First some background then a couple of observations. Gist being, last night I had a double header i.e. two softball games back to back starting at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. respectively. At around 7:30, the wind picked up and copious amounts of rain proceeded to drench the landscape. Unfortunately the rain trickled to a drizzle at about 7:55 which basically meant we went ahead with the softball game. The drizzle turned to a torrent for around 2 minutes at 8:16 p.m. and thereafter there was no rain. Leaving in its wake about two dozen soaked softball players with mud uptil their knees.
Observations
On the disadvantages of being catcher:
– Home plate is a natural pool. If the pitcher screws up and the ball goes ever so slightly to the right or the left, close your eyes and pray no mud lands on your lips. Everything else goes.
– It is a sad day indeed when one of the heftier players of the opposing team ends up being a bat tosser. A bat tosser by definition is a player who swings and then releases the bat at the end of his swing without missing a beat. Considering laws of physics and momentum, this can prove to be quite fatal for the poor mud splattered soul standing behind him. Luckily for this mud splattered soul, a most unfortunate ump was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
– Generally one never gets thrown the ball directly. It is pretty much always directed to one of the bases prior to being whipped at the catcher. One can only pray that the individual in question had time to get their bearings prior to gunning in towards you. Mind your head.
On yoga pants:
Ever noticed that some pants have those two inch slits at the base supposedly meant to fall over your shoe, flattering your ankle and what not. Those very same pants which happen to be super long and only feasible if you’re planning to shuffle your way through a mall. Point being moi was wearing one such pair of pants. By the mid of the first game I was pretty much running in slow motion (cut to The Final Countdown playing in the background). There were even instances where I was lifting the darn pant legs like a skirt. Suggestion to overcome such an annoyance. Take the two ends of the slit. Cross them over one another. Pull one flap through the hole and viola you have a handy little knot. You look like a freak by this point but considering hardly anyone can see through the rain, who cares.
On “breathable” sneakers:
I allude to the high tech runners with the spongy mesh top. I’d rather my feet suffocate thankyou very much. At least they’d be dry.
On the politics of beating the crap out of another team:
– It is indeed a heady feeling when you end up winning a game by 31 runs (37 to 6 for precision). Ah the joys of going through the batting order twice with 0 out. The ecstasy of two hits (not my hits to clarify) over the fence with bases loaded. The elation on… ok so you get the point. *wicked wicked grin*
And then topping it off with a 15 minute drive home high on Pearl Jam. Zen
LOL. this post had me in stitches. really feel for you.
then again spare a thought for the nerd who had to play rugby in the rain with a bunch of jocks. admittedly a very long time ago.
Oh man. Rugby in the rain. Those were the days. I’d say it’s been precisely 10 yrs since I ever attempted that. Eek. Absolute mayhem, in Okara of all places.
It isn’t my hometown btw, just to clarify. Come to think of it I don’t think I have a hometown. I suppose if one was to really think about it, it would be Quetta with Mississauga as a close second.
Hmm.. I’ve been to Okara. Didn’t care much for it, I must say.
For starters, your blog is rocking
I wouldn’t want to get wet in the rain, unless ofcourse I am winning. I like the sweaty feeling that comes up when playing games. Don’t know why but perhaps I feel I finally got a workout
Faraz: Oh I’ve never lived in the main city. We lived in the Cantonment which is a goodish half an hour West. All green, open fields with ordered white washed houses with loads of Chetoot (mulberry?) trees. And man the BBQ place there had the best naans I have EVER had.
And what in the world were you doing in Okara?
. I thought you’re from Lucknow?
TDH: Games rule. Gym sucks. Need I say more.
I don’t know where I was in Okara, but I was there … yes, we’re from Lucknow, but I’ve travelled quite a bit through the Muslim world. Somehow, I ended up in Okara for a few days sometime in 2001.
Interesting… I’m betting you stopped on your way to Multan or Lahore. GT Road goes through it.
Never been to Multan or Lahore, actually. My time in Pakistan was short and quite unpleasant actually. Maybe I’ll visit again sometime, but I don’t see me going there anytime in the near future.
at the risk of sounding totally illiterate, where on earth is okara?
Did somebody say Multan? Have you been there girl? I am from Multan. HIGH FIVES. Not a lot people even know this place, though its is considered one of the main cities of pakistan.
Faraz: lol. Of all places Okara. You need to make another trip to Pk though and go up north. Beautiful. I intend to make a trip to Lucknow one of these days. I’d say it’s as fascinating as say wanting to visit Paris, but then I’m a sucker for architecture.
Abbas: Okara is a small town between Multan and Lahore.
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Ayesha: Ditto that. Although I have to admit the last time I went, it seemed to have gotten a little overcrowded. It has to have the quaintest railway station ever though. And which other airport allows you to pretty much walk off the plane and get into your car. Pretty much just a room and a corridor.
And its an international airport too. he he.
Actually, I did get a chance to visit Northern Pakistan (NWFP). Beautiful place, you’re right. Though there are places right here within Canada which rival it – in fact, exceed it in beauty. Whistler being one of them, and the drive between Vancouver and Calgary, I’m told, is also incredibly majestic.
I was in Paris this summer; it’s quite a beautiful place, I must say. There are some beautiful mountainous areas in France as well, towards the Swiss border (the Alps.)