Mower

Like Michele said, our two hand-me-down lawnmowers have fallen on hard times. One cuts really badly, so you have to basically go over everything twice. It also stops randomly. The other one is really hard to start and then conks out after ten minutes or so.

These are probably fixable problems, but we're kind of sick of dealing with this stuff so we just bought a new one instead. It's a Lawn Boy (made by Toro), and has really good reviews. All I really want is for it to work consistently and to be dependable. It better last for a good ten years, minimum. To make sure that happens, I'll be taking good care of this puppy.

The tulips that Michele and her parents planted in the front garden have really taken off. We're also growing sunflowers, but they're just tiny little guys right now. Also have some beans, peas, tomatoes, and parsley on the way.

Class is over

Just had my last law school class ever. That really kind of snuck up on me, there's been so much else going on that I didn't even realize it until this morning. I can safely say that these three years have flown by. It wasn't always fun, and it's been more work than I ever imagined, but in the end it was worthwhile. Let's just hope I can start my job sometime soon and not get laid off before I even start. Michele, thanks for going along for the ride with me, I know it wasn't always easy on you.

In other news, we went to a Phillies game on Tuesday night. We had the cheap two-for-one tickets in the upper deck, but then there was a rain delay and everyone left so we moved down to the third row from the field, behind the other team's dugout. It was awesome. Just awesome. Besides the fact that Michele's head was almost taken off by a screaming foul ball off the bat of Chase Utley. She (and I) both ducked in time though. Wish I had my glove.

Pushed back

Well, it's official: my job is not starting until January. Lots of law firms have been delaying the incoming folks (usually we'd start in September) because of the economy, so it wasn't a huge surprise. Still, it's a bummer—both personally and financially—to have to wait four more months to start working. Let's hope it doesn't get pushed back any further.

So now I have to find something to do between September and January... is McDonald's hiring?

Pitt

Just booked a quick trip to Pittsburgh in June. We're trying to see some different ballparks, and flights to Pittsburgh are pretty cheap so we figured what the heck. I've wanted to see the Pirates stadium for a while now, it's supposed to be one of the best in baseball. And the views are sweet.

After this trip, we'll have been to see baseball games in:

• Philadelphia (Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park)
• Pittsburgh (PNC Park)
  
• New York (Shea Stadium)
• New York (Yankee Stadium)
• Baltimore (Camden Yards and Memorial Stadium)
  
• Chicago (Wrigley Field)
  
• Toronto (Skydome, or whatever they're calling it now)
• San Francisco (AT&T Park)
• Oakland (just me, at the Coliseum or whatever it's called now)
• Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium)
• Kansas City (just Michele, at Kauffman Stadium)
• Cleveland (Jacobs Field)

Next up will probably be Washington.

Goodbye Harry

It's a sad day here in Philadelphia. Harry Kalas, the Phillies broadcaster since 1970, died yesterday. Listening to baseball won't be the same without him. Sad to see you go, Harry. We're all going to miss you.