Saturday, May 30, 2009

SOTOMAYOR IS A GREAT NOMINATION!
The Lifeguard likes the pick of Javier Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court of the United States.

If confirmed, the Cuban-born Sotomayor would become the first Hispanic (and Olympic medalist) on the Court. He is 42, and will likely have a long career on the Court. As perhaps the greatest high jumper in history, he will certainly raise the bar for his fellow justices. He is a devout communist, which makes him a top choice for the Senate Democrats which will have to confirm him. He is a supporter of abortion rights, banning guns, and imprisoning and torturing those who don't support the Maximum Leader.

He has a brilliant legal mind, and is a graduate of the Universidad de la Habana, where he took a law degree, with honours, from the alma mater of the Maximum Leader. He is also an Olympic gold medalist.

Sadly, Sotomayor was accused of drug use (the positive cocaine test is not the problem; but, the steroid use is). Still, if confirmed, Sotomayor would be an asset to the Court (especially at the Judicial Branch's summer picnic).

The Lifeguard is pleased that President Obama has not made a cynical pick of an Hispanic to fill Justice Souter's seat. At the moment, The Lifeguard is poring over Sotomayor's judicial record; and, when finished, will make an assessment on the merits of this nomination.

At the moment, however, The Lifeguard likes this choice.

Well done, President Obama.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

DFL? DFT!

The Lifeguard Raced In The Figawi...
and he is still tired.

Menage A Trois struggled with sustained 20 knot winds; and, we suffered because we stayed high on the course (expecting a wind shift that never arrived). Although we did not lack talented crew, we made tactical errors (staying high, even though the majority of the fleet started reaching off almost immediately), sail-handling errors (the sails never looked that great), and weather helm that kept Menage rounding up every minute or so.

As a consequence, we had our worst Figawi finish...ever. DFL.

But, Nantucket was a blast, and my liver survived.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Lifeguard Runs, Too!

These Women Weren't In My Road Race...
The Lifeguard, wanting to get back into top physical condition for the summer drinking season, planned on entering a 5K that was a fundraiser for a local charity. (Donate here, if you wish.) I talked about it for weeks, until finally Number Two asked, "Dad, when are you going to start training for the race?"

The Lifeguard's snarky (and, totally honest) answer: "When does the race start?"

So, on May 9th, The Lifeguard showed up at 1045 HRS (for an 1100 HRS gun). Stretching for two minutes or so, then pinning on my number, I started stalking the competition. Preferring to trash talk men and women pushing baby joggers, the seemingly mentally deficient, and the physically infirm, The Lifeguard took his place in the herd.

Hell, I knew that the crowd would sort itself out--the racers breaking from the pack, leaving the runners behind. And, the course was suited for that--one lap around the track, then out onto the local roads.

The Lifeguard started in the middle of the pack, getting out of starting area in 1:49 for the first quarter-mile. (A pace that still would not have put The Lifeguard in the money.) The first hill was nearly my Waterloo--I have never done well on downhills--when I started feeling a little knee pain. (The Lifeguard is thinking that it would be really embarrassing to drop out at the 1 mile mark, especially since there is no nearby bar; and, no way to pull a Rosie Ruiz.)

I started thinking, at the 1.5 mile mark about Richard Pryor (who talked about getting a cramp while running).

"Hello, I'll be fucking with you for the next hour or so. I'll be moving from side to side, down your groin, and up your ass. When you drop dead, I will stop."

At the 2 mile mark, the men and women pushing baby joggers were passing me (including one woman whose child was wearing a hockey helmet). Now, don't get me wrong, I get the whole safety thing; but, making your child look like a tool when you are wearing running shorts and a pink LIVESTRONG singlet is so wrong. Kicking my ass while you're doing it? Even more wrong, even more emasculating.

On the uphill to the finish, The Lifeguard was managing to stay focused, in spite of the tremendous buildup of lactic acid (and thoughts of having erred by not training for this race). I managed to pass a few people, too. (Of course, those people were receiving medical attention; but still....)

Then, the finish. Fighting off the pregnant woman (who later delivered her triplets on the infield), I managed to get through the gate in 33:45 (my best 5K time since my last 5K, in 1989). And, while I wasn't first, I sure as Hell wasn't last...so that is something.

And, the day after, The Lifeguard's quads are still screaming; but, I finished.

Next up, The Boston Marathon...

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Now playing centerfield, Dominic DiMaggio.

Where Have You Gone, Dom DiMaggio?
The "Little Professor" died peacefully yesterday, reportedly while watching a replay of the Indians v. Red Sox game.

A lifetime .298 hitter, DiMaggio was one of the greatest centerfielders to play for the Red Sox; and, his 34-game hitting streak in 1949 remains a Red Sox record. He was known for his great arm, tremendous range, and capacity to read the batter. Indeed, Ted Williams, DiMaggio's partner in the outfield, noted that he and DiMaggio had a deal that DiMaggio would get every ball that he could. (Even Ted Williams followed the "Rule of Nine.")

The 5'9", 168 pound DiMaggio joined his brothers, Vince and Joe in professional baseball, where he enjoyed a ten-year career. DiMaggio later went on to not marry Marilyn Monroe or be remembered in a Simon and Garfunkel song. Instead, he was a founding partner of the Boston (later New England) Patriots and a successful Boston businessman. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Emily, and three children, Dominic Paul, Peter and Emily. Oh, and of all of the citizens of Red Sox Nation.

God bless you, Dominic DiMaggio.