Bull horns going off at 2am. Garbage overflows from dumpsters from the influx of people. And, the sheer number of baseball pilgrims, who just want to be near the stadium warrants barricades and riot police.

Last night, exhausted from all my pre-playoff work and the terrible anticipation of this week, I wearily got on the El from Evanston to head home. Looking out the West side windows, I saw the bright lights of Wrigley as I passed my house.

Whether it was team practice, pictures, or hanging the bunting, the lights meant that the playoffs were here- officially. As the El stopped at Addison, I saw a luxury bus near the corner of Addison and Sheffield. I knew it was the Dodgers’ team bus so I ran with my camera to check things out.

There they were going out on the town or heading to the hotel after practice. Star after star…Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez, Nomar, and my personal favorite and former Cub, Juan Pierre. I said to Pierre, “welcome back to Chicago” and he was gracious enough to stop for this picture.

Well, with the start of a new playoff run, we have new hope that this is our year. A year of a little magic, a little luck and maybe a even a few surprises. I mean regardless of how long you live in Wrigleyville, you can’t help but be giddy over a few unexpected celebrity sightings…or maybe even the entire Dodger team greeting me as I got off the train. I can only hope that after they hopped in those cabs that they stayed out all night to party…I surely will imagine them hung-over, and weary at tonight’s game.

But, what is certain is that all the anticipation of a Cubs season will have its payoff in the next few weeks. While the drama and adrenaline of living houses away from history might exhaust me, I can’t deny that tonight I am coming home to baseball heaven- the Cubs in the playoffs with everything going their way. Nothing is for certain, but for the next few weeks, I am living baseball bliss.