Take me out to the ballgame. One of the first things I did when the dates were set for this class was to check the Mariners schedule, and I was ecstatic when I found out the Phillies would be here for Father’s Day. I love symmetry, and since we had gone to see the Red Sox on Mother’s Day, going to see a game on Father’s Day just seemed right. And even though Jenn couldn’t make the trip, Kevin was game to go to the game. 
We got downtown early, and walked up to Pike Place Market to see the fishmongers. Be world famous is their motto, doing your best wherever God has planted you, and I enjoyed the opportunity to witness with my friend. The market is beautiful, offering treats for all tastes. I picked up some salt & pepper pistachios, Kevin found a humidor for some cigars, and then we headed for lunch at Pyramid brewing. The place is huge, located right across from Safeco Field (sort of a bigger version of the Boston Beer Works at Fenway), and has long served up great food and beer. I got the nachos, with extra guacamole, and the Alehouse Amber Ale. Nachos have typically been my gameday meal, and these were outstanding. So now that I was well fed, it was off to the game.
Safeco Field has a retractable roof, but the weather was good so it wasn’t needed today. Seattle fans were very cordial and friendly, no cussing or swearing with me in my full (or should it be fool?) Phillies garb. I guess it helped that there was a large Phillies contingent at the game. Our seats were great, right beyond 1st base 9 rows back. I thought the game was in the bag, Hamels was pitching against Vargas. And although Hamels was good, Vargas was great on his way to a 3 hit, complete game, and a shutout. It looked like Charlie Manual had decided to rest a few stars with Polanco and Brown out of the lineup. They could have used the extra firepower. The food and beer selection at the ballpark was great. I got chocolate covered strawberries (Jenn would have loved them) and the Grounder’s world famous garlic fries (Jenn may have loved these more). The fries were so potent that I don’t think I’ll need to worry about vampire for a week. I got a Snoqualmie Grand Slam Amber to drink, but at ~$10 a beer, I only got one. I guess it is all part of the “experience” of going to the game.
We weren’t in a hurry to leave afterwards, so we stopped by Elysian Fields for a drink and a snack. I got the soup (a spicy chicken and corn concoction) with their Whole Woods Wit. We both agreed that this served as dinner since we were stuffed from the game and our clocks still being messed up from jet lag. We headed back to the hotel, and walked around the UW campus (gorgeous place). We took in a bit of history at Big Time brewing, the first Seattle brewpub. The bartender pointed out that many of the local head brewers got their start at Big Time, possibly making them the birthplace of the Seattle beer scene.
It was great day, even if the Phillies lost. Now it is time to concentrate on the task at hand, learning what I can from my class. - 5785/10946
"You are much more likely to make your man a sound drunkard by pressing drink on him as an anodyne when he is dull and weary than by encouraging him to use it as a means of merriment among his friends when he is happy and expansive." - Screwtape
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