Yankee Stadium

It seems my zest for blogging lately is waning. Maybe its just a phase, maybe I'm growing bored with it.

I don't know.

Anyway, here are some scenes from the Yankees/Red Sox game I went to last week at Yankee Stadium. Sox kicked butt so we had a blast! I proudly wore my Sox cap and only a few people gave me shit.

Check out these seats!







A-Rod warming up. Took that one for the wife because she used to (prior to him being on the Yankees) have a crush on him. Now she just thinks she's too good for him.

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Robinson Cano making some young fan's day. I guess Yankees can be cool after all.

Fenway Againway

How I spent my evening.

And the Sox won 8-4.


Good seats, huh?

Good Times

Had a blast last night with Mrs. Blogger. We had a nice lunch then got to Boston early enough to do some shopping (spent a fortune), pop in a few bars until we eventually ended up at the Cask 'N Flagon wherein we proceeded to drink quite a few beers (Mrs. B was a riot), laugh with some other patrons, learn she really wants another baby (wait! what?) before witnessing the Sox make a nice comeback and end up victorious on what ended as a rather chilly night!

Needless to say, I'm tired this morning but we had so much fun it's well worth it. Can't wait to get up there again.

Woooo Hoooo!!!

Red Sox won the World Series!!

My Little One is excited as well, although I'm not sure she really knows why, just that I am excited. I tried to explain to her that the Sox have won just as many Championships in her 5 year lifetime as they have my her grandfather's 70 years but she was unimpressed.

World Series

Yesterday, a Red Sox fan co-worker of mine and I were discussing tickets for the games. Apparently, some tickets for the World Series were being scalped as high as $7,200. I am a huge fan, but I would think that even if I had F-You money, I would never spend that much to see a ballgame that I could see on TV for free.

As the discussion progressed, I mentioned that I might spend as much as $300, though, if given the opportunity. Maybe it sounds crazy to some but to others its a pittance. Its certainly not a pittance to me, but its not a life-altering amount either and let's face it, World Series tickets are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Anyway, I got a phone call last night from my buddy Dave. He has tickets available to him for $200 each. Naturally, we're going!

I don't know where I'm sitting yet, but look for me on TV tonight. I'll be the guy wearing the Red Sox cap.

*****

Edited thirty minutes later: Its unclear to me what happened but apparently they sold the tickets out from under my buddy for $400 each. Bummer :(

Sox Win!

My Red Sox won last night and are on their way to the World Series! I am so psyched about that especially since the NFL season, at least for this Jets fan, is essentially over.

My buddy and his friend went to the same place we were when the Sox won it all in 2004. Its a little hotel "sports bar" that has more televisions than patrons I think. I'm not terribly superstitious about much but those two were and Boston won. So why mess with a good thing?

His friend can be VERY negative in a doomsday sort of voice. I know the Red Sox have left their share of heartache on New England, but I guess I'm an eternal optimist. I'm always thinking "No, they can do it" or "Lets not worry, that error didn't score yet" while the friend, who's otherwise a terrific guy, is of the attitude "Oh, man, they're going to blow it" and "I can't believe he booted that ball. Here we go again". But they didn't blow it. Just as they didn't in '04.

On the myriad of televisions was Sunday Night Football and the Red Sox. Everyone was having a ball and we noticed a guy setting up a Karaoke Machine. We were all like, "They're kidding, right? Nobody is here to sing Evergreen tonight, are they?" Apparently, management thought better of it and the DJ sat at the bar until the last out of the game, which must have been around 11:40. The singing began as we were leaving. Perfect timing.

What I found even weirder than that, though, was Kevin Millar announcing the lineup and throwing out the first pitch. Kevin Millar was one of the main components, especially as a team rally-er, for Boston's win in 2004. But he's not with the team anymore! He went to the Baltimore Orioles via free agency and he still plays for Baltimore. Its strange that a current player from another team in the same division shows up to support his old team and his old teammates. He even referred to Boston as "us" and "them".

While I have no doubt that when Millar goes back to his team during spring training he will endeavor to do everything in his power to help them win. However, I think as a teammate I would have an issue with his support of "the Enemy".

But, Hell. It worked for "us". The World Series starts Wednesday. Go Sox!!!

"It's a Scene Man!"

So we both got out of work yesterday about 3pm or so, met at home and were on our way to Boston by 3:40. Made it by five. After a light dinner and a few drinks (Mrs. B had the cutest buzz going by then) we entered the park and found our seats. Within minutes the boys were taking the field. It was a nearly breezeless, 82 degree, crystal clear evening. Perfect!

As dusk fell, our boys could not hold their 2-0 lead.

We were even treated to a beautiful full moon (look top center, between the lights) about the time the Sox were trailing 8 to 2.

Alas, our heroes came up short and lost 8-4 although it didn't really dampen our mood. Especially since we weren't this guy!

Are those the worst seats ever? Too funny!

***********

In the middle of the eighth inning, Fenway does a totally fun thing. It may sound lame to fans of other teams or those who haven't attended a game there, but since Boston has done it for years years its become a corny tradition which I find it an absolute blast! So do 36,500 of my closest friends.

There's a certain amount of camaraderie among rabid fans together to watch their favorite teams play live. Its as if everyone around you is your buddy and its simply great. Throw in alcohol and the chance to Karaoke and you have one good time.

Anyway, the P.A. system plays Sweet Caroline from Neil Diamond. Again, if you've seen Fever Pitch perhaps you remember it, but you'd really have to be there to get the full thrill of it all. A few beers don't hurt either. I have no idea how that song came about to be a staple at Boston Red Sox games, but it did.

Here's sort of how it goes (don't lie, you all know the tune) --

Intro:

ba-da-daaaaaaa da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da

ba-da-daaaaaaa da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da

ba-da-daaaaaaa ba-da-daaaaaaa da daaaaaaaa

Where it began (bomp, bomp baummmmm)

I cant begin to knowin'

But then I know its growin stronnnnnnng

(bomp, bomp)

Was in the spring (bomp, bomp baummmmm)

And spring became the summer

Who'd have believed you'd come along

(crowd joining by this time enthusiastically)

Hands, touchin hands

Reachin out (crescendo now)

Touchin me

(really, really loud now)

Touchin youuuuuuu

(everyone singing top of lungs)

Sweet caroline (p.a. cuts out - crowd yells BA DA DAAAAAAA!!)

Good times never seemed so good (p.a. cuts out - crow yells SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!

I've been inclined (p.a. cuts out - crowd yells BA DA DAAAAAAA!!)

To believe they never would

It repeats for the next verse and God Dammit if it isn't an absolute blast!

Fenway or Bust

Fenway Park. Home to the Boston Red Sox. MY Boston Red Sox. Who are currently tearing up the league to the tune of the best record in baseball.

All good news.

However, the downside of having a favorite team in first place and competitive for so many consecutive years is that tickets become more and more scarce. In season's past, I've been able to get tickets to 5, 6, 7 games, no problem at all. Usually free or at face value. Now, though, they basically sell out the season before it even begins. Of course one factor is the park is the smallest in baseball, holding only about 36,100 rabid fans. When they sucked I could go up on the spur of the moment and buy some tickets. Now, I have to either plan months ahead, buy scalper tickets or rely on someone like a company vendor of ours to give me some.

Well I got some! Thanks to an insurance company we deal with.

We arranged overnight Little One care (no small feat) and tonight Mrs. Blogger and I are headed up to see our boys. We will be down the third base line in seats I've had and enjoyed before. Section 31, row 6. They're good seats, so if you have Sattelite and NESN look for us on some camera-panned foul ball. I'll be the one in the Red Sox cap. You can't miss me.

We plan to head up a bit early and have a couple drinks and maybe some dinner and enjoy the Fenway section of Boston. I simply love it up there and the weather looks to be perfect!

Perfect too, is that they've won 5 straight and we'll be cheering like hell for six

I've mentioned that Boston is about ninety minutes from my home despite the fact I live in Connecticut. That ninety minutes may as well be 900 miles, though, when is comes to accents. I've read that Connecticut and Ohio residents speak the closest to the Queen's English. Perhaps Bostonians are the furthest from it. If you've seen Fever Pitch or some skits that Jimmy Fallon has done on Saturday Night Live you've heard it. And he nails it.

So, in my best Boston accent, I'm going to "Drive up to Bahston. Pahk mah cah in a gahrahge. Shuffle into Fenway Pahk and enjoy a dahg and a beah while the Sowx kick some wicked ass".

Easter Weekend Wrap-Up

Had a nice little weekend. Here's how it went:

Friday:

Woke up early so I decided to go into work so I could get out early if stuff was in order. Spent most of the day setting up my new work computer. Its such a hassle to transfer all the work related documents, data-bases and programs (still doing it today). However, this new PC is so much faster and nicer. Also, it has the new Microsoft Vista Operating System. Its taking me a bit to get the hang of some aspects of it, but I will be fine. Loving the flat-panel screen and all the extra desk space.

Things went well and it was quiet there, so I was able to bug out of work by 2, hit the driving range on the drive home and spend a few hours with the family before I was off for poker night. Came in 6th out of 29 I think. Didn't earn any money, but earned points toward the end of the year tournament. I'm playing pretty well. Got home real late though at about 1:10 a.m.

Saturday:

Got up early again because I was golfing in the afternoon and wanted to get some stuff done around the house prior to going. Planned to clean and do some yardwork, however, I only ended up making an apple pie (I am kind of learning to cook a few things) for Easter Dessert. Spent lots of time chatting away with Mrs. Blogger so before I knew it it was time to head out to the course. I've been practicing well so I expected to play well but didn't. I played ok, shot 89, but I can be so much better. I keep reminding myself its early but I'm a bit disappointed in my game. Going to have to keep working hard. Having said that, it was cold and windy too - about 42 degrees. So that's my excuse for now. Spring's arrival is sure taking its sweet-ass time this year.

Came home in time to shower and dress quickly as we were off to a 40 year old birthday party for a friend. It was in a little Mexican Restaurant that turned into a Karaoke bar at 9. I was driving, so I had to soberly watch many of my idiot friends, who swore up and down at 9:15 they wouldn't do it, make fools of themselves a few hours later. Ah! Margarita's, Corona's and a microphone. Good times!

Mrs. Blogger drank way more than normal for her and was pretty funny belting out Melissa Etheridge's "Come to my Window". That's out of character for her, but she was quite lively (which she always is, but moreso liquored up) and we really did have a blast. Then I poured her into the car where she stayed since she refused to go inside her parent's house to pick up The Little One. They suspected the reason why she didn't come inside to pick up their granddaughter and had some good laughs about it the next day.

Easter Sunday

Again, awoke early (can you tell I'm tired today?) to get some yardwork done (cleanup, trimmed, raked, etc.) showered and changed to go to the In-Laws for Easter dinner at about 1pm. Rather intimate affair this year (there were about 10 of us) but it was very, very nice. My apple pie was great and the Little One used excellent manners and listened well, so we were very proud parents. Mrs. B was hung over as was her sister who was also in attendance the night before, so they were rather subdued.

In spite of how shitty she felt, Mrs. B. wore stay-up, thigh-high, stockings to dinner (Rowr! Rowr!). However, she was cursing them by 2pm or so since "stay-up" is merely packaging propoganda. The things women do for their men! Funny, too, how stockings at mid-thigh are hot, but down around the knees they become the exact opposite of hot.

Anyway, an enjoyable Easter. We were even able to watch a bit of the Master's after dinner (Tiger didn't pull out the victory) before heading home at about 7 so I could eat more (as if I needed to) and watch the Red Sox beat Texas 3 to 2. Of course, I was dozing off in the 8th inning at around 10:45.

That's it. Quiet enjoyable holiday weekend.

24

I went and did it again! I started fresh with yet another season of 24. Of course, its serial television requiring one's undivided attention for a minimum one hour per week. Very difficult for me. In the past it was a little easier because Fox would re-show it over the weekend. They don't that anymore. Shame I enjoy it so much because my history shows I have NEVER finished a season. Oh in January or February, I'm all pumped up. I live Jack Bauer's life as the world becomes perilously close to doom, as he heals from knife wounds and other assorted injuries in a matter of hours (the show takes place over one day, of course) but I never get to share his ultimate victory.

Funny how terrorists and Jack are all on the same 24 hour schedule, lol. If the bad stuff starts at say, 6 a.m., it will be sure to be resolved about that time the next day. And, while he is terrific at saving our country or the world, he doesn't have particular good skills at saving wives, presidents, colleagues, innocent by-standers or, or course, assorted bad guys. Very fun though. No one is immune to loss of life or loss of loved ones. To my knowledge there are no characters left from season one, except for Keifer Sutherland's Jack Bauer.

We started with the two hour premiere on Sunday night and then another two hours of dedication last night. I'm in deep now. Can't just fore go my four-hour investment now, can I? Last night even ended with a nuclear bomb going off near L.A.

I must reschedule workouts. I must keep the Little One occupied and entertained. To wit --

"I'm watching a daddy show right now so stay upstairs with the Strawberry Shortcake video, ok honey"

"Ok daddy. [pause] Because there are bad guys on TV daddy?"

[Guy gets shot in neck]

"Yes. Shhhh....I can't hear"

But to what end? Can I make it through another season? Come May 10, when its nice and sunny, will I be motivated or remember to tape its because I have a softball game? I doubt it. If I miss a week will I be able to research that lost episode on the Internet and watch the "previously on 24" part and find satisfaction? I usually lose it about then. When a show becomes an "effort". But I don't have a "show". Know what I mean? Nothing to call my own or look forward to or talk about at work. I'm not all that into American Idol once the sucky singers are weeded out (feel like I'm the only one). There's no sitcom I look for on a particular night, although I did see 30 Rock the other night and laughed my ass off. [Note to self: find out when and where 30 Rock is on]

So, 24 is it! I can make it! I can do it! Stay strong! Jack Bauer may need me.

Shit.....Red Sox will be on TV in early April.....I'm doomed!

Three Things on My Desk

Three (semi-)interesting things on my desk (among many):

1. Batman Coffee Mug: Alas, it is no longer used for coffee. Just water. Also, its not cleaned nearly as often as it should be. I know....ewwwwww. Also serves as paperweight when opening clipped folders and as a source of amusement for my boss's 7-year-old son. Whenever he's here, he makes a special Mecca-like trip into my office merely to gaze upon it. He's even gone so far as to photocopy it. This kid has it BAD for all things Batman. Not me so much....it was $1.99 at the cheapo card-shop next door and I needed a mug.

2. Picachu Toy? Hello Kitty? Anybody? What the hell is this? Anyway, since we are in a client-serviced business, frequently clients will bring in small children for appointments. We have a big bin of toys to occupy the kids, or in last week's case, my kid. She left this here for me. Upon examination, at one point it used to wind up and do something. But no more. Apparently, its days of doing dog and pony shows for the Man are over without explaination. Oh, it winds. It winds and winds and winds and winds. Perhaps some day it will suprise me with a trick or two but now it seems content to stare at me with those alien eyes.

3. Red Sox/Dunkin Donuts 2004 Championship Mug. Well insulated and still 1/2 full of tepid coffee. I've been known to nurse a cup of coffee to lunch. Serves as my primary vessel for shipping coffee from home to work. Usually gets cleaned in between trips. Perhaps if I didn't violate it by drinking out of it and sending it periodically through the dishwasher it would be a collector's item and I could make $10,000 on Ebay in the year 2055. I guess I don't plan ahead well.

What's on your desk? Anything interesting? Funny?

Daisuke Matsuzaka

Red Sox sign Daisuke Matsuzaka! Yay!

Best rotation in baseball now? Schilling, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Papelbon and Wakefield? With Tavarez fresh off a good closing to 2006 in the wings should one go down? The boys look to be pretty good as long as Varitek can stay healthy. Surely, J.D. Drew is better than Nixon (although, I always liked Trot) and certainly no more injury prone. Lugo, although not a great shortstop, should be a nice addition at the top of the lineup which will allow Crisp to drop in the lineup and become more of a running now that he's out of the shadows of Ramirez and Ortiz. Let the Pedroia take pitches to allow him to run instead of the big bats. Get Clemens as a closer and I'll take my chances for 2007. Else, we'll be relying on one of the young guns.