NP: Steely Dan in an Internet café

Okay, so I'm not having a ball in Chicago, I'm actually in NYC, but my song-title idea for a subject line (think AC/DC) would probably attract more of the more colorful URL comments that have started popping up lately.

However, there's the small matter of last night's Cubs game, which sorta spoiled the mood after what I thought was a successful record company showcase for the friends I've been traveling with. I tend to agree with the USA Today's verdict, which is that the fan who caught the foul ball in the eighth was the least of the Cubs' problems in that inning. My gut tells me that Dusty Baker should have pulled Mark Prior out of the inning as soon as there were runners in scoring position with only one out. Early in the game, you let him pitch his way out of the jam. Not in the eighth with the World Series berth on the line.

Anyway, now I'm off the the Meadowlands for the U.S. Open Cup Final between the Chicago Fire and the Metrostars. The band already headed back west, and I'll pick up another ride with other Fire fans either tonight or tomorrow. More on the content of the trip, at least the stuff I can talk about, when I get back. I did see James Gandolfini and the film crew of The Sopranos today, though.