One shy of the cycle

I got back from my annual sojourn to the homeland(s) early Tuesday morning (2 a.m., in fact, due to a slight delay leaving Boston), and I feel like I haven't stopped since then. We had three sporting events in three days this week -- Thursday was the Storm, Friday the Red Sox, and Saturday was the Storm again. We won the first two, but sadly, the Storm had their asses handed to them Saturday, leaving me one shy of the trifecta. (I did, however, get a commemorative Sue Bird decade bobblehead doll, so I really shouldn't complain.)

In short, I'm spent. And now I have to go back to work. I think I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.

A championship parade, 2 out of town guests, and one busy girl

Man, I'm spent. We went to the Storm championship parade, and it was fantastic. Sure, it was pouring rain and I was soaking wet before we even saw the first hints of the Storm players, but it was still worth it. Sure, this is also old, old news, but I know how you people care about my Storm life. And how much you love to look at my crappy photos taken in the rain.

After the parade on Friday night, we spent Saturday cleaning in preparation for my awesome friend Rachel's impending visit. She brought her sister, Sarah, with her for good measure, and it was a Wellesley mini-reunion in my living room! Also, good times. Unfortunately, I had to work all week, but we still got to hang out at night and do random touristy things on the weekend, including but not limited to: go to the top of the Space Needle (my first time!), and hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge, where there were no rattlesnakes but there were amazing views.

In sum: I'm tired. But happy.

We are the champions

The Storm win it! They swept the Atlanta Dream to take the WNBA title, and they went undefeated during the playoffs. So. Fucking. Utterly. Fantastic. Sure, I would have loved to see it in person, but I have it on good authority that there's going to be some celebrating tomorrow night, and I cannot wait.

My fabulous friend on the East Coast saw the news on ESPN, and called to congratulate me, which was awesome. While the Storm may not know it, I totally helped seal the win by wearing my lucky shirt during every playoff game. Victory is so very, very sweet, my friends.

I drink from the keg of glory! We won!!

Two down, one to go

Storm win again, to take a 2-0 lead in the WNBA Finals. One more win and the championship is ours, baby.

Stormy weather

I swear I won't only blog about the Storm, though I have been somewhat single-minded lately. I can't help it! You know I'm a crazy sports fan, and I get very superstitious. I've been wearing the same shirt (no washing!) to every playoff game. I try to get J.R. to park in the same place. I won't Twitter until after the game is over. I'm basically a lunatic at this point.

It's paying off so far. The Storm won today, though it was down to the wire, and a Sue Bird jumper did it again. I'll be back at the Key for game 2, and you can tell that your team has really arrived when they get their flag up on the Space Needle -- and when someone steals your license plate bracket.

Go Storm!

Winning is soo much better than losing

I'm still a little stunned, but the Storm came back from -- what? 19 points at one time? -- to beat the Phoenix Mercury, 91-88, and win the Western Conference championship. So. Fucking. Awesome. I admit, there were times when I doubted we'd be able to pull out this win. I figured I could finally wash the grey "Bring it" t-shirt I've worn during all the Storm playoff games. I rationalized about coming back to Seattle, and how this team wouldn't lose two in a row. Turns out? Not necessary. A Bird 3-point dagger with 2.8 seconds left clinched the win. And now the Storm rest until next Sunday, when we start the WNBA Finals. Bring it!

We are home court advantage

Nothing like a playoff win against L.A. to get you all hyped up. Thanks, no doubt, to all my screaming and clapping, the Storm beat the Sparks, 79-66, tonight at the Key. And it was awesome.

A whole 'nother ball game

Last night, we went to see the Storm play the Phoenix Mercury. On the line? Clinching the number 1 seed in the Western Conference. I have to admit, in the first half, the Storm didn't look like they wanted to win. They looked confused and overmatched. But then -- I don't know if it was extra-special Gatorade or whatever Agler said at halftime, but the second half was an entirely different story. They were focused, tough on defense, and I swear, I screamed and clapped more than I have in a long, long time. I hope there were a few people watching on ESPN, because that was a damn good game. I'm actually kind of bummed I didn't tape it myself, because I'd love to hear the commentary. Also, I wouldn't mind reliving it without all the anxiety of 'Will the Storm pull this off?' I love this team.

Storm warning

Sunday, J.R., Sam, and I went to the Storm season opener against the dreaded L.A. Sparks. Now, when she wore the orange, I loved me some Candace Parker. I truly did. Now, I get to dislike her intensely as a member of one of the few teams in the WNBA that I just cannot stand. I thought it might get better with the retirement of Lisa Leslie, but no. Perhaps it's the continued presence of D-Nasty. Perhaps it's just the ingrained "Beat L.A." mentality that I also heard much of in Boston. Maybe I just don't like purple and gold as a combo. I can't really say.

But I can say, we had a great time at the game. It was tight pretty much until the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, when the Storm were finally able to pull away and secure the win. I'd forgotten how much energy goes into attending a Storm game -- the standing up, the cheering, the clapping, all the criticizing of the bad officiating. It's rough. And I have to admit, I wasn't in shape for the start of the season as a STH. But I'm getting there. And I can't wait for the next game.

Triple the fun

Last night, J.R. and I went to the Storm game with a bunch of friends to watch the face-off with L.A. (always an entertaining, if often frustrating game). And man, did we get our money's worth. Tied in regulation. Tied after the first overtime. Tied after the second overtime. That's right: Triple overtime! Two Storm players fouled out, one Sparks player fouled out (D-Nasty, who should have fouled out much earlier). Incredible. The Storm finally pulled away behind a trio of sweet three-pointers from Sue Bird and won, 98-87. J.R. and I were both hoarse from all the screaming (only some of it at the refs), and my hands hurt from all the clapping. Awesome game. Though I would have preferred to win in regulation by a comfortable margin, this worked as well.

Stormin'

We went to the Storm home-opener tonight -- not exactly surprising since we're season-ticket holders now. It was nice to go to a sporting event in Seattle and actually root for the home team, though. And true to their fans, the Storm came out with the win, beating Sacramento fairly easily, 80-70. It was good to see LJ back on the court (and in a Storm uniform), since we hadn't seen that since before the Olympic break last season. The new Aussie was suited up, but didn't play, but everyone else got in on the action. I'm still not sure about acquiring PeeWee Johnson -- she's a good point guard, but her best days are behind her. I'm still thinking someone's got to pick up Tan White. Inconsistent, sure, but still worth the roster spot (unless there's something I don't know, which is highly likely). It's going to be an interesting season, that's all I know for sure.

Swoopes, there it is

I have to say, yesterday was pretty high on the awesome. First, I pay off my student loans. Then, J.R. and I go to Key Arena to pick out our seats as official Storm season-ticket holders (my early birthday present!), and f-ing Sheryl Swoopes is there! At first, J.R. and I just kind of looked at her in awe, what with her being Sheryl Swoopes and all, and then we got down to the business of deciding if seats slightly farther back -- but at center court -- were better than closer seats that were at an angle -- but also right next to the players entrance and Storm bench. It was a tough call, and I made J.R. walk back and forth between the seats several times. In the end, we went with the better court view. And then as we were walking out to leave, we spotted Swoopes again, and I mustered up all my courage and said: "Hi." Luckily, Swoopes is used to dealing with idiots like me and very pleasantly struck up a conversation, mostly about a crazy woman who gave Sheryl Swoopes shit for having a glass of wine during the off season. Hello, did you not notice it was Sheryl Swoopes? I was kind of stunned at the nerve of some people. Bygones. Swoopes was very nice and personable and I only felt incredibly awed.

Then J.R. took me to celebration dinner at the 5 Spot, and I had the brisket and holy deliciousness, Batman. Everything should be made with a Coca-Cola marinade -- like how my dad added beer to everything he cooked? I'm going to add Coke. It can only lead to goodness, people. Also, did I mention I met Sheryl Swoopes?

Storming

We welcomed the WNBA back into action tonight at the Storm/Comets game. The Storm continued their home dominance and held the Comets to a measly 49 points -- TT only notched 8 points, half of which came at the stripe. Which brings me to my point: Holy fucking Christ, Batman, did the officiating suck tonight. You want to call it tight? Okay. I don't like how it slows the game down, but fine. However, you have to call it both ways, bitches. The Storm was whistled for 29 fouls to the Comets 18, and five of those 18 were called in the last two minutes of the game when the Comets just started blatantly fouling because the refs likely wouldn't call it anyway. I couldn't count the number of times the boos rained down on the officials tonight, but I gotta say they deserved it.

The fouls really mucked things up, but even so, the Storm still look confused offensively without LJ. Their defense is really what is keeping them in these games, but 66 points isn't going to cut it every time.

More basketball joy

Looks like the Storm are going to stick around these here parts. Even though I'm no Storm fan, I love having a WNBA team within shouting distance. And hell, if I'm supporting a group of women leaders, I may just buy season tickets anyway. You know, what with the whole money, mouth thing.

Stormin'

Tonight, we went to see the Storm play the Mercury in the first round of the playoffs. However ambivalent I may feel towards the Storm as a team, I really like having a WNBA franchise nearby -- this is the third game J.R. and I have attended, and I could only see that going up next summer. But, and it's a big one, the team may not be here by then. I really hope the owners and the city can get together on this because I would be wicked pissed if I finally moved to a city where I can get regular WNBA action, and then it's pulled out from under me. Also, Oklahoma? Seriously? C'mon, Seattle's got to be able to put together a better deal than the Okies. Have a little pride here, people.