Tosca, Mariners, Fall City Diner, gravity

I have a great curiosity about something...

Why are there so many hits on this blog from Russia, Germany and France? Whether I comment on a local performance of Tosca, the Fall City Diner or the Seattle Mariners, there is always more interest out of the US than in. I find it odd. Also, why has there been so little interest in my other posts, such as those about gravity or thieving politicians, etc.?

Someone?

Tosca

I did not attend the Moore Theater production. However, the Auburn production was spectacular. I spoke with Cecilia Angell and she seemed pleased to have received a "standing O" at the Moore. Gino Lucchetti is supremely gifted and Grace Eun is a gift to us all. Lyric Opera Northwest has consistently exceeded all expectations in staging, preparation, execution and shear musical beauty! It's a shame they haven't been producing an opera-a-month!

Oh...the orchestra was superb!

The reason I did not attend the Moore event was because I did not receive my ticket as indicated (I think) on the web-site. In response to the comment that on-line ticket purchases are available at "will-call"...I know better. I was not included at "will-call" in Auburn and probably was not at the Moore either even though my debit card had been charged almost two weeks prior. This is a small, management glitch that can easily be remedied in the future.

All that aside, two things...

In the Northwest, one can expect Lyric Opera Northwest performances to be just this side of Seattle Opera and...

I have no clue how this "meet-up" thing is supposed to work. I was tempted to tap everyone on the shoulder and ask, "Are you with the 'meet-up'? Are you one of 'us' ? Instead, I sat next to the photographer and savored the entire performance with no idea who else may be wandering and wondering how this 'meet-up' functions. Indeed! I know some performers...and performances...but I brought my appreciation, my experiences and my opinions home, unexpressed.

Mariners (Mets)

Listening to the Mariners game on the radio yesterday…two throwing errors on the same play…and having a look at the horrendous batting averages of these Seattle goofballs, I can’t help but compare them to the early New York Mets. I remember the “Amazins” with Marvelous Marv Throneberry, Ed Cranepool and the rest of that hapless team. It was a total joke. The 2012 Mariners are nearly clones of those Mets! And! They actually pay them for this crap! Millions! At this very minute, they're playing a game against Cleveland and the Mariners have two (!!!) professional (???) athletes hitting under 140 in the starting lineup! This is disgraceful! 

(By the way, Ken Levine is a great radio announcer and I've finally learned to appreciate Rick RZZs. Together, they're really great! ...just PLEASE keep Ron Fairly off the air...PLEASE!)

Oh...as a follow-up, the batless Mariners (Batless in Seattle) managed to find a way to blow away a 4-run lead and take it up the butt from Cleveland...again. The Mariners really do suck!

Also, I've had it up to here (!) with the local sports media buffoons being so critical of Ichiro. Aside from (maybe) that Mariner pitcher (what's-his-name), Ichiro is the only real professional athlete on the team.

Mariners baseball

So...I admit I haven't played baseball since long before most of my millions of readers were born. However, I was listening to the Mariners game on the radio...Dave Valley was talking about the previous game against the Tampa Bay team...it seems both teams had their best pitchers in that game and Dave Valley was explaining why there had been so many bunt attempts by both teams. "In a game like that, runs are at a premium", he said. So...my question is...if bunting provides an improved chance to score runs, why only increase bunt attempts when the teams aces are on the mound? Runs are always at a premium...not just in tight games. It's downright silly to have all these overpaid guys go up to the plate and swing madly. Let's all bunt! As a minor aside (concerning Dave Valley)...I have a distinct recollection, seeing him up to bat (on TV) against the Red Sox...2 outs, 9th inning, runner at third, down a run, 2 strikes...Dave Valley looked like he swung the bat with all the force within his entire being...he was trying to blast the ball into oblivion, spun himself all the way around...strike 3! Mariners lose! Where was the bunt then, Dave? Where was the contact hitting? That last run was at a premium too but Mr Valley seemed to think he was Mr October that day. That was the day I gave up hope for Dave Valley.

Next thing...why in the world is Figgins still in the lineup for the Mariners? Why? On the radio, also, there seems to be some hope that Carp's return will help the team...how can that be? He couldn't even hit in Tacoma!

As a follow-up...Carp and Figgins just made the last 2 outs against Tampa Bay. Carp is hitting zero and Figgins went 0 for 5 with 3 strike-outs and is under 200 now.