I suppose I can blame my parents for this, but I love sports, at least as a spectator. With the way things have gone this week, you'd think that I do nothing but watch sports.
If the pictures and video I posted previously was not enough of a clue, I was at the Ravens game this past Sunday. What a great game that was to watch. It is only my second live NFL game, and this time around it was a much better experience, maybe because it wasn't 45 degrees and raining! Great game, great fans, always a blast, I can't wait for December 7 when we face the Redskins. Did I mention I have now customized my phone wallpaper with Ravens logos?
Monday I took JH to an Orioles game as a gift for his birthday. Great seats, unfortunately, not a great night for the Orioles, oh well.
Tomorrow night, I am going to a Capitals game with AX because a friend of mine who is a season ticket holder cannot make it to the game, so she gave me the tickets, with one string attached. I will accompany her to the season opener of the Caps on October 11. I have gone to the games before, they're fun to watch live.
Finally, this Sunday is the last game for the Orioles and I have a couple of tickets. Anyone interested in joining me? Let me know.
Four different games in seven days, wow, I never would have thought I could do that.
While we're talking about it, the only sports I will watch on TV are professional football and basketball, I really am not a fan of watching baseball or hockey on TV, I have to watch them live in order to keep my interest. That's probably due to the fact that growing up, we always watched football, and my brothers got into basketball as well, so I am used to seeing those.
What surprises me nowadays is how accessible it is for me to get to a game around here. Of course it's easy to buy baseball tickets, even on the day of the game, it is one of the few sports left that is accessible. As for other sports, it has not hurt that I am making connections with season ticket holders who cannot always make it to the games they have, or occasionally my church has a group outing to a sporting event. Some people would be surprised that I would go with a church group to a sporting event, but the way I put it is that "It's not full of Jesus, just beer."
Of course, try being the only Ravens fan in Redskins territory; thank God we are not division rivals. I joke that I am a drop of purple in a sea of maroon at work. However, ever since I have started wearing my jersey for Purple Friday, I have had other fans approach me, including those who are season ticket holders. Hopefully this will translate into more live games in the future :-)
One more thing, why aren't more gay men into watching football? Discuss. I will post my own thoughts about it in the future.
Showing posts with label Orioles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orioles. Show all posts
September 24, 2008
July 31, 2008
Spank the Yanks
Sunday JH and I traveled to Harrisburg and stayed overnight, so it would save us some time for our trip this past Monday.
We met up with his friend DP and first went to Dorney Park. I picked up my 81st coaster credit by riding Voodoo since it was running this time. It was a fun ride and since the lines were so short, we ended up riding it 3 times. If you can, go for the front.
We rode Laser, Thunderhawk, Hydra, and Talon as well, had some lunch, and then it was off to NYC to Yankee Stadium.
We got to NYC, found parking, and I got in touch with my friend KS, who would be joining us to watch the O's play against the Yankees. While she was on her way, we wandered around the outside of the stadium in our Orioles shirts. Earlier in the week JH had suggested we not wear our shirts, but then he talked with folks and heard that unless we got obnoxious, the fans wouldn't mess with us.
We grabbed dinner at a local restaurant, the food was meh, the service sucked, but whatever, it wasn't the reason why we were in NYC.
We went back to the stadium and got in, where we had to show security our cell phones for some reason. Does anyone have any clue why they would check our cell phones? Still, I couldn't believe we were actually at Yankee Stadium before it vanishes. It was showing its age, but it was still exciting to be there. We also had good seats to watch the game. I couldn't believe what they wanted for a beer there, 8.50 for a can of beer. We didn't buy any while there, we stuck with Coke instead.
So the game would go extremely well for the O's that night, they spanked the Yanks 13-4. It was an exciting game to watch and for the most part the fans left us alone. There was the moron who gave us a thumbs down to our shirts, but that douchebag wasn't even wearing any Yankees gear. One guy did joke that I wasn't going to see George Sherrill (I was wearing his shirt) play that night, and I told him "I'm not complaining." because if Sherrill comes in to pitch, it means that the O's are leading by 3 runs or less.
After the game was over, there were the folks who kept bleating out "Well we have 27 championships!" I think it must be something you have to yell on command in order to be a Yankee's fan.
It was then time for the long drive home to Harrisburg to drop off DP, and then further to Baltimore. We didn't get back until 4:30 in the morning, and thankfully I had slept on and off in the car.
The trip, totally worth it. I'm glad we got to see the stadium before they turn it into a parking garage next year. Now there's plans to hit Shea Stadium before that vanishes as well.
We met up with his friend DP and first went to Dorney Park. I picked up my 81st coaster credit by riding Voodoo since it was running this time. It was a fun ride and since the lines were so short, we ended up riding it 3 times. If you can, go for the front.
We rode Laser, Thunderhawk, Hydra, and Talon as well, had some lunch, and then it was off to NYC to Yankee Stadium.
We got to NYC, found parking, and I got in touch with my friend KS, who would be joining us to watch the O's play against the Yankees. While she was on her way, we wandered around the outside of the stadium in our Orioles shirts. Earlier in the week JH had suggested we not wear our shirts, but then he talked with folks and heard that unless we got obnoxious, the fans wouldn't mess with us.
We grabbed dinner at a local restaurant, the food was meh, the service sucked, but whatever, it wasn't the reason why we were in NYC.
We went back to the stadium and got in, where we had to show security our cell phones for some reason. Does anyone have any clue why they would check our cell phones? Still, I couldn't believe we were actually at Yankee Stadium before it vanishes. It was showing its age, but it was still exciting to be there. We also had good seats to watch the game. I couldn't believe what they wanted for a beer there, 8.50 for a can of beer. We didn't buy any while there, we stuck with Coke instead.
So the game would go extremely well for the O's that night, they spanked the Yanks 13-4. It was an exciting game to watch and for the most part the fans left us alone. There was the moron who gave us a thumbs down to our shirts, but that douchebag wasn't even wearing any Yankees gear. One guy did joke that I wasn't going to see George Sherrill (I was wearing his shirt) play that night, and I told him "I'm not complaining." because if Sherrill comes in to pitch, it means that the O's are leading by 3 runs or less.
After the game was over, there were the folks who kept bleating out "Well we have 27 championships!" I think it must be something you have to yell on command in order to be a Yankee's fan.
It was then time for the long drive home to Harrisburg to drop off DP, and then further to Baltimore. We didn't get back until 4:30 in the morning, and thankfully I had slept on and off in the car.
The trip, totally worth it. I'm glad we got to see the stadium before they turn it into a parking garage next year. Now there's plans to hit Shea Stadium before that vanishes as well.
What a busy few days
The last seven days have just kept me busy, but there has been much fun to be had.
In summary, I got denied entry to a bar for a bullshit rule, went to a luau in Baltimore and caught up with folks I haven't seen in a year, traveled to Allentown, PA, and picked up my 81st coaster credit; watched the Orioles spank the Yanks live at Yankee Stadium with JH and KS; lots of rehearsal time and now it's time to memorize; finally getting ready to do some major revisions at work.
Details to follow in the next few days...including photographic evidence of these activities.
In summary, I got denied entry to a bar for a bullshit rule, went to a luau in Baltimore and caught up with folks I haven't seen in a year, traveled to Allentown, PA, and picked up my 81st coaster credit; watched the Orioles spank the Yanks live at Yankee Stadium with JH and KS; lots of rehearsal time and now it's time to memorize; finally getting ready to do some major revisions at work.
Details to follow in the next few days...including photographic evidence of these activities.
June 29, 2008
First Video
So I finally took a video using my digital camera, since this is likely to be a once in a lifetime event ;-)
For those of you who are not familiar with Washington Nationals games, they have a race between one of the innings during each game where mascots of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt race down the field to a finish line. It varies on who wins the race, except for Roosevelt. He has never won a race since they started this tradition, so as you can imagine, he's the big time underdog.
Since it's interleague play with many MLB teams, the Baltimore Orioles are facing off against the Washington Nationals in the current series, aka "The Battle of the Beltways." During last night's game when the "Presidential Race" was held, the Orioles mascot tripped Teddy Roosevelt so he lost his lead and the race. So tonight it was decided the race would be Roosevelt vs The Bird to see who was the better racing mascot
I'll let you view the video to see who wins. Apologies for the faraway shot, we were in the upper sections of the stadium :-)
For those of you who are not familiar with Washington Nationals games, they have a race between one of the innings during each game where mascots of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt race down the field to a finish line. It varies on who wins the race, except for Roosevelt. He has never won a race since they started this tradition, so as you can imagine, he's the big time underdog.
Since it's interleague play with many MLB teams, the Baltimore Orioles are facing off against the Washington Nationals in the current series, aka "The Battle of the Beltways." During last night's game when the "Presidential Race" was held, the Orioles mascot tripped Teddy Roosevelt so he lost his lead and the race. So tonight it was decided the race would be Roosevelt vs The Bird to see who was the better racing mascot
I'll let you view the video to see who wins. Apologies for the faraway shot, we were in the upper sections of the stadium :-)
May 18, 2008
A Great Saturday
Yesterday had to be one of the best Saturdays I ever had.
My day started off with heading down to the National Cathedral to watch a few friends of mine get confirmed or received as Episcopalians. Earlier in the week Connie had called me because the diocese was looking for someone from St. Georges to read one of the lessons. I jumped at the chance because I considered it an honor.
So I got there and went through the procession, when it came to my turn to read I got up there and did the reading with no sweat. As one of my friends would later remark, I made it look like I was unfazed by the fact that I was reading in front of well over a thousand people. To tell you the truth, I didn't really think about that, I have no problem with getting up in front of folks to do any sort of presentation or speech.
So my friends were confirmed, and like last year, it reminds me of why I like going to St. Georges, we are a very supportive bunch. When I was confirmed last year, I pretty much thought I was going to be alone except for the other confirmands when receiving the blessing because I didn't have family with me (I made a royal screwup and forgot to tell a nearby relative I was going *head down in shame*) and yet some of the other members came up there and were with me as I received the blessing. That's why I like being around them, they're true friends.
After the service, I went out with a few folks to the Buca di Beppo in Dupont Circle and we enjoyed some great Italian food. One of the funniest moments of the day came when we were telling some people about where it was located so that we could find our way down and this woman says "Oh isn't that by the Royal Palace strip club?" I died laughing because she was the last person I ever expected to say something like that; her husband got a kick out of it as well.
Anyway, so after all that, I raced home, grabbed some clothes, and then headed up to Pasadena to meet JH so we could go watch the Orioles take on the Nats. The seats were pretty good, we had outfield bleacher seats that night so we were in prime home run ball territory. Unfortunately no home runs came our way.
The Orioles won 6-5, but we almost thought there was going to be a loss after the events of the 8th inning. We were leading 6-2 and then the pitching just fell apart for a while there so it ended up being bases loaded and stuck at 2 outs so suddenly it was 6-5. Thankfully they brought our Sherill, and he struck out the next batter to end the inning and eventually end the game in the 9th.
After that, JH and I went and had a drink at the Hippo, which enabled me to continue a discussion I had been having with my friend Dan about why the Baltimore gay scene is better than DC's. In this case, it would have to do with beer. WTF is this world coming to when you can't find Guinness or even Yuengling in many of the gay bars in DC? Not only did the Hippo have Guinness, they had it on draft, bitches.
Anyway, so after that it was time to head home, except that a run to the Rite Aid had to be made because the potential sinus infection that I was fighting decided to rear it's ugly head and basically put me in pain from my forehead down to the top of my jaw. Poor JH, he had to put up with me being a bit bitchy for a while there. At least after I got my hands on the sinus headache medicine, I slept pretty well that night.
So it was a very good day yesterday and I hope to have many more like it, minus the sinus crap ;-)
My day started off with heading down to the National Cathedral to watch a few friends of mine get confirmed or received as Episcopalians. Earlier in the week Connie had called me because the diocese was looking for someone from St. Georges to read one of the lessons. I jumped at the chance because I considered it an honor.
So I got there and went through the procession, when it came to my turn to read I got up there and did the reading with no sweat. As one of my friends would later remark, I made it look like I was unfazed by the fact that I was reading in front of well over a thousand people. To tell you the truth, I didn't really think about that, I have no problem with getting up in front of folks to do any sort of presentation or speech.
So my friends were confirmed, and like last year, it reminds me of why I like going to St. Georges, we are a very supportive bunch. When I was confirmed last year, I pretty much thought I was going to be alone except for the other confirmands when receiving the blessing because I didn't have family with me (I made a royal screwup and forgot to tell a nearby relative I was going *head down in shame*) and yet some of the other members came up there and were with me as I received the blessing. That's why I like being around them, they're true friends.
After the service, I went out with a few folks to the Buca di Beppo in Dupont Circle and we enjoyed some great Italian food. One of the funniest moments of the day came when we were telling some people about where it was located so that we could find our way down and this woman says "Oh isn't that by the Royal Palace strip club?" I died laughing because she was the last person I ever expected to say something like that; her husband got a kick out of it as well.
Anyway, so after all that, I raced home, grabbed some clothes, and then headed up to Pasadena to meet JH so we could go watch the Orioles take on the Nats. The seats were pretty good, we had outfield bleacher seats that night so we were in prime home run ball territory. Unfortunately no home runs came our way.
The Orioles won 6-5, but we almost thought there was going to be a loss after the events of the 8th inning. We were leading 6-2 and then the pitching just fell apart for a while there so it ended up being bases loaded and stuck at 2 outs so suddenly it was 6-5. Thankfully they brought our Sherill, and he struck out the next batter to end the inning and eventually end the game in the 9th.
After that, JH and I went and had a drink at the Hippo, which enabled me to continue a discussion I had been having with my friend Dan about why the Baltimore gay scene is better than DC's. In this case, it would have to do with beer. WTF is this world coming to when you can't find Guinness or even Yuengling in many of the gay bars in DC? Not only did the Hippo have Guinness, they had it on draft, bitches.
Anyway, so after that it was time to head home, except that a run to the Rite Aid had to be made because the potential sinus infection that I was fighting decided to rear it's ugly head and basically put me in pain from my forehead down to the top of my jaw. Poor JH, he had to put up with me being a bit bitchy for a while there. At least after I got my hands on the sinus headache medicine, I slept pretty well that night.
So it was a very good day yesterday and I hope to have many more like it, minus the sinus crap ;-)
April 04, 2008
First O's Game
So JH recently decided to buy a partial season package to Baltimore Orioles games, with the first one being this Thursday. Originally we had plans Wednesday night to take a lantern tour of the cherry blossoms in DC, but when I woke up to 25 mph winds outside, I scrapped that plan and suggested dinner and a movie at my place.
I get home, JH gets there, and the first thing he says to me is "Would you be opposed to going to a game tonight?" Apparently he had driven by the stadium and it was dead (as I would later find out, it was the lowest attendance ever in 17 years) so he knew we could get decent seats for a good price. So we drove up to Baltimore, passed by one parking garage that wanted $20 for parking, then found another parking garage two blocks away that had parking for $7. Walked down, got our tickets, and we were set.
So JH gave me a small tour as we got to our seats, we watched the game, enjoyed some ballpark food, in this case Italian sausage sandwiches and some fries, and got to see a good amount of action. The seats were a little off to the right from home plate in the upper deck so we were able to see every pitch and make our own judgments on the calls (JH is a trained umpire so he has an eye for it). It was fun, yet cold, so after a few innings we walked around and he showed me more of the stadium, eventually we headed into the store to look for a hat for myself and he was looking for a jersey.
Now I admit, it took me a while to find a hat, namely because I wanted to make damn sure it was one I wanted and was going to wear. Of course as this goes on, the O's, who were down by 3 came back and scored 6 runs. I caught some hell from JH for it, but whatever, ya know, how were we to expect this would suddenly happen. However, we did catch the 8th and 9th, so it was alright.
So it was a fun time, but only because I got to see the game live. It was a good thing that we went out last night to the game rather than try to make tonight my first O's game, simply because it got rained out. Instead JH and I met up at a local sports bar and had dinner since I was basically on the road to Baltimore when the game was called. Oh well, we get to exchange the tickets from tonight for another game another time.
BTW, I know some of you want an excuse to go to the new Nats Stadium, I'm considering it in July when the Diamondbacks visit, just be warned that you're going to have to put up with someone who will root for the Diamondbacks, and the games start at 4:10, so leaving work early might have to happen. ;-)
I get home, JH gets there, and the first thing he says to me is "Would you be opposed to going to a game tonight?" Apparently he had driven by the stadium and it was dead (as I would later find out, it was the lowest attendance ever in 17 years) so he knew we could get decent seats for a good price. So we drove up to Baltimore, passed by one parking garage that wanted $20 for parking, then found another parking garage two blocks away that had parking for $7. Walked down, got our tickets, and we were set.
So JH gave me a small tour as we got to our seats, we watched the game, enjoyed some ballpark food, in this case Italian sausage sandwiches and some fries, and got to see a good amount of action. The seats were a little off to the right from home plate in the upper deck so we were able to see every pitch and make our own judgments on the calls (JH is a trained umpire so he has an eye for it). It was fun, yet cold, so after a few innings we walked around and he showed me more of the stadium, eventually we headed into the store to look for a hat for myself and he was looking for a jersey.
Now I admit, it took me a while to find a hat, namely because I wanted to make damn sure it was one I wanted and was going to wear. Of course as this goes on, the O's, who were down by 3 came back and scored 6 runs. I caught some hell from JH for it, but whatever, ya know, how were we to expect this would suddenly happen. However, we did catch the 8th and 9th, so it was alright.
So it was a fun time, but only because I got to see the game live. It was a good thing that we went out last night to the game rather than try to make tonight my first O's game, simply because it got rained out. Instead JH and I met up at a local sports bar and had dinner since I was basically on the road to Baltimore when the game was called. Oh well, we get to exchange the tickets from tonight for another game another time.
BTW, I know some of you want an excuse to go to the new Nats Stadium, I'm considering it in July when the Diamondbacks visit, just be warned that you're going to have to put up with someone who will root for the Diamondbacks, and the games start at 4:10, so leaving work early might have to happen. ;-)
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