And How Was YOUR Weekend?

Well, my 5 day stay-cation (it's amazing how quickly that term has become part of our everyday speak) is about over. It was so nice to have time to do the "should-dos" like cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. and the want-to-dos, like ballgames, reading and just chilling out.
On Saturday, the LSH & I attended the Mets vs. Cubs game at Citifield. We got there early and played tourist. The area where Shea Stadium once stood is now a parking lot. But they have marked where the infield was, first, second, third base, home and the pitcher's mound. I made sure I had my pic taken at home and third base. However, I hate my pictures, so I refuse to post them.

I bought the tickets on StubHub. Many of the season ticket holders are selling their tix at quite a discount, just trying to recoup some of the cash they laid out. When I printed them, I saw that these tickets entitled us to access to the Acela Club. Now, since the stadium opened, I have been somewhat vocal regarding what I saw as "elitism" with certain bars and/or restaurants allowing only customers who had purchased tickets in specific seating levels, entry. That exclusiveness just didn't sit well with me. I mean, this is baseball, the All-American game, the game of the people. But, I admit, I was curious and, at the suggestion of a friend, I found myself calling to see about getting a reservation. And we were not only able to score a res foe 12:45PM. but our table would be on the outdoor patio overlooking the field. The reservationist assured me that we could sit there and watch the entire game, if we wanted.
So, as conflicted as I was, that was where we were for the entire game. And, I admit, both of us enjoyed it thoroughly. I guess this officially makes me a phony-baloney. If it helps, I'm still very conflicted. And, honestly, I've felt very bad for the owners of the Mets, The Wilpons, who lost, reportedly, over $700 million in the Bernie Madoff rip-off. So, I'm glad I could do something to help them, by enjoying the most expensive French Toast I have ever had.

Pink Bats and Manly Men

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all you mothers out there (and you know who you are)!

I was pleasantly surprised (and quite thrilled actually) to receive the card above.
For those of you not into baseball, the player featured there is my favorite player, David Wright, the 3rd baseman for my favorite team, the NY Mets. For the last five years, MLB has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen For The Cure, sponsoring "Going To Bat For Breast Cancer" program. Among many other things, players can volunteer to take their first at-bat using a pink bat. Once their at-bat is done, the player autographs it and the bat is then is put up for auction. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I applaud these players who participate and my only question is "Why wouldn't every player join in??
I have to admit, it wasn't that long ago where an idea like this would have gone over like a lead balloon.
If you know a baseball fan of the female persuasion (or a guy who just likes pink), check out the MLB Pink Ribbon Collection. $10 from each sale is donated to the Komen Foundation.

What A Joke

As much as I loved Citifield, I have one major gripe. The so-called "security checkpoints" fans are subjected to before they can enter the stadium.
As we approached the stadium, we heard a recorded announcement (over & over again) - The following are not permitted in the stadium: coolers, liquids, WEAPONS (damn, ma, don't tell me you left your .45 in yer pockerbook!) We had a Mets tote bag with us (a give-away from a game last year). My wallet was at the bottom, covered by a folded windbreaker. On top, there were 2 books (for the train rides), a camera, a small cosmetic bag. There were 2 lines-one for bag people and one for people who travel light. When we got to the "security" woman, we placed our bag on the table. She spent all of 5 seconds (literally) looking in, not touching one article. We could have had anything at the bottom of that bag; as it was, because of her laziness, we were able to smuggle in 2 bottles of Mug root beer.
Next, we approached the guys who do the "pat-down." There were no security women assigned to the pat-down, so all we females had to do was to raise our arms up and turn around once. I'm assuming these guys are descendants of Superman and have inherited his x-ray vision. There was no way in hell that they could tell anything. It's amazing, we are now so politically correct that we'll compromise on security so we won't offend anyone. I hate to give up some of my rights to privacy to the government, but, when it comes to security, I won't complain. But for this joke, it's a waste of time.
Of course, I'm concerned for my safety, but, more so, for the players. As we've sadly seen recently, there are people out there who are determined to act out on their hatred, no matter what the consequences. All you need is one demented fan who has it in for a player, for some real or imagined act, and I hate to think what could happen.
I realize the x-ray machines at the airport are prohibitively expensive. But there must be something better than the poor excuse they call "security" now.
PS - For years at Shea, as well as many other venues, the vendors would keep the caps of the water bottles to prevent someone from using the full, closed bottle as a weapon. Not anymore, at least at Citifield. I bought 2 bottles of water from 2 different vendors and neither time were the caps removed. Not that I'm complaining. Just wondering why the change of mind.

V-Day Minus 4

If you're alive and not in a coma, it's impossible not to know that Valentine's Day is this Saturday. Stores are filled with displays of hearts filled with chocolate (and have been since the day after Christmas). Restaurants are trying to lure everyone with ads of specials (free glass of champagne, free rose for the ladies,etc). And, of course, the cards. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)
The LSH & I don't make a big deal about this holiday. We exchange cards and a little something to mark the occasion. I've had the card and gift I'm giving him for awhile. But yesterday, in my first solo foray out of the house since my surgery, I visited my local CVS to pick up a prescription. While waiting for it. I found this card that seemed to be made for me to give.
If you've been following my blog, you're aware that I'm a huge, huge Mets fan. The LSH was never into baseball, but, over the years, little by little, he has succumbed to the point that he actually owns and wears a few Mets t-shirts. He knows most of the names of the players (although I'm going to have to update him on the new additions to the 2009 roster). Anyway, as I said, I just had to get this card:



I can't scan the inside of the card because I've already written some personal remarks that should remain private :); however, the gist of the cards says "Hey, there's no baseball in February! And, here we are naked with nothing to do!"
Along with the card, I also bought this. I'll let you guess which one I bought.

Postscript-Why did the following make me feel so good?

I had to go to the hospital this morning for blood work. The technician, a young lady in her 20's, entered the waiting area and called my name. As I approached her, she repeated my name, this time as a question. I told her that, yes, this is me. She replied "oh, I just needed to check because you don't look your age."

I admit, I love when I'm told that. I guess that makes me vain. It does seem that the majority of baby boomers, like myself, are not entering the later stages of their lives with much grace and acceptance. The proof of that is all around us, what with the proliferation of anti-aging products and treatments.
I don't know when exactly looking your age became a sin, but, whenever it was, I bought into it. So, here's to Carly Simon, who, when she wrote this song in the early 70's, didn't realize she was writing an anthem for most of her fellow boomers.