I’ve never been ‘big’ into American sports. In fact, the term seems to innately be associated with the uniquely ‘U-S of A’ pastimes. Big guys with big muscles, induced from big usage of big steroids and, um, creating big egos. However, with the desire to find the definitive ‘American experience’ over here, I figured that inquiring into such as activities was a necessity. Oddly enough, I didn’t have to go looking for it.
The NBA playoffs were just kicking off as we landed into LA. In fact, the first image I saw as I departed the plane was a giant poster of number 24, the ‘Black Mamba’ Kobe Bryant – wearing his Lakers getup and sporting a picture-perfect grin. It was a California tourism marketing scheme, with the words “that’s so LA” blaring out above Kobe’s head. I chuckled to myself thinking about the cheesiness of it all.
However.
Our new home in Huntington Beach brought forth many excitements, including a nearby beach, surf, and cable TV. Suddenly, after not really having watched television for almost a year was in our face everyday, at the push of a remote-control button, which was conveniently located right in the middle of the coffee table – well within my grasp as I lounged about on the sofa. Naturally, the sports channel was the first option, and therefore the NBA playoffs. Paul and I really got into it. I’ve always admired basketball above any other American sport. And for us, it brought back some very fond memories of playing ‘NBA Hangtime’ back in Fernie, Canada with the boys – as well as collecting those shiny basketball cards we all seemed to have (or want) back in the day. In addition, the Lakers had made it to the playoff round, along with the Rockets, Nuggets, Mavericks, Bulls, Magic, Cavaliers, Hawks and Celtics (yes!). Week by week, we would venture to ‘Freds’, which has become our local bar/restaurant here in HB. Most of the games have been hugely entertaining, with the Lakers recently pipping the Magic 4-1 in the finals, and becoming the 2009 NBA champions! The atmosphere here right now is electric with the Lakers, and a celebration parade is scheduled for tomorrow in downtown LA. Unfortunately for us, we will be working. Rats.
We also saw our first baseball game ever on Friday night…Anaheim Angels vs. the San Diego Padres. Being a huge cricket fan, I have always been a bit skeptical of the whole baseball thing, and would much rather watch the now-playing T20 cricket world cup than the baseball ‘world series’, which is strangely comprised of all American teams. Hmm. But hey, it’s the greatest country in the world - Jesus was born here. In Texas.
Anyway, Paul and I scored seven free tickets to the game, so figured we’d give it a whirl. We ended up going with a few of our friends from Rock Harbor church, who happily answered all of our questions and confusions throughout the game. However I was more stoked with the atmosphere. The spectacle of it all was amazing – 41,000 screaming fans in a state-of-the-art-stadium, cheering for the Angels amidst singing and raising hands in-sync to ‘the wave’ – rolling through the crowd. To top it all off, the Angels won 11-6, which was followed by an awesome fireworks display, popping and exploding in the night sky in time to some good old Motown tunes blaring from the stadium speakers. Overall, it was an epic night. We left the game with a real sense of accomplishment, however gimmicky or touristy it may have been. Fact is that not every New Zealander can enjoy the bright lights and vibrant vibe of live American sports. We walked out of there with stoke, ‘big’ smiles and an honest appreciation and delight of another small, but significant achievement in our travels thus far. Word.
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