Wuddup Fanatics!  It's been awhile since my last installment of the S.O.D. blog, but as a few of you know, I'm very busy during the holiday season making chocolate covered goodness for those lucky enough to be on "the list".  Being a season ticket holder is also a huge commitment!  It's like I'm dating the entire team, and they want to hang out all the time (ok, a few times a week) and spend all my money (ok, I spend it on myself) haha.  I haven't missed a game yet, although I think that streak might end here soon due to a birthday party I'll be attending.  Luckily I've found somewhere to park close to the Q for free, otherwise I wouldn't have enough money to support my Team Shop habit (which is bordering on unhealthy).  Quick shout outs go to Marcin and Jill and the rest of the gang at the Team Shop, they keep us happy and up to date with new and exciting items!  I think there has only been two games so far that I haven't bought something there, and now there's CavFanatic gear!?!?!?! Pray for me folks.

The last time I left you I was glad we recovered from losing two games at home early on.  Boy, have we ever recovered.  As of yesterday, we have the third best record in the NBA, and only trail Boston by .001% in the race for second place behind the Lakers.  Delonte is playing a lot more, Mo has been on a scoring tear over the past few weeks, and although we've lost Jamario for awhile, things are looking up.  Sadly, we're starting a 5 game road trip that will mean 12 days between home games! How will I survive?! Honestly, it might do me good to not go there for a week or so, it'll give my bankroll time to recover.

Brandy Keck, my former ticket rep, left the organization a few weeks into the season for a new job in Columbus.  I wish her the best!  John Fouser is the new rep for all Fanatic Addicts, and I was able to meet him during the last CavFanatic event (which I'll be discussing here shortly).  He seems cool, and while not as attractive as our beloved Brandy "The Hot Ticket" Keck ;) , I think he'll do fine. haha

I've come to love the Pork Pastrami sandwich at Bar Symon on the Club Level.  With a side of Lola Fries and fondue dip (fancy schmancy word for cheese sauce, but zomg, I could drink gallons of it, it's superb), my life is complete.  It's a bit pricey, but like I said, I park for free most of the time, so I don't have a problem treating myself to Michael Symon's gourmet goods every other game or so.  At the beginning of the season, I was disappointed that my beloved Panini's was gone (they had the best food for the money imo last season), but I'm so glad they made the change.  Kudos to the folks who made it happen!

I've been going to the games with a few fanatics too. Candice2.0 has been my companion for most games (the people at the Team Shop are getting sick of seeing us I think, and complain when I show up w/o her), but CFPPF and 216ANT have also accompanied me to a few games in between.  With Cand starting school back up soon, CFPPF is salivating at the thought of coming to more games with me, haha!  He's been harping on me to go to the Lakers game, so I'll take a moment here to let him know that yeah, you can haz mah other ticket! I'll expect a showering of thanks and praise (codeword for beer and/or fondue dip) before, during, and after the game. I'm also going to start taking some of my non-fanatic friends (yes, I have them) and possibly a family member or two.  Should be a fun second half of the season.

Met a few other fanatics at the games as well. Cliff is a staple at all the games, and I think he's one of the few people who've spent more at the Team Shop than I have (although I'm gunning for ya, haha). DWreck and ChocolateButterr  came down for a game and posed for a picture, as did Manders (can't link you to her site, she's a Steeler fan). Cavalette23 and Chuck Erkbergerstein  met up with me for a picture as well, and I ran into Chuck at the Wizards game also. Justin (the 1st) made the trip into town from Colorado to visit family and grab a Cavs game, and we ran into him outside the Q. CFPPF and I also got to meet "LeMom", aka Gloria James, and posed for a pic.  I kinda forgot to let CFPPF get in the frame in time...almost!  Can u tell I like taking pictures?

 

ChocolateButterr, D-Wreck and Candice

Candice, CFPPF and Justin (the 1st)

216ANT

CFPPF and Gloria James

Chuck and Cavalette23

 

 

I also got to attend an exclusive Chalk Talk session with Lance Blanks on the practice courts inside the Q.  Took Ant with me, and we both got to ask him a question.  Ant asked about Leon Powe and his progress, and I asked a question that has been killing me for months!: Why does Mo wear his headband inside-out?!?!  Everyone had a good laugh, and it reminded Lance of a story about Tim Duncan wearing his shorts backwards because he did it once accidentally before a practice and had the best practice of his life.  Lance...don't think I forgot that you're supposed to ask Mo and get back to me, haha!

 

 

Lance Blanks

 

 

So now to the CavFanatic night! It was our second one of the season with the first being on Halloween night.  Pre-game party at the Hard Rock Cafe was superb, and the appetizers were scrumptious.  The spicy chicken nuggets were replaced with spicy chicken fingers, and they added a spicy macaroni and cheese to the menu as well.  I love cheese.  Chicken wings, chips and salsa, and free non-alcoholic refreshments for $5?! How can you seriously not come to the next one?  If that's not enough, Fred and AC stopped by along with Ahmaad and Nicole, a few Scream Team members and Cavalier Girls!  Of course the Fanatic was there, accompanied by Admin, Ryz, Admin Eh?, Flash Admin and a few other members of their office crew (sorry I didn't get to introduce myself properly to any new people).  Former Cavs great and fellow CavFanatic Jim Chones even stopped by, and we had a nice conversation as always.  He's a class act, and we're lucky to have him here blogging and posting in the game threads.  Thanks Jim!

 

AC, Candice and I

 

Candice and a few members of the Scream Team

 

I passed out nametags to everyone who showed up, custom ones for those who posted in the discussion thread and "generic" tags for those who didn't.  Had a few decals made too.  Collaborated with Candice on the tag this time around, she's a photography genius!  Thanks Cand, and thanks Admin for the lanyards.  Trivia games followed periodically, with a lot of the newer fanatics who showed up winning Cavs Fatheads or game-worn fanatic jerseys from last season.  Ahmaad had Nicole cracking up with his comment about Tarrence Kinsey working at Chipotle now, but Joseph was more than glad to win TK's game-worn jersey from last season by knowing that Lindsey Hunter was one of two players currently in the NBA to have played in the Richfield Coliseum (Shaq is the second).  Tim and his son TJ were there for their first CavFanatic game.  Tom is another new Fanatic, and he won a Sasha game-worn jersey for knowing where he's playing this season.  Congrats!  Met Bob and spoke with him and his family about CavFanatic for awhile.  Nice meeting you all!  

Ryan from Access Cavaliers stopped by and interviewed me for the upcoming episode too!  It took about four takes because she kept saying "Hard Rack Cafe", lol.  They also got a few fanatics to introduce some of the top plays of the past few weeks.  Of course Candice was on top of things and recorded video of them all, but be sure to check out Access Cavaliers and see CavFanatics representin'!

 

 

During the game, Fanatics were everywhere!  Jason got to toss out t-shirts on the court with the Cavs Crew. Joseph was sadly on the losing end of a "name that tune" contest (don't worry, I didn't know the theme to Sex & The City either, I don't have HBO although I've seen the movie).  CavFanatic videos were on Q-Tube during breaks in the action too.  Props to the video folks for coming up with some of those before and after CavFanatic pictures and videos, they were hilarious!!  CFPPF was given a Delonte game-worn Fanatic jersey from last year during the third quarter too, and of course we took pics and a video. 

 

Jason

 

Joseph

 

CFPPF on Q-Tube with Nicole

 

The highlight for me personally was at halftime. Admin told Susieb and I at the Hard Rock that we were going to go onto the court at halftime for a picture and a surprise!  Suze (using her sharpened people skills) got Candice permission to come down with us and snap some photos!  I had no idea what was going to happen, and as we stood near the court awaiting the last few seconds to tick away, I saw the Cavs Crew bringing in some plastic basketball standups and a few racks of basketballs.  I assumed the worst; that I'd have to go up against Suze in a pass/dribble/shoot competition in front of 20,562 people (well, minus those who go to the Team Shop or eat at halftime).  Thank GOD we didn't have to do that, haha, I don't play often enough to feel confident in my skills, and if Suze managed to beat me, yall would never let me hear the end of it.  As I followed Suze onto the court, Olivier gave us a shout out as the Fanatic handed us a pair of game-worn Fanatic jerseys from last season!  Suze got Anderson Varejao and I got my cousin JJ Hickson! Ok, he's not rly my cousin (he IS this guy's cousin!), but he feels like family, lol.  Thanks again Admin for hooking us up and for letting Candice come out onto the court with us, we really appreciate it!

 

 

Candice and Susieb

 

Suze and I on Q-Tube

 

 

Not to be forgotten is the butt-whooping our boys put on the hapless Wizards by the score of 121-98!  The only guns on display were those of King James as he put on a clinic of amazing passes, dunks, and an over-the-backboard shot that I heard was miraculous.  Yes, I missed it... I think I was at the Team Shop or something, lol.

 

So another CF night in the books, and this one was even better than the last.  I'm not sure if they'll be able to top this one, but you can bet I'll be there with tags on, haha.  Hope to see you there!

 

Wuddup Fanatics!  Its that time of year again, time for moar lol cavs! As always, comments and ratings are appreciated!

 

 

K THX BAI!!