If I were a girl, this post would be full of pictures.

Opening Day 2008

I wouldn't say that I'm a hardcore Brewers fan -- at least, not to most people -- but I've always wanted to go to an Opening Day at Miller Park/County Stadium. Finally, armed with enough money to buy a season ticket package and thus tickets to the home opener, I got my opportunity to go this year.

First things first - I committed a cardinal sin by not tailgating. There were many reasons for this, but the most important reason was that somebody stole my grill! I know, it's my fault for leaving it outside but it still sucks.

So we walked the two miles to the park instead.

Perhaps the Brewers and the local media have done way too good of a job hyping Opening Day because it wasn't nearly as chaotic as I expected. For some reason, I thought it would be our own little Woodstock in Miller Park's parking lot. I thought there would be huge tents with loud music and a plume of smoke from the myriad barbeques going that could be seen from half a mile away.

None of those things were true. In fact, walking through the lot behind home plate looked like it did on any other game. There were lots of people cooking out, people playing "cornhole" (or beanbags, or whatever), and beer, beer, and more beer. It is still a sight to behold, even if it's not as ridiculous as I saw it in my mind.

Nothing really changed at the stadium itself except for the new team store with its overpriced wares. ($140 for a replica Corey Hart jersey? No thank you.) The large 20 oz beers were still $7.50. They continue to serve the awesomest cheese waffle fries in a mini Brewers helmet. And the hot dogs are still the best I've ever tasted.

As for the game itself, it was great. The Brewers completely throttled the Giants 13-4. Bill Hall silenced his critics -- and Ned Yost's -- at least for a day by hitting 2 HR's. The pitching was solid. Everything was flowing for the Crew and it looks so far that, if they continue at the level they're at, the Brewers should go to their first playoffs since 1982.