Just watched some tennis commentators talking about how excited Roger Federer must be now that Rafael Nadal has been ousted from the French Open. Federer, despite his recent success, has never won the French and has lost to Nadal in the finals there the last 3 years.
It made me wonder how much athletes who have a particular nemesis in an individual or a team find their victories bittersweet if they haven't had to defeat their nemesis to get there. This first came to me about 10 years ago. The Mets, who had been the whipping boys of the Braves for most of the 90's, finally made it to the post-season in 1999 but were beaten a step before the World Series by the Braves. The next season, the Mets and Braves both made the playoffs again, but the Braves lost in the first round. The Mets won their series, and subsequently advanced to the World Series, but it seemed "cheaper" in a way because they didn't have to go through the Braves to get there. (Yankee fans need not comment on the final round of the playoffs that year.)
You think Federer is happy Nadal is out, or will he always be questioned if he does win because "he didn't have to play Nadal"?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Just call me "The Snake Whisperer"
Was out cutting the grass today and out of the corner of my eye saw a rather large black snake sneaking along the base of the house into the front flower bed. About an hour later, I had finished mowing and was trimming along the back of the house and came upon the same snake, stretched out right in front of me, just sunning himself.
After a brief thought of just chasing him away, I decided that no matter how docile this guy might have been, he needed to go. So I went back to the shed, grabbed the hoe, and went back for him. He was no longer in the spot he was, but I figured he hadn't gone far. Found him just a few feet away, coiled up under the steps to the back door.
Our hoe has two sides- a standard blade side, and an opposite side with two prongs (kinda looks like a claw hammer). I reached under the steps with the hoe, pulled him out with the pronged end, then went to work with the blade side. He never stood a chance.
Pretty freaky, because even after I gave him that beat-down, he was still writhing somewhat. So I got the garden shovel, took it to his neck and rendered him headless, to which he responded by still writhing. He did stop moving enough for me to stretch him out- I paced him out at just over 4 feet long, and by his looks (and how much shovel it took to get all French Revolution on his neck), I figure he was a good inch and a half in diameter.
My brief internet research tells me he was likely a black rat snake, harmless and possibly helpful, as he was probably feasting on the field mice that live in our yard. While that gave me some regret, since mice are more of a nuisance than he would have been, I think the kids would be more OK with seeing a mouse in the basement than a snake in their playhouse longer than they are tall.
After a brief thought of just chasing him away, I decided that no matter how docile this guy might have been, he needed to go. So I went back to the shed, grabbed the hoe, and went back for him. He was no longer in the spot he was, but I figured he hadn't gone far. Found him just a few feet away, coiled up under the steps to the back door.
Our hoe has two sides- a standard blade side, and an opposite side with two prongs (kinda looks like a claw hammer). I reached under the steps with the hoe, pulled him out with the pronged end, then went to work with the blade side. He never stood a chance.
Pretty freaky, because even after I gave him that beat-down, he was still writhing somewhat. So I got the garden shovel, took it to his neck and rendered him headless, to which he responded by still writhing. He did stop moving enough for me to stretch him out- I paced him out at just over 4 feet long, and by his looks (and how much shovel it took to get all French Revolution on his neck), I figure he was a good inch and a half in diameter.
My brief internet research tells me he was likely a black rat snake, harmless and possibly helpful, as he was probably feasting on the field mice that live in our yard. While that gave me some regret, since mice are more of a nuisance than he would have been, I think the kids would be more OK with seeing a mouse in the basement than a snake in their playhouse longer than they are tall.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Blog fodder
The cruel irony about having plenty to blog about is that it often means there's no time to do the blogging. Marathon training has picked up lately (although you'd never know it from the official finkathon blog, which has suffered the same neglect as this one has), and am still in the throes of getting this new business off the ground. This week's tasks- getting the bank to lend me some money, getting worker's comp insurance and a business license, and figuring out how I'm going to do payroll.
Lots of resources available online for small businesses, and despite never having done this before, I think I'll be able to do most of the management myself. Love to hear any tips you might have, especially things you wish you knew at the beginning.
Lots of resources available online for small businesses, and despite never having done this before, I think I'll be able to do most of the management myself. Love to hear any tips you might have, especially things you wish you knew at the beginning.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
To infinity...and beyond!
I remember STS-1 well- watched it live in my 4th grade classroom and have been fascinated ever since. Haven't seen a live launch in many years, but thanks to this series of interconnected tubes, I can watch them whenever I want. No matter how many times you see it, it never gets old.
Here's STS-125 heading out on its way to repair Hubble. (From about 2pm yesterday)
Here's STS-125 heading out on its way to repair Hubble. (From about 2pm yesterday)
Friday, May 8, 2009
Yes, I still work here
Lest you think that my new "venture" has caused me to abandon this blog, I feel the need to at least post something to show you I still care about you.
For those who asked, the venture I referenced a few weeks ago is just a little side project from my current practice which will involve some nursing home care. I'll be hiring someone to help me with it, which necessitates the independent corporation. The legwork setting up the business side of things is nothing compared to the bureaucracy of enrolling in Medicare. Let's just say if you've ever wondered why things in Washington are seemingly impossible to change, it's probably because no one has figured out which of the nine gazillion government forms they need to do it.
On a brighter note, had a wonderful first communion celebration for Brendan this past weekend. Had everyone from the official finkipedia family (national division) present, and despite the rain had a great time.
For those who asked, the venture I referenced a few weeks ago is just a little side project from my current practice which will involve some nursing home care. I'll be hiring someone to help me with it, which necessitates the independent corporation. The legwork setting up the business side of things is nothing compared to the bureaucracy of enrolling in Medicare. Let's just say if you've ever wondered why things in Washington are seemingly impossible to change, it's probably because no one has figured out which of the nine gazillion government forms they need to do it.
On a brighter note, had a wonderful first communion celebration for Brendan this past weekend. Had everyone from the official finkipedia family (national division) present, and despite the rain had a great time.
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