The Lakers, Jack Nicholson and My Daughter: Is This Normal?
Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
It's 7:30pm and for the next two and a half hours nothing else matters. Nobody speaks a word. After all, it's their time.
There she is standing in front of the screen. She says a prayer, waves hello, and blows kisses and words of encouragement to her boys. She has her pillow close and her dog is forced to leave the room and chooses not to return until it is safe to do so.
I have never seen someone get so much exercise while watching a basketball game! I get tired watching her. In fact, I think I get more entertainment watching her than I do the game
She starts out calm, sitting on the couch, squeezing her pillow while her beloved dog-Roxie, sits next to her. Then it all changes. She lets out the first scream, jumps off of the couch and throws Roxie across the room. I think to myself, here we go again
"I love you honey," s he says as she blows another kiss to the boys. By the way, don't tell her that they can't actually see or hear her - not if you want to live to see another day.
" Hi Jack, it's good to see you again!"
By the 2 nd quarter, she has gone from the couch to the floor, to standing right in front of the T.V. to screaming into her pillow, to praying again. I wish I could say I am exaggerating, but I would be lying.
" Really Jack? Is that the best you can do? Trade me seats, I'll show you how to be a fan!"
There are many other things she says and does, but I wouldn't want to tarnish the sweet little couldn't hurt a fly - image of my baby girl.
It's now the 3 rd quarter and she has been texting and calling everyone she knows to talk about this play and that play. She is talking so loud - screaming really, that you can't hear the announcers. However, it's okay, as long as she is doing the talking, the rest of us are free from the wrath of Brittany.
The 4 th quarter begins and she cannot sit at all. She stands the entire time, waving her arms and taking the shots with them! If it's a close game, she will do jumping jacks and run in circles without stopping. By now, her throat is horse and it's difficult not to feel sorry for her. I mean wow; she has been through a lot! But there is the part of you that begins to pray that they win because if they lose, anyone in the same room with her is in danger. On the other hand, if they win, you could probably get away with asking her to do the laundry, wash the car and go grocery shopping and she would graciously oblige.
One of these days I have got to record her. I think if the team saw this girl in action, she would have a front row seat and to her, it would be Heaven on Earth.
So why am I sharing this with you? I am desperate and I know not where to turn.
My husband is beginning to show signs of this disease and I need to know; is this contagious?
More importantly, is this normal?
Teresa Ortiz
This Article has been viewed 4,174 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentshi teresa, this was a well written, unique and interesting story. i'm glad your daughter gets joy out of something these days. my best to you, sueHi Sue, glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for the well wishes for Britt-things are looking really good these days. Love and hugs, T
O.K. so the Kobe (spelling) thing was hilarious! Teresa-It is awesome the support you and your husband showed as she grew. So who is to blame again? ;)And "they" said that supporting our kids would do good things for them!! Again with the God and sense of humor thing. Ha! Okay, we will take the blame. Same goes for my son's dirt-bike racing--we are there to watch every cra...I mean race. He knows we love him. Thanks again, it's good chatting with you.
A great read, funny and I enjoyed this hugely. A plesant writing styleHi Jane, nice to meet you! I am so glad you enjoyed it. I had fun writing it. Many blessings to you!
She should be ecstatic now!! Lakers in the finals!HI Jean! It's good to hear from you, thanks for commenting. She didn't watch the game at home. She went to the pizza place with her friends, so I missed the show :-) Art and I recorded it will watch it tonight. But yes!! It is an awesome thing to have them in the finals!!! Go Lakers!
Cute story..is it true? Sounds like you have a real fan on your hands!Hi MJ-yes, it is a true story! God is my witness, I am not exagerating. My daughter even commented on how true it is :-) She is a huge fan. Her dream is to go to a game and meet the players - who know's maybe someday her dream will come true. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Blessings to you!
Great story. It ALMOST eases the pain that my beloved Spurs won't repeat. ALMOST. LOL! Anyway, the NBA really is a total blast...should be a great finals. BTW, my little boy is only six months old and has been a MASSIVE NBA fan for a while already. He sits in my lap to watch Spurs games, his attention riveted for a longer span than I thought possible at that age. We finally took him to Game Six vs. New Orleans and he didn't cry once or fall asleep. Amazing. Interestingly, baseball doesn't work. LOL We'll have to see about NFL.Hi Scott- well, you know, anything I can do to ease your pain. lol. It's tough to see your team get so close only to become LOSERS! HA! How fun to have your little guy right there with you! I bet he's got the hat and everything. You guys are going to be well bonded, a very special tradition you are starting. Way to go! Yeah, baseball is boring. Football a tad better. Our son tried all the traditional sports, but it didn't do anything for him--no thril. His love is dirt-bike racing, Yikes! But we love it right along with him. I gotta admit, I have become addicted to the sound of all the roaring motors!! GO LAKERS!! (For my daughter.) The Celtics will be tough to beat...
Teresa, It has been awhile. How are you doing? I really liked this article. I think you are a unique person and are a great writer. My family is like this with Motocross racing and all of the riders. As you already know. ha ha. Justin seems to be healed and doing well. I can't believe that school is almost out for Summer. I will go talk to you later.Hi Sherry, it's great to hear from you! I have been thinking about you lately, and haven't had a chance to call. I haven't forgotten about the second bible study I owe you. It has been so hectic, but I promise I will get it to you within 2 weeks! Thanks so much for the compliment, and thanks for joining my fan club! Yes, J is coming along well. I miss Cody around. I'll call you this week, cuz we still need to plan our BBQ!I know you have been really busy. How is the house stuff going? We do need to get together and have a BBQ. Just let us know when. We have been talking about going fishing. I think I would love it. I just asked Cody if he had met Brittany and he said yes. That she is a BB nut. I asked if he has been around when she watches a game. He said yes and she really gets into it. Okay I will talk to you later. Have a good evening.That's right, he was here for a few minutes when the game started before he and J left. I think they were trying to talk her into going to the lake or something and she just stared them down. As if to say "really guys, you kiddin' me"? Have a good night. Talk to you later. Love ya!
Teresa, Normal? Yes? Good? That depends. At one time I was a F-A-N-A-T-I-C for my New York Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics. Don't ask me how the NY Giants got in there. I was wondering the other day, myself. When I was about 19, I got sooooooo upset at my Giants one day that I threw my wallet (of all things) into the wall, knocked my roommates clock onto the ground and broke it. Yes, being a fanatic (fan) can get out of control. I never thought it was a problem until my wife said, "You have an addiction problem," with sports. I realize that with parents who watch the Red Sox, Connecticut Huskies basketball (women and mens) and follow the Celtics faithfully that it wasn't a problem until I married a non-fan. My wife is from Colombia and doesn't know football, basketball, or baseball and never cares to know. But when I realized that I was getting entirely bent out of shape rooting madly for teams full of guys who didn't know me, who changed every year, who never made me a dime, then what the hell was I getting so upset for if they lost? Ah, but there's the rub. I think it's perfectly fine to be a fan, but like any addiction (and it certainly can be) if used to replace something lacking in one's life, then it's a problem. Once I got more into what I love to do, need to do, couldn't do without (writing, family, faith) my being a F-A-N-A-T-I-C became more of a calm, secondary, not such a big thing "fan." Still love my teams, but I don't get crazy if they lose nor do I have the time or desire to follow then ALL the time. Why should I get so upset for a bunch of strangers who don't know me or do nothing for me? But if the Lakers should lose, I'd still love to see the look on Jack's face. That might be worth a championship rifght there.Hi Jeff, thanks for the comments, wow! you liked them all :-) Ya, it can get out of control. I am so glad she has faith and family to lead the way :-) It's all about balance isn't it?!
It can be contagious! Sounds like it's normal for your household, and that's all that matters. Have fun.Hi Kathleen, I suppose normal can be subjective :-) Thanks for the comments. It is good, clean fun :-) Blessings to you.
Wow Teresa, I really didn't think people act this way, so no, I'd think it's not the usual, however, her passion for the game would make one believe she has children in this game. Did I miss that part? Great job!Hi Linda, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Britt is 19, so no kids in the NBA :-) , but she did comment about why she is such a crazy fan. I think we (dad & mom) are to blame, but in a good way. Blessings to you and thanks for reading and commenting.
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