With today being Opening Day of the 2010 Major League Baseball season, I couldn't help but be reminded of one of the earliest goals that I set for myself, which was visiting all of the Major League ballparks. I know that this is not a dream unique to just myself since many have reached this feat before, but it's still something I'd love to do. The thing is this goal has lost some of its luster since most of the old school parks have been replaced with state of the art stadiums, but there are a few I'd like to see sooner rather than later:
5. Oriole Park at Camden Yards: Baltimore Orioles
For some reason, I will always see Camden Yards as the forerunner of the modern day ballpark, and according to some sources, it's the blueprint that so many other organizations have copied. I just remember the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards being such a big deal, and it's always stuck with me, which is why it's one the short list of stadiums I want to see now. Plus, it has one of the best names in baseball because it's simple and void of commercialism. Good job Baltimore.
4. AT&T Park: San Francisco Giants
While on my roadtrip home from Oregon to Texas, I spent a few days in San Francisco, and while I didn't actually go into AT&T Park, I did get to drive by it. Even from the outside, I could tell that it was a nice park. You know that it's a modern park with some old school charm. Also, the idea of McCovey Cove is brilliant, and I wouldn't mind spending a few games just floating around waiting for home run balls.
3. U.S. Cellular Field: Chicago White Sox
To be honest, I could careless about the stadium (which has lost some of its appeal when it changed names from Comiskey Park to its current moniker), but I've always been a fan of the Chicago White Sox, so I would love to watch a home game on the South Side of Chicago. I'm still glad that it was the Chi-Sox that beat my beloved Astros during the World Series. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
2. Wrigley Field: Chicago Cubs
Since I'm a White Sox fan, I have no desire to support the Cubs (plus they're in the NL Central, which makes them divisional rivals of the Houston Astros), but I have to admit that seeing Wrigley Field would be an amazing experience. The old school parks are becoming a rare breed, and Wrigley is one of the few still around. I need to see the ivy-covered wall and the rooftop seats before the Cubbies decide to follow in the footsteps of every other club.
1. Fenway Park: Boston Red Sox
The only team I like less than the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees is the Boston Red Sox. I really don't have any ill-will towards the franchise, but their fans are insufferable (even more so now that they've actually started winning championships). With that being said, I'd love to watch a home game amongst them because any baseball fan has to. I'm pretty sure for many going to a game at Fenway is a religious experience, and it's one that I'd like to partake in while I still can. Plus, I really want to sing "Sweet Caroline" during the 8th. You don't get to do that just anywhere.
So, there you have it, the top five ballparks that I'd love to see. Sure, I wouldn't mind seeing dumps like Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays) and Sun Life Stadium (Florida Marlins) someday, but these five parks are the cream of the crop in my opinion, and I need to experience them before it's too late.
I can just smell the hot dogs...
Showing posts with label top 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top 5. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, July 11, 2009
My Top 5 Places I Want to Live
Being back home and conducting a job hunt has me thinking about where I want to end up if I had the choice. This post is similar to one that I put up here a while back, but with a few changes.
1. San Francisco, CA
I had the chance to drive the entire state of California on my way back from Portland, and I took this opportunity to check out some potential new homes. The first stop was in San Francisco, and I fell in love with the place after only two days. Sometimes you just get the feeling that you belong somewhere, and that's what I felt in SF. Now, we'll have to see if I have a reason to move there once and for all.
2. Austin, TX
Living up in Portland changed me in a good way. I feel that I'm more open minded, and even more laid back than before. This change in attitude has me warming up to the idea of living in Austin, and again I feel that living here would be more natural than any other city in Texas.
3. Boulder, CO
A part of me has always wanted to live in Colorado, and Boulder seems to be the right fit (although Colorado Springs has always piqued my interest as well). Unfortunately, finding a job at CU is a daunting task because they seem to be in short supply. I also don't know how I'd handle the snow, but I'm in love with the idea of lots of sunshine.
4. San Diego, CA
Another stop on my journey home was San Diego, and to be honest it wasn't what I was expecting. To be fair, I don't think I had an accurate image of SD in my head, so I doubt it could have lived up to the standard I had set for it. I still enjoyed my time there, and the coast was amazing, but San Diego just didn't strike the same chord with me that San Francisco did.
5. Houston, TX
The main reason Houston makes this list is because me sister and her family live there, and I wouldn't be surprised if all of my family end up near Houston and San Antonio. I'd make the move to Houston because it'd be nice to be close to them. Sure, Houston is too big and humid, but having loved ones close by does have its perks.
Of course, I'm fully aware that where I end up is heavily dependent on the job market, but it's fun to dream every once in a while.
1. San Francisco, CA
I had the chance to drive the entire state of California on my way back from Portland, and I took this opportunity to check out some potential new homes. The first stop was in San Francisco, and I fell in love with the place after only two days. Sometimes you just get the feeling that you belong somewhere, and that's what I felt in SF. Now, we'll have to see if I have a reason to move there once and for all.
2. Austin, TX
Living up in Portland changed me in a good way. I feel that I'm more open minded, and even more laid back than before. This change in attitude has me warming up to the idea of living in Austin, and again I feel that living here would be more natural than any other city in Texas.
3. Boulder, CO
A part of me has always wanted to live in Colorado, and Boulder seems to be the right fit (although Colorado Springs has always piqued my interest as well). Unfortunately, finding a job at CU is a daunting task because they seem to be in short supply. I also don't know how I'd handle the snow, but I'm in love with the idea of lots of sunshine.
4. San Diego, CA
Another stop on my journey home was San Diego, and to be honest it wasn't what I was expecting. To be fair, I don't think I had an accurate image of SD in my head, so I doubt it could have lived up to the standard I had set for it. I still enjoyed my time there, and the coast was amazing, but San Diego just didn't strike the same chord with me that San Francisco did.
5. Houston, TX
The main reason Houston makes this list is because me sister and her family live there, and I wouldn't be surprised if all of my family end up near Houston and San Antonio. I'd make the move to Houston because it'd be nice to be close to them. Sure, Houston is too big and humid, but having loved ones close by does have its perks.
Of course, I'm fully aware that where I end up is heavily dependent on the job market, but it's fun to dream every once in a while.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
My Top 5 Places I'd Like to Move To
REVISED: 1/12/09
Now, I know that a lot of my future is out of my hands, but I can't help but think about the places I'd like to move to next. Sure, this may be a waste of time, but it doesn't hurt to wonder about a life that may never exist, right?
1. San Diego, CA
The only thing I like more than snow is the sun and the beach. From what I've seen San Diego offers both. I've read that San Diego has over 260 days of sunshine a year, but I'm sure it has its share of rainy weather, but it's probably not as bad as it is up here in Oregon.
Also, I have the feeling that San Diego has a more diverse population. I miss seeing minorities. Also, there are two schools that I've been keeping my eye on for a few years now, San Diego State and the University of San Diego. Two very different schools, but I have experience with both types of institutions, so I'm hoping that works in my favor.
2. Boulder, CO
The one thing I learned this Christmas season is I like the snow. Arctic Blast 08 covered Portland in snow, and shut down the city for a few days. For some reason, a lot of people hated being subjected to these conditions, but I couldn't help but love every minute of it. Sure, it sucked being stuck inside but all I had to do is look outside to watch the snowfall and I was happy again. Maybe it's because snow is so foreign to me.
From what I've read online, Boulder offers the best of both worlds. The city boasts that it has more than 300 sunny or mostly sunny days a year (a huge plus to someone who is tired of the dreary grayness of Portland), and mild winters with some substantial snowfall. You can't beat that. Plus, the University of Colorado is located in Boulder, so hopefully job opportunities will exist for me in the mountains.
3. Austin, TX
Spending time in Houston over the break convinced me that if I move back to Texas the only place for me is Austin, which is kind of funny since I used to hate Austin when I lived in San Antonio. The main reason Austin is appealing to me is because it's not as big as Houston or Dallas. Just being in a small part of Houston reminded me how big it was, and how I feel more at home in mid-sized cities. I also think I'd like the vibe of Austin since it's similar to that of Portland. Plus, Austin is still close enough to San Antonio and Houston so I can visit family when I feel like it.
The only drawback to Austin is the limited job prospects. Sure, there's UT, but my hatred for that school might be too deep. The only other real option is St. Edwards University, which could work out since it's a Holy Cross institution like the University of Portland.
4. Honolulu, HI
For the last couple of years now I've been feeling this force pulling me towards the Hawaiian islands, and I'm tempted to give in. This longing to move to Hawaii started a few years ago when we went for my grandmother's funeral. It was a sad time, but I remember feeling so at home there. It just felt like I belonged there. Probably because I've always felt like I fit in more with my mom's side of the family than my dad's.
Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii, so I would have the semi-big city atmosphere that I like, and it's home to the University of Hawaii, Chaminade University, and Hawaii Pacific University, so there's the potential for work there as well. The main negative about Honolulu is the fact that Hawaii is so far away from the mainland. I'm afraid I'd get island fever sooner than later.
5. Portland, OR
Contrary to what people might think, I like living in Portland...it's the weather that I can't stand. The city itself is great, vibrant, diverse in terms of lifestyles and viewpoints (not so much ethnically), and it's just a cool place to be. Plus, the summers are amazing. Also, I have some small roots here in Portland. Slowly this city started becoming home, albeit a gray, rainy home.
As for work, there are tons of schools in the Portland area to work for. The trickiest part is finding a school that is the right fit. The thing is, I like to be challenged and I like change, and sticking around Portland might not fulfill those needs.
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Denver, CO; Buffalo, NY; Boston, MA; Salt Lake City, UT; Nashville, TN; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA
These are the five cities I'd like to live in if I had the opportunity, but in all honesty I'm willing to live anywhere just as long as I can find a good job. These would be ideal, but I'm not picky...well, not THAT picky.
Now, I know that a lot of my future is out of my hands, but I can't help but think about the places I'd like to move to next. Sure, this may be a waste of time, but it doesn't hurt to wonder about a life that may never exist, right?
1. San Diego, CA
The only thing I like more than snow is the sun and the beach. From what I've seen San Diego offers both. I've read that San Diego has over 260 days of sunshine a year, but I'm sure it has its share of rainy weather, but it's probably not as bad as it is up here in Oregon.
Also, I have the feeling that San Diego has a more diverse population. I miss seeing minorities. Also, there are two schools that I've been keeping my eye on for a few years now, San Diego State and the University of San Diego. Two very different schools, but I have experience with both types of institutions, so I'm hoping that works in my favor.
2. Boulder, CO
The one thing I learned this Christmas season is I like the snow. Arctic Blast 08 covered Portland in snow, and shut down the city for a few days. For some reason, a lot of people hated being subjected to these conditions, but I couldn't help but love every minute of it. Sure, it sucked being stuck inside but all I had to do is look outside to watch the snowfall and I was happy again. Maybe it's because snow is so foreign to me.
From what I've read online, Boulder offers the best of both worlds. The city boasts that it has more than 300 sunny or mostly sunny days a year (a huge plus to someone who is tired of the dreary grayness of Portland), and mild winters with some substantial snowfall. You can't beat that. Plus, the University of Colorado is located in Boulder, so hopefully job opportunities will exist for me in the mountains.
3. Austin, TX
Spending time in Houston over the break convinced me that if I move back to Texas the only place for me is Austin, which is kind of funny since I used to hate Austin when I lived in San Antonio. The main reason Austin is appealing to me is because it's not as big as Houston or Dallas. Just being in a small part of Houston reminded me how big it was, and how I feel more at home in mid-sized cities. I also think I'd like the vibe of Austin since it's similar to that of Portland. Plus, Austin is still close enough to San Antonio and Houston so I can visit family when I feel like it.
The only drawback to Austin is the limited job prospects. Sure, there's UT, but my hatred for that school might be too deep. The only other real option is St. Edwards University, which could work out since it's a Holy Cross institution like the University of Portland.
4. Honolulu, HI
For the last couple of years now I've been feeling this force pulling me towards the Hawaiian islands, and I'm tempted to give in. This longing to move to Hawaii started a few years ago when we went for my grandmother's funeral. It was a sad time, but I remember feeling so at home there. It just felt like I belonged there. Probably because I've always felt like I fit in more with my mom's side of the family than my dad's.
Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii, so I would have the semi-big city atmosphere that I like, and it's home to the University of Hawaii, Chaminade University, and Hawaii Pacific University, so there's the potential for work there as well. The main negative about Honolulu is the fact that Hawaii is so far away from the mainland. I'm afraid I'd get island fever sooner than later.
5. Portland, OR
Contrary to what people might think, I like living in Portland...it's the weather that I can't stand. The city itself is great, vibrant, diverse in terms of lifestyles and viewpoints (not so much ethnically), and it's just a cool place to be. Plus, the summers are amazing. Also, I have some small roots here in Portland. Slowly this city started becoming home, albeit a gray, rainy home.
As for work, there are tons of schools in the Portland area to work for. The trickiest part is finding a school that is the right fit. The thing is, I like to be challenged and I like change, and sticking around Portland might not fulfill those needs.
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Denver, CO; Buffalo, NY; Boston, MA; Salt Lake City, UT; Nashville, TN; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA
These are the five cities I'd like to live in if I had the opportunity, but in all honesty I'm willing to live anywhere just as long as I can find a good job. These would be ideal, but I'm not picky...well, not THAT picky.
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