Well, it won't be that big of an update. Will post some pictures of my trip to HK shortly, and thats pretty much it!
It's time to unpack and organize everything (including stuff I brought back from rez), and go job hunting (anyone got connections? =D).
Had my first practice with Lumas the past weekend. The weather wasn't the best, but it was awesome to be reunited with the team, and also meeting all the new players. This is going to be a fun season. With softball practices and soccer games, my constant soreness will again be back, and of course, radiating heat (harhar).
In the mean time, how awesome is it to have a Blue Jays game 2 game 7s, a NHL playoff game, a Memorial Cup game, 24 season finale and Alias series finale in one night? Awesome enough to keep me at home!
TTOW!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
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.
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.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
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
Its surprising the amount of things that can be accomplished while I'm procrastinating. =D
Monday, April 03, 2006
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
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
Thursday, March 30, 2006
AL Central
The defending World Series champions, the Chicago White Sox, will again be the team to be beat in this division. The White Sox would've had the division locked up by September if not for their late season collapse which almost cost them a playoff spot. As it turns out, Cleveland could not capitalize on the White Sox's collapse and fell just short. This year will again see the White Sox and the Indians battle out for the top standing.
Already a championship team from the year before, the White Sox's GM Ken Williams had one of the busiest off season, with adding various players to the team to make a run at repeating as the champ. With a 40 HR hitter already in the line up in Paul Konerko, the White Sox added a former 40HR hitter in Jim Thome. While Thome is going to spend majority of the season as the DH, the pair of Konerko and Thome is possibly just behind Manny and Big Papi in the most dangerous 3-4 hitter in baseball. The pitching was also improved in the offseason with the signing of Javier Vasquez. A already stellar starting rotation got better with the addition of Vazquez. With a starting rotation of Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, and Javier Vazquez, any of these 5 pitchers are all capable of reaching 15 wins while throwing 200 innings. This rotation can potentially be the deepest one in the majors this season. Their pitching staff will be able to hold off opponents while the offense look to score a run or two in close games. The biggest question mark will come from the centre-field position, as there is a big uncertainty for the replacement for the departed Aaron Rowand. Look for the White Sox to make a solid run at repeating as champs this season.
The Cleveland Indians had a shot at overtaking the Whote Sox for the division title last season. But they were unable to capitalize on the White Sox struggle in the stretch run, as they hit a road block themselves towards the end of the season. Anchor by the best catcher in the league, the Indians hope to make a run at the White Sox this season. With a core group of young players, Cleveland will be in the playoff mix for many years to come. However, while their young players develop, they will still be unable to take the extra leep to take over the division from the defending champs.
Despite having the best pitcher in the league, the Minnesota Twins should once again finish behind the White Sox and Indians at the end of the season. A small budget team, the Twins haven't had the chance to bring in key free agents to play the supporting role behind Johan Santana. Joe Nathan will again be one of the most underrated closer in the league, while Johan Santana will make another strong bid to win his 2nd CY award. A healthy outfield, as well as a healthy Justin Moreanu, will be key to Minnesota's success this year.
Despite the off-season moves, Kanasa City will be locked in a fight for last place with Detroit this whole season. While signings such as R. Sanders, M. Grudzielanek, and M. Redman will hopefully help improve the team this season, they have not improved enough to threaten Minnesota for third place in the league. Once highly regarded pitcher Zack Grienke has completely fallen off the map.
Look in a fight for last place in the division will be the Detroit Tigers. A team which threatened to break the record for most losses in a season just a couple of years ago, should not be nearly as bad again. With several bright stars in the near future, it seems Detroit should only get better as time pass. J. Bonderman has emerged as the ace of the Tigers club, and should be the ace for many years. A healthy M. Ordonez and I. Rodriguez will be critical for Tigers to have a positive season. The signing of troubled K. Rogers should help the club if he doesn't have any on or off field incidents. He likely will not repeat his successful season from 05, but he will be a contribution in the development of Bonderman, and should be a solid #2 pitcher for this Tigers ballclub.
So while I am writing this before/during my lectures, AL Central looks to be the one of two division in which there might be a clear winner at the beginning of the season. Look for the White Sox to represent the Central in their attempt to repeat as the World Series champ.
Prediction
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Minnesota Twins
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Already a championship team from the year before, the White Sox's GM Ken Williams had one of the busiest off season, with adding various players to the team to make a run at repeating as the champ. With a 40 HR hitter already in the line up in Paul Konerko, the White Sox added a former 40HR hitter in Jim Thome. While Thome is going to spend majority of the season as the DH, the pair of Konerko and Thome is possibly just behind Manny and Big Papi in the most dangerous 3-4 hitter in baseball. The pitching was also improved in the offseason with the signing of Javier Vasquez. A already stellar starting rotation got better with the addition of Vazquez. With a starting rotation of Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, and Javier Vazquez, any of these 5 pitchers are all capable of reaching 15 wins while throwing 200 innings. This rotation can potentially be the deepest one in the majors this season. Their pitching staff will be able to hold off opponents while the offense look to score a run or two in close games. The biggest question mark will come from the centre-field position, as there is a big uncertainty for the replacement for the departed Aaron Rowand. Look for the White Sox to make a solid run at repeating as champs this season.
The Cleveland Indians had a shot at overtaking the Whote Sox for the division title last season. But they were unable to capitalize on the White Sox struggle in the stretch run, as they hit a road block themselves towards the end of the season. Anchor by the best catcher in the league, the Indians hope to make a run at the White Sox this season. With a core group of young players, Cleveland will be in the playoff mix for many years to come. However, while their young players develop, they will still be unable to take the extra leep to take over the division from the defending champs.
Despite having the best pitcher in the league, the Minnesota Twins should once again finish behind the White Sox and Indians at the end of the season. A small budget team, the Twins haven't had the chance to bring in key free agents to play the supporting role behind Johan Santana. Joe Nathan will again be one of the most underrated closer in the league, while Johan Santana will make another strong bid to win his 2nd CY award. A healthy outfield, as well as a healthy Justin Moreanu, will be key to Minnesota's success this year.
Despite the off-season moves, Kanasa City will be locked in a fight for last place with Detroit this whole season. While signings such as R. Sanders, M. Grudzielanek, and M. Redman will hopefully help improve the team this season, they have not improved enough to threaten Minnesota for third place in the league. Once highly regarded pitcher Zack Grienke has completely fallen off the map.
Look in a fight for last place in the division will be the Detroit Tigers. A team which threatened to break the record for most losses in a season just a couple of years ago, should not be nearly as bad again. With several bright stars in the near future, it seems Detroit should only get better as time pass. J. Bonderman has emerged as the ace of the Tigers club, and should be the ace for many years. A healthy M. Ordonez and I. Rodriguez will be critical for Tigers to have a positive season. The signing of troubled K. Rogers should help the club if he doesn't have any on or off field incidents. He likely will not repeat his successful season from 05, but he will be a contribution in the development of Bonderman, and should be a solid #2 pitcher for this Tigers ballclub.
So while I am writing this before/during my lectures, AL Central looks to be the one of two division in which there might be a clear winner at the beginning of the season. Look for the White Sox to represent the Central in their attempt to repeat as the World Series champ.
Prediction
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Minnesota Twins
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
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