Baseball and Tennis

I traded in the arts for sports on Monday, hitting up both baseball and tennis. I went to one Mets game when I lived in NYC, and never made it out to watch the U.S. Open. When I realized I would be there during the U.S. Open I immediately bought a ticket.

Citi Field and Arthur Ashe Stadium share the same subway stop in Flushing, Queens. Needless to say, the subway was full and the station a flurry of activity. 

The Mets were playing the Phillies, and both teams are nowhere near the playoffs. So I just sat and enjoyed the game. Sitting in front of me were Royals fans! The game wasn't terribly exciting, but at least it wasn't oppressively hot. I chatted with the people around me and cheered for the Phillies (because my dad is a Phillies fan). 

 This dog's owner dresses him up for tips post-games. He was so calm and chill!

After the game I walked over to the Flushing Meadows Corona Park to kill time before the tennis match. I've never been to this park, but it is large and quite awesome. It's where the large Unisphere is (you see it in the Men in Black movies, the large globe). There were so many people there - playing sports, riding bikes, eating ice cream, just enjoying the lovely weather. 

I then headed over to Arthur Ashe Stadium to wait in line to get in. There are several courts at the grounds. I chose to get a reserved seat for the evening match at Arthur Ashe, which is the main court where the big stars play. I had no idea who would be playing that night when I bought my ticket, but I lucked out and got to see Roger Federer play! 

People are crazy for Federer! I've never been in the presence of that before. He played well and everyone was happy for him. But, tennis fans are pretty nice to all players. Maybe because it's a solo sport and it seems really mean to boo at an individual. The crowd cheered and clapped for the opponent, but it was clear that everyone was there to see Federer and he was the star (certainly warranted). The women's match was after, and sadly it was getting quite late at this point so I only stayed for the first match (or is it set? I don't know; I had to google tennis terms while there). It was such a fun, neat experience though!

Thirty-Four is More

Monday was my 34th birthday, and I celebrated all weekend long. Because that's what one does when they are 34.

On Saturday I hit up all the things I love the most - tacos, ice cream and a movie. And then I treated myself to a pedicure.

 

 

Sunday I gathered a group of friends to go to the Royals/Rangers game with me. We got there early to "tailgate" before the game.

Even though it was only 70 degrees it felt really hot. We were on the third base side, which meant the sun was always shining on us.

The Royals hit two homeruns early in the game, but they didn't play so well overall. We left early to make our reservations at Zizikis, a Greek restaurant home to baklava cake ice cream. It was delicious. If any one comes to visit me in Denton we can go there - it will change your life (maybe not, but seriously it is so good).

I love my friends here and that they all spent a hot day in the sun with me to celebrate my birthday!

Allison, Robby, Tim, Jessica, Me, Garret, and Suzi

I arrived at work on Monday to a decorated office from my dear friend Kevin Ann. My friend Stephanie made me a cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to me in my office. She then took me to lunch to celebrate my birthday.

I closed out the day at my friend Suzi's house, where we ate popcorn while commenting on the ridiculousness of National Treasure. It was a fantastic birthday and I felt very loved.

Extra Innings

Baseball season has started and the Royals are in Texas! The past couple years they have made the trek to Arlington in May, but this year they cam early. The first of a four-game series was Thursday night and I made  my way to the game from Denton.

It was a nice night for baseball, even if the baseball itself was boring. There were not a lot of hits and no runs. With it tied at zero at the end of nine innings, the game went into extra innings. I decided to stay, even as it went into more and more extra innings.

In the bottom of the 13th the Rangers finally got a run. It's sad to lose, especially after so many innings.

I had Dennis, the very nice and friendly ballpark worker take this photo of me. 

Missing Out on the Crown

I was in Kansas a few weeks ago and made time to go to a Royals game. In my desire to beat traffic, I got there super early. It was a nice day so I didn't mind. I was feeling rather emotional as I went down by the field to check out the players. I had attended my friend's funeral earlier in the day and was still emotional. On top of that, everyone at the K was so nice to me. It touched me so much, with thoughts of my lovely friend Susan never far away, that I had to fight back tears a couple times.

So I spent my hour before the game really just being sad.

My friend Jess was on her way. Before she arrived I was sitting by a woman there with her young son and mom. We bonded immediately and had a fun time. She made me laugh and I felt less sad.

It wasn't until the end of the game, when we were leaving, that I thought about the World Series trophy. I wanted to see it. I needed to see it. We made our way over to it, only to discover that viewing it ends in the 8th inning.

I was randomly in Kansas, and had been at the stadium for a whole hour before the game started, and didn't think until the game was over to see the trophy. And by that time it was too late. It made me sad. So I took a photo of me with the photo of the trophy.

2015 Recap

 You know what happened in 2015? A lot of things, naturally, but for me 2015 can be summed up by three awesome events:

1. Moved to Denton, Texas
2. The Royals won the World Series
3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

 Of course there were other exciting/non-exciting things to happen in 2015. There were a couple road trips to discover my new state.There was the North Texas State Fair and the Texas State Fair. There was Bike Month and Pedestrian Safety Week. There were trips to Kansas and visits from family and friends. There were lots of movies. There was ice days and heat. There was a trip to Portland and lots of bike riding.

There were long days and work and busy days at work. There wre days at the Community Market and community bike rides. There were Netflix-binges and catching up on old show on Amazon Prime.

There were moments of sadness and moments of joy. There were bad choices made and good choices made. There was struggle and questioning and second-guessing. There was exquisite moments of happiness and excitement and surety.

It was a pretty great year, and if 2016 wants to be the same it better bring its A-game.

How 'Bout Them Royals!

Sunday night the Royals made an epic comeback in the ninth inning, when they were down 0-2, to win the game and the World Series 7-2!!!!!!!!

I decided to be a Royals fan when I moved to Kansas in February 2013. I attended my first game on Memorial Day that year. It was a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, and there were way more Cards fans there than Royals fans. That season and the next, I attended many more games with friends. Some had fireworks, some were cold, some we won, and some we lost.

My last game this season was, once again, Memorial Day weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals. Except this time there were clearly more Royals fans than Cards fans!

Here is my own look back on the past two seasons:

First Royals game.

I went with my friend Will Bishop to my second game, which I chose because the game had fireworks after. And then a group of friends and I went to a Royals-Red Sox game.

Then it was Royals-Mariners on Labor Day 2013. 

A late September game with my friend Will. 

 

A girls night at The K in May 2014.

 Later in May before a couple friends left Kansas after graduation. It was surprisingly cold.

A game in June as part of my dating project.

Two games in August, one with friends for a church activity,

 

and then again to see my friend Kate sing the national anthem. #awesome

My sister came out in September 2014 and we went to a game with my friend Amber. 

And then the Royals had their amazing Wild Card game. And I watched from the airport and in hotels.

I knew I needed to be a part of the action, so I bought a ticket to game 3 of the ALDS against the Anaheim Angels. Billy Butler stole a base and the Royals swept the series. 

Then it was the World Series, watching games with friends at various places in Lawrence and Topeka. And even one in Kansas City.

Game 7 with my friend and co-worker Susan (our boss was also there).

 

It was a tough loss, but pretty awesome that we went all the way to Game 7 of the World Series! 

In Texas for the next season, making games harder to attend. I went to three of the games in their series against the Rangers. 

I made a trip to Kansas for Memorial Day and went to a game with friends. They played the Cards, just like my first game on Memorial Day two years ago. But this time there were clearly more Royals fans than Cardinals fans!

 

And then the Royals won the World Series. And it was awesome.