30 Home Games: November 2012

Monday, November 26, 2012

Inspiration: NBA Season of Drew 2007

When you're undertaking a mission its always good to refer to those who've accomplished the feat before you. Meet Drew, he completed single season stadium tours of the MLB (Baseball), NBA (Basketball) and Big10 (American Football).

Drew's tattoo of the landmarks from each NBA City

Drew capping the year at Game 3 of the 2008 NBA Finals between the Celts and Lakers

The Beginning... (Saturday, August 4, 2007)
It's Thursday, August 2nd. I'm walking home from work at about 7:30 PM CST. It has been approximately one year since what my friends deemed "Summer of Drew," when I toured America visiting all of the sites and baseball stadiums. I begin to think how challenging, if not impossible that would have been to accomplish in 2006 had I been responsible for a job and not had several thousands of dollars saved in my bank account.
A few steps later I realized that I had just challenged myself to complete a similar task with a real job and without the money I once had. I try and ignore this idea, but unfortunately its not going away.
My goal is to visit all 29 NBA Arenas around the nation. Now many of you may say "Wait, there are 30 teams!" Yes, there are 30 teams, but the LA Lakers and LA Clippers both play at the Staples Center. I will however, be sure to attend both a Lakers and Clippers game, making it 30 games...

Drew lists a set of targets as he polishes his schedule and gets ready to embark on his NBA tour. Reading the early stages of the project you can sense the trepidation and uncertainty one imagines going through before undertaking such a mission. Its a great achievement and one I hope to complete with my own flair.

The Final Countdown... (Friday, November 2, 2007)
So here we are...hours away from the NBA Tour. Although I started planning in August, it came up ridiculously fast (goes to show how quickly life moves when you're motivated about something. As I head out for this venture, I've set 10 goals for myself.

Foremost is to see a home game of ALL 30 NBA teams. Regular season games during the 2007-08. Who cares if you can do it in a lifetime. Challenge yourself and do it in a single year.

To appear on a national television broadcast regarding the NBA. This one stems from my mother laughing at the idea of me achieving this. Time to prove her wrong.

Make it to an NBA Finals game. The only way this one will occur is if the NBA helps me. Drawing attention to my tour is the only means of making this happen.

Receiving a handshake from NBA Commissioner David Stern and a Thank You for supporting for going all out as a fan of this sport. I want to be NBA Fan of the Year. I would prefer this happen at my final game in Milwaukee on April 12th, but I'll take it anytime.

Attend NBA all-star weekend. This one isn't in the budget...no way I can afford this, so the only way this one happens is if I receive some serious help.

Help the popularity of the NBA. I want fans to get back into the NBA again. Let's not make this sport an afterthought. I want it to return to its glory days during the Jordan era.

To change the perspective of one individual. I hope that someone who follows my tour will challenge him or herself to do something out of the ordinary, to not accept what seems to be the only option, and to think big.

To not ruin myself financially. My lifestyle probably violates every financial principle, so I'd love to pull this off and still be able to live to tell about it.

To make new friends around the country. The baseball tour provided me with several lasting friendships that i still actively keep in touch with today (& you'll soon see will facilitate the NBA tour in big ways).

Possibly the most desirable & most difficult goal will remain silent. If you follow my tour, it will likely reveal itself to you in time. I can not begin to explain how nervous I am as the time is quickly approaching.

On a daily basis I worry about the financial aspect and every other day I worry about the weather/transit. Flights to the various cities will surely be difficult to "go off without a hitch" when you live in the Milwaukee/Chicago region. Nothing else worries me at this point. I learned enough about the world during my baseball tour & I've got the drive to make everything else work.

Simply inspirational
- MLB Drew 2006
- NBA Drew 2007
- Big 10 Football Tour 2009
- About Tourmaster Drew Cieszynski

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama lookalike play streetball

America awaits the results of Election day to see whether Obama has earned a Second Term or Mitt Romney becomes the 45th President of the United States. The NOC Entertainment Channel have made a series of humorous videos with Presidential lookalikes competing in events ranging from Hide-and-Seek, Breakdancing and even a Street Fight.

The video below is a game of 'PIG' on the famed New York playground 'The Cage' on West 4th

VIDEO: The NOC Episode 3 - Obama VS Romney play 'PIG'

The Real Barack Obama is arguably the most powerful basketball fan in the world, he famously converted Richard Nixon's White House bowling alley into a Basketball Court. Interestingly Obama, nicknamed Barry O'Bomber in his playing days might not be the most accomplished basketball player in Politics, that title could go to Sarah Palin. That said, there is no doubt Basketball and sports in general has benefited from the 44th President's interest and support as an engaged fan.

President Obama trying to shut down the competition

Proving President Obama's love for the game his campaign have organised 'B-Ballers for Barack' to appeal to his Hoopshead supporters. The President is often seen playing hoops during media events and has laced it up against the cream of NBA Talent (Lebron, Wade, Melo, Rose etc) in a fundraiser for the troops.

Make sure you vote and may the best person win.