April 01, 2010

Change of Plans


If I've learned anything over the past six months, it's that nothing -- absolutely nothing -- goes according to script. A few short months ago I was living in Toronto, engaged to be married, and working as a broadcast journalist. None of those three apply today.

On February 2nd, I left for India, scheduled to return at the end of June. But I'm back. Yes, already. (Admit it: you missed me.) Five months on the subcontinent became only two. They were two glorious months, but I had to cut the trip short. For good reason. You see, my travels aren't yet complete; I've still got my backpack, and it's ready to go. There are just a couple of minor changes: I've traded in my copy of the Lonely Planet Guide to India for Joe Posnanski's The Soul of Baseball, and instead of the Motherland, I'll be traveling through the USA. Beginning April 12th in Toronto with the Blue Jays' home opener, I'm setting off on the baseball road trip of a lifetime: 30 cities and 30 stadiums in 60 days.

Between India and TBRTOAL (The Baseball Road Trip Of A Lifetime), it's a no-brainer; the opportunity to make this trip happen will likely never present itself again. Plus, the game holds a special place in my heart. The way I see it, I've got no choice but to hit the road. Even better, I'll be collaborating with The Globe and Mail - GlobeSports.com specifically - as I document my experiences.

I'm genuinely excited; baseball boners abound!1 Over the past two years, I've fallen in love with baseball all over again, and see this journey as the perfect way to renew our vows; the ultimate honeymoon.

Stay tuned ...

36 comments:

Archi said...

There hasn't been a word invented yet that can describe how jealous I am of this whole operation.

Amazing.

HOME OPENER!!!1

Meredith said...

Wow. Your life is insane and I mean that in the best possible way.

Congrats eyebleaf, you deserve every good thing that comes your way.

QJays said...

Congrats Eyeb, and enjoy the next trip. If you run into him, ask Wells where he'd place himself on the VWHAS.

The Man With The Golden Arm said...

Life sometimes throws you a curveball and you seemed to have kept your hands back, reacted, and driven a single the other way!
Good Luck on your new journey.
We are all jealous.

On The Fence Sports said...

Holy F*UCK!

You are one lucky man.

Never would have thought those words would come out of my mouth to describe someone traveling through the USA over another part of the world.

But, you are one lucky bastard!

Enjoy the trip!!!

On The Fence Sports

JH said...

I'm looking forward to living vicariously through you. Will you be posting here or just on Globe Sports?

The Ack said...

Dude, wow. Good things to good people & all the rest.

Congrats on the gig and enjoy the ride. Like that will be a problem....

Oh, and great choice in book...

LJ said...

Soooooo jealous. Going to 7-11 to play the 6/49 now. Safe travels!

sarah said...

Unbelievably jealous, but Meredith and The Ack are right.. well deserved. Congratulations, friend!

Anonymous said...

Oh man, I'm jealous and looking forward to reading about your travels. Have a great trip.

Also - are you going to try a hot dog from each stadium, then rate on a matrix of "crunchy" to "steamy"?

Jennifer Hammer said...

let me know when you're in Seattle!

Tao of Stieb said...

Good job...Looking forward to reading of your travels. Well-deserved.

And yeah, I'll hate you a little bit each time I read your pieces.

kidkawartha said...

The only way this idea could be improved would be if you did it on motorcycle, which used to be my dream trip.
A side note to the trip would be finding the best local cheap food in each location, eye, like italian beef sandwich in Chicago, philly steak in Philly, etc.
Have a great trip.

general borschevsky said...

Incredible. I've always wanted to do something similar with NHL cities.

Best of luck.

MF37 said...

Couldn't happen to a better guy.

When you get the schedule sorted out let me know. I'm at Wrigley in May and in NYC in June.

Ian Hunter said...

Wow.

I envy you my friend - way to take life by the horns! Like The Man With the Golden Arm said, sometimes life throws you a curveball ... but that doesn't mean you shouldn't swing at the pitch.

Have a great journey and I look forward to hearing all about it in the future.

You still want me to take care of the VWHAS?

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

Thanks for the words of encouragement, and for all the support, folks. Means an incredible amount to me.

@ Jordan: I'm hoping to post here as well as there. I'm ironing out the details, and will let you know.

@ The Ack: I owe you some thanks; it was your "Soul of Baseball" book recommendation on Twitter that made me think, while sitting a world away on a train on my way to Rajasthan, that I might actually be able to pull this off. I'm in your debt, friend.

@ MF: I'll be taking care of NYC early, in April, and my rough schedule calls for the Cubs on May 2nd. Let me know. Would be crazy to be there the same time as you.

@ Ian: The VWHAS is going to be on LOW all season, because Wells is going to rip the God damn seams off the ball.

Mike said...

Congratulations, that sounds like a fantastic trip, even if didn't go according to plan.

I'm hoping to go this summer on a 1/6-th scale version of your trip, to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and Boston.

All the best, and enjoy!

Anonymous said...

I hate you, I say that in the most loving way possible. Seriously, I hate you. I'm so damn jealous.

I as many, will be living vicariously through you.

Enjoy it brother, it is a trip of a lifetime, and no one I know deserves a trip of a lifetime more than you.

Cheers

Corey Pronman said...

"Wells is batting .237 with a .604 OPS in Spring Training. That's right: he's saving himself for the regular season. "

I think I broke my chair falling back laughing.

In more seriousness,

1. What happened to your media gig?

and

2. Tell me when you're in Florida. I live in the land of the Marlins.

Anonymous said...

That sounds amazing, eyebleaf.

And if you decide to branch out beyond the major leagues...

http://www.ottawafatcats.com/

... I have an air mattress where you can crash.


I still think baseball's dead, though...

Sanjay said...

Cubs on May 2nd!!!!1

I'll be there.. Soaking up the bleacher creatures in left feild...


Do it.. Is your ticket booked? I'll book it right now..

Anonymous said...

These people are just being polite. No one "deserves" anything like this. Don't pretend you're suddenly a passionate baseball fan. You just rode that annoying "irrationally optimistic" act of yours all the way to this. PS Vernon Wells sucks, deal with it.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

Thanks again folks. Appreciate all the comments.

@ SP: It's amazing what can happen when you throw ideas out there.

@ Moneypuck: I'm hoping to finalize details with The Globe next week. And I'll definitely let you know when I'm in town to catch the fish.

@ alanech: That's a great name for a team, and thanks for the accommodation offering. You're too kind. And I'm still waiting for you to join us as a Blue Jays fan. Give it a chance ...

@ Sanjay: You're seriously going to be there, bro? I'll hit you up.

@ Anonymous: You can take all the shots at me you'd like, but it takes a real winner to bash Vernon Wells and not leave his name. But I understand; you don't want to be recognized once Wells completes his monster 2010 season. I get it.

SP said...

Ah, it's that simple huh? Maybe I should "throw out some ideas" with the Miss at home.

William J. Tasker said...

Yes. I did miss you. A lot. And now my first instinct is to hate you. But getting beyond my unbelievably petty self and knocking the feeling-sorry-for-myself angel off my shoulder, I can embrace you as you are living a dream come true. Savor it all and stay as sober as possible so you can remember most of it. Have a great time.

bkblades said...

I wish I can say I'm jealous, but I'm not because this couldn't happen to a more genuine guy. Your passion for baseball and your enduring optimism was tailor made for this unbelievable journey. Congrats and enjoy! Like always, I'll be reading and elbowing people next to me saying that you keep Blair and Brunt in line.

kushnir said...

I'M COMING WITH!!!

Dani said...

Though I don't often comment on your blog, this post warrants one: Congrats eyebleaf!

Escaped Lab Rat said...

The home opener streak continues.

You're going to try and get back for Halladay's return, right?

Anonymous said...

You're living my dream. Can't wait to read all about it. Congrats!

furcifer said...

Good luck. We should all go to the home opener together if you're still here though with a giant "I believe in Vernon Wells" sign.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

@ SP: Well played.

@ William, BK, Kushnir, infieldfly & Vancity: Thank you.

@ Escaped: I will indeed be back for Doc's return. The boys will pound him, like they did in spring training.

@ furcifer: I still have the "I Believe In Vernon Wells" sign. But I think I'm bringing another one to the home opener: "PLEASE DON'T BOO VERNON."

looshV said...

Really glad to hear your back dude! I'm jealous you lucky bastard!!!1 But really, I'm looking forward to the blogs of your travels and experiences, it really is something all of us have wanted or still want to do. Man, I hope there are some positive signs from the Jays this year, it's tough being a Toronto sports fan right now....especially when you live in VANCOUVER....

FUCK!!!1

Reasonable Doubt for a Reasonable Price said...

Drop a line when you come down South. I think this calls for a drink.

Unknown said...

I ams oo jumping on that band wagon once I get settled in..SEND ME THE SCHEDULE! And i've said it a million times over - AMAZING & sooooo well deserved, to a new journey, chance and opportunity :)