Adventures in train travel, part 1

I seem to fly a lot. Whether I’m flying to my folks place in Oklahoma, Grandma’s place in Florida, my folks place in Oklahoma, or some other random location, I’ve become so accustomed to flying that one might say that it has lost its luster (and that one person would be me). While road-tripping and I have a special thing going - a special thing that I’m not sure will ever lose its luster - I can only solo roadtrip so much (If you were to define my relationship status with roadtripping on facebook, it would say "In an Open Relationship") Back in July, when my buddy Caleb asked me to stand in his wedding in Little Rock, I knew I had a tough decision to make. Do I fly (again)? Do I solo roadtrip (again)? OR, do I embark on a journey the likes of which this young adventurer has never before experienced?

That’s right, friends. Amtrak it is.

I purchased my ticket back in October - a one-way ticket from Milwaukee to Little Rock - and have been anxiously awaiting the journey ever since. A phone call to the Amtrak office the night before I embarked helped to answer a few last minute questions, and as I went to bed that night, visions of the Polar Express (okay, I've never actually read/watched this story, but when the wife of a friend heard I was traveling by train she said, "Oh, like in Harry Potter!", which was met with a blank stare, because likewise, I haven't read/watched. Seemingly disgusted, she countered with, "Or, like in the Polar Express!" Not wanting to doubly disappoint/disgust, I enthusiastically nodded my head) were dancing in my head...

And now, in an effort to mimic my favorite article style of espn.com writer Bill Simmons, what follows is the play-by-play of my latest adventure...

6:00am - My Nokia 5600 cell phone alarm abruptly erupted (yeah, say that three times fast), followed by a swift poke at the snooze button.

6:10 - My Nokia 5600 cell phone alarm abruptly erupted (what if we morphed that into one word: abrupted) followed by a swift poke at the snooze button.

6:20 - My Nokia 5600 cell phone alarm abruptly erupted (are you still reading these lines or do you assume they are the same as before because they start the same?) followed by a swift poke at the snooze button.

6:30 - Okay, I'm up. After a nice long shower and two cups of coffee, the finishing touches were put on my packing, and I then loaded up an ice chest (or, for those of you in the north, a COOLER) with cokes (or, for those of you in the north, sodas) and snacks (or, for my brother, snack'ms).

Editors note: Go do an image search on google.com of "ice chest" and see which image comes up first. Seriously, go do it. I'll wait....

... And, boom goes the dynamite.

7:50am - A fellow Camp Grayer, Sean, kindly agreed to take me to the train station, which meant I didn’t have to deal with paying for parking (which seemed like a solid idea until I had 16 hours of solitude on a train to weigh the cost of $5/day parking vs. an extra round-trip from Camp to Milwaukee. At the end of the day, I'll call it a push.")

8:38 - Sean and I paid a quick visit to my old friends at the East Madison Panera Bread Co. Unhesitatingly, I ordered a cinnamon crunch bagel, which of course was bread sliced to my proper specifications (If you've never ordered a bagel "bread sliced" at Panera, do it now.).

10:23 - After being dropped at the Milwaukee train station, I strolled into the station feeling a bit out of place, even if my suitcase no doubt screamed, "The guy carrying me has traveled by trains for years..."

(this isn't actually my suitcase, but does have a solid resemblance.)

11:11 - The station in Milwaukee isn't a "hub," so once the train arrives, you simply load up and go. There isn't any security, no frisking, no bag checking, or even assigned seats. You just grab your stuff and go.

11:47 - As the conductor meandered through the train collecting tickets, he excitedly asked about my Pittsburgh Pirates hat. He told me that he has followed the Pirates extensively ever since the Pirates radio play-by-play man once traveled on his train. Two women behind me overheard our conversation and mentioned that they too were Pirates fans. This, of course, thrilled me - for a while now I've assumed I was alone in my Pirates fandom - and it also debunked a comment a man said later on my journey:

a man: "You play ball?"

Me: (Assuming he is making mention of my Aderhold Height) "Basketball?"

a man: "No, baseball, I noticed your Pirates hat..."

Me: (Surprisingly excited that he actually thought I was a professional athlete) "Ah, nope, just a fan."

a man: "Oh, well, there aren't many Pirates fans out there."

Me: (Hoping to end the conversation rather than get into a debate about how I was recently surrounded by 3 fellow Pirates fans...) "Yep"

12:29 - Arrive in Chicago, where an old college friend, Katie, is waiting for me with a Chicken Caesar Sandwich from Panera Bread Co. (Any day that involves Panera for both breakfast and lunch is a good day!) We reminisce about the good ole days (she once ate a spaghetti dinner with my family and flipped a fork-full of noodles onto her white shirt), devoured our sandwiches, made eye contact with a fellow train traveler that appeared two eye-contacts away from an all out conniption fit, discussed the improbability of my friend Caleb tying the knot, and then find where I'll be boarding for the next leg of my journey. The first portion of the journey was relatively quick and easy, but this next section of rail will test my adventure seeking mettle...

To be continued.... (soon!) (like in a day or two!) (Go Pirates!) (Go Thunder!)

Happy Two Hundred and One - Zero!

Greetings friends!

How the heck are ya?

I was reminded recently that it had been a long, long time since I gave the pages of a blog any love (I actually didn't need a reminder, as the pain I've felt neglecting these pages has been nearly unbearable). It's fitting that the last post I published way back in September was in regards to my newest adventure; grad school, as it has been mostly-to-completely responsible for the long layoff (which, if you're scoring at home, was longer than the recent sabbatical for summer camp - an unfortunate fact).

To update, grad school has been going very well, albeit more challenging than I could have ever imagined. (Who knew that a business degree wouldn't properly prepare me for the rigors of a Masters in Theology?) But, I've been able to keep my head afloat, and survived to live another semester, which doesn't start until the end of this month. Yes friends, that gives us nearly 4 weeks to catch up and to tell a few stories.

I'll be embarking tomorrow morning on an odyssey of epic proportions - a 16-hour train ride from Milwaukee to Little Rock to take in the festivities of the Bloyd - Johnson wedding. Mr. Bloyd and I met back in college at Oklahoma State, and haven't agreed on an OSU coaching hire since.

I'm excited to have 16-hours of people watching, blog writing time, reading, and more people watching, but mostly, I'm excited to see my friends in Arkansas. It's been much too long since I've been in the company of my close friends from college.

A 16-hour train ride? Yeah, look for a Bill Simmonsesque time table update in the coming days for an intense and exact play-by-play story chronicling this adventure.

I hope you and your family had a lovely yule-tide Christmas, and that your New Year brings nothing but fun adventures. Oh, and the staff at a blog are starting an underground movement... A discussion was hatched the other day: Is it 'Two thousand and ten' or do we call it 'Twenty-ten'? Nay... I say neither. The year is: Two hundred and one - zero.

Thanks for tuning in, friends.

Check back soon!

Peace be da journey!

Topher

Grad School?

Greetings!  Welcome back to a blog!

Meet Jason Richard Hedger:  

Jason is one of my closest friends from college.  While students at Oklahoma State, if we weren't dreaming of crazy sweet road trips, successfully pulling off crazy sweet road trips (ALASKA BABY!), or going nuts at OSU football and basketball games, we could be found studying hard in OSU's Edmon Low Library.  Okay, actually, although we both enjoyed the majors we later received degrees for, oftentimes studying took a back seat to the aforementioned craziness.  In fact, I once took this picture of Hedger because it was so rare to see him studying... 

Because of this fact, it's a bit ironic, and has come as a great surprise to many of our friends, that the both of us are starting grad school this fall.  Turns out, we both have passions that we're hoping to successfully turn into future careers by tackling a couple more years of school.  While Jason is studying to get his Master's in Counseling from the University of West Virginia, I'll be studying for a Pastoral Theology Master's Degree from Ave Maria University (I'm in a program that offers classes one weekend a month - with tons of reading/writing/and studying in between).  Our hope is to one day work at the same high school; Jason as the school's top-notch counselor - Me as the Church History teacher and soccer coach (this is actually a dream I just came up with, but I'm thinking Hedger will be game). 

Because there isn't a Panera within a 50 mile radius of camp, I needed a pleasant study area right here in my own apartment.  It's about time my two years of high school wood shop experience came in handy:  

In case you're scoring at home, the bottom frame of the desk is painted orange.  For those of you that have been to camp, the top of the desk and the bookshelf are built out of an old table from "The Joe" that was struggling to stay attached to it's metal legs.  One of my camp buddies, Joseph, recently visited and after seeing my desk he exclaimed, "Oh, looks like you built it Andy Miller style."  Mr. Miller, I hope this desk passes your "Andy's Dandy's" quality control inspection.  

Lastly, the response for the new "monthly mailbag" feature here on a blog has been overwhelmingly positive!  Letters have been flying in at a pace that has kept all of us here at a blog on our toes.  Please, please keep the letters coming, as we're excited to continue answering these questions, which we'll be posting soon.  If you haven't emailed your questions yet, you still have time!  christopher.clyde.aderhold@gmail.com

Thanks for tuning in! 

Peace be da journey. 

Christopher

P.S.  Oh, and how 'bout them Cowboys!  Go Pokes!

Clyde the Horse

Last winter, our stables handy man, Jim, traded two of his older horses for a young and vibrant gelding horse. Not unlike getting any other new pet, Jim had a task on his hands: What was he going to name this new horse?  Because I may have hinted at some point that Clyde was a good, strong name, Jim paid me homage by naming the horse Clyde.  

A couple months later, Jim stopped by the office at camp to take care of a few things.  The following conversation took place: 

Chris:  Well, howdy Jim! 

Jim:  Aderhold

Chris:  How's things going in your neck of the woods?

Jim:  Fine

Chris:  Hey!  How the heck is Clyde?

Jim:  Clyde's dead.

Chris:   What!?! 

Jim:  Winter did him in.  

Chris:    Well, why didn't you call me?  I would have helped you bury him!

Jim:  Oh, I just dragged him into the woods for the coyotes. 

Chris:   Good heavens, Jim.  What the heck?    

A couple months later, Jim got another new gelding.  The following conversation took place over camp walkie-talkies: 

Jim:  Aderhold, come in, Aderhold

Chris:  Go ahead, Jim

Jim:  Just got a new gelding.  He's got a big head and he's ugly as sin.  Looks alot like you.  Should we try again with the name "Clyde"?

Chris:  That didn't work out to well for us last time, now did it?

Jim:  I'm willing to give it one more shot if you are.  

Chris:  Thanks, Jim.  I'm honored.  

And now... I'm proud to introduce:  Clyde 2

Unbeknownst to many, the staff at "a blog" have both street and book smarts, not to mention a strong opinion, making us the perfect forum to get all your questions answered.  "a blog" is excited to introduce "the monthly mailbag" feature.  Ever wonder what our opinion is on a certain topic?  Well, there's only one way to find out!

Send questions via email to: (christopher.clyde.aderhold@gmail.com).   

Thanks for tuning in, friends! 

Peace be da joureny. 

A blog returns...

Sound the horns!  Release the hounds!  Kick the tires!  Saddle up and ride!      

A Blog is back!  

I've been looking forward to this day for a long, long time, friends, and my sincere hope is that you have also had countless nights sans sleep in anticipation of this fabulous day! 

Much has happened in the 104 days since I last logged in to this portal of fun.  Yes friends, we have a lot to catch up on, so brew some coffee and pull up a chair.  Go ahead and picture yourself sitting at your local Panera Bread Co.  Don't worry, I'm there too, sitting across the table with a cup of coffee in one hand, an apple in the other, and a smile on my face.  In case you need help with this picture, here's a visual:  

Also, imagine we have nothing but time to chat because this is going to be an experience you won't soon forget.  

Actually, although I just said we have nothing but time, we actually have so much to catch up on, there is no way we can finish today.  You know how when you finally get together with someone after you haven't seen them in months and you have a ton to say, but you only briefly touch on the highlights to fill them in a scosh, and then you say, "I promise we'll get together again soon so we can finish catching up!" and then 3 more months go by and the "friend" doesn't call you back and then you're in the same darn position as before?  Okay, that first part is you and me right now, but the second part isn't us.  Don't fret, I'm a bit of a local legend at the particular Panera you and I are currently chilaxing at, so they'll save this table (I prefer booths, but I'm not a big enough deal yet to reserve booths - just wait for summer 2010 (did you say twenty-ten, or two thousand and ten?  I know, we're in the midst of a quagmire not seen in some time.)) for the same time next week.  My bottomless coffee mug, apple and smile will be there, will you?  

So, to whet your appetite (or to make you scratch your head with confusion), here's a brief overview (some with visual aid) of some of the more exciting moments from the previous 104 days, with stories and details soon to come... 

MAY

- I conquered Beaver Dam Falls (with the help of Jeff) 

- The Pirates sweep the Mets

JUNE

- Summer Camp Begins 

- Camp closed for 10 days due to Swine Flu: 

JULY

- I discover an appreciation, NAY!, a Love for John Denver:

- My voice cracks during the parent program we have at the end of our camp sessions.  No worries, only 300 were in attendance

- John Denver slips to second as Neil Diamond effortlessly slides into first in the "Favorite old musicians list" - a list of old guys that I've always known about but didn't give a chance until now

- Mark finds his hat!

AUGUST

- Clyde the horse!

- Pirates lose to Cubs 17-2, fall to 19 games back

- Summer Camp extends to a 10th session

- Northwoods vacation

- Grad school here I come!  

It feels good to be back, friends.  I'm excited to once again be your weekly voice from the 53959.  We'll see you next week with a full length feature story filling you in with more detail on one of the many exciting moments from summer 2009.  Thanks for tuning in!  

Peace be da journey.  

I'll be seein' ya.

As the sun sets on "a blog" for a few months, here I sit, in my shabby recliner, with a can of Orange Crush and a foot long Tootsie Roll, pondering what to write about...    

Here's a thought:  Sitcoms don't go on all 12 months of the year.  What do they do on TV during the down time from certain television shows?  That's right, they show re-runs.  The fact that I'll be taking a sabbatical from "a blog" for a few months is no reason to panic.  It's simply a time for you to check back on some of your favorite stories (and if you're new to "a blog", this is your chance to catch up - sort of like the time I watched the first 3 seasons of The Office on DVD over the course of only a couple weeks so I would understand the upcoming premiere of season 4 - and speaking of The Office, has it really been terrible lately, or what?  Man, what happened?).    

For those of you that can't imagine life without my weekly stories and jocularity, I wanted to pass along a new option for both keeping up with me and this great place in which I am employed: 

Camp Gray's blog has been moved to blogger!  Due to some technical issues with our last blog site, we've transfered the Camp Gray blog (affectionately named "Misplaced & Found") to the more familiar and user-friendly blogger.com interface.  I've been extremely excited with this process and I'd love to hear your feedback!  Plus, now I can post at work and not feel guilty about it (just kidding Jeff & Rebecca!).  But seriously, you could say I'm now a professional writer because I'm getting paid to blog!  Sweet! Check it out here:  Camp Gray Blog

All that being said, I've come up with the summer schedule of "a blog" re-runs.  Check back weekly to view some of my favorite posts!

Have a terrific summer, friends!  I know I certainly will.  Please keep Camp Gray and our hundreds of campers (and our phenomenal staff) in your prayers.    

May 19 - What's scarier than a grizzly bear... - Attack of the Killer Shrew

May 26 - Why do I love Panera? - Panera Bread Co. 

June 2 - Growing a mustache is hard.  - Mustache Diaries IV

June 9 - "You want me to cut off what?" - Bucky the Deer

June 16 - It's business time. - Freedom of Choice? 

June 23 - An epic (true!) story about a young man and his head light... - Haiti

June 30 - Instead of a re-run of "a blog" this week, you should check out this video I made to introduce our co-directors to our new staff this past spring:  A Star is Born!

July 7 - Skiing the Lakeland Loppet, part 1 (skiing is a loosely used word, as form took a back seat to surviving sub-zero temperatures) - The Lakeland Loppet Part 1

July 14 - Skiing the Lakeland Loppet, part 2 - The Lakeland Loppet Part 2

July 21 - The tale of a first time hunter and lessons learned... - The Chris Aderhold Inaugural Deer Hunt Journal

July 28 - Why are they called, "coon hounds"? - Coon Hunting with Jim Riggs

August 4 - Gary, Sr:  A man among boys... - The Mustache Diaries Super Grand Finale 

August 11 - "ESPN called.  They heard things about your hunting..." - World Class Hunter

August 18 - Tall people have the ability to balance things well. - The Peacock Feather

August 25 - The sabbatical is over, and the fall line-up has been determined.  The sun is rising again on "a blog" and it's going to be a good fall (with lots of good stories - and maybe another mustache...  probably not, though)...

Peace be da journey!

- ChrisTopher

P.S.  Oh, and by the way.  With mother's day on Sunday, and my dad's birthday on Friday, I wanted to recognize them both with not only this shout out, but with an amazing picture of them hiking at Devil's Lake (which is a mere 13 minute drive from Camp - yep, you should come visit and we'll go there.  Yes...  You.)  

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I love y'all!

P.S.S.  The Pirates have lost 8 of 10.  

It's May!

Can you believe it's already May?  Goodness, gracious, 2009 is flying by at warp speed!  

With the coming of summer camp (at the time of press there were only 40 days until the first week of campers!), comes the realization that my time to devote to "a blog" will become less and less.  If you've been thinking lately, "Gosh, Chris' posts have become pretty stale and short the last couple weeks (minus the amazing picture of Chris & Andrew sporting OSU jerseys last week)," then you'd be correct (especially regarding the part in parenthesis).  Already, time to devote to "a blog" has been tough to come by.    

Because of this realization, I've had to come to a difficult decision.  I've decided that my post next Tuesday, May 12th, will be my last weekly post until after summer.  I've hated that my posts lately have been well below the high standard we typically strive for at "a blog", so this seems like the best solution.  When will weekly posts return?  Let's shoot for Aug. 25, 2009.  It is truly a sad realization and an enormously tough decision to make, but I'm incredibly excited for summer camp 2009, so I can't complain.  

 

So, next week will be my last weekly post for over 3 months.  What should I write about?  It would absolutely make my day to hear from you with suggestions on a topic.  (christopher.clyde.aderhold@gmail.com) 

Because next weeks post will be difficult enough, I thought I'd take this time to personally thank you for reading my blog.  Yes...  you.  I know who you are.  Well, most of you, anyhow.  With google analytics, I have the ability to see how many folks check out my blog each week.  Not only that, I can view a map of the world with the city, state, and country of every hit my blog receives, and there are a lot of you (which makes me so very happy!)  One of the highlights of having "a blog", is viewing this map and attempting to figure out who is tuning in to my blog.  For instance, over the course of the past month (since April 5th), I've had 20 hits from Omaha, NE (Derek?), 13 hits from Broken Arrow, OK (Caleb?), 7 hits from Chicago (Katie?), 13 hits from Lawrence, KS (Lauren & Kristen?), 36 hits from Edmond, OK (hmmm?),  24 hits from Onalaska, WI (Ford at home?), and 13 hits from La Crosse (clap and point), WI (Ford at work?).

  

There are also hundreds of other hits that I can't identify.  A small sample: in the past month I've had 6 hits from Sheboygan, WI; 3 hits from the ATL; 6 hits from the Twin Cities; 4 hits from Denver, 11 hits from Texas, 4 hits from Davison, MI, and 6 hits from Westlake, LA.  I've even had hits from places such as Turkey (Istanbul), China (Laiwu), and Spain (Santa Cruz de Tenerife).  (Who are you people?!)  All told, since the inception of "a blog", I've had hits from 37 of 50 states, and 6 countries!  It's incredible to think that people literally all over the world read my weekly ramblings.  

So, thank you.  I love writing, and it makes it that much better knowing people enjoy "a blog" enough to tune in each and every week (or just once - such as the single hit I have from the dude in China).

  

For you students, Godspeed during upcoming finals.  For you working adults, don't forget to get outside and enjoy spring!  I can't wait to see you next week!

God bless!   

Peace be da journey.    

Birthday Boy!

Yesterday, April 28th, was my 26th birthday.

Many thanks to the many warm wishes, phone calls, and emails.

The guys at camp took me out to Milwaukee for my very first Pittsburgh Pirates game, as they were in town battling the Brewers. More details to come, but again, thanks gentlemen for a terrific evening.

This was all well and good, but the best part of the day? It had to be Andrew insisting that he wear his new OSU Cowboys jersey in honor of the big day...

Peace be da journey.

The ECM160

Howdy!

Happy 21st of April!

After 70 degree weather last Thursday and Friday, I awoke this morning to temperatures in the 30s and a light snowy drizzle.  Being disgusted all day because of the inclement weather (I don't mind Wisconsin winters, but don't tease me with 70 degree days in the middle of it..), made this evening that much sweeter as Jenna busted out her newest toy:  The Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso & Cappuccino Maker - ECM160.  Thankfully, Sean has nearly a decade experience as a Barnes & Noble Barista, so he jumped in the drivers seat and whipped up lattes and macchiatos for all.

The ECM160 boasts that its 4 cup espresso maker makes it easy to enjoy 1 to 4 cups of delicious espressos, cappuccinos, or lattes.  Additionally, the powerful milk frothing nozzle and frothing aid helps steam milk to perfection, and for only $35.oo, you'd be foolish not to invest in an ECM160.  

While learning from Sean how to make a caramel macchiato ("It's a layered drink, Chris.  You start by filling the cup with a splash of vanilla, followed by steamed milk and a dash of foam.  Topping the foam with the espresso is vital to give the drink it's kick, and it's finished off by a nice pattern of caramel on top." - Sean), I also learned that Starbucks is making an approximate 800% profit when you purchase a $4.00 caramel macchio from their store.   

The moral of the story is:  I will be buying an ECM160 very soon, and I recommend you do the same.  Some photos of the fun evening:  

The ECM160 is ready to roll

Caramel Macchiato: by Sean

Click here to see a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.

I think you'll have trouble finding even a hint of difference.

This was the best homemade macchiato I've ever had.

Even Andrew was impressed by the ECM160

Pittsburgh Pirates Update:  Since choosing the Pirates as my favorite MLB team of all time, they've gone 4-2 and have pulled within a game of first place in the NL Central Division.  The Bucs go for the sweep of the Marlins tomorrow afternoon.  

Birthday Wishes:  It's my good friend Jason's birthday on Wednesday the 22nd.  If you've got a free minute or two, I'm sure he'd love to hear from you (even (especially) if you don't know him): jasonrhedger@hotmail.com.  Maybe in the subject line you could just put that you know me, that would be great.  

I need your traveling advice:  If you had 7-10 days to travel anywhere in the U.S., where would you go, and why?  christopher.clyde.aderhold@gmail.com

Peace be da journey. 

Go Pirates!

In the nearly 7 months of 'a blog', sports have been the topic of posts strangely few times.  I love sports with all of my heart, but there are plenty of excellent sports writers out there (Bill Simmons, Rick Reilly, Pat Andera).  Plus, why limit my audience to only sports loving folks?  I have found great enjoyment writing about everyday adventures and comical situations I find myself in, however, I realized something the other day as I was driving to get coffee.  Sports occupy my mind approximately 74% of the day (43% of statistics are made up on the spot).  I'm constantly thinking about upcoming sporting events, last nights big games, my dream to one day play a professional sport (95% of guys still have this dream btw, and the other 5% are lying), the next time I'll play pick-up basketball (I played the other night with Tim, Pat, Jenna, and Sean - it was quite delightful), and if the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team will have enough of a defense this year to match the fire power of their offense.  Oh, and daily I think about the $100 bet my brother Matt and I made 2 years ago:  I bet him that OSU would win a national championship in football or basketball in the next decade (I've got a good feeling about this years football team...).  Yes, I think about sports often.  TGIF?  Nope, TGIW.  Hump day to some means the work week is half over.  In my world, hump day means it's Sports Illustrated day.  This is the one day a week I wish mail wasn't sorted until 5pm.  It's torture focusing on work on Wednesday's from 2pm-5pm as my SI rests in my mail slot a mere 3 steps from my desk (unless someone from NASCAR is on the cover).  

You may be thinking to yourself, "Well, Chris, why after a thrilling college football season, an exciting slew of bowl games, a phenomenal Super Bowl, and an extremely memorable college basketball season and March Madness, would you wait to write about sports until now?"  That's a tremendous question.  April-August has long been considered a dead time in the world of Chris Aderhold sports.  Sure, there is the occasional enjoyable Masters Tournament (as there was this past weekend), World Cup Soccer (See ya in S. Africa in 2010), the Summer Olympics, the NBA Playoffs (unfortunately it lasts 3 months) and so forth.  For the most part, however, summers have always been slow in my world of sports, because the main sport played is baseball.  

There it is folks, I have never been very fond of baseball.  I've actually been to several MLB stadiums (Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Old Yankee Stadium, Miller Park, County Stadium, The Ballpark in Arlington, Kaufman Stadium, Old Busch Stadium, The Coliseum, Minute Maid Park, Camden Yards, Shea Stadium, The Cassidy AF, and U.S. Cellular Field), not having seen a game in each, but a few.  I love the history of baseball, and I think it's amazing that baseball has been played in our country for well over a century.  Yes, there are aspects of the game that I find intriguing, I just can't stand to watch the sport (especially on TV!).  

A friend of mine, Pat, has been encouraging me for a few years to give the sport another chance.  "If you'll invest time in following the sport, or even just a team, you'll start to really enjoy baseball," he's told me more times than I count.  

It would be fun to have a favorite baseball team.  Sure, in the past I've always bashed the sport because of the absurd number of games each MLB team plays, but if I enjoyed the sport and had a favorite team, wouldn't I want them to play tons of games?  As I was flying home from Oklahoma yesterday morning after a lovely Easter, I decided I would do as Pat said.  I will pick a favorite team, and I will be the best dang fan in the country.  I'll give baseball another chance, but if they mess it up, I'm through with baseball forever.  At least this way, if I still end up disliking the sport, I can honestly say, "I really tried to like baseball.  I mean, I really, really tried.  I just hate it."

So who do I root for?  The Rangers are the closest team to my hometown in OK, but the Cardinals are also fairly close, and I've been to one of their games (even caught a baseball).  I saw the Red Sox play in Fenway, but I'd fit in as a Yankee fan because their fan base is full of bandwagon fans.  It would be easy to root for a team with a recent championship and a huge pay roll.  But you know what, that's not how I roll.  I root for the Dallas Cowboys, even after their 1-15 season in 1989, and I cheer for the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team despite a 0-10-1 record in 1991 (I cried when OSU lost to OU that year - a tradition that has sadly occurred many times since).  Supporting a terrible team sure makes it that much sweeter when they finally turn things around (3 Super Bowls in the '90s for Dallas; 38-28).  

After much deliberation and discussion, I have decided to pick a team with some tradition, although most is long forgotten.  Similarly, any past success is hard to remember since they haven't had a winning season in 16 years.  This is a team with a mascot with an intimidation factor that is polar opposite of their pitching staff (see, I actually have no clue if their pitchers are bad, so that'll be my first lesson).  

Without further adieu (drum roll please), my favorite baseball team is:  The Pittsburgh Pirates!

This 2009 MLB season will be one to remember, as I will now follow this team with the same gusto and enthusiasm as I do following Oklahoma State's football team.  Don't worry, "a blog" hasn't turned into a baseball column.  I will only update you on life as a Pirates fan as I see fit, but I'm excited to occasionally document my journey following one of the worst teams in MLB.  (As of right now they are tied for 3rd in the NL Central with a 4-4 record and they play Houston tomorrow at 12:35pm...  GO BUCS (I just visited their website and learned this is a common nickname for the boys in Pittsburgh)).  

Thanks for reading, friends!  Go Pirates! 

Peace be da journey.