Rangers "Breeze" to an 8-7 Victory

After leaving the Pro Shop at Surprise Stadium with my new Rangers ball cap, the little old lady behind the counter said, "Don't lose your new hat. It's windy outside." Then I walked outside and was handing the old gentleman at the gate my ticket, and he said, "Don't lose your hat. The wind is pretty strong today."
.
No kidding. The day was perfect except for winds blowing everything asunder. I've lived through worse, growing up in north Texas. The spring winds in Wichita Falls can be severe, too. I remember spring baseball games while I was in high school, winds blowing so bad you couldn't wear a hat, much less lose it.
.
The Texas Rangers played anyway, and posted a walk-off victory in the 9th inning after a base hit drove in the winning run. The 8-7 win over the Royals was before an estimated crowd of 5,256 fans. The Rangers were ahead most of the game, but the Royals came back and were ahead in the 9th inning 7-5. The Rangers scored two runs on a homer, then drove in the winning run with one out in the 9th to win the game.
.
The only SNAFU I experienced was over my seat. I purchased an 8-game packet over the internet a few weeks ago, and therefore I had to hope my seat was going to be a good one. I had a general idea by looking at the small ridiculous stadium drawing they give you online, and I thought I was seated just behind the Royals dugout. However, when I actually saw where my seat was located, I was not happy.
.
My seat was on the top row of the lower level (which isn't bad), the inside seat of a 3-seat row (bad), and next to a humungous brick pilar/wall that stretched upward to the floor above (very bad). To make it worse, the other two seats were occupied by two elderly and snotty Royals fans who were not happy to see me wearing a Rangers ball cap. So I was faced with the possibility of sitting between a brick wall and two crabby old Royals fans for the next month.
.
This is not going to work, I told myself. Luckily there were plenty of unoccupied seats further down the aisle, so I sat elsewhere for today's game. During the 7th inning stretch I went to the Box Office and spoke to Kendra (very cute). She was happy to exchange my tickets for other seating (very helpful). Thanks, Kendra. I now have a seat on the aisle about five rows back of the Rangers dugout to watch the seven games I have left.
.
Here are some photos from today's game.

The First Base Entrance to Suprise Stadium. Parking was just across the street and very close. The last Rangers game I saw at the Ballpark in Arlington, Texas (home field for the Rangers during the regular season) I had to walk 6 miles to find my seat.

My first view of the stadium. The crowd was just beginning to arrive. The stadium as voted "Best Sports Venue" or something by some Phoenix organization, according to the announcer.

A picture from my seat at today's game. For the next seven games I'll be on the other side behind the Ranger's dugout and much closer to the field.

Spring ball with the Rangers may become an annual event for me. I'm already making plans to be back next year. I told Kendra what seat I want reserved for next Spring. "Don't stick me next to a brick wall," I told her.

No Surprise...Surprise is Wonderful.

I'm enjoying my usual SCDL at the Starbucks in Surprise Town Center, about a mile from the stadium where I'll be watching the Texas Rangers play.

I drove from Scottsdale to Surprise this morning and took my time. Instead of taking Loop 101 around the north side of Phoenix, I took Bell Road from North Scottsdale Blvd. Bell Road is a major artery on the north side connecting Scottsdale in the east to western communities like Glendale, Sun City, and Surprise. It took about 40 minutes to make the drive.

.

As I drove through Glendale on Bell Road I noticed leftovers from when the Super Bowl was in town almost a month ago. Banners were still hanging from lamp posts and a couple of retail stores were still open trying to unload leftover jerseys. Glendale has become a mecca for upscale retail shopping and tourism since the Arizona Cardinals moved to town.

.

After you drive through Glendale, you arrive in Sun City, a development by the construction mogul Del Webb. According to their web site, Sun City has "seven recreation centers, 8 golf courses, 3 country clubs, 2 bowling centers, Sun Bowl, and Viewpoint Lake constituting the largest concentration of year round recreational facilities in the United States." Surprise is just west of Sun City.

.

Once in Surprise I continued west on Bell Road until I found North Bullard. Surprise Stadium, home of the Texas Ranger's spring training camp, is on Bullard. However, you can actually see the stadium to the south once you get to the Surprise Towne Center at the corner of Grant and Bell. I wanted to find the stadium before stopping for my coffee. I knew a Starbucks would be nearby, and sure enough, there it was nestled among other retail shops in the Surprise Towne Center.

.

As you can tell by the photo, there were a dozen motorcycles parked out front. It's not unusual to see a motorcycle group gather at a Starbucks before hitting the road for a day trip.

In an hour or so I'll make my way to the stadium. The weather forecast: 72 degrees, clear, and sunny.

.

I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The Rangers play the Kansas City Royals, and many of the regular season starters are scheduled to play. It's also "bring your dog to the ballpark" day, so I'd better watch where I step.

50th Annual Indian Arts Show and Market, Phoenix

I began the day at Starbucks checking GoogleMaps for directions to the Indian Arts Show and Market at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. I discovered that Camelback is an east-to-west roadway that connects Scottsdale with Phoenix, and so I drove that way into town.

I passed Fashion Square, and immediately knew it would become a favorite part of town for me. Further west as you get closer to downtown Phoenix, another shopping mecca appears. It is a huge, up-scale, retail and mixed-use development with all the great places I love: Macy's, Border's Bookstore, Cheesecake Factory, Neiman Marcus (what us Texas refer to as "Needless Markups"), Starbucks, and other stores waiting to take my meager earnings. I'm writing this update from the Border's Bookstore.

One thing I've noticed about this area: I've never seen so many retail shopping centers, golf courses, country clubs, resorts, high-end restaurants and manicured lawns.

The Heard Museum is a sprawling complex located on North Central in downtown Phoenix. Unfortunately, Central Ave. is under construction. (See photo below.)

The city is constructing a light-rail system down the middle of Central Ave., and therefore many of the streets are torn up and blocked off. In the above photo that I took this morning in front of the museum, you'll notice the huge spools of cable. Central is a major north-south corridor in the heart of downtown, and no doubt the rail system will be a great people-mover once it's completed. But for now, it is a major pain in the butt to travel down Central. So, if you come to Phoenix, avoid Central Ave. it if you can.

I arrived at the Indian Arts Show at 9:30 a.m., the scheduled opening time, and I was already late to find parking. Luckily they had a parking garage available to handle the huge crowds and it was only three blocks from the main entrance. Walking along Central Ave. toward the museum I could already hear a live show underway, Indian chanting and the thumping of drums in the distance. I expected the Calvary to arrive at any minute to encourage me to retreat back to my car. Did someone just shoot an arrow over my head?

I paid my $15 entry fee and purchased $10 worth of Food Tickets asking the guy in the ticket booth, "That should be enough to buy me a Coke, right?" He didn't laugh. But it you glanced at the food menu, you discovered a bottled water cost two tickets. I spent my $10 worth of tickets on a hot dog, diet Pepsi, chips, and the traditional "fried bread" you find at these kind of events.

Here are some pictures and comments from my visit:

Live entertainment was underway when I entered the museum area, and I took this photo of a "native ceremonial dance." After he was done, a kid who must have been all of 11-years old danced a "hoop dance". See the photos below.

The kid received a great round of applause from the crowd: he was really amazing. He placed six hoops on the ground and then began to dance around them, toss them up to his hands with his feet, then did all kinds of dance maneuvers. According to the narrator, he was imitating various animal lifeforms with the hoops. Whatever he was doing, it went on for about 10 minutes and I was exhausted just watching him.

The photo above was taken while I was fighting for my life. This was "Area 1" of six tented areas that contained numerous booths of Indian artists and craftsmen. The crowd was already bursting at the seams, and it was only 10:30 in the morning. The other five tents were just as crowded.

I had to take a picture of my "fried bread" with cinnamon sugar and honey. Not exactly a part of my daily diet.

The patio area of the Heard Museum was full of people trying to find a place to sit down. Although the weather was perfect and the temperature was not that hot, a chair still came in handy after walking around for three hours. Since there were few chairs, you found whatever you could to sit on. Mostly, people sat on the ground or a curb.

This Apache woman is painting a small ceramic bowl.

Starbucks is everywhere.

A woman demonstrates the ancient art of basket weaving.

A group of Hawaiian women dance for the crowd. I was craving pineapple juice, but had to settle for a diet Pepsi.

Hello, Scottsdale...and Phoenix

I arrived today in Scottsdale to begin my extended stay, what I like to refer to as my "March Madness." I'll be here to watch the Texas Rangers play some ball and also tour the area.

This is actually my second visit here. I was here for the weekend of the Super Bowl about a month ago. I was only here for a couple of nights. Now I'll have the time to get to the know the place. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Surprise are all crammed together attached by Loops and Highways.

Any way, it should be fun to spend some time in the central Arizona sun.

By the Time I Get to Phoenix...My Car's Emissions Will Be Clean

I began this day with a mission: get my Arizona car tags before leaving Tucson. One year ago this month I was in east Texas and had my car inspected. I then returned to Dallas and renewed my license registration with no problems.

But now my car tags and inspection sticker are set to expire. I have discovered this about Arizona: (1) they do not require car inspections as in Texas, (2) they DO require an emissions test on your car if it's older than a 2004 model, (3) if you fail the emissions test it is a pain in the ass to repair it so you can get on with your life, and (4) you must pass the emissions test or you cannot register your car in Arizona.

None of this would matter to me, except I failed the test. I drove to the local DMV, where next door they have an emissions testing center. After 5 minutes and $12.50, I was told I failed the test. Oops. What now?

Well, you find a mechanic to fix it. Happily, and suspiciously, there were a dozen mechanic shops next to the DMV all licking their chops hoping to get your money to repair your car. (Seems like a set up to me.) The mechanics, some standing outside looking at me, reminded me of hookers posing on the streets in Singapore (I've seen photos) trying to lure you inside their domain. I chose to drive back to Sears Automotive at the Parks Place Mall to have them fix my problem. At least I can walk the mall while they tinker with my catalytic converter or air pump.

But the Sears mechanic tells me, "Sorry, we don't do emissions work."

Give me a break. "So, where should I go?" I ask.

"Go to CP's on 22nd Street. He'll treat you right."

So I drove to CP's and left him my car. I then walked back to the Park Place Mall for the day while CP tinkers with my hoses and sensors. The walk was pleasant, though tedious. I'm not used to walking for 45 minutes without sitting down for a while. Only in Tucson would I even attempt such a trek.

So here I am at the Border's Bookstore, laptop in lap, killing time until my car is repaired. I hope to pass the emissions test later today, maybe tomorrow. I think, however, I'll get a taxi back to the auto shop.

Time to Move On, For Now

It's been a fun time here in the desert, but it's time to move on. I'll be driving to Scottsdale tomorrow. My plans are to remain in the Phoenix area through the month of March. I've got tickets to see the Texas Rangers play some Spring ball in Surprise, Arizona. I'll also be studying art and will continue to visit artists and galleries in the area.

I've been in Tucson since October 29 (you can read my blog entry on that day: http://2vegas.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-made-it-to-tucson-today-monday-after.html ). I love it here, and I can't think of a better place to spend the Winter. I'll be back, guaranteed.

To Britta, Kasie Jo, and Lettie: thanks for keeping me out of trouble...don't work too hard.

To the dealers at the del Sol: thanks for making me feel comfortable and easy and part of the family in your poker room. Keep up the friendly atmosphere and "down home" approach...and let me hit a nut-flush once in a while, OK?

To Linda, Don, Two-Pair, Dave, Fast Eddie, and other players: spend my money wisely. And Linda, keep in touch...we'll meet up again. Have fun in Hawaii.

Sculptured Hands, Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick, and a Super Party

Saturday in Super Bowl City was going to be hectic, as I planned to cram as much of the Super-hype surrounding the Big Game as possible into a few hours. The day would indulge some of my greatest passions: art, food, and sports.

My menu for the day: breakfast at the Fine Arts Expo in northern Scottsdale, lunch at the party in Glendale celebrating the Big Game in town, a mid-afternoon snack amidst the hoopla at the Westgate City Center which is "ground zero" for Super Bowl mayhem, and finally a late dinner and some poker at the Casino Arizona.

Fine Arts Expo, Scottsdale

After updating my blogs while drinking a "SKCDL" at Starbucks, I headed for the Fine Arts Expo located approximately six miles north of Loop 101 on Scottsdale Road. The FAE is home to over 100 artists from around the nation who come here for a few weeks to market their works and hold live demonstrations. A semi-circle of white tents surround a courtyard and sculpture garden that features many of the bronzes and stoneworks of various artists. Chairs and tables are available outside for a leisure time of eats, drinks, and relaxation as you watch the artists and patrons co-mingle and visit inside the tents or outside in the fresh cool air. The sides of the tents are open to take advantage of the wonderful weather, making the venue both an indoor and outdoor experience.

The weather was ideal, sunny and just warm enough. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. The FAE is next to MacDonald's Ranch which offers "authentic western adventures" with horse rides and such. Just across the parking lot from the Fine Arts Expo, the ranch has an old saloon, corral, horses, wagons, and lots of dust.


This is the entrance to the Expo. Just inside are booths set up by various artists, an office and ticket counter.

This is the view to the left just as you walk into the entrance.

An example of the live demonstrations which the artists offer to visitors. They actually set up a working studio in their booth area so you can watch them work.

I met Jerald Peterson, an artist from Oklahoma, New Mexico, and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. He told me he is "self-taught" and began painting full time after retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency. I asked him, "What were you doing when you retired to paint full time?" He said, "I was a spy." Visit his web site at http://www.jeraldpeterson.com/.

I also met Susan Geissler, a sculptor from New York. Here she is working on a set of hands for a piece inspired by imprisoned Jews of the Holocaust. She creates life sized and maquette recreations of birds, animals, and human figures. Visit her web site at http://www.susangeissler.com/.

The wonderful thing about the Fine Arts Expo is that you can hang out and visit with the artists and ask them about their work. When I return to Scottsdale in March I'm sure I'll be spending more time there. They offer classes as well, and I was told that Old Town Scottsdale also has a great art school.

Glendale Super Bowl Celebration

I left the Fine Arts Expo just after Noon and drove west on Loop 101 toward Glendale, an old town that once was nothing but a place to grow cotton and watch the sunset over the valley desert west of Phoenix. But Glendale changed over night when they won the contest to build the new University of Phoenix stadium, home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. The Westgate City Center complex and Jobing.com Arena are located nearby, making a "trifecta" of sports and upscale retail shopping and entertainment. Glendale is quickly becoming a national sensation.

The downtown plaza was party-central all weekend, with outdoor entertainment and food. I parked easily for free a few blocks from the plaza and walked down Glendale Ave. west toward the city center area.

As you can tell by this photo, I was not the only one to check out the fun. The plaza was packed with people from all over the country. Booths were set up selling everything from chocolate-covered strawberrys to clothing and sports memoribilia.

Tables and chairs filled the plaza, and a stage was set up for live music provided by various bands throughout the day. The weather was terrific and the crowd was very friendly and on their best behavior. What a great place to spend an hour and visit with people from all over the country. I met a couple from Sun City, Arizona, who moved there from Michigan for an improved lifestyle. The woman said that in Sun City, "...there are no bugs, mostly sunny days year round, and beautiful sunsets."


For lunch I had some Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick that cost me $4.50.

Westgate City Center

After leaving downtown Glendale, it was a short 15-minute drive west on Glendale Ave. to the Westgate City Center. The Westgate City Center and Jobing.com Arena are across the street from the Unverisity of Phoenix Stadium complex. I wasn't sure what to expect as I parked my car near the AMC Movie Theater.

I walked toward the activity and soon was overcome by the sensational development that is known as Westgate City Center. I could only say to myself, "Wow. What a place."

This photo was taken from the upper level looking down on the plaza that stretches out between the Arena and the rest of the development. The crowds had already begun to gather to spend the evening eating, dancing, drinking, and listening to an outdoor concert by a Tom Petty tribute band from Tucson, The Breakdown. The real Tom Petty was scheduled to perform the halftime concert at the Super Bowl.

The fountains, restaurants, clothing stores and retail shops, huge billboards, and architecture all combine to overpower your senses. On a normal day, the place is just a fabulous venue to enjoy lunch and shop. Add a crowd of thousands to celebrate the Super Bowl and it's almost too much to comprehend.