Game 6: Lakers defeat the Suns and Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix

What did you do over Memorial Day weekend?  I was fortunate to be able to go to Game 6 of the Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns series at the US Airways Center...  By now, if you follow sports, you already know what happened.  Even though the Phoenix Suns lost, it was a great game and I enjoyed checking out my 69th venue!

I landed in Phoenix early on Saturday morning and rested for a bit before getting a 75 min massage at the Bliss Spa, located at the W Scottsdale.  Why did I need a massage?  Because on the way to Phoenix, I connected in Minneapolis, and on the way to MSP I faced the triple threat: a seat kicker, a fatty (I.e. Who took the arm rest and 1/4 of my seat), and a sleeper who tried to use my shoulder as a pillow.  Oh well, it happens.  I used my skymiles for a free ticket so it really didn't matter to me.  I was just thrilled to be going to the game and to be on vacation!

After my massage I finally felt relaxed and hung out for an hour before my friend, Brittany, came and grabbed me at the hotel.  We caught up on the way to the arena (i.e. she and I met years ago through mutual friends, in Miami, during the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat).  We separated at will call.  My only complaint about the arena, was that the will call line needed to move faster, but who knows ~ it could be the patrons' fault as to why it was moving so slowly.  Another suggestion is to put more team shops around the concourse.  As I was racing to my seat, I didn't see that many locations for Suns merchandise, so I never did get my Suns hat.  Aside from those 2 things, I like the arena.  Lucky for me, I made it to my seat just in time to take a picture of the opening tip.  Perfect!

I watched the game with Mandy, and we had a great time ~ even though Mandy was rooting for the Lakers, and I was rooting for the Suns. The Suns fought a good fight, and made a run at the end of the game, but the Lakers over-powered them to put an end to the series.  The final score was 103-111.  I never expected to see the Suns have such a successful season, and I was pulling for them to make it to the Finals.  It'll be interesting to see how the offseason plays out for the Suns with free agency. 

As for me, I'm looking forward to watching the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics battle for the NBA Championship, starting on June 3.

A sea of orange at the US Airways Center

Kobe Bryant at the line

 

Both teams strategizing during a time-out

Mandy showing Suns fans keys, since they're heading home...

Meeting up with Brittany after the game.

After the game we went back to the W, since that was the place to be and we were hungry.  ****  Since I was staying at the hotel, it was easy for me to change into evening attire, before dinner at Sushi Roku.  The sushi was yummy and just what we all needed after the game.  After dinner we went up to check out the scene and people watch over by the pool area, under the stars, and the music had the place jumping.

Running into Kenny "the Jet" Smith

Right before I called it a night!

The next day, I ended up sleeping in.  I spent the day at the pool, where the hotel was throwing a luau-themed pool party.  I met Alex, Kat, and Dave and we had a lot of fun spending hours at the pool.  There aren't any pics of the pool party because I'm not about to risk ruining my camera in a pool, but I did manage to get this picture of me and one of the many birds they had on "display".

Today is Monday and I'm finally home.  I connected through Atlanta today and ran into my friend Susan.  I also would be willing to bet cash money that I saw my ex-boyfriend, Jason, and his wife at the gate across from me boarding their flight home to Miami.  Best of all, I ran into Scott (i.e. who was also connecting on his way back to California) and we spent our 2 hour layover chatting the time away in the Samuel Adams bar planning our next adventure. 

Life is good!

THE WIRK