I will adopt you, sara, but there is that pesky requirement of moving up here. kidding.

pssst sarameg, the only reason she wants to adopt you is the free babysitting.

ION, if Hec's around, I was curious to hear his opinion on the Rich Harden trade, since he's the resident baseball guru and (I believe) A's fan.

Most A's fans feel like the Cubs got the better part of the deal. Harden is quite simply the most dominating pitcher in baseball when he's healthy. I think he's better than Peavy or Webb. But he's rarely healthy (cf., Prior, Woods).

So, his health history is why we couldn't get more. I think the big shocker for A's fans is losing Gaudin as well. He's an excellent pitcher who can be a very good #3 starter, or a shut down middle relief guy. Gaudin's already better than Marquis.

It's tough to lose Harden when you're only a few games out, but realistically we've had too many injuries this year to make the playoffs.

Most A's fans would've been happy with the deal if we'd gotten Vitters. We need an impact bat and we didn't get that. Why get Gallagher when Gaudin is pretty much the same pitcher? (though Gallagher is a bit younger and has more upside) Also we need a shortstop prospect and a third baseman, so we didn't get that either.

Our top draft pick this year is a speedy second baseman whose defense might not keep him in the infield. If that sounds like Patterson then you can feel our shrug.

It's a gamble for the Cubs. Forget the regular season starts, if they can have a healthy Zambrano, Harden, Dempster rotation going into the post-season I'd bet my money on them.

One reason for Cubs fans to feel better about Harden's chances to stay healthy is that he scrapped his split-finger pitch. He only throws his super-plus fastball (which gets up to 98) and his changeup. But he can sink his changeup several different ways and it's just unhittable. It completely disappears.

One constant with the A's trades of the last year is nabbing top prospects who had fallen out of favor. We just got Wes Bankston, and Murton falls into that category. Ditto Ryan Sweeney (who we got for Swisher, and is playing very well for us.) I think they're big believers in talent which has been mishandled and their coaching and catching players before their break-out 27 year.

Also, good to see you Kal!

Happy birthday, sarameg!

Today's weird. I got up, was productive and went to the grocery store (oh, bananas. Why are you out of season?), went back, sat next to the computer with full some intention to work, and heh - no backoffice.

So I finished the volunteering task I meant to finish two weeks ago, and tried to go back to bed. Didn't really work, damn gulag-work-ethic of mine. So I'm gonna have my tea, and then clean the kitchen and possibly bathroom too. And then making a booklet to an album that came without lyrics to it, and I want lyrics.

Not working now feels weird. And to get this day even weirder, I think I just got an email saying I'm entitled to (for?) company's options.

happy birthday sarameg! I vote for treats too!

Actually, we're in Fell's/ Butchers hill Friday - Saturday as a belated celebration, so I could come by and get iris to sing you hippo birdies if that would make your momma happy.

Sunday we go full cowbell to cheer d on on the triathalon. And then eat yummy food and stuff.

sarameg! It's your birthday? It's not on the Buffista Calendar! Should I add it, as a birthday present, since that's all I can offer from here?

Either way, I hope it's a good day, and a wonderful year for you!

(Shh, I'm not here. I'm writing my thesis. On a different window. Really, look.)

Happy Birthday sara!!

Happy birthday, sarameg!

I did find the last book of checks, so crisis averted.

Baby is doing well, getting big and is probably more accurately called a toddler at this point. Where did the last 13 months go?

Seriously!! That's amazing.

My fucking upstairs neighbor is flooding his bathroom again, and I'm already late for work. Ugh.

I did find the last book of checks, so crisis averted.

Wonderful!

My fucking upstairs neighbor is flooding his bathroom again, and I'm already late for work.

Less wonderful.

Happy Birthday, sarameg!!!