Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A Glimmer of Hope at Raley Field
A Glimmer of Hope at Raley Field
It all started one night while working at the River Cats game. I was working in Guest Services as an usher and was saying my usual "Thanks for coming out to Raley Field" to a couple as they were leaving the park when they handed me their tickets for the following day. They were season ticket holders but since the River Cats were winning the last day of the Division Championship Series against Tacoma, there would be no game the next day so the tickets would not be valid. The Glimmer started. I guess I could have put the tickets in the garbage, but thought, "what the heck", I'll see if they are still worth anything.
When I got to the Guest Services Office after the game, I nonchalantly asked what one could do If they had tickets for the next day? I was jokingly told they could be used for bookmarks! But then the glimmer increased. I was then told that they could actually be redeemed! Aha, I thought. Maybe I have something here. By this time, it was late and the box office was closed so I tucked them safely in my pocket and thought I'd continue my pursuit the next time I worked.
A week later The River Cats were playing Memphis for the PCL Championship. I worked on Friday and the River Cats had already lost two games in Memphis. Now they were on their home turf and that always helps but they'd have to sweep the next three games to secure their third PCL Championship in a row. I worked the first home game and on my break, I went to the box office to redeem the tickets. I was a little nervous because the process was taking longer than I thought. I mean, how long should it take to give me the twenty bucks? When the cashier handed me two more tickets for the game on the following day, I was disappointed. We were more than half way through the game in this series and Memphis was cleaning our clock. If we lost, then what would I have? The game continued and we never scored and lost the PCL Championship. Now, once again I held tickets for a game that wouldn't be played. Back to square one, but of course I had to work until the game was over and the crowd emptied from the park and by then the box office was closed.
Did I give up? Of course not. When one has a glimmer of hope, one continues until the hope is fulfilled or the glimmer is squelched. Now, I am thinking, there are no more games in the season so surely now, I will receive the rewards of my efforts and get the $20.
Last night, Raley Field threw a thank you party for the employees. Would the box office be open? You know, I'd find out. As I approached the box office, one window was open and I saw a notice that requested one to push the button for service. It wasn't long until a nice cashier appeared before me and I quietly slipped the tickets under the secured plexiglass window. Without a word, he took my tickets and I waited. Again, I wondered what could be taking so long. He was checking the computer for quite awhile and I was a little nervous. I didn't think I could get into any trouble or anything and he'd never know who I was because on this party day, none of us were in uniform or wearing name tags. Finally, he clicked on the mouse and the printer spit out two more tickets. What in the world? There are no more games. Then he informed me that a credit would be issued to the account upon which the tickets had been purchased. "Of course", I replied, and scribbled a signature on the credit slip. The glimmer of hope had now been dashed, but as it should have been from the beginning, the money was returned to the season ticket holder's account and that's what, by default, is called "Guest Services".
It all started one night while working at the River Cats game. I was working in Guest Services as an usher and was saying my usual "Thanks for coming out to Raley Field" to a couple as they were leaving the park when they handed me their tickets for the following day. They were season ticket holders but since the River Cats were winning the last day of the Division Championship Series against Tacoma, there would be no game the next day so the tickets would not be valid. The Glimmer started. I guess I could have put the tickets in the garbage, but thought, "what the heck", I'll see if they are still worth anything.
When I got to the Guest Services Office after the game, I nonchalantly asked what one could do If they had tickets for the next day? I was jokingly told they could be used for bookmarks! But then the glimmer increased. I was then told that they could actually be redeemed! Aha, I thought. Maybe I have something here. By this time, it was late and the box office was closed so I tucked them safely in my pocket and thought I'd continue my pursuit the next time I worked.
A week later The River Cats were playing Memphis for the PCL Championship. I worked on Friday and the River Cats had already lost two games in Memphis. Now they were on their home turf and that always helps but they'd have to sweep the next three games to secure their third PCL Championship in a row. I worked the first home game and on my break, I went to the box office to redeem the tickets. I was a little nervous because the process was taking longer than I thought. I mean, how long should it take to give me the twenty bucks? When the cashier handed me two more tickets for the game on the following day, I was disappointed. We were more than half way through the game in this series and Memphis was cleaning our clock. If we lost, then what would I have? The game continued and we never scored and lost the PCL Championship. Now, once again I held tickets for a game that wouldn't be played. Back to square one, but of course I had to work until the game was over and the crowd emptied from the park and by then the box office was closed.
Did I give up? Of course not. When one has a glimmer of hope, one continues until the hope is fulfilled or the glimmer is squelched. Now, I am thinking, there are no more games in the season so surely now, I will receive the rewards of my efforts and get the $20.
Last night, Raley Field threw a thank you party for the employees. Would the box office be open? You know, I'd find out. As I approached the box office, one window was open and I saw a notice that requested one to push the button for service. It wasn't long until a nice cashier appeared before me and I quietly slipped the tickets under the secured plexiglass window. Without a word, he took my tickets and I waited. Again, I wondered what could be taking so long. He was checking the computer for quite awhile and I was a little nervous. I didn't think I could get into any trouble or anything and he'd never know who I was because on this party day, none of us were in uniform or wearing name tags. Finally, he clicked on the mouse and the printer spit out two more tickets. What in the world? There are no more games. Then he informed me that a credit would be issued to the account upon which the tickets had been purchased. "Of course", I replied, and scribbled a signature on the credit slip. The glimmer of hope had now been dashed, but as it should have been from the beginning, the money was returned to the season ticket holder's account and that's what, by default, is called "Guest Services".
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Today a friend died. We lived next door to each other all during my children's childhood days - 1966 - 1996. Her older children used to babysit for us and we knew them well. When we celebrated their 50th Anniversary, there was no sign that Becky would soon be challenged with ovarian cancer. She didn't know it until it was advanced. We got to visit her ten days ago while she was very ill. We will long remember Becky as an artist using beautiful watercolors, an avid gardener, wife, mother and friend. She adopted me as her sister when she didn't have one and also welcomed Ben as a friend as well. Our hearts go out to her steadfast husband Buck who walked with her all the way as well as their children: Heather, Holly, Craig and Chris. Thank you, Becky. My life has been enriched because of you.
Facebook | Esther Lebeck Loveridge
Facebook Esther Lebeck Loveridge
Well, I was playing with Danika, my 11 year old granddaughter yesterday. I wanted to show her my blog and she wanted to introduce me to a game. She finally saw my blog and I got to see her game. In order for me to play the game with her, I had to sign up on Facebook, something I never intended to do. She did it for me. My life has changed!
Well, I was playing with Danika, my 11 year old granddaughter yesterday. I wanted to show her my blog and she wanted to introduce me to a game. She finally saw my blog and I got to see her game. In order for me to play the game with her, I had to sign up on Facebook, something I never intended to do. She did it for me. My life has changed!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The New Arrival
Okay, so 43 years ago isn't exactly a new arrival, but this is the day I recollect becoming a mother. Happy Birthday, Tim...and thanks for all of the joy you have brought into my life. I love you.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I'd like to add a few notes to my first "blog". First of all, Tom and Jennifer are members of my family. Tom, the groom, is the son of my cousin Linda Gracy and was a frequent guest in our home when he'd come to Sacramento to show his art at the Soloman-Dubnick gallery. And how could I forget to include a description of the ushers shoes. Loved those patent leather black and white shoes! And then there were the flames. Yes, Tom created flames on his shoes to match the ones on the front of his bowling shirt. Very original. When I figure out how to add some photos, I will.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Wedding and the Zoo
How many times have you attended a wedding, filled with calamities and reported that it was a "real zoo"? I know what you mean. But attending a wedding in the San Francisco Zoo last Sunday was a delightful experience. Early entrance to the zoo allowed us time to check out the animals before the wedding began at 5:30 p.m. We were some of the early arrivals and enjoyed the zebra prancing around from the view from our seats. Several storks were perched along the wedding site and one wondered if they were waiting to be called into service!
Once the wedding began, the animals did not compete for attention and all went well. The groomsmen wore black slacks and black bowling shirts with white verticle stripes while the bride's attendants wore black and white strapless polka dot dresses, iced with what I have been told were shruggers? You know, the little bolero type wraps that just cover what the dress leaves bare? Their full skirts were lifted with bright red crenoline slips and red shoes covered their feet. The marriage performer wore high heels and nylons with seams. When was the last time I saw those? I think one could say this wedding was "Retro" or 50's".
A new twist was observed. It was the blessing of the rings. The attendants formed a circle around the bride and groom and after putting the rings on a ribbon, they passed the rings along to the next attendant after silently thinking words of wisdom or good wishes for the couple. At the end, Tom and Jennifer kissed long enough for me to take four pictures (a long kiss or was my camera set on sports speed?).
The cocktail hour was held outside the "Great Hall". The couples likeness had been drawn on large pieces of paper (probably by Tom, the artist) and a new type of guest book would be created after guests took their turn coloring in the picture of Tom and Jennifer, as they looked in their wedding clothes. Cars from the 50's surrounded their image and at the bottom of the page, one could write their name, where they were from and what they wished for the newlyweds. The child in all of us enjoyed talking to the docents who visited the cocktail hour. They held various animals from the zoo: an armadillo, oppossum, lizzard, baby allegator and a hawk.
The Grand Hall was beautifully decorated and once we picked up our name card, the servers knew what to serve us by the cow, chicken or fish drawn on our name card. The food was wonderful with plenty of wine and champagne to toast the couple. Dancing followed with the bride singing every song to Tom. I don't know when I have seen a happier couple. We stayed for a piece of the unusual cake - bottom layer bore flames and polka dots like their outfits, next layer was striped like a zebra, then came a layer like that of the skin of a giraffe and finally, leopard spots, I believe. By now you get the idea that the animal kingdom is important to this couple. In fact, each table at the reception was labeled with the name of a pet they now or have had. We sat at the "Snowflake" table. The favor for the guests was a small jar of honey with a white label with pink polka dots on the lid and printed with "Jennifer & Tom (with a picture of a bee) Meant to Bee 9-6-09".
We got home via the Golden Gate Bridge since the Oakland Bay Bridge was closed for the weekend and made it home by the bewitching hour. They'll be heading out for Hawaii! Thanks for including us in your delightful and memorable wedding. Congratulations.
Once the wedding began, the animals did not compete for attention and all went well. The groomsmen wore black slacks and black bowling shirts with white verticle stripes while the bride's attendants wore black and white strapless polka dot dresses, iced with what I have been told were shruggers? You know, the little bolero type wraps that just cover what the dress leaves bare? Their full skirts were lifted with bright red crenoline slips and red shoes covered their feet. The marriage performer wore high heels and nylons with seams. When was the last time I saw those? I think one could say this wedding was "Retro" or 50's".
A new twist was observed. It was the blessing of the rings. The attendants formed a circle around the bride and groom and after putting the rings on a ribbon, they passed the rings along to the next attendant after silently thinking words of wisdom or good wishes for the couple. At the end, Tom and Jennifer kissed long enough for me to take four pictures (a long kiss or was my camera set on sports speed?).
The cocktail hour was held outside the "Great Hall". The couples likeness had been drawn on large pieces of paper (probably by Tom, the artist) and a new type of guest book would be created after guests took their turn coloring in the picture of Tom and Jennifer, as they looked in their wedding clothes. Cars from the 50's surrounded their image and at the bottom of the page, one could write their name, where they were from and what they wished for the newlyweds. The child in all of us enjoyed talking to the docents who visited the cocktail hour. They held various animals from the zoo: an armadillo, oppossum, lizzard, baby allegator and a hawk.
The Grand Hall was beautifully decorated and once we picked up our name card, the servers knew what to serve us by the cow, chicken or fish drawn on our name card. The food was wonderful with plenty of wine and champagne to toast the couple. Dancing followed with the bride singing every song to Tom. I don't know when I have seen a happier couple. We stayed for a piece of the unusual cake - bottom layer bore flames and polka dots like their outfits, next layer was striped like a zebra, then came a layer like that of the skin of a giraffe and finally, leopard spots, I believe. By now you get the idea that the animal kingdom is important to this couple. In fact, each table at the reception was labeled with the name of a pet they now or have had. We sat at the "Snowflake" table. The favor for the guests was a small jar of honey with a white label with pink polka dots on the lid and printed with "Jennifer & Tom (with a picture of a bee) Meant to Bee 9-6-09".
We got home via the Golden Gate Bridge since the Oakland Bay Bridge was closed for the weekend and made it home by the bewitching hour. They'll be heading out for Hawaii! Thanks for including us in your delightful and memorable wedding. Congratulations.
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