Play Ball!

Just a short post as I am back in LA for the tenth freaking time this year and just swamped with work. This weekend I finally came to the realization that my life is officially turned over to my kids. I used to have a modicum of a life when they were younger, but no more.

And the funny thing? I'm ok with this. Not sure how I am going to manage training for a 100 mile run, but I am ok with it all the same.

To wit, here is what I did this weekend.

Saturday:

9 - 11:00 am -- Little league parade. This is one of my favorite days of the year, actually. All the kids congregate downtown and march to a field for opening day ceremony. Attached is a photo of The Girl, who's team was at the front of the parade. Everyone was cooing over her because she was so darn cute in her little uniform and pigtails.

11:45. Team Photo Number One.

12:30 pm: Team Photo Number Two

2:30 - 4:00: Little Boy's Game. I hate to sound like one of these bragging father-types, but I'm really proud of the Little Boy. He's been working his tail off at baseball these past 12 months and the effort is really showing. This time last year he could barely catch the ball, and now he's making all sorts of terrific plays and hitting the ball like a vet. I sat him down, told him how proud I was, and that this was an example of how he can do anything if he sets his mind to it and works hard.

Sunday:

9:00 am. Little Girl's game. Can you imagine the masochist who sets a 9:00 am game on a freaking Sunday morning? It was totally worth it though, despite a mild grade grade hangover from our little dinner party the evening before -- these five year olds were cute beyond belief.

1:00 - 3:00 pm. Boy's baseball practice. A game on Saturday and practice on Sunday. Man is this going to be a long season. However, I am an assistant coach and I am having far more fun with it than I ever anticipated. We have a terrific bunch of kids who listen to everything we say and just love the game of baseball. It's a pleasure and really, an honor, to help them along.

Of course the only kid that mouths off is my own, but that's a story for another day.

Scan Day

What an unbelieveably hectic, crazy few days. Interestingly, and without divulging too much due to confidentiality, I've been in a series of meetings these past two few days with a group of high powered Hollywood types who have some very grand and ambitious plans for attacking cancer. I love my job and I love what I do, but for the first time ever I felt that I should be sitting on the other side of the table and working with them on this one. Once I can talk more on this topic I will, because this one is fascinating.

This was also one of the first times I have been in the spotlight from a Survivor perspective. It was definitely an interesting and almost surreal experience and I realized that without question, I have a measure of experience on this subject that is unique. I've also learned there's a bit of a difference between touched BY cancer and touched WITH cancer.

My second meeting with this group was early in the am in Beverly Hills and ironically enough given the subject matter, I had to leave a few minutes early to catch a flight back to SF for scans. I'm just now back from my ultrasound and blood work and won't have the results back for a few more days. While I am optimistic, there's no doubt that these tests are unnerving as hell (not the tests themselves, but rather the waiting part).

Anyway, will definitely share my results when they are known.

Travel

I just got back from Seattle late last night (verdict: very cool and charming city but I cpersonally ouldn't live there) and already I am packing for my next trip to LA. Such is my life and I guess I shouldn't complain as half my trips are self-induced so to speak, but man, my travel these first three months of the year have just been killer and it's taking its toll. Doesn't help much that tomorrow's flight leaves at zero dark hundred (otherwise known as 6:40 am in the freaking morning).

In other news, however, I am typing this post from my brand spanking new MacBook Air and man oh man am I STOKED. I will save the review for the next few days, after I get a chance to test drive it a bit more from the road. Thus far however, I am quite impressed. It is *so* light, which is a great big deal for me given my above described travels.

Beyond all this, I just noted on my calender that I have a big ultrasound (all ultrasounds are big in our world, right CrazyMama?) and while I anticipate good results, feel free to start sending good vibes; one can't be overly optimistic when it comes to cancer.

Greetings from Seattle

We flew into Seattle on Friday night to see my father-in-law and see the sights. I've been here a million times in the past for business but most of these trips have been fast in and out.

So we woke up early yesterday and headed to Pikes Peak market for breakfast. A little touristy, but interestingly nonetheless, especially the various fishmongers. I knew the fisdhing industry was big here, but I didn't realize the full extent. After sauntering around for an hour or two, we headed to a 2.5 hour boat tour. I wasn't expecting much but it was actually quite fascinating. We got to see the entire peninsula, and our guide did a great job explaining the history/development of the area. The coupe de grace was going through the lochs that separate Pugent Sounds from the lake. I've never before been through a loch and it was pretty cool. Even the kids maintained a degree of interest in most of the tour. Afterwards, the kids went swimming and I went on an hour-long run. I've long maintained that the best way to see a foreign city is via running, and that was definitely the case in this instance. We went to a fish restaurant by the pier for dinner (the salmon here is as good as advertised btw) and found an amusement park for the kids. All in all, a highly enjoyable day.

Today Seattle is being true to form and raining, so we are headed to a museum -- Museum of Aviation, which should be interesting, possibly Boeing after if it's open and then we are going to cruise around the University of Washington.

Tomorrow I head out early for a convenient business trip not terribly far outside Seattle.

Questions

I've been busy as hell the past few days between work and reconstructing my freaking computer (don't ask). Anyway, a few questions I've been meaning to pose:

1. anyone else besides me watching John Adams on HBO?

I like the concept of this show and the set pieces and costumes are amazing (it cost over $100 million) but thus far, it's the world's best cure for insomnia. It would be a shame if it doesn't get better. I'm going to write these first two episodes off to "character development."

2. why does the new Governor of New York get a free pass for his indescretions?

Don't get me wrong, I think Spitzer got exactly what he deserved, but the first thing this new Governor announces is that he has had multiple affairs (as has his wife!) and yet he gets a free pass. Why's that?

3.does anyone besides me hope that Terrell Pryor becomes the biggest flop ever?

Absolutely, call this one sour grapes. If he picked Michigan I'd probably be singing a different tune. Something I don't like about this kid though; I think he's trouble. And what's with him announcing that he's attending "The University of Ohio State." (thanks for the correct information on this Scoot). Uhhh, dude; it takes you forever to choose a school, you turn it into the biggest drama ever AND THEN YOU GET THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL WRONG DURING YOUR PRESS CONFERENCE?

4. why is is that someome who knows so much about technology (that would be me) so freaking inept at something as relatively simple as rebuilding a hard drive.

That one is fairly self explanatory.

5. why does this TV season suck?

I guess we can blame this one on the writers strike but it seems like with the exception of reality tv-base shows, there's nothing on. Thankfully, however, AI is getting near to high season. No question in my mind that the Kid David A wins, btw.

6. why did I finally pull the trigger and purchase the MacBook Air?

'Cause I travel a ton and the tax man was kind to me. Or at least that's how I am rationalizing it to myself.

7. Why am I flying to Seattle tomorrow?

Because I am trying to set the world record for most trips in one quarter: thus far we have nine trips to LA, one to NYC, one to Phoenix, one to Hawaii and now Seattle. And there's several others in the docket.

That's it for now. More from Seattle.

Interesting Reading, Books

FInished a really interesting book this weekend, Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. I think it's the book-of-the-month at Starbucks and/or Oprah's club, but don't let that stop you from purchasing.

I can't say it is "good" simply because of the subject matter: it's the story of a father's relationship with his son, a precocious kid who becomes addicted to crystal meth. The writing and story is terrific but the story itself is beyond heart wrenching. That said, I think it's a must read for every parent. Just as interestingly, from my standpoint at least, the author/son live only a few miles from my house, and he really paints a great picture of picaresqe (West) Marin County. My hometown also makes a cameo appearance.


So far as music is concerned, I am *really* loving the Hercules and Love Affair disc. I do not even know how to begin to describe this. The best I could do is house music meets techno meets disco. Pitchfork really nailed this review and thus far, it's my favorite album of the year. It's got a very fast, continuous beat, and is perfect for running and (stationary) biking (I never, ever wear headphones while biking on the road). I suggest this one highly.

Foul Ball!

Yesterday may have been the greatest day in the Little Boy's young life. Mine too for that matter.

The story goes like this:

We went to the Cub's game and similar to Saturday, got to the stadium early. The Little Boy got to meet Cub's legend Ron Santo, and also got autographs from Kerry Wood and others. We took our seats before the game started and noted that we were sitting in a very interesting place; second row, right alongside the first base line around mid-outfield.

More aptly described as: perfect foul ball territory.

The Little Boy found a little concrete area/step that was right alongside the field, so that he would be able to "scoop" up any foul balls that came his way. A few of the raucous Chicagoans sitting behind us -- and the were *really* raucous, but funny as hell in a Chicago kind of way -- starting joking around with him "Hey Kid, get us a ball, " "Hey Kid, focus on the game now," "Hey Kid, want a beer?" etc.

Anyway, come the third inning and an Angels outfielder catches the third out and on his way back to his dugout flips the ball towards the Little Boy. He sticks his glove out, I put my hand in the air to help him out when WHAM -- the dude in front of us jumps in front of him, snags the ball and immediately gives it to his wife.

It was a bush league move (though I must say he was a pretty good guy) and the fans *really" let him have it: they started chanting "Give the kid the ball, give the kid the ball" and heckled them mercilessly.

The Little Boy was trying to figure the whole thing out and was equals parts amused by the attention, befuddled, and excited.

A few more innings go by and players are going down 1-2-3 with no balls coming to the outfield. Once again, the raucous guys started chanting "Give the Kid the Ball" and the whole area of the stadium starts picking up on it. Just at this is happening ... FOUL BALL comes our way, and wouldn't you know ANOTHER guy jump out of nowhere and snares it.

Now the Chicago guys are going at it full steam, booing this other guy like crazy and the cheeer is picking up even more steam. I should be enjoying this but I'm not because at this stage of the game, all I want is for the kid to get a damn ball. By the way, he was super cool about the whole thing, smiling, laughing and charming everyone. I heard about ten people say variations on "What a sweet little Kid."

Now the original guy who snagged the ball (the one I said was kind of nice) goes up to the on field security guy, who was aware all this was happening, and says, "Do anything you can to get this kid a ball."

One inning later Garrett Anderson of the Angeles is up and HERE IT COMES -- a slow foul moving foul ball right along the first base line. The security guard RACES over and gives it a little kick towards the Little Boy -- no one else in the stadium would dare touch this one - who bends over onto the field and swoops it up.

And I am telling you -- the whole left side of the stadium ERUPTS. There was more drama in the stands on him getting the ball then on the game itself. People who know me know I am prone to embellishment (hey, I'm in PR!) but I am telling you that people start going CRAZY. They are high fiving him, high fiving each other and now start chanting "The Kid Got a Ball."

It was the best thing, ever. I pride myself on NEVER, EVER crying (am I using caps too much here, by the way?) but I have to admit to getting a tad bit teary eyed watching the little fellow hold the ball up in front of him in total freaking elation while everyone cheered for him.

It was a dream come true for a Little Boy.

Truth be told, it was a dream come true for his old man as well.