Pink Out

Last Saturday we took the boys to an Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) basketball game. We have been wanting to take the boys to an OIT game since we moved to Klamath, but somehow we haven't made time. OIT is less than two miles from our house, so we have no excuse. This particular night was a big night for OIT. It was a sold out crowd. The men's team would be playing local rival Southern Oregon University (SOU) and the men's team was poised to deliver their coach his 900th career win. Danny Miles has been coaching at OIT for 39 years!

Seating is general admission so we arrived about mid-way through the women's game to secure seats. When we stepped into the court we were overwhelmed by the pink. Everyone, and I mean everyone was wearing a pink t-shirt. We were going to resist, unwilling to buy pink t-shirts. But we were quickly spotted by some of Johan's co-workers, who must have known what we were thinking. "They are free!" they shouted. "Free!?!" Johan asked. "Yes!" So, Johan went after some pink t-shirts for all of us to wear...I still resisted (no maternity sizes). We settled into the bleachers where the temperature was approaching 80+ degrees.

The women's game was extremely exciting. It ended up in overtime, and C loved all of it! He is an uber-fan. He loved the trash talking, the cheering, the wave, the pink for all, the music, the chanting, etc... He jumped right in. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the absolute joy that was all over his face. When the speakers began to blare, "We will rock you," C was in his glory. I happen to sing that to him sometimes when we are playing soccer or basketball or whatever. Just a little taunting. He looked at me, slightly astonished that this song, my song, the song that he has only known me to sing was being played on the speakers and that apparently EVERYONE knows the words. He jumped right up with the rest of the fans, stomping and clapping to the music.

Here's a shot of my boys. K has already stripped out of his pink layer. It is an awkward angle for a picture and I don't think anyone was in the mood to sit for a picture. They all reluctantly indulged me...

K, who wasn't feeling well, leaned on me if only to share his body heat in the already sweltering gymnasium. K and I commiserated our respective situations. He, his cough and congestion. Me, my throbbing finger, extra-large belly, and excessive heat. Johan carried on work talk with his co-workers, while allowing me to lean back on his knees and giving me a shoulder massage. Never-the-less, K and I would only make it to half-time of the men's game. We left early, ready for fresh air and seats with backs. C wouldn't dream of leaving early, the team needed him. He had much more cheering to do. Johan and C stayed to see OIT win and coach Danny Miles earn his 900th win, making him one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history.