Life is finally settling down to what it is when there isn’t baseball. There have been some noticeable withdrawal symptoms, like checking the TV schedule as soon as I get home to find out what time the game is on, turning on KNBR on the weekend and wondering when Marty’s show will start, and trying to decide which Giants shirt I’ll be wearing tomorrow. Then a flash of reality hits, and I think, “Oh yah, they’re done for now. No more games for a while.”
The parade is over and the last replays are done. Madison was on Jimmy Fallon promoting his Mad Bum undies, and showing off the third trophy in 5 years. He also wondered where his new MVP truck is. I haven’t noticed any player-sightings in the news, so Hunter must have taken his scooter back to Texas. And all the talk is about next season and whether Pablo will be with us or not.
Time to take a deep breath and do some laundry.
Kale-loving tortoise
People often ask if I’ve traveled with the team, or if I go to every game. I always say that there comes a time when I have to do my laundry. Translated, that means getting down to the other interests and responsibilities I have. Without children of my own, I don’t have to worry about feeding and clothing anyone but me. I suspect that if I did have kids, they’d be on their own for meals at various times between April and October. God help them if they’d experienced a growth spurt and needed new clothes during that time!
Instead, I’m keeping a closer eye on the 2 cats and centenarian tortoise who live with me. Grandpa the tortoise loves Kale – Hunter would be so proud! The cats are always hungry even when they have to tolerate a tortoise who thinks the kitchen is a good place for a nap. They’re all Giants fans of course. The cats wear their orange every day, and have to endure many inconveniences during the season like the quickly-served dinner they get as I rush off to games. But at least they can prepare by checking the game schedule near their bowls on the frig. And Gramps likes to sit on my lap to watch early morning away games on Sundays. At least I think he likes it. He doesn’t talk much.
I’ve kept busy being in touch with the friends who share my tickets or sit near me, and we’re all suffering a little. We text to see how everyone is doing during this withdrawal period. We’ll probably get together in January to debrief the season and maybe watch the World Series DVD when it comes out. I’ve swapped out my license plate holders, retiring the 2010 one that was up front and replacing it with 2012, which was on the back. My new 2014 holder is now on the back for all to see. If they keep winning — and believe me, I’m all for that — I may need another car.
For me though, this isn’t as bad as other off seasons have been. I’m finally almost caught up on my sleep. I’m sorting through my huge collection of Giants apparel and figuring out what I should keep. I’m keeping busy with other projects. And of course, I’m basking in the glow of the team’s success. I know that as a dedicated fan I was part of that success, and that should help me get through the rest of No Baseball season.
