Batting practice from the field, really?

How does this happen to me? There are so many parallels in my life yet the experiences are miles apart. 1 year ago on day #1 of my vacation, I had a friend in from out of town. He 'pooped' out early & I was determined not to let day #1 of my vacation fizzle out. I called another buddy of mine, who unfortunately has since moved to Chicago. He invited me to a party and day #1 of vacation 1 year ago ruled. I kept thinking 'how in the world will I continue to top the 1st days of my vacation?'

Fast forward to 1 year later, today. The out of this world experiences so new, fresh and different from a year ago, but the sentiment remains: "What is going on and how in the world will I ever top the 'awesomeness' of the start of this vacation?"

On day #1 I traveled to my college alma mater and shared lunch with so many outstanding people I'd not seen in months and even years. Not one second of the experience bad. I love the trek to my alma mater driving the open roads--so close to the city yet far enough away to be considered 'God's country.' A beautiful day with the sun's rays dancing on the roadway. Once I get to a certain point, I'm able to pick up HOT 101 out of Youngstown and jam the entire way to the chosen land! All the memories come streaming back each inch, each landmark, each milemarker I pass. Our meeting place chock full of memories including the world famous Freddy burger, which is a given if ever in G-Ville! I so did not want to leave these peeps. Normally, I'd dance the night away with all of them. Believe it or not, I had to tear myself away from this part of my memory making day to head to yet another unbelieveable once in a lifetime adventure.

When it rains, it pours. Everything stacks up on the same day or weekend.

My peaceful ride back to the city kept my dream weekend flowing along....again jamming to HOT 101 (until my border where it just became a fuzzy static jumble).

Next stop: Cleveland Indians batting practice -- from the field! Are you kidding me?

I was given a wonderful opportunity for myself and 2 friends to watch batting practice from the field --Indians batting practice! I met my 2 pals Meghan and Loren at the media gate where about 20 other folks were given the same opportunity! We waited. The wait seemed so much longer than it really was anticipating what was about to happen. Yes, we were escorted down to the field right behind home plate to watch my boys take their swings and field their positions. Absolutely ridiculous. I had to keep pinching myself.

Now, doing what I do for a living, we all know that you can not go on the grass. That is a no-no. The Cleveland Indians' grounds crew takes great pride in their masterpiece. When the PR women gave us two rules, of course one of them was 'do not step on the grass!' I just busted up laughing and gave my friends the long history of how long we've been told 'not to step on the grass!' The other rule was 'do not distract the ballplayers.' Ha! I think the ballplayers should be given a set of rules as well. Many of them were happy to have fans down there to flex their muscles to --fans who were beaming from cheek to cheek watching their heroes. They'd give us glances, smiles, as we had to keep a heads up for the periodic balls that would come rolling or flying our way from the players.

Honestly, this swirling dream simply too good to be true. We all received batting practice t-shirts, and were able to get our pictures with 2 of my fave players: Cord Phelps and Jack Hannahan and the skipper, Manny Acta. Then my friends and I, of course, got a picture of the three of us as proof to our whereabouts Saturday afternoon! All the heavy hitters were out there with us (except Pronk). My jaw was touching the field (but not the grass) as my eyes wandered from player to player to player and we just took it all in.

Trevor Crowe, currently on the DL, looks like he's coming along. He had family or friends down there. It was kind of funny. The people he was with wanted him to sign their jersey in Silver. It had to be in Silver. So of course, the PR woman being prepared tossed him a Silver pen. While he signed, his family asked my friend to hold their designer purse and they made sure they joked "don't steal anything!" This kind of stuff just doesn't happen in my everyday real life.

I recently made a very nice new friend via social media. While we were there, he texted me asking if I was heading to the game. I texted him, "are you kidding, I am already here just waiting to watch batting practice from the field.' I was beaming! The entire experience from start to finish simply perfect. Batting practice to the game to a post game concert with performances by Donnie Iris and the Cruisers (in honor of the Pittsburgh Pirates) and then Cleveland's hometown favorite Michael Stanley and the Resonators (in honor of my Cleveland Indians).

At the end of the night, it was hard for me to come back down to earth after a magical day.

And again, I asked myself, 'How in the world will I be able to top any other days of my vacation?'

Is his keyboard stuck?

There are so many mysteries still lurking about today: The mystery surrounding God, Heaven, Angels, etc. being the biggest. Does the Loch Ness Monster exist? Did Marilyn Monroe really kill herself or have a little help? Why do the New York Yankees never get a bad call from the umps?

I'm going to let the experts debate all of the above through the end of time, which is yet another mystery!

I just want to know, "Is his keyboard stuck?"

Mind you, "his" is interchangeable -- a revolving door -- plethora of names ...until the end of time!

I will never understand boys. Yes, I am 'Danielle a day late and a dollar short." I'm the most organized, hip, on top of things person, unless it comes to men. When I was younger I was the 'studier' while all my girlfriends were going out on dates every night. When I was in college I was a great 'buddy' though that was not my goal! Then life and work hit.... and the 'wrong' men!

Life is too short to date a person you can't stand. I believe I am a pretty good judge of character. I am usually spot on when it comes to a first meeting. If I'm not only physically attracted to but blown away by the gentleman's many attributes including: humor, kindness, love of baseball, music variety, chivalry, intelligence, zest for life, spontaneity, equal time for fun and work, blah blah blah, then he does not get a second meeting (usually).

If God continues putting this person into my life, which has happened time and time again, I DO listen to God and keep an open mind.

When God mysteriously placed someone into my life last month out of the blue, after no contact with him for years, I thought, hmmmm? But I was quick to say 'whoa nelly' and step back. This 'friendship' appeared to be online and texting. We were supposed to get together twice to no avail.

I'm all for the mantra you can never have enough friends. And I'm even cool with keeping in touch via email, facebook, or texting. But I really thought something would come of this. I'd met the kid back in the 90's. Why was he resurfacing?

Another mystery is why boys start the whole messaging, emailing, texting 'balls to the wall' and then cool off, slow down, stop. Yes, they meet 'new' email friends. They meet new 'real' friends. They can't multi-task. They lose interest. They move on. But I'll still never get it, especially when THEY initiate the friendship or begin a conversation.

My 'May' friend was texting me at all hours of the day, waking me up at 630am in the morning with 'Morning Sunshine!' and would not stop all day long. I must admit, I loved the attention. I really did. To have a hot guy telling you you are on his mind throughout the day...and out of the blue getting a 'pick me up' in the midst of a rough day, it was tremendous! I came back from FLA and all of a sudden, the keyboards on his computer and cell phone went dead.

Is his keyboard stuck?

Oh, I take that back for the moment. I did get an actual email he sent that said "We are great, wonderful, everything is fine." And then the power company must have turned off his electricity moments after he hit 'enter.'

Am I that boring, unattractive, or disenchanting that he keeps hitting the 'zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz' button?

Is this a sign that I should run far and fast because he's the kind of guy who only knows how to hit the 'iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii' button?

For the record, I am disappointed with my 'May friend.' Don't worry boys, I never kiss and tell in my blog posts, or even trash guys. But I really believe this is an issue that many women deal with and honestly, it's a true mystery to me. I've been enamored with my 'May friend' for years....really thought we could at least have a cool friendship, if nothing else.

But, honestly, I'm sooooo over it. This not only happened with my 'May friend' but happens with my pal I've known for 14 years who I keep in touch with, and another life long friend I still keep in touch with... My friends who matter know at times this behavior gets under my skin, and they really don't have an answer for me. But again, with my friends who matter, we actually talk, see each other, and I love them immensely so I'll let the stuck keyboard every once in a while slide with them! Men are just hot and cold. Katy Perry was onto something!

Thank goodness I DO believe in the mystery of God. I DO believe that one day God will either give the great guys I know 'in person' who tease me all the time the guts to maybe ask me out, if that's in the cards. Or he'll send a new angel into my life to show me that there are still working keyboards out there that actually spell out 'WE.'

ps Why the Yankees never get a bad call will ALWAYS be a mystery :)

Euphoria

I would have died for my Mother. I would have endured all the pain and suffering she had the last years of her life in a heartbeat if I could have switched places with her. I hope with the way Mom raised me & my home training I would do the same for any family member of mine, and I hope good friend...or really anyone who needed my help.

Well, today, I realized I think I really do know what loving someone feels like (besides a family member).

I have a dear friend who had a bone marrow transplant today. He and his family ARE family to me. For the first time in a long time I realize how important someone is to me, how much I love them, and can not even imagine them not being around.

When word started trickling back that my friend made it through his operation with flying colors and was feeling strong, I could have soared or leapt over the tallest downtown Cleveland skyscrapers. Nothing could have snuffed out my happiness, yet I did not believe that happiness could become euphoria. Think again.

I can not even believe I was able to contain myself for the rest of my shift, the rest of the day. My cell phone text jingle went off. Having absolutely no clue who was texting me, I took a glance.

My eyes opened up as big as shiny silver wheels on a spiffy souped up sports car as I read the text from my friend, who had just endured surgery. "Thanks Daniella....everything's going well...it was an incredible day."

I burst into tears of joy, could not sit down for the rest of my shift and just raised my eyes up to Heaven thanking God that he'd given me the gift of not only friends, but love. Some never really experience the love of others or loving someone else let alone being surrounded their whole lives by family and friends.

I've got it all!

Friends fuel our gas tank (the heart)

When I make a friend, I plan on having them for life. Oh, I understand that God puts people into our lives and we in others' lives for specific reasons and once that task is complete, maybe we drift apart. But honestly, I don't go into a friendship thinking it will end one day.

Some people attack a marriage saying, "If it does not work out I'll just get divorced." WRONG!

And that's the way I address every friend I make. Yes, I'm still trying to figure out why there are some former co-workers I keep in touch with and others not. It's quite the mystery to me.

But those people I may not talk to on a regular basis are still part of my history, my life, and helped form me in some way, leaving me tremendous memories forever and only making me a stronger person from their finite stint.

So, the last few weeks have been chock full of fantastic friends who have helped me make new memories. My first stop down memory lane was Reddstone for the 50th birthday of a former co-worker. I was just touched that he invited me to share in his big day. Again, I was going alone and a bit uncomfortable to dive in to this endeavor solo, but my love, respect and admiration for Kenny outweighed my fear. And am I glad I took the leap of faith. I had the absolute best time I have had in a while. Not only did I get to see a friend I've known for at least 25 years, I saw dozens of other friends, former co-workers, and new friends. I ran into the son of a man who hired me not once but twice. I am secretly stalking Doug on Facebook (ha ha). He knows it! Just kidding everyone! I've known this family nearly my entire life ... my niece used to babysit for Doug and his sister. They truly are a part of my history, a very happy part of it! Had I not gone to this shindig, I would have really missed out on a slice of my past building up an even stronger future.

Oh, yes, I am truly blessed by those I've had in my life. And gladly I can say every day I am surrounded by so much love and laughter. We laughed at old stories, reminisced on the good, the bad, and the ugly (which all looks good now). Another person at the party also tried hiring me many times. He said, "Danielle, you were smart. You'd always get a free lunch out of me and then say something like, 'I really love what I'm doing and where I am doing it!'" He's right!

Where else could I have had a Birthday Guinness ice cream cake? It was GOOD!

And if the entire evening did not bring a permanent smile to my face, the very cute guys who hooted, whistled and hollared when I left just left me floating on cloud 9. I felt pretty and apparently others thought the same -- not the usual guys who come onto me, but really, really cute guys!

Next stop down memory lane -- a sports luncheon with Manny Acta and the boys at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven. My co-worker Dave Chudowsky was emcee. How could I miss it? I really hate these things because I wind up sitting with people I don't know having to make small talk, which I lack. As soon as I walked in, I saw current co-workers, former co-workers, the PR guy for Landerhaven, who is my buddy, and felt like a queen! Ironically, my friend Mike sat me at a table right next to a woman I have known for at least 20 years. My heart jumped with joy, I could not contain the smile on my face, and again, was so happy I chose to attend this event rather than let fear keep me away.

And my final stop down memory lane this week believe it or not took me some place I'd never been in Cleveland -- Whiskey Island. Wow! I love it there! A jam packed day of Belmont racing, singing Mass for my Uncle Bill, dining with the family, and then meeting probably one of my best friends in the whole world for a cocktail or two. Well, 8 hours later, I had shared so many new memories with old and new friends alike. I'd met Katie's friends and mixed with them swimmingly well....we had a blast at Cropicana on Whiskey Island, met The Naked Cowboy (I had no idea who he was), heard a band I used to listen to often at a friend's bar, and then moved onto yet two other familiar stomping grounds surrounded by old friends!

I can not even tell you the magical week it's been....and the fantastic places I frequented is a small reason for the magical haze....but the friends fueling my gas tank (my heart) closed the deal and brought it all home sweet home!

Always nice to be back in the CLE

No matter where I've been, and I adore traveling, I get a chill and tear in my eye when I touch back down in my hometown, the CLE!

After a fantastic jaunt to Tampa, Florida, I really could not wait to get home...and ironically when I touched down on Memorial Day it was much HOTTER here in CLE than I had left it in TPA! Nice!

There are so many wonderful skyline vantage points in CLE but one that's amazing is traveling the 490 bridge with the steel mill flame on the right and a delicious skyline to my left of the city, the ballpark, skyscrapers, and the city I adore and will for the rest of my life.

When I arrived home, it was soooo nice to still have a day of vacation where I could celebrate Memorial Day with my family and then my first day back at work, we had a baby shower for a co-worker so it seemed like a "play day!" When I walked into work and saw Brandon's lovely family including his week old baby, my heart melted right there. That warm and fuzzy moment would pull me through to the end of the week!

Life is good!

TPA through different eyes

People are amazed, and I must admit, I stun myself as well.

Deep down inside, I'm quiet, shy, and introverted.

No one believes me when I share that factoid.

It's true!

But among the millions of characteristics & gifts Mom instilled in me, one was follow your heart & dreams no matter what...

My dear friend of 14 years was notorious for asking me, "If you are so afraid of doing stuff alone and so shy, why are you always going to events?"

Good question. Valid question. My drive to enjoy life and those things that do bring joy supercede my fears, at times.

This past weekend I embarked on an adventure unlike one I've had in a while. Oh, yes, my family has been hitting FLA every year since I can remember. I have been frequenting different areas of FLA for the last 14 years with a very dear friend.

Once my friend moved to FLA 6 years ago, I'd pop down to see my Indians and usually wind up visiting him for a few days....last year bonus year hitting the Indians' games AND the Browns away opener in Tampa!

Well, this year I was not about to miss my Indians in Tampa.....and airfare reduced to a manageable exhorbitant price so I chose to bite the bullet. But, there is something different between my dear friend of 14 years and myself.

We are just friends, best of friends for so long, but for the 1st time I truly understand how the phrase "irreconcilable differences" originated & how people can divorce ....or worse, I have a vague, foggy idea of why someone strays and has an affair.

Honestly, we went from being inseparable to our theme song being Taylor Swift's "The Story of Us!" Trust me, listen to the words and that IS us!

Our friendship has taken an about face. We are currently on opposite ends of the spectrum. That in itself is not bad. People change, grow, move on, take different paths, mature, or whatever.

What's a bit quizzical is the process, how this whole new relationship evolved, and what underlying circumstances may have spurred it on over the last number of years. How long has the friendship been deteriorating? I did not really think it was....at the accelerated speed. I did see 2 people changing a bit, especially after losing my Mom when my priorities changed and I valued life even moreso, and friendships more than 'things' whereas others in my life focus on tangible items more than human relationships.

I don't see one horrendous action causing the schism.

My friend has been through a challenging year medically speaking.....dealing with more than any one person should have to endure. However, through it all there have been rays of light including well spent time with relatives he normally does not see. You have to look at the good in every situation, even if it's difficult to gleen a meaning.

So I'm heading to TPA Memorial Day weekend and basically am on my own this trip....may not even see my friend of 14 years.

I was not sure what to expect or how this weekend would shake out, though it's a yearly trip I take. It's taking quite a different spin.

Looking back, I had the best time on my new adventure. I picked a fabulous hotel which treated me like a queen....in the part of town I was quite familiar with and so very close to my friend, should he want to visit with me.

I had to take 2 roads to the ballpark, that's it!

I could not have asked for better weather....everything really was simply perfect!

I did wind up seeing my pal .....the 1st time quite comical. He's still nursing a broken foot. I arrived after a fantastic flight full of Indians fans, a bachelor party, and the Indians' pitching coach as well as beat writer Paul Hoynes.

My hotel was minutes from the airport. It seemed everything was just rolling along swimmingly well.....I ran into my pal's grocery store to grab suntan lotion....ran straight by him as he was sitting in the handicapped cart. When I turned around he was just sitting their laughing at me, the crazy tourist groping her sun tan lotion hoping to spend as much time in the FLA rays as possible!

We caught up and had a really nice conversation....that's why I'm not really sure what is happening?

I hit the games, quality sun time in the pool, and just relaxed as much as I could.

Saturday I spent more time with my buddy....we visited and watched a movie....Again, quite a pleasant time together.

My dream weekend was rolling along......everything without a hitch......made sure I picked a hotel that had computers so I could keep on top of my Tweeting and Facebooking.....as well as check in for my flight from the hotel.....wonderful pool.....free breakfast......welcoming rooms.....found the perfect radio station in town to jam to all weekend long.... 24 hour room service. Honestly, I could not have asked for a better weekend! And of course, my Tribe every single day! I've been to Tropicana Field so often, I know it as well as Progressive Field.....and after Saturday's game, the Avril Lavigne concert --yes, the one where she swore because her mics were not working. Well, when she swore, they WERE working! But all in all, a great concert!

Honestly, things that normally do NOT happen to me happened this entire trip....for instance, no one ever calls me on my cell phone.....well, I spoke to my Chicago friend....plus a new friend I've been chatting and texting with of late back home.....he wanted me to email him a picture of his girl Avril, and I obliged! Extraordinary!

The weekend was fantastic, reinforcing that I CAN travel alone and have a blast!

My final day I was supposed to dine with my buddy.....after the game, I checked in with him and he said a friend had popped over to his house.....well, I must admit I was a bit peeved....I'm pretty good at rolling with the punches but when I will not see my buddy for the rest of 2011 and he sees his best FLA friend 365 days a year.....I was just confused.

Dinner was delayed ....and then we hardly spoke. The first awkward time all weekend.

And honestly, I'm really not sure if I will ever talk with him again.....but I think I am ok with that for the first time in our 14 year friendship.

After I departed dinner, I relaxed back at my fantabulous hotel and got to visit with yet one more friend who currently lives in Tampa but is from Ohio....a former co-worker of mine. What an absolute treat! We chatted for at least 3 hours all night long.....it was sooooo wonderful catching up with someone I'd not spoken with in many years.

My final day out of this world. From my hotel to the airport to check in my rental car to check my luggage and get to the gate only took 22 minutes. Absolutely no lie. CLE definitely not that efficient!

Even though I saw TPA through different eyes, I enjoyed what I saw and really like the strong, new person I've become & have evolved into over recent years & experiences. Oh sure, I wish I knew what was happening with someone I used to consider my best friend. But, I will put this situation into God's hands realizing that everything happens for a reason. What is meant to be will be.

Felt like I was in a commercial

Simply the most amazing weekend I could have imagined, in light of the last few which consisted of being blown off by a boy, grieving Mom, yet feeling the love of family and friends & the anticipation of a well needed break away from my normal routine in the tropics!

It began Friday when I got an unexpected surprise I never imagined....from a very dear friend who absolutely made my day, weekend, and month. I will hold the gesture in my heart forever.

Next up: Is this real or a commercial where I am sprinting through the airport??

Holy moly! I buzzed out to Thistledown to share in our tradition of Preakness Race Day....

Next stop: Racing home to sing Confirmation where Bishop Lennon would preside over the service.

Now the service began 5 minutes before my Indians' 1st pitch. I knew I'd miss 1/2 of the game. What I did not know is that it would be the quickest game so far, and I'd miss 2/3 of the game. At the conclusion of the service, I literally ran home, after Father Gary told me to text him the score of the game! I had my play clothes laid out...quick change artist. God was on my side. I got downtown in record time because everyone was already there! I pulled in the Q Arena Gateway garage and the nice man let me park in the very 1st spot! I proceeded to remove my shoes and run from Q Arena to Progressive Field. I had police officers and fans hanging outside waving and cheering me on! Am I on candid camera?

Once inside, I saw we were already in the 7th inning....

My friend Matt and his Mom had been there from the getgo for OSU night.

My pal Dave Summers was actually sitting right behind us.....

For the 3 innings I caught, it was a blast! And my pals waited until I arrived to sock the game-winning homer! Thank you Indians!

After the game, we hit the Hard Rock basking in the glory of a phenomenal outcome....

When we left, I was amazed and impressed that my friends walked me to my parking garage so I did not have to go alone....it was still daylight with tons of people around but what a chivalrous gesture.

Sunday: another big event! Colleen's wedding shower! What a glorious afternoon surrounded by family, friends, laughter, and lots of love (and good food!!)....

I could not have asked for a better weekend for a jump start and revving up....only to get better in the coming days with a matinee Indians game mid week and then whisking off to TPA for more Indians, Avril Lavigne, sun and palm trees!