Day 5: Major League Baseball Trip
DATE: Thursday, September 6, 2013. Day 5.
LOCATION: From Cleveland to 235 35th Street, Manhattan, New York City
Today was a travel day - no baseball game. We left Cleveland at 8 AM and drove all day on I-80 across Pennsylvania to NY City. At 12:30 we stopped in a little town named Snow Fall, PA to get gas, food and beer. We wanted to stock up on beer as we felt it would be a lot more expensive in NYC. Pennsylvania has some weird and different laws in regard to selling alcoholic beverages. You can only get beer in one building and you have to go to another building to get wine or hard liquor. We finally found the beer store - it was an old garage. The garage was full of cases and 12 packs of beer - cold or warm. The price for a 30 pack of Busch Light was $21.00 - the same as what I pay at Wal-Mart in Anamosa.
Anyway, we had a good laugh when we left with our purchases. Greeting us when we walked in the beer garage was a 35-40 year-old-man sitting in his recliner with a sleeveless sweat shirt, his arms up and around the back of his head, armpits on display with 6 inch long hair, his big gut hanging low and legs spread. He looked to be a smelly mass of cells. He didn't look too ambitious as he never moved nor did he offer to help us find what we wanted. He just sat there. The lady at the cash register looked a little more with it. She was nice and could talk - she apologized for the credit card machine not working so we had to pay cash. We asked where the wine/liquor store was - she directed us down the street - Brad wanted to buy some wine. When we got there it was closed. I guess they aren't very serious about making money from wine or liquor.
After getting gas and food we took off and started talking about the beer guy sitting in his garage.. Brad suggested we nickname him Billy Bob. We kind of felt that he probably moved off his recliner a couple times a year - most likely for deer hunting and pheasant hunting. We brought up Billy Bob's name many times on the rest of our trip. As the days rolled by we kept wondering if Billy Bob had moved off his recliner. And we wondered how Billy Bob would've handled NYC.
We arrived on the outskirts of NYC in midafternoon. Brad and John were the navigators (along with the GPS). They decided that the best way to get into Manhattan was to take the Lincoln Tunnel instead of the George Washington Bridge. It took us close 45-60 minutes to get through the Tunnel - it was rush hour and traffic was heavy. John had used his time share points to get us a hotel in downtown Manhattan - it was the Wingate Hotel (by Windham) located at 235 35th street. It was about 4-5 blocks from Times Square. We finally found it about 5:30 - unloaded our stuff - got to our room. John asked where he had to park the car so he followed their directions and drove several blocks to a parking ramp. When he returned we were all ready to enjoy our first night in the BIG APPLE.
We were lucky because across the street was an establishment named "JACK DOYLE'S IRISH PUB." Brad had arranged to meet one of his ex-colleagues at Jack's Pub. Her name was Karen and she was from Boston. She was in Manhattan training some French employees of Loreal Cosmetics. They had been sent to NYC from France to work for Loreal - she was training them on how to adjust to American culture and American ways of doing business. We had a wonderful evening with Karen - she is a delightful person, very intelligent, good sense of humor, asks questions instead of talking all the time and actually listens when you answer - she makes you feel good just to be around her.
The price of food and beer at Jack Doyle's was very reasonable - maybe not Anamosa prices but comparable to Cedar Rapids. John and I went back to the hotel at 11:15. We left Brad and Karen there and I guess they closed the place down. John and I stayed outside the hotel and had a smoke. That's when we met Andrew and Liz from Australia. They were taking a 3-month trip around the U.S. Very interesting people - he gave me his email address. I haven't contacted them yet.
John and I hit the sack about 12:30. I was excited about the next 5 days. Our presence at Jack Doyle's Irish Pub would be a daily ritual over the next four days.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Day 4: Major League Baseball Trip
DATE: Wednesday, September 4, 2013. Day 4.
LOCATION: Cincinnati to the Hilton Garden Inn in Cleveland.
We ate breakfast at the Embassy Suites in Cincy and by 10:30 we were on the road to Cleveland to visit our fourth stadium. We arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn around 3:30 - the Hilton is located right next to Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians. In fact, we could see the stadium from our hotel window. We went to Progressive Field at 6 P:M - walked around the stadium concourse and viewed many of the posters and statues of famous Indians. We spent the most time viewing the Bob Feller stuff. Why? BECAUSE BOB FELLER IS AN IOWA BOY. IN 1936 he signed with the Indians as a 17-year-old right out of his Van Meter, Iowa, High School. He was in his prime when, unfortunately, World War II started and he spent probably the most productive four years of his baseball career in the military from 1942 to 1945. He came back in 1946 and pitched another ten years retiring in the mid 1950s.
At Progressive Field we were treated as if we were VIPs. Brad's Boston friend, Dave Eaton, was born and raised in Cleveland. Dave's dad had had a very successful public relations firm and was well acquainted and very influential with the movers and shakers of Cleveland. His dad was on some kind of board with the Indians and always had club seats with Mr. Jacobs, the owner of the Indians. His dad passed away several years ago but Dave has taken his place on this Indians board. Anyway, when Brad told Dave we were going to be in Cleveland for an Indians game Dave told him, "I'll take care of things." So Dave got us tickets for the club section which meant we got to eat in the club restaurant - the food was free and delicious. However, we had to buy our own booze. All three of us marveled at the brown sugared sweet potatoes plus the chicken, thin sliced beef and vegetable salad. John liked it so much he had two humungous helpings of everything plus ice cream and peanuts. I did have two helpings of the sweet potatoes plus ice cream. And I did have a slice of pizza in the later innings. It is pretty easy to figure out why I gained 10 pounds on this trip. And it is also pretty easy to figure out why brother John is a little heavier than his brother Pete.
Our seats were in the club section where only club members can sit - I felt pretty special - like a VIP is supposed to feel - I guess. We saw the Indians win the game by beating Baltimore.
My Rankings of Progressive Field. I don't think the stadium is over 20 years old. I'm adding "wide concourses" to my ranking system because they make it so much easier to walk to the concession stands, the restrooms and getting into and out of a stadium.
1. restrooms - A
2. wide and deep steps - A+
3. railings - A+
4. friendly help - A
5. wide concourses - A
6. price of beer - B
Miller Park would get an A+ for wide concourses.
Wrigley would get an F for wide concourses.
Great American in Cincy would get an A+ for wide concourses.
LOCATION: Cincinnati to the Hilton Garden Inn in Cleveland.
We ate breakfast at the Embassy Suites in Cincy and by 10:30 we were on the road to Cleveland to visit our fourth stadium. We arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn around 3:30 - the Hilton is located right next to Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians. In fact, we could see the stadium from our hotel window. We went to Progressive Field at 6 P:M - walked around the stadium concourse and viewed many of the posters and statues of famous Indians. We spent the most time viewing the Bob Feller stuff. Why? BECAUSE BOB FELLER IS AN IOWA BOY. IN 1936 he signed with the Indians as a 17-year-old right out of his Van Meter, Iowa, High School. He was in his prime when, unfortunately, World War II started and he spent probably the most productive four years of his baseball career in the military from 1942 to 1945. He came back in 1946 and pitched another ten years retiring in the mid 1950s.
At Progressive Field we were treated as if we were VIPs. Brad's Boston friend, Dave Eaton, was born and raised in Cleveland. Dave's dad had had a very successful public relations firm and was well acquainted and very influential with the movers and shakers of Cleveland. His dad was on some kind of board with the Indians and always had club seats with Mr. Jacobs, the owner of the Indians. His dad passed away several years ago but Dave has taken his place on this Indians board. Anyway, when Brad told Dave we were going to be in Cleveland for an Indians game Dave told him, "I'll take care of things." So Dave got us tickets for the club section which meant we got to eat in the club restaurant - the food was free and delicious. However, we had to buy our own booze. All three of us marveled at the brown sugared sweet potatoes plus the chicken, thin sliced beef and vegetable salad. John liked it so much he had two humungous helpings of everything plus ice cream and peanuts. I did have two helpings of the sweet potatoes plus ice cream. And I did have a slice of pizza in the later innings. It is pretty easy to figure out why I gained 10 pounds on this trip. And it is also pretty easy to figure out why brother John is a little heavier than his brother Pete.
Our seats were in the club section where only club members can sit - I felt pretty special - like a VIP is supposed to feel - I guess. We saw the Indians win the game by beating Baltimore.
My Rankings of Progressive Field. I don't think the stadium is over 20 years old. I'm adding "wide concourses" to my ranking system because they make it so much easier to walk to the concession stands, the restrooms and getting into and out of a stadium.
1. restrooms - A
2. wide and deep steps - A+
3. railings - A+
4. friendly help - A
5. wide concourses - A
6. price of beer - B
Miller Park would get an A+ for wide concourses.
Wrigley would get an F for wide concourses.
Great American in Cincy would get an A+ for wide concourses.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Day 3: Major League Baseball Trip
DATE: Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Day 3.
LOCATION: Chicago to Covington, Kentucky - right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati Red's GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK.
I arose at 6:30 AM and took a short walk along Chicago's Lake Shore Drive. We had breakfast at the Majestic Hotel and left for Cincinnati around 8AM. We stopped a little south of Indianapolis and had something to eat at Wendy's. At 3:05 PM we arrived at the Embassy Suites in Covington, Kentucky - it is a huge and beautiful hotel. At 4:30 PM we had snacks and a couple of beers at the Embassy Suites - they always have free food and drinks from 4 - 7 PM.
About 6 PM we crossed over the Ohio River by walking across the rather long Covington-Cincinnati Bridge. We got to the ball park about 6:30 and checked out the many posters and statues of great Red players from the past. The game was a close one with the Red's beating the Cardinals 1-0. I talked to one of the ushers on duty. He was an African-American who worked all the Red games - except for Sundays. I asked him what his hours were - he said they had to be at the stadium 1 1/2 hours before game time and were guaranteed at least five hours, regardless of the length of the game. They got paid by the hour, but he didn't say how much. The stadium price for a 16 ounce draft was $8.25.
The NFL Bengal Paul Brown Stadium is about 200 yards west of the Red's park. I asked the usher if he worked the Bengal games on Sundays. He said, "No way, the Bengal fans tailgate for hours before the game and come into the stadium drunk. And I don't want to deal with those drunk people. They're too drunk for me to handle."
After the game we ate at an outdoor bar/grill called "Jefferson Social." Our server was a young gal named Lauren from Covington. She was a fun gal and had a perfect personality for being a server. She told us it was "Taco Tuesday" so we could get small tacos for $2.00 each and 16 ounce drafts for only $3.50. (That's $5.00 less than in the stadium). So all three of us indulged in 3-4 tacos a piece and 16 ounce drafts.
We had to walk back to the Embassy Suites by crossing the bridge again - it seemed a lot longer going back. John and I were walking together and paid no attention when we were over and we just kept walking. Brad had to holler at us as he was wondering where in the hell we were going. I guess, the attention spans of a 70 and 72 year old aren't what they used to be.
I decided to rank the stadiums from A to F based on the following criteria.
1. plenty of and easy access to restrooms
2.wider and deep steps to make it easier for older folks to walk up and down.
3.railings for older folks to hang on to in order to steady their balance.
4.friendly and helpful employees.
5.price of beer.
Miller Park in Milwaukee got the following grades.
1 = A+ 2. = C 3. = 4. A+ 5. B
Wrigley Field grades.
1. D 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. B
Great American Park in Cincinnati.
1. A 2. A 3. A+ 4. A- 5. B
LOCATION: Chicago to Covington, Kentucky - right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati Red's GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK.
I arose at 6:30 AM and took a short walk along Chicago's Lake Shore Drive. We had breakfast at the Majestic Hotel and left for Cincinnati around 8AM. We stopped a little south of Indianapolis and had something to eat at Wendy's. At 3:05 PM we arrived at the Embassy Suites in Covington, Kentucky - it is a huge and beautiful hotel. At 4:30 PM we had snacks and a couple of beers at the Embassy Suites - they always have free food and drinks from 4 - 7 PM.
About 6 PM we crossed over the Ohio River by walking across the rather long Covington-Cincinnati Bridge. We got to the ball park about 6:30 and checked out the many posters and statues of great Red players from the past. The game was a close one with the Red's beating the Cardinals 1-0. I talked to one of the ushers on duty. He was an African-American who worked all the Red games - except for Sundays. I asked him what his hours were - he said they had to be at the stadium 1 1/2 hours before game time and were guaranteed at least five hours, regardless of the length of the game. They got paid by the hour, but he didn't say how much. The stadium price for a 16 ounce draft was $8.25.
The NFL Bengal Paul Brown Stadium is about 200 yards west of the Red's park. I asked the usher if he worked the Bengal games on Sundays. He said, "No way, the Bengal fans tailgate for hours before the game and come into the stadium drunk. And I don't want to deal with those drunk people. They're too drunk for me to handle."
After the game we ate at an outdoor bar/grill called "Jefferson Social." Our server was a young gal named Lauren from Covington. She was a fun gal and had a perfect personality for being a server. She told us it was "Taco Tuesday" so we could get small tacos for $2.00 each and 16 ounce drafts for only $3.50. (That's $5.00 less than in the stadium). So all three of us indulged in 3-4 tacos a piece and 16 ounce drafts.
We had to walk back to the Embassy Suites by crossing the bridge again - it seemed a lot longer going back. John and I were walking together and paid no attention when we were over and we just kept walking. Brad had to holler at us as he was wondering where in the hell we were going. I guess, the attention spans of a 70 and 72 year old aren't what they used to be.
I decided to rank the stadiums from A to F based on the following criteria.
1. plenty of and easy access to restrooms
2.wider and deep steps to make it easier for older folks to walk up and down.
3.railings for older folks to hang on to in order to steady their balance.
4.friendly and helpful employees.
5.price of beer.
Miller Park in Milwaukee got the following grades.
1 = A+ 2. = C 3. = 4. A+ 5. B
Wrigley Field grades.
1. D 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. B
Great American Park in Cincinnati.
1. A 2. A 3. A+ 4. A- 5. B
Monday, September 30, 2013
Day 2, 2013: Day 2 - Major League Trip
DATE: Monday. September 2, 2013. Day 2
LOCATION: Majestic Hotel in Chicago.
I had a pretty good night of sleep considering it was the first time I had slept with my son in probably 40 - 45 years. (He is 52 now.) John and Brad were still sleeping so I put on my walking clothes, did my doctor ordered physical therapy (for the bursitis in my right hip), did a few yoga stretches and took off for Wrigley Field. It was less than a mile and I easily found my way. I scouted out the Captain Morgan Bar and Grill located outside but connected to the left field corner of Wrigley. I checked out some of the bronze statues of former Cub greats. Believe it or not there really are some. The most famous of course is Ernie, (Let's play two), Banks. Some others were Billy (Sweet Swinging) Williams and Gabby Hartnet plus many others.
Heading back to the Majestic Hotel I got lost. I walked by a laundromat. I was grateful that there was a lady sitting outside waiting for her clothes to dry and talking on her cell phone. She looked at me and I told her I needed help, I'm lost. I told her I wanted to get back to the Majestic Hotel - but she didn't know where it was either. So she called the Majestic for me and told the guy on duty where we were. He gave her directions and away I went. But not before thanking her and wishing her a good day.
John and Brad were all showered and ready to go when I returned. I took a quick shower and we all had breakfast at the hotel - it was a full breakfast. At 10:15, the three of us walked up to Wrigley - we sat outside at the Captain Morgan Bar and Grill on Addison Street. Our server was a cute young gal named Amber - she had a bubbly personality and had kind of a pudgy bottom. She said she wasn't going to spend the winter in Chicago - too cold - she was going to Houston, Texas to spend the winter with her boyfriend. We got 20 ounce Bud Light draws for $8.00 - not a bad price.
The game was at 1 PM - Cubs lost to the Marlins by a score of 4-3.
After the game we met one of Brad's former colleagues at the captain Morgan Bar. . His name is Jesse Rowell - his wife is Liz and their two kids are Nolan, age 5, and Eli, age 1. Eli kept us entertained by finding things to eat off the concrete. Liz and the kids had to leave so Jesse took us down the street to the famous Murphy's Bar which is located on Waveland and Sheffield and right across the street from the famous Harry Caray statue. Murphy's is also right next to the rooftop seating we see on TV when watching the Cubs.
When I first met Jesse at Captain Morgan's he kind of disgustedly looked at the cap I was wearing. I was wearing my Orange Bowl cap from 2010 when we beat Georgia Tech. So why did he look rather disgusted - because he graduated from Georgia Tech and had watched the game. He did not have good memories of that game - he told me so.
For supper we went to a Mexican Restaurant. Our server was Javanna, an immigrant from Croatia. She spoke perfect English and had a great personality. She was an accomplished piano player and wanted to have a career in the music field.
We saw ten MLB stadiums and obviously Wrigley is the oldest and the least fan friendly. It was built around 1914 so that explains a lot. There was no Americans With Disabilities Act at that time. The concourses are narrow and hard to maneuver. Also the toilet situation is not the most accommodating compared to the other nine. They finally have made some improvements with potties on the upper deck. We used to have to walk down ramps to the first floor in order to take a pee (and nearly pee in your pants on the way.) That's why, when I used to go to Cub games 10-15 years ago, I would never drink a beer at Wrigley because I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time.
LOCATION: Majestic Hotel in Chicago.
I had a pretty good night of sleep considering it was the first time I had slept with my son in probably 40 - 45 years. (He is 52 now.) John and Brad were still sleeping so I put on my walking clothes, did my doctor ordered physical therapy (for the bursitis in my right hip), did a few yoga stretches and took off for Wrigley Field. It was less than a mile and I easily found my way. I scouted out the Captain Morgan Bar and Grill located outside but connected to the left field corner of Wrigley. I checked out some of the bronze statues of former Cub greats. Believe it or not there really are some. The most famous of course is Ernie, (Let's play two), Banks. Some others were Billy (Sweet Swinging) Williams and Gabby Hartnet plus many others.
Heading back to the Majestic Hotel I got lost. I walked by a laundromat. I was grateful that there was a lady sitting outside waiting for her clothes to dry and talking on her cell phone. She looked at me and I told her I needed help, I'm lost. I told her I wanted to get back to the Majestic Hotel - but she didn't know where it was either. So she called the Majestic for me and told the guy on duty where we were. He gave her directions and away I went. But not before thanking her and wishing her a good day.
John and Brad were all showered and ready to go when I returned. I took a quick shower and we all had breakfast at the hotel - it was a full breakfast. At 10:15, the three of us walked up to Wrigley - we sat outside at the Captain Morgan Bar and Grill on Addison Street. Our server was a cute young gal named Amber - she had a bubbly personality and had kind of a pudgy bottom. She said she wasn't going to spend the winter in Chicago - too cold - she was going to Houston, Texas to spend the winter with her boyfriend. We got 20 ounce Bud Light draws for $8.00 - not a bad price.
The game was at 1 PM - Cubs lost to the Marlins by a score of 4-3.
After the game we met one of Brad's former colleagues at the captain Morgan Bar. . His name is Jesse Rowell - his wife is Liz and their two kids are Nolan, age 5, and Eli, age 1. Eli kept us entertained by finding things to eat off the concrete. Liz and the kids had to leave so Jesse took us down the street to the famous Murphy's Bar which is located on Waveland and Sheffield and right across the street from the famous Harry Caray statue. Murphy's is also right next to the rooftop seating we see on TV when watching the Cubs.
When I first met Jesse at Captain Morgan's he kind of disgustedly looked at the cap I was wearing. I was wearing my Orange Bowl cap from 2010 when we beat Georgia Tech. So why did he look rather disgusted - because he graduated from Georgia Tech and had watched the game. He did not have good memories of that game - he told me so.
For supper we went to a Mexican Restaurant. Our server was Javanna, an immigrant from Croatia. She spoke perfect English and had a great personality. She was an accomplished piano player and wanted to have a career in the music field.
We saw ten MLB stadiums and obviously Wrigley is the oldest and the least fan friendly. It was built around 1914 so that explains a lot. There was no Americans With Disabilities Act at that time. The concourses are narrow and hard to maneuver. Also the toilet situation is not the most accommodating compared to the other nine. They finally have made some improvements with potties on the upper deck. We used to have to walk down ramps to the first floor in order to take a pee (and nearly pee in your pants on the way.) That's why, when I used to go to Cub games 10-15 years ago, I would never drink a beer at Wrigley because I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Day 1: Major League Baseball Trip
Today is Friday, September 27, 2013. This is my first POST since August 30. I've taken a month off and will begin today with the story of our baseball trip from September 1 to September 17, 2013.
Day 1: With brother John's KIA packed to the hilt the three of us took off from Anamosa at 8:07 on Sunday, the 1st of September, 2013. We arrived at Miller Park in Milwaukee at 11:45 AM. We tailgated a little and saw our first game - The LA Angels beat the Brewers by a score of 5 to 3. We thought the parking fee of $18.00 was a little high. After the game we took off for Chicago arriving at the Majestic Hotel in Chicago at 7:10 PM. The Majestic is less than a mile from Wrigley Field. We unloaded and got to our room with two queen size beds. Brad got instructions on where to park the car, came back to the room and we were all hungry so we found the ROCKS Bar and Grill - it was less than a half mile from the hotel. When we got back to the hotel we met four guys in their fifties who were on a baseball trip also (but not as long as ours). We found out they were from Lyon County, Iowa and had seen the Cubs play that afternoon. We had a good visit with them because Iowans are always easy to talk to.
Then four guys from Des Moines (they were in their early twenties) came out of the hotel and all seven of us engaged them in conversation. They were going barhopping again, just as they had done the night before. They probably shouldn't have because of what they told us had happened to them the night before when they were at a bar. One guy had bruises around his eyes and forehead and another had bruises around his wrists from being handcuffed. Anyway, this is what they said happened. These four guys from Des Moines were in a bar and were trying to hustle some Chicago girls. The local Chicago boys did not want to see their chicks hustled by some guys from Iowa, So some of the locals attacked the Iowa guys and a fight ensued - the bartender called the cops. The cops came and had one of the Iowa guys on the floor, handcuffed him and took him to jail. The other three Iowa guys asked the cops to watch the bar's video of the fight to see what really happened. The video convinced the cops that the Des Moines guys didn't really do anything wrong - so they let him the one guy out of jail.
Then this one guy tried to explain to us the whole scenario of the night before.
He said: "Theoretically, it wasn't a real arrest."
"Theoretically, we weren't in a fight."
"Theoretically, we didn't do anything to deserve to be attacked"
"Theoretically, he didn't go to jail."
He used the word "theoretically about 5-6 times. I guess he liked that word or had just learned it.
Brad, John and I laughed about "Mr. Theoretically" the rest of the trip.
We went to bed about midnight. Brad and I slept together - it was different to say the least. But we got used to it after a couple of nights.
Day 1: With brother John's KIA packed to the hilt the three of us took off from Anamosa at 8:07 on Sunday, the 1st of September, 2013. We arrived at Miller Park in Milwaukee at 11:45 AM. We tailgated a little and saw our first game - The LA Angels beat the Brewers by a score of 5 to 3. We thought the parking fee of $18.00 was a little high. After the game we took off for Chicago arriving at the Majestic Hotel in Chicago at 7:10 PM. The Majestic is less than a mile from Wrigley Field. We unloaded and got to our room with two queen size beds. Brad got instructions on where to park the car, came back to the room and we were all hungry so we found the ROCKS Bar and Grill - it was less than a half mile from the hotel. When we got back to the hotel we met four guys in their fifties who were on a baseball trip also (but not as long as ours). We found out they were from Lyon County, Iowa and had seen the Cubs play that afternoon. We had a good visit with them because Iowans are always easy to talk to.
Then four guys from Des Moines (they were in their early twenties) came out of the hotel and all seven of us engaged them in conversation. They were going barhopping again, just as they had done the night before. They probably shouldn't have because of what they told us had happened to them the night before when they were at a bar. One guy had bruises around his eyes and forehead and another had bruises around his wrists from being handcuffed. Anyway, this is what they said happened. These four guys from Des Moines were in a bar and were trying to hustle some Chicago girls. The local Chicago boys did not want to see their chicks hustled by some guys from Iowa, So some of the locals attacked the Iowa guys and a fight ensued - the bartender called the cops. The cops came and had one of the Iowa guys on the floor, handcuffed him and took him to jail. The other three Iowa guys asked the cops to watch the bar's video of the fight to see what really happened. The video convinced the cops that the Des Moines guys didn't really do anything wrong - so they let him the one guy out of jail.
Then this one guy tried to explain to us the whole scenario of the night before.
He said: "Theoretically, it wasn't a real arrest."
"Theoretically, we weren't in a fight."
"Theoretically, we didn't do anything to deserve to be attacked"
"Theoretically, he didn't go to jail."
He used the word "theoretically about 5-6 times. I guess he liked that word or had just learned it.
Brad, John and I laughed about "Mr. Theoretically" the rest of the trip.
We went to bed about midnight. Brad and I slept together - it was different to say the least. But we got used to it after a couple of nights.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,582. Two day until the MLB trip.
Today is Friday, August 30, 2013. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 45 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for an August total of 51.5 miles. My weight was 162.0 pounds.
Quote from Martin, age 10. When Martin was asked what people do on a date, he answered with this: "On a first date, they tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date."
My THOUGHTS today: I haven't done much blogging this summer - sometimes it's good to take a break and come back refreshed.
Brad is here again. He and Lene took a 3-week vacation to north central Minn. including seeing his cousin Andrea and Aunt Marlys in Alexandria. Then they headed to the Black Hills and Denver and finally Kansas City. The visited Up With Friends in Minnesota, Denver and Kansas City.
Lene flew home to Denmark last Sunday. Brad is staying - he is in-between jobs right now so that means we can fulfill one of the items on our Bucket List. That item is a Major League Baseball Trip. Brother John is coming to Anamosa tonight - tomorrow the three of are going to the Hawkeye-Northern Illinois game. Then on Sunday we take off for Milwaukee to see our first game. After Sunday's game we'll travel to our hotel in Wrigleyville and see the Cubs play on Monday. We plan on having some fun after the game in some of the sports bars around Wrigley Field. We'll stay at our hotel in Wrigleyville Monday night and travel to Cincinnati on Tuesday. That's the first 3 days.
I'm bringing my computer so if I have time each day I will try to keep things up-to-date.
Quote from Martin, age 10. When Martin was asked what people do on a date, he answered with this: "On a first date, they tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date."
My THOUGHTS today: I haven't done much blogging this summer - sometimes it's good to take a break and come back refreshed.
Brad is here again. He and Lene took a 3-week vacation to north central Minn. including seeing his cousin Andrea and Aunt Marlys in Alexandria. Then they headed to the Black Hills and Denver and finally Kansas City. The visited Up With Friends in Minnesota, Denver and Kansas City.
Lene flew home to Denmark last Sunday. Brad is staying - he is in-between jobs right now so that means we can fulfill one of the items on our Bucket List. That item is a Major League Baseball Trip. Brother John is coming to Anamosa tonight - tomorrow the three of are going to the Hawkeye-Northern Illinois game. Then on Sunday we take off for Milwaukee to see our first game. After Sunday's game we'll travel to our hotel in Wrigleyville and see the Cubs play on Monday. We plan on having some fun after the game in some of the sports bars around Wrigley Field. We'll stay at our hotel in Wrigleyville Monday night and travel to Cincinnati on Tuesday. That's the first 3 days.
I'm bringing my computer so if I have time each day I will try to keep things up-to-date.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,574. Final comments on medical bill
Today is Thursday, August 22, 2013. Mt stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the ball and 37 minutes of walking = 2.0 miles for an August total of 35 miles. Me weight was 163.8 pounds.
QUOTE from Anita, age 9: Is it better to be single or married? Answer from Anita: "It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them."
My THOUGHTS today have to do with final comments on Ruth Ann's medical bills.
In my last post I unloaded on Ruth Ann's $5,578.65 medical bill for two nights in the hospital. Since then I went to the hospital to try and get some answers about my concerns. The lady I talked to was real nice but overall I didn't get much satisfaction but she did print off an itemized list of every charge on the mailed bill we got.
So, what did I learn or not learn?
1. I learned that for every hydrocodone-acetaminophen, clonazepam, lisinopril pill they gave her she was charged from $5.30 to $5.45.
2. I learned that for the two physical therapy charges the first one was for the PHYSICAL THERAPY EVALUATION for $159.99. The second PT charge was entitled THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY DIR EA 15 M. The charge was $107.85. I'm assuming the 15 M means 15 minutes - which would be accurate (I was there when he did it.) As far as the EVALUATION we have no idea when they did this. For almost $160.00 it must have taken them hours and hours to decide what to do with Ruth Ann for 15 minutes.
3. The explanation for the OBSERVATION CHARGE was like this - I guess it had to do with how many hours the nurses had to keep an eye on Ruth Ann. The charge was $530.00.
The list of what I didn't learn is much longer. Here are some examples:
1. PR ED LEVEL 5 VISIT - the charge was $263.00.
2. ETHANOL (ALCOHOL); NOT BREATH. - the charge was $200.25.
3. OXYGEN SUBQ DAY - the charge was $621.00.
The lady I talked to was the receptionist. In fairness to her she was not the expert but she said she would try to help me. The financial/billing lady was not on duty so this gal tried to help me and actually knew quite a bit, considering. She was very nice and admitted when she didn't know something. She said I was welcome to come back and talk to the billing lady.
How much of the $5,758.65 bill was actually paid? Here it is.
Medicare SEQUESTRATION reduction 7/5/13 -$32.57
Medicare contractual write-off - 7/5/13. -$3,098.57
Medicare actual payment - 7/5/13 +$1,595.71
Our BC insurance payment - 8/0/13 +$1,015.04
Total payments and adjustments = -$5,758.65
So Jones Regional Medical Center got paid - $2,610,75 for Ruth Ann's 2-day stay. That looks much more realistic to me than $5,758.65
QUOTE from Anita, age 9: Is it better to be single or married? Answer from Anita: "It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them."
My THOUGHTS today have to do with final comments on Ruth Ann's medical bills.
In my last post I unloaded on Ruth Ann's $5,578.65 medical bill for two nights in the hospital. Since then I went to the hospital to try and get some answers about my concerns. The lady I talked to was real nice but overall I didn't get much satisfaction but she did print off an itemized list of every charge on the mailed bill we got.
So, what did I learn or not learn?
1. I learned that for every hydrocodone-acetaminophen, clonazepam, lisinopril pill they gave her she was charged from $5.30 to $5.45.
2. I learned that for the two physical therapy charges the first one was for the PHYSICAL THERAPY EVALUATION for $159.99. The second PT charge was entitled THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY DIR EA 15 M. The charge was $107.85. I'm assuming the 15 M means 15 minutes - which would be accurate (I was there when he did it.) As far as the EVALUATION we have no idea when they did this. For almost $160.00 it must have taken them hours and hours to decide what to do with Ruth Ann for 15 minutes.
3. The explanation for the OBSERVATION CHARGE was like this - I guess it had to do with how many hours the nurses had to keep an eye on Ruth Ann. The charge was $530.00.
The list of what I didn't learn is much longer. Here are some examples:
1. PR ED LEVEL 5 VISIT - the charge was $263.00.
2. ETHANOL (ALCOHOL); NOT BREATH. - the charge was $200.25.
3. OXYGEN SUBQ DAY - the charge was $621.00.
The lady I talked to was the receptionist. In fairness to her she was not the expert but she said she would try to help me. The financial/billing lady was not on duty so this gal tried to help me and actually knew quite a bit, considering. She was very nice and admitted when she didn't know something. She said I was welcome to come back and talk to the billing lady.
How much of the $5,758.65 bill was actually paid? Here it is.
Medicare SEQUESTRATION reduction 7/5/13 -$32.57
Medicare contractual write-off - 7/5/13. -$3,098.57
Medicare actual payment - 7/5/13 +$1,595.71
Our BC insurance payment - 8/0/13 +$1,015.04
Total payments and adjustments = -$5,758.65
So Jones Regional Medical Center got paid - $2,610,75 for Ruth Ann's 2-day stay. That looks much more realistic to me than $5,758.65
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