Beta testing.

I think this bodes well for Robidas' season.

Just like Razor says that it’s preseason for the broadcasts, too, it’s also preseason for us fans.

As a newbie season-ticket-holder, I have some decisions to make and some ideas to try out before I settle in for the season. Last night’s game against the Avs was my first chance to do some tests.

I have a permanent place to sit. A couple of season ago, I had a ten-game package with Myra and company, so I kind of know what it’s like, but this is FORTY-ONE games. Not ten. So I was anxious to see what I was going like and dislike about the location.

First of all, what kind of purse should I carry, if any? I don’t want to carry a purse at all, but I have too much stuff for my pockets. My car key fob, credit card, driver’s license, phone. And when I do carry them in my pockets, I tend to drop stuff when I try to take other stuff out of my pocket. Also, I panic repeatedly when I forget I didn’t bring my purse. But my regular purse is a mess. It has a bunch of stuff I don’t need and it just gets in the way. Last night I tried a new cross-body purse that’s pretty small and hands-free as a kind of compromise. It will take some getting used to, wearing my purse like that. Not sure if it’s much better than just pockets — I somehow dropped my debit card and lost it. Dumb purse. I’ll have to keep working on that one.

The view from my seat is great. It’s right in the corner, on the first row of an upper section. The glass on the balcony doesn’t bother me at all. There seem to be some characters in the vicinity, but nothing I can’t handle yet. It was just the first preseason game, so I’m only guessing that these are other STHs like me.

Since I’m the front row, though, it’s not that conducive to people-watching. More so for being watched, really, now that I think about it. Hopefully everybody’s cool, because we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other.

I will need a blanket. And gloves. And possibly a ski mask. I am right under a vent. It actually blows my hair into my face.

The ladies room is very handy. And I’m not on the opposite side of the building from where I come in. So those items pass. Also, I’m not in a direct line to a bank of speakers. There are a few spots in the arena where my right ear hurts when the music is loud. No problem here.

There are a couple of funny quirks about my angle as related to the lines on the ice. I’m in a position where the near goal line, on the far side of the net, lines up exactly with the glass around the rink. This makes it disappear and several times I kind of mini-freaked out about how there was no goal line! And have you ever noticed that the trapezoid lines go up the yellow baseboard? Well, I never had, until last night when I thought for a second that one of them was drawn from the ice, up through the air, to the top of the baseboard. I know! It’s the craziest optical illusion. My view is straight on the line at the far net. I’m going to try to get a picture of it someday.

I didn’t check the concession stands this time, but I will test those out on Saturday. Which direction should I go for the best popcorn and the fizziest Diet Coke? Are there corny dogs nearby? What about sugared pecans? These are all very important tests that will be performed over the next few preseason games, so that opening night will free of bugs.

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