I started last week in Montgomery, AL. I finished last week at The Farm. In between, I visited Atlanta, GA, Jackson, MS and spent a few days at home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 1,126 miles. My car is tired. My body is more tired.
But it was a great week.
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At the beginning of every NBA season, my son and I mark must see games. Lakers, Hornets, Wemby (this Friday), and of course, his beloved Boston Celtics. This year, there was an immediate conflict with the March 30th Pelicans-Celtics game in New Orleans. My good friend and Christy’s only cousin had chosen this day to get married in Jackson, Mississippi. My son was furious. I just laughed and immediately begin searching for a replacement venue to go see the Celtics.
In the past couple of years, we had seen them in New Orleans, Boston, Charlotte, and Houston and had an absolute blast doing so. Dallas would be viable. Memphis would be viable. But at the end of the day, we settled on Atlanta. Hawks vs. Celtics. Monday, March 25th.
Little did we know that we would witness NBA history.
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The month of March, especially the latter two weeks of March, is my busiest time of year. The weather is ideal and everyone wants to play golf. I could teach seven days a week if I wanted. I enjoy the month, but I remain exhausted for a good portion of it.
Having said that, driving 1,126 miles over a March week’s span adds insult to injury, but that’s just how it goes. I finished work around 4:30pm last Sunday evening, then boogied three hours straight to Montgomery, AL, a place I had never been. Upon arrival, I had zero desire to explore, which is unusual for me. I wanted to find the best pizza in town (which I had already done), and I wanted the televisions on March Madness. After a good night’s sleep, we would explore downtown Montgomery briefly Monday morning before heading to Atlanta. (Nothing really to write home about there.)
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Stop one in Atlanta was Cards HQ, a brand new innovative card store just a couple of miles from Truist Park, where we had a formal tour later that afternoon. My son was so excited to get to the card store he couldn’t stand himself. The first card that we saw upon arrival was a Pokémon card priced at $6,500. I told him he was in the wrong section.
He was looking for Tatum and Acuna. I was looking for Zion and Ohtani. Our eyes, hearts, and wallets were also open to cool surprises, which we both found. Our foray into sports cards has been wildly entertaining and incredibly fun, but I have also used it as a serious introduction to investing for my nine year old son.
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It was Opening Week 2024 for Major League Baseball, although the Braves home opener still hasn’t happened. As such, the buzz was in the air as we got an intimate tour of the ballpark. We were even able to walk out on the field, though we were threatened with our lives if we got anywhere near the grass.
As a child, my grandparents lived just outside of Atlanta, and we went to Braves games all the time. Those are some of my best childhood memories, and it makes me very excited that my own son has become very fond of the Braves too. There’s just something about the talent and swag of Ronald Acuna Jr. that pulls you in.
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After a quick check in at our hotel, it was time for the main event. The Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA, so it was no surprise that midway through the second quarter, they were beating the Hawks by thirty, 68-38. What WAS a surprise was that when the final horn sounded, the Celtics had lost by two. When I say that my son was ready to fight grown men, I am not exaggerating.
As we debriefed on the way back to the hotel, I told Banks I had never seen anything like that before. Well, that was because it had not happened in over 25 years. We were in the building for the biggest blown lead in the NBA in 25 years. My son was upset, but when I say the vibe was electric, THE VIBE WAS ELECTRIC.
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Now that we knew what the card store was all about, we made a return trip on Tuesday, more prepared for what our investments were going to be. Zion, LaMelo, Ohtani, Acuna, Tatum, and…
… a John Smoltz autograph out of 25. My grandmother, may she rest in peace, would be well pleased.
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If you know me at all, you know that I have an internal map of where all the best BBQ spots are in the United States. On the drive back to the coast from Atlanta, it’s Chuck’s BBQ in Opelika, AL.
BBQ pork cooked with wood chips, baked beans, and Brunswick stew. If you are ever in charge of my last supper, this would be the menu.
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After a full week back home of working, teaching, and practicing, it was time to throw on a shirt and tie for only the third time in five years and beeline it to Jackson, MS. I told my buddy that I may be walking in with the bride, but I will be there.
I pulled in about 5:20 for the 5:30 ceremony and exhaled. It was a beautiful event, and thanks to a cavalcade of grandparents and babysitters, Christy and I actually got to have a fun, normal, adult night with a bunch of old and new friends. It felt like about the third time in five years that had happened, but it was lots of fun, nonetheless.
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We still had The Easter Bunny and Easter lunch left on the docket, some two hours away from where I currently sat, bleary-eyed but extremely fulfilled. I would say that those events ended the week, but that’s not exactly true. The text from my brother, an NC State Wolfpack graduate, later that afternoon ended the week.
🐺 Pack, he said. 🐺 Pack.
If the Hawks can beat the Celtics after being down by 30, anything is possible. I’m pulling for them. Hopefully, I get two more identical texts in the coming week…
…after I have woken up from a very long nap.
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Have a great week.-Benj
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