I picked-up Barry at about 4:30, worked our way around the blocked-streets taken-up by the Northalsted Market Days, and high-tailed it down LSD (Lake Shore Drive for you non-Chicagoans) to the South Side. I was lucky enough to have Barry as my guest to the game tonight (substituting for Carol). I think I enjoy a game with somebody that likes baseball than going alone. And, I swear to God, I didn't know it was Japanese American Night...
We had our traditional "Sausages Around the World" dinner of a Polish (with grilled onions) and a Brat (with sauerkraut) - Barry seemed disappointed that - with the new permanent vending stands - the "top secret sauerkraut drawer" was gone. (A few years ago, when they were using portable carts, when you would ask for a brat with kraut, it was almost as if you were whispering to the vendor "with kraut" because it wasn't anywhere to be seen. The vendor then would open a drawer underneath the grill to access the private stash to put the kraut in the bun.)
Maybe it was that we were paying attention to the game, but we seemed to play better tonight (a homering by Konerko and more stolen bases - 2 by Podsednik and 1 by Iguchi). It was a game of manufactured runs - 4 runs on 4 hits with only 3 walks and only 2 left on base.
We took a quick walk around the park, since Barry hadn't been there in a few years. We stopped on stood in the doorway of Nancy Faust's booth to watch her play the 7th inning stretch (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you go to a game at the park - Nancy always has her door open and there's something timeless yet tinged with potential fear of knowing that someday you may never again experience Take Me Out To The Ball Game played by a stadium organist). I had to show Barry the outfield concourse which has tuned into Party Central on weekends. Here is where the action is - people meet, drink, smoke, and socialize out on the concourse. I've got a feeling that if I was 20-25 years younger and didn't care too much for the game, that's where I would be. Barry commented on how much it smelled like a saloon out there - beer and smoke everywhere.
The fire works were great, as usual and the drive back to Barry's house was a hell of a lot better than this afternoon's drive up the drive to his house.
(Boxscore)
2006- Not moving it
2004- Dear Loyal Reader
2003- The Governator? Is he a Running Man because of a Total Recall?
- Big Brother 4 - Episode 14
- This has to end sometime, right?
- Targeted?
2002- West Nile Tote Board
- The Mole 2 - Episode 13
- Zip it!
- Time flies