Good Times at Petco

I had a lot of fun with my friends yesterday. The adventure started at about 4:30 and continued to about 11; can you believe that I stayed up that late? The company made it worth it. We piled into my car and immediately began our journey to the home of the Padres, Petco Park. After driving around in circles, we found a parking space. Did anybody bring cash for the parking; oh, thanks K for picking up the tab! We made our way inside and I stopped to look at the map. I'm the guy, who goes to the ballpark, I know my way around. Not so fast! While I'm staring at the map, my friends, let by K had already sojourned far enough in front of me that I'm glad I have a long stride as it was necessary to catch up. We made our way to the rooftop and there was tons of free food. We found a small table and chatted a bit. It wasn't long before the favorite food of the night was discovered and attacked live ravenous wolves in the Arctic; I placed chips, cheese and jalapenos all over the plate. Hmmm, so good, that is until the cookies made their way out. I heard, "Agh, cookies! I want chocolate chip...Oooh, I like the ones that are burnt or crispy on the sides...can I have that one...Awgh they're not hot;" notice I said nothing. I was too busy smashing the cookies.

Game time was approaching; we listened intently as L's favorite part of the national anthem was belting through the ballpark speakers. Her face said, "Egh, that was ok;" the singer didn't have that "It" that leaves memories or goose bumps. I made my way over to the Western Metal Supply Building rooftop to start watching the game, my company decided to go for a walk - to look around. I thought, "You're going for a walk, but what about the game?!" They left, happy as kids on the verge of summer break. I stayed, drank my soda, and watched Peavy get to work. That's when she slipped up beside me, put her plate down looked up at me and smiled. I took the initiative to start a conversation; why not, I said to myself. We began talking about how much she likes the view, that she likes the Tigers and the Pistons and wished they would have beat the Celtics. Baseball is fun, but her favorite sport is basketball; she can't get enough of it. My heartbeat quickened, and I thought, "I've got to keep talking to this one." She was tall; blond hair, beautiful smile and big green eyes that looked like they were full of questions. We talked a bit more, I met her friend, and then my friends returned. She didn't have much to say after that; maybe that was for the best.

We made our way to our seats, and the game started to take on it's identity. The Padres had average pitching; left runners stranded and made errors that resulted in the game being tied 2-2. Right in front of us, some kids returned with miniature Padres helmets full of ice cream. All of us looked at them, then looked at each other, then looked back at them. The decision was made; K and L got up and invited Sheba to walk with them. She declined, instead taking the opportunity to chill with me and ask questions about baseball and what the rules were. I learned how similar it is to Cricket, which is played in India. Prior to K and L leaving, Sheba indicated that she didn't want anything, and I asked for vanilla. We went back to watching the game and K and L made their way down the bleachers and around the corner on a mission to return with ice cream...or so we thought.

I missed Adrian Gonzalez's home run as I was chatting with Sheba, then I missed a couple of other plays. Thank goodness our view of the jumbo-tron wasn't obstructed as I was able to catch the replays. The 4th inning finished and the kids were nearing the bottom of their helmets. Sheba and I kept chatting into the 5th, then the 6th inning. I yearned to have my bowl of ice cream and asked Sheba what was taking so long. She indicated that she didn't know. The kids turned around and said, "Are you guys waiting on those girls who left to get the ice cream." I said, "Yeah, we are," leaning up I asked, "What do you think is taking them so long?" The kids replied, "They should be back by now." Maybe something happened, or did K and L meet a 'cute' guy as they say by bumping into them and they were caught up in an enthralling conversation. "Sheba, give them a call. I'm beginning to get worried."

She picked up the phone, and I listened intently, "Hello...where are you guys...oh (laughter)...Will wants to know when you're getting back with the ice cream...yeah...you didn't...(giggles)...doing what...you're in a store...shopping." Ten minutes later K and L walked around the corner content and without the one thing I'd been waiting 3 innings for...ICE CREAM. I was flabbergasted, they left with the sole intent of buying ice cream and succumbed to, were overwhelmed by, an innate desire to shop...at the baseball game...when they were going for ice cream, the shared their dismay, "They only had Padres stuff." "Imagine that," I said, while I was shaking my head and beginning to chuckle - this would only happen with K and L. I got up and came back with a bowl of...you guessed it...ice cream. K asked, "Where'd you get that?" I got it right around the corner. Good times.

We made our way back to the car; walking fast, walking slow, talking smack to cross guards with guns. K said, "Why are you in a hurry when there are only 24,000 people here?" I didn't get that one. We got in the car and it wasn't long before we picked up our previous conversation; politics. We were all a bit passionate as we shared our views and our opinions. It was my kind of night; great conversation, free food, an amazing baseball game, and great company. I can't wait until we can do it again.