Finding Celtics References In Strange Places

Warning: this is not a happy post. You may avert your eyes and come back later when I've got something more joyful or silly or more entertaining.

The Balcony Girls and I packed up Balcony Cat 2 today and brought her to the vet. She wasn't doing well after what seemed like an infection and I'm very sad to say she passed on this afternoon. I'm saddened to have lost the lovely ball of fur that I've had for ten years. The ball of fur that slept close, wasn't afraid of a bouncing basketball, and purred louder than is legal.

In a strange twist of fate we had to bring her to a different vet today. The reason is so odd and completely off topic that I'd have to go start a different blog elsewhere about the Balcony Family's daily life outside of the Celtics.

Since I'm not going to be doing that today, let me tell you the reason for this post. The girls and I are waiting for BC2 to be seen and we meet a nice young couple who had just adopted a HUGE cat. I mean biggun. I mean bigger than a Tonka truck. The receptionist asks for the name of their cat and get this. No really, this is why you're reading all of this sad stuff about my precious BC2. The cat's name is...

RONDO

And the vet tech who was standing there didn't miss a beat, "As in Rajon?" Yup.

Life is good when, in a time of sorrow, there are Celtics fans around you.

Here's to Sammy The Cat (her real name). Cheers.

Go Celtics.

Floor Gal and The Man

Floor Gal here reporting from the floor of the Boston Garden. I'm filling in for Balcony Gal for a page while she recovers from shock associated with email interactions with The Man and his family members. TMRPD and her sister, The Man's Tennis Enabled Daughter, hereby referred to as TMTED, - she should put that on a license plate, maybe her very own Celtics license plate. Of course it would have to be a fake plate since the real ones haven't been issued yet (SO NOT BITTER) and it could stand for 'tempted to get a Celtics license plate' - well these gals emailed Balcony Gal to let her know that their Dad was one great guy. That and TMTED spent the first 18 years of her life going to as many Cs games as possible (SO NOT JEALOUS). As I've learned from being down here on the sidelines, most people feel the same way - The Man, he is great.

I've now met The Man and it's true, he's a great guy. He had a hug for me right away. He offered me Twizzlers, red, in case you care. I said no thank you. He offered me water. I took it cause that stuff is pricey in the Garden. He offered me beer but I refused because the last thing I needed was to get any more 'ahhduuhhh' in his presence and with my luck I would have spilled it on the court and caused KG or Rondo to wipe out.

He also offered me...


wait for it...


wait for it...


wait for it...


the chance to SIT IN HIS SEAT. Oh yes, you read that right. And what did I do? I turned him down. Well, I said no, let's wait till there's a break in play and then I'll sit, but he put on his 'The Man Voice' and before I knew it I was sitting in his seat. Oh and it's sure a comfy seat.

I sat amongst his friends. This is where I tell you they were handsome and witty and perfect company but I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I didn't even notice because I was watching the game. Plus Balcony Guy was WAY UP HERE watching everything so I didn't smile, didn't engage in conversation, didn't really enjoy myself at all. I felt so horrible about his being WAY UP HERE and my being WAY DOWN HERE that I couldn't settle in. I know those men are now thinking, "Why the hell did The Man waste our time and space with this woman?"

Oh, who am I kidding? FLIPPING FANTASTIC. To sit this close to the boys in green was amazing. To make eye contact with Big Baby (oh yeah, I saw you looking and I was looking right back) was thrilling. To be WAY DOWN HERE when they introduced Sam Cassell to the crowd and feel the energy at this lower altitude is beyond words. But I can find some words, I'm sure.

I jumped up and down beside The Man at the fully coherent introduction of Cassell. If only Blhhh Blhhh Bldrahhhnnn could have had that kind of introduction. You know, the kind where you actually hear the guys name? **this brings up a whole other issue with us Balcony Folks...is the sound better WAY DOWN THERE? Did you understand the introduction of Blhhh Blhhh Bldrahhhnnn? Are the rest of us missing out? **

It was a truly wonderful experience. The people I met were very kind and didn't judge me for being a balcony person. It was pointed out to me that the one period I sat in that seat cost more than my balcony seat. I had to point out that, at that price, the cost of those tickets for ONE GAME cost more than the price of my two seats for the WHOLE SEASON. *shivers*


The following is my list of questions that I would like to ask The Man. I didn't ask these questions because I met him just as game was getting into play again and, as much as I like observing what goes on around me, I'm really there to watch the game.

Questions I would like to ask The Man:

1. How long have you had your tickets?
2. Why did you have them during some crap years?
3. How did your wife feel about you holding onto said tickets during said crap years?
4. Do you wake up and realize you are one of the luckiest men alive? Does that make you smile?
   
5. Do you make your employees call you The Man?
6. During a game, who gives the best high fives?
7. During a game, who gives the best hugs?
8. When your 4 packets of shiny, beautiful tickets arrived did you jump up and down and dance around and perhaps cry a little and maybe get a little snotty and realize it's not cold season so there aren't enough tissues around but you have a dark shirt on so you can just use that to wipe your nose?
   
9. Did you then maybe take pictures of the packets?
   
10. Are your tickets hand delivered by Lucky instead of through some mail delivery system? If yes, does he flip around on the doorstep when you answer the door?
    
11. Are you aware the Celtics Dancers have belly buttons?
    
12. When watching an away game at home do you jump up and down?
    

What would you ask The Man?

I did find out why he's always wearing dark clothing. He told me this tale: Once upon a time he went out to dinner before a game with another man who has seats next to him. They had a wonderful time until The Man got sauce on his white shirt. It having been warm weather, The Man had no jacket and he spent the remainder of the evening in his courtside seat being a bit embarrassed about the stain on his shirt. Since then he has always worn dark clothing.

I invited him up to the Balcony where everyone has stains on their clothing.

Here is what my ticket looks like. Note the seating and the price:

Here is The Man's ticket. Note the seating and the price:

You'd think at that price he'd have a Fairy Godmother (they do so exist because Balcony Princess has one or two) swoop in and fix his shirt. I shall carry Fairy Dust with me to every game from now on and sprinkle it upon The Man if ever he gets another stain.

I love you shiny KG.

Welcome to Sam

Many of us saw and heard the reaction Blhhh Blhhh Bldrahhhnnn received his first night in the Garden. Not only did most people not understand who it was but they just couldn't be bothered to acknowledge the acquisition. They were all too busy turning around and asking, "What?" I sure hope it's different for Sam Cassell.

If Sam is sitting on the bench tomorrow night in the Garden I hope his name is enunciated and the crowd gives him a warm and pleasant greeting. I hope there are people who feel a true pride in having him on our side (and not knocking Rondo around). And I hope that those of you who are going to be there (because I'm not...having traded my tickets for some magic seeds...more on those later) will report back on the crowd's acknowledgment. I especially want to know the reaction from the balcony. Namely the kid-who-sits-behind-me-and-has-nothing-nice-to-say.

Welcome to the fold, Cassell. Now make us proud.

I Am Not Scot Pollard

All of the pictures in this post were taken by me, Balcony Gal. I hope you like them. In case you didn't know, you can click on them to make them larger. It's very exciting.

I love my Balcony seats. I enjoy MOST of the people around me. Like the guys in front and the ones just to my left. There is a guy who sits in front of me who often comes with his pretty wife. This guy is really smiley and happy and loves that he's a Balcony Person. He even had these seats last season when, well, we all wondered why we had seats. I'd like you to meet Super Nice, Really Smiley Guy:


I enjoy the Celtics Dancers. I didn't enjoy them last season when their moves were rough and the only thing in sync was the music. Really, I wanted to like them but it was tough to watch. And then this season they broke through. They got it together. And it's fun to not only watch them but to listen to the men around me who are sitting with their men friends and talking about the girls. And constantly look at their pictures. Notice here is not just one guy looking but two. They weren't the only ones but I couldn't get everyone in the same shot.


When Rondo was poked in the eye with 1:57 left in the 4th by Fred "Pokey McPokster" Jones I thought he was going out. It looked like another of our good men was going down. But after Pierce knighted him Sir Rondo The Great Gaurd he rallied with blurry vision.


We got a pleasant surprise at this game. On the drive in, while stuck in the traffic (see previous post), we got a call from our friends . They scored tickets from work and wanted to see us. YIPPEE. We love these friends and don't get to see them often enough. When we finally made it to our seats we got to be THOSE people and called the friends on the horn and said "we're here." Then we waved like fools and pointed and waved some more. Then the guy friend popped over for a quick visit. It was a warm and fuzzy time.

And now the moment we've all been waiting for. This is where I talk about Scot Pollard. I like Pollard. He makes me laugh when he does those little TV skit thingies. And his hair makes me laugh, too.

I didn't have the white headband. All I could find was the black one I use when I wash my face. And I couldn't decide where best in the house to take the picture so I have at least 40 versions. Should I even admit that? This is not a proud moment for me but it was too good not to share. This is not a look I recommend.

I will not wear it on a plane. I will not wear it on a train. I will not wear it here or there. I will not wear it anywhere. No, Scot Pollard, I will not wear your hair.

The end.