Don't miss a moment. Sadly, we did. Here's the DL on what happened.
Be there when the doors open. - check
That part takes a bit, but not too long. You go through the doors where they look through your stuff first. And it was a close one. Mr. B was a few people ahead of me and walked right in with his camera on his side. I read on their site that you can take a camera in as long as the lens was shorter than three inches. No problem. Right? WRONG! They were announcing over the PA system that no cameras with detachable lenses would be allowed. You could either take them back to your car or check them in with guest services. This is later a very important piece in the puzzle. Anyway, Mr. B made it in fine. With his camera hanging right there on his shoulder.
My turn. I had the mega-lens in the bottom of my purse. Very well concealed. She looked in, then felt the outside of my purse. Crap!!!! She asked me to remove my wallet so she could see in. I was freaking out!! Going back to the car would have been a twenty minute ordeal. I knew the mister wouldn't check that lens in with guest services! So, I opened my purse up and shifted stuff around so she could see in it. I was sneaky. Each time I grabbed stuff to pull back, I'd grab ahold of the lens and pull it back, too. I have to admit - - I did a DANG good job. The lens was never visible and she let me pass. Whew. Too close.
Go directly to guest services in section 101. - check
Time to get our wrist bands. Two problems here. First, the line was *way* long with people that were supposed to get a free Tony Parker fleece blanket (first come first served.) Secondly, it was also full of people having to check in their cameras. (Ouch!) I got behind a man that wanted details upon details upon details regarding the safety of his camera. He asked no less than eleventy billion questions. I finally butted my way through the line and asked for my package. He handed it to me, no problem.
We got our wristbands on and headed into the lower section. I could see the players running back inside. Whaaaaaat? We got down to the guard rail and the usher said it was over, we'd have to go back to our seats. Shut. Up. That's it? Nothing? I went through all of that for freakin' nothing? I was pissed. And then - - very, very sad. I could feel the tears welling up. I was so disappointed that my big coup was going to be nothing more than a nice view of the empty court. I. Was. Devastated.
That's when I heard this, "Hey, Eva. Here. A picture please?" Yep. It was her. Eva Longoria. Less than four feet from me and the mister. We missed her. I saw her from behind though. Geez that woman is TINY!!
I sulked and we walked back to our seats. Bummer. Mr. B told me that it was totally okay and he didn't see where we could have done anything different to make it work. The Spurs went back to the locker room 45 minutes before tip off. Not 20. Chalk it up in the "things that just suck" category.
Our seats were great. To a fault. Standing *right* next to us, the entire game, was an usher. We were right by the opening. There was no way we could get the camera out and put the big lens on and take some pictures. We didn't want to get thrown out and we didn't want the camera confiscated. So - - this is the best picture we have:
In it is Tim Duncan, Kurt Thomas, Tony Parker, Michael Finley and Manu Ginobili. Right by the free throw line is Chris Paul from the Hornets. (He and Tony Parker are good friends outside of the game. Chris was a groomsman at Tony and Eva's wedding!) I discovered that Chris P is quite a whiner. He was constantly whining to the refs. I enjoyed seeing David West from the Hornets receive a technical. That was funny.
The Spurs won, 106 - 93. Not as close or as intense as the Dallas game last year. Still a good game. And I'm glad we went.
I e-mailed guest services on Monday and told her about my experience. (I was very nice.) She apologized and re-extended the offer. She said that the next time we go to a game, just let her know and she'd help us try again. I thought it was WAY cool of her.
Until next time - - Go Spurs Go!!!
3 comments:
Yeah, so I walked in with my mega lens, like Mr. B...right there on my shoulder! Then, I had nose-bleed seats! You know what? No ushers up there! I thought I was disappointed in my seats, but after reading your story, I think I like it up there!
They were on those cameras like white on rice. It was nuts. I don't know how the mister walked right past with his, yet I get the freakin' strip search. Okay, not that dramatic, but still.
When we saw them play the Mavs last year, we were in the nosebleed, but center court. We got some awesome pictures then. If we'd been one row higher, we could have totally taken some pics this time. But alas, row 3 was not our photo friend.
That's just... anticlimatic. I am glad there was no confiscation and minor arrest to interrupt the game. But dang... stupid rules.
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