The Final Countdown

The big day is exactly 30 days away.

I think we're in good shape. Erica plans to still attend. I hear that is the most important part.

Just a few details to seal up, and we'll be walking down the aisle. We're both very excited. Be sure to check out our wedding web page link on the right side of the screen.

I Don't Want to Play This Game Anymore

As many of you know, I spend my summer evenings clad with mask, protective gear, and tens of faithful fans cheering. No, I don't work security for Major League Soccer, I am a little league umpire.

This is my third year umpiring, and although it is sometimes exhausting, I love it. It's a chance to be outside, participate in the game I love so much, and be active in the community. I umpire 4-5 nights a week. I have become friends with many of the parents in the community; they even know me by name. Many games come and go. People cheer, some even jeer. Every once in a while, I umpire a game that is truly unique. Case in point, last night's game.

It was a "kid pitch" game, so the players are 9 and 10 years old. They benefit from a greatly extended strike zone (nose to toes, 8 inches off the plate), and usually play pretty sound baseball. Last night's game featured 7 kids hit by the pitcher--five of which fell down and cried at the plate, the catcher getting hit by a bat and falling to the ground, and one kid face planting into the dirt as he rounded second base. It was a circus, and I was the ringleader. One kid flopped like a fish out of water on home plate after getting hit. Another was certain he needed x-rays. Another was ready to trade in his glove and never look back. I had some reservations about letting the game continue due to the safety of the players. Nonetheless, the game lasted only 4 innings, ending due to a mercy rule, 17-4.

I told Erica that it's funny to watch these kids sometimes. They have all the coolest gear, wear eye paint, give intimidating looks to one another, and put up a tough guy front, but when something bad happens, I, like many others, am reminded that they are indeed kids. They cry, throw tantrums, and want to quit. All part of growing up I guess. Isn't that what baseball is all about, anyway?

May Showers Bring Many Presents

Even though it's been unseasonably warm here in southwest Ohio the last few weeks, it's shower season in the lives of Matt and Erica.

The Kettering Foundation, a place known for celebrations, recently threw Erica and I a wedding shower and sent us home with many well-wishes and gifts. Here are some photos from the event:

We were the gracious recipients of a mixer, two margarita sets (for Erica, of course. . . j/k), a yogurt/ice cream/sorbet maker, bakeware, and waffle maker. Jokes were a plenty at the event, as is usually the case whenever I get put on the spot.

They say that you have to love your family because you don't get to choose them, and I agree. In many regards, the same applies to co-workers. You don't really get to choose them, either. We are so fortunate to be blessed with so many wonderful people in our lives, including the great people at the Foundation. Even if I could choose them, I wouldn't change anything about them. Well, maybe that weird guy in accounting. But that's neither here nor there. Just kidding.

Two more showers this weekend. My family's side and her family's side. Stay tuned for updates!

Race Conversations

I've been fortunate enough to be privy to a lot of race conversations over the past few years, which have challenged me to be more critical and understanding of the world around me. I've taken in a lot, with a lot left to learn.

One thing that continues to bother me is how you can always count on people who are having conversations about race to say some variation of the following:
"Well, I don't care if they're black, white, green, blue, or yellow..." Why the "green, blue, or yellow" part? I haven't seen anyone resembling those colors outside of Cartoon Network. So why do people inevitably tag this on to the end of their race statements?

I have a theory.

I think people like to avoid the real issue of racial tensions between blacks and whites in this country. There's a multitude of research that clearly shows that people don't like to face tough issues about race, and when they are forced, they sometimes do so in superficial and inauthentic ways. I've watched the trend of adding other colors to people for a long while, but I've never put a whole lot of thought into it. Using this technique, people are able to put forth a persona that they are indeed deeply engaging in matters of race, without really talking about anything. Take for instance, major league baseball pitcher Curt Schilling's recent comment on Barry Bonds chase toward the all-time home run record, the most hallowed record in all of sports:

"And I don't care that he's black, or green, or purple, or yellow, or whatever. It's unfortunate... there's good people and bad people. It's unfortunate that it's happening the way it's happening."


The fact of the matter is Barry isn't green (except in this doctored photo), purple, or any other shade of the rainbow (remember ROY G. BIV, kids), he's black. And the all-time home run record chase is deeply entrenched with race issues, specifically around African-Americans.

I challenge you to watch for this trend in conversations about race. And, if you really feel ballsy, ask the person what they mean by "blue, green, yellow." I suspect his/her answer will be surprising.