Bringing the Drama

The last company I worked for is a pretty big deal in the world. You would think someone like that would have suites at the Dome or the Arena, but no, they don’t. In fact, I don’t think they have a local presence AT ALL outside of the work location. My new company has a suite at the Arena though, because they are awesome.

During the Hornets’ mini slump, we got an email asking if we wanted tickets to the suite for the Spurs game in January. It was a week or two after I had gone to the first home game against the Spurs, and the Hornets blew a big lead in the 2nd half and lost by double digits. However, I like free tickets to things, and I like suite tickets, so I requested tickets. I had never been in a suite before, all I knew about going to Hornets games was sitting in the upper deck or being lucky enough to sit in the lower bowl on occasion. Suites were for people other than me. I was excited.

Then disaster struck. A wedding shower was scheduled for that night. At the time I did not realize it, but then two weeks before the game we got an email reminder at work. Awful. I emailed and said I had to give up my tickets because of the shower. I get home that evening and find out the shower has been postponed for a 3 year old’s birthday party. They scheduled then rescheduled the shower without talking to the guests of honor. Not that they knew I had tickets to the company suite at a Hornets game, but still. Luckily I was able to get the tickets back since the guest list had not really changed, so things were back to normal.

We went to the game and parked. We walked to the Arena and entered. We got to go behind some velvet rope to an elevator that brought us to the suite level. The suite had closets for our coats, a private bathroom, and was catered. It was like a mini apartment, with a giant opening to the court. I was able to look down on the non suite people and revel in my good fortune. We even had plastic cups with the company name on them. Take that old company! Then the game was awesome because the Hornets destroyed the Spurs. My favorite part was when Okafor blocked 3 shots on one possession, or at least it felt like 3. I have been amazed by his play this year after watching him all last year. Anyway, the suite, they had hamburgers, chili, stuff to make super nachos, salad, and fruit. Unfortunately the alcohol did not include bloody marys, which is like a thing for CZ and I at Hornets games. Crown and Diet Rite worked for me though. It was definitely the best way I’ve seen a game, similar to seeing Jazz Fest from the Shell Tent.

I left work early today so I could tackle the cake I am bringing to Thanksgiving tomorrow. After last year’s late night baking, I didn’t want a repeat. I was able to pick up some things I was missing on my way home, but it took a while. There was so much traffic. Maybe the world is over populated. Anyway, I made it home about 3 pm, and set about making the cake at a blinding speed. I don’t have pictures of the process, because I didn’t really have time to take pictures. Things happened really fast. Besides, you don’t want to see pictures of the coffee boiling over when being added to the boiling water and the butter melting in the pot. Next time though. The cake really wasn’t too difficult to make. The only thing I think I can do better is to let the cakes sit in the oven a bit longer. They were a bit mushy in the middle, but I was afraid I’d burn them or dry them out.

The icing came together PERFECTLY! I had gotten some tips from blog friend Mandy and my friend Mel on how to make frosting without a stand mixer and avoid the fiasco of last Christmas with runny frosting. I followed PW’s instructions and started with 2 tbsp of cream. I added a 3rd and then VOILA, frosting. It was amazing.

The icing spread really easy and it didn’t take long at all. I stuck it in the fridge to sit until tomorrow. I deem this foray back into baking (first time since the Baklava that I still have not properly documented) a success.

I was on a time schedule because of the Hornets game tonight. I was able to get the cake iced and in the fridge to set proper and make it to the game with a few minutes to spare. Then the Hornets rewarded me by gritting out a win in OT.

The whole ‘post every day of the month’ was in trouble tonight. I couldn’t come up with anything during the day, then I went to see the Hornets actually play with effort and toughness and upset the Suns. My favorite player, Peja, had a HUGE night. He had one 3 (of his SEVEN) that initially hit the rim, bounced straight up, and then went in. Awesome. I have not figured this team out, but I definitely think the coaching change has helped. I got home about 10:45.

So I mentioned that after the Pete Yorn show was over, Jacob and I got a picture with the tambourine player/merch guy/stage dancer guy after. The picture is below, Jacob used it on his Whiskerino page. This was the ‘casual’ pose, which mostly for me means “stare off into space as if something is going on off camera”. I call it ‘Beard Trifecta’.

And maybe he doesn’t look like David Bazan as much as we thought, but it was dark in there.

So last night I met up with my mom to go to the Hornets game, and then right after that, Jacob to go see Pete Yorn. I ended up being able to go as Jacob’s +1 (ie FREE) since our other friend Jacob had to bail. After the game, which the Hornets WON, I made my way down to Republic. I hadn’t been there since seeing Death Cab 3 years ago. I was able to find a parking spot a block away, it was a snap. I walked up about 9:45 and didn’t see Jacob. I did see the tour bus and stood on the sidewalk with the smokers. Some people really should look in the mirror when they smoke to make sure they don’t look completely awkward. This one guy looked very awkward with a cig in his mouth. Not only is he slowly killing himself but he looks like a dumbass doing it.

As I was standing there waiting for Jacob, Pete Yorn got off his tour bus and was talking to a couple of people. I texted Jacob to coax him to hurry up, and luckily we met up a few minutes before PY started. We obviously had missed the opener, who happened to be GIVING AWAY his EP at the merch table. If you’re giving away your EP, it probably sucks. The fact that they were being given away played a factor later in the evening.

The way Republic is set up now, is they have couches near the back, about ¾ of the way back between the stage and the merch table area. People had been sitting in them, so when the show started they stood up. Of course people stood up right in front of where we were standing, so we booed them. One of the guys turned around and Jacob then noticed the guy’s friend had an Iggy Pop shirt, and said we were just kidding, which we were, for the most part. The dude in the Iggy Pop shirt apparently is dating a rather tall girl, so of course she came over to stand with him. Then they started dancing and making out, which was weird. They were standing in front of the couches though, so it wasn’t a big deal view wise. PY must have this crazy dancing/PDA vibe, because there were a few people doing this. Later on in the show all of those people were standing in front of the couch, with Jacob and I standing behind it. During a song a few minutes later, the guy in the black shirt who had turned around, reaches over to his friend in the IP shirt, who is dancing with his chick, and tickles his underarm. Jacob and I looked at each other and telepathically exclaimed WTF? We laughed at what had just happened. I would never tickle a male friend’s underarm and don’t understand the logic behind doing it in a public setting.

We weren’t really paying attention to the songs that were not on musicforthemorningafter, so when PY was playing a new song, we went in search for High Life. There were plenty of people drinking it, and as connoisseurs of the HL, we figured there must be a special. There was a special, it was $2, but when we went to the bar they were out! OUT OF HIGH LIFE! I wanted to give the bartender $3 for a HL and they were out. It was a complete travesty, esp when we were offered Bud Light instead for $4 (not including tip). We declined and went back to standing behind the couch. Then I realized that the other bar on the other side of the room may still have HL. We walked over, because PY was playing another new song, and the other bar did have HL. We toasted on our way back to our spot. The night was going so well!

Upon returning to our spot, some idiot decided he wanted to get a better view of the stage, so he’s standing on the back of the couch, above everyone. I think he was intrigued with the drummer doing something in front of the drum kit. Problem was, he kept standing on the back of the couch and blocking our view. We yelled at him to get off, but he probably didn’t hear us. The next thing I know one of the opener’s free EP’s hits the dude in the back, causing him to turn around, and get off the couch. He looked around as if he didn’t know who threw it, and seemed to ask his friend “what just hit me?” Jacob and I laughed as we judged them, and clinked our bottles of High Life.

The show itself was alright, but like the time I saw PY in 2003, it just wasn’t GREAT. I mean, he comes out and plays his songs, but they’re not that much different than the album really, and he doesn’t talk a lot. The band was good though, and there was a guy whose job it was to only play tambourine. He had a majestic beard, and we both thought he reminded us of David Bazan. When the band came out for the encore, I yelled for Burrito. It got a reaction from some of the people in the crowd, and a group behind me got really excited, but they didn’t yell Burrito too. I yelled it again but then PY started Crystal Village or something. It’s a fine song, but not Burrito. PY did play my favorite song, On Your Side, and played seven songs off musicforthemorningafter, which was fine by Jacob and I.

At the end of the night, we got a picture with the DB look-a-like. I’ll post the picture when I get it emailed to me. We stayed around to try to get a picture with Pete Yorn, but after 15 or 20 minutes, it didn’t seem worth it anymore with it being almost midnight on a Tuesday, so we left. I got home about 12:35. It was surely a late night, but a great night. Word.

Today ESPN has a 24 hour block of college basketball that they started last night with a game in California. I found it cool at first, but then the closer it got I thought it was a little insane. There was game in New Jersey tipping off at 6 am this morning. SIX IN THE MORNING! Why? So some network fat cats could sell advertising? As much as the NCAA says they are protecting student athletes, they allow this kind of thing to happen, but then suspend a WR for an entire season, effectively ending his college career, for lying.

Anyway, my beloved Clemson Tigers were playing Liberty at 10 am. A ridiculous time for everyone involved. I saw on the Liberty webpage last night, that each student was going to be able to get a stamp on their way out of the arena and be excused from class. Unfortunately for them, Clemson rolled Liberty by 40 points and according to their rules, they had to sit through the entire thing. It was 42-19 at halftime. Not only did the teams miss class and have their schedules thrown off, but the students attending the game too. I thought about it last night if I was still at Clemson, and they had a game tipoff at 6 am would I go. I probably would, just like I went to that Hornets game that started at 8:30. Still though, I thought it was crazy to make players and fans go through that.

I know, more sports stuff, but really, this was cool. And after reading Brandi’s entry on blogging every day this month, I figure I’ll give it a shot too. So last night I went to my first Hornets game of the season. I had renewed my season tickets last year, and changed my seat location. I didn’t go to the home opener on Friday because I was running the HALF MARATHON the next morning, so my parents sat in my seats. My friend Brandon and I left work and got down to the Arena about 7 pm. The game didn’t start until 8:30 central time because the NBA and ESPN like to make money. If they wanted to show a doubleheader, then why couldn’t they get a game that was being played in CALIFORNIA for the late game?

Back to my new seats….they are way better than last year. I almost had words with a lady two rows in front of me last year when I’d yell about how terrible David West was playing. She turned around a couple of times like she was going to say something, but never did. I kind of yell a lot at games. This year some guy on the front row of my section yells about EVERYTHING, so I’m not the only one. More people seemed in tune with the game, and I didn’t have my neighbor leave during the 3rd quarter no matter what is happening. Plus it’s a snap to get to the seats and to leave, no more walking around half the arena. They also shoot tshirts up to my section and film a lot of the in game video near me. So hopefully I’ll get in the background of some promotion thing and be ‘that guy’. It should be a good location for this year.

After last week’s debacles against the Spurs, Celtics, and Knicks, I wasn’t expecting much. The Hornets really haven’t shown they have learned from that 58 point embarrassment during the playoffs last year. They still play weak defense up front. However, they were playing the Mavericks. The Hornets have kind of owned the Mavs the past couple of years IMO. Even the laziest PF I’ve ever seen in my life, David West, gets up for a game against Dirk. So despite the recent results, I had hope the Hornets would play the Mavs well.

The game was back and forth, and the Hornets jumped out to an early lead, that was eventually whittled away. It was tight at the half, and the third quarter the Hornets opened up another lead. I thought Chris Paul was shooting really well, but they weren’t pulling away like I thought they should. Then they blew it in the 4th quarter. Their defense had multiple breakdowns and then at the end, they were having to hope for a miracle.

The Mavs were ahead 94-92 and the Hornets had the ball. Chris Paul misses a shot, but there was still going to be time on the play clock if they could get a stop. They didn’t. Nobody boxed out 58 year old Erick Dampier who tipped in a shot with 16 seconds to play. Four point lead with 16 seconds, NOT GOOD. The Hornets inbounded and got a quick score. They started intentional fouling which ended up giving the Hornets the ball with 13 seconds left down 3. Instead of passing to an open shooter, Chris Paul tried to show off to Dallas’ back up PG. The refs called an offensive foul. The backup PG was going to the line for 2 shots, then David West gets a tech for whining to the refs about the call. Three foul shots with 9 seconds left. Then the miracle began. Dallas missed ALL THREE FREE THROWS. If you heard a choking sound around 11 pm last night, that was the Mavericks. So 9 seconds left Hornets get the ball and I kept thinking they should pass it to Peja, my favorite Hornet, because even though he had missed all of his shots in the game, he was due to make one. They inbound the ball, Peja catches, shoots and SCORES! GO CRAZY! It was awesome!

Look at Jason Kidd, it’s like he knows what’s going to happen!

The Hornets were able to pull away in OT since Dirk had fouled out and they had all the momentum. Peja didn’t score another basket in OT, so he ended up with 3 points off the game saving 3 with six seconds to play. Thanks to the game starting so late, and then having to go drop Brandon off at his car, I didn’t get home until after midnight. Not cool NBA, not cool.

There are some sports stories you love being a part of. When your really terrible basketball team upsets the #1 team and you get to rush the court, that’s something you cherish being a part of. When your football team finally knocks off their archenemy at home when that team is #3, that’s something you love being a part of. When your football team returns to their home stadium a year after natural disaster that effected everyone in the metro area, that’s something you will never ever forget. When your basketball team completely quits on a home game in the playoffs, and goes on to lose by the biggest margin in NBA playoff history, that’s something you are embarrassed to be a part of.

Before the Hornets game yesterday, I told people I wouldn’t mind them losing, because they’ve been banged up and just haven’t shown much effort in the playoffs. Plus, if they lose the series in 5, I wouldn’t be spending more than $100 on playoff tickets. I thought going into last night that the Hornets would stay close or lead for the first 3 quarters, then just run out of gas in the 4th. I had no idea the plan was to take a 2-0 lead then just give up. I got to the arena about 6:40 and had to wait in a ridiculous long line for the free beer in the season ticket area. Jacob was meeting me at the game but was coming later, so I left his ticket at will call. I finally got my beer, but the tap was running out, so I had more foam than normal. I walked into the arena and the program had David West on the cover. Combined with the foamy beer, I thought the DW cover was a bad sign. I ate my turkey sandwich and headed upstairs to my seat. I bought a $9 beer (Abita Amber at least) because I thought I’d rather not have the foamy beers be the last beer memory of the season. I went up to my seat and settled in for what I hoped would be a hard fought game.

After the 2-0 lead, everything fell apart. I haven’t been a fan of David West since I started going to games and watching him play. He plays lazy defense and jogs a lot. I think he may also be allergic to offensive rebounds. I saw him give up at least 10 points in the first half, but I’m sure there was a lot more. He wasn’t rotating over when people would drive to the basket and he would fuss at teammates when they gave up a basket. Hello pot, this is kettle! I had called my mom earlier in the night to tell her the game wasn’t on TV and offer an alternative, but she said she was planning on watching 24 and would see about catching the game after seeing the score. After the first quarter, the Hornets were down 21. I texted her this and her response was “Damn”. My mom doesn’t curse very often. Jacob got there sometime in the 2nd quarter and by the end of the 2nd quarter the score was 61-39.

I was texting with a friend about the game and how in the 3rd quarter they should just start jacking up 3s. Unfortunately, the Hornets chose to run their same offense with passing the ball to David West in the post and hoping he doesn’t turn it over. Bad plan. The defense was awful again, and the 3rd quarter resulted in the Hornets being down 38 points by the end of it. I had fun yelling “SHOOT IT!” when Chris Paul would cross half court. Why not? It wasn’t like anything else was working! Also at the end of the 3rd quarter the majority of the crowd started leaving. Jacob and I left with 9 minutes or so left in the game, so pretty early in the 4th. I usually stay until the end of a game no matter what, but I could not stomach a team giving up. On the way out walking past the Dome, I tore the front cover off my program and said “he’s supposed to be an All Star? What a bunch of garbage!” Then I threw it away.

On my way home I stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things, and almost was hoping no one would ask me if I went to the game. I was embarrassed to have paid money to see such a terrible display. I know some people want to blame the coach, but at some point, as a person you have to be motivated not to embarrass yourself, your family, your school, and your fans. If you hate the coach, don’t take it out on the fans. If you hate management, don’t take it out on the fans. The fans are paying their hard earned money to come watch you play, at least have the decency to give effort to show them you’re trying.

My favorite NBA writer on ESPN is John Hollinger, and he was the one that wrote the article about the game this morning for the daily NBA info page. I completely agree with him. It was the most sorry performance by a professional team I’ve ever seen. Losing by double digits is one thing, losing by FIFTY EIGHT at home in a playoff game is nothing less than shameful.

the last time i remember wearing my gold Hornets playoff shirt to a game was when they lost to the Celtics. i washed it and have worn it since then, but not to a game. tonight though was the Spurs, and with the way the Hornets were playing they were going to need all the help they could get. considering i got the shirt way back at game 5 of the playoff series against the Spurs (which the Hornets won….the game not the series) i figured the shirt could do no wrong. i honestly thought the Hornets would lose though.

the game was back and forth throughout it seemed. there were some fantastic plays including an alley oop from Chris Paul to Julian Wright that just about brought the house down. a good hustle play as Chris Paul fought for a rebound and was by himself against 4 Spurs. Julian Wright came running back as David West decided to jog back and watch from the half court line. CP found Julian for a tough layup and got the foul called. it was beautiful. the game came down to some clutch FTs in the end, and the Hornets ended up winning by 4.

i don’t know if it was just because it was the Spurs, but if the Hornets can play like this the rest of the year (10 more reg season games) they can get back into the group of teams with homecourt advantage. when they get Peja back that will help. 3 point shooting has been woeful since he’s been gone.

also, i went for the first time with my friend Zach, and considering the result, he is on the list for people to take to playoff games. i told him that as we walked back to the car. also as a footnote, Eva Longoria was at the game, and i (along with most others at the Arena) booed loudly when they showed her on the screen.

this morning i woke up on my bed cold, alone, and fully clothed, and had to take a few minutes to figure out what was going on. i went to the Hornets/Magic game last night and got home around 10:30, but don’t remember going into my room and falling on my bed. i woke up sans alarm at 6:30, so i was late getting to work today. the drive to work was uneventful, except for the person with the big fat SUV deciding to slide in just in front of me while in a pack of cars going 70. hope they enjoy the 7 mpg.

last night’s game was a lot of fun to go to. the Hornets looked like last year’s team, playing aggressive and dominating.

SIDEBAR: [speaking of being aggressive, have you seen the new Jordan commercial with CP telling his teammates to be aggressive? it's amazing. i wish i could sit that close to hear them talking and yelling to each other on the court. i can't hear it from where i sit because when the crowd's not cheering they are playing music. maybe one day.]

Chris Paul started out red hot and they jumped out to a big lead. Orlando tried but failed to get within reasonable striking distance the rest of the way. that’s how games would go last year, the Hornets would impose their will and the other team would eventually fold some time in the 3rd quarter. i was really paying attention to Dwight Howard and how he would toss aside the Hornets’ front line like rag dolls, which he did. however, the Hornets defended him very well and he did not approach the 50 points/20 rebounds i thought he was sure to get. an old college nemesis JJ Redick even got to play, and made some 3′s, and also got a ridiculous foul call after he had stuck out his arm as a defender ran past. i yelled out “this isn’t Duke!” but being in the upper deck the refs did not hear me. the lady in front of me who i’ve been seeing at every game laughed. she definitely hears me, and we almost had words when i didn’t like the way Tyson Chandler was playing.

speaking of TC, i’m disappointed the trade did not go through. i’m concerned about his failed physical. i was a little bothered that the Hornets couldn’t pry away a 1st round draft pick in the deal but by last night had warmed to the idea of having two front line players and financial flexibility later. all the talk from the national media about the deal being a salary dump were a bit ignorant. it didn’t make basketball sense to them, but i’ve been to almost every home game this year, i’ve noticed how he’s played. i’ve also noticed how he’s been injured at one time or another most of the year. his salary is about 200% of my own and he hasn’t really earned it this year i don’t think. i read a Hornets message board and the chatter from a couple of guys sounded like there was more to it than just salary relief. the failed physical was obviously the “more to it”. hopefully he can get his act together and heal up for the stretch run of the season.

one of my friends at work is leaving for a job in Florida with the same company. he’s not the first or the last, just the latest. people in the department went to lunch, and i noticed it was like the end of Roger Rabbit where all the cartoon characters come together in some kind of cartoon menagerie of everyone singing at once. we had BO guy, the lady who talks and laughs RIDICULOUSLY LOUD, and then the various people that are more normal. White Shoes even made a late appearance. the ridiculously loud lady (RLL) sits near me, but far enough away that i don’t hear her all the time. when she gets a friend on the phone though, LOOK OUT!

before yesterday afternoon, in the game of Basketball I Never, i had never seen a game winning shot as the buzzer sounded. i’ve seen my team beat the #1 team, rushed the court after said win, i’ve seen comeback wins when all hope seems lost in both OT and regulation, seen a player get a triple double, seen a player set an NBA record, but never a shot going up as the buzzer is sounding with the clock reading 00.0.

yesterday my Dad and i went to the Hornets/Pacers game, and just wanted to see a win. we got much more. the game started off pretty poorly. remember that guy i met before one of the games a while back, Sean Marks? he had to start the game yesterday because of an injury to David West. he looked terrible. i kind of felt bad for him, but he was taking terrible shots, letting rebounds go off his face and hands, and just looking awful. my Dad booed one of his terrible shots that barely grazed the rim. i told him it was still early, there was no reason to boo, then Sean had a rebound go off his face. what can you do?

the Hornets stormed back though, and made a game of it going into the half. they looked good in the 3rd quarter, and near the end of the 4th, they were up 5 with only 1:15 to play. the people next to me who always leave early i think had already left. a lot of people in and around my section were leaving. it appeared the Hornets were going to win. then the Pacers hit a 3. 2 point game, but no worries, Hornets ball with 49 seconds to play. Chris Paul is dribbling and TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack converge and stole it and they tied it on a fast break layup. i’m sitting there like WTF, CHRIS PAUL??? they get the ball and come down, Melvin Ely gets fouled, makes 1 of 2 FTs, 98-97 Pacers ball. they come down and the Hornets force a turnover with 7 seconds left and i think “we win”. they foul CP, he makes both. 100-97 with 7 seconds to play. the Pacers called timeout, and i’m telling my Dad they should know the ball is going to local NOLA kid Danny Granger, who’s been nailing 3′s all day. he’s the best player on the team, OF COURSE it’s going to go to him. cover him and make sure the guy he passes it to is covered. they inbound the ball, it goes to Granger, he’s got two guys in his face, BOOM! tied at 100. how in the world did he make that shot? and really, 2.5 seconds? i thought the game was going to OT, and the way the Hornets had let the game get away from them, i thought the Pacers would win in OT. the Hornets put 3 shooters out on the floor along with CP and Ely. they inbound the ball and the Pacers clogged the lane, so CP couldn’t drive, so he dribbles out and has to throw up a fall away 3 pointer. the horn sounds as the ball is going up. nothing but net. ball game. Pandemonium. Go Crazy.

this video shows the shot and the crowd reaction the best. i love how pretty much everyone puts their arms up. i was definitely doing the same thing.

after the shot went in, i wanted to yell out “Happy MLK Day to everyone!”, because we were reminded it was MLK Day about 1000 times during the game. they had PSAs at almost every stoppage in play. notice though, that the announcer in the video says “happy holiday!” that’s all i would have been trying to do.