You are currently browsing the daily archive for April 22nd, 2008.
Last night I got on the internet and found a slew of emails regarding watching the Houston Rockets. Lisa Leu wanted to see a live playoff game for the first time. With lots of emailing, they decided to go to yesterday’s game, which was much sooner than she expected but she was up for it. I replied saying that I wished they had a good time and that we’d win. Around 8pm (about half an hour before the opening jumpball), Jeff Chen called me to say that he could find no one to go with him to the game. Arnold had a flat tire and decided to hand off the tickets to him. I was hesitant because it was so last minute. I called Elliot to see if he wanted to go, but there was no answer. I was on the fence, and then Jeff said, “Okay, I’m going to make an executive decision. I’m going to pick you up because I’ve already made a U-turn.” Thus I ended up attending the game as well.
Complications were involved, however, beyond being late (which was actually not that big a deal compared to everything else). First, we had a hard time finding a parking space. Then, when Jeff parked and stepped out of the car, an African-American guy came and asked if we had paid. We answered no, so Jeff coughed up $15 to get a ticket. As soon as that happened, another African-American guy in a long red polo shirt started running towards us shouting that this first guy was a fraud. The first guy took off. Before we knew what had happened, this second guy explained what the first guy did. Apparently the first guy just waits around for people to park, pretends to be the attendant, then steals the money and gives a fake ticket. Jeff had put the fake ticket on his windshield, on the outside. The second guy says that obviously that’s not safe because anyone could just take the ticket. The fake ticket was also different from his ticket (although that ticket was different from the rest of the tickets in the parking lot). The second guy insisted that he was legit, saying that these tickets were after-the-start-of-the-game tickets (thus they looked different), that the ticket’s supposed to be put inside the car, and that he’s not running away. Jeff coughed up another $20.
We walked to the Toyota Center, but I think he was so preoccupied because I had stopped to put back my contact that was paining me and he didn’t notice at all - he just kept walking. We stepped off the really tall escalators (whoa, I don’t think I’ve been in that building since…elementary school, and it still looks huge), and then Jeff said he was going to go back and check on his car. He couldn’t shake it (I don’t think I would’ve been able to, either). I didn’ t think it was good for him to walk around by himself, so we both went downstairs. The people at the door said that there is no re-entry. Thus we went back upstairs, found our seats (1 and 2 next to some big/tall UH white dudes) near the aisle of row 8 in Section 404, and watched…I think we caught the second half.
At halftime, Jeff said that he was going to try to convince the people at the door to let him leave and return. I didn’t see that happening, so I didn’t join him. I watched the show, which was entertaining for me, all that breakdancing and such. Turns out Jeff was able to convince a guy at the door to let him leave/return (the guy told Jeff to come back to the same door and if the guy wasn’t there, for Jeff to name him). Jeff decided to leave his car at the parking lot. Then we continued watching the game. They made some good plays (we stood up), but the Jazz immediately snatched it away (by making their own good play). And there were some disappointing plays (wow, that was a really bad shot). And when Bobby Jackson (whoever he is, he seemed to make a lot of points for this game when I watched) made a 3-pointer but the points didn’t show, the game died. Thus today I read, “As Jackson swished his 3, Scola was called for an offensive foul. Seconds later, the Rockets were out of chances.” Indeed. I’d like Rafer Alston to come back for Game 3, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea for him (you know, don’t want to re-injure and really be out for the season).
Anyway, near the end they had a memorabilia throw which I guess they have all the time. I didn’t think we’d get anything, but a Rockets cap fell on our seats! Yet I saw another hand and so I let him have it. Jeff asked me, “You didn’t want it?” Well, I don’t really wear hats/caps, and it seems like the African-American guy was a big fan (in all Rockets attire and holding Rockets gear). Doh, I guess I could’ve first asked Jeff if he wanted it. Too late.
After the game, I saw Judd! with his FOB friends ;-P For those of you who don’t know, Judd is the older brother of Tina Huang (not spunktina). She and I were the only girls in our grade at FBCC for Sunday School. Then, Lisa saw me! They were at Section 409. So we were united with the rest of the HCC BASIC members who went: James Hsia (who drove), Robert Hwang, and Chi-Chi. At first I wanted to ride with Lisa since we live only a few minutes away from each other and that would save Jeff some mileage, but James said that it would be better if I ride with Jeff so that he wouldn’t be driving by himself. So we walked to Jeff’s car, and then they continued walking to James’s vehicle. Oh, I forgot to mention, it was interesting, a woman almost fell over a huge traffic cone, but James saved her, haha. And so Jeff dropped me off and I went to bed a bit past midnight. Tired.
ROCKETS-JAZZ PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Utah leads series, 2-0
Game 1 - Sat. Utah 93, Houston 82
Game 2 - Mon. Utah 90, Houston 84
Game 3 - Thu. @ Utah 9:30PM TNT
Game 4 - Apr. 26 @ Utah 9:30PM ESPN
Game 5 * Apr. 29 @ Houston TBD
Game 6 * May 2 @ Utah TBD
Game 7 * May 4 @ Houston TBD
