Monday, June 29, 2009

The Windy City.

Greetings! I apologize for the lack of news, it's not my fault the world is boring =P Actually, it is my fault for neglecting the news and blogging because I've been too busy having fun in Chicago! I don't want to make this blog about me so I haven't posted much about my travels, but now I feel like I should (because I want to kay).

I walked around downtown (everywhere is downtown to me here; place with tall buildings) and went to the Chicago History Museum. I know that sounds boring but it was really interesting, they had a Lincoln area and you know how much I love Abe!

Afterwards I wanted to see Second City so I toured the inside a bit; hopefully I'll actually catch a show sometime this summer.

There's a Starbucks near there and me being the coffee fiend, I had to buy something. I'm very glad that I went to this specific store because there's a sign that told me Morning Joe (MSNBC) was going to broadcast there tomorrow morning from 5am-8am! I tried to find this event online but I couldn't, so I had my doubts. But since I'm weird, I have Joe Scarborough on Twitter and apparently he had a signing today (too bad I didn't know) and he said he'd be at Starbucks tomorrow morning. So that's all confirmed!

I have a bunch of pictures taken thus far (Green Bay and Chicago) and I'll upload them something in the coming days and link you. Right now I'm incredibly tired and since I have to wake up tomorrow at 3:30 (5 hours from now), I'm feeling even more exhausted.

Have a Good Night!

- Franny.

(I'm sorry if everything is choppy, I'm just typing what I'm thinking in my current state of tiredness. Hopefully I'll be fluent in my next post!)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Two Major Losses.

I woke up this morning to news of Farrah Fawcett's death after many years of battling cancer. She was most famous for her role in Charlie's Angel. She died at 62.

The second piece of news happened within a very short period of time. I was sitting at the mall and I saw on CNN that Michael Jackson was hospitalized. Shortly after, as I sit in a hotel, I see that he has died from cardiac complications. The King of Pop was truly a superstar and his music influenced many generations. He died at 50.

Two great losses on this Thursday, June 25, 2009. May both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson rest in peace.

- Franny.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day!

I hope all the dads out there had a fantastic father's day, I think my dad did. I bought him 5 seasons of Columbo on DVD, he's been wanting that since forever. What made it more awesome was that I bought them the day before flying here so those DVDs have traveled quite a distance and he was thoroughly surprised.

In other blog news, JabberWocky texted me the other day saying he is doing well and he's nice an safe at his vacation spot, I, for one, am very glad to hear it.

There really hasn't been much news besides Iran-related stuff recently. I have strong opinions about that one, and it may not be what most expect. I don't want to just blurt it out without explaining myself so if I have time, I will make an individual post about that.

In gossip news, I hear the very hot Gisele Bundchen and the equally hot Tom Brady are expecting a child! Move over Brangelina children, the spawns on these two tall, talented, and sexy people will sure win any cute baby contest. I would like nothing more than to be their lovechild, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

I'll feed you gossip folks a bit more of my two cents. You know what I hate reading about? Jon and Kate Plus 8 (or is it Jon Plus 4 and Kate Plus 4? Thanks SNL!). You know who I love reading about? Adam Lambert. Not only do I want to touch his hair, I really want a cd asap. And I think his bf is cute too, what a shocker eh.

For those of you who care, and I know that's all of you, I am heading to the Land of the Free tomorrow! Woo! North Dakota first and then Minnesota where I will be shopping at the Mall of America =) Oh how I love the United States of America =)

See ya'll next time! (With that accent I'll make it to Texas, yeehaw!)

- Franny.

ADD ON: Welcome to the world Andres, first tropical storm off Mexican Southern Coast. I am a hurricane junkie so expect an update with names and whereabouts all summer long. Stay safe coast-livers!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

When Superman met THE Man.

I apologize for not only the cheesy title but my absence as of late from you lovely people! It's going to be a pretty slow summer because our awesome blogger-extraordinaire, JabberWocky, is on vacation ALL summer in Pakistan. I know you all miss him, but don't worry, he'll be back come September!

Anywho, you're stuck with me for the time being so enjoy every (cheesy) moment! Now onto some news:

I know there's some sports fans out there who's followed us since JabberWocky's posts so I shall tell you only the good news: The LA Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with a final score of 99-86. I was quite shocked, not because the Lakers won (I know they would), but that they didn't just lose this game and win the next one at home so there would be more celebration. I think the saddest part was seeing the Magic bench sitting there and watching the Lakers celebrate. I would've pulled a LeBron *cue drum line*

Iran is going crazy, but what else is new? I just hope the innocent stay safe and the not so innocent don't cause more damage than they already have. That's all I have to say about that situation since I have no news to report because, sadly, I am not in Iran (I would kill to be there right now).

I try to keep this blog about anything and everything, but a reoccurring topic is myself. I would apologize for my egocentrism, but that would imply I have humility, which I do not. Anywho, I'm actually going on a trip this summer as well! I am flying out to Winnipeg next Wednesday and from there I'll be cruising down to the Windy City (Chicago)! But don't worry, I will have plenty of time to blog (I hope) so you shant be deprived of posts! I was thinking I'll add an update of my interesting journey for those of you stuck at home and having no fun =)

I had a gift but it did not embed properly so apologies all!

Ciao! (I'll work on a better sign out, JabberWocky's is really kickass. I'd do the one from my old blog, Good Night and Good Lucky, but that Olbermann fellow at MSNBC is rocking that one. If you have an idea pitch, feel free to leave a comment!)

- Franny.

Monday, June 8, 2009

BoSox & Mets News; A.L. East All Over Top 10 MLB Power Rankings

Despite rumors to the contrary, team sources indicate that the Boston Red Sox are not interested in Oakland Athletic's shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Boston is content to stick with Julio Lugo and Nick Green at the position until Jed Lowrie returns from the disabled list. The BoSox reportedly made inquiries about Cabrera, but they felt as though the cost was too high.

However, The Red Sox have struggled with injuries at shortstop, and Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy could be an option on the trade market. Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin wouldn't comment on any possible talks with the Red Sox, but did brag about Triple-A shortstop Alcides Escobar. Melvin said that Escobar is ready for the major leagues, but added, "We have a very good shortstop." But if the Brewers decide to fast-track Escobar to the major leagues the BoSox have a very good oppurtunity to trade for J.J. Hardy without giving up too much in return since letting Hardy go would simply be a financial salary dump for the Brewers and the BoSox can obviously foot Hardy's bill.

In other Red Sox news, designated hitter David Ortiz has admitted that his struggles are causing him tremendous grief. "My body is resting every night," Ortiz said, "but my mind is spinning with all of this [stuff]. It's hard to sleep. This is hard. I've never been through something like this. But when you get older, and have a bad year, you never know what can happen. A lot of times, they don't let you come back."

Ortiz has a .197 batting average and only two home runs in 198 at-bats this season. "People keep writing and saying all this [stuff]," he told USA Today. "They say I can't hit no more. That I'm done. What, I have one arm now? I'm not 45. I never struggled like this, but I'll be back. Then what are they going to say?" I sure hope so Papi 'cause we (BoSox fans) need you back as soon as possible big man.

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The New York Mets have struggled to drive in runs this year and Mets manager Jerry Manuel made it clear on Sunday that he'd like the team to add a power hitter. "If the power comes, that's going to be great for us," Manuel said. "But if not, I still believe we'll struggle in games such as [Saturday]. We'll struggle in games like we had the last game in Pittsburgh where we felt -- or at least I felt -- that we had an opposing pitcher that was struggling and making mistakes, and we were getting singles instead of hitting them out of the park to get back in the game." The Mets have just 34 home runs this season, ranking them 28th out of 30 teams and sooner or later that is going to catch up with them and I don't think my heart could take another Mets meltdown.

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* Previous week's ranking in parenthesis.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers: 4.03 (1st)

Andre Ethier has a 1.208 OPS and three homers during the first seven games of June.

2. Boston Red Sox: 3.77 (6th)

Coming off a 2.38 ERA in May, Josh Beckett brought lethal stuff to his start last week in Detroit when he struck out nine and walked two in 7.2 innings.

3. New York Mets 3.73 (2nd)

Livan Hernandez had a 2.70 ERA in May and has been even better in June with a 2.13 mark through his first two starts.

4. Tampa Bay Rays: 3.64 (9th)

B.J. Upton has begun his recovery from awful performances in April and May to hit for an OPS of 1.244 in June.

5. Toronto Blue Jays: 3.61 (7th)

As Roy Halladay continues to amaze, he has 7.33 strikeouts for every walk this season.

6. St. Louis Cardinals: 3.54 (3rd)

Despite an ordinary 6.55 K/9 rate, Ryan Franklin continues to hold down the closer slot, with a 1.23 ERA and 0.77 WHIP.

7. Texas Rangers: 3.51 (5th)

The move of Michael Young to third base has greatly improved their defense at two positions. They were dead last in UZR last season and are currently first.

8. New York Yankees: 3.51 (10th)

The Yankees have dominated lefty pitching, with an OPS of .887.

9. Detroit Tigers: 3.50 (4th)

The Tigers have recorded an MLB best seven shutouts this season, 23% of their 30 wins. The club was dead last in 2008 with just two.

10. Philadelphia Phillies: 3.46 (16th)

Raul Ibanez had a 1.151 OPS in April, 1.027 in May and .958 in June, so you can call that trending downwards, but I think the Phillies will gladly accept how he is taking his time regressing back to the mean.

Peace and Much Love To Ya!! :)