Cross-Bridge Rivalry

XuanThu and I watch the Oakland As wipe the astroturf with the SF Giants. Ring-side seats thanks to her ex-boss George who joined us as well. He's great company recounting the details of his recently-completed world cruise. I chuckle at his accounts of 'homeless cows' in India. I learn the ins-and-outs of baseball (my second live game) inside of five minutes from my trusty Wikipedia. It resembles cricket - with the key difference being that the spectators get to keep the baseball as a memento should it be hit into the stands. And oh yes - the game lasts three hours instead of three days.

We die and go to garlic curly-fries heaven. The food at AT&T Park is a huge step up from the grease-pit at the Shea Stadium where I had my first encounter with America's favorite pasttime.

We wait in vain for the Kiss-cam to spotlight us - so we can suck face. No dice. It's obsessed with a couple who seem oblivous to the fact that the camera is trained on them. Oh well.

In the ninth innings - as the game winds down - somebody turns on the sprinklers. It's quite a sight and the crowd roars in laughter. That's a great way to level the playing field. As - you'll get so wet and soggy that you'll throw the game and retreat to sunny Oaktown.

We cab it down to the Ball-Park and back - our cabbies in both cases are fascinating characters.

One of them looks like a retired Hells Angel with a cigarette voice. He happens to be a quiz nut. So the ride back home is Trivial Pursuit 101 - to my delight. "Where did the first transcontinental television broadcast take place?" Hint: It's a big city West of Oakland, CA.

The other, Brian, is a NYC transplant and an aspiring food writer who lets us onto the best New York Style Pizza in SF. This to my mind is an event of equal significance to the Moon Landing. XuanThu and he spend the rest of the ride dissing the ubiquitous Marina Girls. I derive endless amusement from understanding the fine points of eyelash tinting.