Don't poison anyone

Monday 11/18/19

Wrote a nonfiction piece in my head that I will formally compose in the AM and figured out how to present an op-ed idea so that I get to do it, and also how I will write it, allowing that I get to do it. I walked three miles, climbed the Bunker Hill Monument five times. My fitness was not good yesterday. Problems with my chest. By which I mean, I could have kept climbing, it's not like the three climbs were a struggle, but I was not right and I didn't like it, I need to feel like a Zulu warrior physically so I can take these people on, so I can be strong in all of the ways I need to be strong. Ran the first 100 steps each time today and was where I should be if I was going to do twenty climbs or whatever. For most of the time I had the Monument to myself, as it was a cold raw, rainy day. I like being in there alone. Shaved for the first time in a week. I look boyish.

C: Hey--I didn't even realize this until now. There are peanuts in that bag and they are likely not allowed at your school, so don't get in trouble or poison anyone.

E: The poem is a bit shit

C: I am sure there is at least something to build on (and learn from). Show me later.

C: The cab story is becoming a masterpiece, by the way. It's called "Fare."

E: cool man. I'm proud of you

C: I think I'd rather have you be proud of me than ANYBODY.

Awww. Cuteness, bitches! Wait--that's wrong. A thousand apologies.

Hall of Fame ballot for MLB was announced. Players are so closely bunched. One reason I like it when whomever gets in. I was glad Harold Baines got in. Besides thinking he deserved it, it's sports, it's not, I don't know, passing through the gates of heaven, it's a sports museum, and if Bill Freehan goes in, for example, cool. But off of this group, if we're supposed to only focus on the best of the best, I'd say Bonds, Clemens, Jeter, Schilling, and that's it, for me, in that order. (This might sound strange, but Jeter is drastically underrated; he was so hyped that the hype became his story, obscuring how dominant a ballplayer he was, especially as a hitter.) I look at the Modern Baseball Era ballot, and I don't know, man--they all could go in or stay out. I do know that Don Mattingly is not close to a Hall of Famer. I loved watching him, I know he's had a tough go of late, with his son dying, but I don't think Dwight Evans belongs in the Hall, unless it's a kind of "cool, you were good, too, come on in," deal, which is what I prefer. Keeps the interest in the player alive, connects you to the past, makes it more fun when you look up your guy's stats again. Point of pride. Feels like you're still following them. Dale Murphy, no, Lou Whittaker, no--though they both have a great chance to get in; Tommy John, no, Garvey, no, Munson, no. Dave Parker works. Ted Simmons should have been in a long time ago. He was awesome. For the regular ballot, Kimball is a big Larry Walker guy. Billy Wagner is a lot better than Trevor Hoffman was.