Only, Like, 129 Days Til Pitchers and Catchers Report! September 30, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball.Tags: chicago white sox, minnesota timberwolves, minnesota twins, sioux falls skyforce, volleyball
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1-0 White Sox. That’s gonna be a tough one to get over. John Danks pitched a hell of a game, as did Nick Blackburn. Ken Griffey, Jr. got really lucky on a throw in center. And I was right about Brendan Harris’s huge game… he had half of the Twins’ two hits.
The season is over, but it hasn’t really hit me yet. Some of the other friends out with us tonight to watch the game showed their frustration, but I so far have remained cool and collected. I apologize in advance to those who happen to be around when it does sink in!
Not much else to mention tonight. We’re planning on a winter volleyball league. I decided if a team I like can’t win a championship (which hasn’t happened in the 16 years I’ve paid attention to pro sports) then I’ll have to go out and win something myself, dammit!
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I’m trying out for the Timberwolves’ D-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce in three weeks. Gotta get in shape!
Twins to Play Another “Most Important Game of Year” September 29, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball.Tags: chicago white sox, detroit tigers, lauren poulter, minnesota twins, roscoe, scrubs
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There’s really just one thing on my mind tonight. The one-game, winner-take-all AL Central showdown Tuesday night between the Twins and White Sox. The Sox beat Detroit 8-2 Monday in a makeup game from a September 12 rainout, meaning they and the Twins finished with identical 88-74 records. This means, for the 17th time this month, the Twins play their most important game of the year. Game #163.
If I had trouble concentrating at work Monday because of a Tigers-White Sox game, then I’m sure to be useless Tuesday too. But I’ll try to get involved in a project and take my mind off the game. Walsh is coming up to Minneapolis and the gang is meeting at Mortimer’s to catch the action. I don’t have a great feeling about the game since it’s in Chicago, where the Twins are 2-7 this year. But this isn’t just another game, so who knows what will happen.
I’m trying to think if there is actually any other news to talk about… Lauren is sitting next to me knitting something very lovely. Roscoe is sound asleep on his dog bed because I’m in the room with him. He’d rather take his chances sleeping down here thinking I might possibly give him food rather than taking a spot in Sarah’s bed under her covers. And we’re watching Scrubs once again. The rewatchability value of Scrubs is truly amazing. I just saw this episode last week and I’m still semi-interested.
Oh, there is something else on my mind! This god damn canker sore on my tongue is driving me crazy. I can’t stop running it against my teeth, making it worse and worse. My only hope is it goes away overnight in my sleep.
Briefly: Game #162 Today September 28, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, random.Tags: 912 north egan, anne poulter, appetizers, chicago white sox, cleveland indians, dakota state university, green mill, kansas city royals, minnesota twins, sofitel
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A quick post this morning, before the Twins game starts, while there’s still hope for a division title today… The Twins lost again to the Royals Saturday and the White Sox lost to Cleveland again, keeping the Twins a half-game ahead of the White Sox going into their last game of the year. Never before have the Twins had to go this far into the year to determine their playoff fate. So you can imagine how nervous I am right now. Lauren, Jason, the Rosoks, and I are going to Green Mill to watch the game. Hopefully, with many TVs in our vicinity, we’ll be able to watch the Twins, White Sox, and Vikings games simultaneously while enjoying some cheap appetizers and drinks.
This weekend so far has been great, aside from the outcome of baseball games. With a half-day Friday and all day off Saturday, it’s been very nice to have some time to kick back. Last night, I pulled out the video camera and we watched all my tapes from over the years, including a long-lost tape of DSU when we filmed several projects inlcuding 912 North Egan. We also went to the Sofitel Inn in Bloomington last night for Anne Poulter’s 60th birthday party. I loaded up on appetizers and a very delectable lemon cake.
Check back later today, perhaps, for some good or bad news.
Also, Lauren and I started up a little wedding website which will give you the latest information on the big day coming up sometime in the near future: http://ryanandlaurenswedding.blogspot.com/
First Place! But No Carpenter Weekend September 26, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball.Tags: alexi casilla, baseball, carpenter bash, chicago white sox, lauren poulter, minnesota twins, seattle mariners
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Last night at the Metrodome was one of those rare mystical moments of complete jubilation in life. 43,601 Twins fans groaned in disapproval when Kevin Slowey’s throwing error made it a 6-1 White Sox lead, but six innings later the crowd was roaring so frantically after a Alexi Casilla game-winning single that I embraced a neighboring 40-year old Asian man in a spontaneous hug of ecstatic awkwardness.
The Twins, written off by most everyone, including me, in spring training, flirted with first place a bit in August, then hit the wall after playing 24 of 30 games on the road. Thanks to miserably disappointing seasons by division favorites Detroit and Cleveland, the Twins were allowed to hang around as if they were a true contender, right up there with the surprising White Sox. Coming into this series, the Twins trailed the Sox by 2.5 games. With just six total games remaining at the time, it was either sweep the Sox or go home, and sweep they did, winning 9-3 Tuesday, 3-2 Wednesday, and ending last night with a shocking comeback win, 7-6.
For one night anyway, the Twins are in first place all alone. If the playoffs were to start today, which they do not, the Twins would travel to Tampa Bay for a series against the Rays. If you would have said in spring training the Twins and Rays would be playing a first-round playoff series this fall, that would be the equivalent of telling me the Mariners and Tigers would be playing a first-round series next fall… which is odd because I did think the Mariners and Tigers would play in the playoffs this year, and by saying that now seems absurd.
But enough about baseball. The weekend didn’t quite pan out as originally planned, but I already took vacation time today, so we’re chilling at home tipping back a few afternoon brews. Carpenter Bash V will not go on as scheduled, unfortunately, due to lack of available participants. Maybe we will reschedule for October. But sticking around this weekend isn’t all bad. We’ve got the Twins playing another very important series vs. the Royals to close out the year. Lauren has her step-mother’s birthday party Saturday night. And since I don’t have to DJ, I can actually catch up on some housework and relax. Did I mention how I’m looking forward to being done DJing? Though I can’t complain about the extra cash coming in every month.
It All Comes Down to 3 Games September 23, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, dj, random.Tags: chicago white sox, heavyweights, high school, minnesota twins
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Certainly there is nothing here worth even writing about, but I have a few minutes over break so I thought I’d at least let everyone know that there’s nothing noteworthy happening! Lauren and I are taking in the Twins game tonight vs. the White Sox. After eleven months of pondering offseason moves, analyzing trades, watching spring training box scores, taking in Opening Day in a blizzard, traveling to Milwaukee, spending precious hard-earned dollars on tickets, memorabilia, and concessions, and agonizing loss after agonizing loss, it all comes down to this. Three games vs. the White Sox. The Twins trail by 2.5 games in the division, so they need to win all three to have a realistic shot at the playoffs.
Other than that, it’s not too interesting around here. Lauren and I are slowly answering a few questions about the big wedding that will take place sometime next year. After some nudging from Sarah last night, we thought late September 2009 sounded like the best option. I’m also relishing the day that DJing is over. My end date basically coincides with the end of the busy wedding season, so one way or the other I’d be done after the dance October 11. After that, every Saturday will be free once again!
Just so your visit to my blog won’t be an entire waste of time… I was reminiscing the other morning at work with Aaron and Josh about teachers’ odd quirks in high school, and two particularly odd stories came to mind. In Mrs. Bratland’s Sociology class, possibly sophomore or junior year, Dusty convinced Mrs. Bratland to let us watch the movie Heavyweights for class because it contained valuable sociological lessons. No one ever really figured out what that lesson was, other than perhaps society’s view of fat kids. After spending three or four entire class periods watching the movie, it came to an end. Mrs. Bratland stared at the screen and said, “There was nothing sociologically significant in that movie.” Oh well, damage was done.
In ninth grade Health class, Mr. Stobbs would review for tests in an unusual manner. ”The answer to 1 is A. 2 is C. 3 is A. 4 is B…” We would all just copy down the letters and memorize the order for the test. All was going well until Mr. Stobbs’ life-threatening heart attack. He was replaced by Brad Noem, who one day asked us how Mr. Stobbs reviewed for tests. We all knew we were doomed. ”He just goes through and tells us the answers,” we pleaded. ”Uh-huh. Sure he does,” Noem said. We were telling the truth! Not shockingly, grades quickly plummeted.
Emmy Ceremony a Failure September 22, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, random.Tags: 30 rock, chicago white sox, curb your enthusiasm, emmys, minnesota twins
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Challenging Start to Day September 20, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, dj.Tags: carpenter bash, chicago white sox, dj, minnesota twins, mountain biking, oak grove, wrigley field
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It’s only 10am, but I’ve already had my workout for the day (or week, as it were). The company marketing department (Aaron, Josh, and I) took a morning mountain bike trip to Inver Grove Heights and rode a twisty, curvy, hilly, rocky 5-mile path through the woods on our bikes. Josh, an experienced triathlete, is trying to get me and Aaron to join in on some biking, and so far he’s been successful. Aaron and I both bought bikes last month and are slowly getting back to riding regularly. It was a big challenge, considering I’ve really only ridden on flat, paved surfaces since I got my bike. I had to stop several times and catch my breath, and a couple times I very nearly lost control and went flying into the thickets. But I survived, and am home resting.
It would be nice if I could now spend the rest of my Saturday relaxing, but it’s not too much longer before I must head up to Oak Grove to DJ a wedding dance. I don’t know much about tonight’s dance other than it’s at a classy country club, and I was asked to also play music at the wedding ceremony itself. I originally told the bride yes, but my manager came back and said no way will we do that for free. So, I guess I’m just showing up for the reception. I won’t lie, I really, really wish I had the day off. Only three shows left…
Next weekend is the big Carpenter Bash V. It’s still very much up in the air what all exactly is going to happen or who will be going. The main thing is I haven’t been home since early July and need to collect my birthday presents from the family! Unfortunately for Lauren, this weekend is also a big family birthday she will be missing out on. If only there were some way we could do both.
And finally, the Twins… it was a nice run, but trailing Chicago by 2.5 games with 8 to play doesn’t look good. If by some chance the Twins can keep it to just 2.5 games by the time the two teams meet at the Metrodome next week, there’s still hope. But it doesn’t bode well with the Twins facing the best team in the league, Tampa Bay, while the White Sox get to beat up the Royals. Lauren and I will be at the Dome for one more game on Tuesday vs. the White Sox, and that might be it for 2008. Regardless, plans are already in the works for a June 2009 trip to see the Twins play at Wrigley Field!
A Win-Win-Win Night at the Dome September 10, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, dj.Tags: cat, chicago white sox, dj, kansas city royals, lauren poulter, minnesota twins
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Website Totally Revamped September 5, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, dj, random.Tags: chicago white sox, dj, metrodome, minnesota twins, ryanglanzer.com, toronto blue jays, website
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If you visited the blog from ryanglanzer.com today, you’ll notice the site looks quite different! Last night, I figured it was time to revamp for a couple reasons. First of all, my latest overhaul of the site didn’t go over very well. I liked it at first, but as time went on, I grew to despise it. I liked the idea that there was always a poll and a random YouTube video on the front page, but I didn’t update it nearly enough. Secondly, like it or not, a ton of people see this website, so I should be using it to my advantage and have people look at good things. So I made the site into a portfolio. This entire process, from conception to completion, took under one hour, which in itself is somewhat of a portfolio piece!
Website, Hat Toss, DJ, B-Day August 1, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, dj, work.Tags: birthday, chicago white sox, denard span, dj, minnesota twins, ozzie guillen, ron gardenhire, tom kelly, work
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Things have been pretty busy at work lately, possibly due to Aaron’s vacation. As usual, when the manager is out, more work seems to come in from all angles. Josh and I have been busy gathering and creating content for the new website which is being built right now and should launch in a couple weeks. For the record, I did indeed come up with the new site layout and design, though I have no role in the site’s functionality. Last week I was late coming into work Monday, left early for softball Tuesday, took Wednesday afternoon off due to stomach illness, and left two hours early Friday for Alison’s wedding, so I am attempting to make up some of that missed time this morning. Being here at 6 am just feels wrong.
Last night Lauren and I stayed home and watched the Twins/White Sox game on TV, while Walsh, Sarah, Nick, and others were at the Dome for what might have been the most exciting game of the year. The 35-minute bottom-of-the-seventh for the Twins featured an on-field delay as fans threw hats and balls onto the field in protest of Ron Gardenhire’s ejection after a terrible call by the umpires on a Denard Span strike call. Ozzie Guillen pulled the White Sox off the field and the umpires convened to warn the fans that the game would soon be forfeited if objects didn’t stop flying onto the field. It all was very reminiscent of the Chuck Knoblauch incident of the 90s where Twins fans threw garbage at him when he took left field for the Yankees, a season after demanding a trade from the Twins. Tom Kelly had to go out to left field and yell at the fans, and that game was nearly forfeited.
Back to last night. Order was eventually restored and the Twins tied the game at 4-4 on a Mauer single, then took the lead for good with a 3-run homer by Jason Kubel. They held on for a 10-6 win to get back to a half-game in the Central. The four-game series drew over 140,000 fans (I contributed 1 to that total) and Tuesday’s game was the highest-rated Twins regular season game in local TV history. This weekend the Indians are in for a three-game series while the White Sox play Kansas City.
This weekend there aren’t much for plans. I’m DJing again Saturday night in Byron, MN, an 81-mile drive. This time I was requested to be the DJ after the couple saw me in action at a friend’s wedding in Wabasha in May. The bride in this wedding is being very particular about exactly which songs do and don’t get played. If I go anywhere near their “do not play” list, there will be hell to pay. Next weekend I am surprisingly off altogether after once being told that 08/08/08 would be the busiest day of the year and all DJs would be needed. The following weekend I am also off, but will reportedly get $50 to be on call, but I can’t really plan too far ahead. Company manager Joe, though a shrewd businessman and all-around nice guy, has been quite unreliable when it comes to sticking to plans and especially about paying me the correct amounts each month. For July events, I am owed $410—$120 for three shows + $50 for travel to St. Cloud. I will most likely get a check for an odd amount of $280 or something and have to call and demand the rest of my money!
It’s also August 1, so let’s start my birthday countdown! Just 22 more days! Unfortunately I am booked solid that weekend and will not be able to do anything fun on my birthday. Maybe we’ll plan something fun for Sunday the 24th. I will be accepting birthday checks and cash through the mail at both home and work this year.
