WALK ON BY (YES, TWO DIONNE WARWICK REFERENCES IN A ROW)

More quick takes...

We just got back from McAfee Coliseum, where the A's rode nine walks to a 6-2 thumping of the hapless Seattle Ichiros. Since we are on vacation and can easily convince ourselves that the money we are spending doesn't really count, we bought the best seats available, which entitle the buyer to a seat in an indoor cafe with a spectacular view of the field, plus $10 off each for a meal, which admittedly was overpriced. Still, you can't beat it. You also get to sit out in the second deck nearby if you want to, which we did for the first four innings until we turned into nuclear mutants from the blazing sunshine. Did I mention it's been about 80-85 and sunny here every day, and not that sweaty, inside the crook of a Saint Bernard's armpit 80-85 degrees you get in Philly but a clear, dry, spectacular 80-85 degrees that makes you feel like an extra in Albert Brooks' "Defending Your Life"? No? Ok, I just did. Anyway, watching the Athletics in their beautiful, serviceable, and inexpensive ballpark systematically vivisect and devour Gil Meche with base on balls after base on balls, after recently watching the Phillies make him look like the second coming of Walter Johnson, only served to further strengthen the idea that I never want to go home, ever.

Ok, not very quick. But I had to get that out. I'll post some photos when I get home.

DO YOU KNOW THE WAY?

Quick takes...

Red Sox Series: Didn't see it. Didn't want to see it.

San Jose Norman Y. Mineta Airport: That's good. Name the airport after the guy who was Secretary of Transportation when 9/11 happened. That should inspire confidence.