Week Numero Tres (i think)

I believe this was my third week of work with the good ole Renegades. What a great week it has been. Monday marked the birth of Gold's Gym. It's so nice to be involved with a team that includes a gym membership. It's such a small thing but a huge perk. We also had a sales meeting and the Zolz man and I got together to begin the promo madness phase of 2012. Tuesday morning the gym was also on the radar and so was..LUCERO in Harrisburg with Mike. What an amazing day. I woke up and went to the gym and headed straight to work. I got some much accomplished today in preparation of seeing Mike. I left just a bit after two and arrived at the Comfort Inn Riverfront where Mike met me before heading up the street to ABC where Ben Nicholas performed. The venue was perfect, the music phenomenal, and the beer delicious. We stuck around for quite a while after the show and met a very talented musician named the "West Virginia Texan." To make things better Mike and I got a photo together with Ben and I got to talk to him about their tour in Australia. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and we grabbed a cab back to the hotel. A few hours later we said our goodbyes and... Wednesday was LONG. It was my first attempt at HVR promotions (ish). The Army vs. Marist game is a pretty big deal in these parts and It just so happens they host the game at our stadium and we have the chance to run promotions. I met with Zolz, Jay, and Jeff early to discuss the plan and almost immediately it was game time. The game went pretty well but there are a few areas for improvement but if there wasn't I wouldn't be here. After the game I helped pick up, had fried ravioli (WOW) and headed home. Thursday, I feel like I rose before the sun! I had to be up in Poughkeepsie at 7am for a BNI meeting but it was a success. I have two people to contact about groups, another to catch about summer employment, and someone that would be interested in sitting down and discussing "law life" with Mike. Good things are coming...after the meeting I headed back to the ballpark and Corrine and I worked tirelessly on the promotion punchlines for the pocket schedule. At the end of the day I think Eben was pretty happy with almost all of them, mission accomplished. Friday was full of meetings. Family fest meeting followed by a promotion meeting and then phone calls. It was a long day but just about six I headed down to the church to help serve chili to some of the Newburgh city residents. It was pretty neat. I met a few new people and potentially another person to hangout with. After the chili event was over I went to Panera and met Victoria. It was a nice relaxing evening before an early morning... Saturday I woke up bright and early to make my first ever appearance (literally and figuratively) in CT. Corrine and I had an appearance at a little league opening day where I was once again a raccoon. It isn't so bad. I actually saved a kid from another mascot that was beating him up, jeez! After the appearance was over I met up with Victoria and Markle and we hiked Mt. Beacon. It was a pretty tough hike but worth the view at the top, wow! Next up was dinner at Chili's followed by a nap, shower, and a trip to Starbucks for the Orioles game. After all was said and done...Sunday came and so did the Family Fest. We had a great turnout. Last year was the first time for the event and we had approximately 800 people, this year 1414 walked through the gates for a free event at the stadium. There were pony rides, inflatables, demonstrations, work shops, everything you could imagine. It was great. When that finally concluded I sat at my desk to hear the last two innings of the Orioles game where Matt Weiters hit a game tying two run double in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and Betimet hit a three run home-run to ensure the victory! After that excitement I joined Andy, Jay, and Dan for dinner at Billy Joe's before heading home to work on, you guessed it, work. All in all, great week. K buhbye now.

Ozzie Osborn is Lighting Up My Ears

I love having my own place again. A place where I can listen to "Crazy Train" and it's not a big deal.

It has been a rather long and busy couple of weeks since moving to New York. I am happy to say I live in a great house with a patio and deck and currently have it all to myself. I really lucked into this place.

Last weekend I was busy getting life all set up in the house and working (go figure). Sunday we had a comedy show for our PFK (Pitch for Kids) Charity and it was actually pretty fun.

This week I have been busy planning, brain storming, and calling. Yesterday I had a marketing meeting where I met our ad agency and worked on developing our ad campaign for the season which was really fun (especially over some beers). After the meeting finished up I headed back to the office to pick up a mascot outfit for my first experience as "Rene" at a little league opening day. At the office Andy and Jay were waiting and I had my first river front adventure at Billy Joe's. I learned some very critical things about the Hudson Valley last night, one: YES there are blue crabs in the river and YES they season things with Old Bay! Now I just have to find a job here for Mike and we would be all set :)

This morning the mascot appearance went off pretty well except, I got punched by some bratty girl but all the kids yelled at her and said what a good character "Rene" was. It was interesting to say the least. The rest of the day seems like it will run a little like this..help Jay and Chris at the stadium with concession clean up, eat dinner, shower, listen to the Orioles game, sleep. I might try to fit a beer in Poughkeepsie among those activities but I'm pretty tired. Really I just can't wait for Tuesday when not only do I get to see Lucero perform BUT I finally get to see Mike, man I can't wait.

See you next time!
It's a great day to be a Renegade.

Empire State of Mind

"Hova" is what some people call him but when Jay Z throws the diamond up that's it. The next time you hear "Hova" and Alicia Keys singing 'Empire State of Mind' think of me because as of next Monday I'll be living the New York life. I share that in confidence knowing my real friends will understand I remain on the 'good side' when it comes to sports.

As for now..shall I recap the last year for those intersted? Sure.

Ode to 2011---

January-August I lived in York and continued working with the York Revolution for a third season. As the season progressed I chose to take a position with the Australian Baseball League in Canberra. It was a great run with the back to back Atlantic League Champions.

August 28th I hopped on a plane and flew 16,000 miles to the capital city. There I worked for the Canberra Cavalry as the Marketing and Events Coordinator for the 2011-2012 season.

While in Oz I saw amazing things that I'll never forget and shared holiday memories in Brisbane, Surfer's Paradise, Gold Coast, Melbourne,and Sydney with Mike. I played baseball for a women's team and found out I'm pretty good at it. I also found out I love being in front of the crowd to emcee on game day.

As we know (in our old age) all good things must come to an end as I headed back to the United States just last month.

Over the past four weeks I have worked hard opening many doors in the world of baseball and excepted a position in New York. I never thought I would call New York home but I think it will grow on me. The way I look at it is, if I make it out of NY alive, nothing can stop me.

So what's on my mind now? Orioles Opening Day- c'mon what kind of question was that?