A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

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Summer of Baseball: Citi Field makes the Mets bearable

OK, let me explain the title – I’m not a fan of the New York Mets. I don’t go out of my way to watch the Mets, so that’s why the title is as it is.

Where the Mets play their homes games, though, puts new definition in ‘amazing.’

Citi Field is an excellent place to catch a game.

Citi Field is an excellent place to catch a game.

Citi Field, which opened in 2009 – the same year as new Yankee Stadium – is a great place to watch ball. Even in the highest of seats, it’s a wonderful spot to watch a game. The views are nice and there’s plenty of space to hide from sun, if you get it.

My trip to Citi this year was meeting a few friends in the city and heading to the game. The easiest way to get to the stadium, of course, is via train. It was quick and you’re dropped right at the foot of the stadium. Shea Stadium’s home run apple is outside and in the shadow of Citi Field, which is pretty cool.

Let’s look at the stadium as a whole.

First, as far as major league stadiums go, this is a beauty. The seats are comfortable. The sight lines are solid. It’s also easy to move around as there’s ample space.

We got there pretty early – pretty much as soon as the gates opened as I like to explore a stadium when I’m going for the first time. Therefore, the lines around the stadium weren’t bad. I had to grab an ice cream while I still could, so that was nice. Walking around the stadium was nice as you could see a bit of everything.

When you first come, the Jackie Robinson area is nice. The Mets museum is also a nice touch. More teams should do this. It’s cool when you can see World Series trophies and not have to be in some upgraded section or take a tour to do so, so I’ll give kudos to the Mets for this.

They also were playing “Meet the Mets” throughout the lower part, which was something I had hoped to hear. I mean … you can’t go to a Mets game and not hear that, can you?

Despite not being a Mets fan, I couldn't resist this opportunity!

Despite not being a Mets fan, I couldn’t resist this opportunity!

One thing I really noticed is how friendly everybody I dealt with was. I know many people talk about New York City people being rude, but everybody who worked at Citi was incredibly easy to chat with, outgoing and nice. I had looked to get my normal pin, but wanted one with Citi Field on it. Unfortunately, there weren’t any. But two people in the gift shops called to the other stands throughout the stadium trying to see if there were any, so that was nice.

I did find out, after, that there are two colored stamps at Citi for the Passport. I wish I had known that as I have two passports and would have loved to have gotten both colors!

There are a few negatives, though. These are small things, so no issues. Prices – like at most MLB stadiums – are crazy. I think it cost me $20 or so for two hot dogs, fries, and a soda. I know the people I was with had a couple of beers and they weren’t cheap. The ice cream was pricy.

But when you go to an MLB game, it’s kind of expected.

That being said, on the positive side, I took advantage of a ticket special and my tickets were right around $20. I can’t complain about that.

This was another stadium without a lineup board. I just don’t see how it’s hard to have something like this. Yes, I know it’s on the big screen. But that’s not the point. Why not have one near customer service. The Phillies have it in the team store. Throw those of us who love that old-school feel a bone and have an intern fill it out each day. It’s not an expensive thing to do.

There weren't many bad places to watch the game.

There weren’t many bad places to watch the game.

Overall, I had a top-notch experience at Citi. The Mets lost this game (and, to be fair, I usually do like to see the home team win – the atmosphere and ambiance is better), but it was a solid game. It was also the MLB debut of Michael Conforto, who I saw play in Binghamton. Jimmy Rollins hit a homer for the Dodgers, so that was a bonus, too.

The only true negative was after the game. We were walking around looking at the spots of where Shea Stadium was. We were taking photos and this person – rude as can be – basically walked right into a photo I was taking with his daughters. He snapped his photo as if nobody was there. One of the people I was with said something and, of course, the guy got his muscles and started talking all sorts of crap – in front of his daughters. Stay classy, buddy.

Still, that didn’t damper a great night for baseball. It was truly enjoyable. And we messed around enough that by the time we hit the train, it was empty and we were on our way.

I need to check out new Yankee Stadium at some point, but more than one Yankee fan has told me that Citi Field is the better experience.

Park Notes:  

Citi Field
New York, NY
Home of the New York Mets
Visited on: July 24, 2015
Opponent: Los Angeles Dodgers

Ratings (out of 10)

  • Stadium: 9.5/10
  • Concessions: 8/10
  • Parking: N/A (took train in)
  • Ambiance: 8.5/10
  • Friendliness: 9/10

I am continuing the Summer of Baseball from 2014 and hope to blog about each new stadium I visit in 2015. Ones visited in the past can be viewed linked up in the 2014 version.

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NYFD fundraising in a cool way

The New York City Fire Department is excelling in fundraising 101.

I had to go to the City this past weekend for a work conference. After the seminar on Sunday, I met with some friends for dinner and to walk around a bit.

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At one point, we were passing one of the City’s many fire department spots and I was told of a fundraiser they are doing — selling t-shirts.

Yeah, it seems simple enough, but this is pretty cool.

So what you do is ring the bell and ask about the t-shirts. You are brought into the department and can buy a shirt. How cool is that? You’re there with the fire trucks and a fireman and helping support. That is fundraising 101 at its finest.

Think about it — you are visiting New York City, which is home to arguably the most famous fire department out there. You get to go visit the fire house and walk away with a shirt — for 20 bucks. And, at the same time, you are helping and supporting said fire department.

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That’s pretty cool.

Here’s the even cooler part — every fire battalion apparently has its own design, which is really cool.

Now, I have no idea how long this has been going on for. This doesn’t seem too new, but for somebody who doesn’t visit the City often, it was new to me. So I, of course, had to get one.

To me, this is basic fundraising at its best and I give much kudos to the NYFD for it. Next time I’m there, I may have to add a second shirt. I just wish, when we were inside, I would have seen if I could have snapped a photo or two.

This was definitely pretty cool and well worth experiencing, and I also know the money goes to a good cause.

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Oil and gravel … is it worth it?

Let me start by saying I realize there has to be a cost factor in what I am going to write about – and I get that. I truly do.

But there also has to be a true though process in doing what is done.

I work in two places, for the most part. They are basically in opposite directions of one another. So two times a week, I head in one direction. The other three days, I go to the other. There’s a site or two other I sometimes have to add in, but those are the main two.

Nobody goes 25mph, which of course means all this loose stone goes pinging off my car.

Nobody goes 25mph, which of course means all this loose stone goes pinging off my car.

Heading to one of the sites one day, I got caught on one of the roads with an oil/stone process going on. I never realized how fast that happens, though. Basically, they asked me to pull into a driveway as they passed. First, the oil truck passes, dousing the road with hot oil. Then a spreader comes, distributing the stone. Just like that, it’s done. And it’s fast.

As noted, I realize there has to be reasons for this and I’m sure cost is one of the top ones. Think about how fast this surface can be laid down, compared to, say, traditional asphalt. And on back roads, I can see the benefit of this.

Something happened on the way to my other job site …

A stretch of road – a county road that is heavily traveled – of about 15 or so miles was also done this way. So a road that is generally 55 mph is now suggested at 25 and, reality is, until the stone truly becomes part of the road, 40-45 mph is about your safe bet. On top of that, stones ding the undercarriage of your car, speeding cars coming the other way flip up stones that ping your car and window and people drive dangerously slow, at times jamming on their brakes.

How can this be looked at as a positive?

Pretty sure it's not fresh oil anymore.

Pretty sure it’s not fresh oil anymore.

I got my car in December and I am not enjoying the feeling that, some seven months later, I am facing a barrage of flying BBs coming at me as I drive.

It’s just not fun.

While there are other ways to head to this job site, they add time, traffic and the possibility of roads that, at times, can be worse. Go figure.

The reality is roads need to be fixed. They need to be effective with cost and time the best they can, but there also needs to be a middle ground here. People pay a lot of money for cars and to have stones flying all over and dinging vehicles, it isn’t good.

And, at times, I imagine it’s quite dangerous.

Anybody else have these issues in their area? What are your thoughts?

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It’s cold outside.

It’s cold out.

I don’t usually mind the cold weather, but it is bitter cold. It is sunny out, I’ll give it that. But anytime the temps fall below 10 degrees, that’s freakin’ cold!

I’ll have to go out at some point to try and get my photo for today, but I have a few ideas. And being it’s been cold, I might finally be able to get the shots I’ve wanted to get!

Anyway, this lazy Sunday is a good one to catch up.

I’ve fallen behind on this disc golf project I’m working on (and I want to be able to announce some stuff about it here in a week or so), so I’m going to spend a few hours working on that. I’m also trying to build up some blog posts for here, so when I get that writer’s cramp and don’t have a good topic for the day, I have something to fill it in. Basically, that means I am working on a bunch of the Day Zero Project things that I can do now so I have posts ready to be published.

One big reason for this? It’s cold outside.

This doesn't happen when it's warm outside.

For those of you who don’t blog, it can be difficult, at times, to come up with topics for posts. Though the readership for this blog isn’t at the level of some bigger ones, I still feel like I need to have things here on a regular basis. Though the bulk of my readership knows what they are getting with me, sometimes it’s nice to throw a curveball or two and do some new and exciting things.

I’ve done a few things in the past months that haven’t gone as well as I had hoped — such as more journalistic type things (see the series on hiking). The hits didn’t come despite me trying to pull people in from that niche. So I wonder how worth it is to do things like that. We shall see in the future. Comments, too, rarely come it seems, unless I stumble upon or find a good topic that people seem to get fired up about.

I do have a hit counter associated with the site, so I realize people are stopping by. I just wonder what they think!

I bet if they are in the Northeast, they are agreeing with me on one thing — it’s cold out!

I was reading on a local disc golf board that people were playing today. Ice, snow, cold. Sheesh! Are they nuts? I have played in cold weather, but this is frigid. No way. Have fun throwing cold plastic in freezing temps! Yikes!

Apparently, something bloggers will do at times is just ramble. The post doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense. But they do it. Just like they were talking to you, the reader.

I always wonder if the blogger is on something. Or if it’s done on purpose.

Maybe both.

Or, maybe, they are cold.

Did you know the weather can do crazy things to a mind and body? It’s true. I read it on the interwebs — it’s true. It’s damn true. Everything on the interwebs is fully true.

Seriously.

Anyway, there are blue skies out. That’s false advertising. Sunny, too. Doesn’t the sun produce warmth? According to the website “Grit,” apparently not so in the winter:

Just because the sun is out on a winter day does not mean it is warm. In northern climates, the coldest days are usually the clear ones – no clouds to hold in what little heat may be radiating away from the earth. A wind chill rating of minus-25 degrees Fahrenheit or lower can cause skin to freeze (frostbite). If it is that cold out, make sure all exposed skin is covered – except your eyes, of course.

Allow me to check weather.com…

At this point while writing this post? NINE DEGREES OUT! Feels like?? Yeah — MINUS 10!!

That’s downright frigid.

I will say this — if I was outside right now and didn’t have any gloves, my fingers would be cold. And, even without money to purchase gloves, I’d like to be at the Southside Mall in Oneonta right now.

Why?

Well, one reason would be because I could hang out inside and be a mall rat. But truthfully?

Because of what I saw there yesterday:

Could warm up some fingers!

Something tells me whoever left them behind wishes they had them!

Brrr!

This winter, we’ve been spoiled. Some cold weather here and there, a little snow. But for the most part, mild. I don’t have too many issues with cold. It’s usually welcomed.

Not frigid weather though.

If that’s the case, send me to Alaska, where I’d expect this stuff!

Mild winter so far, yes.

Now?

COLD!

I can’t complain. It’s been a winter that has treated us decently well. But Mother Nature is showing she’s still in control.

I got a text from a softball teammate today and it said:

Softball season yet?

Unless you are preparing to play with penguins and Eskimos, then the answer would be no.

Of course, I responded with:

Sure feels like it.

And the answer I received was even better (I had to type it exactly as was typed or it doesn’t give it the right feel!):

Needs to hurry the f up already. im dreaming bout it.”

Some of these guys think about softball all year. I can’t blame them. Maybe the thought of the game gives warmth when it’s so freakin’ cold out. Though I can’t imagine making contact with a ball using an aluminum bat right now. Ouch!

It’s frigid out, by the way. (It’s warming up, though, it now currently only feels like a balmy -9 out).

It’s time for a little “Did you know?”

Did you know water temperature, body size, body fat percentage and movement in the water each play a part in cold-water survival. Small people cool faster than large people; children cool faster than adults. (PFDMA.org)

Great.

So that means if I’m lost in the wilderness with a few others and I’m a bigger guy than them, they become Popsicles before me, thus making me freeze longer.

Sheesh.

As I sit here finishing this blog post, I hear a dog yapping a couple blocks away. I’ll give one guess as to why it’s barking non-stop. It’s cold. Just like anyone else stuck outside on a day like this.

As for me?

Time to head out and find a photo for my 366 project. I just have to find the right shorts and t-shirt to wear…

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Notes from my Noodle: December 20 edition

There's nothing like a trip to the city during the holidays.

First, my apologies for a lack of a blog post the past couple of days. But it seems like, all of a sudden, I’m packed up with everything. I’m back, however, with some notes and such from recent things.

On Monday, I took my annual trip down to the city to New York City. I like to try and get down there during the Christmas season because it’s quite the place to be. From the lights to the decorations to everything else, it’s really quite magical.

For avid readers of the blog, you’ll remember I went out to Chicago earlier this year to see a friend, Brendan, graduate from the Navy’s basic training. He’s been in the Chicago area ever since, working through his schooling and such. He got liberty for a couple of weeks, however, and is home. So I took him with me to the city and met one of the finest guides one will ever have for the city — fellow geocacher Heather.

Brendan with his new buddy, Elmo!

Despite a delay in the train leaving Harriman, it was a fun day. A little colder than it was supposed to be, but still a fine day. We got to see a bunch of good things (including Rockefeller Center, as seen above). We had a couple of solid meals, saw some interesting things and I, of course, got a dirty dog on the street.

Why wouldn’t I, right?

With this season in full bloom, there were a lot of characters wandering around, looking to earn a few extra bucks by posing with people. It was quite funny to see. And, being it was Brendan’s first trip to the city in this time of year, he had to take advantage of this, no?

The hustle and bustle of the city was definitely there. That comes with people who still don’t have the thought of slowing down and peeking at things. But, I wouldn’t expect anything different.

We stopped and saw the building of the new skyscraper at Ground Zero and went inside and checked out the 9/11 memorial building. We were going to try and check out the new fountains and garden, but ended up having to look at it just from afar and above as the lines to get in were quite long and daylight was dwindling as we were thinking about that. I’ll hope to visit in the spring and see it closer.

We did, however, get to find a geocache this day. A regular-sized cache in the middle of the city, which was awesome.

Heather with Cirque du Cache.

Heather (and her husband, Jim, who met us later for dinner) are mega fans of Cirque du Soleil, mentioned a new cache. Of course, it has a Cirque theme — called Cirque du Cache.

This was a fun cache to do and it’s always nice to snag a cache in the city.

What was really cool about this cache was that once you opened the cache, you signed the log and all, but there was also this piece of fabric. And you could draw something on it. Very neat stuff and very well thought out. The best part is that it was in a high-traffic area, so it was pretty fun to retrieve the cache, walk away a little bit to check things out and then put it back. Fun times.

In all, it was a lot of fun to head down to the city and see things. I got to also see a former co-worker and catch up a little bit and it’s really nice to see things all lit up.

I even got one of the thickest hot chocolates I’ve ever had (thankfully it was small, because it was rich!) while we hung out a little bit at Bryant Park.

Bryant Park is a great little spot in the city.

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Speaking of geocaching, two of us worked to organize and run an annual ornament exchange event. It was quite the success, too, which is always nice. Having halfway decent weather recently probably didn’t hurt us, either!

A large turnout at our holiday event.

We had about 55 people to the event, by far one the largest since this annual event started four years ago, and also one of the largest turnouts of any of event in our small area.

I co-planned the event with Beth, who had a successful game she created for the event. But, more than that, was her Toy Drive idea. It seemed that most people brought unwrapped toys and filled the large box her and her brother and sister-in-law brought. They then delivered the toys to the local Salvation Army, making sure that the toys would remain in our area.

So as fun as the event was (the spot we held it was excellent as well), it’s even better to know that our geocaching community was good enough to give back to the community during this holiday season and thought about others in need.

As this week continues, if you have the chance to give to an area Toys for Tots or something else, try and remember that there are people out there that have it worse than many of us. So if you can give at all, try and do so this holiday season.

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Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan delivered on a recent 2CW card.

For the final part of this Notes From My Noodle, I want to turn to 2CW, an independent wrestling federation out of the Syracuse area. Several of us have gone to a bunch of their events, but basically in Binghamton. We took the trek to Syracuse on Friday to see one of their biggest events of the year and to see a match that indy fans have wanted to see — Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan.

Each time we’ve gone to watch 2CW, I thought the federation has delivered some great entertainment, good matches and a well-planned event. But this event was really solid (seeing matches such as Brodie Lee vs. Jay Freddie was outstanding and many other matches were excellent). And it was capped by Edwards vs. Callihan, a match that made me really want to drive to Syracuse.

I have seen Eddie Edwards many times. He’s athletic and works stiff — in other words, believable beyond belief to the point where some of the things he does really make you wonder how these guys do it.

Callihan, well known among the independent fans, is also a top-notch talent.

A five-star match was predicted. And these two delivered. It was a high-paced match, full of athleticism and character. Say what you will about professional wrestling — no matter if the outcome is determined or whatever — you have to be athletic and be able to tell a story inside that ring. These two did it.

The card, overall, was excellent. I would make the trip to Syracuse to see these guys again.

A funny afterthought. We stopped at a convenience store down the road from Syracuse to grab something to drink and something to snack on. While there, Sami Callihan came in. I noted that we had traveled a couple of hours to see that match because everyone was talking about it.

He asked me if it was worth it?

I told him they delivered and it was worth it. We chatted with him for a few moments and he shook hands a couple of times and thanked us for coming. I’ve talked to a few of these others and they, too, are very friendly with fans. That’s a good thing. Independent wrestling survives on smaller fanbases and these guys have the hope to, one day, make it big. Being friendly and outgoing will hopefully help them in their quest to reach the top.

Until then, it’s my hope they keep working local promotions so, when I can get away and go, I get the chance to see this top-notch and affordable entertainment.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!