Anticipation

After Oregon defeated USC on Halloween I got it into my head that should the Ducks reach the Rose Bowl, we would go to the game. And the parade. Chances were good. Then came the first hurdle. The Arizona game could have derailed the train. But we were all relieved as we watched the Ducks come from behind to tie the game and then to win it in overtime. We were at a hockey game and one of the linesmen was in the lobby of Lane County Ice watching the game. It was between periods of course. The only real remaining obstacle to a Rose Bowl berth was the Civil War Game against the Beavers. I had already looked into Alumni Association packages and train transportation to Los Angeles. I told Susie before the game that if the OSU won, we could still go to the Rose Bowl. To watch the Beavers. Or the big flat-tailed rats as I often refer to them. She was pleased. Well, the Ducks won and the very next day I bought train tickets and the land-only package through the UO Alumni Association. I put in my request for tickets with the Athletic Dept. What could go wrong? Well Dear Reader, I'll tell you. I didn't get tickets through the U of O. Panic set in. I went to StubHub and purchased tickets there. Better than twice the face value! After the seller confirmed the purchase...nothing. Expected shipping date of December 28. It was to be 2-day shipping through FedEx. Our train was to leave at 5:00 PM on the 30th. They should arrive in time. Right? Wrong. On the 28th I received word from StubHub that the seller was unable to obtain the tickets he had sold me. What?! But, there were tickets, better tickets, one section over, that were available to be shipped immediately. Complete with an upgrade to overnight delivery. Well, OK. I took it. A few hours later, my purchase was confirmed by the seller, and a few hours after that, they were shipped. At last, I had a tracking number. But, wait for it. The origin of the shipment was, you guessed it, Eugene. Oh well. They were sure to get here in time. Finally, this morning I checked up on the tracking number. The tickets had been sent to the FedEx sorting facility in Portland? From there they will be sent back to Eugene. Delivery is still estimated by noon today. I am pretty sure I will be holding my breath as I open the screen door when I get home.