I had the opportunity of going to the Mariner’s game yesterday, which after a long day of work is always enjoyable. It was the first baseball game ever for one of the folks I was with, so he had little understanding of format and rules of the game. So I had the opportunity of going on and on about all the different rules of the game. Sounds simple right? Well within the first two innings the situation dictated that I try to explain the two of the most difficult rules in baseball to understand. First that the batter can become a runner after a third strike is called if the catcher ends up dropping the ball. The basics of the rule are quite easy to understand, the part that gets complicated is it’s only valid if first base in unoccupied or first base is occupied and there are two outs. The other rule which came up in the second inning is a balk which in my mind is the *most* confusing rule in baseball. If I can’t fully understand it, how can I expect to explain it to others? The scenario was interesting though, Ichiro led too far off base and the pitcher threw to first base catching Ichiro off guard and getting him in a pickle; luckily the umpire determined the pitcher committed a balk.
So I’m walking back home after the game and I decide to stop into the Fairmont – Terrace Lounge (my normal hangout) for a nightcap. What made this interesting is that the President of China was visiting Seattle and happened to be staying at the hotel, needless to say this overcomplicated matters. The area around the hotel was completely locked down; all the side streets were closed and a perimeter was setup to prevent pedestrians from approaching the hotel. I think this is where any sane individual decides to just forgo the nightcap and just head home, but we all know that’s not me. I approach and I’m quickly told to turnaround by the first officer that saw me. I explain that I require access to the hotel and he redirects me to another officer for confirmation. The new officer wanted to see my hotel key as proof that I was staying at the hotel, something I was unable to provide. I was however insistent that I had business to tend to in the hotel, though he didn’t seem too convinced. After a short discussion he eventually let me through his checkpoint, after which I was *immediately* approached by a third officer! He ultimately wasn’t a threat; I politely explained that I had been delayed by the two previous officers and that I was running late for an important meeting which he understood and let me pass. As I approached the entrance a Fairmont employee approached me with a clipboard and asked for identification. I provided him with my drivers license and politely stated that I would not be on his list (i.e. list of folks allowed to enter the hotel) which brought the question of why I was coming to the hotel. Knowing that he had recognized me I explained that I was merely stopping by for a nightcap. He ultimately escorted me past the remaining officers and allowed me entry to the hotel. After all that I needed a martini or maybe even two!
The most interesting part came as I was leaving, when I spaced out and went out the main entrance… the entrance that was closed. I walk out and see a huge drape in the horseshoe drive with a really fancy limousine parked right in front of the doors. I’d assume the drape was there so that those across the street couldn’t get a view of the president while he entering or leaving the hotel. Anyways, I was quickly approached by someone that I would assume to be secret service, the conversation went something like this:
Agent: “What are you doing out here?”
Cooper: “I’m looking for Herb…”
Agent: “Who’s Herb?”
Cooper: “Herb… the hotel driver”
Agent: “I don’t know who that is, you need to leave…”
Cooper: “Alright, I’ll just walk right out this way…”
Agent: “No sir, you can’t be in this area; you need to exit via the south entrance”
Cooper: “Whatever…”
*** As I’m leaving I pause to take a quick glance at the fancy limousine
Cooper: “This is a nice limo… is it bulletproof?”
Needless to say I was quickly rushed out the area… but what an experience. 
