Piss and moan

Ah yes the off-season. Time again for John Q. Fan to piss and moan about what the Cardinals management is doing. Nothing bothers me more this time of year than people that complain and then offer no solution for what they are bitching about. I really wouldn't have a problem with criticism if a reasonable alternative was presented. The blanket statements "Spend more Money!" get old fast when the same people cannot answer the question "on who?" ( or is it whom?)

I personally like when one person that was calling out ownership for being cheap was pressed for what he would do. He said sign Aaron Rowand. For how much? "Rowand 7 million base...3 million Incentives per year for 3 years " Nice try - he signed a $60 million-5 year contract.

Next are the people that cry about every move that is made. Aaron Miles was non-tendered and all of the sudden he became a Cardinal legend. He was a backup infielder! That move makes very little difference. I was a Miles supporter while he was here and he took alot of abuse. "AAAron" was a nickname given by some. Now that the Cards didn't bring him back, it is the end of civilization?

Cards sign D'Angelo Jimenez to a minor league deal and management gets blasted for that. If he makes the team he will give the Cards pretty much exactly what Miles would have for about half the price. It seems to me that these moves make sense.

Now the Eckstien situation seems murky to me. Cards say Eck wanted a 4 year deal. Eck says there was never an offer from STL. He signed for 1 year in Toronto. There must have been some miss communication on that one. I'm still baffled that he wasn't offered arbitration.

Instead the Cards sign Cesear Izturis. I actually like the signing. He isn't a world beater, but he has a nice glove and some speed. Many people are killing him because of how he hit in Chicago last year. Guess what. With the weather in Chicago at the beginning of the year, not many people were hitting outside of Micheal Barrett and Derrek Lee . If memory serves me right, Jason Marquis' ERA was under 3.50 at the end of June and Soriano only had 4 HR in Wrigley at the end June. So I'll put more weight on the .276 avg Izturis had with the Pirates.

Which now brings me to Jim Edmonds. I love Edmonds, he has been a favorite of mine ever since he made the best catch I have ever seen. I admit that when I heard of the trade, I thought we would have gotten more. But teams don't pay for sentimental value. We have outfielders, so I don't think it will have a vast negative impact on the field. Maybe we will get to see Colby Rasmus earlier than we thought, but I think we will see more of Schumaker and Barton. We need a leadoff hitter and they both fit the bill. Anyway, I will miss Jim Edmonds.

I'm not the "doing the wild thing" IT guy!

If one more "Cubhead" calls me to tell me the system is running slow, I may pull a Deb on them!

No "solid waste" the system is slow. I sent an global e-mail stating that we were experiencing problems and that I would let you know when it is fixed. Did I send a "doing the wild thing" e-mail saying it was fixed? "Doing the wild thing" NO! Now leave me the "doing the wild thing" alone, so I can do my own "darn" job. All I can do is contact the service providers and have them check it out. Do you morans actually think, that I can magically snap my fingers to make the "solid waste" work? Maybe I should hop on a "doing the wild thing" plane and fly to India and fix the "solid waste" myself. But I'm not the "doing the wild thing" IT guy.

Christmas Newsletter

all credit goes to Tracy for this submission:

Merry Christmas! This year has been quite a year for us. Our greatest gift was Ethan Eugene born July 14 weighing in at 8lb 10oz. He is quite the "Little Man." He has an amazing personality and is a very happy and healthy boy. And yes, he looks just like Steve!

Tracy is working part-time this year and is enjoying staying home with Ethan. Changing diapers, singing lullabies and midnight feedings keep her busy. When she can she enjoys spending time back home in Wisconsin visiting her family. In July her dad's health took a turn for the worse, as some of you know, but he has made quite a turn around and he is nearly back to his charming self.

Steve continues to work at Essex and on top of working 60 hours a week and fatherhood, he started and completed his MBA this year! Class, papers, exams, and endless group meeting, what a sleepless whirlwind! His parents are still enjoying retirement and visiting their 1st grandson.

In March we were able to travel abroad to Spain and France as part of Steve's MBA program. It was an amazing experience! At 5 1/2 months pregnant Tracy kept up with the group as we toured all of Barcelona & Paris in 10 days.

As we look to the New Year we look forward to SLEEP and spending time watching Ethan grow! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope the New Year brings you good tidings! May God bless you and your family the whole year through!

School's out!!

That was one long year, but now it is done. I still stand by my statement that if you are getting a degree, get it as fast as possible. The PMBA program through NIU is my recommendation. I wouldn't do it any other way. Speaking of which I need to give a shout out to my Study group - Terry, Jon, Chris, Laura, and Rema - you guys rock! From the 1st presentation in January to the Capstone in December, we proved we were the best. Thank you and Congratulations, I couldn't have survived with out you!!

Life

I will start to get mine back in 4 days 19 hours and 44 minutes.

Ask and ye shall receive

I said CHEESECAKE!!



You did not just put me in a Dress!

Ok, More!

Quick Update

I know I said I would be back in 2008, but I'm between classes and I really don't want to work right now.

• In case you didn't know, Ethan was born July 14. I need to upload newer pictures to my computer, but here are a few of the early group.
  

• The MBA is heading into the final stretch as classes resume on Monday and then I hit it non-stop until the final presentation on 12/8. (7 down - 3 to go!)
• Tracy's dad is doing better after a few rough weeks and a couple hospital stays. Hopefully he sticks with his therapy.
• The Cardinals are finally playing better baseball are are climbing back into the postseason hunt.
• Work is work, and I've been trying to dart out early so I can spend time with Ethan.
• Friday is our 5th wedding anniversary.
• Ethan's baptism will be Labor Day weekend.
• I may have a sinus infection, but the time I spent in hospitals between Ethan and Gene has used my personal allotment of Doctor time that I have been saving for the past 7 years. Doctors and I don't get along.