Team Spirit

Well, we made it to the Blazer game. I didn't have to face the beer/hot dog decision because we ended up at Mamma Mia's beforehand. I managed to put back a glass of red wine with my bolognese (kudos to Mamma Mia's for a delicious bolognese). So it turns out that after being over-served I am able to face alcohol again a short three nights later. Good for me!

The Blazer game was fun. Following the theme of being over-served there were four older gentlemen behind us who had indulged in some libations prior to the game (pretty safe to say they were drinking Budweiser). They were very spirited. We have pretty good seats fairly close to the floor and these guys were pretty darn excited to be "close to the action." My favorite was the one I referred to as "Santa" due to his long white goatee (which paired nicely with his shiny bald head). The goatee reached all the way to his chest and had that white frizzy texture that I associate with the king of Christmas (no, not Jesus - the OTHER king of Christmas). Santa was more excited than anyone else about the game. I don't mean more excited than his three buddies, I mean actually more excited than anyone else at the Rose Garden. Santa had it going on. He lead all the cheers: "DE-FENSE", "LET'S GO BLAZERS" and a variety of clapping moves. Even his unsuccessful attempts to start the wave did not alter his enthusiasm. Santa cheered relentlessly throughout the entire game.

At halftime the Blazers (known for their "fun" halftime entertainment) had some sort of contest for women to shoot free throws. It appeared to me that every woman in the Rose Garden was lined up to shoot a free throw. And there they went - step up, shoot, miss and so on and so forth. And there went Santa, right with them - "You go girl in the black jeans! Keep it up fat Grandma!" Although not particularly PC, I felt Santa's intentions were good.

We started out the second half with some of Santa's best work. Santa was also a heckler and the second half gave him a fantastic opportunity to heckle the opposing team during free throws. Every free throw included a series of verbal assaults worthy of a truck stop. It was inspired. The game was a good one and despite playing lukewarm for the first three quarters the Blazers made a strong fourth quarter push. Finally (as Santa said) the crowd was into it and on their feet. A game changing free throw attempt was missed by the opposing team as Santa assaulted the opponents with his most hair raising heckling. After the miss Santa leaned over to his buddy and said with great sincerety, "See, I think we really do make a difference." Yes folks, Santa believes. I guess the question is, do you believe in Santa?