Summer Plans

Hey, so the summer is inching closer and closer. Here's a perennial favourite: What are your summer plans??

Well, for me, I will be going on an awesome college road trip down along the heavily populated east coast of the US. Some of the cities I will be visiting for the first time are Boston, NYC, Cooperstown-including the Baseball HOF woohoo, and various other "good" colleges in the area.

It's been a long while since I've been on a family vacation. I was in China last summer, but as an avid traveller, no travel will ever be enough for me. I guess it's just inspiring seeing other places and getting to know different people.

But of course, summer can never be summer without playing sandlot baseball! I can assure you there'll be lots of it in my schedule. Also on the agenda are: volleyball, tennis, ping pong, badminton...this summer will be about trying new things.

It is high school and that's not the time to waste 2 months of free time. I'm still waiting reply on a few job applications but hey, work is pretty hard to find these days. But I gotta start somewhere.

Before summer though, June is coming at us like a freight train. That's one of the busiest months of the year, and boy has it ever lived up to its rep. I'll be working precariously the next 3 weeks and I'll update this blog as often as possible.

I got some ball tix to a Braves-Jays game the last weekend of June. Going with a couple buddies and even though the seats aren't exactly what we desired for, we have something to get into the stadium.

Switching gear to tennis, Nadal's 4th straight Roland Garros title's on its way. You can mark my words. As for the women, it's tough to say. Sharapova hasn't really been in tip-top shape, I think I'll go with one of the underdogs. How does...Katarina Srebotnik sound to you??

Lakers vs. Celtics...meh...people say it should be exciting. Frankly, I lost all interest already. I'm more intrigued by Brian Colangelo's ever unpredictable mind and what it might trigger this offseason than whether one of these historical franchises might capture the championship.

I like the youthfullness of the Penguins, but will inexperience cost them the cup this year? Either way, I'll be commending the champion whoever it might be.

A special edition of my radio show will air tomorrow at 2:30 PM. It's a presentation for our English class culminating project. We'll be discussing perspectives of gay marriage using Brokeback Mountain and comparing it to the traditions of Elizabethan England. Welcome to listen, but keep in mind it's a school project.

Well..it's midnight, time to leap onto the mattress!

-D

Bad Day

It's been 10 days since I last posted. It's just been a rough week and today especially was a roller coaster ride. So, excuse me for not posting more often.

But anyway, life goes on, I survive and look forward to positive things. It's the only way life should be lived, move over the rough parts, shake it off, brush it aside and learn from it. Right?

So, the French Open starts this weekend. In January, my radio show partner Harry and I pledged not to predict winners for tennis tournaments. I'm going to stick to that because 2008 has just been a year full of unexpected twists. But I think it's obvious who's the favourite in this tournament (cough)Rafa(cough)..but we'll see how it turns out.

Justine Henin retired last week. It's a personal decision, but I think she still had a couple years left in her tank.

Can the Jays get any streakier than this???? Win 5 of 6 in Minny and Philly. Come home, nearly get swept by the Angels? However, I have to admit that the Angels are a fantastic team. They're very well-rounded and find a way to win as we saw in the Rogers Centre this week.

My pick for the NBA championship: San Antonio Spurs. Have you voted for your favourite yet on this blog?

POLITICO WATCH: Hillary Clinton's campaign has virtually no chance to winning anymore and it makes absolutely no sense for Obama to take her as veep. Did anyone hear what she said earlier today, referring to Bobby Kennedy's assassination?

The situation has been very grave in SiChuan after last week's cataclysmic earthquake. But it was just so touching to witness the Chinese work together in getting through this difficult time. The 3 minutes of silence that took place in China on Monday the 19th at 2:28 PM made my eyes tear up.

-D

New Blog Widgets/Sports off the Top of My Head

First and foremost, I have some good news to announce. In a tight and somewhat controversial election, I have been selected by my esteemed peers to become next year's Grade 10 Rep on my school's Student Leadership Council. This ought to be a fantastic year!!!!! (2008-2009)

Otherwise, here's some things that are at the top of my head in the world of sports.


The Olympics are less than 3 months away. Can't wait!


I pick Detroit Red Wings to win the Cup. It should be an enthralling final, but hey, somebody's gotta lose.

I can pump out a new word to describe the Blue Jays every week: INCONSISTENT!

Tampa Bay second in the AL East???

Florida Marlins leading the NL East????

The Cardinals look fabulous this year. There is no reason to believe they can't capture another championship this season!

Badminton is awesome!

Ping Pong is awesome!

French Open starts end of this month...can Nadal make it four in a row??

-D

P.S. My heart goes out to the victims of Cyclone Nargis and the Earthquake in Sichuan.

Crazy Crunch Time

First off, for those who are interested/curious/bored, my high school's baseball team, the Panthers outslugged our opponents, the Lyons by a score of 9-1 on Tuesday. As scorekeeper, it certainly felt good to be a part of it!

You know, it's hitting mid-May and boy has my life been a roller coaster ride. The ups and downs hit me every single day and there's just so much to do. Well, I guess that's life in the 21st century.

Talk about roller coasters...the Toronto Blue Jays have never gotten off it this entire season. About a quarter of the season has come and gone already. And just like this time last season, the injury bug is infesting the dugout! First goes Eck and Johnny Mac, then goes V-Dub and Accardo...sigh...we just can't stay healthy. And if we can't stay healthy, we can't win!

It's been a season of frustration and false hope. We win 5 straight to gloriously begin the month of May, but promptly lose those players to injury and along with 4 of our last 5 games. Hey, I guess that's baseball for ya. But if they keep changing the line-up, I'm gonna start having a hard time recognizing my own hometown team. Wilkerson?? Mench??? Valendia????

At the beginning of the year, I predicted the Spurs to repeat as NBA champs. I still do, but I'm rootin' for the Hornets. The comeback New Orleans has had and the chemistry on that young squad is truly inspiring. Besides, none of my predictions have been correct so far..so..I'm hopeless in sports outcome forecasting.

NHL playoffs...I'd like to see Pens and Wings in the Cup final.

Watched some white water kayaking this morning on NBC...I like it.

-D

The Jays

Alright, gotta run soon.

But I just wanna to comment on the Jays remaining perfect for the month of May. Timely hitting is ever so slowly crawling back onto the field and we need that to continue. It's incredible how we've already swept 3 teams this season. But remember that we've also been swept twice. It's a roller coaster ride for sure!

First baseball game tomorrow with my high school team!

I'll check back when I have time!

-D