Last night’s Blazer game was a hoot. As Tom Peterson says, “Free is a very good price!”
Thanks to KUFO, in exchange for some minor movie trivia I was gifted a pair of tickets. I had a companion come to mind immediately, but she couldn’t go. Something about a school function. C’mon! The kid’s getting twelve years of school, minimum. I never get free Blazer tickets. Pesky kid’s future anyway…
This led to the dilemma of what to do with the extra ticket. I could simply use the extra seat as a place to stretch out, but that seemed wasteful. (Especially considering I may have displaced someone from the game, seeing how my tickets were provided after all prizes were awarded.) The Blazers are a hot ticket this year, (pun!) and I knew someone would be interested.
At least two of my bosses are basketball fans. Hmm… can’t really choose one over the other. As I pondered a solution, one of my co-workers mentioned that he’d once been a waterboy for the Denver Nuggets. He’s done me a bunch of favors, at work and off, so I asked if he wanted to go.
“Can I get back to you on it?”
I had a flash of brilliance. “Here, take the ticket, and if you don’t want to go, you can pass it along.” I gave him a few hints, and dusted my hands of responsibility. If he decides not to attend, *he* can chop the proverbial baby in half.
Off work for the day, I went downtown. I walked all over, enjoying the beautiful evening. I almost walked to the Rose Quarter, and would have if I’d left earlier. Instead, I scored a highly caffeinated beverage and caught an uncrowded bus to the backside of the Rose Garden.
I knew the seats were up high, but good lord! I gazed into the far upper corner of the arena, took a deep breath and began the ascent.
My co-worker had already arrived. We were two rows from the very top, in the corner, and yet they were pretty good seats. (I’m absolutely, positively bringing binoculars next time.) Our section was full of KUFO listeners, the beer and tattoo crowd well-represented. Just before game time, a couple of shifty characters and a pretty lady took their seats in front of us. Thanks to internet photos, I recognized the shifties. It was Cort and Fatboy! I figured they’d get 100 level seats at least, but no! They were up there with us, the common man. As people in the section figured out who they were, they graciously handled interruptions and introductions. I held back, figuring I’d have an opportunity to thank Fatboy over the next couple of hours.
I spent the first part of the first quarter getting up and down, letting people out to run back and forth to the beer garden/bathroom. I was tempted to tell one fella, “Dude, if you drink regular beer instead of light beer, you could cut your trips by 200%.” But I held my tongue. (Besides, I got a lapdance from his girlfriend every time they came and went.) I text-messaged my Blazer buddy a couple of times with the whole ‘wish you were here’ thingy. With all due respect to my co-worker, I’d rather be rubbing her leg than his.
I loved Storm Large’s rendition of Ballroom Blitz, featuring Stephanie from the local band Kleveland. It brought the crowd to life.
The game had its high points, covered by media of various sorts. Some of the stuff you didn’t see? The giant inflatable Ford Escort that floats around the Garden, dropping gym passes on the lower levels. A little kid behind us said, “Look Dadddy, that car is pooping envelopes!”
One thing I found disturbing: During a commercial break, mascot Blaze went into the stands with a bouquet of heart-shaped balloons and a cake, presumably to share some Valentine love. As everyone followed the action on the Jumbotron, Blaze went up to an unsuspecting lady and handed her the balloons. While she stared, slackjawed in disbelief, Blaze hit her full-on in the face with the cake. It was big and messy, and the crowd gasped. I hope this event was staged. Even if it was, it came off as cruel. If not staged? I hope she dumps the m***erf***er and he lives a sexless life. He will if he keeps that up!
I also witnessed what may be a first: A large contingent of fans from Seattle coming to the Rose Garden to root for the Blazers! Actually, they weren’t so much rooting for the Blazers as rooting against the OKie Dokies. Apparently some guy named Clay Bennet really did something to piss off Seattleites. (Anybody up on this?) After the game, as people milled around for their free Chalupa, the yellow-shirts paraded around the main concourse of the Garden, chanting taunts and insults. In good fun, of course.
Speaking of Chalupas, that was the biggest source of drama. It took the Blazers an eternity to get that vital two points, and the crowd screamed with delight when we passed the 100-point mark. Phew! A riot would have ensued.
At halftime, I got to speak with Bob ‘Fatboy’ Roberts. He’s as genuine in person as he comes off on the radio, which seems rare in my experience. He knows his B-ball as well. I’ll have a few factoids to spit out the next time I watch a game with my Blazer buddy.
In all, a wonderful way to spend a work night. I want to thank Cort and Fatboy for pulling strings to get me into the game, and to my co-worker for helping me with office politics.
Oh, and the picture of Rudy. Ole!
Ford Escorts weren’t the only things flying in the Garden last night.
{ 3 comments }
Loved reading this and glad you were able to go!
That’s rich. I’m going to miss the old Sonics-Blazers rivalry.
Let me know if you’re ever hard-pressed to get rid of Blazer tix in the future, CC. I’d be willing to help out.
Good one Charlie. Chalupa is a ridiculous word that always makes me giggle.
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