Almost.

I love how baseball brings people together. My high school pal Connie and I were texting many times a day during the World Series and even more during each game. She and her daughters took the train from DC to Boston to cheer on their Red Sox at Fenway Park. I gathered some of my new Seattle bud together for my first official party at the Seattle place. And to watch Todd Helton and Matt Holliday become stars. OK, so what if the Rockies chose NOW to start NOT winning ballgames. I'm proud of the Rockies and it was such fun to see Denver and Coors Field on the national stage and in the national media. This run in the series will no doubt help ticket sales for seasons to come and hopefully created lots of new fans for the Rockies. It sure did invigorate the Rockies fan in me.

Fall Classics.

And the boys in the purple pinstripes are in the World Series. After being a season ticket holder since the team’s first season in 1993 until 2000 when I fell off the bandwagon, I could not be more excited for the Colorado Rockies. And for Denver. The Rockies have lost so many of their original fans—more than four million people went to see them play in Denver in 1993—a MLB record. Hopefully an appearance in the fall classic will reinvigorate their fans. Well, until they lose a game or two. And they have not lost a game in a long time. It sure has made me almost as happy as first baseman Todd Helton.

Put Your Records On.

Truth be told, my favorite of the fall classics is really all the new music that comes out in the fall. Here are just a few of my favorites getting lots of attention on my iPod:





Dan Wilson: Free Life. After co-writing much of the Dixie Chick’s Grammy Award Winning Album of the Year “Taking the Long Way,” the lead singer of Semisonic goes solo. And releases a great piano infused, confident and comfortable pop album.











Annie Lennox: Songs of Mass Destruction. I’ve been a fan since the first time I heard “Sweet Dreams (are made of these)”. Annie’s latest is an album filled with hooks and pain and brilliance. She’s one of most under-appreciated female singer-songwriters. Listening to this album is like reading an old letter from a former lover- sit down with this CD and a glass of wine. Make that a bottle of wine. And fall in love with all over again with Annie.





Iron and Wine: The Shepherd's Dog. Quick music lesson-- Nick Drake. Bonnie Raitt. Sam Beam-- what do they have in common? Well, start with the fact they make music that you have to listen to to fall in love with. Sound bites won't work. This album will grow on you- complicated songs in a low-fi way. I'm seeing him in Seattle in December.




Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Magic. How could I not include this one. Powerful music from a real rock star. I love the story of Bruce and his band- these guys have played together for decades and wow can you feel it. And they have a Phil Spector in-a-good-way wall of sound thing going on. And, plus, it makes me feel like I’m home in New Jersey. In a good way.




Ben Lee: Ripe. Saving the best one for last. A song from his last album “Awake is the New Sleep” was featured in an Intel TV commercial. His music has been featured in several TV dramas. And yet he’s not a star. Yet. You gotta buy this album from Ben Lee. He has made what might be a perfect pop album- lyrics that make you smile and make you think and melodies that you will not get outta your head. Help me make this guy a star.

A Little More Joey.

I'm turning into one of those people who goes everywhere with his dog and talks lots about his dog. He hangs out in the car when I go grocery shopping. I look for excuses to go for a walk. Or a ride in the car. I even bought him a special dog bed for the Mini. Not that there's anything wrong with any of this. My evil twin in Denver brings his dog Mandy with him everywhere. Maybe because Joey looks so much like Mandy? Joey has turned into a wonderful pal- he's very well-behaved and amazingly affectionate. How cool that we found each other. OK, I am now officially one of those people.