I tore through Moneyball on my vacation. Everyone who is a baseball fan has got to read it. \ Kind of a metaphysical book – which I love, because that’s how I see baseball on a lot of levels. It’s a sport, yes, but there’s something abstract about it as well, something intellectual. One of my favorite parts is when they discuss the “Platonic ideal of a double”.
It rained pretty much every day. So … a lot of reading was done.
My dad finished Volume 1 of Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past (although the new translation is called In Search of Lost Time) – So he finished Volume 1 and began Volume 2.
Jean was reading Salem’s Lot which she finished our first night there – and scared herself so much that she went through all of these tricks to get herself to sleep – “Okay … I’ll close my eyes BEFORE I turn off the light … because I don’t want to be staring into darkness…” Etc. And then she proceeded to have nightmares about vampires anyway. After Salem’s Lot she picked up Annie Proulx’s latest.
Siobhan is reading David Sedaris’ latest – and has just finished reading Owen Meany for the first time – so we had a great time talking about that book. I only read it once, and that was when it first came out – but I remember certain scenes with such vivid-ness and clarity it is like I just read it.
My mom was reading Empire Falls by Richard Russo – and Cashel was barreling his way through Goblet of Fire. The Harry Potter book which is as large as the Guttenberg Bible. Seeing him sitting in a huge rocking chair, with a solemn face, and this enormous book open on his knees – was BEYOND sweet.
Bren? Bren wasn’t reading anything I don’t think. He was panting to get his hands on Moneyball once I finished it.
I finished My Dark Places too, by James Ellroy. Damn. That guy can write. You just cannot put it down.
I started A.S. Byatt’s new novel (I love A.S. Byatt) – and I feel disloyal, but dammit, her latest book is not good, and I finally put it down. It was such a relief to just admit: I DO NOT WANT TO READ THIS. I’m a loyal girl, a loyal fan … but there is only so much shit I will take. Then I bought Moneyball at a local book store, and it made me very happy. Could not put the damn thing down.
I also read, on a regular basis, People magazine, US magazine, and In Touch magazine. I am very very concerned over the fate of the Olsen twins. I can’t get enough salacious detail.
We swam. There were dart games. We played pictionary (riotously, I might add). Multiple newspapers were bought each morning, because each person needed to have the crossword puzzle. We swam in the lake. We drove into town. Jean, Siobhan, and I saw Anchorman – big disappointment. We went on a shopping spree which, I might add, paid off: I came back into New York this morning, and stood there, in my new digs, waiting for a taxi. A big cop flagged one down for me and said, “Girl, you look like a movie star.” It’s amazing what a nice pair of shoes and a pedicure will do.
A plethora of stars crowding the sky. Mist on the lake. Crazy bird calls.
Red Sox games. The agony of defeat, and a small moment of glory. David Ortiz’ inglorious-ness. The bad ump who looked no older than 15 years of age. The Platonic ideal of a double. Erik Estrada (Don’t even try, CHIPS!!) in the Angel’s dugout. Much laughter at Estrada’s expense. An announcer saying, point-blank, “Well, his career’s in the tank.” We were just HOWLING.
The camera KEPT going back to Erik Estrada until the announcer had finally had it, and he said (yes, indeed, he did): “Oh, gimme a break.”
Smores. Burgers on the grill. Driving around town blasting Pink and Eminem. Jean, Siobhan and I joked that our little car had a black raincloud directly over it. We drove to a nearby town, to go shopping, to see a movie … and we drove into sunshine. Sun!! Sun on the green mountain slopes! We pulled into a little town, to grab some dinner, and as our car came to a stop, raindrops started spotting the windshield. And we realized that WE had brought the rain. It was US.
And then yesterday … back to Rhode Island. And a beautiful sunset romp in the ocean, with Brendan, Cashel and Siobhan. Big big waves, one after the other. There’s nothing I love more than the ocean, than swimming in the waves, diving under the foam … I had the experience of a lifetime swimming in those waves.
Cashel tried his hand at body surfing. Will wonders never cease?? He would plunge into the foam, and try to ride it along, as Siobhan and I looked on, laughing at him, with LOVE! His little teeny body!!
Later, at dinner, discussing body surfing, Cashel said seriously (again, with the drama), “Life just isn’t worth living without body surfing.”
The family struggled to not burst into laughter … but oh. Oh. It is hard!
We said, all of us being from the Ocean State after all, “Yes, Cash, you’re right. Life isn’t worth living if you can’t body surf.”
Anyone who loves body surfing would have to agree!
RE: “Moneyball”
Since this is one of the few times I’ll get to say it: I told you so.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Glad you got some vacation and relation, too.
David did great in your stead, but there’s not replacement. Good to see you back behind the keyboard.
PS I think I saw David try on some of your frillies.
I loved the anecdote about Scott Hatteberg – who embodies this new idea about baseball – and what it means to be at the plate. He wears the pitcher down, letting stuff go by, analyzing the pitches he wants to take, not swinging at everything – until finally Moyer (the pitcher – a great pitcher) steps off the mound and yells something at Hatteberg. Hatteberg doesn’t know what he has said, it is unprecedented for a pitcher to start up a conversation with someone at bat. He yells back, “What?”
Moyer says, “Just tell me what you want.”
Hatteberg isn’t sure he’s heard right and yells back, “What?”
Moyer yells, “Just tell me what you want to hit and I’ll pitch it.”
Hatteberg wore Moyer down!! Love that. Great book. I thank you for the rec, and I accept fully your “I told you so”
Glad you’re back, Red…
Every now and then you hear or see something that you haven’t done in such a long time, and you realize that life’s going by too fast.
I haven’t tried body surfing in years. Too many years.
Reading through this post made me realize how much you have been influenced by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Fascinating.
And body surfing is indeed wonderful, even when one has reached middle age.
I’m honored. Tell me if you ever need another recommendation so I can say the words “The Alchemist” and “by Paulo Coelho” once again.
Now I know what’s missing! I haven’t body surfed all summer!! Cashel rocks and so do you, welcome back, I had fun in your frillies.
Welcome back, Sheila! I think we may have to add “experience of a lifetime” alongside “don’t even try, CHiPs!” ;-)
Red-
Glad you had a good vacation.
I love “Moneyball” as much as anyone, but was a bit disturbed by the way it pretty much made Billy Beane look like the Messiah.
Nice to see you back.
The Platonic ideal of the double is one thing. But what I’m interested to know is: What does anyone have to say about the Platonic ideal of the double play? :)
To quote a famous poet (or to misquote him): A double play is a thing of beauty and a joy forever