Re2pect for Derek Jeter

Hey, everybody!

Sorry it's been a while since I've written anything. I've had a few things in mind, but no time at all to write about them. Okay, that's a lie... But I'd rather just watch Netflix sometimes, ya know?

Anyway, so for today's post I'd like to write about something relevant to what's been going on in the world of baseball these days. I would have to say baseball is among my favorite sports to watch -- if not, my #1 favorite. I have shared a love for the sport ever since I was a kid, when I started playing tee-ball. I played with the boys and very few girls up until about the age of 12, when I realized I was too terrible, and that I was a girl playing amongst pretty much only boys that were only getting better and better by the day. Most girls would be playing softball at my age, but being the tomboy that I was, I thought softball was far too girly and that it was only for those that weren't "man enough" to play baseball. Little did I know I would have been better at softball than I was at baseball, but that's a story for another time.

So that was slightly off topic, but I felt a little background was needed before I presented you with the real material of this post...

Baseball is America's past-time / greatest sport, and if you disagree with me, I will fight you to the death. There have arguably been plenty of men that have gone down in the history of baseball who were greater than any player there has been over the past 50 or so years. But honestly, few have been able to achieve the fame, success, and love that long-time New York Yankee Derek Jeter has. And so, the day after his very last home game, I bring you this post.

I have never been one to particularly like Derek Jeter, even being a Yankee fan. I know, BLASPHEMOUS, you say. And honestly, I have no reasoning behind my strange dislike for the man (similar to my enormous dislike of actresses Laura Linney and Anne Hathaway). But I certainly don't dislike him now (nor have I ever disliked him more than the two aforementioned actresses). For a long time, I thought he was just an overrated baseball player. My favorite Yankees of my time included Bernie Williams, or Paul O'Neill, or Jorge Posada, or Andy Pettite. But now, looking back at Jeter's career, and his life, I began to see how great he was, and how, we will probably not see another baseball player, or man for that matter, so loved as Jeter.

Last night, at his last home game, he shone through as a true gift from the baseball gods. A walk-off hit against the Orioles can only be a sign of his true glory and fame by all those that love him so dearly.

Another reason to love Jeter is because he's one of those players that stayed out of trouble - no steroids, no domestic violence, none of the crap that so many athletes get involved in these days. Personally, and many would agree with me on this, I find him to be a great role model for young boys specifically, but also for basically everyone else in the world.

Thanks, Derek, for showing us that there truly are great people out there, who share our love for baseball. And thanks for being so great at it. No matter what kind of a fan you are - even if you're out in Boston, there is no way in hell that you can't love this guy and everything he stands for. RE2PECT, Derek Jeter. Thanks for going out with a bang.

Hope you all can relate to our profound love and respect for arguably one of the greatest players in baseball history -- and if not, get out of my country ya damn commie. Just kiddin' (sort of).

Thanks for reading, have a great day, and look out for more blog posts in the next few days. On another note - HAPPY FALL, Y'ALL!

xoxo, Clare

'MERICA!

As you all may (and SHOULD) know, yesterday was the celebration of the birthday of the greatest country on the face of this here Earth. July 4th, or the 4th of July, or Independence Day is the most fantastic day in all of history - it is the day that America was officially born. Our forefathers put together a Declaration of Independence on this day in 1776, setting the groundwork for the best nation there is and ever was.

Hopefully you already know all of this, but if you don't, then feel free to leave at any time (the sooner, the better). Anyway - the 4th of July is a day to celebrate our American pride and honor all of those who have helped to give us our freedom.

I'm a day late, but I figured since the holiday was on a Friday, why not celebrate all weekend long? So this blog post for today is about 'MERICA and all of its most wonderful aspects, and how you can enjoy the day and the weekend as best you can.

Whether you celebrate with beer, BBQs, fireworks, or all three, here is a list of ways in which you can make the most of the world's greatest day of the year:

-  First off, if you're not decked out in red, white and blue this weekend, you are doing an injustice to your fellow Americans. However, make sure it's not the red, white and blue of Puerto Rico or England... I saw a customer at my job yesterday wearing a British flag t-shirt and I nearly lost my sh*t. I'm one damn proud American, and I was offended by this small act of rebelliousness.

- Second, start up the grill. Ain't no other way to say U.S.A. like a grill full of hot dogs and hamburgers. Break out the rolls and buns, ketchup and mustard, and you've got yourself a mighty fine meal there, sir.

- Third, APPLE PIE. 'Nuff said.

- Next, fireworks. Don't go blowing yourself up - go out to your nearest park and watch some professional ones. We have a nice show presented by Price Chopper downtown by the Corning Tower and it's so much fun to see. I used to go every year until I started working every 4th of July. But at my job, a baseball stadium, we too have fireworks and it's also a wonderful show that people from all over the Capital Region come to enjoy. So get out there and go watch some, you good ol' American you.

- Lastly, go have a beer. If anything, you deserve it. But also, having a beer or two is just one way to kick back, relax, and join in on the birthday party of your nation. Cheers to you, America.