• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Baseball ’19
  • Day Zero 3
  • Earl
  • My list
  • Photo Blogging Challenge

A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

my world

Focusing on life and getting out more

December 13, 2019

“It comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living. Or get busy dying.”

Those words echo toward the end of the Shawshank Redemption. Words spoken by Tim Robbins’ character as he sits in prison for a murder he did not commit as he talked with Morgan Freeman’s character.

Not too much longer, Freeman’s character, free on parole echoes the words.

“Get busy living. Or get busy dying. That’s goddamn right.”

Over the past year and change, I’ve worked to get myself into better health. I’m not where I need or fully want to be yet – lots more weight to lose and still needing to control the diabetes much better, but I’m on the right path.

Now it’s time to work on other things to go with that.

The area in which I live – central New York – has so much to offer. There are amazing things to see and do and places to get outdoors and explore.

If you expand a bit – into Northeast Pennsylvania, for example, the activities and opportunities become even more.

I love the outdoors. I love the indoors as well, don’t get me wrong. I mean a night of television or messing on the computer is a good time, but being outdoors is a lot of fun and it doesn’t require going through the middle of woods, bushwhacking, and things like that.

Get out and explore!

Instead, there are wonderful trails to wander and see; nature to enjoy and photograph; and plenty of wildlife to see and admire. There are man made and natural made areas that are amazing to the eyes. And though my interest in the bulk of geocaching has waned recently, there are plenty of them to find out in the woods. I’d like to explore some bike trails, too, and just wander along and enjoy the atmosphere. I’m looking to eventually invest in a bike rack/kayak rack for my car, as well as a kayak. That would be something I’d like to do more in the warmer months.

And I never will forget about baseball in the summer!

There are urban developments with some fantastic museums and activities not far away. There are ways to broaden your horizons and see different things within a semi-quick car ride. Breweries and great places to eat are everywhere now. There’s definitely things to do.

So maybe it’s time to start doing things like this.

One thing I really want to get back into is more photography. Because I do it so much during my professional day, I tend not to take my main camera when out and about. I mean, the iPhone is a wonderful tool – it really is. But I miss using the camera and different lenses… or pushing things to see what I can create. Especially when it comes to things like waterfalls and covered bridges, and other items that really interest me.

In the grand scheme of things, life is short. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who lives to 100 or a bit more, that’s just a speck of time when considering how long some form of life has been on Earth. So while you are here, see things. Do things. Live things.

I can’t say I’m always going to follow this mantra. I’m just as guilty of plopping down on the couch for some television or hours online. But if I’m going to do that – I need to make sure I’m balanced and I get out and see some wonderful things as well.

My DayZero list is a start.

On January 1, 2019, I started my third round with the DayZero Project. I have on it more than the 101 goals because I need to trim. I’ve looked to see what is something that can be done – be it hard or not – as compared to dreams. This is a starting point as some of it gets me outdoors.

I have life goals and life plans and hopes – all of which intermingle with one another. But as the two characters in the Shawshank Redemption noted – get busy living, or get busy dying.

In the past couple of months or so, I think I’ve gotten busy living – at least in some aspects. And my mental being seems to be doing much better. But there’s still a lot to grow from and I look forward to trying to do more (to be fair, it’s much easier to do in warmer weather).

The world is a wonderful place if you find the right angle. Now get out and find it. 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Geocaching, Hiking, Life, My world, outdoors Tagged With: adventure, explore, get outside, health, hike, my world, nature, outside, travel, woods

No Comments

My pitch to manage the Phillies (if they hadn’t hired Girardi!)

October 25, 2019

(Note: The Philadelphia Phillies hired Joe Girardi to be their next manager. I’m quite stoked about this and hope it’s what the Phillies need. Too much talent to just be 81-81. That being said, I had drafted this up … you know, in case they still needed a manager. So, this is my pitch from all my years of managing adult softball to come out of “retirement” and be the manager of the Phillies!)

Dear Mr. Klentak,

Coming out of my managerial retirement wasn’t something I had planned on contemplating, but as they say – when opportunity knocks, answer the door!

While I am sure you are seeking somebody with big league experience for the next manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, I still felt it necessary for a life-long Phillies fan to see about the possibility, especially somebody with the managing pedigree that I bring.

What I bring is a championship background and would love to bring that to the dugout of the Philadelphia Phillies. For nearly 30 years, I built and managed an adult softball team in my area that went on to do well not only here, but at the state and national level. Success took a little time (hey, it’s not easy starting with a “rebuild” and having to recruit players right away!) but once we reached the highest level, we stayed there.

Me with the Phanatic a few years ago.

You could say was somewhat of a GM/manager/player (probably why if I can ever afford the Phillies Phantasy Camp, I’ll want to do so with the GM part), and I feel that experience could lead to a successful run as skipper of the Phillies.

Over the 28 years I managed, we had a constant flow of players and personalities. It’s not easy to juggle all of that, especially if they are coming straight from work or had a cold one in them. We played modified pitch, which is as close to baseball as it comes – and we lived on small ball. We had some power, and good pitching. And we were usually pretty solid in the field (not if I was out there – hitting was my prowess. Fielding, not so much).

And, of course, we had some egos and tempers and everything else. I feel I handled it all well. And I know pitching is something of a sore spot to people, as well. But I have to be honest – I manage pitching with git instinct. I want pitchers to test their limits and become old school of sorts. To be fair, we only really had one pitcher over the last 19 years I managed. I pitched some, too, but the old knuckleball didn’t always work and that proved to be tough at times. And, our pitcher 60 in my final year, but he could still go.

Some of my credentials: 

  • 7 league championships
  • More than 400 victories (estimated)
  • Belief in the youth movement
  • Letting players be players

And, Mr. Klentak, I can’t lie – I can second-guess current managers with the best of them (though, to be fair, I don’t really do it online, so maybe it doesn’t count?) as I attend anywhere from 40-75 live games a year between the minors and majors.

I’m also a baseball nerd (have scorebook, will travel) and love all the analytics of the game. Though, to be fair, I tend to manage more by seeing how the game unfolds more so than worrying about whether or not a guy facing a certain player a third time would be bad. If a guy is dealing, I want him to keep dealing. I’m sure with more analytics, I’d be all over it. There’s not many scouting reports, though, in upstate New York for an over-35 dynasty. We just win!

My salary requirements won’t be too crazy, I promise. I’ll bring fire, that’s for sure. I’m a supporter of the Phillies in many ways – from traveling to see them play to even taking part this past year in the Phillies 5K to getting many clothing items – and I’ll continue to do so as manager (though, a uniform and such will be free, right?) I also believe in the system and have been a supporter at the minors and have a good feel for what’s in the system (prospect guides rule)!

I’m ready for my eighth championship to come with the Phillies.

References available upon request. I look forward to discussing this possibility.

Sincerely,

P.J. Harmer

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Baseball, My world Tagged With: baseball, fun, hire me phillies, job letter to phillies, managing the phillies, my world, phillies, phillies manager

2 Comments

“Somebody called us saying … “

April 11, 2017

Society needs to get a grasp.

On Sunday, I was coming home after a fine day of watching baseball in Syracuse. The whole day was wonderful with blue skies and just enjoying baseball.

For those who know me, you know I’m a bit of a baseball nerd. When I go, I keep a scorebook and just watch the game. I rarely have a beer when I am at a game, and if I’m driving I pretty much completely avoid it.

That was Sunday.

Being I went by myself, I was driving. I watched a doubleheader, during which I had my normal hot dogs and not much more. When the games ended, I headed home. Simple as that.

By the time I was about 30 miles from home, I was ready for the day to be over. Though I wasn’t driving over-aggressive, I made a few passes on the way home (in zones, so legally) and all of those passes were of people who were adjusting their speed the whole time, many of times which was below the speed limit.

When not passing, I gave cars their distance as I’m supposed to. I didn’t think anything was bad.

The first vehicle I passed hit his volunteer fireman blue light – which I’m not sure is truly legal as there was no emergency. It was turned off quickly, though, so maybe it was their way of telling me it was safe for me to come back in?

I passed one other (again, legal passing zone) who I then saw eventually turned. There was one more pass that happened (legal zone) miles down the road of somebody going about 40-45 in a 55.

I don’t think I did anything wrong.

Now, I’d like to also point out that on my way home from Syracuse, I passed no fewer than three or so troopers and never got pulled over. On the way up, I passed no fewer than five and didn’t get pulled over.

So I came into my town (doing the legal speed limit) and passed a sheriff deputy, who turned and followed me, hitting his lights as I neared my home. He came up, asked me for my license and registration and walked away talking to a second police officer who had showed up.

Now, mind you, I still have no idea why I was pulled over.

So the first officer came back and told me he pulled me over because somebody called with my license plate and car description saying I was driving “fast and erratic.” He said they had to pull me over to see if I was intoxicated or had a medical emergency. So, despite them not seeing me doing anything wrong, they pulled me over – based on somebody making a phone call. So does that mean if I am just mad at somebody, I can call the police when I see them driving and they’ll take care of it? Or it makes me wonder if the person who called “knew somebody?”

I did wonder if the person who called it in either pulled over or had somebody else in the car make the call, being it’s illegal to talk on the phone in New York while driving.

In the end, my license was handed back to me because “they got another call” and had to race off through a residential area. Part of me wonders what he would have done if he hadn’t been called away.

The other part of all this is taking the caller’s word. What if they were just mad that somebody passed them, despite driving under the speed limit?

This is society now.

My father was a chief of police for more than 20 years. He was fair and honest. He didn’t tote his badge around like he was King of the world. I’m quite sure he would have handled this much differently.

Reality is this – if somebody called in my plate number, the officer knew who I was and where I lived. Being he was “ready” for me as I came into town, he knew where I likely was heading. So why not just follow me, wait for me to park and roll down your window and say something like “Hey, is everything OK? We got a call and just wanted to check.”

That would have made sense.

Instead, it seems people are always looking for something more. The flashing lights, the flashlight into the mirror and all the hoopla.

Look, I’m a defender of the police. I know many officers still and know their job is dangerous and thankless. But there’s also something to be said about taking things at the level they are. There was no true reason to pull me over, outside of somebody making a phone call. When the officer saw me, I was doing the speed limit, used turn signals and abiding the law.

Society is changing and, in many ways, in bad ways. I give police the benefit of the doubt. I truly hope the intent here was to make sure everything was OK.

I have no issues – none – with being asked where I had been or checking on me because somebody called. But to pull me over near my home and make it like I had done something wrong that was witnessed by the officer, isn’t something I would expect.

I remember how my father handled many things like this. With society changing as it has, I know it would be hard to do things the same way, but it doesn’t mean I can’t hold out hope that there would be exceptions.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: life, my world, police, pulled over

No Comments

Imagine…

July 13, 2016

In the light of all that’s going on in this world, sometimes it’s good to be reminded that we – as people – all need to take a step back and become better – as humankind.

No song seems to touch on this more – at least to me – as John Lennon’s Imagine.

Have a great day today – and smile at people. It makes the world a better place.

Lyrics:

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today… Aha-ah…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace… You, ..

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world… You, ..

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

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

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: be happy, hug somebody, imagine, my world, smile, world

2 Comments

Rock and Roll!

June 20, 2016

In the Hall... or not!

In the Hall… or not!

Was I really in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

OK, maybe not… but I tried.

I did visit it, however. Much better than I expected. Also visited Canton for the first time. And I’ve added several new baseball stadiums I need to review.

Needless to say, I’ve been on the run some.

It’s been a long — but fun — couple of weekends. I need to catch up soon!

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

Filed Under: My world, Travel Tagged With: my world, travel

No Comments

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 8
  • Older Posts

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Welcome to A 'lil HooHaa!

This is a personal website covering many topics! We host a monthly photo blogging challenge, and then every January hold a fun writing challenge.

Thank you for stopping by and hope this becomes a stop for you!

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Follow

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 874 other subscribers

Instagram

hoohaa29

Writer who loves images just as much as words! In search of perfectly poured pints of Guinness and great hot dogs. Find me on twitter @softball29.

Couldn’t resist stopping on the way to work too Couldn’t resist stopping on the way to work too quickly snap some photos of this scene. Hamden Covered Bridge. #bridge #coveredbridge #hamden #snow #winter #instagood #photooftheday #happy #picoftheday #fun #igers #bestoftheday #life #photo #iphonesia #igdaily #iphoneonly #love #beautiful #photography
A nice day to get out for a hike, grab a #geocache A nice day to get out for a hike, grab a #geocache and place a few. Felt good abs here’s hoping for a much better year!
Thought this wax seal came out pretty well! #waxse Thought this wax seal came out pretty well! #waxsealstamp #waxseal #waxseals #card #mail #snailmail
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Twitter

P.J.Follow

P.J.
Retweet on TwitterP.J. Retweeted
stickermuleSticker Mule@stickermule·
11h

$500 to one person who retweets this because we did something big and want to celebrate. Please follow us so we can DM you. ☺️

Reply on Twitter 1366883729378000902Retweet on Twitter 136688372937800090210090Like on Twitter 13668837293780009025099Twitter 1366883729378000902
Retweet on TwitterP.J. Retweeted
PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies@Phillies·
17 Feb

Folks,,,,

🚨 We’ve got pitchers and catchers. 🚨

4
Reply on Twitter 1362083952836685832Retweet on Twitter 1362083952836685832571Like on Twitter 13620839528366858323676Twitter 1362083952836685832
softball29P.J.@softball29·
10 Feb

I wrote this about Sam Nader during a public celebration of his 100th birthday. I'm sure I'll have something more in the next day or so as well, but this covers a lot about my thoughts of this amazing man. RIP, Sam. You'll be missed.

https://hoohaa.com/?p=14292

Reply on Twitter 1359531517148614665Retweet on Twitter 1359531517148614665Like on Twitter 13595315171486146651Twitter 1359531517148614665
Load More...

Archives

Categories

Calendar

March 2021
S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Feb    

Search The Site

Site Information

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

A 'lil HooHaa © 2021 · Created By Coded Creative

Copyright © 2021 · Ava Mae on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in