You had me at hello, but lost me before the half.

With the rain, my Blazer drought is coming to an end. It was like trying to subsist on nothing but Skittles. Sure it's great for a week or so, but soon you actually miss things like meat and potatoes (not veggies). I've read every article (and written a few) about the Blazers, sucking the last molecule of Blazermania from my computer monitor. In a remarkably short time the sustenance was insufficient to ahhhh....sustain me. I needed more. I needed something...substantial (didn't see that coming did you). Today was the day I'd get something new. Although an intra squad scrimmage is like having pizza rather than skittles, at least it was something better than the hype and rumor I've been forced to survive on.

After slogging home through Friday traffic among a bunch of "Oregonians" that forgot how to drive in rain, I was greeted at home by my barking puppy, my loving wife, and...my radio.

The voice of Brian Wheeler filled my headphones as I laid my head on a pillow. Eyes closed, I transported myself into the Rose Garden to experience the scrimmage. The real world tried to intrude many times during his show, but I battled valiantly to remain connected. Brief flashes of exhilaration flooded me as I watched what Wheels projected for my mind's eye. And then it ended.

I'd waited so long. So long. Through an off-season that saw the Fakers going to the Finals, thereby making them tainted and unwatchable (until they lost). I made it through the draft, the Olympics, and summer league, but none of them were real. They were all ghostly shells of the real thing. Now, when I finally get a chance to hear a live game, I'm foiled because it ended before the half.

Although I was actually craving more of a play-by-play from Wheels, I found the interviews entertaining. So, why did it end before the half? Am I the only one that feels despondent? It's like being in a jet that's been granted clearance to take off. The engines are kicked to full, and right before the brakes are released and you go barreling down the runway they shut the engines off. All that build-up and no release. Hmmm. Maybe I should stop the analogies there.

Now I'm forced to vent my frustrations until Tuesday. This is going to be a really long weekend. Well, at least I've got my in-laws coming over. Yee-haw....not really.

P.S. Comcast, did you get my e-mail? I meant it. My wife will NOT be happy if you don't get a deal done. Trust me, you do NOT want to make her mad. Big. Green. Scary. Get the idea?