Raincharm’s Weblog

Baby steps on recovering the basement.

I’m just trying to clean the floor before putting things “away.” This entails moving things out and off of an area so the floor is accessible. Then sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. And each thing I pick up begs the question of should it be retained, moved on, or thrown out. I can’t answer most of the keep or not questions on my own. And the partner in these questions isn’t in the same head space as I am. I think  I am more able to focus on this task because I have a time void that work used to fill. He, on the other hand, has well established routines and things he does.

Plus, final destination questions aside, where does it sit while moved. It’s rather exhausting. And it’s generally dusty and full of cobwebs in the corners.

Essentially it’s taking quite a bit longer to accomplish than I thought it would. I completed about 30 square feet today. But I have time, right?

We welcomed in the new year in bed, but hardly asleep. I could here the downtown fireworks, about 3-4 miles away, going off with a soft, bass sound. The neighborhood explosives were much louder. Like in the backyard loud. And they went off until about 1 AM. Needless to say, we slept in a bit this morning.

Our “work” today consisted of identifying the winner of our Found Filthy Lucre contest, the 2025 version. On walks Carl looks for money that has been lost, and is now found. At the end of the year the found funds are totaled and pictures taken. Then we invite the neighbors to guess the total, and the closest to the actual amount wins the money. This year we had 33 entrants, and the winner was only 29 cents from the total of $75.40. We will deliver their winnings tomorrow.

Other than that we were treated to a good luck black-eyed peas gumbo gathering at a neighbor’s house. Really good eats and conversation.

Generally speaking a quiet start to the year. We didn’t do any work on recovering the basement from the minor flood. But no worries, since I’m no longer working I should have plenty of time to work on that in the coming weeks. Yes, a few things have happened since I last posted….

The bad news is the Mariners are still the only team not to have ever played in the World Series.

The only slightly good news is they were very, very close.

The good news is we were able to share our disappointment with friends over good food.

And now, back to our regular life for 2 weeks.

To set the stage:

Game 5 of a 7 game series. Mariners and Blue Jays each have 2 games, won in the other teams ballpark. After today they return to Toronto. If it goes poorly, this is our last home game. If it goes well,the Mariners will no longer be the only team to have never made it to the World Series.

This morning, I had a moment of peace and thought that, regardless, it’s been a pretty good and fun season.

But now that I’m at the park, it’s all about being the loudest fans. Not about the fun of the game, even the situation.

And it’s a beautiful sunny fall day in Seattle, and the roof is closed. My cynical self says it’s to increase the din. It rained in the morning, but none is predicted this afternoon/evening.

I’m mad, not sure why. My focus is the roof, but I think it’s stress. Not about the game, although I really, really want to win. I left our seats to walk around and try to get in a better head space and figure this out. Which is why I am writing as the game swirls around me.

The rest of the story is work. I have two more weeks and two more weekends to finish what I want to get done. So here I am on a workday afternoon, not working.

GRAND SLAM- GENO SUAREZ , MARINERS UP 6-2, 1 OUT IN THE 8TH

I need to be stable next week. Lunch for me at work on Monday, last statements to the Board of Commisioners Monday afternoon. Possible game 7 at 5 PM (away game).

I know what I want to say, but I don’t want it to be emotional. 38 years is a long time. Maybe that’s what today is about.

And I really want to get the work done, but it’s not quite under control.

Listening to the fans around me in standing room only is helping. They’re excited to be here at all. And just a great play from our 2nd baseman to snag a line drive.

For now, LET’S GO MARINERS. No time like the present.

⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️

Warming up

And while it started well, the game ended as a loss. No one said it was going to be easy.

Still up 2 games to 1. Hope for a better result tomorrow.

I want my hands to hurt like they did in 1995.

I want to be hoarse like I was in 1995.

Tonight feels more like 1995 than any playoff game I’ve been to since 1995, albeit it’s only been a few games.

I had forgotten how tiring it is to care so much.

About a silly game

And you can’t win if you don’t hit. And sometimes you do.

For those who don’t know, this is about the Seattle Mariners. The only major league team to never get to the World Series.

But Humpy won the Salmon race. First win in 2 years.

And now, back to our other, regular life.

Until Sunday, because we WON.

At Game 5 of the ALCS. Mariners vs Tigers. It’s win or go home.

In line, near the front, and probably the 40th or so game I have been to this year. The number isn’t important, but more than a few.

We bring in the clear bags with our food. (Aside, the Tigers don’t allow fans to bring in their own food. Paying for ballpark fare would bankrupt us.)

Extra layers of clothes. It is October.

Sunscreen (a friend had her sunscreen lotion confiscated once, but it hasn’t happened to me).

Sunglasses (if I take my sturdy container, it sets off the metal detector, so I use the cloth version).

Bobbleheads (Carl is cleaning out a small part of our clutter, piece by piece). These are really appreciated by the recipients.

⚾️ ⚾️ Baseballs. Carl gets lots of these at Minor League games, but they’re usually Major League balls. These are given to other fans, and they are usually excited.

Just before the gates opened today, a security worker announced baseballs wouldn’t be allowed in. SAY WHAT?!?! What about the balls that are obtained within the confines of the ballpark. Caught during batting practice or the game. Tossed up. Or bought at the Team Store.

What I’m pointing out is that there will still be balls in fan’s hands.

And the purported reason for this sudden change in the rules? A woman apparently stepped on a ball, fell, and broke her leg. A knee-jerk reaction if I ever saw one.

Carl tripped on the stairs here earlier this year, but they’re still here. And what about the numerous empty beer containers.

Anyway. That’s my rant for the day. So far.

GO MARINERS ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️

Two games into the American League Division Series the Mariners are tied 1 game each with the Tigers. I rooted for the Tigers to beat the Guardians as they are the team from the background of my youth. But not right now.

A few pictures of my life over the past few weeks. Very baseball centric.

The Mariners lost yesterday’s game 3-2, but rebounded today to win 3-2.

Why is this special enough to report? The last home playoff game the Mariners won was October 15, 2001. Almost 24 years ago.

It’s been a while.

It actually reminds me a bit more of ’95 than 2001.

And it’s not like I don’t have a lot to write about. For today, 2 items.

1. Retirement is looming.
2. The Mariners are going to the PLAYOFFS