My Ball Dilemma.

So remember the awesome home-plate shaped baseball display case that Jenny gave me for my birthday (seriously the best bday present EVER)? Well, if you don't, click HERE for a refresher. I've got a few more balls in my case now, and I must say, its one of my favorite things.

Now remember that I am one of the world's pickiest people? If you didn't know that, I'm telling you now. I am picky. And patience is not one of my better qualities either. So you better believe that I really wish that my baseball case was full. I mean, let's be honest, I've almost finished my baseball stadium tour (5 days and I will be done!!!) but my case is far from complete. Why, you might ask? Because the genius manufacturers over at K2LP are apparently not the brightest bunch around, and haven't made the baseballs in the "vintage embroidered team logo" style that I like so much. They are soo much better looking than the cheesy lame regular embroidered logo balls. Ok fine, they aren't making them for every team yet. I'll be patient. I'll wait for the teams they haven't made yet, and add them to my collection as they become available. Fine.

I mean seriously, let's take a closer look at a team that I'm impartial to, for example, the Dodgers. The old school style (left) is ok, if that's all you saw. Fine logo, fine baseball, looks a little plasticy, but whatever. But then, you see the 'new' vintage style (right) - with the "antiqued" look on the baseball, making it look like its been thrown around in the dirt a little, with a much more intricate detailed logo embroidered on the front. Much cooler, right? And much more conducive to the look I'm going for in my baseball case. Hmmm.

And now, here's the dilemma. I emailed one of my contacts at a place called "Baseball of the Month Club" (where I ordered a bunch of my baseballs from), since he gets all the new ones as they are manufactured. He told me yesterday that he talked to the manufacturer, and they told him that they have decided not to expand the number of teams that they are making the vintage baseballs for. Um, I'm sorry, that doesn't quite seem fair! Don't they know that I have a baseball display case that I am anxiously waiting to fill? That's also not what they told me when I called them a few months ago - that's right, I called them, manufacturers themselves. No use beating around the bush. I worked my way through the firewalls to talk to the man in charge of the baseballs. Yes, they only sell to wholesalers, but I managed to talk to him personally and he told me the teams they were planning on making this year. Apparently somewhere along the lines, those plans changed.

I guess now I am stuck with the lame logo baseballs for the teams that remain. Annoyed? You bet. But I don't really know what other options I have. This is what happens when you get your heart set on something that you don't have any control over...

The White House.

So I've lived here for over 6 years now and I haven't ever been into the West Wing of the White House ... until last night, that is. My friend Drew has a buddy who works there and scored us a private tour. My cousin Summer was in town for the night, and was able to come with us - I hadn't seen her in years, and it was really fun to have her join us (perfect timing)!We obviously couldn't take pictures inside, I don't know, they don't want us photographing the Oval Office or something, but it was pretty dang cool. One of my favorite parts was the hallway that had all the pictures of the President in it - not the typical, posed shots, or the ones of him giving speeches, but rather photos of him in Crawford biking through the trees, fishing in his boots, or with dirt on his face from the chainsaw in his hand. Of course, I also had to love the picture of him throwing a pitch in Bejing at an Olympic baseball game. Gotta love a president who likes baseball!

After touring the West Wing, we went into the Press Room, a little (and I do mean that) room with seats for all the Press ... and apparently this is the new logo:They wouldn't let us go behind the podium, so this is as close as we were to making our own speeches:

Here's the whole gang ... aren't we cute? (ha ha) Thanks Liz for the picture!

It was too dark for us to take pictures in the Rose Garden, so this was about as good as my artistic ability got me ...
One more of the whole group ... what a great night!

Is This a Sign?!?

The other night I was really craving ice cream. So what did I do? Of course, went to the grocery store to get some. Being lazy, I decided to go to Safeway, which I normally avoid like the plague, but since its right around the corner, I made an exception. I think that's the last time I make that exception. This is what I walked into, in my ice cream craving state of mind:
Wow. Seriously?! Empty freezers, water all over the floor, paper towels trying to mop up the mess, and employees removing items as fast as they can out of the freezers and into the shopping cards (to do what with?!), all marked by the yellow "caution" tape (as if someone was going to venture down the aisle?! - complete and utter chaos. And there I am, standing at the end of the aisle laughing, and then getting out my camera to take a picture! Maybe I just wasn't meant to eat ice cream that night!! Though the thought did cross my mind, it was quickly replaced by my ice cream craving. I got right back into my car and drove to Wegman's, only to discover that they now carry my favorite kind of ice cream: Turkey Hill Light Chocolate Nutty Moose Tracks. Yup, heaven in a carton. And it was even on sale. So the night didn't turn out all that bad, after all.

Tennis Lessons.

A few weeks ago, 10 to be exact, I decided to sign up for a tennis class. Its something I'd been wanting to learn for awhile, so why not now? I dragged my roommate Jenny along with me (ok she did actually want to play), we both purchased sweet tennis racquets from Costco (love that place!!), and off we went every Monday night to learn the art of tennis. I am proud to say that after 10 weeks, we are actually not half bad. Not half good, but not half bad either.

So tonight was our last night of class, and we were playing a game of doubles. Jenny and I were on the same side of the net, and I was serving. She took her position, ready to return the ball, and I took my serving stance (or something like that). I missed the serving day of class, and haven't quite mastered it 100% yet, but most of the time I can actually get the ball over the net into the correct side of the court. However, this time was an exception. A huge exception. I threw the ball up, hit it with my racquet, and then watched in horror as it smacked right into Jenny's left shoulder. Immediately our teacher (who hadn't actually seen it) said "did you just hit her??" He got a kick out of it - as we all did - well maybe all of us but Jenny. Sorry!!! I totally didn't mean to do that. I guess now you'll never play tennis with me again.

Tennis Lessons Learned (in no particular order):
1. You have to practice, or you are never going to get any better.
2. Pay attention to your teacher - he actually knows what he is talking about.
3. Sidewalk chalk is not only for kids to draw pretty pictures with.
4. Just because you start out using kids tennis balls doesn't mean you aren't good.
5. Always wear bug spray unless you like mosquitoes sucking your blood.
6. It is still really hot at 6pm during the summer!
7. Playing tennis on a Wii does not equal playing tennis on a real court.
8. It is possible to play tennis with a 10-month old on your back.
9. Tennis skirts are super cute.
10. Never, ever hit your partner when playing doubles (or any other time)!

Where Did the Time Go?!

I can't believe its August already. I know I haven't blogged for quite some time now, due mostly to the fact that I have been so busy! Here's a brief run-down of what's been occupying my time:

Tennis: Jenny and I decided to take a tennis class. I've wanted to learn to play for quite some time, so this was our chance. We're taking a class through the county, once a week, and its a lot of fun. I need a LOT of practice, but its something different and fun.

Travel: Of course, I can't sit still for more than a week at a time! I went to the beach this past weekend with a bunch of friends, and had a really great time (after we waited out the rain while doing a little shopping at the outlets)! I think this was my first beach trip all year - definitely not the last though.

Baseball: What summer of mine wouldn't continue to include baseball games? I went to an Orioles game a few weeks ago - LOVE Camden Yards! Its such a beautiful stadium. If it weren't for that darn traffic getting up to Baltimore, I'd be there a lot more often. Last week a few friends and I went to a Bowie Baysox game, the AA farm club for the Orioles. Definitely a different atmosphere, and on a Wednesday night, we sat as close as we wanted! It reminded me of the good old days watching BYU baseball games. And, I just secured my flights to Texas for my Labor Day trip - my final baseball trip! Houston and Dallas are my last two stadiums and I'm getting super anxious!

Friends: Summer BBQ's, birthday parties, late-night movies, old roommates with darling babies, Sunday dinners ... life doesn't get much better than it is right now!

Funny TV: I'm not really a big TV watcher, especially in the summer (with the exception of "My Boys" on TBS). But I have been addicted to TLC lately. Of course you know my obsession with "What Not to Wear" (and I actually had someone ask me just this past weekend if I was on it, because apparently that episode aired again recently). I'm also in love with "Jon and Kate Plus 8" because those kids are absolutely adorable and it just makes me laugh to watch the show. But my new favorite show that I think it just hilarious (granted I have only seen it a couple times) is "Rock the Reception." If you haven't seen it, check it out!

The Heat: Its incredibly hot and humid here in DC, and I've second-guessed myself many times when I've gone running after work. If only I could figure out how to trick my body into thinking that I am a morning person ... that's what bikes are good for though, you can ride them when its hot and not be quite so miserable. I also swam laps for the first time since last "season" on Friday - all due to the fact that I just signed up for another triathlon. Its not until October, but still - I've got a lot of work to do before that day!

There's a lot more, but that's all I'll say for today. :)

p.s. 8-8-08 is Friday! I absolutely, positively, can't WAIT for the Olympics to start!