Memories of times past.....1956-1958 Thanksgivings in NYC

I started at Brooklyn Tech when I was 14.  That was in 1956.  Little did I know that an annual Thanksgiving tradition was the Thursday morning football game between Boys High, were my father went and Brooklyn Tech.

Boys High Field, far, far, far away from the school but near to where we first lived in Brooklyn (853 Empire Blvd) was convenient for us and what a wonderful thing to do:  my father, my brother and me - a family Thanksgiving morning football rivalry.  Then my Uncle Max, who 32 years earlier, under the same coach (Wally Muller) who still coached Boys High, was a city star, got wind of it and asked if he and his three sons can join us - that afternoon, we'd all go to their house in Forest Hills for Thanksgiving dinner.

Thus began a three year tradition - the mornings found 7 of us (6 of us in the stands, Uncle Max participating by walking with the 10 yard chain along the sidelines).   Do these two schools  - no longer all male - still meet for Thanksgiving morning football?  What changes have transpired in NYC during the past 55 years?

Damn, it's cold!

14 degrees outside.....and it was in the 20s, yesterday.  Damn, it's cold!!

My blood has thinned.  I used to be a trooper in this type of weather.  Not any more.  I'm glad I have the Moncler jacket to wear - it is light weight warm.  I have two in Hong Kong - one of which I should bring back to Guangzhou with me.

I have one meeting, today....and that is already over.  I have one easy tax return to do - that is still to be done.....and of course I have writing that is long overdue - sooner or later, I've got to get off of my arse and motivate myself.

But now?  Hell no!!

Will it rain?

A decision:  after getting back from meetings on the Kowloon side, I decided that this afternoon was a good one to cook.

I made brownies, 'compensating' for the overdone cookies (salvagable, nonetheless!!) last time.  I used two sticks of butter, two eggs (which I probably should not have mixed, initially - or should I have worried because that liquid consistency of it all was drawn butter! and it all 're-mixed' - and that is not a yoke!!), more water, the same amount of vegetable oil (virgin olive).......simmering (on 7 minutes, off 3 minutes, closed pot) for 45+ minutes........

It looks good....let's see how my culinary arts have improved.....

I'm listenng/watching the Stones 2013 Hyde Park concert on DVD.   They are great!!!

Ah, Hong Kong weather at this time of year!!!

It is cool in the morning.  Brisque outside, actually.  Debatable whether or not to wear a jacket over the shirt sleeved shirt (with a t shirt, too - it ain't summer).  But the logic of that tingle in the air (not really chilled) going from my apartment to the FCC makes sense when I eventually leave the FCC and the weather outside has warmed to the point where a jacket would have been an inconvenience.

It is writing and thinking time.  Writing, because when away from China, I want to do this blog and what better way to do it than to make it part of my initial, daily routine?  Thinking because I am keynote speaker at a prestigious, international tax conference, mid-December, in Xiamen.  Keynote, in this case, is banquet speaker where, unlike everyone else who has been allocated 20 minutes to speak (yeah, it is an academic conference), I am a 40 minute tax entertainer.  And entertaining is what I fully intend to be!!  I will entertainingly get my message across about property tax to some of the most prominent researchers the State Administration has - my attempt at stand up tax comedy, again, in China!!

There are some clouds in the sky, today.  Yesterday there were none and the brilliant blue was wondrous.

O.K.   that's enough blogging for one day - time to read some newspapers!!!

A list of improbables.....

1)  Since the 'quality' of  participating teams has been in decline subsequent to the start of the Asia Series, how come it is still in existence, at least as we know it?

2)  How come Japan gave up its turn to hold the Asia Series, this year (in Fukuoka)?

3)  Why did the Japanese and Korean participants send their 'second' teams?

4)  And perhaps the most improbable of all:  How did Australia do it all?

****************************

Jack Murphy hit a home run, two nights before, coming out of a hitless slump.  He hit another one in the eighth, last night - a grand slam.  The Cavalry dismantled the Uni-President 7-11 Lions of Taiwan, 14-4.  I did not see the grand slam - with bases loaded and Murphy coming to the plate with the score 10-4 and 19 hits, thus far, for Canberra, I opted to find a taxi and get back to my hotel (and get to Mos Burger before they closed for a late night alternative to McDonalds).  I knew he hit one when the CPBL management wisely decided to get rid of their unused fireworks, right then and there.

Kudos to Australia - their win was the best thing that could happen to baseball in Asia, in particular but generally, for baseball around the world.  There is only one true impediment remaining to true baseball expansion and growth in Asia:  MLB.  Their approach, their attitude, their total lack of vision without any patience....it is one of a 'Small mnd' (and yes, double entendre is truly meant, here, for those who know what I am talking about).

There will eventually be baseball in China.  When?  Who knows.....but it will return......

And me?   Who'd have thought that I'd attend 22 professional games in 4 countries this year......it was absolutely wonderful!!!

When you take things for granted......

When I take things for granted, tired but happy last night that in the morning I'd be able to do this blog, I discover that all those good words and catchy phrases were lost - forgotten somewhere during the night.....

When Samsung Lions and Rakuten Eagles management took for granted that they would meet for the Asia Series championship, that there was no reason to bring their starting teams as there was not going to be any competition.....well......they both lost!

Last night, in front of a far more respectable crowd (but still not an attendance worthy of an international sporting match), Nelson Figueroa (remember him, long ago and far, far away in the Majors?) pitched a great game, with the Lions of Taiwan beating 'my' Eagles from Japan, 4-1.  That 1 run should not have been:  the Eagles base runner was clearly tagged out (from my seat I had a better view than the home plate umpire) but the culture here is such that the Taiwanese manager made a polite, brief protest - quite passive - before sitting down.

Of course, I come from a razzing the umpire tradition and when I yelled out in Chinese:  'Bullshit, can't you see?', the Korean ump, who heard me, apparently understanding Chinese, turned around and gave me a stare......and I became a hero to the Taiwan fans around me, who kept on high-fiving me throughout the remainder of the game.

Thus, tonight, there'll be a good , vocal attendance, as the Canberra Cavalry, this year's baseball cindarella team, plays the Lions of Taiwan for the Asia Series championship.

And frankly, this is the best thing that can happen for baseball in Asia!!!

Miracles sometimes happen.....!

Taichung Stadium is a nice, compact, 20,000 capacity baseball park.

Last night, in front of approximately 19,850 empty seats, Australia's Canberra Cavalry beat Korea's Samsung Lions 9-5 in what had to be one of the most exciting games I've been to.

Samsung, like Rakuten, did not bring the big guns.  That was a mistake for Samsung because 'on any given night' - and last night was the night - Samsung did not have the pitching but Canberra had the hitting.....aided, of course, by the fact that I was razzing the umpires and cheering the Aussies on.

I sat with the Italian team, which, at 4am, left Taiwan to return to Bologna.  The Korean team will now go back to Seoul and 'have to explain' how they blew it.

Tonight, Rakuten is in danger - they left their guns back in Sendai and will play a strong Taiwan  Uni-President 7-11 Lion team that certainly will be motivated by a near to capacity house, tonight.

It was cold as hell out there, last night.....I'll bundle up a bit more, tonight....and am looking forward to it.

On Sunday afternoon, Rakuten beat Canberra, 6-3, going ahead - finally - after 8 innings.  Without their first team offense, Rakuten could face embarrassment, tonight, too......

Regardless, it's fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taoyuan, yesterday.....back to Taichung, today

There is a very noticable weather change, 37 minutes train ride north from Taichung.

Yesterday, two baseball games were played at Taoyuan Stadium, near the airport and far more accessible to Taipai than Taichung.  Taipei, in the north, is cold.  Kaoshing, down south, is warm.  Taichung, population 2.6 million, is just about right!

And once again, it's all about the pitching.

Australia shares something with Italy:  smaller, part-time baseball where, at best, there was one pitcher per team that was really worth a damn.   Italy (Bologna) lost two games.  The first loss was respectable.  The second loss was pathetic.  Australia won its first game.  Yesterday, had Rakuten had their 'first' team in, their loss would have been even more pathetic than Italy.

And yet.....because they were second place in their bracket, they play again, tonight, against Korea.  Prediction:  tonight's game will be a blow out.....Korea will easily advance to the championship game on Wednesday night.

Last night, Luis Vizciano, 39+ years of age, was the losing pitcher in 10 innings, as the 7-11 Lions of Taiwan lost to the Samsung Lions of Korea.  Tomorrow night, the Taiwan team, in front of a home crowd, will play Rakuten.  It's time for Rakuten to bring on some first stringers - including pitchers, as they will have a tougher battle against Taiwan....and assuming they win, they'll face a tough Korean team.

It's fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you really have only one pitcher of 'quality'

The teams from Japan, Taiwan and Korea are professional.  These teams pay their players who have no other jobs.   The teams from Australia and Italy?  If they are paid, it is not sufficient to live life without another job - one that pays.

Thus, Bologna, Italy, the European league champion, made a good showing on opening day.  But last night, in the chill of late autumn (a hoodie I purchased at the ball park came in very handy!), Taiwan's first place team, the Seven-Eleven Lions, had a field day:  They led 8-0 at the end of 5.  We left early, prior to Bologna, Italy being further humiliated.

The most fun, though, was sitting in the fan section and rooting the Taiwanese on.

Today's two games take place in Taoyuan, near the airport.  We'll take the high speed rail to the airport and then shuttle to the Taoyuan ball park.   This afternoon, Rakuten plays Australia's Canberra Cavalry.  Tonight is perhaps the best game, thus far:  Lions (Taiwan) vs Lions (Korea).   Yet I am not sure I'll be going to both games - maybe, just maybe, I should pay more attention to my age and limit the length of the day out.....besides, the temperature will go even lower tonight.....!

If you want to find out whether I went or not to tonight's game, then you'll simply have to read tomorrow's blog!!!

Morning drizzles - 16 November

I have absolutely no idea of the final score, last night:  the Eagles broke the 1-1 tie with the Rhinos (Taiwan's 2d place team) in the bottom of the 8th.  Their half of the inning was still going (with 2 out) but I feared for lack of transport so I left to find a taxi.  Obviously I found one because I got back to my hotel, took a bath and slept soundly.

It was cold, last night - a stark contrast to the balmy, mid-70s of the afternoon game.  I guess that means I'll wear the Asia Series hoodie I purchased that afternoon.....

Tanaka did not pitch  through the 8th inning.  Did he pitch the 9th?  I have no idea - this morning's papers - at least the English language ones I was able to look at - did not carry the game.

Two more games today:  Australia plays this afternoon against the Rhinos of Taiwan.  The Rhinos were more impressive - to me, at least - than the Samsung Lions.

Anyhow.....it is time to get dressed and grab some breakfast.  Then.....off to the ball park!

Samsung Lions of Korea 5 - Bologna, Italy 2

I don't feel my age.....I certainly do not act my age.....but it appears that I appear my age - unless it is the fact that I'm the only white guy around in a very Asian setting and the staff of the CPBL wants to make this a great experience for me........I think it is the latter.....

The taxi ride was not as long (or as costly) as I anticipated.  I got to Taichung Stadium around 11:15am and had no problem finding the information office where news of my impending arrival had already been spread to all in the office - they literally and figuratively gave me VIP treatment, escorting me to where I was to sit as a Super Fan.  There were 6 other Super Fans there - all Japanese.  One wore a Chiba jersey, another wore a Nippon Ham Fighters jersey.....and when I took out my Rakuten Eagles jersey and put it on, they 'adopted' me!!!

Five of the six looked as one would expect a bunch of Japanese men scouring  manga and anime in Akihabara to look.  The sixth?   Transgender!   What a group!!  Their English was even worse than my Japanese yet baseball was the common language and we had a good time together.

Italy's Bologna team lost the game in the bottom of the eighth inning when a relief pitcher came in and after walking the first batter he faced (with absolutely nothing on the ball), he threw three straight balls to the Korean batter who, based upon the prior pitches, would either walk (because the ball would be no where near home plate) or hit a home run if the ball got over the plate.  He hit a 3 run homer and the game ended 5-2.  The Korean team, though, the Samsung Lions, did not impress me.

At the start of the game, perhaps there were 100 people in attendance.  Conclusion of the game - 2-300 people, no more - mostly school classes attending.......

I took a taxi back to the hotel and will rest for an hour prior to returning to the stadium for the 6:30pm game.  Rakuten plays this one against the second place Taiwan team.  Neither Andrew Jones nor Casey McGeehee of the Eagles is on the traveling squad - presumably, they've gone home after the Japan Series.   But the pitching staff is intact and it will be nice to watch them play........

Food:   good fried dumplings and fried squid.  Tonight I will try a hot dog.....

More.....tomorrow.....and I hope to download pictures, tomorrow morning, to the photo gallery of the website.

Wake up in Taichung

It is the 15th of November and at noon, this year's Asia Series begins with a game between Italy and the Korean league champions.  I would be surprised if Italy won although the Italians have got to be emotionally up for a game like this with a team from one of the 'better' baseball countries:  the Korean league teams play a 128 game season.

Tonight, Taiwan's number 2 team plays the Rakuten Eagles of Japan.  Taiwan plays some good baseball (although the league, consisting of only 4 teams, has a bit of a 'shady' recent past).  Will I go for an afternoon game, come back to the hotel and then take another taxi ride back for tonight's game or will I spend the entire day there?   Good question!  It all depends on both distance from the hotel (I'm still not sure how far away the stadium really is) and the availability of taxis  from the stadium.

Park City Hotel, a smaller hotel I found from the Agoda hotel site, is centrally located.  It was easy to find from the high speed rail station even though communications between the taxi driver and me were 'limited'.  The room I am in was recently re-done and the bath tub was very 'welcome', this morning for a half hour bath.

It is now 2-1/2 hrs before I depart for the stadium.  Making the best use of time, this morning and the mornings over the next week are the  immediate task at hand........and then......baseball!!

And so we end this trip to merry old Hong Kong.....

Here I am, a day after Armistice Day (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - you get the gist) and I didn't even realize it was a holiday.......and now it is Veteran's Day - and it is a celebration day for me, too, I suppose, because I was in the Army........I survived the Army, not a war......

I started out the morning with a harmonica lesson.....got to practice more - that is the ONLY way I will show any improvement.

Had a client meeting.

Soon going to have a flu vaccination - then going to another client meeting.

And then....back to Guangzhou and a day to get ready for my trip to Taiwan.

Sorry to write something so 'meaningless' but I would rather have inclusion to the blog, today, rather than nothing at all......

Hey, you looked at the wrong one for yesterday!!

G'day, mates,  greetings from Hong Kong!

'twas a busy, busy day, upon arrival from Guangzhou.  I thought I erased the blog entry I wanted to make, yesterday.  I didn't - thus to those out there who are reading me:  scroll backwards and immediately before the brief one you read from yesterday lies a far more verbose entry.

If you want to scroll, it's there.....and if not, no big deal!

Jazz at the FCC last night:  a quintet of some exceedingly skilled musicians, veterans of the struggle to sruvive with making music their career.....they were craftsmen.  They were damned good.....and I am fortunate enough to have jammed with three of them.  While the Australian vocalist was good, she did not hold weight with the 5 musicians accompanying her.  Yeah, she had a few songs where she held her own but  for the two-set concert performance, I'd have preferred ditching the singer and just watching and listening to the 5 in the 'back-up band'.

And today?  Katherine and I luxuriated in sleeping in and sleeping late.  I took advantage of one of those rare nights where I got up only once and had no problem immediately falling back to sleep.

And today, thus far into the early afternoon?   I did walk and exercise my way to the HK side of the Star Ferry Terminal and took away two hot dogs for Katherine and me to eat at home.  For the first time I encountered lines at Top Dog.  I have mixed emotions about this:  on one hand, it is nice to see them 'make it' - they deserve it.  On the other hand, I hate waiting on lines!!

A quick addition for the day......

I actually wrote something good.....and pushed the wrong button, erasing it all......so rather than nothing at all, you, who might read this, will only see a sentence or two...sorry 'bout dat!

Hot and dry in Hong Kong

This is the nice time of year in south China.  The temperature has dropped a bit - just enough to be 'borderline' nice.  The humidity, though, has really decreased - it is dry and my skin needs far more moisture than the creams I have but foolishly do not use.

The frustration comes, though, when I open the windows and hope for air circulation - there isn't any.....it is too hot in the apartment with motionless air but not hot enough to avoid guilt if I turn on the air conditioner.  Such is my plight on a Saturday afternoon in Hong Kong.

We came in on the early morning train.  I had an appointment, mid-afternoon.  Katherine napped (which I did, too - for a while before my meeting and after we came back from Man Mo Temple, where we go to have good thoughts.

Jazz , tonight, at the FCC.  A Japanese film, tomorrow.....lunch and dinner on Monday...lunch on Tuesday.  Then it's back to Guangzhou.  A whirlwind tour of Hong Kong, gaining weight at the time of year when dieting should be more rigorous.  Such is life on an autumn weekend in Hong Kong 

A day like any day, filled with the events.....

If I can figure out how to get this from MacJournal to my blog, when I get back to Hong Kong, I will do so. Otherwise, what I feel just might be a longer journal, today will remain unread - such is life.....

It was 27 degrees in Guanghou, this afternoon. The sky, marbled with clouds, was blue - vibrant blue. I took a bus to the Garden Hotel area and met with Fred Hong at his offices regarding some work the two of us could do together. It is hard to believe but next year we'll have been working with one another for 20 years. Two small businessmen, professionals from Los Angeles who chose Guangzhou. We are 9 years apart in age and while Los Angelinos, I'm the westside Jewish variety while Fred is from the Monterey Park Chinese community on the other side of town. Yet we came together half-way around the globe.

Sky FM is an app on both my iPad andiPhone. At home in Guangzhou, I have a 'portable' speaker system from Bose that is blue tooth connected. I'm listening to 1960s rock n roll, now - a good mix of my sort of stuff......

And tomorrow I will finalize my Taiwan baseball trek and secure a hotel reservation!!

Sorry, it ain't going to be a long piece - time to watch some anime.....