Sure, they did the YMCA, but I knew all the words.

[whiski_sour]

Dad and I took the Amtrak up this time since it was a day game. This required me to get up an hour earlier than I normally get up for work. And since my body has incredible alarm clock sensors and usually wakes up about half an hour before my alarm goes off, I woke up at about twenty til five. Good times.

We weren't the only ones taking the train to the game. Our conductor was a Cubs fan, so she put a bunch of us in the same car together. It was a pretty mellow ride up. I managed to nap a little. Way better than fighting traffic.

From the train station, it's just a short walk to the red line. Well, it would be a short walk if we'd known that we weren't looking for an EL. Once we figured that out (after walking a billion miles), and figured out how to get our CTA card, we hopped the red line and headed to Wrigley.

Because of our side jaunt, I didn't get to see as much of batting practice as I wanted (it's my favorite part of the game), but this time I did get my helmet nachos. They were epic.

It was cloudy and a little chilly. Thankfully, it wasn't too windy. I think that would have froze me out.

I was happy to see Dempster pitch, I just wish he would have pitched better. I missed Ramirez's two run homer because I was in the bathroom, but I did manage to catch Soriano's solo shot.

Other highlights include:

-A group getting ejected from the bleachers (not sure why; I imagine alcohol was involved) to chants of "Jerry! Jerry!"

-Drunk and sober members of the crowd doing the YMCA during a pitching change.

-The lady behind me teaching her little girl about baseball. "Go Cubbies! Go Cubbies! Go Cubbies!"

-Karma bitchslapping some drunks harrassing a Diamondbacks pitcher during batting practice. Hint: If you want a ball, ask nicely. Don't call a guy "Junior Varsity" and say the bat boy makes more money and expect the guy to give you a ball.

-Listening to the English tourists behind me experiencing their first game at Wrigley. They each had a hot dog.

-John Grabow ducking and then getting hit with a foul ball in the bullpen. Judging by the faked throw at one of his teammates, I'd say he got some shit.

-The pitchers warming up in the bullpen. Invisible Nordic Track, Helicopters, and Yay I'm Going To Pitch are the best warm up moves ever.

-Marlon Byrd tossing a ball to a fan celebrating his birthday.

-Did I mention helmet nachos? Helmet. Nachos.

No troubles making the EL back to the train (other than it was crowded). We grabbed something to eat and waited for our train. I wanted to catch a nap on the ride home, but just couldn't fall asleep. Had no trouble passing out once I got home, though. It was a fun trip, all in all, though I think there should be a ballpark rule that says if you're just there to drink, you cannot comment on the game. Period.

My legs were killing me the next day. Between the ride, the bleachers, and the walking (not so much the distance, but the speed; Dad is a speed walker and my short, fat legs had trouble keeping up), I hurt bad. I'm not sure I didn't injure myself. Most of the soreness was gone by Friday, but I'm still hurting in a couple of places.

The pain is worth it, though.

I can't wait to go back.