Rejected T-Shirts

Found these on ESPN.com Page 2 & thought they were funny. I especially enjoyed they Yankees, Mariners, Reds, St. Louis & my favorite was the Brewers. Which ones made you laugh? (Click on pictures for enlarged images)

Awareness Test

California Outdoor Living

Oh were to start? Last week, spring break for OSU, I spent on an extended road trip at UCLA and UW. It might seem like a random trip for the typically conveniently matched Pac-10. Due to the fact that neither USC or WSU have softball programs, their usual counterparts get matched as travel partners. Luckily my time in the Big Sky Conference prepared me for this type of madness (UCLA/UW you've got nothing on Northern Colorado/Northern Arizona!) So what does all of this have to do with a washer/dryer set outside of a cute little yellow beach house? Oh I'll get to that soon enough.

We left Corvallis on Tuesday and without a game to play at UCLA until Friday afternoon we had quite a bit of free time. I was lucky enough to have some friends and family in the area - so I took full advantage. First I spent one evening learning the finer points of California Outdoor Living with Laef & A-Ross. I can't count the amount of times I have heard them complain about their miserably small living spaces, but when I saw it with my own eyes, I have to say that I was pretty surprised. The actual living spaces (a wide open kitchen/living room) were bigger than either of the last 2 apartments I have had. yeah, the bedroom is small, but they are only a few blocks up from the beach and the cute little downtown Manhattan Beach area. The place itself was newly remodeled before they moved in, so it still has that fresh feeling, all in all it is really cute. But most importantly, and by far my favorite part was their outdoor laundry facilities. I can't even fathom how the machines don't get ruined, but they say it's because it only rains or has any type of precipitation approximately 5 days a year. I mean, really, doesn't the fact that it would even be remotely realistic to keep your washer and dryer outdoors basically summarize the appeal of the ENTIRE state of California? They were worried that I would make it look/sound a little trailer trashy, but that is just not the case. It was awesome, and so are you two. Thanks for a great evening, I can't wait to see you guys again!The next evening I got a chance to catch up with my Grandparents again. We walked around the Santa Monica pier and then went and got a great dinner at Gladstones - a fun seafood joint. Yes, those blurry figures below are us. We were forced to have the picture taken on my camera phone because the batteries died on Grandpa's camera. I think it was going to be really adorable too, darn it.
I failed to document my time in Seattle, but I can pretty much summarize the entire experience in one word. Freezing. Since when does it snow in the pacific northwest in late March???

Sometimes you just gotta....Bowl

Call it a little stress relief, call it whatever you want. This evening we hit up the old lakeshore lanes in Albany. We tried to go to Highland Bowl, but unfortunatly it was leauge night. No available lanes. Zeb beat us all & Damon taught bowling etiquette lessons which I was not very good at. Good stuff.

Benton County Courthouse Hippies

Recently it has come to my attention that the Benton County Courthouse hippies are breaking records. Apparently (according to Damon) they are they only protest group that has gathered every day since the war began in 2001. We may not all share their political views, but I think we can all appreciate their resolve, and take at least some sort of entertainment out of their clever signs. I know that on more than one occasion I have seen them protesting and thought....are they STILL doing this??
"...the daily vigil held by Corvallis peace activists outside the Benton County Courthouse that has happened every day since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, and is the only such continuous protest in the country." (c) Corvallis Gazette Times

Check out the Corvallis Anti-War Vigil Website for more info on these persistent hippies.

Too Cute for Words

Let's just let it suffice to say that my entire existence has become one huge Late Pass, so in an attempt to rectify the sad, sad, state of affairs, here is something I've been meaning to post for a while! A few weeks ago when i was down at a softball tournament in Fullerton, I got to see my Grandparents. I always feel lucky when i get a chance to catch up with them, and this time was no exception. A few of the girls on my team saw me talking to them before one of our games and asked me if they were my parents, which tickled them to no end. The girls also thought that they were adorable, I agree.

Corvallis Top-10

1. OSU Baseball


2. Walking around the Waterfront on Weekends


3. Monroe Street


4. Zeb coaching for the Boys & Girls Club (a.k.a. The Bad News Bears)


5. Local Boyz


6. Fred Meyer(s)/being able to say Fred Meyer(s) with an emphasis on the S, just to annoy Damon.


7. Kicking it at Damon's Crib


8. Cinnamon & Sugar Bagels from Noah's


9. Crazy Hippie Protestors outside the Benton County Courthouse


10. Portland, Eugene & The Coast all within 2 Hours

Bozeman Top-10

Looking back, there were some great things about Bozeman, and of course, some things that we didn't enjoy so much. So without further delay, I give you:

BOZEMAN TOP-10

1. Montana Ale Works
2. Sage Spa & Salon
3. Famous Dave's
4. Only having to fill up my gas tank once every month and a half.
5. Hylite Lake
6. 5:00 PM Thunder & Lightening Storms in the Summer
7. Hiking the M
8. Yellowstone National Park
9. Target & Costco within 5 mins from home
10. Downtown at Christmas time

BOZEMAN NOT TOP-5

1. Snow from October - May
2. Having to drive at least 2.5 hours to get to any other Civilization
3. Real Montana Men don't use straws or lids when they drink Fountain Sodas
4. Brown Slush EVERYWHERE when the Snow finally starts to Melt
5. Making it a year and half without falling on the ice, and then slipping and full-on busting my ass in my last week there.

My New Office

Well there you have it, a snapshot of my new office. Dwight has a prominent place on my desk, as it should be. We've been here for more than 2 weeks, but it still feels like we just got here. At least to me it does. There are still several unpacked boxes scattered around the apartment, and more decorations strewn on the floor than actually hung on the walls. It is a work in progress.

This whole experience has been a huge learning experience - I mean, I thought that the whole interview process and waiting was going to be the most difficult part, but now that we're actually here, it is a whole different set of issues. The bottom line is that trasition is HARD. Yes, that's what she said. But seriously, the first week was very much of a struggle for me. With two road trips under my belt I am starting to settle in and get a little bit more comfortable. On the other hand, now Zeb has been on the job hunt for 2 weeks, and is starting to get a little bit antsy to find something already. I know that there is something great out there for him - but I think he will feel a lot better when he has that "something great" in his hands. Keep us in your thoughts & if you hear about any possible job opportunities, im sure Zeb would love to hear about them.

Hope this catches you guys up to date with us a little bit, I'll try to do better and get back in the swing of more consistent blogging. Love you guys!!

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 10

Whoa. We've been steadily working up to this point...but honestly? I didn't really feel like this day would come...still sort of don't. I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that we're F***ING MOVING HOME! With any luck, we take off this afternoon, spend the night in Spokane and roll into Corvallis on Thursday afternoon. Zeb says that he is so psyched that he has a stomach ache. We have a GINORMOUS U-Haul parked in front of our apartment (look forward to pictures later) If the Red Lion that we are staying at in Spokane has wireless internet, I'll be sure to update.

In other news - today is also my final check-up with my neighborhood Opthamologist. Last night I had a nightmare that my eye wasn't better yet. I ended up yelling at the Doctor. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that my appointment today goes better than my dream last night.

Farewell to My Office

Potentially one of the best things about my experience here at MSU has been my office. Well, that may be an exageration, but lets just go with it. I love my office. I don't share with anyone, it definitely has it's Heather Flair to it, & I am constantly rocking out to VH1 soul.com or more recently my Ipod. Now there are many amazing things about my new job at OSU, but an office of my own is not one of them. So in memorial for my office, which I have officially cleaned out today, let's all take a pictorial tour through all of it's glory.

my dipolmas and certifications

my lost & found box my "The Office" and Office Monkey Magnets
My rehab basket
My bobbleheads
My Yankees poster
My Computer
My Bo Jackson Poster

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 9

Big news. Move day has been moved up by one day, making it tomorrow. We're going to try to get to Spokane by tomorrow evening and then finish up on Thursday. I think Zeb unhooked the wireless internet at home, so this might be the last post before we arrive. Maybe not. Stan is here, and things are moving along. We just might make it.

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 8

I'm exhausted.

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 7

BREAKING NEWS - This just in, the president has officially declared our apartment a national disaster. Troops have been deployed to the area, and the appropriate funds are being distributed. Stanley arrives tomorrow.

We worked hard today and got a nice little break in the form of a going away gathering at a local restaurant. We are so thankful for all the amazing people we have met during our time here, and as excited as we are to be coming home we are definitely going to miss some of the friendships that we have made here. Bittersweet. Even Zeb got a little verklempt.
We got a good majority of the kitchen packed up, but the fridge is still full. Everytime I open it up, it makes me sick to think of all the food that we are going to have to either eat or toss. Over the next few days I think we are going to start opperating as a food bank and just handing out food to anyone interested.
And finally, here it is, everyone's favorite part of moving out of an apartment. Cleaning the oven. LAME.

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 6

Today I hit a wall. I did treatments, went to a 1st Birthday Party and made some serious progress on the packing, but somehow no matter how many boxes I take out to the garage, it seems like there is no less in the apartment. The next big territory to conquer is the kitchen. I think a majority of that will come tomorrow along with some hardcore cleaning. Zeb says we need to take baby steps and not get worn out, because we have a lot to do tomorrow...
I think he just wants to play his game for a while. Oh well, hes probably right anyway, so I'm blogging now and watching a Stevie Wonder special on VH1 soul. Gotta keep that balance.

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 5

Temporary set back in the packing world. Tonight was Cat/Griz Women's Basketball (the in-state rivalry game eqivalent in Montana to Civil War,) and also my last game as a Bobcat. It was a great game, the first time this staff has beaten the Griz, I'm pretty sure the first time that any of the players have as well. It was an amazing way to go out. The team showed a lot of guts, and I don't think I'll forget this performance anytime soon. Of course, celebration was called for afterwards, so I haven't touched a cardboard box today. Allegedly Zeb has, but I am too afraid to look at what he may have packed.

The next two days should be fast and furious, hopefully there will be lots of picture evidence soon.

Things that Will Change Your Life: Blik

Wall Graphics! Who knew? Here are a few of the cute ones that I liked, but there are soooooo many more. They have stuff that would fit just about any type of decorating style. I heard about this from one of our assistant coaches, and they look like so much fun. I definitely want to do this in our next place.
Because I think these are soooooo darn cute, I am replacing Gal as the world's best link. Congrats Gal, you had an excellent run, and congratulations to Blik.

Check out the website and let me know what you think? Which styles are your favorite??

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 4

I now submit for your approval today's progress:

The streak continues. I did a pretty good job again today, another ginormous travel bag stuffed with clothes 2 medium boxes and one small. Oh yeah, and 1 motivational speech from Laef on the topic of "streamlining." It appears that it can be done. On other fronts, not much progress, but we're really hoping to have the housing issue settled tomorrow.

Fantasy Baseball - Hall of Shame

I am proud to announce this year's alternative to Baseball Challenge. It's an old school style fantasy league that rewards crappy performance instead of the typical hits, homeruns and strikeouts. Basically you have to pick the crappiest players that actually get to play. We've got a regular style scoring leauge in the works too, but this one just seemed like too much fun to pass up.

Check out the details as linked below. And below I've included the pertinent details from the invitation email. Anyone is welcome to play, let's all share our misery this baseball season!!!

League Details

You have been invited to join dj_kretz's Custom League in Yahoo!Sports Fantasy Baseball.

In order to join the league, follow the link below or go to game frontpage, click the "Sign Up Now" or "Get Another Team" button and followthe links to "Join a Custom League". When prompted, enter the LeagueID# and password below.

League ID#: 27824

Password: oregon

Join "Walk the Mendoza Line" Now!!!

Only because I love you guys...

I'm posting this on the blog, purely for your entertainment. Yes, this is the eye sheild that I am required to tape to my face at night when I sleep. The first night I put it on Zeb said, and I quote "I can't even look at you, you're so ugly." Hmm. Yup, thats my husband. So supportive.

I realize that this thing is ridiculous, but I am horrified at the prospect of this thing not healing and not being resolved by the time we get to Oregon. Basically, at this point, I would do just about anything they told me to do.

So before you start the playerhating (Laef) just remember, I did not HAVE to show you all this. I did it out of the goodness of my own heart, and for the pure fact that I know as soon as you open the page and see this picture you are likely to fall to the ground and roll around in hysterical laugher, and then hours later are likely to randomly think of it again with out even seeing it and burst into laughter at the most inappropriate moment. Anyway, enjoy - and let the wisecracks begin.

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 3

Okay, so today I AM back on track. 2 big travel bags of clothes and 3 boxes. I've pretty much got my spare room done. Let me clarify - my spare room is the guest room, that is where my desk is, and where most of my random stuff is stored. Zeb has most of his stuff in the office - so my plan is to make him in charge of packing that room. We'll see.

Some other big accomplishments today - about thisclose to having the new apartment all sewn up. It's a 2 bedroom (probably a little small for us) but its a good price and most importantly allows up to 100 pound dogs (Bo Jackson - you are going to be mine) It's out by that safeway on the way to philomath, so still not too far from campus. Hope it works out!! Also, made appointments to get our taxes done, get the carpets cleaned at our current apartment (yeah, thats required) and have a time set up to get checked out of our apartment next week by the landlord. I can't wait for this all to be done.

Eye Update: Corneal Abrasion and Erosion

Unfortunatly, last week I had a horrible relapse of the eye injury that I chronicled a little while ago. This time I decided that enough was enough, and I made an appointment with the neighborhood opthamalogist.

After hearing my story, the Dr. quickly diagnosed me with Corneal Erosion, which as you will read in my educational flyers is a condition that originates from the Corneal Abrasion. Before I knew it he was squirting some "numbing" eye drops in the old peeper and coming at me with a pair of forceps. He proceeded to peel away all of the loose skin on my cornea and then scrape around in the hopes of encouraging a better heal. Oh sheesh. Talk about traumatic. The last step was putting in a non-corrective contact to act as a band-aid over the eye wound. I also have a really great aluminum eye sheild that I have to tape on my face at night so that I don't accidentally disrupt the healing process. I am now the poster child for the dangers of eye erosion. (Click on images to enlarge & learn more about corneal abrasion & erosion)

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 2

Well, day 2 of the saga was full of victories and defeats. We got the u-haul situation set up, let me rephrase that - Zeb got the u-haul situation set up, and he bought a bunch of moving boxes. He insistis I give him full credit. We also got a great lead on an apartment in Corvallis, so hopefully that will pan out. On the other hand though, I failed to pack a single box when I got home from work tonight. I guess i'll have to hit it double time tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to post up pictures of several packed boxes by tomorrow evening.

Return to Oregon Saga - Day 1

I'm considering this to be day 1 of the Saga that is Zeb and I going home to Oregon. I know technically I should have already started this process 3 days ago, but I guess we had to soak in the excitement. Now, however, it is time to get down to business. A couple of half empty closets later - and I've at least broken the ice. Hopefully I'll make more and more progress everyday, and if by the looks of the blog you think I'm not quite making it, could some of you PLEASE keep me in check?

Which "The Office" Character are You??

Take the "The Office" personality quiz. Pretty funny. I ended up being most like Jim. Not bad.

The Office Personality Quiz

Post up with which character you are most like!!!

It's a Great Day to be a Beaver!!!

Beyond my wildest expectations, today I accepted a job at Oregon State University. Is there much more to even say? The job is working with Softball & my first day will be February 18. I can't wait to be home and see everyone - can you say Unpacking Party!?!?

Thanks to everyone who has supported us regardless of weather we were close or far far away. We love you guys. Can't wait to see all of you Oregonians & Pac-10'ers very very soon!!!!

Throwback Thursday

This week's edition of "Throwback Thursday" is ODB - Got Cha Money. Please refrain from watching if you have sensitive ears. For whatever reason this song became my "theme song" in college. Used to psych myself up before a big exam or whatever. I used to instert my last name into the song to make it even more motivational. (Sung: "Hey! Murray! Baby, I got cha money, don't you worry! Said Hey!") Also, there was a dance that went along with it, but it's probably better not to share that. So anyway, as I have found. It is important for everyone to have that theme song, that pump-you-up song that helps you get your mind right during stressful situations. So - think long and hard (THATS WHAT SHE SAID) and let me know - WHAT IS YOUR THEME SONG??

Late Pass Wednesday

Several weeks ago I suffered a quite serious injury to my eye. I was packing for a road trip and inadvertantly lodged the corner of a cardboard box in my cornea. Don't make me explain how, its really irrelevant anyway. Let it suffice to say that I was in quite a bit of pain and seriously considered wearing a pirate style eye patch. Consider below, some picture evidence.

Exhibit A) The Good Eye - A Reference Point

Exhibit B) Bad Eye
Exhibit C) Bad Eye Day 2
So to make matters even better, I headed out on a road trip the very next day. I woke up with one gnarly looking eye. It was very sensitive to light and began oozing and watering with the slightest stimulus. I did pretty well on the airplane, because i closed my blind and slept the whole way. However, the harsh lighting of a basketball areana, combined with the strain of watching 12 girls and 4 coaches go through a practice proved to be more than I could handle. I was miserable. Luckily enough, when we finally arrived at the hotel that night, where I was staying with one of the assistant coaches, the coach and I decided to venture out to a nearby mall. I was in the market for the biggest, darkest pair of shades that money could buy. Well, being the dead of winter, sunglasses were not well stocked at many of the fine retail establishments. I did find a lovely bargain rack at Vanity at the very reasonable price of 2 pairs for $10.

Travel Suit Chic - This classy look is the pair that I sported for the majority of the time, including: watching TV in bed at the hotel, breakfast in the hotel restaurant, in the elevator, in the mini-vans, & at practice.
Gameday Glam - Gameday requires a certain level of sophitication and sass, captured perfectly in these shades. When I picked these out, my objective was to find a pair of glasses so ugly that they were funny. I wore them during pre-game taping just to give the girls a laugh and keep things loose. No - I did NOT wear these to day game.

Don't Stop Believin'

More Steriod's Fodder

Knoblauch Says "nothing to hide" in steriods probe
I knew there was a reason I liked this guy. Probably some of the greatest quotes of this whole thing. This guy is a character. Here area few of my favs:

"I have nothing to defend," Knoblauch told The New York Times. "I have nothing to hide at the same time."

Asked if he resented being thrust back into the spotlight, Knoblauch said: "No. One of my strongest characteristics is not really caring what people think. I'm living my life. It's not going to change my life one way or the other. You know, I'm not trying to get in the Hall of Fame. I got one vote though."

Love that he just had to point out that he did get one vote though. Ha. Check this next one out. Basically in baseball, when you start making Pete Rose look good, you know you're screwed. I say, let him in The Hall!!!
Rose says steriods users 'making a mockery' of baseball

"I never thought anybody would make me look like an altar boy," Rose said.

"I've been suspended 18 years for betting on my own team to win," he added. "I was wrong ... but these guys today, if the allegations are true, they're making a mockery of the game."

"If you're going to put these guys that supposedly did steroids into the Hall of Fame, I mean I've got to get a shot somewhere," he said.

Rose finished with 4,256 hits, breaking Ty Cobb's career record. And if steroids were prevalent in his day? "I would have got 5,000 hits," he said.

Throwback Thursday

"Throwback Thursday" is a new feature I would like to introduce to the blog. Basically, I post a song that is old, it may be great, it may suck, but for whatever reason I thought it deserved another look. Today's edition was inspired when this song came up on my ipod (okay, zeb's ipod with all my music on it) at work. It is impossible for me to hear this song and not giggle like a school girl.

Well There You Have It

Well, there you have it. Roger didn't do it after all. Boy, selective reality sure is handy. If you didn't get a chance to watch the whole press conference & you actually give a shit, I suggest you check it out. Here are a couple of my take-away thoughts on the topic:

• Last night when I watched 60 minutes I thought he looked guilty as hell, but today I am overcome with guilt for thinking so badly of him. Dude was thirsty and pissed off listening to all the allegations. I thought he made a good argument for himself today and seemed genuine and believeable.
• In the phone conversation McNamee kept bringing up how broke he is, and how bad of a financial situation he is in, really seemed like he was trying to bait Clemens into saying "Oh, I can take care of that for you" or something along those lines. I can really buy into Roger's lawyers argument that McNamee was trying to trap Clemens into saying something that could have gotten him in trouble for tampering with a witness.
• What is the hell was Clemens doing letting a strength coach inject him with anything? That just seems so out of place to me? If he really was getting legit B-12 or lidocaine injections, why would he be having this guy doing it?
• As an Athletic Trainer it is pretty annoying to watch a lot of the coverage for this, they are constantly throwing around the term "trainer" and the majority of the time it doesn't have anything to do with the Athletic Training Profession. I know I personally don't want my profession to be associated in any way with this kind of scandal.
• Lastly, I would like to introduce the conspiracy theory that I am going to be using to justify this whole situation from now on. Mitchell of "Mitchell Report" Fame is associated with the Red Sox organization. I would like to contend that he had a vendetta against The Yankees and Roger Clemens and influenced McNamee to indicate Clemens against his own will. I really should have thought of this sooner.

An Open Letter to Roger Clemens

As baseball fans we have the right to "selective reality" - it is our inalienable right. I think it's in the Bill of Rights actually.

Selective reality is that thing that allows us to be absolutally sure that the ump blew the game for our team - even when that pesky instant replay shows that he got the call right. It's the thing that allowed Dodger fans to berate Joe Torre and his inferior managing skills for the past 10 years, then instantaneously hail him as one of the games greatest minds when he crossed over to the dark side late last October. This is what baseball fans do. I should know, I actually managed to convince myself that the 2003 World Series never happened (for those of you who don't know, that's the year that the Florida Marlins allegedly defeated my Yankees for the title.) I also use selective reality when I proclaim Derek Jeter as the best shortstop in the game.

I've got this down to an art. But recently, one Major Leaguer has been making this task pretty difficult for me. Roger Clemens is a legend (even if you take everything else away, the simple fact that he beaned Mike Piazza and knocked him out cold should be enough to get The Rocket into The Hall.) That slow southern drawl, 350 + wins, BFF with Andy Pettite, 7 Cy Young awards, and named his kids all starting with the letter K??? How can you not love this guy?

Then this whole "steriod thing" came about. I mean, honestly, I guess it's really not much of a surprise to anyone, but I desperatly want to use my selective reality to maintain my untainted image of Clemens. He's just making it so difficult. He got caught playing the game that Barry Bond's invented, only he's just not quite as good at it. At least Bonds was either smart enough, or scary enough, to make sure that his steroid supplying flunky was loyal. Clemens - not so much, he managed to associate with only guy with a bigger mouth than Jose Canseco. And now, to make matters worse, he doesn't even have a good excuse that I can buy into. So here is my open letter to Roger Clemens:

Dear Mr. Clemens,

Help a girl out. I don't want to have to turn my autographed baseball to the side with Ramiro Mendoza's name. Please, in the name of all that is good, think of an excuse that is at least plausible. For your convenince I have included a few ideas of my own.

Top 5 Reasons Why Brian McNamee Says I Did Steroids

1) I stole his girlfriend and now he is out for revenge.
2) I tripped and fell on the needle he was prepping for Andy Pettite.
3) The dog ate my homework.
4) Have you ever seen that movie The Fan? Robert Deniro = Brian McNamee
5) I thought it was the flu vaccine.

Thanks,

Heather

Announcing "His Gal Friday"

Yes, the day if finally here, all your diligent blog petitioning(okay, maybe it was just me) has finally come to fruition. Gal has a blog. I am so psyched about this, that I would like to give it the distinct honor of "Congratulations! You did it!! World's Best Link!!" So check it out in the links section, or right here for that matter:
His Gal Friday

p.s. Gal's birthday was on 12/31. She completely deserved an honorary birthday blog, but I was lazy and stupid. Sorry!! I still love you Gal!! This picture of Leonardo DiCaprio is for you.

Sad Mac

This is what I'm doing today. This morning, upon arrival to work, when I plugged my ipod into my brand spanking new ipod docking station to listen to some music I was met with quite a surpise. My ipod sounded like it was chewing on gravel, and then it made the SAD MAC face, as pictured above. My only prior experience with the Sad Mac comes from an episode of Sex and the City where Carrie's computer dies, and it too makes the Sad Mac face. So, for as little as I know about it, I know its bad. My basketball girls assure me that this ipod is dead and that I should just cut my losses and move on. Maybe so.

Later: I took custody of Zeb's ipod for the time being and synced it with my itunes, so things are okay. The old ipod is definitely shot.