Just Like Old Times

Yesterday was a Monday of Old Times. I don't know why, but I've craved normalcy since I've been in Seattle for the past week and yesterday was one of those days -- I'm thankful.

Of course it was a normal work day, but I also got to enjoy lunch at the Nickerson Street Saloon with companions of old, Blanca and Jill. And, as usual, it was Jill v. Todd saying witty things about one another in an attempt to get Blanca to take a side. Which she never does... and didn't. That Blanca -- so level-headed is she! Unfortunately, Justin wasn't able to go; had he, it would have been the old AR crew at it again... this time with three of the four working for DRIVEpm!

It was then off to a Mariners game at Safeco Field with Tim, Matt and Charles (shown right). Granted, we were several adult beverages in, but Charles summed up the night the best: "I don't mean to be a sap here guys, but I really miss this." I do too, Charles. I certainly do too. It was great to have our M's foursome together again -- not so much for the M's sake (and yes, they needed the four tickets sold that we had!), but for ours. So much has happened in our respective lives since we went to our last game together. So much hurt and pain and joy and life. The best part was that stuff didn't need to come up -- yeah, some did, of course -- but we were friends and there and things were good and right.

AND, referring back to a previous blog... I also got to really experience the differences in baseball from Seattle to New York. This was first highlighted in the fact that we enjoyed the Pyramid Beer Garden before the game. It was evidenced in the Kid Valley burger I enjoyed and the shrimp cocktail the folks next to me were eating, and the fans hollering for the recipient of the Tampa Bay homerun ball throw it back... and not boo the pitcher. It was fun to have that perspective fresh on my mind at a new and beautiful stadium... even inasmuch as the team stinks. THAT said, however, we were in Row 1 -- right on the field (click through to see the view from our seats. Can you spy John & Amy?!). Matt brought his glove to the game -- I told him to pick it up since he was going home first -- and a Richie Sexson foul ball lined our way and actually went off of Matt's glove. OK, so I was wearing it at the time, but come on! It was hit HARD and I did have to reach out and try to snag it without falling onto the field! It would have been something had I managed to rope it in though! Instead of the heckles or pat on the back from the lady behind me, it would have been cheers and maybe even an ESPN highlight. A boy can only dream!