So I am back. Some might think I stopped writing. What I actually did was wait until I was free to write in here and compose my thoughts. Originally, I was going to wait until for a lot less time but it has been almost a month.
So two Sunday's ago, me and Bob went on the Wrigley Field tour. It was nice. We had a nice meal at Harry Carey's which ravaged me for a large portion of the afternoon. The tour was fantastic. We had a lot of fun and go to see some stuff about the field that we would otherwise not see. It was really my first time in Wrigleyville where I was able to have fun. Usually it is far too packed and unenjoyable. I would put pictures up but I am not a big "put pictures on the internet" kinda guy. That is other people's thing to do.
This past weekend my family was out of town. That too was fantastic. Friday wasn't at all how I pictured it but was fun nonetheless. Me and Rach did a little shopping in Merrillville and then went to TJ Maloney's. When we got home, we saw her Mom's new car and then watched Dan in Real Life. Our day was almost ruined by other people, which is funny. Apparently, doing one thing and telling everyone else you didn't do anything isn't lying. This is something that is ok to do. Not shady at all.
Anyways, on Saturday, Bob came over and we had a lot of fun too. We had a nice meal, some cigars, and some beer. I was in a funk from about 3 until 6 on Saturday. I really wasn't myself. It was weird. It took about 30 minutes of hanging out with Bob until my mind cleared. It was a weird feeling. I don't know if I was tired or if something else was wrong with me.
On Sunday, I studied for the Praxis. It was probably more of a reason I haven't blogged than anything else. The Praxis is a test everyone has to take before they can teach. It is a pain to take and study for. Once I was done studying, I spent some time playing Metal Gear and having alone time.
On Monday, I worked all Day and studied for the Praxis again at night. On Tuesday morning, I took the Praxis. It was very weird but I passed just fine. There is one last part I have to get my results for and then I will be done. I guess I should say I also had a teaching interview about two weeks ago. I think it went ok. They need me to mail them some stuff but not until July 1st as they are not open until then.
The rest of the week went as planned. It ended with us going to the Cubs game. That was a lot of fun as we saw the Sox lose to them. It was great to finally go to a Cubs/Sox game. Thursday was the draft, but more on that later. Friday I hung out with Rach but got a bad headache. I went out to eat with Rach and her parents anyways and got sicker. Because of this, I simply went home and went to sleep. Saturday, I hung out with Bob and we went to the mall. Neither of us got anything. We went to the Merrilville Culver's. It sucked. Sunday I hung out with Rach and we watched the Cubs game. It was another good night more of less.
So the Draft really didn't go as I fully expected. I liked the Pacers trade. It works for both teams. The Pacers more or less got three draft picks in the deal. They got TJ Ford, who is coming off an awesome season at the point guard position as well as two first round picks, neither of which needed to be used at the point guard position. They also got Rasho Nesterovich who will be a good backup center. They gave up Jermaine O'Neil who will be a big help to the Raptors. In the deal the Raptors can now put Calderon as their starting point guard which is good, considering he was an all-star. Also, O'Neil can start at the power forward in place of Bargnani, who sucked big time. So who did the Pacers get with their two picks? They got Jerryd Bayless and Roy Hibbert. I was confused but excited about Bayless, he was supposed to go in the top 4-6 picks but fell to 11. The only problem is that he is primarily a point guard and the Pacers just got one. A few minutes later they traded Bayless for Brandon Rush. The deal is very good for the Pacers in my opinion. Their starting line-up now looks like this.
C-Hibbert,
PF-Granger
SF-Dunleavy JR.
SG-Rush
PG-Ford
Bench
C-Foster
PF-Murphy
PG-Tinsley
SG-Daniels
C-Nesterovich
Seems like a good roster
The Bulls on the other hand took Rose with their first pick took Rose. I didn't like that deal. All season and for the past three mostly, the Bulls have complained about not having a big power forward on their roseter to make shots and dunk the ball. Now they have the first pick and they don't use it on Beasley, who is an insane power forward talent and is one of a kind. He is probably the best 4 in the draft since Garnett. I don't really understand why they passed on him. I know point guards are the big thing now with Paul,Williams and others dominating the NBA but you simply can not turn down a talent like Beasley. Hell, either stick with Heinrich or trade him, Noah and Gordon for Baron Davis and Andris Biedrins. If they did that, their lineup would be this.
C-Biedrins
PF-Beasley
SF-Deng
SG-Hughes
PG-Davis
Bench
C-Gray
PF-Thomas
SF-Nocioni
SG-Sebolosha
PG-Duhon
I am just not overly thrilled with the pick as a whole.
The rest of the draft left my head scratching as well. Miami took Beasley at #2 and now look poised to make the playoffs again with a lineup consisting of Wade, Marion, Beasley, and Brand. At the three, Minnesota took OJ Mayo. I liked the pick but they then dealt him. More on that in a minute. At four, the Sonics too Russell Westbrook. It's a pretty good pick. I would have gone with Bayless but what the hell do I know. Now they have a floor general to give the ball to Green and Durant as they play their games in Oklahoma City. At five, the Grizzlies took Kevin Love. They traded him to Minnesota after the draft. The deal was Mayo, Antoine Walker, and Mark Jaric to Memphis for Love, Miller and Cardinal. I don't get the deal. I liked OJ in Minny and Love in Memphis. Frankly, I don't expect Love to be anything special in the NBA anyways though. He didn't seme like an NBA talent in college. Kinda like Brian Cardinal who went with him in the deal. I do like the Timberwolves's team though
C-Jefferson
PF-Love
SF-Brewer
SG-Miller
PG-Foye
Bench
PF-Cardinal
SG-Green
PG-Telfair
Memphis now looks like this
C-?
PF-?
SF-Gay
SG-Mayo
PG-Conley
Bench
PG-Lowry
C-Marc Gasol
Obviously, they need some help to go with their young core. Maybe some vets.
I will be on a trip from Thursday (really Wednesday night) until Sunday.
Wednesday-I am staying over at Rachs. We need to get snacks.
Thursday-We wake up early and get to Indy at noon. We get lunch and check into our hotel ASAP. We then get ready and go to our show. It is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Steve Winwood opening.
Friday-the 4th. We sleep in a little, get breakfast, and do a little shopping. That afternoon we will get dinner and go see a show. Maybe "Wanted". That night maybe we get a few drinks and hang out and watch the fireworks
Saturday the 5th. Sleep in again. Get up. Go see John Mayer and Colbie Calliat in the afternoon.
Sunday the 6th. Get up early and go home. Maybe catch dinner on the way back.
The first half of the MLB season is done. I am less than excited. The Cubs are out of first place in all of the MLB and have simply not distanced themselves from the Cards and Brewers. Here is how I see it.
AL MVP-Josh Hamilton-TEX He has done everything he can to keep his team in contention. Currently they are 41-41, which is better than they have been in a while. He is also a contender for the Triple Crown.
NL MVP-Chase Utley-PHI I really can't give it to a Cub because all of them (Soto, Lee, Ramirez, Wood and Zambrano) have had their ups and downs. Utley has been steadily amazing the whole year.
AL ROY-Evan Longoria-TB His third base fielding is the best in the majors and he is a rookie. The guy can hit also. If anyone reminds me of George Brett, it isn't Alex Gordon but Longoria.
NL ROY-Geovanny Soto-CHI The first rookie catcher to start for the NL in the All Star game, the guy has been putting up near-MVP numbers all year. He is a fantastic all around player.
AL Manager of the Year-Joe Maddon-TB The guy has gotten a lot of crap but he is an amazing manager. He is finally reaping the rewards of teaching these youngsters for the past three seasons.
NL Manager of the Year-Lou Pinella-CHIC He didn't get it last year and deserved it so I'll give it to him this year. Awesome first half.
AL Executive of the Year-Kenny Wiliams-CHIWS I laughed when he said that he had solved four of Chicago's five problems in the offseason, but he has done a great job. Imagine if he landed Hunter in center field or Fukudome in right!
NL Executive of the Year-Jim Hendry-CHIC. The guy consistently does the best job of anyone and gets little credit. He deserves this award this year.
AL Cy Young and NL Cy Young-TBD these awards are won in the final third of the season. Who will step up?
AL Playoffs
BOS (AL EAST WINNER) OVER ANAHEIM (AL WEST WINNER) (3-1)
CHI (AL CENTRAL WINNER) OVER TB (WILD CARD) (3-2)
BOSTON OVER CHICAGO WHITE SOX (4-2)
NL PLAYOFFS
LAD (NL WEST WINNER) OVER CHIC (NL CENTRAL WINNER) (3-2)
PHILADELPHIA (NL EAST WINNER) OVER MILWAUKEE (NL WILD CARD WINNER) (3-2)
PHILADELPHIA OVER THE DODGERS (4-2)
WORLD SERIES
BOSTON OVER PHILADELPHIA (4-2)
