Visiting fans

On a recent road trip to the Bunker, I was decked out in my barber pole jersey showing my allegiance to the visiting team from Ottawa when a lady stopped by to ask about an entrance. I guess she was meeting someone at the main entrance. Since I travel a fair bit to the Bunker I answered her question but she didn't seem to believe me. She continued asking similar questions throwing in street names that I had to think about for a bit. Thankfully someone, presumably from the area, interceded and saved me from the redundant questions. (By the look on his face after I think he was sorry he stepped in).

First off, if you are not going to believe someone when they answer you, don't waste your time asking that person your question. Second, if the person is wearing a visiting team jersey chances are they may not know the answer to any question regarding the building or area. Thirdly, if you are unsure of things before you leave the house, take some time and look up the building or area.

Perhaps she didn't realize I was cheering for the visiting team but given the fact that I was the only person around at the time wearing barber poles instead of white or puke green of the Battalion she should have figured it out. At least I got a bit of a chuckle out of the whole situation.

The Excitement Builds

As the weekend nears, my excitement grows and not just because I get two days away from the hell I call work. This weekend will mark the first, of what I hope to be many, road trips of the 2008 year for me. Sure I’ve been to Buffalo four or five times already this year but that was more like an outing than a real road trip. The HSBC arena is my home during the National Lacrosse League season so a drive there is commonplace and does not get the road trip status, although it is still a lengthy drive.

My road trip begins Saturday when I head to Rochester with my sister to see the baby Jays take on the Red Wings followed by a great meal at Main Street Bar & Grill and ending with the Buffalo Bandits versus the Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse game. Although I am only driving about 30 minutes further than Buffalo, I see this trip as a real road trip. Perhaps my view arises because I will be seeing two sporting events (depending on the weather) or maybe it arises because I don’t go to Rochester very often. Maybe it’s because this trip signifies the beginning of road tripping weather, I don’t know. But whatever the reason is I can’t wait to leave, even though the drive for me will start at 7:30 AM.

Even with my excitement boiling over, I am also a bit nervous about the lacrosse game. You see, every time I traveled in the past to the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial to watch a game, the team I cheer for has always come out on the losing side. To make things worse, Rochester is fighting for a playoff spot and needs this win badly. With only three games to go, they will be playing with desperation. The Bandits have perhaps the best team in the league when they play well but can look like the worst team when they don’t. No matter the outcome of either sporting event, I think this will be a fun trip. Go Chiefs! And Go Bandits!

Road Trip Planning

This winter is starting to take its toll on me and I am already looking ahead to the spring and summer and being able to take road trips with little, if any, concern for the weather. Depite my 2 hour plus drive to Buffalo to watcht he Bandits games, I am itching to go on a road trip. During an innocent email conversation with my sister, we ended up planning a sports packed day trip to Rochester. In the afternoon we will be seeing the baby Jays while they take on the Red Hawks. In the evening we will head to the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial to watch the Bandits hopefully defeat the Knighthawks. Unfortuantely, that it is a month and a half and a few snow storms away. Maybe I can take a trip to Ottawa to see a Sens or '67's game before that.