Hear the Hurd

2010 Braves Postmortem

I don't blame Derek Lowe.  I don't blame Brooks Conrad.  I don't blame Melky Cabrera.  And I certainly don't blame Bobby Cox!  My immediate blame was in the 5 game series that poorly decides the Division Series, but in the end, I can blame no one.  This was easily the best Braves season I have watched since 2005 and frankly, this club reminds me more of some 90's clubs...up and coming and ready to start a new dynasty.  Or a few postseason runs at least.

Derek Lowe pitched his heart out in Bobby Cox's last game and for that, Bobby allowed him one more hitter.  Who is to say that he's pulled before he walks Burrell and we're out of it?  The next guy could easily give up a HR, even with our bullpen.  But if Kimbrel isn't taken out in Game 3, we might have won that one too.  If, if, if...if Chipper and Prado and Wagner and Medlin and JJ and...well, you know where that argument goes.  If those guys are healthy, then Conrad never ends up with 3 errors in a very important game.  But maybe Chipper makes a poor play because he's playing on bad legs...which he most certainly would have had would he not have gone on the DL.  Prado was already walking wounded.  So was Wagner, in some ways.  Medlin hurt, no doubt.  And JJ...well, I just hope the kid comes back strong next year.  There are tons of injuries that have hampered this team all season, and if they can get this far on fumes, let's just consider what they might do next year when healthy.  If only.

It will take some time before next year's roster will take shape, but you can be sure Heyward will be in RF barring some unfortunate offseason injury (keep him locked in carbonite, please), Freeman will most likely take on 1st, Prado will likely be back at 2nd and McCann will certainly be at catcher with Ross backing up.  Venters, Kimbrel and Dunn are locked up.  Moylan should likely be back, depending on arbitration and one would think O'Flaherty.  Lowe is scheduled for 2 more years and JJ, Hanson and Hudson will all be back as well.

Medlin will take some time to come back and there is plenty in the pipeline to throw in there should we need a starting pitcher with Beachy having already impressed.  The biggest issues to look at are Chipper's ability starting next season; finding a place for Infante to play (and perhaps not every day - getting him back to super sub should be a priority); finding a steady center and left fielder; and deciding on Alex Gonzalez over some substitute.  What that might be, I don't know.  I'll admit that he shows some flashes of brilliance with the glove, but he drops them these days too.  His bat is...not the best.

One might hope we could start with something like this:

C - Brian McCann

1st - Freddy Freeman (he's playing in the Arizona Fall League)

2nd - Martin Prado

3rd - Chipper Jones

SS - Alex Gonzalez (he's under contract for one more year)

RF - Jason Heyward

CF - ?

LF - ?

 

SP - Tim Hudson

SP - Derek Lowe

SP - Tommy Hanson

SP - Jair Jurjjens

SP - Mike Minor/Brandon Beachy or some other

Closer - Kimbrel or Venters (both tutored by Billy Wagner)

And plenty of other pen.

I should mention the bench will keep Diaz most likely (he has some arbitration, I believe), McLouth and maybe Ankiel (not certain on his contract terms).  Where Melky ends up...I really don't care.  I held out hope he'd show some promise, but it just didn't happen.

I'd love to somehow keep Lee but he'd be too much money when we have other needs.  Freeman is known for being a good defender.  I suspect Conrad will be back even with his goat image.  I hope he gets out of the funk early on.  And then there is Chipper.  I firmly believe he'll make a strong attempt to come back but even if he does, I suspect he will not be playing in 140 games.  Not even 100, likely.  When not in there, Infante/Prado can cover but a better option for infield back-up is needed over Brooksie and Diory Hernandez.  If it is likely that Chipper cannot go after spring training, something more drastic needs to happen.  Prado should not be the everyday 3rd baseman, nor should Infante be the everyday 2nd baseman.

Plenty of off-season to think about it but here is where we say goodbye to a few folks that will not be back.  Bobby Cox?  What can I say about the man.  I could type an entirely separate post for that and may someday but for now I can only say he's a class act with some screwy management skills at times.  He's always been a season manager, not a postseason manager.  But he got back there his last year and the way the Phillies are playing (and the way we played them in our last 6 games) we almost certainly would not have made it all the way.  Almost the best way to go out if we could not get a win in his last game.  We did in the regular season.  I look forward to his day in Cooperstown.  Wouldn't it be something to see him inducted along with Maddux and Glavine?  Not sure the timing works.

And let me also say a terribly sad goodbye to Billy Wagner.  He debuted just a few years after I started really following baseball and has beat up on my teams for years.  When he joined us, I finally figured out why.  He is a special player and has had a tremendous influence on the growth of the bullpen he leaves behind.  If we cannot get Maddux as a pitching coach, the Braves could do a hell of a lot worse than signing Wags up for the role.  Not sure he makes the HoF given the weird closer thing, but he has some solid credentials and I am near 100% certainty that had he been able to close out Game 3, we would have been up 2-1 last night.  What a finale, Billy!

I also say goodbye to Glaus and Lee.  Troy had a hell of a month and a half and he deserves every bit of glory for his exploits.  It was sad to see him crumble and he had one last great moment with the double play in Game 2.  And Lee?  I could be roundly dismissive of what he brought to the table with his bat if his glove wasn't so damn smooth.  I was so excited when we got him even with the bad back.  I'd seen his track record up close many times.  But he just didn't bring his A game with him at the plate.  But on defense?  It was a great comfort knowing he was manning the bag.

For all the injuries suffered, games lost in terrible ways, bone headed plays by various players and strange decisions at times flowing from the dugout...this was one hell of a season.  I enjoyed nearly every bit of it and can only hope that next year sees one more step towards that ultimate goal - winning a World Series.  Thank you 2010 Braves and let's get 'em next year.  This time around, I have zero qualms throwing my weight behind the Giants.  Too long since they won a World Series and never in the city of San Francisco.  'Bout time, I say!  That is all.

The Well: Back from New York

Went to New York over the weekend and had a great time.  My friend from Chicago lives there - well, Brooklyn actually.  He and the family just bought an apartment and a nice one it is.  Good neighborhood if expensive.  But what isn't in NYC?  Went bar hopping Saturday night in the area where he lives and it's a pretty varied area.  Lot's of cops and firemen apparently.  And just a little bit racist, but again - this is NYC.  There are quite a few different types of folks living in a relatively small area.  There's bound to be some issues.

Got in late Friday.  My flight was delayed three hours.  Thankfully, there was a handy little bar I could still smoke in after buying a $7 beer.  That was good beer and a Godsend as I waited to take off.  Got in about 11pm and my friends picked me up from the airport.  Headed back to Mike's place and started a game of Axis and Allies after a few beers.  It's old habit formed from an earlier period of our lives.  And of all the players of the game I've played with over the years, Mike is one of the best.  Over the next three days I proceeded on to victory and was glad of it given it was such a good player (and regardless of how long it had been - it came back quickly.)

Saturday was late starting since we didn't hit the sack until 5am.  Finally made it out and about and hit a diner for some eggs and bacon.  Then onto the Staten Island Ferry.  It takes you out by the Statue of Liberty, which you can no longer climb up anymore.  What's up with that?  I've been up that thing twice in my lifetime and hoped to at least once more.  Damn terrorists. 

After, we had some lunch and then it was over to the World Trade Center...or where it used to be.  I've not been to NYC since 1999.  And I guess the whole ordeal is over because now it's just a giant hole with construction going on.  You can't see what is is thanks to fences erected.  And other than a memorial set up in nearby Battery Park, there's not any indication that anything occurred there.  Just more typical construction.  Damn terrorists!!

We headed uptown to Central Park after that and enjoyed the sun going down as we watched the folks walk by.  It's one of my favorite things to do in the city.  I go to Central Park every time I'm there and it astounds me each time.  A beautiful place through and through and made even more beautiful by it's proximity to so much bustle and life.  It's still going on inside the park but just a bit more quiet.  And green.

Some good dinner and the aforementioned pub crawl followed and we ended the evening with me kicking even more ass in A&A.  It wasn't as late of a night though we were still up pretty damn late.  It was a full day and every bit of it fun.  The next day was Coney Island.  I'd never been and we'd been told the night before it was shite.  Well, that gal was wrong.  We rode some rides, had some Nathans (after an excruciatingly long time) and spent the rest of the day just walking around and coming upon an impromptu (or seeming at least) DJ set up on the boardwalk.  It was made even greater by the fact that you could drink and smoke in the same place.  The ONLY place in New York I could do that.  Damn Nurse Bloomberg!!!

Monday was spent walking the Brooklyn Bridge and it was fascinating to walk what I was currently reading about - David McCullough's The Great Bridge.  It's a giant thing though not near as amazing as it certainly was at the time.  When first built it towered.  Now it's difficult to pick it out over the many other bridges spanning simply the East River not to mention the entire city if New York.  Still, I enjoyed it and walking the whole thing is good exercise.  I'd do it every day if I lived there.  Real good exercise.

I left the city around 7:30 that night and made it home in time for a few beers and bed.  There was much alcohol consumed...perhaps a few other things...good food...good location...good times.  I had not seen Mike since his wedding which was one of the first things I ever blogged about.  And it was great seeing him again.  Hopefully I can see the baby the next time (his little one was out of town.)  Now I am back and ready to get into the swing of things.  Slightly refreshed.  Let's just say I could have used a few more days.  But happy to be home.  That is all.

The Well for 7/18/08

Not much to say today other than I received a good bill of health from the Doc.  Everybody likes that.  Except, I guess, for one Susan Atkins otherwise known as Sadie Mae Glutz.  She was one of Manson's followers and one of the most devout.  After capture, she bragged about what she had done and though she recanted later, her bragging has now proved ironic.  Apparently she wants parole because she's dying of a brain cancer.  The killer wants remorse after this (quoted from About.com):

Atkins testified before a Los Angeles Grand Jury, hoping to avoid the death penalty. She revealed how she held down Sharon Tate as she pleaded for her and the baby's life. She recounted how she told Tate, "Look, bitch, I don't care a thing about you. You're going to die and there's nothing you can do about it." To cause more suffering, they held off killing Tate until all others were dead, and then stabbed her repeatedly while she called out for her mother. Atkins later recanted her testimony.

Obviously Sharon Tate was denied her request.  And thankfully, so too has Atkins.  I think we can call this cosmic justice if nothing else.  I know it brings a little bit more of a smile to my face.  And it reminds me of what I always try to remind myself - you get back what you give.  We can go through life expecting others to do exactly as we wish but in the end, you get exactly what you ask for and that's what you are capable of giving - good and bad.  The circle keeps turning. 

Guess that's why I love the yin-yang so much.  Just like my own pisces fish, they continue to swirl around and around.  And it's helped me over the years accept my own dichotomy as well as those in others.  None of us is perfect and in truth, we are all imperfect.  Accepting those faults is part of growth and while we can wish to change those negative aspects, they'll always be there.  I suppose the trick is to try to push the positive side of our natures and in doing so, give that to the world as equally as we may the opposite.

Deep thoughts for this Friday.  Perhaps too deep.  But hey - that's how I roll, as they say.  I'm looking forward to next week when regular blogging resumes, if it has not already over the weekend.  But I may take it easy and try and keep those juices refreshed.  This grand experiment has done me a world of good to get back in the habit of blogging and I hope to keep it up.  Keep me honest, two and a half readers.  Give me a comment from time to time to let me know you are out there.  That always helps.  That is all.

The Well for 7/17/08

Brit Hume is retiring from the Special Report desk after the election.  Sad news indeed.  Special Report is the best thing about Fox News and really the only decent evening news on the planet.  His voice will be missed, especially after the recent loss of Tony Snow (tragic and way too soon!)  But at least we'll have him as we find out that Obama wins the election.  I doubt he'll be any happier about it than I, but his voice is a voice of reason and conservatives like myself will appreciate what he has to say.

In other news, I've found out that Roger Ebert has a blog now.  Up since about May, it'll be required reading even if I fear he'll throw too much politics into what could be an excellent movie site.  Ever since he was the fat guy to Gene Siskel's "other one" I've been a big fan of Ebert's reviews.  Even as his political voice has begun to drown out his legitimate film criticism, he still knows what works and what doesn't.  Well...most of the time.  And even when I disagree, he's a great read.  His blog will go into the Blog section to the right - no doubt.

And speaking of film blogs, a recent move was made at Libertas.  Their resident blogger, Dirty Harry, has moved to his own site and has been posting up a storm.  For conservative film views, you can usually find something interesting and entertaining about Dirty Harry's Place so stop by and say hello and maybe catch up on what a conservative thinks about Hollywood, film and getting your own movie made in an environment not particularly kind to voices from the right.

Finally, on the home front things are looking up.  Well, other than my watch losing a pin today.  Gotta get that fixed and who knows how much that'll cost.  That's the trouble owning a watch you can't afford.  It costs more than one wishes to pay to get it fixed.  But I was in a grand mood on Wednesday regardless.  Far superior to the start of the week.  Things seem to be turning a corner and I have to think it has much to do with getting off that damned Chantix.  Having read a few studies, it seems the patch has a higher rate of quitting anyway. 

I still plan to quit, but I'll have to do it cold turkey.  But only after cutting down gradually.  I've stopped smoking in the car and soon we'll try and cut it out during work hours.  I plan to try and tackle each habit one at a time so it's not such a huge amount of pressure from the get go.  I think that was a great deal of my trouble before - too much all at once.  Let's hope the new plan has more success.

And I think I'll move back into regular blogging after this week.  This post has been link heavy and could have easily supported three or four posts rather than the one.  I just need to be diligent in finding and posting news as I see it.  I may keep certain posts simply for personal news but we'll find a better title for those so I don't have eight "Wells" up one after the other.  Some days might see none at all and others might see three or more.  I'll play it by ear but I am keen to get back to what I was doing when I started this blog.  A daily affair may be asking too much but I can certainly do better than three posts a month which is what I had for a time.

And I'd like to get back to doing movie reviews, but once more - I'm not going to do everything all at once.  This blog remains my place on the internet to speak my mind however I wish.  If people want to read it then great.  And if not...too bad for them.  They are missing out on my brilliant screedi-screediness.  Regardless, I am rather proud of myself for having kept at this these last four years and change.  And I hope to be going strong when the anniversary hits in September.  Fingers crossed and all that.  That is all.

The Well for 7/16/08

Geez, I am a sucker for memories.  Hard to shake when they are good ones.  Had my hair cut and it made me think of last month when another did so.  I enjoyed it and hoped it would occur again.  Call it nostalgia I guess.  But I keep thinking of the way she had a little difficulty getting her hands just right (she was still learning the trade.)  The way she was nervous - able to admit it and embarrassed by it but still showing confidence in her work.  Very cute.  Or the way she stood close to me as she cut the hair, her body touching mine - a spark between us readily apparent and not just to each other. 

Didn't help that I woke up Tuesday morning having dreams of the same individual.  It was apparently a sticking point - I remember everything - good and bad.  She apparently only remembered the bad (and many, many years ago at that.)  Sigh.  But that's what happens when removing someone from your life, especially one you don't really want to remove.  The memories aren't so easily extricated - sweet ones being the hardest.  If there was but a pill to take or switch to flip to remove such memories, splits would be so much easier.  I think that's why I love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind so much.  Well, that and it's just a damn good movie.  But even there I think we can see the best ones are the hardest to move past.  Shoot, I still have one from ten years ago messing around upstairs in my noodle.  Those that really made an impact are really difficult to remove.  Time helps, but memories stick with you long after reality moves forward.

Maybe it's because I'm trained from my theatre days to recall memories and emotions from my past.  But I cannot help but do so now.  A scent of perfume, a sight in the distance, a song or moment from a film in which I shared or associate with another.  I've listened to far too much Jeff Buckley the past few weeks and should have known better as he reminds me of the same woman from ten years ago.  In one of our (many) breakups, "Last Goodbye" became a song that will forever remind me of her and now whenever it plays, I am thrust right back there.

But enough of this.  I could talk love and regret all day but there are other topics at hand.  Like exercise and eating right.  Must get back to it.  This week marks the return to the exercise regimen I had begun when I attempted to quit smoking.  If only the stomach would allow.  I think much of this was brought on by eating some really crap food when I was trying to quit.  You may recall the cravings.  Well, I indulged and it put me a little wonky.  In truth, I think the medication I was using during that time helped mess me up the past few weeks as well.  It warned of increased irritation and depression (and hell, even of suicide.)  I've been off it for the last two weeks now and it seems like things are getting back to normal.  All except the stomach.

I go back in for another check up with the gastrointerologist on Thursday.  We'll see what she says and I am hoping another scope isn't in the cards.  But if she thinks I need it, I had better do it.  Last thing I want or need right now is stomach cancer (as if there is a time when it's OK to have such a thing.)  But exercise and eating right will help.  It has before.  As I said - must get back to it.  I'll keep all two and half of you posted.  That is all.

The Well for 7/15/08

Much better mood today, friends, but the stomach is acting up once more.  Perhaps I've internalized.  Or I just have a crap stomach.  Either way, there's not much to discuss.  I promise to get a more informative Well up tomorrow but today it's work, home and anything I can do to keep it settled.  Let's hope I find a solution soon, eh?  That is all.

The Well for 7/14/08

Once again I must apologize for the lack of posts late last week.  I just haven't had much desire to write.  It's an issue I've had these past couple of months brought on by what I can only assume is depression.  Of course, things were going really well in May.  I met a woman that I used to date and we started back up again.  Things seemed to be going really well and then suddenly, it all ended and left me confused...truly bewildered.  And at what, you may ask?  You'd think it would be why that relationship ended, but truly it was bewilderment about why another didn't work.

Here was this beautiful, intelligent and terribly creative person that I had invited into my heart and mind.  I think I knew early on it wouldn't work - there were simply too many differences that we couldn't get past.  But I so wanted it to because I truly enjoyed this person - her personality and her charm.  I wanted to make it work.  That's what I've always assumed one did.  But maybe I was wrong.  It either does or it doesn't and yet again, this one didn't.  Thus depression set in and I've been feeling it ever since.  It's affected everything about my life and that makes me angry.  Yes - just another form of depression.

I hold no ill will towards she who is very pretty because in truth, she is just that - very pretty both inside and out.  As with nearly all of my former flames, I wish the best for them.  I just wish the best for them with me rather than without me.  While it would be easy to assume I had some problem or issue (and I do, though many have been worked on to the point of no longer being such) in truth, I know it just wasn't meant to be.  And you know what?  That is the hardest notion of the whole thing.  Knowing this incredible woman sits there and I am unable to share in her life and have her share in mine.  Time and again, it seems to be the same thing.

Fact is, I just haven't met that woman for me - the one that seems to get and appreciate what it is that makes me who I am.  It's not for a lack of trying, though perhaps my odds would be better were I to get out there more.  But getting out there just ain't easy for a guy like me.  I put everything I have into my relationships be it family, friends or loves.  When you put forth such effort and it comes to naught, it tends to make a person bitter.  And I hate that.  I don't want to be that bitter, cynical, angry man that loves no one because no one loves him.  But it's difficult to not be hardened by what could easily be considered "failure."

In truth, I know it's not a failure so much as it is simply not meant.  But recognizing that and accepting it are two different things and I've simply been on the losing end of that many times in my life.  It's no pity party to think I deserve something a little more than I've received.  I don't wallow in it.  But I do think about it.  And while I'd like to think I've had enough, I know that's not the case.  I want to find a mate - a partner - a person that I can share life's pleasures and troubles with.  It's not as easy as it was years ago and it gets more difficult the older I get - where to meet them, what to expect, how to integrate our busy lives with one another?  You simply don't have the time and ability to get to know someone else as easily as you might in say college or in those youthful party days.

My point is this - while I endure this depression, I know I'll shake it.  I always do.  But right now it's put me in a major blue funk and it seems the black dog visits daily.  I know I am prone to it as my ancestors have been.  Churchill was famous for it (and I think I've mentioned we are related.)  But as I move through this phase, it's not easy to find the words to speak and type.  Thinking itself seems a chore at times because thoughts return to what it is I cannot seem to have, for whatever reason and for right or wrong.  When you meet someone that shakes up your world, it simply isn't easy to shut them out even though I have no choice but to do that very thing.

She said she wanted to be friends and you know?  That's perhaps the hardest part of this.  We were friends to start, then lovers, then friends again and then once again lovers.  In time, perhaps I can return to friend but frankly, I enjoy being lovers more.  That's what I wanted and that's what won't happen.  And folks - that depresses the hell out of me.

So there you have it.  A personal thought about my life which may be too much information but knowledge that I think should be written down and shared.  I don't want to bottle it up.  It's unhealthy.  Acceptance will arrive in due course and until then, my writing will suffer.  Or perhaps not.  Perhaps writing is just the thing to shake these thoughts and feelings.  Thus, this is the well you get today.  From the very bottom and the coldest water.  Drink up because it may not come around again.  In fact, I mean for it not to.  I'll meet another and I'll find someone who makes me happy as I make them happy.  Will she be as pretty?  As intelligent?  As creative and with a good sense of humor?  Since those are the qualities I seek then you had better believe it.  If there is one thing this blogger is it is a slave to my wants and desires.  I'll not settle.  It wouldn't be fair to them and it certainly wouldn't make me happy.

I've been alone far too much these past years and while I can certainly enjoy it, I don't wish another day to go by without a true friend and companion.  But it takes time, effort and an open heart to find it.  So I won't close down, I won't stop trying and eventually, my friends, I will find what it is I seek.  And hopefully in the process, I'll have a few things to write about as I do.  Maybe that is where this blog is headed.  Well, that and the campaign now in full swing.

As a friend often says on Mondays - "Happy Monday."  And you know what?  I mean to make it one come hell or high water.  Once again, I am sorry for the sporadic nature of these musings of late but at least now you know why.  She who is very pretty is gone and I am in search of she who is very loving.  While I'd like to think she's just around the corner, I am not certain of that.  But she's out there.  And I'll find her eventually.  That is all.

The Well for 7/9/08

Another day, another well.  And so much excitement yesterday shown for Franky being sent down just to see him come right back up.  What the hell is that?  Was this just a message sent, delivered and supposedly understood?  I think not.  This kid just doesn't get it and you can see that by how he reacted once he heard the news.  Hell, even Mantle was sent down and had too much humility to think he belonged.

Well, Francouer is back with the Braves...unfortunately.  But I don't run the organization.  If I did, he would have been sent down long ago.  One wonders what he'll have to do now to go back to the minors?  Kill someone?  Rape a turtle?  Flash himself to children and old ladies?  I don't guess that would do it so we are stuck with him.  Mark that as another sure thing just like Hampton pitching for the Braves again.  Neither will occur and we must deal with what is left, which is a season slowly falling away from us.  Sigh.

Purchased a brand new DVD player yesterday as the old one finally crapped out on me.  Appliances, man!  You run through them quickly when they get a lot of use.  Thankfully, it was inexpensive, unlike the dental work I'm about to have.  But that's another story and we'll save that for another day.  The player is a Toshiba and they have this nifty feature (if you can call it that) that allows you to choose which input the player is using - S-Video, good old RCA cable or what have you.  I use the S-Video cable, thanks very much.  Problem there is that you must select such after you turn it on and I got no picture since it was switched to RCA.  Took me half an hour to figure that one out.  But I did and the lovely new picture makes me happy.

And that is all the Well you'll get from me today.  But hey - look at it this way - it's more than you got last week and for that we can all be thankful.  I know I am.  That is all.

The Well for 7/8/08

And we are back.  First, I must apologize for last week but I decided to take a small vacation after a good month of doing this just about every day.  Felt like I needed to recharge the engines or what have you.  As well, let's just call it a week long celebration of the 4th.  Hey, why not?  It's a great holiday and we like to celebrate it.  And we did thusly.

Had a great time with the family on the 4th.  Spent the day poolside with much beer and burgers and beans...all the things a growing boy needs.  Or at least all the things this fella needs to enjoy his holiday right.  There were fireworks later in the evening but they've lost much of their splendor for me as I'm no longer five.  But the kiddies liked 'em.  All in all, a great day.

As was the news that greeted me that morning...yes, they finally sent Jeff Francouer down.  After two years and change, the Braves finally realized that he needed more seasoning...more discipline...more something.  I could see it even while he was wowing the pants off of the soccer moms.  But being a pretty boy doesn't win you games and thankfully someone in the organization finally figured this out.  So he can take his Delta commercials and talk about how they fly to Mississippi.  Heh.

As for the Well itself, I discussed a bit yesterday that I was considering cutting back to a couple of times a week rather than daily.  I just don't have it in me every day, folks.  I run out of things that seem interesting pretty quickly.   This blog was started to discuss anything and while the political season is in full swing, I can't be bothered to mention every little flap or flip flop.  Baseball too is right here at the All Star break but I really don't have much to say about it other than it was great to see both Chipper and McCann make the team (Chipper as a starter).  I may say more as the week moves on.  In truth, I should hold it back so I have something else to say.

And then of course is the writing of it...when to do it?  Evenings were working well until I tried to quit smoking.  Writing without a smoke is a lot harder than you'd think once you've grown used to it.  And that assumes there is enough evening to use for writing.  Sometimes there just isn't.  So that leaves the morning.  Let's just say that is not going to become a regular thing.  Just don't have the time.  So we are left with a question.

Finally, I am still not sold on the name "The Well" and I don't like seeing all my posts lined up like that with the same name.  I feel like I've moved away from the original intent of the blog and that's where I need to spend the time.  So we may see some jiggering here and there with when and how it works.  But rest assured, Hear the Hurd isn't going anywhere, especially since I'll hit my five year anniversary in September.  It just needs some tinkering.  All suggestions are welcome so if you two and half readers have any, let's hear 'em.  That is all.

The Well for 7/7/08

I had intended to get something of more substance up this morning, but the weekend was full of activity, much good cheer and beverages that bring such and simply not enough time to put finger to keyboard.  And now this morning, I must ease back into a full work week so it doesn't appear I'll have anything for you.  I am starting to rethink this entire premise, however...it may be too much to discuss such mundane things each and every day.  I may scale it back to once a week or just a couple of times a week.  But I'll discuss those plans in more detail when I return.  Look back tomorrow.  That is all.