I went to the Cubs outing for Stacy's company last month and picked up a free t-shirt from a girl handing them out on the Sheffield sidewalk. WXRT sponsored the giveaway and designed the shirts around the “W” theme, as in WXRT and the W flag that flies over Wrigley after a Cub win. The design has a large blue “W” on the front of a white tee and the back has a number of Cub-related phrases with fill in the blank spaces for a “W” like “Ronnie _oo _oo.”

I've worn the t-shirt to work a couple times, but Saturday was the first time I walked around the neighborhood with the “W” shirt. I got a couple strange looks from people as I walked by them, even a disapproving “tsk.” I don't get it. I live a mile north of the unofficial Wrigleyville border; should be plenty of Cub fans around. It's not like I donned it for the Sox game on Wednesday. I let sleeping dogs lie when it comes to unwinnable debates.

In the bookstore, a guy gave me a double take and approached me as I handed The Egyptologist to Stacy, “Where did you get that shirt?”

“I got it for free outside Wrigley a few weeks ago,” I answered.

“Oh, I was hoping that's what you'd say. I thought maybe you were wearing a t-shirt supporting Bush.”

Stacy and I walked home, her with a new Egyptology novel, and me with my arms folded across my chest.