Day 15: This is the way baseball should be played, HHH

Friday, August 31
Chicago

By Craig

I left Jamie in New Lenox so he could spend some quality family time, and headed into the city. Did a very short driving tour through the Loop area and a drive-by of Millennium Park. I’d hoped to spend some more time checking that out, but will have to do that on another Chicago visit. Headed straight to the Lincoln Park area, grabbed a parking spot and headed to Wrigley Field. After all, baseball is central to the theme of this trip, and Wrigley Field is certainly a shrine when it comes to the baseball experience. It’s a beautiful day, bright and sunny with a slight breeze. I score a nice seat and settle in. As I’m looking around, I see large patches of yellow in the crowd. I’d noticed a number of Hawkeye (University of Iowa, my alma mater) shirts, but had thought that was just the Chicago/U of I connection). The Hawkeye presence will be good to rub in Jamie’s face (he attended Iowa State University – Moo U), but quite frankly, I’m almost embarrassed by the size of this clique – and of course they’re all ripped and obnoxious by the 12:20 first pitch.

It’s a good game, when the last out comes around, I’ve blown our perfect home team record for the trip, with the Cubs losing 6-1. Rookie Hunter Pence of the Astros is almost single-handedly responsible, with 3 runs, 2 homers, and 5 RBIs. The guy behind me panicked at the 7th inning beer cutoff, bought about a dozen and offers up a free one to me. Not a bad day.

After a short stop at El Jardin for a margarita, I pick up some beverages to enjoy in my room (perfect location – Diversey at Clark) and chill out for a while. Then out for a little bit of neighborhood exploration by foot and a walk down Belmont to Shuba’s Tavern. The early show is Anders Parker – I’d heard of him, but hadn’t heard the music, so I thought It’d be a good show to see. And it was – Shuba’s can be a great place for a boisterous show, but it is absolutely perfect for a small, intimate experience. After the show I meet some locals and a couple of fellow tourists in the front bar, and after a few more drinks, decide to see the late show, a local band by the name of Camera. Not exactly my cup of tea, but they had a lot of projected visuals and the crowed was really inot it. Openers The Strange Young Lovers were some good shit-kicking cowboy rockers; the middle act Maradona was a pretty good time, too.

It’s been a long enough day at this point; I’m exhausted and head back to the room, dreading the 10 am wakeup call. Saturday’s Cubs game is a 12:05 start. Better have the aspirin ready.