Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club makes the Fantasy Playoffs

It was a season to remember for the Coca Cola Kids as they dominated the first half of the season.  Players that contributed to the historic first half are Cal Raleigh, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Josh Naylor, Katel Marte, Elly de la Cruz, Julio Rodriguez, Matthew Boyd, Jason Adams, Freddie Peralta and Shota Imanaga.  The Kids blew out teams week after week mid-July.  

July and August was a different story for the Kids.  As players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Elly de la Cruz, and the starting pitching went cold and players like Spencer Torkelson, and Bryson Stott cooled off the Kids' dominance ended.  They lost the last six weeks of the regular season, and their first place in the league.  

Some roster changes heading into the playoffs include bringing in Blaze Alexander 3B (Arizona), Mike Yastrzemski OF (Kansas City), Zach Gelof 2B (Las Vegas), Will Vest RP (Detroit) to help fill or back up some spots that have shown weakness in the last several weeks.  

The Kids did manage to hold onto, by a thread, the second spot in the playoffs, earning a first week bye.  This post will update the results of the playoffs for the Kids, so stay tuned. 

Until then, here are the regular season leaders for the Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club: 

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 94 - Elly De La Cruz

1B: 95 - Julio Rodriguez

2B: 34 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

3B: 6 - Elly De La Cruz

HR:  50 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 107 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  32 - Elly De La Cruz

BB:  81 - Cal Raleigh

K's: 160 - Cal Raleigh

Ave:  .291 - Ketel Marte

IP: 164.1 - Framber Valdez

W:  16 - Freddie Peralta

L: 13 - MacKenzie Gore

SV: 20 - Will Vest

Hits: 142 - MacKenzie Gore

BB: 58 - Freddie Peralta

K: 173 - MacKenzie Gore

HLD:  29 - Jason Adam

SP ERA:  2.58 - Freddie Peralta

RP ERA:  1.81 - Jason Adam

QS:  18 - Framber Valdez

Putting Away the Family Legos

At the beginning of the summer, my youngest daughter and I pulled a bag of our family Legos out of my office.  I wanted to open up some space and clean out the clutter, so this seemed like an easy start.  

Years ago, when my girls were young, we introduced them to Legos through the Duplo line.  Those
were fun; they loved the idea of building and breaking apart and building again.  Good times.  A few years later, I bought my oldest daughter her first set of Legos with the Lego Friends line.  This was a fun theme of Legos as it was girl focused in marketing and product.  Over the years we purchased several, well okay, lots of these sets from small ones like the dog training set, to the large sets like the Lego Friends house.  I loved to help them build the sets and play when they were built.  I have no doubt that these Lego friends toys were the most played with toys in the house.  I liked to build my space sets from the 1980's and have space invasions of the Lego Friends town.  They didn't always like that.  Hehehe...

Flash forward to this summer when both of my girls graduated.  One graduated from high school heading to college and the other graduated from 8th grade heading to high school.  They are growing up.  Something I haven't been very supportive of, but there is no stopping it, I suppose.  Anyhow, the youngest and I were cleaning up a tote bag of partially build or broken sets with random pieces spread across the bottom of the bag.  The goal was to figure out what pieces went to which set and deconstruct what was left of the partially build sets.  Lets just say, there was a lot of organizing to do.  As we got started, my daughter decided the best way to get the lose pieces organized with the sets was to just rebuild the sets.  She told me what she needed from the lose pieces and we hunted for them together.  We spent several hours rebuilding about 5 sets that were in the bag.  We hunted, built, talked, shared memories with the sets (I didn't mention the alien invasions), and had a good old time.  It was a nice way to start the summer.  

I couldn't bring myself to tear down the sets we had just built, so we took them to the basement to display and look at for a while.  Our mission was accomplished as we found a home for all of the lose Legos from the bottom of the tote bag.  

Now, school has started.  One daughter off to college and the other navigating the landscape of high school.  It was time to change out the display of Lego Friends in the basement.  I took them down one-by-one and started taking them apart and organizing them in their own Ziploc bags with the directions.  In this process, I was struck.  I will probably never build Legos with them ever again.  I let it sink in.  I will never build Legos with them ever again.  

Of course, the hope is some day when the grandkids come to visit, we will pull those "old" Legos out of the basement.  I don't know what that will be like, but I don't imagine it will be the same as building them with my daughters.  Maybe it will be more wonderful.  I don't know.  Nevertheless, the family Legos are now put away.   

I guess it is just me now as building Legos isn't really my wife's thing, so I pulled out my Star Wars Legos that I have gathered over the years.  I started rebuilding those.  Even though I am building those on my own, I have the memories of all the hours of fun I had with my daughters as children building the Family Legos.  

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club Weeks 19-23

Week 19:  

Kids (162-123-39) vs. All Choked Up (174-119-31)  5-10 "Kids All Choked Up with 4 Weeks Before Playoffs" 

(5th League)  

Week 20: 

Kids (167-133-42) vs. Underdawgs (78-227-37)  9-5  "Kids Offense Comes Alive in Week 20" 

(4th League) 

Week 21: 

Kids (176-138-46) vs. Release the Kimbrel (179-141-40)  6-6  "Kids and Kimbrel Even Steven"

(4th League)

Week 22: 

Kids (182-144-52) vs. Trot's Cardinals (166-157-55) 

Week 23: 

Kids vs. Acuna Matada

B Team Weeks 13 - 18

B Team Weeks 7-12

B Team Weeks 1-6

As Week 19 begins, the Kids find themselves in a respectable 3rd place, which is the lowest they have found themselves this season.  Hitting has been up and down.  Power hasn't been a problem, but consistent singles and extra base hits have been lacking. Pitching has just been holding its own, but definitely needs to improve if the Kids are to be serious contenders in the playoffs.

Cal Raliegh continues to be the MVP of the year leading the team in home runs and runs batted in.  Kyle Schwarber could arguably be an MVP candidate as he leads the team in runs, walks and OPS.  From the mound, Jacob DeGrom definitely makes an impact, but our top pitcher is Bryan Woo from Seattle as he leads the team in innings pitched, WHIP and quality starts.     

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 80 - Kyle Schwarber

1B:  92 - Steven Kwan

2B:  28 - Matt Olson

3B: 4 - Kyle Tucker

HR:  45 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 98 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  24 - Kyle Tucker

BB:  78 - Kyle Schwarber

OPS: .957 - Kyle Schwarber

IP: 146.0 - Bryan Woo

W:   11 - tie Jesus Luzardo / Nick Pivetta

CG: 0

SV: 21 - Ryan Helsley

K:  151 - Jesus Luzardo

HLD:  14 - Carlos Vargas

SP ERA:  2.86 - Jacob DeGrom

RP ERA:  1.73 - Daniel Palencia

SP WHIP: 0.95 - tie Jacob DeGrom / Bryan Woo

RP WHIP:  0.83 - Luke Weaver

QS:  17 - Bryan Woo

Here is the team roster as of the beginning of Week 19: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Matt Olson, Braves

2B: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

3B: Willi Castro, Cubs

SS: Jeremy Pena, Astros

OF: Kyle Schwarber, Phllies

OF: Seiya Suzuki, Cubs

OF: Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

Utility: Kyle Stowers, Marlins

Bench: Steven Kwan, Guardians

Bench: Kyle Tucker, Cubs

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays

SP: Jacob DeGrom, Rangers

RP: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals

RP: Daniel Palencia, Cubs

P: Carlos Vargas, Mariners

P  Luke Weaver, Yankees

P: Nick Pivetta, Padres

Bullpen: Bryan Woo, Mariners

Bullpen: Lucas Giolito, Red Sox

Bullpen: Jesus Luzardo, Phillies

IL: Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves

Players Added Weeks 7-12

Kyle Stowers, OF Marlins

Luke Weaver, RP Yankees

Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through Week 23.  

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club Weeks 19-21(Regular Season Concluded)

Week 19: 

Kids (174-140-46) vs. Pacaya Chiltepes (172-156-32)  8-12 "Kids Losing the Fizz Down the Stretch"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 20: 

Kids (182-152-46) vs. ACEsymptomatic (165-186-29)  7-12  "Kids Relinquish First Place for the First Time this Season"

(1st Division, 2nd League)

Week 21: 

Kids (189-164-47) vs. BrownTown (186-172-42) 8-9  "Kids Stumble into the Playoffs"

(1st Division, 2nd League)  

  

A Team Weeks 13-18

A Team Weeks 7-12

A Team Weeks 1-6

The Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club still sits in first place in the league, but the dominance is no longer the norm.  During the weeks 13-18 stretch, the Kids are 54-50.  Winning record?  Yes.  Winning enough?  No.  The rest of the league has advanced, and three teams are within 5 games back.  Cal Raliegh and Elly De La Cruz have continued to lead the team.  Pete Crow-Armstrong has gone stone-cold with the bat as Julio Rodriguez had heated up.  Overall, pitching has gone soft, especially the starters.  MacKenzie Gore has lost his touch as the hits and walks have skyrocketed and strikeouts have dropped.  Shota Imanaga has been the best pitcher in this stretch.  

Randy Arozarena has been the top pick-up in the last six weeks.  His solid play has helped to balance out some losses and dropping numbers in other areas.  

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 82 - Elly De La Cruz

1B: 81 - Elly De La Cruz

2B: 31 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

3B: 4 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

HR:  45 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 98 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  31 - Elly De La Cruz

BB:  69 - Cal Raleigh

K's: 140 - Cal Raleigh

Ave:  .292 - Josh Naylor

IP: 145.2 - Framber Valdez

W:  13 - Freddie Peralta

L: 12 - MacKenzie Gore

SV: 6 - Ronny Henriquez

Hits: 129 - MacKenzie Gore

BB: 49 - tie Framber Valdez/Freddie Peralta

K: 158 - MacKenzie Gore

HLD:  27 - Jason Adam

SP ERA:  2.45 - Matthew Boyd

RP ERA:  1.51 - Randy Rodriquez

QS:  16 - Framber Valdez

Team roster as of the beginning of Week 19: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks

2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

3B: Jorge Polanco, Mariners

SS:  Bryson Stott, Phillies

OF: Randy Arozarena, Mariners

OF: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

OF: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers

Utility: Elly De La Cruz, Reds

Bench: Matt Shaw, Cubs

Bench:  Spencer Torkelson, Tigers

Bench: Michael Busch, Cubs

Bench: Pete Crow Armstrong, Cubs

IL: Isaac Paredes, Astros

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Michael Boyd, Cubs

SP: Framber Valdez, Astros

SP: Freddy Peralta, Brewers

RP: Reed Garrett, Mets

RP: Jason Adam, Padres

P: Ronny Henriquez, Marlins

P: Lucas Giolito, Red Sox

Bullpen: MacKenzie Gore, Nationals

Bullpen: Randy Rodriguez, Giants

Players Added Weeks 13-18

Jorge Polanco, 3B Mariners

Ronny Henriquez, RP Marlins

Lucas Giolito, SP Red Sox

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through week 20.

Artist Playthrough #2 2025 - John Mellencamp

There are some artists that we are just compelled to listen to.  For me, John Cougar or John Cougar Mellencamp, or just John Mellencamp is that artist.  Growing up and living in the mid-west, I could relate to all of the themes that Mellencamp sang about.  I felt his joys.  I felt and he helped me to understand the pains and injustices of the times.  His music made me feel like an American and proud to be from the central states of the United States.  His music still resonates today and a new generation could learn a thing or two about being an American from Mellencamp.  

John Cougar 1979 - An early, raw sound for Cougar (Mellencamp) to introduce a sound that will gradually mature and find a strong purpose in the following years.  My top song from this album is Pray for Me. This little ballad  reminds me of Bob Dylan style storytelling.  

American Fool 1982 - If you hadn't heard about John Cougar by 1982, you did by the end of it.  My
top song from this album is the radio hit teenage anthem Jack & Diane.  What American mid-western teen boy didn't want to do his best James Dean while dreaming of running off to the city with his girl?  But, ya know, life goes on long after the thrill of livin' is gone.  

Uh-HUH! 1983 - You ever hear of the sophomore slump?  John Cougar Mellencamp hasn't.  Uh-Huh! lived up to any and every expectation that was set after the breakthrough success of American Fool.  It was a little more grown up.  He had a little more to say.  And he got in our faces to tell us all about it. My top song on this rockin' album is Authority Song.  "I call up my preacher,  I say 'Give me strength for round five,' He said 'You don't need no strength you need to grow up son.'"  Yep, there you go.  We always come out grinnin'.  

Scarecrow 1985 -  Farm Aid, the mega concert to raise aid for farmers in America, was organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp.  The Scarecrow album symbolized the concern of the crisis of the middle American farmer and a deeper crisis rising in the United States.  Scarecrow smashes that message and Mellencamp takes one more step on his musical career.  There are so many candidates for top song on this masterpiece super album with Rain on the Scarecrow, Small Town, Minutes to Memories, Lonely Ol' Night, Runbleseat and today's 4th of July anthem R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A (A Salute to 60's Rock), but the sleeper top song here is Justice an Independence '85.  Just listen to this masterpiece.  You might just shed a tear and shake your head when you listen today, but don't forget to let it all go and dance it all away!  Ross Hollebon and I break this album down on his podcast, the Album Cockpit Podcast.  Check it out right here. 

The Lonesome Jubilee 1987 - John returns home with this album as he reminisces on Indiana living.  He doesn't lose the social commentary on a few songs, but this album really returns to home.  The top song for me on this record is Cherry Bomb.  Sit back, close your eyes and think of growing up and maybe main street of you hometown when you put the needle down on this LP.  

Big Daddy 1989 - While my attention started turning to something a little harder in 1989 like Guns and Roses Paradise City, John Mellencamp doubled down on the hometown feel in this album and he brought me right back down to Earth.  It isn't my top song, but Big Daddy of Them All sets the tone of this album.  It tells you to "sit down son and listen to the Big Daddy of them all."  My top song however draws us to the end of the album when it is time to let lose a little bit and have some fun.  "Hanging from a pine tree by my knees, Sun shinin' through the shade, Nobody knows what it's all about, It's too much man, let it all hang out."  That's it!!  The top song...Let It All Hang Out!  

How about one more album, because this list could go on for a very long time...

Whenever We Wanted 1991 - With new decade comes a new feel.  It is still quintessential John Mellencamp but with a bit of an edge.  Do you like a little bit of hard electric guitar?  Maybe a solid drum set? Raw lyrics?  This is your album.  My top song from Whenever We Wanted has a sassy guitar with a driving beat and one might be able to say they want more cowbell when listening to I Ain't Ever Satisfied.  

This is just the start for John Mellencamp.  Maybe we can explore the 2/3 left of his works another day.  

Dream Season

I have been a Chicago Cubs fan as far back as I can remember.  I had suffered many years, but I believe not riding the bandwagon of the hottest team has built character and taught me a thing or two about loyalty.  Check out this #ThrowbackThursday post for my thoughts on finding the silver lining as a fan of a perennial losing team. Things have changed in the last 10 years as a Chicago Cubs fan.  I have gotten used to listening to more Cubs wins than losses which includes a World Series win in 2016.  

In 2025, Chicago Cubs fans have been enjoying a wild winning ride.  The Cubs have been in first place for almost the entire season.  We have exciting players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Daniel Palencia among others.  Anytime the list of exciting players passes 3 or 4, you must be rooting for a successful team.  As the second half of the season got started, but Cubs quickly achieved the best record in baseball while holding onto a one game division lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.  With the ebb and flow of baseball, hot streaks, cold streaks, injuries, and other superstitions, I never know how or when the season will turn.  

For a Cubs fan, all this makes for a dream season, but all of my friends know that this is a really special dream season for me.  Not only am I a Cubs fan, I am also a Detroit Tigers fan.  People often ask how that happened, and I think I have told the story somewhere in the history of this blog, but I am a Tigers fan because I am a Cubs fan.  

After last season's Cinderella story in the playoffs, the Detroit Tigers are showing that they are real.  The Tigers held the best record in the MLB up to the All-Star Game, before a losing streak set in.  This Tigers team has some pretty special players that have made this a fun season so far.  Those players are Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Javy Baez, Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and others.  The story for the Tigers starts with their visionary manager A.J. Hinch.  He has sold this team on the TEAM concept.  Players understand that they may have to pocket their egos for the betterment of the team.  This concept got them deep into the playoffs, and that philosophy continues today.  This year they are getting some much needed starting pitching to support Tarik Skubal.  

It has been a dream season for me as a baseball fan.  Every season is a treat, but boy, it is nice to win.  Everyone asks me, what happens if they both get to the World Series?  Who will you root for?  If the World Series is the Chicago Cubs vs. the Detroit Tigers, it won't matter who wins!  That would be icing on the cake for the 2025 baseball season!  

Update 8/11/25

The Dream Season is at risk!!  Since the All-Star Break the Tigers are still in first place, but they are 9-13 since the break.  The Cubs have dropped to second place with the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers sitting atop the division.  The Cubs are 10-11 since the All-Star break.  It isn't the end of the season, but it certainly doesn't fit the language above.  

Things I Love About Summer: Part 5

It really has been a pretty good summer even with how busy it has been.  I have been able to enjoy some of the things that make summer what it is.  Quick trips are one thing I love about summer.  Over the 4th of July weekend, I was able to make a trip to see my mom in Indiana.  She moved there several years ago to be closer to my sister and moved into a complex a step above assisted living. 

I try to see her two or three times a year, wishing it could be more as we are thankful to still have her with us, but a few times is better than none.   

I got to help her pick up her apartment a little, go through some papers, visit with some other residents, and have dinner together.  We were going to watch fireworks on T.V., but we got so hung up in conversation that we both forgot to turn the television on.  She asked me a question that really threw me for a loop, but it was a good reflection for me. She asked me what I want to accomplish in this stage of life.  This question forced me to sit back and think.  My gut response was just to make it through each day.  I see retirement in the near future, like the light is just now shining at the end of the tunnel, but, yeah, it is still a trip to get there.  

After some nervous laughter and thinking, my best answer is to help my daughters through the next steps in their lives.  They will both be freshmen this fall, one in college and one in high school.  I have spent a lot of time this summer preparing myself for this change, but my mom's question kind of changed my perspective.  

I don't get this kind of visit any other time of year, because there is the worry of hurrying back to work. 
Or, something about the short days of winter just doesn't encourage sitting back and taking time.  

Part of the joy of small summer trips like this is the drive.  It was a seriously hot and humid set of days, so there were a lot of trucks with blown-out tires from the searing hot pavement.  This image doesn't exactly summon up feelings of summer relaxation, but the drive on a hot, sunny summer day with blue skies and puffy white clouds do shape together a relaxing day.  I had time to reflect on my time with my mom and look forward to what is ahead.  There aren't many times in the year where I allow myself to relax like summertime, which is why quick summer trips are one of the things I love about summer.  

Gen Con 2025: Photo Journal

Grab a set of dice.  Roll them on a table.  Now, imagine 70,000+ sets of dice rolling, add conversation and laughter, and you now have a sense of what Gen Con 2025 might sound like.  So many games, so much food and drink, so many vendors, so much fun!  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this year's Gen Con: 

Balloon Sculpture

Awesome Cosplay: a tired Belle

Barbarian Rage!

A Goblin Grappler!

Someone looking over my shoulder

Badge Line out the door for hours!

Night Settles on Gen Con

First time finding Genevieve

Gen Con 2025: Top 5 Games Played

There is no way that I could even scratch the surface of playing all or even a majority of the games played or demonstrated at Gen Con, but of the games I played, these are my Top 5: 

5.  Starfinder first edition: Paizo

I love the setting for Starfinder and the system works for me. I have played Starfinder every year I have attended Gen Con.  I have always enjoyed the people I have played with in the Paizo ballroom, and even better, the DMs for Starfinder have always  been A+.  When I went to play, I knew what I was getting, and I wasn't disappointed.  

 

4.  Thunder Road Vendetta: Restoration Games

First, lets start by saying the people at Restoration Games are awesome and enthusiastic.  I had three different people demonstrate how three different games were played at this booth, and they all made the demonstration clear and fun.  Thunder Road Vendetta is a raucous game.  One might think you simply drive your three cars to the end of the board first and you win.  Oh, if it were only that simple.  There are hazards, helicopters, and a hell of a good time!  The best part of this game are the domino affects of crashes and hazards.  Play it with friends and be prepared to shake fists, taunt, and laugh.  

3.  Starfinder second edition: Paizo

When you've got something good, you go with it, right?  Well, Paizo isn't sitting back and watching as things change around them.  They released the second edition of Starfinder at Gen Con this year, and I am not disappointed.  Same fun, same general idea, more streamlined, and now is compatible with big brother, Pathfinder.  I am making the switch, sorry first edition.  

2.  Rumble Slam: TTCombat

Sometimes you can have a good game, but the person teaching it makes it a great game.  That was the case for Rumble Slam.  We had a young employee introduce us to this game, and he was awesome.  Is Rumble Slam good?  I have no idea, but the employee made it great!  He called out the moves, did the moves, and played announcer.  It was hilarious and fun.  If I purchase this game or have the opportunity to play it again, I am inspired by the TTCombat employee, and I will totally ham it up with all the good wrestling calls.  P.S. It is a fun game and really easy to figure out.  Have fun with this one! 

1.  Dragon Bane: Free League Press

This game has been out for a couple years, but continues to sell out game play at Gen Con.  I got lucky and one of my friends had an extra ticket, so we went adventuring.  First, as mentioned above in other games, the person teaching/leading a game can sometimes make it great.  That was the case here.  We had a pro DM who connected with the group right away.  We also had a table of eager players wanting to learn the system.  Dragon Bane is a streamlined system with some cool features like on a failed die  roll, you can give yourself temporary conditions like sickly, exhausted, and disheartened for a reroll.  Spells are not recorded with slots, but with a bank of willpower points.  Kinda cool.  It was fairly easy to learn and we played an adventure with a satisfactory ending.  (No Photo, I was having too much fun!)

Games played or demoed at Gen Con: 

Goats and Goblins, Fortune and Famine, Splendor, Earth, Mandalorian Adventures: Clan of Two, Starfinder first edition, Rumble Slam, HardWar, Fortune and Glory: the Cliffhanger Game, Starfinder second edition, Dragon Bane, Bo Jackson: Battle Arena, Thunder Road: Vendetta, First Exposure Play Hall 

Things I Love About Summer Part 4

Summer Reading!!  Doesn't that bring back memories of being a kid and going to the public library at the beginning of the summer to sign up for summer reading?  That was always fun to get rewards for reading books in the summer.  I wasn't the best at reading a ton or getting many prizes, but the effort of opening a book on a rainy summer afternoon wasn't the worst thing in the world.  

When I made my way into junior high the motivation for reading waned a bit as I got my first job working at the local swimming pool hocking pop corn, Ding Dongs and soda in the concession stand.  But then, a neighbor introduced me to the X-Men and The Hobbit.  This was summer reading where the prize wasn't something a librarian gave me, the prize was imagination and discovering characters I could get behind.  In high school, summer reading got me through the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Isaac Asimov's Foundation series.  

Today, summer allows me the time to read books that aren't necessarily just for work.  Yes, I have a summer reading group with students that meets three times through the summer to discuss three books we have read.  Those books are a hit and miss on stories that I like, but the discussion with the kids are always fun and insightful.  Many times they convince me that I shouldn't have liked the book that I liked, and that I should have liked the books that I didn't.  I can never win.  

Then I get to the books that I really want to read.  Most of them fall into a few categories that I will never tire reading: Star Wars, fantasy (Forgotten Realms, DragonLance), graphic novels and comics.  I save the non-fiction for the school year when it feels a little more, scholarly.  

This summer I have continued my read-through of the X-Factor comic run of the 1990s.  I keep up-to-date with my current comics both in print and digital.  I finally started reading the classic X-Wing series from the 1990s.  I found Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole to be as exciting as watching the trench run through the Death Star.  What a great book!  I blew through it as I found it hard to put down.  

I am now, on July 19, between books and struggling to choose.  I am in the mood for fantasy but the lure of book 2 of X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble is really strong.  So, as I decide, I consume comics and graphic novels.  

This is one of the things I love about summer.  I get to read and read and read, take some time between books to decide what is next, and enjoy the real prize of great stories and good relaxation.  

Gen Con 2025: Trade Day

Trade Day at Gen Con is one of the most productive of the convention for me.  I get to hang out with my people. Yes, they are gamers, but they are educators, librarians, game publishers, and store owners.  It is the fourth year that I have presented with my colleague and podcast co-creator/host, Dan Reem.  It has been a good outlet for us to share our model for a school game club as well as our RPG Summer Camp.  It isn't just presenting that makes this day worthwhile; however, I get to attend the sessions of other educators and librarians to hear how they are using games in their schools and libraries.  Public librarians share how they use games to increase usage of their resources and build community with games.  

Trade Day also allows everyone the opportunity to talk with vendors on a more one-to-one basis.  I have learned about new games and how they are designed to meet the needs of educators and student learning.  I get to talk game mechanics and the business of game design.  It is a unique opportunity for both parties to talk and share ideas and needs. 

Finally, my favorite part of Trade Day is the evening social after I have enjoyed dinner at the food trucks.  The social is a great time to wind down after learning all day.  It is at the social that I get to socialize with the other educators and librarians.  I also take a good chunk of the time to get game demonstrations and talk about the business side of the game design.  There are also opportunities to play some games that are still in development and on Kickstarter.  This year I got to play a prototype of Goats and Goblins, a fun, competitive card game that involves strategy and luck to win.  

There are less important benefits to participating in Trade Day, but nice conveniences all the more.  First, there aren't long lines to pick up badges.  We walked up to the check-in table, got our badge, and moved on in less than one minute.  We also got to visit the Gen Con store.  This year we had to wait about 45 minutes in line, but that is nothing compared to the hour to hour and a half lines during the convention.  Finally, we get to walk around the Indiana Convention Center.  The vendor and play halls are closed, but we get to look around the long corridors where the signage is already up.  At the end of a long Trade Day, this walk got me pumped up for four days of convention fun.  

Trade day is a great opportunity for learning and networking.  Trade Day is also a great way to acclimate to the next four Gen Con days ahead.  If you are a librarian, educator, game developer, or game store owner, I highly recommend attending this day. 

Gen Con 2025: StarFinder 2nd Ed. panel

On Saturday morning in Room 245 of the Indiana Convention Center, excited fans filed in to listen to a panel of StarFinder creators to discuss what is new and give a little hint of what is coming. Many fans could barely get comfortable from all the excitement, but for good reason, StarFinder second edition to be released next month (for sale at Gen Con), and there was a lot to share. 

First, the panel discussed the new products from the second edition including the Core rulebook, a deluxe adventure, "Murder in the Metal City," a new novel by Tim Pratt, Era of the Eclipse, and a new card game.  Many of us in the audience hadn't had a chance to see these items, so it was good to hear what we could expect.  

Next the panel of StarFinder creators shared that a new adventure based on the online game, Warframes, will release as a pdf in October.  It is designed it be a quick adventure of two hours for your combat-heavy groups and a few more hours for your role players.  

The new book by Tim Pratt, Era of the Eclipse will fill in some gaps between eras that will help fill in the timeline of StarFinder.  I purchased the book and will give a review here on Seeking Positivity in the Galaxy later. 

Then the panel got to some new, unannounced content.  They began by showing a trailer for a new video game to come out on Kickstarter titled StarFinder: After the Light.  Panel members described it in the vein of Balder's Gate, but most interestingly, it appears that it will have a romance component which should be interesting.  

A couple new book covers were revealed in the panel discussion.  First, was the cover for a new book of Galactic Ancestries.  Of course, not much could be said, but one panelist revealed that he is working on a race of oozes, and another panelist noted that several Pathfinder races will be included with expanded ancestries from other planets.  This book is designed to continue the canon of the StarFinder galaxy which when asked, will connect to the original first edition books.  It was noted that the rich information from the first edition books are still relevant even thought the stat blocks and other game mechanics are not.  The other book cover which depicts a space battle with some really cool purple lightning magic shooting across one side and space ships on the other side, does not have a title.  The panel couldn't really say much about this book except that it is an adventure book and think haunted space station/gas station.  There is a lot that could go into that, so we wait.  

In the Q/A session, a fan asked if ship combat is still in playtest.  The simple answer is yes, but they are close and they want to be sure to get it right. Finally, an audience member asked about new classes.  There are new classes being discussed weekly, so we can expect to see some new classes.  

At the conclusion of the panel, many fans, understandibly, rushed to the stage to meet the creators face to face.  This is what Gen Con is all about.  

In Search of Mellencamp

"The north garden would be on that side," I mentioned pointing to the left of the building in front of us as we were facing east.  "I have a really good sense of direction,"  I bragged.  Our search for John Mellencamp was nearing a conclusion or so we thought. 

  
On a recent trip to Indiana, I joined my good friends Ross, host of the Album Cockpit Podcast, and Monica on a trip to Bloomington, Indiana in search of the John Mellencamp statue on the campus of Indiana University.  

Two years ago Ross, Monica, my youngest daughter, Kelsey and I made a trip to Seymour, Indiana to explore the hometown of John Mellencamp.  It was a marvelous and enlightening trip as we ate lunch at a downtown diner that John used to visit.  It didn't appear that one thing had changed in that diner since the early 1970s when John would have come there with his friends.  We strolled up and down the streets of Seymour and stopped in to a music shop where several gentlemen were standing around visiting.  The shop was rich in Mellencamp memorabilia that you wouldn't find anywhere else, but the real treasure were the stories the gentlemen told us of John and his family.  It was amazing.  You can hear our recap and breakdown of John Cougar Mellencamp's album on the Album Cockpit Podcast right here. 

So, Ross, Monica and I (no daughter this year) set off to Bloomington and the campus of IU.  It was a hot, sweltering 4th of July morning, and as we arrived it became quickly apparent that the town was packed full of people for a 4th of July parade.  It was a scene of  small town Americana that
definitely gave me the feel of many of John's songs.  We made our way through town, found an open donut shop and took some time for a bit of morning sweets and conversation.  Then it was off to campus in search of Mellencamp.  

It didn't take long to get there as it was only two blocks from the donut shop.  When we stepped onto campus, the entire scenery changed as we went from college town to grand stone buildings of learning placed among park-like trees and grassy spaces.  The campus also has settled onto a hilly landscape which added to the quaint feel.  After a few lefts and rights, up and down stairs through gardens, then the north garden, we came across the statue.  What a sight it was to see the representation of our favorite rock-n-roll star, ready to strike a chord right there in the garden.  We admired the work, took some pictures, Monica placed a floral decoration, we fist bumped to our discovery and moved on, mission accomplished

As we made our way back to town, pleased with our accomplishment, we made a wonderful discovery that continued the adventure!  A sandwich-board sign was placed out in front of a storefront that advertised the art of John Mellencamp!!  Did we stop?  You bet we did, and boy did we discover Mellencamp!  We opened the door of Clash Art Gallery to find an exhibit of Mellencamp's art.  Popping out from the back room of the gallery was talented artist, curator and owner of the gallery, Jennifer Mujezinovic to greet us on this 4th of July.  She shared stories about Mellencamp and how his art came to her gallery which boils down to this: he came in and asked.  Her stories drew a picture of Mellencamp as a person with hopes, worries, excitement just like the rest of us.  This visit was a treasure of art and story.  What a joy!  I was left buzzing all the way back to Indianapolis.  

Like our previous search for Mellencamp in Seymour, the adventure was filled with visual discovery, but the real treasure were the personal stories of our musical hero.  

Artist Playthrough #1 2025 - INXS

It has been a long time coming, but I finally got an Artist Playthrough collection together for 2025.  This week's artist is the Australian band, INXS.  I loved this band in high school and college.  The pop style was catchy and lead singer and front man, Michael Hutchence, demanded attention.  Sadly, Hutchence passed in November, 1997, but he left a legacy of excellence with a band willing to take some risks.  

Here are the albums along with my pick for top song for each:  

Kick 1987 - This album is filled with hits from Need You Tonight, New Sensation, and Devil Inside. 
However, my top song for Kick is Mystify.  The song starts off with a cool opening before kicking in to a classic pop sound.  

X  1990 - The album opens with a killer song that rides with you all day long, Suicide Blonde.  There are a few songs on this album with a driving beat that just doesn't quite kick like Suicide Blonde.  It is hard not to choose that opening song as my favorite, but after a couple reviews of this album, Bitter Tears stands out to me as the top song of this album.  The deciding factor is the passionate performance of Hutchence in the chorus.  

Welcome to Wherever You Are 1992 - The album opens to a new sound with the song Questions.  Don't be fooled, INXS pumps out a jam with Heaven Sent and the album is back on track.  My top song for Welcome to Wherever You Are is a quiet tune that will draw you in, Beautiful Girl.  

Full Moon, Dirty Hearts 1993 - A little harder, a little punk, a little blues, but still INXS.  There is a change to the INXS sound with this album, but they bring a couple features with Chrissie Hynde and Ray Charles as guest artists to a couple songs.  This album is a step to one side or the other, but it totally works for me.  My top song of this album is The Messenger.  It is a throwback to some older INXS, super catchy with a good guitar sound and commanding lead vocals.  

Eligantly Wasted 1997 - This album is quite pedestrian.  It feels like they lost their INXS sound and assimilated with the sound of the late 90's without any band identity.  There aren't any songs on this album that are a standout for me.  Clearly the magic of the late 80s are gone for the band.  

Top Digital Cards Base Cards so far 2025

Half-way through the year isn't a bad time to take a look at some of my favorite Topps Digital Cards from Star Wars Card Trader, Marvel Collect and Topps Bunt. 

There have been some great sets this year, but the base sets have been enjoyable as well. Here are my Top 6 (two from each platform) base cards for 2025: 

6. Jacob Wilson, 2025 Bunt Base - Series 1, Base Tier 1

It is hard to pick a top baseball base card, because what often makes a baseball card stand out is the boarder and special series.  Sometimes what makes a great baseball card great is what player is featured or what team is featured.  So, for picking my top two Bunt base cards I went strictly photo otherwise any card would be Shohei Ohtani, or Pete Crow-Armstrong or Tarik Skubal.  

I chose the Jacob Wilson card as my 6th top digital card in 2025 so far, because of the action of the follow through of the swing.  I love this image for a card because it includes the action and Jacob's eyes following the ball.  It also highlights his number and name which is important for a baseball card.  I do like the base tier boarder and design as well.  

5. David Peterson, 2025 Bunt Base - Series 1, Base Tier

I really like the this card and what it shows.  As mentioned above, the action shot in a baseball card is the best.  I like that the image they chose for Peterson is not only mid-pitch, but we can see his pitching hand.  We can see his position on the ball and see that the grip has the ball back in his hand setting up some kind of off speed pitch.  This card does a nice job of telling the story of the pitch.  

4.  Shin Hati, 2025 Base - Series 2 Tier 1 - White

Like the Bunt cards, I like the design of the base cards this year.  For the 10th anniversary of the SWCT app, they modeled this year's base card on the original 2015 card set.  The double lined boarder around the image matches the original card.  I chose Shin Hati because I feel the card captures her character.  She was a mysterious character in the Ahsoka series and this pose fits that mysteriousness of her character.  I want to know more!! 

 

3. Darth Vader, 2025 Base - Series 2 - Tier 1 - White

I like the unique image of Vader from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.  This straight on view with the light reflecting off of his helmet and chest armor is quite intimidating.  This has quickly become one of my favorite Darth Vader images.  Would you agree?

2.  Spider-Naut, '25 Base - Series 1 - White  Tier 1

Okay, I will confess this card did nothing for me when the set came out.  Yes, this is what Spider-Man would look like if her were Juggernaut.  Fun.  But, then I read the Amazing Spider-Man conclusion to "8 Deaths of Spider-Man" run, and I totally get it.  So, go read that run of Amazing Spider-Man and this card will make much more sense.  

1.  X-23, '25 Base - Series 1 - White Tier 1

It took a while for this character to grow on me, but she is pretty cool.  So, why do I like this base card so much that I make it my #1?  POV!!!  Also, the action in her hair, facial expression, fists, and posture make this an appealing base card!  This card is top notch!

Reading Viewing Stats Quarters 1 and 2, 2025

We are half way through 2025.  The days seem to move slowly, but the year slips by quickly.  I have
never understood how that works, but here we are.  I haven't taken any time to reflect on what I have watched, listened to, or read this past quarter, but I have continued to record it as I have for several years. 

I do know that I put in a lot of podcast listening minutes in the first quarter of the year, but with the return of Major League Baseball, those podcast minutes have dropped considerably.  With the return of the MLB, I picked up the MLB At Bat subscription where I can listen to all baseball radio broadcasts.  So, as a way to track my usage of the this app, I started noting what teams I listen to on the "Reading and Viewing" stats sheet.  I note any game that I listen to intentionally for 5 innings or more.  This does not include games that are on in the background, and I find myself wondering what the score is.  Anyway, I have enjoyed listening to the different broadcasters and noting the different approaches to calling a game.  I am still quite partial to the Chicago Cubs broadcasts with Hall of Fame Broadcaster Pat Hughes, but I do enjoy many of the other broadcasts like Jon Miller and Davis Flemming on the San Francisco Giants broadcasts.  My goal is to listen to at least one game of every Major League Baseball club this season. 

Well, here are the stats from the first two quarters of 2025:  

Movies Watched:  11

Rewatch: 4

First Time: 7

In Theater: 3

T.V. shows streamed: 93

First time:  78

Rewatch:  15

Podcast Episodes:  28

Time Listened: 1742

Books Read:  8

Fiction:  4

Nonfiction:  34

Pages Read:  2,114

Audiobooks:  

Fiction:  

Nonfiction:  

Hours Listened:  

Books Abandoned:  1

Fiction:  1

Nonfiction: 

Pages Read:

Short Stories Read: 

Fiction: 

Nonfiction:  

Pages Read:  

Comic Books Read: 126

Print: 54

Digital: 72

Book Titles:  

Void Rivals: Vol. 1 More than Meets the Eye by Robert Kirkman Art by Lorenzo de Felicia (Graphic Novel)

The Salt Thief: Ghandi's Heroic March to Freedom by Neil Bascomb

The Library Mule of Cordoba by Wilfred Lupano and Leonard Chemineau, art by Christopher Bouchard (Graphic Novel)

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk 

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetya

Dungeons and Dragons: Worlds and Realms by Adam Lee

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Meirlich and Oga's by Annabelle Hiel

Movies Watched:

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Wicked

Captain America: Brave New World (Theater)

Inside Out  2

Rogue One

Star Wars: A New Hope (theater)

Elemental 

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Thunderbolts (theater)

 

T.V. Series Watched: 

Skeleton Crew

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 

Music By John Williams

Andor season 1

Fur Babies

Disney Treasure

Light and Magic season 1

Andor Season 2

Star Wars Rebels

Dance Moms Season 2 (don't ask, I couldn't look away)

Dead to Me Season 1

Dead to Me Season 2

Dead to Me Season 3

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld

Pepsi, Where's My Jet (documentary series)

Podcasts:

Rebel Base card Podcast (3)

60 Songs that Explain the 90's (2)

The Colbycast (5)

Teachers in the Dungeon (1)

Lost Ballparks (13)

Classic Baseball Radio (5)

MLB Team's Games listened: (min 5 innings)

Chicago Cubs 25

Detroit Tigers 18

San Francisco Giants 4

Seattle Mariners 4

New York Yankees 2

Texas Rangers

Kansas City Royals

Washington Nationals

Pittsburg Pirates

New York Mets

San Diego Padres

First Quarter 2025 Post

2024 Final Stats