While I did combine the two items in the title, it wasn't in the kitchen, and fear not, my apartment complex is still standing with its pretty pretty pink glow.
I hate to say it, but work has become a little mundane. I think this is perhaps an inevitable thing that my trusted elders whispered would happen, but the idealist in me shrugged it off and cannon-balled onwards.
So I've begun a new quest! I've gone out in search of other things to stretch my heart and brain muscles. When I first began working in the shipyard, one of my instructors was telling a tale about some of the softball teams that form each year throughout the shipyard for tournaments and league play. I recall a general rule and a law from his story.
General rule #1: Many teams form around shops, codes, and ships. The people who work together, play together. This general rule applies to all teams except for the Mixed Nuts. That team, as the name indicates is a smorgasbord of players from all across the ship yard. That team is a powerhouse.
Law #2: "If you play softball, they will find you." This was spoken just as you read it. It is a law similar to gravity. (they being one of the various teams)
Earlier this month I traveled back to Chicago both to attend a wedding and to visit with friends. One of my intentions was to see members of my old softball team out there and to potentially play with them if they had a game. I mentioned plans off hand in conversation to my supervisor talking over coffee one morning in early July.
He told Connie. Connie told Gloria. Gloria plays for THE Mixed Nuts.
Invoke general rule #1 and law #2.
I now play softball two nights a week with THE Mixed Nuts, a powerhouse team with a 9 year championship reputation. I, being the calm collected, never flustered person that I am, felt absolutely no pressure when I first stepped out on the field with such a team.
Our first night out we went into extra time to win, and I only suffered minor bruising when a 200 lb man refused to slide while I was attempting to turn a double at second. The runner was called out at second and due to interference the second out was called at first.
Our second night out was a little less intense competition wise, especially when the sticks woke up late in the game. I had just hit a single and I was standing on first leaning back to listen to the first base coach, Jerry (our fearless stand-in leader from the first game). Up to bat was a kid one year out of high school with some college level baseball under his belt. "Now, if he gets a hold of this ball, you best take off as fast you can because he may just try to catch up to you. He'll at least push for the double." Yeah. Okay.
Sure enough, he hit the ball, and I took off as fast as my out of shape legs could carry me. My head was in the game and I was loving it. Rounding second, headed for third, I heard the third base coach shout, "Down!" and just like old times, my body responded immediately. As the cloud of dust settled, I was filled with pride. I knew I was safe and in part because my slide made it difficult for the third baseman to catch the ball. Wahoo!
As more dust settled, my competitive, exhilarated, athletic ego also floated down from its high, and the stupidity of my actions began to flow right out of the pretty pink road rash on my leg. "Ha! It's just a scratch, right? Play on!" scoffed my CEAE (we like to use acronyms at work, so I give you the acronym of the day)
The remainder of the game was kinda like a new dance: hobble, hobble, water, napkin... swing the bat, hobble, hobble alcohol whipe, SCREAM... 3 outs in the field. You get the picture I'm sure. CEAE provided enough protection from the pain and provided plenty of laughter for my teammates.
Based upon the definition of burn degrees here, I've determined, in my non medically trained expertise, that a deep tissue second, or third degree burn was the result of my CEAE and my general stupidity. The past week has been a great deal of fun, mixed with a little bit of worry, and quite a bit of pain. In all honesty, I was actually conducting a scientific study (stretching my brain muscle) the entire time. The result of my study? Law #3
Law #3: When one follows the advise of a an understimulated CEAE out to play for the first time in a long time and one doesn't wear the proper protective gear, one will experience stupidity in its purest form. One will also pay for said stupidity both physically and financially.
I hope you all can learn the same lesson without the same experiences. :D
Sure enough, he hit the ball, and I took off as fast as my out of shape legs could carry me. My head was in the game and I was loving it. Rounding second, headed for third, I heard the third base coach shout, "Down!" and just like old times, my body responded immediately. As the cloud of dust settled, I was filled with pride. I knew I was safe and in part because my slide made it difficult for the third baseman to catch the ball. Wahoo!
As more dust settled, my competitive, exhilarated, athletic ego also floated down from its high, and the stupidity of my actions began to flow right out of the pretty pink road rash on my leg. "Ha! It's just a scratch, right? Play on!" scoffed my CEAE (we like to use acronyms at work, so I give you the acronym of the day)
The remainder of the game was kinda like a new dance: hobble, hobble, water, napkin... swing the bat, hobble, hobble alcohol whipe, SCREAM... 3 outs in the field. You get the picture I'm sure. CEAE provided enough protection from the pain and provided plenty of laughter for my teammates.
Based upon the definition of burn degrees here, I've determined, in my non medically trained expertise, that a deep tissue second, or third degree burn was the result of my CEAE and my general stupidity. The past week has been a great deal of fun, mixed with a little bit of worry, and quite a bit of pain. In all honesty, I was actually conducting a scientific study (stretching my brain muscle) the entire time. The result of my study? Law #3
Law #3: When one follows the advise of a an understimulated CEAE out to play for the first time in a long time and one doesn't wear the proper protective gear, one will experience stupidity in its purest form. One will also pay for said stupidity both physically and financially.
I hope you all can learn the same lesson without the same experiences. :D
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