Arizona, Day Two: Two doors too many

The hotel is nice. Located blocks away from a shopping mall and within walking distance of several restaurants, it is something we look forward to coming back to at night.

The one thing the team hasn't been extremely fond of is the bathroom, or more specifically, the bathroom doors. Each bathroom has a pair of walk-in closet type doors, which meet at the middle, and do not lock. you don't even have to turn a handle to get into the bathroom, simply push the two doors open, and you're there. It makes taking care of bathroom-related business less-than comfortable, knowing someone could walk in on you at any moment.

As I took my first shower of the trip, I decided to fix this. I brought my swimsuit in with me, and using the drawstring, tied the handles together on the inside to create a lock, of sorts. Proud of myself, I showered without interruptions, dried off, and began to untie my self-made lock.

One little thing I forgot: when strings like that are exposed to heat and water, they tend to expand. So there I was, no longer feeling smart, but quite stupid, trying to unlock myself from the new self-made prison.

Three minutes of panicked embarrassment and the use of my keys later, I managed to wedge the knot undone, without any teammates noticing the problem. I'll probably take some heat now that I've written about it, but I figured you all deserved a story you'd enjoy.

By the way, the Auggies swept today in our first day of action. a 2-0 start to the trip, not too shabby.

The Short Sleeved Rule

When I was young, one of the rules I had to adhere to involved my clothing choices, specifically during the spring. I was not allowed to wear shorts and short sleeves outside until the snow had all melted away.

Being the patient child that I was, I'd often spend some of my warmest spring days with a snow shovel, digging into the larger snow hills, and either sprinkling the shovel-fulls of snow around the yard, or dumping it into the puddles that had formed on either side of our driveway. It was always a race to have short sleeve privileges again.

I'm 22 now, and have been picking out my own outfits for at least four years now, but I notice that this practice isn't completely dead in me quite yet. As I walked from my car to class this morning, I found myself kicking at larger snow banks, as if I was still 16 years old (give or take 10 years), waiting to put on short sleeves for another spring.

And although this really has nothing to do with the story, I also still can't resist trying to slide on ice patches, or stepping on what looks like thin ice, in what in reality is nothing but a stupid attempt to soak my foot with ice-cold puddle water. I guess old habits really do die hard.

*First baseball game of the season tonight, at the dome... Go Auggies!*

The Couch Potato

I've been sleeping on the futon each night for about a week now, and today I really never got off of it. Why didn’t I leave the couch today? Well, first of all, I've been physically active all week and I'm tired. Secondly, for the first time since early December, I finally have cable again, not to mention a TV larger than 13 inches.

That’s right, this weekend, we finally re-acquired my roommate’s TV from the girl who had been using it, and the best news: it fits perfectly within the hole in my entertainment center.

But this came at a cost.

Drowning in a Puddle, among other things

First, thanks for all who commented on the last one, it was surprising, but nice to know people are reading.

You know you've really settled in when you feel comfortable enough to shower in your own apartment. I don't know what it is, but I really hate using other people's showers, so when I can use the one in the apartment, it is almost a message saying "I'm in my own home."

I made a conscious decision for that day to be today, but realized all my body wash was in the locker room, so sadly, I ended up cleaning myself over there. Someday soon though, I will mentally "move in."

Two classes today, yes I only made two of three. When the teachers pack in so much stupid in such a short amount of time, I feel I can't handle that last class. Favorite quote from Chemistry, the teacher speaks about radioactive atoms: "When so many protons get packed together, they can't stand it, and the substance becomes unstable. It's like Thanksgiving Dinner."

I was still shaking my head as I unwittingly entered a "Peace Now" rally, mistakenly thinking it was my micro-economics class. The professor began the discussion regarding the War in Iraq as a negative externality, saying since we went in for illegitimate purposes, we should pull out now.

My entire class erupted into discussion against the war, and I soon realized I was the only person who was conservative, not to mention moderate. Finally, after listening to about 10 minutes of one-sided conversation, I asked the teacher, "but isn't the 'illegitimate purpose for entering' a sunk cost, which shouldn't factor into the decision for pulling out now?"

I was rewarded with only a blank stare from the professor and glares from my "classmates". That's when I decided to shut up.

In place of my third class, I watched an episode of Monk, the one where he goes to the football game. I only tell you this, because it was then I realized that I really hate watching actors pretend to be athletes. Imagine the clumsiest, most uncoordinated person from high school... those from my school, I think we're all imagining the same person here... now think how they look as athletes... yes, that's what actors look like.

Pitching a live session with real hitters is always a great opportunity to see where you're at, and I'm proud to report, I didn't hit anyone. It went well enough, but I'm not going to really bore you with the details... if you really want to know about my pitching, lemme know and I'll grab you a schedule.

On my way home, I drowned in the little park in between my apartment and the athletic complex. Apparently, during the required transfer information session I attended, they didn't feel like telling anyone that when it gets warm, a lake forms under the snow. Next time I'll bring scuba gear.

My last event for the day was a required Time Management Seminar, which began 2 minutes late. Anyone else find that ironic?

Finally, hats off to Andrew Andersen from the baseball team, who beat me in ping pong tonight with crappy paddles and a higher-than regulation net, and thanks also for showing me where a table is so I can play now. Enjoy that win, it will be your last.

I didn't know how to end this last time, but I've found a good way for tonight and beyond. I have a book called "Life's Little Instruction Book." I'll give you one entry each night.

Tonight's advice: "Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully."

Enjoy.