Housework - Downstairs Bathroom

So, we bought a house recently.  It's a nice house.  But, like a lot houses out on the market, it needs some work.  The house was missing a few light fixtures, some door handles, a door, and some other things.  First project I took on was the light fixture in the downstairs restroom.  Wifey found some light fixtures she liked on Craigslist.  Now it's up to me to install it.

Here's what we started with...

After figuring out which breaker to shut off (doesn't anybody ever label those things?), some wire caps and power drill we have this...

Followed by some covers...

Looks pretty nice so far.  Then came the moment of truth.  Could I flip the power on and short out the house or cause a fire?

I guess it worked.  1 Project down, I don't know how many more to go.

1st Yankee prediction of 2012

Predictions sure to result in an Epic Failure.

So I think it’s time to introduce a new feature to this blog.  I’m calling it “Predictions sure to result in Epic Failure.”  I’m going to put my “vast” baseball knowledge to the test and start making predictions.    If my predictions don’t happen, then I’ve failed just like I said I would.  If predictions do happen, I look like a genius.  I can’t lose.

Today’s prediction is focusing on the Yankees 2012 Starting Rotation…

Six guys competing for five spots on the pitching rotation.  Out of those six, only two have a guaranteed spot.  Let’s look at the names:

CC Sabathia – Guaranteed spot on the rotation.  Ace of the team. Opening Day pitcher. Look for another 20-Win season with an ERA in the low 3.00s this year. ‘Nuff said.

Hiroki Kuroda – According to news outlets, Hiroki is also guaranteed a spot on the starting rotation. Huh?  HK has only had one winning season in the majors, and barely at that (8-7 in 2009).  He does have a career ERA in the 3.00s (3.45) and he does eat up innings (208).  He did play for the Dodgers that last 4 years so it’s possible he simply didn’t have the run support.  He should have plenty of run support with Yankees.

Phil Hughes – Let’s call him “The Great White Hope.” With an electrifying 2010 season in which he went 18-8 and was voted and All-Star, it was expected that he would improve on that… Or at least match it.  What we got in 2011 was not pretty at all.  Plagued with injuries, Phil went 5-5 and didn’t even remotely resemble the Phil Hughes of 2010.  He’s got something to prove this season and expect to see him return to 2010 numbers. 

Ivan Nova – I made the mistake last season of saying that Nova would be traded for Ubaldo Jimenez.  I still think Ubaldo is a great pitcher, but I’m glad Ivan is still with the Yankees.  I expect him to have a 15+ win season and lower his ERA to under 3.40.

Michael Pineda – Pineda is going into his sophomore season and the Yankees have high expectations of him.  I believe that the pressure of playing in New York is going to affect him. He will get a starting position out of spring training only to lose it 2 months into the season.

Freddy Garcia – This guy is going to have a Cinderella season.  I expect him to start the season in the bullpen, but he’ll be in the rotation when Pineda “loses” it.  He has experience and, if he has the patience, I believe he will also go 15+ wins this season.  He’s the one that’s going to keep the Yankees on track towards the post-season.

So, in conclusion, the 2012 Starting Day Rotation is going to look like this:

CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, Michael Pineda

But expect it to look like this by All-Star Break

CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Freddy Garcia

Of course, I could be totally wrong.

It wouldn't be the first time.

Obsession? Maybe.

*sniff, sniff*

Can you smell it?

*crack!*

Can you hear it?

Oh come on now!  I know you can.  The smell of freshly cut grass and the warmth of the spring sun on your face.  The crack of the bat as the ball is lined past the infield and the roar of the crowd as they cheer their team.

YES! Baseball is here.  (Oh, and coincidentally, Spring is around the corner.)

Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re saying. “Great, here come some more posts filled with Yankee filled nonsense.”  Well, if you are here, what else did you expect? Mark and Mercedes, the morning DJs from a local radio station, 94.1, were talking about obsessions this morning.  Mercedes said she is obsessed with the Yankees because she is watching Spring Training games.  If that is considered an obsession, then I’ve got a full-blown outbreak.  How bad is it?  Let me count the ways…

• I have a Yankees license plate frame.  Tame, I know, but it gets worse.
• My Twitter handle, @LasVegasYankee
• I order the Yankees Yearbook almost every year (when I can afford it.  They are getting expensive).
• I’ve got all the volumes of Yankeeography on DVD. And I’m constantly watching them.
• I order the MLB Extra Innings package every season (6 years and counting)
• I switched from Cox Cable to DirecTV just so I can get the YES Network.
• I also watch Spring Training games.  But I also watch “Yankee Classics” (reruns of classic games) whenever I can.
• My original ManCave* was painted Yankee Blue.
• Yankee Jerseys, got ‘em.  Seven (7) and counting.
• Yankee Memorabilia? I don’t have that much time to list it all. But I’m pretty sure I’ve got more than the average Yankee fan, but not as much as a hardcore fan.
• Autographs? Yeah, I got ‘em (Jeter, Rizzutto, Ford to name a few).

Is it bad? I don’t know. You tell me.

(One of several Yearbooks that I own.  This one being the oldest)

_____

* Original Mancave is now a rental home.  Haven't had a chance to set up the Mancave in the new house yet.

Instagram

I have't been keeping up with my Project365.  I've been taking the pictures, I just haven't posted them.  I just downloaded an app called Instagram that might help me with that.  I'll be using my phone for my weekday photos and then switch to the Canon for weekend photos.  Seeing as I have an iPhone 3GS, I don't expect the app photos to be all that.  We shall see.  I posted my first Instagram photo.  It's posted in the gallery under "Day 10".  Let me know whay you think.

Project 365 - Day 11

I blew it.  I missed Day 10.  I'll have to do a two-fer before the end of the weekend.  Today's pic was thought of a while ago. I just had to wait for the reinforcements to arrive.  Another fun picture to put together.