The Friendly Confines

I finally went to a Cubs game yesterday, and while I did not bring Dylan, I still had a good time. It seems to me that I generally have the most fun going places with Dylan, and today I really put some thought into why. The reason is: he is the perfect travel companion.

"What makes Dylan a perfect travel companion?" you ask...well...for starters, he is compact, doesn't take up much space, and rarely brings along more than he can carry/fit in his pockets. Also, he doesn't talk too much. Nothing ruins an outing quite like someone who talks the entire time, rather than enjoying the scenery. Third, he is down for anything. This morning, we were trying to think of somewhere to go where we had never been. This is a regular thing for us. We bounce ideas back and forth, check online, and eventually come up with a plan.

I didn't want to go to Navy Pier, because we spend every other weekend there every summer. I didn't want to go to the Field Museum or the Museum of Science and Industry because we could walk through with our eyes closed, we've been there so many times. Anyway, as we sit quietly in the car discussing options, I couldn't help but thank my lucky stars he is so adventurous.

"How about Mexico?"
"No. Swine Flu."
"Texas?"
"Too far."
"But we could sleep in a hotel so you don't hafta drive."

Anyway, another thing that makes Dylan a good travel companion is that he doesn't eat too much. We can split anything. Keep it cheap. He is the kind of kid who considers gum, lunch. He is also hilarious, asks relevant questions, and hugs me periodically through the day. Put all that together...perfect.travel.companion.

So...the Cubs game was a great time. The weather was awful the first 4 innings, rainy and cold, but I wasn't affected by it. The food was exceptional, and so was the company. We had rooftop seats, so my immediate annoyance with groups of people was bypassed altogether.

I'll stop rambling about it. It was a ball game. You know how those work. Before I post photos, I want to say that I think the city of Chicago was built to be photographed in black & white. Wrigley Field exudes nostalgia, and has a moving air about it that I can't quite put my finger on. The day was overcast, and it seemed oddly fitting for the location. Now...here are some of my favorites from the day:










It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. ~A. Bartlett Giamatti

If you would like to see all the photos I took at the game, you can do that by clicking here.