Pictures from PETA day

Here, at long last, are the pictures taken during our most recent PETA day at the ballpark, June 12, 2004. And I got some additional pictures from Brian. They’re noted below.

Meatball Angel
Meatball Angel
2048x1536(437k)
640x480(28k)
The Appetizer Table (and its keepers)
The Appetizer Table (and its keepers)
2048x1536(506k)
640x480(37k)

We started the day with appetizers. Because my gas grill is ready to go in such a hurry, I cranked out some meatballs and then some Lit’l Smokies and set out a can of cheese and other condiments so there would be snacks while the rest of the food was cooking. The result was a meatball angel. Cute! As the day progressed, more and more food made it onto the appetizer table. Luckily we had a good team keeping an eye on it. The empty white chair to Doc’s left is my spot.

Of course while the grills are warming up, there are the inevitable discussions about the proper food preparation techniques.

...now if you marinade it...
…now if you marinade it…
2048x1536(536k)
640x480(39k)
Gotta Have the Decorations
Gotta Have the Decorations
2048x1536(370k)
640x480(29k)

For some reason, men seem to be The Experts in this sort of discussion, especially if a few beers happen to have already been consumed.

While the men are debating the merits of their various cooking techniques, the gentler sex have been making the place presentable.

First Items on the Grill
First Items on the Grill
2048x1536(591k)
640x480(44k)
Grill Full Of Food
Grill Full Of Food
1600x1200(302k)
640x480(29k)
(Courtesy Brian)

Eventually though, the big charcoal grill gets warm enough to cook on, and it’s time to throw on some grub. Again, there’s a lot of debate on what items need to go where on the grill. Luckily, we’re experienced enough that we all pretty much know that the prime real estate is away from the pile of hot coals, where you can leave the food for a good two or three beers without having to worry about burning it. From this point on, everyone’s too busy eating to worry about taking a lot of pictures.

Fox Sports Net
Fox Sports Net
1527x1200(280k)
640x502(36k)
(Courtesy Brian)

We did get a visit from Tom, who put us on Fox Sports Net. Dave spent a while explaining all the yumminess to the viewing audience. Most of the rest of us gathered around and watched (we’re out of the frame to the right in this picture, I think). There was surprisingly little heckling.

 

The Group Photo
The Group Photo
1412x992(293k)
640x449(41k)
Group Photo - Rear View
Group Photo - Rear View
1427x795(201k)
640x356(27k)
(Courtesy Brian)

Shortly before the game, it’s time to round up everyone for the group photo. This usually involves about fifteen minutes of wrangling to get everyone organized, followed by about ten minutes of swapping cameras and saying just one more camera a half-dozen times or so. This year we didn’t have to take a break in the middle of the group photos to pause for the national anthem. I’m not quite sure what went wrong there.

…time passes…

The End to a Perfect Day
The End to a Perfect Day
2048x1536(566k)
640x480(34k)

Finally, the game is done, the food is mostly gone (including the post-game treats), and it’s time to head home. Of course nobody remembers to take a picture of the clean-up activities at the time, but on the next day (a Sunday), I caught this picture fairly late on Sunday and think it sums up the end of the day pretty well. Well, except for the final final beer.

Thanks for another swell day, everyone!

Copyright 2008, Dave Polaschek. Last updated on Thu, 17 Jun 2004 11:58:58.