I Run for Boston

As many of you know, I run in the mornings before work--but only in the spring and summer when it's warm and light enough outside. Today, I rolled over to look at the clock. Crap--I forgot to turn my alarm on! I should have already been out there. I jumped out of bed, threw on my running clothes (which I always set out the night before), brushed my teeth, and flew out the door. Because I'm motivated: I run for Boston. I run for Martin, and Krystle, and the Chinese grad student. I run for the 170 injured people whose lives will never be the same, many of whom now have bodies that will forever bear the scars of what the worst of human nature is capable of doing. I run for the thousands who were denied their dream of finishing that race because I know there is no feeling quite like crossing the finish line of a marathon. I run for everyone who set out for a day of celebration and had it turn into a tragedy no one will ever forget. I run because I never want the bad guys to win. So I forgot to turn my alarm clock on and might have been a little late for work, but I ran for Boston.

An $8 Cup of Foam

As per my yearly tradition, I went to the Angels home opener last night. They raised ticket prices, so it was nowhere near a sell out, and they didn't even announce attendance. I was happy to see that parking and beer prices were the same as last year. Still too expensive, but way better than any other local sports venue. There was just one problem, other than the fact that we lost: I didn't think it was possible to make the concession stand experience any more painful than it was--but they have succeeded! I ordered a beer. That's it--one beer. Shouldn't be that hard. The girl held the cup upright, directly under the tap. Anyone who has ever drank a beer, poured a beer, or watched a beer being poured knows that this particular technique will succeed only in filling the cup with foam. Her first try, the glass was 3/4 foam. She set it aside and collected my money. Then she tried again. This time it was 1/2 foam. AND SHE HANDED IT TO ME!!!!!! $7.75 for a cup of foam??? I was incredulous!! I said "You seriously aren't going to give it to me like that, are you?" She didn't really say anything, but I knew the answer was yes. Maybe she thought the foam turns into beer once it settles. And we all know that doesn't happen. So, I start to explain to her how to pour a beer: 'hold the cup against the tap at an angle'. At that point, another worker obviously overheard me, came up and showed her how to do it. And I finally got a full cup of beer! I would think they would train new employees on how to work the equipment PRIOR to opening night, but I guess that's not the way it works at Angel Stadium. On our 2nd foray to the concession stand, they were out of hot dogs. Really?? It's a baseball game, for God's sake! Who runs out of hot dogs at a baseball game? At least I got a full beer that time!