I have a daughter who is obsessed with basketball, and despite her height she’s actually pretty good at the game. So when we had the opportunity to go to the Washington Mystics WBNA game (vs the New York Liberty) at the Verizon Center in DC, I jumped at the chance. It didn’t even take much to convince CandyMan to come along with us.
And thank goodness CandyMan came with us because I don’t know if I would have survived the adventure alone with my 5 kids.
We got a “slightly” late start. A friend from Palestine was in the area for the day, and we were having too much fun visiting. We got to the Verizon Center without too much hassle (thanks to my husband, who knows DC streets. It would have been a nightmare for me!) and found the parking garage. And here’s where the story gets exciting. The parking attendant would not let us in without paying the $25 pre-paid parking fee or handing him a little green card. I explained to him that we were supposed to get a parking voucher with the tickets, and so he allowed us to pull the van over to the side while I “ran” up to will call to get the tickets.
Up at will call, I was directed from window 2 to window 8. Window 8 had a line. I waited until it was my turn, told her my name, and watched her skim through the entire will call box. “Could it be under another name?” she asked. I gave her everything I could think of: Better in Bulk, One2One, 1momof5, Lolli…….Nothing. I went back to the garage away empty handed.
I figured it was worth calling the contact I had for the event (thank goodness I’d written it down!). She didn’t answer. So I went back to the line and asked again about the contact person. Apparently, that sparked something, because she disappeared for a few minutes. Meanwhile, the contact called back and told me that they would be with the Mystics reps (the ones at window 2!). The lady came back with our tickets (what a relief!), and I walked away towards the parking garage. Wait! No parking voucher. Shoot.
Back to window 2 to ask about parking. A few minutes later, I was walking back the the garage, fuming that my name had been on the list that the parking attendant had in his hand the whole time. Thanks for checking, dude.
Herded everyone inside. Picked up hot dogs. Got the last 6 hot dogs at the concession stand. Had to visit another one on our way to the seats. Finally sat down.
We were almost immediately visited by a rep who gave us all swag bags full of basketball fun-ness. The kids were in heaven, and I was quickly relaxing. Hot dogs, chips, soda, and basketball maracas. What could be better?
The game ended sooner than we would have liked, but it was still great enough for Necco (my basketball lover) to declare this “the best night of the whole summer.” And our team won by one point. Talk about an exciting, energy-filled ending!
And THAT was before we met two of the players and got their autographs. Necco’s walls are now covered with Mystics paraphernalia. She can’t wait to go back.
And, who can beat a view like this on your way home?
Thank you, One2One Network, for sending us to the game! It was not without it’s challenges, but it was well worth it! We can’t wait to go to another game.
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