Day 2 - Lord, beer me strength.

Was I looking forward to my second day of working at Busch Stadium? Well, is the Pope Catholic? I was, but my body wasn't. After making it back up to 261, I was pumped...adrenaline was flowing and I was ready for a great night...then I lifted my first load around the corner to add ice onto it...my arms, shoulders and legs were angry!

I saw a few guys stretching before taking their first load out into the stands. I followed the example. I was hurting pretty bad after that first day of doing something physical besides just sitting around on the couch and job searching, like I had been for the past 2 months. Ok, so I may have played a game of ultimate frisbee a few weeks ago...but that was a cardio workout...and this was ridiculous.

I told myself that I have to be doing some physical workout throughout the away games, because I am not wanting to feel like this again.

Okay, enough complaining...time to suck it up sally and grow a pair and make a man out of myself.

I said a short prayer (for strength, to build relationships with co-workers and for a fun time tonight) to myself before leaning over to pick up that 1/2 case of beer and water bottles (yes, i sold water instead of peanuts). With an hour before the first pitch, there wasn't a soul to be seen in the upper deck area of section 261.

Throughout the game I was asked numerous times by guests if I was cold or if I thought it was a good idea to sell COLD beer or water when it was freezing outside.

I never got cold. It felt much colder than opening day, but I was sweating most of the time carrying that full tub around.

On my way up the steps to one section, I noticed several college aged ladies following behind me...I then heard them make a few comments that basically were in "code"...but I'm not stupid...they made a comment about how I wasn't much to look at but didn't mind the view from where they were. yes, i was dissed and complimented in the same breath...they honestly weren't my type or much to look at either...

During the bottom of the 2nd inning, I made a sale to 2 older gentlemen who already had 2 beers sitting next to each of them while they were sitting in the top row against the fencing, in the section above Big Mac Land...One of the men asked me to come back in the bottom of the 4th. I was making my way up there during the bottom of the 4th and the older man who asked me to come back was dancing around and starting to take his jacket off. I thought, well, maybe he was getting warm...and then he kept going and decided to go shirtless.

I was making my way through a section and was asked by a younger guy if I'd sell him a beer...I looked at him and laughed to myself and said, do you have an ID? He replied back, "do I look old enough?" I said, "no, but neither do I" So he said he had 6 years to go and I told him to come back and visit me then.

I'm pretty sure I caught 2 guys smoking in the stairwell as I was making my way back to a lower level...they had a look on their face as if I just caught them stealing from an old lady...a look of guilt and the stench of cigarette smoke lingered in the air...they didn't have a lit cigarette on them, so I could not accuse them of something without further proof. It was funny to see their faces though when seeing the lil beer guy stumbling down the steps with a full tub of beer.

During "last call" (7th inning) I made my way down into the bleachers...after making my way down to the bottom of the section, I noticed a guy talking to an usher...as I passed back up the isle, they were laughing and saying how I don't even look old enough to be selling beer...I asked him how old he thought I was. He chuckled and said 12...13....maybe 14. I laughed back and said 26. The guest and the usher both chuckled and said that they were sure I'd be carded till I was at least 50... oh how sad, but true i'm sure.

Honestly, every encounter I've had with guests has been positive. I've enjoyed getting to help people out, either by simply answering a question about the stadium or where the nearest restroom is...its been awesome!

The results of the game were much better than the day before, Cards won theirs, and Cubs lost theirs, but the sales were not as pretty.

I sold a total of 11 bottles of beer tonight and 1 bottle of water. Total to date: 85 bottles of beer, 1 bag of peanuts and 1 bottle of water.

Still very sore from last night...even after soaking in a tub of hot water, but not as sore as yesterday...tonight it is supposed to be warmer than last night so hopefully sales will be up.

Lord, beer me strength.