They're Gonna Put Me In The Movies

They're gonna make a big star out of me. Blogger added video-capability, so now Colin can speak directly to his followers.

As always, your comments are appreciated. I assure you that Colin reads each one. Due to the sheer volume of comments he receives, however, he cannot answer each of you individually. Please know that he appreciates your thoughts.

The Beginning or the End?

The Yanks rebounded with a well-earned win over Boston last night on the back of Johnny Damon's 7th-inning two-run shot. Andy Pettite picked up his 12th win and continued his role as stopper, pitching 7 innings and allowing only 3 runs on 6 hits.

This late-August win over the Sox feels different, though, than it has in years past. The team is in a hole this time. It was only two weeks ago that they had struggled back to within 4 games of the East-leading Sox, but the recent 2-5 road trip dropped them back down to 8.

So the team finds itself at a cross-roads this week. To the left: the division leading Red Sox, who maintain a 7 game lead over the Yanks. Also, Seattle's mighty bats and the Detroit Tigers, who just finished walloping the Yanks at Comerica. There are still 30 games left, but the division seems out of reach and the Wild Card is certainly not in the bag.

To the right, however, are three potential unlikely heroes for the Yanks. First, the Joba Chamberlain phenomenon. This kid has 17 Ks through 10 innings, allowing no runs, and an energy that seems to infect both the crowd and the dugout.

Second, Phil Hughs has been a little shaky since coming back from hamstring and ankle injuries. But his fastball is getting back to where it needs to be. A strong start from Hughs on Friday v. TB could go a long way towards setting the table for a post-season starting gig. And we know that he's capable of pitching well in big games.

Finally, Ian Kennedy, the Yanks' top 2006 draft pick. The Yanks announced yesterday that they're bringing Kennedy up from the minors to fill in for Moose for a start or two. Contrary to some what some rumors have suggested, Mussina is not being moved to the bullpen, but will just throw on the side for a few days. The team wants to re-evaluate him after three atrocious starts. Torre: "It's just something we're going to try and see what it looks like." Ominous-sounding, but I think we can expect to see the 17-year (100-63) veteran back on the mound soon. In the meantime, the fast-tracking of Kennedy is more evidence that the Yanks have switched paradigms. Where they once (recently) relied solely on experienced (maybe too experienced) veterans, they're now showing alot of confidence in the young guys. Lesson learned, I guess.

Whether the Kennedy move works out, and whether Chamberlain and Hughs can deliver, remains to be seen. But I think the rest of the season depends on the performance of these three rooks: will they ignite some kind of a spark? Will they be able to rejuvenate a weakening pitching staff? If so, the playoffs may well be within sight (especially in light of Seattle's four-game losing streak). If not, the playoffs look a little less likely. But hey, we might be starting the '08 season with Pettite, Wang, Hughs, Chamberlain and Kennedy.

Great match-up tonight: 16 game winner Josh Beckett vs. his childhood hero Roger Clemens. This photo was taken in 1984. Beckett was four years old.

A Black Hat Is My Crown

He just needs some new Adidas, no laces.

Gratuitous Cute Pictures (Of Colin)

Saturday

Friday night was a long one for the 'rents, but we had a good day just lounging on Saturday. Luckily for us, the king lounger himself was visiting from DC.


And KH got to visit before heading back to Woo-town.

He's figured out how to suck his thumb.

Going to the Chair

He likes this thing. I swear.



Maybe it's the camera flashes he doesn't like.

More Friends

Now he's contemplating a FaceBook page.

Slacker

Sorry I haven't posted recently. Here are some pics from the last couple of days.

A fine dining experience. Colin highly recommends the veal.

You Dog

Colin (and Mom and Grandma) took a stroll through the neighborhood today. Why was he dressed like an Eskimo? One, because there was a slight chill in the air today. Two, to protect him from all the young ladies in the neighborhood.

Dad's First Day Back at Work

Today Colin dressed in support of Dad going back to work, and in support of his favorite team's pennant hopes.

Uncle Patrick and Aunt Robyn

More Friends for Colin

More good times last night, as Colin slept through another visiting session...again. Below, Grand-dude gets in on the fun and three potential babysitters get a laugh. I think he opened his eyes for a second, but I was too slow.

He'll fit into this someday.

Happy Happy Birthday Baby

Yesterday was Colin's one-week birthday. He was thrilled...

This is Milton

Colin watched his first independent film with Dad last night in the wee hours: This is England. It was probably not age-appropriate for him, but he couldn't make out the swears through the thick accents.
This film, directed by Shane Meadows, tells the story of young boy growing up in blue-collar England in 1983. He is an army brat who lands in a British seaside city, bullied at school and without friends. He finds refuge, however, in the company of a local group of affable skinheads. In 1983 England, skinheads were not defined by racism, as they are now.

The skinhead movement apparently began in the late 60s and 70s as a youth movement. Open to all races, it was intended to unite the working class against the aristocratic English upper-class. Reggae and soul music were central themes. The early 80s saw a transformation in ideology from a working class movement to a "native English" working class movement, to a white supremacist movment. Shaun, the film's protagonist, unwittingly gets caught in this transformation.

Great flick. Thomas Turgoose, who played Shaun, was awesome. Check it out.

http://www.thisisenglandmovie.co.uk/#/home/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/

Sleep all day, rock all night, Part II

August 16. Sun goes down:


Sun comes up:

My man was up all night! Colin and I let Mom sleep and watched a movie together. He finally shut his eyes when the sun came up at around 6. Mom snapped this one when she woke up feeling refreshed at around 8. Life is good!

As you can probably tell, Colin has gained a full 3 1/2 ounces since leaving the hospital. I mean c'mon! The guy is HUGE! This first pic is CMB trying to flip his collar up. Rock star.

The babysitter keeps randomly showing up at our house...

This one too. I swear that he woke up as soon as they walked out the door.

See what I mean? Have a good night sleep everybody.