Okay, glad I'm not just being jealous.

Well, technically, I did celebrate Vinny's BD...watched firecrackers and hung up a flag?

This inspired me to look up Willy Taveras' BD, because I was so ashamed that I didn't know it by heart. Turns out I had looked it up and forgotten it, because I did recognize it...December 25th.

Gooooooood! The Orioles suck cow turds.

I just needed to get that off my chest.

Willy's bd is on Christmas? How aweful for him. You get screwed out of birthday presents. That's like people wanting to get married on their birthdays. Why put yourself in a position to get one less gift in life.

That's very true, Beth. I guess you could try to convince others to give you "double gifts," but I'm sure everyone would manage to merge the two celebrations together into one present.

I know what I want for Christmas, now...

Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman hit back-to-back homers twice in tonight's game! They went back-to-back in the first inning, and again in the third! I think this has happened recently in MLB, with it being the same two players, but it was the first time for the Astros, so that was neat.

Just got back from vacation and I was pretty excited that there was a new thread called MLB: Buy or Sell. I thought this was my opportunity to own Jeter!!

Good to see you back, SB! I missed all your Jeter talk!

If it was that kind of thread, I'd say, "BUY, BUY, BUY!"

Nothing to do with sports, but this is the best place to chat about any guys, so here goes:

Okay, today, I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the theater. For the second time. My first time, I went with my mom and two friends; today, I wanted my dad, two cousins, and other friend to see it, so I took advantage of the situation and went again (I've only done this one other time, as it seems to be a waste, but this would've been my #1 pick to do so with). It's a great movie, in my opinion, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. It stays true to certain parts of the story, yet it has its own spin. Such great visual effects!

Anyway, I just wanted to say that Johnny Depp still manages to look sexy, even as the wacky Willy Wonka. I love him in everything, but when I first saw the trailer for this movie, I was a little freaked out with how different he looked. However, now, I'm hooked. He has a strange character voice in the film (which, actually, I love), and he is so different from "normal," but he is still gorgeous. I don't even know if y'all are Johnny fans, but I had to vent this here. Maybe I'm a weirdo for liking Wonka, but I must say...Depp has struck again!

Sorry to barge in here. :p

I haven't seen this yet, so have no right to comment. But, I will say that the trailer totally turned me off. Even as a JD fan, I just wanted to puke.

But I trust your judgement, and, I will see this -- when it comes to HBO... :p

I respect your opinion.

I'm glad you'll give it a try, but don't do it on my behalf.

It was Johnny's "look" I was unsure of when I saw the trailer; I was really already quite excited about the movie, itself. So, if you're not, who knows what you'll end up thinking of it.

Don't be sad!

As I said, I haven't seen it yet.

Guess I shouldn't have said anything. BUT - of course I value the opinions of others - doesn't everyone?

I adore the orginal. And I adore JD. I just don't want "them" to fuck it up, cuz I don't wanna be disappointed.

But if you say it's good, then, I'll certainly give it a shot!

I know we're going in circles, here, but please don't expect more just 'cause of what I've said! If you'd like to see it because of me, that's fine ( ), but go into it with the same attitude you would have.

It's tough to do a remake and end up pleasing everyone, so I think it's expected some won't like it as much.

I was just blown away by the visual effects, and while I don't see enough of Burton to claim I "like his style," I do like what he did with this movie. And, I just really took a liking to Depp's character; others may not have, but since I did, I enjoyed every moment he had on the screen (well, forget character...I would have, anyway! ).

Anywho, hope it turns out well for you...when it finally comes on HBO. :p

So yeah... when I do finally see it, and if I think it sucks... it'll be all YOUR fault!! lmao!

Thus the disclaimers I've been making! :p

Your choice, buddy. Not mine.

Gina,
My daughter is a huge JD fan. She saw the movie and loved it. She wants us all to go together so that she can see it again.

Personally, I have never been attracted to Depp. I know that most people think he's so sexy, but he never was to me.

On another note, the Yankees won last night!! Jeter's not hitting very well lately, but ARod hit a home run again.

SB, I've heard a variety of opinions on JD, and some love him, but some just really don't see anything in him. It's funny how people can feel so differently! And I guess the Johnny gene skipped a generation with you, and moved on to your daughter.

Was it A-Rod's BD, today? I thought I heard that on Baseball Tonight or something...if so, happy birthday, Alex!

Yes, it was his birthday. He and Jeter both turned 30 this summer. Leiter pitched an excellent game last night, but then Sturtze gave up three runs. They ended up losing. Booo!!

Sorry to hear about your boys, but at least Leiter's turning out good for y'all - and looks like they won it today!

I'm trying to decide how to act at Saturday's game. I'm going with a friend and family, and I'm very excited just about getting to see the Astros play, as always, but I'm not certain about what kind of behavior I should show. You see, we'll be playing the Mets that night - the team that got Carlos Beltran for $119 mil. The entire season, I've joked about booing Carlos if I ever go to a Mets game, and this is my chance. Then, I read this article . I used to love Richard Justice, but I've learned I don't always like his articles or his views, but this one sort of grabbed my attention. I really don't think that whatever I choose to do Saturday will make much of a difference, because I'm sure every other fan there is prepared to boo him, but I guess it's a personal deal for me. I don't see why I should show him respect because, to me, he's nothing but a greedy jerk, but I also don't see why I should join the ranks of the "boo-ers." Maybe I'll just sit there.

Just goes to show that the $$ they're paid doesn't necessarily mean anything. However, I have to tell you that NY is probably the toughest place to play. I would say, go to the game and just concentrate on enjoying your boys.

And it was great to see the Yankees win today. Small did a great job, way beyond expectations, just like Leiter.

I read that Beltran was booed in NY for putting down a sac bunt - the fans figured that wasn't what he was being paid $119 mil to do. I do realize NY is one of the "tough" cities to play in, but he expected what he was greeted with, here.

I read in the paper that, at the first game, a fan brought a fishing pole and attached a $20 bill to the end with a sign that said, "How to catch a Beltran - Money not to scale." I thought it was funny, but these fans are going a little too far with this. The Astro players are acting like gentlemen and treating him with respect, so that's what the Astro fans should do.

Anyway, I'm going tonight, and I'm taking your advice, SB - I'm just going to enjoy the game.

Gina, I hope you had a great time at the game!! I missed the Yankee game today because I wasn't home, but I heard that the won. I don't know about the Astros, but I hope that it was a great game and they you had a fun time.

SB, you're a sweetie - I had a wonderful time!

Andy Pettitte pitched a wonderful game (had him for fantasy, too!), and it was quite the pitcher's duel between him and Tom Glavine until the very end. Jason Lane got a solo homer in the seventh, and Morgan Ensberg got a single with the bases loaded in the eighth to put us ahead 2-0, which ended up being the final score.

I did end up booing Carlos in his first AB, but it got way out of hand (people were booing every AB, every fly ball he caught, every ball he even fielded). After this, I felt guilty (no matter what he did, we should've shown more respect, as fans - I know the players did, and they were probably ashamed of us), so I just cheered for the Astros only, and not against Carlos. The only Met person I got mad at was this crazy fan nearby (the nerve of him! ) who screamed (more like growled/grunted) everytime the Mets got something good. He tried cheering on a near hit to left field, but Chris Burke made an amazing play, so we all cheered, instead! After Andy went eight innings, we got to see Brad Lidge in the ninth.

It was just a fun game, and I had a great time. The promotion was a Jose Cruz figurine, and not only did I get one of these, but I also got the Jose Cruz to sign it! I took some close-up shots of him, as well as some other photos:

Jose Cruz Looking at his Figurine
Figurine with Cheo\'s Signature (When we got them signed, he was joking that it didn't look much like him. )
Signature on my Baseball
So close, yet so far...(Willy Taveras) (I was taking pictures like a maniac while I was waiting for autographs, and then, when the 'Stros left the field, I completely forgot to take a photo until it was too late to turn it on...and Willy was within stalker's distance. I should've jumped the railing - I was too busy just staring at him, though. )
Sell-Out Crowd
Andy
After the Win

Gina,
Sounds like you had a great time!! I'm glad that they won.

I know what you mean about fans making weird noises, etc. We were in Toronto last year and took the kids to a Yankees/Blue Jays game. There was a guy in front of us being truly rude whenever the Yankees were up, and cheering on the Blue Jays. My daughter, who was nine at the time, passed my husband a note that said, "I think he believes that the players can actually hear him". It was soooo funny.

Awesome photos, by the way!! Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself and got autographs, too. Cool!!

Thanks!

Your daughter is adorable - that's so cute! I'll admit, I cheer for the guys like they can actually hear me, also, but I always keep in mind to not be obnoxious about it.

I see your boys won today!

Mine lost. We had a seven game win streak going, so that was tough to get a loss, but we were at least able to get three of four from the Mets. We're off tomorrow, but I'm hoping we can come back fighting on Tuesday and keep this good stuff going!

My daughter is pretty funny, especially for a little kid. She comes up with great stuff. She is, of course, a big Yankees fan. Loves Jeter, too.

The Yankees had a huge win today in the 10th. Sorry your boys lost, especially to the Mets, but I'm glad that they won when you were at the game. Maybe you just need to attend every game!!

Wonder where she got her Yankee and Jeter love from? I always admire anyone with a good sense of humor - it's a great trait!

Extra inning wins are always so exciting, so I'm glad y'all got one. I sure wish I could go to every game! I'm 5-0 in the ones I've been to, so I'd like to think I'm their good luck charm. I was actually trying to go to today's game, too, but it didn't work out...guess it was for the best!

You should've tried to go - then maybe they would've won!! You could be their GG Luck Charm!!

Ha, I actually wondered if it would've made a difference if I'd have been there.

I can't believe how few games are on today - I hope I can catch one of the two left on TV somewhere, just to get my baseball fix.

Not only was there no baseball on Monday, but then we were at a friend's house last night and he's a big Mets fan (yuk). We got home just in time to catch the 9th inning and see my Yankees lose by one run!! And Leiter was a disaster. Poor Al! I had such hopes for him.

Oh gosh, your boys were doing well until now! I've had them on, on ESPN - got Giambi on fantasy, and he's helped a bit. They're the ones to make a comeback, though, so keep the faith. My boys don't start for about another hour - thankfully, I don't have to wake up early tomorrow for Band!

Especially hate to see this happen to Mussina! I know Zia posted his pic here a while back, so I knew he was cute, but it sure is nice to see him "in action."

Mets. Ugh. I've been seeing a lot of my school friends recently with Band camp, and a couple of people have been teasing me by saying "Go _____" and filling in the blank with either Cardinals, Cubs, or Mets. They know I'm a diehard 'Stros fan, and they know which teams I don't like, so it's a fun little game for them, I guess.

Just want to wish a very happy birthday to my baby, Roger Clemens!



He turns 43 today!

The Rocket is 43. Wow!! We sure miss him in NY, especially after the last two games. Cano was a mess last night, as was the Moose. Just a nightmare overall. Oh, well.

I see that your guys won yesterday. Congrats!!