Here in the mid-Hudson Valley, I live a life somewhat on the edge.

Why?

Because I grew up in Pittsburgh, and like many who have wandered afar from the three rivers, I have remained a stolid fan of Pittsburgh's sports teams. OK, OK.....I can take or leave hockey. I never cared for it much because I can't ice skate for beans. But as it is, my clothing and car and online user profiles proudly display my loyalty. It can be a point of contention in a region where I am constantly passing by Giants/Jets/Yankees/Mets jerseys. (None of which BTW, look nearly as cool as my "Clemente" t-shirt, though my wife informs me that I may be biased.)

So imagine my delight and surprise a few weeks back when my kids' school scored tickets to the Yankees/Pirates game in NYC last Friday. It was my first chance to take my kids to a Major League ball game. I bought new shirts and hats all around and told friends to look for a tiny black hole in the crowd so far up in the stands that it would be easier to take parachutes to the stadium and base jump back to the bus when the game was over.

As it turns out, 'twas all in vain thanks to a line of storms wreaking havoc along the eastern seaboard. The game was postponed, and we were unable to attend the make-up. My kids were devastated. Dad knew exactly how they felt.

BUT.....

There's a lot of season left. My wife says "Maybe we can go later this year if the Pirates come back."

I love my wife. She's really very decent for a Phillies fan.

I dig into the internet with gusto. And "LO!!!!" What to mine wondering eyes doth reveal itself?

PRICES IN NEW YORK ARE STUPID!!!!!

I, the guy who somehow justifies owning 20 or so guitars to himself, was struggling mightily with the potential sum total of funds necessary for a relatively simple night out with my family. But I'm a social worker; trained to look for alternatives whenever the obvious path is less than tenable. And then we had a thought. At first blush, it seemed an unreasonable comparison. But believe it or not, it worked out.

I cannot justify an expenditure that large for a simple ball game. But I can do so for a family vacation. And the numbers actually work! So.......

As it turns out, it will cost about the same, maybe even slightly less, to take my kids on a weekend trip to Pittsburgh and go the the Pirates/Mets game there than it would to drive down for the evening from my house and see the Mets/Pirates play here. And I won't even need to lug a tank of spare oxygen into the lower stratosphere above Citi field so my family can breathe comfortably. (It wouldn't help me right now anyway. Pittsburgh is playing so badly, I'll probably be hyperventilating regardless of the altitude.)

So I'll be enjoying good seats a little ways above first base in beautiful PNC Park come late June. My kids can't wait. And again, Dad completely understands. My wife is of two minds about it herself. But she loves to watch her children enjoy a ball game. And she hopes to keep her husband from making a total doofus of himself on national television. She has found a purpose and is content to be the adult in our family for a few hours. I've promised to behave, but I'm not watching a game right now, so my ego is carefully planning a realistic and attainable way to wake up tomorrow morning.....and keeping a watchful eye on my id; which is  slumbering presently, and rumbling ominously about last night's blowout loss to the Orioles.

And BTW, the game we are attending is on a Sunday afternoon. Families can take pictures on the warning track of PNC Park with members of the team that morning. Then they have children's activities for two hours before the game, AND the kids get to run the bases after the game! IS THAT COOL OR WHAT???!!!!

"It says only children can run the bases honey." My wife serenely clarifies the fine print, and my suddenly re-vitalized id is forced to plod a surly but silent retreat back into the unconscious nether regions of sports fanaticism. It has that look about it though.....the one that says "Id'll be back. Just wait."

Ids tend to talk in third person.

And they sound a bit like Golum.

But for now, my high-functioning superego is mollifying my id and stroking my ego; balancing their polarized and opposing tendencies by indulging in a bit of well-rationalized, good ol' American fan snidery. Enjoy your $200-$800+ tickets NY. We're going on vacation instead and sitting in better seats for $46.

Now that's worth whatever the inflated price is!!

No no no... Tigers & Red Sox are in Detroit.

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If you have some spare time in Boston I'd strongly recommend the guided tour of Fenway. They offer them all through the day and it is very interesting. Even Mrs. Slipkid enjoyed it.

Also.... A great place to spend a few hours is Faneuil Hall