One more ball park checked off the life list.  SweetGuy and I watched the Cubs actually WIN a game in Cincinnati last weekend at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.  The day was absolutely spectacular – sunny and 80 degrees. 

We bought the cheapest seats available then proceeded to wander around the ballpark and sit wherever we liked.  We are radical like that. 

We spent more on a brat, hot dog, and two beers than we did on our seats.

The split between Reds fans and Cubs fans was maybe about 60/40.  The split between NOISE from Reds fans and Cubs fans was about 30/70.  That must really tick the other team off.  Hehehe.

Sadly, before last Saturday, it had been a lot of years since we’ve actually seen the Cubs win a game in person.   Oh, Cubbies.

The Great American Ballpark rates right up there among the top of the 11 parks we’ve seen so far.  It’s got a nice view of the river and is super easy to get in and out of.   But, who am I kidding, it rates up there because the weather was perfect and the Cubs won, not necessarily in that order.

So, 11 parks crossed off the life list, 19 to go.

I can get used to this.

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saboteur [sab-uh-tur]–noun

Oh yes, yes, SweetGuy is one.

Last Saturday evening he and I were discussing our Fantasy Football Teams and I noted that I had my lineup already set for the next day.  (Lineups have to be decided in advance of the start of the games.)

In short, he was CONVINCED I needed to start Calvin Johnson at wide receiver instead of Roy Williams.  I was all “I don’t know.  Are you suuuurreee?”  And, yes, as a matter of fact he was SURE, POSTIVE, NOT A DOUBT IN MY MIND kind of sure.

I was still nervous.  I’ve had a terrible run of bad luck in FFL and this move just didn’t feel right.  But, I listened to my husband and changed my lineup.

And, I’m positive you all know EXACTLY what happened, don’t you?  Roy Williams, who I had originally slated to start, WOULD HAVE gained me 8 points.  And, Calvin Johnson, SweetGuy’s can’t miss player, did not even PLAY in the game.  He scored ZERO. 

And yes, I lost by six points.  I’ll do the math for you once again because I know it’s a lot of work.  Had I not listened to SweetGuy I would have won by two points, but by listening to him I lost by six points.  The TWO and SIX don’t really matter so much.  But, that whole WIN vs. LOSE?  That sorta matters.

Oh well, as SweetGuy well knows, I refer to this kind of situation as a Win-Win proposition for me.  Either I win — as in my team wins — or I win — as in I get to harass him for the rest of his life. 

And, so it goes.

I’m sorry, SweetGuy, but I feel compelled to profess my love for Ryan Dempster.  Let me count the ways I love Ryan, the closer turned starter for our beloved Cubbies.

1. His record is 4-1.
2. He holds a 2.35 ERA.
3. He won today.
4. He has always been a closer (thus not a hitter), and he got a hit today.
5. He is a practical joker.
6. He pays for families of soldiers to attend games at Wrigley.
7. He’s married.  Yes, I know, you would think that would decrease my love, but alas, it tends to make me love him even more.
8. He has a baby, by his WIFE no less.
9. Did I mention that he has an ERA of 2.35 and won today!

I’m sorry again, SweetGuy, but I think you know and understand my priorities.  Ryan it is.  Can you argue with my logic?