It’s possible and even likely that I’m looking forward to this weekend’s Cubs games more than anyone else who reads this site. Even the degenerate gamblers. That’s because after a summer’s worth of aborted travel plans and vacation false starts, I’m finally heading back to Chicago to properly break in my Cubs season tickets.
Faithful readers will remember the conundrum I faced last offseason–do I take what might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy season tickets from the Cubs, even though I live in Los Angeles? Turns out the decision wasn’t all that hard to make, and in spite of the difficult time I had trying to give away a pair of tickets to a game during the last home stand, it’s been relatively easy to resell my unused tickets on Stub Hub.
But even though I’ve been able to recoup some of my money, it’s been no fun watching game after game slip through my fingers. After all, I didn’t buy my seats as an investment–I bought them to use them. And until a few days ago, I’d given up hope of making it back to Chicago at all this season.
In fact, it was in the midst of the Cubs’ 11-5 pummeling at the hands of the Nationals last Tuesday that I decided to look one last time for affordable tickets (don’t ask me why a game like that would make me want to see the Cubs in person again this season–I think we just chalk decisions like that up to addiction). And for what seems like the first time all summer, the Cubs’ schedule and airline prices stopped conspiring against me and presented one last open window.
So for about 42 blissful hours this weekend, I’ll be in Chicago. Less than two full days, but long enough to take in a couple Cubs games out in the bleachers, see some old friends, visit some of my favorite places, eat some pizza, and generally have a great time.
It’s been a couple years since I’ve been back to Chicago–no doubt about it, it’s been too long. Too long since I’ve seen the lights of Wrigley Field crest the skyline as the Red Line pulls into the Addison Street station. Too long since I sat in the shadow of the scoreboard, or leaned over the outfield wall to touch the ivy. Too long since I’ve sung “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” with a choir of die-hard Cubs fans. Wrigley Field is my favorite place in the world, and it’s been far too long since I’ve been back.
Tomorrow can’t get here fast enough.
