Fun JLA stories

For the first time in a long time, I can say that yesterday's game was great. As per usual, I walked into the Joe happy and cheerful and smiling and saying hi to everyone. After I had gotten something to eat from our little stand and almost running into Cory Cross, I stopped and was talking to an usher about his daughter (who has recently had knee surgery and also works at the Joe). This little hobbit, rookie usher comes in and was waving at me. Mind you, my attendance this year as been less than acceptable and he was maybe in my corner once or twice, anyway, I smiled back and said hi. Then he stops, comes over to Larry and says, "isn't she pretty?" I am trying to not laugh, though I can't say I can argue. Larry says, "oh yeah, she's my second wife. Doesn't she look like she could be my second wife?" Now I can't hold back and we all start laughing. Little hobbit comes up and puts his arm around me, I was thinking that was going to say something completely inappropriate, but then asked if I was French-Canadian. I said no in a kind of mean way, and felt bad when I saw his reaction. Then I caught myself and said yeah, you know what, I think I am. (In fact, I know I am.) He said, because you look like you really could be. That moment completely ruined the conversation Larry and I were having and then we parted ways. I went up to the concourse, checked in with Jack, and then went to my safe haven in the rink and ate dinner. Dennis came over and told his story of the debacle that was his birthday. I honestly have no idea why people think they need to get shitfaced on their birthdays. Completely pointless and you feel like shit the next day.

There is no part of the night that is more boring than when doors first open and there are very few people coming into the arena. A couple of men came in, asking me stupid questions about their seats that were on the other side of the rink and talking about flying pucks. I told my story and pointed out the spot on the wall about the puck during warmups that almost smacked my cheek a couple seasons ago. They didn't believe me about the mark on the wall, but I said it honestly left a mark. One of the guys said, would you ever say dishonest? He said, you just said honest, would you ever say dishonest? I knew what he meant but all I could think about was Jack Sparrow. Considering I had just posted that part of the movie, it was really eery.

An old friend that I hadn't seen in AGES stopped and said hi. We were trying to fix the chairs that they tie together so I was a little busy, distracted and caught off guard, but managed to get through the situation. But it's nothing to fret over, weirder things have happened.

My favorite season ticket holder showed up. It's always nice to see him and I think it's largely because he recognizes me as "the usher" in the section. So we caught up for awhile. It is so nice to think that after all this time that there is a ticket holder who actually - dare I say the word - cares about the usher in his section. Then a little bit later another guy and his wife who have partial season tickets showed up. They are so funny and I was totally glad to see them. Considering I was remaining in a good mood, this made my night. Since I only got the ties apart for the seats who I know have a problem staying together (whether it be for a wheelchair or bad legs/knees), I kept the rest together. This guy was leaning back on his chair. I walked up to him and said, you know if you fall over you are going to take the row with you and cause this horrific domino effect. He told me to shut up and get out of here. All in good fun. I like giving him a hard time because he does the same for me. The older man said hey, leave my girl alone. hahaha. I continued to give him shit for the rest of the game. It was sad at the end though, he said that was their last game of the season and they hoped to see me next year. GEESH! Thanks for the guilt trip!!! Ah well, I'll come to that decision in the next few months. I'm about 75% certain of my choice. Fun times were had in 125 last night. I didn't have to yell at more than ten people the entire night.

I suppose the only downside was the usher that had upper bowl right above me was hacking up his lungs every few minutes. It was the grossest, nastiest cough I've heard in a long time. I wished I took a Vitamin C pill before I left. Totally grossed me out for the majority of the game. Because of this, I had to stand on the right side instead of the left which threw me off. When I stand to the left I can see the majority of my section AND the rink so I can catch some of the game. Standing on the right enables me to see the section but I have to turn my head back to see the rink. Very confusing to the reader, but I have my own system that I don't like being diviated from.

Went to the bar for Dennis' bday after the game. Besides that meeting with destiny in November, I haven't been out after a game since before the lockout, especially with the ushers...now pushing about two years. I stayed out late regardless of me not drinking anything. Edmonton and Vancouver were on the Center Ice package and so I stayed and watched the game. Didn't get home and in bed until almost 2, which, when you get up at 6 on most days, is really late and noteworthy. I did make sure that I took both my multi-vitamin and extra vitamin C pills just because I was still grossed out from that cough. I will be washing my usher jacket within the next couple of days.

Now I am racking my brain and trying to creatively find a solution. Wish me luck.