Showing posts with label College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College. Show all posts

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Unboxing my 2024 Topps AU Pro Softball Cards

Why Does a Straight Man Care About Women's Sport?

    With a younger sister who also played Little League, I spent plenty of time at softball games. It wasn't unusual to spend an entire weekend at the ball field. My town was so small that, we played nearly all of our baseball games on a converted softball field. Yep. No mound, no infield grass, and no fences. We also played soccer so, most of my childhood revolved around sports, and when I wasn't playing myself, I was watching the girls. So, it's never been such a stretch for me to watch, and even enjoy, Women's Sports. 

    It was always just normal to me. They were just more people playing the same games that I loved. I treated my sisters like competitors. There was even a few seasons in my teens, with such a small town league, that many of our soccer practices were scrimmages against the girls team. So, when I stumbled across the NCAA Women's College World Series a few years ago, it was a pleasant surprise. As a lover of obscure sports (in the late 90's, soccer was considered obscure) I always enjoyed finding games on tv. As much as I loved baseball, and with my familiarity with the game, watching softball came easy.

    I remember growing up, dreaming of playing in the Big Leagues. One day, I would get payed to play the games I love, compete against all of the players I idolized, and become a world champion in every possible sport there is. It never really occurred to me that my sisters, who were equally competitive and skilled, couldn't even imagine that possibility. For many girls, college would be the peak and that was just the way it was. So, when I discovered that Athletes Unlimited was looking to revolutionize Women's Sports, I became an instant fan. Well, sort of. 

    I watched the US Women's National Soccer Team go on their epic run in the Olympics and the World Cup and parley that into rebuilding the NWSL, National Women's Soccer League. Part of me is sad that my sister's had already moved on from the games they loved but, knowing that it was now possible for a woman to create a legitimate career playing sports felt like a win. I've been following NCAA softball tournaments and trying to familiarize myself with the subtle differences in the rules, some of the key performers, and various cultures of successful collegiate programs. When I found AUX, though. It didn't sit right with me. 


What Is Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball?

    Sure, I was excited to see that there was an opportunity for them to play but, the format turned me off. My philosophy has always been built around unselfish, team first mentality. The greatest teams and players I had always respected knew how to "take the ball and run" but, they also respected the fact that a great team will always find a way to beat a few great players. The AUX format tends to celebrate individual performances the most, rewarding points to players and ranking them on a leaderboard. Then, they crown a solo champion for the entire tournament. There are team win and inning win points for the entire team but, they also shuffle the rosters a few teams so, that team culture has little to no time to develop.

    It works for what it is. It is a fun exhibition. It is professional softball and it's being played on a high level. The women seem to be having fun and it has been promoted by many respected players. So, when I found out that AU had intentions of building a more traditional league format, I decided to take a look and I was excited to see some of my favorite collegiate players competing once again. I still prefer the college game. Even though there is a turn-over every four years, it has more of that quality of culture and development that can only come from time together. However, I can appreciate what AUX is and will be tuning in for the Championship Season beginning July 26.

Watch the Topps 2024 AU Pro Softball Unboxing on YouTube





    So, partly for myself and partly for my niece, (who is beginning her Little League softball journey in Montana) I happily picked up a box of the 2024 Topps Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball cards. I was lucky enough to pick up one of the rare Quad Autograph cards featuring Odicci Alexander, Danielle Gibson, Alyssa Denham, and Rachel Garcia. There was also a 1/25 Autographed Dejah Mulipola, a couple of 1/75 and 1/50 editions, as well as several cards of players that I would like to get autographs from in the future.



Some of my favorite player cards in this box include:

  • Kathryn Sandercock
  • Megan Faraimo
  • Josie Muffley
  • Aleshia Ocasio
  • Odicci Alexander
  • Delanie Wisz
  • Mariah Mazon
  • Sam Fischer

    I already knew some of these players from the NCAA tournaments, and some I watched for the first time at AUX in Wichita. There's still a few more players in the game that I am hoping to collect. As of today, previous AU collections are unavailable on the Topps website but, maybe the demand for these cards will increase and we can see a reissue in the future. Another reason I am excited about the potential for a traditional team format is that I would like to see the stat table on the back of the card, like we've seen for so many years with baseball cards. It has been years since I was invested in cards but, this box has me looking for a few special cases and looking for professional events near me.

Support Athletes Unlimited Professional Softball, Lacrosse, Basketball and Volleyball at AUSports.com


Pick up your Limited Edition 2024 AU Pro Softball cards at Topps.com


Check out more Sports content from myself at WriterJoshua.com/BallFirst


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Sincerely yours,
Joshua Lucero
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Location: Menifee, CA, USA

Friday, May 31, 2024

AgEco Research by WriterJoshua Established Spring 2024

    I've just created the hashtag and page, AgEcoResearch, to organize my plant content. You have found this page from social media. You may have seen the QR code at one of my plant sales, or maybe you searched the web for something like this. Thanks for checking it out. I will cover and discuss concepts such as no-till farming, ancient agriculture practices, native species, regenerative ag, cover crops, beneficial insects, organic fertilizer, nature conservancy, and more. 

AgEco Research by WriterJoshua

Established Spring 2024

Cover Crop Blossoms in the Raised Bed at Menifee Rose Garden

    After becoming disabled, I chose to use my time pursuing education independently. Thanks to the internet, I've studied many topics. One that has gripped me is the food supply chain. Agriculture affects everything from public health to the economy, and everything in between. Down this rabbit hole, I discovered a culture of ecologically sound agricultural practices returning. Set aside the detrimental system currently in place, especially in America, some of the most beneficial forms of growing food are the most simple. Some might even recall them as ancient. Everything from higher yields, to better nutrition, improved local ecology, and even to lower costs, can be achieved by simplifying the process and returning to more natural methods.

    During the pandemic, I returned to school and acquired an Associates Degree in Business Management with an Environmental Science Focus. Couple that with my endless fascination with my own experiences in the yards, parks, and gardens across the United States and I have only invested more emotionally, spiritually, and financially in the pursuit of knowledge and experience in one of the most fundamental expressions of life on this planet. 

    I needed to create a space for this project, a place to organized my thoughts, record my processes, document my progress, and continue exploring the sciences of growing things. I am also beginning the process of selling plants from my background to fund my research. If you are in the Inland Empire, specifically in Menifee, check out my listings below.

This is what is currently listed on OfferUp:


Follow the #AgEcoResearch tag for more


If you're just here for the pictures, check out SeeJoshsPhotos.com/AgEcoResearch for more dirt and flowers, and less reading!

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Sincerely yours,
Joshua Lucero
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Location: Menifee, CA, USA

Monday, February 5, 2024

Informative Essay: How to Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro

Hello all,

    The informative essay is a tool used to simply educated an audience on a subject, without providing opinion or attempting to persuade the reader. It's what you should think of when you consider a news report. Believe it or not, there was a time of truly unbiased reporting. Sure, it may exist today but, it is certainly not as common. I digress. 

    I wrote this paper a few years ago, while completing an English course. I wrote it in the form of a "How-To." Most of my young professional life, I worked in kitchens. So, I decided to approach this assignment as something of a tutorial for creating and applying a plan toward effectively cleaning a kitchen. It is based on my real world experience. Quite frankly, it is still a strategy that I use for cleaning any kitchen I find myself in. 

This is: How to Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro

Generic products, sponges, baking soda, vinegar, on a kitchen counter
    The job of kitchen steward is often overlooked. Being a Chef, a cook, or a waiter is usually the most glamorous position in food service, but a quality cleaning staff is vital to a successful restaurant. While it does not require much technical skill, without a plan, the amount of work to be done at the end of a shift can be overwhelming. There is much to be learned about organization, preparation, cleanliness, and even the culinary arts from this position. To do it well can be valuable, fulfilling, and relaxing. 

Over the course of several years, I have learned several techniques to be as efficient as possible closing a kitchen. In this essay, I will explain the process that I continue to use at home, including the preparation, dry cleaning, and wet cleaning stages. Whether you are starting a new position in large restaurant or it is just your turn to clean up after a family gathering, this approach will ensure that you are efficient and not overwhelmed by the task. If you do it right, you might find the experience cathartic and may even learn to enjoy yourself. At the very least, having a clean kitchen is something any good cook can appreciate.

Preparation

Before doing anything, stepping back, and taking a good look around is a smart idea. Taking a minute or two to analyze the situation and form a plan will avoid any surprises, such as finding loose dishes or forgetting about the dirty pan in the oven after you have already finished. Round up anything that needs to be cleaned and make sure all the tools you will need are readily available. Ensure that the dish rack is empty, collect a few towels, check that you have cleaning products, a broom, a dustpan, and a mop. It is also a great idea to locate a stereo or some headphones. Listening to your favorite music can really motivate you and make the job fun.

Dry Clean

    The same way that a muddy floor is harder to clean than a dusty one, a kitchen mess is always easier to clean in a dry state. Make a dry pass across all surfaces to remove any crumbs. Since this plan includes cleaning the floor, you can just sweep everything right onto the floor. Ideally, you will have some help putting away any left-over food. If not, removing all the food from pots, pans and serving dishes is an important step. Scraping as much food waste into the trash as possible will ensure that your dishwater stays cleaner for longer. Once all the food waste is removed and the surfaces are clear of crumbs, sweep the floor so it is ready to be mopped. Trying to mop an un-swept floor can be extremely inefficient, so pick up anything that will go into a dustpan.

Wet Clean

Before filling the sink with dishwater, rinse the dirtiest dishes and remove any food from the sink to ensure the cleanest water possible. Nobody likes swirling their hands under the water only to be surprised by an unidentified object. For burnt, stained or otherwise difficult dishes baking soda can have softening properties when added to water. Either pre-soaking these dishes or adding a pinch of baking soda to the sink can help release stubborn areas. A splash of bleach will improve sterilization when dealing with raw meat and egg products. Starting with ceramic, glass and plastic dishes can preserve the cleanliness of the water as cookware tends be the dirtiest. Save the worst for last. 

    Provided the water is still warm and clean when the dishes are finished, soaking a wet sponge or cloth in it is great way to deep clean the counters and appliances. This is the time to put some elbow grease into the dried sauces or burnt food on the stove that did not come off in the dry clean stage. You may also use an all-purpose cleaner if the dishwater is not clean enough. Use a clean, dry cloth to finish the counters and appliances to help them dry faster. 

    At this point, you have probably dropped some water on the floor. Luckily, it has already been swept and is prepared to be mopped. When mopping the floor, it is a good idea to plan an exit strategy. You may need to leave the kitchen to empty the mop bucket. Starting in a far corner and working backwards towards the exit will keep you from stepping on your clean, wet floor. A fan can be set up to expedite the drying process. This is also an opportunity to throw out the garbage or take a break while everything dries. You earned it.

Conclusion

    Most of my working career has been in a kitchen, from fast-food establishments to fine dining. Most of what I know about cooking was learned as a dishwasher. I gained invaluable experience handling pots, pans, and knives all day. Knowing the weight of a pan full of water is not much different than if it was full of food and spending so much time with culinary professionals gave me an appreciation for the dedication that goes into creating a delicious plate. 

Assessing the situation, forming a plan, organizing the area, and using resources efficiently can take any task from intimidating to finished. Separating the process into dry and wet stages will keep you from making an even bigger mess. Removing as much food waste as possible before starting dishwater can make it last longer. Finally, establishing a mopping route that will allow you to leave the kitchen without walking on a wet floor will make sure it dries clean and prevent any slip and fall. Cleaning the kitchen may be an unpopular task, but it can still be done well and provide value to any restaurant or home kitchen.

Joshua Lucero

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This document should provide you with an example of my ability write informatively, while exemplifying my ability to organize and accomplish tasks. It may also show humility, as a proud former dishwasher, who can take responsibliity for simple tasks seriously. This piece should also show you an example of document formatting and the use of proper English principles.

To this day, I truly enjoy cleaning the kitchen. I cook at home so, it's quite necessary most of the time but, it has never been a chore to me. It was not uncommon to spend nearly 8-10 hours mindlessly scrubbing, rinsing, processing, and storing various dishware and kitchen utilities. It was the long, slow, uneventful mornings that were usually the most taxing. I still prefer to clean a large kitchen, as opposed to a single dish and cup every now and again. Look at me, I'm almost tempted to write some more about the zen-like state one could find in the kitchen. Maybe some other time.

For more what an Informative Essay is, and how to write your own, check out Purdue University's Global resource, here: https://purdueglobalwriting.center/writing-an-informative-essay/

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Sincerely yours,
Joshua Lucero
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