Full of Dreams to Last the Years...

...in Seattle.

Yes, Seattle. Home to the 2008 Gay Softball World Series, and the destination for the Blue Ice. You heard it right, the team that I manage has qualified to participate in this year's premiere event.

We finished a disappointing 3rd in the regular season, and came into the playoffs missing 4 key players. Twelve of us faced a grueling day in the sun (high in the 90s), not an easy task for those of us pushing fifty. The situation became even more intense when one player injured himself, forcing me to play every game (after starting only three games during the season to concentrate on coaching).

Now I don't like to blow my own horn too much, but this old man (bad back and all) still knows how to play the game. In addition to pitching three masterful games (and relieving in the fourth), I averaged nearly .700 with a team-leading 10 RBIs.

Jubilation dies quickly. With only two months to the World Series, I am immediately working on roster moves (who can actually go to the week-long tournament), fundraising (we figure to need about $15K to offset expenses), and getting new uniforms/tshirts for the team. UGH!

So much to do, so little time.

Full of hopes an' full of fears, full of laughter, full of tears
Full of dreams to last the years, in Seattle
. . . in Seattle!

Thank you, Perry. Thank you, Blue Ice.

What's Missing in Toronto?...Me!

Toronto? You must be shaking your head wondering just what the hell this boy from South Florida is talking about. Let me explain.

You see, I'm sending my Blue Ice softball team north of the border for the Independence Day weekend. There is this super fun softball tournament in Toronto that weekend, so the team decided to brave the cold (hey, it will probably be what?...80 degrees? or whatever it is in celsius) and see what all the the fun is about. Two of our guys went last year and had the time of their lives.

Now to the sad part of the story. I can't go! This is probably the only out-of-town tournament that I really want to take part in and I can't go. There wasn't even the slightest chance that I could go. No, it isn't that I don't have the vacation time & it isn't the money. The thing that is keeping me here is family.

My mom will be celebrating her 80th birthday on July 3rd. In honor of that occasion, the entire family will be congregating on Fort Myers beach, where we have rented a beach house for the week. Family will be arriving from Tennessee, Illinois, Arizona, and various parts of Florida to enjoy each others company, frolic in the water, play games of all sorts, and eat & drink ourselves silly.

We did the same thing for her 75th and everyone agreed it was the perfect way to celebrate. Since then, we have lost one member of the family and gained three (including my Thom). Reminiscing will be at a premium. Catching up will take hours. All in the easy going manner that is the hallmark of my family. It will also be the first time they get to meet Thom, except for my mom and one brother (but more on that another time).

So, for very good reason, I will miss out on one helluva time. I will lose out on the opportunity to meet one of my favorite bloggers/softball players who happens to live in Toronto. C'est la vie!

But John/Jainey/Jeepers...I do expect you to give my Blue Ice team the royal treatment while they are in town. I know how much you like to show off the very best of Toronto and play tour guide.