A-Rod, doesn’t have a clue about the chants and could careless about the food. Sophia remembers the games we went to last season and would totally remember today’s games. Ira might remember but might not. It’s a hard call.

But after considering it all, I’m taking Ira. I want to be able to tell him that he, just like his sister, went to The House That Ruth Built. I told him today that we are going to the game. Sophia overheard me and started crying. She wants to go so bad. It broke my heart. I went over to her and told her that she and I would go on a special date soon and that seemed to work but I’m expecting tears when Ira and I actually leave.

Filed under: Ira, Sophia, Yankees, baseball

ends and odds, odds and ends

The fam is back. I am glad.

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I say this every summer: I don’t know how folks can drink hot coffee in 90+ degree weather. I just don’t get that.

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While the Yanks are playing well right now and keeping pace with those other two clubs in our division, I’m nervous. Why? Because Jorge Posada could be out for the rest of the season. And anyone who follows baseball will tell you that THE key position of the game is the catcher. Posada is the glue. Without him, it could be lights out. Could be. But I’m still hopeful. I’m feeling a new chant coming on, “Hip, Hip, Jose!“

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I’m in awe that there are real people who choose to believe the forwarded political e-mails that claim Obama is a Muslim. Yes, even still people are choosing to believe that claim. Even after all of that has been debunked regarding that claim there are still real people who can be overheard saying in a disgusting tone of voice, “Well, I just can’t believe a Muslim has gotten this close to becoming the president.”

People, please.

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Finally, I’m with Walter Brueggemann when it comes to interpreting the Bible: What are the main claims the Bible makes over and over again? Ask that question of scripture and you’ll get a pretty good, whittled down, yet weighty answer: Love God and love others.

There are other claims the Bible makes that are pretty specific but most of the conversations we have in churches have nothing to do with the main claims of the Bible.

Filed under: Bible, Yankees, family, interpretation, politics, sports

enter sandman

Ever since there’s actually been something on the line regarding the All Star game, the games have been worth watching. Tuesday night’s game was no different. My favorite moment: Mariano Rivera entering the game in the ninth to Enter Sandman. It never gets old. And by the way, if he performs in the second half of the season like he did in the first half then go ahead and give him the Cy Young.

Filed under: New York, Yankees, baseball, sports

predictions

What? You didn’t know I was in the prediction business? Indeed I am. Sit back and behold the magic:

1. A Western Conference team will win the NBA Finals. Okay, so that’s a soft prediction as the Eastern Conference is horrible. But hold on, there’s more.
2. The Yanks will go all the way. What? Did you expect me to choose the Mets? Laughable. The BoSox? C’mon. The Yanks pitching staff will come together and our big guys will start hitting. They’re hungry this year. It’s gonna happen. Tired of my sports predictions? Allow me to change gears.
3. Obama and Clinton will fight it out ’till the convention. This, of course, spells disaster for the Dems paving the way for McCain’s win over whoever the Dem candidate is. Yes, the sky is falling in my world. Politics makes your stomach turn? Okay, switching gears again.
4. The internet is here to stay. Seriously, people, I think the internet is for real. You want personal predictions? I won’t disappoint.
5. After the intensive feeding clinic that begins this next Monday (hello, commuting!) Ira will be getting most of his nutrition through food that is taken by mouth. His g-tube feedings will be minimal. By September, Ira will be getting one hundred percent of his nutrition through oral feedings.
6. Finally, I’m predicting the Summer of the Hayses. Do you remember the Summer of George? George got a severance package and declared that he was taking the summer off. Laura and I don’t have a severance package and we’re not taking the summer off but for the first time in years, we feel free to do things that were unimaginable three years ago. It will be the Summer of the Hayses. Bring it.

Filed under: Ira, Yankees, baseball, basketball, family, hope, politics, sports

my hopes

Below are some of my hopes for the new year. Some of them I can affect but some are out of my reach.

1. I really do hope Ira can get rid of that trach this year.
2. I’m hoping to be more intentional regarding the discipline of meditation.
3. I hope to be slow to anger and slow to speak but quick to listen.
4. I desperately hope that our church grows over the next few months.
5. I hope N learns her times table and can advance to her next grade.
6. I hope that Laura and I can get out more this next year.
7. I really do hope the Yanks can shake off the off-season and take home the 2008 pennant. Don’t you?
8. Speaking of sports, I’m hoping for an Aggies v Blue Devils NCAA championship game.
9. I’m hoping for a sprained ankle-less 2008.
10. Finally, I hope that I can get back to reading more; more professional books and more novels.

What are you hoping for in the new year?

Filed under: CCfB, Ira, Laura, Yankees, books, church, family, hope, sports, tutoring

time

Four years, three months. That’s how long it takes for IKEA furniture to break down. At least, this is our experience. We’ve moved once while here in NYC and have lived in small spaces. Having two kids and a dog that are not aware of delicate IKEA furniture does not help either. So mark it down – four years and three months. sigh…

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Two months, twenty-five days. That’s how long it is until Laura and I celebrate 10 years of marriage. We’re uncertain of what we’re going to do on our 10 year anniversary or what we’ll get each other.  The traditional gift is something to do with tin or aluminum. The modern idea is diamond jewelry. I’ve always been a traditionalist! So what did you do for your 10 year? Any advice as to what we should do?

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Ten days. That’s how long A-Rod has before he lets the Yanks know what he’s going to do. He’ll most likely capture yet another MVP award for his stellar season and will most likely opt out of his current deal. I don’t blame him. I just hope he’s back in pinstripes next year. I’m excited about what the young crop of talent can do for an entire season!
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Seventy-five days. That’s until winter officially kicks in. Ira’s already gotten sick twice in the last month, one of which landed him in the hospital. The insurance is being extremely stubborn with their synagis shots which would help in protecting him from RSV. We’re hoping for a really good winter…and a really fast winter!

Filed under: Ira, Laura, Yankees