Mercifully, it's over.  The six games with the Cubs have reached their conclusion with a Sox sweep and a 3-3 record against the Cubs this year.  Bragging rights for no one, which really is fine since I've maintained from the very beginning that these games were meaningless from a bragging perspective.  Okay, I admit a slight smile after concluding the weekend's festivities with a 5-1 win and a Sox sweep, since I had I had to read about how wonderful the Cubs were all week.  They are no more wonderful than the Sox apparently. 

Anyway, before we close the books, here are some of the things that came out of the weekend, including three much needed victories:

• Run support: The Sox hitters came through when they had to, despite two less than impressive starting outings from Jose Contreras and Javy Vazquez.  At this point of the season, your manager shouldn't have to go to the mound and yell at you in profane Spanish to get fired up.
• Q: Carlos Quentin looks like he is coming out of his slump.  Or he ordered what Aramis Ramirez had for breakfast prior to last week's series at Wrigley.
• Despite the fact it came off a rookie right hander, it was nice to see Jim Thome take one out last night.  The Sox will need him to have a strong finish if they want to make it to the promised land.  Likewise, Brian Anderson.
  
• The bullpen was awesome over the weekend.  The highlight?  Matt Thornton throwing absolute blue streaks on Saturday.  That used to be Carlos Marmol.
• Bobby Jenks sure makes it interesting doesn't he?
• Jermaine Dye, you da man.
  
• The Sox kept pace with the Twinkies, who beat an all-star yesterday and the Tigers who have won five in a row, including a weekend sweep of Colorado.  This, in my mind is the best thing that happened this weekend.  The Sox picked up a game on the Twinkies Saturday when Manny Parra was too much for Minnesota to handle.
• I was disappointed that Lou Piniella didn't get his money's worth last night in his somewhat lame attempt to get his team fired up.  After reading all the "Ozzie is crazy" stories all week long, it would have been nice to click on the paper this morning and read what a nit wit Lou was.  Home plate umpire Rob Drake is a coward for tossing Lou out behind his back.
  
• Nick Swisher played amazing defense at first base last night.
• More bending of the truth from the Chairman.  He should amend the statement to read "I wish we only played interleague games against the Cubs and only at U.S. Commiskey Park because then I have a full house and I can call it a premium game."  He's not fooling anyone, except those who also believe that the Pirates and Rockies were poor draws.  The Brewers and Cardinals?  Now that's big box office.
• Speaking of box office, memo to you Hollywood Types.  1) admit you are a Cubs fan and let it go. 2) admit the only reason you got into the game is because your sister is spokesperson for a big sponsor and 3) we don't wear fanny packs at U.S. Commiskey Park. Ever.
  

Hopefully, the Sox will be focused when they take on the Indians tonight. Meanwhile, the weeping and wailing has already begun.