Sunday, May 3, 2009

The Finer Things Keep Shining Through

-Steve Winwood



Last week, I was honored by the CHS baseball team and given the opportunity to throw the first pitch at the last home game of the season. Armed with the rather-distressing knowledge that not only has it been easily ten years since I've pitched a baseball, my version of "pitching" involves a one-step up the plate, an awkward underhand wind-up, and a softball. When I got to the field on Friday, one of my former students offered to help me "warm up" by catching a few balls. At first, most of my throws landed in his general vicinity and actually weren't so bad. However, apparently I was more nervous than I anticipated, and my throws got continually worse until he was running all over the place fielding errant baseballs. By the time I stepped up to the plate, my palms were sweaty and my students were wearing devilish, "we-know-she's-going-to-blow-this" grins. Sure enough, my pitch bounced a little more than halfway to home plate, causing the poor catcher to scramble forward in a mixture of confusion and pity. Apparently I'm a little rusty. Or I have virtually no coordination. Or I buckle under the immense pressure that comes with 20 fans at a high school baseball game. Suffice it to say, it's a good thing I kept to water sports.



Last night, Tim and I had an incredible dinner at the SkyRoom, a small restaurant at the top of La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. The views were spectacular, the food was delectable, and the company was perfect. We dined on salmon tartare, veal tournedo, lobster ravioli, and too many other amazing dishes to name. Since we both decided to have the chef's prix-fixe, we also had the maitre d' choose the various wines we had with each course. It was EASILY the best dinner we've ever had.



So hear this please
And watch as your heart speeds up endlessly
And look for the stars as the sun goes down
Each breath that you take has a thunderous sound
Everything, everything's magic

-Angels and Airwaves

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