Master Index of Archived Threads


This Wednesday

Mr. Zero Jun 26 2006 11:29 AM

I know its only like my 20th post and I don’t want to come across as a shameless self promoter who has yet to prove his Met-fan worthiness in this forum, but some things only happen once in a lifetime. So what the hell (and I just noticed something in the Book Forum). If you happen to be in the neighborhood of 9th Street, between 1st and A, this Wednesday (June 28, 6-8 PM), stop by and say hi. [url=http://www.grny.net/]a book signing sorta thing[/url] There are also a number of establishments in the area to catch Pedro’s return to Fenway (I'm hoping).

Edgy DC Jun 26 2006 11:33 AM

Wicked. Hope it happens more than once. (A tip: make your 41st post count.)

metirish Jun 26 2006 11:34 AM

That's super cool Mr.Zero....I won't be there but hope all goes well.

MFS62 Jun 26 2006 11:36 AM Re: This Wednesday

Mr. Zero wrote: I know its only like my 20th post and I don’t want to come across as a shameless self promoter who has yet to prove his Met-fan worthiness in this forum,... Forget it. Shameless self promoter is the middle name of everyone who posts in this forum. And it looks like you've earned the right to participate. Good job. I can't make it, but wish I could. Congrats. Later

Benjamin Grimm Jun 26 2006 12:00 PM Re: This Wednesday

MFS62 wrote: Shameless self promoter is the middle name of everyone who posts in this forum. Speak for yourself. Just to be clear, though, Zero, are you the author of the book? Or are you a non-author involved in promoting it?

MFS62 Jun 26 2006 12:05 PM Re: This Wednesday

Yancy Street Gang wrote: ="MFS62"]Shameless self promoter is the middle name of everyone who posts in this forum. Speak for yourself. Isn't that why its called the "Member Promotion Forum"? And why can't I put some humor in my reply to address a newbie's stated concern? Later

Benjamin Grimm Jun 26 2006 12:07 PM

Write whatever you want. And I'll reply however I want.

Johnny Dickshot Jun 26 2006 12:10 PM

That looks like a super cool book. I came across it recently on the net. Not literally.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 26 2006 12:12 PM

We were discussing it here somewhere, weren't we?

Johnny Dickshot Jun 26 2006 12:19 PM

I think we wuz. My memory is terrible tho.

Edgy DC Jun 26 2006 12:35 PM

Methead, CPF secret weapon.

Mr. Zero Jun 26 2006 01:10 PM

yeah, I'm the writer, co-writer actually, as well as being the designer, art director, scanner technician, mail room guy, head of security, etc. My Cleon Jones post!

ScarletKnight41 Jun 26 2006 02:02 PM

Very cool - have fun with the signing!

TheOldMole Jun 26 2006 07:09 PM

Neat -- hope you take the signings on the road and bring them upstate. Congrats!

Frayed Knot Jun 26 2006 08:44 PM

And you're no longer a monsterously huge bat boy

Mr. Zero Jun 26 2006 08:51 PM

Thanks all. Just hoping a few people show up. For those not willing to brave probable torrential rains or the incredibly low price of $18.95, here's an accompanying [url=http://voice.aiga.org/content.cfm?ContentAlias=%5Fgetfullarticle&aid=2139639]piece.[/url]

Rockin' Doc Jun 26 2006 09:24 PM

Best of luck with the upcoming signing and the book sales.

Johnny Dickshot Jun 27 2006 07:12 AM

When you play the Ace of Spades and the Hiroshima Tragedy at the same time, you automatically win the pot. I will try and stop by but if not, pick up your book.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 27 2006 07:29 AM

What does that 18-digit number on the Hiroshima card mean?

Johnny Dickshot Jun 27 2006 07:42 AM

That's the secret code Matthew Broderick broke to get Joshua to play Tic Tac Toe instead of Global Thermonuclear War.

Methead Jun 27 2006 07:54 AM

Awesome! I'll try to stop by the book signing... it is taking place during the Pedro / Beckett matchup after all... and hopefully you'll sign the copy of the book I already have.

TheOldMole Jun 27 2006 09:34 AM

I love the piece. And will pick up the book. Not so sure about the fried squid on a stick.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 27 2006 09:37 AM

You can take it off the stick if you don't like sticks.

Mr. Zero Jun 27 2006 11:20 AM

Those numbers on the backs of “menko” cards can serve a variety functions. These cards were designed as playful teaching devices for children, so some backs have words in English, mathematical equations and sometimes just a lesson in Arabic numeral representation. Other times the menko number was a lottery type number allowing the purchaser to redeem the card for a bigger prize (usually a bigger card). There may be other uses that I am not aware of yet, I’m thinking maybe a game like the poker game you play with dollar bill serial numbers? Still an ongoing of a mystery, though. Come early so as not to miss the game. There may be some combination of the following: beer, Twizzlers, juice boxes (I kid you not), pretzels, and hopefully books, should they arrive on time.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 27 2006 11:26 AM

Interesting. Have you spent much time in Japan? Do you speak or understand Japanese?

Mr. Zero Jun 27 2006 11:53 AM

Sadly, I have yet to go to travel to Japan (next year I hope!). Nor do I speak Japanese. My co-author was more the authority on those matters. My interest in the topic came about through discovering the cards, which combined a couple of lifelong interests, design and baseball. On a side note. The closest I could get to including something Met in the book— and I was somewhat desperate to do so considering the guy who wrote the intro is a Yankee fan (although, he is one of the two or three Yankee fans I know in the world for whom my admiration outweighs their Yankee-ness)—is a Dave Johnson card (spelled D. Jonson) in a Giants uniform.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 27 2006 12:14 PM

The reason I asked is because I'm going to Japan in the fall, and I've been teaching myself Japanese by listening to CD's in my car. Let me ask you this, then: I've heard that every other year (in even-numbered years) MLB players go to Japan after the season to play exhibition games against Japanese players. Since I'll be there in November of an even-numbered year, I'm curious to know more about it. I couldn't find anything on MLB.com. I've been meaning to phone them to see if any kind of schedule has been set up yet. Do you know anything about how these exhibition games?

Mr. Zero Jun 27 2006 12:21 PM

This I have not heard of. Of course, there have been many exhibition tours of Japan, but I did not know they were so regimented. I can ask someone who knows. There's also the Japanese baseball Hall of Fame which is located in the Yomiuri Giants Stadium in Tokyo. That should be open. Let me see what I can find out.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 27 2006 12:25 PM

Thanks! I only recently learned of the every-other-year thing, so I'm not 100 per cent sure it's accurate.

MFS62 Jun 27 2006 12:26 PM

Yancy, you might try calling MLB in New York. I'd guess the switchboard person can put you through to someone who might know if planning is underway. I think the number is: (212) 931-7878 Later

Mr. Zero Jun 27 2006 02:03 PM

Yancy, word is they might be doing one this October/November, though nothing has been anounced (at least as far as we know). Probably need to wait a bit. I'll let you know if i hear anything.

Methead Jun 27 2006 02:08 PM

"...combined a couple of lifelong interests, design and baseball" Same reason I like 'em.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 27 2006 02:21 PM

Thanks. I'll probably call MLB later this summer. I'm not going to plan my trip around it, but if the big leaguers happen to be in Tokyo or Kyoto when I am, I'll look into getting tickets.

Methead Jun 29 2006 08:17 AM

Anyone else make it to the book signing besides me? I wasn't there long, got the autograph, exchanged pleasantries, got the free menko card and I took off. Had to get home so I could see a good portion of the game, which was not a good decision in retrospect.

Johnny Dickshot Jun 29 2006 09:43 AM

I failed to make it. I suck. I think my friend went, I told her about it.

Mr. Zero Jun 29 2006 12:51 PM

Thanks for coming Methead. Which dude were you? Shoulda let me know. Were you wearing an Italia cap? Was fun and had a nice turnout. Went through a lot of beer, crackerjacks and pixie sticks and lollipops. Thanks to whoever came or even thought about coming!

Methead Jun 29 2006 01:38 PM

I was the guy in the light blue golf shirt and black-framed glasses sweating his ass off. I was there sorta early, out of there by 6:30. Beer would have tasted great... but at that point, I was more interested in replacing vital body fluids than depleting them. edit: it looked to me as though the books were selling like crazy.

Mr. Zero Jun 29 2006 05:38 PM

Oh yeah, I remember. You should have outed yourself. And beer is an important bodily fluid. Thanks for stopping by!

Mr. Zero Sep 21 2006 01:33 PM

any Chicagoans in the house?

Rockin' Doc Sep 21 2006 08:38 PM

I lived in Chicago for four years while attending graduate school. I lived in the Halstead area (38th and Wallace) for four years in the early 80's. It was great to walk to the old Commiskey Park to take in White Sox games. My wife and I could seee the fireworks and hear the roar of the crowd everytime the Mets hit s home run. Fun times.