The Fan of the Game

While Rick and I were sitting there in our seats,
right before the A's game started, an A's official
came and asked us if we had our tickets. We thought
it was just the ticket police, as usual. But then he
told me that I had been selected as the Oakland A's fan of the
game.

"You think it's random, but it isn't. We select the
person by seat number, then we tell everyone to act crazy in the
bottom of the 3rd inning. You wave your hat around,
then we pick you." I didn't have an A's hat on
(spring training one instead), so he gave me one. He
added, "Don't go anywhere in the bottom of the 3rd!"
He also told me to go to Member Services after the 3rd
inning to claim my prizes.

So, true enough, cameras showed up, and the announcer
told everyone to go crazy. I waved my A's hat, and
Stompy (that fuzzy elephant mascot) picked ME. He
shook my hand and then kissed me on the top of the
head, all in plain view of 15,000 fans on Diamond
Vision.

When I claimed my prize right after that, I had won
(1) a Rich Harden signed baseball! (2) A t-shirt
advertising their event, Play with the Pros;(3) A
chance to play with the pros (I filled out a card);
(4) a coupon for a 12-pack of Pepsi (I gave this to
Rick).

Rick told everyone in the section that we've been
coming to A's games for 15 years, and this is the
first time we've won anything.

The icing on this green-and-gold cake came the next day when I went to the post office. The teller, who has served me for several years when I mail out my eBay stuff, said, "Linda, was that you on Diamond Vision last night?"

Indeed it was. I tell you, you have definitely reached your 15 seconds of fame when the United States Post Office recognizes you.

My First 5K Walk

I did it!!!

The Oakland A's-sponsored 5K Run (well, Walk for us) occurred on Sunday, June 19th, on a bright sunny morning in the A's parking lot.

Shawn and I showed up at the start line, and walked
the whole 5 kilometers with about 700 other runners
and walkers.

As we walked up to the Start line, Shawn lit a
cigarette. I had to laugh. As we began to walk out
of the Coliseum (currently McAfee Stadium), everybody
seemed to be having a good time. The people who were
serious about it were up at the front a good 15 minutes before the walk started, jockeying for
a good starting position.

We were motivated and humbled by a guy walking with us
-- Pete, walking with two crutches, the kind of
crutches you put your hand through, the kind that are likely
part of his daily routine for the rest of his life.
He was awesome. While we eventually passed him, he kept us
with us for a long time on the path, and finished the
whole 5K.

As we were approaching the one-mile mark (and our
first water station), Molly Jones passed us going the
other way. Go, Molly! We kept cheering the other
women who were actually running in this race.

Shawn and I finished numbers 699 and 700,
respectively, out of about 712. Not last, but
definitely not in the race. Not a problem. I was
happy that the two of us were able to raise $300 for
the fight against violence against women and children.
We believe the whole event raised over $30,000.
Pretty nice. And the race marks a level of achievement for me in my exercise program. I am very proud about that, and I'm looking forward to meeting the next set of obstacles toward the next level.

Oh, and at the end of the race, we went in to enjoy
the A's vs. the Phillies (A's won, 5 - 2). Amid
promises of getting out there more often to walk as
exercise, Shawn bought a four-pack of Krispy Kreme
donuts. Can you believe that??! (I had two,
thankyouverymuch.)

I hope the next challenge like this is just around the corner.