In an effort to actually make the subtitle of the blog correct, I have given Ana an account so she can start posting!

The piano was delivered on Friday, courtesy of Gene Grman Music.  Ana is now able to practice almost daily which she’s really happy about.  And I no longer have to listen to that damn electronic keyboard she has been practicing on!

I’ve never in my life been able to read music, let alone ever tried to play anything remotely musical. But this piano has been very interested and I’ve since purchased a few books on how to read music and introductions to piano playing.  I find that whenever I sit down to practice, several hours goes by without me knowing it.  I must say, I can see progress in just the few days I’ve played around on it, and that makes me happy.

It has been a long time since I was last sick with flu-like symptoms.  4 years or so.  It hit with a vengeance last night, whew!  I only got a couple hours of sleep, and have spent the morning on the couch by the fire.  Ana is also not feeling good, but its something she did to her back.  She has been sitting down here with me with a heating pad on.  Between the two of us, you’d think we were 150 years old the way we are moving!
Can’t wait for this to get out of my system.

Ana and I were fortunate to be able to go to the Cardinal game Saturday, what will be the last regular season game we attend in Busch Stadium as we know it. I’m sure the new Busch will be great, but we’ll miss the “old” one a lot. I’ve been going to this one for about 20 years and have a lot of memories from it – mostly with my dad, in recent years mostly with Ana, and with other family and friends sprinkled throughout.

Just sitting here thinking about it, I recall quite a bit. I’ve had my birthday listed on the scoreboard when I was young (thanks dad!) and witnessed quite a few things: Ozzie Smith’s last game, the old astroturf (walked on it once), the “new” grass, the remodeling over the years, McGwire taking BP, McGwire’s 500th home run, many fantastic playoff games in the recent years… the list goes on. Just writing this brings more to my mind.

For some reason, I vividly remember one chilly evening sitting in the bleachers with dad. I don’t think I was much over 10 years old and it had to have been an early Spring or late Fall game, based on the chill. It was a week night, well past 11 if I recall correctly. Dad had work in the morning and I had school, but there we were sitting in very empty bleachers watching the Cards in extra innings. I remember being all stretched out over the benches and staring up at the huge scoreboard/replay screen. Watching the Cardinals with dad; no rush to get home. Man that was great.

I remember the first time I sat in Field Box seats. We (dad and I) had rushed down to Stl after he had gotten off work. Rushed a little to fast – he got a speeding ticket which delayed our arrival until something like the middle of the 3rd inning. I had never walked “down” to seats at Busch before (those who have been there know what I mean), and as soon as we sat down I was amazed. I can still picture how big and close those San Francisco players looked.

Then there was the ballgame on the Sunday after my first high school prom. That was the prom where I first went out with Ana. Then there was the first ballgame Ana came with dad and I – she wore green. Not a shred of red. I still pick on her to this day for it.

There were a few games attended during college, most notable was one after doing horrible on an ECE exam the night before. The consolation was that we got to the park early and watched a good hour of batting practice – dad even caught one hit out by McGwire. I have pictures from that game in my office here at home.

Ana and I do what we can to make it to a few games together every year. Who would have thought I’d be lucky enough to marry a woman that likes to sit quietly with me and watch baseball. Not me.

I walked out of there tonight thinking “Farewell Busch, you’ve been good to me.”.

Well, that’s enough rambling for me tonight. I apologize for it being so long and probably boring. But there are a few of you out there that know feelings like these.

We took lots of pictures that I’ll have posted in the next day or so. Until then, here’s one panoramic I just stitched together.

Ana and I are tossing the idea around of hiring someone to build us a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall bookcase in our living room. I really don’t have the slightest idea on how much a project like that will cost, but it would be a welcome addition to our house. I hate having 4-5 bookcases throughout the house holding various types; a 20′x9′ should rectify that situation.

Friday night we went out with Jay, a good friend from work, and his fiancee. Started out with a fantastic dinner at Alexander’s Steakhouse, followed up with a viewing of Sin City. We all agreed the movie sucked, but we had a great time regardless. Next time we go out, we’ve decided to let the women choose the movie (we’ll still have a combined veto though).

About the movie – I knew it was going to be violent going in, so that didn’t bother me. I was really attracted to it by the filming style, which was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. But about 45 minutes in, the novelty wore off and I was just plain bored. There were several plot lines that I expected to see get tied together in a very clever way, but it was just ho-hum. Four thumbs down, way down… on the floor.