After a surprising 3-9 loss in the 9th inning of the first game in the series, the Astros will return tonight to try to hold on to their second to last place lead over the Pirates.
Houston now holds a one-game lead over Pittsburgh, and are 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs. However, both the Astros and the Pirates share a batting average of .259 and in their previous series, the Pirates beat the Astros 2-1.
The Astros are playing pretty well, but they need to win as many games as possible in order to secure a spot in the playoffs later this year.
Tonight's starting pitcher is Jack Cassel, who has a 1-0 record this season. Regular pitcher Roy Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday for a hip abductor strain and a small, but old, herniated disc. Oswalt was replaced for Monday's game by Runelvys Hernandez, who played a beautiful first 5 1/3 innings. Oswalt leads the team in ERAs, wins and strikeouts.
Kazuo Matsui is also back in action at the head of the lineup after a 15-day stint on the disabled list for a strained right hamstring.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Obituary: Melania Trump
Melania Trump, most noted as Donald Trump's second wife, has died. She was 38. Mrs. Trump died instantly in a car accident on I-95 on July 8 when another driver lost control of his vehicle on the wet road and slammed into the side of Mrs. Trump's chauffeured car.
"Melania was a great wife, and a phenomenal mother," Donald Trump said gravely on Friday. "I loved her a lot and I will miss her a lot."
Mrs. Trump was born Melanija Knavs (which she later anglicized to Melania Knauss) on April 26, 1970 in Slovenia. She spent her early years engrossed in school because her parents were firm believers in education as a means of success. She learnt four languages, including English, and received a degree in design and architecture at the University of Slovenia, but chose to pursue modelling instead.
At 18, she signed with an agency in Italy, and in 1996 she moved to New York. She has worked with photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton and Arthur Elgort. She has also been featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, British GQ, In Style and New York Magazine, as well as major layouts in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Allure, Glamour and Vanity Fair.
Mrs. Trump soon met Donald Trump at a fashion gala, and the two started dating in 1999. They got engaged in 2004 and were married at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach on January 22, 2005. On March 20, 2006, she gave birth to her first child (Trump's fifth), whom the couple named Barron William Trump.
After moving to New York, Mrs. Trump spent most of her time involved in cultural activities. Her achievements include Honorary Chairwoman for Martha Graham Dance Company in April 2005, and the Police Athletic League's Woman of the Year in 2006 (she was also an active member). She was the Honorary Chairwoman for the Boy's Club of New York for five years, and the American Red Cross Goodwill Ambassador for three years.
Mrs. Trump is survived by her parents, her husband, her son, Barron, and her step-children.
A memorial service will be held on July 16 at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
"Melania was a great wife, and a phenomenal mother," Donald Trump said gravely on Friday. "I loved her a lot and I will miss her a lot."
Mrs. Trump was born Melanija Knavs (which she later anglicized to Melania Knauss) on April 26, 1970 in Slovenia. She spent her early years engrossed in school because her parents were firm believers in education as a means of success. She learnt four languages, including English, and received a degree in design and architecture at the University of Slovenia, but chose to pursue modelling instead.
At 18, she signed with an agency in Italy, and in 1996 she moved to New York. She has worked with photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton and Arthur Elgort. She has also been featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, British GQ, In Style and New York Magazine, as well as major layouts in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Allure, Glamour and Vanity Fair.
Mrs. Trump soon met Donald Trump at a fashion gala, and the two started dating in 1999. They got engaged in 2004 and were married at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach on January 22, 2005. On March 20, 2006, she gave birth to her first child (Trump's fifth), whom the couple named Barron William Trump.
After moving to New York, Mrs. Trump spent most of her time involved in cultural activities. Her achievements include Honorary Chairwoman for Martha Graham Dance Company in April 2005, and the Police Athletic League's Woman of the Year in 2006 (she was also an active member). She was the Honorary Chairwoman for the Boy's Club of New York for five years, and the American Red Cross Goodwill Ambassador for three years.
Mrs. Trump is survived by her parents, her husband, her son, Barron, and her step-children.
A memorial service will be held on July 16 at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Travel Item: Negril
Negril, fondly called the "capital of casual," is the most laid back, easy going place you can ever hope to visit. It is located on the west coast of Jamaica, with 7 miles of white sandy beaches and a few more miles of cliffs. The adventure begins literally from the ride from the airport. If you're leaving from Florida, the plane ride should take no more than an hour and a half, and the drive from Montego-Bay to Negril (which costs about $15) is the most relaxing thing on earth. After passing through the town of St. Lucie, Hanover, green hills rise up on one side of the road and the sea laps at the shore on the other. This is the drive to enjoy, because as soon as you hit Negril, there are pot holes to greet you.
One of the most spectacular features of this beach town is that there are hotels on either side of Norman Manley Boulevard on the 7-mile beach. Naturally, hotels on the beach cost more (up to $200 per night for all-inclusive hotels), but there are cheaper hotels and bed and breakfasts available (as low as $37 per night). If you'd like to escape the 'touristy' feel of the Boulevard, there is Negril's West End, which is more secluded and even more laid back.
Also located on the West End is the famous Rick's Café, with a cliff for the adventurous to jump off, or just the backdrop to an appetizing lunch. Meals here are among the most expensive in Negril (up to $50), so if you are looking for something cheaper (as low as $3), there are fast food restaurants offering American-style meals (Burger King) or Jamaican-style meals (Juici Patties - a must for authentic Jamaican patties).
Daytime activities include a visit to the Kool Runnings Water Park. This is the only water park on the west coast of the island, and also one of the newest attractions. Admission is $28 per person and the park features ten water slides and three themed restaurants. There is also Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which is in Hanover. They offer horseback riding in the sea, ATV rides, river tubing safaris, and other activities. The horseback riding costs about $76 for two and a half hours.
In the evening, you can wind down with dinner and live entertainment at one of the many hotel restaurants or Margaritaville (known as 'Ville to the locals). Margaritaville is a Spring Break hot spot and a favorite of natives. It features a giant trampoline ten yards from shore, a rock-climbing wall and a store where you can buy souvenirs hassle-free. For nighttime fun, there is The Jungle Nightclub, which has been dubbed the "best nightclub in the Caribbean." The nightclub features a jungle theme, with a VIP lounge, sports bar and arcade. There is also a Detox Bar in the works.
If you would like to bring back souvenirs from your trip to Negril, there is the Craft Market at the bottom of Norman Manley Boulevard. This is a tricky experience though, because once the vendors know you are a tourist, they hike up the prices of all their products, and they are darn good at it too. It is helpful to have a Jamaican with you if you want to go shopping there. Most stalls sell beaded jewelry, T-shirts, swimsuits, towels, handbags and backpacks. However, you can also get these items along the beach. A favorite past time of mine was to walk along the beach from the Craft Market to as far as my legs would carry me.
The only bad things about Negril (from a tourist's perspective) are the pot holes on the road to West End, the hagglers trying to sell you something around every corner, and the shopping. The only major shopping complex is the Craft Market, with a few strip malls in the town center. In spite of this, Negril is the place to visit for a relaxing vacation away from the stress of work and everyday life.
One of the most spectacular features of this beach town is that there are hotels on either side of Norman Manley Boulevard on the 7-mile beach. Naturally, hotels on the beach cost more (up to $200 per night for all-inclusive hotels), but there are cheaper hotels and bed and breakfasts available (as low as $37 per night). If you'd like to escape the 'touristy' feel of the Boulevard, there is Negril's West End, which is more secluded and even more laid back.
Also located on the West End is the famous Rick's Café, with a cliff for the adventurous to jump off, or just the backdrop to an appetizing lunch. Meals here are among the most expensive in Negril (up to $50), so if you are looking for something cheaper (as low as $3), there are fast food restaurants offering American-style meals (Burger King) or Jamaican-style meals (Juici Patties - a must for authentic Jamaican patties).
Daytime activities include a visit to the Kool Runnings Water Park. This is the only water park on the west coast of the island, and also one of the newest attractions. Admission is $28 per person and the park features ten water slides and three themed restaurants. There is also Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which is in Hanover. They offer horseback riding in the sea, ATV rides, river tubing safaris, and other activities. The horseback riding costs about $76 for two and a half hours.
In the evening, you can wind down with dinner and live entertainment at one of the many hotel restaurants or Margaritaville (known as 'Ville to the locals). Margaritaville is a Spring Break hot spot and a favorite of natives. It features a giant trampoline ten yards from shore, a rock-climbing wall and a store where you can buy souvenirs hassle-free. For nighttime fun, there is The Jungle Nightclub, which has been dubbed the "best nightclub in the Caribbean." The nightclub features a jungle theme, with a VIP lounge, sports bar and arcade. There is also a Detox Bar in the works.
If you would like to bring back souvenirs from your trip to Negril, there is the Craft Market at the bottom of Norman Manley Boulevard. This is a tricky experience though, because once the vendors know you are a tourist, they hike up the prices of all their products, and they are darn good at it too. It is helpful to have a Jamaican with you if you want to go shopping there. Most stalls sell beaded jewelry, T-shirts, swimsuits, towels, handbags and backpacks. However, you can also get these items along the beach. A favorite past time of mine was to walk along the beach from the Craft Market to as far as my legs would carry me.
The only bad things about Negril (from a tourist's perspective) are the pot holes on the road to West End, the hagglers trying to sell you something around every corner, and the shopping. The only major shopping complex is the Craft Market, with a few strip malls in the town center. In spite of this, Negril is the place to visit for a relaxing vacation away from the stress of work and everyday life.
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