I have a new favorite thing: The Tacoma Rainiers.
Last Friday, New Friend Geoff hooked me up with a couple of tickets to the season opener, and I was stoked to go because I’d never been before.
I swear to you, dear readers, I’m the girliest of girls, but I also happen to know an awful lot about baseball. Most guys can’t figure out whether that’s hot or intimidating. I don’t care either way because it’s the best sport in the world.
I was the bat girl for my high school baseball team, which may sound completely lame, but it was actually a gold mine. Landing that spot at age 13 afforded me the opportunity to hang out with all of the awesome junior and senior varsity players, who got me into their parties, inducted me into their club, and treated me like a queen.
But even more important than that, I spent so much time learning about the sport, forever securing my devotion to it.
Locally, the 1995 Seattle Mariner’s “Refuse to Lose” season was just so incredible. I’ll always heart the M’s.
Overall, I think Satchel Paige is one of the most amazing pitchers of all time, but tears also fell from my face when Nolan Ryan’s career came to an end, and then again when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
To put it simply, George Steinbrenner is the devil, and watching my beloved Red Sox sock it to those stupid fuckin’ Yankees in the 2004 World Series is probably the best baseball I’ll ever see in my whole life.
Plus, I must be cool since I have the same birthday as Carlton Fisk.
So, when posed with the opportunity to catch a game and support my new home team, I was all smiles.
Tacoma’s prayers to Mother Nature were answered as the rain stopped just in time for the game, and Mama Jess and I made it right in time for the national anthem. Jess is a Cheney Stadium expert, and she skillfully guided me though this recently-upgraded facility.
Throughout the night we ran into Puget Sound Pizza heroes Johnny and Carl, plus three boys that you know I adore: The Husky, The Pusher and Coach Steve. Of course, Pat Nagle was there, too.
There were so many people there that I realized how necessary it was for me to fall in love with the Rainiers, too. Jess and I had a great time gossiping, giggling and catching up while watching all of the peeps. I knew what the count was most of the time, what inning we were in, and what the score was. Jess wasn’t quite as focused, but she’s cute like that.
Even though the Rainiers lost their season opener, you can bet that I’ll be back again and again and again.
I LOVE the Rainiers. GO TEAM!
Furthering the Friday Fun
Mama Jess joined me for a beer at Doyle’s after the game, and then I ventured on to Tempest to catch up to Natasha, who was batting her eyes at Lovely Larry. All of the Dead Artists from Kulture Lab fame were in the house, and I dived right into them.
Afterward, we adjourned to Monsoon Room where The Mayor of Hilltop greeted me, Laura the owner looked as beautiful as ever, Amazing Allegra showered me with kisses, Chris the bartender took concerted care of me, and Corey gave me the best hug ever. Geez that place is magic.
On the ride home, I marveled at what a great day that was.
Tacoma reality TV
Mizz Mandilicious and Favorite Co-Worker Karrie met up with me at Asado, where we cozied up at the bar to watch the show that was going on all around us. There was such an eclectic group of folks there that we couldn’t help but view it like it was a Tacoma reality TV segment. My favorite characters from the show were Awesome Andi (duh), Edible Ed, Xitco Xpress and All-Star Kevin.
But thankfully, there wasn’t any drama in this show, just really good times.
Hulu Woo Hoo!
If you’ve ever really wanted to be jealous of me, the time is now, because as you’re sitting somewhere in the drizzly South Sound reading these words, I’m running around on the streets of Honolulu and soaking up the sun on the sandy beaches of Waikiki. You can expect full reports on these island adventures over the next two weeks.
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful, hate me because I’m so fun.
ALOHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!