Pitchers and Catchers reporting . . .

In honor of pitchers and catchers reporting for training this week (and Kerry Wood being in Cubs jersey again!), my ex-boyfriend (yes, I'll give him the credit) posted this video on facebook.  (Sorry, embedding is disabled, so you have to go to youtube.com, but it's worth it!)  I have fond  memories of when it was first put on by Conan, but, better than that, it combines many of my favorite things: baseball, historical happenings, and red-headed mustachioed men.  Enjoy.

Summer Road Trip Part 3 - Cooperstown

We continued East along Rte. 20 (which had brought us all the way from Buffalo) toward Cooperstown, NY, home to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I had made our hotel reservations at the Inn at Cooperstown, which turned out to be part of the Select Registry of Distinguished Inns of North America (as was the Packwood House in Skan.). Cooperstown is a darling little town; the directions to the Inn said that it is "three buildings north of the only traffic light in the village." We approve of one-traffic-light villages.

Nate being a beer connoisseur of sorts, we made a stop at the Brewery Ommegang, which is a Belgian Style brewery. After a nice tour, tasting, and spending of a pretty penny at the gift shop (mostly on growlers, 2L bottles which they filled for us from the tap), I made a quick stop in the ladies room and was impressed by the artwork.

Back in town, we went on a nice pre-dinner walk by Otsego Lake, then visited the Cooperstown Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum before having a nice Italian dinner. After dinner we browsed in some shops, considered buying lots of baseball paraphernalia that we didn't end up purchasing, then went back to the hotel for a rousing game of Scrabble.

Monday morning was all about the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, where we lined up just before opening with many other tourists and Little League teams. The memorabilia was endless at the museum so we worked up an appetite looking at all kinds of stuff. My favorite part was the room that had a locker of each current team, which housed items from recent feats, like the hat Kerry Wood wore during his 20 strike-out game. I also enjoyed the room that was about the women's baseball league (above - A League of Their Own is one of my all-time favorite movies).

Every day at the Baseball Hall of Fame they show a different artifact which isn't normally on display. Nate and I lucked out and got in the first row to see the ball the President Taft threw out at Opening Day in 1911 (or thereabouts - I can't remember everything, can I, but I can tell you that was the first ever Presidential Opening Day first pitch) and Eisenhower's own baseball glove.

Thanks to a local who warned us against going into the restaurant that had just seated an entire Little League team, we took her second piece of advice and got massive, amazing sandwiches at Danny's Market. So fueled by our lunch, we were ready to go back to the museum for the main event: the Hall of Fame. I myself found the museum more interesting, just because it was actual stuff and not plaques, but maybe someday when there's someone in there who I actually saw play or something, I might be interested in going back (like Greg Maddux, in a few years).

Anyway, on to the Adirondacks!

Summer Road Trip Part 1 - Cleveland

When we were invited to my friend Shailer's wedding in Skaneateles, NY, Nate the Great and I decided to plan an extended road trip out to Central New York state. Stops on the way would include Cleveland, OH, an overnight at his parents' house in Buffalo, then Skaneateles, Cooperstown (the baseball Hall of Fame and Ommegang Brewery) and we would end up at Nate's family cabin at Schroon Lake, in the Adirondacks. Whew!

The reason I've been MIA for so long was because this trip took us 10 days, plus a few afterwards to recover.

At the first stop, in Cleveland, we spent many hours at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where we saw some great things, including the jacket Michael Jackson wore in the Thriller video, and his sequined glove. I can't say if I would have cared as much if not for his recent passing, but no matter, it was still cool. They also had a large exhibit of Bruce Springsteen's stuff - I almost found out the true words to "blinded by the light" but alas, his handwriting was not very clear so the original lyrics he wrote out didn't shed the much-needed light on the subject. We also got to go inside Johnny Cash's tour bus.

I will say this about the R&R HoF, if you do go, try not to go during a period of time when you would want to eat a meal. The dining options are nowhere near as good as what I'm used to at a museum cafeteria; the food was closer to airplane food.

In the evening, we saw the Cleveland Indians play the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Since we got to the field early, we had plenty of time to look around and we found a small Indians' Hall of Fame right there on the premises. The Cubs definitely need one of these! The game went pretty quickly - just under 3 hours - so we were able to stay for the whole thing before our 3 hour drive on to Buffalo. As we drove away, our way was lit by the Friday night fireworks at the baseball field. What a way to go! Oh yes, and my Seattle area readers will be happy to hear that the Mariners trounced the Indians, with a little help from 2 ex-Cubs (Ronny Cedeno and David Aardsma). A good start to a great vacation!

To be continued . . .

4th of July weekend

I was surprised, at first, that so many people had Friday off from work, but we Americans love our 3-day weekends, so what better way to celebrate Independence Day than take a non-holiday off from work. Of course, I had the day off anyway, so I went downtown to have lunch with Jess (after finishing her 82 hour work-week) and to pick up a Cubs jacket at the American Girl Doll store. Nate got me 1 jacket off of Ebay for my birthday (at Wrigley Field, they have 1 night each year when they give out these jackets to all the girls 13 and under and I've always wanted one for my dolls) and it came with a coupon for a 2nd on at the store downtown. My dolls are back in CT right now, but next time I see them they will be looking sporty and sassy!

Friday evening we were treated to the 4th(?) annual 3rd of July party at our friend Dan's apartment. His roof-deck looks right out onto the Wrigley Field bleachers sign. It was a perfect night for a party and we even got to see a few fireworks.

Saturday was dreary and drizzly so we stayed home during the day. I made crab dip and Nate the Great made a cherry pie (crust from scratch - he puts me to shame). The weather cleared up by the evening, luckily, so we went up to Edgewater for a party at Bob and Magda's.
In addition to the foods we brought for the party, we enjoyed some pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs, and a magnificent chocolate roulade which is Magda's specialty. After eating plenty of food, we all made our way down to the beach (25 yards from their apartment) where we were able to see south down the lake-shore, all the way to downtown. We could see probably 4 different fireworks shows simultaneously. Though rather cold and wet, it ended up being a wonderful 4th of July.

Sunday, however, was sunny and warm, so Nate and I packed our

bikes in the car and drove up to the Northern branch of the Chicago Forest Preserve trails. We rode up to the Chicago Botanic Garden (I stupidly didn't bring my camera) and soaked up the scenery with plenty of other cyclists and picnickers.

Amazing birthday weekend

Saturday morning I met up with Jenny for some quality time - we hadn't seen each other in 2 months! And our real purpose for getting out was to go apartment hunting. Of course, in Lincoln Park, our hunting basically turned into lots of ogling at large, single-family homes. We took pictures of a few we liked . . .
and some places we found monstrous and horrifying.

We also happened upon a spot of sidewalk that is possibly the coolest I've seen - I threw my shoe out there to pretend we were playing Monopoly. If only there had been a Scotty around! After a good walk and a nice lunch (complete with a pitcher of cranberry margaritas) I left Jenny to go down to the Taste of Chicago with Ruthie, in the hopes that we would get to see Counting Crows. Alas, the CC's were going on stage too late, so we enjoyed Augustana then headed home to put on party clothes.
The party this year was Nantucket theme. Most of my friends were born ready for a party like this but still managed to go out and buy a new ensemble for the occasion. A few guys picked up some new topsiders. . .

And the girls were looking spiffy as well. All in all, it was another hit of a party - the punch was plentiful and the collars were popped. Nate the Great did himself proud!

On Sunday afternoon, Nate treated me to a tour of Wrigley Field. We got to see the visiting teams's clubhouse (the smallest in the Major Leagues), the press box, etc. etc. And we really lucked out because the Cubs were not yet back from their away game which meant we got to see their clubhouse as well. Look at all of those perfectly laundered jerseys, just waiting for some dirt and grass stains.
The tour ended at the Cubs' dugout, and we got to walk on the ground brick, but NOT the grass (although I stuck my toes on the grass, just to see how it felt - luscious!) We ended the day with a birthday dinner at Soprano's, an Italian restaurant near our house we had always been meaning to try.

I got some great (and crafty) gifts from family (loyal blog readers). Please check back because as I use/read/bake with my bday gifts, I'll post about them! 27 - so far so good!

Thursday afternoon at the ballpark

Yesterday I had 2 firsts: my first birthday present of the year (some have arrived in the mail, but I'm saving those to open on Sunday) and my first game at U.S.Cellular (White Sox) Field. Nate's friend Bob, being a Dodger's fan, was dying to go to the game (ok I may be over-dramatizing) and since I was free, he offered to treat me to my first White Sox game. So we took the red line train farther south than I ever have before and got off at 35th Street.
Our seats, cleverly in the shade (my pale skin thanks you Bob), were behind home plate, which is a good view overall, but a poor spot to tell if a ball is really going to leave the ballpark - pretty much every fly ball looks like it'll be a home run. But we could see into the dugout, although we were quite high up and I'm not too familiar with the players. . .
I do know who Paul Konerko is, and he had a home run (I remember this because I scored the game - I'm nerdy like that). Whenever a White Sox player hits a home run they set off fireworks. Not too impressive in the daytime, but it still makes noise, so hey, all in all not too bad. It is a very different experience, I must say, than going to a game at Wrigley Field. Yes, the park is still relatively new and nice, and there are more food options than at Wrigley (thanks to Bob, I have now had a churro) but the experience all seems so much more manufactured than a game at Wrigley. The jumbo screen and loudspeakers keep urging me to "clap your hands!" and telling me to chant "Paul-eee" when Konerko comes up to bat. Maybe on a weekend, when the game is sold out, these things catch on and are more impressive, but on a weekday afternoon, when the stadium is less than half full, it just seems anti-climactic. True, I've been spoiled by the energy at Wrigley, but it is all very natural and organic - people decide to chant because they want to, not because a television monitor tells them.
On our way out, I had to stop and get a picture of the city. This view from the south is one that I rarely see. And any view of the [Sears] tower makes me fluttery.

Baseball Trivia

Nate the Great and I loooove trivia.  He even likes it a little more than I do, since he beats me at Trivial Pursuit every time, and I am not a very good loser.

Anyway, here is a quiz for anyone who thinks they know something about baseball.  I scored a 4 out of 10.  Tricky, tricky!

GO CUBS!

Getting some Spring in my step

Yesterday I had to take my car in for a checkup because on the drive home Tuesday night it started making a Scary Noise.  The temperature was finally above freezing, so instead of taking the train back home, I decided to walk the 3 1/3 miles.  It was such a nice break for me - usually I'm driving everywhere - and it reminded me of how I got around all the time when I first moved to Chicago - on foot!

Today, still car-less, I was pleased to see the temperature reach into the 50's(!) and I celebrated with another walk, just around my neighborhood this time.  You can see my 2 mile route here.  With spring in Wrigleyville, Chicago, comes an annually renewed hope for the baseball season, and inevitably, a few new shops around Wrigley Field banking on the Cubs and their icons.  

I was also 

greeted with 

a "Hi" from 

my home state 

of Connecticut.  

Hello CT!

2008 quick facts.

I can't necessarily say it's back by popular demand - since I don't know how many (but I have an idea of how few) people read this blog.  But I liked recapping the year in this way:

Piano lessons taught: 922

Piano Recitals: 2, plus one company-wide concert

Album of the Year: Asking for Flowers by Kathleen Edwards

     Runner Up: The Stand Ins by Okkervil River

Favorite band I discovered: Glen Hansard/The Frames

     Runner Up: The Shout Out Louds

Best Song:  All the World (I Tell Myself) by Correatown

     Runner Up: The Cheapest Key by Kathleen Edwards

Favorite Movie in a Theater: Wall-E

     Runner Up: Sex in the City (that's right!)

Favorite Movie from Netflix: The Assassination of Jesse James . . . 

     Runner Up: Anne of Green Gables trilogy

Favorite Play: Our Town, performed by David Cromer and the Hypocrites

Best Concert: Kathleen Edwards at the Metro

Best TV Show: Mad Men

Favorite Book: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

     Runner Up: Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

Favorite Game: Apples to Apples

Cubs Games Attended: 13 (including one post-season)

     Number of those games they won: 11

New City I visited: Milwaukee, WI

Best thing I did there (other than go to a Cubs Game): the free tour of the Miller Brewery!

Happy (late) Mother's day to me!

My mom just left after a long weekend visit.  She finally got her (late) mother's day gift: a bouquet of flowers which I picked out and put together myself (special, from the supermarket), complete with new lilies opening each day she was here.  

We went to a Cubs game on Friday.  The Cubs won, with Soriano hitting 2 home runs, and the weather was perfect.  Then on Saturday we were off to Oak Park with tickets to tour Frank Lloyd Wright (and other historical) homes that are privately owned and rarely open to the public.  We hit 6 out of the 10 homes, and were about as tired as we've ever been by the end of the day.

On Sunday I came down with some awful virus and I ended up staying home from work on Monday.  My mom, who was going to go to museums while I was at work, stayed home and took care of me which helped make me feel about as good as I could have under the circumstances.  Maybe not my mom's favorite vacation, but I sure enjoyed a little mothering.

Happy Mudder's Day Cubs Game

I was lucky enough to get some free tickets to yesterday's Cubs game, which my friends and I almost didn't go to because it looked like it was going to be rained out!  At the last minute we changed our minds and went a little late, only missing the first inning.  

Things we did see:  the guy sitting right in front of us wearing head-to-toe yellow foul-weather gear, who got up and danced every time a song came on the loud speaker (that's him in the photo).  And a fan jumped onto the field around the centerfield bleachers and was tackled by the grounds crew before being arrested.  It inspired me and Ruthie to go home and watch Fever Pitch after the game is over.  We also got free pink baseball hats that they were giving out to all of the ladies in honor of Mother's Day.  

They were pretty good seats too; very close to the field.  No need for my binoculars at this game!

Totally un-professional softball

This spring, I've joined a softball team with some friends.  We played our first game yesterday; it was a typically cold and windy day in Chicago, on some softball fields right by Lake Michigan in Old Town.  

Now, I haven't played softball, or anything like it, since I was on my school's team in 7th grade.  I remember two things from that experience:

1. playing right field, and making one catch, when the ball was hit right to me, and all I had to do was reach right out in front of me and catch the waist-high ball.  My coach later told me that it was "a lucky catch."  I replied that "I live on luck."  and

2.  the only time I ever got on base, when I was hit by a pitch.  A normal person could have probably jumped back and avoided contact with the ball, but not me.  I saw the ball coming, froze, and got hit in the side.  I doubt that I ever made it past first base.  

Well, my experience yesterday was surprisingly better than that of 13 years ago.  I should mention that I requested number 19 on my jersey, in honor of my beloved Matt Murton (see my last post).  Like him, I played right field and made one almost-catch, where I managed to run to where the ball was in time, get it into my glove, then have it hop right back out.  I had 2 at-bats, and grounded out both times (in true Matt Murton fashion, at least so far this season).  I consider this a small victory, since it does mean that my bat made contact with the ball both of my at-bats.  It was a short game, however, ending after 5 innings, as the other team had beaten us 15 to 4, or something like that (it was really hard to keep track).  

Looks like it's time for some batting practice!

Zooming in on the Cubs

Last week I got to go to my 2 first Cubs games of the season.  I have discovered upper deck seats as a great, cheap way to have a good view of the entire game.  I wasted so much time the first few seasons I was here in lower level seating, where you can't see the scoreboard because you're under the upper deck (unless you've paid an arm and a leg to sit down near the field).  

A friend of mine, who was going to the 2nd game with me, mentioned early in the week that she couldn't wait to see Fukudome in action.  Now, no matter how good of a view we have in the upper deck, it's not like you can really see the players, so I joked that in order to really see him we'd have to bring some binoculars to the game.  

In the middle of the week I was up in the suburbs doing a few errands before teaching for the afternoon and there was a spy store in the shopping plaza.  I figured if anyone would have binoculars, they would, so I went right in and bought myself a pretty nice pair for about $30.  As I was checking out, the guy who had helped me said that he had lost the bet.  Apparently, when he and his coworker saw me walking toward the store, they figured I must be lost and would only come into the shop to ask for directions.  The only other customer in there happened to be a middle-aged, slightly sketchy looking guy.  And I had to sign a waiver in order to buy the binoculars, promising not to do anything illegal with them.

So now I got to zoom in on my favorite players.  I'm looking forward to using them all season.  Hopefully I will get to view this guy more often: Matt Murton, my favorite red-headed player who is in and out (mostly out) of the Cubs lineup this season.  Bear with me; I'm trying to get a grip on photo-shopping.  

2007 Quick Facts

Birthday: 25th

Piano Lessons Taught: 950

Piano Recitals: 2

Album of the Year: Easy Tiger by Ryan Adams

Runner Up: The Reminder by Feist

Favorite Singer I Discovered: Sean Hayes

Best Song: I Feel it All by Feist

Runner Up: Four Winds by Bright Eyes

Favorite Movie: Superbad

Favorite Movie I will admit to grown-ups: The Lives of Others

Favorite Theatrical Production I saw: Desire Under the Elms

Runner Up: Ragtime

Best Concert I went to: The Decemberists in Millenium Park

Amount I spent to go to that concert: $0.

Best TV Show: 30 Rock

Runner Up/still my favorite: The Office

Favorite TV show I discovered: How I Met Your Mother

Favorite Book: Harry Potter VII

Favorite Book that everyone else hasn't read: Ragtime

Biggest thing I did this year: Bought a Condo

Cubs Games attended: 11

# of those games they won: 9

City I visited: Memphis, TN

Best thing to do there: Graceland, home of the one and only Elvis

Runner Up: Haunted Memphis Walking Tour