A List

April 5, 2008

1) 12 Balcony Points to Prianna Lee for showing up a day before they were going to make her show up through induction. Way to show initiative, Ms. Pierce!
2) Congratulations to Prianna's parents, Paul Pierce and Julie Landrum. Julie, can I call you Julie? You automatically get 20 Balcony Points for giving birth right before the playoffs. I'm going to give you 2 points for every night you get through during the playoffs. And 10 points for every time you are super mom and let PP off the hook from diaper duty so he can concentrate on work. Of course, I'm not going to know of these times if you don't call me or email me to let me know. Or, better yet, start a blog. Something along the lines of "the Celtics Baby" or "Born into the Green" or "You Can't Dribble A Baby" or "The Truth is That There is a Lot of Poop."
3) With so many new babies in the Celtics family I'm not surprised to see a rise on merchandise like this and this. The latter I admit to having wanted last season.
4) My Balcony Baby, who is a month shy of turning two, used to accompany us to Celtics games when she was a wee thing. I'm not going to lie when I tell you I breast fed her (yes, I said breast in a Celtics blog) while at the game. And before I get lots of nasty mail on the subject let me just say zip it. There weren't many people around, the kid was hungry, and let's face it, a boob coming out at a sporting event is going to be met with cheers.
5) Our playoff tickets arrived yesterday. Pretty. Oh so pretty. We did put in for another string of tickets but didn't get them. I'm ok with that. It was a heck of a lot of money to have to shell out just to maintain our cool status. You do know we're cool, right?
6) I'm working on this post while the Cs are playing the Bobcats. Pierce, KG & Ray Allen all have the night off and I'm so happy to see the way everyone else is playing without the Big Three. The points, the boards, the high fives, the team work. It's nice. There are a few things I'd change but I'm not the coach and what's the point in discussing that on this blog. I'll go make comments on other people's blogs.
7) The lack of fans in the Bobcat's stadium is sad. Those empty floor seats. The empty seats behind the benches. I'd love to have them pan up so we can see if the Balcony is representing.
8) Remind me to run a contest I've been sitting on. I just need to talk to The Man first...Don't let the suspense kill you.
9) Anyone else ready for the playoffs already?
10) I love Mohawks. Big Baby, I love your Mohawk. I'm even willing to show my support for you and the team but sporting my own. I'd even dye it green. I'm ok with the Mohawk.

April First: Not Just For Fools

I know it's a big day for jokes but I will spare you any of my silliness. For now. And let's just note that that is a very hard thing for me to do!

Today is, in all seriousness, the wedding anniversary of Balcony Guy and I. Yes, we were married on April Fools Day. It's a long story. Meanwhile, while I sit here and reminisce about the fact that 8 years ago I wasn't thinking about the NBA playoffs as I stood on the beach in Key West and I still wasn't thinking about the NBA playoffs as I lounged in Jamaica as a newlywed, I'll give you something great to read about a friend of mine who's one of those guys who probably was thinking about the NBA playoffs 8 years ago and also cursing the fact that he had a lot more work to do since Balcony Guy and I were off being wed: Suldog: Same Old Same Old.

And once you've read that, let's get back to thinking about those playoffs.

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.

Accidental Photo

Driving into the Celtics vs Suns game yesterday afternoon (Lovely win, Celtics. Lovely win.) I managed to snap this shot on the Mass Pike:


I had driven by this guy and his female passenger and was shocked at the plate. What kind of luck was that? So I slowed down in the far right lane and after waiting for about an hour for him to catch up (ok, not really an hour but seriously he was doing about 55. On the Mass Pike. Clearly he's not from these parts.) I got this shot and several others. Poor guy. I hope he didn't travel all the way from Pennsylvania just for that game.

Car Wash to Raise Money for Celtics Playoff Tickets

It's no secret that I'm working on ways to pay for my Celtics playoff tickets. I've tried to become a Celtics Dancer - they sent a lovely letter telling me to try again next year. Apparently my belly button isn't real enough for them. I've tried growing a ticket tree and I've almost put up a paypal button so people can just contribute already. I realized I was fresh out of ideas.

I needed the help of someone who could really care less about the Celtics. And let's face it, we all have many people in our lives who could care less. If it were the Red Sox I was talking about then the line of good pals would be down the block. But this is the Celtics. There are still only a handfull of us that care. Perhaps it's that there are only a handful of us that believe? Everyone else doesn't want to get their hopes up. But that's a post for another time since I don't want to discourage those of you who only come here for the pictures.

The person who came to my mind when I realized I had to fund raise was my Best Friend Forever. This is a gal who got 5 of her neighbors to fight over who would remove a skunk family from beneath her shed. She successfully raised money for a drumming scholarship to MIT for needy drummers (I know, what the heck is that about?). Last month she held a highly renowned book drive for her local library and was able to bring in thousands of old Mac and Windows manuals dating back to 1994. This is a gal who knows how to get things done.

So this weekend, while also pondering what goodies the Easter Bunny would be bringing to my house, I called my BFF on my awesome ME phone and she came right over. Remember, you can click on the pictures to get a bigger version. Then click the back button to come back here. I'm tired of getting emails about how you people clicked a photo then got lost in the World Wide Web.

We chilled in the hot tub, tossing back tequila in over-sized tea cups because my neighbors are really nosy and I'd much rather they think I'm a tea junky than a lush.

We decided to have a car wash. My BFF made a great sign and walked around attracting customers.

First in line to show his support was Balcony Guy with the Balcony Bus.

He was even so sweet as to bring me one of those great car wash Mitts. *Sigh* He is so supportive. Just look at him cheering me on.

He invited some friends to help out, too, and they were more than happy to be here to help their friend Balcony Guy get to the Celtics playoffs.

Here's his best bud helping out my best bud. So sweet.

I managed to get this shot of his undying gratitude. Don't you just love when the audio becomes visual?

Balcony Guy was key to getting the small cars washed in short order. He had a great time with most of the customers. This guy, however, was more interested in his PDA than in the handsome fellow cleaning his car.

We had positioned ourselves near a construction sight and we got lots of big trucks that way. I highly recommend this to anyone else considering a car wash.

Those big trucks take longer but the men sure do appreciate the work. They all took the time to shake my hand.


Unfortunately this one gal got the wrong idea. She had been hanging out in her man's dump truck and was she ever pissed. She totally jumped out and attacked me.

While this didn't thrill me, I did like earning a little extra for the impromptu wrestling match.

I'm proud to report that we earned enough cash to get through a couple of playoff games! I'm saddened to report that after treating our friends to dinner and drinks for their help and devotion, and having to get my hair and nails redone, we're almost back to square one. Guess it's time to come up with another fund raiser. Anyone have any thoughts?

National Celtics Day

Did you know that Monday is Celtics Day? According to the well informed Balcony Princess, Celtics Day will be celebrated by all (I shall not dispel this myth. I'll let her believe it until someone else wrecks the dream). There will be green clothing and shamrock headbands to wear. There will be green Celtics bread to consume (rye, from the bakery. Um, eww). And there should be a Celtics movie. Yes, she is calling for a Celtics movie. Just last week when the shamrocks started to decorate every inch of our local grocery store she threw her arms out and twirled around while declaring, "It is so great to LOVE THE CELTICS." Have truer words ever been spoken by a three year old?

If only she hadn't realized that today is Friday.

Balcony Princess: Balcony Mama, may I stay up late tonight?
Me: No.
Balcony Princess: Just a little late?
Balcony Baby: Me too!
Me: No. Bed at seven.
BP: But, Balcony Mama, I miss Balcony Papa and would really like to see him.
Me: I know, Balcony Princess, but he's going to be home for two whole days.
BP: Oh. So today is Friday?
Me: Yes.
BP with heavy sarcasm and that I've-got-you-now look in her eyes: There's ALWAYS a Celtics game on Friday. I'll have to stay up a little late for that because there isn't a Celtics movie to watch on Celtics Day.

Damn, she got me.

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.