May 2008

Twins at Kansas City

Twins at Kansas City - 5/27/2008 - a set on Flickr - On Tuesday night I had the chance to see my first game at Kauffman Stadium. We were in Kansas City visiting family, and it just so happened that the Twins were going to be in town, so we extended our trip an extra day.

Kauffman opened in 1973, making it one of the older stadiums in the league, but instead of building a new one, they are renovating this one with some of the newer amenities like a giant HD scoreboard in centerfield. This is possible because the stadium, and Arrowhead for the Chiefs, is built on a huge open parking lot called Truman Sports Complex just outside of Kansas City proper.

I’ve only been to a few other baseball stadiums besides the Metrodome, Wrigley Field and Milwaukee County Stadium, both on the same road trip when I was a young kid, and new Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco five years ago. PacBell Park is by far my favorite of the ones I’ve seen, but I think Kauffman is right up there with the others. The Royals only draw about 17,000 fans a game, but the ones that do go, are really into it and make it fun - which is amazing since the team is so bad.

The food at Kauffman was fairly standard. I should have grabbed some Gates on my way in, but instead got a Sheboygan Brat that was decent. As expected, Boulevard was available so I had a few Pale Ales. I would have loved to have seen some of their other varieties, but wasn’t shocked by just the standards.

I still can’t believe that it took me this long to see a game there, but it definitely won’t be my last. But it also really got me excited for outdoor baseball here in Minneapolis. It was cold and windy in KC that night, but I didn’t care, baseball was being played the way it was meant to be.

Oh, and the Twins won in extra innings!

Putting a fresh coat on the neighborhood: Blogger Ed Kohler spends his spare time away from the computer tooling around various Minneapolis neighborhoods covering gang-related graffiti wherever he sees it. He keeps a power painter, powered by his car battery, in his hatchback at all times. Using “used” paint purchased for as little as $5 a gallon, Kohler does his part to prevent further vandalism and maintain the existing quality of life for the citizens in the neighborhoods where he travels. (via)

Hey, Ed, my whole garage is covered in invisible graffiti, any chance you’d come over and paint it for me?

As some of you know, Tricia and I are in KC this weekend and today we, along with her brother, had lunch at Grinder’s in the Crossroads District of downtown. Grinder’s is one of my favorite bars here, they have good food, a great beer selection, and interesting decor. I think it’s owned by an artist, so the place is packed with interesting sculptures and art work. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with, so camera phone pics will have to do.

The three of us split a pizza and a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich, and both were excellent. I haven’t had many Philly Cheese Steaks, but this was exactly how I imagine the good ones are. Good beef, cheese wiz, onions, and all in a tasty bun.

Grinder’s is also known for their pizza, especially the option of adding tots to any pizza, which is part of what made them famous on the Food Network. We opted against the tots, instead ordered The Hippie pizza with red sauce, green peppers, black olives, spinach, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, & almonds. I don’t think I’ve ever had almonds on a pizza, but they were a nice touch. I think I’d rather have kalamata olives instead of black olives, but it was still a great pizza.

For beers I went with an Avery Salvation and the O’Fallon 5 Day IPA, while Tricia had an Avery White Rascal, all on tap.

Grinders is one of my favorite, non BBQ, places in all of Kansas City, so if you’re ever in town, stop in.

Two Albums that I’m totally digging now after not quite getting into them at first, are the new Death Cab for Cutie, Narrow Stairs and the new Atmosphere, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

I might just be enjoying the new DCFC because I’m getting ready for our trip to Seattle, and I have fond memories of seeing them at the Crocodile Café back in 2000. But I do think that Narrow Stairs is much better than Plans, and “I Will Possess Your Heart” might be one of my favorite DCFC songs they’ve done in a while. (Favorite songs - Bixby Canyon Bridge, Long Division)

As for the new Atmosphere, I really wasn’t impressed after the first few listens, but now I’m thinking that it’s really damn good. The production is amazing as usual, but Slug’s songwriting is also as good as it’s ever been. He just toes that line between reality and fiction, and it’s hard to know which songs are which, but that’s not a bad thing. (Favorite songs - You, Yesterday, Shoulda Known, Guarantees)

Also listening to and enjoying: A Band of Bees, The Black Keys, BOAT, Elbow, Fleet Foxes, Moby, and She & Him