Home Run

Above: Me a few weeks ago at bat with my Wizard of Oz cleats! Take me home!

Softball season is in full swing! Paul and I both play in the same league for the same sponsor, The Pups! Paul is in the C division and I play in the D division in gay softball. When I met Paul he introduced me to softball, Paul has been playing baseball/softball all his life, pretty much, and when I met him I never even knew how to catch a ball let alone play softball. Paul is a very good ball player and a great teacher!:-)

Above: WOW! This picture was taken in 2005, my first year playing softball.
Look at the frustration on my face!

This is my fourth year playing softball, I played two years in Boston with the Bear Hill Cafe/Brushbacks and this is my second year with the Pilsner Pups. I have been the catcher ever year I have played softball and I am very comfortable in this position - it looks easier than it is. Every year I improve with my playing skills - early on I was always afraid of the ball and I have finally learned not to be afraid of it. I also have learned how to hold the bat and wait for the right pitch. And my running has always been my strong point but I have mastered base running.

Above: 2005 My first softball team! See that picture IS proof I can get a kickass tan (me first row far left)! LOL

Above: 2006 - The Brushbacks! I am in the center with blue visor on.

Earlier this month I told Paul that I am happy with how I play and I know that I don’t have the strength to actually hit a home run and that I will never hit one - I didn't say this in a poor me kind of way but in a more factual way. Paul and I have been gearing up for our Mexico trip next month and both want to get in tip-top shape for it. So we have been working out together at the gym, pushing each other to get in better shape and also learn from each other. We did this really great exercise that works the core of your body and the core of your body is really what you should use when you hit a ball.

Above: The Pups celebrating a win! I am number 23.

So this brings me back to what this post is about. I hit my first home run!!! So even when you think you can't do something or someone tells you you'll never do this or even when you don't think you have it in you to do something...someday..somewhere it can happen and you will say to yourself, "Wow, I really did it, I did something I didn't think I could do." When you say and do that - challenge yourself to the next thing, and the next thing....cause that's what this life is all about, a series of challenges, whether it be taking your first steps or hitting a home run or just surviving day-to-day, challenges are what make us grow. Challenge yourself!

Above: The Pups 2008!

Afternoon Delight!

Above: Deb, the birthday girl, and some very yummy fruity looking drink.
Nice to meet you!

There's nothing like splitting up your workweek with a nice lunch - away from the office and spending it with work friends. That's just what I did yesterday and it really helped make the stress from the entire week just go away! Thanks Oksana for the amazing lunch! It was also Deb's birthday this past week and this was part of her celebration! Happy Birthday Deb!

Above: No we are not long lost twins. Danica and I were born on the SAME DAY
and she also has a son named Zachary. I think we were seperated at birth.

Above: The girls soaking up the sun! (left to right) Maggy, Deb and Amanda!

Above: How inviting does this place look!? Oh yea, we will be returning.

Above: Scotty and Maggy shield their heads from the glaring sun!

Above: Oksana and Danica contimplating what to order!

Glorious Weekend!

This is the 200th post on
The Streets of San Francisco Blog!!!

This weekend has been amazing! Friday night we had a bunch of friends over to hang out, play games and have a few drinks. It was a beautiful night and everyone enjoyed our outdoor patio. Check out the fun filled photos from game night below.

Above: Game night out on the patio Starting with Mark with red cup and going clockwise, Jeff, Jay, Cody(hidden), Troy, Richard, Paul, Ryan and Will.

Above: Game night indoors starting with Joe in red chair and going clockwise, Eric, Kurt, Michael, Yan, Richard, Sean and Kurt.

Yesterday, it was over 80 degrees! AMAZING weather we are having. So, I tried to get some sun on my pasty white body. I swore off sun a few years ago and have not really been the sun worshiper I was in my 20s, I used to get nice and tan but I just decided to not lie in the sun anymore so it's been a good two years or more since I have actually did tanning, but I need to since we are going to Mexico next month! I need a base tan!

Later in the day, we took Zach for a walk around the city and to Dolores park - so crowded there but fun. Zach had a blast! Enjoy the photos!

ZACH HAS LANDED!

Above: Zach "Armstrong" lands at Dolores Park...

Above: ...strikes a pose for the paparazzi.

Above: Another big smile!

Above: Checking out this new planet called Earth.

Above: Likes Earth decides to play kickball.

Above/Below: Zach and I walking home from a long day..

Sunset

Above: Yes, we took that picture - it's amazing!

Earlier this week Paul suggested we go see a sunset, since we have been in SF we have not sat and watched the sun go down. So he picked me up from work and we first went out to dinner at this really great seafood place right next to where I work called FISH, I go here often with co-workers, it's amazing to be able to see these views from work!

Above/Below: Beautiful views from dinner in Sausalito.

Above: Great food!

After dinner, we headed to this great trail above the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a really amazing experience. We both were in awe of the beauty all around us and how it cost us nothing to watch the beautiful things that some people take for granted evey day. It's hard to describe what we saw and how we felt so I'll show you in pictures. When I am old and gray I want to come back to this place and see this before I die.

Above: Me feeling the power of the sun on the outside AND the inside.

Above: We sat on this bench - how beautiful is this!?

Above: Paul and a view!

Above: Me looking at a view to kill.

Above: Paul enjoying the view.

Above: This HUGE raven was flocking around us and we got a stunning photo of him.

Above: See Paul hidden WAYYYY up there?

Above: Beauty!

Above/Below: A few pictures we took of the many sunsets.

Zach the Warrior!

This past weekend when Zach and I were hangin' out, Zach wanted to wear a Pirate hat but I couldn't find one so he pulled out his Pirate bandana but he didn't want to wear it on his head like a scarf so - I rolled it up and put it on his head like a headband....well he wants to wear it everyday now! LOL. This kid cracks me up! I love it! Warrior Zach! Anyway enjoy the photos below of Zach and his Warrior head band!

Above: Zach doing his yoga!

Above: Down goes Frasier!

Above: Rock Steady

Above: Tattoo Zeebo!

Above: Rockin' it out...

Above: Zach really getting into his inner "warrior."

Above: Does he smash it?

Above: Yes, after all that energy, Zach DOES sleep!

Below are pictures of Zach at school, yes, he is wearing the headband!

Above: Zach flashing his schoolmates showing off his tattoos.