Phillies Spring Training

I'm not very good at remembering to take pictures on vacation. Here are some from last week's jaunt to Clearwater Florida.


This is where the Phillies play. Brighthouse Field in Clearwater Florida. The view from the outfield.


This is a sunset from the house we stayed at in New Port Richey.


Another Sunset (or the same one?).


In the Mini-van.

A view from our seats at the St. Pat's day game. Yes they are great seats and that is the beauty of Spring Training. I could have hit the guys in the dugout with my beer if I really wanted (and wanted to get kicked out).


My Dad and his friend Jerry. I played golf with Jerry twice.


That's Kyle Kendrick (recently sent to the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs) warming up before the last game.

Obama and the National Academy of Sciences

Obama gave my organization a shout out of sorts today. Look at the 35 second mark when he's talking about Lincoln.

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Recent Reading

Saturday night I watched as 2 am became 3am, in the blink of an eye. Well in my case it was a quick recheck of my cell phone clock as I made my way home on the hour EST became EDT. Nevermind what I was doing at that hour (hanging out with a friend if you must know and not even at the bars). Anyway, I've decided recently to read more at night in order to get to sleep faster and to also enjoy the silence and inner reflection before I go to sleep. Saturday night at about 3:15 am, after the removal of contacts and brushing of teeth, I picked up a small book my Mom gave me called The Last Lecture. I began to read and before I knew it, it was 4:15. So I finally put the book down and drifted off to sleep.

I awoke the next morning and finished reading the book before ever getting out of bed. Don't get me wrong the book is short and quite quick to read. It was pretty moving for me. I think there are some good lessons about living your life and finding your own way. I was deeply saddened at some points, especially when Dr. Randy Pausch spoke of his children's future. I guess I thought of my friend who had lost her mother too early. I thought of another friend who's mother is battling similar cancer to the Pausch. I thought of all those people who left their children too early. I thought a lot. I hope for my friend who has to continue to grieve the loss of her mother. I hope for my friend who has to support her mother's battle. I hope for a humanity that cherishes both their parents and their children. I hope for my mother. Because she is doing well now, I hope that endures. I hope.

So I hope to read more. To experience other people's words through their words. To experience other worlds through the creativity of others. To experience the joys of life and the crushing lows as well.

Now I'm reading a much lighter book about golf stories. I picked it up for 50 cents at a work fundraiser. It has kept me up a lot longer the last 2 nights than I wanted or anticipated. That is the joy of reading though. You never know what you'll pick up next and what experience your mind will be thrust into.

Short Trip to a Far Away Land

So on Sunday, Jared and I ventured to Fairfax to the Chinese Grocery. Upon arrival we found only 2 carts remaining and barely any room to move in the produce aisle. It was insane. I was amazed by the varieties and length of travel that some of these veggies took to get there. I did get some baby bok choy that was supper tasty. I also picked up some chop sticks (reuseable) that I used last night for cooking purposes and eating. They're like an extra set of tongs that are easier to clean.

Well Jared and I found some really interesting things at the "fish" counter. I think it more aptly name the live or almost alive counter.



Guess what's for sale?

Yes that's right, it's Frogs and Turtles.




Yes they were moving and jumping and frolicking in their last minutes and hours of life.



They also had yellow and white eels.

I passed on these offerings. I have eaten all of them though. I've had Unagi, or eel sushi. I've snacked on frogs legs. I've even eaten turtle soup. But I've never cooked it or seen it live before cooking.

Yikes. I did score some good and inexpensive Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, Mirin and Toasted Sesame Oil. I also got some dumplings...yum.

I'll leave you with this departing shot of Vegetarian BBQ Sauce. What's wrong with this picture?