Game Thread: Twins v Phillies, 6/21 @ 7:10pm CT

[Squirrel]

Brian is unavoidably, unavailable, today. I am never going to be an... equivalent, or even close to... to his greatness. So I'm not even going to try. I'd apologize... but hey, it's not my, fault Brian isn't here... today. I'm sure. He'll let you know... about it in his next... game thread.

 

The Phillies are kind of a meh team. The Twins are worse than meh. The Phillies are on a losing streak of 7 games; the Twins just won one, against the Yankees. The Phillies are going to be looking to break their streak, with a starter who has had a few rough outings in a row now. The Twins are looking to build on their winning streak of one game with a starter that started the season ... good-ish ... but has steadily declined and has had several rough outings in a row now. As I said ... meh vs worse meh. I know, I know ... not an upbeat start to the thread, but what I'm trying to say as 'ineloquently' as possible, is there is hope for a win against another not so great team. Let the high of winning one against the Yankees carry us through! So ... go Twins! Beat the Phillies!

 

As you know, I've been a 'here and gone' presence at game threads this year. I haven't watched all the games and I've been quick to change the channel because, well, it's heart-breaking for me and I just don't have that kind of thickness around my heart. It's also been difficult to come here and watch others express their heartbreak, as understandable as it may be, in an even more heartbreaking manner. So, I can only muster enough for a here and gone presence. Instead of five things to think about, I will present you with five things I do instead of game threads and Twins watching:

 

1. Cleaning out closets. As reported in other threads, I've been doing some work around my condo ... new flooring in the kitchen and entry-way ... closet 1; new carpeting in the bedrooms, closets 2 and 3. All good-sized and all being used in an efficient manner ... or so I thought. Once I started moving stuff out to accommodate the new flooring, I realized the 'out of sight, out of mind' principle had taken hold, in a not-so-efficient manner. Two and half FULL carloads to Salvation Army later, I feel better, lighter and relieved! (I have a storage locker in another part of my building I don't want to think about yet, but it will come.

 

2. Baking. I have nieces and nephews and I love to send them care packages. It keeps me busy, I love the aroma and I love more than anything the pleasure and sustenance it gives to these wonderfully deserving beautiful human beings I get to boast that I am related!

 

3. Playing tennis. Mostly, cardio tennis. I love it. Nothing more to say about that.

 

4. Channel surfing. Let's face. Some nights I'm just too tired and lazy, so I look for anything else that is just mind-numbing ... more in a 'this is really stupid but I'm watching it anyway' than in a 'man, this game is heartbreaking' mind-numbing kind of way.

 

5. Reading. From news, to politics, to pleasure ... depending on my current day and mood.

 

Okay, so there you have it ... what I do instead of watching games that break my heart. What are yours?

___________________

 

Lineups:

 

PHILLIES

Odubel Herrera (L) CF
Andres Blanco (S) 2B
Maikel Franco [R] 3B
Ryan Howard (L) DH
Tommy Joseph [R] 1B
Cameron Rupp [R] C
Cody Asche (L) LF
Freddy Galvis (S) SS
Peter Bourjos [R] RF

 

Aaron Nola [R] P

 

TWINS

Eduardo Nunez [R] SS
Robbie Grossman (S) LF
Joe Mauer (L) 1B
Brian Dozier [R] 2B
Trevor Plouffe [R] 3B
Max Kepler (L) RF
Byung-ho Park [R] DH
Kurt Suzuki [R] C
Byron Buxton [R] CF

 

Tyler Duffey [R] P

 

(And don't get anxious ... I'll post lineups when I'm home from work.)

 

Game-time forecast: Clear, sunny, 82 deg F; winds at 6mph from the W; no rain.

 

Go Twins! Play ball!

 

 

[Vanimal46]

I've had a difficult time trying to master the art of baking... As much as I love cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cakes, for some reason every time I attempt baking them they come out ruined  

I think we've all taken the "here and gone" approach for game threads this season. Most of the time when I'm here, I try to talk as little about baseball as humanly possible. 

There's so many shows on TV these days that I need to catch up on.... Game of Thrones is one that I've been told countless times to catch up on, but it's intimidating to do so.

The tried and true activity instead of game threading is to drink and forget the game is going on! 

[Halsey Hall]

Since there's never much in game threads baseball related I mostly skip or skim.  I've got no interest really on the other subjects that seem to come up. 

 

I watch the history channel a bunch and flip back and forth from the Twins.  Many times that flipping back is dragged out a while.

 

I'm currently trying to get on ChiTown's ancestry list.

[USAFChief]

When not watching the Twins, I:

 

1.  Watch Mrs Chief clean out the closets.

2.  Watch Mrs Chief bake.

3.  Watch golf.  Gotta get some exercise.

4.  Channel surf.

5.  Read Twins Daily.

 

 

 

[Vanimal46]

 

I watch the history channel a bunch and flip back and forth from the Twins.  Many times that flipping back is dragged out a while.

Ever watch the show Alone on History Channel? That's one of my go-to's for TV viewing. 

[Mike Sixel]

Hmmmm.....

 

Practice guitar

Watch tv

Try to find stuff since our move

I would play more games, but I am the only one in the house that interested

go to a brewery

Read a book (currently reading Guy Gavriel Kay's latest)

Talk to my wife about her new business, or about where we should move next

 

[wsnydes]

These are very much a hit or miss thing for me.  Depends on what I have going on and when the games are.

 

I'm more of a grill and bartender type guy.  I leave the baking to the far more competent.  

 

It's pretty common for me to throw on some music and "watch" the game muted.  That usually entails reading a book or surfing the web, but the game is technically on.  

[wsnydes]

 

Hmmmm.....

 

Practice guitar

Watch tv

Try to find stuff since our move

I would play more games, but I am the only one in the house that interested

go to a brewery

Read a book (currently reading Guy Gavriel Kay's latest)

Talk to my wife about her new business, or about where we should move next

Practice guitar.  That is something I should do far more often than I should.  I'm either too busy or my brain is fried from work.  Perhaps I should try practicing when my brain is fried to see if that helps anything.  Anything being my brain or my ability.

[Vanimal46]

I really should splurge and get a real teacher for practicing the guitar. YouTube videos aren't doing it for me.... 

[wsnydes]

 

I really should splurge and get a real teacher for practicing the guitar. YouTube videos aren't doing it for me.... 

I've found Rocksmith (xbox, ps, pc) to be enjoyable and at least a pretty good teacher.  It certainly won't teach you everything and can allow you to form some bad habits, but it is fun.  

 

Unfortunately, I hardly have time for that let alone actual lessons.  I wish that I had picked up a guitar in high school when I initially wanted to.  Not when I was 30.

[Mike Sixel]

http://www.justinguitar.com/

http://www.andyguitar.co.uk/

http://www.martyschwartzguitar.com/

 

Rocksmith is very good also,mostly for speeding up......

 

I bought Justin's 2 beginner songbooks and his book that goes with this lessons. If I actually practiced much, or often, or stuck to the plan, I'd be mediocre right now (starting when you are nearly 50, and having absolutely no musical natural talent or rhythm makes the process ..... interesting).

 

 

[Hrbowski]

Watches my friends play baseball

Read and write about draft prospects

Play the cello

Campaigns for politicians

Bird watches

 

Sadly watching my friends play can be more heartbreaking than watching the Twins. (We lost in the state championship game yesterday.)

[laloesch]

I can definitely relate to #1.  I've been working on updating a 2,500 sq. ft. house that was built in the early 80's for the past year.  It's been more pain then joy at times, but i'm finally almost done (for now).  If you need any advice on scraping popcorn ceilings, drywall work, installing hardwood flooring, redoing your kitchen i'm your man

[Winston Smith]

Lucky too have picture in a picture so I can watch anything else and still have a small window of Twins, which may be more than they deserve. Plus I don't have to listen, I really can't take Dick and Bert anymore they may actually be worse than the Twins team itself.

 

Our only hope now is for the top pick next June, lets not screw that one up.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I've had a difficult time trying to master the art of baking... As much as I love cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cakes, for some reason every time I attempt baking them they come out ruined  

I think we've all taken the "here and gone" approach for game threads this season. Most of the time when I'm here, I try to talk as little about baseball as humanly possible. 

There's so many shows on TV these days that I need to catch up on.... Game of Thrones is one that I've been told countless times to catch up on, but it's intimidating to do so.

The tried and true activity instead of game threading is to drink and forget the game is going on! 

 

That's easy.  Don't bake them.  Just eat the dough.

 

 

[wsnydes]

 

http://www.justinguitar.com/

http://www.andyguitar.co.uk/

http://www.martyschwartzguitar.com/

 

Rocksmith is very good also,mostly for speeding up......

 

I bought Justin's 2 beginner songbooks and his book that goes with this lessons. If I actually practiced much, or often, or stuck to the plan, I'd be mediocre right now (starting when you are nearly 50, and having absolutely no musical natural talent or rhythm makes the process ..... interesting).

I'd second justinguitar.  he's really good.  I spent a lot of time poking around that sight and found some great info.

 

I like Rocksmith because you play actual songs.  Songs that I like to listen to and want to learn to play.  Even if I'm not any good, its still fun to play.  

 

I played sax in school, but hadn't touched an instrument in a dozen years when I picked up Rocksmith and a guitar.  5 years and 4 new guitars later, I'm an addict that doesn't get to scratch the itch nearly enough but really enjoys playing.  I'd say I'm competent at guitar, but not gig worthy.  I don't put enough time into it like I did when I started.  

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Brian is unavoidably, unavailable, today. I am never going to be an... equivalent, or even close to... to his greatness. So I'm not even going to try. I'd apologize... but hey, it's not my, fault Brian isn't here... today. I'm sure. He'll let you know... about it in his next... game thread.

 

The Phillies are kind of a meh team. The Twins are worse than meh. The Phillies are on a losing streak of 7 games; the Twins just won one, against the Yankees. The Phillies are going to be looking to break their streak, with a starter who has had a few rough outings in a row now. The Twins are looking to build on their winning streak of one game with a starter that started the season ... good-ish ... but has steadily declined and has had several rough outings in a row now. As I said ... meh vs worse meh. I know, I know ... not an upbeat start to the thread, but what I'm trying to say as 'ineloquently' as possible, is there is hope for a win against another not so great team. Let the high of winning one against the Yankees carry us through! So ... go Twins! Beat the Phillies!

 

As you know, I've been a 'here and gone' presence at game threads this year. I haven't watched all the games and I've been quick to change the channel because, well, it's heart-breaking for me and I just don't have that kind of thickness around my heart. It's also been difficult to come here and watch others express their heartbreak, as understandable as it may be, in an even more heartbreaking manner. So, I can only muster enough for a here and gone presence. Instead of five things to think about, I will present you with five things I do instead of game threads and Twins watching:

 

1. Cleaning out closets. As reported in other threads, I've been doing some work around my condo ... new flooring in the kitchen and entry-way ... closet 1; new carpeting in the bedrooms, closets 2 and 3. All good-sized and all being used in an efficient manner ... or so I thought. Once I started moving stuff out to accommodate the new flooring, I realized the 'out of sight, out of mind' principle had taken hold, in a not-so-efficient manner. Two and half FULL carloads to Salvation Army later, I feel better, lighter and relieved! (I have a storage locker in another part of my building I don't want to think about yet, but it will come.

 

2. Baking. I have nieces and nephews and I love to send them care packages. It keeps me busy, I love the aroma and I love more than anything the pleasure and sustenance it gives to these wonderfully deserving beautiful human beings I get to boast that I am related!

 

3. Playing tennis. Mostly, cardio tennis. I love it. Nothing more to say about that.

 

4. Channel surfing. Let's face. Some nights I'm just too tired and lazy, so I look for anything else that is just mind-numbing ... more in a 'this is really stupid but I'm watching it anyway' than in a 'man, this game is heartbreaking' mind-numbing kind of way.

 

5. Reading. From news, to politics, to pleasure ... depending on my current day and mood.

 

Okay, so there you have it ... what I do instead of watching games that break my heart. What are yours?

___________________

 

Lineups:

 

PHILLIES

tba

 

Aaron Nola [R] P

 

TWINS

tba

 

Tyler Duffey [R] P

 

(And don't get anxious ... I'll post lineups when I'm home from work.)

 

Game-time forecast: Clear, sunny, 82 deg F; winds at 6mph from the W; no rain.

 

Go Twins! Play ball!

 

It would have been nice to have had an aunt that would spoil me with baked goods back when I was in college/young adult.  So sad...

[Blake]

 

 

I'm currently trying to get on ChiTown's ancestry list.

Yeah, me too.

[Mike Sixel]

 

http://www.justinguitar.com/

http://www.andyguitar.co.uk/

http://www.martyschwartzguitar.com/

 

Rocksmith is very good also,mostly for speeding up......

 

I bought Justin's 2 beginner songbooks and his book that goes with this lessons. If I actually practiced much, or often, or stuck to the plan, I'd be mediocre right now (starting when you are nearly 50, and having absolutely no musical natural talent or rhythm makes the process ..... interesting).

 

Quoting myself.....

 

If you ever start guitar, justinguitar is awesome. My more advanced friends just use his song lessons to get an idea for a song.....

 

but for starting out, and not wanting to pay a teacher? Pure awesome. Andy's lessons are very good, I just prefer Justin's for some reason.....both Brits.....

 

Marty just re-launched his site, with an unreal number of lessons.

 

I really like Rocksmith a lot for the reasons above, you play along with songs you like. I should play it, because the PS3 disappears again in August....but then, my 18 yo is nearly always binge watching something.

[Blake]

 

That's easy.  Don't bake them.  Just eat the dough.

If the cookie dough doesn't taste good, neither will the cookies.

[wsnydes]

 

I can definitely relate to #1.  I've been working on updating a 2,500 sq. ft. house that was built in the early 80's for the past year.  It's been more pain then joy at times, but i'm finally almost done (for now).  If you need any advice on scraping popcorn ceilings, drywall work, installing hardwood flooring, redoing your kitchen i'm your man

I hear you there.  Over Memorial Day weekend, I ripped out a half flight of stairs that seemed to have been built by a drunken 6 year old.  One rise was 6-1/2" and the next was 8-3/4" etc etc.  I had to shim not only the treads to level them out, but I also had to shim out the riser to square them up.  I was too lazy to redo the stringers.  They were in good shape anyway.  That's not remodeling a kitchen, but time consuming nonetheless.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I can definitely relate to #1.  I've been working on updating a 2,500 sq. ft. house that was built in the early 80's for the past year.  It's been more pain then joy at times, but i'm finally almost done (for now).  If you need any advice on scraping popcorn ceilings, drywall work, installing hardwood flooring, redoing your kitchen i'm your man

I remember those days.  I think I still have a half pound of drywall dust permanently residing in my lungs.

[Mike Sixel]

I kind of liked remodeling, but my wife hates the swearing, and if we ever get another home, I think I'm banished from anything other than electrical and gardening.....

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

If the cookie dough doesn't taste good, neither will the cookies.

 

Fair enough, but that's the easy part of baking.  There's a million recipes out there that aren't hard to follow.  Just skip the part where they end up burnt.

[Blake]

 

 

1. Cleaning out closets. As reported in other threads, I've been doing some work around my condo ... new flooring in the kitchen and entry-way ... closet 1; new carpeting in the bedrooms, closets 2 and 3. All good-sized and all being used in an efficient manner ... or so I thought. Once I started moving stuff out to accommodate the new flooring, I realized the 'out of sight, out of mind' principle had taken hold, in a not-so-efficient manner. Two and half FULL carloads to Salvation Army later, I feel better, lighter and relieved! (I have a storage locker in another part of my building I don't want to think about yet, but it will come.

------------------------------------------------------

 

My wife and I tend to clean stuff out of the closets on a regular basis, yet, we never seem to be able to keep up. I think we have closet gnomes that grab stuff other people have thrown away and which the gnomes then put it in our closets.

 

Or, we're going to wind up on tv as "Hoarders: The Intervention."

 

[wsnydes]

 

I kind of liked remodeling, but my wife hates the swearing, and if we ever get another home, I think I'm banished from anything other than electrical and gardening.....

It is kind of "fun", in a sadomasochistic way.  I have other things I'd rather spend my time on and my skills aren't good enough to meet my own standards (taping drywall among them), so I bite the bullet and pay a professional to do somethings.  I stick to carpentry and the occasional minor electrical and plumbing modification.  

[wsnydes]

 

If the cookie dough doesn't taste good, neither will the cookies.

So that is where I go wrong...

[Mike Sixel]

 

It is kind of "fun", in a sadomasochistic way.  I have other things I'd rather spend my time on and my skills aren't good enough to meet my own standards (taping drywall among them), so I bite the bullet and pay a professional to do somethings.  I stick to carpentry and the occasional minor electrical and plumbing modification.  

 

I am with you on the skills, I don't do the stuff you can see, generally.....

 

I am probably with you on the fun part also, it is more fun in retrospect than when I'm actually doing it. Of course, some good tools would help....

[Blake]

 

So that is where I go wrong...

While true, it's an excuse to "sample" the cookie dough extensively.

[wsnydes]

 

I am with you on the skills, I don't do the stuff you can see, generally.....

 

I am probably with you on the fun part also, it is more fun in retrospect than when I'm actually doing it. Of course, some good tools would help....

I like to use the lack of either good tools or correct tools as an excuse to go buy more tools.  My wife either humors me and says nothing or just doesn't say anything because she knows I'll just go get them anyway.