Tired.

Today I am too tired to write anything exciting. Yesterday my friend Jason and I went to the White Sox (against the Indians) afternoon game in 30 degree weather... which thankfully they won in the bottom of the 9th. Then we went to the Blackhawks game at the United Center... and yes, the Hawks beat the Red Wings. We were 2-0 for the day... But today I am just cooked.

And tonight is another White Sox game... in 30 degree weather.
11:38am Update: Tonight's White Sox's game has been cancelled due to the fact that it is freeeeeezing outside. Yea!

Clamhuskers, Fool?

A message was posted to the front page of the Cupertino High School website about the issue I wrote (bitched) about yesterday. Seems like Mr. Harry Bettencourt got enough heat for his terrible idea that he has made up some unbelievable story:

For Interested Tino Community Members: Well, it is time to “come clean”! Let me assure you that there will NOT be a change in our beloved Pioneer mascot! I placed this message on the website on April Fools Day to gauge the level of interaction from our students and parents on one of our main sources of communication! I decided that merely asking people if they used our website might not give me the results for which I was looking. So, in the spirit of that day, I decided to place a “hot button” topic to see how many people actually took notice of important information placed on the site. Needless to say, several did! I have had visits from students throughout the day and received several email messages from parents (some who are former CHS students). I had some great laughs today and several comments, e.g. “Boy, you sure got me”! I hope I did not offend you as that was certainly not my intent. Thank you for your continued passion for and support of Cupertino High School . . . and its Pioneer mascot! - Harry Bettencourt

Mr. Harry Bettencourt, you need to realize that when you play and April Fools joke on a group of people... you need to inform them the day of the prank, or even the day after. I do not buy your excuse (boy you sure didn't get me), and still firmly believe your intention to change the mascot was poorly thought out. Maybe you should think about stepping down.

This is the photo I found when searching for "clamhuskers."

A Clamhusker?

High School was a fine time for me. I had fun, and I was somewhat popular - but I left high school at high school. I could care less about the "good old days." I'd rather think that better days are always ahead... and that friends fade away for a reason.

Then yesterday my brother sent me an email about our high school alma mater (Cupertino High) and it got us both talking. The press release is below:

Interim Principal Harry Bettencourt has expressed concern about the dated concept of "Pioneer" as the Cupertino High School mascot. He believes that identification with the pioneer era causes the community to think and feel that Cupertino High School is a backward focusing school rather than being innovative and forward-thinking. Therefore, he is proposing to change the mascot from "Pioneer" to a more contemporary and exciting choice.
He has approved two possible mascots: The Clamhusker OR The Prairie Dogs.
The decision will be made by April 6, 2007 so that there is sufficient time to order new uniforms and other items that currently bear identification of "Pioneer".
Please feel free to provide input directly, in person, to Mr. Bettencourt
or to one of the Assistant Principals.

Mr. Harry Bettencourt... are you an idiot? Have you not looked up the definition of a Pioneer? How the hell is a Pioneer not forward thinking, yet a prairie dog or a clamhusker are? Hello? How is a prairie dog or clamhusker "exciting" or "contemporary?"

Pioneer: A person who is among those who first enter or settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others. One who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress: pioneers in cancer research.
Prairie Dog: A little furry rodent that eagles kill. A term used by children when they need to go to the bathroom ("Dad, stop the car, I'm prairie dogging!").
Clamhusker: A fish smelling loner. Something made up by a principle from the east coast who only cares about his Red Sox and clam chow-dare.

Again, Mr. Harry Bettencourt... you are an idiot. Please do not change the mascot of my old high school. Mr. Harry Bettencourt please reconsider. Mr. Harry Bettencourt you should spend your time doing more creative things, rather than changing the mascot at Cupertino High... and buying new uniforms.

So What, We Lost.

Opening day was fantastic... except for the ass kicking Cleveland gave the White Sox. It was really just the horrific outing Jose Contreras had, the rest of the Sox looked pretty good. But a 12-5 loss is never a good thing, especially when the team's ace is the one to get clobbered.
But did this spoil the day? No way. Opening day is much more than just winning... although winning makes the day so much better. The hot dog was fantastic. The peanuts were inhaled. LP and I got our faces on the jumbo tron! And it was good to see the people we sit around... all the same from last year. They are our summer family. Plus there are 161 more games and no team has ever lost all 162 - so a win is just around the corner. Plus, the Cubs lost their game too.

Go Sox!

Opening Day!

Today is my favorite day of the year! Better than my birthday or Christmas or Halloween... it's Opening Day! A day that should be a national holiday in this country since baseball is supposedly our national pastime.

Now, Opening Day is much better when you can actually attend a baseball game that day - but even without going to a game, it means baseball season is here. Every fan of every team hoping it's their team's year to win it all. It means Summer is just around the corner. It means hot dogs, beer, Cracker Jacks, and fantastic wins and tear filled losses are finally here. And for those of us who actually live through cold ass winters... it means being outside and enjoying time with friends and family.

Win or lose, baseball season is a good time (although winning is so much more fun). You might be a Giants fan, Rockies fan, Cards fan, Pirates fan, or even a Devil Rays fan - but we all have something in common, the love of the game of baseball.

Yea for Opening Day! Go Go White Sox!