Well, the 2008 Major League Baseball season opened around the country yesterday (the Japan games and the Sunday night game were merely preludes to the REAL opening day). And in true Cubs style, as they have for 100 years now, the Cubs threatened to win a game in thrilling fashion. Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the ninth (Thanks, Kerry Wood. Your service over the years has been appreciated, but Carlos Marmol should be the closer. Marmol!), the Cubs’ newest and highest-profile acquisition, Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome hit a belt-high 3-1 fastball to right center to tie the game and to write a place into Cubs history. But the euphoria was short-lived, as the other closer candidate, Bob Howry, gave up the winning run in the top of the 10th. I repeat: Carlos Marmol is not the closer of the future. He’s the closer of the present. Thus began the 100th anniversary season of the Cubs’ last World Series victory. The Cubs have a shot to go far: they should win the Central and possibly even a playoff series. After that, however, it’s questionable. We’ll see. I’ll refrain from making specific predictions except for this one: despite the acquisition of Johan Santana, the Mets will NOT get to the World Series. Here’s to hoping Cubbie disappointment doesn’t last another century…

In other news, I was up in Blue Ridge, GA this past weekend, celebrating Amy’s birthday with some friends. Marty flew in from Ft. Worth, Jess flew in from Chicago, and we proceeded to laugh, play, eat, ride, sing, and drink ourselves into a great time. And just for future reference, playing hide-and-seek in a relatively unfamiliar house in the middle of nowhere with all the lights turned out (read: pitch black) with a dozen people is really, really fun. Freaky at times, but a very fun. The cabin was gorgeous, with an amazing view (when it’s not foggy and raining). Here’s what it looked like Saturday afternoon, during one of the breaks in the rain (Thanks to Little Mike for the photo):

Some quotable quotes from the weekend:

“The pig is the horse’s sidekick.”

“(It’s like) warm apple pie.”

“C’mon Amy…I know we’s kin and all, but we gonna leave yo’ ass!”

“Put it in my ass. No, seriously…put it my ass!”

“First time Vegas tranny sex”