It’s a girl !!!

Posted on July 16, 2015 by kdarcy21

I received a call last night that Hera’s surgery was complete (she had to be spayed) and she was ready to come home.

Today, I took the afternoon off (2 hours vacation time) and lefty place around 1215 to head to the Humane Society.

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This is as Hera and I are waiting for discharge information from the onsite vet.

She was excellent heading home, rides in the truck really well. We stopped at the pet store in my neighbourhood to pick up a leash that matches the collar I got on the weekend. They staff loved her at first sight, can’t say I blame them.

We got home and I opened the door and Blondie’s reaction was far better than a little over 4 years ago when I brought her home and Zeus was completely insulted at her very existence.

I think they will be good friends. She’s been great, walked well and we all had a nap too.

Here’s to many years of a happy family.

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Baseball and my new Addition

Posted on July 15, 2015 by kdarcy21

Tonight we had our coaches meeting for the 2015 season wrap-up.  Believe it or not, all seven coaches were in attendance.  Good meeting, good food, good company as well.  They are a good bunch of guys.

We discussed strengths and weaknesses of players who are likely returning next year. We are losing a LOT of AAA players due to ageing out – 19 is the maximum age. Our of 14 players on the roster, 8 are gone – 7 age out and one player is moving away.  That leaves us with 6 which means we have at least 6 spot open for AA players to move up or for players to be signed to the AAA team next spring directly.

In looking at the AA players, we have three who are immediately ready.  The math doesn’t add up…  We might be able to draft one player who can move directly to AAA, two on an outside change, three?  Never.  So, that means we will likely have to move at least 2 players to AAA from the AA club who really aren’t ready.  The AAA experience next year will be interesting – I think they are going to struggle, they will be a fairly young and inexperienced team.

We draft very well next year.  Since we finished last this season, we draft first.  We also have the Indians first, second and third round picks and they finished in the middle of the pack, 3rd, so we should have the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 13th in the first 3 rounds – pretty damn good.

5 of 7 coaches will return.  Our senior coach is retiring.  Our AAA Manager does not know where he will be going to school.  We have at least three players who are ageing out that want to coach – that’s excellent. Next year will be a rebuild, after that, anything can happen.

Just before the meeting started tonight (7pm), I received a call from the Humane Society.  Hera was spayed today and is doing well and is ready to come home.  So, tomorrow, I am a dog Dad to a 50 pound, 6 month old German Sheppard.  I am excited.

Off next week – looking forward to it.  Have a good rest of the week.

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A busy week ahead

Posted on July 13, 2015 by kdarcy21

Well, baseball is over – for now, but this is a busy week.

Tonight, presuming it stops raining, I will be going to the Stampeders game with one of the guys that I coached ball with this summer.  I love football but I don’t like getting wet while watching it.  I don’t mind cold and windy, but wet is awful.  It can even be blizzardy and that it fine with me as well.  So, we will see how the weather is, closer to 5pm.

Tomorrow, is the MLB All-Star game and I am renewing a tradition with a former co-worker of mine, we are going to watch the game and catch up at Boston Pizza.  The bonus, it is Tuesday and Boston Pizza has Pasta Tuesday on Tuesday so that is awesome.

Wednesday, I have a coaches meeting with the coaches that were part of the 2015 Rockies.  Again, this is at Boston Pizza.  Hey, it is good food and it is fairly inexpensive.  We need to discuss the 2015 season and what to look forward to with the Rockies in 2016, and beyond.

I will get Hera either Thursday or Friday – not sure as yet.  I have not received a call about when she will be spayed as yet.  I am looking forward to having her join my family and I am sure Blondie is as well.

Nothing planned for the later part of the week.  I will be getting Hera used to her new home and new dog-sister.  A trip to one of the dog parks will be in order – no water though, she will need to be kept dry.  Hopefully her recovery will be quick.

Sunday, is the Rockies year end party.  Paintball followed by a BBQ.  Should be a blast.  At this point, I have not decided if I am participating in paintball or if I want to stay alive.  I guess I have until Sunday to decide.

I am off next week and Babe Ruth Calgary is hosting a week long baseball tournament. I have not helped out with a tournament in 10 years, since I was involved with St. Catharines Minor Baseball.  I am sure it will be a blast.  Will be a good week off, for sure.

Enjoy yours.  🙂

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A new addition

Posted on July 11, 2015 by kdarcy21

The Calgary Humane Society had an emergency adoption event this past week. They had a large number of cats that needed homes, they also had a lot of rabbits. I think they did some sort of seizure somewhere in the city.

There weren’t a lot of dogs, some of the dog kennels had cats in them. Most of the dogs had “adoption hold”  signs on their kennels as well.

There were a few that did not. One male dog was only supposed to go to a home with no other pets and no young children. Some of the others just didn’t appeal.

I didn’t actually go with the intention of adopting a dog. I planned on making a donation of a bag of senior formula Iams, it was Zeus’.

In one of the kennels, there was a picture of a dog who was currently in foster care. I asked if she was at the shelter and was told she would be at 1pm. OK, I figured I’d come back to take a look at her.

The lines were long. A good problem for the Humane Society, a lot of animals were being adopted in, hopefully, forever homes.

I stood in line for about an hour and then saw one of the adoption coordinators. We talked about her history and what the foster home had said about her. She is on medication to prevent seizures, it has been doing a very good job. She hasn’t had a seizure since being on the meds. They aren’t expensive either, works out to about $15 per month, so not too bad. This may why she hasn’t been adopted as yet, some people get scared off with such issues.

So, I decided I would put a hold on her and made an appointment for this morning for Blondie to meet her. I wasn’t too worried, Blondie loves everyone and since Hera is a puppy, I figured she’d be open to another dog.

Blondie and I went off for our 930am appointment. The dogs met and it went well. At first, Hera tried to claim “ownership” of the pool in the yard but Blondie wanted none of that and took it for herself. She seemed to put Hera in her place and Hera submitted. After a few minutes, Blondie shared the pool and they had a great time splashing around.

I filled in all the required paperwork and the person helping thought I’d be mad because I couldn’t take Hera home today. I knew she hadn’t been spayed yet so I figured it would be a few days at least.

So, Blondie will soon have a little sister. Pick up is expected this coming Friday, July 17.

Welcome to the D’Arcy Clan, Hera.

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Good things to come for the Rockies

Posted on July 11, 2015 by kdarcy21

Last night, both the AA and AAA Rockies teams faced elimination from playoffs.

The AA’s finished 5th in the league and had to play a sudden death play-in game – the winner moved to the playoffs, the loser’s season would be cut short.

We started out very well, scoring 6 runs in 2 innings and chasing two Dodger pitchers from the mound. We were not able to do the same to the third pitcher, the Dodgers ace. We ended up falling 17-7 in 5 innings, not the way that we wanted to end the season. We are a young team and on our way up, of that, I am sure.

The AAA’s had to play the end of a game against the Angels to start Friday evening. The game resumed, tied in the top of the 8th, with the Rockies at bat, with two outs. We were able to pull off a win.  In a must win game, the Angels came out ahead and finished the regular season in 4th place, eliminating the Rockies who fell to 5th, out of the playoffs.

Both teams have bright futures with excellent draft picks in the 20165 draft.  I am sure that February will be here before we know it.

For now, we have our year end party to look forward to and we have several players playing on the travel clubs who have Regional tournaments coming up.  There is also Fall Ball starting in late August and winter training which a lot of players participate in.

The coaches will meet in the next week or so and go over the season, the players, who’s returning, who’s not and what we need to do in next years draft and what we need to focus on for next years indoor training.

I am in a much better position to commit to the 2016 season than I was at the end of last season.  For some reason, although the teams played better than we did this year, I did not enjoy myself. It was a chore going to practices and games – this year, despite some ups and downs and some team issues (that we were able to deal with), I had a lot of fun. It was a good group of players, on both teams, great coaches to work with and a supportive group of parents.

All in all, I would call the year a success. Good things on the horizon for the Rockies Baseball Club.

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Baseball, puppies and a day off…

Posted on July 10, 2015 by kdarcy21

Tonight is an important night in the world of Babe Ruth Rockies baseball.

The AA’s face elimination against the Dodgers in a rematch of last years play-in game. This year, the Rockies finished a distant 5th and will be visiting the 4th place Dodgers. I really don’t care about home versus away. Actually, the visitors dugout is facing east so the sun won’t be blazing down on us. That could be an advantage right there.

We had a practice last night which was well attended. Two of the AA players were called up to AAA to help out, one player is trying out for Team Alberta volleyball which left us with 12 players on the field. It was a good practice – I am hoping it turns into a good result this evening.

The AAA’s played their second last regular season game last night.  I was not there, tough to be in two places at one time. I don’t know how the game went, the final was 10-0.  Meanwhile. the 4th place AAA team, the Angels, beat the Indians which puts them ahead of us in the standings.  We play the Angels tonight – twice.  Well, we finish off a game from last week, tied in the 8th inning.  We then play them again.  If we lose one of them, I think we are done.

I sent an email to both teams yesterday about a year-end party.  The date that I selected was not a good day for a lot of people – so, we’ve moved it to July 19.  Neither team is playing so hopefully it will work.

On a non-baseball front, the Calgary Humane Society is holding an emergency adoption event through the end of the weekend – the shelter is full.  Blondie might be getting a brother or sister.  Not sure, naturally.  There are some nice dogs available.  I guess I will see. I am sure I will go and look. If someone catches my eye, I will need to introduce Blondie to him/her and go from there.  Blondie loves everybody so it will depend on how this other dog takes to Blondie.

I am off today. We have a flex program at work where you work extra every day and then get every other Friday off. Not bad at all. It runs over the summer when it is typically a bit slower. I need to cut the grass, see the doctor and go to the dog park with Blondie. Sounds like a good day to me. I will cap it off with a playoff baseball game.

Wish both of my teams some luck, would ya? We need it.  Happy Friday.

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That’ll be fun…

Posted on July 9, 2015 by kdarcy21

I am in the process of planning my baseball teams year end party.  The players have decided that paintball would be fun.  Sure.

I’ve played paintball with a baseball team before.  It was fun.  Sort of.  It also hurts getting hit by paintballs, especially at point blank range, especially on the neck.

So, on Saturday, August 8, we are going to Bragg Creek Paintball for an afternoon of fun. It isn’t badly priced, for sure – way cheaper than it was 10 years ago when I last organized a paintball party. It is $30 per player which includes everything they need – paintball gun, 200 paintballs, mask and coveralls.

I doubt that I am going to participate. I don’t trust my players quite enough to give them a loaded weapon and then let them shoot me. I am afraid that even players on my team might turn against me.  That all might not be true, I might just be paranoid.  I am not sure. I would prefer not to find out.

I will stay outside and guard their stuff. Yes, I can do that.

After paintball, we are having a BBQ at one of the coaches houses.  Pot luck style. The coaches will provide the meat and what not, parents can provide “other stuff”.  Should be a good afternoon.

Hopefully, one or both teams will also be celebrating a league championship. That seems far off but anything can happen in playoffs.

Regardless of how the season ends on the field, it will be a good end with this party.

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It’s all in, Friday night…

Posted on July 8, 2015 by kdarcy21

The regular season for my AA Rockies ended last night. Ended on a bit of a stinker. The game started well enough, as many do. Lack of defence was the biggest issue last evening. I am not quite sure what the final score was, 19-6, I think. I had honestly thought that our days of being mercies in 4.5 innings were behind us, apparently not.

Anyway, it was against the league leading Giants. We now face elimination or playoffs Friday evening. At the moment, it looks like we are playing the Dodgers to determine who moves onto the playoffs. This would be a rematch of last years AA elimination game. This year, however, we are the visiting team, finishing in 5th place. Last year, the 5th place team won the championship, so, anything is possible.

We have a batting practice tonight and a regular practice tomorrow evening. Friday is a do or die situation. The team has the ability to defeat any team in the league, we’ve beaten everyone out there so it can be done. My top two pitchers are available and I hope they’ll be on their game.

Should we win, we will face the Giants, again, in a playoff double header on Sunday. Lose and we are out, season is over.

The AAA Rockies are also facing elimination on Friday night. It is too bad that I can’t be in two places at once. They have a continuation of a protested game Friday against the Angels then their last regular season game against them again. Should they win the continuation game and the last regular game, they make the playoffs and the Angels are out. Lose one and there will likely be a sudden death game Saturday to determine who moves on. Lose both and the AAA’s are out. Our destiny is in our hands at any rate.

Regardless of outcome, we will be having a year end party. We’ve planned on paintball and then a bbq with both teams. We’ve decided on a date in August, the 8th, which is my birthday. Should be fun, turning 44 and doing paintball with a bunch of blood thirsty baseball players. On second thought, I think I’ll just watch them fire paint at easy other from the parking lot. Yeah, that’ll be safer.

Good luck to both teams – lets get some W’s on Friday !!!

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Back to work…

Posted on July 6, 2015 by kdarcy21

My five days of time off are now over.  I started working this morning at 4am.  Fairly early, to be sure.  I was actually waken by my alarm on my cell.

It was a good 5 days off.

Yesterday, I finished up stuff around the house.  I still did not mow the lawn, didn’t weed whack either.  I need to do that.  My plan is to to it this afternoon.  It is not supposed to be hot and I am done work at 2pm today.  I also have no baseball today so I will have time.  Whether or not I will have the “get up and go” is another question entirely.

I am still officially couchless in the house.  My friend offered me one of his couches from his place.  He recently purchased a house and the former owners left some couches and what not in the basement.  It was a couch bed and was narrow enough that it would fit through my unusually narrow 31″ door.

We lugged it up the stairs at his place, into his truck and to my place – no issues.

It fit through the back door, didn’t have to take the door off.  It fit down the stairwell, well, it caught on something and ripped a bit, not a huge issue, I was going to get a couch cover for it anyway.

It fit through my unusually narrow door opening.  Awesome.  Almost there.

Where it wouldn’t fit was around the corner from my hallway into the living room.  We needed to stand it on its end to turn it.  The couch was 7’6″ and the ceiling?  Well, only 7′.  Dang…  So, back up the stairs and out the door.  That was harder than down the stairs, let me tell you.

We didn’t particularly feel like walking it up the stairs to the upper back yard and to the garbage area so it is currently sitting in my lower back yard.  I put it up on Kijiji, free to a good home.  I doubt anyone will actually take it, even though it is free.  It does have a few rips (new) a few rips (old) and it badly needs to be cleaned which you can only really notice in good light – like outside.

So, if it is still around on Thursday, out to the trash it will go.  That will be fun.

I am going to buy a “leather like” sofa bed (futon, I guess) that I found at Walmart.  They will deliver it for free. It will work nicely.  I have no real time frame for this either – I am OK with the chaise that I am currently using.  If I ever want to have anyone over for dinner though, I really do need a couch so people can sit.  It is on my radar though.  After this disappointment, I need time to adjust.  🙂

This is the final week of the regular season of baseball. Both teams have absolute must win games this Friday.  The AA’s are in a play-in game – the 5th place team versus the 4th place team to determine who goes onto the playoffs.  The AAA team plays the 5th place Angels to determine 4th place and the final spot in the playoffs.  Best of luck to both teams – it is too early to end the season.

I am planning a year end party.  We are going to go paintballing, both teams and then one of the coaches has offered his house for a BBQ.  That will be a good time.

Well, enjoy your week and if in the Calgary area, Happy Stampede !!!

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A pretty good Saturday…

Posted on July 4, 2015 by kdarcy21

There was no baseball today, tomorrow either. It is nice having a weekend off for a change.

Got up early and did some more organizing around the house. I’ve gotten rid of stuff that remained unpacked since I moved in here, 18 months ago (or so). I finally setup my new desk with the help of a co-worker and if all goes well, I will get a couch tomorrow from another co-worker. My office is now set, which is good. I mean it was before but the desk was too small. Now I have a large L-shaped desk and a lot more room. My multi function printer is no longer sitting on top of the box it came in… My monitors are crammed in together either.

My old desk is now where my dining room table used to be. I don’t have a dining room, the living area and kitchen are pretty well open concept so the table has now been moved. Since I am in a basement suite, there is a support pillar right near the kitchen area, sort of in the way. It looks a lot better anyway.

My bike can now be in the hall between the living room and office and isn’t in the way. 

Tomorrow, I rearrange the bedroom, just changing the orientation of the bed so the head is against the window. Blondie doesn’t seem to like it when I am changing things around, I think she thought we were moving…

I dropped by Chinook Centre today, thought maybe a hat that I ordered online and had delivered to the store would be in, nope, not yet. So, I joined the Lids club and bought two new hats, buy one, second at 50% off. I don’t need a new hat (or two) but what the heck. Better than buying drugs… 🙂 The club card gets me a discount I everything. Not bad.

I also stopped by the western store and picked up a great shirt for next week when I’m heading into the office for the partner cooked Stampede breakfast. Had a 15% discount from work from there as well.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and finishing up around the house.

We got hit with a quick thunder storm and hail. No damage which is good but the ground was covered.

So, nothing going tomorrow either which will be nice. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 🙂

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