Wednesday, March 30, 2005
BUT I’VE BEEN ON VACATION
It was excellent. Thanks for asking.  Two spring training games: Yankees – with Randy Johnson – over the Braves 12-2 and the Orioles over the Washington Nationals 5-2 in a rain-shortened outing.  The draft of the book was completed, edited, and sent off to a publisher by my (own self determined) deadline of Holy Thursday— but to do so involved tripping across a combo flower shop/ coffee house/ internet cafe that was closed.  Clark and I accessed the wireless leak in the parking lot and the chapters where e-mailed into the interested editor.  An interesting book on work and passion was read. March Madness games were watched.  Sleep, sitting in the sun, and breakfasts with my mom- – - it was excellent.  Thanks for asking! << Work Day >>

  Friday, March 25, 2005
BALTIMORE 5, WASHINGTON 1 (6 INNINGS, RAIN)
VIERA, Florida (Ticker) — Rodrigo Lopez tossed five scoreless innings to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in a Grapefruit League contest shortened to six innings due to rain. Named the Orioles’ Opening Day starter by manager Lee Mazzilli, the 29-year-old Lopez surrendered five hits, struck out two and walked one. Javy Lopez drove in a pair of runs with a solo blast and a sacrifice fly that plated Sammy Sosa , who had two hits. Miguel Tejada added his second homer of the spring and Brian Roberts doubled twice and scored for Baltimore.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez gave up three runs and eight hits in five innings with a walk and four strikeouts. Attempting to erase the memories of a tumultuous 2004 season with Anaheim, Jose Guillen belted his second homer of the spring in the sixth inning. << Friends+ Family >>

  Thursday, March 24, 2005
NY YANKEES 12, ATLANTA 2
TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) — This was the Randy Johnson the New York Yankees have been waiting for. Johnson worked five hitless innings before surrendering a one-out double to Adam LaRoche in the sixth and Tino Martinez homered and drove in four runs as the Yankees routed the Atlanta Braves , 12-2, in a Grapefruit League matchup.  Finally acquired from Arizona in January after several failed attempts last year, Johnson entered with a mark of 0-2 and a 5.40 ERA in three previous spring starts. But in this one, the five-time Cy Young Award winner was dominant, walking one and striking out six in six innings. Johnson was given plenty of support as Alex Rodriguez belted a two-run homer in the first inning and Martinez and Jason Giambi hit blasts in the seventh. Andy Phillips added a three-run shot in the eighth.

Reliever Chris Reitsma turned in the only effective performance for the Braves, tossing one scoreless inning. Starter John Thomson , Kevin Gryboski and Adam Bernero surrendered four runs apiece. Veteran Julio Franco accounted for Atlanta’s offense with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. << Friends+ Family >>

  Monday, March 21, 2005
BUT I’VE BEEN BUSY
enough that it took nine days to complete the virtual thought below.  Visited family, went to a funeral, got back some A grades for some brilliant homework (if I do say so myself… oh, I did!), had three different occasions of the charming company of some lovely women (along with the restaurant and gas receipts!), got another article in the Catholic Review, and finished the damn adolescent catechesis book!!! 

Probably won’t update again for a while… taking VACATION tomorrow for eight days… woo hoo1!! << Work Day >>

  Sunday, March 13, 2005
ANOTHER LONG ABSENCE, WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
I screwed myself up this time!  I reprogrammed my internet connection trying to pick up another free wireless connection.  This morning, my son solved my problems by virtually throwing a switch. . . << Blogging >>

Originally published in the Catholic Review, March 17, 2005