Striking Out All Day Long
First it was the weather. I know, I know. I live in California, so I can hardly complain when I don’t have to deal with freezing temps and snow and all the stuff that’s going on in the rest of the country. But pouring, soaking, drenching rain is not good for a girl’s hair if she’s got places to go and people to see.
Then it was the screening of “Nine.” I was late getting there and was stuck sitting near the back of the theater.
The movie itself was entertaining. With a cast of Daniel Day-Lewis, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Judi Densch, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Marion Cotillard and Fergie, how bad could it be? Everybody does a good job, and the scenery in Italy is beautiful. (Plus Daniel D-L drives a cool Alfa Romeo.) “Our” Kate is impressive in her small part, and I felt very proprietary of her when she showed up onscreen. I even whispered to my husband, “Look! It’s sort of like watching A-Rod!” Speaking of my husband, he said after the movie, “I liked it except for the singing and dancing.” LOL. Here’s the trailer.
After the screening, there was a reception at a private home for director Rob Marshall and a “special guest.” As I posted yesterday, I was hoping the guest would be K-Hud. Well, there WAS no guest. I still don’t know who it was supposed to be, but the person canceled. Maybe it was Kate and she, too, was having a bad hair day?
OK, I figured. No She-Fan Cam interview. At least there will be some excellent hors d’oeuvres at the reception. Wrong! I do not consider these “excellent hors d’oeuvres!”
It wasn’t until I was about to leave that I spotted a waitress with a tray of shrimp. Bad timing on my part. When I got home I went to the mail box in the torrential rain and found a summons for this.
I’m as eager to serve my community as the next person, but I’m so not interested in having to appear for jury duty on January 6th – the day after my root canal. (I’m not kidding.)
After I dried off, I went to the computer and checked for Yankees news. While I’m not surprised that the Yanks didn’t try to hang onto Wang (as of this writing), I’m sad about it. He had those two great seasons and I was hopeful he’d bounce back in 2010. Maybe he will with another team. Bye, C-W, and thanks for the memories.
And finally I didn’t win the Yankee Blogger of the Decade poll over at “It Is High.” (Last I looked it was a very close race between LoHud and River Ave Blues.) I didn’t expect to beat out the big boys, but it would have been fun. Thanks to everybody who took the time to vote for “Confessions.” You guys are the best. I’ll be a gracious loser and say I’ll be very happy if I take home the bronze.
Congrats to the winner – and to “It Is High” for getting all that traffic on their site!
Confessions of a She-Fan 
If losing Wang is the only thing that goes wrong for you guys, you’ll be just fine. I imagine you are enjoying watching Theo screw us into the ground, let alone how well we Red Sox fans are reacting to Theo’s screwing us into the ground.
Jury duty? Been there, done that–three days after my birthday, right after Opening Day, and a week before Tax Day. Exciting. Enjoy.
I didn’t know Theo was screwing Sox fans into the ground, greg. Are you talking about Lowell? Did I miss something today? Or maybe you mean that he hasn’t been able to sign Bay? I guess I’m glad I’ll get jury duty out of the way before baseball starts.
Haven’t read Julia’s latest entry, I guess! She pretty much summed up the way we are thinking this off-season (and our comments in response). Two words sum it up, though: Boof Bonser. (Just sounds wrong, esp. for a pitcher). Oh, well. Enjoy the off-season…;) Take care, Jane.
I got jury duty in January also. Not looking forward to it even without a root canel!
Just booked spring training March 3-10. Odd schedule this year. 4 split squad dates and 2 off dates. Already made arrangements for tickets to all games. Got best air fare ever. Hotel is next. If you are going and need ticket help let me know.
Oh dear Jane, sorry for your bad day! No special guest and bad hors d’oeuvres? Now that is a stinky party!
I’ve been able to postpone jury duty for a medical reason. Don’t know if they do that in Cali.
I’m bummed about Wang, but there may be more to the story. They may not have wanted to pay him $5 million next year. Here’s a quote: “There’s no doubt that we had to make a tough decision,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We are still hopeful that our relationship can continue.” It would be nice for Wang to come back and pitch well.
On another note, you all (if I was from the south, I’d say “y’all.” If I was from Jersey, I’d say “youse.”) might be interested in an article in the Times about the Working Women in Baseball conference.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/sports/baseball/13women.html?ref=sports
Hey Jane, at least you’re not here where the temperature this morning was 12 degrees! And it’s supposed to start with a wintry mix later, then change to rain, which will make the 4 inches of snow on the ground into a lovely mess!
Melissa
Heyia, Jane —
As you know, I rarely post on weekends, ’cause i’m too swamped with fambly and this PC is awful. But I wanted to extend sympathies for yesterday…bummertime. Of course, this morning I got to walk our 13 1/2-year old 85-lb. mutt in the steady 40-degree rain after she pooped in the house, and of course after 20 minutes outside in the mud & slop…no poop. Just two wet freezing critters (well, me anyway).
Now, as for CMW, remember what CSN sang: “It’s a Wang time coming, it’s gonna be a Wang time gone…” Whatever am I gonna do without my favorite Pun Guy? Sigh.
And root canals. I’ve been thru most every dental pain known to humankind, including 2-3 of them, and they ARE awful. Take out your frustrations in the courtroom…GUILTY! Of what? Who cares? Miz’ry luvs company, and we’re a Wang Wang way away from spring training…so keep yer chin up and hang in there, kid…!!
Oh, I HAVE to see you on jury duty. Bring the cam please.
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
http://princeofny.blogspot.com/
So Boof sums it up, greg? It’s pretty early in the off-season to be upset. Still plenty of good players out there. I’m not worried about the Red Sox. They’re always in the thick of it.
You have jury duty in January too, John? That’s pretty funny. We can compare notes, although I’m hoping I won’t be called and have to actually GO. Your spring training trip is the week before mine, so I won’t see you in Tampa this year. I may need tix though. Will be in touch.
Cashman did leave open the possibility of Wang returning, Melissa. But I guess if another team wants to pay C-W, he’s gone. I don’t expect to see him in pinstripes again, I really don’t. I read that Times article this morning and wished I’d been at some of those meetings. Maybe I should apply for a job with a minor league team and get to hang out with those women. They sound terrific. So sorry about the cold temps where you are. Brrrrr.
I’ve had a couple of root canals before, Dave, and – I can’t believe I’m saying this – they weren’t that bad. They were long and uncomfortable but not torture. (I hope I didn’t just jinx the one I’m having on 1/5.) Good idea taking out my frustrations in the courtroom. GUILTY, I’ll say. “LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE!
I wonder if I’d be allowed to bring the Cam, Paul. They probably search you for cameras and take your cellphones. But there has to be a way. (As you can see, I’ve never had jury duty before, which is odd right there.)
“Rivera bounces into first, but Lohud isn’t far… and don’t count out She-Fan.
Right now, she is the only hottie on the entire West Coast who hasn’t yet announced an affair with Tiger Woods. Stay tuned…”
–from it is high .. coming in 3rd against those two heavyweight blogs is quite an accomplishment. congrats!
I had no idea K-Hud had such a lovely singing voice. I’m really looking forward to this movie.
Just got back from Christmas shopping. Its like 50 degrees and raining here too. It was so cold the last couple of days I’m glad it got warm for the precipitation. I bought my husband a few cool Yankees things. BTW, if anyone lives near a Sports Authority, they are selling Yankees W.S. stuff for a fraction of the original cost. A long, sleeve termal shirt cost less than $6.00 — most of the stuff was 50% off. Go Shopping Yankees Fans!!!
I’m sure Wang will land on is feet but I’m not feeling any great loss at his departure. BTW, today’s paper indicates Matsui is not really looking to go anywhere and they think he’ll re-sign with the Bronx Bombers, even if its not until 2010. That does not sound good for Damon. We shall see.
I saw that, Mike, and had a good laugh. Maybe if I’d announced that I’d had an affair with Tiger and hired Gloria Allred as my lawyer, I would have won the blogger award. But third place against those heavyweights was plenty good for me.
It’s 50 degrees in NY, Diane? And I’ve been feeling sorry for everybody there. No sympathy now; it’s in the 30s/40s here! I don’t have a Sports Authority near me, but maybe others do. Good shopping tip. I’d be happy to have Matsui back if the Yanks can work something out with him.
Hi, Jane. I’ve always been of the opinion that the Yankees mis-handled Wang after he got hurt in Houston last year. I wouldn’t blame him if he turns down the incentive-laden contract the Yankees are expected to offer him as a free agent.
Bernadette
I share your opinion, Bern. If his foot didn’t heal properly, it could have thrown off his mechanics and caused the supposed “hip problem” for which he went on the DL. I wouldn’t blame him for going elsewhere if he got appealing offers, but I think he has something to prove to the Yankees and might want to stay.
Jane: Sorry about your not-so-good day. I too feel bad about Wang. I think the Yankees are being kind of rotten to him. But it doesn’t guarantee that he is gone, right? There is still a chance that he may return. I hope so. But I heard something today that made me smile: the Yankees offered Chad Gaudin, my man Melky Cabrera, and my sexy man Sergio Mitre contracts!!! This is good. Hopefully, I don’t have to worry about these guys now.
-Virginia
http://southernbelle.mlblogs.com
http://fanhuddle.com/newyorkyankees
No, it doesn’t guarantee that Wang is gone, Virginia. I guess it depends on the offers he gets from other clubs. Some might view him as a low risk/high reward kind of pitcher. And congrats to you about your faves: Chad, Melky and especially Sergio!
Root canals and jury duty is the Baseball Gods’ way of saying, “Hope you enjoyed that Yankees championship” ;-). You know I was gonna go there, right? LOL. Sorry. Please don’t hate me. Sometimes I cannot resist a Yankee dig.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Sometimes you can’t resist a Yankee dig, Jeff? I don’t think you’ve ever resisted one! But you have a point. I’ll sit back during my root canal and think about the World Series. Good idea.
I’m not a great fan of the way the Yankees have treated Wang. Sorry, but I still find it unbelievable that the Yankees will not at least make on offer to him while hanging onto turds like Sergio Mitre.
–Ryan
Hi Jane and she-fans,
I have a question. Do you know where I can find a Yankees WS Flag that’s cheap? My cousin is in Iraq and all he wants for christmas is a Yankees Flag to fly because there are Boston flags flying everywhere he says. I’m a Americorps VISTA so the cheap part would help! He told me this today, nothing like a little warning! Any website or store suggestions would be great. Thanks!
-Robin
I’m not a fan of it either, Ryan. I’d like to see them offer him something – a low-risk one-year deal with incentives. If he doesn’t work out, fine. But at least they tried.
Robin, I’m not very knowledgeable about merchandise but hopefully somebody else will be. Diane mentioned that Sports Authority had great sales on Yankees merchandise but that’s clothing, I assume. And I’m sure you’ve already checked on Yankees.com. Will keep thinking.
Robin-
It’s not a whole lot less than the mlb store, but footballfanatics.com has a few ranging from 22.95 to 39.95. They have 4.99 3-day shipping also. I have ordered from them before and have been happy. Good Luck!
~dj
Strange that the vanity which accompanies beauty — excusable, perhaps, when there is such great beauty, or at any rate understandable — should persist after the beauty was gone. Do you think so? Jordan