~ TheOldBarbershop ~: So Long Dear Friend ...

"TheOldBarbershop" - created along the lines of the old barbershops, same but different, where folks would gather to visit with friends - share life experiences - tall tales - or maybe discuss politics, religion, sports, news, weather, current affairs or just about anything interesting or imaginable

- "the free right to unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion" - characters with character preferred ... "the only barbershop in the civilized world with such a veritable smorgasbord of divers and sundry features, all perpetrated by the most incomparable and sapient, albeit infamous, conglomeration of colorful characters ever assembled" ... with a little help from the misadventures of our friends in Washington, the Media, Major League Baseball, and the Atlanta Braves.

We thought it might be good to tell folks a bit about the old barbershop, its history and its barbers ... somehow I got elected ... that's another way of saying that the Southern Jackass is a whole bunch bigger than me!Miss Carol says I'm an old rambling wreck from Georgia Tech ... and all four are true, but I ain't no engineer! It ain't by intent that I ramble but as you'll see, it takes me four pages to write what others do in less than one ... advance sincere apologies! If you've read our story then welcome back! If not ... you don't know what you been missing ... Oh Boy! Please take a moment and find out why we call it Plato's Place!

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hello all

The Old Barbershop, circa 300 b.c. ... its first proprietor was also the founder of the Democratic Party though I understand he didn't attend this year's convention, some say it was due to gas prices but, I don't think he was invited ... nice fellow by the name of Democritus, though his shop didn't really start out having no name. Methinks you'll recognize the names of some the lead barbers during those early days: Anaxagoras, Empedocles, Parmenides, Xenophanes, and Socrates. Plato watched Socrates who taught him everything he knew about cutting hair ... turned the shop over to Plato and went fishing with Isaac Newton. Plato designed a complete set of new bowls ... of different sizes and shapes, and some high quality cutting tools too ... truly an advancement in the technology of the day ... and, man could he cut hair ... that was in about 387 b.c., based on some of his manuscripts recently sold on EBAY, that were so dated. He got so famous that the shop became known as Plato's Place, and the lead barbers that followed were famous too ... Speusippus, Xenocrates, Polemon, Crates, and Crantor ... every one a member of the Barbering School Hall of Fame. Plato's Braves

That's right, Plato's Place was a barbering school ... that's why some folks called it Plato's Academy ... he set the standard for barbershops ... they even had music for the barbers and patrons to listen to ... they talked about most anything and everything, including the Athens' Braves ... free candy and grapes too, same as us ... only different. Aristotle was a long time patron, cut a good head of hair, and made the hall too, but was never the Place's lead barber. Arcesilaus bought out Plato's Place in 265 b.c. ... remodeled and renamed it "The New Barbershop" ... ever since then, folks have referred to Plato's Place as "The Old Barbershop" ... it was before my time but folks say Plato hung a sign over the door to his Place ... "No free Hair Cuts" ... no, methinks that was something Polonius said to Laertes ... Plato's sign supposedly read "Let no one who cannot think geometrically enter". We looked for that sign all over the shop ... even under the floor and in the attic ... never did find it ... but, back in the Back Room under all the trash was a battered old sign ... so caked with dirt and crud that you couldn't even tell it was a sign ... not until we used some ST37 to clean it up ... "No Free Hair Cuts" ... it's true! we checked the county records and they show that Laertes owned the old barbershop long before we bought it. Dang! Double Dang!! Well that's a mighty valuable artifact ... and it would be neat to use it, but the Southern Jackass(SJA) thought it best that we hone our skills and get more patrons before adopting such a rule. Most folks would've been satisfied but finding that old sign really piqued my interest and I renewed the search for other treasures ... more money in finding such things than in barbering, methinks ... and besides, no folks to get mad when you snip off a piece of their ear. I finally found what I was looking for ... that's right, the ancient old sign that Plato hung up in the shop, back when it first opened ... "never give up" ... no, that's what I say, not the sign ... the sign reads "Let no unfair or unjust person enter" ... well, that's not exactly what folks thought it said ... but it was Greek to them so they didn't really know. old barber

Yes, I misuse and abuse this language I love ... sometimes even intentionally ... but, we must first laugh at outselves if we are to laugh with others ... and even were that not the case, folks usually see and hear what they expect and/or desire. Where am I headed? ... only TheShadow

The ShadowThe Shadow knows for sure, and he hasn't told me a thing ... there may be some misdirection for effect, but chances are it'll simply be me getting my bearings and changing course ... gee, haw, mush, whoa! We in the old barbershop like both Grand Opera and the Grand Ole Opry ... ain't much difference ... good barbershop too! Oops, almost forgot ... here in the new old barbershop, you have to stay alert ... else, no telling what you're liable to miss! We, especially me, like to embed hidden polls, audio, and video ... other stuff too! Them poles is pretty easy to spot ... you'll know when you see one ... just remember to toggle the pole to open and close. Whenever you see words in blue, likely as not there's an audio, video, or something else hidden behind it ... a single click is all it takes, well sometimes two. Speaking of getting your bearings and changing course ... you see where it says pages followed by them numbers in purple boxes ... I sometimes use multiple pages and this is just page one! Luckily for you, I'm the only one what does ...

Sometimes I think all great thoughts have done been thunk ... and all great deeds done been did ...Methinks it's as easy to become victimized by an overwhelming sense of irrelevance as it is by an unwarranted sense of relevance or self-importance ... I'm not sure which claims more victims, but there are a whole bunch of us that have tasted both ... that's for sure! ... Seems the old barbershop is all about history ... Our old friend the Christmas Stealer writes about it ... The "Weed's" dad teaches it ... Miss Carol studied it and we're all living it, whether or not we so realize. And, from a baseball perspective, for the last three years, come the All Star break, the Braves were it ... history. What we are, we are ... what we've been is history ... what we're going to be ... and do ... is history waiting to be written. As a result of what is, it's anticipated that changes are in store for the Braves ... we've already had some ... and more are yet to come, or so methinks ... ... and yes, for the old barbershop too! Dang, Double Dang! Oh the humanity!! ... There's nothing wrong with the Braves!! We can win it all, mostly with what we've got ... it's not a matter of money ... the talent hasn't disappeared ... it's the heart, soul, leadership and those things above the neck that may need fixing! We're still on the outside looking in ... but, close your eyes, use your ken ... there's nothing wrong with your vision, the picture's crystal clear ... No, I don't think this is going to be about baseball ... maybe, but rather what we've been ... what we are ... and what we can or will be. Mama always said ... and Daddy agreed ... first impressions are important, only in that they're hard to overcome ... and Daddy emphasized that it may take a man some time to establish his good reputation ... but only a moment to destroy it! Many of us can attest to the validity of that ... including me, Bobby Cox and the Braves methinks ... at least one or two Understood perhaps by few, and rejected by those who are victims of an unwarranted sense of self, is that we ourselves are the ones most responsible for the perceptions held of us by others ... Why all this talk about baseball and the Atlanta Braves here in the old barbershop? The answer is simple ... history! Jimmy Smith (JJS), The Southern Jackass (SJA) and I first "met" on a baseball blog sponsored by a "fishwrap" known as the "Atlanta Journal & Constitution" or the "AJC" ... yes, and young Matthew too. Miss Carol and I met long ago, back when Plato was still running the Shop, methinks I was intrigued by that blog ... well, to be honest, mostly it was this poor, befuddling Africian journalist from Uganda who seemed to be preoccupied with toes and their relevance to baseball performance. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for him ... but, he had his tiger by the toe and wasn't about to let go, I thought. Because of my friendship with others from East Africa, I was aware of some of the many cultural differences, including their thinking and manner of self expression ... though I must admit that his were unique. While my experiences with them had never involved baseball ... soccer, a game of the feet, was a different story ... and of course, they were all into walking, running and bicycling. It did help explain his preoccupation with toes, I thought ... In spite of his awkwardness; his strange third person and lowercase manner of self expression ... for some reason I found him rather humorous and insightful. It wasn't until some time later that I found out that all that was but a sham ... there was no Jimmy Smith, Ugandan journalist ... that was just a character he made up to fool folks, like the screen masks the others wore, only different! His real name is James Jeffery Smith, born right there in Georgia, same as me ... his grandfather had brought his family over from Uganda back in 1941 as things were heating up in North Africa, settling in Cordele. All this knowledge he had about Africa came from what he was told by his daddy and granddaddy growing up ... and more recently, visits to his relatives back in Kampala. No matter what you may have heard, that's the real skinny! Regardless of the sham, or perhaps because of it, ... for better or worse, he's the real reason for my participation on the AJC's Braves' blog! Regarding the changing of perceptions held by others, Mama said "tain't easy McGee" Fibber McGee

... after the 'Fibber' ... "but, telling folks they're wrong is a knife that ain't gonna cut soft butter, much less the cake" ... Speaking of which, I can attest to that too ...

I knows that my abilities at self-expression are severely limited, and my bouts of "hoof-in-mouth" disease are infamous in some circles ... but, mine are always good intentions, at least I so rationalize, and do certainly so hope ... No, tain't easy McGee, but that's life and it's a ride that's been worth the taking, methinks ... and I'm appreciative of all who have tried to understand ... me, us and what we're about. I'm especially appreciative of the few crazies who have an understanding and appreciation of my own distorted sense of humor and what I sometimes try to seriously convey ... and all the resulting friendships ... goodness ... This isn't where I was headed ... how did I get here? ... or is it hear?

Yes, the insights, imagination and wit of James Jeffery Smith, the Ugandan journalist of Cordele (JJS) ... these are among my most favorite things. More importantly, he's my friend! Jimmy Smith

Nobody knows what Jimmy really looks like, at least until now ... he can say more with a couple of words and a picture than most of us can in two or three pages ... you'll find proof positive on the walls of the Shop and his frequent comments!

There you'll also find his ward and our favorite columnist, Baby Seal ... and his entourage of some very special friends! Like the wonderful Sarah Cannon said more often than I say "methinks" ... "Howdeeee! I'm jest so proud to be here!" with these two unbelievable talents ... and if that sounds contrived to you, then kiss my grits! No, I wouldn't wish my grits on anyone ... I don't eat 'em myself ... but, it's true, every word, give or take a lie or two!

Yes, the "Southern Jackass" was there too when I arrived ... No need to put up no picture, everybody knows what he looks like ... he's made sure of that and he's self named too ... did his best to convince folks he was what he seemed to be! Did a good job, he did ... some may wonder how it is that "SJA" received total and unequivocal acceptance from Bob, journalist ... while others did not? Have you ever pondered that? ... I'm sure some have and their conclusions would be most interesting. Could be it's because we're so much alike ... or maybe that opposites attract. I'll never tell ... but, I started calling him "The Southern Jackass, Most Honorable", almost from the beginning! I will tell you too that when he asked if I would like to help him fix this place up and maybe cut some hair, I thought he was plum crazy ... but being his friend, I couldn't rightly say no! It would have helped some had he told me that he was a master barber and the best danged wordsmith and story teller in the whole wide world! We're all unique ... it's just that the Southern Jackass and the Ugandan Journalist are so much more unique than others! It's hard to comprehend such creative genius ... but it's awfully easy to enjoy! ... For some strange reason, JJS gave me the title of "journalist" ... maybe because we took the Atlanta Journal when I was a little boy ... I thought it was a joke but it made me feel good that he did! The original Bob, journalist was far more of a character than a mask ... though that was never understood, for better or for worse, regardless of my repeated efforts to make it clear. However, my preoccupation with the importance of understanding meaning, motivation and intent rather than words was, and is, me ... like Jeffery says, what a man says is more than just a bunch of words strung together. The rumor that I psychoanalyze is ill founded too, a misconception and a joke ... indeed, it's something about which I know nothing, except that it's a big word ... but I do know the "why" is usually more important than the "what" ... as is effective use of the third eye and ear more important than the use of the other two, or is it four? Excluding those most severely victimized by an overwhelming sense of irrelevance, most of what the majority of us do is either agenda or self-interest driven. That's both good and bad depending on how well it's kept in proper perspective, or so I honestly believe ... of course I do support some agendae, oppose others ... stand up, stand up I say ... for that in which you believe ... better that than staying seated, methinks ... the King of England and taxes you know. "When you don't stand up for what you believe in ... it's much the same thing as standing up for those things you don't!" ... we didn't find no such sign but my guess is that Plato probably taught that in his barbering school. It seems to me that among those many forces deep down inside that causes the Southern Jackass to be what he is ... is a true blue, foursquare compulsion ... God didn't pass that around to everybody. For some, nay for many, friendships are a matter of convenience ... friends are but bedfellows based on agenda, and when the chips are down or adversity must be faced, those folks come up short, or at least those friendships become fractured ... not so with SJA and JJS ... They have that compulsion while most of us do not ... perhaps they do because we don't ... I believe we should, but I'm not sure it's a reasonable expectation. Compulsion or no, my friendships are not agenda based, and I treasure my friends ... all of them! I'm somehow reminded of having once been told of someone's disappointment in my liking folks who didn't like them ... 'twas the wrong thing to say! ...

In the Shop, I talk a lot about mirrors and self-portraits ... the perception that others have is one thing, how we see ourselves is another. The notion of mirrors and self-portraits ... seemed rather easy to grasp ... but, when you try to grab hold of it, things just ain't as simple as they might seem, ... ; Registration code (if you have it) ; Reglink opened in new frame? ; Name of new frame for reglink ; resolution (1-8) ; pause (value = milliseconds). ; Num. of horizontal tiles ; Num. of vertical tiles ; Num. steps for tile rotation (8 .. 32) ; Optional background image ; Red in background (0 .. 255) ; Green in background (0 .. 255) ; Blue in background (0 .. 255) ; Optional image over applet ; Over image X offset ; Over image Y offset ; Memory deallocation delay ; Task priority (1..10) ; Min. milliseconds/frame for sync Please download Java(tm). danged if some self-portraits aren't almost photographic in their reproduction while some mirrors give distorted renderings of reality. It's not enough to just use any old mirrors for reflection ... they must be of the right stuff and kind. I talk a lot about things of which I know nothing too, but if I didn't, I wouldn't have anything to say ... it's another thing that differentiates SJA and JJS from most methinks ... SJA's ability to reflect and look deep down inside ... and to be honest with himself ... is rare ... at least my experience has been that most either cannot or are unwilling to so do ... it is not just coincidence or happenstance that Polonius, a secondary character, is among the best remembered of the Bard's creations ... for his advice to his son Laertes ... "to thine own self be true" Why? Methinks it's because of recognition, not only of it's importance, but also it's rarity as an innate quality ... and for those who try, the difficulty lies within it's effecting ... I'm envious of this jackass, true blue and foursquare, who knows himself so well ... it's that for which I always strive but almost always fail ...

Most of us hear it ... then knowingly nod, hardly giving it another thought ... but, nothing much compares with it's profundity ... It's hard to find a post I've written that doesn't mention me mama. It's true that I sometimes take a little license when referring to Mama ... but, my mother is the picture I try to paint. She admonished me, it seems like 10,000 times, when I articulated and/or apologized for my weaknesses, limitations and faults ... "that's my boy you're talking about ... careful what you say"! She did far more than that when others joined in and articulated my weaknesses, limitations and faults! ... Now you have my perception of JJS and the true blue and foursquare Southern Jackass ... but after so writing and reflecting, I'm not sure that I can answer the questions ... truth is, I've forgotten what they were! However, it was rather obvious that them two were something other than how they were being perceived ... honest, consistent, of good heart, and opposed to apathy was the impression I then shared with others and I can assure you that I am now sure that they are indeed that ... that, and oh so much more! They're my friends, JJS and SJA ... so careful what you say!

Mother knew Polonius ... and agreed with him too ... though she would loan anyone in need anything she had, without expectation of it being returned, including money. Like Houseman's wisdom ... Mama's words weren't truly appreciated until long after they were received .. though they were the topic of frequent discussion ... Being true to yourself ... knowing yourself .. the individual behind the many masks ... it's a rare gift, perhaps the rarest of all .. the trick methinks, is knowing how to use it ... Knowing who and what we are ... recognizing our limitations ... shortcomings ... and weaknesses ... that's power that the majority of humanity does not possess. Unfortunately, those few so gifted frequently turn it into a liability rather than an asset. They allow the realization of their limitations ... shortcomings ... weaknesses ... and past failures or rejections to give them fear of failure rather than confidence in success as it should ... and when adversity is encountered, they see history repeating itself ... oftentimes giving up in frustration rather than defining and addressing the problems ... Those who confuse self-portraits with mirrors admire themselves and blindly go forth with total confidence, for they believe they possess all the answers, usually surrounding themselves with non-threatening, kindred spirits ... they are the truly enlightened! ... Say it ain't so Joe! ...

Back to the trick ... Thanks to Prince Albert Gore's invention ...

that which he purloined from Vinton Cerf methinks ... everyone has a potential audience of millions ... nay, billions I say ... and with such potential, folks can easily get disciples and a flock, no matter what it is they're preaching ... Polonius ... Mama ... Jesus Christ ... Buddha, and the Dalai Lama too ... they each said ... to thine own self be true! In plain talk, don't apostatize! Mama's admonishment was out of concern that I would allow critical self-evaluation to undermine my self-confidence, thus preventing me from being all that I could be ... and though I protested, methinks her concerns were probably well justified ... just think, I coulda been a contender ... I coulda been somebody! I'm still uncertain of where I was going and not really sure of where I've been ... but here we are, right back where we started again ... Yes, "TheOldBarbershop" is about history too ... we are what we are as a result of our experiences! Our views ... interests ... memories ... stories ... decisions ... beliefs, our likes and dislikes too ... all reflect our past history ... I hope others will share theirs with us ... in so doing, they'll be making history too ... TheOldBarbershop is diverse from most ... or I would so hope ... if not, you can rest assured that's it's soon going to be. "No Free Hair Cuts Here" ... well, maybe one or two, but everybody carries his weight ... our sign, all polished up and ready to be hung, is the one methinks Plato first so did, right here in the shop some 875,000 days ago, give or take a few ... "Let no unfair or unjust person enter." No, we ain't replacing no mirrors ... though we're going to watch them close ...

and if you can't think geometrically, that's okay ... the three of us can't cut hair neither, were it not for them bowls, but as you can see ... it was that or jail for Jimmy, SJA and me! It's done wonders for us too ... I've slept at the Holiday Inn Express twice, methinks SJA's becoming more famous than Chill Wills and jimmy smith is getting ready for a serious run for the Presidency! We truly love sports and our team(s) and that will always be on the agenda ... but for goodness sake, there are so many Braves' blogs already out there ... and Tigers ... and Mets ... and Yankees ... and Cards ... and Orioles too, just to name a few ... Ashu, our young barbering buddy from India loves Cricket and is a Manchester United fan too ... so have no fear, you can always talk sports here! Our vision is to feature a flow of diverse topics such as world affairs, politics, religion, tall tales, current events, true stories pertaining to actual life events and sports, including the Braves ... some topics that aren't presently being discussed on most of the other sites, and those which may not be warmly welcomed on many others ... topics such as those you might find if you walked into an old barbershop on a busy Saturday morning ... just a friendly and lighthearted atmosphere, with everyone being treated equal ... simply a place where folks feel welcome and comfortable discussing whatever might be on their minds ... a place that ultimately stands on no other foundation than that of the strength of it's characters and quality of it's content ... To this end we've added some "Special Features" and as with the Braves, more changes are yet to come and the future looks mighty bright indeed!

We've been truly blessed to add first Matthew then Miss Carol and now Ashu too ... to help with the barbering chores ... from three characters to six! There's always room for one or 100 more ... whether it be occasionally or all the time! You got a story to write, a memory to share ... or something important to say where comments won't do it justice, we'll find a barber's chair ... put your name on it, and figure out a way to git her did! It don't really have to be important ... What is important is that we share ... thoughts, ideas, memories, stories, and yes, recipes too ... if we don't, chances are, one day they'll be lost forever! Plato and them boys knew that. If we can bring a smile or two, maybe sometimes a tear ... cause somebody to pause and ponder ... and in the process make a new friend ... beats making money, now don't it?! Well, that's a bit about us ... folks that have read what I've writ know that Daddy said "you can't tell much about a man by listening to his well rehearsed and memorized spiel" ... he said that a long time ago but it's still true ... maybe more than ever before! For the few who have read this far ... you're either a glutton for punishment, a relative, or a throwback as rare and treasured as any antique, regardless of your age! The fad these days seems for everybody to network and add as many FRIENDS as possible ... we too want to add as many friends as possible ... we have no ads for you to see or click ... we're looking to make friends, real friends ... we hope you'll visit often and will take the time to leave a comment or two, if only to say hi, each and every time you do! Your comments are important to us barbers ... how else can we know if you want a Flattop, Mohawk or Mullet ... your nails polished or buffed? And besides, they make our day! While time changes most everything, our Proprietor's original greeting was truly

inspired ... and it's one thing that won't ... "Welcome to "TheOldBarbershop" ... characters with character preferred, ladies too ... please take a seat and wait your turn ... leaf through a magazine or shoot the breeze with a friend ... when it's your turn in the barber's chair, be ready to share an interesting story, a tall tale or whatever is on your mind ... tips encouraged and appreciated ... no topic off-limits ... if you can't behave, use profanity, pick fights or spit on the floor you will politely be shown the door" ... "Let no unfair or unjust person enter." That means we welcome all beliefs and points of view ... just keep it fair and keep it just ... that's a must! No free haircuts except on special occasions but the candy's always on the house! No matter the grandiloquence, regardless the form ... this is what "TheOldBarbershop" is to us ... this is where our passions lie ... it's of little significance whether we have a multitude of visitors each day ... or just a few ... as one good friend said, "to thine own self be true, to hell with the naysayers!"

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I knowed it, I knowed it ... Mark McGuire CHEATED ... good training for a hitting coach!!! Coach, what do you suggest I do? Well son, this is what worked for me!!

TheSouthernJackAss' Stall!	Issues Facing Sports	Thoughts From Centerfield	Barbers International	Miss Carol's Salon ...
Links To The Old Barbershop's Special Features
Humor, Satire, Tall Tales ... all with a kick ... from the one and only ...	Tiger Woods	Braves Making Noise, Covering MLB Rumor Mill	Our Man In India	Ask Miss Know It All Incident At Niihau
Barbershop's Cookbook	Barbershop Poles	Magic Moments	Gone - Not Forgotten	Non-Political Politics
... Favorite Family Recipes ... Grandma's Teacakes		Priceless!	Alex Lees

Thursday, August 7, 2008

So Long Dear Friend ...

I felt I should write something in honor of the late Harry Christopher "Skip" Caray Jr., born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 12, 1939 ... father of TBS broadcaster Chip Caray ... son of the legendary Chicago Cub and former St. Louis Cardinal broadcaster Harry Caray (1914-1998) ... but I found myself at a loss for words, and as I began searching the web I quickly realized that countless tributes have already been written chronicling the many fond memories of those unforgettable times we all watched or listened to Skip ply his trade over the airwaves either by TV or radio ... his wit and humour was incomparable, his honesty often f

rank and to the point, but listening to Skip work a ballgame made you feel like you were attending the game seated right there next to a good friend or family member ... I never met Skip personally, as I'm sure is the case with most other folks, but he was one of those guys that you just felt you knew ... during those years when TBS aired nearly all of the Braves games (along with Turner South), Skip was there on the TV most every night, you just took it for granted that he would always be there ... last Sunday, Skip's heart beat for the last time, and his spirit and so

ul passed on, and along with that passing went a huge part of the heart and soul of the Braves ... it just won't be the same without him ... During the last few years, the Braves as we know them have been slipping away ... no more Ted Turner sitting on the front row cheering for his team beside wife Jane, along with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter ... no more consecutive division championships ... no more Braves games televised nightly on TBS ... no more players walking with that swagger ... no more Don and Skip jousting comically in the broadcast booth ... and many others too numerous to mention ... the Braves just don't seem like the Braves anymore ... the faces have certainly changed over the years, but that's not really it ... there's just something missing ... that fact was shockingly underscored this week when the Braves lost their voice of nearly 33 years with the passing of Skip ...

Many eloquent and heartfelt lines have been written about the life and death of Skip Caray ... my perspective is like that of most other folks, from the outside

looking in, so there is no way I could have written anything that truly did justice to this wonderful human being ... but I must say that Skip was indeed a character with character ... simply put, an extraordinary ordinary guy ... a genuinely kind and decent man ... he will be sadly missed, but never forgotten ... and although weak and broken at times as of late, the voice of the Braves is now forever silenced ... so long dear friend ... Skip Caray (1939-2008) ...

I hope all visitors and patrons of TheOldBarbershop will feel free to take a few moments and share some of their best memories of Skip here on the blog ... --sja

55 comments:

BOB said...: Goodness, that is extremely well said ... poignant is the operative word, methinks!

We're on the outside looking in ... and that will always be ... but broadcasters, and those who provide written reports concerning the teams and the games, are our conduits ... providing information and insights to which we would not otherwise be privileged ... and it is through them that we "see" ... even when the games are on the TV.

For me, that was Ernie Harwell, Jim Woods, Hank Morgan, Furman Bisher, Jesse Outlar, ... and then Ernie Johnson and Skip Caray ... yes, there were, and are others but these were friends if not "family" ... or at least I thought of them as such.

I would hope that others would share their memories of Skip and/or their own personal Baseball Conduits!

A little esoteric drumroll please ... stob removal will be effected today!

As an aside ... while perhaps not a popular subject for discussion, I would hope that the Old Barbershop's patrons would permit my posit that drug trafficking should be made a mandatory capital offense before destroying our fabric becomes a fait accompli.

26 consecutive one run road losses ... goodness, were I the owner of a team that had a manager whose reaction to the team's so doing was ... "that's baseball" ... the operative phrase would be "had a manager!"; August 7, 2008 12:05 PM
Rosalynn said...: Jackass honah, Ah think that is a puhfectly good post and Ah appreciate yoah mentionin' Jimma and me.

Let me tell ya a little Skip Carah storah. One dah Jimma dropped a flah ball that was fouled inta the stands at the old stadium. That ball bounced aroun' and aroun' and ended up in the hands of a little guhl from Jessup - at least that's wheah Skip said she was from.

Well, the Secret Suhvice boahs wrestled that precious little guhl to the ground and took that ball awah from huh and gave that ball back to Jimma. Well, Jimma looked at that teahful little guhl and looked at the ball in his hand and he broke out into a big, tootha grin and looked back ovah to that little guhl and crahed out, "Suckah!"

Jimma put that ball in his pocket and that's when Skip Carah said, as onlah Skip Carah could sah, "Onlah baseballs ah droppin' round this President, suhtainla not interest rates."

Jimma had Skip Carah blacklisted foah a time aftah that but soon Jimma was out of office and Ronna Reagan became Commanduh in Chief and Ronna Reagan looked up that little guhl and sent huh some jella beans. That Ronna Reagan was such a show off and he lasted two tuhms!; August 7, 2008 7:51 PM
BOB said...: Hee Hee ... Now Miss Rosa Lynn, that's a funny ... I'll bet he was embarrassed ... the President did set some precedents during his term in high office ... Carol remembers answering the phone one day while visiting a friend in Columbus during that term ... "Hello, this is Jimma" ... "just a second, Mr. President" ...

The upcoming election presents a political correctness quandary for those exercising their franchise, methinks ... voting against Obama suggests possible prejudice or prejudging based on color or religious considerations ... voting for Obama requires prejudging based on the fact that we know so little about him.

I favor neither candidate ... look more like my Daddy's Daddy than either of them ... but, when such is the case and one party controls both houses, the only prudent thing is to vote for the one whose party is not in control ... checks and balances ... oddly when the executive and both houses are controlled by the same party, everything gets out of control and the only checks are bad ones that bounce.; August 8, 2008 12:08 AM
BayAreaSteve said...: I miss Mr. Jack Ass.

I miss Mr. Smith.

I miss Mr. Journalist.

That is all.; August 8, 2008 12:37 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Nice tribute SJA... I had wondered where everyone was off to. I am busy blogging away in the backroom when I discover the shop was closed and everyone had left for the day. Were it not for the candy jar near Bob's chair I would have likely starved to death...

At least someone turned the thermostat down before they left, I would have hated to turn out like those monkeys in Las Vegas.; August 8, 2008 7:46 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: And on Obama.... Bob, tis not his race that makes me uncomfortable but an agenda and a voting record that is left of Ted Kennedy that gives me pause. I may be a Union guy but I am not a stupid guy....

One of my favorite quotes to management was no union every formed at a company that didn't deserve one... Ah... but a discussion I shall save until the off season...

And a student kicked off the boat and put ashore in Greece for plagiarism... My, holding someone to an academic standard? Must not play football....; August 8, 2008 9:10 AM
Cato said...: In 2000, McCain was my man.

I was appalled when W's people questioned his military record, accused him of fathering an illegitimate black child, and claimed that his wife opposed breast cancer research, thereby scuttling his candidacy because people actually believed that crap.

Four years later, I was even more appalled watching McCain enthusiastically stumping with W and engaging in hugging and kissing fests. So much for integrity!

When McCain proudly boasted that he voted with W 90% of the time, I take him at his word.

My only complaint about Obama is that he didn't take off the velvet gloves when McCain essentially called him a traitor to his country. ("He would rather lose a war than not be elected.")

I know Obama wants to be high-minded, but when McCain hires in a bunch of Karl Rove's thugs, all bets should be off.

At age 73, I know that the future does not belong to me. It belongs to my children, grandchildren, and now recently, a great-grandchild. I just hope to Pete they all vote.; August 8, 2008 9:55 AM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: AT 73 CaTo maY bE tHe kiD oN thiS blOG - aLoNG witH mE. MeThinkS eVeRbuDy elSE iS rEAl olD lIke jimmy smith buT doN't tEll hiM i sAid so.; August 8, 2008 10:56 AM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: I cHanGed avAtARs.; August 8, 2008 10:59 AM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: wHoA!; August 8, 2008 11:14 AM
BOB said...: Chopper, that is an avatar of which to be proud ... I don't know about seals ... but Fred the lizard, just became a father at 110! Viagra, methinks ...

It wasn't my intent to move from remembering Skip and the memories with which he is associated
to thinking of our political candidates when responding to Miss Rosa Lynn's delightful comments ... things just happened that way ... mindtriggers can be powerful creatures.

With all that has transpired this season, methinks we could use a good, solid dose of such moments and memories ... and redundantly proclaim my desire to hear some!

However, my expressed attitude on the importance of proper checks and balances and strong opposition to single party control of both Houses by the party of the Executive is more than idle rhetoric ... especially when such control is substantial and the leadership is passionate and private agenda driven.

Gil, methinks Obama's "race" is an issue only in that it is much abused as an issue ... for many, myself included, political correctness associates "African American" with those whose ancestors were taken from Africa, enslaved and brought to this country.

Certainly; that, he is not ... but, for reasons of private agenda(s) methinks, the illusion has been allowed to persist ... at least it so seems.

I see no dishonor in being that which we are as a matter of birth, birthright or upbringing ... nor is it dishonorable to champion the cause of those with whom one has sympathy or empathy, for whatever the reason ... but, allowing misconceptions to persist for the purposes of expedience speaks to one's character ... perhaps as much as active deception effected for the same purpose. It may well not be the case, but it does so seem.

Pragmatically, it's not going to go away ... certainly not until the franchised are limited to the "elders of the community" as methinks it should ... nor will it change while elections are resolved through media controlled popularity contests.

Mindtrigger ... it's like a team whose singular objective is to win ... and why we are confronted with all the problems with which we are ... the notion that the end justifies the means ... leads to cheating, corruption, BALCO, and 9/11.

The same is true of one's "religion" ... that in which one believes defines one, methinks. I personally believe that we are not in control of that in which we truly believe ... it is what it is, regardless of what in which we would like to believe.

However, it is essential that we have "the skinny" on those for whom we vote, especially when it comes to their beliefs. One should not be condemned for one's beliefs ... but how one is regarded is naturally predicated on the perception of how one believes since how one performs will be predicated on those beliefs in conjunction with one's agenda, which in turn is tied to belief.

Perfection in that regard is never realized but it should be our objective. One thing's for sure ... well, almost ... those who modify their visible associations, attitudes and/or behavior when revelation meets with public disapproval aren't to be trusted, at least not with significant responsibility.

The better the politician, the longer the "con", methinks ... but, track records are certainly better measures than fancy, impassioned political rhetoric.

I know that it's unpopular to so say, but methinks it's unwise to induct rookies into the Hall during the off-season, based on perceived potential and a good start ... and it's certainly not wise to then extend lucrative, long term contracts or elect them Commissioner ... not quite yet ... just my singular opine.

Gosh, they might surprise us and be something other than what they appear ...

An agenda and a voting record that is left of Ted Kennedy ... hard to imagine ... Gil, I know little of him ... less of his record ... and oppose him for that and the reasons given ... let him show me over time what he is ... or at least see if he can stand the test of time before giving him the keys to the store and access to such awesome power.

If he does indeed have such an agenda and voting record ... then methinks what should be giving you pause is that he could be given the opportunity to represent either of the two major parties ... it does me!

I do look forward to a discussion of the notion that unions are formed only at companies deserving them ... in the off-season, of course ... though, were ownership to require that management only hire intelligent workers, the economy would collapse as a result of the welfare burden.

Regarding that young Greek, ... with all the worthwhile thoughts having been thunk, plagiarism in some sense is probably unavoidable for credit should be given to mindtriggers ... but, absolute rejection and lifetime expulsion for intentional cheating ... first offense ... should be the ticket in every venue, starting at age 12. We must return honor, self respect and integrity to our societies ... at all costs.

Cato, thanks again to you and others for the input regarding my ill fated project ... should be back to 100% of normal for me by the first of the week ... translation: roughly 25% of what others consider as normal activity levels ... recovering from a minor procedure at the moment but feeling pretty well.

With luck ... and help from the Boss, the project will enjoy an Off-Broadway sneak performance sometime next week.

I never considered McCain a hero ... always thought of him more as a survivor ... always wanted to like him, still do ... but, for whatever the reason, have never found him totally believable.

He seemed to be an "if it will get me elected, I'll adopt it as a position" ... like I said, a survivor" ... though it's simply my perception and may be a minority one at that, as are they usually.

I could never support or condone "dirty tricks" but neither can I imagine a serious candidacy being scuttled by refutable accusations unless the candidate is weak.

Ronnie often expressed the notion that your programs won't get effected if you don't get elected ... which at least directionally supports my "buyer beware" posture; especially if Grandmother's clothes don't fit or she has big teeth.

Probably both candidates find themselves influenced, if not controlled, by such considerations.

If a man believes that what he's doing is in the Country's best interest, ... I may oppose him but I can't fault him.

My admittedly redundant, overriding concern is that we may elect an unknown quantity in an environment where both the Legislative and Executive are controlled by the same party.

Electing McCain buys us time to more closely examine Obama while not on stage as a fully active candidate ... with the assurances that both the President and the Congress will hold each other in check.

Congratulations Great Granddaddy ... I too hope to Pete they all vote ... assuming they're old enough. I'm not too worried about your clan ... Gil's got you outnumbered, methinks!; August 8, 2008 4:13 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: oh, the humanity! that was a long post by journalist bob . . . or was that journalist-guy? can say that? anyway, journalist bob is reminding all bloggers of the importance of voting. jimmy smith votes at every opportunity and as many times as possible.

and little mention has been made of the super huntin' website that hillbilly shared with the bloggers here. that was a good huntin' website, hillbilly.

and speakin' of hunters . . . chipper comes off the d.l. tonight and is awaiting a new injury. but mike hampton has healed and has won a ballgame. does mike hampton hunt?

and was that a quiver chipper was using? and doesn't quiver sound like an injury? instead of tweaking something could feel a quiver.

and what if chipper suffers a quiver while running the bases? shut 'er down? have to put chipper down?

and in what area will the quiver be felt? known weaknesses are thumbs, hammocks, quads, groins, hammys, oblique, feet, and TOES.

and there is too little toe talk here.; August 8, 2008 7:53 PM
BOB said...: MR PIGS

MR NOT PIGS

OSAR

We miss you too Mr. Steve ... but that is not all ... we also miss winning games decided by one run while playing on the road!

Jimmy, I would talk of toes but my mouth already hurts and what with my tendency to suffer from bouts of hoof in mouth, it's just not a good idea at the moment.

I somehow missed Hillbilly's post methinks ... will make a point to so do as soon as my mouth quits hurting ... and I was feeling so much better too!

Don't go getting the idea that I was supporting McCain ... or opposing Obama ... well, it's okay with me if you get either or both ideas ... but I know neither well enough to really take a position.

I just know that were it not for the addition of fluoride to the water supply, allowing children to choose between candy and vegetables would be a far greater disaster than it is ...

Of course, allowing them to decide what's taught in the schools ... whether or not to take drugs ... have sex before marriage ... I guess it's okay to allow them to help decide the fate of the world too, long before they have a clue.

Those who lead our country should be concerned with what is best rather than what is popular ... don't you think?

Well, if you do ... think, that is ... you're in the minority ... it may not make any sense but thinking is not one of the six senses ... and there's little evidence that thought is high among the priorities of the masses.

The constitutional, democratic republic established by our thirteenfathers ... where do people get the notion that there were only four? ... was a wonderful invention ... why even Polonius approved ... and then somebody realized that the "havenots" outnumbered the "haves" ...

Methinks history will show that the decision to eliminate the middle man and turn the country into a popular vote democracy is what led to our downfall ... forget the fancy rhetoric and the impassioned speeches of those who would be king ... there is no such thing as entitlement.

The election of the Chief Executive is far more important than we currently so consider ... too important for the process to be media driven and controlled.

I know that it's radical and politically incorrect to so suggest but why not select folks at the local level, folks with whom we're well acquainted ... personally or by long established reputation, who are disposed to devote the necessary time and energy to serve our best interests ... and let them get together with their counterparts from each of the other states and select those who will represent our respective parties as candidates in the general elections ... it might work ... I know little about those who would be king ... other than what they want me to know and it's unfair to force the heavy burden of making uninformed decisions on on important issues directly upon us, regardless of how important it makes us feel ... don't you think?

It's all beyond my level of comprehension ... but I consider the intelligence and balance of anyone wanting the job of running this country is suspect ... all that do become old in a hurry ... better to make Andruw's money while striking out and falling on your face, methinks.

Say good night, Gracie ... you too, John boy!; August 8, 2008 11:48 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Bob.. To quote Thomas Jefferson, "Democracy is too precious to trust to the masses"..

To me, accountability is the key...; August 9, 2008 12:03 AM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: I kneW a seAl naMeD PeLosi bacK in CaNaDa.; August 9, 2008 11:45 AM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: I hAd jimmy smith tAke mY picTure.; August 9, 2008 11:51 AM
BOB said...: "To me, accountability is the key..."

I'll drink to that!!; August 9, 2008 12:30 PM
BOB said...: Remember my being told "your a beacon of wisdom and integrity, my man."?

I took it as a sincere compliment at the time ... as I now do this ... "your a genious!"

Goodness, methinks we need a list.; August 9, 2008 3:36 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: baby seal has a partially torn flexor tendon and must go on the columnist d.l.

this partially torn flexor tendon could affect baby seal's ability to type and capitalize at the right times.

baby seal reports cold-flipper and loss of velocity.

more later from jimmy smith as jimmy smith will have to be primary journalist during baby seal's recuperation.

baby seal will miss a few starts.

and did somebody lose track of the outs during the game? uh, there was one, not uh, two. that's one hoof on the ground, not two.

and to journalist bob: your very lucky to have such nice compliments coming you're way. a genious if better than a genius because more letters.

and jimmy smith was once called, "your and idiot" over there, and that was by the beet writer! and now that the ajc has no more journalists working there we will see more of the hip hop coverage that has kept the paper afloat in fish tanks everywhere.

and jimmy smith has finally adopted a street name, "seal daddy". seams to fit and your welcome to disagree.

and now, baseball . . . mccann is the franchise.

and gil, word has come to jimmy smith about gil's granddaughter. journalist sends very best wishes for a speedy recovery.

and somebody is reading here and not posting here and that needs to change! a post is most welcome (though the e-mails are also appreciated) and jimmy smith encourages the mystery reader to become a regular here on the irregular haircut and baseball blog.

and why is this blog deemed irregular? bob, right? not enough roughage? no, not at all. it is a combination of bob, and sja, and jimmy smith, and the newly injured baby seal - all blog misfits on regular baseball blogs where speling is not inportent.

lumping baby seal in with bob and sja and jimmy smith may not be entirely fair to baby seal but baby seal was once a beet writer and that remains a stigma of sorts in polite company.

and is this a polite blog? sja, right? still, pretty polite.

and why is this post so long? in tribute. yes, tribute. remember that post referenced above? oh, the humanity!

can't go home again.
who said that? randy wolf? thomas wolfe? american league?

and where else but hear can bloggers find information on pomade and relaxers? and the biggest relaxer in this shop is journalist bob. sometimes naps in the chair.

only two ears lost last week. jimmy smith is getting better with the clippers. haircuts still not very good, but more customers keeping the ears they came in with.

longest post ever for jimmy smith. have to go now.; August 10, 2008 10:51 AM
BOB said...: Calling all cars ...

Now I think I know why those boots attracted so much attention ... but, it's impolite to complain when the Boss was kind enough to let me use them ... not smart neither!

Jimmy Smith likes to be mysterious and keep up guessing ... but with poor Chopper on the DL, he could at least let us know which is it is ... "flex" or "tendon".

Not to worry, he'll be fine methinks ... young pups do tend to flex their muscles in order to impress the chicks ... it's when you 'tend on flexing and can't that you have to worry.

McCann ... "It was a good pitch, I just kind of one-handed it and got the barrel on it" ... what's wrong with that picture?

Good pitches that are "kinda one-handed" out of the park ... I know that chicks dig the long ball and young pups take chicks to the games ... pay $5 for a coke, $10 for a dog and $100 for souvenirs ... and then cheer for the long ball, even those that get caught ... MLB digs that too ... but, it ain't baseball ... at least not like like me and Abner envisioned it.

Chemistry and misdirection ... are we seeing a change in this team's attitude? ... I was agin the Mark Teixeira trade ... the one what brought him to the Braves.

Methinks Gil and I agree that accountability is the key ... in politics, in business, in sport, ... in life.

Polonius thought so too ... remember him saying "to thine own self be accountable"? ... good advice it was too, back before folks started replacing their mirrors with self portraits.

Braves' management certainly understands and agrees too methinks ... have you noticed how skilled they truly are? To a man, they deserve the highest of awards ... at least an AJC T-Shirt ... for their accountability avoidance adroitness and accumen.

Chopper's got nothing on us ... it's we what should be on the DL ... we're flexorble and our tendoncy is to accept their wisdom and move on with giving a second thought to why things are what they are ... nobody's to blame ... "that's baseball" ... no, that's conglomerate business.

Yes, management is accountable to ownership ... which in our case is the parent company. The problem with depending upon their stewardship is that the objectives of such ownership may well be realized, independent of the performance of the management of its individual subsidiaries ... indeed, mismanagement from our perspective might well serve their purposes.

It's either simple or complex ... methinks it's both.

Sir James ... is the righter of beets who commented "your and idiot" to you ... the same one who wrote "your a beacon ... " to me?

I did take the "genious" comment as a compliment as the youngster was sincere, methinks ... it probably was a disservice not to address the vulgarity, but Miss Pandora wisely otherwise counseled.

I haven't been listening to the game ... but the score in the second doesn't indicate that Mike will last too long ... or that we will win ... when's the last time we came back from more than three down?

Go Braves!; August 10, 2008 4:59 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Tough game to watch with Francoeur continuing to fail... Even after becoming clean shavin', still the same results...; August 10, 2008 6:01 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Yes, SJA... Location is everything. Personally, I find it worth the trouble to get here but I am sure others lose their way and give up...

Pretty ugly day for the Braves, Francoeur seems such a nice kid, too bad he is becoming Brad Kominsk.; August 10, 2008 7:59 PM
BOB said...: Jeff Francoeur should never ever be allowed to bat with the bases loaded ... never!! It's downright sinful to place such a heavy burden on such a nice, clean shaven young man ... not to say what it does to the morale of the rest of the team ... methinks the other team hopes the Braves'll load 'em up when they see he's on deck ...

And to think how quickly he corrected his problems and earned his way back on the team and in the lineup ... goodness but is he a quick study ... or what?!

Unbelievable!!

I never commented on it but I was really impressed a while back when somebody ... probably Joe or Chip ... said that Jeff's problem was that he had never before experienced a slump and didn't know what to do ... unbelievable!!

We shouldn't blame Jeff, Andruw ... or any of the rest whose favorite song is "I gotta be me!" or "My Way" ... no, no ... it's management what should be blamed for the failure of potential to be realized ... or rather, the lack thereof, what's the blame!

The singing of such songs should be reserved for the few, the very few who can walk the walk. How well "I gotta be me" is accepted depends a lot on what "me" is ... but those who are allowed to persist in following that road will find it a self-fulfilling prophesy ... that is, they will remain what they are and never become what they might.

It's a shame ... there are so very, very many ... cheering them on doesn't get the job done ... doing the right things is far more important than anything else, including doing things right.

Practice makes perfect and if you practice the wrong things ... the perfection you achieve is a crop best left unharvested ... "gotta be me" ... go to it kid ... Bobby and Terry will cheer you on, every step of the way!!

epiphany ... the Boss is kidding, right ... I remember old Joe Epiphany well ... played shortstop in the Mexican League back in the fifties ... a can't miss MLB prospect ... until he had a sudden realization that he couldn't play baseball.

The fragrance of impatience is nice if that's your flour of choice though most doctors prefer patience ... as it is built, they will indeed come ...

Well, I lost my grasshopper ... actually it was a "praying" mantis ... liked our wrought iron furniture, he did ... Carol called him ET, I called him Stick ... we had a lot of good conversations over the last week ... he was a very good listener.; August 10, 2008 8:58 PM
BOB said...: It is danged hard to find this place ... especially if you have a bad memory or can't spell barbershop ... some folks probably have trouble with the spaces too ... goodness.

Listening to folks ... the Internet is responsible for at least one new expression ... I find myself laughing when folks give a web address like ours ... www.theoldbarbershop.com ... with the cautionary "all one word" ... no wonder learning English is so difficult ... goodness!!

Mama always said that talk was cheap but if you really want to do something you'll find a way to get it done ... not doing something bespeaks not really so wanting.

Remember, bullies don't like to fight ... they like to bully ... next time you're in Madrid, be sure to visit Las Ventas and see what I mean.

Those wanting to wear the leotard will ... while others will go on the DL, suffering from flu like symptoms ... strange how it works ... better for one's actions to result from external influences than to chance being held accountable.

I'm told that some operating systems even allow you to have your login/password information stored on your computer so as to facilitate quick and easy access, especially for sites you frequently visit ... what will they think of next?

I don't know about the rest of you but I've invited 15 maybe 18 folks to visit ... the last time I checked, that was less than 10% of the world's bloggers ...

Time to invite some more folks, folks ... I'm going to so do and hope you will too ... get ready ... with Master Seal on the DL, we'll need all the help we can get cutting hair and keeping folks straight ...

... and the Boss may well get his wish ... "I miss having all those jackals sniffing around the blog ... I miss the hunt ... the kill ... " ... but, we'll have the ability to identify the jackals and send them packin' ... still trying to decide where to send them.

Early Chemo tomorrow ...; August 10, 2008 11:53 PM
BOB said...: O to be torn 'twixt love and duty!

S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty!

Look at that big hand move along, Nearin' high noon.

I'm not afraid of death, but O, What will I do if you leave me?

Do not forsake me O my darlin':
Although you're grievin', I can't be leavin', Until I shoot Frank Miller dead.

Wait along, wait along
Wait along Wait along

And so they did ...; August 11, 2008 7:30 AM
journalist jimmy smith said...: lyrics! that is what has been missing! here are some favorite lyrics of somebody all bloggers know:

Uh,
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
Heigh ho, the dairy-o, a hunting we will go!
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
We'll catch a fox and put him in a box,
And then we'll let him go!

Uh,
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
Heigh ho, the dairy-o, a hunting we will go!
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
We'll catch a fish and put him on a dish,
And then we'll let him go!

Uh,
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
Heigh ho, the dairy-o, a hunting we will go!
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
We'll catch a bear and cut his hair,
And then we'll let him go!

Uh,
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
Heigh ho, the dairy-o, a hunting we will go!
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
We'll catch a pig and dance a little jig,
And on the D.L. we'll go!

Uh,
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
Heigh ho, the dairy-o, a hunting we will go!
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go,
We'll catch a giraffe and make him laugh,
And then we'll let him go!; August 11, 2008 9:44 AM
journalist jimmy smith said...: yes, this blog is starting to feel smarmy. should have lots of bloggers soon.

and sja is back!

and bobby cox saw nothing wrong with hampton's pitching in hampton's last appearance. hmmm ...

and the first road series win of the season! congratulations to these atlanta braves!

and francoeur . . . why not pinch hit with somebody like carlyle or bennett rather than let francoeur bat with the bases loaded? andruw revisited.

and thorman . . . miss seeing thorman come up in those situations. "now batting for francoeur . . . thorman!" oh, the humanity! it can be an ugly game.

and whither? nothing else. just whither?; August 11, 2008 9:50 AM
journalist jimmy smith said...: and to all that have called about baby seal . . . baby seal is feeling much better but will remain on the d.l. for a few more days. all velocity has been lost. experiencing cool flippers. grouchy. cards and letters are welcome.; August 11, 2008 9:52 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Remarkably, Scot Thorman has improved in his hitting this year. He has ditched the long looping uppercut swing that provided up with the "whooshing" sound as his bat flailed through the strike zone without making contact with the ball.

He has cut down on that swing and now hits normal homeruns rather than the 500 foot verity. Still counts the same though, hey, he is Canadian so these things needed to be explained to him, eh?

Anyway, he is now playing on the Canadian National baseball team for the Olympics...; August 11, 2008 10:06 AM
BOB said...: Bein' a Braves' fan, I wouldn' know nothin' 'bout no Cards ... but here are some letters for Master Seal ... A, B, C, T, X ... speedy recovery kid!

Working late tonight ... not used to blogging so much ... I'm bushed ... time for a nap.; August 11, 2008 5:39 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: "I'm bushed ..." Isn't that what Francouer said upon learning he was headed to Mississippi?; August 11, 2008 5:54 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: more great lyrics!

Uh,
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
To see what he could see

Uh,
To see what he could see,
To see what he could see

Uh,
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
Was all that he could see

Uh,
Was all that he could see,
Was all that he could see,
The other side of the mountain,
Was all that he could see!

this should attract some bloggers pretty quick! especially hunters.; August 11, 2008 10:22 PM
Hillbilly said...: After further review of the Buck Commander Video, I might make a suggestion that JJS add "dude", "awesome", "bro", and "incredible" to future Chipper/LaRoche mock dialogues to go along with "Uh."

Nice lyrics by the way.; August 12, 2008 10:07 AM
Willy Shoeshines said...: Eric the Elder has great grandchildren?!?!?!? Damn, dude is old.; August 12, 2008 4:34 PM
Rosalynn said...: lyrahcs? once Jimma sang a beautiful ballad (Jimma is quite the balladeah) that had me a swoonin' when Ah was just a guhl back in Amehicus. Ah remembah Jimma grinnin' a big ol' tootha grin and then stahtin' to croon a tendah ballad about a guhl named Rosa . . . Ah do not think Ah have evah crahed so hahd, Ah was so touched by this croonin' fool croonin' foah me. And the lyrahcs? Those lyrahcs weah beautiful and raght from Jimma's heaht. Ah admit it made me feel tendah . . . mahbah a little too tendah. That naght Jimma got a little friska and trahed to get to second base but Ah was prepahed for that as Ah was weahin' an undahshirt. When Ah hollahed out, "stop that Jimma", Jimma stahted croonin' and acted lahk nothin' had happened. Ah blame it on peppah sauce. Jimma had been eatin' greens eahliuh and was makin' libahul use of peppah sauce. It makes Jimma randah.

And tonaght's game has been rained out. That is a shame because Ah was plannin' to studah Jeff Francooah's swing and see if Ah mahgth help that boah with his problems. Ah think his swing is messed up and Ah am prettah suah Ah can help if he will onlah listen. Ah think Jeff is swingin' too hahd at pitches he cannot hit. Ah am gonna get Jimma to watch Jeff and see if Jimma agrees.; August 12, 2008 8:09 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Jeff's problem is he is standing too close to the ball after he swings....; August 12, 2008 10:29 PM
BOB said...: "Ah think his swing is messed up and Ah am prettah suah Ah can help if he will onlah listen " ... "Ah think Jeff is swingin' too hahd at pitches he cannot hit"

Miss Rosa Lynn, that's pretty powerfull stuff ... but you you could have said the same 'bout 'Druw and others too ...

TP said it too ... more than once ... "if only we could get on the same page ..." or something directionally close to that.

Things might have been different had Bobby told them all ... "this here's a business ... either you and Terry get on the same page or you won't play ... not in Atlanta"

I can't help but impressed with how quickly Jeff righted his ship ... just a few days down in Missisip ... that's all it took ... the kid's a natural ... another Andruw Jones!

He impressed the Braves too ... brought him back, they did ... he didn't miss a beat ... the last time I checked, the Vegas line on Jeff striking out or hitting into a double play with the bases loaded was about the same as that of the Braves losing a game decided by one run on the road.

No question about it ... his swing is messed up ... he could be helped if he would but listen with his third ear ... and he is swinging too hard.

Swinging too hard slows down the bat ... and undermines control ... maybe he read where I said the key to his success was above his neck ... he seems to swing at a lot of such pitches.

Gil said that Jeff's problem is that he's standing too close to the ball after he swings ... no question about it but the greater problem is ego related ... he was back in Atlanta after but an unbelievably brief respite as if all was well ... positive reinforcement for his approach and attitude, methinks.

Cato may have great grandchildren ... I'm sure that he does! Anything else would be a great surprise ... most grandchildren are, methinks.; August 13, 2008 2:44 AM
Rosalynn said...: Ah spoke with Bobba Cox this mahnin' and Bobba is gonna hold Jeff Francooah out of the lineup and let me wuhk with him on pitch recognition and plate disaplun. Ah realla think Ah can help that boah. One thing we ah gonna do is put that boah on a diet and stop thinkin' about hittin' homeruns. Jimma said "uh oh" when he huhd that Francooah had gained weight so he could hit moah homeruns. Jimma was raght about that being the wrong thing foah that little mind to be thinkin' of when facin' a majuh league pitcha. Ah think Ama could strike out Francooah raght now and Ama's heatah is onlah about 72 miles puh houah. Ama throws a mean breakin' ball, though. Jeff can't hit eitha one. Ah trah to keep abreast of all that is goin' on with this team. A little buhd told me that Chippa Jones is suffahin' from somethin' that has eitha been tweaked or strained or is quiverin' but that he is expected to plah anawah. Ah do hope that boah plahs because Ah pah foah mah tickets and Ah want to see the best playahs on the field.; August 13, 2008 10:51 AM
journalist jimmy smith said...: it is now 4-0 cubs in the 1st inning and only 1 out. jimmy smith has just turned on the game . . . what has happened?

and now, serious baseball discussion from award winning journalist jimmy smith . . .

if the manaager does not participate in doing all that the manager can to extract a victory is that manager really a players' manager? jimmy smith would want a manager that would help the team rally and help the team win by making the tough decisions that grant the team a better chance to win.

journalist is reminded of last season and how many times andruw was put in position to make a difference - and never did. and jimmy smith is reminded that bobby accepted the same results time and again as bobby continued to send andruw to the plate in such situations. a good seal on the bench could have made a difference, but alas, no seal.

now, bobby has continued to allow francoeur to bat with the bases loaded and the result is always the same. doesn't this take the heart from the players who want to win and expend effort on the field only to see the manager expend no effort to get the runs across the plate and to win the game? is that really just baseball or is it stupidity or maybe negligence?

this team has no heart and has no leadership. with leadership heart can be restored. the old team with the storied successes no longer exists. in fact, the "organization" that is was well respected is no longer intact. this organization has no winning tradition (3 years is a habit). will bobby cox ever say, "kid, terry has been trying to get you ready for this situation but you haven't responded . . . and you're not ready. i'm going to the bench to give us a chance to score some runs and win the game . . . have a seat now and think about the next time we need some r.b.i.'s - will you be ready?

and now, corky miller. what has become of corky miller? can cork be recycled?

oh, the humanity! this will never happen.; August 13, 2008 7:42 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: breaking news!

Cox puts papers on market

well, it's about time . . . hard to find a paperboy anymore. cox needs to put some papers on the market with this big decline in circulation and all the journalists leaving. maybe if cox can sell some papers cox can hire the journalists back. jimmy smith thinks some paper boxes in front of hip hop stores will help sell some papers. lots of hip hop coverage in the ajc. and jimmy smith reveals for the first time that jimmy smith no longer subscribes or advertises in the ajc. waste of money. yes, cox needs to sell some papers alright. should be much easier tomake money with no journalists left - reduces overhead.; August 13, 2008 8:11 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: breaking news!

rosalynn predicted a chipper illness hours before illness was announced. STOMACH VIRUS - and quivers.

thankfully, the toes have not been an issue this season. could be the four socks or the special shoes with little toe compartments (not sure how many compartments - could be only a rumor). this journalist is reminded of the early days of blogging when a short beet writer that is not a seal once stated in that short beet writer's blog that chipper does not have web toes. jimmy smith took some satisfaction in that post by the short beet writer who writes for another blog. apparently journalistic research was done to allow the definitive statement that chipper does not have web toes. that, or the beet writer is a fraud and did not do reasearch, merely repeated club p.r. department lore about normal toes.

toes are not to be trifled with. or quivers.; August 13, 2008 8:27 PM
BOB said...: I'm just passing through on my way to visit Ole Creepy ... and I know we lost that first game ... but, as Mr. Cub was known to say ... Let's play two!!

I took the time, don't ask me why, to revisit this current post ... and the comments too.

I wound up where I started ... "Goodness, that is extremely well said ... poignant is the operative word!"

The effort, eloquence, wit and creativity of the few will always shine through and control the many ... I've often wondered why God put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden ...

Earlier this year, I told my son that it matters not how old you are, there's plenty of time to make your mark ... to make a difference ... plenty of time, if you will but start, stay focused, and make it happen ... or words to that effect ... I also said I've known some highly successful people ... some abject failures ... and many, many who qualified as survivors in the game of life. Few of those in the "highly successful" group were blessed with superior intelligence ... it wasn't the key to their success ... I suppose each had their own key ... but they all shared something in common ... "they walked the walk!".

He's a smart kid and found that a bit over the top methinks ... but this advice, from one of those who walks the walk had an impact on us both ... and I think of it often ...

"Find that thing in your heart that causes the most passion, excitement and fulfillment, then go after it with everything you've got...because whatever that might be, it is the defining essence as to your purpose in life ... that thing that you just can't imagine living without ... that thing worth the shedding of some blood, a few scars, or even the loss of ones' life ... it can only be found lurking somewhere within the heart, never within the intellect ... when it is discovered, embrace it, then use the intellect to bring it to realization by setting goals, or having the vision to set your sights on success ... passion ... then vision ... it is a rough road if you lack either."

Polonius would be envious, methinks!

Heed that advice ... it'll hold you in good stead, a posit not an opine ... and if you you remain true, your efforts will not be unrequited.

The Braves would do well to pay heed to that advice too ... they did, methinks ... but somehow lost it along the way ...

The Old Barbershop ... strong enough to stand on the quality of it's content and it's characters ... a place where folks want to keep visiting for no other reason than our always having interesting and engaging content available for them to read and comment upon ...
that's what we want ... and with your help, that's what we'll have!

Much of what I say is misunderstood ... that's a given ... but, I hope that my feelings fare better than my rhetoric ... thanks, everyone!; August 13, 2008 9:38 PM
BOB said...: Well, I'm mad at Ole Creepy ... that's a fact!

Guess Miss Rosa Lynn worked miracles ... like that man down in Mississip ... one game and the kid's back in the lineup ... down to .224; .186 since the All Star break and .108 in August.

Andruw's down to .161; .150 since the break and .111 in August.

They said he couldn't but I knew he could ... his August numbers are worse than Andruw's.

A young man in a hurry ... just hope he hasn't yet spent all that money his agent promised him, at least not in one place ...; August 14, 2008 12:37 AM
Creepy said...: Snot. Wet fingers. Sticky rails. I am old Creepy.; August 14, 2008 8:42 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Bob, at least playing for Gwinnette, he won't be all that far from home so he can keep his house...; August 14, 2008 12:19 PM
Creepy said...: "C'mon kid!"; August 14, 2008 2:38 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: two eight-run losses. that's right, two eight-run losses. and why eight runs? twice? what is the significance of the number 8? and who wears number 8 and pinch hit in both games with no success? and who wears 8 minus 1 and has not driven in a run in 8 months? and who had 8 fingers in his nose during the games? and two thumbs and a program? and will the carnage continue and will chipper return from flu-like symptoms or will chipper wait until an 8-game losing streak? much to answer.

somebody has some splainin' to do.; August 14, 2008 3:03 PM
BOB said...: But I thought you said ...

"That was before that nice lady over there 'splained it to me"; August 14, 2008 4:09 PM
BOB said...: How much is Tommy being paid?; August 14, 2008 8:37 PM
BOB said...: My mouth seems better today ... I see that Kotsay went 5 for 5 and hit for the cycle ... good for Mark!! It's been a long time since a Brave's so done!

I made fun earlier but it's obvious that Miss Rosa Lynn worked wonders 'splainin' things to Jeff ... 3 for 5 and up to .229.

There's been, and will be, a lot of misdirection relative to how nobody could have anticipated the rash of injuries and such ... but the truth is that regardless of injuries, the team never seemed to really play as a "team" ... at least not one with a plan ... much of the injury problem was to be expected, methinks ... especially with Jones, Kotsay, Smoltz, Glavine, Soriano and Hampton.

One would think that with a budget like that of the Braves, each of the players would routinely receive extensive physical examinations that would include scans and tests ... so as to be able to better and more quickly identify and address emerging and potential problems.

It is as if management too is on the outside looking in ... and is entitled to a "get out of jail free" card so as to be held harmless when such problems manifest themselves. Well, the fans seem satisfied ...

With the money and draft picks "spent" on Glavine ... plus the talent and money expended for "Tex" ... we could have fed a lot of starving children, bought a third world country, cornered the market on front line pitching prospects and had enough left over to buy real T-Shirts to give away in contests at the Old Barbershop.; August 15, 2008 1:24 PM
hillbilly said...: THIS JUST IN FROM THE NEWS CONFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA:

Bigfoot has agreed to a 2 year $38 million contract with the Dodgers with a team option for 2010. Tremendous upside. Raw power to all fields, but vulnerable to breaking balls on the outer half. Strikeout rate is high and walks are low due to a 5 1/2 foot tall strike-zone. Not very fleet of foot on the basepaths (huge bunions), but plays serviceable defense and sports a deadly throwing arm. No news yet on who will be DFA-d to open a roster spot, but sources report Andruw Jones may have been spotted in a wooded area in North Georgia by berry-pickers who claim the shadowy figure was casually walking upright almost like a human. He escaped into the thick vegetation before a photo could be taken.; August 15, 2008 3:46 PM
BOB said...: Hillbilly, who pray tell is acting as agent for BigFoot ... and what's Andruw playing now ... once a week?

He's likely to be arrested for impersonating an adult.

Just testing the comment section ... feedback please ...; August 15, 2008 6:14 PM
Hillbilly said...: Bob, I believe Andruw has hit the DL again. Can't remember where I read that, but I saw it early this week.; August 15, 2008 6:38 PM
BOB said...: I truly wish Andruw well ... it gives one pause, considering the environs into which the talented youngsters are thrust ... sometimes literally rags to riches overnight ...

It's hard to hold them responsible for being what others have them made ... agents, unions, fans. It's a wonder that any come close to realizing their potential ... for they start out with the wrong objective and conventional wisdom supports and reinforces their so doing.

Willie Keeler, Greg Maddox ... Marty Marion, Ted Williams ... maybe Sandy Kofax and John Smoltz too

I wish Andruw well, him and Jeff too ...

I just saw ratings for Blogs ...

(G) General Audiences, (PG) Possibly Offensive, intended for teenagers and older, (R) Intended for adults, ages 18 and above, and (X) Even more mature than (R).

I think a lot of our problems stem from a misunderstanding of the definitions of Adult and Mature.; August 15, 2008 8:03 PM
BOB said...: Jimmy Smith is a delight ... is he not?!!

Jimmy at his best ...

"this journalist is reminded of the early days of blogging when a short beet writer that is not a seal once stated in that short beet writer's blog that chipper does not have web toes ... apparently journalistic research was done to allow the definitive statement ... that, or the beet writer is a fraud ...
toes are not to be trifled with. or quivers"

Goodness, unbelievable and oh, the humanity!!; August 16, 2008 12:24 AM