I hella live here!: the sunniest day of the year

So sunny that friends report it was sunny even in Daly City!

With a bit of scheduling I was able to take today off and see the last home game with some co-workers. So we're out of the running for post-season play, so we lost miserably to the D-backs and didn't even make it look like we were trying... they always say that Giants fans are the best fans in baseball-dom and I'm here to prove them right.

Started off the day with chicken and waffles from Little Skillet... just the way I began Opening Day!

the perfectly crispy waffle... and some sweet tea to boot!

fried chicken!

I admit I first found out about this joint through 7x7 magazine's 100 Eat/Drink List for 2010 and I have been faithfully returning whenever I'm in the neighborhood ever since. Crispy and juicy chicken paired with an equally crispy yet porous waffle, drizzled with sweet maple syrup. Oh yes, and a light sunburn with my brunch? Unexpected but a friendly reminder of today's dazzling weather.

Now today was pretty darn fantastic but it could have been better... for instance, we could have won if we had played our intended starter... instead I got to see some newbie, er, I don't remember his name. It's something like Sputnik so that's what I'll call him! Sputnik gave up three runs in the first inning and was followed by nearly the entire bullpen... we made strides thanks to Mark DeRosa's 2 RBIs but the new names in the defense disappointed... six of nine starting players were new to the team this year and some (Carlos Beltran, Justin Christian) were flops.

Still a lovely game:

gorgeously sunny weather

what's a 2011 game without luchadore?

Panda drums up the gatorade

the team gathers for a final goodbye

But you know what? This day was still FABULOUS! Thanks to some tactical maneuvering by MG and driving by, well, Driver, we were able to meet and greet Andres Torres and Pablo Sandoval (the Panda!) in person! Security was much more present at this event so photos are limited but the experience - maybe 30 seconds with both athletes - was phenomenal and breathtaking.