Go to the Nets game – Get Disoriented!
By Mel Fabrikant Thursday, December 21, 2006, 12:04 PM EST
My son invited me to take in the Nets game last night and I gladly accepted the invitation. We live in different areas of New Jersey and don’t get to visit with each other that often. Taking that into consideration, we elected to drive from our opposite locations and meet there. Although he offered to pick me up, I factored in the traffic generated in Paramus, especially in the evening. This was justified when returning at 11:30 PM, it took me 5 minutes to travel 200 feet to my driveway. We made arrangements to meet at the Will Call window.
Arriving early at the Continental Arena, I followed the parking signs and was directed to go to the lots on the other side of Route 120. From there, I would have to take a Shuttle Bus across the street. Paying the munificent sum of $12.00 to park, I asked if I could take my camera into the game. The lady was nice enough to inform me that video cameras were excluded, but cameras were okay. That’s odd because my digital camera is capable of taking videos.
Driving in the dim light, I headed in the direction I was told to take. Voila .. I saw some busses waiting so I parked near to them in order to be able to locate my vehicle on the return trip. Smart move I thought; I should know better! When the bus deposited us at the arena, I asked the driver if this was where we would get the bus on the return trip. He said yes so I marked the spot in my memory. Smart move I thought; I should know better!
After trying to enter two gates and standing in the cold weather, directions were given to me to go to the main entrance. That meant another stroll in the cold air. Luckily, Bruce, my son, was just approaching the entrance at the same time and we happily embraced. He was told to park in the parking garage next to the main entrance, albeit on the top levels. He picked up the tickets and we grabbed some of the fast food available to take to our seats. We had plenty of time to chat and eat.
When the game was over, I elected to leave by a different gate from where we entered so Bruce and I said our goodbyes. We’ll see each other again on Christmas Day when our family visits and I make my traditional Xmas shrimp done in a white wine court bouillon along with a mild, a hot and a XXX super hot cocktail sauce which always seems to disappear first.
Back to the departure, I walked out to the supposed pick up site only to see a flashing sign that pointed in one direction for shuttle buses and another for NYC buses. I knew I wanted the shuttle bus so I waited a bit, but no one else was waiting. Paying attention to the sign, it said to go to section O22 for shuttle buses. There on the horizon was a bright sign visible to all that designated O22. So much for the same pick-up drop-off site.
The buses filled up rapidly so we didn’t have to stand in the now bitter cold weather in the open parking lot. When we finally were transported across the highway, we were deposited in a different dimly lighted area than we had started. So much for the same pick-up drop-off site. I should have known better! Looking around, I oriented myself and was able to locate my silver gray car within minutes. That color is usually difficult to distinguish in the dark.
Luckily I know my way around the track area .. or so I thought! ( I go to the Meadowlands Fair every year ) Heading in the proper direction around the perimeter, I came across a road that would take me past the track. It being deserted, I rushed down towards the exit only to see barricades across the road some 800 yards distant. This required a three point turn and a rush back to the perimeter, back to the parking area and then out on the other side of the barricade. I made it! Going past the track, I was able to locate the road that I wanted and headed home to that 5 minute traffic wait. That was a relief after undergoing all those trials and tribulations.
Oh yes, after blowing a 14 point lead, the Nets beat the Cavaliers by only 2 points. These were mainly scored on fouls at the end of the game. The Nets won and I got to visit with my son, a terrific evening!
Arriving early at the Continental Arena, I followed the parking signs and was directed to go to the lots on the other side of Route 120. From there, I would have to take a Shuttle Bus across the street. Paying the munificent sum of $12.00 to park, I asked if I could take my camera into the game. The lady was nice enough to inform me that video cameras were excluded, but cameras were okay. That’s odd because my digital camera is capable of taking videos.
Driving in the dim light, I headed in the direction I was told to take. Voila .. I saw some busses waiting so I parked near to them in order to be able to locate my vehicle on the return trip. Smart move I thought; I should know better! When the bus deposited us at the arena, I asked the driver if this was where we would get the bus on the return trip. He said yes so I marked the spot in my memory. Smart move I thought; I should know better!
After trying to enter two gates and standing in the cold weather, directions were given to me to go to the main entrance. That meant another stroll in the cold air. Luckily, Bruce, my son, was just approaching the entrance at the same time and we happily embraced. He was told to park in the parking garage next to the main entrance, albeit on the top levels. He picked up the tickets and we grabbed some of the fast food available to take to our seats. We had plenty of time to chat and eat.
When the game was over, I elected to leave by a different gate from where we entered so Bruce and I said our goodbyes. We’ll see each other again on Christmas Day when our family visits and I make my traditional Xmas shrimp done in a white wine court bouillon along with a mild, a hot and a XXX super hot cocktail sauce which always seems to disappear first.
Back to the departure, I walked out to the supposed pick up site only to see a flashing sign that pointed in one direction for shuttle buses and another for NYC buses. I knew I wanted the shuttle bus so I waited a bit, but no one else was waiting. Paying attention to the sign, it said to go to section O22 for shuttle buses. There on the horizon was a bright sign visible to all that designated O22. So much for the same pick-up drop-off site.
The buses filled up rapidly so we didn’t have to stand in the now bitter cold weather in the open parking lot. When we finally were transported across the highway, we were deposited in a different dimly lighted area than we had started. So much for the same pick-up drop-off site. I should have known better! Looking around, I oriented myself and was able to locate my silver gray car within minutes. That color is usually difficult to distinguish in the dark.
Luckily I know my way around the track area .. or so I thought! ( I go to the Meadowlands Fair every year ) Heading in the proper direction around the perimeter, I came across a road that would take me past the track. It being deserted, I rushed down towards the exit only to see barricades across the road some 800 yards distant. This required a three point turn and a rush back to the perimeter, back to the parking area and then out on the other side of the barricade. I made it! Going past the track, I was able to locate the road that I wanted and headed home to that 5 minute traffic wait. That was a relief after undergoing all those trials and tribulations.
Oh yes, after blowing a 14 point lead, the Nets beat the Cavaliers by only 2 points. These were mainly scored on fouls at the end of the game. The Nets won and I got to visit with my son, a terrific evening!
