Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Opening Day: Indians V. Jays



The rite of spring - opening day for baseball.  However, this April 10th was anything but spring-like in Cleveland, Ohio. Mid 40s and a drizzle accompanied the first pitch by Indian's rookie Scott Lewis at Progressive Field.  However, the weather would not nor could not dampen my excitement. As an avid baseball fan, this was the first time in my life, I was attending opening day for MLB. I've been to opening day for the single A West Michigan Whitecaps (then an Oakland A's minor league team) for their inaugural season in Comstock Park, Michigan and six subsequent seasons, but I'd never been to an opening day in an MLB park.  
Having scored "club" seats, I was thrilled to be able to watch the first three innings from wonderful second deck seats close to indoor, heated club seating. Additionally, the all you can eat and drink food service allowed me to try out all the plentiful baseball fare. I was in b
aseball heaven. That was topped off by a Travis Hafner homer, his second in two days. After watching three, fairly cool, but not cold innings, I left the outdoor seating area and entered the indoor club area to scope out a seat and my favorite ball park food; hot dogs and nachos. After finding a seat, I discovered that 
the food was even better. The wide variety and choices made it terrible difficult to watch the game. The variety of aromas called my name. Upon selecting a variety of items, I settled in to watch the middle part of the game on TV. After one and 1/3 innings the rain increased and a rain delayed ensued. Enjoying the wonderful and company, we waited out at least 2 hours of the rain delay. We left 
and returned home (90 minutes later) to watch the remainder of the game from our warm living room.  
After a 3 hour and 47 minute rain delay the Indians and Jay resumed play. The final the Jays 13 and the Indians 7. The weather, final score, and the shorten stay at the stadium will not dampen my memories of a wonderful FIRST open day at a MLB ballpark. Go Tribe?

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

First Ride


Today marks the first ride of the season. This year it happens to be with the motorcycle. Granted it was a very short ride because it was only a 3 mile ride to the Harley store, but it was enough to give me a taste of things to come. After dropping my bike off for some minor additions and the lowering of the bike, I got to ride Judy's bike as well. That ride was only 3 miles as well - yes, to the Harley store. Both bike had a minor recall and she too had a couple of additions put on the bike. After a long winter and cabin fever, there is hope; and while the ride today was very short, it gave me a taste of things to come. While at the Harley store I saw the true fan's bike. The owner is clearly a Detroit Tiger fan. Not only did the pant job represent the colors of the Tiger, but it also included the beloved emblems of the team. I was truly impressed. Enjoy the pictures! Think spring!

Confusion



Life with a puppy is never dull. The puppy arrived in mid-December and the house has not been the same since. Besides the endless playing, constant activity and multiple feedings, there is the potty training. The two older dogs are pad trained. So, why not train the two puppies to be pad trained too? Well, the pups have good days and bad days. Early on it was about 50-50 that the pups would use the pads. More recently the pups have been about 75-25. It seems that one pup has a good day and one pup doesn't. There is no consistency or predictability. Then one morning this week I noticed an odd occurrence......clearly this pup doesn't know what to do with the pad. Is it a couch? Is it a table? but, low and behold, when it really counted the pad was used as a pad! However, the other pup decided that the pad was no longer a pad and sought a new place to put the poop. Ug! Will they every get it?