Day 2,311, Quasi-Quarantine: Watching A Predictable Mets Loss While Going Back To Cali

Earlier this year, we spent our spring break visiting California. As part of our journeys, we ended up at Oracle Park to watch our Mets lose 7-2. We saw the only contest of the four-game series that New York lost, which is sort of par for the course for our fandom.

Checking another ballpark off the list was tremendous, as in recent years I've seen the Mets play the Red Sox at Fenway and the Giants and Rockies square off at Coors Field, in addition to catching a game at Citi Field. Oracle Park was beautiful and well situated, though the late-game arrival of the seagulls was straight-up Hitchcockian.

Seeing David Peterson get shelled and the Mets mostly flounder around the stadium was strong foreshadowing for a disastrous season. A few months later, Peterson would be relegated to the bullpen and then traded, while New York would be posting one of the worst records in the majors.

On the more notable side, I did have a $50 crab standwich -- the "Crazy Crab'z" -- and my son did eat a baseball helmets full of nachos.

Those were certainly the highlights of our entire Mets experience for 2026.

Day 2,205, Quasi-Quarantine: Retaining That Cali State Of Mind

 We experienced snow, wind, rain, sun, and even an earthquake. Sign us up for the full California experience, please.

The first part of spring break was spent in almost-impossibly beautiful Yosemite Park, where we explored Bridalveil Fall, Happy isles, Lower Yosemite Fall, Mirror Lake, and a number of other areas.

To paraphrase Kramer, up here, I'm still there.

Limerick Friday #649: Saying Goodbye To A Life Fully Lived -- Day 2,146

What a life he had

When you can look past the sad

Didn't always see eye to eye

But I'm gonna miss that guy

Semper Paratus, Dad

Lotta changes for Dolphin Nation

A mix of doubt and elation

But they finally seem to have a plan

That doesn't involve resurrecting Dan

Just hoping for a playoff win this generation

A welcome distraction

From the fascism faction

"Stranger Things" arrived on the scene

Made me remember being a teen

Before the dread of the world gained traction

A bumpy start for Will Wade

The haters thought they had it made

Then the Wolfpack got a taste

And the Red Road Warriors laid waste

Now into their holes all the clowns fade

Everyone looking to lay blames

And favor certain suck-up names

Frauds and butt sniffers

I guess my way differs

I do the shit and skip the games

Last time ...

Limerick Friday #643: Teleport Us Out Of This Newscycle -- Day 2,043

Deep in fascism's throes

In the lowest of all the lows

But even for the world's worst grouse

Literally destroying the White House

Feels just way too on the nose

His ineptitude you have to applaud

As he drags down an entire squad

The broad side of a barn he couldn't hit

Just another MAGA piece of shit

Tua, the noodle-armed fraud

This is the bed we've made

Under Doeren for more than a decade

NC State Shit shall not pass

It's here to stay, alas

But at least we now have Will Wade

Four or five days a week

Youth soccer is not for the meek

But the smell of grass at dawn

I'll miss when it's gone

So excuse me if my eyes leak

Will we ever get to fall

It's still too warm, y'all

When will it be hoodie season

Will we ever have a reason

To wear cold-weather clothes at all?

Last time ...

Limerick Friday #642: A Hoosier Of A Whirlwind Time -- Day 2,036

Predictably, the Pack laid an egg

May be time to sweep Doeren's leg

The Colts salvaged the trip

Around Indiana did we rip

Now I need a couch and a keg

Above average, more or less

Though the luck's been a mess

Unlikely opponent games

From fucking no-names

That's fantasy football, I guess

What would make UNC more of a snake?

If they were on the Saudi take!

Who are they trying to fool?

A joke of a fucking school

And will always be a fraud and a fake

A key win to go to 4-2

A romp was good to see, true

Made some shrewd moves

Got the team in good grooves

Now the Scooters gotta see it through

Of regrets, I'd be remiss

And long would be that list

An ache bittersweet as persimmon

For all kinds of redheaded women

That I ain't supposed to kiss

Last time ...

Limerick Friday #637: Farewell To A True Blood -- Day 1,974

Had to swallow a tough pill

Struggling to understand it still

You looked out for the new kid

Saved my whole year, you did

Rest in peace, my friend Phil

Living in baseball hell

Turning every W into an L

Every move backfires

Turning contenders into liars

Will any Mets rise for that final bell?

Look for beauty in small things

And any happy tidings

They're there if you look

Sometimes in a book

And remember there are no kings

Getting punked day after day

Need any hope, just a ray

The coach is a lame duck

The GM is clueless as fuck

The 'Fins just can't find their way

It's that time of year

When the salt air feels near

Saying goodbye to summer

Is always a bummer

But the beach helps me hold back each tear

Last time ...

Day 1,932, Quasi-Quarantine: Still Processing Everything That Alaska And The Yukon Had To Share And Reveal

 

The seals near Dawes Glacier were so serene and peaceful. We almost felt bad for interrupting their nap.

Glacier calving is a moving (and depressing) thing to witness.

The dog-sledding portion of the trip in Juneau was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The resonant blue of some of the icebergs were truly breath-taking, especially against the backdrop of the persistent gray-white of Alaska's inner passage.

A bear? Yes, a fucking bear. Just getting his dandelion on.

So many more pictures and memories to process. 

What a trip.

Day 1,896, Quasi-Quarantine: The Mets Finally Showed Some Life In Beantown At Fenway

While in Boston for work recently, I got an opportunity to finally visit venerable Fenway Park -- the oldest baseball stadium in America -- to see the Sox play my beloved Mets. 

Opening in 1912, the park features the Green Monster and other old-school accoutrements. The weather was listed at 52 degrees and overcast, with a three-mile-per-hour wind coming in from right field (where we were sitting), but it felt chillier than that.

Ascendant infielder Brett Baty carried the day, delivering an RBI single in the second inning (catcher Luis Torrens was pegged at the plate on the play) and a bases-loaded rocket into the left-field corner that plated two and put the Mets up 3-1.

Juan Soto was a target of lusty boos, as Boston fans thought they had a chance to land the $765 million man this offseason before he landed with the Mets. Soto has been barely short of terrible this season, and he continued his performance with a three-pitch strikeout -- all looking -- in the first, another strikeout looking in the third, and a strikeout swinging in the sixth. He redeemed himself slightly by narrowly missing a grand slam in the seventh, driving a ball to deep center that was caught at the wall and resulted in a much-needed sacrifice fly.

After we left in the eighth inning, Francisco Lindor delivered New York's first home run in seven games, depositing a ball over the light stanchion in left field to push the Mets ahead, 5-1. Reid Garrett and Edwin Diaz cleaned up the last couple of innings, combining to give up a hit and a walk while striking out a pair to close out the contest.

On the mound, Tylor Megill struck out 10 in four and two-thirds innings, giving up four hits and a run while walking a batter. Brazoban was nails for two and a third innings, striking out four and giving up a lone hit to earn the win. His highlight was coming in to get a bases-loaded strikeout of Alex Bregman in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The park and the surrounding neighborhood were quaint and amazing, making for a tremendous way to end a quick work trip.

LFGM.

Limerick Friday #633: Escapism To The Rescue In Florida, Of All Places -- Day 1,856

Through all the parks we swirled

On so many rides we twirled

Plus beers and dishes

Against my fervent wishes

Left part of my heart at Disney World

The local no-talent hacks

With an absence of facts

Ignoring UNC drama

With Belicheat's sugar mama

Paying off that fanboy tax

As the works did plummet

They found more ways to gum it

Morale was bad enough

'Til they caved on DEI stuff

But hey, at least there's Summit

With a fragile MAGA QB

And a checked-out Ramsey

Plus a psycho receiver

I can't find a believer

In what the 'Fins are trying to be

His at bats like a yo-yo

What to make of Juan Soto

He's even lost his swag

And yes, it's early, but dag

Not sure that contract is for so-so

Last time ...

Day 1,855, Quasi-Quarantine: Up Here, I'm Still On Space Mountain

 

It's been almost two weeks since we returned from another stellar trip to Disney World, notwithstanding a 10-hour drive back punctuated by projectile vomiting on a gas-station median in Nowheresville, North Carolina.

The moments when the kids agree to be seen with me are shrinking by the day, so knowing that we'll always have Space Mountain -- and especially Space Mountain while wearing a "Yoda Best Dad" T-shirt -- gives me exactly the feeling below.

Day 1,730, Quasi-Quarantine: Engrossing, Frantic "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" Hit That OBX Vibe

 

“One last nice thing to send you on before it all goes black.”

Surprisingly engrossing, Holly Jackson's "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder," it turns out, is the ultimate beach read. Kicking off a trilogy that gets progressively darker, this novel features offbeat English teenagers coping with peer pressure, drug use, sexuality -- and mortality.

Featuring great pacing but perhaps a few too many characters to keep straight -- I could have used one of Pippa's "murder boards" myself -- this book drags you along from shock to shock in a way that can and should translate well to TV.

Day 1,632, Quasi-Quarantine: Alighting From The Crow's Nest For Long Enough To Puzzle

 

Maintaining a long-standing beach-trip tradition, we tackled a couple of more puzzles on our latest visit to the OBX.

The newcomer was this tremendous 1,000-piece puzzle from Cavallini Papers & Co. that featured vintage images of national parks. 

The 20 x 28 puzzle came in a handy 10-inch tube with a bag inside for the pieces, making cleanup and storage easy.

The end result was a beautiful collection that served the purpose of making me want to visit more national parks.

9/10, would cobble together in Kill Devil Hills again.

Day 1,616, Quasi-Quarantine: Still Stuck Up On That Crow's Nest

 

Up here, I'm still up there.

'Til next time ...

Limerick Friday #625: The OBX, Ever On The Horizon -- Day 1,606

No matter how long it took

Can't wait for that ocean overlook

The view is the best

From atop the crow's nest

With a cooler and a book

Frauds abound

Ineptitude astounds

Voluntary attrition

The desired condition

But man these fuckers just stick around

Football races near

As camp hits its gear

Hope mixed with dread

At the season ahead

But still just glad it's here

Barnacles cling

Try to horn in on a thing

Don't contribute shit

But want the credit

Easy to see this approach's king

Salt in the air

Wind in your hair

The waves roar

The beach does restore

As you let go of every care

Last time ...

Day 1,604, Quasi-Quarantine: Quaint New Bern Was Almost Impossibly Endearing

 
A recent trip to a film festival led me to discover New Bern, North Carolina, way later than I should have.

Cobblestone streets, early-20th-century architecture, backyard bluegrass wafting on a twilight breeze ...

And bears.

Many painted bears.

The second-oldest town in North Carolina (!), New Bern was founded by settlers from Bern, Switzerland. Apparently, Bern is "the old Germanic word" for bear, so -- naturally -- the animal become the symbol of New Bern.

Alas, my stay was short, but I couldn't resist one last picture of the Neuse River (the longest river in North Carolina and the widest river in America at its mouth!) before a very-early-morning departure.

I'll definitely be back to do some further exploring ...

Day 1,602, Quasi-Quarantine: Multitasking At The Marriott

 

A recent travel opportunity landed me in New Bern, where I somehow found myself doing all of the following:

• Creating a social media presence for a local film festival
• Preparing remarks as a member of a board of directors
• Providing notes on a screenplay
• Starting a new book
• Enjoying an oat soda

Two of those things aren't exactly out of the ordinary for me, but all five at once along the banks of the Neuse River represented a bit of a departure.

I've had worse days "off."

Stay on that grind, Scooter!

Day 1,540, Quasi-Quarantine: Bleeding, Weeping, Writing, And Drinking

 

"Writing is easy. You simply sit down at the typewriter, open your veins, and bleed." 

~Red Smith

While in Dublin last summer, we noticed this offering behind the hotel bar and had to seek it out for sale in the city.

The last couple of weeks of work have brought the message home while making me want to reach for it several times during the course of a workday. I do try to remind myself that I actively chose this life.

Slainte, friends.

Limerick Friday #619: What Does Leadership Mean? And Other Existential Questions -- Day 1,522

Value should be the goal

And not a black hole

How do you hire for that?

And not stand pat

In filling a haunted role

They walk everyone

And allow steals -- a ton

But hits are rare

And runs? Not on a dare

Just hoping the Mets aren't done

Time goes on

The thrill is gone

Years loom

Hope there's room

To come to terms with a con

Denver was cool

Now I feel like a fool

Things have crumbled since

You can't convince

Me things won't continue to unspool

Work is crushin'

My foot ain't hushin'

Soreness astounds

Idiocy abounds

Just give me a goddam White Russian

Last time ...

Day 1,519, Quasi-Quarantine: Take Me Out To The Rockies

 

On a recent visit to Denver, Colorado, I was thrilled to find out that my hotel was just a few blocks from Coors Field. Having never been to the area, I had to swing by early one morning to take a few pics.

Later that day, a few colleagues let me know that they were planning on attending the Rockies-Giants game that night. For $16, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to check out another MLB stadium.

After a rather bizarre and convoluted ticket-purchasing process, we found our way to the upper deck, where we were afforded a beautiful view of the field, with the Rockies in the distance.

Colorado (8-26 at game time) and San Francisco (15-21) are last and next to last in the National League West standings, so the baseball itself was ... challenging. Featuring former Metsies Michael Conforto and Wilmer Flores, the Giants won easily, 5-0.

After a horrid hot dog and a large Coors (what else would they serve?), we somehow made it through seven innings. At that point, the temperature was 42 degrees and the wind was kicking in big, so we elected to call it an evening.

A beautiful park in a beautiful setting in a friendly city. I hope they eventually get the team they deserve.

Limerick Friday #618: Blue Bears, Fake Fedoras, & Demos In The Desert -- Day 1,515

The air was thin

The vibe was chillin'

The Rockies loomed

The scooters zoomed

I would hit Denver again

Posturing on display

These are the games they play

Importance feigned

Teamwork deigned

What more's there to say?

The Mets laid another turd

Bordering on the absurd

At .500 they sit

And even though they won't quit

Mediocre's definitely the word

Favoritism abounded

Alarms were sounded

To be expected, sadly

Departure came gladly

Concerns were well-founded

So much hidden

You gotta be shittin'

Politics at every turn

When will we learn

This is what leads to quittin'

Last time ...