Monday, April 5, 2010

Casey at Bat

In honor of opening day for MLB, the classic poem by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. 


Casey at Bat
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that —
We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat."

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said "Strike two!"

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer has fled from Casey's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Apple iPad

Today Apple released its iPad available at Apple retail stores across the US. It can also be ordered online here at the online Apple store. In addition to the new device Apple also has a book store called ibooks. I'm proud to announce my book Definitions is part of this store. In order to purchase the book you must download Apple reader and then go to the book store. From there the easiest thing to do is search "Timothy House Definitions" where you can purchase the book to read on your iPad. The Apple price is $3.99. Here's a better description of the store on Apple's web site. Now if you still prefer using Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble that's okay too, you're covered. The iPad, like the iPod, has Kindle for iPad, and also Barnes&Noble reader. The book is also available at both Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.

The book is not all that I have available for you and your iPad. I also have my poetry in audio digital download. This is not an audio book but the poetry recorded to sound effects and music in a performance style. The CD (or digital download) has been critically acclaimed as widely entertaining. Tracks have been sold in over 19 countries. This isn't the same old boring poetry CD. You can purchase at iTunes here. Done yet? Hardly! More Apple stuff includes my "Timothy House App" which has updates, sample tracks, news, and tour dates. Timothy House App

The iPad is great for watching video, and in working with Apple we tested last years slide show "Akron in Autumn" on the iPad and it is spectacular on the device. With that being said I am currently in production of another slide show which will be a much wider geographical area, in fact it will include scenery from over 15 states in the springtime! The slide show will be available on PC also. Music from Joseph Lamm, The Fifth Wheel, Lollivox, and Arrested Development to go along with the scenery.

In addition to Definitions, all my upcoming books and recordings will be available on Apple's iBook, and iTunes as well as Amazon and Barnes&Noble. I have a number of projects that will be coming to market within the next year including my next book of poetry, "Apollo's Flame", my short novel "From My Heart to Yours" (only available in ebook form) and two novels I am working on with release dates to be determined. There will also be a CD production of Apollo's Flame which will be even bigger and more theatrical than Definitions is.