Well, the 2009 season has started. Last season, I started taking shots at the Detroit Tigers when they stumbled out of the game, mainly because they were one of the AL contenders who passed up on signing Home Run King Barry Bonds.
This year? Maybe my target is the Texas Rangers.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/154116-opening-week-random-baseball-musings
Why? Well, it's because when they started out 3-0, some of their players were talking about "expecting to win" this year. Hello? It's still early!
Marlon Byrd: "This team has a different feel. We go out there and we're expecting to win now."
"The team chemistry in here is second to none, and right now it's a special team to be part of," said pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
Funny. McCarthy didn't even pitch all that well (2 HR, 4 BB, 3 R, 5 IP). And it's not like he's been in all MLB clubhouses to know that. (To steal a line from Rick saying that anyone who listed Toronto as the top 10 cities in the world had only been to 9 other cities.. hahaha)
Well, in their 2nd and 3rd wins, Texas pitching allowed 13 runs (but scored 20 runs total).
In their 4th game, the Rangers lost 15-2. Okay, no perfect season after all.
In their 5th game, today, the Rangers lost 4-3. Their pitcher (someone named Harrison) gave up four runs, nine hits, and five walks in 5 2/3 innings.
Well, I wonder what happened to their winning attitude.
The bottom line is, they can't pitch (as usual), so it doesn't matter whether they expect to win or they have good chemistry. They're still going to have a rough year.
Of course, after that 3-0 start, there were people blogging on the Internet about how the Rangers have "proven" they're the team to beat in the AL West.
What a joke.
And oh, in that link I posted above, I also talked about former Jay A.J. Burnett. Wonder if he'll be injury-free this year...
The Hockey Farmer / Showing Their Scales
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Boston-Montreal ?
The Boston-Montreal tilt Thursday night at the TD Banknorth Garden was a thriller, to be sure, with the B's coming out on top with a 5-4 overtime win.
Sure, the Bruins have shown they can beat the Canadiens, and the Habs themselves have shown they're vulnerable this year, including in goal and now with injuries to their defense.
Boston won the last five meetings against Montreal this season, and are the Eastern Conference's top seed. And though the Canadiens lost this contest, they still (finally) clinched a playoff berth by earning a point in the defeat.
Thus, the Habs will be in the playoffs, and if the postseason started right now, Montreal (eighth seed) and Boston (first) will clash in the opening round.
Sure, there's one more game to go in the regular season, and Montreal and the New York Rangers are tied for the seventh position. However, the Blueshirts own the tie-breaker by virtue of having more wins.
If the Habs (against Pittsburgh) and Rangers (in Philadelphia) both win their finales, New York would get the seventh spot, with Montreal being the eighth seed.
Now, I've talked about this before earlier in the year, but Boston-Montreal in the playoffs... doesn't favor the Bruins.
If you believe in 'hockey gods', then despite the regular-season records, you'll probably believe Montreal has some sort of an edge.
The Habs have owned the Bruins in the playoffs throughout hockey history. Yes, in 1971, the B's outscored everyone by over 100 goals and were clearly the league's best team, but they fell to rookie Ken Dryden and the Habs in seven in the first round.
It was in the spring of 1984 when an unknown named Steve Penney (another rookie) helped Montreal upset Boston in the opening round in a shocking sweep.
And who can forget 2002, when Boston was the top seed in the Eastern Conference, only to see Jose Theodore make miraculous save after save to help the eighth-seeded Habs on to the next round with a six-game triumph? When Joe Thornton was sent to the penalty box for a double-minor in the sixth game with the score tied, you just knew Montreal was going to score. The Habs did, and it turned out to be the series-winner.
Yes, the players are different now, the teams are different now. But once the playoffs start, throw out the season records. Everyone starts 0-0 in the postseason.
Goalie Tim Thomas--who will be 35 next week--may be the MVP of the Bruins and may be the top netminder in the league, but weren't we all raving about Byron Dafoe years ago?
In the playoffs, it's all about matchups. During the last Cup run for the Habs in 1993, yes, Patrick Roy was the savior, but you can't overlook the fact the Canadiens had somewhat of an easy ride without playing some of the top teams in the league. Those Habs faced inferior teams like the Sabres and Islanders on their way to the Finals. Oh yeah, matchups are important in the playoffs, and I just don't feel comfortable, being a B's fan, seeing Boston-Montreal in the first round.
And, let's not forget, this is the Canadiens' 100th season, and it looks like they've overcome a lot of adversity--with the mid-season slump and Carey Price's poor play and some players being mentioned hanging out with a gangster and Guy Carbonneau's firing--and have finally made the playoffs.
Oh yeah, and the Habs' Alex Kovalev has turned it around after being sent home earlier in the season for a couple games. Kovalev led all skaters a week ago with nine points (with seven assists) and was named the "first star" in the NHL on Monday.
Perhaps the Habitants will come together and win at least one round, led by the rejuvenated Kovalev?
Boston-Montreal also will undoubtedly bring out a lot of emotion on both teams, and in an emotional series between two long-time rivals who have already played seven times during the season... there's just no edge for either team, regardless of seasonal records.
Thus, as a Bruins fan, I desperately want to see Montreal finish seventh so the B's avoid a first-round matchup against the hated Habs. Pray for the Rangers to stumble in Philly in their final game of the regular season, and for the Habs to beat Pittsburgh.
Let's take our chances with the Rangers in the first round instead.
Sure, the Bruins have shown they can beat the Canadiens, and the Habs themselves have shown they're vulnerable this year, including in goal and now with injuries to their defense.
Boston won the last five meetings against Montreal this season, and are the Eastern Conference's top seed. And though the Canadiens lost this contest, they still (finally) clinched a playoff berth by earning a point in the defeat.
Thus, the Habs will be in the playoffs, and if the postseason started right now, Montreal (eighth seed) and Boston (first) will clash in the opening round.
Sure, there's one more game to go in the regular season, and Montreal and the New York Rangers are tied for the seventh position. However, the Blueshirts own the tie-breaker by virtue of having more wins.
If the Habs (against Pittsburgh) and Rangers (in Philadelphia) both win their finales, New York would get the seventh spot, with Montreal being the eighth seed.
Now, I've talked about this before earlier in the year, but Boston-Montreal in the playoffs... doesn't favor the Bruins.
If you believe in 'hockey gods', then despite the regular-season records, you'll probably believe Montreal has some sort of an edge.
The Habs have owned the Bruins in the playoffs throughout hockey history. Yes, in 1971, the B's outscored everyone by over 100 goals and were clearly the league's best team, but they fell to rookie Ken Dryden and the Habs in seven in the first round.
It was in the spring of 1984 when an unknown named Steve Penney (another rookie) helped Montreal upset Boston in the opening round in a shocking sweep.
And who can forget 2002, when Boston was the top seed in the Eastern Conference, only to see Jose Theodore make miraculous save after save to help the eighth-seeded Habs on to the next round with a six-game triumph? When Joe Thornton was sent to the penalty box for a double-minor in the sixth game with the score tied, you just knew Montreal was going to score. The Habs did, and it turned out to be the series-winner.
Yes, the players are different now, the teams are different now. But once the playoffs start, throw out the season records. Everyone starts 0-0 in the postseason.
Goalie Tim Thomas--who will be 35 next week--may be the MVP of the Bruins and may be the top netminder in the league, but weren't we all raving about Byron Dafoe years ago?
In the playoffs, it's all about matchups. During the last Cup run for the Habs in 1993, yes, Patrick Roy was the savior, but you can't overlook the fact the Canadiens had somewhat of an easy ride without playing some of the top teams in the league. Those Habs faced inferior teams like the Sabres and Islanders on their way to the Finals. Oh yeah, matchups are important in the playoffs, and I just don't feel comfortable, being a B's fan, seeing Boston-Montreal in the first round.
And, let's not forget, this is the Canadiens' 100th season, and it looks like they've overcome a lot of adversity--with the mid-season slump and Carey Price's poor play and some players being mentioned hanging out with a gangster and Guy Carbonneau's firing--and have finally made the playoffs.
Oh yeah, and the Habs' Alex Kovalev has turned it around after being sent home earlier in the season for a couple games. Kovalev led all skaters a week ago with nine points (with seven assists) and was named the "first star" in the NHL on Monday.
Perhaps the Habitants will come together and win at least one round, led by the rejuvenated Kovalev?
Boston-Montreal also will undoubtedly bring out a lot of emotion on both teams, and in an emotional series between two long-time rivals who have already played seven times during the season... there's just no edge for either team, regardless of seasonal records.
Thus, as a Bruins fan, I desperately want to see Montreal finish seventh so the B's avoid a first-round matchup against the hated Habs. Pray for the Rangers to stumble in Philly in their final game of the regular season, and for the Habs to beat Pittsburgh.
Let's take our chances with the Rangers in the first round instead.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
TEYC Day 2
Well, since I've been spending / will be spending a bulk of my time teaching, revamping curriculum, doing market research, and prepping for lessons this week, I won't have time to do any writing. :-(
Thus, no point in updating the blog.... but, since I don't want to leave it for months (just as some people on the zonk), I've decided to list the game plan for Day 2 the TEYC program that I've 'revamping.' At least it will help me to reflect on how the lesson goes if I get to teach it again next time.
Day 2:
Game Plan:
-Songs
a) Go over "Make a circle" with Ss (ie. Demonstrate) / talk about the purpose of the song & routine / talk about the vocab that needs to be pre-taught (ie. This will be an example)
b) Split class up into groups: One group gets "Clean up!", another gets "If you're happy...", etc. Ss have to demonstrate PLUS explain purpose of the song & routine AND vocab to be pre-taught
c) Re: "If you're happy...", go over "IQ" vs. "EQ"
-Emotions
a) Elicit emotion words
b) Have Ss make an emotions poster
-Helpers
a) The importance of helpers
Well, that's the game plan anyways... We'll see how it goes.
[But damn.... no time this week to write.... :( ]
Thus, no point in updating the blog.... but, since I don't want to leave it for months (just as some people on the zonk), I've decided to list the game plan for Day 2 the TEYC program that I've 'revamping.' At least it will help me to reflect on how the lesson goes if I get to teach it again next time.
Day 2:
Game Plan:
-Songs
a) Go over "Make a circle" with Ss (ie. Demonstrate) / talk about the purpose of the song & routine / talk about the vocab that needs to be pre-taught (ie. This will be an example)
b) Split class up into groups: One group gets "Clean up!", another gets "If you're happy...", etc. Ss have to demonstrate PLUS explain purpose of the song & routine AND vocab to be pre-taught
c) Re: "If you're happy...", go over "IQ" vs. "EQ"
-Emotions
a) Elicit emotion words
b) Have Ss make an emotions poster
-Helpers
a) The importance of helpers
Well, that's the game plan anyways... We'll see how it goes.
[But damn.... no time this week to write.... :( ]
Monday, April 6, 2009
TEYC Day 1
Well, class is over now. It was a fun first day of class for "my" new TEYC program.
I go into any class with the simple attitude that I will be successful, and I'm going to teach students things that will be useful for them. Personality is a big thing too; be friendly, positive, especially in a teacher-training course such as this one.
Things I went over Today:
-Policies of the program
-Introductions / interview a partner and share with the class
(Award "stars" for each successful introduction of partner)
-Go over mark distribution and when each assignment will take place
-Elicit what "routines" mean / give personal examples / elicit examples from students / talk about why routines are important for children / give examples of various routines that are helpful for children's learning
-Have students do an activity involving "classroom rules" / explain why "classroom rules" are important
-Give students examples of HOW to encourage children for having done a great job
-Have students think of WHEN "stars" (rewards) should be used in a classroom / give examples of situations
-Explain words such as "elicit", "TPR", "visual aid", "realia" and give examples.
-Ask students to work in groups to prepare a very short lesson at the front of the room using one of "elicit", "TPR", "realia", etc.
-Critique what students did during their demonstrations
Lunch!!
We'll see how it goes the rest of the way.
I go into any class with the simple attitude that I will be successful, and I'm going to teach students things that will be useful for them. Personality is a big thing too; be friendly, positive, especially in a teacher-training course such as this one.
Things I went over Today:
-Policies of the program
-Introductions / interview a partner and share with the class
(Award "stars" for each successful introduction of partner)
-Go over mark distribution and when each assignment will take place
-Elicit what "routines" mean / give personal examples / elicit examples from students / talk about why routines are important for children / give examples of various routines that are helpful for children's learning
-Have students do an activity involving "classroom rules" / explain why "classroom rules" are important
-Give students examples of HOW to encourage children for having done a great job
-Have students think of WHEN "stars" (rewards) should be used in a classroom / give examples of situations
-Explain words such as "elicit", "TPR", "visual aid", "realia" and give examples.
-Ask students to work in groups to prepare a very short lesson at the front of the room using one of "elicit", "TPR", "realia", etc.
-Critique what students did during their demonstrations
Lunch!!
We'll see how it goes the rest of the way.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
TEYC on Monday!
After teaching the Business program for years, I've been assigned a new task starting Monday:
Teach TEYC and revamp its curriculum.Last week, the school let go the TEYC teacher when another instructor who was due to return from vacation came back. However, the returning instructor doesn't each TEYC (but neither do I), so that meant reshuffling was needed.
I was told there were a couple candidates to be the new TEYC teacher, and ultimately the owner and management decided I was the one who should do it.
In reality, the TEYC program has been in decline--or so I've been told--and the school was at one point considering dropping the course. However, they'd like me to teach it, look at the curriculum, revamp it as much as I could, so that it could become a stronger program.
For me, it's like trying to study a new offense, like a quarterback who's run the same offense for years but goes to a new team and has to start over. The TEYC book is thick and I've had a chance to look through its pages and figure out a plan of attack.
Their idea is for me to revamp it so that not only it becomes a stronger program, but also any teacher could look at the curriculum and figure out how to teach it (and thus I could one day return to the Business program).
We'll see how it goes.
Interestingly, I've been subbing for Writing class the last couple weeks and have to give up that class starting Monday. The interesting thing is that I'm kind of a writer and I'm not teaching writing class. Haha! (It's like having the slugger sitting on the bench instead of being asked to pinch hit in a key spot--or Gretzky not used for the shootout in the Olympics; ha ha!)
The good news is that this week, including the weekend, I finally had a chance to do some serious writing. When I am in a groove, I just keep writing--I wrote about 10,000 words this week--and don't stop. It's a story about a hockey player.
The bad news: Apparently, the estimated release date for "Replacement Pitcher" has been pushed back several months. :-(
Hope to have more positive news next time!
Teach TEYC and revamp its curriculum.Last week, the school let go the TEYC teacher when another instructor who was due to return from vacation came back. However, the returning instructor doesn't each TEYC (but neither do I), so that meant reshuffling was needed.
I was told there were a couple candidates to be the new TEYC teacher, and ultimately the owner and management decided I was the one who should do it.
In reality, the TEYC program has been in decline--or so I've been told--and the school was at one point considering dropping the course. However, they'd like me to teach it, look at the curriculum, revamp it as much as I could, so that it could become a stronger program.
For me, it's like trying to study a new offense, like a quarterback who's run the same offense for years but goes to a new team and has to start over. The TEYC book is thick and I've had a chance to look through its pages and figure out a plan of attack.
Their idea is for me to revamp it so that not only it becomes a stronger program, but also any teacher could look at the curriculum and figure out how to teach it (and thus I could one day return to the Business program).
We'll see how it goes.
Interestingly, I've been subbing for Writing class the last couple weeks and have to give up that class starting Monday. The interesting thing is that I'm kind of a writer and I'm not teaching writing class. Haha! (It's like having the slugger sitting on the bench instead of being asked to pinch hit in a key spot--or Gretzky not used for the shootout in the Olympics; ha ha!)
The good news is that this week, including the weekend, I finally had a chance to do some serious writing. When I am in a groove, I just keep writing--I wrote about 10,000 words this week--and don't stop. It's a story about a hockey player.
The bad news: Apparently, the estimated release date for "Replacement Pitcher" has been pushed back several months. :-(
Hope to have more positive news next time!
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