20 days of chill writing challenge

… Without baseball.

I kid you not, either.

Winter is kind of here, finally, and the cold weather makes me start daydreaming of baseball. Of the ball snapping a glove. The sound of the bat and ball. The smell and look of a freshly cut outfield.

Baseball.

People will come, Ray.

What would life be like without baseball?

No going to a game on a summer night as the lights can be seen for miles. Kids munching on popcorn and watching the game. A hot dog and a cold beer as you look over the program, or fill out a scorecard.

Baseball is Americana.

I’m old-school when it comes to baseball, too. I go to games armed with my scorebook and pencils. I eat a hot dog (or two), and occasionally have a beer. More often than not, it’ll be a soda in a souvenir cup, when available.

Yes, I will “test” some of the unique food choices at stadiums, but for the most part – it’s a hot dog for dinner.

I stand and sing “Take me out to the ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch. I stay until the end of the game, even in blowouts. It’s very rare for me to leave a game early.

Simply put, I love the game.

So what would life be like without it?

It would suck, that’s for sure.

Baseball is something I truly look forward to each year. No matter if it’s the lowest of minor leagues or the major leagues, I enjoy myself. It’s something that I can do by myself or with others. I’ve done both in recent years.

The road trips I’ve taken for games will be memories for years to come. I’ve had the chance to see many different players on their way up through the ranks. It’s a very big part of my life.

Life wouldn’t be the same without it, that’s for sure.

Play ball!

This post is part of the 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! You can see the 2016 themes by clicking here. 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Montreal.

I could probably end the post right there and move along to Day 3 of the challenge. This city is one of my favorite places, without a doubt.

I’ve never lived there. Heck, the longest I’ve ever been there was five days. But every time I’ve visited – even the one year for New Year’s Eve when I had an awful stomach bug – I’ve had an amazing time. The sights, the sounds, the people, the culture, the food – everything.

Amazing.

There was a time when I’d visit every year. A few others always went along and we found a way to have a great time each year.

I haven’t been there, though, since 2009.

In 2010, I went to Ireland as my main vacation. In 2011, I lost my job and was unemployed – so hard to afford a trip to Montreal – for 2.5 years. Since then, other things have just come up.

Hopefully that changes in 2016.

Why is the city so great though?

The first year I went was an overnight trip. One evening of debauchery and fun and it was in the winter! But we saw enough to make me want to go back for more. From that point, each summer we went back. We visited different places, stayed at different hotels, and met different people. Some of the people we kept in contact with, some we didn’t.

That’s what makes it great.

With French being a big part of the city, it’s also like being able to travel to Europe without having to leave North America. Heck, without having to hop on a plane.

Some of the best times were spent just sitting on the port in Old Montreal having a beer during a warm summer month. We have been to sporting events (Expos, Allouettes), gone to some of the summer festivals, and visited historic spots, and visited some famous eateries.

It’s always a “trip,” so to speak.

Montreal has always been my “romance” in that I love going to that place. I am always smiling when there and always having fun. Heck, I even tried to go to grad school there!

Hopefully I get to visit this spot again in 2016. It’s been a long time coming.

This post is part of the 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

So who are you?

Or who am I?

Does anybody know?

This question seems so simple, doesn’t it? I can see a non-blogger or non-writer answering this like a dating site profile page.

“I like long walks on the beach and moonlit boat rides …”

Many bloggers tend to be a little forward with a response to this question.

“I’m a mother/father. Son/Daughter. Husband/wife to ______. Friend. Own furbabies. Etc.”

Reading many about pages sound like they come from a template. I always like to look at them, but there’s a certain way many blogger pages are written.

So who am I?

I always answer it by saying I am me. I don’t describe myself too well. I find I don’t have the words to describe myself. I have good and bad parts, just like everybody else. I’m not perfect – and not even close. I have opinions, I have beliefs, and I have my own way of going about life.

Just the way I like it.

My interests don’t match a lot of people’s, but there are some that do match up.

For example, I like photography. Many people do, too. But it’s such a broad hobby that there are different interests etc. I get into things like board games and pro wrestling and geocaching and writing random things. There’s so much more, too. I probably have too many hobbies and interests.

The reality of who we are is hard to describe. Even those who can tell you “what” they are, are they really telling you who they are?

Probably not.

Humans are an amazing species. Everybody is unique and that’s what makes life so interesting. We’re not all the same type/size/race/sex etc.

And that’s OK by me.

As for who I am?

I’m me. And I like it that way.

This post is part of the 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! You can see the 2016 themes by clicking here. 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!