Re-Buildin' the Deck

I haven't had too much time for blogging lately. I've been rebuilding our deck. Yes, you read that correctly. Me, the least-handy individual this side of Jupiter. You see, my handsome and witty Canadian brother-in-law offered to come to town from Appleton, WI to help me. Now, saying HE helped ME rebuild my deck is like saying John, Paul and George helped Ringo Starr form a great rock band.

Basically, here is what my brother-in-law handled:

All measuring of the deck.
Picking out all wood, tools and material at Menards.
Helped load all of above into vehicle.
Helped unload all of above at home.
Helped with removal of all old decking.
All measuring and cutting of new wood to ensure a correct pattern on deck.
Much of the drilling of wood to deck after measuring and cutting.
Rebuilding of wobbly deck stairs, beginning to end.
Rebuilding the end of deck, beginning to end, that was totally screwed up by previous owner.

Here is what I did:

Made sure to have beer on hand (imperative).
Drove to Menards with brother in law.
Sat there and pretended to know what he was looking for while he picked out materials.
Bought some Little Debbies and pop along the way (you save big money at Menards).
Helped load and unload materials from truck (ticket to the gun show - you know what I'm sayin'.)
Continually got beer while brother in law did things listed above. Tried to look smart while he was measuring stuff.
Helped drill wood to deck (I actually got pretty good at this)!
Ate Little Debbies. Got VERY good at this.
Took old wood to pay dump, threw it in big dumpster while brother in law rebuilt stairs, end of deck, etc.
Helped sand deck once I figured out how to turn sander on.

We finished in about two and a half days, and I have to say it looks pretty damn good. We decided on cedar, which looks and smells great and will last a lot longer. This deck is now so secure I could have disco parties up there. Maybe I will.

I'd like to thank my brother in law for all of his hard work. I literally could not have done it without him. And, I learned a lot about deck construction along the way. In fact, it's already got me thinking about what my next project might be. I'm going to wait a while, however, because I'm pretty sore right now. I used muscles that I haven't used since never.

Whatever the next project is, I'm going to make sure to have plenty of Little Debbies on hand.

Peace,

Jeff

A Couple of Notes.....

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Here are a couple of quick thoughts before our next BBQ:

1. Twins Sweep Brewers. After returning from a 1-6 road trip, the Twins suddenly looked like Murderer's Row while sweeping the Brewers in a three-game series at the Dome and outscoring them 23-8 in the process. Now, I believe the Brewers are a very good team - for the National League. I think the Brewers could win the National League. The American League, however, is vastly superior in overall talent to the National League, and here are some statistics to back up that statement. Check out the American League's winning percentage against the National League since 2004 in inter-league play:

2008: AL 149-NL 103 (.591)
2007: AL 137-NL 115 (.544)
2006: AL 154-NL 98 (.611)
2005: AL 136-NL 116 (.540)
2004: AL 127-NL 125 (.504)

The Twins actually have the best winning percentage in inter-league play since 2002, with 83 wins and 46 losses when you count the sweep of the Brewers. I guess my point to the whole thing is that the Twins sweep of the Brewers says more about the quality of the National League as a whole than the Brewers or Twins as individual teams. Having said that, I have always favored National League rules in which the pitchers bat and there are no designated hitters. It's more strategic and just a better game. So there.

2. Ex-Wilco Member Jay Bennett Passes Away. Tony8489 called me this morning with the news that Jay Bennett, a former member of Wilco, died in his sleep yesterday at age 45. The cause is not yet known. Wilco, my favorite current band, has had many different lineups over the years, with only lead singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt serving as mainstays from the beginning. Bennett was best known for his songwriting and playing multiple instruments, particularly keyboards. He had a huge hand in the band's excellent "Summerteeth" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." From what I've read, Bennett and Tweedy were both perfectionists, which led to Bennett's firing from the band a few years back. This firing was well-chronicled in the Wilco movie, "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart."

I've loved Wilco since their beginning in the mid-90's, and certainly enjoyed the music from Bennett's "era" very much. I liked the "Beatle-esque" sound he helped bring to "Summerteeth." May he RIP.

That's it for today.

Jeff

Wolves Hire David Kahn as GM

I don't know much about David Kahn and I really don't care much about the NBA. Personally, I am much more interested in the Wild naming Chuck Fletcher as their GM.

I couldn't resist this, though. This will be Wolves fan's reaction to David Kahn's first lottery pick, and maybe even choice of head coach for the Wolves.

Hopefully I'm wrong.

Jeff

Twins Ballpark Tour

I received an e-mail this morning from Shane of The Greet Machine asking me if I'd be interested in taking a tour of the new Twins ballpark with Ballpark Authority Executive Director Dan Kenney. Interested!?! I had to breath into a bag for awhile before responding.

Now, I have dragged my family down to the Target Field site countless times, but we've only been able to view the ballpark from the outside. And since the playing field will be below ground level, it's been tough to get a real good view from the outside. This would be my first time "on the inside."

So late this afternoon, I met Shane, Freealonzo, Cheesehead Craig, Shane's friend Ryan and Rick from Ballpark Magic at the Target Field construction site and we were greeted by Executive Director Dan Kenney (a very nice guy, by the way). Once we donned construction helmets and protective eye wear, we were off on our tour.

Pictures were not allowed on this tour, so I cannot share any with you. If you want to see pictures, check out Rick's site, Ballpark Magic. This was a fantastic experience, however, and I learned a lot about Target Field. Here are the things that had the greatest impact on me:

1. Target Field will be a ballpark, not a stadium. One of the first stops on the tour was to step out near home plate in the first row of seating. This view reveals how compact the ballpark is, and how close the 40,000 seats will be to the action. The "worst seat" in the house will still be a great seat. The farthest seat in the outfield is about as far from home plate as the nearest outfield seats in the Metrodome. It also revealed to me, for the first time, the great view of downtown Minneapolis from the home plate/third base area. He also showed us the area in center field in which plans have called for a fow of pine trees. Kenney has his doubts, however, that baseball will allow a row of trees "swaying in the wind" in a batter's view.

2. The construction of the multi-level restaurant facility in left field reminds me of Petco Park in San Diego. In fact, I asked Kenney what existing ballparks were most similar to Target Field, and he answered that "Pittsburgh, San Diego and San Francisco were closest in design." There will be various pubs and eating facilities in the left field building, with bleacher seating on top and possibly even fire pits. That will be very cool.

3. The concourses remind me of the Xcel Energy Center - very wide, with views of the game from all vantage points. You will be able to see the action while waiting in line for a beer. Bathroom are plentiful, unlike a certain domed stadium nearby. There will be two atriums (that we saw - possibly more), devoted to Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett. Each were surrounded by glass with great views of Minneapolis (The Basilica, etc., and unfortunately a view of the garbage burner). This reminded me, once again, of the Xcel Energy Center and it's views of the Capitol and the Cathedral. It looks like Twins history will be honored throughout this ballpark.

4. Another area that we toured will be called "The Metropolitan Club." This will be a party area open to all season ticket holders, and is an ode to Met Stadium in Bloomington. They are even going to incorporate the garish 1960's multi-colored facade of The Met. I love those garish 1960's colors. There will be other club areas to go with The Metropolitan Club, such as The "573 Club," named after the number of home runs clubbed by Harmon Killebrew.

5. This ballpark will certainly be transit-oriented. There will be stops alongside the ballpark for the Hiawatha light rail line, and the future Central Corridor line from St. Paul, and heavy rail from Big Lake passes right under the ballpark. In addition, the Cedar Lake bike trail leads right to Target field for those fans who want to ride their bike to the game.

6. Other interesting sites that we toured were Target Plaza, a public greeting place for fans to gather before and after each game, and the suite level. I did not hear if THE CHECK will have a suite, but there some nice spaces available, ranging from fairly small to the immense Cambria suite.

All in all, this hour-long tour got me even more excited for outdoor baseball - if that is possible. I believe that Minnesota will finally have a Major League Baseball facility to be proud of. I'd also like to thank Shane for the invitation to the tour! As Dan Kenney said today before Shane showed up, if it wasn't for The Greet Machine blog, this ballpark might not exist. Kenney confirmed that The Greet Machine was widely read by many members of the Legislature back in 2006, and helped sway many opinions toward a "yes vote." Nice job Shane, and thanks again!

Jeff

Forget the Twins! Shane MacGowan Has Teeth!

As reported by Dave M., Irish rock' n' roller Shane MacGowan has teeth (not in this picture, though)! The London Sun is reporting that after decades of being virtually toothless, the 50-year old Pogues lead singer has flown to Spain to have a set of new teeth installed! What kind of crazy parallel universe have we crossed into? What is going to happen next - Woody Allen with muscles? Michelle Bachman turning Democrat?? Brett Favre on the Vikings???

I'd include a picture of the lad with his new choppers, but it's been copywrited and copying it from the Sun is prevented. So here is a link to the story in the Sun so you can view the incredible photo for yourself.

In a separate story, the Sun is also reporting that Shane started drinking when he was four years old, which I think is a conservative estimate. There is also a story in which doctors have warned him that "his next drink could kill him," which they have been saying since 1988.

I wish Shane MacGowan the best. I have always loved his music, but have never felt that he was "long for this world." Then again, I have been saying that for twenty years. Maybe he and Keith Richards will be the last two souls on Earth. Who knows. He's the 8th Wonder of the World.

Peace,

Jeff

Warning: Another Yankees Rant Ahead..........

For a relatively stable 42-year-old male, husband, father of three and employed homeowner, I have an irrational hatred of the New York Yankees. I hate them. I hate everything about them. After experiencing yesterday's nightmarish, bottom-of-the-ninth choke-job against the Yanks, I have just witnessed today's nightmarish, extra-inning Alex Rodriguez walk-off home run against Craig (he went to Yale, you know) Breslow. This is taking years off of my life.

**Sunday Update - Johnny Damon just hit a 10th-inning, walk-off home run against Jesse Crain to end today's game. Of course he did. Thank you, Billy Smith, for assembling this wonderful bullpen! You absolutely can not script this stuff. I hate the Yankees with every fiber of my being. Back to yesterday's post.....

First off, allowing Craig Breslow to pitch in an extra-inning game is the same as a forfeit. KDWB could hold a contest and the bozo who is the 19th caller could come in a do just as well as Breslow. Seriously, the KDWB bozo could come in and walk the first batter on 4 pitches and then surrender a 900-foot home run to The Steroid King. Game over.

Secondly, when did the Twins quit bunting? Today in the ninth inning, The Twins have guys on 1st and 2nd with nobody out, and Michael Cuddyer comes up. Now, I understand the Cuddy is not normally known as "bunting guy," but he was 0 for 13 in the series up to that point for Cliff's sake. Bunt the ball Cuddy. Instead, he pops out - guys left standing on 1st and 2nd. What does the next batter do - he hits a long fly ball out, of course! It would have been a sac-fly if Cuddy could have moved the runners over and The Twins would have taken the lead. Remember moving runners over? That's Twins baseball! Tom Kelly would be rolling over in his grave if he were dead. Instead, the ninth inning ends with no runs.

I have to stop to breath into a bag. I need a break. I'm going to finish this later.....

OK.......I just got back from playing fast-pitch whiffle ball with my son in the back yard and (this is no lie) gave up a walk-off home run to lose the game. I feel like Craig Breslow. Back to the Yankees.....

Thirdly, to go along with my unhealthy dislike of most of the existing store-bought Yankees, I've developed a new unhealthy dislike of the Yank's new $20-million a year guy Mark Teixiera. We finally are rid of Twins-killer Mike Mussina and now Teixiera comes along and will most certainly hit .800 against the Twins the rest of his career. If he's actually a good guy, I apologize. But I doubt it.

Fourthly, I'm sick of hearing about the $1.5 billion-dollar "new" Yankee stadium and seeing pictures of their smug fans in $2,500 seats. Well, I'm actually not sick of hearing about how many of those $2,500 seats are now $1,200 seats and are mostly empty. That's still pretty cool. By the way, if you want to read a hilarious Onion article about this phenomenon, here it is. Speaking of smug, you see that picture up above of the Yankee fan, chomping on a cigar, showing off his World Series rings? Geez, I wonder which team he was on to earn those rings? 1977? 1996? None?

Fifthly, the strike zone for the Yankee superstars is the size of a soda cracker. You can't tell me that Matt Tolbert has the same strike zone as Derek Jeter in Yankee stadium. And maybe he shouldn't. But unfortunately, whereas most teams have one or two guys who earn a "reduced strike zone," the theory seems to apply to the Yankees entire lineup. It's incredible.

That's all I have for now. Writing this has made me feel a little better, which is why my wife created this blog in the first place.

I can hardly wait for tomorrow's game. I see Carlos Gomez losing a ball in the sun with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.......

Jeff

1982-2009 Twins All-Metrodome Team

As you may have heard, 2009 marks the last season that the Minnesota Twins will play in the Metrodome. Say what you will about the Dome, there have been some very good Twins teams and some excellent baseball players that called that stadium home.

To honor the last season in the Dome, the Twins have a pretty cool promotion on their web site that allows fans to vote for the Twins All-Metrodome team. This team would obviously consist of Twins players from 1982 through 2009.

The web site allows fans to vote for one player at catcher and each infield position, three outfielders, three starting pitchers, two relievers and a Manager. So, after much deliberation, here is my personal All-Metrodome Twins team:

INFIELD:
First Base: Kent Hrbek
Second Base: Chuck Knoblauch (that was hard)
Shortstop: Greg Gagne
Third Base: Gary Gaetti
Catcher: Joe Mauer

OUTFIELD:
Kirby Puckett
Torii Hunter
Dan Gladden (very debatable, I realize)

STARTING PITCHERS:
Frank Viola
Bert Blyleven
Johan Santana

RELIEF PITCHERS:
Jeff Reardon
Rick Aguilera (No Ron Davis - sorry!)

MANAGER:
Tom Kelly (Two rings, man)

A couple things you will notice. When the vote was close, I gave the nod to players who won World Series. That is why Reardon and Aguilera beat out Joe Nathan. This is why Tom Kelly beat out Ron Gardenhire. This is why I voted for Dan Gladden over Tom Brunansky (2 rings vs. 1).

Each fan is allowed to vote 25 times, but this is the team that I am sticking to. How about you - what is your Twins All-Metrodome team?