Maximum Aardvark

Sprouting Paperwhite [Flickr]

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Holiday cups at Starbucks [Flickr]

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Le sigh.

Voted! [Flickr]

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Mailed October 29.

Sully Sings [Flickr]

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He gets so excited when he sees a bird.

Woke up to this today. [Flickr]

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Harrisonburg Sunset [Flickr]

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(Untitled) [Flickr]

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Are You Ready? [Flickr]

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Microsoft's most important message at Web 2.0 Expo.

Are You Ready? [Flickr]

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Microsoft's most important message at Web 2.0 Expo.

Giant Fucking Television [Flickr]

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Merry Christmas!

Hope you got something awesome.

The Coolest Thing I Have Seen Today

I started a new job last week, and that's been fun, but something Amanda's done the past few days is way cooler.

She's been looking around for awhile trying to find a decent planner for next year. She's had problems with both of her previous two planners, and was looking to combine the strong points of both. She had a great idea of what she wanted it to look like, so she went ahead and made it.

Once again, I am amazed and proud of her creativity and do-it-yourself attitude.

A Few Thoughts Before I Put the 2006 Mets' Season to Bed

The crowd at Shea last night was fan-fucking-tastic: loud whenever the game situation called for it and on their feet for most of the rest of the game. My only quibble is with the (thankfully few) braindead morons who left immediately after the top of the ninth. You're telling me that getting home ten minutes sooner is worth the chance that you'll miss a bottom-of-the-ninth comeback to win the NLCS in Game 7? A comeback by a team that had done it all year and, by the way the game had gone up to that point, seemed destined to win? You should be ashamed to call yourselves fans.

Endy Chavez with the greatest catch of all time. You can have your over-the-shoulder Willie Mays catch; I'll take Endy's any day of the week.

Can't really second-guess any of Willie's decisions last night. Heilman looked good, and the bottom of the order was coming up, so no need for Wagner in the ninth. Also, no way you send up a pinch-hitter to bunt with two on in the bottom of the ninth: down two runs and with three outs, you really want to give up an out? The run expectancies are nearly the same anyway, and I think sending Floyd to the plate to get the big hit was the right call.

Finally, I have to say I'm not nearly as despondent as I thought I would be. The Mets had an awesome regular season and a trip to the World Series came down to a coin-flip Game 7: I'd take that result any year. The core of the team is young, and most of them will be back again to try next season.

There's Always Next Year

Yadier. Fucking. Molina.

Also, Jeff Suppan. But, honestly:

Yadier. Fucking. Molina.

Also, Endy Chavez! Whoa, Endy Chavez!

But, in the end:

Yadier.

Fucking.

Molina.

Going to Game 7

I'm leaving in a few minutes to grab dinner, then hop on the 7 train with Dad. Tonight is the game of Oliver Perez' life (like, I suppose, last night was the game of John Maine's life). I don't want to jinx anything, but I've got good feelings.

Let's go Mets!

On the Brink of Elimination

And so a 97-win season comes down to two must-win games at home. If the Mets manage to beat Chris Carpenter tonight, I'll be at the game tomorrow. Win or lose, I might die.

Let's go Mets!

Onward! to the NLCS!

I only caught snippets of the game last night between mouthfuls of barbecue at dinner (noticed a pattern in my Mets-watching the past couple nights?), but holy crap the Mets are going to the NLCS!

So am I. I'll be rooting for the Padres to extend the Cardinals today, then for the Cardinals to win tomorrow to keep Peavy away from the Mets' lineup and Carpenter away from Game 1.

Mets 4, Dodgers 1

I didn't see much of the game last night, what with all the sneezing and NyQuil. Floyd was absolutely robbed on his monster bomb to right field that turned into a can of corn. Julio Franco needs to send Rafael Furcal a gift basket for taking his sweet time on that double play ball. Endy Chavez needs to start ahead of Shawn Green for the rest of the year.

Next game is Saturday in the City of Angels. Let's hope the Mets can wrap it up then and spare us the terror of seeing Oliver Perez on the mound in the postseason until the NLCS.

Mets 6, Dodgers 5

Last night's game really felt like a Mets game: trailing early, several lead changes, and a nail-biter of a finish. Willie handled the staff beautifully, and though I would have pinch-hit for Mota, the Mets' win precludes me from second-guessing.

Let's hope Glavine can go seven tonight and give the bullpen a breather, but with the off-day tomorrow I wouldn't be surprised if Willie goes with a quick hook again today if Glavine struggles.

One win down, ten to go.

Mmm, playoffs.

With only hours before the Mets play their first postseason game since 2001, I figure I'd better weigh in here with at least a cursory prediction.

Pedro hadn't been himself all year, so the loss of him hurts the Mets less than many analysts seem to think. El Duque, on the other hand, has been solid since Omar picked him up. The scariest outcome of the El Duque injury is not John Maine (who became one of my favorite underrated guys this year) taking the ball in Game 1, but Oliver Perez actually being slated to pitch a potential Game 4. Perez has been one of my favorite enigmas in recent seasons, but it's either feast or famine with him, and sometimes it's both in the same inning.

If the Mets are going to beat the Dodgers, they need to score early and often. Not such a revelation, I know, but I don't foresee them winning 3-2 games anytime soon. Crooked numbers in early innings are the key, and hope the bullpen can hold the line.

I still think the Mets are the favorite to make the World Series from the NL, and as for their chances against whichever team they meet there...let's just cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we?

Mets in 5 over LA.

Later: 60 minutes until the first pitch and I can't remember the last time I was this nervous. Do Yankees fans get like this the first day of the playoffs?