State of...Christmas Memories

So I recently took a stab at some creative writing. It's always been something that I've wanted to try and it seemed like a good time to start. I submitted a piece that was well received, but it was too time sensitive and I was asked to try again.

Well, I just found out that my second article got picked up. Yay me! I've included a snippet below as a teaser and hope that you will follow the link to the whole article. I hope you enjoy!

Memories of a Childhood Christmas

How My Holiday Memories Will Shape My Child's Experiences

Liam Weseloh, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Nov 30, 2011

This is my favorite time of year: Thanksgiving is over and everyone has turned his or her focus to Christmas. People are busy decorating their homes with lights, snow globes, and reindeer. It is the time of year when entire cities decorate their downtown area with images of Santa and lampposts are ablaze with multicolored lights. The spirit is strong indeed, but not as strong as my memories of childhood Christmas.

I grew up in a large family in the northeast. We were eight strong on most nights and a full house was all but guaranteed around the Christmas season. We celebrated in the traditional manner: tree, tinsel, ornaments, stockings, lights, Nativity scene, ginger bread house and 24/7 Christmas carols. This, I like to think, is where our traditional experiences end.

Here is the link to the full article: http://bit.ly/uiS3hY

Thanks for checking it out! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!!

Cheers,
LW

State of...Qualifications

Just a quick random thought...

What qualifies as an "Egg Salad Sandwich"? I would normally think that diced egg, mayo, onions, lettuce, and maybe chives? But what if there was just diced egg and mayo? Is that technically egg SALAD even though there is no real "salad" component? Should that just be considered an Egg Sandwich?

Does it depend on how the egg is cooked? If it's a fried egg with the mayo on the bun, is that not the same? Or does it need to be hard boiled and diced to qualify as an Egg Salad sandwich? If so, why does a regular salad with diced hard boiled eggs not constitute an Egg Salad?

And really, who thinks up this crap? Oh yeah...me.

Cheers,
LW

State of...Fatherhood

Lots going on at work, lots going on in life. Now that I have a few hours sitting on a train from Toronto to Windsor I thought that I should put down a few thoughts to blog.

In case I haven't told you, my wife and I are expecting our first child in late January (obviously not pictured above). Thank you! We pulled the goalie and my little swimmers did the rest. Swimming genes must run in the family. Below are the real pictures of our little Jedi (that bottom one with the hoodie on he/she DOES look like a Jedi).

So we are now just a few months away from our next Life Changing event. Friends with kids tell me to 'get my sleep now', 'get a routine', 'breast feed', 'don't breast feed'....it's all very informative to hear people's own experiences...am I'm sure I will be no different in several months time giving out free advice to others in my shoes.

I was talking to another friend who is expecting their first. They are about 6 weeks behind where we are but going through similar experiences. We talked about names; how that name will be with our child for the rest of their lives (unless they play NFL football and they can change it to a spanish number, or become a singer who wants to change a bad name for a symbol). FOR. THE. REST. OF. THEIR. LIVES. Think about that for a second. I've lived with a unique name, through good and bad (mostly good)...but now the pressure is squarely on us. We will determine if that child gets ridiculed for the rest of their life. What if choose poorly? Beth would be a nice name for a girl...but her name would sound like a hotel chain. What about something nice like Savannah? Do you think that she would be born wearing stripper clothes or wait until she was 15? And boys names are no easier. Don't want to be too 'normal' but at the same time, I don't want him getting beaten up. And more importantly, how does it sounds as a hockey name?

We are currently going through the 'babying' of our house. Not baby proofing yet...just babying. That means getting the nursery painted...which means getting the guest bedroom done (so we can move the den/nursery items into the guest room), and also getting the basement done (so we can move the den/nursery items into the basement- and start my/our ManCave). Only then can we begin to work on the nursery.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Not in the least. I enjoy fixing up the house. I enjoy planning for our baby to be brought home. I really enjoy planning for the ManCave. I'm just saying that it's a lot of work - and trust me, I know it's not about to get any easier when the little munchkin comes home. Maybe I SHOULD be getting my sleep now while I still can?!

I was told once that when a couple has their first child they lose contact with 80% of their friends. #IHaveNoStatsToBackThisUp (thanks John Stewart) but that sounds terrible. I look at my closest friends and know/hope that this doesn't happen to me. But I fear that the old 'that won't happen to me/us' phrase gets thrown around too much. So I urge my friends to stay in touch. I can only imagine that the 80% number is mostly due to the couple having the child. Unless our friends hate our baby, I can't see how that would be any different. It's up to us to try and maintain that friendship through the insanity of babyhood. But I want you all to know that I don't want to lose touch with you (except those who know who you are)...so let's not let it happen. Okay?

I'm sure that the next six months will have a LOT of family time. Lot's of mothers and fathers, mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. I thank my lucky stars that I have good ones of each. I feel sorry for those people who have issues with the "monster-in-law". That must make things ten times worse on everyone. I need to remember to treat them all nicely - they are all potential babysitters!!!

Okay, that's about all I have. My station is coming up. Life is good. Wife is good. Work is good. I really have nothing to complain about right now. Disgusting isn't it?!

Cheers,
LW

State of...Guilty Pleasures

My old swim coach used to tell me that excuses are like buttholes....we all have 'em and they all stink. Well, guilty pleasures are very similar. We all have 'em...and likely probably stink. Here's my most recent one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij9CbUUsnJE


I'm not proud of it, but it is what it is. Yes, it's actually a two-fold guilty pleasure...not only is this song so damn catchy, but it's a clip from the new show "The Voice".

I'd actually not ever heard this song before the Xenia version. I didn't know it was originally a Jessie J song (featuring B.O.B.). So I sought out the first version (thanks Sirius) and was able to check it out. It's a little more polished and probably a bit more 'catchy' but the voice just isn't the same as the less heralded Xenia. She's got a very different kind of accent in her voice that forces me to listen to it.

I've got plenty more guilty pleasures, but I think I've done enough by sharing these two right now. Maybe this will become a multiple part series....maybe not.

Cheers,
LW

State of...Giddiness

Guess what came in the mail yesterday?!?! My JP Arencibia signed baseball bat!!!

I need to give a huge shout out to my friend CC for making this happen. Without her I'm highly doubtful that my request would ever have reached the proper people. Thanks Caron!

So a few hours after my State of...Disappointment post I got an email from CC asking if she could pass along the blog post to her friend at the Blue Jays organization. Well, sure enough...within 24 hours I had an email from the Jays saying that my request had not fallen on deaf ears and that JP had definitely not forgotten and would have the bat sent right away.

I don't really care how it happened or why...I'm just so excited that I finally received my JP Arencibia signed bat! How cool is that?! In fact, you should check it out here:


Pretty sweet right?

If you're on twitter and not following JP Arencibia you should definitely check him out. He can be followed at @jparencibia9. He is definitely one of those athletes who interacts really well (and regularly) with his fans. It's a nice refreshing change from the days when athletes would charge for their autograph. Again with my naivety but it seems that some athletes just 'get it'.

Keep up the great work JP and the entire Blue Jays organization. You guys are doing a great job and I will continue to support as best as I can. See you in Baltimore in a week!

Cheers,
LW

State of...Fandemonium?

I need to give credit where credit is due....this is pretty cool (http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/27694626/29494935):


I didn't realize that the Tampa Bay Lightning had this many fans. At least, I didn't realize this until I took a look at the recent box score from the playoff game.

The game on Saturday drew a 107.4% capacity crowd - or 21,216. Damn! I can't stand to think of the Bolts winning a second Cup before I get to see my Buds hoist the mug...but this does make me feel a bit better about their recent success.

Cheers,
LW

State of...Disappointment!

Those of you who know me know my MLB loyalties lie with one team...the Toronto Blue Jays. Having grown up in Toronto I cheered on the team long before they had any success. It wasn't until the mid 80's that they really gave us something to cheer about - remember the 'Drive of '85??? Barfield, Moseby, and Bell made up one of the most feared outfields in all of baseball!

I've stayed true to my loyalties and have cheered on my Blue Jays ever since...and they've rewarded me with not one, but TWO World Championships! Not only that, but now that I live near Philadelphia they've given me a lifetime of bragging rights in the area - thank you Mitch Williams!!! I swear, he should have gotten the MVP that year! Who cares if I have to bask in the glow of the early 1990's?!

Last year I was watching feverishly when the Jays called up the much hyped catching prospect JP Arencibia. This was our future catcher with unlimited potential. In his first major league game he did not disappoint. He swatted a 2-run homer on the FIRST PITCH he faced at the major league level! He would finish the game going 4-5 with two homers and a triple shy of the cycle! What a debut!

So when JP made his twitter debut I was obviously a follower. And I wasn't the only one! He's now up to nearly 22,000 followers. Maybe low compared to other superstar celebrities, but well on his way! He tweets with the best of athletes! So when JP offered a signed bat for some fun trivia I knew I had my work cut out for me. I've included the interaction below - but suffice to say, I was able to answer his question correctly (see "Winner, winner, chicken dinner..."). I was getting an JP Arencibia signed bat! How COOL!!! Sure I'm a grown man (arguably), but I still get giddy when I win something that I'm really excited about.

Well, that was nearly 5 months ago and guess what....no autographed bat, yet. I did receive a direct message on 12/28 from JP that stated "ill send it to u when i go home im currently on vacation....". I know he's a rich celebrity, but surely he's back from vacation now, right? Of course he is - he's the Jays nearly-everyday catcher! I saw him on TV just the other day.

I've tweeted him back a few times seeing if he's had a chance to look into this...but have yet to receive a response. I'm sure it's just an oversight as he is incredibly busy with the season. But you'd think he could take the time to fulfill on his own contest, right???

My plan is to put the bat up in my office at work - presenting it proudly as a symbol of my decades of loyalty to the Toronto Blue Jays. It has a place next to my Roy Halladay bobble-head and my Ernie Whitt signed baseball.

Below are the tweets from JP Arencibia leading up to my victory. If you scroll down to the bottom you can read them in chronological order as you scroll upwards. I remain firm in my belief that he will eventually hold true to his word. He seems to really love the interaction he's allowed with twitter and I do think that enjoyment is honest.

Look, is a signed bat the be-all, end-all? Of course not. It would be cool to have and would definitely be something that I would cherish forever. I'm sure I could find a similar item on ebay for a reasonable price...but that's not the point. I guess my point is...it's nice to see an athlete able to interact with the fans in a positive manner rather than the mindless trash we see with other celebrities. Maybe I'm naive but I do like to see the best in everyone. And sports is no different. Right now I'm that little kid standing outside the locker room waiting for the star player to come out and sign his baseball because he said he'd do it after the game. He said he'd be here...so here I stand.

I will post an update when I have one. Hopefully I'll have good news to report soon. I'll even post a picture of the winning item, if and when I receive it.

Cheers,
LW



jparencibia9 jp arencibia

@

@hamswims Winner Winner chicken dinner....

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

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@DanielleLawrie5 haha he will be in good hands.... we will take care of him

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

True in my rules I never stated a number of guesses... but ill ask another question for another....

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

well we have a winner but if they have guessed like 15 numbers should it be valid? ur call

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

saints monday night football

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

another hint its less then the saints score right now times 7...

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

Upon further review the number has NOT been guessed.... ill say its higher than 40

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

The five pitchers i want names of can not have played with the jays big leagues or minor leagues...

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jp arencibia"

jparencibia9 jp arencibia

A number is correct.... but i need 5 pitchers ive caught not through the blue jays system that are in the mlb

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jparencibia9 jp arencibia

if u get it right ill ask u to name 5 of them currently on other teams that didnt play with the jays so ppl just arent throwing out numbers

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jparencibia9 jp arencibia

Here it goes.... Since little league.... how many pitchers have i caught that have pitched in the major leagues.... counting last season too

27 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

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jparencibia9 jp arencibia

Im trying to think of a little post xmas gift.... maybe a signed bat... but i need a good question so i can choose a winner... toughts?

State of...Royalty

In twenty-eight days, one of the most talked about events of the decade will occur (yes, I realize that the decade is still very young). Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot on April 29th, 2011...and I ask you: Why do you care?

I guess I understand why the folks in England care. It relates a lot more to their lives than anyone in North America, I suppose. But for those Americans - what is the draw? Is it because you don't have a queen or royalty? Is it because Lady Di was such an international celebrity that you've been caught up in the whole royalty-thing ever since? Is it the bad teeth? I just don't get it.

When I think about the wedding (it's almost impossible not to wonder since every U.S. TV station carries a mandatory 4-hour minimum amount of coverage) I find that I'm reminded of one thing: I literally could not care less. Literally. I'm serious. If the wedding were between Billy and Julie and they lived in Prague I would care exactly the same amount as I care about William and Kate. That is to say, NOT A DAMN!!!

Not only is the constant coverage somewhat annoying, it's baffling as to what the draw is. These people carry no political or significant power over anyone in the U.S.. Maybe, one could argue, that there is a small tie for a Canadian - but I'm Canadian and I think that my feelings have been made clear. If they haven't....I DON'T CARE about this wedding. There are just too many other things in my life to care about. In fact, there are more things in one compartment of my life to care about. I could list 50 things in each compartment (work, home, play, family, sleep, etc.) that are more important than what Kate is going to wear on her big day, or what shoes William is going to be sporting.

I wish them the best, just like I would wish anyone getting married the best. Enjoy the moment, try to capture it all in and not worry about the small details. Nobody will notice if things don't go just right, so don't stress about it. At the end of the day it's about committing to your soul mate that you will be with them for the rest of your life, through thick and thin, sickness and health, for richer or poorer. That is what really matters.

I've already spent more attention and time writing this than it deserves. What has it been, maybe 12 minutes? That's 12 minutes that I will NEVER get back. Damn! I raise my glass to a quick next 28 days - may we please get over this soon so we can get back to the other trash that we normally watch on TV.

Cheers,
LW

State of...Exercising

I came to a slightly sad realization today. Swimming (on your own) is pretty boring. There, I said it. I swam competitively for nearly 20 years, logging in more miles in the pool than I care to calculate. At one point we had established that I'd swum around the world and was working on my second loop. That is crazy.

So how, after all those years, did I overcome my "black line fever" to determine that this exercise is truly mind numbing? Well, here goes...

Several weeks ago I got the itch to get back in the pool. It probably all started watching a recent World class swimming event (Worlds, Olympics, etc.) and realized that I wanted to get back at, albeit very casually. So I set up a time and place to get a few laps in. I started swimming once per week and was starting to build up my endurance, which was at an embarrassing level.

Well, today comes and it's kind of a gross day out; gloomy, rainy, and a little cold. The pool is about 30 minutes away and I have very little desire to do much other than curl up on the couch and watch a movie (or let's be real, the Flyers/Rangers game). But at the same time I have that nagging feeling in my belly that I probably "should" go and do some form of activity. So as I'm sitting on the couch my mind goes through the following struggles:

Hmmm...how do I feel about swimming right now? Well, I don't really feel like getting wet. It's pretty far away. To be honest, the concept of just going back and forth doesn't really interest me. I wish there was a way to have SportsCenter on while I was swimming. But I need to do something.

So I start going through the list of other potential activities: running (outside is not really an option with it raining, so treadmill only), elliptical machine, swim cords downstairs, and that's about it. If going outside really were an option then we could play tennis, go biking, roller blading...all sorts of fun activities.

So between exercising at the gym and going to the pool, my mind can't even comprehend this being a tough decision. I could go work out and watch TV or listen to Sirius radio....or I could go to the gym and have 6o minutes of going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, etc. I can justify a LOT of things in my mind...but I can't, for the life of me right now, justify that swimming is a more fun activity right now.

Even with a commitment to join a team triathlon in a few months, I can't bring myself to do it (today). The idea is just too boring to me. This makes me sad (a little). How did I do it for 20 years, twice per day? That's insane. Now granted, that swimming was always with other people (friends even) so it was more of a social environment. If I'd had to do it all by myself all those years would I have even made it through the month? I'm just not sure. It's THAT boring to me right now.

So my decision is made. Elliptical machine and some swim cords it is. Hopefully next time it won't be that tough of a decision.

Cheers,
LW

State of...Winter

I need to get something off my chest...but before I do, I should mention that I grew up up in Canada so I totally understand that I may be a little biased. Here goes.

This is a snow storm...


And so is this...


And this...


But people please, for the love of God, don't go on and on about how this is a "Snow Storm":


Forecasting for 3/4 of an inch of snow does NOT constitute a "storm". I might, MIGHT, understand if I still lived in Georgia or Florida. But I live in the northeast. We should be used to snow flakes by now.

Maybe Gov Rendell is right? Have we become a nation of "wussies"? Let's get rid of the drama and stop calling a light dusting of snow a "STORM". At least that's a start.

Cheers,
LW