The first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day. Because of that I decide that I’d head to my local card and comic book store for the event. I planned on grabbing a couple free comics, despite my lack of comic book knowledge. You know the saying, “If it’s free then I’ll take three”. I own the all of the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels and a few Star Wars comics and that’s about it. It’s a pretty small store, and when I got there it was very busy. I grabbed my free comics, purchased some baseball related items, and was getting ready to go. I brought my camera with me because there’s superheroes all over the place, and getting some photos of them is cool. I awkwardly got a couple of photos. It feels weird to ask people if I could take their picture. After a brief time all of the superheroes gathered for some photo ops. The owner of the store, who was dressed as a superhero as well, asked a friend of his to get a couple of shots, but he had trouble with the camera. I showed him how to use it, and he decided that I should take the photo.
I ended up offering to help take some photos and the owner took me up on it. I thought it would be nice to help for a little bit. I ended helping for two hours! Every time a kid or an adult wanted to be in a photo I’d hear, “Where’s photo guy?”, and I’d be there. The funny thing is that I didn’t get to use my gear for this, despite me wearing my camera bag. I even fixed a lens on somebody else’s camera and then grabbed a shot for them. In between photo ops I got some shots of stuff for myself with my gear. It was kind of weird, but was really cool.
The owner and the superheroes were awesome. They were cool to talk too and were kind people. I’ve been shopping at that store off and on for years so I felt like I kind of knew the owner. I also recognized one of the superheroes as well. It was somebody that I worked with years ago, and they still remembered my name. I did feel a little out of place. It seemed that everybody knew each other because of all of the comic and superhero stuff, but all in all it was an awesome time.
It’s my day today. I’m still waiting for presents….
Yesterday the Brandon Inge era in Detroit came to an end yesterday. The Tigers finally released him. There was really no place for him on the team. His hitting and defense was poor.
There’s no doubt that he was a polarizing player. While many people despised Inge, others loved him. To me his career as a Tiger was filled with peaks and valleys. Most people will choose to reside in one or the other. I was somewhere in the middle. Because I don’t have a favorite ballplayer, I try to see things objectively. There are times I love a player and times I don’t. Inge was one of those for me.
Over the years he played all over the field. He had a canon for a catcher, and played a quality third base. In my opinion his athleticism kept him on the team and on the field. For the most part his defense was pretty solid. His hitting was iffy. I could go on about the hitting and strike outs and whatnot, but I won’t. The numbers speak for themselves.
Here’s just a couple of memories from me.
In April 2001 I got my very first baseball autograph, and it came from Brandon Inge. It was the day after opening day. My Dad and I went to Comerica Park early and caught the end of BP. After that Inge came out and posed for a professional photographer. I remember people saying, “Who’s that guy”? I knew who he was, but many didn’t. After that was over he came over into the camera well and signed for many people, including me. This was just before his second-ever Major League game. That was awesome for me. I still have that ball.
I voted for the whole “Bran-Torino” thing in 2009 to get Inge in the All-Star game in 2009. It was a bummer that he whiffed in the Home Run Derby. Afterward I bought an Inge All-Star game t-shirt to commemorate all of my hard work in voting.
In 2010 the Whitecaps had a Brandon Inge bobblehead giveaway on a wet rainy night in April. I remember that well because I made a lady mad when I tried to cut in line.
I was also at Fifth Third Ballpark in 2010 when he came back “home” and made a rehab start with the Whitecaps. He’s a was a ‘Cap in 1999 and people still speak of him fondly.
All in all it was a move that the Tigers had to make. It is a business. Nearly every baseball player will have deal with such a day. It’s rare to go out on top.
Good luck Brandon. Thank you for all you’ve done for the Tigers.
Yesterday I visited my summer home, Fifth Third Ballpark. There was an open workout featuring the 2012 West Michigan Whitecaps. The day started out wet and dreary, but ended up being sunny and nice. There’s some players returning from the 2011 team, as well as some new ones. The news media was there and their coverage was of the players with famous relatives. Names like Kaline, Avila, Leyland, and Lemon are associated with this team. This also means that I’ll have to explain this crap multiple times to casual fans whom I may encounter this season.
There’s also some new things at the ballpark as well. There’s new siding in the press/suite area. The Fifth Third logo has changed and that’s reflected throughout the ballpark. The sign by the big highway has been updated. Most importantly there’s a two new scoreboards. There’s a nifty new manual scoreboard. They also installed a massive new videoboard out in left center field. It’s big and pretty cool. Opening day is the ninth and it’s supposed to be cold. That doesn’t matter though, it’s just great to be there.
We’ve had some crazy weather the last couple of weeks here in West Michigan. We’ve had a snowstorm, hail, freezing rain, regular rain, thunder, lightening, etc.. Temperatures have fluctuated from the 20’s to the 40’s. According to the forecast that’s for this week, it’s supposed to hitting the 50’s.
It snowed yesterday and this cardinal posed for about 2 minutes for me. I haven’t taken a photo that was worthwhile in a long time. That’s going to change soon.
Some days being an INFJ is quite difficult. I can’t count the number of times where I feel like I don’t fit in. It doesn’t matter if I’ve known people for years or if I hardly know anyone, I generally feel out of place. I feel this way at church, the ballpark, and various other social places. It’s ever so strong at work. It’s hard.
I’m still trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be when I grow up. I’m horrible at this. Do I try and train for a new career, only to be bored of it after so long? Do I try to make hobbies a potential career, only to lose that hobby and have it be job-like? Nothing ever stands out. It’s hard to pursue something when nothing stands out. I just want quiet and simple. Fitting in affects this as well. If I’m not comfortable, I’m generally not interested. If I pursue something I want it to fit me. At this point I feel as if I’m on this mediocrity carousel that never stops.
Today it just seemed to hit harder than usual…
I would like to see this put in action, especially while shopping, and driving as well. YOU’RE NOT IMPORTANT! NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR CONVERSATION!
This is a disease in our society.
Today is May 1st. “May Day” is a popular holiday celebrated throughout most of the world, except in the good ol’ USA. I don’t celebrate it, but despite that, like many Americans I feel that something is owed to me. I feel that I should get, A) some sort of financial compensation, B) presents, C) some sort of special food-type product, D) other possibilities for other awesome things. I could go on, but I won’t. Who else has a day and a month as their surname? I guess I’ll have to settle for the hope that the Tigers and Whitecaps losing streaks will end.
Lame.
