OldTimer’s Dugout - Off Topic Thread

[VolPack22]

Part of what makes beisbol fun. Regardless of how poorly a team’s or player’s season is going, one can generally find a silver lining in an obscure stat!

Braves are the best at starting 0-7 this season

 

[VolPack22]

Fellas, I’m being sincere here, I think I’m going through a midlife crisis?!
I think I’m ok but damn I’ve been an emotional wreck lately!!
I’m reflecting on things I normally don’t, really thinking about my kids a lot more than usual(which is a lot to begin with) because they are growing so fast!
I’m very laid back and a live in the moment guy, but I’ve recently been stressing about things like my family’s well being when I’m gone and things like that.
Work has been a stressful show lately and I am constantly tired!!
This is just a thing that will soon pass, right?
Am I just being a big weenie and need to snap clear and get my focus back?

I think it’s best to bottle up your emotions and purchase a gun.

 

[VolPack22]

@VolPack22 will be along shortly to assure me that it’s all Snitkers fault.

At this point, keep rooting for Snitker because the odds of the number 1 pick are going to continue skyrocketing

 

[VolPack22]

Saw an early screening for Superman last night in IMAX. I’m going to sound blasphemous here but this is the best Superman movie I have ever seen. My apologies to any Christopher Reeves fans, but this was the first time I’ve felt a connection with really any Superman. Most of them have felt boring to me but this one had a full range of emotions. They did a great job of showing Superman’s biggest strength (and weakness): love and hope. The chemistry between he and Lois Lane feels like a real relationship. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Lex Luthor is a great villain and his pure evilness is captured perfectly. Guy Gardner is awesome and I love his sarcasm. Mr. Terrific is, well, terrific (pun intended). He might have had the best action sequence in the movie, very similar to “Guardians of the Galaxy”. Probably could have done without Hawk Girl, that was probably the only thing negative I could say. James Gunn gets an A from this MARVEL fan. My favorite superhero movie since “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Avengers: Endgame” prior to that. My favorite DC movie since “The Dark Knight”. DC is in great hands

 

[VolPack22]

 

[VolPack22]

 

[chuckiepoo]

Fellas, I’m being sincere here, I think I’m going through a midlife crisis?!
I think I’m ok but damn I’ve been an emotional wreck lately!!
I’m reflecting on things I normally don’t, really thinking about my kids a lot more than usual(which is a lot to begin with) because they are growing so fast!
I’m very laid back and a live in the moment guy, but I’ve recently been stressing about things like my family’s well being when I’m gone and things like that.
Work has been a stressful show lately and I am constantly tired!!
This is just a thing that will soon pass, right?
Am I just being a big weenie and need to snap clear and get my focus back?

Not that the Dugout isn’t an excellent source of counsel but I’d suggest your Dad, or an Uncle. There may be a Deacon or Pastor you know that would be helpful. I’ve always enjoyed sharing posts with @Drewbydoo . That young man seems to have a serious grip on his priorities in life.

My brother has recently started going on Outward Bound type (hiking and canoeing) trip retreats with his men’s group at church. We’re a little older than you though. Empty nesters as it were. I remember making appointments with my general practitioner just to talk. I helped him through a divorce and a change of venue for his practice! Seems he trusted just having someone that looked forward to seeing him.

 

[CobbWebb71]

Saw an early screening for Superman last night in IMAX. I’m going to sound blasphemous here but this is the best Superman movie I have ever seen. My apologies to any Christopher Reeves fans, but this was the first time I’ve felt a connection with really any Superman. Most of them have felt boring to me but this one had a full range of emotions. They did a great job of showing Superman’s biggest strength (and weakness): love and hope. The chemistry between he and Lois Lane feels like a real relationship. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Lex Luthor is a great villain and his pure evilness is captured perfectly. Guy Gardner is awesome and I love his sarcasm. Mr. Terrific is, well, terrific (pun intended). He might have had the best action sequence in the movie, very similar to “Guardians of the Galaxy”. Probably could have done without Hawk Girl, that was probably the only thing negative I could say. James Gunn gets an A from this MARVEL fan. My favorite superhero movie since “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Avengers: Endgame” prior to that. My favorite DC movie since “The Dark Knight”. DC is in great hands

Yessss!!!
This is what I wanted to hear about this movie!!
Please just tell me there isn’t a bunch of political BS hidden throughout and I’ll be extremely pumped!!

 

[CobbWebb71]

Not that the Dugout isn’t an excellent source of counsel but I’d suggest your Dad, or an Uncle. There may be a Deacon or Pastor you know that would be helpful. I’ve always enjoyed sharing posts with @Drewbydoo . That young man seems to have a serious grip on his priorities in life.

My brother has recently started going on Outward Bound type (hiking and canoeing) trip retreats with his men’s group at church. We’re a little older than you though. Empty nesters as it were. I remember making appointments with my general practitioner just to talk. I helped him through a divorce and a change of venue for his practice! Seems he trusted just having someone that looked forward to seeing him.

It’s easier to post on an “anonymous” board, than talk to someone face to face.

 

[VolPack22]

 

[VolPack22]

View attachment 754043
Yessss!!!
This is what I wanted to hear about this movie!!
Please just tell me there isn’t a bunch of political BS hidden throughout and I’ll be extremely pumped!!

I mean there is political and media stuff in it but nothing crazy. No real spoilers here because it’s in the trailers but there is a war that breaks out between two countries and Superman intervenes and stops the war to prevent any casualties because well he is Superman and he loves people and doesn’t want to see anyone killed. Lois being the great reporter that she is, interviews him and plays devils advocate and is asking questions that some people might want to know the answer to. They are reporters that work for Daily Planet so there will always be something controversial involved in journalism no matter what side you are on. I thought they did a great job of not making it a political movie though. It adds to plot and doesn’t take away from it.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I mean there is political and media stuff in it but nothing crazy. No real spoilers here because it’s in the trailers but there is a war that breaks out between two countries and Superman intervenes and stops the war to prevent any casualties because well he is Superman and he loves people and doesn’t want to see anyone killed. Lois being the great reporter that she is, interviews him and plays devils advocate and is asking questions that some people might want to know the answer to. They are reporters that work for Daily Planet so there will always be something controversial involved in journalism no matter what side you are on. I thought they did a great job of not making it a political movie though. It adds to plot and doesn’t take away from it.

James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman

The director reveals why his superhero reboot has jokes, politics and is only two hours long — he’s the Man of Steel the world needs now

www.thetimes.com

 

[BruisedOrange]

Fellas, I’m being sincere here, I think I’m going through a midlife crisis?!
I think I’m ok but damn I’ve been an emotional wreck lately!!
I’m reflecting on things I normally don’t, really thinking about my kids a lot more than usual(which is a lot to begin with) because they are growing so fast!
I’m very laid back and a live in the moment guy, but I’ve recently been stressing about things like my family’s well being when I’m gone and things like that.
Work has been a stressful show lately and I am constantly tired!!
This is just a thing that will soon pass, right?
Am I just being a big weenie and need to snap clear and get my focus back?

I'm putting on my counselor's hat for an "avatar friend" who's posted many things over the years that I've either appreciated or admired.

So lemme ask you this: If your car started acting this differently from usual, would you presume it would just fix itself with time? Nah. If it was your car, you'd do something about it. You might start small and switch gasoline or try a fuel additive. Or maybe you'd spend the money up front and make an appt with someone you trust to check it out. But either way, you'd assume those symptoms have an underlying cause, and they're only going to get worse if you don't address it.

Whatever the reason behind how you've been feeling, it's evidently important enough for your future that your mind & body have given up their normal, easy roll through life to force it to your attention. And maybe even God is behind it. Maybe He wants your attention about something.

So ask yourself: was the hamster's death and the aftermath (what it meant to your family and the reality of how little you could actually do to fix it) just another disturbing thing that has happened to you lately? Or did it feel more like the point of all those other things... the item on the list that's underlined? (...and you've gotta know those flash floods in Texas have also been working on your thoughts at some level.)

Only you can explore your own symptoms. But it helps to explore with an experienced guide. You have to have the courage to talk, and without editing yourself. It's the only way to get down to the raw truth. That's the reason to make an appointment with a professional counselor, life coach, or experienced pastor--and to keep going back, even for months.

The symptoms may be coming from old stuff that never got resolved, and now years later it's festering and spreading. Maybe the symptoms are structural: the foundation that was adequate for building your career and starting a family, suddenly feels shakey, inadequate for the weight of being a responsible husband and father in a world that seems less predictable and more evil than you remember.

And always, for all of us, there's that question of purpose. Even when I'm doing everything right, to what end am I doing it? Am I just a bigger hamster, spinning the big wheel in a small space, except that my exit will be more mourned, more elaborate, and more expensive?

So if you aren't already, start with the basic smart things:
eat better (try cutting out anything that's processed), get more sleep, and intentionally exercise (even just walking regularly helps--especially if it also becomes quality time with someone important to you). Those won't fix anything, but they will sharpen your mind and set you up to do whatever it takes to actually fix things.

But eventually, ya gotta talk. You've got to get with someone who will just listen, ask an occasional question, and who will not offer more than 30-seconds of advice per hour! That time talking is for you to explore your own life and symptoms. It's not that others can't tell you what's wrong. A good counselor will know within the first 10 minutes! It's just that until you see it for yourself, in context with your life, you can't begin to address it and change whatever it takes to fix it.

And personally, I'd include God as someone trustworthy to talk to--aloud, and for half-hours at a time. I mean, who knows you better--and still loves you?

 

[BruisedOrange]

I think it’s best to bottle up your emotions and purchase a gun.

Legal AI said you better blue font this for the crazies who don't know you or understand what "implied" means.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Legal AI said you better blue font this for the crazies who don't know you, or understand what "implied" means.

Hear, hear!

 

[VolPack22]

James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman

The director reveals why his superhero reboot has jokes, politics and is only two hours long — he’s the Man of Steel the world needs now

www.thetimes.com

People take offense to the sky being blue. If some people don’t like the movie then that’s their opinion but so far, every Guardians movie and this Superman have been fantastic from James Gunn according to the majority. People are going to hate regardless but as of right now, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 95% so the overwhelming majority of people enjoyed the movie. The other 5% that didn’t enjoy it probably just shouldn’t go see movies (or specifically superhero movies) because this was one of the best ones in awhile. These aren’t mob boss, romantic novels, or dramatic themed features. They are comic book adaptations and this was the most comic-accurate Superman I’ve seen. Maybe the people who don’t enjoy comic book movies should watch other things

 

[VolPack22]

Legal AI said you better blue font this for the crazies who don't know you, or understand what "implied" means.

 

[VolPack22]

James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman

The director reveals why his superhero reboot has jokes, politics and is only two hours long — he’s the Man of Steel the world needs now

www.thetimes.com

Also, this is America. We spell it “offense”, not “offence”.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Also, this is America. We spell it “offense”, not “offence”.

That is a British cultural source. Was specifically avoiding both FNN and CNN. Thought the article and review seemed rather centered. To your earlier point, some people will argue about something.

 

[CAVPUT]

Is that the Vols new Coke Zero can?

Bud light.

 

[VolPack22]

That is a British cultural source. Was specifically avoiding both FNN and CNN. Thought the article and review seemed rather centered. To your earlier point, some people will argue about something.

Yeah I skimmed through it. I thought it was a good article. I’m glad Gunn pointed out that he was writing this before all the conflict currently going on in the Middle East occurred because some people will inevitably leap to that conclusion. If people want to get upset over a superhero movie about Superman trying to help protect the world and prevent unnecessary deaths then maybe those people don’t have their priorities in order lol

 

[VolPack22]

Bud light.

Looks like Michelob Ultra with the little red ribbon on the top right of the can, sitting inside a sweet Dark Mode coozi.

 

[BruisedOrange]

James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman

The director reveals why his superhero reboot has jokes, politics and is only two hours long — he’s the Man of Steel the world needs now

www.thetimes.com

The thing with politics in entertainment is that it's not political if I already agree with the writer/director's worldview. For me it's just "fact" and common sense.

But if you have a different worldview, hold different values, or operate from different "facts" ...then it's definitely gonna feel political.

Director Gunn (and The London Times) are open about being anti-Trump. That's fine.

But in the interview scene in the trailer, Superman makes a point about war that Trump supporters would say, "Yes--that's Trump's position!" That's how divided we are, that we don't even see the same thing when we're watching the same thing.

I'm delicately trying to only point out how difficult it is today to find common ground, to find points of agreement on which we can cooperate, or goals toward which we can work together. ...or create something that's not political to someone.

 

[chuckiepoo]

The thing with politics in entertainment is that it's not political if I already agree with the writer/director's worldview. For me it's just "fact" and common sense.

But if you have a different worldview, hold different values, or operate from different "facts" ...then it's definitely gonna feel political.

Director Gunn (and The London Times) are open about being anti-Trump. That's fine.

But in the interview scene in the trailer, Superman makes a point about war that Trump supporters would say, "Yes--that's Trump's position!" That's how divided we are, that we don't even see the same thing when we're watching the same thing.

I'm delicately trying to only point out how difficult it is today to find common ground, to find points of agreement on which we can cooperate, or goals toward which we can work together. ...or create something that's not political to someone.

I get it.

My Dad was a DOE bureaucrat with hard left leanings. Received an award from Carter back in the day. My sister is a serious Trump thumper up in the Tricities. My brother is a conspiracy theorist (don’t trust any of them) having raised his family in Florida. I consider myself somewhere between moderate and totally apathetic!

They’re all family and I still love ‘em…

 

[BruisedOrange]

I get it.

My Dad was a DOE bureaucrat with hard left leanings. Received an award from Carter back in the day. My sister is a serious Trump thumper up in the Tricities. My brother is a conspiracy theorist (don’t trust any of them) having raised his family in Florida. I consider myself somewhere between moderate and totally apathetic!

They’re all family and I still love ‘em…

LOVE.

Covers a multitude of sins, and plays whack-a-mole with my pride and selfishness.