(Ericka and Jill at the Ducks game on Tuesday night)
I took my girlfriends, Jill & Ericka, to the Ducks game last week. We have shared season tickets and the same usual suspects surrounding us at every game we attend (except this mean guy who made fun of me–remember him? He was a onetime deal).
As we sat down to eat our Ruby's Tri-Tip Sliders–with horseradish mayo–the guys in front of us turned around and started a little conversation. "So, is it girl's night out?" the most cunning one asked us. "You girls here all alone? First game?" Said the another one, the leader of the group.
"I'm here all the time!" I quickly corrected him. "We're season ticket holders. I sit behind you almost every game with my kids."
At that, he craned his head all the way around and got a better look at me through his already blurry eyes. "Oh, yeah," he said vaguely, giving me the "beer-squint."
"We really tone it down when you're here with your kids," he said in a Eddy Haskell manner.
Smiling big, "Really? I couldn't tell."
But you know what? After the second period it was sharply obvious they HAD been "toning it down" for my kids. Ericka would roll her eyes at the back of their heads at every curse word and any insult thrown at the Kings' fans.
Not all the crowd is raucous. In fact, the guy that sits right behind us surely is a devout Christian. Throughout every game he calls upon the Lord to help the team, "Jesus, we just need some defense here!" Or for Him to help the players, "Jesus! Jiggy, get some focus." But mostly he just meditates, trying to lay a cover of blessings on the team by repeating, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" during the rough patches of the game.
The Ducks sure attract some Holy Rollers. Ericka gave this guy the eye-roll (slash) head shake at every outburst–her most potent form of shaming. As always, I had a good time and learned more about the game and, just as fun, the people around us made the game better. I love the Ducks fans!
I was there on Tuesday night! I think this guy sits behind me too. For sure the guys that were sitting in front of you were in front of me too. So sad what’s happening to the Ducks this season.
I’m sure the guys in front of you were just trying to be hospitable. Hockey fans are notoriously hospitable.
Sounds like God can be found everywhere! Even appears to be a Ducks fan, or at least there is hope for that! The Ladies look Fab, and are obviously having a good time. Thanks for sharing!!!!
LOL…yeap, Jesus can be found everywhere, can’t he? Glad you had a good time.
WHERE is SO-SO to kick rowdy drunks to the curb when you need him? : )
This is too funny……asking Jesus to help? I think he may be a bit busy!!!!!!
I also can’t stand being around the loud, cussing, drunk people. Well, unless it happens to be me. :0
Charmers.
Not even divine intervention is going to help the Ducks this season.
what a great blog you have! i just jumped over from fancy feet. great pictures, great words. your flickr stream is wonderful too. especially the theme park photos and the balloon park pics. i love california, but i’m an east coast girl….an east coast girl that joneses for the west coast at least once a year.
It was so kind of those nice gentlemen to tone down their enthusiasm out of consideration for your children. It’s a shame that they don’t realize that LADIES should be respected EVEN MORE!!!
Perhaps the Holy Roller behind you wasn’t praying for the team, but for the drunks!!!
The fan base sounds like it could rival NASCAR. I wanna go!!!!
I know I keep saying this, but you tell a story so well! I always feel like I’m right there.
Ha! Beer-squint! Totally using that one!
“Beer squint!” Good one.
I wish you girls sat behind me at the last Ducks game. I have the nastiest hags in OC parked behind me the entire game screaming “Getsy!” “Jiggy” “Bobby!”
It’s a F*#&@ing hockey game, not a Jonas Brothers concert!!!
I’m sure you guys were much more respectful.
I wish more girls looked like you and your friends at the Ducks games.
Oh, nothing will help the Ducks now!! Even if Jesus came right down and played in the games, they are too in the whole.