So That was Sunday...
I went to bed Saturday night nervous for what Sunday might bring. I knew that a Raptor's loss would be the death of the team as I knew it. I was also teased with the possibility of going to the game by Allison.
Are you sure you want to go to the game?
Allison seemed to be into the game but I wanted to make sure. I knew the tickets would be pricey but I also felt in my superstitious way that going to the game would help them win. (Warning: That will not be the weirdest statement I make in this blog.)
You should have some beers before the game. (She knew my brother Darroch would help with this idea as well.)
Allison said this for two reasons:
1. To hopefully make me relax a little.
2. To make me tired later so I would sleep as she drove like a maniac back to London.
Gametime
We arrive at the game with plenty of time to spare. As we took our seats, I was reminded of the last time I sat that far back. It was back in the early 2000s and the Raptors lost by 20 to the Indiana Pacers. GREAT! I tried to hide this from my superstitious side but to no avail. Don't worry, Larry Bird was at that game. Wait, he is here too! Panic was only averted because of a good start and a slight beer buzz.
As Bismack was fouled and went to the line, I muttered and begged, "Come on! Just make one of two."
"Who are you talking to?" Allison asked as she questioned my sanity.
"I just.... Good point."
Up at half and nature called. While in line, a guy jumped in about three people ahead and no one said anything. I actually thought, "Last time I was at a game and a guy did that, I questioned him and almost got into a fight. The Raptors won that game. (Lowry at the buzzer against the Cavs.) Maybe I need to do that again." This was not an alcohol induced thought, rather a more silly superstition.... No superstition you are not silly, I don't mean it.
I actually made it back to my seat without any incidents and in time to bite through my nails in the second half.
A Pacer made a shot that was clearly a two but was called a three.
"Hey! You have to review that! His foot was clearly on the line!" I yelled.
"They can't hear you." proclaimed my ever doubting sweety.
Funny enough, they reviewed it and reversed the call. It was just a two. I am so smart and I am glad they listened. You're welcomed Raptors. Just because the crowd is about the same volume as a death metal concert and even though we are a half a kilometer away, it does not mean they cannot hear me.
Entering the fourth up 14 (My lucky number) I was feeling ok at best. To my credit, I did not come close to napping. I sweated out a Pacer comeback but I knew we had it after the Paul George blatant push off on the fast break was actually called. Watching Kyle launch the ball into the air as the horn sounded brought a huge sigh of relief and a smile.
I would like to apologize to anyone trying to contact me during the game. I didn't check my phone a whole lot when the Raptors took the lead. I took it as a sign we would do better if my cell remained in my pocket. Allison would hear none of it as she did a good job documenting stuff.
The rest of the night was easy enough. We floated back to the car and gushed over the game. I helped guide Allison out of the downtown core and then I called upon my super powers to get me to sleep as she sped the Delorian back to London. (We both prefer I sleep when she is driving. ) I made it to school on time in the a.m. and discussed poetry with my grade 12s. They may have purposely got me off track with questions about the game. Smart kids. (See my blog from last summer.
Waking up this morning I realize I now have to go through it all again... To quote many a Newfoundlander, "Oh Me Nerves!"
