The Hard Life

I sit here on a Tuesday night eating garden vegetable soup and writing opinions on short story collections...see here:

http://thebookatticforum.blogspot.com/2009/10/september-book-club-dont-tell-me-truth.html?showComment=1255434742583#c8985224578907800550

I've also been writing the recaps for the Saturday softball games (which are posted on the Rumor Mill section of the website).

That means that this week has been my busiest week writing since back in June. Whatever it takes to kick-start you back into gear.

This week I was asked to accompany one of the Hong Kong travel teams to play in the Bangkok Tournament. Unfortunately, I had to say no. So why exactly would I give up the chance to play softball, in Bangkok of all places, with a group of great guys?



Because of that man. The Chief Executive himself, "Bowtie" Tsang. The sartorial one will grace the Shue Yan campus and deliver the keynote address for the 35th anniversary graduation commencement. This means that yours truly must don the cap and gown and sit through hours of graduation propaganda (in Cantonese of course) and watch a bunch of students with whom he has never made contact with receive their diplomas.

All this while his softball team is playing in a tournament, and partying, and living it up, in Bangkok.

At least there is only one graduation per year. That means that it won't interfere with the Taipei, or Manila, or Jakarta tournaments. Not sure if I will be invited to play in those. Only time will tell.

The Month of Birthdays

Today is October 1st. Happy 60th Birthday to the People's Republic of China. I will soon revel in your birthday festivities (primarily watching the firework display from the comforts of my apartment, while indulging in watermelon and/or pineapple juice). Action packed, I know.

September was a blur. The new semester started. I have 3 new Freshmen English Usage classes that I enjoy very much (it is early yet), and 3 Sophomore Writing classes, in which half of the students are mine from last year (the joy). I don't have a single day off, but my schedule is not all that bad. Plus, most days are spent at the main campus, which means my commute is 2 minutes instead of 35.

I also joined the Hong Kong Slow Pitch Softball Association. It is the highlight of my week. The only downfall is that I didn't join last year (because for some ludicrous reason, I didn't know about it). Every Saturday we have a game, sometimes two, and they are competitive, fun, and ridiculously hot. I play for The Doghouse. Bunch of good guys on my team, and I'm looking forward for the rest of the season. Keep track of my stats here:

http://www.hongkongsoftball.com

And yes, my name is spelled Edinger. I need to find somebody to correct that. And while they are at it, correct my slugging percentage, because it is impossible to have a lower slugging percentage than batting average, but yet, I do. My goal is to win Rookie of the Year, although there is some stiff competition. I'll keep the masses (all 4 of you) updated.