First things first -
Yes, the Phillies are defending World Champions, and no, they still can't win a non-post-season game that's broadcast nationally. It's not that we don't do well under pressure because last September we ripped it up pretty damn hard. But pretty much unless Harry Kalas is speaking directly to local fans through the t.v. screen, it seems like the game is going to go to the other team. Also, as Manuel pointed out, the pre-game WC celebratory hoopla was a big distraction for players that thrive on consistency.
Bottom line is: good for the Braves that they looked good on opening day. For the first time since helping the Dodgers lose hold of the postseason last year (and to the Phils, no less), Derek Lowe gets to smile and feel like a big boy again, Smelly Johnson didn't commit any cringeworthy goofs, and Jeff Francoeur's hip swivel changes from last season were all that the ESPN commentators could talk about. I don't give a crap because winter is really over (unless you're in Chicago and your opening day got snowed out), and baseball is baaaaaack.
OK, now for the other thing that's really getting me in a tizzy.
Have you seen the trailers for Star Trek?
Have you?!
It's like God took all of my secret unmentionable fantasies and wove them together with his dextrous surgeon fingers into a visual (and I'm sure excellent storytelling) orgy that, come May 8 for $9.50, I can request to have explode directly into my face. And the fact that J.J. is directing this - J.J. of those Alias nights when I fell to my knees screaming his name in frustration over another edge-of-my-seat cliffhanger, J.J. of a little show called "Lost" known to about 99% of the U.S. population - is just enough to make me go completely, out-of-my-mind, on goofballs, crazy.
It's too much. All this in one week, it's just too much.
