Sometimes when I'm Falling, Flying . . .

Did you see it last night? It was fantastic. The Library of Congress honored a hero of mine. Paul Simon was given the first Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. A fantastic array of artists from numerous genres were on hand to perform versions of Paul Simon songs.

Since my youthful discovery of my parents' "Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits" cassette, Paul Simon's music has been an integral part of the soundtrack of my life. I have sung Simon and Garfunkel tunes with many of my oldest friends. I sat in the very top row of the Fox Theater with one of those old friends while the songs from "Graceland" and the smell of marijuana washed over us.

A few years later, I went to what was then called Riverport with a bigger group of friends for the "Rhythm of the Saints" tour. My favorite song that day was a fantastic version of "An American Tune."

Now, I haven't seen Paul Simon live since that day at Riverport. But his last album has a song that really speaks to me. It's called "Father and Daughter."

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

That's a Winner!

While I slumbered the Birds evened the season series with the Royals. I watched the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't stay awake for extra innings.

For one day, all is again right in the universe.

Is It Wrong?

Another note about last night's game: During Juan Encarnacion's at bats last night, I was rooting against him extending his hitting streak. Is that bad?

They flashed some funny numbers on the scoreboard when he batted. His average during the streak, .288. He had exactly 21 hits in his streak. I guess that's about as bad as you can hit and still have an 18 game streak. Sounds like a lot of 1 for 4 nights.

Anyway, last night I used Karma to put an end to the anomalous streak.

Cards Even Series

I was in the eleventh row of section 155 last night. My buddy Chuck scored some awesome tickets at work. We were between the end of the home-plate screen and the Royals Dugout. A perfect angle to see Chris Duncan' eyes light up on meat ball delivered by the Royals' Scott Elarton.

Ole' Abner delivered a perfect evening for baseball. The temps were in the low eighties at the first pitch. There was a bar selling Schlafly's near our section.

The game lasted only two hours and ten minutes. I was home and in bed by 11:30 pm.

I ran my record to 2-1 on the season.

The Isa Report

June 18th, 2007 - Subject: Courage

Splinter Courage

Isa was brave (and squirmy and screamy!) when she had to get a splinter taken out of her foot last night.
Reporter Willa has all the details.
When I got there to do the weekly Isa Report, Isa was screaming.
I had to do this report on myh own, so I decided (since EVERYONE was busy) to not talk to anyone. It would bother them. I helped out too.
We FINALLY got it out. Isa refused a cookie. Was she sick?

The End

***This report has been brought to you by Willa. We are hoping this will become a regular blog feature. We encourage other young authors with siblings to write as well.

Cardinals 7, Royals 3

Looks like tonight will be the rubber match in the I-70 series. The Cards prevailed yesterday behind some solid pitching from Adam Wainwright.

Go tell Andy how it will turn out tonight!!

Check This Out

Wikipedia is the coolest!

I have to say this . . .

If you loved watching Magic and Bird play, if you loved watching Jordan, you need to be watching LeBron play. It is akin to watching a flower bloom right before your eyes.

LeBron is amazing. He is the next great player who can transcend the game and the league the way Jordan, Bird, and Magic did.

Tonight he scored 48 points including the last 25 Cavalier points. It was stunning.

Cards/Royals update

St. Louis 21 29 .420 6.5
Kansas City 19 35 .352 14.5

Notice the last column. The number is how many games out of first place the team is. A small number indicates a more meaningful season (or some might say, a weak division). No matter how you interpret the numbers, one team is still playing for something, and the other team is merely playing out the season.

Something Must Be Done

When the free market begins to work in favor of the consumer, something must be done. The Bush Administration will not allow the free market to take advantage of Big Corporations. As I have told conservative friends of mine before, small business and individuals both get the shaft from the Bush Administration. This is a perfect example of both groups getting the shaft.

The Wizard

A big group went to see the Cardinals Tuesday night to celebrate Dave's 40th birthday. We turned the Birds around that night. We stopped the six-game slide and had a blast.

Here are Willa and Isa hanging with the Wizard. I will post some more pics as soon as Dave sends me a few.

Baseball

In response to a loony commenter, I want to post the following:

Team Winning %
St. Louis Cardinals .419
Kansas City Royals .404

We will keep an eye on the developing situation.

Happy Birthday, Dave!

Here's a shout out to the newest member of the old man's club. Dave is still going strong at forty. He doesn't slide the trombone like he did when he was younger, but he didn't know what he was doing back then anyway.

The Bush Administration

The administration cares about nothing except political power. They have forced perceived political enemies from government. They will do anything to reinforce their political power.

The War

The next time I hear or read someone say that we are losing the war because of the 'Liberal Traitors,' I want them to read this.

More on Falwell

Here are some of Falwell's own words.

Falwell Dead

Our good friend Travis has an awesome take on this.

BBQ **UPDATED FOR CORRECT DATE**

It's that time of year again when I go out on limb and have a BBQ and hopes people will show up. The last two years have been great, but hot. This year Misti and I are hoping this will work with everyones' summer plans a little better by having it on Memorial Day weekend. More specifically May 26th. Golf will be in the morning and afternoon followed by a BBQ and live music that evening on Harper Hill overlooking the banks of the Cuivre river and the beautiful Davis skyline. Price of admission is merely a side dish. Misti and I look forward to this every year, and for some of you it is the only chance all year we get to see you. Just shoot us and e-mail and let us know if you can make it. Hope all is going well and we look forward to seeing you Memorial Day weekend.


Sweetlou.

Is This Child Abuse?

I returned to work after a conference in Milwaukee. My cubicle had been vandalized in my absence. I thought you guys might enjoy the pictures.

I attended the Brewers/Cardinals game at Miller Park Wednesday afternoon. Brewer fans are very nice. They seem to hate the Cubs as much as we do.

The Cardinals were terrible though. After Jim Edmonds and Chris Duncan our outfield is a complete disaster. We have a bunch of guys who either can't hit or can't field and in some cases, can do neither. We need to deal for a quality outfielder and get J-Rod up to the big club to strengthen the bench. And then we can start working on all the other problems.

The Brewers look very good to me. If they can keep getting quality starts from the pitchers they will have a very good chance to win the division. They have terrific group of young position players on the infield including a third baseman who is still in the high minors. (Remember to click the photos to get the full effect.)

What You've Been Waiting For!!!

Yes!!!
The Drunken Haiku contest is back on the blog of Paul and The Violent Farmers!!!