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Maybe Every Other Day

Well, isnt this all going perfectly to plan? "Every day!" I yodelled, gleefully. Completely aware, of course, that it would not happen. It was the blogging equivalent of a breezy "Ill call you!" on the way out of the door.

Yesterday I worked in the café, avoiding making lattes. The highlight was the new boy telling us that he and his girlfriend have just set up a band, with him on the ukulele and her singing Disney songs. We then all sung some Disney songs for a bit until we couldnt remember any more, then we stopped. Well, they stopped. I have been singing (and acting out) Part of Their World ever since. I enjoy pretending to float around the kitchen I can find picking up random objects, singing "you want thingamibobs? I got twennie!" to the cat. He looks at me with a look that seems to say that he has quite enough thingamibobs today, and will I stop being weird just for a bit? Unfortunately he knows the answer to that one.

Last night Ben and I went to the Bridgewater Hall to see Rokia Traoré, supported by Sweet Billy Pilgrim.

Sweet Billy Pilgrim are a four piece folk rock band, and they were great. For the first half of the first song I was uncertain, not quite sure where they were going to go. As they went on, though, they built up an incredible sound, swapping instruments unpretentiously and filling the hall with harmonies. It was the sort of sound that means that you dont have to listen too closely to the lyrics, but when I did they were beautiful as well. Also the keyboard player had a very impressive beard.

Rokia Traoré, though. Wow. Shes this tiny, muscular person, kind of frail and strong at the same time. She and the band walked on to applause, which faded as she stood in front of the microphone. The lights were down, and she just said an accented "thank you", then began to sing. Her voice was weird and mesmerizing, kind of fluttering and breathy. She sang in French, and when the band took over during the first song she jerked up her chin in time to their rhythm, a bit like a really musical rooster. I was captivated.

The rest of the show just kept hitting new heights. She wheeled around the stage, dancing and grinning, speaking very earnestly about Africa, paying tribute to South African singer Miriam Makeba. In her band was electric guitar, electric bass, drums, backing vocals and a guy on a wooden, stringed guitar-like instrument, which made for an interesting blend of sound. Her voice got bigger and more exciting, I completely loved it.

By the end of the gig, about half of the audience were out of their seats and dancing. The other half were sitting tensely wondering when it was going to be over so they could go and watch the rest of A Touch of Frost over a cup of chamomile tea. This, of course, is grossly unfair, although I am feeling mean about it due to the woman next to me who, from her seated position, sneered at my dancing for about ten minutes. It was disconcerting. Im glad we danced, though, because really it wasnt the sort of music to sit sedately to. (A few years ago we went to see The Buena Vista Social Club there [um, OMG] and a similar tentative dancing thing happened at the end. There are some gigs that just should be danced at.)

I enjoyed the enthusiastic couple at the front, though, who I bet have a flyer taped to their fridge that says "Spice Things Up With Salsa Lessons!".

Rokia and her backing vocalist danced at the end of the gig, and they were incredible. The energy filled the hall, which is impressive, as its bloody massive.

Right, enough. I have to go and VOTE! and then get on a train to Leeds to lead a choir rehearsal, then come back for a rift cuts writers meeting/workshop.

VOTE! first, though. I have to cast my vote into the winds of its all the same and cycle off knowing that by tomorrow well all probably be made to feel bit blue.

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Maybe He is but Maybin He Isnt

Today in my column on Baseball Prospectus I take a look at minor league outfielders using the SFR system. As Ive done previously I take a look at the leaders and trailers at all levels before aggregating across all positions and leagues to list the best and worst defenders in the outfield among minor leaguers in 2007.

In addition, I examine Baseball Americas top outfield and infield defenders published in their Baseball America Prospect Handbook for 2008 and compare them to what SFR thinks. From an overall perspective the subjective and objective systems largely agree although Marlins top prospect Cameron Maybin is one of the few players on which the two approaches seem to disagree violently. Maybin fared poorly across all hit types in his 70 games in centerfield while at Lakeland and overall including his time in the Eastern League ended up at -15.4 runs on 421 balls fielded. It certainly is the case that the smaller sample sizes in the minor league seasons tend to make the results less reliable than for major leaguers but still, I was somewhat surprised given the glowing assessments by so many. If there are any fans out there whove watched him play in person Id be interested in hearing what you think.

And as always a spreadsheet is now available with all 4000+ player, position, and league combinations.

Available link for download

Maybe a trainer ride this morning

With sleep aid medication, like Ambien, its quite often that I wake up early. If I try to go back to sleep more often than not the remaining sleep is fitful. This half sleep leads to a groggy feeling so its better to just get up.

Today I get up and say, you know,self, I need a ride bad. The stresses of the times are putting me on the edge Gotta fuel up right to ride so start hitting some carbs. Its still pitch dark outside and didnt check the weather but assumed it would be at least rideable.

My wife comes down and in our conversation says that shes going to skip running because it is raining. Raining!. I check out the back and sure enough its raining.

Ate those carbs. Now what am I gonna do. Gotta burn it off somehow. Maybe its time to pull ye old trainer out. It has honestly been 6-8 months since Ive been on it. Maybe twice and both those workouts were bust. The trainer used to be a magnet for me drawing in the moth to the flame. But these days I have no desire, no drive to get on it.

The saving grace for me is the terrain here. Its hilly. So by virtue of the route I can hit many hills. No need for desire. The only way to get home is to get through the hills. A 1hr hilly ride 2x a week provides enough effort to keep me with a little fitness.

I hope the trainer still works. But betcha I make it no more than 10 mins!

Available link for download