Under the Bridge

If you didn't know it was fall yet, today had all the signs.  Cool in the morning.  From sun to rain in only a few hours.  Leaves on the ground.  I think the last of Indian summer is gone.

Kyle and Sue are up before dawn for a trek into Brooklyn for day two of the soccer tournament.  I cant sleep after hearing them up, so around 6am, I go downstairs to wish Kyle good luck.

Shortly after making coffee, I decide to go for a run....no rain yet.

This day in history "On this day in 2003, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected governor of California, the most populous state in the nation with the world's fifth-largest economy. Despite his inexperience, Schwarzenegger came out on top in the 11-week campaign to replace Gray Davis, who had earlier become the first United States governor to be recalled by the people since 1921. Schwarzenegger was one of 135 candidates on the ballot, which included career politicians, other actors, and one adult-film star."

I'll be back.  The Governator !

After a brisk 8+ mile run, I make breakfast and wait for Luke to get out of bed.  Around 830, I tell him that we can go fishing at Captree State Park before it rains.

We freeze our butts off at the docks, and after an hour or so, and a handful of fish caught, we head to the bridge.  We stop at the concession for hot chocolate.  I did tell you that it is Fall.  Well,  it is much warmer and less windy down by the dunes.  The fishing is not so good under the bridge and we manage to hook the bottom and loose a few rigs.

Kyle gets an assist again today, but the team falls short with a 2-1 loss.  Sue and Kyle are back home before  Luke and I.  A twist of fate, the team they played today from Canada, gets disqualified for having 17 year old players.  We would have been playing them again tomorrow for the semi-finals, but instead will be playing against a local team from East Meadow.

I send a note to my boss that I am taking a half day off.  I will work from home starting at 6am...don't want to miss the semi-final.  I think ISA United, Kyles team has a good shot at going the distance and winning this tournament.

Photo of the day "Under the Bridge"

P.S. We take the walk thru the dunes and fish under the bridge.  The bay as flat as a lake.  We see a bunch of boats fishing for striped bass...no fish, no bait in the water, no birds working.....  We will try again.  May need to get that night fishing permit.

28 miles covered so far in October.  The magic number drops to 272.

Over the bridge

As is typical this time of year, we have soccer games to go to.  Today, it is in the old neighborhood, Brooklyn.  No mapquest, hotel, or driving directions needed for this one.

We get on the road at 730 and are pulling into the parking area at Aviator field (Floyd Bennet), a stones throw from Marine Park where Sue grew up.  Aside from the turf fields, things look basically the same in and around the old airfields.

Since we arrive about an hour before game time, I let Sue know that I am going for a run.  I can assure you that this is my first time running in Brooklyn, even though I called it home for 10 years.

This day in history "

On this day in 1866, the Reno gang carries out the first robbery of a moving train in the U.S., making off with over $10,000 from an Ohio & Mississippi train in Jackson County, Indiana. Prior to this innovation in crime, holdups had taken place only on trains sitting at stations or freight yards."

No robberies today at the soccer fields, unless you think that $4 for a pretzel is robbery.

I start my run on Flatbush Ave. heading south towards the Gill Hodges (Marine Parkway) bridge.  I only have about 45 minutes so I am not sure how far I will get.  10 minutes later, I have the span in site and notice that the pedestrian lane is in good shape and that bikes should yield to peds.

Just after mid-span I notice the droan of steel belts on the steel roadway.  That familiar sound tires make as they pass over the metal roadway of these suspension bridges is a lot louder when you are not in the car.  A breezy morning as I peer to my right and see Breezy Point.  Endomondo announces 2 miles as I step foot in Queens, pass under the bridge and into Rockaway.

Fisherman are lines up on the seawall, and after hitting the 20 minute mark, I decide to turn and head back to Brooklyn.  No fish caught or hooked in the brief time I am there.  No fish in the buckets..... amateurs.

Back at the field we notice that there is real grass growing in the artificial turf.  In between games, Luke and I adventure over to the marina across the street.  Kyle gets an assist, and the team wins both games today.  Kyle tweaks his right Knee today and sits out the 2nd game.  Wouldn't you know it, the St. Johns University head coach came down to the field to see him play, only he did not play the 2nd game.

A day in Brooklyn takes us to R&R (Kyle got his roast beef and fries w/CHEEZ), and Randazzos.  My childhood friend who lives in Queens walks into Randazzos a few minutes after us...we catch up a bit.  Never in a million years would we expect to see each other here.  Raw, Baked, Steamers, Calamari, soup, more Steamers.....YUM !!

Gavin sprained his ankle the other night and today got the prognosis.  At least the ankle is not broken.  10 days minimum with little to no activity.  At least it is not broken.  He may miss some Hartwick XC meets.  A bummer, but he has a good support system up at Hartwick (we will only worry a little).

Back home, Luke and I go to San Suci and walk a mile into the woods to one of the lakes.  All I can tell you is that there are fish in those lakes....Luke catches two really nice bass.  I hook a couple and loose them in the weeds.

Chicken Cutlets and Penne with Vodka sauce for dinner.  Finally get to sit down at around 8pm.  A little bit tired from the busy day...not as tired as Sue, who fell asleep on the couch.

Photo of the day "Over the Bridge"

P.S. Kyle will ask the Physical Therapist to work on both knees now.  His coach talked to the St Johns coach and it sounds like Kyle will get a chance to go to a clinic at the college in two weeks and with some luck, he will be in good shape and play well for the St Johns coach to see.  We are sure once a college sees Kyle play, and his grades, they will be excited to have him apply.

Jalapeno Poppers

A picture perfect fall day.  Sun shine, mild temperatures, and a quiet day at the office.

After work, I get the chance to pick up some groceries.  Luke is supposed to stay late at school to watch the girls soccer team.  As I am walking into Giunta Meat Farms, my phone gets a txt from Sue..."pick up Luke at 4:40.  So much for staying late and shopping.

I grab some chicken and a few other items and head for checkout.  Get to the school just about the same time Luke is calling me to ask where I am.

This day in history "

On this day in 2011, Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc., which revolutionized the computer, music and mobile communications industries with such devices as the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone and iPad, dies at age 56 of complications from pancreatic cancer."

Perhaps the best run and most profitable American company.  Apple.  Seems they have what everyone wants, and continue to dominate the market.

 I throw dinner together and then head out to the lake with Luke.  Slow fishing again.  I thought Fall was supposed to be better fishing.  Hmm.

Luke and I have a late dinner, Kyle is out with Gia getting scared at one of the Halloween fright night places. Bellport play house.

While Sue is picking him up, I throw together a snack.

I got 6 jalapeno peppers at my CSA the other day.  I saw some cream cheese in the fridge.  So, how about some jalapeno poppers.  Oven baked, no bacon in the house.  So, three get some summer sausage, three get some cheddar, and some stay plain.

Photo of the day "Jalapeno Poppers"

P.S. Holy Shit...these are way hotter than the crap they sell in the store.....I need beer !

Daisies

Went for a long run this morning.  Sue took Kyle to the bus.  By the time I came down my street, Sue was on her way to work.

I take a photo as the Montauk Daisy at the mailbox is in bloom.

I get to work and realize I left my access card at home.  Duh.

This day in history "

The Soviet Union inaugurates the "Space Age" with its launch of Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite. The spacecraft, named Sputnik after the Russian word for "satellite," was launched at 10:29 p.m. Moscow time from the Tyuratam launch base in the Kazakh Republic. Sputnik had a diameter of 22 inches and weighed 184 pounds and circled Earth once every hour and 36 minutes. Traveling at 18,000 miles an hour, its elliptical orbit had an apogee (farthest point from Earth) of 584 miles and a perigee (nearest point) of 143 miles. Visible with binoculars before sunrise or after sunset, Sputnik transmitted radio signals back to Earth strong enough to be picked up by amateur radio operators. Those in the United States with access to such equipment tuned in and listened in awe as the beeping Soviet spacecraft passed over America several times a day. In January 1958, Sputnik's orbit deteriorated, as expected, and the spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere"

On a summer night, while sitting outside in the Pomonok houses, perhaps 40 or so years ago, my dad told me to look up the sky.  The small bright star he pointed out was different than all the rest.  It was moving.  It put a chill down my spine, even though it was probably 90 degrees and humid.  No air conditioning in those days, at least not in the projects.

I get to go to see Luke's soccer game.  They win, and are still undefeated.

Sue is up at open school nite as we settle in to watch TV.  Satellite broadcast I am guessing.  It all started with Sputnick.

Photo of the day"Daisies"

P.S. Montauk Daisy is really more of a hardy mum.  Botanical name: Nipponanthemum nipponicum, formerly Chrysanthemum nipponicum

We have a winner !

Let me just toot my own horn here.  I ran one of my fastest 5 miles ever.  I was not being chased or anything,  but since my Garmin watch and footpod are not communicating, I can't really check how fast I am running until my tracking app on my phone tells me how fast I completed a mile.

So, 5 miles in 44 minutes, which was my personal best avg. pace of 8.50 min/mile.  Even my friend in St. Louis who sees my Endomondo updates, commented "Dude, your are getting faster and faster"

After work, I picked up Kyle from school to take him to Physical Therapy. Sue is at Luke's soccer game.  The typical divide and conquer routine at the Jenkins house.

This day in history "The shot heard around the world" On October 3, 1951, third baseman Bobby Thomson hits a one-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the National League pennant for the New York Giants. Thomson’s homer wrapped up an amazing come-from-behind run for the Giants and knocked the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Giants’ hated inter-borough rivals, out of their spot in the World Series. The Giants went on to lose the Series to the Yankees, but Thomson’s miraculous homer remains one of the most memorable moments in sports history.

I have heard the saying, but never knew where it came from.  Before my time.

Back home just in time to pick up Nick (Luke's soccer friend), so we can head to Sachem East for more soccer.. well, "the goal club fundraiser - hero night".  I don't have to cook dinner, so that's a bonus.

At hero night, all the Sachem soccer teams come together in one place.  We eat, and the boys beg for money so they can buy tickets for the Chinese auction.  Luke manages to get $17 dollars between Sue who gave him a ten spot, and me when he asked for his allowance.

The night is going well and the prized are being called out.  Not expecting to win, because Luke gave me one (1) of the tickets and he kept the other 16.  Suddenly I hear Luke exclaim "I won" and he struts himself up to pick up his prize.  A movie basket, complete with Soda, Candy, chocolate, and a $25 gift card for the movies.  This is how we do it !

Photo of the day "We have a winner"

P.S. from the look of things - The coca cola is already missing

Kyle gets MRI results

Another late blog post.

I missed my morning run today as I had a meeting in my calendar.  The meeting got cancelled.  I hate when that happens.  I have 300 miles to go and only 3 months to get there.

Working from home so I can pick Kyle up from school and shoot over to the Ortho to get the MRI results.

The Dr. is in the office and we get to talk and review his findings.  The good news is that Kyle does not have any ligament, cartilage, or bone damage.  Dr. Sileo does not see why with some physical therapy, and an optional knee brace, that Kyle can return to activities.

This day in history "2009 - Rio de Janeiro is elected the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics."

And my baby goes to Rio De Janiero, to do the cha cha....  I sure hope I get a chance to go on behalf of the special events team for Reuters.  I will plant the seed now.

I get Kyle back to school in record time and he does not miss his Spanish test.

Sue and I both decide to drive to Commack to watch a rainy soccer game.  Sachem East vs Commack.  a few minutes into the 2nd half, with a 1-1 tie so far, we see Kyle take off his rain gear and start stretching and warming up.  Sue and I look at each other, and as our stomachs do flip flops, we ask ourselves whether it was Kyle who asked to go in, or coach asking Kyle to go in.

Kyle takes the field in the pouring rain, and each touch or contact with another player makes us cringe.  He looks pretty good though and up until the time he takes a fall (contact, slip, or however it occurred).  Soon after that play, coach takes him out.  So, for 15 minutes or so, Kyle played up top and had some good touches on the ball.  Game ends with a 2-1 loss as Commack scores with only about a minute left to play.

We order take-out and pick up on the way home.  Mike will pick up Kyle.

After dinner, I take Luke to party city so he can get a morph costume.  He chooses stars and stripes.  Red, White and Blue.  Our skinny little man has grown a lot and he is now in Men's size costume.

Photo of the day "Squishy Football"

P.S. I got this cool Squishy Football at the Dr. Office 

Luke is Back, Watch Out

Another late post.  I gotta get with it.  As the days get shorter, it seems I cant get my blog written at night.

Anyway, after work I ran over to Sequoya to catch a soccer match.  A close game the first half, with   a 0-0 tie as both teams defense kept one another at bay.  I do give Sachem the edge in terms of shots on goal and possession.

The 2nd half is different with several goals and assists with strong play by both the starters and the subs.  The game ends with a 4-0 win for Sachem.  The great part for a dad is being able to be there, and see the game, the smiles and determination on the athletes faces.

Kyle and Mike are at the game, as both are sidelined from their school varsity soccer teams.  Kyle with his knee and Mike with a fractured wrist.  The two older brothers trying to hold back their comments to the players and refs.


This day in history "The British naturalist Charles Darwin returns to Falmouth, England, aboard the HMS Beagle, ending a five-year surveying expedition of the southern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Visiting such diverse places as Brazil, the Galapagos Islands, and New Zealand, Darwin acquired an intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, and geology of many lands. This information proved invaluable in the development of his theory of evolution, first put forth in his groundbreaking scientific work of 1859, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection."


A pizza for dinner, and then Kyle and go to college night, where the HS is hosting like 200 colleges.  Not my first time thru, so I allow Kyle the space to make his choice of where to pick up brochures and he professionally goes about asking the admins about their school, curriculum, and sports program.  Most interest is in the schools in the Northeast, except for one in North Carolina.

After this winter, we will see if Kyle wants to explore some schools in the south.  Gavin chose Hartwick, a great school and he is having a blast.  XC team, great professors, friends, and a BIO major.  Kyle is thinking about PharmD, PT, or other science related major.  Time to start looking at some campuses....St Johns, Albany School of Pharmacy, etc.

Late blog because I settle into the couch to watch TV, and fall asleep early.   Luke was not tentative about going in and winning the ball in today's game.  I brought my camera so go a couple of good photos.

Photo of the day "Luke is Back, Watch Out"

P.S. It's going to be a few years till Luke is ready to start looking at Colleges....Not sure how many feet off the ground Luke is at this point, but he is average height for an eight grader.  He is however, reaching new heights everyday.  Luke is Back !