c'mon the Red Sox!

That's just the way they say things over here when you want to show support for the team you "barrack" for.  (You don't want to "root", as that is slang for a process that frequently involves making babies.  Australians are endlessly amused by asking fresh-off-the-plane Yanks about the frequency with which they "root" for teams.)  Yes, it's find of funny - but Americans are known for having a few national quirks as well.  (Exhibit A: ask just about any other member of the Anglophone world about a "fanny pack", as gauge their reaction accordingly.)

Unfortunately, the World Series came at a rather inopportune time, stuck as I am in the middle of finishing my teaching for the semester and a thesis chapter that I submitted to my supervisor on Friday.   Though it wasn't as polished as I wanted it to be, it's still a good feeling to get something to him and receive feedback. (This was an early chapter that is sure to be revised quite a bit before I submit; at about 9K words, it's about 10% of the final product.)  Nonetheless, I was able to catch at least part of every World Series game (and the last 4 games of the ALCS), and though it's not nearly the same cathartic euphoria of 2004, it's still an amazingly satisfying thing to be able to say, "Boston Red Sox, World Series Champions".  Phew.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to fly to Boston for the celebration parade, as in 2004, but I'll be there in spirit.  I'd like to think that I'm responsible for the spike in interest in both post-season baseball and the Red Sox amongst my friends over here, but there seem to be a few external factors also at play.  Still, it's been fantastic.

I'm in the process of (finally) getting my tickets for my flight back home, and it's looking like I'll leave here on Dec 3 and return on Jan 10.  The plan is to spend a few days in California on both ends of the trip, so friends and family that are out that direction, consider yourself forewarned... :)

Along those lines, for those of you that know my fellow UVA classmate and all-around character Adam Reno, he's just launched a new website, VIMBY.com (Video In My BackYard).  The site looks pretty amazing, and I dare you to check out this clip and not be impressed.  Tell your friends about it!