Imagine my surprise when Ralph called to see if I was interested in going to Opening Day at Nationals Park. Ralph is renting his DC house to a
Nationals player who gave Ralph 4 tickets. Getting to the stadium was not a problem, as Metro was up for the challenge. They had dozens of staff members with megaphones, yelling instructions. Being in the Metro's tight, enclosed space, however, is not really conducive for several megaphones being utilized simultaneously. My ears are still ringing.
I thought I was seeing things when we came off the escalator and saw Condi and George. The protesters were asking fans to "boo bush" when he came out to throw the ceremonial first pitch. I did not need anyone to tell me to do that, but I was glad they were there.
After we made our way to the will call window to pick up our tickets, I spotted Mayor for Life, Marion Barry at the ticket window, complaining about his seat location and asking for more tickets for his friends. This man is the biggest jerk I have ever seen. He was the biggest opponent of using public funds to build the stadium and uses every opportunity to complain about the owners, yet he has the unmitigated gall to show up on opening day and act like the biggest fan. Why the citizens of Ward 8 continue to elect this man is beyond me.
As for the Nationals Stadium, it is a huge improvement from RFK stadium, but it lacks the sizzle that I have found in some of the other newer stadiums from around the country. But, what do I know, I don't really follow baseball. Also, I am not sure that they thought enough about traffic flow around the stadium and the concession areas. The concession lines were excessive, blocking movement around the stadium. We waited over 30 minutes in a line of less than 25 people for a burrito. There were four cash register attendants standing there without anything to do because it took forever to get food. It was frustrating and chaotic, and I hope they figure out how to improve it quickly.
When Bush was announced, there was a distinct chorus of "boos" (mine being one) but shortly thereafter, the clappers started clapping and cheering louder so it felt like he got a balanced, mixed reaction on the whole. His pitch made it across home plate (unlike Cheney's pitch last year), although it was a bit high. He is such a flake.
While waiting in the concession line, Mike pointed out that Al Hunt, Executive Editor of Bloomberg News was standing behind us. What I didn't know is that he is married to Judy Woodruff, who was CNN's political reporter but now works at PBS. As Al returned to his seat with burritos for Judy, she turned and said, "Poor Al" because he had to wait so long. It was very cute.
A Nationals game would not be complete without the President's Race, this year sponsored by Geico's Caveman (yeah, I didn't get it either). Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt run a race every game. Every president has won except for Teddy, and I have a feeling we won't ever win. But the Nationals did win and here is hoping that there are many more coming this year. Go Nats!
Imagine my surprise when Ralph called to see if I was interested in going to Opening Day at Nationals Park. Ralph is renting his DC house to a Nationals player who gave Ralph 4 tickets. Getting to the stadium was not a problem, as Metro was up for the challenge. They had dozens of staff members with megaphones, yelling instructions. Being in the Metro's tight, enclosed space, however, is not really conducive for several megaphones being utilized simultaneously. My ears are still ringing. 
I thought I was seeing things when we came off the escalator and saw Condi and George. The protesters were asking fans to "boo bush" when he came out to throw the ceremonial first pitch. I did not need anyone to tell me to do that, but I was glad they were there.
After we made our way to the will call window to pick up our tickets, I spotted Mayor for Life, Marion Barry at the ticket window, complaining about his seat location and asking for more tickets for his friends. This man is the biggest jerk I have ever seen. He was the biggest opponent of using public funds to build the stadium and uses every opportunity to complain about the owners, yet he has the unmitigated gall to show up on opening day and act like the biggest fan. Why the citizens of Ward 8 continue to elect this man is beyond me. 
As for the Nationals Stadium, it is a huge improvement from RFK stadium, but it lacks the sizzle that I have found in some of the other newer stadiums from around the country. But, what do I know, I don't really follow baseball. Also, I am not sure that they thought enough about traffic flow around the stadium and the concession areas. The concession lines were excessive, blocking movement around the stadium. We waited over 30 minutes in a line of less than 25 people for a burrito. There were four cash register attendants standing there without anything to do because it took forever to get food. It was frustrating and chaotic, and I hope they figure out how to improve it quickly.
When Bush was announced, there was a distinct chorus of "boos" (mine being one) but shortly thereafter, the clappers started clapping and cheering louder so it felt like he got a balanced, mixed reaction on the whole. His pitch made it across home plate (unlike Cheney's pitch last year), although it was a bit high. He is such a flake. 
While waiting in the concession line, Mike pointed out that Al Hunt, Executive Editor of Bloomberg News was standing behind us. What I didn't know is that he is married to Judy Woodruff, who was CNN's political reporter but now works at PBS. As Al returned to his seat with burritos for Judy, she turned and said, "Poor Al" because he had to wait so long. It was very cute. 
A Nationals game would not be complete without the President's Race, this year sponsored by Geico's Caveman (yeah, I didn't get it either). Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt run a race every game. Every president has won except for Teddy, and I have a feeling we won't ever win. But the Nationals did win and here is hoping that there are many more coming this year. Go Nats!
