Pups and Presidents Bring a Win for the Nats 3-1

It was pups in the park yesterday at Nationals' Park and that seem to do the trick because the Nats won. It's the first game I've been to this year that they've won. It was also a much needed win. The Nats have not been doing well this year.

Here's a little about the game from the Post:

Gio Gonzalez often gets a little frustrated after losses but is not the type to let animosity linger. So when he suggested his manager, Dave Martinez, took him out too soon when he removed him in the sixth inning in his previous start, the two talked it over. Both of them seemed just fine with where they left things, neither bullied into submission nor storming away misunderstood.

But on Sunday, with few fresh arms in the bullpen and a tight lead to preserve, Martinez left Gonzalez in to pitch the seventh inning. Gonzalez put two men on, sliding into the kind of mess that has so often consumed this team late.

Then, in what amounts to a total reversal of fortunes for the Nationals, he got out of it. Something went right. Brandon Kintzler and Sean Doolittle handled the eighth and ninth. Washington salvaged a 3-1 win from an otherwise damaging series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and moved back to four games under .500.

Mat Wieters heads for home

There was some luck involved in the win. Arizona's starting pitcher went out with an injury. Matt Wieters was at bat. He was able to hit a home run off the reliever. The Nats then loaded the bases. They got one run on an error. But the chance to blow the game wide open eluded them. This had been a problem the Nats have had all year. They've had people in scoring position but have failed to get them in.

Michael Taylor added another home run in the third. The Nats were able to out of a couple of jams and ended up winning the game.

Michael A. Taylor adds another run

Catholic University Closes Out the Academic Year with Fireworks

Here's the gran finale of the Catholic University end of the year fireworks. What's funny about this is I was thinking about this earlier in the evening when I was out for a walk. I wondered if I'd missed it. Turns out I didn't. This is the view from my back bedroom window.

Avengers: Infinity War

This is a great film. I will not give away any spoilers at all. At some point in a few weeks I might come back to it and discuss some of things that happened.

As I said this is a great film. I was very impressed how Marvel was able to intergrate so many super heroes into one film. It didn't feel forced or contrived at all.

Here's a little from the review in the Post:

What is not unexpected is the film’s death toll. Fanboys and fangirls have already steeled themselves to the eventuality that favorite characters will die here. Opening with a distress call from the Asgardian refugee spaceship that was seen fleeing planetary destruction at the end of last year’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Infinity War” gets that outcome out of the way early, paving a path forward for a film that, while very funny for much of its 2 ½ -hour running time, ends on an almost stunningly somber note. It should be mentioned that there is already a sequel planned for next year that is likely to act as a corrective — short of bringing people back from the grave. In the manner of the second and third “Matrix” films, and the “Deathly Hallows” segments of the Harry Potter films, you can expect that upcoming movie to be more of a conclusion to a giant, two-part saga — complete with this installment’s cliffhanger ending — than a free-standing sequel.

The laughs are dialed back some. But pay very close attention to when the Guardians rescue Thor and Star Lords reaction to him. It is some of the funniest parts of the movie. In fact I'd say some of the funniest parts of any of the Marvel movies. Also of note is the relationship that develops between Rocket and Thor.

Some reviews said that the movie runs long. I don't think that at all. I was suddenly surprised when I realized it was about to come to an end. There are a few slower parts in the film. But they're slower because they are not full of action. They also allow the audience to catch their breath.

I thought Chris Hemsworth was especially good in the film. He's really come into his own since Thor: Ragnarok. And he certainly gets beat up in this film. As you can see from the photo below.

In all a really good movie. I choose to see it at the Uptown which has one of the biggest screens in DC. The screen is curved, 70 feet long and 40 feet high. It is also one of the oldest theaters in DC opening in 1936. One other good thing about seeing it at the Uptown is that it cost $6 to get in. A really cheap price these days.

One funny event happened while I was there. I had gotten my seat (at 9am in the morning there weren't all that many people there) and was going out to get some candy. This kid of around 13-14 asked me if this was the theater that the Avengers was playing in. I said back to him that there was only one screen. He didn't understand my answer and asked the question again. I again said there was only one screen. He still couldn't figure out what I was talking about so I quickly added that this was where the Avengers was playing. The funny thing is the kid couldn't comprehend that a theater would have only one screen.

Go out and enjoy this movie.

Schoolhouse Rock Song Writer Dies — Bob Dorough

What a sad day this is. Bob Dorough has died. Now his name might not be familiar to many people but the songs he wrote certainly where and are. He wrote Schoolhouse Rock!

From the Post:

Mr. Dorough became the music director for “Schoolhouse Rock!,” as ABC shaved three minutes off its Saturday morning cartoons to accommodate the instructional music videos. He composed 11 songs about the multiplication tables, skipping 1 and 10 — but including “My Hero Zero.”

The songs became so popular that Mr. Dorough couldn’t give a jazz performance without receiving requests for “Schoolhouse Rock!” songs, and he happily obliged.

As I read the story on Dorough I was amazed at how many of the songs I could recall remember all of the lyrics.

The next few posts are some of my favorites.

Schoolhouse Rock — Figure 8

This is my personal favorite.

Schoolhouse Rock — America Rock

This was a series about the US. I think there might be some politicians who could learn something from these.

Schoolhouse Rick — A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing

Another very catchy tune

Schoolhouse Rock — Interjections!

Remember if your happy or sad or frightened or mad or excited or glad

Schoolhouse Rock — Conjunction Junction

This is probably the most famous of Mr. Dorough songs for Schoolhouse Rock!

Spring is Trying

Two really nice days over the weekend. The sun was out it was warm. Yes it was actually warm. Of course there was wind. There always seems to be wind these days.

I did some serious walking. Saturday I went into Georgetown to see the Amazon store. I did 27,467 steps on Saturday. That's  12.79 miles. Sunday I did 25,198 steps or 11.74 miles.

Here are a couple of pictures of Spring trying to spring.

I'll have more on my walk into Georgetown and the Amazon store in an upcoming post.

100 Years of the Royal Air Force

A great concert celebrating 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

2018 marks the centennial of Britain’s Royal Air Force. To commemorate this centennial anniversary, The Central Band of the Royal Air Force and The United States Air Force Band will be joining forces for a series of outreach events, including concerts, aerial demonstrations and honor guard performances honoring the great history of the RAF and its profound partnership with the United States Air Force.

Here are two videos from the concert.

At the National Zoo

There was a fairly nice sunny day recently. The temperature was warm too. So I decided on a quick trip to the zoo.

Blossoms at Glenwood Cemetery

Have you ever gone past a place many many times and then suddenly notice something that you've never noticed before?

That happened to me the other day when I went past Glenwood Cemetery. I don't drive past it every day but usually a couple of days a week. I've driven past it at all times of the year.

The other day I just happened to look over and noticed a few cherry trees on the ground. Then I noticed even more cherry trees. And then even more.They were nothing short of spectacular.

These trees have been there for a while. You can tell that by their size. They easily 25-20 feet tall. The cemetery is a little hilly. Some of the trees are on top of those hills. They look incredible.

Here are a few pictures and a few posts of those incredible blooms.

More Blossoms

More from Glenwood

Blooms on Bark

I call them blooms on bark in that these blossoms grow right out of the tree.

Spectacular Tulip Tree

This spectacular tulip tree was a real standout.

Blossoms Everywhere