Thar she blows!

PNC PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA-- My summer of Cubs roadtrips continued recently with a two-game visit to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, often called one of the prettiest ballparks in America. I'll save you the suspense and tell you that my Cubs - - owners of the best record in baseball - - lost BOTH games while I was there and in horrendous extra-inning fashion!


But as for the park and the city, I really enjoyed them. I suspected that PNC Park might remind me of the place where the Cincinnati Reds play and I was right. A fella from Cincy told me that the only difference is the color of the bricks.


Well, that and the fact that Cincinnati doesn't have the Roberto Clemente Bridge (and statue of namesake late Pirates outfielder) standing guard.

I have to say, though, that either Clemente was a freak of nature or the artist has a problem with scale because the statue's hands are the same length as his entire forearm!



Our first baseman, Derrek Lee, is 6-feet-5 inches tall and swings a mean bat. I know he's that tall because he was standing next to me at the hotel front desk and he was checking out (okay, I was checking out too...checking out HIM!)

Anyway, I was talking to the desk clerk and telling her that I ran into Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster on the Clemente bridge on the way back from Saturday night's game. I told her that I passed him again that night on the way into the Westin bar and I hoped he didn't think I was stalking him. (It was then I noticed Derrek Lee turn and glance in my direction), so I quickly added. "but I've met him a bunch of times so I'm sure he knew it was fine."

Not sure what PNC stands for, but I do recognize the fellow in this statue. It's Honus Wagner, the subject of the world's most valuable baseball card. No, I never saw him play. Wagner's baseball card was made at a time when the cards were included in cigarette packets, not with bubble gum like they are now. Oh how times have changed!



Milwaukee's Miller Park has its fifth-inning sausage races. The Nats Park in Washington DC has its Presidents races, so of course, PNC must have...wait for it...the pierogi races! I don't eat Polish food that often, so I'm not sure what the letters on the hats stand for. Onion? Sausage?





Since the Sunday game was played on a beautiful afternoon and I desperately wanted to be in the sun, I upgraded my ticket not once, but twice! to get this great homeplate view! Worth every penny!





Here's a sign that you will never EVER see at Wrigley Field! Free is a four-letter word to the Cubs' owners (especially the new owner, billionaire Sam Zell.)







After having woken up at 3:15 AM for the first flight to Pittsburgh, I really wasn't very coherent when I arrived at the Pittsburgh Westin. (Normally, I can't afford a Westin. Gotta love Priceline!!!) Anyway, I assumed my room wouldn't be ready since it was not even noon (but it was!) and I also assumed I wouldn't get a great room since I didn't pay so much for it. But the desk clerk - wonderful woman that she was - learned that I was a first-time visitor to Pittsburgh and came in for the Cubs/Pirates games and gave me this second-to-top floor room with this view.






Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug. On that day, Ted Lilly was a gnat. Good picture, though, you gotta admit. I even got the ball in the shot!







Although the Nats park boasts the largest hi-definition scoreboard in all of baseball, they have nothing on the Pirates' use of promotional animations. Sorry if the picture isn't too clear but it's one of the action shots of the Pirates' and Cubs' schooners doing battle the old-fashioned way, sort of. The Pirates, however, made use of heat-seeking missiles and a robotic octopus to finally put away the Cubs' fleet. Pirates of the Carribbean beware of the Pirates of the Central Division!







Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are the two oldest baseball parks still in use. If they can't actually HAVE the history, at least the newer ballparks can celebrate baseball's past among all the newfangled bells and whistles. The statues inside the concourse at PNC are of the historic players of the Negro league teams including "Cool Papa" Bell, Satchel Paige, 'Smokey' Joe Williams and 'Buck' Leonard. Very cool!





Let's go Cubs!

Mom's Day

What is it about greeting cards that get mothers all excited? I usually get my mom a gift for Mother's Day, but this year was a bit different. I'm from a large family, so we usually end up at my mom's house for Mother's Day with some sort of meal plans worked out and a multitude of flower arrangements and candy. Somehow, this year it was my turn to make all the plans.

Plan A was a barbeque. My mom has a nice yard and between several of us adult kids, we could bring enough food to feed an army (namely, my siblings and their kids), so that would be fine. One mother, however, single-handedly ruined Plan A.

Mother Nature decided to drop the thermometer to mid 40s and throw in torrential morning showers along with gale-force winds. Plan A went bye-bye.

Plan B was carry-out dinner. Chinese food? My mom really likes this local restaurant, but NOOOO! my oldest brother (the Vietnam war veteran) won't eat any food with rice, so Plan B, part II. Fried chicken and italian beef.

I bought a TON of chicken, beef, macaroni salad, baked beans plus a cake that I made (did I mention I'm from a large family?) and mom was pleased that she didn't have to do anything except sit back and enjoy the spread.

Oh, back to the greeting cards. Every year when I give my mom a Mother's Day gift, she asks 'where's the card?' And I'm thinking, 'hello! you KNOW who it's from. I'm standing right here!' Silly me! I'm thinking that cards are little devices used to identify the gift-giver, but I'm so niave. It's much more than that.

I've decided that all mothers have a little contest going to see who can collect the most cards. It's kinda weird because my mom will get Mother's Day cards from people who are not her genetic offspring. What's that about??

Anyway, between her NINE children and countless other hangers-on, my mother has a fireplace mantletop FULL of cards! Probably 12-15 cards, but I don't think mine will go up there...at least unless my siblings have stopped reading them.

(my card) "Happy Mother's Day from the child that you are always very proud of..."
(inside) 'of course, the other kids set the bar pretty low.'

Happy Mom's Day!

We interrupt this program...

Okay, I'm interrupting the Monthly Sun Program (which, some day, will be redundant if summer ever gets here!) to bring you BASEBALL. Get used to this folks, as my favorite sport will take up much of my time and energy for the next few (hopefully, several) months.

I traveled to our nation's capital, Washington, DC, to visit my sister and also to check out the Washington National's new ballpark. Oh, did I mention that my Cubs were playing the Nationals while I was there? Coincidence? I think not. My Cubs came to DC with one of the best records in baseball (in the early season) and the 'Nats' had one of the worst. Of course, the Nats won two of the three games ;-((

As for the ballpark itself, ....

Gotta be one of the worst advertising slogans. Geez! It sounds like the team is continually on the disabled list! Second worst: "Walgreens. The official drugstore of the Chicago Cubs."
Cubs closer Kerry Wood and relief pitcher Bob Howry share a laugh on the way to the bullpen during Saturday's game. Did I mention that Nationals Park is a pretty big ballpark? At least behind home plate, that is. It only holds between 41-44,000 fans (okay, I haven't read the program yet to get an exact number).

I'm still saying that the Nationals' logo W looks EXACTLY like a Walgreens W.


My first view of major league baseball's newest ballpark.


Inaugural season?!? Yep, we're talking historic, folks! So, of course, I bought the inaugural t-shirt and the $10 inaugural program. And it all went into a chest chock full o' baseball memorabilia.


Everything's shiny and new here, including the centerfield entry gate. Oh, and the employees were more welcoming than your favorite grandmother, I swear! Not very efficient, but definitely friendly.


My sister was happy to tell me that the 'Nats' have the largest high-definition screen in all of baseball. Well, since their season record sucks so far, at least they have THAT going for them!


The Cubs' ace pitcher, Carlos Zambrano, warmed up in the bullpen directly in front of us. He picked up the win on that day as the Cubs won, 7-0.

Every park has their 'thing' and at Nats Park, it's the fifth-inning Presidents Race. Apparently, Teddy Roosevelt is the house favorite, but he never seems to win. I even saw a guy holding a sign that said "Let Teddy win." On this day, a 6-foot rat (which my sister said is very appropriate for this park, but that's another story) jumped out of the stands and tackled poor Teddy. Oh well, maybe next game.

The old South

Chareston, South Carlina -- In a nutshell: beautiful gardens, romantic old-world architecture and feminine pastels everywhere you look. And yours truly was the offficial photographer. Enjoy!

Third time's a charm

There I was, sitting quietly on the 136 bus, minding my own business, reading a travel magazine and trying to decompress from a crazy day at work. The bus paused at the second stop on the route (I got on at the first stop) and a businessman with white curly hair boards and rudely tells me to move.

Despite the plethora of empty seats, I get up and move a few seats away. I don't say anything because I'm so shocked at this bullying manuever from a 50- or 60-something businessman. The man sits in my now-warm seat, takes out a stack of papers and begins to look them over as if he's sitting at his desk with a cup of coffee.

Mind you, this area is priority seating (for handicapped, elderly and pregnant passengers) and it fills up quickly during rush hour with mainly able-bodied folks like me...and him.

A week later, the same thing happens. Same man, same seat, same demand.

Never one to back down from a fight, I formulated a carefully-worded, polite, friendly but firm rebuttal for the next time he tried that. But the next time never came.

Until today.

The curly white head was there at the bus stop and I quickly pulled out my magazine. I buried my head in the pages as the bus doors opened and tried to remember the first few words of my prepared speech.

I saw the black dress shoes and gray trousers stop in front of my seat. I held my breath and braced myself for the verbal assault. Would I have the nerve to strike back and not look like a complete bitch to a busload of passengers?

"Damn," he muttered under his breath. And then he continued on to an unoccupied seat a few feet away.

I tried not to smile.

Code word: persistence

How often do you win a round against 'the man'? Well, I don't win them very often, but it is soooo satisfying when I do so I decided to share this with you.

This battle started well over a year ago. My opponent? My health insurance company.

Let me give you some background on the battle...I'm not a person that goes to the doctor very often. Like many women, I go once a year for my annual 'poke and prod.' Okay, that's not the technical term, but I think most women will understand and the guys can just guess.

As a result of an abnormal routine check-up, I had to get another test. The bill for the second test came to over $600 and my insurance declined payment (the rat bastards). Why? I was told by the insurance company that I was 'too old' for this procedure to be covered by insurance. WTF?!?!

Turns out, the procedure was coded as a routine check-up and my shitty insurance (which, as an independent consultant I pay a TON for!) would not cover the charges if I'm older than 16.

Um, excuse me, but how many girls UNDER 16 are getting this done??!! I'm thinking not too many. It was the word 'routine' and the code number that rubbed my insurance company the wrong way.

I called the doctor's office and discussed the coding with the office manager. Turns out, the procedure isn't routine (no shit Sherlock, since I've never had it done and I'm into my 40s now!)and should've been coded differently.

I suspected that my insurance would put up a fuss about this because for the first time in, I don't know, FOREVER! I have almost reached my yearly deductible. That means they would have to pay up -- finally!

Another code, another filing with the insurance company. Second round of coding is wrong, too, because the doctor's office used a code that is no longer valid. Claim is once again declined!
ARRGGHH!!!

Another call to the doctor's office. Another code. I'm now on a first-name basis with the office manager.

The procedure originally was performed on February 1, 2007. And today, April 7, 2008, I received a letter from my insurance company stating that after the PPO reduction, I may owe my doctor a grand total of $51.20.

Yay me!!

Monthly sun program to South Carolina, but first...

On Wednesday of this week, I will join my sisters (well, two of my three sisters at least) in Charleston, South Carolina. Although I've heard that this is a very beautiful place full of historic homes and gorgeous manicured gardens, I must admit that my mind has been a bit preoccupied with the next big event on my social calendar -- Opening Day at Wrigley Field! As this sign at Murphy's Bleacher's attests, there is but one more day until baseball officially returns to Chicago!


I strolled around the hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field today to take in the new sights including the status of "Mr Cub"Ernie Banks. The man played his ENTIRE career at Wrigley Field and they're finally getting around to erecting this statue (which, unfortunately, looks like it's wrapped in a body bag...or maybe it's a Hefty bag). Mr. Banks walked past me at the Waveland Avenue exit to the ballpark. We chatted for a moment, but all I said was "Congratulations! See you tomorrow." I'm so glad the Cubs are honoring the guy while he's still alive. You don't see that very often.

What was once two apartment buildings in the enviable position across the street from Wrigley Field is now the newest venue for ball-game viewing on Sheffield. Apparently, the owners are not keen on joining the club of Wrigley rooftop owners. I hear they're getting a lot of pressure. Sounds kinda Mafia-like to me! Ya gotta love that there's always some drama at Wrigley, whether on the field or on the rooftops!

Wrigley's going green...or maybe they just ran out of parking lot! I wonder if they'll lock up my scooter if I ride it to the ballpark some day?

The Wrigley Field Marketing Department started selling 'pavers' a few years ago, a brick that is engraved with your name and some special sentiment. The fan receives a replica brick for their home or office and the original is placed somewhere in the sidewalk surrounding the ballpark. Nope, I don't have a paver. Not yet.

Um, maybe I'll pack for Charleston on Tuesday. After all, my flight isn't until Wednesday morning. All kinds of time, right? Go Cubs!

Spring Training - - off-field highlights

• When the Seattle Mariners walked in from the team bus on Friday, I thought somebody looked familiar. I said, "Jim?" and he turned to me. It was Jim Riggleman, the former Cubs manager who tried to get me to go out with him several years ago. Although I remembered him, I'm quite sure that he had no idea who I was.


• If you didn't already notice the hot car that's pictured somewhere on this blog, check it out! It's a Pontiac Solstice and my choice at the rental facility was either that or - - I'm not kidding - - an SUV! It's probably a good thing that I was traveling alone because there is seriously NO ROOM in that car. I even had to put my 22-inch carry-on in the passenger seat because there wasn't enough room in the itsy-bitsy trunk. And the buttons for the window are perfectly positioned - - if I had fingers attached to my elbow. But it looked good and that's the important thing for a weekend away.


• After Friday's game, I went to Sluggo's, a sports bar about a mile from the ballpark. That's where I met George and the three Joes (no lie, that's how they introduced themselves). George is Nigerian and the Joes were Mexican (and one is a Chicago cop). They were fun to talk to, bought all the beer, and invited me to join them for drinks later that night. All around a good evening that did NOT entail any romantic encounters for me (which was a good thing because I just wasn't feeling it with any of these fellas).


• Saturday's crowd on the hill, at least the crowd in my immediate vicinity, was full of Vancouver boys. The Canadians were in town to golf and hang out, but baseball seemed to be too good a time to pass up. Or maybe it was just the chance to sit on a hill in the sun and drink beer. Oh, did I mention they bought all of my beer that afternoon? It was shaping up to be a pretty budget-friendly weekend, at least where liquor was concerned. Yay me!


• Being the creature of habit that I am, I ended up at Sluggo's again on Saturday and ran into Randy Hundley, the longtime Cubs catcher and father of former Cub Todd Hundley. Somehow I knew he looked familiar and was dressed far too well to be the usual baseball fan, so I asked the waitress to find out his name. I always enjoy talking to former players (I guess I should say former baseball players!)


• I've always felt sorry for people on TV for their lack of anonymity. Everybody knows them, but they don't know everyone back. So I was really embarrassed when "Pat!" came out of my mouth as I recognized Cubs announcer Pat Hughes in the airport bar shortly before my flight home on Sunday. He was kind enough to introduce himself and I did likewise. If the timing had been different (i.e. my flight, actually our flight, was leaving in a few minutes), I would have like nothing more than to talk baseball with Pat. Maybe in Chicago?
• I couldn't go to Spring Training and not stop in Don and Charlies', the Scottsdale restaurant that masquerades as a sports bar. Okay, it has more sports memorabilia either hanging from the ceiling or framed or box on the walls than even Harry Caray's restaurant in Chicago. Anyway, I was sitting in the bar when the (female) bartender said, "You remind me of someone." This happens so often, I'm going to get t-shirt printed up with "I AM NO ONE YOU KNOW" on it. How's this for an obscure moment of glory? I remind her of the actress who played the bride in the Jennifer Lopez/Matthew McConaghey movie "The Wedding Planner." Um, yeah, okay. $10 if you can name her?!

Cubs Spring Training 2008

Alfonso Soriano, the Cubs' gazillion dollar player, actually signed a few autographs after one of the games...and I almost got squashed in the process!


Oh my aching back! Just kidding. I'm pretty sure they feel just fine!

Um, is that regulation baseball equipment? Sorry, but if someone's gonna stick that in my face, I'm definitely taking a picture!

No, he's not practicing his proposals. I believe Matt Murton's already married, but I could be wrong.

Morning calisthenics? Actually, just the beginning of the usual pre-game warm-ups. Don't they look silly?

The front of this lady's shirt has a big "101" with a slash across it. Translated for my Euro friends: 2008 marks the 100th anniversary since the Cubs last won a World Series. We'd rather not see the 101st anniversary.

Some action from Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners, which the Cubs won! Actually, they won all three games that weekend. Maybe I'm a good luck charm?!

The 2008 Chicago Cubs take the field in Mesa, Arizona!

Geovany Soto knocks in one of the 13 runs that the Cubs scored in a rout of the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

This is the left-field hill at Ho Ho Kam Park in Mesa. The entrance to the hill area (the 'berm') has been open for approximately 2 minutes! Kinda anxious to get out there?!?!

Did I mention that this was my ride for the weekend? No soccer mom minivan for me!

Mark Grudzielanek, the second baseman for the Kansas City Royals, is still a favorite of mine despite his being a former Cub.

This is one of, I think, three times that the Cubs had the bases loaded in Sunday's game against the Royals.

The Royals and the Texas Rangers share the stadium in Surprise, Arizona and it's a very nice stadium. No surprise there.

Ryan Dempster and Geovany Soto share a few minutes of strategizing prior to Sunday's game. Dempster, who's moving from a relief role to the starting rotation, pitched well, giving up just one run on one hit over four innings.

I've met Dempster several times (he actually says hello to me - usually). Before the game that day, I stood near the wall as Dempster walked by. I yelled something at him and he looked over. No smile, no wave. All concentration. Total focus and it showed.

Have a great b-day Maple!

Monthly Sun Program, installment #2

No, don't go scrolling down looking for installment #1, because there isn't one. The Monthly Sun Program is my plan to find warmth and sun during the long, cold Chicago winter. In January, I headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where it was warm for one day and cold and rainy for two. Hence, no monthly sun installment #1.

Which brings me to February and my first ever trip to Southern California. Let me start by saying that people in Southern California aren't like other people.

Take this young guy, for instance. He's on a surf board, but he really isn't surfing. Perhaps he's kayaking? Maybe. I think maybe he's a frustrated gondolier gone astray from Venice!

Southern Californians do things a bit differently, like they only have crosswalks on one side of the street. Not sure why. And they wear suede and wool knee-high boots on the beach with tank tops!

Also, stop lights last only about 12 seconds. For laid-back people, these guys really want to get going. But not too fast! I'm pretty sure that for about 30% of the population, the speed limit is actually about 10 mph UNDER what's posted.

Which brings me to this girl, who was demonstrating some wheeled fun at a flea market in Costa Mesa. I WANT ONE!!

There is a place in Costa Mesa called Triangle Square. You will recognize it not by either geometric shape mentioned in its monniker, but by the large DOME that sits atop it. I have no idea why.

I didn't stay in Costa Mesa, but rather Laguna Beach ('cause you KNOW how I love the beach!) and this shot was taken right around the corner from my hotel.




Yes, I did stay and watch not only beach volleyball but beach (sort of) basketball, too. I think if they played baseball on the beach, I'd move here!



My theory on the utter lack of clear and understandable street signs in Southern California relies on the idea that maybe they're considered ugly, and I think we all know that UGLY just won't do in Southern California. The sign for the Orange County airport is about the size of the street sign at the corner of your block. Go have a look, I'll wait.

Oh, speaking of beautiful people, I was watching the local news one early evening while getting dressed to go out in Laguna Beach. The newscaster started talking about the Academy Awards (aka Oscars) and then she talked about road closures and I thought, what does that have to do with the Oscars?

Um, oh yeah, this is actually where they have the show! Oops!

On my last night in Southern California, I went out to dinner (alone, of course) and ended up eating in the bar area of this very nice beach restaurant. I chatted with the bartender a bit during dinner and mostly read the book I had brought along.

When the couple sitting next to me at the bar finished their meal, they called to the bartender and asked him to get their bill. They seemed to be fun and interesting people (from some of their conversation that I overheard), so out of Midwestern friendliness, I joked, "Yeah, put mine on there too!"

The man turned to me, smiled and said, "Yeah, okay." "No! I was just kidding!" I protested.

But he was adamant, "That's okay. You can pay it forward."

Did I mention that people in Southern California aren't like other people?