August 15, 2020

 

Almost everyone was off today as there was only one game to be played and that was Portland facing Memphis.  Memphis had to win two games to make the playoffs while the Blazers would clinch the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a win.  It went down to the wire as Portland eked out a victory and will face the Lakers in the first round.  We started the bubble with twenty two teams and we are now down to sixteen.  That only took about five weeks!

The resort was abuzz the entire day being as so few people had to work and the finish line was another day nearer.  One day does not seem like that much in the grand scheme of things but we like to dissect this restart into sections.  The regular season is over, now we are entering the playoffs. We will divide that into the first round, second round, conference finals, then finals.  One bite at a time and soon the meal will be complete.

The popularity of our whiffle ball games has spread throughout the campus. We used to struggle to get five to a team but now we are almost able to field teams of nine each with a couple of substitutes to boot.  But we let everyone play so there are not really any subs.  If someone is randomly walking by we suck them in to joining us.  We can see it in their eyes they want to play anyway.  We are attempting to schedule a game each day against the ESPN crew.  We would schedule the ESPN crew that isn’t working that day against the Turner crew that isn’t working.  We will have to see how that turns out. 

There were a substantial amount of activities being enjoyed by the many not having to work today.  The pickle ball courts were both filled with players, whiffle ball had a continuous run, the pools were alive with music and various types of alcohol. Many lined the bridges fishing in the heat while others road their bikes around the lagoon.  There were several board games being played in the shade.  After so many days at work and knowing the grind that lies ahead everyone was trying to take advantage of the free time they had.  As a result, NBA security ramped up their patrols to make sure COVID protocol was not being abused.  Well, it was.

At one of the pools across the lagoon from my room a large party was organized by a group of fellow bubblers.  They put together a makeshift DJ booth, had a portable bar hastily built, and quite a number of revelers. And, they were not distancing themselves nor wearing masks when they should.  It didn’t take long for the well-organized soiree to be shut down after credentials were photographed and recorded for violations.  What did I say about needed constant reminders regarding why we are here?

Security worked their way to our pool area.  Here it was significantly quieter but lots of people were in violation of the strict codes.  Five players at a poker table were sitting too closely and not masked.  Boom! Violation recorded.  A group of referees were smoking cigars and playing blackjack, same thing.  Boom! Violation recorded.  Others had brought in glass containers housing their beverage of choice.  They weren’t in violation of any COVID protocol but they were skirting the rule of no glass allowed on the pool deck.  And, people that were in the pool and not actively swimming that were too proximal to one another were in violation as well.  Lots and lots of credentials were being photographed and personnel were reported. Security really knew how to spoil the mood, but it was necessary in order to keep the integrity of the bubble intact.  They tried to be as cordial as possible but they were in a no win situation.  Many people were pissed off but I attribute that to simple frustration after being so prudent the previous weeks.  Everyone will get over it I guarantee.

I did get some great news before the end of the day.  Three of my fellow Turner greenies and I get to golf in the morning at one of the Disney bubble courses, a privilege that was previously only afforded to players, referees, and NBA personnel.  This was welcome news as we were starting to compare our confines to that of a retirement home.

I am not being ungrateful but things have become very routine if not working at WWOS for any of the games.  Get up, participate in a game of whiffle ball or pickle ball, lunch, rest or nap, another afternoon game, dinner, socialize, go to bed.  And do the same thing the next day.  We don’t have any responsibility and want for nothing other than perhaps a change in the monotony.  I must choose my words carefully as I do not want to come across as being unappreciative.  But let's be honest here.  I’m not ready, at least not yet, to have everything planned and ready for me.  It sounds wonderful but it has its negatives.