Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Earthquake!

Twenty years ago today, I sat in Miss Chumney's first grade classroom at Riverview Elementary in Munroe Falls Ohio. As the room was quiet, our desks began to rumble....and continued for what seemed like an eternity. It was really really strange. I'll never forget the site of our desks rumbling on the hard linoleum floor like little football figureines on the old time eletric football game. Yes, I had just experienced an earthquake. And I was living in Ohio, not California!

Today, the Akron Beacon Journal recounts this unusual moment in N.E. Ohio's history.

Tom

Sunday, January 29, 2006


Tonight, the movie "The Water is Wide" premeired on CBS. I originally thought this film was about a Hiram College student, but I was mistaken. The "teleplay" was written by a Hiram student from the class of 1969 named Jonathan Estrid.

Check out the movie and Hiram College

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Coco Crisp to Boston for Prospects, Washed Up Reliever

Update: Terry Pluto, one of my favorite sports columnists, analyzes this trade today in the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Cleveland Indians consumated a trade with the Boston Red Sox to send center fielder and leadoff batter Coco Crisp to beantown for prospect third baseman Andy Marte. Cleveland also agreed to part with reliever David Riske and backup catcher Josh Bard. To compensate for the loss Riske, they received Fenando Mota, a former Atalanta reliever who has yet to pitch for Boston, and whom intitially failed a physical with the tribe.

Cleveland then completed a long standing trade to find Crisp's replacement, sending aging reliever Arthur Rhodes and receiving outfielder Jason Michaels who arrives with the team from Philadelphia.

And, as the Akron Beacon Journal Reports, Mark Shapiro is still in talks with Cincinatti in regards to bringing hard swinging (he sometimes makes contact, I've seen him play!) but strike out prone Austin Kearns to town. Alas, the tribe will show starting pitcher Jake Westbrook the way down I-71 to the queen city if the Indians and Reds work this deal out?

So lets just say all these trades happen? Where does this leave the Indians?

Well, in my opinion, a team with the best bullpen in baseball has become significantly different, if not better or worse.

Don't forget, Bob Howry, who had a fantastic season after being found in the dumpster by the tribe, bolted for the Los Angelas Dodgers.

Take out Riske, a servicable setup man who never had much luck at being a closer.

Take out Rhodes, who dealt with a family problem down the playoff stretch last year and was not in Cleveland most of the time.

Altogether, the bullpen looks very different. And the tribes rock hard rotation becomes very different next year, especially if the Westbrook for Kearns deal is exectuted: Bye Bye Kevin Millwood, Scott Elarton and Jake Westbrook. Implant Paul Byrd and Jason Johnson and ???????.......hmm...leaves a hole to fill?

That being said, I took a look at the Indians 40 man roster at Indians.com and I'll attempt to pick the team!


Outfielders:

Casey Blake (Remember how newspaper columnists said that we needed an upgrade here?)
Jason Michaels (Unknown, possibly fourth outfielder)
Austin Kearns
Grady Sizemore

Comments: Having Kearns and Sizemore in the outfield looks wonderful. Casey Blake and Jason Michaels split time at the other spot. If Kearns comes, and he doesn't strike out, the outfield will represent. I just love Sizemore.

Infielders:
Ben Broussard (Um, see note after Casey Blake...same holds true here)
Ronnie Belliard (Originally plugged in as stopgap until Brandon Phillips was ready, Belliard has become a Fan Favorite)
Johnny Peralta (keep hitting Johnny)
Aaron Boone (Hopefully, he'll be back to his former self)
Victor Martinez (Just hit Victor!)

Designated Hitter: Travis Hafner

Bench:
Ramon Vasquez (IF)
Ryan Garko (Rookie catcher, maybe some first base)

Wow........the Indians have some firepower here........let's hope everybody hits and hits often.

Starting Pitching:

C.C. Sabathia
Cliff Lee
Paul Byrd
Jason Johnson
......................Big Hole!


Bullpen:

Closer: Bob Wickman
Setup: Rafael Betancourt
Matt Miller
Mota
Scott Sauerbeck
Fernando Cabrera


Add it all up, it looks pretty good..........Shapiro will just have to find another quality starter. The Akron Beacon Journal reports that this maybe free agent starter Jeff Weaver.

Although Cleveland Fans will loose one of their beloved players with the best name in Baseball, the tribe is in great shape for the future, if this Andy Marte guy pans out. Will he be the next Brandon Phillips or Grady Sizemore? Only time will tell. Anyways, look for the tribe to finish second behind Jim Thome's White Sox.....Yes that does hurt!

Well, I'm out........all have a good day!

Tom

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Happy Australia Day

On January 26th, 1999, a whopping six years ago, I had the pleasure to spend a gloriously sunny Australian summer day celebrating their national holiday in Canberra, the capital city. Australians are wonderfully happy people, laid back, and just plain friendly. No Worries mate! To learn more about this incredible country, visit the official Australia Day website.

Then head on over to my Australia web page I created upon arriving stateside after my 3 month camping adventure in the rugged red land. Don't forget to check out the slide show.

Tom

Thank God for Dentists

Have you ever thought just how cool dentists are?

James knight, my super smart Doctor friend that I met at Hiram, got me on this topic.

Just think what life was like without this profession! Your teeth would hurt all the time, attract rotten bacteria, and simply just rot. Yeah Dentists!

Tom

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Double Date

Have you ever been to a Fondue Restaurant?

Last evening, from 7:30 to 11:00, I was absorbed in a 70' esqe state of my mind as I skewered bits of meat, fruit and bread and gently dipped these morsels in gooey cheese and chocolate. Yes, I had the pleasure to dine at the Melting Pot at the ever so popular retail megacenter reminiscent of Disneyland that is Easton Town Center. I recommend this place........just be sure to bring your credit card. It ain't cheap! Make reservations, and take your time, and just enjoy yourself!

The Melting Pot

Tom

Friday, January 20, 2006

Udipi Cafe

Today for lunch, I took Bob Gable, a staunch meat eater, to the Udipi Indian "Pure Vegetarian" Buffet. Bob is a good guy. He grew up in West Jefferson, a small town in the center of the State's richest farmland and ironically, aquatic biodiversity. I applaud him for "breaking out of the mold" and trying something new. Way to go Bob. It only took about an hour, two people, and the promise of a free lunch to get him there.

I had a blast watching him as he cautiously checked out the place. From the interesting smells, hoardes of Indian men with their coiffed hair and bushy mustaches, to the women in sari's trimmed with gold, he took a deep breath, and took it all in all. The result? He liked some of the selections...especially the spicy ones, but alas, like many an American, the sweet sauces, coupled with some of the really nasty sour things including a lemony flavored mango colored spicy sauce especially, didn't go over to well!

A new learning experience for all. Break out of your shell someday. You might like what you've discovered about yourself and open your eyes to an exciting taste, sight, or smell!

You can start at the Udipi cafe on 161 just about 1 mi East of 71, right here in wonderful Columbus Ohio.

Tom

Wow- I did need sleep

I've been exhausted recently. After a trip to the Big Apple, I'm tired. I realized last night that I have a difficult time of saying enough is enough......then I get completely wiped out, and can no longer function....I just wish I would have realized this time that I was getting to that point a little bit earlier than I actually reached it.

I woke up last night at 1:00 after crashing on my sofa, with the lights and T.V. on. I even slept through the cacaphony of bird sounds that my cell phone eminates when someone wants to get in touch with me. I've been up since then.

I'm now at work. I'll be punching along here at my screen, feverishly (i hope) getting things crossed of my to do list!

Tom

New Blog

Hi All out there in Cyberspace.


I just set up a blog with blogger.com I have no idea what got me started on this journey, but who knows, it might quite possibly take me to a place that I have never been. In a way, I'm looking to beef up my ever declining writing skills. When you read your own chicken scratch, and realize that it is filled up with a ridiculous, flowery adjectives, you just know that it is time to improve your writing. I also have a knack for capitalizing words that I'd like to give extra special emphasis to. The thought of doing this rattles my bones, since I know what the hell I'm doing and how to properly write....sometimes the signal from the brain to the fingers gets a little scrambled!

So here goes.

What should I ponder? Discuss? What an amazing opportunity. The blogosphere or whatever it is is called by the masses. Here goes.......It is somewhat frightening...Should it be?

My buddy Naveen has a blog. That just came on like a lightbulb in my head. He publishes pretty deep stuff. Much more intense than his nerdy Indian facade would indicate.

I think that I will write on Politics. Why? Because no one seems to give a rat's ass about what is happening right here in this great 'ole state of Ohio.

About me? I have a fantastic girlfriend that keeps me very busy.....we do great things together. Relaxing is not typically one of those things....alas, I diverge from politics!

I'm going to try to write about my travels as well......should be fun.......that will keep me busy!

Tom