The aftermath

Wow, its been 10 days since my last post? I guess nothing really has really happened, or has been "thought provoking" recently. I guess this will be a pretty random blog.

It has been a month, and I guess all the "studying" I force myself to do has made this month go by faster, and I gues somewhat easier. Still struggling at times, and just really sadden by how some things have changed. Still praying and hoping it would go back to the way it was, but I have a feeling that it won't, but who knows. Just still praying and seeking for His comfort and directions, and more importantly learning to trust in His timing more than my own.

Last exam on Wednesday, been trying to focus, but with the nice weather outside, its hard!

Leaving in a little less than 5 days, which means I will miss the Lumas orientation...hopefully I can still fit in when I return =D. Looking forward to this softball season. Congrats to Mr. Head Coach (Darren) for getting baptized today.

Random sports thoughts:
Jays are off to a decent start, nice to see the offence really coming along. The pitching staff has been struggling, but hope that will come along slowly with Halladay and AJ in the rotation now. Chris Shelton is absolutely destroying every ball he sees right now, Wells is getting off to a good start for once, and Johan Santana is off to his typical not-so-impressive April starts.
Interesting run the Leafs had to try to make the playoffs. Wonder where this type of play was between January and early-March when we only won a whopping 3 games in regulation. Interesting how the team really came together when the guys acquired in the off-season are out of the lineup (Lindros, Khavanov, Allison, Czer got picked up by Boston). Looks like Pat Quinn will be given his papers in the off-season, even though I think Richard Peddie and John Ferguson Jr. should be the ones going. Lets hope the Leafs can do something decent in the off-season and rebuild the team. We got some decent building blocks but won't be a contender for at least a few more seasons.
How about the Raptors, losing 10 straight after CB4 went out with an injury, and then defeating the Pistons (granted, Pistons were playing with their reserves majority of the game). I think Sam Mitchell will be around for next year, and the team's performance next season will dictate whether he stays or goes beyond next season. Hopefully next year will be a better year with the rookies having gained experience this season. With a thin draft this year, doesn't look like we will be getting any immediately help with our draft picks. With the addition of GM and President Bryan Colangelo, hopefully we will gain some creditibility back, and maybe get a couple of free-agents this off-season to play with CB4, and maybe even resign Mike James.

More to come later when I decide to procrastinate again.

Planned

So its all planned out...Comerica Park, Wrigley Field, US Celluar Field. 3 stadiums, 3 games, in 4 days. Now we'll see if this thing call a job will get in the way...oh yeah...and this other thing known as money.

Its surprising the amount of things that can be accomplished while I'm procrastinating. =D

National League

Unlike the AL West and Central, this will be a very short preview and prediction of the National League. Not that they are inferior, but I'm just getting too lazy to do a team by team analysis.

NL East:
Losing pitching coach Leo Mazzone to the Orioles this offseason, it will be interesting to see how the Braves pitching staff perform. It is no fluke that Atlanta has won 14 division titles in a row, and they are still the team to beat. NY Mets have closed the gap with signing of Billy Wagner and the acqusition of Carlos Delgado, but their starting rotation will keep them from overtaking Atlanta. After their fire-sale, it won't be surprising to see the Marlins at the bottom of the standings after 162 games.

Atlanta
NY Mets
Washington
Philadelphia
Florida

NL Central:
St. Louis is still the team to beat in the Central, but it will be alot closer by September, expect the Cubs, Brewers, and Astros to be within striking distance of the Cards. The health of Mark Prior, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano will be key to the Cubs success. The Brewers have a very bright future, with the right side of the infield anchored by Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder. Ben Sheets must remain healthy, Chris Capuano and Doug Davis must put up similiar numbers for them to compete. Look for the Brewers to be contending in a year or two. With Roger Clemens' future still up in the air, Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte will have to repeat last year's success. With majority of last year's conference winning team returning, Astros will again be one of the teams that will likely be a buyer at the trade deadline.

St. Louis
Houston
Milwaukee
Chicago C
Pittsburgh
Cinncinnati

NL West:
The worse league in the whole MLB again, a team with a .500 record will probably take down the division title. A healthy Barry Bonds and Jason Schmidt should carry the Giants to the top of the standings, but San Diego and their ace Jake Peavy will also look to repeat as the division champions. The return of Eric Gagne, as well as the addition of players such as Rafael Furcal will give the Dodgers a chance at title in this weak division.

San Diego
San Francisco
LA Dodgers
Arizona
Colorado