Reading Update And What Took You So Long

Joshua 15-24.  Judges 1.


One of my favorite lines (and there are many of them) from "Seinfeld" is Newman's delivery when the cops showed up at his door.  "What took you so long" he hissed in disdain, cigarette dangling from the lip.

I've the same thing to say to the Cardinals' GM.  From the beginning of the season it has been obvious this club didn't have what it takes to go anywhere.

I'll grant there's been injuries to deal with, just like there always are.  And there's been some tinkering here and there to try to get it going.  But mostly just stagnation.

And I must confess, boredom.  A team that can't score isn't fun to watch.

So how have any of the moves this week helped that? 

Because Allen Craig is no longer the R fielder, I believe Oscar Taveras will get the playing time he has needed all along to ignite his hitting.  Like Kolten Wong did.

Also, I believe in the old adage that the best offense is a great defense.  Two solid above average starting pitchers have been added in the past 2 days.  The Cardinals just improved their starting pitching to if not the best then certainly in the discussion.

And I like the Pierzynski move as a stop gap for Yadi's absence.  Reminds me of the addition of Will Clark in 2000.

Hate losing Craig and Kelly, 2 post-season stars.  That leaves Yadi, Jay, Descalso, Holliday, Lynn, Garcia and Wainwright as the only hold-overs from 2011.

But I'm happy with the moves.  I'm glad the Cardinals decided to make a run for it again this year and roll the dice. 

At least the front office has.  We'll see about Matheny.  Ball is now in his, and the players, hands.  But I won't blame the front office now for this season, if it doesn't turn out so well.

This Week's Reading And How The West Was Won

Joshua 8-14.


I have season 1.  Looks like season 2 just got released.  I guess that means there will be a season 3 also, given the positive response.

Gotta love William Conrad's narration.

This Week's Reading And The All-Star Break

Joshua 3-7.


There's very little that has surprised me so far this baseball season.  Except for Kolten Wong's recent power surge.

The office has been at best mediocre, and at its worst non-existent.  Just as I feared.

Barring trade or another injury, I am still thinking this team will have to fight through from a wild-card position.

That said, the NL is pretty weak as a whole and I could see the Cardinals end with the best record again.  Or not make the playoffs at all.

In other words, I don't have a clue about this team.

Saturday To Tuesday Reading And Accounting

Deuteronomy 33-34, Joshua 1-2.

We are just past the half-way point for the year, so it's time to take inventory.

This is post #80 for the year.  I am behind schedule, should be at least at 100, based on my goals.  This is not unexpected.  It's difficult to keep up with posting during the warm weather.  I anticipate picking up a lot as football approaches and baseball races heat up.

I am on schedule with my reading.  I have found a leisurely one chapter a day to be easily attainable.

Finally, my exercise goals are right on track.  Well, sort of.  For the year I am at 10,600 push ups and squats.  I decided to adjust my squat goal to match my push up goal, so I am okay.  Actually, that's a little ahead of the pace I mapped out, but not by much.

Anyway, I'll end on another happy note- winter is fast approaching.

Thursday And Friday Reading And Happy 4th

Deuteronomy 31-32.


Happy Independence Day.  Although, after listening to this, Independence Day was 2 days ago.

Past Week's Reading And King Of the Monsters

Deuteronomy 23-30.


This morning Monster Zero was playing on one of the Epix movie channels.  Which reminded me I had not posted about the latest movie I saw, Godzilla.

Up until now, Monster Zero was my favorite Godzilla movie along with Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster.

But the 2014 version has supplanted that.  I am pretty sure it is because of the special effects, which make the early 1960s Japanese effects look pretty child-like.  However, those older versions do hold a certain charm for that reason.

I also prefer Godzilla pictures where Godzilla is a hero.  So I also liked the latest version for that reason.

I'm not clear whether Godzilla is male or female (I always thought Godzilla male as he is "King of the Monsters").  But apparently in the 1998 American movie Godzilla laid eggs.

Of course, there are animal species where males do that, so it all gets rather confusing.  I'll just stick with my male supposition, but who knows?

Anyway, I liked the theme in Godzilla that man is not in control of his world, and anxiously await an almost certain sequel.