This Is Just A Game

There are those who are into sports, and those who are not. I belong to the latter group. While growing up in Riga, Latvia, I played soccer and basketball. I also practiced Roman wrestling, fencing, and then in the college (I attended the Riga Polytechnical Institute), I became a mountain-climber. I never succeeded in any of these activities. From time to time, my father would take me to soccer games, but these opportunities did not implant any sports bugs in me.

Nevertheless, when a friend offered me a free ticket to a basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks (or Dubs vs Mavs), I said, “Yes”. Prior to this, I visited the Oakland Coliseum a few years ago, when Chase Bank invited me to a basketball game at the VIP lodge. Other than watching the game, we were surrounded by free food and the cheerleaders would visit us in the breaks for photo ops.

This time, my experience was different. My friend has had great season tickets in the middle of the arena in the 6^th row by the aisle, for the last twenty years. Thus, I was watching the game from the best spot.

If someone were to watch a basketball game for the first time, they would observe ten tall men in two different uniforms running from one side of the court to another, and from time to time throwing a ball into a basket, while 19,596 spectators yell and scream when the ball goes through the net.

There are huge screens high up in the middle of the arena, where one can see the action much better. During the game, loud music blasted and names of different companies would up on the light panels surrounding the space. From time to time vendors would peddle different snacks, beer, water and popcorn. Meanwhile, cheerleaders would jump and shake their bodies, or other performers would entertain the public.

Two season subscriptions can cost as much as $30,000 a year for 41 games and the players’ are compensated many millions of dollars. When I researched the Golden State Warriors Team’s payroll, I learned that over the 2017-18 season 29 year-old Stephen Curry’s compensation is $34,682,550, and it increases year after year. For this year alone, the total compensation of eighteen players is $137,494,845. When ancient Rome ceased to exist about 2500 years ago, a Roman poet Juvenal wrote, “Two things only the people anxiously desire – bread and circuses.” The government kept the Roman populace happy by distributing free food and staging spectacles.” The only difference is that now we have to pay for the tickets, beer and hotdogs. For me, going to a basketball game is just another form of very expensive entertainment where ten talented basketball athletes had fun playing their game.

P.S. Though I had enough images with the basketball players and the ball thrown through the net, I’ve chosen four images of other participants in the game who you might not have noticed or remembered, and who made this spectacle more entertaining and secure.

P.P.S. Today, Friday the 16^th, the Chinese communities around the world are preparing to celebrate the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar – their New Year, which follows the lunar circle. Each year is provided an animal according to the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s zodiac animal is the dog. My friend Dr. Angela Wu sent me instructions (attached) on how to start this new cycle.

A Special Gift From Wu’s Healing Center

There is a Chinese saying, “a good start is halfway to success.” Dr. Angela C. Wu and the entire Wu’s Healing Center staff wish to offer you the precious gift of how to properly start this year on the Lunar New Year’s Day (solar calendar February 16^th, 2018). This first step on that day plays a significant role for the rest of year. Both the timing and direction of your initial exit from wherever you are on February 16^th, 2018 are of utmost importance.

This is what to do on that day:

On the morning of February 16^th, 2018 pay special attention to personal hygiene and the initial exit direction from the building in which you are. The most auspicious time to go out is between 12am to 1am, 3am to 7am and 9am to 3pm. To welcome good luck, walk in the Northeast direction. To invite divine help, walk in the Southwest or Southeast direction. To invite wealth-spirit, walk in the North direction.

If you would like to burn incense or pray, please do so between 12am to 1am, 3am to 7 am and 11am to 3pm.

If you live or stay in an apartment building, walk in the desired direction at these following exits: your bedroom, front door, elevator (if your building has one), and finally the door to the outside.

Enjoy and Share.

Do Not Keep Me As A Secret!
Smile And Please SHARE It With A Friend!

Cheers,