Opening day foretells things to come

Last Monday was a special day for me, and for many students on this campus.\nNot only was the men's college basketball championship game that night, but most major league baseball teams played their opening games. I celebrated by taking the day off and watching the Chicago Cubs play their first game of the season. \nAlthough the Cubs lost in extra innings, I was a happy man. I watched some of the other games on ESPN and ESPN 2, so I celebrated opening day correctly. (But if any of my professors ask, I was sick.)\nOpening day is the sign of summer and all the good things that go with it. And in the current weather, you need a hope of things to come to make it through the day. \nSpring is bad news because you never know what it will be like. Sunny and 60 degrees one day, rainy and 45 degrees the next. No one likes weather like that. While fall and winter do have some redeeming qualities -- football season and skiing/sledding respectively -- they lack those great summer qualities.\nIn the summer, the temperature is much higher, sometimes a little too high, but still good. Shorts and T-shirts every day, no question. The activities available during the summer are much more numerous just because you can be outside. That is probably the best part of summer. Going to the beach or the swimming pool is always a blast, especially with a water slide.\nBarbeques have been the backdrop for many of my pleasant memories -- having water fights and playing horseshoes, badminton or volleyball. And summer provides many exciting concert opportunities, with music festivals and outdoor music pavilions such as Verizon Wireless Music Center rocking all season long.\nAnd of course, there are baseball games. While the only choice for professional baseball in Indiana is the minor league Indians, several others are only a short road trip away. Whether it's checking out the Reds in Cincinnati or heading up to Chicago to see the White Sox or Cubs, opportunities abound. \nI know nothing says summer like sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley Field, drinking my cares away and cheering on my beloved Cubs to another victory -- or more likely another agonizing defeat.\nAnd one can't forget the most appealing aspect of summer -- no school. No more class, listening to some professor explain some theory you don't care about and will never use again. It's true that instead of class you will spend your days working, but at least you are making money.\nSo, while you are sitting in class, answering the third essay question on your history exam, remember all the goodness that awaits you a mere month from now. I can't count the times I've been in class, thinking about what I'll be doing in a few weeks when summertime is in full swing.