I find it utterly amusing that tonight in church, I learned how Gertrude Stein totally dissed the other multi-generational California hometown I've sort of kept in the closet. I freely admit to being a fan of the baseball team that sent me to numerous free games when I was growing up because of my grades, but little else: Oakland. 2 and possibly 3 direct ancestors, including my father, and my beloved 101-year-old cousin were all born there.

... anyway what was the use of my having come from Oakland it was not natural to have come from there yes write about it if I like or anything if I like but not there, there is no there there. Gertrude Stein, Everybody's Autobiography (New York: Random House, 1937, p. 289)

It was not natural to have come from there?

Hrmph.

Maybe that explains some family dynamics?

It's even more amusing that some urban sociology website in the Netherlands covers this best.

It's one thing to jump leagues, but to the local enemy?!

I let out my familiar exasperated sigh I've done many times in many years during the 4th inning.

Kieran's input?

Don't worry, mama, don't worry. It's just a game we can't talk about.

Oh sweetie, how can you have picked up the truth of what being an A's fan is all about at such a young age?

We called it quits and headed off to the store to get groceries, make strawberry banana Jello (*grin*) for a work potluck tomorrow, then he was promptly sick with what appears to be a second round of last week's evil stomach bug. My husband volunteered to stay home with him tomorrow since I did the juggling last week.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath for every agonizing pitch of the 9th inning until I realized I was rather woozy when it was over.

Time to stir in the fruit.

Welcome to dinner tonight, lunch & dinner tomorrow, and breakfast at 4f'ing30am on Sunday. If I'm going to be a grad student, I might as well eat like one once in a while.

In other news, SWEEEEEEEP!!!!! I got back from class just in time for the last few innings online & I can't tell you how excited I am that they made it past the first round playoff of doom!

Currently Dallas is overrun by OU students in town for the Big Game against UT. I have accepted a dare from a Sooner friend of mine to wear red on the UT Southwestern campus tomorrow & I'll take a pic to prove it next to the UT seal on the wall. We'll see if I get any sleep tonight and/or survive tomorrow. For now, it's back to the books.

The loyal and loony fans of Oakland, suffering through their most depressing football season in history, will see a dogpile on the mound in the very same stadium that the Raiders are befouling. For the first time since the earthquake year of 1989, the A's will be the last team hugging. I remain cautiously optimistic, as always. 'Loyal and loony' is a general life given for me.

Befouling describes my morning well, as a statement of 'Look, I pooped in the toilet while standing up!' from my son at 5:40am never leads to anything good.