Still Wet, but Happy

It has been raining for who knows how long. And they haven't been drizzles either. We're talking trees down, basement flooding, no electricity DOWNPOUR. But I love extreme weather. Bring it on, I say! Especially with the thunder and the lightning and the drenching rain.

Today, I have our company outing at Arlington Park. We are slated to have more severe thunderstorms all afternoon. I'm sure none of the clients will end up showing, as half of the schools in the 'burbs were canceled, and all of our clients have kids. But we're still going. Horse races, or not, we will be there.

Last night, Z and I went to our annual Red Sox vs. White Sox game at Comisky. We were invited to go with Groomsman Chad, and his wife Stacy, but she's prego and about to pop! So they gave us their tickets. We invited Cousin Kelly and Husband Tim, who are also Red Sox fans to join us in their place.

We got to the game early enough to see some of the Red Sox warm-up. At Comisky, you can get right up next to the warning track, at the level of the field, so players are RIGHT next to you. I kept on spotting people, and pointing them out (Gagne, who is shorter and chubbier in person. Shilling, who is bigger and older in person. Papelbon, who is cuter and more thuggish in person. Varitek, who's butt is even more outstanding in person... etc).

We noticed that people were gathering around a few feet down from us. I saw a tidbit of the players face and I knew it was Papelbon. Zeke grabbed my hat, which he already got signed by my fav V-Tek last year, and headed over. As he set off, my theme song, Donnie Iris' "Ah! Leah!" started playing over the stadium loud speakers... I knew it was fate. In a few moments, Z disappeared into the frantic fans, clamoring for an autograph.

After signing a few, Pap walked away, issuing apologies about running late. As he walked past, I looked over at Z, who was wearing a triumphant smile. He got it. Right next to Tek's. The man is 2 for 2! And no bench players either... REAL LIFE RED SOX! And you wonder why I'm marrying the man...

See below for photographic evidence.

Now, once the excitement settled, we realized that an auspicious green/grey cloud mass was working it's way towards the field. We knew the weather was going to be rough, but we had Stadium Club (aka Pimp-daddy, VIP) tickets, which allowed us into the enclosed, air-conditioned, private, fine-dining/bar/viewing area, so we weren't worried. We headed up, grabbed a table, and enjoyed eachother's company until the game got called. We had a great view of the field through the floor to ceiling windows, and it was quite fun watching the storm roll through.

All and all, a fun night.

Unfortunately, our basement flooded and Kelly/Tim's condo building got an uninvited visit from an uprooted tree, but everyone is safe, and the property damage is minimal.

Gotta Love Mother Nature. Hope everyone is safe and sound. It's hurricane season. Oh wait, I'm in the midwest, it's Tornado season.