Good day to all BCB'ers.

A few minutes ago, I was talking to a friend of mine about our concert experiences. I told him about how I have never gone to a big concert on my own, and how I'd love for my first concert to be that Muse concert in March.

I soon recalled the many times back in the 90's when I used to go to Mexican concerts almost every weekend with my parents. I've seen a lot of Mexican artists, and remember a few acts, but the thing that stayed stuck in my mind was going to see all or most of these acts at the so-called International Amphitheatre.

It always seemed so grand, so colossal - and dirty. When I think of it, I kinda get the same nostalgic feeling as the one I get when I visit Wrigley. Of course, I don't think anything can compare to the Friendly Confines, but the IA gives me a similar feeling, of the times when I dressed in my little cowboy suits and sombrero and went with my dad and godfather to see a great performance by Joan Sebastian on horseback. I didn't have the fortune of growing up with my dad taking me to ballgames at Wrigley (he never understood baseball and always falls asleep watching it), but I did have the fortune of him taking me to these concerts at the old Amphitheatre.

Now, I know most of the BCB readers are old enough to remember it. And as such, I'd like to know if anyone here had similar experiences there, or if they could please provide some photos of it. I did a web search, but I didn't find much to give me clear memories of it. I understand it was used for much more than concerts, so feel free to add any experiences outside of them. There were sports held there as well as some national conventions, so, if you were there for something, please share the experience.

Thank you all, and Go Cubs.

Good evening to all BCB'ers and Happy Merry Christmas Eve (Has a nice ring to it, huh?).

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to open one of my Christmas gifts. My family isn't that observant of the traditional Christmas rules, and as such, they didn't have much of a problem with it.

What I got as a gift? A nice and warm (and blue, of course) Cubbie scarf. Needless to say, I was pretty happy about receiving a Cubbie gift. Not to mention I could get through the LONG MLB-less winter with something to remind me of the Cubs. That's always good.

That last thought reminded me of Bleed Cubbie Blue, which is like another pretty sweet Christmas present. The gift that keeps on giving, pretty much. I'm pretty thankful for this site as, much like my scarf, it reminds me of those lazy summer days when all I would do would be turn on the radio and listen to Pat and Ron call a game (Yes, I'm nostalgic - and I don't have CSN). It reminds me of a club that, through its many faults, manages to keep me passionate about baseball and the club itself. So yes, thank you Mr. Yellon, for creating this site and keeping it pretty cool throughout the entire year, not just the season itself.

Now, I wish I could say more, but to be honest, I'm out of things to say. It's hard to come up with the proper words to describe my affection for the team and all about it. I'm sure some of you may recall that I've had my moments of doubt with the team, and I should probably apologize for that, but I'm still as big a Cubs fan as ever.

Anyway, I think I'm done giving my thanks for now. I'd like to know, fellow fans, what Cubbie-related thing or so are YOU thankful for? I say, we start it off by giving thanks for Ryan Theriot, because he's an awesome scrappy player. :D

Haha. Well, that's a matter of opinion, really, as I know some of you aren't very big fans of The Riot. But well, that's what I made this for, to hear y'all out.

Yes, I realize this post is better suited for Thanksgiving. But well, I believe every day is worth giving thanks for, especially on the eve of Christmas, which is a pretty big family-oriented holiday. Also, I realized I left out other holidays as well, so, excuse me for being slightly politically incorrect. Whatever religion or super-natural force you believe in (Force and Ted Lilly worshipers, ahoy!),  may you have some wonderful, Happy Holidays. :D

So, I write this in the midst of the Cubs falling to 7 games behind the Cards in the Division Race, in the midst of so many mental mistakes, in the middle of so many disappointments.

And suddenly, I realized, wow. The season is over.

It might be too early to come to such a stark conclusion. I don't know. I hope I'm wrong.

But I think there's a point where a team has to stop reassuring themselves that they have enough games to get back in contention, and actually start getting back in contention.

Here's a little something I wrote a few minutes back, to a friend of mine.

"...I don't see any bright points any longer.
Pretty much every aspect of the organization is dysfunctional or on the edge of it.

I think I'd like it if this season ended already. So that Mr. Ricketts can come in, clean house, and start anew. We have the players to do so. Well, some...

...Most of the club already gave up. I'm giving up on this season, but only because I think this offseason could solve all of the cubs' problems, now that we're gunna have a new owner. One that is an actual Cubs fan, and who should know what to do.

This season was a disappointment. As much as I believe in the team, the reality is that this club is a .500 team. They're not showing anything to prove otherwise. They're getting pounded by every over .500 team and some under .500.

All of the BCB bloggers are beginning to look forward to some football, and to Hendry's eventual firing. And maybe even to Ryno's promotion to manager....

It's sad to think that before this season, it looked like the Cubs would run away with the division. Eh. Maybe this all got to the organization's head...

The Cubs might make the postseason, but the organization just doesnt seem to want it or even deserve it.

I'm looking forward to the offseason. If they make the right moves there, then I will be sooo ready for next season. We can use this year to see what we should NOT do.

I see hope in some of the minor league players. Some players are rebounding to their former good selves.

I sure hope the cubs can make the postseason, but they're not showing anything to prove that they'll do it.

Man, Ronnie isn't even talking anymore.

I'm gunna sign off the Cubs season for now, and get ready for next year. Call me a fair-weathered fan, but well...I don't see any signs of them coming back.

In the meantime, I'll sign up for stuff to help me sound like Pat Hughes next year, vocal lessons and radio broadcasting classes and stuff. :D"

You can accuse me of being a bad fan, a fair-weather fan, if you wish. You can even call me BLou or Eric Hanna's spawn if you wish, but I can assure you I am not related to them in any way. Many of you have seen me around the boards before, just looking at the bright points of each game, with my youthful enthusiasm.

At one point though, enough is enough. All of the bright points of the club are dimmed by so many mistakes, so many blunders by everyone in the club.

I don't know, guys [and gals]. You decide.

Am I a bad fan? Am I a bad fan for not wanting to go through so many disappointments in a season that we all thought would be  better than last year?

Please, comment. Blast me for it. Maybe that will keep my mind off this....