Last night was the Chicago Blackhawks first playoff game in seven years and their second playoff series since 1997.
Obtaining TicketsFor the third time this season, my “first cousin once removed,” who at this point we will call “Blackhawks Jim,” invited me to the game with his friend’s season tickets.
Pre Game DiningThe plan was to meet “Blackhawks Jim” and his wife and daughter at our usual pre-game meeting place – The Beer Bistro, which has $5 martinis and ½ priced appetizers on Thursday nights. However, the Beer Bistro was too …

In the second game of the day, I saw the Toronto Raptors play for the first time in five years as they dominated the Bulls throughout the game to win 109-98. The Bulls loss combined with the 76ers win in Cleveland knocked the Bulls to the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference on the final day of the regular season.
Chris Bosh, who had 19 total rebounds on the night, grabbed his 4,000th career rebound during the game. The Bulls final record (for games in which I was in attendance) was …

The day started out with a matinee at Wrigley Field between the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs.
Pre Game DiningWhile walking in the area Wednesday morning, I discovered that Cozy noodles & rice had a 2-for-1 entrée game day special by showing your Cubs ticket. One problem with Wrigleyville is that it is hard to find a sit down restaurant that is not over crowded. However, Cozy noodles & rice (located at 3456 N. Sheffield Ave.) is rarely full and two can eat for the price of two hot dogs in …

Last year at this time I was unstaffed at my new consulting company which is located in Oak Brook, IL. Usually, while unstaffed, I look to see what MLB weekday afternoon games are taking place. Everybody knows the Chicago Cubs play the most weekday afternoon games throughout the season in Major League Baseball and to a much lesser extent the Chicago White Sox play some weekday afternoon games as well.
However, what I believe is a little known fact is that the Kane County Cougars (the Class A minor …

For the second year in a row, I watched the Chicago Cubs home opener from the bleachers. And for the second year in a row, the home opener was delayed by rain. This year the start of the game was delayed for 1 hour and 12 minutes. Last year the start of the game was delayed for 41 minutes (and again for 49 minutes in the bottom of the 3rd). Next year, I am going back to my regular seats in the upper deck which should at least keep the …

No, seriously.  If God was trying to make a statement to delay the Cubs Home Opener, he is certainly speaking loud and clear.   

Unfortunately, I am in the bleachers today but I can tough it out. 
The problem? I have to be at work by 3:15 pm. The question?  Can and should I go into the game and try to get in at least 5 innings? This rain is making it a race against time.   Ok, I will post a picture of a Holy Cow Cubs Shrine.  Send prayers, wishes and …

The Chicago Cubs’ Home Opener is finally here.   Finally….

I say, ‘finally’ because it is torturous to have a week’s worth of baseball without opening Wrigley Field.   The bars are empty.  The tourists have, yet, to arrive, and there is a general hush over the neighborhood- a freakish silence that is just wrong during the regular season. 

Thankfully, the real opening day is only hours away.  It is like the anticipation of Christmas, birthdays and summers all packed into one day of playing hooky from work and heading to the bleachers. 

By 10am, we will be …

I attended my first Major League Baseball game of the season on Saturday. The White Sox defeated the Twins 8-0 as Bartolo Colon pitched 6 shutout innings.
Obtaining TicketsI bought a $34 face value ticket for $10. However, the price for my ticket would have been $38 from the box office. The White Sox discount their ticket prices for season ticket holders.

Almost three years ago to the day (April 8, 2006) I saw the Philadelphia 76ers play at the United Center. That was the last time I saw the 76ers play.
Obtaining Tickets and ParkingThursday night I already had my $10 ticket from the tickets I bought at the start of the season. Usually I park in the Red Top Parking lot on the corner of Madison St. and Ashland Ave. However, since I was driving from Oak Brook, IL, and not my house, I decided to park for …

Last night, after passing my PMP certification exam, I attended the Chicago Bulls game. Once again, I had purchased the ticket at the start of the season for $10. Since I took my exam in downtown Chicago I had wanted to eat dinner in the West Loop before the game. However, I decided to go home and relax after the test and drove directly to the United Center for the start of the Bulls game.
The GameThe Bulls defeated the Knicks 110-103. In the first half, the Bulls showed a video …