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Happy Birthday to John (blithwulf), who I miss seeing very much, and Chad (glbear99).

Long President's Day weekend, with concerts, a softball practice where I picked up a lot of balls and a few dark corners of the Dallas Eagle. I'll have to say more later. Right now there's a 100% chance that I'll fall asleep at my desk today.

Taking Swings

This weekend was a full one. Lots of things going on. When we got up and got going on Saturday, the first thing we needed to do was to go to the Dallas gay softball league's scorekeeping clinic. While it sounds more titillating than it truly is, it was kind of fun to re-familiarize myself with how to keep written score for baseball. It's more than just how many runs, it's also keeping track of how the ball was hit, who caught it, how many bases each players advanced, and more. A skilled broadcaster could re-create a game in it's entirety if a scorekeeper did their job correctly. In fact, back in the early days of radio, this was often the case for away games.

Chris hadn't expected to have to go out to the field, so he wasn't wearing athletic gear, but we went out to the skills assessment for the D level teams. Chris is trying his hand at softball for the first time. He's being encouraged by a friend of his, Danny. I think Chris is a bit brave to take up softball right now. Personally, for as much as I love baseball, playing...well, playing the sport scares me. I'm both afraid of embarrassing myself, playing poorly in the field, and running like a winded cow, and from a few previous steps up to the plate, I'm a coward. I'm afraid of being hit by the ball and it keeps me from being able to hit the ball.

So I play like the proverbial...

So when it was asked if I wanted to join in, even though I had sneakers on, I politely declined and just watched as the rest of the boys ran through some drills. Sure, this was the D league. I know book knowledge about technique that may surpass some of these guys skills, like what a wheelhouse play is, or how a hit and run works, or a squeeze play...but to actually go out and hit the grass and do it, well, I never played T-Ball, and maybe if they had an adult league...

So I want to be supportive of Chris as he does this, even when he feels a little frustrated learning these new skills. I just want not to sound like a hypocrite trying to offer a tip, but not actually able to play.

Saturday evening we went out to Dallas' Fair Park for the Turtle Creek Chorale's 25th anniversary banquet. The hall was packed, and after entering, I had to go take a breather. It was crazy! Still, the dinner was nice, if not spectacular. There was a lot of talk, and the director spoke to the people in the group. He took the time to point out the length of service that some of the men had given to the chorus, some who were still around after 25 years, and remembering those lost over the years.

Dr Seelig also too time to point out how long some of the people had been living there lives openly, having all of the gay people in attendance stand, and as he announced how many years you were out of the closet, you sat down, I was one of the earlier ones, dropping after two, but there were some in the room who were living openly before Stonewall. I'm amazed.

After a change, Chris, Danny and I went out to the Eagle to meet up with Matty, Kenny, Bobaloo and Stephen (darkmirth). We talked and joked in the dark corners of the bar for a while, but eventually decided to call it a night as my yawning, and after standing up for much of the day, my knee and back were giving me trouble.

Sunday we were back out at the practice field for softball, as Chris' team met. I was put to use shagging balls, not quite as a catcher, since it was just batting practice, but that was the general idea. Physical exercise, good, but that did tire me out. I didn't feel a part of the team or anything, but they needed an extra hand. Apparently they are cutting it close on roster size. When I wasn't needed, I was watching and reading The DaVinci Code.

Sunday night was the concert. Twenty five years of the Turtle Creek Chorale, celebrated in song, and in several video segments of a new documentary on the lives of some of the groups members. Probably one of the most "out" expressions they've done. Dr. Seeleg mentioned that he didn't want the night to be a timeline, but a portrait of who the group was, and what kind of family the group was for it's members, and in that way I think they did well. Hopefully they will get funding to get the documentary on nationwide, because it really is moving, poignant, and funny. They chose a great documentary filmmaker to work with, and it shows.

The concert was very touching, and left a lot of things to think about, including how people can change lives and perceptions. It was very thoughtful. I guess the most resonating point is the discussion of how lives are at odds with some religious beliefs, and the Chorale presents a song called "I'm Not Afraid", saying that they aren't afraid of your god, but they are afraid of the things people do in the name of him/her/them. A very powerful, and some might say controversial statement to put out there when some might say you don't want to offend, or not provoke those who would want you to stay quiet.

Still, here's a group that is saying, we are here, not only for our community, but also to build bridges, and to be an example to the world. It was a good job.

Monday was a day off for me, and I felt like I was the only one with it off. I picked up Chris for lunch, then went and shopped for some clothes, finding some good deals on pants, but balking at paying $40 on shirts. I really am cheap, especially looking at log sleeve shirts in february on clearance. you just don't get to wear them much, so why pay much?

After dinner, and a long, deep discussion with Chris, I was back on my way home, where I made it back around 2am...

Now I wait for TBRU!