12 days ago, while we were middling through a .500 start to the month and the Angels were gaining ground, a diary was posting apologizing to the woofing gods.  In that diary, I posted the following comment

'my 'lucky' A's sleep-in shirt must run outta luck
into the wash it went tonight.  Tomorrow will be a fresh beginning.'

http://athleticsnation.com/comments/2006/9/13/0339/24516/9#9

Immediately afterwards, we swept Chicago.  In fact, the next time we lost, was the day after I forgot to wear the shirt to sleep.  I made it a point to wear it since, with full knowledge that clinching this weekend was within our grasp.  All I needed was for the magic # to be 4 or 3 going into the series, and the Angels accommodated with the right number of losses.  And wearing it during gametime, appears to be irrelevant, all that has mattered is that I have it on before midnight, and go to sleep in it.  That's right, since the washing, our guys have been undefeated when I sleep in the shirt the night before ... and 0-2 when I don't.

On Thursday night, I wore the shirt to sleep again.  Friday night, I went to the game, to watch our guys win, Zito's last regular season home start, and meet Athleticsgirl24 (She came out all this way, right?).  I had other plans on Saturday, but I'm going to today's game, which coincidentally, happens to fall on my birthday.  For those who haven't picked up the foreshadowing, I did not wear the lucky shirt to sleep Friday night - purposely.  Yeah, that's right, for my own selfish reasons, I wanted them to clinch today on my birthday (and as a Cal alum and a superstitous sports fan, if I have one win to use for the day, I want it to be for the Bears ... mission accomplished).

It's just past midnight now - and the lucky shirt is back on.  In about 15 or 16 hours, we're gonna party like it's my birthday.  I'll be there in section 134 and bringing green and gold cupcakes (real ones, not Blanton) for the crew there.  Let's Go Oakland!

P.S.  BBG - read your bit about leaving your luggage at the airport - you go, that's hardcore.  Hope to see you this weekend, and definitely next.