Back in N.C.: Thanks and some below-average photos

Hi y'all! My wife and I got back to North Carolina last night, immediately greeted by the nasty humidity that we were so not missing in our four-day stay in the Bay Area.

We went sightseeing tour around San Francisco and took a bay cruise from Pier 39 to the Golden Gate Bridge on Friday. Then we went to Oakland Saturday and Sunday for my first A's games at the Coliseum.

On Saturday, I met Hang Man and his friend and new ANer cpa2law while walking up the BART ramp to the Coliseum, and we chatted while walking through the snaking line up the ramp to the gate. It was about 11:10 or so, and considering the line, we knew Eck jerseys were not in our immediate future.

I got to meet baseballgirl -- she's very charming. I met Nico in the men's bathroom of all places. It was great talking about the planned stadium with secreat Asian man and the A's playoff spot competitors with CheckswingHR. It was simply a pleasure to meet and greet a number of you. And I had to thank Blez for scheduling my vacation. We had been considering visiting the Bay Area and checking out the A's since the spring, but the date of AN Day made figuring out when a breeze. And my wife and I are so glad we came. Thank you all for making this Southern boy (albeit without a true Southern accent) and his wife feel very welcome and at home!

We also went to Sunday's game, and we got a great view of Rich Harden striking out nine Twins. Unfortunately Minnesota scored in the ninth to take the game. Well, at least I got to see an A's victory while I was in town. And I did manage to score the Eric Chavez figurine, even though I'm having a hard time thinking it looks like Chavvy. His face is too long and his ears are too big.

I do have some photos from Sunday. I never got around to taking many photos Saturday, which is just as well -- because I'm not very good with a camera. All of these photos are from prior to the game, as my in-game shots are blurry. I better read that manual about closeups...and digital photo taking in general. :P

It apparently was Kids' Club day at the Coliseum on Sunday, so I got some shots of some of the pitchers signing autographs for the youngins'.

Barry Zito

Barry Zito

Huston Street

Danny Haren during a TV interview

My only decent in-game shot is of Stomper. Says it all about by photo-taking ability, doesn't it? :P