Leo

I like this.

Me too.

With all that money, you'd think he'd buy some shampoo too.

Hey Brad!

Yeah, Bud can go. 17M!?! WTF?

anyone have suggestions for roy candidates?

David Price still qualifies, doesn't he? If so, him or Wieters in the AL.

Hopefully Maybin in the NL. If his skills round in to form this year, he'll be a force.

Oh, I see! I misunderstood the nature of this "discussion." I was merely offering an answer to your question of how one form of cheating is different than PED. I wasn't aware that this was an "argument" to be won and lost; that this was somehow an extension of how "intelligent" we "seem."

I'm not too concerned with how intelligent I seem. I'm comfortable with my limitations.

What I meant to imply (which I apparently failed at accomplishing) was that the scuffing of a ball, along with other gametime cheats, is performed during the game, in isolated situations. It is a situational cheat, as opposed to a "universal" cheat, if you will. Obviously, Gaylord Perry made a career of throwing spitters, he didn't do it just once. He probably greased it a little more when facing Pete Rose than he would when throwing to, I don't know, Bud Harrelson. The point is, it was done in the context of a particular game, to get out of a particular inning, get through a particular at bat - one that will never be repeated again. At the risk of romanticizing too much, it was tactical. That is where the "charm" comes in, for me anyway.

There are no gametime tactics involved in PED. That is where the distinction lies. And that is why it seems to me that PED has nothing to do with an actual, particular game - a W or a L. It has to do with the user's career, his individual numbers. Obviously, Ws and Ls result from PED use, but that just doesn't seem to be the priority when using and then lying about using.

The age reference was unfortunate. My apologies.

I'm almost positive amphetamines arebanned now, but they are an afterthought to the average fan, despite them being probably more widespread than steroids ever have been.

 

 

And the sentiment described in leo's post is one I will absoluely never understand. People applaud one kind of cheating and then turn around and say "FUCK YOU AROD". It's fucking stupid.

 

"Never to be repeated again?" Are you joking?

 

As for the for point about it being done to not win, how the fuck is that even possible? There is no such thing as a "selfish statistic". Everything you do on the field has an outcome on the game, and if you take steroids and they make you a better player, then it in turn helps your team. That's dumb.

 

 

And I've already said that scuffing the ball is far more dangerous to other players than using steroids, and everyone seemed to ignore that point. Ray Chapman was killed by a ball that was scuffed so bad he couldn't see when it took a curve towards his head. Scuffing the ball is an exceptionally dangerous tactic, as it basically removes all control the pitcher may have over the ball, and yet we applaud this action only because it has been a part of the game for a long time, just as amphetamines are ignored because they are accepted.

Really bob?

Yeah, at the risk of being labeled "stupid" and "dumb" by an arrogant, intolerant near-adolescent who is so taken with his own opinion that where anyone dares offer a counter opinion, he takes it personally and attacks and judges as if his notions were original and sacred and beyond reproach, "FUCK YOU AROD:"

for, after being asked point-blank if you used steroids and the like, lying and saying no;

for, after being asked if you were ever tempted, lying and saying no;

for lying and telling us that you were above that type of behavior, believing that your conduct was forever secret;

for manipulating us in to believing that you would remain clean and lead an honest assault on the record books;

for, after being revealed, asking us to forgive you your youth and empathize the with pressure those millions placed on you;

and, for then totaling deflecting by playing the victim of the system and a stalking reporter.

For all that , "Fuck you ARod."

You see Bob, the act can be forgiven. Ask Giambi and Pettite. It's the response that disrespects us that engenders the rath. Know what I mean?

No, I'm not joking. I have been been to and watched several hundred baseball games and, unbelievable as it may seem, not one has been repeated by another. They were all different! The dramas were all singular. This may somehow be lost on someone who views baseball through the latest statistical fad and scoffs at the subtle "charm" others see in the game.

Monday's bobbob argument as to the reasonableness of steroid use was "the millions" at stake. It was the money argument, wasn't it? It wasn't about winning games. Remember? So now you want it both ways. I'm shocked. The thing about baseball, as I'm sure your numbers have told you, is that a win depends on a myriad of variables that extend far beyond one player doping. Doping is about personal numbers and contracts and money, period. Ask your boy Bonds. He didn't give a fuck about his teammates or his fans or the wins (or his kid for that matter - using him as a shield to deflect reporters from pressing him on doping). It was all about his numbers.

One form is done within the context of a single game, out in the open, policed by umpires installed to give order to the drama as it unfolds in a moment in time, in the history of the game, never to be repeated again. It's almost fucking charming. It adds lore to the game.

The other has nothing to do with the drama of a game. It's done behind closed doors. In secret. With needles and conspiracy and shame. Men lie about it. Politicians involve themselves in it. MONEY. The drama of a game on a dusty afternoon is an afterthought.

It's not done to win a game, as in the scuffing of balls, its done to pad numbers in order to pad bank accounts.

It skews the numbers and cheapens us all.

FUCK you ARod.

Thanks Matt (and everyone else).

Regretting missing this night. Your stories are wonderful.

Great shot with the Fort Wayne tshirt, Wendy. Looks like he's caving!

Today I've been listening to SBS on vinyl for the first time...

Yes!

Not that I'm a vinyl snob or anything, but I really didn't appreciate this album fully until listening to the vinyl version.

The production sounds way thicker than any of the other releases.

A cup of coffee, sunrise and SBS make for a great start to a day.

I still wouldn't rank it ahead of YHF, ST, or BT. (Agreeing that rankings are subject to personal circumstances during first several listens)

Nano chose these for me this afternoon:

For Beginners - M. Ward

The Shining - Badly Drawn Boy

Pretty Bird - Jenny Lewis

San Francisco B.C. - Silver Jews

Elegant Transaction - Loose Fur

SexSlaveShip - Flying Lotus

Mtume - Miles Davis

Nocturne 4 - Boxhead Ensemble

Frosted Ambassador - Olivia Tremor Control

Effigy - Andrew Bird

Babies In The Sun - Sparklehorse

Tijuana Gift Shop - Charles Mingus

Tin Cans & Twine - Tortoise

You Little Shits - Stereolab

To Here Knows When - My Bloody Valentine

Other than the mix problem on the first song, Rose Society, the show was just beautiful. The two of them should never consider performing without the other. They match so well. Couldn't have asked for anything more.

Another memorable performance at the Ark. The place is a jewel.

Leaving work. Heading home for a bite to eat, then to Ann Arbor for the show. REALLY looking forward to this!

what a show! Oh what fun! My first Jeff solo. And I can die now-met Jeff at Radio Maria's. Got him right as he sat down (before waitress even got to him). My girlfriend who is a relative Wilco newbie having been introduced to the boys at the Albuquerque show with me last year along with patiently living vicariously through my obsession, looked at me with a paniced look on her face and asked "is that Jeff fucking Tweedy and his family right there?" I tried to play it cool and let him be, but she looks at me and says "Alex go do it-you have to and you have to do it now before they get settled in" She was right.

 

I walked over apologized saying I never wanted to do this while he was with his family but if I didn't I would hate myself forever. He seemed to "get it" and was wonderfully gracious. He chuckled when I asked for Spencer's autograph as well because I read his blog. Kinda broke the stalker awkwardsness feeling and lightened the mood. Then Jeff said "Sam you should sign it too." Sam signed (very cute). Spencer insited Sue sign but she declined. All in 30-45 seconds but I'm still grinning ear to ear. And as much as I hated bothering him had I not done it, I would have hated myself. Life is about siezing the day. I had just driven 425 miles to see this man who has inspired me so much and there he is. Too cool.

 

So at the venue (very cool by the way loved how it was at the top of the "quad") before the show, I see Sue and apologized again for interupting them. She was very nice saying something to the effect of it was no bother. Then I said you know my Tweedy autograph collection is incomplete without yours. Spencer lights into her "see mom I told you!" She sheepsihly signed.

 

Then Muzzle, Remember the Mountain Bed, Radio King, and Fake Plastic Trees were played and my head exploded. I'm still in search if it.

Great crowd who were church mouse quiet during the songs, met some really cool people and had an overall incredible time.

thanks for reading my little experience,

Alex

Thanks for sharing, Alex. Great story.

Anyword on tapers for any of the shows?

Yes. One I know of for sure. He taped the Kzoo and AA shows (I assume he also taped in Champaign). Check the sites this week.

Happy birthday!

Yes.

That's why.

So what did he/they think?

 

 

 

That's too bad. Tonight is bound to be better in Ann Arbor, and I hope the Champaign crowd isn't obnoxious.

 

Hope to see you sometime soon, Leo.

He/they/I loved it. The State is a great little place for shows. Acuff-Rose right in front of us. Amazing!

Have fun tonight Tamela!!

Great meeting you as well Kalle. I'm sure we'll see each other at more shows.

Very strange seeing Tweedy in a non-Wilco crowd. Two extremes this weekend - obnoxious in Kzoo, apathetic in AA. Strange. Both very good performances.

Big of him to take time out and support the Ark, one of the greatest rooms in which to listen to music.

I Wanna Be Your Dog!!!

Enough!

He hit .220 last year, 37/13/43. Yet ESPN reports Tek's negotiations with the Bosox as if he were Bench or Piazza in their prime.

The mighty have fallen. (And he wasn't that mighty to begin with).

Move the f@#k on!

Real good show! Did seem short though.

Took my son and a couple of his friends and unexpectedly sat next to and around friends I hadn't seen since the Riv run last winter. Lots of fun.

Jeff sang with a noticeable passion, especially on Shot In The Arm.

The new songs were good to hear. Solitaire sounded very Loose Fur-like. (New Loose Fur album perhaps? Please!)

The shouting requests over Jeff's banter got incredibly obnoxious. At one point Jeff commented, "you don't get out much, do you?"

The sans PA Acuff-Rose was sweet. (Fortunately, directly in front of us).

Fake Plastic Trees was a real treat.

See you all in Ann Arbor.

Heyyyyyyyyy!

 

 

 

We got 5+ inches here and schools are closed. It was very powder puffy light dusty snow, though. Pretty and easy to shovel!

I kid!

5" this morning. Everything open.

Hell, that's not fair. After all, Cassopolis is practically in Indiana.

That explains it!

I was wondering if you'd chime in on that.

 

It's funny how intrastate prejudices happen. I didn't really care one way or the other, but some of my classmates had a real animosity against "east-siders."

Yeah, I didn't really meet an out-stater until college where I roomed with a guy from Cassopolis. He was always barefoot, in overalls with no shirt. Seriously. A brilliant Lil Abner!

They close school here in SE Michigan much quicker than they ever did on the other side of the state (in the "lake effect" zone).

 

Growing up over there, we always thought of people from this side of the state (excluding Detroit itself) as pussies, and now I know why.

Oh, reeeeaaalllyyyyy!?

Well, growing up over here, we figured "out-staters" were pretty much all narrow-minded, religous, republican, boring, provincial pussies. (You certainly being the exception Tom)

So there!

Happy birthday Donna!