I don't want to leave yet (Day 31)

I can’t believe I am into my last couple of weeks at Baseball America.

It’s disappointing a little bit, just because I have to leave. I have had such a great time and things have been going really well, in my opinion of course, and I wish I could stay longer.

The highlight of the day for me was probably receiving my second issue of the BA magazine that I had taken part in. Two of my articles are in the end-of-the-year edition and it is nice to see my name in it! Twice!

My stories are each on a minor league team that won the Bob Freitas Award. I think the teams will get to see them at Winter Meetings, because the magazine doesn’t come out until a couple weeks from now, so they can judge me then. I hope they like what I wrote about them. But they won awards, so what is there to not be happy about?

This morning I got to work with productivity on my mind. I still started my day with my usual emailing, but I wasn’t so distracted. Maybe I am feeling the grind of only having two weeks left and wanting to get as much done as possible before I leave. I am still working on making that great impression I have been talking about since I got here. I just hope that works out for me.

I got through the four Hall of Famers that I had set out to, learning lots along the way. Since I have moved onto the more awesome players, according to me and only me, it seems more fun now, although there is certainly a lot more information to sift through. But the popular players are better than the ones that have been dead for 100 years.

First I wrote about Jackie Robinson, who is just an inspiration to all of baseball. It was fun to research and write about him, and the impact his presence in the game has had on so many other lives.

Then I moved on to Babe Ruth. I wrote about the Curse of the Bambino, even though Boston broke through the supposed hex in 2004. I still find it interesting that they blamed decades of losing on a trade that happened in 1919. What do the Cubs have to take the fall for their suckitude?

From the Sultan of Swat I moved onto Cy Young and Nolan Ryan. Young has the most wins of any pitcher to ever take the mound, though he also has the highest number of losses. I didn’t include that last little tidbit in my writing. But a guy who has an award named after him surely has enough accomplishments to overshadow a little factoid like that one.

Ryan played forever it seems, and his seven no-hitters and 12 one-hitters could not have been an easy feat. Ryan is the oldest guy to throw a no-no, and he did it against the Blue Jays when he was 44. I didn’t include the team it was against. He took the record from Young, who had pitched a no-hitter at the age of 41. I think the only person who could give either of them a run for their money is Roy Halladay, because his work ethic and strength seem similar, but maybe that’s only wishful thinking.

Speaking of Halladay, I was super pumped to see a full page dedicated to him in the newest BA magazine that appeared on my desk this afternoon. I was almost as happy to see his congratulations from BA on being the Player of the Year, as I was to see my own articles. Joey Votto also had his own page, for being the MVP of the National League, and as a Canadian and being most recently from Toronto that makes me happy too. This issue is probably my favourite...of the two that I am in.

My work on the awesome Hall of Fame players was only interrupted by lunch. Editor 3 made the trip with me, Editor 1 and Editor 2 today, something that I don’t believe has ever happened before. I think it was because he had arrived home late yesterday from Thanksgiving festivities and didn’t have time or what he needed to make or bring his lunch today.

But it was a good time. We went back to the pizza place that they had taken me to on my very first day at BA and the food was just as good as it was then. I think I might miss Randy’s Pizza when I am gone.

I have wanted to try and set up some sort of meeting for this week, before anyone going to Winter Meetings leaves, and talk to the editors about any possibilities for work, and ask if they might have a job available now, or in the future. Lunch changed my mind.

During the meal they asked if I had exams when I get back home. I said no, we don’t have any. And they asked if I have another semester of school or anything. Again I said no, we’re done when the internships are done. Everything is finished at school, outside of graduation. They asked what my plans were for when I go back. I just said that I am hoping to find something that pays me money.

So they know what I am doing, and what I am looking for. I don’t know what I could say at any meeting that I didn’t already get across during that lunchtime discussion. Obviously they don’t have any openings, or anything that they think I might be good at, because I would like to think someone would have brought it up if they did. That hope has kind of been blown out the window now.

They know I have to be back in Canada by the 13^th of December, but I hope they also know that if they want me to work here, they could just apply for a little bitty work visa for me. I’m wishing now. If only I had a magic genie.  

I would love to work at BA. I have been having a great time, and I love being around baseball all day and every day. And if it’s too much for me, lunchtime is a great opportunity to get in on football, basketball and sometimes even hockey conversations. But I like writing, and I love seeing my articles in print.

Before I came here, I thought I wanted to get into PR, and I really enjoyed my time with the PR department at the Argonauts. But I have discovered how much I like writing. It’s fun. I enjoy interviewing people and talking to them about something and then writing about it, even though sometimes it makes me nervous. I even like transcribing interviews, all the while trying to find some tidbit from the person I was talking to that might be the most important thing they said, or even just something that could help me in writing my story.

And I like writing about baseball more than I like writing about anything else. I guess the internship I applied to for next summer would be perfect for everything I am talking about. I would get to work with a beat reporter for a baseball team and write about the team every day. That would be equally as satisfying as writing for BA I’m sure. But I won’t hear about that potential opportunity until the end of January, and there’s always the chance that I will not get it.

I guess I just have to keep in mind that as sad as I am to leave, I have had a great opportunity here and a great time.

It’s been an awesome month, BA, and hopefully an excellent two more weeks.

Christmas cards and holiday movies (Day 30)

I love that American Thanksgiving has a four-day weekend. At the end of today however, mine will be over.

I slept most of the morning away, after not being able to get to sleep last night when I returned home from my exciting day. But I woke up ready to be productive. Well, I was at least hoping to be.

I finished painting everything that I have been working on and decided I wanted to also be finished with the Christmas presents I’ve started. I headed out to do a little shopping, despite my lack of funds. I was hoping that little factor wouldn’t get too far in my way.

First I went to Costco, because I thought they might have some really nice wrapping paper and ribbon sets, and I love wrapping presents, so that was what I was looking for. But they didn’t have any. So I thought I would look for cereal, because I finished off the last of my supply of Corn Flakes before I left home in the morning, but they didn’t have what I wanted in that department either. So I sampled some free samples and was on my way to the next place.

The dollar store was my next stop and it was much more successful. I got wrapping paper, ribbon, trinkets to go in the bags I had painted for my cousins, some more cards and everything I was looking for out of the dollar store. And it was conveniently right across the street from Costco.

From there I made a pitstop at Ross, because it was right next door, and I wanted to check out what they had in stock. And then I made my way to Kmart to get some UNC swag for my other cousin. That was a good stop too, and I got him a jersey, pajama pants and boxer shorts, because I knew he had asked his mom to start buying him boxers and I don’t think she did.

So I had what I wanted and I was ready to wrap some presents and pretend to get them under someone’s tree. On my way home I stopped to go tanning, and am still trying to figure out a way not to burn in Mexico. Mexico is now less than three weeks away and I am excited to get some vacation time in before I worry about the real world again!

I got home and went to work on the Christmas presents. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was on TV, setting the perfect holiday mood for me as I wrapped. I now have beautifully packaged presents for my three youngest cousins and my mother. And I learned today that my brother received the sweatshirt I sent him home a few weeks ago and it fits him perfectly. He had to be prompted several times to tell me this, but now I know.

I wrote out some more Christmas cards and watched some more holiday movies, accounting for the majority of my afternoon and evening.

Thing 2 knocked on my door when she came home from her parents’ house to see how the recovery of my sickness was going. I told her I was pretty much confined to my bed on Black Friday, and we both agreed that was probably not the worst place I could have been. She ventured out to shop and was unsuccessful and unhappy with that decision at the end of the day.

She thanked me for coming to her house, and I tried to express my gratitude to her and her family for having me. I don’t think I got the message across, so I should probably do what my mother suggested and make her a card. I do enjoy arts and crafts, and now that painting is out of my life for at least a little while, it is back to the paper and glue. I should probably make cards for the people from Baseball America too, so now I have a new task ahead of me for whatever free time I find myself with.

And then she retreated to her room and me to mine. More movies and checking the updates of the Grey Cup online. I learned that not long into the game, the one person I actually know personally who was playing, was injured and taken off the field.

His name is Leron Mitchell and I used to work with him at a bar in London, a long time ago, when we both went to UWO. Since then, he’s played for the Toronto Argonauts and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the team he got injured for today. I guess he did some significant damage to his ankle, but since Montreal won the Grey Cup, and that had nothing to do with it, I don’t think it’s making any headlines.

The Alouettes are the first team to win back-to-back Cups since the Argos did it in 1996-97. That was when they had Doug Flutie, and their current president and CEO Bob Nicholson, was at the helm for his first stint. Maybe Toronto can have another chance next season, and better yet, an opportunity to do it two years in a row again when they host the 100^th Grey Cup in 2012.

I would love nothing more than for the Hamilton Tiger Cats to win the next Grey Cup, but being around the Argos all year this season gave me a new perspective on the rivalry. It makes for great games and great fun, but I do want to see success for all the people I met.

I want the Ticats to win though, and it’s been too long. The most recent decade was the only one in which they did not have a Grey Cup victory in their history. It’s about time they bring that cup home.   

But this year’s cup has a home, and it is in Quebec, that other part of Canada. And Canadian football is done its regular season play until next Canada Day. The excitement is over and UNC’s biggest success Darian Durant did not find a victory. Instead, he had a pass intercepted with 55 seconds left when his team was only down by three. Too bad for the Riders, who are now 3-15 in Grey Cup play.

More time for watching college football now I guess. But tomorrow morning I am back to baseball. For only two more weeks, so I better take advantage.

From the gridiron to the diamond...

I go to movies by myself (Day 29)

I am beginning to get my sense of taste back, and even my sense of smell. It will be nice to fully utilize them once again.

Today started well and then continued in that direction. I had a decent sleep for enough time to get rid of most of my sickness and woke up ready for the day.

Nicole and I had plans to head to the movies at the same time to see The Next Three Days, so I had that in my schedule for the late afternoon show. But I thought I would head to the theatre early and see another movie before it started. I decided on Burlesque, and I really liked it for what it was. And then I saw The Next Three Days and it was great.

My fellow movie-goer in Florida and I both enjoyed the fact that the characters escaped through Canada at the end of the movie (I spoiled that one for you if you wanted to see it).  I liked the flick because I thought it was mostly unpredictable, and I am a big fan of surprises.

From the movies I went straight to Nathan’s house, where I met his wife, two dogs and turtle. We left and picked up Conor and his wife, and headed to a restaurant somewhere not too far away. The food was great and at the end of the meal both couples tried to take my bill from the waitress. They were fighting over who would pay for my dinner! It was really nice of them, and Nathan said that they could at least pay for my dinner if they weren’t paying me to work. I’m really happy to help them out and they obviously appreciate what I’ve been doing.

Over dinner we mostly talked about the various driving laws and how licensing works in different places. Aly, Nathan’s wife, is from New Jersey, and Conor and his wife Cheryl are both from Seattle, Nathan is from Virginia and they all live in North Carolina, so we had an array of laws and driving regulations to talk about.

The laws in Ontario are probably a little less harsh though, since as I told them, my brother hit a girl while only in the second stage of the graduated licensing system, and he still managed to come out of it with all of his points and his full license. I explained that it wasn’t completely my brother’s fault, but that made a great story to introduce everyone to my family.

After dinner we went back to Nathan and Aly’s place to play some board games. Conor and Cheryl stopped at home to pick up some of their games and Cheryl brought the ingredients to make cookies when they came. The cookies were fantastic and I have come to understand that Cheryl is a well-known baker around BA.

We played a few different games that I had never heard of before and I think I kept pace in all of them. They weren’t very competitive, and everyone had a really good time. I really enjoyed my night with the couples and wouldn’t mind at all if they wanted to hang out again before I leave town.

It’s hard to believe I only have two weeks left here, and only one real weekend after this one is over. I don’t understand how quickly time has gone, and I think I will be leaving before I know it. I hope I’ve made a good enough impression at work for everyone to remember me, and think of me if they need anyone.

I heard there might be a job available when I was with the couples tonight. They brought up someone who had left and one of the wives asked if he’d been replaced yet. I think they mentioned the names of a couple of candidates, but I know that no one has been hired for the position yet. I don’t know exactly what the person did, or covered, but if he is no longer at Baseball America, and they haven’t filled his spot yet, then I think I can safely assume that there might be a job opening for the taking. And I would love to do the taking.

Especially after tonight. I could see myself living in the neighbourhood, hanging out with these people every once in awhile, working on baseball all day long, traveling every once in awhile to watch various players and tournaments. I think it would be a pretty good life.

I am starting to be confused about what I want though. I would love to come back to NC and work for BA, but I’ve applied for a paid internship with mlb.com for next summer and I think that would be a great opportunity too. I would be working with a beat reporter for a team, presumably learning how to do their job, and helping out. I don’t know when I might hear about that internship, but if BA wanted me, I am sure I would be willing to come back here.

I’m just confused because I’ve wanted to work with a team. But I have also wanted to have the opportunity for full-time employment. The real world is more confusing and scary as I approach it more closely, and I don’t think I am ready.

But I know I’ve been having a great time, and nothing will change that. BA has given me the opportunity to write, and participate actively with everything that their employees take part in. I’ve been able to help them, and they’ve been able to reciprocate. The people are fantastic and the job is fun. It’s been a good four weeks, and I know the last two will be the same, with maybe a little sadness because I know I’m leaving soon.

It’s been a great experience.

Too many cold pills (Day 28)

I barely got any sleep through the night, and I woke up feeling awful.

I had been waking up every couple of hours feeling like I was going to throw up, so I would go to the bathroom and wait but it never happened. For a little while I felt so awful that I slept on the floor in the bathroom. Well, I tried to, but I was feeling so nauseous that I couldn’t.

There were times when I would wake up sweating and shed all my blankets. At one point, I soaked a cloth with cold water in hopes that it would help what I thought was a fever. It did actually help for a little while. But there were other times when I would wake up freezing and unable to find the blankets that I had thrown away earlier.

When I finally got up for the day, figuring that I was too uncomfortable to sleep anymore for awhile, I was hit with a hangover feeling. Obviously I hadn’t had anything to drink, so I began to wonder if it was the effect of too many cold pills. I didn’t think I could get a hangover from them, but I now believe it is possible. And it once again made me wonder if I should have been driving last night.

I didn’t want to move, and my energy level was definitely lacking. I decided to have a shower in the hopes that it would make me feel better. It didn’t.

I thought I could at least get up and answer my emails, because I knew my mom was wondering how my Thanksgiving went, but just going to the trouble of getting my laptop was enough for me. My head was pounding and I just wanted to go back to sleep. Unfortunately, that wasn’t happening for me anytime soon.

So I decided to start cleaning everything in my room, afraid that even if I started to get better, I might touch something with my own germs, and get sick again. I began by doing my laundry, stripping my bed of its sheets and comforter. And then I started with sanitizing wipes, going after every surface and anything I might have touched, or that I might touch in the future.

I wasn’t hungry but I thought I should maybe get something into my stomach, and I needed some fluids. I made myself a smoothie with the last of the yogurt I had in the fridge and started into a new box of Corn Flakes. It was a good combo and I settled in to a Law and Order: SVU marathon. At least I had good television to tide me over during my sickness.

And I am still amused at the beginning of every episode when I see that one of the producers is named Jose Molina. I’m sure it’s a popular name, but it would be hilarious if the Blue Jays backup catcher were working on a crime show in his free time. It just gives me connection between one of my favourite shows and baseball, and that makes everything better.

I painted some more, when I was feeling up to it, but it was pretty much all I could do. I really the hope the people I am painting these Christmas presents for like them, because otherwise I am putting far too much time and effort into the gifts.

I had to cancel my plans with Nicole. We were both going to head to the movies today, in our respective cities, and see the same flick around the same time, so we could come home and talk about it afterward. When she asked me last night I thought if I was well enough today I might be able to go, but I realized early this morning that it wasn’t going to happen for me.

I really wanted to be up for leaving my apartment. I wanted to get some more cold pills, and some drinks and maybe even some Kleenex. But I wasn’t feeling well enough to do any of that.

When my hangover died down I was able to catch a little bit of a nap, but I don’t think it lasted long. I finished all my laundry, but didn’t feel like putting any of it away, so I was only semi-productive on my household tasks today.

I didn’t get through much of anything else. I could have done some work for Baseball America, and I wish I had been feeling well enough to do so, but I didn’t get anything done for them. I thought this weekend would have been a good opportunity for going to the gym, getting work done, and seeing some movies. Now I am just hoping to be able to leave the apartment.

American Thanksgiving (Day 27)

I woke up a little early in anticipation of my first American Thanksgiving.

I didn’t know when it would start, or what would be involved. I was just waiting for a call from Thing 2 to tell me when to head to her house for the festivities. I was ready long before her call, and I was hoping that with that call would come her name. It would make things a lot easier for me.

But I got some quality painting of Christmas presents in while I watched a Burn Notice marathon. I like some of these new shows I am being exposed to.

At some point throughout the morning I started to feel sick. It was getting worse and worse as time passed. I thought about bailing on Thing 2, but when I mentioned to my mom that I might, she raised a valid point. There was no way Thing 2 would believe I was actually sick, and I didn’t want to insult her or her family.

I thought if I drank plenty of fluids and got some cold pills along the way I might be okay. I had some Kleenex with me, and before I set off for Raleigh I stopped at a gas station for supplies. I got some drugs and Vitamin Water, and then decided I should probably eat something so that I wouldn’t be ingesting the pills on an empty stomach.

They had cookies at the counter and so I bought one. It was the best gas station cookie I’ve ever had. When I started to think it was possibly the best cookie ever, I wondered if I had taken too many cold pills. Perhaps I was delusional from the drugs.

I was on my way. I had left the paper at home that had the address on it, but I thought I remembered what it was anyway, so I figured I could find my way. I punched in what I thought the address was to the GPS and made my way across a few highways to Raleigh. The drive was only about 40 minutes, but it felt longer, as I ran all of the horrible possibilities through my mind for how the night might go.

As it turns out, I did not remember the address correctly. I thought her house was number 3001, and there was no such number on her street. I was confident I had the street right, but didn’t know where I was going. I sent Thing 2 a text message and she called me to give me the right address. I wasn’t far, but I wasn’t in the right place.

I made it to her door and knocked. Thing 2 answered and gave me a quick tour of her place, introducing me to her mom and sister. They were all downstairs but she brought me upstairs and turned on the TV for me. Her sister joined us and started watching Legally Blonde 2. It wasn’t long before they all left me to watch by myself.

With all the fluids I’d had before my arrival, I needed to find a bathroom, but no one was around and I didn’t want to go snooping for one. I heard the front door open and shut a couple of times, but no one came upstairs so I couldn’t ask. Finally, her brother came up and introduced himself, but he didn’t stay long and I didn’t get a chance to find out where I could pee.

Eventually Thing 2’s sister came back and I asked her. That was a relief.

When I came out of the bathroom, Thing 2’s dad was upstairs. He gave me a hug and welcomed me into his home, which I thought was very nice of him. He mentioned Thing 2’s name, so that was also a relief. He told me that he had heard all about me, and I thought that was interesting because I didn’t know that Thing 2 knew anything about me, considering I didn’t even know her name coming in to the day.

After more Legally Blonde 2, Thing 2 came back upstairs and told me it was time to eat. I’m not sure how long I was watching the movie by myself, but it was enough to make me uncomfortable. I was much happier when she brought me downstairs to be around other people. But I had been getting pretty worried about dinner, because I was getting sicker by the minute. I kept taking cold pills in hopes that I might be able to breathe, but in the end I don’t think that was the best decision I could have made.

There was more food than I have ever seen at a family gathering. The turkey was huge and there were all kinds of side dishes. I didn’t know where to start, but the longer I stood there staring at the food the weirder I’m sure they thought I was. I got a plateful of food and sat down.

My time there was fun, but I couldn’t shake the sick feeling, so it definitely could have been better. I spent a lot of time talking to Thing 2’s brother and cousin, because they were the friendliest. We talked about sports and the schools here, and the schools in Canada, and what I’ve enjoyed about my time in North Carolina.

Everyone was very accepting of me, even though I stood out like a sore thumb. I was the only white person, and didn’t understand a word of what they were saying in their language. They were nice but I could tell that some people were wondering why I was there. I can only imagine what they were saying about me right in front of my face, and I couldn’t understand them at all.

After a few hours I decided I had to leave. My sickness was progressing and I needed to get home and rest. I tried to tell Thing 2 how thankful I was to her and her family for having me over, but I was leaving early and I can only hope they didn’t think it was because I was having a bad time. I told them I felt like I was getting sick and thought I should be resting.

I’m sure they could see I was sick, but earlier I had told them I thought I had allergies, because I was afraid they would think I was inconsiderate coming over with a cold to infect their family on Thanksgiving.

I headed home and decided that there is probably a limit to the number of cold pills one person should take before they drive, and I was probably near that limit. I made it and headed straight to bed.

My day was over before it began. But I had my first American Thanksgiving experience, and I would consider it mostly a success.   

Mickey Mantle makes me feel like a normal person (Day 26)

It’s a Wednesday and I am already finished working for the week.

American Thanksgiving is upon us and it means I do not have to go to the office for the rest of this week. It doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t be working though. I would like to get a significant amount of Baseball America work done, though I am also kind of hoping that I might have such an exciting weekend full of plans that I won’t have time for it. What are the chances?

When I got to the office I started in on answering my emails. They took a long time to get through today and it’s probably because I am so efficient at answering people and giving them a lot to talk about. I’ve been sending a lot of emails in my spare time in order to communicate with people at home, and now I end up replying to everyone’s responses from work. I should cut down on that.

The only two Hall of Famers I got through were Sandy Koufax and Mickey Mantle, and Koufax was a continuation of my work from yesterday. Needless to say, I was not super productive at the office today. But I think it’s the day-before-Thanksgiving fever. I caught it, meaning that I didn’t get a whole work day’s worth of stuff done, and I left the office early.

I actually left at the time I was designated for leaving at the beginning of discussions with Editor 1 from Canada. But I have never left that early before, so it was out of the ordinary, and seemed super early. It was strange to leave the office in the daylight.

I learned a lot about Mickey Mantle, though a lot of the information I knew already. It’s crazy to go through and try to fit all of his accomplishments into a 500-word biography. Some of the guys I’ve been through already were a lot easier, so it is a testament to his greatness.

What continues to  surprise me every time I read it is that The Mick had osteomyelitis. I knew this, but it gives me a strange sense of connection to the great outfielder, because I had the same disease when I was six years old. I didn’t know what it was, and all I really remember is that one morning after sitting on the carpet to listen to our teacher read to our class, I tried to stand up when she was finished and I couldn’t.

My  mom came to the school to get me and thought I was faking it. She told me to get up and when she realized I really couldn’t, she took me to the hospital. I think I only spent two weeks in the hospital, but for a six-year-old kid (well, I was almost six at the time), it seemed like an eternity. I don’t think the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me, and that might have been the reason for my extended stay.

I finally got to leave the hospital on my sixth birthday, after far too many popsicles and IVs. I am finding myself wondering how much that would have cost in hospital bills had I been an American. I guess Canada is good for some things.

It’s not really relevant to anything, but before finding out that Mantle had the disease, I had never heard of it. I thought I was the only person to ever have it, though I fully know that isn’t possible. So I guess Mickey Mantle makes me feel like a normal person. As normal as he was though. And a guy who hit 18 home runs in the World Series is no ordinary ball player.

Maybe I get a little sidetracked when I am doing the Hall of Fame biographies, but it makes it more fun for me. Outside of being distracted by the wonders of the Internet and my emails, I also took time away from Mantle for lunch. I went by myself again, and this time I went to Williams, a sandwich place that I have been to twice with Editor 1 and Editor 2. It was as good as usual, and I was back at the office inside a half hour.

Editor 1 and Editor 2 left shortly after I returned from lunch, and more people started packing up not long after that. I left about an hour after the first wave of people, but it was still much earlier than the length of time that I usually spend at the office.

I headed straight to UPS to send away another round of Christmas cards, and then to the grocery store to get the cereal I forgot yesterday.

I contemplated getting something for Thing 2 and her family for having me over for Thanksgiving, but because I didn’t know what to bring, and I don’t know them at all, I decided against it in the end. I think that I will try to get to know them a little bit tomorrow when I spend the day with them, and then I can get them something they might actually like or enjoy, and leave it as a Christmas present when I head back to Canada.

Unless things go horribly.

Everyone at Baseball America is waiting to hear all about it, because it could potentially be a disaster, but I hope not. And the guys from work mentioned that they might go out on Saturday night and they would let me know if they do so I can come, and I can fill them in on my festivities then.

I decided to make some popcorn when I got to the apartment, and I actually had a run-in with Thing 1. I think we exchanged about 50 words, which is at least double the amount between us over the last three-and-a-half weeks that we have lived together. I couldn’t really understand what she was saying either, so the words were seemingly pointless. I believe she asked me if I am a grad student here and then told me she was going to see Harry Potter, though I can’t be sure.

That was exciting though.

And then I settled in for a very late night of painting Christmas presents, writing more emails, letters and Christmas cards, and TV marathons in preparation for the holiday.

I’m not sure if visions of sugarplums should be dancing in my head or what happens on this occasion, since I have never celebrated it before, but I am excited for what is sure to be a lot of human interaction tomorrow!

A room full of strangers await me. I think.

American tradition (Day 25)

Today seemed like a long day.

I think a got a decent amount of work done though, both at Baseball America and at home, if you can consider Christmas cards work, so it was still a productive long day.

When I got to work I had the links that I needed for the college top 100 list, so I was able to finish the chart and send it away to Editor 1. I only had to reformat it once, and other than that, he seemed happy with it, so I think it was a success.

I also think it might appear in the upcoming issue of the BA magazine, with the two other articles I have written for the end-of-the-year edition, so if it has my name on it, I will once again be on three pages!

I don’t know if charts have names on them in the magazine, but everything seems to have some person’s name on or around it, so I think my chances are good. I didn’t do much for it, but I do enjoy seeing my name in print. And as long as I am still excited about that, it’s a good thing, so I hope no one will take that away from me.

After finishing the top 100 list, I worked on the biographies I had previously done research for. I finally finished them before the end of the day, and when I sent my first batch to Editor 2 I included an email that said that I will no longer be going in order of the list, nor will I be picking names at random. I plan to continue by way of picking the players that stand out as the most awesome in my mind. He seemed to think that was a fine idea. Not that I have anything against Tim Keefe, or Mickey Welch.

Keefe was actually a fantastic player, who won 342 games and was the leader in every pitching category you can think of in 1888. But that was a little before my time. And when he teamed up with Welch, the pair was great, but I think Welch might have had a tougher time getting into the Hall of Fame if not for the Veteran’s Committee that voted him in. They are great players, and surely a couple of the best from the 19^th century, but I am moving on.

I am starting with Sandy Koufax. Actually, when I started, I decided to compare his stats to Roy Halladay’s. They are close in every category, outside of strikeouts. Koufax has a better ERA, but Doc has won a few more games and lost one fewer. Koufax also had 50 more games under his belt to get to that record, though they are comparable in innings pitched. And while Halladay has far fewer strikeouts than Koufax, his walk total almost cuts his elder’s number in half. I know this is probably not how I should be conducting my research, but it makes it far more interesting for me. I need to have fun while I’m working right?

Unfortunately for the southpaw though, his career was cut short by arthritis in his arm. It’s unfortunate because in the last six years of the twelve total that he played, he dominated the game. He had come into his own, and was unstoppable.

Halladay still has plenty of time ahead of him to surpass every total Koufax ever had, barring an injury. Koufax was voted in on his very first year of eligibility and was the youngest player to make it into the Hall of Fame. Doc certainly won’t be the youngest, since he is still playing and should continue to do so for several more years, but hopefully he can follow by also being elected into the Hall on his very first try. It would only make sense and follow the precedent set by Koufax.

I didn’t get through Koufax by the end of the day though, and it is likely because I was distracting myself with tasks like comparing him to other players, along with a few personal emails, and of course, lunch.

I went to lunch by myself today. When two o’clock rolled around and I realized the editors hadn’t gone anywhere, or asked me to go with them, they probably weren’t leaving the office. I asked, and they were both busy working away. Editor 1 had gotten a sub and had already eaten it, and Editor 2 wanted to finish what he was doing and said that he might get something later. So I was off on my own.

I went to Starbucks, because I know where it is, and I figured it would be fast. I didn’t know how long an appropriate length of time to be away would be. Normally it’s not something that I would worry about, being with the bosses whenever I go out to lunch, but this time I thought I should pay attention. I had my bagel and banana bread, and headed right back to the office. Hopefully tomorrow they take some time for lunch so I don’t have to concentrate so hard on how long I’m away from my desk.

After work I headed to UPS to send some Christmas cards home, and then I went to the grocery store. I figured it is high time I get some groceries, especially since I will be at home for the weekend, and I am guessing a lot of things are going to be closed for the next couple of days. So I stocked up on sandwich meat, bread, bagels, peanut butter, popcorn and other amenities. Unfortunately I forgot to get myself a new box of cereal, and after eating dinner tonight, I am now out, so I might have to make a pitstop on another day.

I also went tanning, because the place of artificial sun will be shutting down for the holiday until Sunday. I figure I should get my money’s worth, so I made the stop on my way home.

Traffic was really bad the entire time since I had left BA, and I’m not sure why. It seemed like it took forever until I finally made it to the apartment. But eventually I made it, and I settled in for some TV-watching, Christmas card-writing and sandwich-eating.

At one point, I thought I heard a knock on my door, but I was positive that wasn’t possible so I ignored it. When it happened a second time, I thought I might be wrong, so I answered. Thing 2 was there and wanted to talk about Thanksgiving at her place.

She told me that she had mentioned to her dad that she was going to bring me, and he was excited, so I figured there would be no backing out now. Thing 2 also gave me a sheet of paper with her phone number and address on it, so I would be able to find my way. She took my phone number so she could call me and let me know when to come.

I am starting to think there is a possibility she doesn’t know my name either, so this could be an interesting time.

Thing 2 explained to me that along with her family, most of the African people that live in her parents’ neighbourhood would be at her house for the celebrations. I guess they all get together for most of the holidays. She mentioned that there would be a lot of people she would refer to as her aunts and uncles, but many of them would not actually be her family, just the other people from the neighbourhood that they knew from their time in Ghana. I am getting the feeling that I am going to be the only white person in attendance.

I am a little excited, but also nervous. Thing 2 said I should be prepared to spend the whole day at her house, which is fine, but I also know that I don’t have an escape route. I have no reason to leave, nothing that can take me away if things are awkward and uncomfortable. My hope is that it won’t resort to that, but I am heading to a house full of strange people, for a tradition that is theirs, not mine, and I don’t know a single person’s name. I might start trying to map out an escape.

After our conversation I went back to my Law and Order: SVU marathon on the USA channel (an awesome channel full of shows I love), and continued writing Christmas cards for people at home. I will have many more to send tomorrow after work.

This short week will end tomorrow, thanks to this American tradition, and four weeks of my internship will be done. It’s hard to believe that my internship is almost two-thirds of the way over. Yikes! I need to get working on more bios.

Back to Sandy Koufax in the morning...