Seattle, here I come

Well, it's official: I will be traveling to Seattle to play for Cobalt Big Blue in the 2008 Gay Softball World Series. Reservations are set.

I'll miss one day of round-robin play, but will get there on Tuesday night, Aug. 26 in time to at least play in Wednesday's round-robin games. If not, I wouldn't be eligible for double-elimination, which starts Thursday.

I'm hoping Ed might be able to come too. His brother has a free ticket on JetBlue that he has to use soon -- it would be nice to take a short vacation together, even if it does involve softball (deep down, I think he likes being with all the people, especially those that don't play).

Anyway, I hope I can help Cobalt. I think they asked me because they think I might be able to do just that. Or they just needed a warm body. In any case, I'm getting pumped.

Check out the Seattle World Series site here.

The photo above is from Saturday's CAPS All-Star Game. We -- the A/B Division All-Stars -- beat a spirited C Division 12-10 in eight innings. We actually trailed 5-1 in the fifth inning before getting our butts in gear. And the C team, which included several Cobalt players, didn't give up either, tying the game in the seventh. That's me on the bottom far right.

More to come as the big trip approaches ...

My sister Sue

I just haven't felt like blogging, and the following is one reason why.

My sister Sue, who turns 51 this year, just found out recently she has cancer. She had lost a bunch of weight, and was down to about 93 pounds when she finally went to the doctor. Doctors think it started in her adrenal gland, and it has now spread to her right lung. She's seeing a surgeon today to talk about her options, so a trip to Little Rock will probably be in short order.

I won't be going to the Gay World Series in Phoenix. The only time off I had for the rest of the year was for that, and it's much more important I use that time to be with Sue and her man Sammy.

She's much too young to possibly be as sick as she is. And despite the fact she's smoked since she was 15, this cancer probably wasn't caused by smoking.

My dad died of lung cancer in 1992 at only 64 years old. My mom died of a heart attack in 1979 and she was only 47.

So there's lots of things for our family to worry about. We just hadn't planned on it so soon...

Just a couple of updates ...

The siding is done and it looks fabulous! Ed and I still have some work to do around the house, a little painting here and there, but it's really looking good.

The Fairfax County Health Department is coming by today to give us an evaluation on our septic tank, which we found out was installed in 1953. Yikes! It's all a part of the permit process we're having to undergo because of the neighborhood idiot who reported us for rebuilding our deck without a permit.

We think we know who did it, and boy, the neighborhood is not happy about the can of worms that has been opened...

My thumb is doing GREAT. In fact, I think I'm ready to pick up a softball bat again, and it's not even been four weeks since my surgery. Timmy the tumor is gone, though he could come back. I'll cross that bridge if and when I get to it.

In the meantime, softball is back in my picture, with the upcoming MAGIC Tournament here in D.C. over Labor Day weekend, and then the Gay World Series in Phoenix in October. Can't wait ...