Anthony Rizzo's first Wrigley Field HR!

John and I were at today's Cub game, celebrating John's birthday, and of course, I had a lovely time. Because the beer was cold, our seats were in the shade, we're good friends who are happy to be together, and BECAUSE I SAW ANTHONY RIZZO'S FIRST WRIGLEY FIELD HR!

Wrigley Field is steeped in romance and tradition and I can still feel the presence of Ron Santo and Ernie Banks and my beloved future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, but watching Rizzo and Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney, I realize I'm seeing our future, too.



After the booze, the heat, the game, the hotdogs and the chicken wings, though, I really do need a nap.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Just Like a Pill

1. What was the last pill your doctor prescribed? Why? Fexofenadine. AllegraD, for allergies.

2. How well do you swim? Pretty well. I have endurance if not speed.

3. Who has a big mouth that you like? You mean other than myself? Kathy Griffin.

4. Do you believe in political correctness? To a certain extent. I don't like hate language.

5. Do you ever patronize people? I'm sure I do, though it's unintentional.

6. Do you or someone you know strive constantly to be perfect? Professionally, I have to remind myself that, at times, "good is good enough."

7. What song are you totally sick of and why? Nothing current comes to mind. But 70s soft rock (Barry Manilow, Air Supply, John Denver) causes me almost physical pain. It's played in restaurants and airports because programmers seem to believe it's inoffensive. They are wrong.

8. How old were you when you got cocky? Or did you never go there? Professionally? In my early 30s. Personally? Still waiting for it to happen.

9. When you compete with someone, have you ever gotten hostile? I am not competitive by nature.

Take Me out to the Ballgame!

Today, John and I are celebrating his birthday within The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field!

The world looks a lot different today than it did when I ordered these tickets.

First of all, the Cubs suck (27-49). Normally this wouldn't bother me. The Cubs are my team and I just love baseball. But so many of the players are new this season that I haven't developed any real emotional attachment yet. So while I'm sure I'll have fun (Have you ever seen Wrigley Field? The bricks and ivy are so beautiful as to break your heart!), I'm not as into the individual balls and strikes as I normally am because I'm not as invested in what each at-bat means to my guys as I was last year at this time. Oh well, it happens. Every few years the team rebuilds and we go through this.

Secondly, John was let go earlier this month. I haven't told him this, naturally, but I'm worried about his future employability in our field. He has a stubborn, personal aversion to the Internet and social media (he just got his own email this week!) that will make it hard for him to sell himself as a well-rounded writer. No matter how fabulous his wordplay might be, it'll be hard for him implement it in the electronic media that's part of every business plan today … and it plays into the stereotype that older creatives (Gulp!) are out of touch. Also, John has a tendency (as do I) to sink into depression. It's one of the things that we recognized about one another when we first met more than 30 years ago. Outwardly, he and I couldn't be more different (black/white, male/female, gay/straight, tall/short, atheist/Christian), but there's a hyperawareness and sensitivity we share. And the downside to it is depression. So I welcome this opportunity to see him, spend time with him, and make sure he's OK.

Lastly, it's been so FREAKING HOT! Over 100º at times. But today it's predicted to be a touch cooler and less humid. I take this as a good sign.