Ole Pappy

I remember when it was a real thrill to go to the state tournament to cover our teams. While it’s wonderful to cover our wonderful athletes winning state titles, I’ve got to admit it’s getting tougher all the time. I contribute most of this to old age ... which hasn’t been kind to me.

It seems it’s always cold when I go to a state tournament game. Freezing to death is not one of my favorite pastimes. And finding a parking space is also low on my list. Getting into the parking ramp at the Xcel Energy Center can be a tremendous challenge.

You drive through all that traffic, finally get up to the gate and there’s a big sign saying, “Sorry, we’re full.” And there’s a guy waving you on. Then, every other parking ramp we tried, was also full. And once we even got headed the wrong way, right out of St. Paul and toward Minneapolis.

After we finally rectified that problem, we went right past the full lot again and found a ramp to the museum but it was a difficult turn down a very narrow ramp and it wasn’t easy. It did, however, lead to a warm walk through the Xcel Center so I didn’t have to go outside.

Then there’s the way they’ve changed the Media Passes for us folks.

They used to give you a pass to hang on your arm or camera case that identified you as the media. But now they put this cumbersome, sticky band around your arm that says, “Photographer.” And they make you get a new one before every game.

Why they had to make this so difficult, I’ll never know.

Down in the hospitality room for the media, they used to provide free bottles of water and a few snacks for the media folks. They still do — but now they charge for everything and I do mean charge. Bottle of water: $4. Sandwich, $10 or so.

It feels more like highway robbery than snacks. Then there’s the crowds. Seems as though you’re always bumpin’ into people.

And getting out of the place is always a long walk — although you can use a Skywalk, if you were lucky enough to get into the ramp. If you take the elevator, knowing full well you are on Ramp 6 — you find a bunch of buttons that say, 5 1/2 or 6 1/2, and now you have to make another decision.

Which one do you take to get to Ramp 6?

Seems like there was a time when they coordinated such things for slow folks like myself. By the time I settle down into my chair at the table along side the floor where the team is playing, well, I am ready NOT to move for a long time.

Some say it’s a great seat. And it is. Getting to it is the problem.

Now, I’ve complained and got that off my chest.

But the fact is, I enjoy it so much. Watching the Minneota kids play, and this time win the state title, well, it makes all the inconveniences seem worth it. Bring on the next state tourney!

LAUGH A LITTLE: Go figure! I called a guy’s car phone the other day to talk to him. It said, “I’m at home right now so I can’t talk to you.”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “Worry is a total waste of time. All it does is steal your joy.” Ole Pappy told me once it didn’t pay to worry because worry never changed anything. Fix the problem, move on and leave worry behind, he’d always say.

Thanks Ole Pappy!