Movie Clip Monday!

In honor of opening day, here's a scene from A League of Their Own, one of my favorite movies about baseball. And I love Lori Petty.

But really, what always always sticks with me is this great line. I'm pretty sure I've used it hundreds of times. "There's no crying in baseball!" Once again, Tom Hanks is brilliant.

Justification--I could have been a lawyer with all the loopholes I find, even in my own logic!

This weekend I went to a few bars in downtown Santa Cruz. I remember recently reading that smoking has been banned on the main street, coincidentally right where I was puffing away. The next day I went to the beach. The same legislation that banned my activity outside the bars has now restricted smoking on public beaches. Is the Universe trying to tell me something?

In my quest to find balance in the past few years, I have become something of a walking contradiction. I am, after all, a vegetarian who enjoys a good steak. Even though I'm a beer snob, you'll still find Hamm's in my refrigerator. Y'know, to keep me on even footing. Er..or something like that.

I have kinda used the idea of balance to justify the pack of cigarettes in my purse. I work out. I eat well. I just happen to be addicted to cigarettes.

Then I thought if I could just change the addiction to an enjoyment, then I would achieve this elusive balance as a smoker/non-smoker. But alas, it just wasn't in the cards. This was an all-or-nothing undertaking for me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that even in the effort to achieve balance, not everything can be so middle-ground. There has to be some things that we need to be extreme about. And it's different for everyone.

There are things we love and are good for us. Things that are OK to permeate our lives with. To be extreme with, like biking, reading or watching baseball (OK that might just be me!).

But there are other things that we must eradicate from our lives, that we can not allow anywhere near us, because we aren't able to control them. Those things could be physical, like addictions to alcohol or other substances. Or maybe they're mental, like a bad relationship that can not be mended.

I guess the idea is to recognize what we can balance and what we can not. And try to balance our extreme behaviors. Like I'll avoid smoking like the plague, but I will watch almost every playoff game in October. That's balance, right?!?

Baseball will save my soul.

Today is the Autumn Equinox. There are equal amounts of sunlight and darkness all around the planet today. That sort of balance encourages me to seek out more beauty, life and love. So...

...I am going to two Twins games this week! It is about time! I have been to 16 games this year but I think these will be the best ones of the season. Like many Americans, I am going to forget all the problems in this world with beer and baseball. I am hoping to avoid the words economy, gas prices, and any mention of the current mortgage "crisis."

Let's go Twinkies...October here we come!!

Last night was a good night for outdoor baseball

Before last night I had been to nine Twins games this year. All of them we won. My blissful winning streak came to a halt last night thanks to the Tigers. It was a good game but we ended up losing 5-4.

I'm not so upset about my undefeated status -- all good things must come to an end. I have to admit I'm a bit of a Tigers fan so I'm happy to have it happen with them. Ah the silver lining. Every cloud has one.