Mixed Bag...

First off, happy New Year to everyone, this brings me to my first topic of today’s post:  

How long from New Years Day is it acceptable to wish someone a happy new year? Personally, I go one week then I switch it to "How was your New Years?"

Does it matter also if you have a personal or professional relationship with that person?  Meaning if I know the person, does that extend the time of an acceptable happy New Year greeting?   I got a happy New Year from a random person at the bank today that I let go in front of me and it took me off guard.  I started thinking if I saw a good friend or a family member in the same situation would have I reacted in the same way? Don’t get me wrong I’m all for cheer and well wishes but maybe someone should set some etiquette to this situation.   

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I received a call from my former employer, Long Beach Unified School District, telling me good news that because of furlough days agreed on by the unions, I could have my job back.  Thing is I’m still torn if I truly want to go back in my heart of hearts. No matter though, I did agree to start back full time next week.  In these times we can’t be picky. A steady paycheck and medical benefits are not to me fussed over.

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I was sitting in the first base dugout at work today listening to some of the players talk about how their winter break is going and how sad they are that it’s coming to an end.  Their classes start in about a week and a half for most of them.  I had this complete exhale and feeling of bliss as I realized I am done with school forever unless someone pays me to go get my masters.

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I saw “True Grit” last week… wasn't very gritty.  I liked it but, it wasn't what I was expecting.  Something was a bit off and I can’t explain what it was.  Just thought for what it’s worth it was a good film but it lacked something to make it a great film.

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How many more “CSI”/ “NCIS” shows can we fit on TV without it blowing up? Here’s the current rundown:

CSI: Crime Scene Investigators (original show set in Vegas)

CSI: New York

CSI: Miami

NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service

NCIS: Los Angeles

I’m all in for a good cop show but having 5 shows almost identical to each other in theme seems about ridiculous…and here’s another thing, these shows are popular according to viewer ratings but can you think of someone that you know who watches one of these shows?
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I'm disappointed in myself that I only posted 8 times in 2010.

Missing The Game...

The old game waits under the white, deeper then the frozen grass, down below the frost line, it waits to return...

  - Donald Hall.

I, for one reason or the other this off season, am missing baseball like no other.  I am looking forward to spring. I am looking forward to seeing my boys run onto the grass, to redeem last season, and just maybe, get back into the post season.

Baseball also makes me think of my dad.  We had such a bond through this game. If not talking about it like two armchair managers, we would play catch, or we would debate (argue) about some play, player, situation, trade, release and everything else about the game.  Sometimes we wouldn't talk at all while watching the game but just sit in silence for almost 3 hours, the connection just the same.   When I sit and watch a game it's mostly now in silence, it feels like he is sitting there with me. When the game is being played I feel closer to him then any other time...

...hurry up spring.

Under Construction...

I'm pulling stuff (pictures mainly) together and will hopefully launch "Blair Field Project" in a few weeks.  In the mean time, if you think of anything better for a title, stories that involve you (must also involve baseball in some way) send them to me and I will post them here for all to see.

Email your stories to :  kory.burroughs@gmail.com under the subject  "baseball story"

cant wait to hear from you!

Mixed Bag

- Its been awhile, not by design, but just that fact that there has been nothing that I wanted to really write about that everyone didn't know about already. There has been a ton going on and I wouldn't even know where to begin to play catch up.

..... come to think of it, does anyone even read this anymore?

I guess that would be a great place to start.

- I was thinking about revamping the blog. A complete change in the look and subject. I am thinking about starting a Blair Field blog. Almost everyday that I go to work there is something that is talked about, stories or jokes told, or something happens that I would like to share. There has been a lot of improvements to the field since Long Beach State took the stadium over, much of which I am proud to say that I helped build. The blog would be a place where all of these topics would be represented. I don't know if its a great idea or if people would even enjoy me sharing it. Just a thought in the works.

- Jen and I can't wait to move out of our apartment. We have just over 4 months left on our lease. We would like to either find a 2 bedroom apartment back at our old place or, if I get a good enough paying job in those 4 months, rent a house somewhere close. We are done with the college life that surrounds us almost 24 hours a day. If anyone wants a game of Beerpong I can hook you up with one of about 10 to 15 being played at any given time within the complex.

- Which brings me to the job search. I'm shifting gears. I was laid off in July with the school district and in a way its kind of a blessing for me the way I see it. I'm no longer in my comfort zone and it is forcing me to find something else to do. I want to be able to provide for my future family and being a security officer at a school district won't do it... nor will being a college baseball field maintenance worker.

- Thats all for now.

What The Hell is Going On?

I just got home, fired up the TV to watch a bit of MLB Network when this guy right outside my patio starts talking on the phone. I believe he is from the Middle East because he was not speaking Spanish. About 3 minutes into his conversation he gets all fired up and starts talking louder. I allow this to continue for about 3 or 4 more minutes and then something snapped in me. I walked to my door, went outside to simply ask him to either pipe down or move the conversation somewhere else. He sees me and the following interaction ensues:

Him: "What are you looking at, Friend?"

Me: "I was just going to ask you if you could go somewhere, other then right outside my window, and talk on the phone."

Him: "This is a free country! I can talk where I want!"

Me: assuming a shocked look on my face " Are you really going to go there with me because you don't want to."

Him: Looking at me.

Me: Looking at him.

Him: Turns and walks away.

Now I hope I just didn't start something long term, my lease doesn't end until February.

Another Day at The Office...

God I love my job.

The Black Hobbit

We have this guy that lives next to us. I call him "The Black Hobbit." If you can imagine a black dude that lives up to any and every stereotype that comes with a black guy despite the fact that he's 5'4" and 130 soaking wet.

• Do-rag...check.
• Baseball cap to the side...check.
• Size XXXXL t-shirt...check.
• Size XXXXL basketball shorts...check.
• Shoes that are not only spotless but coordinate to the color of the outfit...check.
• T-Mobile "Sidekick" phone where he tends to talk to his "Bitch" (yes I have heard him tell someone on the phone he needs to call her)...check.
• Swisher Sweet cigars...check.
• "50 Cent" CD playing at almost all times of the day...check.

I wish I could get you a picture, and myself some ear plugs....G-UNIT!!

Year One...

I often wake up in the middle of the night and am surprised that she hasn't caught on to me yet. What did I do to deserve such a woman? She puts up with all my shit laying around all over the place, all my sports talk, all my procrastination of just about everything, yet each morning like clockwork, she is there. I truly believe she is the single best thing that could have happened to me. I try to bury the thoughts of what I would have been like had we not met, had we not survived our long distance relationship...twice, and if we just not had the time we had to get it right.

One year ago today we married. This year has beat the hell out of both of us, yet we are still able to love and laugh every opportunity that we have. I never knew what it was really like to love someone, to really give up and let that person take you for all you have to offer...

I am the lucky guy today.

Love you, Beautiful.

Come Back...

I'll be with you shortly. I have stuff coming up that I would love to share with all of you, but just can't seem to find the time to sit down and write it all out. Here is a little preview though...

• graduating in 10 weeks
• spread some of dads ashes
• one year wedding anniversary
• new job?

2009, Welcome. Now "F" Off!

Happy Holidays everyone! With Christmas and New Years still to come I would like to do a recap of my top 10 stories, 2009 edition.

1. April 4, 2009: My wedding to my beautiful bride. Adding one more to the clan was very special. The weather was beautiful, seeing family and friends all together, and being able to share it with them was amazing. Words could never describe the feelings that I felt on this special day and I hope to never top it...of course if having children tops this, then I can't wait for that.

2. November 9, 2009: The death of my father. From the number 1 spot, which is the happiest, to the number 2 spot, where we all hit rock bottom, this was not only the sadist day of the year, but of my life. I already think about him everyday and wish he was here. Although we didn't talk about much in the latter days we still had the ability to see one another or talk about what the Angels were doing.

I sometimes find myself standing in the garage looking at the tools hanging from the pegboard on the wall or staring at the various knick-knacks collected by him over the last 30 years. Some items triggering memories of when I was a child watching him work on some home improvement task or changing the oil in the car. I feel closer to him when I am in that garage then anywhere else. The funny thing about this is I feel terrible that my father is gone but in the same breath I can say I'm glad that he is gone and no longer in the pain and discomfort he was in. Love you, Dad.

3. April 6-20, 2009: Honeymoon in England, Scotland, and Ireland. This was an awesome trip. One that I will for without a doubt never want to forget and, if given the chance, would do all over in the same fashion.

Armed with only backpacks, passports, and Britrail passes we went off for 2 weeks of unplanned, "let the wind take us where it may", British exploration. I loved it and would love to do it again.

4. May 16, 2009: John and Nicole married! This was a great weekend. Jen and I just 2 weeks back from Britain jump on another plane bound for the great frontier, no not Alaska, South Dakota. Hanging out with good friends is always a plus when it comes to great memories and this one will sure not be soon forgotten. Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and packing into the cabin for the weekend. The countryside was beautiful and the wedding breathtaking.

5. April 11 (?), 2009: Adam attacks the Japs (again) and the 7th Fleet. My longtime friend told us way back when he wanted to practice law and serve his country. Since the guy couldn't hit a barn door with a shotgun from 20 feet, I thought his second adventure was out of the picture until he joined the U.S. Navy. He graduated law school and already had a spot to fill in the JAG Corps. He now lives somewhere in Japan (his exact whereabouts are top secret). I don't get to talk to him that much but there is always facebook.

6. September 2, 2009: New site. Due to the "leaders'" mismanagement of the budget (I refuse to say otherwise), the Long Beach Unified School District saw fit to pluck me from my school of 3 years where I had established relationships, friendships, and a sense of family among the staff, the students, and members of the surrounding neighborhood and put me at a site where at least in a professional manner gave me the opportunity to see what I am made of. Although I miss my friends terribly (Joe's anyone? Curly's??), I am fortunate to feel like I am now making a difference in the kids live's and not someone who stares out into a parking lot at the front gate.

7. November 25, 2009: Nissan Xterra. Jen and I bought our first major purchase together. Looking into the future and knowing we wanted children we decided on a 2009 Nissan Xterra. It is niiiiiiiiice. We bought it through Carmax and realized that buying a car with 9,200 miles is pretty much like buying it brand new, without the bullshit and wondering for the next month if you got taken to the cleaners. I can't wait for our first road trip or excursion...it's got 4 wheel drive of course!

8. December 18, 2009: Operation "Jeepers Creepers" ends. I finally finished. The Jeep is back to its original form. Actually, I wouldn't say that....it's better. Painted to its original stone white by Earl Scheib a few weeks ago and a few months before that it received a 2" suspension lift. But, none the less, it is done. On to the next project...

9. December 22, 2009: Surgery on my neck. Many probably don't know, and I'll spare you the details, but I have a cyst that rests on my upper back/lower neck. I'm finally having it removed tomorrow...something I should have done at least a year ago. It doesn't look gross or anything except for the fact it raises my skin. My only concern is how close it is to my spine, and how many baby aliens they pull out.

10. December 21-31, 2009: Ten days until this year is gone...forever.

Love You Dad.

On November 9, 2009 my father Phillip Henry Burroughs passed away at 8:00 pm, surrounded by his family. We are all sad for our loss but happy, proud, fortunate, and blessed to know and love a man such as him.

I will always love him and keep a special place in my heart open for him to fill.

Sorry...

But I'm going to stop blogging for awhile. Dads not doing too well and nether is anyone else. I have to be with my family, and figure out how to deal with what is going to happen...Thanks everyone for reading when I did post.

I'll be back though.

Bill Brasky???

I was shopping for a costume when I came across this guy, that is on the cover of a costume in a bag, who looks very similar to my friend Mike "Bill Brasky" Burns...and what an appropriate costume for a Brasky sighting...

UPDATE...Dad

We had a setback the last few weeks. A body scan found a mass located in the pelvis region that connects with the spine. This put the pain on again and when the MRI report came back there were so many things wrong that it filled 2 pages. He began to fall because the mass was pressing on the sciatic nerve which weakened his right leg to the point that even with the walker he could barely get around on his own. I was soon picking him up off the ground at least once or twice a day.

On Labor Day night I looked at my mother and she looked back at me and we realized that we couldn't do this anymore. We took him to the hospital that night and admitted him. He was in there for a week and just today was moved to a nursing home where he can get treatment.

New Job (location)...

I'm in my second week at my new location the district put me at for the foreseeable future, so far so good. The G.O.C. (Guidance Opportunity Classes) is a two room campus where students who have committed offences (choking out a teacher, selling drugs, bringing a weapon to campus) and have been deamed unsafe at the time to be on a regular campus untill they have showed they are able to go back to the regular population. Basicly I'm running a small holding facility. Right now I read the L.A. Times alot. The students, 9 boys, 3 girls, haven't figured me out yet...just the way I like it.

So...Hot. Must...Swim...

I guess everyone needs a dip in the Burroughs' pool every once in a while.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

66 big ones.

45 Years!

Here is to the best set of parents a guy could ever ask for. You are an inspiration to Jenn and I, and I hope we are as fortunate enough in life as you two are. We love you both very much.

UPDATE: Sister is Moving Home...awesome.

We got the call a few days ago. My sister's ex is moving out of their apartment in (beautiful) Hemet on the 15th of August and my sister will be back into the Burroughs' Manor as soon as she can. She has been here for the past month and a half or so and I can’t begin to tell you how difficult life is with her here. Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister and I wish her the best, but she brings something to the table that I can’t explain. She has cerebral palsy, O.C.D. (obsessive compulsive disorder), and the demeanor of a teenager in some aspects. I see the effects this has mainly on my Mom. She now has to deal with Dad and all that comes with a special needs 33/16 year old. It is just unnecessary emotions and stress that is already there and adds on top of the pressure of a family that is dealing with a father that is fighting cancer. When she is here you can literally feel the blood-pressure, and stress level climb...I guess the good thing coming out of this is that it is really forcing Jen and I to save so we can buy a home.

I think it is time to step up the game and help Mom out with Dad more.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

71 big ones.