Dear Eli, (cont.)

01 Friday Nov 2013

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IMG_0025 First Game: 7/09                         Eli baseball game IMAG0134_ZOE008

 

 

Most Recent: 9/13

Dear Eli,

My grandfather, Pappy (Rob Goodman, your great, great grandfather), was the person who introduced me to baseball and to the Red Sox. In all of his years going to Fenway Park (he was a season ticket holder, nights and weekends), he never saw the Sox win a World Series. (He might have seen them play in the World Series one time as the Sox did make it that far in 1946. But he never saw them win because they lost to St. Louis that time.)

The Sox didn’t get to the WS again in Pappy’s life time and so he never got to see what his grandson (me), great granddaughters (your mother Annie & auntie Elizabeth), and great great grand son (you) have had the good fortune to experience.

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“12 Years a Slave”

24 Thursday Oct 2013

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12 Years a Slave ****1/2

For some reason, this film has only had a limited release so far. Whether that’s a marketing technique or a statement about the concern that there will not be a large audience for a film about slavery, I’m not sure.

But in the event that 12 Years a Slave, despite the almost universal praise by both critics and audiences who have seen it, doesn’t stay around very long, put it on your ‘to see’ list now and find it.

Film critics: “The most powerful film I never want to see again” (Jeffrey Lyles), “12 Years a Slave is more than just one of the best movies of the year, it stands alongside Roots as a significant cinematic contribution to this country’s never ending discussion about slavery” (Travis Hobson), “If the best films hold you in a captive vise, entertain you, keep you spellbound and teach something at the same time, then 12 Years a Slave is outstanding-brave, courageous and unforgettable” (Rex Reed), “The best picture of the year” (Roger Moore), “Easily the greatest feature film ever made about American slavery” (David Denby), and “12 Years a Slave is anything but easy to watch, but it is powerfully moving” (Bob Mondello).

I’m certainly not qualified to say this film is the best portrayal of slavery ever made. Nor am I unreservedly ‘over the moon’ about this film. But for me, it’s one of the better films I’ve seen this year.

Briefly, it is the recounting of a true story, taken from an 1853 autobiography, of a free black man from the north who is tricked and sold into slavery in the south and who recounts the 12 years of horror as he transitions from being free to being without that freedom, to being physically and emotionally enslaved.

Directed by Steve McQueen (not that Steve McQueen but the British film maker) and co-written by McQueen and John Ridley, the film has outstanding performances by a number of actors and actress. Chiwetel Ejiofor as the enslaved Solomon Northup/renamed Platt is superb. Michael Fassbender is also ‘wonderful’ as the slave owner who controls Northup for nine years. Lupita Nyong’o, in her first major film, is a someone you will not forget. Other terrific performances include those of Paul Giamatti (briefly), Sarah Paulson, and Paul Dano.

Unlike some other films which are said to be ‘based on a true story,” 12 Years a Slave adheres, according to what I’ve been able to read, to the account written by Solomon Northup of his story. As such, the film gives us a point of view of someone who was free and then enslaved. I suspect McQueen has taken some liberties with Solomon’s account, but I am hoping those are not significant.

In fact, I now have Northup’s (or Northrup, depending upon whom you believe) book, which, along with Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was one of the more widely read books on the topic of slavery prior to the Civil War. Over the next few weeks I intend to read the autobiography and perhaps will write more about it and the film.

But whether or not you read the book, consider the film.

PS – If there are a half dozen of you who are willing to see the film and read the book, let’s get together for another one of the Miller’s ‘Pop Up’ book evenings sometime in the new year. Let me know if you’re interested,

Dear Eli

20 Sunday Oct 2013

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game6-26

(Shane Victorino hits a grand slam home run to put the Sox ahead, 5-2 in the the sixth and deciding game of the 2013 ALCS playoffs.)

Dear Eli,

The last time you spent the night at our house, you said, “Tell me how well the Red Sox are doing?”

Well, while you were asleep last night and I was worrying about the game, a Red Sox batter hit a grand slam home run, scoring all three runners who were on base, plus himself. That put the Sox ahead of the Tigers, 5-2, and shortly thereafter, the game ended.

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The Best Laid Plans…

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

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Hats

For those of you who follow such foolishness, you know the Red Sox defeated the Rays last night in Tampa to move on to the American League Championship Series and a possible chance to play in the 2013 World Series.

While last night’s event, and the earlier ones against the Rays, is not important to 99.99+% of America, it was important to a few of us, and to those who have to live with us.

But this post is not about the victory itself but about another example where I once again learned I don’t know myself so well and despite my advancing age, I haven’t learned how to handle certain things so well.

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The Senate’s Best

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Articles & Books of Interest, The Outer Loop

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I love this woman.

She’s the clearest voice in the Senate, perhaps in all of Congress.

Although she’s not the most dynamic speaker, what she says, how she says it, and the directness of her questions are a breath of fresh air.

Fortunately, the Republicans made a mistake when they opposed her nomination to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Now she is not only free to question witnesses, one of the responsibilities of our Congress, but we have her free to speak at will on a variety of issues.

Check out these two short excerpts (about five minutes each) from her recent speeches on the Senate floor. In both, once she gets into the heart of what she has to say, she nails what’s happening in our country.

(The YouTube videos may take a few moments to load, or you can just click on the link, but your patience will be rewarded.)

Hostage Taking in a Democracy:

The Anarchy Gang – Boogeyman Government:

 

The US Government Shutdown: Two Links

04 Friday Oct 2013

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If you’ve been following the recent events, and commentaries, on the US government shutdown, you no doubt have formed your opinion on the cause(s) of our current stalemate.

One analysis you might not have seen is Ryan Lizza’s The New Yorker post, which explains, in more detail than I’ve seen anywhere, the reasons behind the strength/power of those who are pushing Speaker of the House John Boehner:

The Suicide Caucus

And to see graphically at least one cost of the shutdown, double click on the graphic below. Of course there are other costs, both financially and otherwise, but this one is quite clear.

(Be sure to double click on this graphic.)

Cost of US Government Shutdown

Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

Baseball and/or Football

30 Monday Sep 2013

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One of the delights for me being able to pursue interests other than professional ones is having time to read and think about some of those other interests.

Today’s post links to three articles that I have found particularly interesting about sports.

And you do not have to be an obsessive sports’ fan nor do you need to pick baseball over football or vice versa to enjoy them.

The first two articles (sent to me by BT) are written by a football player who is particularly gifted in his ability to convey what it is like to be a professional football player, to fail at that profession, and to continue to pursue his dream to play.

Both of his articles are worth your time I believe:

* What It’s Like to Get Whacked, by Austen Lane

* A Game with No End, by Austen Lane

The other article I draw to your attention (thanks to AR for alerting me to this one) appeared yesterday in the New York Times and discusses the current ‘decline’ in interest in baseball as the ‘National Pastime’, some of the reasons football (and other sports) has/have gained in popularity, and the differences between them.

Its author, Jonathan Mahler, doesn’t seek to persuade you about one sport over the other but rather writes about how they differ. And, perhaps, as interesting as the article itself are the Comments by readers that follow the article. If you have the time and the topic interests you, there is much here to enjoy and consider.

 Is the Game Over, by Jonathan Mahler

Some Answers

27 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by in Articles & Books of Interest, Escapes and Pleasures, Family and Friends

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Two recent newspaper articles seem to give some answers to questions raised in several of my recent posts.

A couple of months ago I wondered about how to respond to my 4 1/2 year old grandson when he asked me if it was OK to lose at a game. A number of you wrote thoughtfully, either in the Comment section of the post, A Question From a 4 1/2 Year Old, or in an email to me.

Thanks to tips from readers HS and BT, I draw your attention to this article, Losing Is Good for You by Ashely Merryman. While the article focuses on the ‘folly’ of giving trophies to every one who participates in a game, a sport, it also speaks to the larger issue of praise, over praise, and what that does to kids. This issue has deservedly received a good deal of attention recently, and I find I am guilty of erring in this regard too.

The second article, A Season of Tough Lessons for the Nats, by Thomas Boswell, addresses not only the Nats but also all those of you (90+%) who predicted last year’s National League darlings would continue and perhaps do even better this year.

As is often the case in a Boswell article, he seems to nail not only the specific issue he is addressing, in this case, why the Nats failed to live up to expectations, but also has some good advice that goes beyond just the Nats and baseball in general.

Why Having the Best Record Matters

26 Thursday Sep 2013

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Dear Ellen,

I appreciate that you have been quite patient with my mishegas (craziness) again this year with the Red Sox.

I have also noticed that you haven’t ‘rolled your eyes’ when I’ve said that getting into the playoffs isn’t enough, that the Sox need to have the best record in the American League too.

But I’m not sure you understand just how important it is have the best record.

So a quick post for you to know why I am continuing to stress about my heroes even tho they will be in the playoffs.

If they have the best won/loss record that means the following:

1) They will have home field advantage in the two series they would have to play to get to the World Series. In the first best of five series and then in the second best of seven series if there are final games, those crucial games would take place in Fenway, home of the brave.

How important is that, you may ask?

Of the 81 games they have played at home this year, they are 53-28. They have won 65% of their games at Fenway.

Of the 78 games they have played away from home so far this year (they still have three left to play this weekend in Baltimore), they are 43-35, 55%.

Enough of a difference to matter.

2) They will face the winner of a one game Wild Card play off.  And that team will have used their best pitcher in that Wild Card game, meaning the Sox won’t have to face the likes of say a David Price in their first game.

3) They will not have to face Detroit in the first playoff series. Detroit has both terrific pitching and strong hitting. And there is always the chance they will be defeated by the time the Sox have to play them.

4) They will not have to make two trips to the West Coast to play Oakland (going back for a final game if the series goes that far), which means they will be more rested.

But you may ask, “Don’t they still have to beat the Tigers and whoever wins the playoff games against the Wild Card anyway?”

True.

But playing at home, playing with the most rest possible, and not having to face one of the best pitchers in baseball to get to the World Series all matter.

Those are not guarantees that the Sox would make it to the World Series.

But every advantage helps.

Questions?

Richard,

Go Sox

Announcing Three New MillersTime Baseball Contest Winners

25 Wednesday Sep 2013

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As the 2013 MLB season winds down, or, for some of us, winds up, there are already three winners to announce for this year’s MillersTime Baseball Contests.

Contest #4 – Will Nats make the playoffs? If yes, how far will they go?  If no, why not?

More than 90% of you said the Nats would make the playoffs, and some of you thought they’d make it to the World Series or even be the winner of the WS. Most seemed to believe the Nats would pick up right where they left off last year (98-64). With four games remaining, they are 84-74 and have been eliminated from the Wild Card.

Matt Gallati (“they will be plagued by injuries and thus lose more often than they win.”), Larry Longenecker (“Davey Johnson will eventually upset people by speaking his mind…”) and David Price (“…they won’t even be close…”) all thought they wouldn’t make the playoffs and seemed to understand that 2013 would be different for them than 2012.

But Randy Candea wins this contest with this prediction for 2013: “Nats (88-74) will finish behind Atlanta and not make the playoffs due to sophomore jinx. Unlike last year, they won’t win the close games.” He gets two tickets to a Nationals’ game of his choice in 2014.

Contest #5 – Predict the Sox-Yankee Split of the 19 games they play against each other. Since Jere Smith failed to take the opportunity to appeal my decision, Meg Gage wins the two tickets to Fenway in 2014. (See this earlier post for more details on the results of this contest.)

Contest #7 – Worst Prediction.

Actually this one was not one of the six original 2013 contests. In a moment of anxiety about how the Sox were doing, I distracted myself by going through everyone’s predictions and decided to add a category of the Worst Prediction for 2013. I found 15 predictions that were pretty wide of the mark and let you folks choose which one was the worst. (See all the 15 in this earlier post.)

Elizabeth Hedlund ‘won’ (got the most votes from you) with her prediction that “Stephen Strasburg wins 30 games, first since Denny McLain in 1986.”  And because contestant Tracy Capullo encouraged Elizabeth to join the contests, these two Red Sox fans get to go to a Nats’ game of their choice in 2014.

Also,

Contest #3. Which League wins the All-Star game, what will the score be, and who will be the MVP?

I announced the winner of this contest earlier. Tim Malieckal and I will go to Minneapolis next summer.

Finally, there are still three contests to be decided: Best overall prediction (#1), Best Team Prediction (#2), and World Series Contestants and winner. We’ll have to wait until the end of October to see who wins these.

The Humble Bloggers Garden & The Fragrant Reader’s Garden

17 Tuesday Sep 2013

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The Humble Blogger's Garden, pix by Maureen Neuman

The Humble Blogger’s Garden, pix by Maureen Neuman

It’s probably no surprise for those few of you who follow MillersTime closely (a couple of loyal family members and several other friends who have nothing better to do with their time) that I am thoroughly enjoying my retirement with its freedom from the care taking at The Frost School and of my parents and that I am loving the freedom to choose each day what to do with my time.

But I have to admit that I somewhat frequently get the questions, “Don’t you miss working and what do you do with your time?”

The answer to the first question is an unequivocal “No,” even though those ‘working’ years were wonderful.

The answer to the second question is a bit more complicated, as no two days are similar. I might choose to read an entire day, go to a mid day movie, or work on my second ‘work’ love, writing a post for MillersTime. Or I might focus on the Red Sox (Spring Training for example) or even attend a Nationals’ game with a friend, which is much less stressful than watching a Sox game. Then there are my daughters and whatever is occupying their lives. Trying to keep up with the grand kids has become even more interesting with the addition of a third (see the post, Three Is Much More Than Two). And, of course, there is always travel as I am free to join Ellen on any of her many work trips around the country and around the world, where I spend part of a day observing her world, then explore whatever place she has taken me, before we both add on a few days of langiappe, exploring wherever we are.

All of the above is a somewhat meandering introduction to today’s post.

Another activity that I have been able to undertake has been the two-year planning, development, and creation of two Chinese Classical style gardens in the two small spaces beside and behind our house. Actually, as you will learn from the attached link, I have been thinking about Chinese gardens ever since Ellen, my father, and I first went to Suzhou in the 1980s. Something about those gardens grabbed me and has stuck with me for more than 30 years, even tho I have never thought I had much interest in plants, flowers, and gardens in general.

Anyway, with the completion of a makeover for our kitchen and an upgrade of our study/library and sun porch (another two-year project that I was able to oversee), I turned my attention to the two contiguous outdoor spaces, one next to our kitchen and one next to our sun porch, which I have long been thinking about as possibilities for replicating some of the delights of the Classical Chinese Gardens.

With a wonderful partnership with a landscape gardener, Thomas Virnston, (click to link to his website and a video of the two gardens), we are nearing the completion of these two spaces, which, with the help of our long time friend Ping, we’ve named them The Humbler Blogger’s Garden (after The Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, one of China’s best classical gardens) and The Fragrant Reader’s Garden.

Through a friend of Thomas’, an article on the creation and completion (mostly) of these two gardens was just ‘published’ on the website Divine Culture Insider: A magazine about traditional culture and contemporary society inspired by the performances of Shen Yun.

The author and photographer for the article, Maureen Neuman, has restored my faith in reporters as I think she has captured the essence of what we’ve tried to create.

If you are using a laptop or desk computer, click on the link below this paragraph and have some patience as the PDF of Maureen’s article may take a few moments to load.

Divine Culture Insider, Fall 2013 Suzhou Gardens – High Res.pdf

It’s also possible to simply read the on-line article from the link below this paragraph, but you will miss the wonderful graphics and some pictures. If you chose this link, be sure to click on the two links below the article as Terri’s reporting in this version is split into three parts.

A Washingtonian’s Suzhou Gardens

Enjoy.

We certainly are.

And consider coming to see the two gardens yourself.

We Have a Winner in MillersTime Contest #5

16 Monday Sep 2013

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Contest #5 :  The Red Sox and the Yankees play 19 games this year. Last year they played 18, and the Yankees won 13 of them. What will the split be in 2013? Tie-Breaker: Who will be the outstanding player for each team, and who will be the dud on each team this year?

Prize: Two tickets to a Sox-Yankee game in 2014. Winner can choose the park and whether or not I join (use the second ticket).

Fifty-four per cent of those participating said the Yankees would win the series, taking 11.4 games to the Sox 7.6.

The 46% of you who thought the Sox would win said they’d win 11 games to 8.

With last nights 9-2 victory by the Sox, a sweep of the final three game series between the two teams, the Fenway heroes put the final nail in the coffin of any possibility of the Yankees winning the AL East Division.

The Sox, on the other hand, improved their record to 92-59 (.609) and increased their Division lead to 9.5 games over the tottering Tampa Bay Rays. With 11 games remaining in their regular season schedule, the Sox Magic Number is down to four.

(For those not paying close attention to the 2013 Red Sox, Yes, these are the Red Sox who last year ended the season with a record of 69-93. Certainly an amazing turn around, about which I probably will write in more detail on another, later post.)

Oh yes. The Sox-Yankee split this year?

Sox 13 to the Yankee’s 6, with the Sox scoring a total of 120 runs to the Yankee’s 85.

A(nother) total reversal of 2012.

Four of the MillersTime contestants were tied with the closest predictions. Dan Fisher, Meg Gage, Jere Smith and Tracy Capulo all predicted a split of 12-7, favoring the Sox.

(Ed. note: one contestant, Elizabeth R. Miller, predicted the Sox would take the series 15-4, being the only one who said the Sox would win more than 12 of the 19 games. Obviously, Ms Miller must have been raised well. On the other hand, Yankee homer David Price will have to live with another one of his sorry predictions, “Yankees will win 14 games. The Sox will be lucky to get away with the other 5.” David comes from ‘Across the Pond’ and perhaps that contributes to his continual misjudgments.)

Since Dan and Tracy failed to make predictions about who would be the outstanding players and who would be the duds, they tie for third place in this contest.

That leaves Meg Gage and Jere Smith.

Meg said Pedroia would be the Sox hero, and Dempster would be the dud for the Sox. And Cano would be the hero and Teixeira the dud for the Yankees.

Jere said for the Sox, Middlebrooks would be the outstanding player and Aceves the dud. For the Yankees, he picked Sabathia as the hero and Youk as the dud.

By the power invested in me by me, I therefore declare Jere Smith runner-up.

And Meg Gage wins the prize and gets to see a Sox-Yankee game in 2014.

However, if Mr. Smith would like to appeal this decision to the MillersTime readers, I will give him one week to present his case, and then I will put the appeal decision up to a vote.

Finally, the best quote I heard about last night’s game and the Sox-Yankee rivalry this year came from that no good fellow Alex Rodriquez: “I guess the good news is that we’re leaving Boston.”

Hopefully, for the rest of this season. And for ever (forever) for A-Rod.

Screen Shot 2013-09-16 at 9.49.33 AM

 

Finally, if you didn’t have a chance to see the Sox tribute (and roast) to Mariano Rivera last night, you can see it now:

Fenway Gives Mo One Final Standing Ovation