16th Row ... [Fixed Post]

**I didn't realize that some of the paragraphs got moved when I posted this... it's now in the right order**

"Say hi to Roberto for me."

Apparently my nephew is on a first name basis with Roberto Luongo. I'm a bit ashamed that I need to add in the clarification that Mr. Luongo is the goalie for the Vancouver Canucks (Shawna, he's incredible too!).

Christopher asked me to send his regards to Luongo when I told him I was going to the game on Saturday when I was babysitting. I laughed. He then proceeded to inform me that his buddy Roberto was coming for a sleepover sometime in the boys newly painted bedroom. The boys are pretty proud of their bedroom. I'd say my sister did a great job!


So I had the pleasure of going and watching the Canucks beat the Stars 3-2 from the 16th row!! That's close enough to see the sweat on the player's faces... and the grimaces... and the smiles... and to see the foul words that came flying out of some mouths at various points in the game. I was right behind my nephew's beloved Luongo. I felt like I should of had a beer to go a long with the whole experience, but beer is gross.

On the way to the game, as Laura and I were passing this truck I saw my brother-in-law. He didn't see me and Laura didn't believe me. We slowed down, and sure enough Brian was with his four buddies in a friend's truck on the way to the game. I was waving out the window and yelling at them. He asked what section I was in and if I had taken the tunnel (traffic was so backed up!).

Then, at the game, I got a call from my brother asking where I was sitting. So I stood in the aisle and flailed my arms like an idiot trying to get his attention. He was way up in the nose-bleeds just to the left of me so we waved and acted like fools. Every time I looked up at him after that we would be sitting in the same position. It made me laugh.

The game itself was very entertaining. I really do enjoy watching it from up close. It's obviously much different than on TV. Much more exciting, but at the same time, the player's don't seem as unreal as they do on TV. "Unreal" in the sense that they are these superstars whose lives are hockey. When I watched them sit on the bench and interact with each other I... it wasn't an enlightenment or anything... but you realize how normal they are. I could imagine their wives in the stands or at home with the kids. I saw that they were just a bunch of boys playing a game - the great game of hockey, at that, but still... playing a game.

I loved watching the ease and fluidity with which they could skate. Everything was smooth. Watching Edler elegantly transition from the ice to the bench was impressive, breathtaking even. He would be powering to the bench full tilt and then he would gracefully lift his right leg up over the bench and place it on the ground, raise his left leg and be seated on the bench beside his teammate in one fluid transition. It was incredible! He would walk over the edge like it was no big deal while little Ritchie would have to jump up and hoist himself over.


That was the exciting event of the week. Other than that, I wrote my last exam, sat in Kelowna while Michelle wrote her last exam. I have a wedding to go to tomorrow - no outfit yet (typical), family Christmas on the 24th, Mom's birthday and dinner on the 25th (she's 55 this year... and won't be impressed that I am writing that... but she's hot), then Erik and I are off to Minnesota. It should be wonderful.