I'm not gone from the game again, but I sure as hell have found it harder to keep up with it this year. I blame graduate school. Actually, I blame a lot of things. It started with graduate school; I began reading a dozen articles a week written by a vast array of stuffy academics in a style that is only enjoyable to other stuffy academics. I had to delve into hours of research and surrender a social life for a commitment to qualitative research and rhetorical theory.
Of course I watched the rest of the season, even decided to forego Halloween for Game Three, and I kept MLB Network close to me all through the off season, but it's been tough getting to as many games in this young season as I'd like to. I haven't even gone to a BayBears game yet, and I've been to one South Alabama game out of the last six weekend home games (I'm not including weekday games because I had class on the nights they played. Go figure.). As for the Majors, I've been watching games as "audible wallpaper" (to quote my father) while I wrote final papers and reviewed for exams, and I accidentally saw Jimenez throw that no-hitter against the Braves. I was writing a paper for my law class, and it was just on in the background. I didn't even realize I had seen it until it was over.
On top of school, my father has been sick and in the hospital, and the fear of losing him has brought me closer to his favorite game. I've been watching a lot of golf and crying. I've been hitting a lot of golf balls and crying. The up side is that my swing has improved, and I may have finally learned how to putt.
Add another monkey to my back a few weeks ago. My roommate lost her job, and I wasn't having the best time finding one for myself for the summer. Jobs are a precious commodity now, so I understand. I'm not faulting her for it, but I am saying that her company's timing was so very bad.
When I wasn't writing, hitting balls, or worrying, I was sleeping. Stress does that to me. It also apparently makes my hair fall out. I felt a little like Roger Maris. I also started to gain weight. Right now, I feel a little like Babe Ruth.
The good news is that my father is getting better, my roommate and I both got jobs, and I maintained my 4.0. Things are becoming more and more conducive to my baseball-viewing habit! When I start getting some money again, I will be at Buffalo Wild Wings at least one night a week like last season, and I'll feel human again. You know, maybe this year I should branch out to other sports bars.
Oh, wait...Wings doesn't have the MLB package. Silly me...to think a sports bar would show baseball! We'll save that argument for next time. For now, I'm back on track and ready to watch the Phillies and Yankees
...and everyone else...
...except the Braves.
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