It was quite a week end.
Saturday night I went to my 6th baseball game of the year.
My twin had a friend come in from Chicago and one of the things she wanted was to go to a game. She got 6 tickets on stubhub and although we had to pay an arm, to get 6 tickets to a sold out game is quite amazing.
It was the Baltimore Oriels vs the Boston RedSox. Pitching for the home team was John Lester. I had got my usual sausage and lemonade before the game began and during the 3rd inning, I got a pretzel.
I sat between my twin and his friend Jeff. Meredith, the friend from Chi, sat next to my twin and her two other friends sat next to her.
David Ortiz hit a 3 run home run and for the Redsox and Ellsberry hit two, RBI doubles. Newly required Adam LaRoash hit a home run in his first game as a RedSox. We went on to win the game 7-2.
After the game we had to pick up Lindsay, my twin’s wife, from the movies. She was excluded from the game because the tickets were too much money. So we walked a few city blocks to pick her up, from there we walked back past the ball park to the train station, but that station was out the door of the station. We weren’t going to wait in that line. So we walked to a different station that I don’t know how far, but it was a long walk. Justin saw two guys who looked lost looking at a map so he stopped and ask if they needed help. They had a print out from yahoo maps and it took them all back roads when they wanted just about all highways. Plus the place they wanted, they were still 40 minutes away from. So Justin drew on the map where they needed to get to-go. So we caught up with the rest of the crew and eventually found the station and took that for a bit, switched trains, took that for a bit, got out and walked across the street to the parking garage where his car was. Meredith wanted to go to a bar. This was after she had 7 glasses of whine and 2 beers at the game but she was the only one who wanted to go. She was complaining a bit. Eventually I got home and it was 12;15 and the game ended about 9;45 just to give you an idea how long we walked.
Sunday was the Baseball hall of fame induction ceremony. They were induction Jim Rice, who spent his entire career in a Boston red sox uniform and led the redsox offence for so many years. Then was the well traveled Rickey Henderson. He stole more bases than anyone else. He had more walks than anyone else and the most homeruns to lead off games in the history of baseball. Lastly was Joe Gordon who was voted in by the veterans’ committee. He passed away in 1978 and after looking over his numbers, I have NO DIDEA how he had to wait this long. He was an MVP in 1942, he was a 7 time all star and has a handful of rings.
Highlight of speeches
Jim Rice" I am a husband, called Rice. I am a father, called Dad. I am a brother, called Ed. I am an uncle, called Uncle Ed. I am a grandfather, called Papa. I am a friend that doesn't call -- some of my friends know that -- and sometimes best not call at all. Finally, I do mean finally, I am Jim Rice, called a Baseball Hall of Famer.”
Rickey Henderson: "My journey as a player is complete," Henderson said. "I am now in the class of the greatest players of all time, and at this moment I am very humbled."
Joe Gordon’s daughter: Gordon died in 1978 at age 63 and requested that he not have a funeral. "We consider Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame as his final resting place, a place he'll be honored forever," Judy Gordon said, tears welling in her eyes.
Sunday night
Last year my mom and her sister was invited to New Jersey to be a part of their great aunt’s 100th birthday. They weren’t sure about going but they went and saw family who they had not seen in 30 years. One was a cousin who was in her mid-30's and was thrilled to find out she had family in Massachusetts. So Hayley (my cousin) and her boyfriend Anthony were invited by my parents to stay at their condo they have on a beach and to spend time and meet the family. My mom got all of us kids together (which, is a miracle) for a bbq at our house.
My family )Jonathan, *that’s me* Justin *my twin* Lindsay*his wife* Amanda *our younger sister* Robert *our older brother* and my parents. My aunt Sarah, her daughter Heidi, and Heidi’s son Jailen, who’s 10. Hayley, NJ cousin * and Anthony *her boyfriend*
The cousins came all in one car. First we could hear Heidi’s big mouth than everyone else came in. I was introduced to Hayley, she gave me a tight hug and shook Anthony’s hand. We all sat in the living room while my dad got the grill going and my mom finished preparing the food. Eventually my mom was ready with the salad so we went into our big dining room where we have all our major Jewish Holidays. I was being me, quiet and just listening. I just was smiling for the entire night because I was happy to have this cousin who I can only explain as, an angel. After dinner my mom had desserts, coffee and tea. A while later, Hayley wanted to take a family picture with all the cousins. So we took a family picture. Soon after that Justin and Lindsay said their byes and Rob said he’d leave too then. (they both live 40 mins away) Heidi, Hayley, Amanda Jailen and myself went down stairs and we played ski ball than bowling, and eventually we all took turns boxing vs Jailen. I was an “an animal” as my cousin Heidi called me. I was using my entire body. Everyone was laughing and my sis took a 30 second clip and said she’d put it on her facebook. Eh, I don’t care. I don’t have facebook. OH funny moment when we were playing Ski ball.
The second time around, Hayley was getting all either strikes or spares. We were all saying “oh, you must have a WE” I was keeping up with her somewhat and than… Anthony came down stairs and Hayley got her first 9. She blamed it on her I thanked him for coming down, it gave me an out side chance. The next few she got a 9 and yes, even an 8. The final was that she did win but by 2 pins. I was saying “Anthony, you should have came down earlier” When we were finished with WE, and put it back to cable, the Goonies was on. Everyone remembers that classic from the 80’s. My sister brought a few people up on her phone to see what they look like now. You should see what some of these people look like. Some you wouldn’t recognize. (according to everyone else) At 12;15, we decided that it was really late and since they had to drive back to NJ the next day, we all migrated up stairs. Hayley gave me a hug and said her byes than wanted to give me another hug. I told her that I would email her.
A friend of mine who I travel with to a lot of games out side of Boston-fl with wanted to go to the new Yankee Stadium this year. He emailed a bunch of people back in March and I know I responded but not sure who else did but that was where the story started. A few days ago he writes me. He says he has August 12th off and the Yankees were playing a day game, would I want to go, if so, here is the information to get disability seats. I called and all their tickets are handled by ticketmaster. So I called and after going through the regular seats and there was no available from 48 to 80 dollar price ranges I called back and there was an option for disability seats. I got a very nice woman who asked if the party will be in a wheelchair or not. I said well, no, I am blind. I am looking for visually impaired seats. She goes…”Oh, well, we don’t have any. (pause) But what I will do is see if there are any isle tickets. I told her that would be great. She looked and eventually said that there was no seats available 90 or under, would I want to go to $110. I said no, but thank you for your help.
So I went to various sites and some I just could not figure out. Eventually, with the help of my twin and me trying random websites, I found two left field second deck for 39 each. Sweet, I’ll take them. I emailed the page to my friend before I actually went ahead with it and he gave me the nod and I bought them. So… I am going to my 14th different major league stadium. I am so excited!
This morning, Monday, I knew that my mom was going out for breakfast with my cousins and NJ cousin to get the keys to the condo and say bye to them. I wanted to spend more time with Hayley and so I woke up, setting my alarm for 8 and rolling out of bed about 9 to take a shower and get dressed. My mom said that Anthony left his phone at my aunts house and so we just had to wait to see when they showed up to pick up Heidi, Aunty Sarah and J before we knew what time we would go out. About 11;30 we got a call and we headed out for breakfast. My mom and I got to the restaurant first and put together a table for 7. When Hayley came in, she gave me a hug and a sisterly peck on the cheek.
My mom gave us all good news about my sister. She had gone for an interview this morning for a guidance counselor and she got the job. My mom had told me good news about Jailen too. He was not only excepted to an exclusive Hebrew school, he also got a scholarship that made the school affordable for my uperlower class cousin. If Jailen’s papa was still alive, he would be the happiest person in the world. We talked (they talked) about other family members and that yes, they will definitely come back. They enjoyed my family’s hospitality. They did say that they cleaned up the condo a bit. Throwing away all the garbage before they left and cleaning the sheets. (hmm wonder why they needed to be clean?) and for the bbq and breakfast and just everything.
We left the restaurant and said our byes. I said to Hayley I will get your email from my mom and I’ll email you. She said that would be great. A hug from Hayley, a firm hand shake from Anthony and my extended week end is over.
I had so much fun.
THE END |
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I wish I could see that video clip! haha!
