Jacobs Summer Picnic
As I am going back to the UK this week, Phil and I thought that it would be a good idea to build up our alcohol tolerance. It was a weekend of parties as after working a full day on Friday a few of us got the weekend up and running with a few after work drinks. Saturday was the day of the annual Jacobs picnic which consisted of a 'Bandanas Barbeque' a few more beers and a water pistol fight although I think the Scottish guys were at a distinct disadvantage particularly against one of our employees who had a super soaker. After the picnic some of us headed back to our place for a few beers before heading out for the night. I think I have now built up my tolerance levels for the return trip but I am sure some of you will put them to the test over the next few weeks. The first two pictures were taken at the picnic which was held at Tower Grove Park and the last one is a picture taken at the after picnic party in our apartment.
PGA Championships
Sunday August 20th was the final day of the PGA Golf Championship at Medinah Country Club. Since Chicago is only a four hour drive away Phil and myself thought it would be an ideal opportunity to watch another major sporting event. We were not dissapointed, with conditions almost perfect for golf we were there to witness Tiger Woods win major number 12 by five shots. We watched play at a number of holes during the day but it was almost impossible to see Tiger play the 17th and 18th. Unfortunately cameras were banned from the event this was a shame as a number of great photo opportunities presented themselves during the day including Ogilvey hitting a tree that we were standing next to on the 15th. Dangerous game this golf.
Works Box at Busch Stadium
I haven't had much on during the week nights for the last little while so it was nice when the opportunity came along for me to watch one of the St Louis Cardinals baseball games from the works box. Our box provides a great view of the live action from behind homeplate. It is also fitted with all the creature comforts including wide screen TV's, comfy seating, on-suite toilets and free food and drink. I continued to be the ST Louis Cardinals lucky mascot, of the seven games I have attended the Cardinals have one six and lost just one and that was after extra innings. I have posted some photos showing the layout of the works box.
Gateway Grizzlies
This Saturday involved a works night out at the Gateway Grizzlies Vs River City Rage Baseball game. Unlike the St Louis Cardinals who play in the National League watching these two teams was probably the equivalent of going to watch a Fenwick Thistle Vs Stewarton United football match. Apart from one or two of the players sporting well established beer guts the game was a decent affair. Being an amateur game we got front row tickets for the discount price of $6 which included a pre match buffet and dollar beers although that was a bit of a con as the beer consisted of 8oz cans which look a bit like our mini cans in the UK. I have posted a photo taken from my seat during the game.
Fairmount Horse Racing
As I have now got my tickets for the Breeders Cup in November I thought I better try to get to grips with American Horse Racing. My first installment was a trip to Fairmount Racetrack which is about a twenty minute drive from downtown St Louis. If I was to compare Fairmount to a course in the UK I would probably say Taunton or Yarmouth so as you can imagine it wasn't Group 1 horses I was going to watch. I also noticed that a day at the races over here is slightly different from back in the UK. Firstly it is a lot cheaper to go racing here. I paid $10 and for that I got my admission, programme, all you can eat buffet and $1 dollar beers all night. Secondly the racecards are bizzare, there are so many stats which I found useful while employing my usual tactic of sticking a pin in my racecard to choose my horses. Finally there are no independent bookies you can only bet with the tote. For my first experience I managed to escape relatively unharmed as I left the track with about $40 dollars less than I went in with, and that figure does include my admission and drink money. I have attached a photo of the winning post at Fairmount and another of a horse which I did not back in the winning enclosure.
